LOS ANGELES — There was a tangible buzz on USC's campus as students and fans waited in line outside of the Galen Center in downtown Los Angeles over two hours before the Trojans tipped off for a matchup against Long Beach State.
On a sunny Sunday afternoon in Southern California, it'd be false to say this was the norm for a USC men's basketball non-conference matchup. But this wasn't just any regular season game.
Star freshman Bronny James was set to make his long-awaited, highly anticipated college debut nearly five months after suffering cardiac arrest during a summer workout in the very same arena.
The first sold-out crowd of the 2023-24 season was flooded with No. 6 "James Jr." USC jerseys supporting his return.
"The energy feels more like a USC-UCLA rivalry game," one USC staffer told The Sporting News of the atmosphere in the building.
As the fans and media piled in with eyes and cameras following his every move, James warmed up with a calming, stoic look on his face, unfazed by the pressure of the moment. This was nothing new to him. He's been in the spotlight for years as the eldest son of arguably the greatest player in NBA history.
The crowd erupted when his father, LeBron, walked in just ahead of the national anthem with his sister, Zhuri, and grandmother, Gloria. Fresh off of winning MVP of the first-ever NBA In-Season Tournament in Las Vegas the night before, LeBron gave Bronny a subtle love tap as he strolled by, proudly supporting his son the way he has in every step of his young basketball career so far.
MORE: Timeline of Bronny James' recovery from cardiac arrest, return to basketball
James came off the bench in his debut — something that was predetermined by USC head coach Andy Enfield as the 19-year-old gets back into the swing of things. He checked into the game for the first time just after the under-16 media timeout, showered with cheers in a special moment that capsulated the adversity he had overcome to get back on the court.
LeBron filming Bronny check into the game for the first time is so wholesome🥹 pic.twitter.com/NsfKSwdtss
— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) December 10, 2023
But then, there was basketball to be played. And James was quick to show the spark he can provide for a USC squad that is off to a disappointing start to the season.
James is touted for his perimeter defense and he came out suffocating Long Beach State's ball-handlers, nearly forcing a turnover before the Trojans caused a shot clock violation on his first possession.
James only played in quick stints all night and he didn't look to score much, but he did get the crowd on its feet with one of his father's signature plays.
During his second shift in the first half, James broke out in a full sprint as he hustled back to catch up with Long Beach State's transition offense off of a turnover. The Beach's Jadon Jones elevated for a fastbreak layup but James had tracked the ball the entire way, soaring from the opposite side of the basket to punch a chasedown block that nearly blew the roof off the Galen.
BRONNY JAMES WITH THE BLOCK 😤pic.twitter.com/08KrqqXXNQ
— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) December 10, 2023
On the next possession, he showed his patient playmaking with a dribble-drive to draw multiple defenders before threading the needle on a bounce pass to his teammate, Vincent Iwuchukwu, wide open under the basket for his first career assist. Those types of winning plays are what you should come to expect of James.
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He only played five minutes and 48 seconds in the first half, a sign that he was on a minutes restriction as he shakes off the rust.
When he checked in for his first shift of the second half, James delivered another assist on a smart read in transition after beating Long Beach State's full-court pressure. His first collegiate bucket came a few possessions later, burying a catch-and-shoot 3 on an assist by Boogie Ellis after running the lane off of a turnover.
Crowd and Bron were HYPE after Bronny scored his first points in a USC uniform 🔥 pic.twitter.com/bzmArDBOpR
— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) December 10, 2023
James headed to the bench for a long spell as the Beach started cutting into USC's lead, but the star freshman earned the ultimate trust from his head coach as he checked back in after the under-four media timeout in a one-point game.
James closed the second half for the Trojans, coming up with a clutch steal while leading by one point with 26 seconds on the clock. Then, he had a moment he'd like to do over.
James stepped to the free throw line with the chance to give USC a three-point lead with 20 seconds to play, but he went 1-for-2 from the line, leaving the door open for Long Beach State. It capitalized when senior guard Marcus Tsohonis — who finished with a game-high 28 points — hit a floater to send the game into overtime, where the Beach played spoiler on James' big day.
Long Beach State came away with a hard-fought 84-79 win as the Trojans missed 16 free throws in a loss that they surely want back.
James started the extra period for USC but checked out shortly thereafter, ending his first taste of college basketball with four points, three rebounds, two assists, two steals and one block in just 16 minutes of action.
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His final stat line wasn't as loud as the commotion around his debut, but on this day, it was never about his production. This was about James overcoming a terrifying and tragic moment back in July, getting back on the court to prove he still has a bright future ahead of him as a basketball player. And that he does.
After the game, James didn't answer questions from the media, but he did pop into the press room for a moment to issue a statement of gratitude for all of the medical staff who helped him in his return.
"I just want to say I'm thankful for everything. The Mayo Clinic, everything they helped me with. My parents, siblings supporting me through this hard time in my life," James began. "I just want to give appreciation to everyone that's helped me through this. Also, my coach, my teammates, all my other coaches who have been with me since the start.
"I just want to say I'm thankful."
With the monumental debut behind him, Bronny James' USC career is underway — and the best is yet to come.
