Bronny James has been one of the most highly-touted high school basketball players in the nation since he stepped foot at Sierra Canyon.
Despite being LeBron James’ son and the never-ending pressure of all eyes constantly being on him, Bronny has thrived.
He is currently averaging 14 points per game and has nine big-game universities fighting for his services. The expectation, obviously, is that he will only spend a year at the collegiate level before going pro.
This week NBA Draft expert Jonathan Givony broke down where he sees Bronny going in 2024 and who his best case scenario player comparison is.
Went on NBA Today to discuss my first 2024 mock draft and why Bronny James is now a projected Top-10 pick. pic.twitter.com/Xij2qU6IGO
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) February 22, 2023
“We’re not talking about a guy who’s going to be an All-Star in my opinion like his father,” he said.
“You’re looking at a De’Anthony Melton, Marcus Smart, best case a Jrue Holiday-type player. A phenomenal role player, who impacts winning at the highest level.”
Given that Smart just won a Defensive Player of the Year award and helped the Boston Celtics get to the NBA Finals, and Holiday is beloved by guys like Kevin Durant and an NBA champ – those are some pretty solid comparisons.
Givony also believes that Bronny benefits from being in a really bad draft class, which will only raise his stock by comparison.
“Well, this is a very underwhelming high school class, one of the worst I have seen in the last 20 years,” he continued.
“But Bronny James is improving at a rate I haven’t seen from any player in this class. I have been watching him since he was a freshman in high school and every time I see him, he’s a little bit bigger, a little bit stronger, a little bit more explosive, his shooting has improved, his ballhandling is getting better. He’s a tremendous teammate.”
The consensus has always been that Bronny suffers from not having the physical prowess of his dad. The size disparity even between him and his little brother, Bryce, is quite noticeable.
That said, what Bronny lacks from a physical perspective he more than makes up for mentally. It doesn’t matter how much the media scrutinizes his love life and breakups. It doesn’t matter which Kardashian sisters attend his games. The kid unflappable.
The video speaks for itself. https://t.co/yNPvJaNa2g
— Game 7 (@game7__) February 24, 2023
You can’t teach mental tenacity, and Bronny has it in spades.
People didn’t even think he would be as good as he is now – and yet the 18-year-old consistently continues to improve.
Time will tell if those player comparisons end up being accurate, but it is increasingly looking like one way or the other Bronny will one day become a very productive NBA player.
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Charles Kruger has been credentialed to cover two Super Bowls, four NBA Finals, and one World Series. A 20-year veteran in the sports world, he has sources spanning the NBA, MLB, NFL, UFC and NASCAR. Currently residing in Los Angeles, Calif., he is Game 7’s go-to source for rumors surrounding the Lakers, Clippers and Dodgers.
