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Bronny James opened up about the life-changing cardiac arrest he suffered on July 24, 2023, during a routine workout at the University of Southern California (USC). In an interview with Men’s Health, the 20-year-old recalled the events that led to the incident and his subsequent recovery, describing the experience as a “total reset” of his life.
“It just felt like a normal day,” Bronny said, reflecting on the workout where his heart condition revealed itself. "Midway through running drills, I blacked out. I don’t remember anything else.” Bronny later learned that a congenital heart defect was the cause of the,cardiac arrest. Fortunately, this condition is treatable, allowing him to aim for a full recovery.
Following the cardiac event, Bronny went through a series of treatments, including breathing exercises, medications, and routines designed to help him regain his strength. He mentioned using a heart pillow to ease the pain when coughing. “I got real on top of my routines to get back to where I was,” he shared. “I had to do breathing exercises and stay on top of my heart medications. It was a total reset.”
While Bronny has made significant strides in his recovery, he admitted that he hasn’t returned to his pre-incident form. “My days aren’t normal anymore,” he said, acknowledging that it will take time before he feels completely like himself again.
LeBron James, deeply affected by his son’s health scare, expressed immense gratitude for the quick response from USC’s staff, crediting them for saving Bronny’s life. “Shoutout to the man above and the whole USC program,” LeBron said. “They’re the reason Bronny is alive, smiling, and thriving today.”
Bronny’s journey has been nothing short of inspiring. Just months after the cardiac arrest, he was back on the basketball court, making his debut in the NBA Summer League and even playing alongside his father during a preseason game with the Los Angeles Lakers. LeBron, proud of his son’s resilience, said, “I’m just at a loss for words. Pure joy, man. He’s a man, and he’s ready to go.”
