Friday morning, it was introduced that LeBron James Jr. (Bronny) will check the draft waters whereas sustaining his school eligibility this spring. This doesn’t come as a lot of a shock, provided that Bronny was in a position to play solely half of the season after coping with a cardiovascular concern earlier than the season started.
James is trying ahead to showcasing his expertise to NBA personnel. As a 6-foot-four guard, he averaged 4.8 factors, 2.8 rebounds, and two assists whereas capturing 37% from the sphere. Many basketball followers argue that James wasn’t put in the perfect place to be efficient because of the teaching at Southern Cal.
Bronny James is anticipated to enter the switch portal. The place would you prefer to see him play subsequent season? 👀 pic.twitter.com/dUKhxoPn2G
— Courtside Movies (@CourtsideFilms) April 3, 2024
Nonetheless, Bronny had the alternatives within the minutes to point out what an efficient participant he may very well be in his freshman season, and it was considerably lackluster. His father is placing lots of strain on him and makes him play in entrance of his personnel. Nonetheless, this may assist Bronny in the long term, as it would enable him to establish the areas he must work on primarily based on staff suggestions.
Let’s study 4 different freshman guards within the draft projected forward of Bronny as of now. We’ll begin with an evaluation of James earlier than we study the opposite guards.
Let’s begin with the professionals; Bronny’s bodily body is just like his father’s– strong body, standing at 6’4” and 210 kilos. He has proven his willingness to develop into an distinctive defender. One other similarity he has together with his father is his emotions concerning the recreation. Though he averaged two assists per recreation, if you take a look at the tape, you possibly can see that Bronny was on the finish of many hockey assists. Though he might not get credit score at sure occasions, he typically asserted an effort to create scoring alternatives on the offensive aspect of the ball.
James has a considerably fast first step. He’s a high-level athlete who has already proven deep vary. As any younger participant, he may enhance on all aspects of his recreation. Usually, freshmen need to get used to the velocity of the sport. Coping with his cardiovascular scare was additionally seen as a setback in his development in his freshman season.
James having the ability to be a lead guard on an NBA staff is one thing scouts and GMs want to see. His skill to handle an offense at his dimension can change the trajectory of his potential.
Let’s take a look at 4 gamers who’re projected to be chosen forward of James. Two gamers his age and two potential capturing guards ranked increased than him. James is just not on many Mock Drafts, so we’ll examine two projected first-round picks and two projected second-round picks who all play the capturing guard place.
Rob Dillingham – NBA Draft Lottery
Dillingham is a participant James has typically seen all through his AAU profession. A lottery choose with potential, he had a powerful season whereas enjoying for the College of Kentucky. He averaged 15 factors, 3 rebounds, and 4 assists per recreation whereas capturing 47.5% from the sphere. Regardless of being a bench participant, he was an necessary a part of the Wildcats’ success.
Rob is an offensive participant who can get you a bucket on all three ranges. He’s a sneaky finisher with elite passing talents, and his killer mentality has piqued the curiosity of NBA GMs. His footwork is above common and he can end from any angle. He’s a real one-of-one participant with the pure skill to take over video games.
2024 NBA Draft Scouting Video on potential High 3 choose Rob Dillingham simply dropped on the @NoCeilingsNBA YouTube
Full video on the hyperlink ⬇️
📼: https://t.co/tkfX6GKuyU pic.twitter.com/JbcnTHrqlP
— NBA Draft Dude 🤙 (@CoreyTulaba) March 30, 2024
As lethal of a participant as Dillingham is, he generally can attempt to drive a cross or shot, however that’s not there. He’s exhibiting maturity in being a distributing guard within the NBA. With a smaller body, as he continues to get stronger, he has the potential to be within the NBA for a very long time.
Isaiah Collier – Projected Mid-Late First-Spherical Decide
Bronny’s teammate Isaiah Colier performed level guard for USC final season. Because of his spectacular efficiency, he’s anticipated to be picked within the mid-late first spherical. Along with his spectacular dimension, he proved himself to be a real chief and a respectable level guard. He confirmed his skill to run the pick-and-roll to perfection throughout this season.
Nonetheless, Collier, who ranks as one of many high level guards within the 2023 class, struggles to persistently maintain the identical rhythm all through the season attributable to accidents. Breaking his hand in the course of the season opened up a chance for James whereas not affecting his draft inventory an excessive amount of.
USC Trojans guard Isaiah Collier continues to climb up the board, touchdown at fifteenth in our newest 2024 #NBADraft Huge Board
— The proficient freshman flooring common has the instruments to be a dynamic guard who can bully his method to the basket.
— Collier completed the 12 months robust, averaging… pic.twitter.com/DxmKVEf5ze
— No Ceilings (@NoCeilingsNBA) April 3, 2024
The Atlanta native averaged 16 factors, 4 assists, three rebounds, and a steal and a half on 50% capturing from the sphere.
Antonio Reeves – Projected Second-Spherical choose
Antonio Reeves led the College of Kentucky this 12 months. The projected second-round choose can rating the ball from wherever on the court docket. He’s a quantity shooter who can get scorching in a rush however may also go chilly.
i’m going to overlook watching Antonio Reeves hoop for Kentucky 😢pic.twitter.com/gn21cgbX3O
— Huge Blue Carti (@BigBlueCarti) March 25, 2024
Two issues the projected second-round choose has which you can’t educate are his confidence and his dimension. He’s a 6’6” wing at 195 kilos who has proven indicators of being able to protect at a excessive degree.
A deep offensive bag, nonetheless, is the following step in Reeves’ recreation, and it’s how he will likely be efficient with out the ball in his hand.
Carlton Carrington – Projected Second-Spherical Decide
Carrington was a four-star recruit who got here out of highschool dedicated to the College of Pittsburgh. He flew below the radar however got here on the scene pretty rapidly when he had a triple-double in his first collegiate begin in opposition to North Carolina A&T.
A really mature guard for his age, he typically makes profitable performs. He has a knack for grabbing rebounds at a excessive degree. He is a great participant who has proven that he can distribute and rating at a excessive degree.
The Baltimore native could make the NBA GM look sensible when he selects him projectively within the second spherical. After exercises, he might transfer as much as the primary spherical.
6’5 freshman Carlton “Bub” Carrington has been trying like a primary spherical choose to this point and had one other nice recreation in the present day:
19 factors 4 rebounds 7 assists( 1 TOV)5-9 FG
He’s been the reality to this point, has vary and a terrific facilitator pic.twitter.com/Hq0o6X9by7
— PDT (@PDTScouting) November 14, 2023
He’ll need to develop into a greater defender and enhance his shot choice. Nonetheless, that comes with age and time. He has somebody in November who will likely be on an NBA roster in some efficient position for a staff. Probably turning into a franchise cornerstone someday.
As we glance again on all 4 of those gamers, two issues that all of them have over James are the quantity of movie exhibiting them being efficient gamers on the basketball court docket and the numbers to again up their expertise on the Collegiate degree.
Some imagine James will return to school except an NBA staff offers him a assure. Nonetheless, that’s the great thing about having the ability to check the NBA waters. The following month of exercises will likely be intriguing. The 4 gamers named within the article above will greater than doubtless be matched up with James, presumably at considered one of these visits.
Will James be capable of maintain his personal? We’ll have to attend and discover out.
