All the chatter around the NBA Drafts is currently focused on Bronny. His father, LeBron’s inclination towards playing on the hardwood with his son is the root cause of the same. Although he’s doing better than he was last year, people feel he still doesn’t have what it takes to be an NBA star. Surprisingly, his competition is very close to home – his younger brother, Bryce James- who is blessed with his father’s natural athleticism.
Yes, people have a natural inclination towards LeBron’s youngest son. Bryce’s pedigree and acumen for basketball is surprising, considering he just turned 17 on June 14, 2024. His passion is reflected in his journey so far as a student at Sierra Canyon, where he recently finished his junior year. And the fact that ESPN touts him to be #22 in all of California speaks volumes as to why he’s a craze among fans, analysts, and basketball scouts across the US.
Even The Odd Couple Show hosts couldn’t refrain from talking about him and his future. During their discussions, a peculiar point came out – “Have you seen much of Bryce?”, a question Broussard posed. In response, Ephraim Salaam argued about the size advantage Bryce possesses, and Chris Broussard pointed out,“I’ve heard he’s a better prospect than Bronny.” Bryce is 6’5 and has presented signs of having a more diverse skill set than his brother.
To be honest, it’s not just their heights, it’s their overall performance as well. Bryce shoots well. He is already going beyond the high-school 3-pointer line, and he’s only going to improve from here on. Plus, he finishes the games off well. He’s decent with his shoot-off movements as well, with multiple ways of tackling the ball on the floor, giving his team the advantage of winning. In May 2024, Bryce dropped 21 points against Cameron Boozer, as his father was overlooking their gameplay. It does bring us to the perspective of whether Bryce is really better than Bronny.
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Interestingly, NBA Insider, Brian Windhorst also showcased a certain belief in Bryce when was on the Bill Simmons Podcast in 2o23. “LeBron’s more naturally talented son appears to be Bryce,” he admitted. However, height is not all that matters to be a prospect in the NBA. For instance, look at Jalen Brunson.
Will Bryce James supersede Bronny’s effort?
The 6 ‘1 guard definitely will have a tough time in the NBA unless he has something more to offer. The veterans on the Odd Couple Show immediately compared him with the NY Knicks star guard, Jalen Brunson. Despite the size disadvantage, Brunson has developed himself into a lethal force on the court. His team crashed out of the playoffs after he sustained a fracture in the left hand. On the other side, the 19-year-old also has a bunch of issues, heading into the draft.
The Suns, which seemed like a front-runner to draft the youngster, seemed to have backed out. The latest report related to the Suns’ draft attempt revealed that the team might trade down their pick for better scouts. On the other hand, the Lakers seem unsure of picking the rising star in the 17th pick, since they have other prospects like Zack Eddey.
While Bronny’s future in the league hangs by a thin thread, Bryce James has had an impressive personal run. The 17-year-old recently made it to the national side for the U17 team for the FIBA WC 2-day training camp. LeBron’s son made it alongside star names like Kiyan Anthony, Cayden Boozer, Tahj Ariza, and Cameron Boozer! Attractive NCAA offers Duquesne, USC, and many others are already coming in for him, immediately following his success. Moreover, standing tall at 6′ 5, the youngster could further grow taller in the years to come. Maybe even taller than his father.
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Despite the athleticism that Bronny James showcased in his high school games, it all went in vain after his freshman year run. The 19-year-old star had a cardiac arrest ahead of the college season and missed out a lot on his preparation. And, it showed on the court, as he averaged only 4.8 points, coming off the bench. Later, many argued that he should play another year in college. He, however, shut down everyone after signing up for the draft.
The only way Bronny can shut down his critics is by putting up a show in his rookie season. On the other hand, Bryce, a 3-star prospect and 22nd-best player in the state, has a different story altogether. He was adjudged “naturally talented”right from the beginning and has many colleges interested. However, it’s unfair to determine the best without their entry into the professional balling. So, when you really nail it down, Bryce might have a higher ceiling if he continues working on himself and his skills. After all, both brothers have their individual journeys.
Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, has to say about the infamous Shaq-Kobe feud, Caitlin Clark’s Olympic snub, and more, watch this video:
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