USC freshman Bronny James collapsed and suffered from cardiac arrest during a basketball workout on Monday, according to TMZ.
James, the son of NBA legend LeBron James, was treated and transported to a hospital, where he remains in stable condition, according to a release by the James family.
Below is the latest news about James' condition as he recovers from cardiac arrest.
Bronny James cardiac arrest updates
All times Eastern
July 29 - LeBron James on Saturday posted a welcome update to his son's health. An Instagram post showed Bronny James playing the piano with siblings Bryce Maximus James and Zhuri Nova James looking on.
July 27, 3:49 p.m. - The hospital that treated Bronny James released a statement on Thursday acknowledging he had been released after receiving treatment from the hospital. Per the release, he arrived at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center "fully conscious, neurologically intact and stable."
July 27, 12:15 p.m. - LeBron James provided a brief update on Thursday, saying the family appreciated everyone's well wishes. He said they were "doing great" and added the family is "safe and healthy."
July 26, 7:30 a.m. - Bronny's younger brother, Bryce, posted a photo to his Instagram Tuesday night showing the two side by side with a heart emoji. There were no additional updates about Bronny's condition as of Wednesday morning.
July 25, 8:47 p.m. - Bronny lost consciousness when he collapsed, according to a recording of the 911 call released Tuesday. Trainers on site during the incident have been lauded for their quick response, performing life-saving CPR on scene before medical personnel arrived.
Vincent Iwuchukwu, one of Bronny's new teammates at USC, also suffered cardiac arrest during a 2022 workout. He survived and has since opened up about the incident after making a successful return to basketball.
July 25, 10:37 a.m. - TMZ, citing a source close to the situation, reported someone called 911 at 9:26 a.m. local time on Monday from USC's Galen Center, where the team practices. James, 18, was transported via ambulance to the hospital and placed in the ICU.
A spokesperson for the James family confirmed to TMZ that Bronny James suffered a cardiac arrest event, and is now in stable condition. Per TMZ:
"Yesterday (Monday) while practicing Bronny James suffered a cardiac arrest. Medical staff was able to treat Bronny and take him to the hospital. He is now in stable condition and no longer in ICU. 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.”
James was one of the most heralded players of the 2023 recruiting class out of Sierra Canyon High School in Los Angeles. He was a five-star player — 22nd nationally — in his class according to 247Sports Composite rankings. He also has the highest NIL valuation — $6.3 million — of any college player, according to On3.
LeBron James has expressed interest in playing in the NBA with his son, who committed to the Trojans over numerous suitors.
Cardiac arrest vs. heart attack
Cardiac arrest is not the same as a heart attack, though both deal with issues of the heart.
The American Heart Association notes the following difference between both medical issues:
A heart attack is when blood flow to the heart is blocked. Sudden cardiac arrest is when the heart malfunctions and suddenly stops beating. A heart attack is a 'circulation' problem and sudden cardiac arrest is an 'electrical' problem.
What is cardiac arrest?
The AHA notes that cardiac arrest can occur without warning as a result of an electrical "malfunction" that causes an irregular heartbeat, called arrhythmia. It affects the heart's ability to pump blood to the brain, lungs and other organs; without oxygen, the person goes unconscious and has no pulse. People who suffer cardiac arrest can die within minutes if not treated.
Athletes who have suffered cardiac arrest
The most notable recent example of a player who suffered cardiac arrest is Bills safety Damar Hamlin. Following a routine tackle of Bengals receiver Tee Higgins in Week 17 of the 2022 NFL season, Hamlin collapsed and needed to have his heartbeat restored on the field of Paycor Stadium by Bills medical staff.
Hamlin's "likely" suffered commotio cordis, a condition in which a person suffers an irregular heartbeat, then cardiac arrest, after being struck in the chest. He issued a message of support to Bronny James and his family following news of his Monday collapse:
This is not the first time a member of USC's basketball team has suffered cardiac arrest, either. Vincent Iwuchukwu had a similar incident during a July 2022 workout for the Trojans. He told Rivals.com in February that he felt very tired, then dizzy, before losing consciousness.
I went to the workout pretty tired. ... I just felt off that day, off-kilter. I was having a great practice, (though). Had some coaches in the gym, I think I was playing pretty well up until that point. It was a play, I got a rebound, passed it to the guard, running down the floor, caught a lob, after I caught the lob I came back down and was like, 'Man, I'm tired.' We got a water break, sat down and then everything just became dizzy and I was like, 'Woah, it's crazy' and then (I collapsed).
USC basketball coach Andy Enfield told Rivals that, immediately following Iwuchukwu's collapse, strength coach Kurtis Shultz called 911 while he and a manager went to get an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) off the wall. Associate athletic trainer Jon Yonamine, USC women's volleyball trainer Lauren Crawford and women's basketball trainer Erin Tillman performed CPR on Iwuchukwu and used the AED on him to restore his heartbeat.
The 7-1, 235-pound center has since had an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) placed in his heart to prevent similar episodes in the future — something he told reporters makes him feel "invincible." He returned to play for the Trojans in 2022-23, playing in 14 games and starting five.
He averaged 13.9 points and 2.5 rebounds per contest.
This story will be updated.