LAS VEGAS, NV – OCTOBER 15: Bronny James #9 of the Los Angeles Lakers stands for the National Anthem before the game against the Golden State Warriors during the 2024 NBA Preseason on October 15, 2024 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE
Originally appeared on E! Online
Bronny James is fighting an uphill battle.
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One year after suffering cardiac arrest during a workout at the University of Southern California — where he attended school for his freshman year until entering the 2024 NBA Draft — LeBron James' son is reflecting on how the incident changed his life.
“My days aren’t normal anymore,” James admitted in a Men’s Health profile published Oct. 15. “I still feel like I’m getting back, I’m getting back to where I was.”
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The heart episode — which occurred because of a congenital heart defect, or an abnormality that can be treated — happened on what felt like an otherwise “normal” day until he blacked out midway through a running drill. And in the moment, he wasn’t sure what the ramifications would be.
“At the point when it happened, there were a whole bunch of categories that what had happened could fall under, so yeah,” James explained. “There were a whole lot of emotions.”
Still, the 20-year-old admitted that the incident was a catalyst in him really taking care of his health.
“I got real on top of my routines to get back to where I was,” James recalled. “I had to do breathing exercises and stuff. It was a total reset. I have to stay on top of my heart medications.”
And now, his road to recovery has seen him drafted by his father’s team. Indeed, the father-son duo will join forces on the court this season for the Los Angeles Lakers.
“I don’t have any words,” LeBron James — who, along with Bronny, is also dad to his and Savannah James' kids Bryce, 17, and Zhuri, 9 — gushed of his eldest’s achievement to reporters at Lakers media day last month. “I can speak about me when it comes to him. I’m just a loss for words. Pure joy, man.”
LeBron added, “Just super proud of him to get to this point. He’s a man, and he’s ready to go.”
Meanwhile, Savannah shared her support on social media by sharing a photo of her husband and son sitting side-by-side in Lakers gear.
“Wow,” she wrote in an Instagram Story last month. “No words can express this gratitude.”
