James has been widely criticized for his play in the NBA Summer LeagueBronny James

Bronny James | David BeckerAP

Austin Rivers is talking about practice. Ever since Bronny James was drafted with the 55th pick by the Los Angeles Lakers, he has faced immense pressure, carrying a target on his back due to his family name.

His college basketball experience was cut short by a cardiac arrest in July last year, sidelining him for about three months before he was cleared to return to the court.

This setback limited his time with the USC Trojans and may continue to impact his career. Despite these challenges, former NBA star, Rivers, believes Bronny has the potential to excel, thanks to his athletic genes and the help of practice will take him to stardom.

What did Austin Rivers say?

Speaking on the ‘Ringer NBA’ podcast about Bronny’s Summer League performance, Rivers acknowledged the 19-year-old’s struggles but predicted a promising future.

“He averaged four points last year at USC. He wasn’t a pro, so he ain’t a pro right now. Will he be? Yes! I do believe he will; I just do,” Rivers confidently stated.

“He has the genetics, he’s a freak athlete. Him being in the gym every single goddamn day practicing…That f**ker will end being a pro and a solid one, I promise!”

Rivers highlighted the intense training that will shape Bronny into a professional player.

Despite criticism from the NBA community regarding Bronny’s Summer League performance, Rivers’ faith in him is unwavering.

Bronny’s initial Summer League games in San Francisco were challenging, with a 3-of-12 shooting record and a 0 percent three-point percentage, missing all four attempts beyond the arc. Over two games, he averaged 3.5 points in about 25.7 minutes per game.

However, as the league progressed and moved to Las Vegas, Bronny’s confidence improved. He managed to score 3 of his 19 three-point attempts, increasing his field goal percentage from 25 percent to 35 percent.

In the summer finale against the Cavaliers, Bronny demonstrated his potential with a clutch three-pointer late in the fourth quarter, showcasing his inherent skills.