Bronny James attends USC opener in Las Vegas as LeBron James looks to return

LAS VEGAS (AP) — USC freshman Bronny James took to the court at T-Mobile Arena in a gray sweatshirt Monday night as his teammates prepared for the opener against Kansas State Warm up.

As his team played, his father – NBA all-time leading scorer LeBron James – revealed the family’s hopes for Bronny to return to the court.

“Things are moving in the right direction as Bronny progresses,” LeBron James said after the Los Angeles Lakers took on the Heat on Monday night in Miami. “He’s done his rehab. Every week he’s doing more and more. We have a big moment at the end of the month to see how we can move forward.

“If he’s cleared, we’ll get him back on the court very quickly and practice with his teammates and practice with the idea of ​​getting back on the floor and playing in games,” LeBron James added. “Everything is going on. rise.”

Bronny James is still recovering from cardiac arrest during summer training. LeBron James said last month that his son underwent surgery to repair a congenital heart defect that caused the collapse.

“He’s improving,” LeBron James said. “He’s on the right track.”

The timetable for Bronny James’ return to the court is unclear, but there is hope that he will return at some point this season.

After the Wildcats finished warming up on the west end of the court, James wandered into the open court, took a few shots near the top of the key, found himself in the corner and made three more long-range shots before that. Converted a 3-pointer and exited with the 21st ranked Trojans.

LeBron James has long dreamed of one of his sons — Bronny or younger son Bryce, also a rising star — playing alongside him in the NBA. If Bronny James chooses this path, he will be eligible for the 2024 NBA Draft.

Bronny James and rookie forward Brandon Gardner, who also wore a gray sweatshirt, sat at the end of the USC bench. During every timeout, James was involved in every play, spending more time standing than sitting, cheering on his teammates during the first half, clapping and yelling “Defense!” while sitting with everyone else. On the bench.

LeBron James said all the doctors involved in his son’s recovery, as well as those at the University of Southern California, did an “excellent job.”

“We’re proud of his progress,” LeBron James said of his son. “We’re proud of his strength.”

LeBron James’ wife Savannah and son Bryce sat courtside watching the game.

“It’s really important for us to show support to all the kids and obviously Bronny won’t be playing tonight, but we want to show support to the other young guys who have been getting ready for this all summer,” Savan Najames told The Associated Press at halftime. “We know Bronny is hungry to play, but he’ll be back soon and then we’ll be here to actually watch him on the field. But we’re a USC family and we want to make sure we’re here to support Bronny And the whole team.”

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AP Basketball Writer Tim Reynolds contributed to this report.