Four reasons why Bronny James should stay at USC, forego NBA Draft

Clearly, the most exciting college basketball player right now is Caitlin Clark, who just became the all-time NCAA Division I scoring champion. However, the player getting the most attention is a freshman averaging fewer than five points per game for a team with a losing record.

It’s safe to say that without his famous dad, nobody would be paying too much attention to Bronny James. But, because of his pedigree — and the fact that LeBron is adamant about wanting to share a pro court with his son — teams may be interested in drafting Junior.

LeBron famously skipped college (when that was doable) to enter the NBA, and it became clear early on that this was a good choice. He was a star pretty much from day one and is now arguably the best player to ever play the game. Bronny, on the other hand, doesn’t seem close to being ready to follow in his father’s footsteps, which is why he should strongly consider staying at USC.

Playing another year in college could help Bronny immensely. 

Development

First and foremost, this will give him more time to develop. It's obvious that he needs more seasoning, but many people — including Stephon Marbury — see his potential as a pro. “He has the equipment and he has the tools,” Marbury said, via Fadeaway World. “Once he puts it together, I think he'll be fine.”

Marbury also believes he would benefit greatly from more time in college, saying:

“He's playing 20 minutes, which is half the game in college. I think he needs to play more to make more mistakes and have an opportunity to show his ability. Him staying in school for two years is not a bad thing. Allen Iverson played for two years in college... His ability to get to the basket, shoot the basketball, and pass the ball. One of the most important things is his shot-blocking, which I think is Grade A. You can't go by the statistics with him.” 

Carve his own path

Another reason Bronny should think about staying is to get out from his dad’s shadow a little and establish his own legacy. With other returning players and a good recruiting class, it’s possible that USC bounces back and has a much stronger 2024-25 season. Then March Madness could provide a showcase for him and what he can do. This would also help boost his draft stock significantly.

Get drafted for the "right" reasons

With the NBA Draft looming, several teams are rumored to be interested in Bronny — but perhaps not for the right reasons. The presumption is that if you want to snag LeBron (or keep him if you’re the Lakers), you’re going to need to draft Bronny. While becoming a pro ballplayer is certainly nice, it’s a bit of an ego check knowing a team only picked you to get your dad.

Don't grow up, it's a trap

Perhaps the biggest reason Bronny should consider another year in school is so he can enjoy being a kid for a little while longer. College should be a time to learn, grow and have fun. Once he’s thrust into the cauldron of the NBA — and all of the scrutiny that comes with it — he may look back with nostalgia on his college days and wish he hadn’t been so eager to play with pops.