NBA teams got their first up-close look at USC guard Bronny James on Monday during the 2024 draft in Chicago.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and Jonathan Givony reported earlier today that the league’s fitness to play panel had given James the green light to participate in the group, addressing a concern that had been raised due to his episode of cardiac arrest last summer.
Jonathan Wasserman of Bleacher Report wrote that the first-year point guard was among the prospects most in play in the Windy City because his draft projection is so nebulous.
From this point of view, one of James’ measures immediately stood out.
He also impressed with his 40.5-inch vertical jump:
James’ vertical was 32 inches, via Dan Woike.
As Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman and ESPN’s Jonathan Givony noted, the guard also did well in the three-point shooting drill:
The 19-year-old measured 6’1½” without shoes, which is significantly shorter than the 6’4″ he is listed at for his USC bio page. It’s possible the Trojans measured him with shoes, with the NBA have years ago. standardized how each player’s height is determined.
Still, standing at 6”1½” would leave James somewhat undersized as a point guard at the next level.
Wasserman wrote that “opinions on Bronny James are all over the place” and posited “that there should be a more sense of consensus after seeing him practice and fight at the NBA Combine.”
James’ measurements didn’t make a good first impression.
It’s too early to draw any definitive conclusions about where James will land in the 2024 draft, but we can probably start to put the brakes on his coming off the board in the first round.
Wasserman excluded Bronny from his most recent mock draft following Sunday’s lottery and compared him to Quentin Grimes of the Detroit Pistons and De’Anthony Melton of the Philadelphia 76ers in his extensive scouting report.
Additionally, the idea that Bronny and his father, LeBron James, could be some sort of package deal, which helped fuel speculation that he would be picked earlier than his draft ranking warranted, seems run out of breath.
Wojnarowski reported in April NBA today that teaming up with his son “is not a priority” and “not above all else” on LeBron’s mind as he weighs his options this summer. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst followed up Monday Get up Rich Paul, the James’ agent, has been working behind the scenes in recent months to “dispel the notion that drafting Bronny James means you get LeBron.”
Bronny, however, has not made any final decisions regarding his immediate future. Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium reported that he is expected to remain in the 2024 NBA Draft.
The feedback he and his representatives receive at the combine could tip the scales one way or the other.
News Source : syndication.bleacherreport.com
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