BEIJING, April 6 (Reuters) -- Southern California (USC) rookie guard Bronny James said on social media that he will participate in the 2024 NBA Draft while retaining his college credentials and will enter the transfer market.
Bronny James
James, who was selected to the McDonald's All-Star Game in high school, had high NBA expectations and was once predicted by ESPN for the 10th pick, but a cardiac arrest and surgery to treat a congenital heart defect in July sidelined him for five months and severely affected his efficiency as a USC rookie, averaging 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 19 minutes per game in his freshman season.
In addition, USC head coach Andy Enfield recently left for SMU, and USC hired Eric Musselman of the University of Arkansas, a talented recruiting coach who has led Arkansas to the elite quarterfinals twice in the past five seasons.
Bronny James
Musselman, the new USC manager, held an introduction press conference today, revealing that he had texted Bronny to tell him that if he wanted to continue playing at USC, there would be this opportunity and that we would love to continue to have him, such a talented young man.
Bronny's draft plan is to meet with the target team for a tryout before the NCAA retention deadline on May 29 to explore whether to stay in the 2024 NBA Draft.
Bronny James
If Bronny James decides to return to school and transfer to another school, Duquesne University is expected to be one of his main considerations, with new Duquesne head coach Dru Joyce III being LeBron's high school teammate and an old friend of the James family.
Joyce was promoted to head coach after retiring after the A-10 League Championship and the first NCAA Tournament victory. D'Ambrot was the daughter of James and Joyce at St. Vincent-St. Mary's High School in Akron, Ohio. Vincent-St. Mary's high school coach.