Column: Does Bronny James make USC a national championship contender?

USC men's basketball is suddenly relevant

Bronny James is staying in Southern California.

The oldest son of LeBron James committed to USC over the weekend, sparking debate about how big of an impact he will have as a freshman next season.

On his show UNDISPUTED, longtime LeBron James hater Skip Bayless said Bronny makes the Trojans a national championship contender.

"This team is now loaded and it has national championship potential now that Bronny is part of it."

Bronny James made the right decision. USC’s arena is 10 minutes from his dad’s arena, what’s not to love? USC now has National Championship potential. More @undisputed, now on FS1. pic.twitter.com/kIa0P8Ntx5

— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) May 8, 2023

Bayless isn't the only talking head who feels that way. 

There's a narrative developing that with the addition of James, the USC men's basketball program, which hasn't made the Final Four since 1954 or ever played for a national championship, is now a title contender. 

USC will definitely be good next season. Perhaps the team will even win the Pac-12 for the first time under head coach Andy Enfield. But national title contenders? That seems unlikely.

With six months to go before the season starts, I view USC as a team with a Sweet 16 or Elite 8 ceiling. The Trojans' guard play will be exceptional with Boogie Ellis, last year's leading scorer, returning plus the addition of James and five-star point guard Isaiah Collier. 

Kobe Johnson is back too. He's an exceptional defensive guard who stands at 6-foot-6 and can shoot the three-ball well. 

USC's forward and center play is still a question mark. The only consistent returner on the inside for USC is center Joshua Morgan, who's not much of an offensive threat. Vincent Iwuchukwu, USC's other scholarship center, was a highly ranked prospect coming out of high school, but a heart issue and back injury led him to only play 14 games as a freshman. Will he be healthy enough to be relied upon more? He's an x-factor. 

The addition of forward DJ Rodman will definitely help USC, but who's behind him? Neither Kijani Wright nor Harrison Hornery averaged over 10 minutes per game last season. Can those two players develop into key pieces for a team that makes a deep tournament run? 

Those are two key questions. 

USC does have at least one more scholarship left for next season and the coaching staff could add a player that will change the equation further. That's certainly something to keep in mind.  

According to VegasInsider.com, FanDuel updated its men's basketball national championship odds on May 9 following USC's addition of James. The Trojans' odds to win the title next season currently sit at +4500, which are the 21st best. 

I think USC will be a little bit better than the No. 21 team in the country. I don't see the Trojans as a Final Four team though. 

Contending for a title seems just north of USC's ceiling.