What happened to Bronny James

As shown in the Netflix documentary Starting from 5, Bronny James, the eldest son of NBA superstar LeBron James, faced a serious health scare in July when he suffered a cardiac arrest during basketball practice at the University of Southern California. After spending three days in the hospital, it turned out that the cause of the incident was a congenital heart defect. A family spokesman explained that the condition is treatable and that James underwent a successful procedure. Now, just a few months later, doctors have cleared Bronny to return to practice and he could soon make his basketball debut at the University of Southern California.

Starting from 5 chronicles the experiences of top NBA stars on and off the court, including Bronny’s father, LeBron James.. Bronny’s comeback has been ramping up, with LeBron vowing to sit out any Lakers game that coincides with his son’s debut. The young athlete has already begun participating in team warm-ups, and USC head coach Andy Enfield is optimistic about a return to full contact in the coming weeks. “The cardiologists cleared him up, which is great.” Enfield said (via ESPN). However, as studied in Starting from 5his road to recovery was physically and emotionally exhausting.

Bronny James suffered cardiac arrest in July 2023.

Health threat: medical problem

Bronny James suffered sudden cardiac arrest on July 24, 2023, during an offseason basketball practice at the University of Southern California. A family spokesperson confirmed that medical personnel acted quickly to treat Bronny and transport him to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. The next day, The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported that Bronny was in stable condition and had been taken out of the intensive care unit. After successful treatment, Bronny was discharged from the hospital on July 27, and his family expressed deep gratitude to the University of Southern California medical team for their quick and expert care.

After a thorough examination by experts from Cedars-Sinai, the Mayo Clinic and Morristown Medical Center, doctors determined that Bronny’s cardiac arrest was caused by a congenital heart defect. The condition, although serious, is treatable and the family is confident of his full recovery. On July 29, LeBron James shared a video of Bronny playing the piano, showing positive progress in his recovery.

Bronny James Comeback and College Career Statistics

Returning with a strong comeback

Bronny James, son of NBA star LeBron James, made his basketball debut for the University of Southern California on December 3, 2023, just four months after suffering a cardiac arrest during practice. After successfully recovering from a congenital heart defect, Bronny was cleared to return to basketball on November 30th. He made his debut against Long Beach State, where his father was spotted on the court cheering him on with pride. Despite the loss to USC, Bronny’s return was a major milestone in his recovery and college basketball journey.

Why the Los Angeles Lakers drafted Bronny James

The NBA Draft is a Family Tradition

The Los Angeles Lakers selected Bronny James with the 55th overall pick in the NBA Draft, fulfilling LeBron James’ longtime desire to share the court with his son. “My last year will be spent with my son,LeBron Says 2022 (via New York Times). Lakers vice president Rob Pelinka emphasized that, in addition to family ties, Bronny’s character and work ethic were key reasons for his selection. “Bronny is, above all, a person of high character,” Pelinka noted, adding that Bronny’s defensive potential and playmaking skills made him an attractive choice for the Lakers.

Bronny’s stats at USC – 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game – may seem modest, but the Lakers see his potential. Lakers All-Star Anthony Davis shared his thoughts, saying: “He reads the field really well… He’s a really good playmaker.” JJ Redick, the Lakers’ head coach, is focused on developing Bronny’s defense and shooting. Pelinka highlighted Bronny’s growing potential as a 3D player, especially as his shooting improves. Per Athletic:

“I think we really saw growth in shooting at the combine when we were there with the scouting staff. He was one of the leaders in the number of throws in some exercises. We really think he can develop into being an elite shooter.”

Bronny’s agent, Rich Paul, cleared the way for him by advising teams that he should only be drafted by those with a guaranteed contract and a development plan. ESPN’s Bob Myers reported: “He has a plan and he has a place.” Because Bronny was determined to go his own way, the Lakers’ decision was more than just a tribute to LeBron’s desires. It was a smart move to invest in a young player with potential despite the pressure of his name.

How much is Bronny James’ contract with the Los Angeles Lakers worth?

Contract: a good deal

Bronny James signed a four-year, $7.9 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers that includes a team option for a fourth season. This contract has approximately $5.4 million guaranteed, which will provide Bronny with a significant income as he begins his NBA career. The Lakers’ commitment to his development over three years, including a potential fourth year, reflects the team’s investment in his future.

His contract structure includes $1,157,143 for the 2024-25 season, $1,955,377 for the 2025-26 season and $2,296,271 for the 2026-27 season. The fourth year, which is a team option, is projected to cost approximately $2.5 million.

Unlike many second-rounders who typically sign contracts with minimal guaranteed money, Bronny’s deal is more lucrative. His situation is unique in that he will not be playing in the G League and has the potential to provide further earnings based on his performance and development with the Lakers. This contract puts him in an advantageous position compared to other recent runoff candidates.

Will Bronny James play for the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2024-25 NBA season?

Debut season beyond imagination

Bronny James has already started to gain experience with the Los Angeles Lakers during the preseason and Summer League, where he showed off his defensive skills. In the October 4 game, he played 16 minutes, shooting 1 of 6 from the field, but earned praise from Lakers coach JJ Redick for being “destructive“in defense. Bronny views this time as a crucial step in his development as a player.

The Lakers’ current roster includes 21 players, and Bronny’s place in the team’s rotation remains uncertain. His regular season playing time will depend on decisions made by new head coach JJ Redick regarding player rotation and an emphasis on developing young talent. This could result in Bronny spending significant time with the South Bay Lakers in the G League. Whatever path his career takes, his trajectory will be of even greater interest after Starting from 5.

Sources: ESPN, New York Times, Athletic