By Kenneth Miller, Publisher
LeBron James and his wife Savannah experienced what all parents are most fearful of. Losing a child!
Their first born, Bronny James survived a cardiac arrest during a morning basketball practice at USC’s Galen center on July 24th.
“Yesterday while practicing Bronny James suffered a cardiac arrest,” a James family spokesperson said in a statement. “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.
According to a published report in the Los Angeles Times, the Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics were called to the Galen Center, where USC practices, at 9:26 a.m. Monday for a medical emergency, according to a department spokeswoman. Sources said Bronny James was taken “code three lights and sirens” to a hospital shortly after the ambulance arrived.
The 18-year USC freshman and ballyhooed hoop prodigy is among the most popular athletes in America, with more than 7 million Instagram followers, plus a personal cash nest of more than $10.5 earned through endorsements.
Aspirations are sky high for Bronny following a injury pleagued career at Sierra Canyon he burst out, starring in the prestigious McDonalds All America Game. Few will admit it, but he probably isn’t in that game if his name isn’t Bronny James, but he accounted for himself in the showcase in supreme fashion.
LeBron also has dreams of someday suiting up with his namesake on an NBA team before the curtain closes on his illustrious career.
However, after the near tragic event that unfolded in an empty arena on a summer day in late July LeBron is grateful to have his son alive.
Cardiac arrest, also known as sudden cardiac arrest, is when the heart stops beating suddenly.
It occurs more with basketball players, specifically male, than it does in any of the three major sporting events.
Dwayne Polee, Sr., considered to be the greatest high school basketball player in Los Angeles City Section history and the father of former Los Angeles City Section Player of the Year Dwayne Polee, Jr. know precisely what the James family is going through.
Much like, Bronny, Polee, Jr. was considered to be high level basketball prospect when he starred at Westchester High School with the potential to play in the NBA.
Because his father was so great of a player, the expectations were unreasonably high, but throughout high school he lived up to the hype.
After high school he went to St. Johns in New York on a scholarship but transferred following his freshman year to San Diego State.
While at SDSU, Polee was diagnosed with a form of cardiac arrhythmia, or an irregular heartbeat, that doctors told him was not life threatening. He received catheter ablations after two incidents during college, a procedure where an electrode is threaded through an artery in the groin to cauterize – or zap – the abnormal heart cells causing the electrical disturbance.
Polee first collapsed during a December 2013 practice and missed two games. He collapsed again on Dec. 22, 2014, against UC Riverside and wasn’t cleared to play for nearly two months, seeing six doctors, undergoing dozens of tests and signing a liability waiver.
At the time Polee Sr., said: “If it were up to me, I’m not sure I’d want him to play anymore. I’m praying before and after every game now. You just never know. I get texts from my friends. They’re divided on it. Some say: ‘Is the game that important to risk your son’s life?’ It’s a tough deal.”
Polee, Jr. continued playing, chasing his dream of playing in the NBA that was ended after a G-League stint with the Brooklyn Nets affiliate.
His career is over now, but he’s blessed to spend time working and raising his son Dwayne Polee III.
When reached recently, Polee Sr. was asked his thoughts about Bronny and what advice he would offer LeBron.
“It’s not worth it. Do you want your kid to stay alive or risk the chance of dying on a basketball court?”
That’s a question that could be out of Lebron’s hands.
