Bronny James Dances with Team on USC Basketball Opening Night, but Won’t Play Yet


Bronny James is ready for basketball season.

All eyes were on the 19-year-old son of NBA legend LeBron James as he enjoyed his introduction at USC’s annual HoopLA event, which kicks off the start of a new college basketball season.


Bronny and his USC teammates greeted fans at the event as each player got their official introduction.


During his entrance on the floor, Bronny danced as he came out on the court in his red and yellow Trojans jersey and sweatpants.


“@bronny hit the dougie during his Trojan HoopLA intro,” USC’s Instagram account wrote in the caption of a video showing Bronny’s dance moves.


Thursday’s USC event included major star power in addition to Bronny. Rapper Saweetie and DJ Zack Bia performed during the kickoff party for Trojan fans and athletes.


USC Trojans guard Bronny James (6) is introduced during Trojan HoopLA, a college basketball kickoff event featuring the USC Trojans, on October 19, 2023.

Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty


Bronny was pictured in his No. 6 jersey as his new teammates and fellow USC students hyped him up.


LeBron, 38, briefly wore the same jersey number when he played for the Miami Heat in 2010, and later changed back to No. 23 when he returned to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2014.


After the event, LeBron shared clips of Bronny’s introduction and walkout on his Instagram story.


Bronny James #6 of the USC Trojans is introduced during the Trojan HoopLA event at Galen Center on October 19, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.

Meg Oliphant/Getty


The Lakers star previously said the day his son committed to play basketball for USC was “one of the best days of my life,” during an interview with Spectrum in May.


“I’m super proud of him, our family is proud of him,” LeBron said at the time. “For me personally, it’s even more special to me because it’s the first time someone out of my family to go to college. Obviously, I didn’t go to college.”


“It’s just a proud moment to see my son go to college, and he’s the first one to go college in my family. Super duper proud, super emotional, but just super duper excited and happy for his journey,” he concluded.






Bronny, a former Sierra Canyon star, is one of the most highly-anticipated college basketball debuts this year.


But Bronny’s availability for the team’s first game on Nov. 9 remains uncertain as he recovers from his cardiac arrest in July. He was later diagnosed with “an anatomically and functionally significant congenital heart defect.”


USC Basketball head coach Andy Enfield told ESPN that Bronny did not participate in the team’s first practice of the season on Sept. 23, and added, “Bronny’s doing very well, but we just can’t comment on anything medically. He’s going to class and doing extremely well in school, and we’re really excited for him.”


USC Trojans guard Bronny James (6) looks on during Trojan HoopLA, a college basketball kickoff event featuring the USC Trojans, on October 19, 2023.

Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty


Bronny spent two days in the hospital in July after experiencing cardiac arrest while working out at the university, and then underwent surgery to correct the issue.


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After support came pouring in from fans, LeBron issued a statement on social media. “I want to thank the countless people sending my family love and prayers. We feel you and I’m so grateful,” he wrote.


“Everyone doing great. We have our family together, safe and healthy, and we feel your love. Will have more to say when we’re ready but I wanted to tell everyone how much your support has meant to all of us! #JamesGang.”


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