Nearly a year after suffering cardiac arrest during a workout, Bronny James is on the brink of achieving his dream: playing in the NBA, following in the footsteps of his father, LeBron James.
▲ USC Trojans guard Bronny James (6) looks on during the first round of the Pac-12 Tournament between the USC Trojans and the Washington Huskies on March 13, 2024, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
"It's just a great thing to happen to me, in terms of being grateful for everything," Bronny said at the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago. "I put in the work to get back, so I feel like I've earned the opportunity. I'm extremely grateful for everything that's been given to me."
Recovery and Return
In late July, Bronny suffered cardiac arrest due to a congenital heart defect during a training session at USC. He underwent surgery and received medical care at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Mayo Clinic, and Atlantic Health-Morristown Medical Center. The incident forced him to miss the first month of the college season.
"It was a tough time, for sure," he said. "All this work that I put in built me into someone who would never give up. It paid off because I kept working after that situation, and I'm back to where I want to be."
Though now medically cleared, Bronny admits the emotional impact lingers. "The fear is still there," he acknowledged. "I still think about what could happen. But my love for the game overpowers it. My parents' support made a huge difference during that period."
Draft Combine Performance
Bronny participated in drills and scrimmages at the NBA Draft Combine, where his physical measurements were recorded: a vertical leap of 102.87 cm and a barefoot height of 186 cm—shorter than his listed 195 cm at USC. He also engaged with media, a notable shift from last season when he only briefly appeared post-game to thank medical staff without taking questions.
On the court, he played in two scrimmages, drawing support from his family. LeBron James attended the second session, watching from the stands in a black hoodie. Bronny’s mother and sister were also regulars at USC games throughout the season.
College Career and Future Decisions
Bronny averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists across 25 games for the Trojans. Despite setbacks—including multiple team injuries and a 15-18 overall record—USC remained a key chapter in his development.
After the season, Bronny declared for the NBA Draft and entered the transfer portal on April 5, shortly before USC announced Eric Musselman as its new head coach. He has until later this month to decide whether to turn professional or continue his college career.
Independence and Professional Aspirations
While speculation persists about a potential father-son NBA pairing, Bronny emphasized his focus on individual achievement. "My dream has always been to make a name for myself and get to the NBA," he said. "I never thought about playing with my dad—though he’s mentioned it a few times."
He dismissed concerns that any draft selection might be influenced by marketing rather than merit. "This is a serious business," he stated. "I don’t believe a GM would draft me just to attract my father. I’ve put in the work. I’ll be drafted based on who I am as a player and as a person."
Support and Perspective
Teammate Isaiah Collier, a projected first-round pick, praised Bronny’s resilience. "That would set anybody back, what he went through. But y’all are going to see what he’s really capable of soon. He’s a great player and definitely deserves to be here."
LeBron, entering his 22nd NBA season, has expressed interest in one day playing alongside his son but downplayed the idea recently, saying he hasn’t given it much thought after the Lakers’ playoff exit. "The young man has to decide what he wants to do. Just having this conversation is pretty cool," he said.
Source: Agencies Via Xinhua
