USC Loss Eased by Bronny James Comeback: It’s more than just a familiar name.
Witnessing Bronny James sprint down the court for a right-handed chase-down block immediately brought back memories of his iconic father’s highlight-reel plays. However, on Sunday, less than five months after collapsing during a workout, the spotlight belonged to Bronny.
In his much-anticipated college debut for USC, the freshman made a significant impact after overcoming a sudden cardiac arrest in July. James contributed four points, three rebounds, two assists, two steals, and a block in 16 minutes. Despite his efforts, USC (5-4) suffered an 84-79 overtime loss to Long Beach State, missing an opportunity to capitalize on the growing momentum around the program with James’ return.
“We recruited Bronny James because he’s a very good basketball player,” said USC coach Andy Enfield. “He went through a very unfortunate situation. He’s done an incredible job with that. So extra eyeballs or spotlight, sometimes that comes with a guy like Bronny, but we have to get better as a basketball team.”
Despite limited practice time after being cleared for basketball activities just two weeks ago, James found himself on the court during the critical moments of the game. He made a crucial steal that helped USC maintain a one-point lead but missed a free throw, allowing Long Beach State to tie the game and force overtime.
The Beach’s Marcus Tsohonis led the scoring with 28 points, including 11 of 13 free throws. USC struggled from the free-throw line, missing 13 attempts in the second half and overtime.
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Freshman Isaiah Collier contributed 15 points, three rebounds, and five steals, while senior guard Boogie Ellis added 14 points and four assists.
Signing Collier, the top recruit in the country, generated increased interest in the program this season, with over 6,000 attendees at USC’s home opener. However, James’ highly anticipated debut elevated the excitement to a new level, drawing an announced attendance of 9,806, the highest for a nonconference game at Galen Center since 2007.
USC accommodated the heightened interest by adding a second row of courtside seats. VIPs, including Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka, filled the arena, and students lined up hours before the game, creating a vibrant atmosphere with a mix of USC shirts and LeBron James jerseys.
Despite his recent NBA triumph with the Lakers, LeBron James appeared as a proud father, capturing the moment his son entered the game for the first time. The 19-year-old freshman, often in the shadow of his famous father, did not shy away from the spotlight, showcasing his skills during warmups with an effortless one-handed dunk.
“He’s built for it,” said Ellis.
Fans enthusiastically cheered every time James touched the ball, and he quickly established himself as a defensive presence. His first assist, lobbing the ball to Vince Iwuchukwu for a two-handed dunk, earned him cheers from the crowd, including his father.
This basket formed a connection between teammates who shared similar harrowing experiences. Iwuchukwu had also suffered cardiac arrest in July 2022 during workouts at USC, returning to the court five months later and finishing with 15 points and six rebounds on Sunday.
James, participating in only two full-contact practices before making his in-game debut, expressed gratitude after the game, thanking his doctors, family, coaches, and teammates. However, he did not take questions from reporters during the standing-room-only news conference.
Enfield had tried to manage expectations for the freshman, acknowledging that it would take time for James to solidify his role in the rotation. Despite calls from fans for his entry into the game, Enfield emphasized the need for patience as James continues to integrate into the team.
Our Reader’s Queries
Does USC have a basketball team?
The 2023-24 USC Trojans men’s basketball team secured a crucial victory against Stanford, thanks to junior forward Kobe Johnson’s impressive display. Johnson put up 21 points in the game, marking his season-high. Prior to that, he had scored 14 points in the game against Cal.
What colleges want bronny?
LeBron revealed to Sports Illustrated in August 2022 that Bronny is keen on pursuing higher education. He was considering Oregon, UCLA, USC, Michigan, Kentucky, Ohio State, and Memphis as potential options. According to the Los Angeles Times in January, Bronny’s top choices had narrowed down to Ohio State, USC, and Oregon.
How much are USC basketball tickets?
Discover USC Trojans Mens Basketball tickets starting at just $17, with an average cost of $120.
How tall is bronny james?
Standing at 6 feet 4 inches, James is a versatile player who can handle both the point guard and shooting guard positions. His strengths lie in his sharp shooting and solid defensive skills, despite not having the typical size of most NBA players in his position.