Bronny aims to play for USC if he clears test

• Dave McMenamin, ESPN Personnel WriterNov 7, 2023, 12:08 AM ET

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  • Lakers and NBA press reporter for ESPN.
  • Covered the Lakers and NBA for ESPNLosAngeles.com from 2009-14, the Cavaliers from 2014-18 for ESPN.com and the NBA for NBA.com from 2005-09.

MIAMI– If USC freshman Bronny James passes a medical exam later this month, he will return to practice with the objective of appearing in game action this season, his daddy, Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James, said Monday.Bronny suffered cardiac arrest throughout a group exercise in July and underwent successful surgery to repair what the James household described as a most likely hereditary heart defect.With the Trojans’season tipping off versus Kansas State on Monday night, James offered an upgrade on his 19-year-old kid.” Things are going in the right direction with Bronny’s progress,”James said after the Lakers ‘108-107 loss to the Miami Heat.”He’s doing rehab. Every week he gets to do more and more and more. We have a huge moment at the end of this month to see if we can continue to go forward. If he’s cleared, we’ll be not too long far from him being back on the floor and back with his teammates and practicing, with the concept of being back on the flooring and playing in game scenarios.”Bronny was on hand as No. 21 USC beat Kansas State 82-69, watching from the bench at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. “Bronny is a terrific basketball player, however he’s even a better person and his family has actually been so encouraging, “Trojans coach Andy Enfield stated after the game.Bronny has gone to a number of Lakers games this season and was caught on video camera celebrating a dunk by his daddy late in the Lakers’win over the LA Clippers last week.James announced at the Lakers ‘annual media day last month that he was devoting this season, his 21st in the NBA, to his oldest child.” Whatever is on the up and

up,”James stated.” We take pride in his progress, we take pride in his strength. And between all the medical professionals that he’s seeing from everywhere he’s been … all his [physical treatment] individuals and USC included and everybody, they’ve done a hell of a job of getting him to the point today and we wish to continue to go forward.”Bronny was a declared hire in the 2023 class, signing up with the No. 1 recruit in ESPN’s rankings, Isaiah Collier, in making USC a predicted NCAA competition team this season. Prior to his health scare, the 6-foot-4,

210-pound combination guard was forecasted as a first-round choice in the 2024 NBA draft.ESPN’s Paul Gutierrez contributed to this report.