According to a family representative, Bronny James, the son of NBA star LeBron James, suffered a heart arrest during basketball practice at the University of Southern California on Monday and was hospitalized.
He is out of the intensive care unit and in stable condition, the statement said.
“Yesterday while practicing Bronny James suffered a cardiac arrest. Medical staff was able to treat Bronny and take him to the hospital. He is now in stable condition and no longer in ICU,” the statement said.
“We ask for respect and privacy for the James family and we will update media when there is more information.
“LeBron and Savannah wish to publicly send their deepest thanks and appreciation to the USC medical and athletic staff for their incredible work and dedication to the safety of their athletes.”
Bronny, 18, is an incoming freshman for the University of Southern California basketball team after graduating from Sierra Canyon High School in Los Angeles this spring. The 6-foot-3 combo guard was a four-star prospect who shone in the McDonald’s All-American Game in March, which featured some of the best high school basketball players in the country.
His senior year, he averaged 14.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.7 steals, and he joined a USC team that was looking to make the NCAA Tournament for the fourth time in a row.
“So damn proud of you kid!” his father wrote on Instagram after Bronny committed to attend USC. “I have no words besides I LOVE YOU!!!”
James, 38, will play in his 21st NBA season and sixth with the Los Angeles Lakers. One of his final dreams, according to the four-time NBA champion and four-time MVP, is to play in the NBA with his kid.
“My last year will be played with my son,” James told the Athletic in 2022. “Wherever Bronny is at, that’s where I’ll be. I would do whatever it takes to play with my son for one year. It’s not about the money at that point.”
Cardiac arrest happens when electrical abnormalities force the heart to cease beating suddenly. It can be fatal if not treated immediately, but it can be reversed with CPR and defibrillator shocks, according to the American Heart Association. According to the American Heart Association, more than 350,000 cardiac arrests occur outside of hospitals in the United States each year.
The medical staff at USC has recently dealt with a similar event. During a summer session last July, USC freshman forward Vince Iwuchukwu experienced a heart arrest. Iwuchukwu said in a video posted to Twitter earlier this year that he felt dizzy during a practice water break and suddenly fainted.
According to USC, athletic trainers Jon Yonamine, Erin Tillman, and Lauren Crawford performed CPR on him and shocked him back to life. Iwuchukwu recovered and made his NBA debut in January, more than six months later.
Head coach Andy Enfield praised the training staff in January.
“They really do an amazing job, not only keeping our players healthy, but when something happens, they do therapy, and when something serious happens like in Vince’s case, they’re ready to respond immediately.”
Last year, Damar Hamlin of the NFL’s Buffalo Bills suffered a cardiac arrest in the middle of a “Monday Night Football” game and was hospitalized for over a week.
“Prayers to Bronny & The James family as well,” Hamlin wrote on Twitter on Tuesday. “Here for you guys just like you have been for me my entire process.”