Time: 2024-06-27
Nothing quite affects a player's draft stock like NBA Combine measurements. A prospect can soar up draft boards with an unexpected long wingspan or high vertical leap. Of course, this can take the opposite effect if a player's height, weight or the aforementioned measurements are below average. Bronny James is a victim of this NBA Combine fluctuation after he measured shorter than his USC listing. He projected as a combo guard considering his lack of on-ball play in college, but his height might limit him to strictly playing point guard. That said, the rest of his measurements were either on par with USC numbers, while some even impressed scouts. He improved his stock despite concerns regarding his height.
James is 6 feet, 1.5 inches tall without shoes on, per NBA Combine measurements. He was listed as 6-4 at USC, so this was a considerable difference for a combo guard. There have been smaller shooting guards over the course of NBA history. Donovan Mitchell, one of the league's best two guards currently, is only slightly taller at 6-3. James projects more as a point guard despite playing more off-ball roles in college. LeBron was 6 foot, 7.25 inches at the 2003 NBA Combine.
James' best attribute is his defense, so his 6-foot, 7.25-inch wingspan certainly helps his case. Typically, players with longer wingspans are better defenders since they can interrupt passing lanes more easily. The average human's height-to-wingspan ratio is about 1:1, which means a 6-foot tall person would have a 6-foot wingspan. James is above average on this mark, having a wingspan 5.75 inches greater than his height. His vertical ranks among the best in the draft class with a 40.5-inch max vertical, which was good for sixth best at the NBA Combine.
James weighed in at 210.4 pounds, matching his number from USC. How do his measurements compare to his father LeBron James? The Sporting News answers those questions and more below. It will be interesting to see how these measurements and physical attributes translate to his performance on the court in the upcoming NBA Draft. Who will draft Bronny James and how will he develop as a player in the league? Only time will tell as he continues his basketball journey.
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