New USC Coach Eric Musselman Addresses Bronny James's Future

Madison Williams | Apr 5, 2024

Feb 29, 2024; Pullman, Washington, USA; USC Trojans guard Bronny James (6) controls the ball. / James Snook-USA TODAY Sports

USC freshman Bronny James, the son of Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James, declared for the 2024 NBA draft and entered the transfer portal on Friday, just one day after the Trojans hired Eric Musselman as their new coach.

On Musselman's first full day of leading the USC program, he was asked what the plan is for James's future with the Trojans now that he has a chance to play in the NBA next season.

“Well, I mean, I need to try to get a hold of Bronny,” Musselman said to reporters. “I’ve texted him. Certainly, he has got a lot of options. We respect those options. We just want him to know that, hey, you know, this opportunity is here if you want to play at USC. We’d love to have him. Such a talented young man.”

New USC head coach Eric Musselman on Bronny James:

"I need to try to get a hold of Bronny. I’ve texted him... We’d love to have him. Such a talented young man."

(via @RyanYoungRivals) https://t.co/yicnV132Vc pic.twitter.com/rPa1oEW74B

— On3 (@On3sports) April 5, 2024

The Athletic's Shams Charania reported Friday that James will make a decision on whether he returns to college or enters the draft after meeting with NBA teams.

If he does return for another season of college basketball, Musselman will have some extra work to do to keep James in Los Angeles. Andy Enfield, the coach who recruited the freshman, left USC earlier this week to take the vacant SMU job.