EXCLUSIVE: LeBron James believes Bronny's clearance to return to basketball after his cardiac arrest is 'the best Christmas gift the family could ask for'... and his dream of playing against his son i

LeBron James 's hopes of playing in the NBA with his eldest son Bronny received a promising boost Thursday after the 19-year-old was cleared for a return to the court as a source revealed it is still a 'major goal' for the family

Bronny was cleared for a full return to basketball by doctors Thursday, four months on from suffering cardiac arrest during a training session with USC.

The youngster has not played since being rushed to hospital on July 25 but a statement from the James family revealed that Bronny could be back playing for the Trojans soon after returning to practice next week.

And a source revealed to DailyMail.com that LeBron and wife Savannah 'wholeheartedly' believe their son will be back on the hardwood this year.

'LeBron wasn't sugarcoating any of his words on Bronny's basketball future, he was being truthful, no wishful thinking, the family is determined and believes, for a lack of a better word wholeheartedly that Bronny will play this year for USC and get back on the court and get to a point where he can announce himself for a future NBA Draft,' they exclusively told DailyMail.com.

It is still a 'major goal' for LeBron James (left) to play in the NBA with son Bronny (right)

Bronny was cleared for a full return to basketball Thursday after cardiac arrest in July

'They have only heard great things from his doctors. The plan is to have his health episode be just that, a moment in time that was serious but can be a moment where everyone can move on from and he can have a successful career in basketball and life.

'The dream that LeBron and Bronny anticipate making a reality is to either play together or against each other in the NBA. That is still a major goal for them both.'

The Lakers superstar was naturally left elated at the news as it arrived as an early Christmas present for the entire family.

'Lebron and the entire family are elated that Bronny is going to start playing for USC in the next couple of weeks,' the source added.

'It is something that Bronny has been hoping for all along and now that it is getting closer to a reality, this is the best Christmas gift that the family could ever ask for, and Bronny looks forward to making a spectacular stamp on the basketball court to get ready for his continued dreams in the NBA.

'Everything is working out and Bronny is looking forward to meeting and exceeding all expectations people have put on him and that he puts on himself.'

Bronny has slowly been taking steps towards a return over the past four months, beginning with some individual work before games before participating in a warm up with his teammates.

After Bronny's first warmup with the Trojans, USC coach Andy Enfield: 'It was great. He went through warmups with the team. He's a big part of our program and our team. He's a terrific teammate.

The news arrived as an early Christmas present for the entire James family, a source revealed

James participated in a warmup with his USC teammates for the first time earlier this month

'We look forward to hopefully one day getting him back on the court but when that day is, that's not my decision. We're going to patient and go through the process.'

Despite being unable to play, the youngster has been cheering on his collegiate teammates from the bench at every single one of their games this year.

The Trojans are currently 4th in the Pac-12, going 5-2 after a 106-78 win over the Eastern Washington Eagles Wednesday night.

The Trojans (5-2) play No. 11 Gonzaga in Las Vegas on Saturday. Their next home game is December 10 against Long Beach State.