This weekend, feelings of nostalgia and hype will become intertwined when Bronny James Jr. and his Sierra Canyon Boys Basketball team face off against his dad’s alma mater, St. Vincent-St. Mary’s High School from Akron, Ohio.
The game itself will be played in Columbus, Ohio, at the Nationwide Arena, home of the NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets rather than being played in Cleveland or at SVSM. LeBron spoke to ESPN about the “full-circle” nature of Bronny’s visit, which LeBron is expected to attend.
But not much has been focused on the game and in particular, Bronny’s game. Bronny got his first start last week and is a role player on a squad with several high-level college recruits such as BJ Boston, Terren Frank, and Ziaire Williams. But although everyone is expecting Bronny to be the King 2.0 on arrival, LeBron’s old high school coach sees Bronny Jr. looking a lot like his dad did as a freshman, according to Tarek Fattal of the L.A. Daily News.
“(Bronny) reminds me a lot of his dad when he was a freshman,” Joyce said. “Maverick Carter was the star on the team when LeBron was a freshman here, and he never tried to upstage Mav. He accepted his role and deferred to Mav and the upperclassmen.
“LeBron has clearly done a great job in speaking to Bronny about that. I applaud Bronny for understanding (the team) is bigger than him.”
LeBron and his Los Angeles Lakers are in Miami tonight to face off against the Heat as part of their five-game road trip before the team continues on to Atlanta. Weather permitting, James is expected to be in the crowd to see his son face off against his alma mater.
Dwyane Wade’s oldest son Zaire Wade is also on the Sierra Canyon Boys Basketball team with Bronny Jr.