Bronny James Shines in USC Debut Amidst Controversy

LeBron James’s eldest son, Bronny James, marked his debut with the USC Trojans men’s basketball team on Sunday night against Long Beach State, showcasing resilience after a sudden cardiac arrest in July during a workout. Returning to the court, Bronny made an impact off the bench, contributing four points, three rebounds, two assists, two steals, and a block in 17 minutes of play. Despite his solid performance, the Trojans fell to Long Beach State 84-79 in overtime.

The game, however, became a focal point for controversy when LeBron James, accompanied by his children Zhrui and Bryce, walked to their seats during the national anthem. The decision to enter during the anthem triggered criticism on social media, particularly on X (formerly known as Twitter).

Orange County Register reporter Luca Evans, who initially shared the video, responded to the backlash, pointing out that LeBron had adopted the same practice during his son’s high school games. LeBron addressed the situation, emphasizing his son’s resilience and character, stating”

“The most important thing, who cares about the win or the loss, the kid was standing tall and standing strong at the end of the game. That is a blessing in its own right, and that is a win. He’s won at life, and everything else at this point is extra credit.”

Following the game, LeBron took to Instagram to congratulate Bronny on his collegiate debut. Looking ahead, Bronny and the Trojans will face Auburn on Sunday, while LeBron and the Los Angeles Lakers gear up for road games against the San Antonio Spurs tonight and Friday.