USC freshman Bronny James, the son of Los Angeles Lakers famous person LeBron James, is collaborating within the NBA Draft Mix this week in Chicago, seeking to elevate his draft inventory. James is not projected as a first-round decide within the newest mock draft by CBS Sports activities, however on the primary day of on-court actions, he did simply that.
James knocked down 19 of 25 3-pointers Monday within the 3-point star taking pictures drill, together with 12 consecutive pictures from behind the arc, after recording a 40.5-inch max vertical earlier within the day. The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported that James is anticipated to stay within the draft after the NBA’s Health to Play Panel reportedly medically cleared James from a cardiac arrest incident final summer time.
James will take part in all predraft actions, together with this week’s NBA Draft Mix the place he’ll obtain a ton of consideration. He’s considered one of 78 gamers who had been invited to take part within the NBA Draft Mix.
James introduced final month that he was getting into the NBA Draft and the switch portal, nevertheless it seems his faculty profession is over after only one season.
James had till Could 29 — the withdrawal deadline set by the NCAA — to determine to stay within the draft or return for his sophomore season, however elected to make the choice early The NBA has a later withdrawal deadline (June 16) however the NCAA has its personal algorithm that states the deadline is 10 days after the NBA Draft Mix ends. The 2024 NBA Draft is June 26-27.
The Athletic reported final month that the Lakers are “open to the prospect” of drafting Bronny. The Lakers can have the seventeenth total decide within the 2024 NBA Draft, which could possibly be conveyed to the Pelicans as a part of the Anthony Davis commerce in 2019. Los Angeles holds its personal second-round decide on this summer time’s draft.
Bronny James’ NBA Draft projection
James’ NBA Draft inventory is taken into account a thriller. His total stats weren’t nice this season, however that may not stop a respective group from drafting him. The 2024 NBA Draft class is likely one of the weaker draft lessons on the prime in almost a decade. That would in the end profit James and persuade him to declare for the draft if a group desires to take a swing on a prospect with upside.
James has the instruments to be a profitable participant on the subsequent degree. He is a high-motor defender with a playmaking upside. James additionally has an unbelievable basketball IQ like his father. One thing that James must enhance on on the subsequent degree is his 3-point taking pictures. James linked on solely 26.7% from distance on 2.4 makes an attempt per night time.
Within the 2024 NBA Draft Prospect Rankings from CBS Sports activities, James is not at present ranked, and he hasn’t been within the first spherical of any CBS Sports activities first-round mock drafts. James possible will drop to the second spherical, however he ought to get a chance on the subsequent degree it doesn’t matter what — which could possibly be on an everyday contract or a two-way deal.
Coming into the NBA Draft whereas sustaining faculty eligibility is frequent amongst faculty prospects who aren’t completely positive about the place they undertaking within the draft course of.
LeBron has a participant possibility for the 2024-25 NBA season that he might hypothetically decline, which may create a better path for the 2 to pair up subsequent season. The Lakers personal their second-round decide for the 2024 NBA Draft. The New Orleans Pelicans personal the Lakers first-round decide and have the fitting to obtain their 2025 first-round decide as a substitute.
One and accomplished at USC
The previous four-star recruit performed in 25 video games for the Trojans after making his faculty debut on Dec. 10 towards Lengthy Seashore State lower than 5 months after going into cardiac arrest throughout a summer time exercise at USC. James made six begins throughout the 2023-24 season and averaged 4.8 factors, 2.8 rebounds and a pair of.1 assists.
“I’ve had a yr with some ups and downs however all added to progress for me as a person, scholar and athlete,” James wrote on Instagram. “I’ve made the choice to enter the NBA Draft whereas sustaining my faculty eligibility, and also will be getting into the NCAA switch portal. Thanks to USC for a tremendous freshman yr, and as at all times grateful for my household, buddies, docs, athletic trainers and followers for his or her help.”
James missed USC’s abroad journey to Greece and Croatia for a three-game summer time tour and was absent from the beginning of fall exercises due to the cardiac arrest incident. After his minute restriction was lifted in January, James showcased his potential as each a playmaker and defender in an expanded position.
James’ future got here into query final month when rumors surfaced that the 19-year-old would enter the switch portal and discover his faculty choices.
“I do not know the place it got here from,” LeBron James mentioned after the Lakers beat the Raptors 128-111 in Toronto. “However on the finish of the day, Bronny is his personal man. He has some robust selections to make. When he is able to make these selections, he’ll allow us to all know. However as his household, we’ll help no matter he does.”
Impression on USC
USC has already misplaced star wing Kobe Johnson by way of the switch portal this offseason to crosstown rival UCLA. Collier entered the NBA Draft, and four-star guard Trent Perry lately de-committed from the varsity and signed with UCLA after the teaching change.
Musselman is a superb highschool and switch portal recruiter. Whereas he was at Arkansas, he helped land the No. 2 total recruiting class behind Duke within the 2022 cycle. Musselman is understood to make use of the switch portal to draw expertise, which is able to possible be the case because the Trojans transition to the Large Ten.