USC Basketball: Pundit Paints Realistic Return Timeline For Bronny James
Will Bronny James play this season for the USC Trojans?
This is a question many are wondering about as the Trojans are just a few months from kicking off its 2023-24 season.
Signing the son of LeBron James was a major coup for USC in the first place. The younger James has developed into a very solid basketball player -- displaying unselfishness, defensive prowess, and an improving jumper. The 6'3" guard has been featured in more than a handful of NBA Mock Drafts as a potential first-round selection next season.
Not only that, but the addition of James and Isaiah Collier -- along with the return of Boogie Ellis -- has many believing this is the deepest and most talented projected backcourt USC has had in decades.
While the hype is palpable, we also must address the reality of the situation. Simply put...we don't know when he'll be back on the court for the Trojans.
Matt Zemek of USA Today recently wrote an editorial speculating on when James could theoretically suit up for USC. He spoke of Vince Iwuchukwu -- USC's 5-star freshman recruit from a year ago who also suffered from cardiac arrest in the July before his freshman year started. It wasn't until the following January when Iwuchukwu was cleared to play.
Knowing this, Zemek speculates that there could be a similar timetable in relation to James. Of course, every medical situation is different -- and there's really no telling when/if James will be playing for USC until cleared by a fleet of doctors and medical professionals.
"If we assume Bronny James can't play until January -- it's not a fact, merely an educated guess based on the Vince Iwuchukwu recovery timeline from last season -- that means USC's starting backcourt of Isaiah Collier and Boogie Ellis will have to carry the team in November and December."
- Matt Zemek (USA Today)
With James sidelined for the foreseeable future, the pressure does become ramped up a bit for Ellis and the much ballyhooed freshman out of Atlanta. While the depth behind these two is a bit unproven, the overall squad quality is strong.
Kobe Johnson returns as one of the league's best perimeter defenders. Transfer D.J. Rodman is a quintessential 3-and-D guy with terrific defensive versatility. From there, the Trojans have a host of big men. Incoming freshman Arrinten Page carves out space tremendously well, and uses his body to gobble up rebounds. Josh Morgan returns as one of the Pac-12 most feared shot blockers. Sophomore Kijani Wright is hoping to realize the potential he brought into college as a former McDonald's All-American.
Harrison Hornery has been lighting it up behind the arc as a stretch-four. Lastly, if Iwuchukwu can be fully healthy, he's a major difference maker for USC as a potential lottery pick down the line.
