Bronny James declares for NBA Draft, preserves college eligibility, enters transfer portal

Bronny James made a move expected by many Friday by entering the NCAA transfer portal.

But he made another that may have caught many off guard as he declared for the 2024 NBA Draft, according to a report from The Athletic’s Shams Charania.

James played as a freshman for USC, averaging 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists.

NCAA rules permit him to test the draft waters to gauge his standing as a potential pick with an eye toward keeping college eligibility should teams not rate him highly enough to select him in either of the draft's two rounds.

“I’ve had a year with some ups and downs but all added growth for me as a man, student and athlete,” James wrote in an Instagram post. “I’ve made the decision to enter the NBA Draft while maintaining my college eligibility, and will also be entering the NCAA transfer portal.”

LeBron James earlier this week said his son had a lot of thinking to do.

"I don't know where it came from, but at the end of the day Bronny's his own man and he has some tough decisions to make,” James told ESPN when asked about the potential transfer. “When he's ready to make those decisions he'll let us all know, but as his family we're going to support whatever he does."

Bronny James is represented by Rich Paul of Klutch Sports.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Bronny James declares for NBA Draft, preserves college eligibility