Bronny declares for NBA draft, keeps college eligibility

USC guard Bronny James declared for the 2024 NBA Draft while maintaining his college eligibility, he announced Friday on his Instagram.

James, 19, will also enter the transfer portal.

The 6-foot-4 guard will go through the pre-draft evaluation process before making his decision.

James went into cardiac arrest while training at USC last summer and subsequently underwent a heart procedure. Because of this, the NBA's Fitness to Play Panel needs to evaluate him before he can participate in team workouts or the NBA Draft Combine, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported.

LeBron James previously mentioned he wants to play on the same team as Bronny before he retires. "My last year will be played with my son," LeBron said in February 2022, according to Jason Lloyd of the Athletic. "Wherever Bronny is at, that's where I'll be."

USC head coach Andy Enfield left to join SMU and will be replaced by former Arkansas head coach Eric Musselman.

Musselman says he has reached out to Bronny. "If (James) wants to play at USC, we'd love to have him," he told reporters, according to Rivals' Ryan Young.

Bronny was the 20th overall recruit in the class of 2023, according to ESPN, but underwhelmed in his single season with the Trojans. He averaged 4.8 points and 2.8 rebounds while shooting 36% from the field in 25 games with USC.