Bronny James has had one of the most scrutinized rookie seasons in recent NBA memory, and yet, according to JJ Redick, he’s passed with flying colors. In fact, Redick went a step further, grading the young guard with an “A+” for the way he has handled himself during his first year in the league.
While Bronny’s box score numbers might not jump off the page, Redick emphasized that maturity, composure, and growth are what truly set him apart.
“I give him an A+. How he has personally handled a lot of attention, good and bad, he doesn’t ever break character. He’s the same guy every day and he doesn’t allow the good attention to get to him.”
“He doesn’t allow the bad attention to get to him and he just continues to work. I thought Zach and his staff did a phenomenal job with him when he was down with the South Bay Lakers.”
“He’s improved and we saw this particularly, I went to some early games and seeing his confidence grow from October, November, to really that second part of the G League season, post showcase, was phenomenal.”
“And I think every time he’s been on the court for us in the second half of the season, you can see that level of confidence and level of comfort. And I mean, he’s a guy you can tell things to and they don’t let it affect their work or their attitude. I told him, like, I’m very high on him longterm being a part of our rotation.”
Bronny’s first season has indeed been filled with ups and downs. He bounced between the Los Angeles Lakers and their G-League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers, frequently finding himself playing in garbage-time minutes at the NBA level. Yet, he never let the limited playing time affect his attitude.
Redick noted that Bronny’s work ethic and willingness to improve have been visible all season. He credited South Bay’s coaching staff for nurturing Bronny’s growth, especially during the second half of the G-League season.
The numbers back that up. While Bronny averaged just 2.3 points, 0.7 rebounds, and 0.8 assists in 6.7 minutes per game across 27 NBA appearances, he thrived in the G-League.
There, he showcased his full offensive arsenal, averaging 21.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 5.4 assists while shooting 44% from the field and a strong 38% from beyond the arc. Those performances were filled with confidence and control, hinting at his long-term potential.
One of the biggest moments of his rookie year came when he received extended NBA minutes against the Milwaukee Bucks, filling in due to multiple injuries in the Lakers’ rotation.
Bronny rose to the occasion, dropping 17 points and demonstrating impressive poise for a rookie thrown into a high-stakes game. It was a breakthrough moment that silenced many critics and showed what he could do with real opportunity.
That progression culminated in the Lakers’ regular-season finale against the Portland Trail Blazers, where Bronny earned his first career NBA start. He finished with four points, three rebounds, six assists, and four steals—an all-around performance that highlighted his playmaking, defensive instincts, and unselfishness.
With the Lakers gearing up for the playoffs, Bronny is unlikely to see major minutes in the postseason. However, his development this season has set the foundation for a much bigger role next year.
He’s already proven he can dominate the G-League. Now, with more seasoning and a focused offseason, Bronny has a clear path to becoming a consistent contributor in the NBA—perhaps even as a point-of-attack defender and reliable three-point shooter.
For now, though, JJ Redick’s grade says it all: Bronny James has exceeded expectations.
