Former NBA star Metta World Peace remains optimistic about Bronny James’ potential despite his underwhelming freshman season at USC.
Speaking to TMZ Sports, World Peace expressed confidence in James’ ability, stating that he sees James as having the potential to become a standout point guard and even an NBA All-Star. He downplayed James’ struggles during his first year with the Trojans, emphasizing that the young guard still has a promising future ahead.
James faced challenges throughout his freshman season, notably due to a delayed start caused by a cardiac arrest during the offseason. Despite this setback, he managed to play in 25 games, averaging 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists.
Earlier NBA mock drafts had speculated about James’ potential as a first-round or even a lottery pick. However, with his freshman season now concluded, remaining at USC and further developing his skills appears to be the wisest decision for James.
Jonathan Wasserman of Bleacher Report recently omitted James from his mock draft, citing concerns about his scoring efficiency and overall skill set. While acknowledging James’ potential as a versatile guard with defensive capabilities, Wasserman highlighted doubts about his ability to consistently score and contribute at the NBA level.
Despite these criticisms, there’s still optimism about James’ future in the NBA. Returning to USC for another season provides him with an opportunity to address these concerns and demonstrate his true potential on the court.