Bronny James might not be done giving fans something to talk about this summer.
After a strong showing during the 2025 NBA Summer League – complete with highlight dunks and a steady improvement in confidence – the 19-year-old Lakers guard is now being linked to the legendary Drew League in Los Angeles. And while it’s not a done deal, there’s enough smoke to make people watch the skies.
Drew League commissioner Dino Smiley dropped the hint during a chat with Mark Medina of RG.org this week. When asked about possible NBA appearances in the Drew this year, Smiley casually noted, “I’ve heard Bronny… but nothing clear on that yet.” He also mentioned names like Dalton Knecht and Cam Christie, but let’s be real – Bronny’s name carries a different kind of buzz.
It’s not hard to see why. The younger James had a bit of a breakout summer after a quiet rookie season. He kicked things off with a thunderous one-handed dunk in the California Classic, then followed it up with an efficient 18-point outing against Boston in Vegas. He averaged 14.3 points on 47.6% shooting across both events – enough to land him on NBA.com’s list of standout second-year players.
Could South Central Be Bronny’s Next Stage?
What’s more, he’s earning praise from some of the league’s biggest stars. Steph Curry, speaking on Complex, recalled visiting the James family when Bronny was just a toddler. “I’m like, he going somewhere,” Curry said. “And now to see him in the league is crazy.”
That kind of praise matters – and a Drew League appearance could be the perfect next chapter. Held each summer in South Central L.A., the Drew is where Kobe once pulled up unannounced and where LeBron made a 42-point statement in 2022. It’s basketball with no filters. And for a player like Bronny, still carving out his identity, it could be the ideal proving ground.
No official word yet from Bronny or the Lakers camp. But with Summer League buzz still fresh and training camp around the corner, stepping into the Drew spotlight could keep the momentum rolling.
Read the full article here
