USC head coach Andy Enfield said Friday he anticipates freshman Bronny James will debut with the team on Sunday at home against Long Beach State (4 p.m. EST).
James, the eldest son of LeBron James, was cleared last week to begin contact practice after suffering a cardiac arrest in July at a team workout. He was diagnosed with an “anatomically and functionally significant congenital heart defect” and was expected to make a full recovery.
The 19-year-old participated in his first practice with the Trojans on Thursday and went through his second session on Friday. He will need to be cleared by the team doctors but appears to be trending toward playing on Sunday.
“I thought he looked better today than he did yesterday,” Enfield said on Friday, via ESPN. “His timing was very good. He still has a ways to go just because he hasn’t been playing for six or seven months, but (a) very impressive first couple of days.”
James was able to participate in non-contact practices with the team, such as cardio and weight-lifting exercises. Enfield confirmed James will come off the bench and be on a minute restriction in the early going once he is cleared to play.
He was said to perform well in practice this week and is expected to provide the Trojans with a lift off the bench with his scoring, defense and ability as a playmaker. He was ranked 20th in his class and part of a talented incoming freshman group for the program.
The Trojans are 5-3 after losing to No. 11 Gonzaga on Saturday in Las Vegas, Nevada. The team has three games left before beginning conference play on Dec. 28 at Oregon.
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