LOS ANGELES — 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.
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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.
BRONNY JAMES CHASE DOWN BLOCK ALERT 🔥 pic.twitter.com/zgAYMb9kqh
— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) December 10, 2023
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.
Bronny drains a three for his first bucket as a Trojan!
📺: @Pac12Network
📱: https://t.co/sun5jxIL31 pic.twitter.com/IC0F8nUKVh
— USC Men's Basketball (@USC_Hoops) December 10, 2023
USC played extremely sloppily on Sunday as it missed 16 free throws, turned the ball over 19 times and shot just 22.6 percent from 3.
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.
“I just want to say I’m thankful for everything,” James said after the game. “The Mayo Clinic, for everything they helped me with. Parents, siblings for supporting me through this hard time in my life. I just want to give appreciation for helping me through this. Also, my coach, my teammates, my other coaches who have been with me since the start.”
— Antonio Morales (@AntonioCMorales) December 10, 2023
USC coach Andy Enfield said he thought James “played well,” adding: “He defended at a high level. He rebounded. He had two steals, two assists, made a 3, so I thought he was very solid.”
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Enfield said earlier this week James had been increasing his cardio, individual drills and lifting weights, and that it would take time for James to get his rhythm back and to get into game shape. The team will continue to monitor James’ minutes, Enfield said Sunday, noting that the guard did not go over his limit.
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.
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(Photo: Katelyn Mulcahy / Getty Images)
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