This is a huge week for USC Trojans freshman guard Bronny James.
After passing the NBA’s fitness-to-play panel and getting medical clearance for the next level following his terrifying cardiac arrest last year, James went to Chicago and was a full participant in the 2024 NBA Draft Combine.
While a bit undersized at 6-foot-1.5 in socks, he measured well at 210.4 pounds with a 6-foot-7.25 wingspan. He also had a 40.5-inch max vertical, which was one of the best among all participants.
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He wasn’t as impressive during his first scrimmage, though it was very encouraging that he decided to play rather than sit it out like so many others.
Shooting drills and athletic testing are all interesting, but that’s hardly what mattered most from the son of the NBA’s all-time scoring leader.
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Perhaps what scouts and executives wanted to hear most from James, though, was from him directly.
For several years now, we have heard LeBron James talk about his desire to play alongside his son in the NBA. But the public hasn’t heard Bronny speak to his own desire for the same.
I asked Bronny James if it’s his dream to play with his dad, LeBron James. He replied, “No, never. My dream has always just been to put my name out, make a name for myself, and get to the NBA, which is everyone’s end goal that’s here. I never thought about just playing with my… pic.twitter.com/jt6yZn0VkX
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) May 14, 2024
Here is what Bronny said when asked if he shared that aspiration:
“No, never. My dream has always just been to put my name out, make a name for myself, and get to the NBA, which is everyone’s end goal that’s here. I never thought about just playing with my dad, but of course he’s brought it up a couple of times. But yeah, I don’t think about it much.”
That is a perfect answer from Bronny.
He made it clear that his goal is to do this on his own, and while he addressed the fact that his father obviously has that desire, he said that he does not think about it as often.
There is genuine honesty, humor and humility in that response.
