A proud mama bear Savannah James recently took to Instagram to share her son Bronny James‘ latest collaboration with Android highlighting the feature, “Circle to Search.” Bronny James, LA Lakers superstar LeBron‘s eldest son, wrapped up his freshman season at USC with a mixed bag of emotions.
While the Trojans’ 15-18 record fell short of expectations, Bronny had shown some heaters, flashes of undeniable potential despite a year riddled with obstacles. Now that the season has ended for young Bron, brand deals are coming in hot. “Hi @bronny,” Savannah captioned her story with a proud smile as the eldest of the James’ kids continues to rise against obstructions.
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Bronny’s season took a drastic turn in July when he suffered a cardiac arrest during a team workout. This unexpected health scare forced him to undergo a medical procedure and sidelined him for a long period. By the time he received clearance to return in late November last year, the Trojans were already undergoing the complexities of a new season. The instance limited Bronny’s practice time and hindered his ability to fully gel with his teammates.
Beyond Bronny’s personal challenge, the Trojans themselves faced roster imbalances. The backcourt featured two ball-dominant guards in Isaiah Collier (13.9 points, 4.9 assists per game) and Boogie Ellis (17.2 points, 4.0 assists per game) who struggled to coexist effectively. The frontcourt also had its share of issues, with transfer power forward DJ Rodman (7.0 points, 4.2 rebounds per game) and sophomore center Vince Iwuchukwu (7.4 points, 4.3 rebounds per game) not experiencing the breakout season many anticipated. These internal struggles were further aggravated by a cloud of injuries that hung over the Trojans throughout the season. Living through the patch, nonetheless, Bronny ensured not to pull a stop.
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A Glimpse Of Potential
Despite his challenges, Bronny consistently showed a strong work ethic in practice according to Coach Andy Enfield. Bronny averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game in his limited minutes, showing glimpses of his on-ball defensive prowess and willingness to pass the ball. Looking ahead, a full off-season of training and development could significantly improve Bronny’s performance next season. His 3-point shooting accuracy (27%) needs work, but his shooting form suggests potential for improvement.
While his overall skillset as well as his pedigree suggest potential NBA value in the future, it’s important to remember the realities of the current draft landscape. Only 9 of the top 25 recruits in college basketball this season averaged double-figure scoring, highlighting the increasing emphasis on experience and immediate impact for NBA teams. Without a full year under his belt, Bronny might not be considered a top draft prospect just yet.
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LeBron James has recently downplayed the likelihood of Bronny entering the NBA draft this year. Regardless of his next move, Bronny’s basketball journey will undoubtedly remain under a microscope. It will be interesting to see where these deals, like the collaboration with Android, take young Bron.
Read More: Is LeBron James Worried About Son Bronny’s Mismanagement in the NBA Amid Ownership Tease?