Bronny James’ cardiac arrest caused by congenital heart defect
Bronny James, LeBron James Bronny James #0 of the Sierra Canyon Trailblazers is greeted by his father and NBA player LeBron James after defeating the the Perry Pumas in the Hoophall West tournament at Footprint Center on December 11, 2021 in Phoenix. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images, File)
By Jessica Goodman, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
LOS ANGELES — A family spokesperson Friday said that the cause of Bronny James’ cardiac arrest in July was due to a congenital heart defect.
Medical evaluations at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, the Mayo Clinic and Morristown Medical Center have determined that the “probable cause” of Bronny James’ cardiac arrest was due to an “anatomically and functionally significant congenital heart defect which can and will be treated,” the spokesperson said in a statement obtained by CBS News.
The spokesperson said that the family is confident he will fully recover and “return to basketball in the very near future,” ESPN reported.
Bronny James, 18, son of Los Angeles Lakers’ star LeBron James, went into cardiac arrest during a workout on July 24, according to The Associated Press. He was released three days later.
Bronny James committed to the University of Southern California back in May, the AP reported.
He did not join the USC Trojans when they went abroad to Europe this month, according to the AP.
He was projected to be a first-round pick next summer during the NBA draft with hopes of playing with his father, ESPN reported.
Bronny James is the second USC basketball recruit who has gone into cardiac arrest within the last year. According to ESPN, Vincent Iwuchuwku collapsed during a workout last summer due to a heart ailment.
Through the years DALLAS - FEBRUARY 12: (L-R) LeBron James Jr. and NBA player LeBron James shoot the ball during the NBA All-Star celebrity game presented by Final Fantasy XIII held at the Dallas Convention Center on February 12, 2010 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images) (Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
Through the years DALLAS - FEBRUARY 12: (L-R) LeBron James Jr., Bryce James, and NBA player LeBron James shoot the ball during the NBA All-Star celebrity game presented by Final Fantasy XIII held at the Dallas Convention Center on February 12, 2010 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images) (Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
Through the years LAS VEGAS, NV - AUGUST 12: LeBron James Jr., son of LeBron James #27 of the 2015 USA Basketball Men's National Team, shoots during a practice session at the Mendenhall Center on August 12, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Through the years LAS VEGAS, NV - AUGUST 12: (L-R) LeBron James #27 of the 2015 USA Basketball Men's National Team and his sons Bryce James and LeBron James Jr. attend a practice session at the Mendenhall Center on August 12, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Through the years LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 18: (L-R) LeBron James Jr., LeBron James #23, Zhuri James and Bryce Maximus James pose for a photo with the All-Star Game MVP trophy during the NBA All-Star Game 2018 at Staples Center on February 18, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) (Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
Through the years COLUMBUS, OH - DECEMBER 14: LeBron 'Bronny' James Jr. #0 of Sierra Canyon High School drives to the basket during the Ohio Scholastic Play-By-Play Classic against St. Vincent-St. Mary High School at Nationwide Arena on December 14, 2019 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) (Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
Through the years COLUMBUS, OH - DECEMBER 14: LeBron 'Bronny' James Jr. #0 of Sierra Canyon High School reacts during the Ohio Scholastic Play-By-Play Classic against St. Vincent-St. Mary High School at Nationwide Arena on December 14, 2019 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) (Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
Through the years COLUMBUS, OH - DECEMBER 14: LeBron 'Bronny' James Jr. #0 of Sierra Canyon High School shoots the ball during the Ohio Scholastic Play-By-Play Classic against St. Vincent-St. Mary High School at Nationwide Arena on December 14, 2019 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) (Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
Through the years COLUMBUS, OH - DECEMBER 14: LeBron 'Bronny' James Jr. #0 of Sierra Canyon High School with his father LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers following the Ohio Scholastic Play-By-Play Classic against St. Vincent-St. Mary High School at Nationwide Arena on December 14, 2019 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) (Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
Through the years LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 25: Bronny James, son of LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots some baskets after the game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on December 25, 2019 in Los Angeles, California.(Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) (Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
Through the years LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 25: Bronny James, son of LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers, goes up for a basket as Shaqir and Shareef O'Neal, sons of former NBA player Shaquille O'Neal defend as they shoot baskets after the game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on December 25, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) (Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
Through the years MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - JANUARY 04: Bronny James #0 of Sierra Canyon Trailblazers looks on during warmups before the game against the Minnehaha Academy Red Hawks at Target Center on January 04, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) (Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
Through the years MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - JANUARY 04: Bronny James #0 of Sierra Canyon Trailblazers warms up before the game against the Minnehaha Academy Red Hawks at Target Center on January 04, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images) (Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
Through the years MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - JANUARY 04: Bronny James #0 of Sierra Canyon Trailblazers reacts to a call during the first half of the game against the Minnehaha Academy Red Hawks at Target Center on January 04, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) (Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
Through the years MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - JANUARY 04: Bronny James #0 of Sierra Canyon Trailblazers passes the ball in the second half of the game at Target Center on January 04, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images) (Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
Through the years LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 04: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers speaks to his son Bronny James #0 of Sierra Canyon during the game against St. Vincent - St. Mary during The Chosen-1's Invitational at Staples Center on December 04, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) (Harry How/Getty Images)
Through the years PHOENIX, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 11: Bronny James #0 of the Sierra Canyon Trailblazers reacts during the Hoophall West tournament against the Perry Pumas at Footprint Center on December 11, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Through the years CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - FEBRUARY 05: Bronny James #0 and Amari Bailey #10 of Sierra Canyon (CA) celebrate after defeating Glenbard West (IL) at Wintrust Arena on February 5, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images) (Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
Through the years HOUSTON, TEXAS - MARCH 28: Bronny James #6 of the West team looks on during the 2023 McDonald's High School Boys All-American Game at Toyota Center on March 28, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Alex Bierens de Haan/Getty Images) (Alex Bierens de Haan/Getty Images)
Through the years HOUSTON, TEXAS - MARCH 28: Bronny James #6 of the West team talks to Lebron James of the Los Angeles Lakers after the 2023 McDonald's High School Boys All-American Game at Toyota Center on March 28, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Alex Bierens de Haan/Getty Images) (Alex Bierens de Haan/Getty Images)
Through the years HOUSTON, TEXAS - MARCH 28: Bronny James #6 of the West team shoots a three point shot during the 2023 McDonald's High School Boys All-American Game at Toyota Center on March 28, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Alex Bierens de Haan/Getty Images) (Alex Bierens de Haan/Getty Images)