Bronny James has garnered more attention than any potential second-round NBA Draft prospect in recent memory. As the eldest heir to arguably the greatest player of all time, that is to be expected.
But is it warranted?
James had a difficult freshman season at USC. He suffered cardiac arrest during a preseason workout, which put his season on hold for four months. He remained on a minutes restriction for his first four games, then struggled to find a consistent role in the Trojans' lineup.
Those factors resulted in disappointing averages of 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 0.8 steals per game — not your typical stat line for a potential draftee.
That has led to James becoming a polarizing prospect. Some believe he is only in this position because of his father, LeBron. Others, like myself, are firm in that he has the physical tools and basketball IQ to be more successful at the NBA level than he was in college.
As James prepares to hear his name called in the 2024 NBA Draft, take a look at how he projects as a player at the next level.
MORE: Breaking down Bronny's disappointing college season at USC
Bronny James NBA scouting report
Bronny James strengths
James has the potential to be better in the NBA than he was in college because his role will be much more defined.
The 19-year-old will be a 3-and-D guard whose primary job will be to wreak havoc as a perimeter defender and knock down open 3s when the ball swings his way.
Even if James only measured at 6-1.5 without shoes on at the NBA Draft Combine, he still has a strong 210-pound frame and 6-7 wingspan. His height could be a challenge against bigger guards, but he has the agility, strength and athleticism to remain disruptive on that end.
James takes pride in defense and knows that is how he will carve out a role in the league. He is physical with quick feet and active hands. His intelligence shines through by properly positioning himself in off-ball rotations.
On offense, James plays within himself. His shot mechanics are smooth and his work ethic suggests he can become a consistent 3-point shooter to keep defenses honest.
Even if he is not an isolation scorer or prolific shot creator, James can still put the ball on the floor, attack the rim or make the right reads to keep the ball moving. He is a connective playmaker who can make an impact with or without the ball in his hands.
Most importantly, James understands how he can be an asset to an NBA roster. The players he compares himself to — Derrick White, Jrue Holiday and Davion Mitchell — indicate that he is willing to do the dirty work to earn his spot in a rotation, and that level of self-awareness will go a long way toward his development in becoming a star in his role.
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Bronny James weaknesses
If James is going to be successful in the NBA, he has to perfect his 3-point shot. It is nearly impossible to become a rotation player in the league as an undersized guard who can't shoot, no matter how good he can be defensively.
James has pretty mechanics but the results were not there as a freshman at USC. He only shot 26.7 percent from 3 on 60 3-point attempts. That will be his defining skill at the next level.
Bronny James just crushed the 3-point star shooting drill at the NBA draft combine. 19/25, good for second place. pic.twitter.com/50UVXXy3GY
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) May 14, 2024
James could also benefit from becoming a better ball-handler and shot-creator if he is going to do more than just catch-and-shoot on offense in the NBA. He struggles to create separation from his defenders in isolation, making it tough to score at the rim or free up open looks for himself on the perimeter. Because of that, he tends to get too passive and fall into the background.
James is still very much a raw offensive product and he'll have to improve that skill set to stick in the league.
MORE: Will Lakers select Bronny James with No. 17 overall pick?
Bronny James NBA player comparison
Plays like: Jalen Suggs, Derrick White
At the conclusion of James' senior season at Sierra Canyon, I used Suggs as his NBA player comparison. Going into his freshman debut at USC, I changed my assessment to a developmental diamond like White.
Both players feel like a possible blueprint for James as he tries to find his place in the NBA.
Suggs (6-5, 205 lbs.) has morphed his game from a No. 1 option in college to more of a combo guard who hangs his hat on the defensive end in the NBA. He has become one of the league's best perimeter defenders and nearly shot 40 percent from 3 this past season while still providing playmaking skills.
White (6-4, 190 lbs.) feels like more of a ceiling for James, going from a late first-round pick to one of the most important role players in the league. He is an elite perimeter defender, a knockdown 3-point shooter and a reliable playmaker who keeps the ball moving.
James (6-2, 210 lbs.) has all the tools to bring a similar intense presence on defense. He just has to become a more consistent 3-point shooter —just as Suggs and White did — to keep defenses honest.
