Bronny James is adjusting to the NBA Draft Combine.
After a quiet performance during his first scrimmage on Tuesday, the 19-year-old son of NBA star LeBron James stood out as one of the best players on the court in his second scrimmage on Wednesday.
James led his team with 13 points, hitting his three-point and mid-range shots and making simple reads while bringing energy to the defensive end. The performance represented an encouraging sign for the projected second-round pick, who has been in the spotlight more than ever as the draft approaches.
Like every other prospect at the combine, James went through anthropometric measurements, agility and shooting drills and media interviews on Monday, followed by the first day of practice on Tuesday.
The process continued with Wednesday’s scrimmages, where the freshman star showed up with his parents, LeBron and Savannah. present to support your oldest child.
How did James play in his second NBA Draft Combine practice? The Jugo Mobile breaks it down below.
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Bronny James NBA Draft Combine Stats
Here’s a breakdown of James’ stats from his second practice at the NBA Draft Combine. Wednesday’s performance followed a four-point, four-rebound performance in his first practice Tuesday.
- 23 minutes
- 13 points
- 2 assists
- 1 bounce
- 2 turnovers
- 4-10 field goals
- 2-5 3 points
- 3-4 FEET
How did Bronny James play at the NBA Draft Combine scrimmage?
James looked much more comfortable early on in his second practice at the NBA Draft Combine. With LeBron watching, Bronny was much more assertive on the offensive end while also bringing his typical intensity on defense.
James came off the bench again. But in Wednesday’s practice, he played more of an off-ball role protecting AJ Johnson of Australia’s Illawarra Hawks. James thrived in that secondary creator role, attacking the defense from the wing to hit a pair of mid-range jumpers and get to the free throw line twice.
His aggressiveness was a pleasant surprise for a player who sometimes becomes too passive. But that’s not to be confused with forcing the offense: James still made the right reads when the defense collapsed on him, dishing out two assists. One of them created an open 3-pointer for his teammate, New Mexico’s JT Toppin.
Highlights from Bronny James’ Draft Combine. ?
(through @Digits3App)
– Central Hoop (@TheHoopCentral) May 15, 2024
On defense, James pressured ball handlers and fought off screens on every possession. His effort on that end of the court is where he believes he can earn minutes in the NBA.
“I just try to go out there and play my hardest… I play hard and I will always play hard and I feel like that shows on the defensive end… That’s what’s going to get me minutes in the long run,” James said in an interview with ESPN after the game.
“I always try to go out and play my hardest… I play hard and I will always play hard and I feel like that shows on the defensive end.”
Bronny James on how he can impact the defensive side of the ball ? pic.twitter.com/IznjljyPXx
— NBA Draft (@NBADraft) May 15, 2024
A day after shooting 2 of 8 from the field and 0 of 4 from 3-point range, James found more rhythm, with 13 points on 10 field goal attempts and five 3-point attempts.
“I always try to play the right way, but my teammates and my coaches encouraged me to be aggressive today because they believe in me,” James said. “…I feel comfortable playing one or two, with or without the ball. They put me in a good position today to produce and be great.”
