Bronny James NBA draft declaration: What's next?

Bronny James tests NBA draft waters and enters NCAA transfer portal after disappointing freshman season at USC; faces health concerns.

Bronny James took to Instagram to announce his decision to dip his toes into the NBA draft waters while also venturing into the NCAA transfer portal. This move was not unexpected, especially after USC's head coach, Andy Enfield, departed for SMU. James joins a long list of players making similar moves this spring.

Following a cardiac arrest scare in July that required a procedure to address a congenital heart issue, James faced challenges that hindered NBA teams from fully assessing his potential. He must first gain clearance from the NBA's fitness-to-play panel to partake in pre-draft activities, a process that could be lengthy, as seen with other players like Jared Butler and Keyontae Johnson.

Returning to the court in December after a five-month absence, James had a lackluster freshman season at USC, averaging modest stats. Consequently, he did not make ESPN's latest 2024 mock draft or Top 100 prospect rankings, casting doubt on his NBA future.

Despite being a highly touted recruit out of high school, James' inconsistent play and health issues have dampened his draft prospects. Most NBA teams anticipate him returning to college for further development.

While showing promise defensively, James struggled offensively and may need another college season to solidify his draft status. He retains the option to withdraw from this year's draft, maintaining flexibility for his future attempts.

At just 19 years old, James possesses potential as a playmaker and scorer, but he must demonstrate his value to NBA teams. For now, he remains among a group of young players striving to prove themselves in the league.