On Sunday, Bronny James, the son of Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James, made his debut with the University of Southern California Trojans in a game against Long Beach State University.
It marked the continuation of his miraculous recovery from a cardiac arrest episode he suffered about four months ago. At the time, it was thought that his college basketball career was in serious jeopardy.
The younger James, who is coming off an excellent senior year at Sierra Canyon School, came off the bench for the Trojans, who came into this contest with a 5-3 record.
When he entered the game, he got a warm round of applause from the crowd at the Galen Center.
BRONNY. IS. BACK.
📺: @Pac12Network
📱: https://t.co/sun5jxIL31 pic.twitter.com/YpmZ9khLzm— USC Men's Basketball (@USC_Hoops) December 10, 2023
His first made basket came on a transition 3-pointer.
First Bucket 🏀 pic.twitter.com/8Hses05vx2
— Bronny (@BronnyJamesJr) December 10, 2023
The younger James was quiet offensively, scoring only four points, but he made an impact on the defensive end. He hounded Long Beach State University as it brought the ball upcourt, and late in regulation, with USC leading by a point, he had a key steal.
Bronny James already causing problems with his point of attack defense pic.twitter.com/pKwhHRatHi
— Wilko (@wilkomcv) December 10, 2023
Bronny James already has the clutch gene 🧬 pic.twitter.com/nigJm98OE0
— Lakers Lead (@LakersLead) December 10, 2023
The highlight of the game came when he hustled back in transition to block a shot. Like father, like son.
Bronny hit the chasedown block just like his dad 🤯
(via @Pac12Network, @NBA) pic.twitter.com/UG4H9fuXET
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) December 10, 2023
Over time, the expectation is that the younger James will get more and more playing time as he gets into game shape.
The elder James is a proud father
On Saturday, the elder James helped lead the Lakers to the inaugural NBA Cup with a 123-109 win over the Indiana Pacers, and he also claimed the in-season tournament MVP award.
His son’s performance capped off a tremendous weekend for him. He was on hand to watch his son on his big day.
.@KingJames was all of us when Bronny James debuted 😂 pic.twitter.com/lQyFNAX688
— USC Men's Basketball (@USC_Hoops) December 10, 2023
LeBron's reaction to Bronny's first collegiate three 👏 pic.twitter.com/1oXLtBPeLF
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) December 10, 2023
Afterward, the elder James took to social media to praise his son.
LeBron James wrote a heartfelt paragraph dedicated to Bronny James after playing his first college basketball game at USC ❤️
(via @KingJames/ IG) pic.twitter.com/i3nZhbBI4t
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) December 11, 2023
Many have felt the younger James will be a serious draft prospect whenever he ends up declaring for the NBA draft. It should be interesting, if not exciting, to see him progress at the NCAA level.
