USC freshman guard Bronny James will remain in the 2024 NBA draft and forgo his remaining collegiate eligibility, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul told ESPN.
Hours ahead of the 11:59 p.m. ET NCAA deadline Wednesday, Paul told ESPN: “He’s staying in the draft.”
James, the No. 54 prospect in the ESPN 100, has had a strong pre-draft process and elevated his standing from fringe to draftable prospect. James, a son of Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James, declared for the draft and entered the transfer portal in early April. As expected, he has completed his college basketball career and turned his full attention to the NBA.
“Bronny’s [draft] range is wide,” Paul told ESPN. “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 — [but] 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.”
Each NBA team has three two-way contracts in addition to 15 regular roster spots. Two-way deals limit players to 50 games on an NBA team’s active list with a salary equal to half the rookie minimum ($580,000 in 2024-25). Two-way deals are often offered to second-round and undrafted prospects.
James, 19, tested as one of the fastest and most explosive athletes at the NBA draft combine in Chicago earlier this month, ranking second among 71 participants in two 3-point shooting drills. James also had 13 points in a combine team scrimmage.
He participated in a heavily attended pro day at the Lakers’ practice facility last week, where he again demonstrated his highlight-reel explosiveness and improving perimeter shooting ability.
James enrolled at USC last summer coming off strong showings in the McDonald’s All American Game and Nike Hoop Summit, but his freshman season was derailed by a July cardiac arrest episode that led to a procedure to treat a congenital heart defect. That sidelined him for nearly five months.
He made his college debut in mid-December and averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 19.4 minutes per game. USC finished a disappointing 15-18 and near the bottom of the Pac-12 standings.
James was medically cleared to be drafted by the NBA’s Fitness to Play Panel on the eve of the draft combine, sources told ESPN, allowing him to be a full participant in the week’s on-court activities.