In early May, USC Basketball gained the commitment of arguably the most famous recruit in the 2023 class – Sierra Canyon’s Bronny James. Critics point out that much of the media attention and hype stems from his father – Lebron James. However, he is a talented combo guard who has earned his five-star ranking and status as a top recruit. Furthermore, current projections have James as an early first-round pick in the 2024 NBA draft. USC has added a talented player to their roster who can help the Trojans immediately in the upcoming season.
USC 2023 Recruiting: Bronny James
Son of Lebron James commits to USC
Bronny James joins the top player in the 2023 class Isaiah Collier and four-star big man Arrinten Page at USC, both from Wheeler High School, Georgia. Also, following James announcing his commitment, USC gained former WSU Cougar DJ Rodman from the transfer portal, the son of former NBA player Dennis Rodman.
The addition of the five-star James is a huge get for Andy Enfield’s squad, and here is why:
Defense
James’s primary strength coming out of Sierra Canyon is his defense. At 6’3″ and around 190lbs, he has good size for the guard position enabling him to defend physically on the perimeter. James possesses good lateral quickness allowing him to keep his man in front of him and disrupt their offensive rhythm. Additionally, he has good defensive instincts when off the ball, which leads to him frequently getting into passing lanes to force turnovers and deflections. In the 2023 season, he figures to be an asset for the Trojans on defense.
Transition
The ability to generate turnovers allows James to exploit his athleticism on the fastbreak. He can move quickly in transition while still in full control of the ball, limiting his susceptibility to turnovers. Furthermore, James likes to push the pace once he collects a defensive rebound and is more than willing to find an open teammate or drive to the rim.
Jumpshot
At the McDonalds All American game, James highlighted his ability to spot up from beyond the arc going 5-8 on three-point attempts, accounting for all 15 of his points. This ability to shoot allows James to contribute offensively without the ball in his hands. Although not a focal point of his offense, James has shown the ability to shoot off screens and off the dribble.
Playmaking
James is an intelligent basketball player. He opens opportunities for his teammates with good vision and decision-making skills with the ball. He is also willing to pass up a shot attempt if a teammate has a better look. These skills are an asset that leads to efficient offense when James has the ball.
Bronny James – Areas of Improvement
Bronny James does not project to be a volume scorer for the Trojans in 2023. This is because he does not regularly attack the rim. Also, at times he struggles to separate from his defender. Although he is a capable ball handler, he could improve in this area. James lacks an arsenal of dribble moves that a scoring guard typically possesses. Also, on occasions, James does not look like a top prospect, struggling with consistency. His ability to be consistent will be a significant factor in how impactful he is for the Trojans next year.
Overall, the commitment of Bronny James provides USC with a capable offensive player and one of the best defensive guards in the recruiting class.
