LeBron James’ son Bronny is reportedly ‘years’ away from reaching the necessary standard to play in the NBA.
The Sierra Canyon senior has been earmarked for a place in the league ever since he took up basketball thanks to his iconic surname. His school is something of a home for such prestigious names, with former Chicago Bulls star Scottie Pippen’s son Justin as well as ex Orlando Magic star Penny Hardaway's son Ashton turning out for the basketball team.
Bronny has been mentioned as a potential college star and even an NBA prospect for years with his father making it clear he wants to play on the same team as his son. The 18-year-old is currently ranked as the 45th-best recruit according to 247 Sports and 34th by ESPN and he reportedly has suitors including Duke, Kansas, Kentucky and North Carolina.
The earliest Bronny would be eligible to enter the NBA draft under current rules is 2024 - one year after he is set to graduate from high school. However, The Athletic reported several NCAA coaches and evaluators questioned whether Bronny will be talented enough to make it at the professional level.
The Athletic spoke to eight coaches who have evaluated Bronny as well as two NBA scouts who have watched him take to the court. They believe the guard will take some time to reach the NBA standard.
“Most coaches and scouts who spoke to The Athletic say Bronny might not be NBA-ready after two or even three years,” Dana O’Neil wrote. “He might develop into an NBA player, but the consensus is that it will take time. They say he needs reps against other high-caliber players to succeed, to fail, to adjust, to grow.
“Bronny, the evaluators say, is a good ballhandler and good shooter, but not great yet at either. Everyone knew Jalen Suggs would get the ball as soon as he walked onto the Gonzaga campus; ditto Derrick Rose at Memphis and Lonzo Ball at UCLA. Bronny is not them. He might start on a team in the bottom of a power league but not at a top 25 program. Bronny wouldn’t start for him.”
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The report also suggests coaches and scouts question whether such a pathway would sit well with Bronny and his iconic family. The James family has reportedly been fantastic to deal with throughout the recruiting process, with LeBron insisting his son be treated like an ordinary high school player.
The Athletic also noted that the Lakers star ‘understands where his son falls in terms of talent’.
James - who signed with the Los Angeles Lakers after leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2018 - has long held interest in playing alongside his son, who could be drafted by an NBA team as early as 2025. The four-time NBA champion has publicly declared the prospect of playing in the NBA with Bronny as a goal of his before James finally calls time on his career.
The 37-year-old is intent on playing with Bronny in the NBA and will prolong his illustrious career in order to do so. James has declared he will do whatever it takes to remain playing until his son is drafted.
“My last year will be played with my son,” James told The Athletic during the All-Star break earlier this year. “Wherever Bronny is at, that's where I'll be.
“I would do whatever it takes to play with my son for one year. It's not about the money at that point.”
