Duke basketball’s No. 1 need next decade: LeBron James Jr.

Of all the present prep prospects, the one most crucial to enduring Duke basketball success is a famous-from-birth 15-year-old.

A year ago, LeBron James Jr. — better known as Bronny James — disgusted most of the world by wearing a Duke basketball hoodie. And ten years from now, the namesake of King James could be wearing the crown as the decade’s No. 1 contributor to the continuing widespread animosity toward the Blue Devils.

Actually, to the dismay of all Duke haters, the entire James family could feasibly play a pivotal role in the program’s successful transition out of the Mike Krzyzewski Era. Let’s face it, the 72-year-old coaching legend isn’t likely to put off retirement for many years beyond what would be the freshman season (2023-24) of LBJ’s eldest of three children.

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But before delving into how the James clan could help keep Duke thriving after Coach K calls it quits, let’s revisit past signs that point to Bronny — currently a 6-foot-2, 170-pound freshman combo guard for Sierra Canyon School in Los Angeles — potentially playing at least one season as a Blue Devil:

1. He sported the hoodie.
2. Two weeks after the clip of James in Duke attire went viral and following Coach K’s public defense of his freshmen at the time, his dad — who won gold medals under Coach K at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics — posted a message on Instagram that gave Duke fans goosebumps: “Big FACTS! Love Coach K!! The absolute BEST! Hope he’s still at the helm when my boy comes up. 🤫🤔😉”
3. According to a tweet from ESPN, James received a verbal Duke basketball offer at age 11; plus, in April, Coach K showed the interest has not waned by showing up to his first EYBL game.

Though the few 2023 rankings in existence mostly have James just outside the top 20 — in other words, regardless of whether the one-and-done rule still exists by his graduation, he may need a year of college to maximize his draft stock — the increasing flashes of his pop’s renowned vision and court presence are attracting high praise.

“Can see Bronny James getting more and more confident,” 247Sports’ Evan Daniels tweeted Wednesday after Sierra Canyon’s opening win at the Tarkanian Classic in Las Vegas. “Has really good touch [with] his runners. Hit one from 18 feet. Impressed with his feel and passing ability.”

Now, let’s go back to the importance of the Blue Devils eventually landing James.

First, James would be a sweet parting gift for Coach K in what could very well be his last season as head coach (his grandson, Duke walk-on freshman Michael Savarino, who might be his overriding reason for sticking around moving forward, is redshirting this season, meaning he would be a fifth-year senior when James is a freshman).

Even if as a Blue Devil James was to fall well short of the expectations that accompany his name, just imagine the extra boost to the program’s popularity that could sprout from ESPN constantly zooming in on LeBron James Sr. cheering alongside other parents behind the Duke bench.

As for the key longterm benefit, Bronny and LeBron would undoubtedly use their celebrity to promote the Duke basketball brand to youngsters for as long as they live. As a result, they could fuel the pipeline of five-stars to Durham for generations to come.

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Stated another way, the Jameses could aid in preventing the masses who loathe #TheBrotherhood from finding the type of inner peace next decade that would only come from Duke becoming irrelevant.

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