Bronny James got his first start for USC on Friday, a month after making his collegiate debut.
Trojans head coach Andy Enfield added Bronny to the starting 5 after losing his starters – Joshua Morgan, Boogie Ellis and Isaiah Collier – to injuries.
Bronny, 19, played 25 minutes in the Trojans’ 68-58 loss to the Colorado Buffaloes at the CU Events Center.
The arena sits at an elevation of 5,340 feet — the fifth highest venue in college basketball.
But the high altitude was the least of Bronny’s problems.
The freshman guard finished the game with zero points, 2 rebounds and just one assist, according to ESPN.
The Trojans raced to a 37-24 lead in the first half. But two of Bronny’s shots were blocked and he went 0-3 on three-point shot attempts.
The Trojans are now 8-9 on the season.
Bronny’s cold start comes just one week after his proud dad LeBron James bragged that Bronny could play for his struggling Lakers “right now, easy.”
LeBron made the statement after the Lakers 127-113 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on January 5.
When asked if he believed Bronny should start his next game, LeBron said it was time.
Then he shouted, “he could play for us right now, easy!”
LeBron has long said he will play for any NBA team that drafts Bronny.
during ad’s availability, austin asked lebron about bronny’s game tomorrow and if he’d be starting. lebron said he thought it was time, and loudly said “he could play for us right now. easy. EASY.”
— claire de lune (@ClaireMPLS) January 6, 2024
