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Adrian Wojnarowski, ESPN
University of Southern California freshman guard Bronny James said on Instagram Friday that he will enter the 2024 NBA Draft while maintaining his college eligibility and will also enter the transfer portal.
James earned McDonald's All-American honors in high school and was expected to make a big impact at the University of Southern California, but he suffered a cardiac arrest in July and missed five months for treatment for a congenital heart defect. It seriously affected my productivity as a freshman. U.S.C.
James averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in 19 minutes per game.
University of Southern California coach Andy Enfield recently left for SMU, and the Trojans hired Eric Musselman from Arkansas on Thursday.
Due to his cardiac arrest and heart surgery, James will not be eligible to participate in team workouts or the draft combine in May, or will be evaluated and approved by the NBA's Fitness to Play Committee before being drafted. I need to receive it. .
Although he can interview with teams without medical clearance, the NBA's new collective bargaining agreement requires players invited to the Chicago draft combine to participate in team scouting events and submit to medical exams. It is mandatory to do so.
The pre-draft plan is for James to train and meet with target teams before the draft retention deadline of May 31 to see if there is a potential situation where he could make sense for his development, regardless of draft position. I will do it. He will remain in the draft.
Rich Paul, the CEO of Klutch Sports and the agent who represents James, told ESPN in March, “I'm a big fan of young players winning the lottery in the right development situation and in the right place.'' “I don't value him as much as having him on the team,” he said. ”
Paul also represents Bronny's father, LeBron James. One factor that will not influence Bronny's decision is the condition that he will eventually play on the same team as his father.
“LeBron wants Bronny to be his,” Paul told ESPN in March.
If Bronny James decides to return to college and transfer elsewhere, Duquesne is expected to be one of the top options, according to sources. Duquesne's new coach, Drew Joyce, was LeBron's high school teammate and a longtime friend of James' family. Joyce was promoted to head coach after Keith Dambrot retired after winning the Atlantic 10 and appearing in the NCAA Tournament. Dambro was James and Joyce's high school coach at St. Vincent St. Louis. Mary of Akron, Ohio;
