Last month, LeBron James put 2023 free agency rumors to bed, inking a two-year, $97.1 million contract extension with the Lakers to keep him in Los Angeles through 2024-25 — the same season his son Bronny will be eligible for the NBA Draft.
Father and son have been quiet about the 17-year-old’s recruitment up until now, but their recent visit to Ohio State — plus an Instagram post that featured him in a Buckeyes’ uniform — has re-ignited speculation about where he will play next fall.
While Bronny still could opt to play with the G League Ignite, Overtime Elite or an overseas league, LeBron recently told Sports Illustrated his son likely “wants to go the college route.”
As the recruiting trail heats up ahead of Bronny’s senior year, we have you covered with the latest updates, tracking campus visits and other developments in the chase for the prominent Class of 2023 four-star prospect.
Scouting report on Bronny
CJ Moore, college basketball staff writer: James has potential to be a really solid college combo guard. That potential, mainly, rests on the consistency of his jump shot and how he continues to develop as a handler/playmaker. Right now his jump shot is inconsistent, in part because he takes a lot of tough shots. That’s not unusual at his age playing grassroots basketball when labeled the star of the team. The mechanics are good, and he can shoot with range and that’s what’s most promising.
Similar to his father, he’s best when he’s going downhill and finishing at the rim. He’s nowhere near the size of LeBron — Bronny is 6-3 — but you can see the resemblance when he takes off in the lane. He’s got a lot of power for his frame and does a nice job elevating and finishing at the rim. He does struggle to get separation from defenders off the bounce, and that’s one reason why he’s better playing off the ball.
Bronny has seemed to handle all the buzz well. Every game he plays in seems to be at or near capacity. That should help him adjust to the college stage. His challenge will be trying to handle the hype once he gets there, assuming he does go the college route.
It’s not a given he’d be a starter right away. It could take him time before he’s ready to be an impact scorer. It’ll depend on what his college team has on the roster and how much he develops over the next year. What’s important is he goes to a school that’ll be committed to helping him get better and to let him run his own race. He’s not his father, but genetics are on his side. He can guard, he can shoot and he’s a really good finisher.
What schools has Bronny visited?
Ohio State
Bronny, LeBron and agent Rich Paul were spotted at The Horseshoe on Saturday taking in Ohio State football’s season opener against Notre Dame, with fans in attendance even starting a “we want Bronny” chant.
The King in the Shoe ? ?
?: @LanternSports pic.twitter.com/uXHV7r15yY
— UNINTERRUPTED (@uninterrupted) September 4, 2022
Adding to rumors that Ohio State may be a front-runner, Bronny posted photos of himself and LeBron in Buckeyes threads to his Instagram account on Tuesday with the caption “buckeye nation? #notcommitted”
Bronny James posted a picture on Instagram in OSU gear with a caption saying ” #notcommited“.
Could we see Bronny as a Buckeye ?
? bronny/IG pic.twitter.com/XoiDWpbWDb
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) September 6, 2022
What has LeBron said?
LeBron dismissed recruitment buzz around Bronny last month following a report that Oregon had become the “front-runner.”
“He hasn’t taken 1 visit yet and has only had a few calls with coaches and universities,” LeBron said on Twitter. “When Bronny makes his choice you’ll hear it from him.”
He hasn’t taken 1 visit yet and has only had a few calls with coaches and universities. When Bronny makes his choice you’ll hear it from him. #JamesGang?
— LeBron James (@KingJames) August 17, 2022
LeBron told The Athletic earlier this year that he plans to play the final season of his NBA career with Bronny. James, who will turn 38 on Dec. 30, can’t be traded in the upcoming season with the raise in the second year of his extension exceeding five percent, but will reportedly have a player option for 2024-25.
“My last year will be played with my son,” LeBron said in February. “Wherever Bronny is at, that’s where I’ll be. I would do whatever it takes to play with my son for one year. It’s not about the money at that point.”
What other schools are in the mix?
Aside from Ohio State and Oregon, other programs that have shown interest in Bronny include Memphis, USC and UCLA.
In July, at the EYBL Peach Jam, there were several college coaches in the stands watching James, but the most notable were Duke head coach Jon Scheyer and Memphis head coach Penny Hardaway.
The Tigers reportedly extended an offer to James last month after a few big-time performances — he averaged 17.8 points, 5.6 assists, and 5.2 rebounds, while shooting 45.5 percent from the field and 43.8 percent from 3 in five games.
Back in 2019, LeBron spoke very highly of Memphis’ head coach.
“Penny was one of my favorite players growing up,” LeBron said after a game against the Memphis Grizzlies. “I kind of idolized Michael Jordan, but I wanted to be like Penny.”
As for the two LA schools, one of the Bruins’ biggest basketball alumni, Matt Barnes has already made his pitch to the 6-foot-3, 190-pound combo guard.
“Why not go to a Rams game or a Chargers game where they can still chant your name, be 15 minutes from home, still have Sunday dinner with your family and go back and kick it on your off days?” Barnes said. “You get to see your little brother play at Sierra Canyon; you get to see your dad play at Staples Center.”
While these two schools have their geographical advantages, they also have a few of Bronny’s former high school teammates. The Bruins currently have five-star freshman point guard Amari Bailey and freshman forward Evan Manjikian on their roster. As for the Trojans, four-star power forward Kijani Wright was a teammate of James only a year ago and freshman Tre White played on the same grassroots team with him last summer.
(Photo: Joe Camporeale / USA Today)
