When it comes to the 2024 NBA Draft, there is little doubt that the most popular prospect will not be going No. 1 overall. That would be Broony James, the son of LeBron James, who is being followed and scrutinized like no other player at this week's NBA Combine in Chicago.
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Bronny James is coming off a freshman season at USC that started with a heart scare and ended with him averaging just 4.8 points per game. Also, the Trojans were one of college basketball's most disappointing teams and James was probably their fourth- or fifth-best player.
But being the son of LeBron has its advantages, just as being the son of a legend would in any field or career.
So the good news is James the son has been medically cleared to be a full participant at the Combine, according to an ESPN report. That means taking part in 5-on-5 scrimmages that begin Tuesday, April 14, as well as multiple other drills and prospect measurements.
James has until May 29 to decide if he will remain in the NBA Draft or return to college. If he picks the latter, he will be going somewhere other than USC, as he ended his season by entering the transfer portal.
Most league execs and scouts have told FanBuzz that they suspect James will remain in the draft, simply because someone will likely take him, with the hopes of luring LeBron.
"If he weren't LeBron's kid, he wouldn't be (getting drafted)," one NBA scout told FanBuzz. "But he is, so I suspect somebody will take him, at least in the second round, and that's OK. It's a good story and as an added bonus, he may develop into a nice player, you never know."
Bronny is represented by the same super agent that represents LeBron, and that would be none other than Rich Paul. Last year, Paul helped another Akron native, Chris Livingston, get drafted out of Kentucky despite a subpar freshman season (No. 60 overall pick, Milwaukee Bucks). And Livingston doesn't have nearly the name recognition of James.
"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.
Per Hoops Wire:
"As for this year's NBA Combine, all invitees must now take part in all aspects, though some prospects can opt out of the scrimmages. The vast majority of them 'will take part in measurements, athletic testing, medical examinations, team interviews and scrimmaging,' ESPN wrote."
Seventy-eight prospects will take part in the Combine overall.
