Does Bronny James make the USC Trojans Pac-12 favorites?
Bronny James may not start for the USC Trojans next season, but his addition makes them Pac-12 basketball favorites in 2023-24.
LOS ANGELES — Bronny James, the top unattached player in the class of 2023 and the son of NBA superstar LeBron James, has officially declared his commitment to Andy Enfield and the USC Trojans for the 2023-24 season.
USC was one of a few schools long considered to land James, a list that included Oregon, Memphis and, of course, the state of Ohio near where Bronny grew up.
Now he’ll stay in Southern California and have a chance to play alongside veteran guard Boogie Ellis (17.7 points per game last year) and new guard Isaiah Collier, a top-five prospect in the Class of 2023.
Banned on college basketball Hosts Andy Patton and Isaac Schade debate whether adding James to an already excellent backcourt is enough to make this team the preseason Pac-12 favorites.
“I think the talk for the Pac-12 remains the big three in UCLA, in Arizona and in USC.” Patton said. “I think USC has gotten a lot closer to that conversation.”
James has been rattling lists of potential candidates after a stellar senior season in Sierra Canyon, and despite making a top 20 finish in the class of 2023, he is expected to come off the bench for Enfield and the Trojans next year will jump.
Ellis and Collier are the suspected starters, but James should fill a valuable role for a team that has also placed four-star center Arrinten Page in by far the strongest recruiting class in program history.
Can the Trojans take over the Pac-12 from proven programs like UCLA and Arizona? Hard to say at this point since the Wildcats aren’t done expanding their roster even after snapping Jaden Bradley from Alabama, and the Bruins are awaiting decisions from Jaylen Clark and Adem Bona who will expand their roster next season will be affected dramatically.
One thing is for sure: USC will be a must-watch next season in Bronny’s only season in college basketball. You tip in Vegas on November 6th.
