Bronny James Awaits Selection in NBA Draft
ICARO Media Group
Wednesday night's NBA Draft may have come and gone without LeBron James' son, Bronny James, hearing his name called out at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, but there is still hope for the young player. A team picking between No. 31 and 58 in the second round on Thursday could potentially select the 19-year-old prospect.
Bronny James' basketball resume is still in its early stages, with just one season at the University of Southern California under his belt. In that season, he averaged 4.8 points per game in 25 contests, mostly coming off the bench. However, his college career was interrupted by a health scare. Last July, he went into cardiac arrest and collapsed during a workout at USC. Thankfully, it was discovered to be a congenital heart defect that could be treated, allowing him to return to the court.
The setback caused by the heart scare delayed Bronny James' debut until USC's ninth game of the season. Despite this, he remains a promising talent, eager to make his mark in the basketball world.
Bronny's father, LeBron James, faces a decision of his own regarding his future with the Los Angeles Lakers. The NBA superstar has until Saturday to decide whether to stay with the team he has been a part of since the 2018-19 season.
LeBron James has long expressed his desire to play alongside his son on the court, but in recent times, he has downplayed that goal. While the NBA has seen several father-son duos over the years, such as Dell and Steph Curry, none have had the opportunity to share the floor simultaneously.
A team that selects Bronny James or signs him as an undrafted free agent would not only gain a talented player but would also have the invaluable insight and guidance of LeBron James, one of the game's most dynamic players even at the age of 39. LeBron has not only developed into a formidable 3-point shooter, converting 41% of his attempts this past season, surpassing the league average of 36.6%, but even outperforming Steph Curry's 40.8% efficiency from beyond the arc.
While the Lakers currently hold the No. 55 pick, if LeBron James decides to explore free agency and stay closer to Southern California, there are several teams in the second round that could potentially select Bronny. These teams include the Utah Jazz (at No. 32), Portland Trail Blazers (picks 34 and 40), Sacramento Kings (pick 45), Los Angeles Clippers (pick 46), Golden State Warriors (pick 52), and the 2023 champion Denver Nuggets (pick 56).
As the NBA Draft continues, the anticipation builds for Bronny James and where he will begin his professional basketball journey. Only time will tell which team will seize the opportunity to add the young talent to their roster and potentially witness a historic father-son duo take the court together.