By Shams Charania, Lukas Weese and Sam Vecenie
Bronny James, the son of NBA famous person LeBron James, is predicted to remain within the 2024 NBA Draft, league sources stated.
James, who suffered a cardiac arrest final July earlier than returning to the courtroom for his freshman season at USC, has been totally cleared to play by the NBA’s Health to Play Panel and can take part in all pre-draft actions, starting with the NBA Draft Mix this week.
Whereas not thought of a prime prospect — James was not included in The Athletic’s post-lottery mock draft Sunday — his surname, and journey again to the courtroom following a critical well being scare, make him one of the notable gamers on this 12 months’s draft class.
There’s additionally the added intrigue of whether or not James and his father may grow to be teammates. LeBron has expressed a want to finish his profession enjoying alongside his son.
The youthful James, a 6-foot-4, 210-pound guard, collapsed after struggling a cardiac arrest throughout a USC workforce exercise in July. A household spokesperson stated a congenital coronary heart defect precipitated the incident. Docs cleared him to return to observe 4 months later, and he made his school debut on Dec. 10 in opposition to Lengthy Seashore State. He appeared in USC’s ultimate 25 video games, beginning six and averaging 4.8 factors, 2.8 rebounds and a couple of.1 assists in 19.3 minutes.
Questions surrounding his future accelerated when his school coach at USC, Andy Enfield, left for the head-coaching emptiness at SMU in March.
James, 19, declared for the NBA Draft on April 5. He additionally entered the switch portal to keep up flexibility as he labored out for NBA groups.
Following the USC teaching change, LeBron stated that Bronny had “some powerful choices to make” relating to his future.
“On the finish of the day, Bronny’s his personal man,” LeBron stated in April.
The youthful James’ resolution comes forward of a giant one for his father, who has to resolve whether or not to choose into his $51.4 million participant choice for 2024-25 by June 29. Workforce sources stated final month the Lakers are open to the prospect of serving to LeBron fulfill his dream of enjoying along with his son by doubtlessly drafting him.
LeBron declined to reply a query about whether or not he performed his ultimate sport as a Laker after Los Angeles was eradicated in 5 video games by the Denver Nuggets within the first spherical of the NBA playoffs.
The NBA Draft takes place June 26-27.
Bronny tasks as a 3-and-D guard who performs onerous, makes good choices on offense, does the little issues, passes nicely, leads the quick break off defensive rebounds, fills transition lanes and assaults the rim when he will get an opportunity. He’s a terrific defensive participant who fights on the level of assault and has the size and foot velocity to stay with most guards.
James’ offense is a piece in progress. He struggled to generate any halfcourt paint touches this 12 months, and isn’t a lot of a pull-up shooter but. He made solely 27 p.c of his 3s final season, although he seemed extra assured taking them at USC and has extra capturing expertise than his proportion exhibits. — Sam Vecenie, NBA Draft author
(Photograph: Brian Rothmuller / Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Photos)
