Bronny James, the son of Lakers superstar LeBron James, returned to the court on Sunday with his university team in Los Angeles, less than five months after suffering a cardiac arrest during training. Bronny, 19, returned to competition with his University of Southern California (USC) Trojans team in the game against Long Beach State, which the latter won 84-79. He was greeted as he entered the field with a standing ovation in a packed Galen Center.
In the audience, his famous father filmed the action with his mobile phone, alongside his daughter Zhuri and his other son Bryce, who plays basketball with his Sierra Canyon high school. During his 16 minutes of play, James scored four points and had three rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block. He did not answer reporters’ questions after the match, but he warmly thanked the hospital staff, his family and his coaches for their support “during this difficult time in my life.”
Considered one of the best prospects in American high schools, Bronny James signed in May with the Trojans, the USC team. At the end of July, he suffered a cardiac arrest during training with his team and collapsed on the field before being taken to hospital. Doctors later discovered that he suffered from a congenital heart disease. LeBron James, the leading scorer in NBA history, a four-time champion and a four-time MVP, has expressed in the past his desire to play in the league with his son. The latter’s return to competition means “everything and even more” for him, he declared on Thursday.
Bronny James could be eligible next year for the NBA Draft (the scholarship for young players organized each year), after a university season with the Trojans. Some analysts believed before his heart attack that James “Junior” was likely to be selected among the top ten in the 2024 Draft. “Watching Bronny take the field gave me chills,” wrote on Twitter) Dwyane Wade, winner of two NBA titles with LeBron James in Miami. “Welcome back to the game you love, Bronny,” he added.
