The USC Trojans continue to hold out hopes of landing Sierra Canyon star Bronny James. Ohio State and Oregon are the other two programs in the running, and for those who saw him at the Nike Hoop Summit, there is no denying the talent Bronny brings to the table.
The decision by Boogie Ellis to return to USC for one more year is a complication for Bronny. It’s true that Bronny would be able to play alongside top recruit Isaiah Collier with the Trojans, but the Boogie decision means Bronny is simply not going to play 30 minutes per game. If that’s paramount in his decision-making process — being able to get leading-man minutes in all or most games during a season — Bronny frankly should look to Eugene or Columbus as his landing spots, not Heritage Hall. We should all be honest and clear-eyed about that point.
Bronny wants to be a key factor wherever he ends up in college ball. Yes, USC might not play him 30 to 35 minutes per game with Collier and Ellis already there, but maybe that’s a good thing for Bronny. The Collier-Ellis-James trio would be fascinating to see if it becomes a reality.
It will be fascinating to see how — or if — LeBron James influences Bronny’s decision. This year, LeBron is playing 35 minutes a game with a Laker roster which is not as good as many had hoped. Recently, coach Darvin Ham has used him a bit less at times, and load management works for many players.
Bronny might not be the top option at USC, and he might not even be the top option at Oregon or Ohio State, either. However, if he values the load management aspect of basketball and is content with playing 20 to 25 minutes per game this season, as a bridge toward a second year at USC in which he can play more minutes (with Boogie and Collier both off to the NBA), then USC would be a great place to end up alongside a pair of star guards in Ellis and Collier.
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