Update: LeBron James, Jr. was released from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles after he suffered a cardiac arrest on Monday.
In a statement, a hospital spokesperson said: “Thanks to the swift and effective response by the USC athletics’ medical staff, Bronny James was successfully treated for a sudden cardiac arrest.”
“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.”
The statement continued: “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.”
Earlier on Thursday, Bronny’s father, LeBron James issued a statement saying his family was together and healthy. He also thanked supporters for their prayers.
“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.”
He added: “Will have more to say when we’re ready but I wanted to tell everyone how much your support has meant to all of us! #JamesGang.”
Bronny collapsed when his heart stopped unexpectedly during basketball practice at USC’s Galen Center on Monday morning.
USC’s medical staff restored his heart rhythm and he was rushed to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Bronny is out of ICU and listed in stable condition, according to a family spokesperson on Tuesday.
“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. 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.”
LeBron, 38, had hoped to play with Bronny in the NBA before he retires.
“My last year will be played with my son. 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,” he said in a 2022 interview with The Athletic.
“I need to be on the floor with my boy, I got to be on the floor with Bronny,” LeBron told ESPN in January.
He dreamed of a Ken Griffey Sr. and Ken Griffey Jr. scenario with Bronny. “That would be ideal for sure,” LeBron said.
Doctors ran tests to determine if the cause of Bronny’s cardiac arrest was genetic (a heart defect from birth) or electrical (something interfering with the heart’s signal).
Cedars-Sinai cardiologist Dr. Ernst von Schwarz said people who survive a cardiac arrest will have to do certain measures to prevent it from happening again.
“If it’s a hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, those people often need medication,” he told OC Register. “They often need defibrillators implanted because it’s a lifelong condition, inherited, which cannot be cured. It can be dealt with, but the person has to deal with it lifelong and often times that can mean it’s over with competitive sports.”
Cardiologists compare Bronny’s cardiac arrest to former Loyola Marymount University basketball player Hank Gathers, who collapsed when his heart stopped during a game in 1989.
Hank was resuscitated and later diagnosed with exercise-induced ventricular tachycardia (rapid irregular heartbeat).
Hank returned to play later that same season but he collapsed again in March of 1990 and was pronounced dead at 23 years old.
Watch the video below.
