It was a season to forget for USC basketball. The Trojans were supposed to be one of the surprise teams in college basketball this season, but injuries and inconsistency led them to a disappointing 15-18 record. Overall, they finished with an 8-12 record and a ninth-place finish in an average Pac-12 conference. To add insult to injury, the Trojans’ offseason has started off as one to forget. Coach Andy Enfield recently fled Southern Cali for SMU, which in turn caused McDonald’s All-American Trent Perry to de-commit. The biggest loss for the Trojans, however, is Bronny James entering the transfer portal.
James was forced to miss the first eight games of the season, working through an injury, before seemingly underperforming when on the court. While it seemed like James was underperforming, that probably had to do more with the monumental hype partnered with working back slowly from injury.
With Bronny James entering the transfer portal, one program is going to pick up a great perimeter defender and a whole lot of media hype.
Possible Bronny James Transfer Portal Landing Spots
Kentucky Wildcats
Stop me if you have heard this one before. The Kentucky Wildcats had one of the most talented rosters in the country this season but flopped when it came to the NCAA Tournament. The Wildcats have not seen the Sweet 16 since before the COVID-19 pandemic. Many in the college basketball sphere have been calling for John Calipari’s job after their recent loss to Oakland.
Calipari used to (and still to a degree does) dominate the recruiting part of college basketball, but with the advancement of the transfer portal, it has become clear that to win the NCAA Tournament, the portal has to be utilized. As all great coaches do, there needs to be some adaptability in Lexington, and I believe Cal is a smart enough coach to do so.
While Antonio Reeves came from Illinois State two years ago, he was relatively unknown. Bronny James can be Cal’s real “first splash” in the college basketball transfer portal. Calipari and LeBron James allegedly have somewhat of a friendship. If you remember back when the Cavaliers fired David Blatt, Cavs Owner Dan Gilbert was ready to offer Cal a job to come coach James. Cal even went to James (Jr.)’s fourth grade AAU tournaments. This is the chance that Cal can take to get back on track. James is going to come with a lot of media attention and if there is any coach in the country who can handle it, it is Cal.
Ohio State Buckeyes
It has famously been known that if LeBron James went to college, Ohio State would have been his choice of school. Being from Ohio was the catalyst for this. With Bronny James spending a part of his life in Cleveland, it makes sense that he may opt for a similar line of thinking here. When Bronny had first narrowed down his options for college, Ohio State was in the running for the last three schools. Getting away from Hollywood and moving back home may be what Bronny needs to clear his head and focus on basketball.
Ohio State recently went through a coaching change as well. Midway through this past season, the Buckeyes decided to part ways with head coach Chris Holtmann. They now bring in assistant and former Valparaiso guard Jake Diebler to rebuild the program. In his first experience as the head coach, Diebler was able to navigate the Buckeyes to the quarterfinals of the NIT. With Bronny in the transfer portal, this gives Diebler a chance to make his name known in Columbus and fulfill the dream that LeBron James once had when he was a 16-year-old in Akron.
Duquesne Dukes
Let’s end it with a fun one here. The Duquesne Dukes recently put together their best season since 1977. Keith Dambrot pushed the Dukes to a Round of 32 appearance in his last season. Long before Dambrot was with the Dukes though, he was coaching LeBron James in high school at St. Mary’s-St. Vincent in Akron. While Dambrot is not at Duquesne anymore, another tie to James has taken over: Dru Joyce III.
Joyce played with LeBron in high school and the two are close personal friends. Having Bronny going and playing for someone that LeBron really trusts seems like something that he would do. Going to a mid-major would also give Bronny some time to develop his game rather than having eyes on him at all times.
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