Like father, like son - LeBron James’ oldest son commits to play basketball for US college

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BASKETBALL Like father, like son - LeBron James’ oldest son commits to play basketball for US college

Joel Omotto • 18:00 - 07.05.2023

The 18-year-old son of the four-time NBA winner will feature for star-studded University of Southern California in the summer

LeBron James’ oldest son, Bronny, has committed to play basketball at the University of Southern California.

Bronny James announced his much-anticipated decision on social media Saturday, about two hours before his father’s Los Angeles Lakers hosted the Golden State Warriors in Game 3 of their second-round playoff series.

The 18-year-old James was a McDonald’s All-American just like his father, but he was among the few uncommitted elite high school basketball prospects heading towards the summer.

The namesake son of the top scorer in NBA history played at Sierra Canyon School, which is known for educating scions of the sports and entertainment industries in Chatsworth, an outer suburban neighbourhood of Los Angeles.

James announced his decision by writing the Trojans’ school slogan, “Fight On”, below a photo of himself wearing his high school uniform in the Trojans’ locker room at the Galen Center.

James and his Sierra Canyon team played at the arena last January, beating a team from Georgia’s Wheeler High School led by elite recruit Isaiah Collier, who is now James’ teammate at USC.

After choosing to stay close to home for college, the 6ft 3in guard will join an already loaded Trojans roster coming off the school’s third straight NCAA tournament appearance under coach Andy Enfield.

Several key contributors to last season’s team are returning, headlined by star guard Boogie Ellis. USC also will have guard Collier, one of the top recruits in the current high school class.

Many recruiting observers wondered whether USC’s strong roster at guard would dissuade Bronny from staying in Los Angeles for college, perhaps steering him towards Oregon or to an alternative to college.

However, the son of the four-time NBA champion and league MVP, didn’t back down from the challenge of contributing to USC’s current surge to national prominence.

The younger James’ full name is LeBron James Jr, but he’s much better known by his family nickname. His younger brother, 15-year-old Bryce, is also an elite collegiate prospect at Sierra Canyon.