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USC freshman guard Bronny James will forego his remaining college eligibility and remain in the 2024 NBA Draft, his agent, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul, confirmed to ESPN prior to the NCAA deadline set for 11:59 p.m. ET on Wednesday (May 29).
"He's staying in the draft," Paul confirmed.
James, the son of NBA all-time leading scorer LeBron James, who could potentially hit free agency this summer, had a strong showing in the pre-draft process recently, despite averaging just 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists during his lone collegiate season, which was delayed after he suffered cardiac arrest in January.
"Bronny's [draft] range is wide," Paul told ESPN. "He's a really good prospect who has a lot of room for growth. It only takes one team. I don't care where that team is -- it can be No. 1 or 58 -- [but] I do care about the plan, the development. The team's strategy, the opportunity and the financial commitment. That's why I'm not doing a two-way deal. Every team understands that."
James rated as a five-star prospect and ranks as the No. 5 combo guard, No. 4 player from the state of California and No. 22 overall prospect for the 2023 national recruiting cycle, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings. The 19-year-old also ranks third among collegiate athletes with an NIL valuation estimated at $3.7 million, according to On3.com.
LeBron James, a four-time NBA champion four-time NBA Finals and four-time regular season MVP, has publicly expressed interest in playing with his son. Last month, ESPN's Brian Windhorst, who covered the elder James' high school career at St. Vincent-St. Mary Catholic, as well as a beat writer during his stints with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat, said he expects the 39-year-old to opt out of his $51.4 million player option for the 2024-25 season.