Enfield states Bronny ‘really solid’ in fourth USC game

• Ohm Youngmisuk, ESPN Staff WriterDec 29, 2023, 01:48 AM ET

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  Ohm Youngmisuk has covered the Giants, Jets and the NFL since 2006. Prior to that, he covered the Webs, Knicks and the NBA for almost a years. He signed up with ESPNNewYork.com after working at the New York Daily News for almost 12 years and is a graduate of Michigan State University.
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EUGENE, Ore.– Bronny James’ very first Pac-12 Conference experience disappointed being a memorable one for USC.Opening their final Pac-12 season on the roadway, the Trojans cut a 20-point first-half deficit down to four before Oregon was able to hang on for an 82-74 win at Matthew Knight Arena on Thursday night.For both Oregon

(9-3 )and USC (6-6), this was the conference opener in what is the last Pac-12 season. It began appearing like a Ducks blowout after Oregon led 40-20 with 1:30 staying in the very first half. However senior guard Boogie Ellis struck a 3-pointer that got USC within 78-74 with 39 seconds to play in the game. Ellis had a chance to cut it to 3 later but missed out on from behind the arc as Oregon held on.Not just was this James’ first taste of conference play on the roadway, however it was simply his 4th collegiate game after suffering heart attack on July 24 during a USC practice. James, the eldest son of Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James, went through a procedure to treat a hereditary heart defect.The freshman, who is on a minutes restriction and plays in largely three-minute stints off the bench, ended up with 5 points, 3 rebounds, 3 steals and a help in 15 minutes. He left to possibly his best start in a game this season however got his 4th nasty late in the second half.Editor’s Picks 2 Associated”Bronny was very strong tonight,”USC coach Andy Enfield informed ESPN.” He’s still getting back into basketball shape. He gets winded, so we need to give him breaks, however he’s really good of asking to come out of the game. He’s a very outstanding young man.”He provided us good energy off the bench. He simply requires to keep getting

better. It’s only his fourth game therefore he’s a big part of our team, like our other guys, and we require that. We require all of our guys to enhance, including him.” James was searching for his first winning streak after experiencing his very first college win when USC won at Alabama State, 79-59, on Dec. 19. Down 12-2 early, James drilled a 3 with 14:34 remaining in the very first half.In his first 5 minutes at Oregon, he had 3 points, 3 rebounds and 2 steals.But James and the Trojans fell behind by 20 just before the half.

“Our beginning lineup chose to play basketball with some enthusiasm, some energy and some

durability,”Enfield said of USC’s second-half return.

“They didn’t do that in the first half … Made a lot of defensive errors however in the second half they began to play like they can. I was really proud of them. They fought back in the game, showed a lot of toughness.”But games are 40 minutes long and it starts with our starting unit. It starts with our upperclassmen, our guys that are apparently our preseason all-conference players.

They need to play like it.”Ellis ended up with 11 points however shot 4-for-15. Freshman Isaiah Collier had 11 points and forward DJ Rodman added 14 points for USC. Oregon was led by freshmen Kwame Evans Jr. (22 points, 8 rebounds, 5 steals)and Jackson Shelstad(21 points). As bad as USC played in the first half with turnovers and lack of execution, the Trojans showed flashes of their best basketball in the second half as they moved the ball for much better shots. Following the win at Alabama State, Collier stated the players previously fulfilled after their 91-75 loss at Auburn on Dec. 17 and found out what their identity is.Rodman, a senior, stated the group’s younger players gained from the meeting.”Just knowing our roles, simply what we expect out of each other, “Rodman stated.”It was nothing severe, absolutely nothing mean, it was just reasonable. That was one of the best conversations we

had as a group, and I seem like that really opened our eyes.”We were just sincere with each other and we saw it [this evening in the second half] We rely on each other out there now. I feel like that wasn’t there the first couple games. “USC will look for its very first conference victory of the season when it plays next at Oregon State on Saturday night. That will be James’5th game and another chance to construct his minutes constraint and conditioning up.”I think he’s a leading defender on our team,”Rodman stated of James.”He can make plays and he’s for

sure a point guard [with the method he plays] I like playing with him and I love simply being around him. I enjoy him as an individual and love him as a player.”