The basketball world is on a non-stop thrilling ride. With the WNBA season ending soon, basketball fans are eagerly counting down the days until the next NBA season kicks off in just ten days. One of the most talked-about storylines this year will undoubtedly be the journey of Bronny James, the son of NBA superstar LeBron James, the Los Angeles Lakers’ second-round pick in 2024. The buzz around Bronny’s potential for the Rookie of the Year award has sparked plenty of debates among fans and analysts. Now, one of the 2023 NCAA Champions from LSU has also weighed in on the conversation.

Recently, a video made rounds on social media featuring LSU guard Flau’jae Johnson discussing the upcoming NBA Rookie of the Year (ROTY) debate. When asked about Bronny James’ chances of snagging the award, Johnson didn’t hesitate to share her thoughts. With a firm stance, she expressed her disagreement with the notion that Bronny might not take home the honor.

“Will Bronny win the Rookie of the year? I don’t see it happening, Reed in his class, Rob in his class. You gotta think like he was the 52nd pick I think 55th maybe. I don’t know just depends on if he play, I didn’t even see him play a lot in the preseason game and there’s like a lot of other. Rookies were turning up in a preseason game so. I don’t know I think so. Nah,” said Johnson.

The 2023 NCAA champion Flau’jae Johnson believes it won’t be easy for Bronny to claim the Rookie of the Year (ROTY) title. Johnson points out that with rising talents like Reed Sheppard and Rob Dillingham entering the league this year, Bronny will face stiff competition from the get-go. While the No. 9 of the Lakers has certainly generated buzz, Johnson notes that he hasn’t yet made a significant impact during preseason performances.

Bronny James struggles in preseason amidst rising expectations

LeBron and Bronny James have captured hearts this NBA preseason as the first father-son duo to play together, but questions about Bronny’s ability to live up to his father’s legacy are already surfacing. A recent ESPN piece by senior writer Baxter Holmes paints a less-than-optimistic picture of the 20-year-old. After interviewing nearly two dozen NBA front office executives, coaches, and scouts, Holmes found a shared belief that Bronny isn’t yet ready for the professional level.

While opinions about Bronny James’ readiness for the NBA have been mixed, the preseason thus far reflects some of the concerns. The Los Angeles Lakers kicked off their preseason last week, playing three games to date. In his debut against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Bronny came off the bench and logged 16 minutes of playtime. However, he delivered a modest performance, hitting only one shot out of six attempts and finishing the game with just two points.

Bronny hit the court again in the matchup against the Phoenix Suns, marking a historic moment as he and his father became the first father-son duo to play together for an NBA franchise. While LeBron James showcased his skills with an impressive 19 points, Bronny had a quieter outing, playing just 13 minutes and finishing the game without scoring. In the most recent game against the Milwaukee Bucks, Bronny saw even less action, logging only six minutes on the court and again failing to put points on the tally after attempting four shots.

With the NBA season just around the corner, Bronny James is set to take center stage as he embarks on his rookie journey. The big question looms: will Flau’jae Johnson’s skepticism about his chances for Rookie of the Year hold true, or will he prove his critics wrong and shine in the purple and gold? Only time will tell.