Bronny James and his USC teammates have lost for a third straight game as LeBron’s eldest son managed just five points in the Trojans’ 91-75 blowout defeat to Auburn in what was only his second game since returning from cardiac arrest.
The 19-year-old guard also had two rebounds and two turnovers while playing on a minutes restriction. He came off the bench for a total of 14 minutes in his first USC road game on Sunday, finishing 1-of-4 from the field and 0-2 from three. He also hit three of his four attempts from the free-throw line.
Bronny made his return to the basketball court last Sunday in a surprising overtime loss (84-79) against unranked Long Beach State after suffering cardiac arrest in July.
A game before that, though, the 5-5 Trojans were outdone by No.10-ranked Gonzaga.
Ahead of his comeback since being diagnosed with a congenital heart defect over the summer, Bronny showed gratitude for the support and care he received while recovering from an on-court collapse at USC’s Galen Center.
USC guard Bronny James also had two rebounds and two turnovers in 14 minutes in Alabama
‘I just want to say I’m thankful for everything,’ he told reporters on December 10. ‘Mayo Clinic, everything they helped me with, my parents, siblings for supporting me through this hard time in my life. I just want to give appreciation to everyone that’s helped me through this.
‘Also, my coach, my teammates, all my other coaches. They’ve been with me since the start and I just want to say I’m thankful for them.’
USC’s shocking form comes after a busy off-season of recruitment, with the team’s current roster filled with seven former top-100 recruits, including Bronny (No.22), two other guards in Isaiah Collier (No.1) and Boogie Ellis (No. 38), and forwards Vince Iwukchukwu (No.25), Arrinten Page (No.48), Kijani Wright (No.52) and Brandon Gardner (No.93).
James was 1-of-4 from the field, and 0-2 from three, but made three of his four free throw shots
Ellis led all scorers with 22 points against Auburn. Collier and Sellers each scored 13 points.
Jaylin Williams scored 14 points for the Tigers. Denver Jones added 12, and Broome and Cardwell each scored 11.
All 11 Auburn players who played recorded at least three points. Seven went for seven points or more as the Tigers won their third straight.
USC will play Alabama State away on Tuesday, December 19.
