Will Bronny James announce his college decision this weekend at Nike Hoop Summit?
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PORTLAND, Oregon — The mania surrounding Bronny James has taken over the Rose City.
James is a 6-foot-3 guard who’s the oldest son of LeBron James, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer and current Laker. Bronny James is in Portland this week for the Nike Hoop Summit, a showcase event featuring some of the world’s top high school seniors — and all anyone wants to know is where the standout from California’s Sierra Canyon High is going to play college ball.
Before his high school career ended last month, James was averaging 14 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.8 steals per game, according to Sportsmanor.
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Though James is considerably less imposing than his dad, who checks in at 6-foot-9, his highlights have run on ESPN’s SportsCenter and his play has impressed college scouts.
Since going straight to the NBA isn’t an option like it was for his dad, everyone is focused on where the next chapter of James’ career will take him.
But first, he’ll play Saturday in the Hoop Summit where he said he’s anxious to make an impression.
Will LeBron James appear at Nike Hoop Summit?
“Being here with these elite players, I just want to show that I belong, and what I can do,” Bronny James said, adding that he’s focused on how he can “play my game, be confident when I shoot, be smart and play defense.”
He also said the James cheering section Saturday will be substantial.
“They’re definitely gonna be in attendance, you’re going to see them and hear them for sure,” he said, smiling. “The whole family is going to be out here.”
Does that mean dad might make an appearance? James didn’t elaborate, but the Lakers are off Saturday.
Where is Bronny James going to college?
Good question. James is the only unsigned USA player on the Hoop Summit roster. He did not answer a question from USA TODAY Sports about when he will make a decision, but there’s speculation he could make an announcement Saturday after the game.
His Hoop Summit teammates are headed to some of college basketball’s blueblood programs: Justin Edwards of Philadelphia, the No. 3 player in the 2023 class according to 247 Sports, is headed to Kentucky, along with DJ Wagner of Camden, New Jersey, the No. 4 player in the 2023 class. Ron Holland of Duncanville, Texas, is the No. 6 player in the country and has signed with Texas.
According to 247 Sports, James has offers from USC, Ohio State and Memphis. He’s also expressed interest in Oregon. Isaiah Collier, a 6-foot-4 guard out of Marietta, Georgia, who is the top prospect in the 2023 class according to 247 Sports, signed with USC and said he’s “definitely trying” to get James to join him.
“‘Stay home,’ that’s my pitch,” Collier said. “‘Why leave LA?'”
Players are making their recruiting pitches to Bronny James
Collier is not the only one playing recruiter this weekend.
Jackson Shelstad, of West Linn, Oregon, is going to Oregon and is trying to get James to be one of his college teammates.
“I was trying to recruit him (Wednesday) morning,” Shelstad said, adding that his pitch about why the Ducks are best for James is pretty straightforward: “He’s boys with (Oregon signee) Mookie (Cook), he’s signed with Nike. Me, Mookie and KJ (Kwame Evans Jr.), all three freshmen coming in love his game, we’d love to play with him. We’re all unselfish, so (I) think it would be a great fit. We’d love to have him at Oregon.”
Shelstad said there’s a lot to love about James’ game.
“He’s a really high IQ player, he shoots the ball well, spaces the floor well,” Shelstad said. “He can play off the ball, on the ball, he plays good defense.”
Shelstad laughed when asked if James was receptive to his recruiting pitch.
“I’m not going to say too much,” Shelstad said. “But (James) was giving me some smiles. He’s in to Oregon a little bit.”
James, who said he likes Portland and its “gloomy-type weather,” is enjoying the conversations, too.
“It’s fun times,” he said. “It’s good to joke with them. Talking to them, talking to coaches, it’s good to know that they want me there with them. But at the end of the day it’s my decision, and I need to make the right one for me.”
How did Bronny James play in the McDonald’s All American Game?
When James, a four-star prospect, was selected to the McDonald’s All American Game, debate ensued about if he really belonged in one of the premier high school basketball events in the country, or if he was only getting an invite because of nepotism.
James silenced the doubters with his play, scoring 15 points on 5-of-8 shooting from long-distance (all of his scoring came off made 3s). His team lost, 109-106, but James’ play impressed many, including his dad.
What is the Nike Hoop Summit?
Now in its 24th year, the Nike Hoop Summit is a showcase event featuring the nation’s top high school seniors against top players from around the world of similar ages. The World roster typically pulls from FIBA rosters from Europe, Africa, the Americas, Asia and Oceania.
About half of the World’s roster is committed to play college hoops next season. Mackenzie Mgbako (Nigeria) is headed to Duke, Aden Holloway (Canada) is scheduled to attend Auburn and Alex Toohey (Australia) has committed to Gonzaga, among others.
This year’s World roster also includes Andrej Stojaković, the son of Peja Stojaković, the former NBA All-Star for the Sacramento Kings. Andrej Stojaković is committed to Stanford. Past standouts from previous World rosters include Dirk Nowitzki and Nikola Jokic.
The event has been held in Portland, home of Nike’s world headquarters, since 2008.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Will Bronny James announce his college decision this weekend at Nike Hoop Summit?