Andy Enfield reveals freshman Bronny James is out for USC opener vs. Kansas State

USC head coach Andy Enfield revealed freshman guard Bronny James will not play in the Trojans’ opener against Kansas State Monday.

The game is slated for a neutral court in Las Vegas. James, the son of LeBron James, suffered cardiac arrest back in July and his status for the season was immediately up in the air.

However, LeBron said his son Bronny will play this season, his first with USC.

“Bronny is doing extremely well,” James said during the NBA’s media day on October 2. “He has begun his rehab process to get back on the floor this season with his teammates and USC.”

Earlier this offseason in a statement from his consulting cardiologist, Dr. Merije Chukumerije, James was described as being conscious and stable by the time he arrived at the hospital. His care team is hopeful he will be back sooner, rather than later.

“Thanks to the swift and effective response by the USC athletics’ medical staff, Bronny James was successfully treated for a sudden cardiac arrest,” the statement read. “He arrived at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center fully conscious, neurologically intact and stable. Mr. James was cared for promptly by highly-trained staff and has been discharged home, where he is resting.

“Although his workup will be ongoing, we are hopeful for his continued progress and are encouraged by his response, resilience, and his family and community support.”

Bronny James a potential lottery pick in 2024 NBA Draft

James could continue to improve his stock at USC — maybe even to lottery-pick status if he becomes a one-and-done, according to ESPN’s Jonathan Givony.

Givony joined Hannah Storm on SportsCenter this summer and talked about what James’ ceiling is. Of course, his father went No. 1 overall in the decorated 2003 NBA Draft.

“Bronny James is the No. 17-projected player in our draft class,” Givony said. “He has a very high floor because of his frame, his defensive instincts, the way he can make spot-up jumpers, his feel for the game, his competitiveness, his versatility.

“Bronny James is as improved a player as any prospect in this class projected to the high school group of [2023], which is about to come into college. You look at his genetics and the trajectory that he’s on, the sky is the limit for Bronny James. I think he can end up being a lottery pick, ultimately.”

As a member of the Class of 2023, Bronny James was a four-star recruit out of Cleveland (Ohio) and played HS basketball at Sierra Canyon (Calif.), according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. 6 overall prospect in California, the No. 6 point guard prospect in the class and the No. 25 overall prospect in the class.