Bronny James on defensive mindset: 'I will always play hard'
Former USC standout Bronny James is one of the most discussed basketball prospects in memory, thanks in large part to his future Hall of Fame father, LeBron James. He recently stated that he plans to stay in the 2024 NBA Draft and the combo guard he’s been busy going through drills at the NBA combine this week. Following Day 2 of the combine scrimmages, Bronny James spoke with reporters about his defense.
In his media availability on Tuesday, James was comped to Davion Mitchell and Jrue Holiday–defensive minded players. How does he see himself continuing to be able to impact, regardless of level, that end of the floor in particular?
“You know I always try to come out and play with my most effort. Of course I try to play around with it, but play hard. And I will always play hard. I feel like that shows up on the defensive end. But yeah, I just try to focus on that and that’s what [will get me] minutes in the long run,” James noted.
In the Day 2 scrimmage, James dropped 13 points on 4 of 10 shooting from the field in 23 minutes of action.
Bronny James, the son of NBA legend LeBron James, is getting ready for the NBA Draft where he’s one of the most intriguing NBA prospects this year. However, because of who his father is, there are those who feel like he doesn’t belong in the NBA and is getting the attention he’s getting because of his father and not his own talent.
Now, James has responded to those doubters and critics who are saying he doesn’t belong in the NBA.
“There’s nothing I can say to be honest,” Bronny James said. “You know, I obviously see everything that has been thrown my way, but I’ve just got to shrug it off, and all the work that I’ve put in over this I don’t know how many years — I just feel like I need to believe in myself and everything.”
Bronny James spent one season with the USC Trojans. While there, he played in 25 games and averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game. He also shot 36.6 percent from the field and 67.6 percent from the free-throw line. Following the season, he entered the Transfer Portal and declared for the NBA Draft. He is now expected to stay in the draft.
The medical health of Bronny James is a concern. He suffered cardiac arrest while at a practice at USC and it was later discovered that he has a congenital heart defect. Luckily, he was recently cleared for the NBA Draft.
“They haven’t seen what I’ve been through or anything like that,” James said. “So, just continue to believe in myself and keep putting in the work.”
At the NBA Draft Combine, Bronny James measured in at 6’1.50″ tall with a wingspan of 6’7.25” to go with that.
On3’s Dan Morrison also contributed to this article.