Yahoo Sports Bronny James Declares for the 2024 NBA Draft After 1 Season of College Basketball: 'Always Thankful'
The eldest son of LeBron and Savannah James played his freshman year with the USC Trojans after suffering cardiac arrest last July
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Bronny James has declared for the 2024 NBA Draft!
The USC freshman — whose status next year had been the subject of recent rumors — announced on Instagram Friday that he is ready to make the jump to the pros.
“I’ve had a year with some ups and downs but all added growth for me as a man, student and athlete,” James, 19, wrote about his first year in college. “I’ve made the decision to enter the NBA Draft while maintaining my college eligibility, and will also be entering the NCAA transfer portal.”
James continued, “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.”
The basketball standout’s decision puts to rest months of uncertainty surrounding his next move. It also comes amid USC’s lackluster season (15-18) and the departure of his coach Andy Enfield, who accepted an offer to be SMU’s head coach as they transition to the ACC.
On Thursday, USC announced that it had hired former Arkansas coach Eric Musselman as its new head coach.
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James joined the team several games into the season, after he was cleared to play following a cardiac arrest episode last July. In his first college season, he averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 19 minutes per game, according to ESPN.
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James’ agent Rich Paul — who is also his dad LeBron’s agent — told ESPN last month that the goal is to get Bronny into “the right developmental situation.”
"I don't value a young player getting into the lottery as much as I do getting him on the right team in the right developmental situation," Paul said at the time.
Wherever Bronny decides to take his talents, he’s got his dad’s backing.
"It's up to him," LeBron said about Bronny's draft status during NBA All-Star Game Weekend in February. "It's up to the kid. Obviously we gonna go through the whole process. ... We gonna weigh our options, and we gonna let the kid make the decision."
And LeBron has said that he wants to stick around in the league until he can play with Bronny.
"My last year will be played with my son," LeBron told the Athletic in 2022. "Wherever Bronny is at, that's where I'll be. I would do whatever it takes to play with my son for one year. It's not about the money at that point."
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