Bronny James breaks silence on recruitment at Nike Hoop Summit

You can count the number of times Bronny James, the oldest son of the NBA’s all-time leading scorer LeBron James, has participated in an on-record interview on one hand. A documentary appearance here and a Sports Illustrated feature story there — essentially 18 years of silence, specifically since emerging as a blue-chip basketball recruit the last half-decade.

Zero quotes regarding his recruitment and what he’s looking for in a college during his time at Sierra Canyon. The first player in the history of the McDonald’s All-American Game to withdraw from Media Day. One of the most popular players in recent high school basketball memory — he’s got seven million followers on Instagram — yet next to no insight on what’s next for the No. 9 overall prospect in the latest On3 player rankings.

Well, until now.

Participating in the 2023 Nike Hoop Summit out in Portland, Oregon, James broke his silence for the first time in, uh, ever regarding his college recruitment and on-court growth as a player. With a catch, of course — “I think we can move on to questions about USA Basketball and the Hoop Summit,” the media coordinator jumped in a minute into the four-minute interview.

But hey, it was something. The first something.

“Of course it’s an honor, to be chosen with all of the other elite players in the country,” James said in the brief media appearance. “It’s an honor to be accepted and invited to one of these big-time events.”

The five-star guard is one of 13 players on the USA Nike Hoop Summit Men’s Team, who will take on the World Team on Saturday, April 8 at 10 p.m. ET, live on NBA TV. James joins Kentucky signees DJ Wagner and Justin Edwards on the USA squad, along with Isaiah Collier, Ron Holland, Cody Williams, Sean Stewart, Ja’Kobe Walter, Jared McCain, Omaha Biliew, Jackson Shelstad, Eric Dailey Jr. and Blake Buchanan.

The selected group was tight and James knows the privilege that comes with being part of such an exclusive talent pool, one that includes two future Wildcats. Combine that with the McDonald’s All-American Game to close out March, and it’s been a pretty big two-week stretch for the 6-foot-3 guard.

“I always believe in myself, try to keep a healthy mindset for myself,” James said. “I have goals and I know other people have goals — the decision is what it is (to invite me to these events) but I’m happy with the outcome of it.”

He’s also the lone uncommitted recruit on the USA team, just as he was in Houston during McDonald’s festivities. With that comes pressure from those at the event pushing for their future schools to land his services, Oregon’s Shelstad and USC’s Collier being two in particular.

Those two programs are considered top contenders in his recruitment — again, based entirely on speculation and behind-the-scenes talks — with Ohio State also receiving an official visit.

“It’s fun times, good to joke with them. Talking with them, talking to the coaches, it’s good to know they want me there with them,” James said. “At the end of the day, it’s my decision and I’m going to make the right one for me.”

There you have it, your first on-record quote from Bronny James himself regarding his recruitment. He later added that he’s “talked about Oregon” with Shelstad and “likes his game a lot” — “everyone likes to play with a good point guard that can make good decisions.” Nothing else allowed, per USA Basketball’s unwritten terms and conditions for Bronny and Bronny only.

USA Today says “there’s speculation he could make an announcement Saturday after the game,” but that’s the extent of any real decision timeline or official finalists.

As for his game, though, James has really blown up in recent months, emerging as a potential lottery pick in 2024 and jumping into the top 10 of On3’s latest player rankings. What has led to that jump?

“It’s always been consistency. I feel like I’ve grown at a nice pace throughout the four years of my high school career,” James said. “With me being consistent in what I’m doing with my workouts, my recovery, getting that right mindset, it’s helped in me being successful.”

And what’s he looking to prove at this event and to close out his high school career before taking his next step?

“Being confident. Being here with all of these elite players, I just want to show that I belong, show what I can do,” he added. “Just playing my game, being confident and smart, that’s what I like to do. And play defense.”

What is his celebrity dad saying about all of this?

“He’s just proud, you know? My dad gives me good words, good encouragement about playing my game and being myself out here,” James said.

The five-star guard will participate in the prestigious event Saturday evening at 10 p.m. ET, live on NBA TV.