USC Coach Provides Target Date for Bronny James’s College Debut

It turns out LeBron won’t have to miss a Lakers game to catch his son’s USC debut.

USC basketball coach Andy Enfield said Thursday that Bronny James is expected to make his college debut on Sunday when the Trojans take on Long Beach State, according to Ryan Kartje of the Los Angeles Times. 

James, the eldest son of NBA superstar LeBron James, has yet to appear in a game for USC this season after suffering cardiac arrest during a team practice in July. After undergoing testing it was determined that Bronny has a congenital heart defect, but the family maintained that he’d be back on the court before long.

Enfield said that a final determination of Bronny’s status will come after practice on Friday, when the freshman will undergo an evaluation from USC’s medical staff.

“All indications are he feels great, and he looks good,” said Enfield on Thursday, after Bronny’s first full-contact practice of the season. 

In Bronny’s absence, the Trojans are off to a 5–3 record, having lost to No. 7 Gonzaga last Saturday. The team does not play again until Sunday, at which point they expect to have Bronny in the lineup. 

LeBron previously stated that he’d skip a Lakers game in order to watch his son make his debut. With Bronny set to suit up on Sunday, that’s a situation his father can avoid entirely. 

Los Angeles plays Thursday night in the NBA in-season tournament against the Pelicans. If they win, they’ll play again on Saturday. Otherwise, the Lakers’ next game is not until Tuesday, giving LeBron ample time to catch his son’s first college game.