Bronny has hot start for USC with KD on hand

• Myron Medcalf, ESPN Personnel WriterJan 18, 2024, 02:27 AM ET

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  • Covers college basketball
  • Signed up with ESPN.com in 2011
  • Graduate of Minnesota State University, Mankato

TUCSON, Ariz.– With Kevin Durant watching from the front row, Bronny James fumed early and hit his first three shots in USC’s 82-67 loss at No. 12 Arizona on Wednesday.James, who ended up with 11 points (5-for-11 shooting ), six assists, five rebounds, one block and five turnovers in his second profession start, hit his very first shot, a floater in the lane, just a couple of feet from where the Phoenix Suns super star was sitting at the McKale Center.Durant told ESPN he concerned the game to support

James, USC, Arizona and college basketball. He said he was impressed by the method James attacked. “He was aggressive,” Durant stated.

“He played well.” Editor’s Picks 2 Related However James

had a hard time after

a strong very first half, missing 6 of his next 8 shots following his 3-for-3 start.The Trojans, who were missing starters Boogie Ellis and Isaiah Collier because of injury, cut Arizona’s 19-9 edge early in the game to a four-point deficit (38-34) on Kobe Johnson’s 3-pointer late in the first half. However Caleb Love (20 points) and Arizona retreated again and led by double digits for the bulk of the second half.USC coach Andy Enfield said he has actually never ever experienced an injury bug that has impacted his team to this degree.Joshua Morgan missed two

current games with an upper respiratory virus. He played Wednesday but just after losing 15 pounds in a brief span.

Ellis continues to deal with a hamstring injury. And Collier is still sidelined after suffering a broken hand.Through all of it, Enfield stated he is proud of his group’s competitive nature. “Our guys have actually stuck,”he stated after the loss.

“I’m really proud of them. They have actually supported their teammates when they have actually been out [due to injury], and they’re trying to complete.”He stated James, who played in simply his 10th game after suffering cardiac arrest throughout a summer exercise, will continue to grow however added that his advancement to date has actually been impressive, considering what he has actually endured recently.” The boy went through a circumstance this summertime, medically, that was very difficult and tough,”Enfield stated.” Bronny James, he has no ego, he’s an excellent teammate.

He’s so easy to coach since he simply wants to improve. I believe you see it. And he is improving. “