Bronny James, the eldest son of NBA legend LeBron James, was admitted to the hospital in a stable condition on Tuesday. This came a day after he experienced a cardiac arrest during a practice session at the University of Southern California. According to a family representative, immediate medical attention was provided to the 18-year-old James at USC’s Galen Center when the incident occurred on Monday morning. He was later taken to a hospital, and as of Tuesday, he was reported to be in stable condition after being moved out of the intensive care unit.
The family spokesman made a plea for respect and privacy for the James family, stating that they will provide further updates to the media as more information becomes available. LeBron and his wife, Savannah, expressed their profound gratitude to the USC medical and athletic staff for their exceptional efforts and commitment to the well-being of their athletes.
In response to a request for comment or further information, USC spokesman Jeremy Pepper declined, citing concerns regarding student privacy. Additionally, The Associated Press reached out to the Los Angeles County Fire Department for comment but had not received a response at the time of reporting.
On Tuesday, a representative for USC, stationed outside the Galen Center, stated that the school would not conduct a briefing or release a statement regarding Bronny James’ health scare.
In May, Bronny James had publicly declared his decision to pursue college basketball with the Trojans, whose campus is conveniently located less than two miles away from the downtown arena where his father, LeBron James, plays for the Los Angeles Lakers. Currently, USC’s basketball team is engaged in offseason practices, preparing for an upcoming two-week European tour scheduled for the following month.
Despite being the son of the NBA’s all-time leading scorer and a four-time champion, Bronny James has proven himself to be an outstanding talent in his own right. Prior to choosing USC, he had established his reputation as one of the nation’s most highly regarded point guard recruits, making his commitment to the Trojans during the late stages of the recruiting cycle.
Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin, who experienced cardiac arrest during an NFL game last season, expressed his support for Bronny James and the James family on Twitter, sending prayers and letting them know that he is there for them, just as they were for him during his own recovery process.
Numerous sports figures from around the world also sent messages of encouragement. NBA stars like Jayson Tatum, Trae Young, and Donovan Mitchell tweeted prayers for James, and former Lakers forward Metta Sandiford-Artest wished for his quick recovery and comeback, praising him as a great kid.
Notably, Bronny James’ health scare occurred a little over a year after USC freshman Vincent Iwuchukwu, who stands 7 feet tall, collapsed during a practice. Fortunately, Iwuchukwu survived and even made a successful return to play for the Trojans in the latter half of the season.
While not involved in Bronny James’ treatment, Dr. Sameer Amin, a cardiologist and the chief medical officer at L.A. Care Health Plan, commented on the positive development of the teenager moving out of intensive care. The fact that he didn’t sustain significant brain or heart damage after his heart stopped is seen as a promising sign, especially given the quick response in restarting his heart. Amin mentioned that young people tend to bounce back faster from such incidents, but it is too early to speculate on whether Bronny can return to basketball and how long it might take for him to do so.
Dr. Sameer Amin, a cardiologist and the chief medical officer at L.A. Care Health Plan, explained that the outcome of a cardiac event like the one Bronny James experienced can vary depending on its cause. If it resulted from an unusual blow to the chest, similar to Damar Hamlin’s case, there is a higher chance of a positive outcome since such events are rare and atypical. However, if there is an underlying genetic or electrical issue, the road to recovery and return to sports can be more challenging.
Despite his young age, Bronny James already holds significant name, image, and likeness valuation in the sports industry, estimated at $6.3 million by On3.com. His family fame and massive social media following contribute to his prominent status.
LeBron James, Bronny’s father, has expressed his desire to play alongside his son in the NBA for a season. As for LeBron, he has confirmed his intention to play his 21st NBA season with the Los Angeles Lakers in the upcoming fall season.
Bronny’s decision to choose USC, remaining close to home, was a significant victory for the university. USC’s basketball team is expected to be highly competitive in the upcoming season, especially after making their third consecutive appearance in the NCAA Tournament last March.
Before his health scare, Bronny James was among the top college basketball prospects in the country. He gained recognition for his exceptional skills as a two-way guard while playing for Sierra Canyon School in suburban Chatsworth. Meanwhile, his younger brother, Bryce, also showcased his talent at Sierra Canyon before transferring to Campbell Hall School in Studio City for the upcoming high school season.
Regarding Vincent Iwuchukwu, another top college basketball prospect, he experienced cardiac arrest on July 1, 2022. Athletic trainers used an automated external defibrillator to revive him. Following the incident, Iwuchukwu had an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) implanted in his chest, as reported by the Los Angeles Times.
Vincent Iwuchukwu made his debut for the USC Trojans on January 12, and over the course of the season, he participated in 14 games, with five of them as a starter. Despite facing the challenge of his cardiac arrest earlier, he showed remarkable resilience and determination to return to the court and contribute to the team.
Looking ahead, Iwuchukwu is set to continue playing for USC in the upcoming season. With his return and the addition of other talented players, USC is anticipated to have a formidable team, making them a strong contender in college basketball.
