USC coach Andy Enfield says Bronny James is performing admirably and we simply need to exercise patience.

LOS ANGELES — Bronny James, the 18-year-old son of Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James, is doing well and attending classes after the highly regarded freshman guard went into cardiac arrest during a workout last month, Southern California basketball coach Andy Enfield said Monday.

“He is currently doing very well and attending class, which is a positive. We all have great affection for him,” Enfield expressed. “There is optimism that Bronny will come back to playing, but we need to exercise patience and approach it gradually.”

The James family released a statement Friday saying a congenital heart defect was the probable cause of James’ cardiac arrest. The statement said the heart defect can be treated and that the family is confident in James’ ability to make a full recovery and return to the court in the near future.

James was admitted to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and discharged three days later after falling ill on July 24th.

Enfield expressed his commitment to providing academic and athletic support to Bronny, while also emphasizing the importance of being patient as his progress unfolds.

James, a 6-foot-3 guard, committed to USC in May and bolstered what was already one of the nation’s top recruiting classes. He is the sixth McDonald’s All-American to join the program since Enfield became coach in 2013.

The Trojans acquired the fourth-best recruiting class in the country, which featured Isaiah Collier, the highest-rated guard.

Enfield stated that the approach towards James and his family was not distinct from that of other potential recruits.

“He is an exceptional basketball player and was performing exceptionally well (prior to the cardiac arrest). We believe that there is great potential in his game and that he can contribute to our team’s success,” Enfield expressed. “Although it was slightly later in the recruitment process and unique due to his background in a talented basketball family, it did not significantly alter our approach because we prioritize honesty and presented him with an opportunity that we believed he could seize here at USC. Throughout the recruitment process, his parents were outstanding and have continued to offer tremendous support.”

Enfield expressed satisfaction with the progress of his team during a recent journey to Europe, where they competed in matches held in Greece and Croatia.

Fifth-year senior guard Boogie Ellis has embraced the role of being a team co-captain while Collier and forward DJ Rodman, a graduate transfer from Washington State, got to mesh with new teammates in game situations.

Enfield commented that Collier is among the most impressive high school passers he has witnessed in recent times, while acknowledging Rodman’s offensive skills as a potential threat.

The player who made the biggest strides on the trip was junior guard Kobe Johnson, a co-captain who averaged 9.3 points last season.

Enfield stated that he is the most skilled defensive player in our league and has also made progress in his offensive abilities.

USC – which has made the last three NCAA Tournaments – will have a challenging nonconference schedule before starting its final campaign in the Pac-12. The Trojans open against Kansas State in Las Vegas on Nov. 6 and will play in a Thanksgiving week tournament in San Diego that includes Seton Hall, Iowa and Oklahoma. USC also has a road game against Auburn.