The crowd volume quickly rose to 10 as Bronny James gathered to take their first shot of the NBA Summer League, collectively sighing after the three-point shot.
But before the disappointment could naturally fade, the offensive rebound bounced back to him and he soared toward the basket, scoring on a layup as the nearly full Thomas & Mack Center roared.
If summer league is about seeing tomorrow’s stars today — marketing could be behind one of the NBA’s signature events — James represents a small change.
He’s already a star.
James, the 55th pick in the 2024 draft, has been a constant presence in the event’s marketing signage despite his meager college stats because of his celebrity. And paired with the “Lakers”In his chest, he was one of the most outstanding players, despite sharing the court on Friday with one of their own – Reed Sheppard – selected 52 spots ahead of him.
While James was somewhat good but worse (sort of an expectation for a guard drafted at 55), first-round picks on the court, Sheppard, and the Lakers’ Dalton Knechtshowed a lot of pop.
See more information: NBA Summer League honors Jerry West on first day of play
Sheppard scored 23 points for the Rockets 99-80 victorykeeping the Lakers winless this summer after losing three times in the California Classic.
Knecht had 25 points, six rebounds and four assists in his Vegas debut, heating up in the second half while showing the shooting touch that left the Lakers thrilled with their fall from a potential lottery pick to No. 17 on draft night.
James scored six of his eight points on his first shift and finished with eight points, five rebounds and two steals, but missed all eight of his three-point shots. He shot three of 14 from the field, with three turnovers and no assists.
The Lakers play again on Monday in Las Vegas.
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This story originally appeared on Los Angeles Times.
