USC freshman guard Bronny James will remain in the 2024 NBA Draft and forgo his remaining collegiate eligibility, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul announced. Just hours before the 11:59 p.m. ET NCAA deadline on Wednesday, Paul told ESPN:
“He’s staying in the draft. Bronny’s range is wide. He’s a really good prospect who has a lot of room for growth. It only takes one team. I don’t care where that team is — it can be No. 1 or 58. I do care about the plan, the development.”
“The team’s strategy, the opportunity and the financial commitment. That’s why I’m not doing a two-way deal. Every team understands that. “The Lakers need to look at Bronny like everyone else. If they value him enough and he’s there, that’s great. If it’s not the Lakers, that’s great.”
“I won’t be mad if it’s not. It’s obvious that people hear the conversation around the dad and son playing together, but that’s not our focus. If it happens organically, great. I’m not building on that.”
“I’m not putting unrealistic expectations on Bronny. He’s far from a finished product. But he has a hell of a start. He’s positioned well. … I don’t see him not getting drafted, but if it got to a point where the situations didn’t make sense and we needed to go undrafted, that’s fine.”
Bronny, the son of Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James, has had a strong pre-draft process that significantly elevated his standing from a fringe prospect to a draftable one. Initially entering the transfer portal in early April, Bronny has now turned his full attention to the NBA.
Bronny, 19, showcased his potential during the NBA draft combine in Chicago earlier this month, ranking second among 71 participants in two 3-point shooting drills and scoring 13 points in a combine team scrimmage. He further demonstrated his explosiveness and improving perimeter shooting during a pro day at the Lakers’ practice facility.
Despite a challenging freshman season at USC, where he averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in 19.4 minutes per game, Bronny has managed to attract considerable attention from NBA teams. His season was notably impacted by a cardiac arrest episode in July, which sidelined him for nearly five months. Nonetheless, he made a strong return and was medically cleared by the NBA’s Fitness to Play Panel.
Rich Paul emphasized the importance of finding the right fit for Bronny, rather than focusing solely on the potential of playing alongside his father. As the draft approaches on June 26-27, Paul and his team are working on strategizing team workouts and ensuring Bronny ends up in a favorable situation.
Whether he gets drafted or signs as an undrafted free agent, Bronny’s journey to the NBA will be closely watched, and his potential impact in the league remains a topic of keen interest and speculation.
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