Bronny James, the son of NBA superstar LeBron James, had a cardiac arrest during basketball practice at the University of Southern California (USC) and was taken to the hospital on Monday, per a family spokesperson’s statement.
During a basketball practice at USC, Bronny James, the son of LeBron James, experienced a cardiac arrest.
Fortunately, he is now out of the intensive care unit and in stable condition, according to the statement. The James family requests privacy during this time and expresses their gratitude to the USC medical and athletic staff for their exceptional care and dedication to the safety of their athletes.
Bronny, 18, recently graduated from Sierra Canyon High School in Los Angeles and is set to begin his freshman year at USC, where he is joining their basketball team. He is a talented 6-foot-3 combo guard and was highly rated as a four-star recruit. His father, LeBron James, expressed his pride and love for his son when Bronny committed to attending USC, and LeBron has even mentioned his desire to play in the NBA alongside his son during his final season.
Cardiac arrest is a severe condition caused by electrical disturbances in the heart, leading to a sudden stop in its beating. Immediate treatment, such as CPR and defibrillation, is crucial in saving lives during such incidents. USC’s medical staff had dealt with a similar case before when their freshman forward Vince Iwuchukwu experienced a cardiac arrest during a summer workout. Thankfully, Iwuchukwu recovered and made his basketball debut after several months of rehabilitation and care.
Cardiac arrests can be life-threatening if not addressed promptly, and they can happen outside of hospitals with significant frequency. The incident with Bronny highlights the importance of immediate medical attention and the necessity of having well-trained medical staff at sporting events.
In light of this incident, athletes from various sports have extended their thoughts and prayers to Bronny and the James family, showing solidarity and support during this challenging time.