Bronny James’ cardiac arrest likely caused by heart defect, doctors say

After the shocking news of a mid-practice cardiac arrest thrust Bronny James’ basketball future in doubt, the path forward for the USC freshman appears clearer.

According to a statement from a James family spokesperson Friday afternoon, as identified by an initial evaluation at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and follow-ups at the Mayo Clinic, James’ heart attack was likely caused by an “anatomically and functionally significant Congenital Heart Defect,” the statement read.

“We are very confident in Bronny’s full recovery and return to basketball in the very near future,” the statement read.

The basketball world was set astorm with late July reports that highly touted Trojans freshman James, the son of Lakers star LeBron James, had collapsed on the court during a USC basketball practice. He was in the intensive care unit at Cedars-Sinai for just a day, per the spokesperson, and has since been seen playing the piano in a post from LeBron and recently walked out with Drake at a recent concert by the rapper in L.A.

According to the Mayo Clinic, there’s no known cause for most types of congenital heart defects, although some might be genetic, and the condition requires lifelong medical care. Fellow Trojan Vincent Iwuchukwu suffered cardiac arrest at a summer workout in July 2022 – with the cause unknown – and recovered within six months to return to the court with the help of a heart monitor.

James was a McDonald’s All-American during his senior year at Sierra Canyon High, and part of a fresh group of Trojans expected to make an immediate impact in Coach Andy Enfield’s system at USC. If Friday’s news is any indication, he might yet see the court during his freshman season.