Hot Take: Ohio State isn’t the front runner to land Bronny

Bronny is currently linked to the following schools: Ohio State, USC, Memphis, and UCLA. Let’s look into the key factors influencing Bronny’s college decision.

Lebron’s in LA

Lebron James has agreed to a two-year $97.1 million contract extension through the 2024-2025 season with the Los Angeles Lakers that includes a 3rd-year player option indicating that Lebron will enjoy living in LA for the next two years at least. So now we pose the question, would Bronny James rather go to school in Columbus at The Ohio State where his father has stated he wanted to play college basketball or does Bronny wish to stay in Los Angeles where his family has been since 2018?

Bronny James ‘23 drives to the hoop against Harvard Westlake

It doesn’t make sense that Bronny would go to Ohio State considering the only reason he’s linked to Columbus in the first place is due to the media playing up the narrative of how “If Lebron went to college he would’ve went to Ohio State therefore Bronny has to be linked to the same school.” There isn’t enough weight backing this claim considering Los Angeles is where 99% of all athletes want to live especially in today’s age of social media, influencers, and most importantly the networking opportunities that living in LA brings.

While Ohio State is a very well run University with great athletic programs it does not compare to the location, networking opportunities, and campus lifestyle that schools in Los Angeles offer. UCLA and USC are and should be the front runners to land 4-star combo guard Bronny James.

Sierra Canyon HS Teammates at USC

Bronny James (Sierra Canyon ‘23)

Kijani Wright (Sierra Canyon ‘22)

Juju Watkins (Sierra Canyon ‘23)

Zach Brooker (Sierra Canyon ‘20)

Even though Bronny has a former teammate at UCLA (Amari Bailey) currently a Freshman, Bronny has two former teammates at USC in Kijani Wright and Zach Brooker in addition to Juju Watkins the #1 High School Women’s basketball player committed to play for USC women’s basketball team. As a former Trojan, I’d like to think Bronny will link up with his high school teammates along with the #2 player in the 2023 class, Isaiah Collier, a 5-star point guard from Marietta, Georgia also committed to play for the Trojans. With USC’s starting guards Boogie Ellis and Drew Peterson graduating at the end of the season it would be a perfect opportunity for both James and Collier to step into the starting guard roles as Freshman and lead a young, promising Trojans squad to the NCAA March Madness Tournament.

Bronny’s NIL Partnership with Beats by Dre

On October 17, 2022 Complex announced Bronny James signed an NIL partnership with Beats by Dre, starring in an ad with Lebron titled ‘The Legacy Continues.’ To read the article in detail https://www.complex.com/sports/bronny-james-nil-partnership-beats-by-dre .

The Legacy Continues: Lebron & Bronny James

The University of Southern California officially opened Lovine and Young Hall, a one-of-a-kind school endowed by music entrepreneurs Jimmy Lovine and Dr.Dre in 2019. With Dr. Dre and Beats gifting $70 million to USC, all signs are pointing to Bronny and the University of Southern California. Check out the full article for more https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/dr-dre-jimmy-iovine-unveil-high-tech-building-usc-campus-8531905/amp/

Lebron can watch Bronny play in every game at the Galen Center

Crypto.com arena (formerly known as Staples Center) where the Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers play their home games is located just 8 minutes away from USC’s campus. Bronny would be able to go to USC’s practices in the morning, attend classes from the late morning to early afternoon, and then head over to Crypto.com Arena to watch Lebron and the Lakers play their home games. More importantly, Lebron would be able to watch Bronny play in all his USC home games while also attending his middle son Bryce’s games at Sierra Canyon in Chatsworth until 2025 when Bryce graduates and Lebron can exercise his 3rd-year player option. Lebron has stated that he wishes to play alongside Bronny for an NBA season so we should expect Bronny James to play at least two years of NCAA basketball since Lebron’s contract with the Lakers is extended through the 2025 season. If Lebron decides to stay with the Lakers through the 2026 season exercising his 3rd-year player option, I wouldn’t be surprised if Bronny stays in college for a 3rd year as well.

Check out the next article that breaks down the 2023 recruiting classes for Ohio State, UCLA, and USC Men’s basketball programs which will be an additional factor influencing Bronny’s college decision.

Much Love 💜

– Bakari ✌🏽

LeReferee