Bronny James, LeBron James’ son, made his NCAA debut on Sunday. He scored four points in 16 minutes off the bench in USC’s 84-79 overtime loss to Long Beach State. This defeat occurred more than four months after Bronny collapsed during a July practice.
James entered the game with 12 minutes and 58 seconds remaining in the first half, flanked by his father at the Galen Center. He failed to convert a three-point shot four seconds after getting a rebound at 1:25.
With 13:10 left in the half, the 19-year-old rookie made his second try, a three-pointer that increased the Trojans’ lead to 56-46.
The 49ers extended their advantage to 72-71 with 1:05 left in regulation thanks to 10-2 and 8-2 runs. USC led 74-72 after Boogie Ellis converted a basket in the final 42 seconds of regulation and James converted a free throw in the final 21 seconds.
With three seconds remaining in regulation, Long Beach State player Marcus Tsohonis knotted the game and forced overtime with a jump shot.
James played the first 2:42 of overtime without attempting a shot. During the five-minute overtime period, USC made one of six tries. Tsohonis’ free throws gave the Beach (7-4) the final four points.
James’ totals included one free throw, one of three attempts, two assists, two steals, and a blocked shot.
On Thursday, James took part in his first full-contact practice at USC, completing the final phase of his basketball comeback.
He went into cardiac arrest on July 24 while engaging in a practice at Galen Center. He was initially admitted to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where he was treated in intensive care. He was freed from the hospital center three days later.
In August, the James family announced that “the probable cause of Mr. James’ sudden cardiac arrest has been identified” following exhaustive initial and follow-up examinations. Biologically and anatomically, it is a congenital cardiac defect of considerable importance that is treatable. We are extremely optimistic regarding Bronny’s complete recovery and imminent return to basketball.
The family of James declared on November 30 that physicians had authorized his “complete return to basketball.”
USC says James, who is 210 pounds and 6-foot-4 inches, is a combo guard with “elite basketball instincts and toughness, as well as the ability to score from anywhere on the court.” Sophisticated with 13.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.8 steals on an annual basis, he attended Sierra Canyon High in Chatsworth as a senior. ESPN.com ranked him nineteenth overall in the 2023 recruiting class.
James contributed four assists and five points on 5-for-8 shooting from three-point range during the McDonald’s All-American game.
LeBron James has expressed his desire to play in the NBA long enough to watch his firstborn do so as well.
