In an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show, NBA insider Brian Windhorst explained where things stand across the league when it pertains to Bronny James. After a disappointing freshman season, scouts blame USC for how they utilized the young King’s talents.
“NBA scouts don’t think Bronny James was able to put his best foot forward this year because USC didn’t play him in his position,” said Windhorst. “They say that he should play somewhere where he can be the point guard and build up his skills.”
"When I talk to scouts about Bronny they don't think that he was able to put his best foot forward this year because USC didn't play him at his position..
The scouts are saying that he should go play somewhere that he can be the point guard"@WindhorstESPN #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/m0znGcav6H
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) April 18, 2024
Bronny played primarily off the ball for the Trojans, leaving most of the ball-handling duties to his backcourt teammate, Isaiah Collier. Described as a “combo” guard for USC, Bronny was less involved in the playmaking duties than he would have liked and scouts believe it limited his production and impact on the floor.
Of course, Bronny specifically chose USC out of all schools just last summer but plans quickly de-railed after he suffered a Cardiac arrest in the offseason. While doctors eventually gave him a clean bill of health, it was a serious medical scare for the young athlete that no doubt compromised his summer training routine.
By the time the season started, USC was determined to ease Bronny in slowly until he became a larger part of the rotation. Unfortunately, through 25 games, he was never able to establish himself as one of those top-tier prospects and finished the season averaging just 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game on 36% shooting.
Big Decisions Are Coming For Bronny
Bronny’s first big move of the summer was announcing his transfer from USC, effective immediately. He joined the transfer portal right away, and it’s where he currently remains to wait out his NBA future.
With a path to the league and back to college, James will get to choose his way this offseason and it could have big implications for his NBA career. After his current season, Bronny is projected to be a late first-round pick, at best, and the jury is still out on whether he can become a high-impact player in the NBA.
If he returns to school, James will have his pick of several teams and it’s likely he will prioritize a program that plays to his strengths as a natural playmaker, court reader, and gifted on-ball defender. So far, James has shown not any indication of which school he may join and it’s looking increasingly likely he will join the NBA as soon as possible.
In the league, Bronny is likely to fall to a team that’s at least somewhat competitive, and his particular skill set, combined with a superior basketball IQ, makes him an ideal young guard off the bench for many teams.
For now, the primary goal for Bronny and his father is to play together on the same team before it’s too late and it may be possible depending on where he goes in the upcoming draft. Either way, Bronny has strong faith in his game and he’s not going to let a mediocre season at USC hold him back from greatness.
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