Basketball phenom and son of LeBron James Jr., Bronny James, may soon return to the basketball court. USC basketball coach Andy Enfield stated the star prospect is back in classes and recovering, hopeful for a return to the court.
“The good thing is he’s doing extremely well and he’s in class right now,” Enfield said to ESPN. “And we all love him. I think everybody is hopeful that Bronny will return to the court. We just have to be patient and take it step by step.”
According to the James family, Bronny suffered a congenital heart defect leading to cardiac arrest. The heart defect can be treated, and Bronny is expected to return to the court in full.
Former USC star Reggie Bush has filed a defamation lawsuit against the NCAA. “The lawsuit is based on the NCAA maliciously attacking his character through a completely false and highly offensive statement that was widely reported in the media and substantially and irreparably damaged his reputation,” according to law firm McCathern, PLLC. The statement in question was provided to media outlets in July 2021. It came when the NCAA announced their new NIL policy. Specifically, it was the answer to enquiries about whether the policy would mean the reinstatement of Bush’s expunged records.
“Although college athletes can now receive benefits from their names, images and likenesses through activities like endorsements and appearances, NCAA rules still do not permit pay-for-play type arrangements,” the statement said. “The NCAA infractions process exists to promote fairness in college sports. The rules that govern fair play are voted on, agreed to and expected to be upheld by all NCAA member schools.” Bush, the 2005 Heisman winner, had his collegiate record expunged in 2010. It was a result of an investigation that found he had accepted “impermissible benefits” during his time at USC.
Furthermore, Bush officially announced his lawsuit at a press conference in Los Angeles on August 23. “The NCAA has made a statement about me, accusing me of engaging in a pay-for-play arrangement, which is 100% not true,” Bush said. “Not only is it not true, but there is no evidence to even support that claim. I’ve got dreams of coming back into this stadium and running out of that tunnel with the football team. I’ve got dreams of walking back in here and seeing my jersey and my banner right down there next to the rest of the Heisman Trophy winners. But I can’t rightfully do that without my Heisman Trophy.”
In 2021, the NCAA settled a different defamation suit. Todd McNair, USC’s running backs coach between 2004 and 2010, sued the NCAA after he was linked to the Bush infractions scandal. Bush is hoping that he too can score a victory against the collegiate sports behemoth. Furthermore, Bush’s legal team has also launched an online petition to garner support for his case. Their goal is hit to 10,000 signatures.
Damar Hamlin is officially back on the football field. The safety for the Buffalo Bills played in Saturday’s (Aug. 12) preseason matchup against the Indianapolis Colts. During his return, Hamlin registered three tackles in the 23-19 win.
“It was super fun,” Hamlin said. “It was a great experience. Just another milestone and a step up just getting back to myself as far as in the football space and in the NFL.
“Just my first few plays in being pressures, and there’s my number being called. So, all of the jitters, all the nerves, that was like out the window right there, like right then and there. But it was good for me. It was able to get me going.”
Last month, Damar Hamlin offered his support to the James family following news Bronny James suffered cardiac arrest.
The eldest son of LeBron James suffered a cardiac arrest while practicing at the University of South California, a James family spokesperson revealed to ESPN. James is out of the ICU and in stable condition.
Hamlin offered prayers and his support on Twitter: “Prayers to Bronny & The James family as well. here for you guys just like you have been for me my entire process.”
LeBron James and his family hit the streets of L.A. for dinner on Friday. Bronny was in attendance with the full James Gang visiting Giorgio Baldi in Santa Monica.
TMZ notes LeBron was arm in arm with Bronny, who was described as “strong and alert.”
LeBron James also shared a video of Bronny sitting at a piano at home playing for his brother Bryce and sister Zuri. “We’re here right with you every step of the way,” James wrote.
Earlier reports revealed Bronny James was discharged from the hospital and reportedly back home resting after suffering cardiac arrest on Monday. According to TMZ, Cedars-Sinai Medical Group doctor Merije Chukumerije stated James showed encouraging signs of recovery.
“We are hopeful for his continued progress and are encouraged by his response, resilience, and his family and community support,” Chukumerije stated.
