The rumblings around college basketball suggest Bronny James’ days at USC may soon be over and he could be putting his name in the transfer portal very soon.
When you are the son of an NBA icon like Lebron James, the expectations can be quite high when following a similar career path — especially after an impressive high school career. Unfortunately, year one for Bronny James in the college ranks did not deliver the results many hoped and expected.
Related: College basketball games today – Get watch times for the next NCAA Tournament games
- Bronny James stats (2023-24): 4.8 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 2.1 APG, 1.1 TOPG 27% 3PT
In 25 appearances, mostly as a reserve, for the USC Trojans in 2023-24, James posted just 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in just under 20 minutes per game for the team. They were certainly not the electrifying numbers expected from a highly touted recruit and son of a basketball great.
With his NBA aspirations taking a hit after his first year at USC, unsurprisingly, there are now rumors the 19-year-old could make use of the transfer portal and take his talents elsewhere. On Tuesday night, veteran college basketball writer Dick Weiss went viral when he posted then deleted an X report saying James had entered the transfer portal.
Then Lebron James added to rumblings when he claimed his son has “some tough decisions to make” when asked about it following the Los Angeles Lakers game last night. All signs seem to point to a change in scenery for the guard. If he does leave, here are four schools he could land with for the 2024-25 college basketball season.
5 teams Bronny James could transfer to this spring
Ohio State
Ohio State was one of the major programs that recruited James hard last year. The youngster and his father visited the school during his recruiting trips and received a hero’s welcome. There are obvious ties he and his father have due to their Ohio roots, and it would make sense if one of his top secondary options from a year ago became his new home in 2024.
Kentucky
While John Calipari is on the hot seat in Lexington, Kentucky has long been a popular route to becoming NBA-ready. They have not one as many National Championships as hoped under the former NBA coach, but the Wildcats could still be a good fit for James as he tries to bolster his skillset for the next level and does it at an elite program on a big stage.
Also Read: College basketball TV ratings for 2024 March Madness
Duquesne
Duquesne made some noise in the 2024 NCAA Tournament when they scored a surprise upset in Round 1 over BYU. Head coach Keith Dambrot retired after they were eliminated and he was replaced by the elder James’ high school teammate, and close friend, Dru Joyce III. If Bronny James is looking for a low-pressure situation and to be guided by a familiar face, Duquesne could be a dark horse to land him in the transfer portal.
UCLA or Oregon
If James wants to stay on the West Coast and at a notable program like USC, then rival schools Oregon or UCLA could be options. Both schools have notable brands in college sports that could offer worthwhile opportunities for James. If he wants to stay close to home and potentially be a star at big-time school, Oregon and UCLA could be contenders.
