6 - Bronny James

Strengths: One of the more powerful, explosive combo guards in the class … Athletic — speed, leaping, strength, control… capable of highlight reel dunks as well as crafty finishes around the hoop… Has a nice lay-up package … Excellent in transition, both in decision making and finishing through contact… definitely an NBA-caliber athlete (40 inch vert) … Can be both smooth and/or explosive on the finish, with soft touch around the hoop … Showed good ability to finish through contact … Loves to get to the hoop, float, hold the ball, draw the contact, and finish on the way down … Outside shooting and playmaking have come a long way. Initially projected as more of an off-ball threat, but developed rapidly over the past 1-2 years (jumped from a top-50 recruit to top-25 high school player) and ultimately considered a lead guard option … Becoming a standout defensive player and outside shooter would raise his game to the next level that can help an NBA team … Fast baseline to baseline with solid quickness … Has a nice Eurostep and can put spin on the ball for creative finishes off the glass on the drive … His shooting form can look a bit stiff, but overall is quite good at this point … Our inside sources tell us he comes from a good family … While basketball was likely Bronny’s “default” since day one, (LeBron has not kept it a secret that he wants to play with Bronny in the NBA), he does appear to love the game and have his own presence and internal and genuine drive to play at the highest level …
Weaknesses: A bit small for an NBA off guard (6’1.5″ barefoot) , and lacking great feel and insticts as a point guard … Lacks experience and skill to play either guard position at the moment … Bronny has good vision and is a smart player, and he can get to his chosen spots off the dribble, but experience at point guard is the concern for now … Has not demonstrated ability to play lead guard. .. How is his motor? His defensive tools are there, but he has yet to get after it with the absolute ferocity and tenacity that you’d love to see from a player with his skill set … Also, he’s never been the standout best player on his team, and has never had to shoulder a huge offensive load … Does he have a go-to set of moves to create his own shot? … Does not project as an ultra-high scorer, tends to “fit in” offensively as opposed to stand out and dominate … What is his standout skill, other than his athleticism and finishing at the rim? You’d love to see him develop as a knockdown outside shooter and/or monster defender like a Gary Payton II … Did not have a productive season and enters the draft after his freshman year boosted by “being who he is” — the son of LeBron James. He is an NBA caliber athlete, but a bit undersized, and he did not prove himself in his lone season at USC … There were plenty of issues outside his hands during the season, but the truth remains that he was not a productive player this past season …
Outlook: Bronny had a scary incident just prior to his freshman season at USC in which he suffered a cardiac arrest at a practice. Details were understandably kept somewhat sparse. But the good news is that he appears to have made a full recovery. He suited up for USC for the 2023-24 (albeit well after the season started), which was very much up in the air when the news was first reported. Bronny selected USC in what was one of the highest profile college recruitments of recent memory… Bronny made a huge leap in his development, going from top-50 to top-25 in his class from junior to senior year (high school) … Was selected for, and then showed out in the McDonald’s All American game, finishing with 15 points on 5-8 from 3P range … Undoubtedly was using the game to show off his improved outside shooting … Also finished second in the McDonald’s All American Dunk Contest … Played well at the Nike Hoop Summit, finishing with 11 points and playing a key role in sparking a 4th quarter run that ultimately put Team USA over the top against the World Team in the 6 point win…
Notes: Measured 6′ 1.50” barefoot, 8′ 2.50” standing reach, 210.4 lbs, 6′ 7.25” wingspan, 32 standing vert, 40.5 max vert at the 2024 NBA Draft Combine …
Drew Wolin 6/13/24
Strengths: 6’4 combo guard … Strong frame and handles contact well … Solid athlete and good body control at the rim. Throws down aggressive jams on occasions … Can play on or off the ball … Good mechanics and arc on jump shot. Effective shooting off the catch with good balance and his feet set. Plenty capable of getting hot and scoring from beyond the arc. Shooting range extends to the NBA 3PT line … Unselfish and doesn’t try to do too much with the ball. Solid court vision and passing ability, knows his options with the ball. Averaged 3.7 assists to 2.3 turnovers per game over the Nike EYBL in 2022 … Good commitment and foot speed as a defender. Consistently sits and harasses the ball-handler. Anticipates and gets his hand on passes, defends well off the ball. Averaged 1.2 steals per game over the Nike EYBL in 2022 … Has handled the publicity and having his every move examined under a microscope incredibly well, especially considering how long he’s been in the limelight. Stayed poised while always having a target on his back by opposing teams … Likely not a top option, but potentially a piece/rotational player to a winning team …
Weaknesses: Labeled as a combo guard but lacks as a primary initiator and lacks size to primarily play off the ball … Solid athlete and obviously has great genetics but isn’t top tier explosive … Can improve as a ball-handler. Doesn’t create much in the half-court as he lacks slashing ability and doesn’t break down the defense off the dribble much. Generally, keeps the ball outside the arc. Can improve scoring efficiency and finishing at the rim. Averaged 11.5 points per game on 35.7% FG% over the Nike EYBL in 2022 … Lacks diversity as a scorer. While limited in the half-court to catch and shoot situations, he can improve 3PT shooting consistency. He had a few 50%+ 3PT% games, but he also had his share of off games as well, ultimately shooting 29.7% 3PT% on 5.1 3PT attempts per game over the Nike EYBL in 2022. Can be too content shooting contested deep 3s … Can improve as a free throw shooter. Shot 65.6% FT% over the Nike EYBL in 2022 …
Outlook: USC freshman … Son of LeBron James … Recorded 14 points (5-10 FG, 5-8 3PT) and 4 assists in the 2023 McDonald’s All-American Game … Scored 11 points in the 2023 Nike Hoop Summit … 2023 Naismith High School All-American Honorable Mention …
Evan Tomes 10/14/23
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