Charles Barkley admires Bronny James' return to USC basketball

Charles Barkley was quite pleased to see Bronny James back on a basketball court. James, the son of LeBron James, made his USC debut this month after suffering cardiac arrest over the summer.

The comeback to the court has been remarkable for the freshman. It was unclear if he would suit up this year, but he worked his way back onto the court for the Trojans.

If Bronny James can keep better as he has every single season, Barkley won’t be the only legend raving about the eldest son of “The King.”

“Well, thank you guys for having me, the first thing I want to say is man, great to see Bronny James on a basketball court,” Barkley said during the broadcast of the USC-Auburn game Sunday. “You know, that’s the most important thing. Shout out to Bronny and LeBron and his family. It’s just great to have him out there.”

At the time of Barkley’s interview, Auburn led 72-52 in the second half and James had two points and a rebound off the bench.

James stuffed the stat sheet with four points, three rebounds, two assists, a pair of steals, and a chasedown block in 17 minutes during his debut last week. They weren’t massive numbers but he affected the games in more ways than one. However, it also lost some shine considering USC lost to Long Beach State by a final score of 84-79.

As far as James is concerned, Jeff Goodman was even more impressed considering what James went through just a few months ago. Even so, he also hopes that fans temper the expectations considering who he is as a player and how big his role is going to be at this point for the Trojans.

“To me? He looked like he belonged in his debut,” Goodman said on Andy Staples On3. “Listen, he had cardiac arrest. They weren’t sure he was going to play again. He’s off and not able to do a whole heck of a lot. Misses the first eight games, misses a ton of the preseason – and he looks like he belongs. He’s only going to get better.”

Goodman also said he hopes that applies to the James’ family of Bronny and LeBron playing with one another one day. With where he is at the moment, Goodman isn’t sure that he will be ready to go out for the 2024 NBA Draft.

That’s why, with the Lakers star playing as well as he is still, Goodman pumped the brakes on a family reunion and suggested that it may need to wait until he gets a second, full year under his belt.

“I just hope this slows down the process for Bronny James,” Goodman said. “It’s not like LeBron is retiring after this year. Like, he’s 39, he’s going to make it to 40. Don’t rush your kid to the NBA. You’re going to play with him, I think he’ll play with him. But let him go and play two years in college or a year and three quarters. I think he needs it, I don’t think he’s a one and done. You’re doing a disservice to your kid in a lot of ways if you’re going to rush him after just one year or, really, three quarters of a year.”