The sporting world has rallied around Bronny James after news of his cardiac arrest broke on Tuesday, as his NBA legend father LeBron and mom Savannah thanked medical staff for rushing to their son’s aid.
An outpouring of support and well wishes flooded social media, with former and current sports stars sending their prayers to the young basketball star, who recently committed to the USC Trojans.
‘Lets go Bronny, we are pulling for you,’ said NBA legend Mychal Thompson following the news, while Damar Hamlin, who also suffered a cardiac arrest playing for the Buffalo Bills earlier this year, led the support for the young star.
Bronny was initially taken ill on Monday during practice at the University of Southern California’s Galen Center on Monday morning. He was rushed to hospital and immediately admitted to intensive care.
LeBron was pictured entering Cedars Sinai hospital in Los Angeles on Tuesday evening as it was announced that his son was now in a stable condition.
Lebron James comes onto the court to congratulate son Bronny for Sierra Canyon after his team won against St. Vincent-St at the Staples Center in December 2021
Bronny James goes up fro a dunk during a high school basketball game between Sierra Canyon and Wheeler, January 7, 2023 at the Galen Centre in LA
Lebron James pictured arriving at the hospital Cedars Sinai in Los Angeles on Tuesday after son Bronny suffers a cardiac arrest training basketball at USC
The incident is believed to have been a Code 3 – perceived or actual life threatening condition – which requires ambulance lights and sirens.
Leading the well-wishes and prayers for Bronny was Damar Hamlin, the Buffalo Bills safety, who suffered an on the field cardiac arrest during an NFL game at the beginning of this year.
‘Prayers to Bronny & The James family as well,’ Hamlin tweeted alongside a praying emoji. ‘Here for you guys just like you have been for me my entire process.’
Hamlin, 25, suffered a cardiac arrest on January 2. He collapsed on the field during the Bills’ Week 17, Monday Night Football game against the Cincinnati Bengals and had to be resuscitated.
The NFL safety has made a miraculous recovery and has been cleared to continue his career, which Hamlin says he intends to pursue.
The rest of the basketball community and other sporting stars expressed their support following the news.
Tennis legend Billie Jean King and NBA legend Magic Johnson were two who led the prayers and support for Bronny on social media following his cardiac arrest.
‘Sending our support and prayers to Bronny James and the entire James family following Bronny’s cardiac arrest,’ 12-time singles Grand Slam winner King posted on Twitter. ‘You are all in our thoughts.’
James has previously spoken of his dream of playing in the NBA alongside Bronny (right)
Bronny (left) pictured with brother Bryce (center) and their mother Savannah
Johnson, who played for the Los Angeles Lakers during his 13-year NBA career, shared that he and his wife Cookie were praying for the entire James family.
‘Cookie and I are praying for LeBron and Savannah’s son Bronny after hearing he suffered a cardiac arrest,’ he wrote. ‘We are praying and hoping he makes a full and speedy recovery.’
ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith shared: ‘Good Lord. Just heard about Bronny. Hearing he’s okay. Thank God! Prayers up to @KingJames and the entire family.’
Former NFL star Robert Griffin III also shared the news and urged people to keep the young hoops star in their prayers.
Related Post
As support flooded in for his son, LeBron and the James family sent their ‘deepest thanks and appreciation’ to the medical staff as the University of Southern California for their ‘incredible work and dedication’ as they attended to Bronny.
A spokesman for the James family said Tuesday: ‘Yesterday while practicing Bronny James suffered a cardiac arrest. Medical staff was able to treat Bronny and take him to the hospital. He is now in stable condition and no longer in ICU.
‘We ask for respect and privacy for the James family and we will update media when there is more information.
‘LeBron and Savannah wish to publicly send their deepest thanks and appreciation to the USC medical and athletic staff for their incredible work and dedication to the safety of their athletes.’
Bronny, pictured in action in January 2023, is a highly-rated basketball prospect
LeBron – who became the all-time leading points score in NBA history – has made no secret of the fact that he wishes to remain at the top of the game to play alongside Bronny, and potentially even younger son Bryce, 16.
‘I need to be on the floor with my boy, I got to be on the floor with Bronny,’ James said earlier this year.
‘Either in the same uniform or a matchup against him… But I would love to do the whole Ken Griffey Sr. and Jr. thing. That would be ideal for sure.’
But speaking in May, James appeared to cool his tone on playing with his son – seemingly to lower the sense of expectation around him.
‘I’ve done what I’ve had to do in this league, and my son is going to take his journey,’ he said.
‘And whatever his journey, however his journey lays out, he’s going to do what’s best for him. And as his dad, and his mom, Savannah, and his brother and sister, we’re going to support him in whatever he decides to do.
‘So, just because that’s my aspiration or my goal, doesn’t mean it’s his. And I’m absolutely okay with that.’
