Bronny James is showing he’s more than just a famous last name

Bronny James has long been under the spotlight, his every move scrutinized as he navigates a basketball career in the shadow of his father, LeBron James.

But as of late, the 20-year-old guard has begun to carve out his own identity, delivering performances that suggest his place in professional basketball is well-earned.

On Mar.

20, James recorded a career-high 17 points for the Los Angeles Lakers in a loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.

With several key players sidelined, he made the most of his increased minutes, shooting 7-of-10 from the field while adding five assists in 30 minutesthe most playing time he has seen in an NBA game to date.

While the Lakers fell 118-89, his poised performance drew praise, even from longtime skeptics.

Just days later, on Mar.

24, he delivered an even more eye-catching display in the G League.

Playing for Los Angeles affiliate, the South Bay Lakers, James erupted for a career-high 39 points against the Santa Cruz Warriors.

He was efficient and aggressive, shooting 4-of-8 from beyond the arc and 10-of-13 inside the paint, while also contributing seven rebounds, four assists and four steals.

Bronny James could not be stopped! The @Lakers draftee recorded a career-high in scoring and posted his third 30+ point performance this season.

pic.twitter.com/kxLaaZsVSs The performance was the latest indication of James steady improvement.

It was his third 30-plus point performance in the NBAs minor league this season, and in the regular season he is averaging an impressive 22.4 points per game and shooting 37.5 percent from deep.

According to StatMamba , he is the youngest player across the entire league to average at least 20 points, five rebounds and five assists, which further highlights his legitimate potential.

His 5.1 assists show talent as a playmaker and facilitator, which could translate more to the NBA, and while his 3.6 turnovers may be a concern, its perfectly normal considering his age and that hes a rookie navigating the early stages of his professional career.

Furthermore, his two steals per game show his two-way versatility, as well as his gradually expanding role and demonstrating an increased ability to impact the game beyond just scoring.

Questions will long remain about how his development will translate to the NBA level, as the progress of Bronny will clearly continue beyond this season alone.

The Lakers depth chart makes it difficult to project his long-term role, and his consistency will continue to be tested.

But his recent performances suggest he is beginning to silence those who once questioned whether his path to the league was a product of talent or simply his last name.

As the regular season reaches a conclusion, James will have further opportunities to prove himself.

For now, his trajectory is trending upward, and with each performance, he is making it increasingly clear that he is more than just the son of a basketball iconhe is a prospect in his own right.

Matt Evans is a sports journalist from the United Kingdom, now based in Paris, France.

He has covered various sports including basketball, soccer, boxing, MMA, and motorsports.

Over the past decade, Matt has focused heavily on the NBA and has worked with many established outlets on a variety of content.

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