Although Duke fans in the early 2000s may have missed out on seeing LeBron James in a Blue Devil jersey, the Cameron Crazies might have to “settle” on the next best thing: LeBron “Bronny” James Jr. suiting up for Duke in five years.
For the second year in a row, Duke basketball invited Bronny’s AAU team, the North Coast Blue Chips, to tour Cameron Indoor Stadium and meet some of the Blue Devils already preparing for their own upcoming season, including Zion Williamson. The 6'6" forward, whose physicality has drawn comparisons to Lebron James Sr., gave Bronny and his team advice about making it to the college level, and watched as the Blue Chips got to put up shots in the Krzyzewski Center Practice Facility.
The Blue Chips were able to tour Duke facilities last year as well, as Nolan Smith and former Blue Devil Jordan Tucker led Bronny’s team around the stadium and locker room.
According to a 2016 ESPN article, Bronny has received a verbal offer from Duke, and for anyone who has seen the 13-year-old sensation on the court, it isn’t hard to see why. Bronny and fellow Blue Chips superstar Mikey Williams led their team in winning the 2018 USBA National Championship. Bronny’s court vision and athleticism were on full display throughout the tournament.
Bronny has not yet received an official offer from Duke or any other colleges due to recruiting laws, as NCAA programs have to wait until an athlete is in high school to give a scholarship offer in writing. However, Bronny’s trajectory is still great and his potential has yet to be reached. Assuming the NBA one-and-done rule is still in effect and Bronny does not declare for the NBA immediately after his high school graduation in 2023, Duke basketball will be sure to heavily recruit Bronny in hopes of landing another top basketball talent.
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