(Scypre.com) – LeBron James Jr., commonly known as Bronny and the son of NBA superstar LeBron James, faced a medical emergency when he experienced cardiac arrest during a practice session at the University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles.
He was promptly rushed to the hospital and received intensive care, according to an official statement from LeBron James and his wife, Savannah. Fortunately, Bronny’s condition has now stabilized, and he is no longer in the ICU.
In their statement, LeBron and Savannah expressed their heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated medical and athletic staff at USC for their exceptional efforts in ensuring the safety of their athletes.
The incident prompted a response from the Los Angeles Fire Department, which received a medical aid call at 9:26 a.m. at the Galen Center athletic facility on Figueroa Street, USC’s address. However, they did not disclose the identity of the individual in need of medical assistance due to federal policy restrictions.
Bronny James, aged 18, is set to begin his freshman year at USC in the upcoming fall semester. He is the eldest of LeBron James’s three children and had previously been a highly sought-after four-star recruit, ultimately choosing USC over Oregon and Ohio State.
Before this incident, the USC men’s basketball program had plans for a 10-day exhibition trip to Greece and Croatia, starting on August 5th, as announced in May. It remains uncertain whether this trip will proceed or if James will be part of it.
It is essential to clarify that cardiac arrest, a condition where the heart stops beating, differs from a heart attack, which occurs when an artery supplying blood to the heart becomes blocked. Cardiac arrest is a severe medical emergency, with over 300,000 cases occurring outside of hospitals annually.
Survival rates for cardiac arrest are influenced by immediate interventions. Bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) can increase survival to just 11.2 percent, while prompt defibrillation can raise it to 41 percent. The specific treatment received by Bronny James remains undisclosed.
When a person experiences cardiac arrest and goes without CPR for four to six minutes, brain damage becomes likely, and after ten minutes, brain death can occur. Only 8 percent of cardiac arrest survivors emerge with a good neurological outcome.
USC has had prior experience handling cardiac emergencies, as seen with the case of Vincent Iwuchukwu, an incoming freshman who suffered a cardiac arrest during a workout at the Galen Center last summer but returned to play for the Trojans later. Additionally, Keyontae Johnson, a standout player at Florida, experienced cardiac arrest during a game in 2020 but made a remarkable recovery.
The news of Bronny James’s cardiac arrest has prompted an outpouring of support from the sports community, including Damar Hamlin, who suffered a similar incident during a nationally televised football game and is now working towards resuming his career with the Buffalo Bills.
Montrice Wright, the mother of Kijani Wright, a freshman forward with the Trojans, expressed concern for the well-being of her son and the entire team in the wake of this second cardiac incident in just over a year, emphasizing the demanding nature of student-athletes’ schedules.
Recent updates have shed light on the probable cause of Bronny James’ sudden cardiac arrest. Medical evaluations conducted by specialists at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, the Mayo Clinic, and Atlantic Health/Morristown Medical Center have identified a significant Congenital Heart Defect, which can and will be treated. The James family spokesperson has expressed confidence in Bronny’s complete recovery and his return to basketball in the near future. They have also requested privacy during this time.
Bronny James committed to USC in May, choosing the Trojans over Ohio State and Oregon. As the 33rd-ranked player in his class, he earned the distinction of being a McDonald’s All-American. Eligible for the 2024 NBA Draft, Bronny’s basketball journey has garnered interest, with his father, LeBron James, expressing his desire to potentially team up with him in the professional league.