Bronny James appears ready to join his father in the NBA.
The NY Post reports Bronny, the eldest son of Lakers superstar LeBron James, is planning to stay in the 2024 NBA Draft after being medically cleared to play in the league.
The 19-year-old received clearance from the NBA’s Fitness to Play Panel following his cardiac arrest due to a congenital heart defect last year, and is allowed to participate in the pre-draft combine this week, per ESPN.
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The USC guard is scheduled to participate in five-on-five scrimmages starting Tuesday.
Bronny’s future has been a major storyline entering this year’s draft since his future could be tied to his father’s.
Bronny completed several drills at the NBA’s Draft combine on Tuesday (AEST) and seriously impressed.
He looked quick in an agility test, recorded a 40.5 inch vertical jump and made 19 out of 25 shots in a three-point shooting drill.
Bronny’s combine measurements did raise some eyebrows though, after his official height was recorded at 6 foot 1.5 inches (185cm) without shoes.
His height had previously been publicly known as 6’4”, or 193cm. Bronny’s dad LeBron is 6’9”, or 206cm tall.
Calvy J, host of the Once Upon a Dribble podcast, wrote on X: “Bronny James, listed height of 6’4” on every roster he’s ever played on, measured just a half inch over 6’1” at the NBA Scouting Combine.
“6’1” guys who averaged 5 points a game in college usually don’t get drafted. I sure do wonnnnder what’s different in Bronny’s case...”
Despite his relatively short height, Bronny showed springy legs to launch up for several explosive slam dunks.
James, 39, has said he hopes to play in the NBA with his son, and Bronny entering this year’s draft would potentially pave the way for that opportunity.
The team that drafts Bronny could, in theory, have the upper hand in landing James this summer. The four-time NBA MVP holds a $51.4 million team option with the Lakers for the upcoming season.
Los Angeles could draft Bronny in hopes it convinces James to stay around.
Bronny is projected as a second-round pick and multiple mock drafts have the Lakers using the 55th pick — a second-round selection — to draft the freshman.
However, James’ agent, Rich Paul, recently downplayed how Bronny will affect his father’s plans.
“The idea of them playing together is not a priority. It’s not foremost, at least any longer, in LeBron James’ mind,” ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski said.
“Rich Paul’s goal here in the pre-draft process for Bronny James is to see if there’s the right developmental organisation, a place that can take a young player like Bronny James … If he does go in the draft, he very likely would spend next year in the G League.
“That’s the priority for them as a family. What’s best for Bronny James? If it ends up them together, that would be great, but I don’t get a sense it’s playing much of any role in LeBron James’ decision on next season.”
If that’s the case, Bronny’s case is lacking for a freshman prospect.
Bronny averaged just 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists while shooting 36.6 per cent — 26.7 per cent from 3 — for a bad USC team that did not qualify for the NCAA Tournament.
While acknowledging that Bronny even playing this season was a triumph in its own right, those statistics would not generate draft buzz for almost any other freshman.
Bronny declared for the draft in April while maintaining his collegiate eligibility.
Should Bronny decide before the May 29th deadline to return to college, he will transfer from USC, which lost the coach that recruited him in Andy Enfield.
This article originally appeared in the NY Post and was reproduced with permission.
