Why Bronny James’ decision to go to USC is a perfect fit

Bronny James has gone from a familial curiosity to a respectable NBA prospect throughout his 4 years of highschool at ritzy Los Angeles prep powerhouse Sierra Canyon. James has developed underneath an intense nationwide highlight since he first emerged on the grassroots scene forward of his eighth grade 12 months, however he’s hardly ever given interviews or left any actual hints about his future intentions.

Newly minted as a five-star recruit following a robust finish to his senior season, James was basically the final elite participant in his class to decide on the place he would play on the subsequent stage. After years of hypothesis, we lastly know his subsequent step.

Bronny James dedicated to the USC Trojans, as he introduced over the weekend. He’s becoming a member of a program that has made the lads’s NCAA match in three straight years, and has received 20+ video games in seven of the final eight years underneath head coach Andy Enfield.

James had a ton of various choices for subsequent season. He may have began his professional profession early by enjoying for the G League Ignite, or going to Australia for the NBL Subsequent Stars program. He may have tapped into his hometown roots by selecting Ohio State, or he may have adopted his dad’s Nike connections to Oregon. UCLA was additionally within the combine as one other LA choice. Learn our in-depth breakdown of Bronny James’ sport right here.

In the long run, it looks like James made the very best alternative by choosing the Trojans. Right here’s why USC is a good match for LeBron James Jr.

The advertising and marketing energy of school basketball stays unmatched

It simply wouldn’t have felt proper for James to spent a 12 months within the G League or in Australia the place video games aren’t nationally televised. By selecting USC, James is about to be probably the most buzzworthy males’s faculty basketball participant within the nation. His video games will probably be broadcast on ESPN and FOX Sports activities, he’ll be a staple on promotional packages from each networks, and he’ll usually have Invoice Walton calling his video games. What extra are you able to ask for?

The alternate options to school hoops are all nice paths for gamers. LaMelo Ball began his improvement into an NBA All-Star in Australia, the G League Ignite are producing top-10 picks yearly, and even Time beyond regulation Elite struck gold with the Thompson twins. That stated, faculty hoops nonetheless blows away each different choice in the case of advertising and marketing energy, particularly now that James can money in on some extraordinarily profitable NIL offers. For those who suppose you’ve heard so much about Bronny James already, simply wait till the autumn.

USC has a fair higher NBA prospect to assist alleviate James’ strain

James is ranked as a top-20 recruit in his class by ESPN, and he’s been projected as a possible top-10 decide within the 2024 NBA Draft. James is taken into account a really actual NBA prospect as he enters faculty, however he received’t be probably the most highly-touted identify on USC when the season begins.

Isaiah Collier is headed to USC ranked because the No. 1 recruit within the nation by each the 247 Sports activities composite and ESPN. A burly 6’4 level guard out of Marietta, GA, Collier has an opportunity to be the No. 1 total decide within the 2024 NBA Draft with a robust freshman 12 months. Having a participant with Collier’s standing and expertise stage goes to assist James in a number of methods as he enters his freshman 12 months with your entire nation watching him.

Bronny was going to be coping with immense strain to reside as much as the hype no matter the place he determined to play subsequent season. But when he picked Ohio State or Oregon and even UCLA, there wouldn’t be one other participant on the roster who is meant to be a superior NBA prospect. If USC struggles at any level subsequent season, it received’t simply be James shouldering the strain — everybody will probably be taking a look at Collier, too.

Collier can be a superb on-court match subsequent to Bronny due to his talent set …

USC has a number of ball handlers subsequent to James to assist with creation duties

Photograph by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Photographs

James largely spent his highschool years in a complementary position on Sierra Canyon. He performed with a variety of nice gamers there, from Grizzlies wing Ziaire Williams to Clippers wing B.J. Boston to UCLA guard Amari Bailey. What we find out about James’ sport at this stage is that he’s finest as a connective guard who can house the ground, make fast passes across the perimeter, and focus his power on protection. USC has a pair guards who ought to assist ease him into that position.

Collier is a monster shot-creator who makes use of his large body to get into the enamel of the protection and spray out seems to be to teammates. There’s little doubt that Collier thrives on the ball — when he’s within the sport, he’s the participant who will probably be initiating the USC offense. He’ll be anticipated to be one of many best passers in all of school hoops subsequent 12 months regardless of being a real freshman, and he ought to assist arrange Bronny for some simple seems to be on spot-ups.

USC additionally has a superb veteran guard anticipated to return in Boogie Ellis. Ellis was among the many finest gamers within the Pac-12 final season by averaging 17.7 factors and three.1 assists per sport on 38.6 p.c capturing from three-point vary on 6.5 makes an attempt per sport. Whereas the freshmen will get many of the consideration, faculty hoops has grow to be an previous man’s sport recently. Ellis’ skill to play on- or off-the-ball ought to unlock USC’s three guard lineups, and once more reduce the occasions when James will probably be anticipated to create environment friendly offense off the dribble himself.

USC has some proficient large males that might pop this season

Photograph by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Photographs

USC’s incoming recruiting class will get all the consideration with Collier and James because the headliners, but it surely’s a pair of recruits from final 12 months that might take the group to the subsequent stage.

Vince Iwuchukwu and Kijani Wright are proficient large males who may plug the outlet within the Trojans’ entrance court docket subsequent season. Neither participant contributed a lot as a real freshmen, however each may take a sophomore leap to present the Trojans the bodily inside play they should complement Collier, Ellis, and James on the perimeter.

Iwuchukwu was a five-star recruit ranked No. 25 total in his class within the 247 Sports activities composite getting into USC. His freshman 12 months obtained off to a scary begin when he suffered cardiac arrest throughout summer season exercises. Iwuchukwu would find yourself enjoying in 14 video games and making 5 begins on the season, but when he’s wholesome this 12 months he ought to have a a lot larger influence as a fluid large man who can run the ground, end above the rim, and showcase some agility within the paint on each ends.

James is deeply acquainted with Wright as a result of the 2 starred collectively at Sierra Canyon in highschool. Wright is a throwback large man who will do his finest work on the glass and by ending inside. Listed at 6’9, 235 kilos, Wright was a McDonald’s All-American popping out of highschool who was ranked No. 41 in his class by ESPN. Add in veteran Josh Morgan, and USC ought to have three succesful large males to deal with the soiled work whereas their guards shine.

USC has a ton of expertise for subsequent 12 months

USC is shedding a giant piece to commencement in Drew Peterson, however the group remains to be returning 4 of its seven high scorers from final 12 months. Ellis might be among the best veteran guards in America this season, Collier goes to be a sensation in his personal proper, and 6’6 wing Kobe Johnson has a giant likelihood to impress NBA scouts as a 3-and-D wing with a lot consideration on his teammates. If Iwuchukwu and/or Wright pop as sophomores, this group might be actually nice.

With the addition of James, USC ought to be capable to add at the very least yet another piece within the switch portal, too. A defensive wing with capturing skill to play the 4 might be the ultimate lacking piece. Because the roster stands proper now, this seems to be like a group safely within the preseason top-25. It’s attainable they’ll even crack the top-10 earlier than the primary official 2023-2024 ballot is launched.

It felt like males’s faculty basketball lacked a family identify final season with the highest NBA prospects enjoying overseas or within the G League. That received’t be the case subsequent 12 months. With Bronny James round, USC video games are going to be must-see from the second the season suggestions off.