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Lakers' LeBron James: Bronny Has 'Tough Decisions to Make' Amid USC, Transfer Rumors

Adam Wells

Bronny James' high-profile tenure at USC could be coming to an end after one season.

Amid rumblings that Bronny is considering entering the transfer portal, LeBron James told reporters after the Los Angeles Lakers' victory over the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday that his son has some "tough decisions to make."

USC will have a new head coach next season after Andy Enfield, who has been with the program since 2013, was hired as SMU's head coach on April 1 after the Mustangs fired Rob Lanier. He went 220-147 with five NCAA tournament appearances during his Trojans tenure.

Expectations were absurdly high for James when he committed to USC in May 2023. He arrived on campus as a top recruit and a member of what was thought to be an elite freshman class.

Bronny was rated as a 4-star prospect and No. 28 overall player in the 2023 class, per 247Sports. USC had the nation's third-ranked class, led by James and Isaiah Collier.

As USC was preparing for the season, James suffered cardiac arrest during a practice on July 25. It was later revealed that he suffered from a congenital heart defect that could be fully treated and allow him to return to the court.

After sitting out the first eight games of the regular season, James made his college debut on Dec. 10. He played 16 minutes off the bench, finishing with four points, three rebounds and two assists in a win over Long Beach State.

James appeared in each of the Trojans' final 25 games and he made six starts. The 19-year-old struggled throughout his freshman campaign, averaging 4.8 points on 36.6 percent shooting, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists per contest.

USC finished the season with a disappointing 15-18 record, lost to Arizona in the second round of the Pac-12 tournament and missed the NCAA tournament for the first time in four years.

There will be no shortage of potential suitors for James if he decides to continue his college career elsewhere. He's just one year removed from being regarded as a top recruit. The health issues that plagued him leading up to the start of his freshman season will likely be fully behind him now that he knows how to treat it.

   

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