As LeBron James and his son, LeBron “Bronny” James, Jr., embark on their history-making season as the first father/son duo to play together in the NBA, the four-time NBA champion is reflecting on how they almost didn’t have this moment.
As previously reported by The Root, in July 2023, while playing college basketball for USC, Bronny suffered a cardiac arrest during a preseason practice. Thankfully, he survived and was eventually medically cleared to play. The family and university understandably kept most of the details of the incident private, but LeBron and his wife Savannah James are now opening up about their emotions regarding their son’s health emergency.
In the new Netflix docuseries, “Starting 5,” the three-time Olympic gold medalist is one of several elite pro basketball players whose lives are chronicled. In the first episode, an emotional Savannah describes how she and her husband leaned on one another to get through every parents’ worst nightmare.
“I think at the end of the day, it was just about us supporting each other and just being super grateful for the outcome,” she said.
We also see the NBA superstar and his mother, Gloria James, as they visit USC and meet Erin, one of the university’s medical staff, and someone LeBron calls a “lifesaver, literally,” because she performed CPR on Bronny when he collapsed.
“Shout out to the man above,” he said. “And to the whole coaching staff, training staff, members of that program.”
The Los Angeles Lakers star also expressed his pride at the younger James’ love and commitment to the game.
“It’s crazy with kids, when they love something and they want something, that’s all that matters to them,” LeBron said. “As a parent, you’re like, ‘You had a cardiac arrest,’ and in his mind he’s like, ‘Can I or can I not play ball again and if the answer is yes, when can I play ball again?’ I love that,”
“Starting 5” is now available on Netflix. LeBron and Bronny are currently playing in preseason games for the Lakers, with the team kicking off its regular season Tuesday, Oct. 22.