Los Angeles – According to a statement from the family spokesperson, NBA star LeBron James‘ eldest son, Bronny James, suffered a cardiac arrest during basketball practice at the University of Southern California (USC) and was admitted to the hospital on Monday.
The statement mentioned that he is currently out of the critical care unit and in stable condition.
“Bronny had a heart arrest yesterday while practicing. The medical team was able to treat Bronny James very away and take him to the hospital. He is no longer in the ICU because his condition has stabilized.
We ask for the James family’s respect and privacy and will tell the media as new information becomes available.
“LeBron James and Savannah extend their heartfelt thanks and deep appreciation to the medical team of USC’s athletic department for their outstanding efforts and unwavering commitment to safeguarding the well-being of their athletes.”
After just graduating from Sierra Canyon High School in Los Angeles, 18-year-old basketball prospect Bronny James was all prepared to join USC’s squad. Standing at 6 feet 3 inches, he was given a four-star recruitment rating and represented some of the best high school basketball players in the nation at the McDonald’s All-American Game in March.
During his final year of high school, he maintained an approximate scoring average of 14.1 points, while securing 5.6 rebounds, dishing out 2.4 assists, and recording 1.7 steals, leading the USC team to an impressive fourth consecutive appearance in the NC-AA tournament.
“Kid, we are incredibly proud of you!” After Bronny James committed to USC, his father “LeBron James” wrote on Instagram, “I love you, and there are no words besides that!!!”
At the age of 38, LeBron James is embarking on his remarkable 21st season in the NBA, marking his sixth season as a vital player for the Los Angeles Lakers. He has expressed his desire to play alongside Bronny in the NBA, who will be eligible for the NBA draft next year.
In the recent ESPY Awards, LeBron James stood on stage with his wife Savannah and children Bronny, Bryce, and Zhuri, whom he called “the biggest blessing in my life.”
Referring to his teenage sons, he said, “Tonight, I stand here proud as hell of these two guys right here. See, they’re on their own basketball journeys. And no matter how far they go, they won’t cheat the game. And that gives me inspiration.”
LeBron James’ Eldest Son “Bronny James” Cardiac Arrest During Basketball Practice:
Cardiac arrest occurs when the heart suddenly stops beating due to an electrical disturbance. If not treated immediately, it can be fatal, but according to the American Heart Association, CPR and defibrillation can reverse it.
Cardiac arrest in young athletes is rare but not unheard of. A study from 2011 found that sudden cardiac death was the leading cause of death among NCAA student-athletes, with approximately 9 cases per year between 2004 and 2008.
One of the most famous cases was Hank Gathers, a star forward for Loyola Marymount University, who collapsed during a conference tournament game in 1990 and passed away.
The NCAA formed a task force in 2016 to guide universities in creating an emergency action plan for sudden cardiac arrest.
The medical professionals at USC have recently dealt with similar occurrences, gaining valuable experience in handling such situations. In July last year, USC’s new forward, Wins Egbuka, suffered a cardiac arrest during summer workouts. In a video posted on Twitter earlier this year, Egbuka said that he felt dizzy during a water break in practice and collapsed.
USC’s statement highlighted that the adept athletic trainers, comprising John Yonamine, Erin Tillman, and Lauren Crawford, skillfully administered CPR and successfully resuscitated him. Egbuka recovered and finally made his debut in basketball six months later in January.
Head coach Andy En field praised the training staff in January, saying, “They do an amazing job, not just keeping our athletes healthy but also providing care when something happens, and they’re ready to respond immediately.”
In April, Egbuka said that his cardiac arrest was caused by commotio cordis, where a sudden impact to the chest disrupts the heart’s electrical rhythm and can lead to potentially fatal ventricular fibrillation.
It was perceived that his chest was hit by a helmet while tackling him.
He was cleared to return to football.
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