topline
lebron “Bronny James, the son of billionaire NBA legend LeBron James, is set to return to action after suffering a cardiac arrest earlier this year and was cleared by doctors Thursday to play again. University of California basketball court.
main facts
James family, 19-year-old James was approved by doctors to “completely return” to basketball explain In a statement shared with The Athletic’s Shams Charania.
The USC freshman still needs to undergo a final evaluation with USC staff before returning to practice next week, family explain.
The family said James would return to play “soon” but did not specify when.
main background
In July, James collapsed from cardiac arrest during a USC basketball practice. Medical staff and athletic staff responded to the incident and he was taken to the intensive care unit of a local hospital. When James was released from the hospital a few days later, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center cardiologist Melij Chukwumerie said in a statement that James was “fully conscious, neurologically intact and stable” when he arrived at the hospital. A spokesman for James’ family later said James’ cardiac arrest was caused by a congenital heart defect that would not prevent him from playing basketball and could be treated.
tangent
James wasn’t the only high-profile athlete to collapse from cardiac arrest last year. In January, Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin collapsed and suffered cardiac arrest during a nationally televised game. Paramedics used a defibrillator to resuscitate Hamlin, who medical experts believed was suffering from heart palpitations, a condition caused by a sudden blow to the chest.
further reading
It’s rare, but it happens: What Bronny James’ health tells us about cardiac arrest in young athletes (Forbes)
LeBron James’ son Bronny reportedly suffered cardiac arrest and is in stable condition (Forbes)
Bronny James discharged from hospital after cardiac arrest (Forbes)
Bronny James suffered from a congenital heart defect that may have contributed to his cardiac arrest (Forbes)
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