LeBron James has issued his first statement following the news of his son, Bronny James, suffering cardiac arrest while practicing for a showcase with the USC Men’s Basketball team. James delivered his message on Twitter:
I want to thank the countless people sending my family love and prayers. We feel you and I’m so grateful. Everyone doing great. We have our family together, safe and healthy, and we feel your love. Will have more to say when we’re ready but I wanted to tell everyone how much your support has meant to all of us! #JamesGang
Bronny James has been discharged from the hospital and is reportedly back home resting after suffering cardiac arrest on Monday. According to TMZ, Cedars-Sinai Medical Group doctor Merije Chukumerije stated James showed encouraging signs of recovery.
“We are hopeful for his continued progress and are encouraged by his response, resilience, and his family and community support,” Chukumerije stated.
LeBron James has issued his first statement following the news of his son, Bronny James, suffering cardiac arrest while practicing for a showcase with the USC Men’s Basketball team. James delivered his message on Twitter:
I want to thank the countless people sending my family love and prayers. We feel you and I’m so grateful. Everyone doing great. We have our family together, safe and healthy, and we feel your love. Will have more to say when we’re ready but I wanted to tell everyone how much your support has meant to all of us! #JamesGang
Earlier this week, Damar Hamlin offered his support to the James family following news Bronny James suffered cardiac arrest on Monday.
The eldest son of LeBron James suffered a cardiac arrest on Monday while practicing at the University of South California, a James family spokesperson revealed to ESPN. James is out of the ICU and in stable condition.
“Yesterday while practicing Bronny James suffered a cardiac arrest,” a statement reads. “Medical staff was able to treat Bronny and take him to the hospital. He is now in stable condition and no longer in ICU. We ask for respect and privacy for the James family and we will update media when there is more information.
“LeBron and Savannah wish to publicly send their deepest thanks and appreciation to the USC medical and athletic staff for their incredible work and dedication to the safety of their athletes.”
Hamlin offered prayers and his support on Twitter: “Prayers to Bronny & The James family as well. here for you guys just like you have been for me my entire process.”
LeBron James has issued his first statement following the news of his son, Bronny James, suffering cardiac arrest while practicing for a showcase with the USC Men’s Basketball team. James delivered his message on Twitter:
I want to thank the countless people sending my family love and prayers. We feel you and I’m so grateful. Everyone doing great. We have our family together, safe and healthy, and we feel your love. Will have more to say when we’re ready but I wanted to tell everyone how much your support has meant to all of us! #JamesGang
Earlier this week, Damar Hamlin offered his support to the James family following news Bronny James suffered cardiac arrest on Monday.
The eldest son of LeBron James suffered a cardiac arrest on Monday while practicing at the University of South California, a James family spokesperson revealed to ESPN. James is out of the ICU and in stable condition.
“Yesterday while practicing Bronny James suffered a cardiac arrest,” a statement reads. “Medical staff was able to treat Bronny and take him to the hospital. He is now in stable condition and no longer in ICU. We ask for respect and privacy for the James family and we will update media when there is more information.
“LeBron and Savannah wish to publicly send their deepest thanks and appreciation to the USC medical and athletic staff for their incredible work and dedication to the safety of their athletes.”
Hamlin offered prayers and his support on Twitter: “Prayers to Bronny & The James family as well. here for you guys just like you have been for me my entire process.”
Damar Hamlin is offering his support to the James family following news BRonny James suffered cardiac arrest on Monday.
The eldest son of LeBron James suffered a cardiac arrest on Monday while practicing at the University of South California, a James family spokesperson revealed to ESPN. James is out of the ICU and in stable condition.
“Yesterday while practicing Bronny James suffered a cardiac arrest,” a statement reads. “Medical staff was able to treat Bronny and take him to the hospital. He is now in stable condition and no longer in ICU. We ask for respect and privacy for the James family and we will update media when there is more information.
“LeBron and Savannah wish to publicly send their deepest thanks and appreciation to the USC medical and athletic staff for their incredible work and dedication to the safety of their athletes.”
Hamlin offered prayers and his support on Twitter: “Prayers to Bronny & The James family as well. here for you guys just like you have been for me my entire process.”
