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The 18-year-old son of NBA legend LeBron James has been hospitalised in a stable condition after going into cardiac arrest while practising basketball at the University of Southern California (USC).
- Emergency responders took the young basketball player to hospital during morning practice
- Bronny James was released from the intensive care unit in a stable condition
- The James family has asked for privacy and thanked the medical and athletic staff
A family spokesman said medical staff treated LeBron "Bronny" James Jr on site at USC's Galen Center after he went into cardiac arrest on Monday morning local time.
Los Angeles Fire Department personnel responded to the medical emergency call shortly before 9:30am at the team's home arena.
He was transported to hospital, where he was in stable condition Tuesday after leaving the intensive care unit.
"We ask for respect and privacy for the James family and we will update media when there is more information," the family spokesman said.
"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."
USC spokesman Jeremy Pepper declined a request from The Associated Press for comment or additional details, citing student privacy concerns.
A representative for USC outside the Galen Center on Tuesday said the school would not have a briefing or issue a statement about James's health scare.
Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin, who suffered cardiac arrest during an NFL game last season, tweeted his support: "Prayers to Bronny & The James Family as well (prayer emoji) here for you guys just like you have been for me my entire process."
Sports figures across the world also sent messages of support. Jayson Tatum, Trae Young and Donovan Mitchell were among many NBA stars tweeting prayers for James, while former Lakers forward Metta Sandiford-Artest wrote: "Prayers for Bronny. What a great kid. Come back stronger young fella. Get better and feel better."
James is a highly touted incoming freshman guard for USC, having been named a McDonald's All-American as a senior in high school.
He announced in May that he would play college basketball for the Trojans, whose campus is less than two miles from the downtown arena of his father's Los Angeles Lakers.
USC's basketball team is holding off-season practices in preparation for a two-week European tour next month.
His father is the leading scorer in NBA history and a four-time champion, but Bronny James is an elite talent in his own right, establishing himself as one of the nation's top point guard recruits before he chose the Trojans late in the commitment cycle.
The incident comes a year after USC freshman Vince Iwuchukwu collapsed during practice after suffering heart failure. Iwuchukwu was revived by the team's medical staff and played for the Trojans in the second half of the season.
With his family fame and huge social media following, Bronny James has the top name, image and likeness valuation in sports at $US6.3 million, On3.com estimates.
LeBron James has spoken frequently about his desire to play a season in the NBA with Bronny, the first of his three children with his wife, Savannah. The elder James recently confirmed he would play his 21st NBA season in the fall with the Lakers, his home since 2018.
Bronny's decision to stay close to home was a coup for USC, which is expected to have one of college basketball's most compelling teams next season after making its third straight NCAA Tournament appearance last March.
Bronny was one of the top college prospects in the country last season as a star two-way guard at Sierra Canyon School in suburban Chatsworth.
His younger brother, 16-year-old Bryce, played at Sierra Canyon last season before transferring to Campbell Hall School in Studio City for the upcoming high school season.
AP/Reuters
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