Bronny James Gets Brutally Honest About ‘Tough’ NBA Path

Few young athletes enter the NBA carrying the weight of expectations that Bronny James does, largely because he is LeBron James‘ son. This unique challenge is something he acknowledges.

“It’s tough,” Bronny said during an interview on SiriusXM NBA Radio on Monday. “A lot of criticism gets thrown my way. But you know, I’ve got to deal with it. We all know what I’ve been through. I just try to make the best of my opportunities that are given to me.”

Many wonder if Bronny would attract the same level of attention if not for his famous father, particularly since his single season at USC did not leave a lasting impression.

Bronny experienced cardiac arrest in July, delaying his freshman debut until December and impacting his performance.

During his time at USC, Bronny averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists over 19.4 minutes per game, appearing in 25 games and starting six. His shooting percentages were 36.6 percent from the field and 26.7 percent from three-point range, which are not promising statistics.

“He was in a tough situation in college,” an executive shared with ESPN’s Jamal Collier. “He had the health issue, and their backcourt was already set. Isaiah Collier is a legit lottery pick, and Boogie Ellis as a senior ahead of him. So I can see where [James] needs more time, but in a few years he’s got a shot to be an NBA rotation player.”

Bronny’s skills as a defender and secondary playmaker are notable, but his scoring ability remains unpolished and inefficient, making him a considerable project as a prospect. He might not be drafted at all, and some argue he would benefit from returning to college, though he might still be picked in the second round.

Further complicating his situation are reports suggesting some teams might draft him to increase their chances of signing his father. While it’s not Bronny’s fault if a team prioritizes nepotism, it’s an added layer of complexity most players don’t face. Additionally, there have been reports that LeBron’s free agency decision won’t hinge on whether a team drafts his son, but the speculation persists.

Very few players in basketball history have reached LeBron’s level of play, and it’s unreasonable to expect Bronny to do the same. Nevertheless, he faces extra scrutiny regarding whether he would be considered for an NBA roster without his father’s influence.