USC’s acclaimed men’s basketball freshman class will make its debut at Galen Center Thursday evening against Cal State Bakersfield while its most famous member, Bronny James, is moving toward returning to the court.
James, the eldest child of Lakers star LeBron James, suffered a cardiac arrest during a practice at USC in late July and later underwent surgery.
“Things are going in the right direction with Bronny’s progress,” James said Monday in response to a question following the Lakers’ 108-107 loss to the Miami Heat in Miami. “He’s doing rehab. Every week he gets to do more and more and more. We have a big moment at the end of this month to see if we can continue to go forward.
“If he’s cleared, then it will be not too long away from him being back on the floor and back with his teammates and practicing, with the notion of being back on the floor and playing game situations.
“We’re proud of his progress. We’re proud of his strength. All his (physical therapy) people and USC included and everybody they’ve done a hell of a job of getting him to the point today and we want to continue to go forward.”
Bronny James collapsed on the floor at Galen Center on July 24 and was taken to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where he was initially treated in intensive care. He was discharged from the hospital three days later.
In August, the James family said that after comprehensive initial and follow-up exams, “the probable cause of Mr. James’ sudden cardiac arrest has been identified. It is an anatomically and functionally significant congenital heart defect which can and will be treated. We are very confident in Bronny’s full recovery and return to basketball in the very near future.”
James was ranked 20th in his class by ESPN, 27th by the football and basketball website Rivals and 28th by the recruiting website 247Sports.
The Trojans’ 2023 recruiting class was ranked sixth by Rivals and is led by point guard Isaiah Collier, a 6-foot-5 point guard, the class’ top-ranked player by Rivals and ESPN.
Collier scored 18 points in 25 minutes before fouling out in the Trojans’ 82-69 victory over Kansas State in a Hall of Fame Series game at Las Vegas.
The class also consists of forward Arrinten Page, who scored six points in 18 minutes, and forward Brandon Gardner, who did not play Monday.
USC is ranked 21st by The Associated Press. The Trojans return three starters, including Boogie Ellis, a Pac-12 All-Conference first team selection in the 2022-23 season, and eight players from last season’s team that was 22-11, losing in the first round of the NCAA tournament to Michigan State.
Cal State Bakersfield (1-0) opened its season with a 73-72 victory over Southern Utah Monday.
The 6 p.m. nonconference game will be televised by the Pac-12 Network.