Alexander Brown
USC freshman Bronny James, son of Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James, is attending the NBA Draft Combine this week in Chicago, looking to boost his draft stock. On Day 2 of the combine, James spoke publicly for the first time since making his season debut against Long Beach State on December 10.
“I would be happy to make the league instead of thinking about playing with my dad,” he said. Bronny said. “But that’s not my mindset. I’m just trying to work and see where it takes me.”
James participated in a scrimmage on Tuesday and finished with four points, four rebounds, two steals and three turnovers.
On Wednesday, LeBron showed up at WinTrust Arena to watch Bronny take part in a fight at the Combine.
Although James is not projected as a first-round pick in CBS Sports’ latest mock draft, he helped his draft stock with a standout performance on the first day of the combine. James made 19 of 25 3-point shots Monday in the 3-point star shooting drill, including 12 consecutive shots from behind the arc, after recording a maximum vertical of 40.5 inches earlier in the day.
Atlético’s Shams Charania reported that James is expected to remain in the draft after The NBA’s Fitness to Play Panel reportedly medically cleared James from a cardiac arrest incident last summer.
James will participate in all pre-draft activities, including this week’s NBA Draft Combine, where he will receive a lot of attention. He is one of 78 players invited to participate in the NBA Draft Combine.
James announced last month that he was entering the NBA Draft and the transfer portal, but it appears his college career is over after just one season.
James had until May 29 – the withdrawal deadline set by the NCAA – to decide whether to remain in the draft or return for his second season, but chose to make the decision early. The NBA has a later withdrawal deadline (June 16), but the NCAA has its own set of rules that state the deadline is 10 days after the NBA Draft Combine ends. The 2024 NBA Draft will be June 26-27.
The Athletic reported last month that the Lakers are “open to potential customers” of drafting Bronny. The Lakers will have the 17th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, which could be conveyed to the Pelicans as part of the Anthony Davis trade in 2019. Los Angeles has its own second-round pick in this summer’s draft.
Bronny James NBA Draft Projection
James’ NBA Draft actions are considered a mystery. His overall stats haven’t been good this season, but that might not stop the respective team from drafting him. The 2024 NBA Draft class is one of the weakest draft classes at the top in nearly a decade. This could benefit James and convince him to declare for the draft if a team wants to pounce on a prospect with upside.
James has the tools to be a successful player at the next level. He is a motor defender with a playmaking edge. James also has an incredible basketball IQ, just like his father. Something James will have to improve at the next level is his 3-point shooting. James connected on just 26.7% from distance on 2.4 attempts per night.
In CBS Sports’ 2024 Draft Prospect Rankings, James is currently unranked and has not been in the first round of any CBS Sports first-round mock drafts. James will likely fall to the second round, but should get an opportunity at the next level no matter what — which could be a regular contract or a two-way deal.
Entering the NBA Draft while maintaining college eligibility is common among college prospects who are unsure about where they project to be in the draft process.
LeBron has a player option for the 2024-25 NBA season that he could hypothetically decline, which could create an easier path for the two to pair together next season. The Lakers have their second-round pick for the 2024 NBA Draft. The New Orleans Pelicans own the Lakers’ first-round pick and are entitled to receive their 2025 first-round pick.
One and done at USC
The former four-star recruit played in 25 games for the Trojans after making his college debut on Dec. 10 against Long Beach State, less than five months after suffering cardiac arrest during a summer workout at USC. James made six starts during the 2023-24 season and averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists.
“I had a year with some ups and downs, but it all contributed to my growth as a man, student and athlete,” James wrote on Instagram. “I have made the decision to enter the NBA Draft while maintaining my college eligibility, and I will also enter the NCAA transfer portal. Thank you to USC for an incredible freshman year and, as always, grateful to my family, friends, doctors, athletic trainers and fans for their support.”
James missed USC’s trip abroad to Greece and Croatia for a three-game summer tour and was absent from the start of fall practices because of the cardiac arrest incident. After his minutes restriction was lifted in January, James showed his potential as a playmaker and defender in an expanded role.
James’ future was questioned last month when rumors surfaced that the 19-year-old would enter the transfer portal and explore his college options.
“I don’t know where that came from,” LeBron James said after the Lakers defeated the Raptors 128-111 in Toronto. “But at the end of the day, Bronny is his own man. He has some difficult decisions to make. whatever he does.”
Impact on USC
USC already lost wing Kobe Johnson through the transfer portal this offseason to rival UCLA. Collier entered the NBA Draft, and four-star guard Trent Perry recently decommitted from the school and signed with UCLA following a coaching change.
Musselman is an excellent high school and transfer portal recruiter. While at Arkansas, he helped them land the No. 2 overall recruiting class behind Duke in the 2022 cycle. Musselman is known for using the transfer portal to attract talent, which will likely be the case when the Trojans do the transition to the Big Ten.
