USC freshman guard Bronny James has announced his decision to enter the 2024 NBA draft while maintaining his college eligibility. He will also enter the transfer portal, as revealed in a recent Instagram post.
James, a highly touted prospect who earned McDonald's All American honors in high school, faced setbacks during his freshman year at USC. A cardiac arrest episode in July, followed by a procedure to address a congenital heart defect, sidelined him for five months and impacted his on-court performance.
During his time at USC, James averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in 19 minutes per game. His potential to make a significant impact on the team was hindered by health challenges.
USC's coaching staff underwent changes, with Andy Enfield departing for SMU and Eric Musselman taking over as the new head coach. James will need to undergo evaluation and approval by the NBA's Fitness to Play Panel before participating in team workouts, the draft combine in May, or being selected in the draft.
As per the NBA's collective bargaining agreement, players invited to the draft combine must attend the scouting event and undergo a physical examination. James, represented by agent Rich Paul of Klutch Sports, will focus on finding the right developmental situation rather than solely aiming for a high draft position.
LeBron James, Bronny's father, has emphasized the importance of his son forging his own path in basketball. The decision-making process will not be influenced by any desire for father-son team reunions.
If James opts to return to college and transfer, Duquesne is reportedly a top consideration. The university's new head coach, Dru Joyce, shares a history with the James family, having been a high school teammate of LeBron and a close family friend. Joyce took over the coaching reins from Keith Dambrot, who retired after a successful tenure that included an Atlantic 10 championship and an NCAA tournament appearance.
