The college basketball world is excited as Bronny James, son of NBA superstar LeBron James, is all set to make his highly anticipated debut for the USC Trojans against Long Beach State. The match is scheduled to take place at the Galen Center in Los Angeles with a seating capacity of 10,258 and has already been announced as a sellout, indicating the high level of interest in Bronny’s college debut.
Bronny, a 6-foot-3 guard, will be joining the USC team with hopes for the NCAA tournament. At this time his role is crucial as the team is going through multiple injuries to key players. He is expected to play alongside veteran guard Boogie Ellis and freshman Isaiah Collier, who is projected as the No. 1 pick in ESPN’s latest 2024 NBA mock draft.
USC sells out of tickets for Bronny James’ debut vs. Long Beach State. 👏 https://t.co/6uZlwcE29D pic.twitter.com/qDtZSZ44Vg
— theScore (@theScore) December 9, 2023
Bronny is returning to the court after a serious health scare. In July, he suffered cardiac arrest during a team workout session but has since received medical clearance to return to basketball. Under the guidance of USC coach Andy Enfield, Bronny has been working hard to regain his form, focusing on cardio, individual drills, and weightlifting.
The possibility of his debut has greatly influenced ticket prices, with the most expensive seats on secondary markets like Seat Geek reaching insane amounts of $16,899 apiece. While these prices are not usual, they reflect the increased interest in the game, LeBron James is also expected to attend.
Bronny James projected to be selected as a late 1st-round pick in the draft
As Bronny James prepares for his debut, the basketball community also makes predictions about his future after college. Recent reports suggest that various NBA executives view Bronny as a potential late first-round selection in the upcoming NBA draft.
Scouts are drawn to Bronny because of his athleticism, speed, and basketball IQ. His abilities as a strong defender, a good ball-mover, and a player with shooting potential have been noticed. However, there are doubts about his ability to create his own shots, which some scouts believe could impact his draft standing.
Report: Multiple NBA execs see Bronny James as late 1st-rounder in ‘weak’ draft, with 1 scout even questioning that projection https://t.co/wClEbzcw2X
— Lakers Daily (@LakersDailyCom) December 8, 2023
Also, there is a clear fluctuation in Bronny’s projected draft position. ESPN’s Jonathan Givony initially predicted him as a top 10 pick, but his status dropped in later mock draft editions, little influenced by his health scare.
Bronny’s journey to the draft is a topic of discussion among scouts. Some view him as a solid defender with potential as a shooter, while others suggest he might benefit from another year in college to improve his skills, especially after his recent health issues. Overall, Bronny James’ debut and how he performs at USC will shape his draft prospects and his future in basketball.