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NBA teams got their first up-close look at USC guard Bronny James on Monday at the 2024 draft combine in Chicago.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and Jonathan Givony reported earlier in the day the league’s Fitness to Play Panel had given the go-ahead to James to participate in the combine, addressing one concern that had been raised due to his cardiac arrest episode last summer.
Jonathan Wasserman of Bleacher Report wrote the freshman playmaker was among the prospects with the most on the line in the Windy City because his draft projection is so nebulous.
From that perspective, one of James’ measurements immediately jumped out.
He also impressed with his 40.5-inch vertical jump:
James’ standing vertical was 32 inches, via Dan Woike.
As Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman and ESPN’s Jonathan Givony noted, the guard also did well in the three-point shooting drill:
The 19-year-old was deemed to be 6″1½” tall without shoes, which is noticeably lower than the 6’4″ he’s listed at for his USC bio page. It’s possible the Trojans measured him with shoes on, with the NBA having years ago standardized how each player’s height is determined.
Still, standing at 6″1½” would leave James somewhat undersized as a point guard at the next level.
Wasserman wrote that “opinions on Bronny James are all over the place” and posited “there should be a more consensus feeling after getting to watch him drill and scrimmage at the NBA combine.”
James’ measurements didn’t make for a great first impression.
It’s too early to draw any firm conclusions on where James will land in the 2024 draft, but we can probably start pumping the brakes on him coming off the board in the first round.
In addition, the idea that Bronny and his father, LeBron James, might be a sort of package deal, which helped fuel speculation he’d be taken earlier than his draft ranking warranted, appears to be losing steam.
Wojnarowski reported in April on NBA Today that teaming up with his son “is not a priority” and “not foremost” in LeBron’s mind as he weighs his options this summer. Brian Windhorst of ESPN followed up Monday on Get Up to report Rich Paul, the agent for the Jameses, has worked behind the scenes in recent months to “part the concept that drafting Bronny James means you’re getting LeBron.”
Bronny hasn’t made any final decisions when it comes to his immediate future, though Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium reported he’s expected to stay in the 2024 NBA draft pool.
The feedback he and his reps get at the combine could be what tips the scales one way or the other.
First appeared on bleacherreport.com