Logue Down: Why LeBron’s son Bronny should consider playing in the NBL as a Next Star
LeBron James says wherever his son plays he’ll play. One former NBL MVP believes that should be in the Australian League.
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Bronny James – the son of NBA superstar LeBron James – would benefit enormously from a stint in Australia as an NBL Next Star alongside his famous father.
That’s the opinion of former NBL MVP turned commentator Corey “Homicide” Williams, who has urged James junior to follow in LaMelo Ball’s footsteps and use the Australian league over US College as a stepping stone to the NBA.
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Bronny, a 17-year-old shooting guard, is currently playing high school basketball for Sierra Canyon in California as he weighs up his next career move.
Williams would also like to see LeBron fulfil his goal of playing alongside his son, which he believes would be the biggest signing coup in NBL history.
“I truly believe Bronny should consider the NBL’s Next Stars program because the history of success is there,” said Williams, who also tweeted a picture of Bronny and LeBron in Sydney Kings singlets.
“You’ve got the LaMelo Ball case study, then Josh Giddey comes after him. Ball becomes the Rookie of the Year in the NBL before going to the NBA and winning the rookie award there.
“Giddey also won the NBL’s Rookie of the Year and now he has collected four straight Western Conference Rookie awards to make a strong claim for the NBA’s top rookie award.
The track record is proven. This needs to happen. @mavcarter@KingJames@0BronnyJames@SydneyKings@RichPaul4@pr_RWTW@simewerspic.twitter.com/MONG0cqSdG
— Corey “Homicide†Williams (@chomicide) March 2, 2022
“In Bronny, you have a player who is a potential one and done type talent, and the NBL would be perfect for him to improve and make the NBA.
“It all depends on whether you want Bronny to go to college, but if I’m LeBron I’m sending him to the NBL over the G League.
“Plus, there is no way LeBron is stepping foot on a G League court.
“I say Bronny is either doing one year or college or he is coming to Australia.”
Williams points out the improved G League, including the G League Ignite franchise, are products in response to the success of the NBL’s Next Stars program.
There is a push for American kids to remain in America via the G League if they don’t pursue the college path.
Williams, though, says the NBL’s Next Stars program is proven to be a successful pathway to the word’s best league.
“If LeBron sends Bronny to the NBL, it’s a win, win,” he said.
“His son will receive the best education, on and off the court, but this isn’t about LeBron wants.
“This is about what his son wants and what makes the most sense for his career.
“Anyone that has come to the NBL, including former Sydney King Jae’Sean Tate who is now killing it at the Houston Rockets, has done wonders.
“Plus, Bronny and LeBron would be the greatest signings ever in the NBL.”
WARNIE, THE MAN OF THE PEOPLE: GAZE
Basketball icon Andrew Gaze has paid tribute to legendary Australian cricketer Shane Warne following his tragic death, hailing him the “ultimate people person”.
Gaze didn’t know Warne personally, but he attended plenty of social functions alongside the world’s greatest leg spin bowler.
One was a WWE wrestling promotion in Melbourne with Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, and the other a golf day when he teamed up in a foursome opposite Warne, golfing great Greg Norman and three-time Melbourne Cup winning jockey Damien Oliver.
“It was one of the great all-time days, but I particularly enjoyed Warney’s company,” Gaze said.
“He was this larger-than-life character and he always made you feel comfortable.
“When you were around him you never felt like he was that prima donna or star.
“Warney would always go out for a dart, and you’d see him chatting away to everyone in the public.
“He was a superstar, but it wasn’t like he was on his high horse carrying on and he’d be happy to chat to anyone.”
Gaze said Warne was equally friendly when he was surrounded by other big names in sport or society.
“Even when we were in a room with a bunch of celebrities, he’d always come up and say hello and he made you feel welcome in a real natural way,” he said.
“His passing is incredibly sad. When you think of Australian sporting icons, there aren’t too many bigger than Warney.”
LJ’S WORLD CUP PLANS
The Australia’s basketball GOAT Lauren Jackson has given her strongest indication that she won’t make a comeback for the Opals at this year’s World Cup in Sydney.
Jackson had left the door open for a stunning return to the international stage after announcing she will be coming out of retirement to play for her hometown Albury-Wodonga in the NBL1 competition.
However, the Aussie great made her plans clear when asked at the 2022 World Cup draw event in Sydney this week.
“I can’t wait to just be a fan and watch it,” Jackson said.
“Australia really gets behind their national teams, regardless of gender.
“It is one of those things where they just really support the green and gold.
“For us to have our Opals playing on home soil in front of home fans, it’s going to be incredible and it’s going to be a great moment.”
MORSEU’S PRIDE
Three-time NBL champion, two-time Olympian and Indigenous pioneer Danny Morseu couldn’t be prouder to see the Aboriginal flag on the court during the league’s annual Indigenous Round.
Morseu, the first Torres Strait Islander to represent Australia at an Olympic Games, was a guest of the NBL’s at Saturday’s United versus Bullets clash at John Cain Arena.
Legendary Indigenous basketballer Danny Morseu discusses NBL Indigenous Round, the Indigenous talent in the sport and more ðŸ€ðŸ™Œ
— The NBL (@NBL) March 5, 2022
Watch #NBL22 live on @ESPNAusNZ + @kayosports 📺 pic.twitter.com/wMhHLBhjAT
Asked how nice it is to see the Aboriginal flag on the court, he enthusiastically replied: “It looks great – it’s fantastic.
“I really love it seeing it at both ends of the court, and it’s about time.”
BEVO SET FOR MORE BOOMERS TIME
Veteran coach Rob Beverage did a superb job to lead an understrength Boomers side to three World Cup qualifying wins, now he is set to be rewarded.
Beveridge guided an Australian team minus NBL and NBA players to victories over Chinese Taipei (twice) and Japan, prompting an impressed Basketball Australia to inquire about his availability moving forward.
The Boomers go 3/3 at the @FIBAWC QT after a 19 point win over Chinese Taipei ✅✅✅@Nickkay04 was everywhere and notched up an impressive triple-double ðŸ˜
— Basketball Australia (@BasketballAus) February 28, 2022
📸: @FIBA#WeAreBasketballpic.twitter.com/C6IAWH5Rzj
I’m told ‘Bevo’ would happy be part of the Boomers program under head coach Brian Goorjian as an assistant.
The Australian’s would benefit enormously from Beveridge’s experience on the international and NBL stage, especially with a World Cup and Olympics coming in the next two years.
LIKE: It’s brilliant to see Boomers star Dante Exum excelling in Europe with Barcelona.
Exum has looked comfortable as one of the team’s best players, prompting him to recently extend his contract until June 30.
He still has his sights set on a return to the NBA, but for now he is happy to star for Barcelona.
Exum produced his best performance for Barcelona on Saturday, scoring 22 points, five rebounds and two assists in a win over Monaco to pick up the EuroLeague round’s MVP honours.
DISLIKE: Nathan Sobey had his Olympic bronze medal stolen – now the Brisbane Bullets’ guard is sidelined for a month with a knee injury.
Sobey has managed the injury over the past month, but he requires more rest to make a full recovery.
It’s a big blow for the Bullets a same for Sobey, who was enjoying another standout season despite the Bullets’ inconsistent campaign.
SHOOSH: Which championship contending club CEO declared the Sydney Kings the NBL’s most talented team and he’d be shocked if they didn’t win the title?
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Originally published as Logue Down: Why LeBron’s son Bronny should consider playing in the NBL as a Next Star
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