Bronny James entered his name into both the NBA Draft and the transfer portal on Friday, but his old team could still bring him back.
The guard, the son of LeBron James, spent his freshman season with the Trojans, but his basketball future is now in doubt.
With USC moving up to the Big Ten next season, the team has hired new head coach Eric Musselman, who will fill the role after five years at the University of Arkansas.
On Friday, he had already voiced his desire for James to remain at the school.
“Well, I mean, I need to get in touch with Bronny,” Musselman said. After his introductory press conference. “I texted him.”
“Certainly, he has a lot of options,” he added. “We respect those options. We want him to know that if he wants to play at USC, this opportunity is here. We would love to have him.” He is a very talented young man.”
James started six of 25 games and averaged 4.8 points and 2.1 assists in 19.3 minutes per game.
His freshman season came after suffering a cardiac arrest accident over the summer that delayed his start to his freshman year.
James is also pursuing the 2024 NBA Draft, but will remain eligible for college if he decides to withdraw his name by the June 16 early entry withdrawal deadline.
“It’s been a year of ups and downs, but all of them have led to growth for me as a person, student and athlete,” James said. he wrote on his Instagram Regarding his decision.
“I have decided to enter the NBA Draft while maintaining my college eligibility and will also enter the NCAA Transfer Portal. I would like to thank USC for a great freshman year and, as always, extend my gratitude to my family, friends and I would like to thank my doctors, athletic trainers, and fans for their support.”
James, 19, was a four-star recruit coming out of high school who also had offers from Kentucky, Memphis, Michigan State, Ohio State and Oregon State. Per ESPN.
Musselman, who also coached the University of Nevada from 2015 to 2019, has a career record of 221-93 as a head coach and led two teams to the Sweet 16.
