USC basketball is giving a salute to one of their former players. The Trojans shared a post on social media congratulating Bronny James for being selected to participate in the NBA combine.

James and USC guard Isaiah Collier are going to the combine this month. The two played as freshmen together in the Trojans' backcourt during the 2023-24 college basketball season. The social media post was a classy move by USC, as James entered the transfer portal following the campaign. Collier decided to leave the school for the NBA, without entering the portal.

Bronny James and USC

USC Trojans guard Bronny James (6) controls the ball against the Washington State Cougars in the first half at Friel Court at Beasley Coliseum.
James Snook-USA TODAY Sports

The USC basketball team had a deeply frustrating season in 2023-24. James and Collier entered the program as blue-chip freshmen recruits, and were expected to lead the team to the NCAA tournament. It didn't work that way, as James experienced a medical emergency before the season. James essentially had a heart attack. He missed several weeks of the year due to the issue, and when he did return his minutes were limited. James struggled to find his rhythm while making that transition, but did come on a bit late in the year.

USC basketball finished the year with a losing record at 15-18. The Trojans lost their head coach following the campaign, as Andy Enfield chose to leave the school for SMU. James decided to enter the transfer portal, and also test the NBA Draft waters. It seems totally unlikely that James will return to USC, as Eric Musselman is now the head coach and Bronny has expressed interest in going to the pros.

The question is whether there is a place for Bronny on an NBA roster. His father, NBA star LeBron James, has spoken publicly about his desire to play with his son. The Los Angeles Lakers have said they are open to grabbing Bronny in the draft if it means the team can keep LeBron. Other teams may show interest in the former USC basketball guard at the combine.

Bronny's stats his freshman season weren't eye-popping. The guard averaged just under 5 points and 3 rebounds a game. Bronny struggled on offense, as he shot just 36 percent from the field this past season. He had three games scoring in double figures, with a career-high 15 points against Oregon State on December 30. Trojans fans surely wonder what the year could have been like if Bronny was healthy. The team was able to win four games in a row at the end of the year before bowing in the Pac-12 tournament.

The NBA Combine is May 12-19. Bronny can still return to college, or stay in the NBA draft, depending on what he hears at the combine this month.