Bronny James averaged 4.8 points and 2.8 rebounds per game for USC in 2023-24.
NBA teams were informed Monday that Bronny James, his son LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakershas been medically cleared to play in the majors and is expected to enter the draft this week, a person with knowledge of the matter told The Associated Press.
The groups were informed of the settlement in a memo sent Monday morning, according to the person who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the league has not released any details. All players in the draft in Chicago undergo a medical.
ESPN reported for the first time NBA decision.
The clearance determination was likely expected given that Bronny James was able to play the final 25 games for Southern California last season as a freshman. He suffered a cardiac arrest during a practice in July 2023 and required a procedure to correct what was diagnosed as a congenital heart defecthe then missed several months in recovery.
The NBA assembled what’s known as a fitness-to-play panel — three doctors who review medical records — to determine whether James should be cleared for the procedure. They ruled that he is “medically fit and able to play NBA basketball,” meaning he can take part in the combine.
James is on a roster to participate in home games on Tuesday, though rosters and game plans change frequently at the combine. All combine players are also expected to participate in a media meeting on Tuesday.
LeBron James — the NBA’s all-time leading scorer and someone who just completed his 21st season in the league — has said many times in recent years that he would like to play in the league alongside his son. But when this season endedthe Lakers star who could become a free agent this summer said he “hasn’t given much thought lately” to the idea of playing on a team with Brony James.
“The kid’s got to do what he wants to do — and I don’t want to say kid anymore — the young man will decide what he wants to do and how he wants his career to go,” LeBron James said when the Lakers’ season ended with playoff loss to Denver. “I just think the fact that we’re having the conversation is really cool in that sense. Obviously, we’ll see what happens.”