LOS ANGELES — Bronny James warmed up with his No. 16 USC teammates before a game for the first time this season after suffering cardiac arrest during a team practice in July — and his father, LeBron James, praised the move is the next step in development towards his return to competition.
Bronny James has yet to make his college debut. After suffering cardiac arrest, he underwent successful surgery to repair what his family said was a possible congenital heart defect.
“It’s great to have him back, to be on the team with us, to be in the game with us,” USC guard Kobe Johnson said after the Trojans beat the Browns 81-70. “We hope he comes back as soon as possible. , but we want him to come back as healthy as possible. We pray every day that he gets better and better and hopefully he’ll be able to play with us at some point this year.”
James did some individual workouts before the game but did not join his teammates on the court to warm up before Sunday’s game.
“It was great. He warmed up with the team. He’s a big part of our program and our team. He’s a great teammate,” USC coach Andy Enfield said. “We look forward to getting him back on the field one day, but when that day comes, it’s not my decision. We’re going to be patient and work through the process.”
On November 6, LeBron James told reporters that if his son passes the physical examination later this month, he will return to training and intends to appear in games this season.
“Today’s game was the first game where he had a chance to warm up with the team,” LeBron James said Sunday. “So, he’s almost there… He’s almost there.”
Bronny James spent his high school career at Sierra Canyon north of Los Angeles and is a freshman guard for the Trojans.
After Sunday’s USC game, Bronny James made a brief trip downtown from the Galen Center to Crypto.Com Arena to watch his father score the basketball in the Lakers’ 105-104 win over the Houston Rockets. Scored 37 points, including the go-ahead free throw.
“It’s great to have him here. To see my man with a smile,” LeBron James said. “Anyone who has a college student, you know they go away and you might not see them for a week or two and then they show up at your house to do laundry and a warm, fresh meal. That makes me super happy.”
LeBron James also noted that Sunday was the first time he saw his son in two weeks.
“It’s OK. He’s going to school, training, and he’s training,” he said. “Listen, this boy is 19. That’s what FaceTime is for.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.