USC’s Bronny James, son of Lakers star LeBron James, in transfer portal and going through NBA Draft process

USC freshman Bronny James, the son of NBA famous person LeBron James, introduced earlier this month he was coming into the NBA Draft and the switch portal. With the Los Angeles Lakers’ season coming to a detailed on Monday evening with a 4-1 collection loss to the Denver Nuggets within the NBA Playoffs, the elder James supplied an replace on the pending choice his oldest son must make subsequent month. 

“I simply need to get house to the household truthfully,” James stated on Monday. “… One among my boys is deciding if he will enter the draft or return to highschool. I bought one other child [Bryce James] that is taking part in AAU ball proper now and my daughter [Zhuri James] is taking part in volleyball — and my spouse [Savanah James] is doing so many nice issues, so it is about household proper now.”

James may have till Could 29 — the withdrawal deadline set by the NCAA — to resolve to stay within the draft or return for his sophomore season. The NBA has a later withdrawal deadline (June 16) however the NCAA has its personal algorithm that states the deadline is 10 days after the NBA Mix ends. The 2024 NBA Draft is June 26-27. 

The Athletic reported on Monday that the Lakers are “open to the prospect” of drafting Bronny. The Lakers may have the seventeenth general decide within the 2024 NBA Draft, which may very well be conveyed to the Pelicans as a part of the Anthony Davis commerce in 2019. Los Angeles holds its personal second-round decide on this summer time’s draft.

The previous four-star recruit performed in 25 video games for the Trojans after making his faculty debut on Dec. 10 towards Lengthy Seashore State lower than 5 months after going into cardiac arrest throughout a summer time exercise at USC. James made six begins throughout the 2023-24 season and averaged 4.8 factors, 2.8 rebounds and a couple of.1 assists. 

“I’ve had a 12 months with some ups and downs however all added to development for me as a person, pupil and athlete,” James wrote on Instagram. “I’ve made the choice to enter the NBA Draft whereas sustaining my faculty eligibility, and also will be coming into the NCAA switch portal. Thanks to USC for a tremendous freshman 12 months, and as at all times grateful for my household, pals, docs, athletic trainers and followers for his or her help.”

James missed USC’s abroad journey to Greece and Croatia for a three-game summer time tour and was absent from the beginning of fall exercises due to the cardiac arrest incident. After his minute restriction was lifted in January, James showcased his potential as each a playmaker and defender in an expanded function. 

James’ future got here into query earlier this week when rumors surfaced that the 19-year-old would enter the switch portal and discover his faculty choices.

“I do not know the place it got here from,” LeBron James stated after the Lakers beat the Raptors 128-111 in Toronto. “However on the finish of the day, Bronny is his personal man. He has some powerful choices to make. When he is able to make these choices, he’ll allow us to all know. However as his household, we will help no matter he does.”

Bronny James’ NBA Draft projection

James’ draft inventory is taken into account a thriller. His general stats weren’t nice this season, however that will not stop a respective crew from drafting him. The 2024 NBA Draft class is a thriller as a result of it is one of many weaker draft lessons on the prime in practically a decade. That might finally profit James and persuade him to declare for the draft if a crew desires to take a swing on a prospect with upside. 

James has the instruments to be a profitable participant on the subsequent stage. He is a high-motor defender with a playmaking upside. James additionally has an unbelievable basketball IQ like his father. One thing that James must enhance on on the subsequent stage is his 3-point capturing. James related on solely 26.7% from distance on 2.4 makes an attempt per evening.

Within the 2024 NBA Draft Prospect Rankings from CBS Sports activities, James is not presently ranked, and he wasn’t in any first-round mocks. James doubtless will drop to the second spherical, however he ought to get a chance on the subsequent stage it doesn’t matter what — which may very well be on a daily contract or a two-way deal.

Getting into the NBA Draft whereas sustaining faculty eligibility is frequent amongst faculty prospects who aren’t completely positive about the place they undertaking within the draft course of. On this case, Bronny initiatives as a possible second-round decide, so maintaining his choices open by coming into the switch portal will permit him to undergo the draft course of, work out for NBA groups, and get suggestions earlier than making a closing choice. James may have till Could 29 — the withdrawal deadline set by the NCAA — to resolve to stay within the draft or return for his sophomore season. The NBA has a later withdrawal deadline (June 16) however the NCAA has its personal algorithm that states the deadline is 10 days after the NBA Mix ends. The 2024 NBA Draft is June 26-27.

James will want approval from NBA’s Health to Play Panel earlier than he can change into eligible to take part in crew exercises, the draft mix in Could or be chosen within the draft because of the cardiac arrest, based on ESPN. 

LeBron has a participant possibility for the 2024-25 NBA season that he might hypothetically decline, which might create a neater path for the 2 to pair up subsequent season. The Lakers personal their second-round decide for the 2024 NBA Draft. The New Orleans Pelicans personal the Lakers first-round decide and have the proper to obtain their 2025 first-round decide as a substitute.

Portal prospects

Days after his father shot down the rumors of him coming into the switch portal, USC poached Arkansas coach Eric Musselman to switch Andy Enfield, who left city to take the vacant job at SMU. Regardless of Musselman having ties to the James household, he nonetheless elected to enter the upcoming draft and the switch portal. 

The youthful James performed with Arkansas signee Isaiah Elohim at Sierra Canyon Excessive College in Chatsworth, California. Musselman recruited Elohim to Arkansas earlier than he left for the vacant job with the Trojans. Nevertheless, James determined to enter the portal – step one for a participant who intends to switch.

Early logical choices to land James out of the switch portal Ohio State, Duquesne, Oregon, UCLA, and SMU. Popping out of highschool, James dedicated to USC over Oregon and Ohio State. Duquesne just lately named Dru Joyce III — LeBron’s former highschool teammate from St. Vincent-St. Mary Excessive College — its subsequent coach of this system.  

Impression on USC

USC has already misplaced star wing Kobe Johnson through the switch portal this offseason to crosstown rival UCLA. Collier entered the NBA Draft, and four-star guard Trent Perry just lately de-committed from the college after the teaching change. 

Musselman is a superb highschool and switch portal recruiter. Whereas he was at Arkansas, he helped land the No. 2 general recruiting class behind Duke within the 2022 cycle. Musselman is thought to make use of the switch portal to draw expertise, which can doubtless be the case because the Trojans transition to the Large Ten. 

Most prime highschool expertise within the 2024 recruiting class already signed their Nationwide Letter of Intent to their respective faculties. Musselman’s most suitable choice to switch James, Collier, and Boogie Ellis within the backcourt is to persuade Perry to remain.