Family comes first for Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James, especially when it comes to his son making his college basketball debut.
Following a loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday, James made it clear that when Bronny James hits the floor for USC, he will be in attendance, whether his Lakers are playing or not.
Lebron James, #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers, brings the ball down the floor during the first half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center on Nov. 30, 2023 in Oklahoma City. (Joshua Gateley/Getty Images)
“Looking forward to his first game,” James told reporters Thursday. “Whenever he’s cleared and whenever he’s ready to have his first game, I already told my teammates that if they play on the same day we playing, then I’m going to have to catch them next game.”
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“Family over everything, champs,” he said to his teammates. “I love y’all. I definitely got to see Bronny’s first college game. Whenever he’s ready to go.”
Bronny James was cleared for a “full return to basketball” on Thursday, roughly four months after suffering from a cardiac arrest during a workout.
Southern California guard Bronny James shoots around at halftime of an NCAA college basketball game against Kansas State on Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
A statement from a family spokesperson said he “will have a final evaluation with USC staff this week, resume practice next week, and return to games soon after.”
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“The James family would like to express their gratitude to the incredible medical team, the entire USC community, and especially the countless friends, family, and fans for their love and support. Fight On!” the statement concluded.
Bronny James suffered a cardiac event on July 24 while practicing months before his first college basketball season at USC was set to start. The incident took place where the Trojans play and practice, and he was released from the hospital three days after the medical emergency.
Doctors later revealed that the cardiac arrest was likely caused by a “congenital heart defect.“
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, #23, shakes hands with his son Bronny James during the second half against the Houston Rockets at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles Nov. 19, 2023. (Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports)
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“Just a proud moment,” James said of the news that his son had been cleared. “Big-time excitement from our family for Bronny. And for USC, as well. It’s something that he’s been working towards for the last 12 weeks. And for him to get the clearance for him to do what he loves to do and go back to being with his teammates and put on a uniform and things of that nature, it’s very gratifying for sure.”
USC is 5-2 to start the 2023-24 college basketball season.
Fox News’ Ryan Morik contributed to this report