The choice of college for Bronny James became a subject of intense scrutiny in the realm of recruiting last year. Although it did not quite reach the level of frenzy witnessed during Arch Manning’s journey (let’s not forget the chaos caused by a video of Arch in bed with a blonde, pretending to commit), it still created quite a buzz.
Bronny made the decision to attend USC and despite facing some health challenges at the beginning of his freshman year, he was able to join the Trojans’ team earlier this month. However, since then, there hasn’t been much news about Bronny. This is mainly because both he and USC have not been performing exceptionally well. The Trojans have won only 6 out of their 11 games, while Bronny has been averaging 5 points per game on a 33.3 percent shooting rate in 16 minutes of play. Luca Evans from the Orange County Register suggests that these struggles at the start of the season shouldn’t be too surprising to anyone.
“James’s scoring abilities may not stand out on the USC team,” he commented. “Part of the reason is his recovery from heart surgery. However, as mentioned by radio host Big Boy, who is the father of James’s former Sierra Canyon teammate Jayden Alexander, James was known for his team-oriented play in high school.” “To contribute effectively as a Trojan, James’s best role would be as a 3-and-D guard who can occasionally create his own shots and excel in transition plays and pick-and-rolls. However, in the first three games since his highly-anticipated return, he hasn’t quite lived up to that profile,” Evans elaborated. “James has averaged only five points per game, shooting 33% from the field. Although his defense has been solid, his offensive performance has been lacking. Once James is fully in game shape, USC will need him to be more aggressive as a scorer and attempt around 10 shots per game.” Bronny, being a freshman this year, is one of the most mentally resilient players. He has faced immense pressure and attention since junior high, yet he has remained unaffected. The media closely follows his every move, criticizing his relationship and dissecting his game regularly. However, he stays calm and composed. In this aspect, Evans is correct – Bronny will eventually find his stride. Currently, neither he nor the Trojans are making a remarkable impression. But that will change sooner rather than later. Bronny is a born winner. He will ultimately leave his mark on USC, and it is likely to happen sooner than expected.