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 very 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 these days, particularly since he declared for the 2024 NBA Draft final month, regardless of not having the very best freshman marketing campaign at USC. The rising star revealed among the challenges he’s confronted by rising up in his father’s shadow.
“Lots of criticism will get thrown my manner, however , I’ve obtained to take care of it,” he expressed. “[My critics] don’t know what I’ve been by means of … I simply attempt to make the very 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 manner”
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One of many largest doubts he’s needed to dodge to date, is the truth that he determined to leap from faculty division to the professionals after just one marketing campaign. “You already know I all the time wish to find yourself the place I’m completely happy probably the most,” Bronny began out. “[My] mother has all the time advised me , ‘take me the place my coronary heart desires 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 would like 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 pair of.1 assists over 19.4 minutes per contest. His pictures 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 faculty 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 an incredible freshman 12 months, and as all the time grateful for my household, pals, docs, athletic trainers and followers for his or her help.”
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 enable that. So yeah, I’ve all the time been a sports activities man, however basketball was simply my cup of tea.”
Scouts and consultants have delivered blended critiques over Bronny’s first demonstrations on the NBA Draft Mix
Despite the fact that James has largely impressed scouts on the NBA Draft Mix, which was celebrated final week in Chicago, there are nonetheless some lingering issues across the teenager’s chance of going skilled.
An article lately printed by The Ringer, they acknowledged how an nameless common supervisor within the NBA stated that “Bronny is nowhere close to prepared.” In accordance with the supply, he additionally beneficial he went “again to high school to develop at his personal tempo or he dangers getting misplaced within the shuffle, whether or not or not he’s taking part in together with his dad.”
LeBron had expressed his need of taking part in alongside his son final 12 months, however then advised reporters throughout February’s NBA All-Star Recreation Weekend that he most well-liked to “let the child make [his own] determination,” and never strain him into one thing he isn’t prepared for.
Final month, the 19-year-old admitted that the previous 12 months 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 12 months with some ups and downs however all added development for me as a person, pupil and athlete,” he wrote on his social media.
