• Loading stock data...
Sunday, July 13, 2025

Bronny James Declares for NBA Draft and Enters Transfer Portal

  • LeBron pumped the brakes on a report that Bronny was entering the portal days ago.
  • Bronny played in 24 games for USC as a freshman, mainly as a reserve.
James Snook-USA TODAY Sports

Bronny James is exploring all of his options. 

The oldest son of Lakers star LeBron James is declaring for the NBA draft while retaining his college eligibility and entering the transfer portal. He announced the decision in an Instagram post Friday.

Bronny just finished his freshman year at Southern Cal in which he mostly played as a reserve after coming back from a cardiac arrest and subsequent heart surgery in the summer. Earlier this week, Trojans coach Andy Enfield left Los Angeles for Southern Methodist. On Thursday, the school hired Arkansas coach Eric Musselman to replace him. 

Despite averaging just 4.8 points per game at USC, James is one of college basketball’s most noteworthy players. A five-star recruit and McDonald’s All-American out of high school, James has appeared in multiple commercials and is one of the country’s top name, image, and likeness earners with estimates putting him over $5 million. 

His future has been of great interest to fans and media alike after his father said he hoped to play in the NBA with his son before retiring. On Tuesday, the elder James said a report that his son was entering the transfer portal was premature. According to ESPN, Bronny will be repped by Rich Paul of Klutch Sports, the same agent as his father. 

“I don’t value a young player getting into the lottery as much as I do getting him on the right team in the right developmental situation,” Paul told ESPN in March about Bronny’s draft prospects.

Should he continue to play college basketball, ESPN reported Friday Duquesne could be an option for the younger James. The Dukes are coached by Dru Joyce III, LeBron’s high school teammate and close friend. Joyce just took over for Keith Dambrot, who coached both James and Joyce their first two years of high school. Dambrot retired last month after leading the school to its first NCAA tournament since 1977, where the Dukes upset BYU in the first round.

In his first recruiting go-around, Bronny James also considered Ohio State and Oregon.

Should the younger James jump to the NBA, the draft would instantly be an enormous story because of the connection to his father, despite a relatively shallow pool in this year’s draft. Due to his heart condition, Bronny James would need to be cleared by the NBA’s Fitness to Play panel before he could participate in workouts or May’s draft combine or even be drafted. The NBA’s new collective bargaining agreement requires players to participate in the event and submit a physical for teams. 

The deadline to withdraw from the NBA draft is June 16.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

NFL

30 NFL Second-Rounders Still Unsigned With Camps Set to Open

Saturday is the earliest rookie report date for training camp.
Alex Rodriguez

Finally in Charge, A-Rod Says Timberwolves Need New Arena

Rodriguez and Lore would like to repair team relations with Kevin Garnett.

Featured Today

May 31, 2025; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Sydney McLaughin-Levrone (USA) reacts before the women's 100m hurdles during the Grand Slam Track Philadelphia at Franklin Field
exclusive

Track’s New Money Is Running Into Old Problems

The sport’s big-money era has hit some speed bumps in 2025.
Bobbleheads are seen at Vintage Indy Sports, Tuesday, April 29, 2025 in Speedway. The local sports memorabilia store opened recently.
July 12, 2025

Baseball’s Bobbleheads Are the Center of the Collectibles Universe

Baseball’s most important keepsake drives long lines—and big business.
Rimouski, QC - JUNE 1: Final Game of the 2025 Memorial Cup between the Medicine Hats Tigers and the London Knights on June 1, 2025, at the Colisée Financière Sun Life in Rimouski, Qc.
July 11, 2025

CHL Is Facing a ‘Pandora’s Box’ of Questions Amid NCAA Talent Departure

As players defect to college, the Canadian Hockey League won’t cede ground.
Jun 28, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (29) bats during the game between the Texas Rangers and the Seattle Mariners at Globe Life Field.
July 9, 2025

The Torpedo Bat Business Is Still Going Strong: ‘Here to Stay’

Demand for the oddly shaped bats has stayed strong across the sport.

NCAA: March Madness Expansion to 76 Teams ‘Still Viable’ for 2026

Negotiations continue with media rights holder CBS and TNT Sports.
July 10, 2025

Deion Sanders Rips ‘Bulljunk’ in CFB, Calls for NFL-Style Salary Cap

Coach Prime is frustrated with the new revenue-sharing era.
The Florida State Seminoles hosted the Florida Gators at Doak Campbell Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024.
July 10, 2025

Athletic Departments Express Renewed Interest in PE in Wake of House Settlement

Schools now have more expenses—and are looking for creative solutions.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
Apr 4, 2025; Tampa, FL, USA; Connecticut Huskies guard KK Arnold (2)1 dribbles against UCLA Bruins forward Angela Dugalic (32) during the third quarter in a semifinal of the women's 2025 NCAA tournament at Amalie Arena.
July 10, 2025

‘Kind of a Joke’: Frustrations Mount As New NIL Deal Approval Process..

Delays have already led to athletes losing NIL opportunities.
Jul 9, 2025; Frisco, TX, USA; Head coaches Willie Fritz of Houston, Mike Gundy of Oklahoma State, Rich Rodriguez of West Virginia, Lance Leipold of Kansas, Sonny Dykes of TCU, Kyle Whittingham of Utah, Brent Brennan of Arizona and Deion Sanders of Colorado all sit on stage for a Coaches Roundtable during 2025 Big 12 Football Media Days at The Star.
July 9, 2025

Big 12 Commish: Conference Is ‘All In’ on International Expansion

The conference had once planned a large initiative in Mexico.
Sebastian Rivera (R) tf. Danny Coles 6:47 (20-3). Rutgers University Wrestling vs Princeton in Piscataway, NJ on February 18, 2022.
July 9, 2025

The House Settlement Is Being Appealed. It Won’t Stop Revenue-Sharing—for Now

The settlement’s approval on June 6 triggered an appeals process.
July 9, 2025

Big Ten, Big 12 Commissioners Remain Far Apart on CFP’s Future

A decision on expansion must be made by December.