Despite doubts from scouts, famed basketball trainer Chris Brickley believes Bronny James has the skills to succeed in the NBA. Brickley cites James' athleticism, shooting ability, ballhandling, and high basketball IQ as reasons for his confidence.
Despite facing criticism and skepticism from scouts, Bronny James has received a vote of confidence from a source close to both him and his father, NBA legend LeBron James. Chris Brickley, a renowned basketball trainer and influencer, believes that Bronny possesses the necessary skills to thrive in the NBA.
Brickley, who has trained LeBron James for several years, hosted the father-son duo at his BlackOps Basketball program in Manhattan before the draft. He was impressed by Bronny's athleticism, shooting ability, ballhandling, and high basketball IQ, which he believes are indicative of a future NBA career.
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"I think he's an NBA player. I think he's athletic enough. I think he can shoot it well enough," Brickley said in an interview with Fox News Digital. "He handles it the same way, as far as ballhandling, NBA players do. His IQ's very good. I think he'll have a long NBA career. I truly, truly believe that."
Brickley acknowledged the narrative surrounding LeBron James' potential influence on his son's draft selection but emphasized that Bronny's talent should be the primary focus. "At the end of the day, he's an NBA player, and that's all that matters," he said.
Bronny James Defended Amid Summer League Struggles: 'He's an NBA Player'
Additionally, Brickley believes that Bronny's cardiac arrest last summer had a significant impact on his development. "Imagine going through that, and then having to play a season, being LeBron's son. It's almost like you should wipe that out, that freshman year, those numbers, those stats," he said.
Despite facing criticism on social media, Brickley praised Bronny's professionalism in handling the negativity. "Any time I turn on my social media, there's someone talking negatively about him," Brickley said. "So all the props to Bronny about that."
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In the NBA Summer League, Bronny James has averaged 5.0 points per game, which has raised questions about his NBA potential. However, Brickley believes that this performance is not an accurate reflection of James' abilities.
Brickley stated, "I think it's hard, because you're LeBron's son. You're under a microscope. You're under scrutiny. Every move you make is watched. Every game you play is critiqued. So I think it's tough for him."
Despite these challenges, Brickley remains confident in Bronny James' future. "I think he's going to be a really good player," Brickley said. "I think he's going to have a long, successful NBA career. I really do."
Overall, Chris Brickley's assessment provides a contrasting perspective to the skepticism expressed by scouts. Only time will tell whether Brickley's belief in Bronny James' NBA potential will be vindicated.
