USC Basketball: Writer Speculates Why Hoopers Have Highest Risk For Heart Trouble In Sports

Some questions on Bronny James could be answered.

After suffering a cardiac arrest last month, many speculated exactly what caused Bronny James' sudden medical scare. 

Internet conspiracy theorists have insensitively attributed the event to possible vaccination against the COVID-19 virus, but medical professionals offer more reasonable explanations to such an event. 

In an interview with the LA Times, Dr. Satyajit Reddy of the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix mentioned many possible causes to such an event for the USC commit and other young college athletes. 

There are a number of reasons. When people are being physically active and exercising, they put their body under a lot of stress. Things like electrolyte abnormalities or the blood pressure and heart rate changes that come with exercise can exacerbate an underlying condition that would otherwise go unnoticed.

via Corrine Putrill, LA Times

In a workout last month, James suddenly collapsed and medical staff were called to the scene and transported the Trojan to a facility to be treated. 

The James family thankfully reported that their son was in stable condition after receiving treatment at the Cedar-Sinai medical center in Los Angeles, but are cautious about his possible return to the hardwood. 

Despite worry from fans and the family alike, both parties should have some solace in another similar story from college basketball in recent history. 

Current Oklahoma City Thunder forward Keyontae Johnson had a similar scare to James when he collapsed in a late 2020 game while with the Florida Gators. 

Doctors eventually got Johnson in stable condition, but the young star's future was in question. After taking a season off, Johnson entered the transfer portal and played for the Kansas State Wildcats in 2022. 

After an impressive run in the NCAA tournament for the Wildcats, Johnson was drafted in the second round by the Thunder in this year's draft. 

The uncertainty around James' future is very valid for fans across the nation, but if Johnson's story proves anything, it's that the young Trojan can return to form all the same.