NBL’s shock link to LeBron’s son revealed as Aussies plot ‘incredible’ coup

Bronny James, the son of NBA celebrity LeBron James, is in his final 12 months of highschool at Sierra Canyon School in Los Angeles however isn’t eligible to enter the NBA draft till 2024, which means he’ll quickly select a vacation spot to play basketball throughout his hole 12 months earlier than becoming a member of his dad within the massive leagues.

If NBL bosses get their approach, in keeping with News Corp, LeBron James Jr. could possibly be quickly be headed down below to ply his commerce in Australia’s high professional league later this 12 months as a part of the NBL’s ‘Next Stars’ program – whereby gamers who’re thought-about reliable draft prospects within the coming season might be signed to a contract by the league itself.

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NBA draft analyst Jonathan Givony not too long ago dubbed Bronny a “strong first round candidate” for the 2024 draft.

The extremely touted teen can also be ranked the No. 38 general prospect and No. 10 combo guard in On3’s 2023 rankings. He can also be the No. 7 participant in California.

According to a current report by the L.A. Times, the 18-year-old has narrowed his listing of potential faculties right down to Ohio State, USC and Oregon.

“I’m still open, but those are options,” Bronny instructed On3.

However, the NBL has launched an audacious bid to swoop in and steal the highschool level guard from below the US faculty basketball powerhouses’ noses.

In what can be thought-about the most important coup in Australian basketball historical past, the NBL has reportedly initiated conversations with Bronny James’ administration within the hope of engaging each the 6-foot-3, 190-pound Sierra Canyon star — and his NBA all-time nice father — to play in Australia.

NBL proprietor Larry Kestelman confirmed that league officers had reached out to James Jr’s representatives in a bid to lure the burgeoning prospect Down Under, in keeping with a report by News Corp.

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A earlier report by The Atheltic’s Joe Vardon claimed that Bronny will make a alternative between the NBL, G League Ignite or US faculty for the place he’ll play within the 2023/24 season.

While the possibilities of the NBL efficiently poaching the Lakers’ celebrity’s eldest son at this stage seem slim, that hasn’t deterred Kestelman from seizing the chance to try to pull off what can be the one greatest signing within the Australian home league’s historical past.

“We have absolutely reached out and there’s the start of a conversation but it’s very early days,” Kestelman instructed News Corp.

“It would be incredible to see, not just him, but I know there was a conversation about him and LeBron playing one season together.

“It’s a long shot, but the conversation has begun and we’ll be in the mix.”

NBL commissioner Jeremy Loeliger took the league’s pursuit of James Jr. a step additional, making a personalised pitch to the 18-year-old earlier right now whereas chatting with Gerard Whately on radio station SEN.

“Bronny, if you’re listening, we’re here mate. We have a spot for you,” Loeliger mentioned.

One NBL group who’ve already declared their curiosity within the Sierra Cannon star ought to the league efficiently recruit James Jr. is the Sydney Kings.

“There’s only one city that’s big enough for LeBron and Bronny, and that’s Sydney,” Sydney Kings proprietor Paul Smith instructed the Sydney Morning Herald in March.

“We’d fill 18,000 seats every week.”

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LeBron Sr. has mentioned on multiple event he needs to play with or towards his son earlier than he hangs up his signature sneakers.

“I need to be on the floor with my boy, I got to be on the floor with Bronny, either in the same uniform or a matchup against him,” James Sr. mentioned in a single interview.

“My last year will be played with my son. Wherever Bronny is at, that’s where I’ll be. I would do whatever it takes to play with my son for one year. It’s not about the money at that point,” he mentioned in one other.

James Jr’s future has lengthy been a supply of intrigue across the sport.

Last fall, the 18-year-old induced a stir when he posted images of himself in Ohio State Buckeyes gear on Instagram after a go to to the campus.

While it’s tough to see his father taking part in in Australia, contemplating his nonetheless elite degree play within the NBA this season, the profit for Bronny selecting to play within the NBL subsequent season is clear.

He solely wants to take a look at former Next Stars LaMelo Ball and Josh Giddey, who each used the NBL as a springboard to spice up their draft shares. LaMelo was drafted third general by the Charlotte Hornets within the 2020 NBA draft, regardless of coming into his NBL season ranked because the twenty first finest prospect in keeping with ESPN. Giddey in the meantime surged from being ranked No. 22 on the draft massive board in January 2021 to being chosen with OKC’s No. 6 general choose within the 2021 NBA draft within the November after having a stellar NBL rookie season for the Adelaide 36ers.

Both gamers have gone on to have super success up to now within the NBA, with the event gained from the expertise of taking part in towards totally grown males within the NBL – versus the normal route of dominating towards their friends on the US faculty scene – having held them in good stead since realising their NBA goals.

Bronny is a 6’3 level guard, ranked thirty ninth on ESPN’s high 100 recruitment rankings, and will definitely do quite a bit worse than following the NBL ‘Next Stars’ growth pathway that has proved so profitable for each Ball and Giddey.

Now it’s over to the NBL to formulate the best plan as a way to persuade Bronny and LeBron that coming to play in Australia is the best transfer in his growth.