By SAM LANCE
Bronny James plans to get back on the court for USC this upcoming season after suffering cardiac arrest during a team workout in July.
“Bronny is doing extremely well,” his father, LeBron James, said at Los Angeles Lakers media day on Monday. “He has began his rehab process to get back on the floor this season with his teammates and USC. The successful surgery that he had. He’s on the up-and-up.”
Bronny has not joined USC for practice yet, but he has been on campus taking classes. The Trojans open the season on Nov. 6 against Kansas State in Las Vegas.
After suffering cardiac arrest, Bronny was hospitalized for three days in Los Angeles. A family spokeswoman at the time released the following statement describing Bronny’s condition:
“It is an anatomically and functionally significant Congenital Heart Defect which can and will be treated,” the spokeswoman said. “We are very confident in Bronny’s full recovery and return to basketball in the very near future.”
Over the last 15 months, the USC men’s basketball team has dealt with two cardiac episodes. Vincent Iwuchukwu, the Trojans 7-foot-1 center, suffered cardiac arrest during training in July 2022. Iwuchukwu returned to the court on Jan. 12, 2023 against Colorado, about six months after his cardiac arrest incident.
Bronny will play alongside another talented five-star freshman in Isaiah Collier when he returns to the court, as well as veteran guard Boogie Ellis. Andy Enfield and the Trojans have a roster primed to make a run at the Pac 12 title.
As for the James family, they are just happy to see Bronny where he is today.
“It was definitely a whirlwind and a lot of emotions for our family this summer, but the best thing we have is each other,” LeBron said. “We stuck behind each other and gave Bronny strength throughout the whole process… We look forward to seeing what his future still has in store for him.”
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