Bronny James Cleared to Make Full Return to Basketball After Suffering Cardiac Arrest (UPDATE)

Bronny went into cardiac arrest during a workout out at the University of Southern California in July.

(Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)

UPDATED 11/30/23, 2:25 p.m. ET: Bronny James has officially been cleared to resume basketball activities three months after going into cardiac arrest during a working out with the University of Southern California.

On Thursday, NBA insider Shams Charania released a tweet announcing Bronny will be making a full return and will be practicing as well as playing in games this season via a statement from a representative of the James family.

"Bronny James is now cleared by his doctors for a full return to basketball. Bronny will have a final evaluation with USC staff this week, resume practice next week, and return to games soon after," the statement from the James family read. "The James family would like to express their gratitude to the incredible medical team, the entire USC community, and especially the countless friends, family, and fans for their love and support. Fight On!"

Just In: After recovering from a cardiac arrest in late July, USC freshman Bronny James has been cleared to make a full return to basketball. He will resume practice next week for Trojans and return to games soon after. Statement from James family spokesperson: pic.twitter.com/3aj490m6Fl

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 30, 2023
Twitter: @ShamsCharania

See original story below.

Bronny James' collapse during a basketball workout with the University of Southern California last month resulted from a congenital heart defect, according to a family spokesperson this week. 

On Friday, Shams Charania tweeted a statement from a spokesperson of the James family that revealed doctors at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center identified LeBron James's oldest son's cardiac arrest was due to an "anatomically and functionally significant" congenital heart defect.

"After a comprehensive initial evaluation at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center led by Dr. Merije Chukumerije and follow-up evaluations at the Mayo Clinic led by Dr. Michael J. Ackerman and Atlantic Health/Morristown Medical Center led by Dr. Matthew W. Martinez, the probable cause of Mr. James' sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) has been identified," the spokesperson said. "It is an anatomically and functionally significant Congenital Heart Defect which can and will be treated." 

Congenital heart defect was the cause of Bronny James’ cardiac arrest on July 24 and there is confidence he will make a full recovery and return to basketball in the very near future, per statement from James family spokesperson. pic.twitter.com/LLv4S9ro0x

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 25, 2023
Twitter: @ShamsCharania

The spokesperson continued, "We are very confident in Bronny's full recovery and return to basketball in the very near future. We will continue to provide updates to media and respectfully reiterate the family's request for privacy."

This is a developing story.

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