LeBron James’s Son, Bronny James, Declares for NBA Draft Months After Recovering from Cardiac Arrest | US News

April 5, 2024 TruthUSA

LeBron James’s son is gearing up to join the 2024 NBA draft, potentially fulfilling his father’s dream of playing alongside him on the basketball court.

Bronny James made the announcement on Instagram, stating: “I’ve decided to enter the NBA Draft while keeping my college eligibility, and will also be entering the NCAA transfer portal.”

The 19-year-old is now undergoing training and meetings with NBA teams to determine if he wants to pursue a professional career. He has until 16 June to retract his name from consideration if desired.

This decision follows a challenging period for the teenager, who experienced a cardiac arrest in July while attending the University of Southern California (USC) during his freshman year. Despite this setback, he underwent surgery for a congenital heart defect, made a full recovery, and debuted for the USC Trojans.

Reflecting on his journey, Bronny James expressed on Instagram: “I’ve had a year with some ups and downs, but all added to growth for me as a man, student, and athlete.

“I am grateful to USC for an incredible Freshman year, and endlessly thankful for my family, friends, doctors, athletic trainers, and fans for their unwavering support.”

The 6ft 4in guard averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists over 19.4 minutes per game while shooting 36.6% from the field during his freshman year at USC. Considered one of the greatest players ever, LeBron, 39, who has been with the LA Lakers since 2018, has repeatedly expressed his desire to play alongside his son.

“King James” expressed to ESPN in 2023: “I need to be on the court with my boy, I have to be on the court with Bronny.”

“Whether in the same jersey or facing off against each other. I inquire about his aspirations, and he tells me he wants to play in the NBA. So if he’s serious about it, he must put in the work. I’m already here, so I’m waiting for him.”

LeBron has frequently been seen supporting his eldest son from the sidelines, but it remains uncertain if Bronny will indeed play alongside his father or participate in the NBA this year.

How does the NBA Draft work?

The NBA Draft occurs annually, where 30 teams from across North America select players who have not previously played in the NBA to join their rosters.

Players must be at least 19 years old at some point during the draft year, as in the case of Bronny James.

Draft picks can vary widely, including former players from international leagues and college-level athletes.

The draft consists of two rounds with a total of 60 picks. Teams have the option to make one or more picks in a round or none at all.

Trades between teams are common, with some exchanging draft picks for players, other picks, or money.

The order of picks is determined by teams’ records from the previous NBA season, placing poorly performing teams at the top of the lottery.

This system allows weaker teams to improve their standings in the league, while the NBA champions receive the last pick. The goal is to create a more balanced league with fairer teams.

For example, the San Antonio Spurs finished at the bottom of the Western Conference playoffs in 2023 and subsequently selected the highly sought-after 7ft 4in Victor Wembanyama as their first pick.

However, the draft process is not foolproof. The lottery involves random selection of ping-pong balls numbered 1-14 to create a four-digit combination. Teams with worse records receive more number combinations, as the odds decrease with each subsequent team.

Even after being drafted, players can choose to sign with the selecting team or negotiate with other teams as free agents, making the process far from straightforward.

Bronny’s assessment of his NBA Draft prospects and meetings with teams to determine his future path will likely involve transferring to another college, as reported by The Athletic. If he chooses to enter the draft this year, there is a possibility that his father’s team, the LA Lakers, may not have the opportunity to draft him.

The 2024 NBA Draft is scheduled to take place on 26 – 27 June.

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