Andy Enfield shares latest on Bronny James' health

Bronny James is planning to get back on the court at some point this season after suffering a cardiac arrest at a USC offseason practice.

A congenital heart defect is the “probable cause” of the cardiac arrest — but is entirely treatable which breeds hope of a return sooner rather than later. While his recovery timetable is unknown, Trojans head coach Andy Enfield gave a slight update on his McDonald’s All-American guard during Pac-12 media day.

“He’s doing well. At the appropriate time, the James family will give further updates,” Enfield said. “I think, as LeBron stated last week at media day, things were progressing. But under any medical condition, we respect the privacy of the young man, but I think everybody has been very supportive and hoping he gets back quickly.”

More on Bronny’s incident, ensuing treatment

In late July, James was taken to the hospital after suffering a cardiac arrest during a workout on campus. After the incident, the former McDonald’s All-American arrived at the hospital conscious and stable and was discharged shortly thereafter.

The family’s statement revealed that the condition is treatable, and the goal was to get Bronny back on the court in the “very near future.” He’s ahead of schedule, according to his father’s latest report. 

“If he were to walk through the door right now, you wouldn’t even know what he had,” the Los Angeles Lakers star said.

Earlier this offseason in a statement from his consulting cardiologist, Dr. Merije Chukumerije, James was described as being conscious and stable by the time he arrived at the hospital. His care team is hopeful he will be back sooner, rather than later.

“Thanks to the swift and effective response by the USC athletics’ medical staff, Bronny James was successfully treated for a sudden cardiac arrest,” the statement read, via On3’s Nick Kosko. “He arrived at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center fully conscious, neurologically intact and stable. Mr. James was cared for promptly by highly-trained staff and has been discharged home, where he is resting. Although his workup will be ongoing, we are hopeful for his continued progress and are encouraged by his response, resilience, and his family and community support.”

USC begins its 2023-2024 season on Nov. 6 against Kansas State in the Hall of Fame Classic in Las Vegas. It’s unlikely that Bronny will be available for the season-opener, but that will be determined closer to game time as he recovers through fall training.