It has by no means been simple to be the son of a legend, particularly if you wish to observe in his footsteps, because the highway is stuffed with unfair comparisons and the best expectations. For the primary time since he determined to take a leap in direction of skilled basketball, Bronny James admitted that it’s “robust” to be LeBron’s eldest son.
The 19-year-old has been on most sports activities information covers currently, particularly since he declared for the 2024 NBA Draft final month, regardless of not having one of the best freshman marketing campaign at USC. The rising star revealed a few of the challenges he’s confronted by rising up in his father’s shadow.
“Lots of criticism will get thrown my method, however , I’ve received to cope with it,” he expressed. “[My critics] don’t know what I’ve been by … I simply attempt to make one of the best of [the] alternatives that’s given to me.”
Bronny James says it’s ‘robust’ being the son of an all-time nice
“It is robust. Lots of criticism will get thrown my method”
(🎥 @SiriusXMNBA )
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) Might 20, 2024
One of many largest doubts he’s needed to dodge thus far, is the truth that he determined to leap from school division to the professionals after just one marketing campaign. “You understand I at all times need to find yourself the place I’m blissful probably the most,” Bronny began out. “[My] mother has at all times instructed me , ‘take me the place my coronary heart needs me to be,’ and I simply discovered happiness in what I’m doing proper now, and I really feel like that’s the place I need myself to be at.”
After taking part in 25 video games for the College of Southern California this season, he averaged 4.8 factors, 2.8 rebounds and a couple of.1 assists over 19.4 minutes per contest. His photographs from the sector went in 36.6% of the time, whereas he dropped in 26.7% from past the arc.
“I’ve made the choice to enter the NBA Draft whereas sustaining my school eligibility, and also will be getting into the NCAA switch portal,” he stated final month when he introduced his subsequent step. “Thanks to USC for a tremendous freshman yr, and as at all times grateful for my household, pals, medical doctors, athletic trainers and followers for his or her assist.”
James was additionally requested if basketball was the one sport he ever thought-about taking part in, however the reply was simple for him. “I imply I’ve performed different sports activities,” he revealed. “I performed soccer. [I] wasn’t allowed to play soccer. My mother didn’t permit that. So yeah, I’ve at all times been a sports activities man, however basketball was simply my cup of tea.”
Scouts and specialists have delivered blended opinions over Bronny’s first demonstrations on the NBA Draft Mix
Although James has principally impressed scouts on the NBA Draft Mix, which was celebrated final week in Chicago, there are nonetheless some lingering considerations across the teen’s chance of going skilled.
An article not too long ago revealed by The Ringer, they said how an nameless common supervisor within the NBA stated that “Bronny is nowhere close to prepared.” Based on the supply, he additionally beneficial he went “again to highschool to develop at his personal tempo or he dangers getting misplaced within the shuffle, whether or not or not he’s taking part in along with his dad.”
LeBron had expressed his want of taking part in alongside his son final yr, however then instructed reporters throughout February’s NBA All-Star Recreation Weekend that he most popular to “let the child make [his own] resolution,” and never stress him into one thing he isn’t prepared for.
Final month, the 19-year-old admitted that the previous yr hasn’t been simple, particularly as he suffered a cardiac arrest throughout final summer time, which prevented him from beginning his freshman marketing campaign on full throttle. “I’ve had a yr with some ups and downs however all added progress for me as a person, scholar and athlete,” he wrote on his social media.
