What Happened to Bronny James? From Cardiac Arrest to NBA Rookie Resilience
By Edcel Panganiban September 29, 2025 11:54
Bronny James, the 20-year-old son of NBA legend LeBron James, has been one of the most watched young athletes in basketball. Born LeBron Raymone "Bronny" James Jr. on October 6, 2004, in Cleveland, Ohio, he first turned heads as a high school phenom at Sierra Canyon School in Chatsworth, California, where he played alongside future pros like Zaire Williams. But in July 2023, Bronny's promising career hit a terrifying roadblock: a sudden cardiac arrest during a USC workout that nearly derailed everything. Two years later, as of September 2025, Bronny is thriving as a rookie with the Los Angeles Lakers, though the incident's lingering effects remind him of his hard-fought journey. Here's a timeline of what happened—and where he stands now.
The Shocking Incident: Cardiac Arrest at USC (July 2023)
On July 24, 2023, just weeks after enrolling as a freshman at the University of Southern California (USC), Bronny collapsed during an open workout at the Galen Center. The 18-year-old was midway through drills when he suffered sudden cardiac arrest—his heart stopped beating unexpectedly, causing him to lose consciousness. Trainers and staff sprang into action, performing CPR and using an automated external defibrillator (AED) to revive him on the spot. He was rushed to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, where he spent time in the intensive care unit (ICU).
The James family released a statement the next day, confirming the scare but noting Bronny was "now in stable condition and is heading in the right direction." LeBron, then a Lakers star, stepped away from Team USA's FIBA World Cup preparations to be by his son's side, later calling the USC athletic staff "lifesavers" in a Netflix docuseries. The event echoed a similar tragedy at USC the previous year, when freshman center Vince Iwuchukwu suffered cardiac arrest during practice and later returned to play. Bronny's collapse sent shockwaves through the sports world, with figures like Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin—who survived his own on-field cardiac arrest—offering public prayers.
Diagnosis and Treatment: A Congenital Heart Defect Revealed
Initial tests at Cedars-Sinai pointed to a deeper issue. By August 25, 2023, after evaluations at the Mayo Clinic and Atlantic Health-Morristown Medical Center, doctors diagnosed Bronny with a congenital heart defect—a structural abnormality present from birth that can lead to sudden cardiac events, especially under physical stress. The specific defect was described as "anatomically and functionally significant," but treatable through surgery and ongoing management.
The family expressed confidence in his recovery, stating, "We are very confident in Bronny’s full recovery and return to basketball in the very near future." Bronny underwent successful surgery shortly after the diagnosis, which addressed the defect and allowed for his clearance to resume full basketball activities by November 2023. Experts from the American Heart Association emphasized the rarity of such events in young athletes—about 2 in 100,000 annually—but highlighted the critical role of immediate response, like the AED use that saved his life.
The Road Back: College Comeback and Draft Dreams (2023–2024)
Cleared just four months after the incident, Bronny made his USC debut on December 10, 2023, against Long Beach State, earning a standing ovation from the crowd. Though his stats were modest—averaging 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists over 25 games in a limited role—his return symbolized triumph over adversity. LeBron attended nearly every game, and the father-son duo's courtside moments went viral, fueling speculation about their shared NBA future.
Despite the challenges, Bronny declared for the 2024 NBA Draft, forgoing his remaining college eligibility. His draft stock was affected by the health scare and USC performance, but the Lakers selected him 55th overall in the second round—fulfilling LeBron's dream of playing with his son. "I love you, man," LeBron said on stage, hugging Bronny as confetti fell.
NBA Life: Historic Debut and Ongoing Challenges (2024–2025)
Bronny's NBA journey began with the Lakers' Summer League team in July 2024, where he impressed with 16 points in his debut against the Clippers. On October 22, 2024, history was made: Bronny and LeBron became the first father-son duo to play together in an NBA game during a preseason matchup against the Timberwolves. His regular-season debut came on October 30, 2024, against the Timberwolves, where he scored four points in six minutes off the bench.
The 2024-25 season saw Bronny split time between the Lakers and their G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers, honing his skills as a 6-foot-2 combo guard known for his defense and three-point shooting. By mid-season, he earned more rotation minutes, contributing to the Lakers' playoff push. As of September 2025, entering his second NBA season, Bronny has appeared in over 40 games, averaging around 3.5 points per game—solid for a late-round pick still adjusting to the pros.
But the cardiac arrest's shadow lingers. In an August 2025 Fox News interview, Bronny revealed the event "messed with my immune system," making him more susceptible to illnesses and complicating conditioning. "It's something I deal with daily," he said, crediting a regimen of meds, monitoring, and mental health support for keeping him on track. LeBron has been vocal about destigmatizing heart health in athletes, partnering with the AHA for awareness campaigns.
Legacy and Looking Ahead: More Than Survival
What happened to Bronny James wasn't just a medical emergency—it was a catalyst for broader conversations on athlete safety, genetic screening, and mental resilience. From blacking out mid-drill to sharing the court with his dad, Bronny's story is one of grit, echoing his father's Hall of Fame ethos. Off the court, he's building his brand with endorsements from Nike and Beats by Dre, while advocating for AED access in schools.
As the 2025-26 season looms, Bronny eyes a bigger role with the Lakers, perhaps even alongside LeBron in meaningful minutes. "I'm just getting started," he told Men's Health in October 2024. Two years post-arrest, Bronny James isn't defined by what happened to him—he's defined by what he's doing next.
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