Bronny James’ extremely frightening medical emergency had the sports world and beyond shaken up this week. After suffering a cardiac arrest during some of his first college basketball workouts, the 18-year-old heir to the James throne has been discharged from the hospital. All the latest updates inside.
Bronny James, the 19th ranked and most visible college basketball player in the country, arrived last month for his freshman year at USC, with the team set to leave next week for an exhibition tour in Croatia and Greece. But his first practices have been frighteningly halted by a medical emergency.
On Tuesday, a statement from the James family revealed Bronny suffered a cardiac arrest the previous day while at practice on campus at the Galen Center. Thankfully, he was not alone and USC medical staff rushed into immediate action, likely saving his life.
The eldest son of LeBron James was moved from ICU on Tuesday, and now has been discharged as of Thursday evening. The 9-1-1 call, made by someone on the scene just after 9AM Monday morning, is just as haunting as you would expect. The caller immediately urged, “Get an ambulance here now!”
While the caller did say there was no doctor or registered nurse on the scene to perform CPR, it appears the EMTs arrived with the quickness. Bronny had lost consciousness, but the medical staff at Cedars Sinai say he was alert by the time he was brought in.
Bronny’s consulting cardiologist told media yesterday:
“Thanks to the swift and effective response by the USC athletics’ medical staff, Bronny James was successfully treated for a sudden cardiac arrest,” Merije Chukumerije, the consulting cardiologist for James, said in a statement through Cedars-Sinai that was released on Thursday. “He arrived at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center fully conscious, neurologically intact and stable. Mr. James was cared for promptly by highly-trained staff and has been discharged home, where he is resting.
“Although his workup will be ongoing, we are hopeful for his continued progress and are encouraged by his response, resilience, and his family and community support.”
LeBron, as any father would be, is thankful for the outpouring of love from friends and fans. He spoke for the first time since Bronny was discharged saying:
I want to thank the countless people sending my family love and prayers. We feel you and I’m so grateful. Everyone doing great. We have our family together, safe and healthy, and we feel your love. Will have more to say when we’re ready but I wanted to tell everyone how much your…
— LeBron James (@KingJames) July 27, 2023
He also shared a sweet family pic from the recent ESPYs where his family presented him with an award for breaking the NBA’s all-time scoring record:
Buffalo Bills baller Damar Hamlin posted a heartfelt message for the James family, having suffered a very similar frightening incident himself recently that he is still recovering from:
Prayers to Bronny & The James family as well. here for you guys just like you have been for me my entire process.
— (@HamlinIsland) July 25, 2023
As you’ll recall, Damar suffered a cardiac arrest back in January during a contentious wild card game against the Cincinnati Bengals. He has made it known that swift action from on field medical staff likely saved his life.
As for what caused this sudden cardiac arrest, it has not been publicly revealed yet. A cardiologist has spoken to ABC News about what has often caused this issue in young, healthy athletes:
We sincerely wish Bronny a speedy recovery and good health. Our thoughts and hearts go out to the entire James family, his teammates and loved ones.
Photo: Associated Press