Bronny James, the eldest son of LeBron James, suffered cardiac arrest on Monday while practicing at the University of South California, a James family spokesperson revealed to ESPN. James is out of the ICU and in stable condition
“Yesterday while practicing Bronny James suffered a cardiac arrest,” a statement reads. “Medical staff was able to treat Bronny and take him to the hospital. He is now in stable condition and no longer in ICU. We ask for respect and privacy for the James family and we will update media when there is more information.
“LeBron and Savannah wish to publicly send their deepest thanks and appreciation to the USC medical and athletic staff for their incredible work and dedication to the safety of their athletes.”
James joins a USC team that has suffered first-round March Madness losses in back-to-back years. However, the Trojans are also looking to make history this season. If they can make it back to March Madness, it will be the first time that the program has appeared in four consecutive tournaments. They hope to achieve this behind James, and the class’ #1 recruit Isaiah Collier.
Per USC’s social media, Bronny James will wear the #6 jersey this season. Six is a special number for the James family. Bronny was born October 6 while his younger brother Bryce was born in June, the sixth month of the year. These are two reasons that LeBron James adopted the number when he signed with Miami Heat in 2011. Furthermore, LeBron once again adopted the #6 jersey for his most recent season with the LA Lakers.
However, neither James nor his son (if he makes it to the NBA) will be able to wear #6 at the pro level. The jersey number was retired league-wide following the death of Bill Russell. Despite this, it’s clear that Bronny is paying homage to his father with his USC jersey choice.
While LeBron has not yet confirmed his return to the NBA next season, sources believe that it is more likely than not. If LeBron does stay with the Lakers, he will be playing just 1.5 miles from Bronny. Furthermore, LeBron has previously stated that he wants to play alongside Bronny in the NBA before he retires.
However, before James takes the court in Vegas or at the Galen Center, USC are heading to Europe. The Trojans will play a series of games in Greece and Croatia this summer, taking on several professional teams.
While the full schedule is yet to be announced, the most notable team revealed so far is Mega MIS. A perennial contender in the Serbian league, Mega MIS is best known as the team where two-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokić got his start before being drafted into the NBA.
The Trojans will take on the Serbian outfit in a pair of games on the island of Mykonos. USC will also play in Athens, where James’ father won Olympic bronze in 2004. Beyond the preseason tour and Vegas opener, it remains to be seen what the rest of USC’s schedule has in store for Bronny in what could be his only year in the NCAA.
USC Men’s Basketball team is in an intriguing position. In 2021, they went to the Elite Eight of March Madness. However, a year later, they crashed out in the first round. But they could be about to bounce back given their 2023 recruiting class.
The big name is obviously Bronny James, ESPN‘s #19 prospect and the son of NBA legend LeBron James. He’s the star power, Mr. Hollywood, the poster child. But he’s not the premier prospect in the class for the Trojans. That would be Isaiah Collier, ESPN‘s #1 prospect. Together, along with the rest of USC’s young core, the Trojans could be looking at their first Final Four appearance since 1954. However, questions are starting to be asked about some of the things that USC is doing in light of this major recruiting class.
USC Dismisses Claims Of A “Bronny Tax”
There’s no denying that Trojans tickets are about to become a hot commodity. “There is an added tier here, an added level, for sure, with the family ties Bronny comes with and the friends that not only he has but that his family has. And the following that could follow him and come to games on any given night,” USC Chief of Marketing Craig Kelley told ESPN. “It’s up to us to prepare.” Among that, Kelley acknowledged that ticket prices at the Galen Center are set to rise. However, he objected to the price hike being seen as a “Bronny Tax”.
“I know it’s going to be hard to believe, but with or without Bronny, the prices were more than likely going to go up by a few percentage points just because that’s just the nature of the business,” Kelley said. “Most teams are increasing their prices 2% to 3% annually. We’ve actually been flat for quite some time. And so we were going up in price just because the team has just gotten better. And you do add some notable name players.” Furthermore, USC has never shied away from high-profile students. Their 2023 graduating class included Sasha Obama and Princess Salma bint Abdullah of Jordan. However, that won’t be much comfort to the Trojan faithful who are going to feel a bigger pinch of their wallet next season.