Bronny James Declares for 2024 NBA Draft, Skips College Eligibility

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ICARO Media Group
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29/05/2024 18h20

In a much-anticipated move, Bronny James, the son of NBA legend LeBron James, has decided to enter the 2024 NBA Draft and forgo his remaining college eligibility, according to his agent Rich Paul. This decision was expected, as the young prospect has been garnering attention and generating excitement among NBA teams.

Paul emphasized that Bronny's draft range is wide and he is considered a promising prospect with ample room for growth. He highlighted the importance of finding the right team with a solid development plan, opportunity, and financial commitment. As a result, Bronny opted not to pursue a two-way deal, as he believes every team understands his priorities.

Amidst all the speculation, it has been reported that the Phoenix Suns, holding the No. 22 pick, will conduct a workout with James ahead of the draft. However, he is expected to visit only a select few teams, including the Suns and the Los Angeles Lakers, fueling rumors of a potential father-son duo on the same team.

Bronny James, who overcame a serious cardiac arrest last July, resulting from a congenital heart defect, has been fully cleared to play by the NBA's Fitness to Play Panel. He participated in all pre-draft activities, starting with the NBA Draft Combine earlier this month.

Although not regarded as a top prospect, Bronny's journey back to the court after his health scare has made him one of the most notable players in this year's draft class. His surname and the possibility of playing alongside his father have added intrigue to his draft status.

The 19-year-old guard made his college debut with the University of Southern California (USC) after being cleared to play four months following his cardiac arrest. He appeared in USC's final 25 games, starting six and averaging 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in 19.3 minutes.

Questions surrounding Bronny's future intensified when his college coach, Andy Enfield, left USC for the head-coaching position at SMU in March. LeBron James, supportive of his son's decision, acknowledged that Bronny is his own man and has tough decisions to make regarding his future.

While Bronny sets his sights on the NBA, his father LeBron faces a decision of his own. The Lakers superstar must decide whether to opt into his $51.4 million player option for the 2024-25 season by June 29. Sources indicate that the Lakers are open to the possibility of drafting Bronny to fulfill LeBron's dream of playing alongside his son.

With the NBA Draft set to take place on June 26-27, all eyes will be on Bronny James as he embarks on the next step of his basketball journey. Scouts and evaluators recognize his defensive prowess, work ethic, and potential to become a proficient shooter. While this confirmation of his physical measurements may not alter perceptions significantly, it does provide validation for previous assumptions.

As the excitement builds around Bronny James' entrance into the NBA, fans eagerly await the draft day when he will officially join the ranks of professional basketball, potentially paving the way for a unique and historic father-son partnership on the court.

The views expressed in this article do not reflect the opinion of ICARO, or any of its affiliates.

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