Five-star guard Bronny James commits to USC

The heir to King James’ throne is staying home in Los Angeles to continue his basketball career. Bronny James will join No. 1 overall recruit guard Isaiah Collier and four-star forward Arrinten Page in a loaded USC men’s basketball 2023 recruiting class.

After being one of the best-kept secrets in recruiting history, with not much being known about James’ recruitment until the past few months, Bronny James has committed to USC. James chose the Trojans over Oregon and Ohio State. He is the No. 21 overall recruit in the Class of 2023, according to the 247Sports composite rankings, and should have an instant impact for the Trojans.

James’ has an incredibly pro-style game for an 18-year-old. His best basketball ability by far, though, is his unselfishness. James moves fluidly without the ball and is a phenomenal off-ball player. James can go toe-to-toe with some of the best shooters in the country, as his catch-and-shoot ability is praised by NBA scouts. In the McDonald’s All-American game, he went 5-for-8 from three. If you watch the film, you can just tell that James will be a great shooting option on this Trojan team that at times could not get the lid off the basket from three.

Don’t get it twisted, though, he’s still the son of LeBron James. He is a strong finisher around the rim and has incredibly quick downhill speed. James is not as tall as his dad, standing at around 6-foot-3, but his athleticism is easily on par with anyone in the country. James is a projected top-10 pick in the 2024 NBA draft by ESPN, and my pro comparison for him is Jrue Holiday: a great on-ball defender, phenomenal off-ball player and second or third option on a championship-level team.

I’ll never forget when watching him play at the Les Schwab Invitational this past December. James had a chase down block where he seemingly came out of nowhere and floated above the rim to practically throw the ball into the crowd. It was absolutely ridiculous, and I imagine we will get a few vintage Bronny James chase-down blocks at Galen Center next year.

James will truly be a perfect fit for the Trojans for the upcoming season. After losing a trio of players to the transfer portal, USC needed to add some guard depth. With the addition of five-stars of Collier and James to go along with returning senior Boogie Ellis, this Trojan backcourt is looking incredibly promising.

Collier is described as the best shot creator in the Class of 2023, so James’ fantastic off-ball scoring ability and unselfishness will make these two a fantastic tandem. Then add in Ellis, the All-Pac-12guard who averaged 17.7 points last season, and it is not unfair of me to say this Trojan backcourt may be the best in the nation. I truly don’t think there is a backcourt with as much depth as USC’s.

James’ commitment could have one more ripple effect on the Trojans. The No. 2 overall recruit in the Class of 2023, Ron Holland, recently decommitted from Texas. I believe USC to be a dark horse in Holland’s recruitment, as the Trojans are in need of one more great wing for their roster. I just know that Collier and James are most certainly trying to recruit Holland to come play for the Trojans next year. I’m not saying Holland will come to USC; however, watch for the Trojans in his recruitment, as the deadline for National Signing Day is May 17.

James will bring a crowd like no other college basketball player next year, so a word of advice for my fellow Trojan students when going to USC basketball games: get there at least one to two hours in advance to get decent seats — Galen Center is not huge.

This USC roster is loaded with talent, and I truly cannot wait for next year’s college basketball season.