Shareef O’Neal, a basketball player with the NBA G League Ignite, is optimistic that Bronny James will be able to resume playing basketball. This message comes out for Bronny after recuperating from the cardiac attack he experienced earlier this summer. Last month, LeBron James‘ son passed out on the floor during a USC practice and was taken to the hospital.
According to information provided to TMZ by Shareef, he has been in contact with Bronny, ever since he was released from the hospital, and he has convinced him that his condition is improving. “He’s good,” said O’Neal of James. When asked if he believed James’ career would suffer as a result, O’Neal responded, “No, not at all, actually. I don’t think it will affect anything.”
O’Neal has personal knowledge of the situation while not being a medical expert. Due to a heart condition of his own, O’Neal had to put his basketball career on hold a few years ago. He had open heart surgery in 2018 after receiving a diagnosis of a congenital cardiac defect (an aberrant coronary artery).
After completing his treatment, O’Neal played three seasons of collegiate basketball before earning a contract with the G League Ignite in 2022.
Bronny James is on the path to full recovery
Although the reason for Bronny’s illness and whether it resembles O’Neal’s are still unknown to the general public, we do know that earlier this month he sought medical advice from Rochester, Minnesota’s Mayo Clinic. Shareef’s circumstance, unlike Bronny’s, did not entail a cardiac arrest. The UCLA medical personnel determined that he had a heart condition though.
Shareef then had open heart surgery, missed his freshman year, and transferred to LSU, his father’s old alma mater. Following the cardiac arrest event, doctors have told LeBron and his wife Savannah that Bronny is on the road to recovery. The family isn’t too worried about his burgeoning basketball career right now, despite the uncertainties.
LeBron James has made it clear time and again that he wants to play in the NBA with his son. If Bronny spends one year at USC before joining the league, that would happen in the 2024–25 season at the earliest. At this moment, such a statement is undoubtedly a question.
The most crucial factor, though, is that the 18-year-old is healthy and healing. If O’Neal’s prediction comes true, he could even be able to play competitive basketball again soon. O’Neal’s remarks that the heart arrest had no impact on anything imply that being selected in the next draft may still be a possibility. However, as of right moment, it is unknown whether Bronny will pursue a basketball career.
