After a week of rumors swirling around Bronny James hitting the transfer portal, the USC freshman guard finally set the record straight. James has declared for the NBA Draft, but will maintain his college eligibility and enter the portal, per an announcement on James’ Instagram Friday morning.
The decisions by Bronny follow a week of massive changes at the head coaching position of USC men’s basketball. Long-tenured head coach Andy Enfield resigned on Monday, taking a job at Southern Methodist University for the same position. Enfield’s decisions shook the USC men’s basketball landscape, seeing the decommitments of three 2024 players in USC’s upcoming recruiting class – Trent Perry, Liam Campbell, and Brody Kozlowski.
In a quick response from Athletic Director Jennifer Cohen, the Trojans filled the position three days later. USC hired Arkansas head coach Eric Musselman to fill the vacancy, a coach with a lengthy and qualified resume, . The hire marked Cohen’s first major hire as the school’s athletic director since her arrival in August 2023.
The path for James to even play basketball this past season was a miracle, as he battled severe health problems as soon as he came on campus. During a summer workout last year, James suffered from cardiac arrest due to a congenital heart defect. His injury derailed the first half of the freshman’s season, forcing him to miss the first eight games.
“I’ve had a year with some ups and downs but all added to growth for me as a man, student and athlete,” James wrote in his statement.
When James finally stepped on the court, his body of work was very raw. In 25 appearances this season, James averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game. James’ play time fluctuated throughout the season, filling a starting role on occasion for fifth-year guard Boogie Ellis and freshman guard Isaiah Collier, who missed several weeks due to injuries.
James showed flashes this season, including scoring a career-high 15 points versus Oregon State in December and recording a career-high seven assists versus Oregon. While his offensive performances were inconsistent, James made up for it on the defensive side. James recorded two steals in five games this season, showing his quick hands and versatility as a player.
In recent NBA mock drafts, James’s name has been left off, making it possible that the former four-star goes undrafted. However, with James retaining college eligibility, there is a real chance he will be back in the college scene for at least one more year, whether it be at USC or elsewhere.