LeBron’s son Bronny James commits to play basketball at USC

LOS ANGELES(AP) — LeBron James’ oldest son, Bronny, says he will playbasketball at the University of Southern California in thefall.

Bronny Jamesabruptly announced his much-anticipated decision on social mediaSaturday, about two hours before his father’s Los Angeles Lakershosted the Golden State Warriors in Game 3 of their second-roundplayoff series.

The18-year-old James was a McDonald’s All-American just like hisfather, but he was among the few uncommitted elite high schoolbasketball prospects heading toward the summer. The namesake son ofthe top scorer in NBA history played at Sierra Canyon School, whichis known for educating scions of the sports and entertainmentindustries in Chatsworth, an outer suburban neighborhood of LosAngeles.

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

BRONNY JAMES HAS COMMITTED TO USC 🚨 @0BronnyJamespic.twitter.com/JVTdFzycn6

James and hisSierra Canyon team played at the arena last January, beating a teamfrom Georgia’s Wheeler High School led by elite recruit IsaiahCollier — who is now James’ teammate at USC.

Afterchoosing to stay close to home for college, the 6-foot-3 guard willjoin an already loaded Trojans roster coming off the school’s thirdstraight NCAA Tournament appearance under coach Andy Enfield.

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

Manyrecruiting observers wondered whether USC’s strong roster at guardwould dissuade Bronny James from staying in Los Angeles forcollege, perhaps steering him toward Oregon or to an alternative tocollege. Instead, the son of the four-time NBA champion and leagueMVP didn’t back down from the challenge of contributing to USC’scurrent surge to national prominence.

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

LeBron Jameshas been an active, supportive parent for his sons’ basketballdreams. He also has frequently mentioned his desire to play in theNBA alongside Bronny, even though the logistics of such a dreamwould be daunting.

Last month,James spent the Saturday between the Lakers’ 81st and 82nd games ofthe regular season flying back and forth to Portland. James madethe one-day trip with his mother, his wife and kids Bryce and Zhurito watch Bronny play in the Nike Hoop Summit for Team USA.

The finalgame of Bronny’s high school career was important enough to driveJames through the weariness of an NBA season and onto a plane forthe lengthy trek back and forth

“I wasn’tgoing to miss it,” James said. “I understand how importantfatherhood is, just coming from a no-father household. ... Wealways try to support each other in all our endeavors. I’m only asgood as my family.”