The weekend in college hoops

For at least half a decade, the future of Bronny James has loomed over the basketball landscape. Most assumed that he would make it to the NBA — and LeBron’s steadfast desires for a team-up have long buoyed this notion. But many wondered how Bronny’s path to the league would unfold.

LeBron asked programs to stop recruiting him, back when Bronny was 10. Then, there was the time when Bronny wore a Duke hoodie, sending flares in the Blue Devils’ direction. On the other end of the spectrum, a report from 247Sports surfaced just last month suggesting he would skip college.

How quickly things change.

STARTING FIVE

1. The “Son” Also Rises

ESPN’s Paul Biancardi reports that Michigan, Ohio State, Oregon, USC and UCLA have heavily prioritized Bronny James, a top-40 prospect in the class of 2023. A day later, On3’s Jamie Shaw provided his take on the recruitment, including each school’s standing in the recruitment.

Shaw’s piece divulges why those programs think they have a chance. But how might the young combo guard fit in at each potential destination?

For starters, James boasts a versatile skillset and high-level decision-making that will allow him to adapt to most schemes. His determined defense will keep him on the floor, and he still has untapped upside on offense, as his Peach Jam performances demonstrated.

In particular, James recently showed improvements at getting downhill, splashing 3s and knocking down pull-up jumpers at the famous AAU showcase:

While these five schools do not comprise Bronny’s list of finalists, it’s still worth considering how each coach might utilize him.

Let’s start with Michigan. During Juwan Howard’s tenure, his best teams have relied on multiple ballhandlers who can create paint touches and kick out to the perimeter. Bronny fits that mold and could excel under his tutelage. Only one problem…

Hopefully, Howard would resist the temptation to hit the portal if Bronny landed in Ann Arbor.

At Ohio State, Chris Holtmann could pitch James on a Malaki Branham-type of role, though the guard might never develop into a shot-maker. More realistically, Bronny could help the Buckeyes’ defense return to the top-25 unit it was in Holtmann’s first three seasons.

If James selects Oregon, he could grow into the Ducks’ most reliable point guard since Payton Pritchard. Plus, Dana Altman has shown he can bring in talent to play alongside him (more on that later).

Staying on the West Coast, the two LA schools could both optimize Bronny’s services. At USC, he could thrive in Andy Enfield’s pick-and-roll-heavy offense. UCLA, too, would let Bronny rock in ball screen actions; Mick Cronin could point to Tyger Campbell’s progression as a selling point (and likely James’s Sierra Canyon teammate Amari Bailey).

I would be surprised if Bronny’s family doesn’t view him as a one-and-done. However, at this stage of his career, he looks more like a multi-year college player who eventually becomes a draft pick.

2. Breakup to make-up

Despite de-committing from Oregon last month, 5-star recruit Mookie Cook couldn’t quit the Ducks.

The 6-7 wing brandishes alien-like athleticism, tenacity on the boards and an improving 3-point shot. A consensus top-5 prospect, Cook brings NBA-level talent to an Oregon squad in need of a talent boost.

More interesting though, what led to his decision to spurn G League offers and re-up on his pledge to the Ducks? “I’ve always had a great relationship with the coaches. So truthfully, I just always knew deep down in my heart that that was home and I wanted to be there,” he told On3.

As Selena Gomez once poetically put it, “the heart wants what it wants.”

BONUS: Surprisingly, de-commitment/re-commitments aren’t all that uncommon. Some other notable names who have followed the same path:

• Incoming freshman wing Aidan Shaw (Missouri)

• The aforementioned freshman guard Amari Bailey (UCLA)

• Former Louisville guard David Johnson

• Former Duke big man Patrick Tapé, who de-committed and re-committed to the Blue Devils after transferring from Columbia

3. A postseason trip to Sin City

This spring, the NIT will re-locate from its trusty Madison Square Garden post to Las Vegas for its semifinals and championship games.

Per the release, the move came after a “nation-wide bid process” and the same games will take place in Indianapolis next year. The tournament will still rely upon the participants’ campuses to host the first three rounds.

More notably, the move gives further credence to the supposition that a Las Vegas Final Four approaches on the horizon. As sports gambling becomes legal in more and more states, it no longer carries the stigma it once did. Thus, the NCAA seems to feel the freedom to host its pinnacle event in the nation’s betting capital.

4. Brandon Miller shines on Alabama’s foreign tour

Even on a team returning several notable veteran guards, freshman Brandon Miller may emerge as Alabama’s best player. The 6-8 wing scores at all three levels, moonlights at point guard and once jumped over a kid in high school.

If the Tide’s overseas contests give any indication, Miller is already realizing his massive potential:

I believe the technical term for those types of numbers is “HIM.”

If Miller’s production translates to the regular season, he will fill an elephantine hole on the perimeter left by Jaden Shackelford and Keon Ellis. Nate Oats feels confident that his star freshman will get the job done.

“He hasn’t been good, he’s been great [this summer]. No ego. He’s all in on Alabama,” the head coach told The Field of 68 this offseason. “I love the kid, and he’s been unbelievably good in practice.”

5. Beekman breakout?

Since winning the national championship in 2019, Virginia has yet to perform a noteworthy encore. The Hoos finished 42nd on KenPom in 2020, 19th in 2021 (and lost in the first round of the tourney to Ohio), and hit its nadir at 72 last season, missing the Big Dance altogether.

This year could signal a return to the standard established under Tony Bennett. But in order for Virginia to regain its mojo, it needs another leap from junior guard Reece Beekman.

Beekman’s defense and facilitation skills are not the problem. He keeps opposing point guards in his back pocket and passes teammates open with pinpoints dimes.

However, he MUST make strides as a shot creator for a Hoos team that desperately needs one.

On the bright side, Beekman gets to the rim at a solid rate and could take his game to the next level if he adds some counter moves to his dribble package. But if he proves himself as a 3-point shooter, he would open up the floodgates for the offense. For comparison, in 2019, Ty Jerome canned more triples off the bounce (25) than Beekman made in total last season (22), per Hoop Math.

Few coaches flaunt a better track record of player development than Bennett. We’ll see if Beekman can be the next benefactor.

TWEET OF THE WEEK

Doing things only a Skyy Clark can

This was sent last Sunday, but frankly, nothing came close to topping it this week.

Incoming Illinois freshman Skyy Clark posing with Tobey Maguire, the OG Spider-Man, is about as good as it gets. In case you missed the backstory for this photo, 247 dove in.

THE FAST BREAK

Links to click as you ponder how Woodstock ‘99 was so poorly planned:

• 2023 point guard Jordan Clayton will play at Northwestern.

• Saint Peter’s picked up Long Island point guard Alex Rivera.

• A jury found that Southeast Missouri owes former coach Rick Ray the $94,128.76 left on his contract.

• Kentucky’s “basketball school” crusade continues.

• That’s it for “Ooey Pooey.” But more big things might await Indianapolis.*

*This is sponsored content. Want your business to be highlighted here? Contact us about advertising opportunities.

OFF THE CAROUSEL

Neptune’s got next

What’s it like replacing a legend? Tune in below to Jeff Goodman’s interview with Kyle Neptune to find out. The young coach speaks on Jay Wright’s retirement, his influence on Villanova and his plan for the Wildcats going forward.

Thanks for reading! Coming tomorrow: Our latest in the Summer Reading series.

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