Four-star guard Bronny James, son of NBA superstar LeBron James, announced his commitment to USC on Saturday.
Bronny James made the announcement on social media.
A 6-foot-3 guard from Cleveland who attended Sierra Canyon School (California), James is considered one of the top five point guards in the nation. He was ranked as the No. 19 prospect in the ESPN 100 for the Class of 2023 and earned McDonald’s All-American honors this past season.
LeBron James also shared the announcement on his social media platform, writing “So damn proud of you kid!”
Bronny James averaged 11.5 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.7 assists for the Strive for Greatness program on the Nike EYBL circuit last spring and summer, then followed that up with stellar performances in high-profile contests during the high school season. James had 13 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists and 5 steals in the Hoophall Classic against Christopher Columbus (Florida), shooting 3-for-8 from distance.
He had 15 points and four dimes, knocking down five triples, in the McDonald’s All-American Game and then had 11 points in the Nike Hoop Summit.
In ESPN’s early 2024 NBA mock draft, James is projected as a lottery pick, the No. 10, with ESPN’s Jonathan Givony citing his ability as “arguably the best perimeter defender in his high school class” as his biggest asset.
James chose the Trojans over the Oregon Ducks and Ohio State Buckeyes following a long and mysterious recruitment.
Throughout the entirety of his high school career, there was very little concrete information about which programs were involved and where he might end up for college. There was even a period in which going the pro route for a year before entering the NBA draft appeared to be on the table.
He finally broke his silence in April at the Nike Hoop Summit, speaking publicly about his recruiting process for the first time, without giving away any details.
“Talking to them, talking to the coaches, it’s good to know they want me there with them,” James said in response to a question about all-star game teammates recruiting him to certain schools. “But at the end of the day, it’s my decision and I need to make the right one for me.”
James will now suit up for Andy Enfield and the Trojans, joining a preseason top-25 team and one of the best backcourts in the country. USC is expected to bring back all-conference guard Boogie Ellis, the team’s leading scorer at 17.7 points per game, while it also has elite point guard Isaiah Collier, the No. 1-ranked high school senior in the country.
James is one of the best jump shooters in the class, especially off the catch, and his defense, play making and basketball IQ at both ends of the floor will give USC two-way production. James is expected to play mostly off the ball at USC and be a second or third ball handler when called upon.
