Bronny James' Top Transfer Landing Spots If USC Guard Foregoes 2024 NBA Draft

Bronny James may be entering the 2024 NBA Draft, but that doesn't mean he's turning down the possibility of returning for a second college season.

The oldest son of LeBron James announced Friday on Instagram that he would enter the draft but still maintain college eligibility while entering the NCAA transfer portal.

College players are allowed to enter and withdraw from two NBA drafts before losing college eligibility.

That opens the possibility that James, who recorded 4.8 points and 2.8 rebounds per game during a freshman USC season limited by the cardiac arrest he suffered last summer, could return to the NCAA.

The possibility that James will be able to grow as a player during a healthier sophomore season will be a major draw for colleges, especially those already connected with James or his family.

Here's a look at three possible candidates James could consider in the transfer portal.

Duquesne

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 07: Cleveland State assistant coach Dru Joyce III watches during the Horizon League Tournament semi-final college basketball game between the Cleveland State Vikings and the Wright State Raiders on March 7, 2022, at the Indiana Farmers Coliseum in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

If James returns for a second college season, transferring to Duquesne "is expected to be among his prominent considerations," according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

Wojnarowski's report comes days after the news that Duquesne hired Dru Joyce III, a former high school teammate of LeBron James at St. Vincent-St. Mary, as the team's next head coach.

Joyce has remained connected to the James family since high school, so much so that LeBron James was the one to break the news of his hiring.

During his introductory press conference, Joyce called his relationship with LeBron James "a friendship that goes way beyond the Tweet," per Abby Schnable of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

"Our loyalty to each other has been a huge part in each of our lives," Joyce said about LeBron James.

Joyce is replacing Keith Dambrot after his retirement and looking up to follow Duquesne's first NCAA tournament win since 1969 with another tournament bid next season.

LeBron James might trust Joyce with his son's development, and Duquesne could make sense as a fit for James. As a smaller school in the Atlantic 10, the sophomore guard could get a better shot at a starting role and more playing time if he is looking to hone his production and consistency in college next season.

Ohio State

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MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - MARCH 14: Interim head coach Jake Diebler of the Ohio State Buckeyes gestures during the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the first half in the Second Round of the Big Ten Tournament at Target Center on March 14, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)

Ohio State was one of the schools James considered before committing to USC last year, and the Buckeyes could now have a second chance to add James to the roster.

Ohio State is "likely to look at pursuing [James] a second time," according to Adam Jardy of the Columbus Dispatch.

The Buckeyes will be led for the 2024-25 season by Jake Diebler, an eight-year staff member who took over as interim head coach following the midseason firing of Chris Holtmann.

Under Diebler, the Buckeyes finished 6-2, earned a win over No. 2 Purdue and made it to the quarterfinals of the Big Ten tournament.

LeBron James celebrated Diebler's hiring on his Instagram story after the news broke:

Ohio State's announcement of Diebler's hiring celebrates him as the first Ohioan to serve as the Buckeyes' head coach in 35 years.

Recruiting Akron-native James could remain a priority for the Buckeyes, while returning to his home state could be a draw for James.

Ohio State is looking to bounce back next season after two consecutive NCAA tournament misses. That could give James the chance to establish himself on a rebuilding roster.

Oregon

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PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - MARCH 23: Head coach Dana Altman of the Oregon Ducks looks on during the second half of a game against the Creighton Bluejays in the second round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at PPG PAINTS Arena on March 23, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)

James considered Oregon along USC and Ohio State as a possible destination for his freshman season.

One draw that could lead him to reconsider rejoining the Ducks is his connection with incoming sophomore guard Jackson Shelstad.

Shelstad reportedly attempted to convince James to join Oregon when the two talked last year during the 2023 Nike Hoops Summit in Portland, Oregon.

"Me and Jackson are still trying to meet each other, but he's a cool dude," James said in April of last year, per Brad Crawford of 247Sports. "I like talking to him and stuff. We talk about Oregon and stuff. I like his game a lot. He shoots the ball well and he's a fast point guard. He makes smart decision. Everyone likes to play with a good point guard who can make good decisions."

Shelstad just finished his first season with Oregon having averaged 12.8 points, 2.8 assists and 2.8 rebounds per game. He has already announced his plans to return for a second season.

The freshman guard found success while making 30 starts in 32 games, and playing more than 32 minutes per night.

That could be the kind of usage James is looking for next year if he returns to the NCAA in the hope of building his draft stock. Shelstad's experience would be a good selling point if the guard attempts to recruit James a second time.

The Ducks also have former five-star recruit Mookie Cook, one of Bronny's former teammates, on the roster. Cook was also involved in attempts to recruit James prior to last season.

Oregon additionally has the advantage of holding a long-term apparel deal as the flagship school for Nike, which also currently holds a lifetime deal with LeBron James.

These factors are likely to make them a candidate for James to consider as he evaluates his options in the NBA and NCAA this offseason.