An individual with knowledge of the subject told The Associated Press that NBA teams were informed on Monday that Bronny James, the son of the Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James, has been given the go-ahead to play in the league by the medical staff. Additionally, it is anticipated that Bronny James would take part in the draft combine the following week.
According to the person who spoke to the Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because the league did not publicly reveal any specifics, the announcement of the clearance was communicated to the teams in a memo that was sent out on Monday morning. When the draft combine is held in Chicago, each and every participant is subjected to a medical examination.
For the first time, ESPN reported on the NBA’s decision.
In light of the fact that Bronny James was able to participate in all 25 games that Southern California played during the previous season as a freshman, the clearance decision was probably something that was anticipated. In July of 2023, he experienced a cardiac attack while participating in a practice session. He required surgery to correct what was determined to be a congenital heart abnormality. Later, he was absent for a number of months while he recovered from the procedure.
An NBA panel, also known as a fitness-to-play panel, is comprised of three medical professionals who examine James’s medical records in order to evaluate whether or not he should be cleared to play. The fact that they came to the conclusion that he is “medically able and fit to play basketball in the NBA” indicates that he is eligible to take part in the combine.
James has been included on a roster that will allow him to take part in on-court games on Tuesday; but, rosters and playing plans are subject to alter during the combine. On Tuesday, it is anticipated that each and every player that is present at the combine will also take part in a media session.
Over the course of the previous season, the 6-foot-4 guard averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists while playing for USC. This month, he has until the end of the month to make a decision regarding whether he will continue to be drafted or whether he will return to collegiate basketball for at least one more season.
Over the course of the past several years, LeBron James, who is now the all-time greatest scorer in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and who has just ended his 21st season in the league, has expressed his desire to play in the league alongside his son on multiple occasions. The star player for the Los Angeles Lakers, who is eligible to become a free agency this summer, stated that he has not “given much thought lately” to the possibility of playing on a club with Bronny James. This statement was made after the conclusion of this season.
When the Lakers’ season came to an end with a loss to Denver in the playoffs, LeBron James made the following statement: “The kid has to do what he wants to do — and I don’t even want to say kid any more — the young man will decide what he wants to do and how he wants his career to go.” Simply said, I believe that the fact that we are even having this conversation is fairly interesting in the sense that it is a chance encounter. Evidently, we will wait and see what transpires.