Bronny James: A Prospect? Let’s Get Real

We’ve all seen the headlines. The hype. The endless media coverage of Bronny James, son of LeBron James, stepping into the spotlight. And while it’s a feel-good story — LeBron’s dream of playing alongside his son before riding off into the NBA sunset — let’s not ignore the elephant in the room. Bronny James is not an NBA prospect.

I’m not saying this to be harsh; I’m saying it because it’s the truth. I was at the game when USC faced Stanford last season. It was an ordinary Pac-12 matchup between two middle-of-the-pack teams. Neither USC nor Stanford were tearing up the conference, and frankly, the level of play reflected that. But what stood out to me wasn’t the mediocrity of the game — it was how average Bronny looked on that court.

That Game Against Stanford: The Eye Test Doesn’t Lie
Let’s break it down. In a game where Stanford blew USC out of the gym, Bronny didn’t even start. That’s right — he came off the bench. When he finally got his chance to play, it was obvious: he was trying too hard. Every shot, every dribble, every move reeked of a kid desperately trying to prove he belonged. And to be honest, it was tough to watch.

Bronny’s Game That Night:
Points: 6
Impact: Minimal
Presence on the court: Forced, not fluid…..an absolute dumpster fire!

For a 6’4” guard, not being a natural scorer is a problem. In today’s NBA, if you’re a guard, especially one without elite size, you need to be able to fill it up. Bronny didn’t look like a scorer. He didn’t even look comfortable. The game didn’t come to him effortlessly like it does for true prospects. It was like watching a guy trying to fit in, trying to earn minutes, but ultimately, he didn’t look like he belonged.

This Is Your Prospect? Give Me a Break
Let’s be clear: Bronny James is not an NBA prospect by any traditional measure. We’re talking about a kid who couldn’t even start on a USC team that was, at best, middle of the pack in the Pac-12. And even when he got minutes, he didn’t do anything to suggest he was ready for the pros.

What Are His Teammates Thinking?
You’ve got to wonder what the guys who played with him at USC are thinking right now…