Bronny James appears to be on track to make his NCAA debut on Sunday for USC's game against Long Beach State, where his father LeBron and possible NBA retiree Carmelo Anthony could be on hand to watch the 19-year-old guard.
The younger James was spotted practicing with his Trojans teammates on Friday afternoon – a day after officially returning to full contract practice.
Bronny's NCAA career was derailed in July when he went into cardiac arrest. Ultimately, he was found to have a congenital heart defect that is considered treatable.
LeBron previously said he plans to attend Bronny's USC debut, even if it means skipping a Lakers game. And he could be joined by his friend and rival, Anthony, in telling it podcaster Mikey Domagala that he also hopes to be present.
“I can't wait to see it,” Anthony said. 'I'm trying [to go].'
Bronny James appears to be on pace to make his NCAA debut for USC on Sunday
LeBron James has said he's “super excited” for his son Bronny to make his college debut
Bronny officially returned to full-contact basketball practice Thursday for the first time since going into cardiac arrest in July, paving the way for LeBron's son to make his college debut in Southern California.
“He's excited,” USC coach Andy Enfield said after practice.
Brony did not speak to reporters. Last week, the 19-year-old was cleared by his doctors, and the Trojans had been waiting for their medical staff to clear Bronny to join them for a full-contact practice.
“He looked good, he looked 100 percent,” guard Kobe Johnson said. “Just being able to get him back on the floor definitely boosts the team's morale. It was great to have him there.”
The Trojans (5-3) host Long Beach State on Sunday before playing four straight games.
Bronny James recently did some pregame warmups with his USC Trojans teammates
“It's going to be a matter of how he feels personally and our doctors and trainers and our strength coach, but the only indication is that he feels great and looks great,” Enfield said.
Bronny would come off the bench and be on a minutes restriction in his debut, which shouldn't be a problem for the Trojans, who already boast one of the best freshman guards in the country in Isaiah Collier.
'Expected [Bronny] to help us right away because he is a very good player,” Enfield said, “but at the same time we have the expectation that he will get better as time goes on.”
The elder James has said he would attend his son's first game regardless of whether the Lakers were playing the same day. They are free on Sunday.
“Super excited for that moment,” LeBron said after the Lakers; tournament game in Las Vegas. “One, I can't wait to see him run away with his teammates. And then once he checks into the game, it will be a big moment for our family no matter what.”
In addition to Bronny, USC also has the best recruit in the country: Isaiah Collier (right)
The younger James has been training individually in recent weeks, doing cardio, strength training and doing some photography. He often accompanied his teammates during pre-match warm-ups and then took a seat on the bench as the season progressed.
“We are pleased with his progress,” Enfield said. “He needs to get his timing back and get in shape, but I thought today was a good first day.”
He suffered cardiac arrest in July while training at the Galen Center. He played five-on-five with his future teammates in the summer.
“The fact that he will be able to play three-quarters of the basketball season is incredible,” Enfield added.
The Trojans could use him after an up-and-down start to the season, marked by injuries to several players. They fell out of the AP Top 25 poll after a two-point loss to Oklahoma and lost to then-No. 11 Gonzaga 89-76 last weekend.
'He brings that energy. Just because he's there,” Johnson said. 'He's a great defender. A lot of people don't know that about him, so it will be chaotic to have him on defense.”
Bronny was a McDonald's All-American, just like his father. The 6-foot-1 guard played at Sierra Canyon School in the Chatsworth section of Los Angeles and opted to stay close to home in choosing USC.
Now he's about to begin his delayed college career.
“Obviously it's going to be a big moment for him,” LeBron said. “But it's definitely a big milestone for our family, and it's another step for him on his journey in his basketball career.”