Bronny James, son of NBA legend LeBron James, is on a positive trajectory after experiencing a cardiac arrest last month during basketball practice at the University of Southern California (USC). The promising young athlete, who had committed to USC in May, is now recovering, and recent reports shed light on the likely cause of the incident: a “functionally significant congenital heart defect.” This diagnosis, revealed by a family spokesperson, falls under a broad category of heart conditions present from birth.
According to UConn Health cardiologist Dr. Peter Schulman, who spoke with The Post, congenital heart defects encompass a wide range of conditions. While Dr. Schulman has not personally treated Bronny James, his extensive experience working with UConn’s athletic programs for nearly 40 years provides valuable insight into such diagnoses.
Dr. Schulman explained that the severity and treatability of congenital heart defects vary significantly. “Some congenital defects are relatively easily fixable with a procedure or certain treatment, and they can be fixed easily. Others are not.” He offered examples to illustrate the spectrum of these conditions. One treatable example is an aortic valve narrowing, a congenital defect that can often be corrected with a balloon procedure.
In contrast, Dr. Schulman referenced the case of Hall of Fame basketball player Pete Maravich, who had a more complex congenital heart defect – a missing coronary artery.
“Basically, he had blood supply to one side of his heart, to a large portion of his heart that basically didn’t exist,” Dr. Schulman stated. However, he also pointed out that even coronary artery problems can sometimes be addressed.
Another type of congenital heart defect involves the artery supplying a significant portion of the heart muscle carrying unoxygenated blood instead of oxygenated blood. Dr. Schulman noted, “That causes a big problem and that can be fixed relatively easily.” He emphasized that numerous congenital heart conditions are “relatively easily treatable, maybe with a procedure or with some quick surgery, or with some quick medication adjustments.”
The James family spokesperson conveyed reassuring news, stating that Bronny James’s condition “can and will be treated” and expressed confidence in his “full recovery,” including a “return to basketball in the very near future.”
Since the cardiac event, the 18-year-old Bronny James has resumed attending classes at USC. USC coach Andy Enfield has also shared positive updates, indicating that James is “trending in the right direction.”
Enfield told The Associated Press, “The good thing is he’s doing extremely well and he’s in class right now. And we all love him. I think everybody is hopeful that Bronny will return to the court. We just have to be patient and take it step by step.”
Bronny James’s cardiac arrest occurred on July 24 when he collapsed and briefly lost consciousness during practice. Medical personnel promptly revived him, and he was swiftly transported to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. After a three-day stay, he was discharged from the hospital, marking the beginning of his recovery journey.
The revelation of a congenital heart defect as the likely cause of Bronny James’s cardiac arrest provides clarity and direction for his treatment and recovery. With a treatable condition and the unwavering support of his family, coaches, and fans, the outlook for Bronny James’s return to basketball and continued success appears promising.
