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Bronny James at a college game
Photo: John Locher / AP
Bronny James, son of basketball superstar LeBron James, wants to go to the NBA like his father. The 19-year-old will declare for the North American professional league draft, as he wrote on his Instagram account. During the draft, NBA teams secure the rights to the best young players from college and abroad. At the same time, James wants to keep his college eligibility and will register for the NCAA college association transfer portal.
"I had a year with some ups and downs, but everything made me grow as a person, student and athlete," wrote the 1.93 meter tall development player. In July, James suffered a cardiac arrest during training and spent three days in hospital. He was allowed to return to team training four months later and made his college debut for the University of Southern California in November. James played in 25 games for the USC Trojans. He averaged 4.8 points and grabbed 2.8 rebounds.
As ESPN reports, James will first have to undergo an NBA fitness test before he can audition for NBA teams and declare for the draft. This will take place on June 26th and 27th.
“Wherever Bronny is, I’ll be there too.”
Father LeBron James has long publicly dreamed of playing in the NBA with his son. “I have to be on the pitch with my boy,” he had already told ESPN in January 2023. James' contract with the Los Angeles Lakers runs until the summer of 2025. However, the 39-year-old could leave the Lakers next summer and join another club as a so-called free agent.
If Bronny James is actually drafted, it will probably also influence his father's career plans. “Wherever Bronny is, that’s where I’ll be,” James had already told “The Athletic” in 2022. »I will do everything to be able to play with my son for a year. At this point it’s not about the money.”
mlb/dpa