Bronny James has heart defect, but will return to court in ‘very near future’
LeBron James' son Bronny, who suffered a cardiac arrest during a basketball practice at USC in late July, has a "congenital heart defect,'' the family announced today, adding that they expect him to make a full recovery and return to basketball "in the very near future."
Bronny James, 18, collapsed on the floor at USC's Galen Center on July 24 and was taken to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where he was initially treated in intensive care. He was discharged from the hospital three days later.
In a statement Friday, the James family said that after comprehensive initial and follow-up exams, ``the probable cause of Mr. James' sudden cardiac arrest has been identified. It is an anatomically and functionally significant congenital heart defect which can and will be treated. We are very confident in Bronny's full recovery and return to basketball in the very near future.''
James is an incoming freshman on the USC basketball team.
There was no immediate elaboration on the meaning of "the very near future" and whether it would impact his participation with USC during the upcoming season.
Bronny James was spotted in public earlier this week for the first time since his cardiac arrest. He and his father walked out on stage with Drake during the rapper's concert at Crypto.com Arena on Monday in downtown Los Angeles. Bronny and LeBron then sat in the prime seats for the show, and Drake recognized them during his concert.
The younger James, a 6-foot-3 guard, played at Sierra Canyon High School in Chatsworth. He is considered one of the top freshman college players in the country, and a projected lottery pick in the 2024 NBA draft.
LeBron James has said he would like to remain in the NBA long enough to play alongside his son.
