NBA News NBA News, Match Reports and Updates
Bronny James isn’t like the other 77 prospects at the 2024 NBA Draft Combine, for reasons beyond the father who has loomed over his career. Only nine months ago, James’ entire basketball future was in doubt.
James has come a long way since suffering cardiac arrest in July, working his way back to the court and playing 25 games at USC before declaring for the draft. He required medical clearance just for a chance at continuing his career in the NBA.
As much as James would like to move on from that incident, caused by a congenital heart defect, he admitted to reporters at the combine the issue was still in his mind, via Yahoo Sports’ Krysten Peek:
“It’s still lingering. My parents were a big factor of believing in me and giving me the love and affection that I needed at that time. I still think about everything that could happen but I just love the game so much it just overpowers everything.
“I was set back but that’s not an excuse. I’ve put in so many years of work and I don’t want anyone to think that because I had this issue that I’m lower than everyone else.”
James said, if anything, the situation shows his perseverance:
“It was a tough time for sure but all this work I’ve put in, it’s just really built me into someone that will never give up and it paid off because I put the work into that situation and I’m back to where I want to be.”
It’s been a strong combine for James so far, outside of a 6-foot-1 1/2 height measurement that came well short of his listed 6-4 at USC. He recorded the third-best vertical jump at the combine at 40.5 inches and finished in second place in the 3-point shooting drill with a 19-of-25 performance.
In Day 2, he held his own in a scrimmage, showing off the passing and defensive skills that are his best hope of showing he has a place in the league, though some scouts remain skeptical he’s NBA-ready.
Bronny James has 3 comps for his play style and none is his dad
If James makes it in the NBA, it’ll be as a point guard who is a pest on defense while working primarily as a facilitator on offense. It is unlikely he becomes the kind of superstar LeBron James is, and Bronny…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/2024-nba-draft-combine-bronny-james-admits-fear-of-heart-condition-is-still-lingering-023912270.html
Author : Yahoo Sports
Publish date : 2024-05-15 02:39:12
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
