Southern California freshman basketball player Bronny James, who sustained sudden cardiac arrest while working out on campus in July, plans to make his college debut Sunday against Long Beach State, Trojans coach Andy Enfield said Thursday.
BREAKING: Bronny James is expected to make his debut this Sunday vs. Long Beach State pic.twitter.com/qSJlHyGFhk
— Ahn Fire Digital (@AhnFireDigital) December 8, 2023
On Nov. 30, the James family released a statement through a spokesperson saying doctors cleared Bronny for a "full return to basketball."
LeBron James said he would miss a Lakers game if it meant seeing his son make his college debut.
Bronny James, a four-star recruit, committed to the Trojans in May after averaging 14 points, five rebounds and three assists in his senior year at Sierra Canyon (Los Angeles) School in 2022-23.
Bronny James, the son of Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James, appears set to make his USC Trojans debut on Sunday against Long Beach State, nearly five months after suffering cardiac arrest during a July practice.
In a statement in August, the James family said Bronny James has a congenital heart defect that is treatable, according to medical professionals tasked with his care.
James was part of a highly touted recruiting class for USC coach Andy Enfield as one of four ESPN 100 prospects — including Isaiah Collier, the No. 1 overall recruit in the 2023 class and the projected No. 1 pick in the 2024 NBA draft.
Bronny James has been cleared by doctors to return to basketball, per the James Family 🙌 pic.twitter.com/6LDw9Pr5XL
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) November 30, 2023
Here is a look at key moments in James" journey to play college basketball.
Bronny and LeBron take a visit to Ohio State for the Buckeyes" football game against Notre Dame, standing on the sidelines at the Horseshoe.
A couple of days later, Bronny posts a photo on Instagram of him in an Ohio State basketball jersey with the #notcommitted hashtag.
Jan. 24, 2023: Picked for the McDonald"s All-American game Bronny is one of 24 players selected to the prestigious McDonald"s All-American Game.
“Talking to them, talking to the coaches, it"s good to know they want me there with them,"
Bronny says, in response to a question about all-star-game teammates recruiting him to certain schools.
LeBron James says later that night:
“Congratulations to my son on his next journey, on picking a great university. He"s there to play basketball, [but] they"re going to be super surprised at how great a kid he is, even though they"ve been recruiting him for a while."
USC officially announces the signing of Bronny James, joining the Trojans" 2023-24 roster. USC posts a tweet announcing Bronny"s arrival on campus. “Bronny has arrived," it says.
In a statement, the James family says Bronny"s heart condition — diagnosed as a congenital heart defect — can be treated, and the family expects him to return to the basketball court.
During Los Angeles Lakers media day, LeBron James says Bronny is on campus taking classes and is doing “extremely well." He adds that Bronny has begun the rehab process to get back on the floor to play this season.
LeBron said Bronny has an upcoming medical examination LeBron James says Bronny will return to practice with the intention of appearing in game action if he passes a medical examination at the end of November.
“If he"s cleared, we"ll be not too long away from him being back on the floor and back with his teammates and practicing, with the notion of being back on the floor and playing in game situations."
Bronny went through pregame warmups for the second straight game James goes through warmups again before USC"s game against Seton Hall.
A James family spokesperson announces Bronny has been cleared by doctors to return to basketball, and that he plans to resume practicing next week and return to games soon after.
James is a limited participant in USC"s practice while awaiting clearance for a full-contact practice.
“Bronny has not been cleared fully yet from USC,"
Enfield told ESPN after practice.
Three days before USC is set to host Long Beach State, James goes through his first full contact practice.
The team and medical staff will evaluate how James feels over the next couple of days before making a decision on whether he is cleared for his potential debut, Enfield told ESPN.
LeBron James on Bronny James and not taking the little things for granted: "To be able to point at him and see him smiling and alive." pic.twitter.com/A6mtY2MHEi
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) December 7, 2023
“Today was his first day of contact practice,"
Enfield says after Thursday"s practice.
The elder James has said he would attend his son’s first game regardless of whether the Lakers were playing the same day.
