UPDATE: LeBron James is getting his wish as a father.
Back in 2022, LeBron was quoted saying his final year in the NBA would be the year he got to play alongside his son, Bronny James.
Well, on June 27, the Los Angeles Lakers selected Bronny as the 55th pick of the NBA draft.
“My last year will be played with my son,” LeBron told the Athletic in 2022. “Wherever Bronny is at, that’s where I’ll be. I would do whatever it takes to play with my son for one year. It’s not about the money at that point.”
Just nine months after Bronny James experienced sudden cardiac arrest while at a basketball workout, he made the big announcement.
LeBron James’ 19-year-old son has declared he will enter the NBA Draft.
Not only is this an exciting chapter for Bronny but it means, should the teenager get drafted into the league, that he and his father will have a chance to play together or against each other.
Back in July 2023, Bronny James was rushed to a hospital after he collapsed during a basketball workout.
With the permission of the James Family, Bronny’s doctors shared details about what caused the young basketball star to go into cardiac arrest. In a statement released by a spokesperson for the family, the health scare led to a medical diagnosis not previously known to the James family.
“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 statement began.
“It is an anatomically and functionally significant Congenital Heart Defect which can and will be treated,” the statement revealed before sharing if the heart defect will affect Bronny’s quest of becoming a basketball legend like his father.
“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.”
RELATED: LeBron James Posts Video of Son, Bronny James, Playing the Piano Following Cardiac Arrest
At the time Bronny collapsed, TMZ reported that Bronny James collapsed while attending a basketball workout at USC. The teen was rushed to a nearby hospital.
Hours later, Bronny was labeled in stable condition. However, it remains unclear what kind of medical intervention was needed at the time.
In an exclusive statement shared by the James family back in July, it was revealed that Bronny was in recovery and out of the hospital.
“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 the media when there is more information.”
As the statement continued, it read, “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.”
The 911 call was reportedly made around 9:30 the morning of July 24. Bronny, 18, was unconscious as he was rushed via ambulance to the nearest hospital.