What we discovered Bronny James, USC starter

• Myron Medcalf, ESPN Staff WriterJan 14, 2024, 01:00 AM ET

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

A series of injuries to the USC lineup just recently developed an opening for Bronny James to make his very first college start at Colorado on Saturday night. Starters Joshua Morgan, Boogie Ellis and Isaiah Collier were sidelined, so Trojans coach Andy Enfield included the kid of NBA star LeBron James to his beginning five.However, the lack of Morgan( averaging 2.3 blocks per game), veteran Ellis and forecasted first-round NBA draft pick Collier took its toll, and the Trojans went into the CU Events Center– which sits at an elevation of 5,430 feet as the fifth-highest location in college basketball– and wasted a 13-point halftime cause lose 68-58. It was also a cold night for James, who ended up 0-for-7 with simply 2 rebounds and one assist.With the defeat, the Trojans are now 8-9 (2-4 Pac-12)with a NET ranking in the 90s.

They will require a significant turn-around to earn a spot in the NIT. The NCAA competition is not yet a legitimate discussion for Enfield’s program.And yet James, who played 25 minutes Saturday night, continues to demonstrate his development, in addition to a few of

the obstacles he is browsing. It likewise is important to note that the contest in Boulder was only his ninth game as a Department I player. Still, USC will require more from the freshman– and the whole lineup, actually– to change its present trajectory.Here, we break down what we found out about Bronny James the starter and USC without its star players.James makes key play just minutes into match Editor’s Picks 2 Related With 17:31 to play in the very first half, James drew an offending foul on KJ Simpson, Colorado’s leading scorer. It was also Simpson’s second foul of the game, sending him

to the bench until around the 14-minute mark. Thanks to those 2 early fouls, Simpson played the rest of the very first half more cautiously than he generally does and was 2-for-6 from the field entering into the break.James successfully safeguarded Simpson on multiple belongings and continued to prove himself as a player ready to make hustle plays, which might not make a mention on”SportsCenter” but still effect the game. play 0:17 Cody Williams blocks Bronny James’layup attempt Cody Williams makes a great protective play with this swat on Bronny James’shot attempt.Needs to deal with his assertiveness James enjoys to postpone, and he had great factor to do that at the start of the game. His teammates, including Oziyah Sellers, assisted USC go on an early go to end the first half up 37-24. But two of James ‘early shots were blocked in what was an 0-for-5 start for the freshman. He is still searching for his offending role for this team.Saturday’s contest was an opportunity for James to showcase his full capability that had made him a top-20 high school recruit, however he didn’t have fun with the hostility that would have allowed him to do that. It’s clear he is still searching for the balance between getting his teammates involved, which he does well, and increasing his scoring output.Despite battles, he revealed pledge with constant energy James missed his very first seven shots, and his team couldn’t shake its scoring drought in the 2nd half, either, starting 3-for-15 from the field after the break. Nevertheless, James never ever appeared to lose self-confidence. This matters, particularly for a freshman. He continued to assault in the second half, and his protective strength never waned even as Colorado ran away with the scoring and ultimately won by double digits.