About a month after NBA star LeBron James’ son Bronny suffered cardiac arrest during basketball practice, it is now apparently clear how the 18-year-old’s heart suddenly stopped beating.
As reported by Page Six, a spokesman said the “probable cause” of the cardiac arrest was an “anatomically and functionally significant congenital heart defect.” Bronny James was diagnosed following a comprehensive initial evaluation at Cedars Sinai Medical Center and follow-up evaluations at the Mayo Clinic.
Bronny James unexpectedly suffered a heart attack and subsequent cardiac arrest in late July 2023 while on regular practice for the University of Southern California. The college athlete was then treated in the intensive care unit at Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
The 18-year-old is the eldest son of LeBron James and his high school sweetheart Savannah James. The two have been married since 2013 and, in addition to Bronny, have another son and a daughter.
The family spokesman added that the condition “can and will be treated.” The 18-year-old’s family is “very confident” that he will “fully recover,” it said. A return to basketball “in the very near future” cannot be ruled out. “We will continue to keep the media informed and respectfully reiterate the family’s request for privacy,” the statement said.
A hopeful prognosis for the 18-year-old, who is well on his way to following in his famous father’s footsteps. After a successful high school basketball career, he decided to play and study college basketball at the University of Southern California. Several colleges had courted the young player. ESPN predicted in the spring that he could join the NBA as early as 2024.
