Bronny James has not done enough to impress scouts at the NBA Combine this week to be drafted, DailyMail.com can exclusively reveal.
LeBron James‘ son has been in Chicago all week as he worked out for NBA talent spotters in case he decides to enter the draft.
James played in a scrimmage on Tuesday after participating in drills the previous day, when he had his vertical leap measured at 40 1/2 inches and his height – without shoes – at 6-foot-1 1/2 despite being listed by Southern California as 6-4.
Bronny’s famous father was on hand Wednesday to watch him play. LeBron showed up wearing a black hoodie and sat in the second row for Bronny’s second and final scrimmage of the combine.
Bronny declared for the draft and entered the transfer portal on April 5. He has until later this month to decide if he wants to turn pro or play at least another year in college.
Bronny James has not done enough to impress scouts at the NBA Combine this week
LeBron James’ son worked out for NBA talent spotters in case he decides to enter the draft
But it seems like he may have that decision taken out of his hands after NBA scouts were left underwhelmed by his performances this week.
A source told DailyMail.com: ‘Bronny is a very nice guy, and while he has been at the NBA Draft Combine, the overall consensus is that he has a lot of work to do to get drafted.
‘Being nice is not a talent you need to play elite basketball. He still needs to prove himself and many scouts feel like he doesn’t have it and still needs some seasoning and most are saying he should stay in college to give himself any type of chance.
‘He hasn’t proved enough to be an NBA player, and that is what the scouts are seeing.
‘At this point, the only way he will get drafted in the NBA is if the team that drafts him knows that it can leverage them getting his father as well.
‘LeBron would have to be a part of the scenario because most scouts don’t believe the hype that Bronny thinks he has for himself.’
LeBron has said repeatedly he would like to team with his son in the NBA.
The four-time MVP and four-time NBA champion just completed his 21st season and could become a free agent if he opts out of his contract with the Los Angeles Lakers
But he also said following a season-ending loss to Denver that he hasn’t ‘given much thought lately’ to playing alongside his son.
‘The kid has to do what he wants to do – and I don´t want to say kid no more, young man has to decide what he wants to do. I just think the fact that we´re even having the conversation is pretty cool,’ he said at the time.
LeBron has said repeatedly he would like to team with his son in the NBA before he retires
Bronny said his goal is to get to the NBA – not necessarily play on the same team as LeBron.
‘My dream has always just been to put my name out, make a name for myself and, of course, get to the NBA,’ he said. ‘I never thought about playing with my dad. But of course, he’s brought it up a couple times.’
On Wednesday, Bronny revealed that the cardiac arrest he suffered last year is still ‘lingering’ on his mind.
The 19-year-old, who is unlikely to return to the USC Trojans this summer, said the possibility that he wouldn’t be able to play again was discussed with his mom and dad after his health scare.
‘I feel like my parents were a big factor believing in me and giving me the love and affection that I needed at that time,’ James said. ‘I still think about everything that could happen. I just love the game so much that it overpowers it.’
James missed the first month of the season but went onto average 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 25 games for the Trojans.
‘It’s just a great thing to happen to me, in terms of just being grateful for everything,’ James said of his time out of the game and comeback.
‘I put in the work and stuff like that to get back, so I feel like I’ve earned the opportunity. I’m extremely grateful for everything that’s been given to me.’
DailyMail.com has contacted representatives for the James family for comment.
