LOS ANGELES (AP) — Bronny James showed off his defensive skills in his college debut for Southern California nearly five months after suffering cardiac arrest and thanked the doctors and family who supported him.
He had four points, three rebounds and two assists on Sunday after coming off the bench in front of his superstar father, LeBron James.
“I just want to say I'm grateful for everything,” Bronny James said in brief comments to a crowd of media afterward. He thanked the Mayo Clinic, where he was treated, as well as his parents, siblings, coach Andy Enfield and his teammates “during this difficult time in my life.”
He left without answering any questions.
The Trojans lost in overtime to Long Beach State 84-79. James walked away with his disheartened teammates and didn't greet his father, who was sitting on the sidelines.
James completed 16 minutes, including the start of the five-minute extra time session, but he played no role then before coming out for the final time. He was one of three shooting and hit a three-pointer in the second half.
He made his biggest impact on defense. All of James' rebounds came on the defensive screen and he had two steals.
“I thought Bronny played well,” Enfield said. “He defended at a high level. He protected the other team’s fast ball players pretty well.”
James quickly passed to his teammates, even when it looked like he might have gotten off a shot.
Enfield said James' protocols will continue to be monitored by USC's medical staff.
He played six minutes in the first half as the Trojans led 45-30 at halftime. In his second three-minute stint, James made a massive block on Jadon Jones, who was rushing to the basket on a fast break, angering the fans.
James assisted on a dunk by Vincent Iwuchukwu, who also suffered cardiac arrest as a freshman. He came back to play 14 games last season.
“It’s great to see Bronny out there. He put in a lot of work in the gym,” Iwuchukwu said. “We talked before the game and I told him to go out and have fun.”
About seven minutes later, James entered the game for the first time as some in the crowd stood and cheered. He missed his first shot, a 3-point attempt. Shortly before, he had played the ball away from a Long Beach State player, but the guests got it back. The possession ended in a shot clock violation for the Beach. James also grabbed a rebound.
“He always makes the right play,” said Boogie Ellis, USC’s top guard. “Everyone wants a guy like that on their team. He defends well at a high level.”
LeBron James arrived seconds before the national anthem, holding hands with 9-year-old daughter Zhuri and patting his son on the butt as he passed the Trojans lined up across the court for the anthem.
“It was exciting for everyone to see him out there,” Enfield said, “and I’m sure his family was the most excited.”
The NBA was well represented in the game. One of James' teammates is DJ Rodman, the son of Dennis Rodman, who fouled out. The Beach squad includes Chayce Polynice, the son of 15-year NBA veteran Olden Polynice.
James joined his teammates on the pitch to warm up 90 minutes before the start of the game. Wearing a white USC shirt and red sweatpants, he took various sweaters under the watchful lenses of a baseline full of photographers.
On one side of the Galen Center and on an adjacent street, students lined up waiting to get in. Although there were plenty of empty seats in the 10,258-seat arena, James' debut helped the Trojans to their largest attendance of the season of 9,806.
James suffered cardiac arrest during a practice at the Galen Center on July 20. It was discovered that he had a congenital heart defect that was treatable.
James recently received permission from his doctors and USC medical staff to participate in full contact practice. Previously, he had limited himself to training with weights, cardio and shooting alone.
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