Bronny James declares for 2024 NBA Draft, intends to enter transfer portal

USC guard, and son of NBA superstar LeBron James, Bronny James has officially declared for the 2024 NBA Draft. On3’s Joe Tipton reported the news. James shared that he plans to maintain his college eligibility and enter the transfer portal as well.

James enters the draft following just one season with the Trojans. Earlier in the week, James was rumored to be in the transfer portal. However, the report was later walked back.

A post from Hall of Fame reporter Dick Weiss said James was planning to enter the transfer portal after just one season at USC. His coach, Andy Enfield, recently left to become the head coach at SMU after the Trojans missed the NCAA Tournament this season, and all eyes then moved on what James would decide to do. Weiss later posted he “can’t confirm” the story.

“I’ve had a year with some ups and downs but all added to growth for me as a man, student and athlete,” James wrote in his Instagram post. “I’ve made the decision to enter the NBA Draft while maintaining my college eligibility, and will also be entering the NCAA transfer portal.

“Thank you to USC for an amazing freshman year, and as always thankful for my family, friends, doctors, athletic trainers and fans for their support.”

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James missed the first eight games of the season after suffering from a sudden cardiac arrest in early July during the Trojans’ offseason workouts. Playing on a minutes restriction to start off his college career in his debut game against Long Beach State where he scored four points, three rebounds, two assists, two steals, and a chase-down block reminiscent of his father in his 16 minutes played.

He’d go on to make his first career start on January 13 against Colorado, starting in three consecutive Pac-12 games, coming off the bench in the next two games, and receiving three more consecutive starts before coming back off the bench for the remainder of the season.

In his true freshman year, James averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in his 19.4 minutes per game. Scoring in double figures three times last season highlighted by a career-high 15 points against Oregon State in December.

James played high school basketball at Sierra Canyon in Chatsworth, Los Angeles (CA), where he was a four-star prospect. He was the No. 25 overall recruit in the 2023 cycle and the No. 6 ranked point guard, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

James’ decision comes as a surprising one given his limited production and lack of starting experience at the college level. The former McDonald’s All-American was projected as a first-round draft selection and even a lottery pick in some mock drafts entering the season, but his status as an NBA prospect has since dropped.

His father LeBron James has expressed the desire to play with his sons at the NBA level as he’s in the midst of his 21st season in the league. And Bronny James’ NBA Draft declaration could be the next step in that dream actually becoming a reality in the near future.