Bronny James cardiac arrest a harrowing sight for USC players

USC basketball player Bronny James watches the football season opener against San José State.

Staff Writer

Sept. 26, 2023 4 AM PT

In the minutes after Bronny James collapsed on the Galen Center court in July, as Boogie Ellis and his teammates waited anxiously in the locker room, Ellis was mired in a state of disbelief. It had been barely a year since another highly touted teammate, center Vince Iwuchukwu, suffered sudden cardiac arrest in strikingly similar fashion, collapsing during a summer run of five-on-five.

“I was like, ‘This can’t be happening again,’” Ellis said Monday.

DJ Rodman had a similar thought in that moment. The fifth-year senior wing had just transferred to USC after four years at Washington State. During his time in Pullman, two teammates suffered similar cardiac events. Witnessing a third life-threatening event was too overwhelming to take.

“I couldn’t handle it,” Rodman said. “I had to run out because I couldn’t handle another one.”

Fortunately, like Iwuchukwu, James was saved by USC athletic trainers who sprang into action, once again deploying a defibrillator and immediately calling 911. James later was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect, giving his family and USC teammates hope that he will return to basketball “in the very near future.”

James wasn’t present for USC’s first practice of the season Monday, and coach Andy Enfield wouldn’t comment on a possible timeline for him to return to the court, other than to say that the freshman was “doing very well” and that he’s “around the team when he can be.” But the possibility that James could return at all this season was a major relief to his teammates.

“It’s one of those lessons where it doesn’t matter who you are, it doesn’t matter how invincible you think you are, it can happen to anyone,” Rodman said. “I’m not taking anything for granted. I know Bronny never took anything for granted. I’m just happy that Bronny is OK.”

LeBron and Bronny James smile after a game.

Even before the ambulance arrived that morning, there was optimism about his status. Fifteen minutes after he collapsed, Rodman said, coaches told the players that James was sitting upright and cracking jokes.

“It was like it never happened,” Rodman said. “It speaks to his character. He’s just a very positive guy. Every time I see him, he’s got a huge smile.”

Teammates visited him in the hospital and have kept in close contact as James makes his recovery, with hopes of him being a key contributor to a team with Pac-12 title hopes — and possibly more. Enfield said he expects James to be “a very valuable part of our basketball team.”

It’s also unclear when USC will add a healthy Iwuchukwu back to the rotation after the 7-footer missed most of the summer dealing with back issues. Enfield said Iwuchukwu “feels the best he’s ever felt” and is expected back “very quickly.” But as practice opened, he’d yet to be cleared for contact.

For now, the focus remains on integrating a host of other talented newcomers, among them Isaiah Collier, the five-star point guard, and Rodman, the Washington State graduate transfer, both of whom have established themselves as critical cogs in USC’s rotation alongside Ellis, Kobe Johnson and Joshua Morgan.

Collier and Ellis have been especially close all summer, working out with plans to form the most formidable backcourt the Trojans have had in years.

“That’s like my best friend. We’re together all the time,” Ellis said. “We have a certain standard, and we’re trying to bring everybody with us.”

When James finally returns, it likely will take some time for him to find rhythm in USC’s rotation. Last season it took Iwuchukwu six months to make his return.

But Enfield isn’t worried about that, as James focuses on other parts of being a freshman.

“We’re really excited for him,” Enfield said. “His grades are excellent right now.”