Bronny James, LeBron James‘ eldest son, suffered cardiac arrest during a workout at the University of Southern California on Monday, The Athletic reports.
In a statement provided to the outlet Tuesday morning, a spokesperson for the James family said the 18-year-old freshman basketball player was treated in the intensive care unit before being released to general care.
“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 began.
“We ask for respect and privacy for the James family and we will update media when there is more information.”
The statement concluded with LeBron and his wife Savannah thanking USC medical and athletic staff for their “incredible work and dedication” to the safety of their athletes.
Bronny had recently committed to play basketball at USC and it’s been expected that he’ll follow his dad’s footsteps to the NBA. He is easily one of the most hyped up-and-coming players.
He announced in May that he would play college basketball for the Trojans, whose campus is less than two miles from the downtown arena of the Lakers. USC’s basketball team is holding offseason practices in preparation for a two-week European tour next month
LeBron, 38, has previously said he’d like to play alongside his son. Last year the LA Laker said he’d “do whatever it takes” to play with Bronny for one year.
“My last year will be with my son. Wherever Bronny’s at, that’s where I’ll be,” he told The Athletic at the time.
“It’s not about the money at that point.”
Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin, who suffered cardiac arrest during an NFL game last season, tweeted his support: “Prayers to Bronny & The James Family as well (prayer emoji) here for you guys just like you have been for me my entire process.”
Bronny, whose name is LeBron James Jr., was one of the top college prospects in the country last season as a star guard at Sierra Canyon School in suburban Chatsworth. His younger brother, 16-year-old Bryce, played at Sierra Canyon last season before transferring to Campbell Hall School in Studio City for the upcoming high school season.
Bronny James was stricken just over a year after USC freshman 7-footer Vincent Iwuchukwu collapsed during a practice, but he survived and returned to play for the Trojans in the second half of the season.
Iwuchukwu, one of the nation’s top college basketball prospects a year ago, went into cardiac arrest on July 1, 2022, with athletic trainers using an automated external defibrillator to revive him. Iwuchukwu had a battery-powered pulse generator known as an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator implanted in his chest, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Iwuchukwu made his Trojans debut Jan. 12 and eventually appeared in 14 games, including five starts. He will return this season to USC, which is expected to have a powerhouse team.
— with files from The Associated Press
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