‘Thankful’ Bronny James comes off bench in USC debut

LOS ANGELES — USC freshman Bronny James made a transition 3-pointer, made a sensational chase block — one that looked very familiar — and made a steal and free throw late in the game. regulation time in his long-awaited college debut after suffering. cardiac arrest less than five months ago.

Long Beach State, however, spoiled James' return to the court with an 84-79 victory over USC in overtime at the Galen Center on Sunday.

James finished with 4 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and 1 block coming off the bench while playing on a minutes restriction (16 minutes).

“I just want to say I'm grateful for everything,” James, who did not respond to questions, said in his first comments to the media since his cardiac arrest at a USC office on July 24. “The Mayo Clinic, everything they helped me with my parents, my siblings for supporting me during this difficult time in my life.

“I just want to thank everyone who helped me get through this. Also, my coach, my teammates, all my other coaches. They've been with me since the beginning and I just want to tell them I'm grateful.”

James, 19, may not have gotten the win he was looking for, but being back on the court meant everything to LeBron James and the James family. They, along with Los Angeles Lakers vice president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka, were part of a crowd of 9,806 on hand to watch the Lakers superstar's eldest son.

LeBron James said his son's college debut made him both emotional and proud in an Instagram post Sunday evening.

Bronny James was hospitalized for three days after the cardiac arrest. He underwent surgery to treat a congenital heart defect. Cleared by doctors to return to basketball on Nov. 30, he completed two consecutive full-contact practices for the first time this season on Thursday and Friday before playing on Sunday.

“Everybody's been through a lot emotionally,” USC coach Andy Enfield said. “Bronny is the most. He handled it really well. And any time you go through an emotional situation, it's nice to have teammates and staff that care. And I thought his teammates did great job with Bronny and he's back now and we're all excited for him.”

James' debut for USC was marked with a lot of anticipation and hype. Two hours before the afternoon began, a long line of students formed outside the arena and curved down an adjacent street.

The school announced the game was sold out Friday. When LeBron James arrived minutes before tipoff, a buzz went around the arena as the Lakers star headed to his courtside seat.

When Bronny James entered the game from the bench with 12:58 left in the first half, the crowd gave him a warm ovation. James nearly forced a steal moments later with a defensive pressure and LeBron James nodded in approval during an ensuing stoppage in play.

An audible buzz could be heard every time young James touched the basketball. When he took his first shot and missed a 3-pointer, center Galen looked ready to explode if the shot had fallen.

With 4:47 left in the first half, James channeled his father, rushing from behind for a sensational chasing block on Long Beach guard Jadon Jones at the rim.

The USC crowd exploded after the showpiece game.

Playing mostly in two- to three-minute bursts, James drilled his first basket of the second half on a 3-pointer in transition with 13:10 left in regulation.

Long Beach State (7-4) erased a 45-30 halftime deficit. With the Trojans (5-4) leading by one point, James stole the ball and fouled. He made one of two free throws with 21 seconds left, but USC couldn't hold on as Long Beach State forced overtime. The Trojans missed 16 of 36 free throws.

James started the overtime period but exited with 2:18 left. Although the Trojans likely won't have to deal with the increased attention brought on by James' debut in their next game, they will try to end a two-game losing streak on the road at Auburn on Dec. 17.

Fifth-year senior guard Boogie Ellis thought James handled the attention skillfully in his debut.

“He’s built for this,” said Ellis, who scored 14 points. “I feel like he embraces that. He's put in the work and he's a great player. We're going to get him back and he's going to continue to come into the rotation, but he's built for that. He handles it really well .”