After his son Bronny made his USC basketball debut on Sunday, Lakers star LeBron James wrote an emotional note to him.

Lakers' LeBron James smiling (in casual clothes) with plenty of hearts all over him, with USC’s Bronny James in an action shot against Long Beach State on December 10, 2023Bronny James made his USC Trojans debut on Sunday, playing 16 minutes off the bench in an 84-79 loss to the Long Beach State 49ers. This came after a wild journey in his recovery from a terrifying cardiac arrest that became a huge point of concern for LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers and his family.

Inside LeBron's grand plan to play in the NBA with Bronny and Bryce - Sports Illustrated

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LeBron James 'Super Excited' for Son Bronny's College Basketball Debut

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LeBron James breaks silence after son Bronny's cardiac arrest

James made his collegiate basketball debut to riotous acclaim from the Galen Center audience. It was a victorious return for the 19-year-old guard, which was no small feat considering everything he had been through. Of course, despite all of the praise, the young guard’s father—the Lakers star—is the biggest star. He sent a touching statement on Instagram honoring his son’s life, something LeBron knows to never take for granted.

Hоw incredibly emоtiоnal tоnight was fоr me is beyоnd wоrds! I’m sо exhausted that all I can say is, @brоnny, yоu’re just amazing! оh, the wins and lоsses that await. Life is the ultimate gоal/champiоnship that yоu have already wоn! I’m prоud оf yоu, kid, and I have mоre life because оf yоu tоday! In the captiоn оf his phоtо, the Lakers player expressed his gratitude and lоve fоr yоu.

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Bronny James Makes USC Basketball Debut with Dad LeBron James Watching

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Thankful' Bronny James makes USC basketball debut nearly 5 months after cardiac arrest | CBC Sports.

Bronny James makes debut in loss for USC nearly five months after cardiac arrest | TSN

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Bronny James' return takes edge off USC's loss to Long Beach State - Los Angeles Times

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Bronny James makes USC debut months after cardiac arrest, LeBron 'proud' of his son

LeBron James came courtside on Sunday to support the USC Trojans’ returning guard, Bronny’s grandmother Gloria. James had just led the Lakers to their first-ever NBA In-Season Tournament title by capturing tournament MVP honors.

It didn’t take Bronny long to get going either. Early in his debut, the Trojans guard—clearly modeling himself after his father—took out for a chasedown block, swatting away Long Beach’s Jadon Jones’ attempt to excite the crowd.

 

While it will take some time for Bronny to get back to his best, just seeing him play 16 minutes is a significant victory in and of itself. Any success the 19-year-old guard has now is just the icing on the cake, as some thought the Lakers star’s firstborn would never be able to play basketball again following a near-fatal cardiac arrest.