After 8 missed games Bronny James makes his long awaited USC debut in front of his father LeBron James and the USC faithful!
The crowd at the Galen Center rose to its feet with 12:58 to go in the first half Sunday afternoon. USC students created a line that wrapped around the arena two hours before tipoff. Other Trojan fans had waited months to finally see this.
Bronny James, a McDonald’s All-American guard, made his collegiate debut in an overtime loss to Long Beach State - with his father and NBA superstar LeBron James sitting courtside. The crowd grew louder every time he guarded a Long Beach State ball handler and held its breath when the 19-year-old took his first shot in his first game since suffering cardiac arrest in July.
He didn’t score in the first half - he missed his only shot attempt - but still found a way to create a highlight with a chase-down block that was eerily reminiscent of his father. That moment sent the crowd into a frenzy. He followed that up with a nifty assist on the other end of the floor moments later.
James, who was expected to be on a minutes restriction, logged 16 minutes off the bench in the outing and was on the court to start overtime. He scored the first bucket of his college career with a transition 3 in the second half but USC’s 15-point halftime lead slowly fell apart over the final 20 minutes.
James came up with a crucial steal in the last minute but made just one of his two attempts from the free-throw line, which kept Long Beach State within 2 points, 74-72. Long Beach State tied the game moments later and sent the contest to overtime, where USC fell 84-79. James finished the outing with 4 points (on 1-of-3 shooting), three rebounds and two assists.
Doctors cleared James to return to basketball on Nov. 30. He returned for full-contact practice Thursday after receiving clearance from USC’s medical staff. During the pregame shootaround Sunday, James threw down a windmill dunk.
“All indications are he feels great, and he looks good,” USC coach Andy Enfield said this week. He added that James had been increasing his cardio, individual drills and lifting weights. The coach said it will take time for James to get his rhythm back and to get into game shape.
“It’s hard enough to adjust to the college game for anybody, but when you’ve been out for six months, it takes time,” Enfield said. “But Bronny has been incredible. His attention to detail, his work ethic, he’s taken this step by step with our athletic trainers, our doctors and our strength coach.”
LeBron said Thursday the moment Bronny checked into the game would be a big one for their family.
“Obviously it will be a big moment for him. But he can speak upon that once he decides he wants to talk,” LeBron said. “But it’s a big milestone for our family, for sure, and it’s another step for him on his journey in his basketball career.”
After entering the season in the top 25, USC has slipped to a 5-4 record after losses to UC Irvine, Oklahoma, Gonzaga and Long Beach State. The Trojans are currently unranked with two games remaining before conference play.