Bryce James
Bryce James NBA Draft scouting report: Why LeBron’s son is taking a redshirt path at Arizona initially appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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If you heard that the son of LeBron James was on a No. 1 seed heading into the Sweet 16, you’d most likely assume he’d be a part of the rotation.
That’s not the case with Bryce James.
Arizona’s freshman guard hasn’t performed a single minute this season. He’s redshirting, staying off the ground whereas probably the greatest groups within the nation makes a nationwide title push.
And whereas the title brings consideration, the fact is way more about growth than instant impression.
Bryce James arrived at Arizona as a stable however still-developing prospect. He had flashes in highschool, however restricted reps and inconsistency made him extra of a long-term undertaking than a plug-and-play freshman.
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That’s precisely how Arizona is treating him.
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Bryce James strengths
The largest factor that stands out is his taking pictures.
Bryce has lengthy been seen as a pure perimeter shooter. When he’s in rhythm, he can area the ground and knock down pictures at a excessive stage. That alone offers him a clear function to develop into.
He additionally has good dimension for a wing, round 6-foot-5, which helps on each ends of the ground.
There’s some athleticism there, too. He’s proven he can end above the rim in area and has the instruments to become a succesful defender.
Those items — dimension, taking pictures and flashes of athleticism — are why Arizona sees upside.
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Bryce James weaknesses
Right now, it comes all the way down to consistency and identification.
His taking pictures might be streaky. There are stretches the place he seems like a actual weapon, and others the place the shot isn’t falling and his impression drops off.
Beyond that, he’s nonetheless determining what sort of participant he is.
He hasn’t persistently proven the power to create offense, and when the jumper isn’t there, he hasn’t but discovered different methods to have an effect on the sport at a excessive stage.
That’s regular for a younger participant, however it’s additionally why he’s not able to contribute to a crew with championship expectations.
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Bryce James school outlook
Outlook: Development yr
Arizona didn’t want Bryce James this season, and that issues.
This is a veteran crew with a set rotation, and there wasn’t a clear function for him straight away. Instead of forcing minutes, this system is letting him develop behind the scenes.
The redshirt offers him time to get stronger, enhance his consistency and outline his recreation.
Bryce James participant comparability
Plays like: 3-and-D wing (projection)
That’s the path.
If his taking pictures turns into extra dependable and the remainder of his recreation catches up, Bryce James suits the mould of a complementary wing who can area the ground and defend.
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That’s beneficial at any stage.
He’s not a part of Arizona’s March Madness run. But if issues develop the best way this system hopes, he might be a part of the subsequent one.
