Jeff PorcelloESPN staff writer3 minutes of reading
Brony James puts on a show at the Powerade Jamfest dunk contest
Brony James takes second place in the Powerdate Jamfest dunk contest by knocking down a flurry of slams.
A four-star guard Brony James, son of NBA superstar LeBron James, announced his commitment to USC on Saturday.
James made the announcement on Instagram.
A 6-foot-3 guard from Cleveland (California) who attended Sierra Canyon School, James is considered one of the top five point guards in the country. He is ranked as the No. 19 prospect in the ESPN 100 for 2023 and earned McDonald’s All-American honors this season.
James averaged 11.5 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.7 assists for the Strive for Greatness program on the Nike EYBL circuit last spring and summer, and then put on stellar performances in high-profile games during the high school season. James had 13 points, eight rebounds, three assists and five steals in the Hoopall Classic against Christopher Columbus (Florida), shooting 3-for-8 from 3-point range.
He had 15 points and four assists, making five 3-pointers in McDonald’s All-American game, then scored 11 points in the Nike Hoop Summit.
In ESPN’s inaugural mock draft of 2024, James is projected as the No. 10 pick — with ESPN’s Jonathan Givony citing his potential as “the best perimeter defender in his high school class.”
James chose the Trojans over Oregon and Ohio State after a long and mysterious recruitment. Throughout his high school career, there was very little concrete information about which schools were involved and where he might attend college. There was even a stretch where going pro for a year before entering the NBA draft seemed like an option.
He finally broke his silence at last month’s Nike Hoop Summit, speaking publicly about his recruiting process for the first time — without giving any hints.
“It’s good to talk to them, talk to the coaches, know they want me with them,” James said when asked about the All-Star team recruiting him to certain schools. “But at the end of the day, it’s my decision and I have to do what’s right for me.”
James will now suit up for Andy Enfield and the Trojans, joining a preseason top-25 team and one of the best backcourts in the country. USC is expected to bring back Boogie Ellis, the team’s leading scorer at 17.7 points per game, while elite point guard Isaiah Collier, the nation’s No. 1 ranked high school senior.
James is one of the best jump shooters in the class, especially on the catch, and his defense, facilitation on both ends of the floor and basketball IQ will give USC two-way production. James will mostly play the ball at USC and be a second or third ball handler when needed.
–ESPN’s Paul Biancardi contributed to this report.
