LOS ANGELES (AFP) – Bronny James, the eldest son of NBA superstar LeBron James, is in a stable condition after suffering a cardiac arrest during a practice with his college basketball team, the James family said yesterday.
Bronny James, 18, collapsed on court while training with his University of Southern California (USC) team-mates on Tuesday in Los Angeles.
“On Tuesday while practicing Bronny James suffered a cardiac arrest,” a spokesperson for the James family said in a statement to AFP.
“Medical staff was able to treat Bronny and take him to the hospital. He is now in stable condition and no longer in ICU (intensive care).
“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.”
The TMZ.com celebrity news website reported that James was unconscious before being rushed to hospital following the cardiac incident. According to the American Heart Association, only about one in 10 people survive an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, which occurs when the heart stops abruptly with little or no warning.
James’ cardiac arrest came just over a year after another USC basketball player, Vince Iwuchukwu, suffered heart failure and collapsed during an informal practice. Iwuchukwu subsequently made a full recovery.
The James family meanwhile were given words of support from NFL player Damar Hamlin, who suffered a cardiac arrest while playing for the Buffalo Bills in January in an incident that shocked the sports world.
“Prayers to Bronny & the James family as well,” Hamlin wrote on Twitter.
