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Lakers’ Bronny James Reveals He Gets ‘Sick Easier Now’ After Cardiac Arrest

Originally posted on Hoops Wire | By Ashish Mathur | Last updated Jul 29, 2025 1:24 PM ET

During an interview with NBA reporter Dave McMenamin of ESPN, Los Angeles Lakers guard Bronny James revealed that he gets “sick easier now” after his cardiac arrest.

Bronny suffered a cardiac arrest two years ago at USC because of a congenital heart defect. He underwent surgery and has a six-inch scar down the center of his chest.

“I get kind of sick easier now,” Bronny said. “Which is kind of weird, but I think it messed with my immune system a little bit. So, I would have times where I have to sit out, and that conditioning that I’m working on just goes away in that week of me being out.”

Bronny, the son of NBA legend LeBron James, is lucky to be alive. The youngster will always be in the spotlight because of who his dad is, but Bronny likes to lay low.

“I just think that if you know me, I don’t really like the spotlight in big moments,” Bronny said. “I mean, it was a great experience to be part of because it was the first son-father duo. But I’m a chill guy. I don’t like [all that]. It comes with it. But yeah, I don’t really like to go back. I mean, I’ll watch my good performances where I have some minutes under my belt, but I’m not going to go and watch that.”

Bronny appeared in 27 NBA games last season. He put up 17 points, six assists and four steals against the Milwaukee Bucks on March 20. LeBron’s son shot 7-of-10 from the field, 2-of-4 from 3 and 1-of-1 from the free-throw line versus Giannis Antetokounmpo and Co.

Lakers head coach JJ Redick wants Bronny, 20, to model his game after Miami Heat guard Davion Mitchell and Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell.

“On every single possession, they’re in the game — whether that’s offensively or defensively — they’re able to impact it with how hard they play,” Redick said. “With the defensive pickup points, the disruption, being able to get downhill … I think we have all seen these amazing flashes of it from Bronny. And to get to that next level for him, it’s cardio fitness.

“He’s cleared. … I get that there’s a history there of a really scary thing that he had to live through, and I think it’s tough to push past certain points for him, but he’s going to get there. He’s going to get there.”