LeBron James: Building A Basketball Dynasty Through His Sons

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James, a four-time NBA MVP, is on the verge of building out a generational basketball dynasty. After watching his son, former one-and-done USC Trojans point guard Bronny James, get selected by his Lakers with the No. 55 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, it appears LeBron will now see his youngest son, 6-foot-4 senior shooting guard Bryce James, head to a major NCAA program next fall. This transition marks a significant moment for the James family as they continue to make their mark in the world of basketball.

According to Donovan James (no relation) of Trojans Wire, Bryce has already received offers from his brother's alma mater USC, the Ohio State Buckeyes, and Duquesne. Dru Joyce III, a former international pro point guard and a state champion teammate of LeBron at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School, serves as the head coach at Duquesne. The prospect of Bryce stepping into the spotlight of college basketball is exciting for fans and analysts alike.

Per a fresh On3 ranking, Bryce is ranked as the No. 100-best overall player among his matriculating class. Another son of a former All-Star and Laker, 6-foot-9 Columbus High School power forward Cameron Boozer (son of two-time All-Star Carlos), is seen as the No. 2-best player among their class, behind only Utah Prep School small forward AJ Dybantsa. As Bryce prepares for this next chapter, the spotlight is on him, and the comparisons to his older brother are inevitable.

Field of 68's Jeff Goodman disagreed with the On3 appraisal, declaring, "Bryce James is not a Top 100 player right now." Furthermore, Kevin Sweeney of Sports Illustrated opined that "Bryce James being a top-100 recruit is significantly worse than anything Bronny-related over the last two years." These varying opinions highlight the pressure and expectations that come with being a James.

Bryce and Bronny briefly overlapped at Sierra Canyon School in Chatsworth, a San Fernando Valley suburb of Los Angeles with a reputation for developing elite athletes. Multiple current NBA players are alums, as is All-American USC superstar shooting guard JuJu Watkins, a likely WNBA superstar. This environment has undoubtedly shaped both brothers, providing them with invaluable experience and exposure.

The 17-year-old swingman is seen as a three-star prospect, per 247Sports. Rivals ranks him as the No. 150-best player in the nation overall, while 247Sports assesses him as the No. 181-best prospect at any position, and the No. 47-best shooting guard specifically. Moreover, 247Sports considers him the 22nd-best player in the state of California. Bronny was seen as a four-star recruit ahead of his brief college tenure.

At the prep school showcase Peach Jam earlier this summer, Bryce logged averages of 5.6 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks across 22.2 minutes per, shooting 31 percent from the field, 18 percent from deep, and 50 percent from the free throw line, according to College Basketball Report. As his numbers indicate, there is still room for improvement, but his potential is certainly tantalizing.

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