Ahead of journey to Auburn, how did Bronny James look

• Ohm Youngmisuk

  , ESPN

  Personnel WriterDec 16, 2023, 09:00 AM ET Close Ohm Youngmisuk has actually covered the Giants, Jets and the NFL given that 2006. Prior to that, he covered the Internet, Knicks and the NBA for almost a decade. He joined ESPNNewYork.com after operating at the New York Daily News for nearly 12 years and is a graduate of Michigan State University.
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USC freshman guard Bronny James passed a major hurdle in his resurgence from heart attack throughout last Sunday’s debut in a 84-79 upset loss in overtime to Long Beach State.Now that he

is back on the court, James turns his attention to his first college road games, including a Sunday clash against Auburn (1 p.m. ET, ESPN) followed by a contest against Alabama State on Tuesday.After playing in front of a sellout crowd at the Galen Center, including his dad, Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James, the more youthful James will need to browse what should be an electric crowd on Sunday. “It might be one of the hottest tickets

in Neville Arena history for a nonconference game,”Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl told AL.com on Wednesday.But the road show will not end after two games in Alabama. James and USC will start Pac-12 play at Oregon(Dec. 28, ESPN2 )and at Oregon State( Dec. 30). USC will not dip into home till Jan. 3 versus California.James is expected to remain on a minutes limitation versus Auburn. Regardless, it needs to be

a raucous environment for 2 teams that are wanting to boost their résumés for the selection committee.Here’s 3 concerns facing James and the Trojans as they liquidate their nonconference schedule.What stood apart about Bronny James in his USC debut?James, who had 4 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 takes in 17 minutes in the loss to Long Beach State, revealed that athleticism runs in the family.Editor’s Picks 2 Related The freshman, noted at

6-foot-4, had a spectacular chase-down block in the very first half that looked a lot like the trademarked protective swats by his dad.James also displayed protective abilities,

moving his

feet rapidly and being disruptive with his hands. He had a big take late in regulation before the Trojans lost in overtime. Staying in front of Auburn’s scorers,

such as previous first-class hire Aden Holloway, could be tougher.Offensively, James can be an adapter, moving the ball and making the ideal play. He does not require anything offensively. He will also want to help USC extend the flooring with his 3-point shooting.What will he need to enhance and work upon?Watching James return to the court, it is simple to forget

that he is working his way back from the heart attack he suffered at a USC practice on July 24, for which he went through treatment for a genetic heart defect.Before the Long Beach State contest, James had

just gone through two successive full-contact practices. In 17 minutes of game time off the bench, he played primarily in three-minute stints. That included pivotal stretches for USC at the end of regulation and at the start of overtime.James needs to enhance his conditioning in the minimal minutes he’s anticipated to see against Auburn. He likewise is searching for his place in the offense behind fifth-year senior guard Boogie Ellis, freshman point player Isaiah Collier (the existing No. 1 choice in ESPN’s 2024 NBA mock draft)and junior beginning guard Kobe Johnson. play 1:05 Would a group draft Bronny to get LeBron on its roster?Bobby Marks has a hard time seeing a lottery group choosing Bronny James in an effort to also land LeBron James.Can Bronny truly help this having a hard time USC team?After starting the season ranked No. 21 in the AP poll, USC is 5-4 with frustrating home losses to UC Irvine and Long Beach State.

Ellis and Johnson

missed out on the versus UC Irvine game with injuries, although both have actually played because then.James will assist the second unit and enhance the guard rotation. USC coach Andy Enfield could also play four guards at times

. However the Trojans require to rebound, get stops and prevent second-chance points. They likewise need to strike more complimentary tosses after the 20-for-36 efficiency Sunday, when they blew a 15-point halftime lead. How efficient James will be in restricted minutes will be key against Auburn.Nonetheless, his return is a boost.

The freshman certainly seems a heady player who produces more positive plays with increased playing time.”He’s constructed for it,”said Ellis of James ‘handling of the spotlight.”I seem like he welcomes that. He put in the work and he’s a fantastic player. We’re going to get him back and he’s going to continue to enter into the rotation, but he’s built for it. He handles it extremely well.”