Just a couple of years back, Bronnie James experienced a cardiac arrest during practice at USC. He made a comeback about five months later and was picked 55th overall by the Los Angeles Lakers last summer, though it took him some time to find his footing in the NBA.
Despite being away from the game for a while, the 20-year-old seems to still feel the lingering effects of that health scare.
In a recent conversation, James mentioned, “I’m feeling a bit under the weather right now. It’s strange, but I think my immune system took a hit. Sometimes, when I go outside, I lose the conditioning I’ve worked hard to maintain.”
This past season, James struggled to make an impact, averaging only 2.3 points per game with a shooting percentage of 31.3% over 27 games. On a brighter note, in the G League, he posted better numbers—21.9 points per game at 44.3% shooting, a clear improvement from his 4.8 points per game during his single season at USC.
Coach JJ Redick, however, sees potential in James. He believes that with continued work on his conditioning, he can evolve into a significant player in the NBA. “He’s shown flashes of brilliance, but to reach the next level, he needs to focus on cardio. He’s gone through some really challenging times, which I think complicates his progress, but I believe he’ll get there.”
In the summer league, James managed to average 14.3 points, along with 3.8 assists and 2.8 rebounds per game.
