Hype and media attention have always surrounded Bronny James. It’s thus safe to suggest that Bronny is pretty used to it. However, not even the, could Bronny have imagined the media scrutiny that he has gone through during his freshman season at the University of California. Throughout the 2023-24 collegiate basketball season, the spotlight remained on Bronny, initially due to concerns about his health following a cardiac arrest, and later on his underwhelming performances after recovering.

Bronny James’ collegiate career with the USC Trojans did not go according to the script. In 25 games, the 19-year-old only managed to average 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in 19 minutes of playing time for the Trojans. After the season finished, the overriding sentiment within the basketball community was that Bronny would play another season of college basketball. However, in a surprising turn of events, Bronny declared for the 2024 NBA Draft. But he still maintains college eligibility, as he entered the transfer portal before declaring for the draft.

Bronny James’ decision to declare for the draft has surprised many scouts and draft experts. The Athletics’ Sam Vecenie conducted an interview with five anonymous NBA executives and scouts. And to not many’s surprise, four out of five executives suggested that Bronny would go undrafted. However, one executive stated that they would draft Bronny as a late second-round pick and offer him a two-way contract because of his basketball IQ and his high defensive upside.

Bronny’s basketball intelligence may be highly attributed to one person, LeBron James, who is renowned in the NBA for his exceptional basketball IQ and feel for the game. However, does LeBron James’ extensive hoops knowledge influence Bronny’s burgeoning basketball career?

Will Bronny James inherit LeBron’s high Basketball IQ?

LeBron James’ most remarkable attribute throughout his remarkable 21-year NBA career isn’t his exceptional athleticism or his playmaking, but rather his otherworldly basketball IQ. According to LeBron, some people are born with “sports IQ,” and he was one of them. During a conversation on Mind the Game, LeBron said, “I think I was born with a sports IQ. And it could have been any sport, but I just think basketball was the one that I chose.”

So it comes as no surprise that scouts look for such qualities in young aspiring hoopers. And some experts believe that Bronny James has inherited his father’s fast-processing basketball brain. Bronny’s exceptional basketball intelligence shines brightest in his defensive play. Despite standing at just 6’2”, his combination of high basketball IQ and athleticism makes him a 1v1 matchup nightmare for opposing guards.

While there’s still a lot of development left for Bronny, initial signs are promising despite enduring a horrid freshman season. However, an NBA roster spot may be a step too far for Bronny James at the moment.

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