LeBron James breaks silence on Bronny's cardiac arrest with emotional statement

27 July 2023 , 16:14

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LeBron James has issued a statement after his son, Bronny, suffered a cardiac arrest on Tuesday.

LeBron James has thanked people for their support after his son, Bronny, suffered a cardiac arrest on the basketball court at the University of Southern California (USC) on Monday.

Bronny was rushed to a nearby hospital and, by the time the news emerged, the 18-year-old was in a stable condition and he was out of intensive care.

"I want to thank the countless people sending my family love and prayers," his father tweeted on Thursday. "We feel you and I’m so grateful. Everyone doing great. We have our family together, safe and healthy, and we feel your love.

"(I) will have more to say when we’re ready but I wanted to tell everyone how much your support has meant to all of us!"

Bronny collapsed on the court at USC's Gallen Center at 9.26am local time on Monday, according to TMZ Sports, and he was taken to a Los Angeles hospital in an ambulance.

Baby boy has spent his life in hospital as doctors are 'scared' to discharge him

"Yesterday while practising, Bronny James suffered a cardiac arrest," a family statement said on Tuesday. "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.

Bronny James suffered a cardiac arrest in practice. (Alex Bierens de Haan/Getty Images)

"LeBron and Savannah (Bronny's parents) 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."

The 18-year-old has been rated as one of the top basketball prospects in the United States, earning All-American honours in high school. Earlier this summer, he committed to play for USC and he has been preparing for his freshman year.

Many analysts have rated the combo guard as a potential first-round pick in the 2024 draft, with his father declaring earlier this year his desire to play alongside his son on an NBA court.

"I need to get on the court with my son, I want to be on the court with Bronny," the 38-year-old said in January. "I don't mean we'll do one on one in a game, but I'd love to do something Ken Griffey Sr. and Jr. style. It would be awesome, no doubt.

"I ask him what his aspirations are and he says he wants to play in the NBA so, if he wants to do that, he has to work for it. I'm already here, I'm just waiting for him."

The four-time NBA MVP added in May: "I was serious. And I'm still serious about it. Obviously, I've got to continue to keep my body and my mind fresh. But at the end of the day, I've done what I had to do in this league, and my son is going to take his journey."

Sam Frost