According to AP source, Bronny James is receiving medical clearance to play in the NBA

NBA teams were informed on Monday that Bronny James, the son of LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakershas received medical clearance to play in the league, a person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press.

Teams were informed of the release in a memo sent Monday morning, according to the person, who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the league has not released details publicly. All players at the draft combine in Chicago undergo medical examinations.

ESPN first reported the NBA's decision.

The release decision was likely expected since Bronny James played in the final 25 games for Southern California as a rookie last season. He suffered a cardiac arrest during a practice session in July 2023 and needed a procedure to fix what was diagnosed as congenital heart defectthen missed several months while recovering.

The NBA convened a so-called fitness-to-play panel — three doctors who review medical records — to decide whether James should be cleared. They determined he was “medically fit and fit to play basketball in the NBA,” which cleared the way for him to participate in the combine.

He was on the court for several workouts on Monday, including knocking down 19 of 25 3-pointers and measuring his vertical jump at 40 1/2 inches. His height was also measured – without shoes, per NBA rules – and he stands 6 feet, 1 1/2 inches tall, although he is listed at 6-foot-4 at USC.

James is on the roster to take part in games on the field on Tuesday, although rosters and schedules often change at the combine. All combine players are also expected to attend a media session on Tuesday.

The shooting guard averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists at USC last season. He has until the end of this month to decide whether to do so Stay in the draft or return to college basketball for at least one more season.

LeBron James – the NBA's leading scorer who just completed his 21st season in the league – has said many times in recent years that he would like to play alongside his son in the league. But when that season endedThe Lakers star, who could become a free agent this summer, said he “haven't thought much about it lately” about playing on a team with Bronny James.

“The boy has to do what he wants to do – and I don't even want to say 'kid no' anymore – the young man is going to decide what he wants to do and how he wants his career to go,” said LeBron James, as The Season of the Lakers ended with a playoff loss to Denver. “I just think the fact that we're even having the conversation is pretty cool in that sense. Of course we’ll see what happens.”

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