At 18 years of age, Bronny James had seen the worst when he suffered a cardiac arrest in July 2023 while practicing at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. Can you guess as to exactly how bad it could have been? Studies indicate, the survival rate for those who suffer from it and receive CPR is only around eleven percent. Even worse? Most of the survivors “have some degree of brain injury,” according to the American Heart Association. Still, Bronny was back to the hardwood less than six months after the incident.

“My days aren’t normal anymore,” he had said back then. “I still feel like I’m getting back, I’m getting back to where I was.” However, health concerns were only a part of Bronny’s difficulties. Last year, he was selected by the Lakers in the second round of the NBA draft. And the weight of his surname came back to increase his miseries manifold.

“Bronny is nowhere near ready,” said an NBA GM, and if you, too, wrote off Bronny James before his career even began, then you might need to think again. First, he went against the Milwaukee Bucks on March 20. Scored his career-high 17 points despite the Lakers’ 89-119 loss. The Lakers then reassigned James Jr. to the G-League ahead of their four-game road trip. On Monday night with South Bay, Bronny put on a show.

Dominating the G-League for the South Bay Lakers, LeBron’s firstborn scored a whopping 39 points, 7 rebounds, and 67 FG%. For the haters, this might be a nightmare, but well, you could live with that for a while! Bronny drained 14 of his 21 shots and splashed four triples on eight tries, proving once again that his hot streak is no fluke. A crushing 122-118 defeat that came down on the Santa Cruz Warriors, and Bronny takes all the credit for that.

Meanwhile, Papa James turned full-on fan mode for his son, taking to his X handle to say: “SMILE THROUGH IT ALL, YOUNG!!! KEEP GOING.” But it was Bronny who did not say a lot, but enough to say to the ones who always breathe on his shoulder. James Jr. very boldly said, “I belong out here. That’s all I’m trying to prove. A lot of people say I don’t, but I just come out, work every day, try to get better every day and prove myself every day. All the criticism that’s thrown my way, it’s just amazing to shut all that down and keep going.” 

Over the last couple of months, critics have been truly harsh on the 20YO point guard. ESPN veteran Stephen A. Smith even went to the extent of requesting the Akron Hammer to “stop” the humiliation and limelight on Bronny James. This led to a confrontation with LeBron James, who had turned on his protective dad mode for his son.

Given the mental health struggles following his heart troubles, about which James Jr. has been truly unfiltered, the criticisms might seem a bit too harsh on him. However, he has to go a long way and tread through the rough terrains before silencing the mean comments forever. Meanwhile, Mama James turned into a fan of Bronny’s latest achievement.

Savannah James celebrated Bronny James’s career-high performance

In Netflix’s Starting 5, Savannah James opened up about the darkest day of their lives—Bronny’s cardiac arrest. Her voice cracked as she recalled the terror, the helplessness. But through it all, one thing never wavered—their unity. She spoke of their endless gratitude for the medical team, their relief that Bronny survived, and their determination to hold each other even closer.

Since the horrifying incident, Bronny James admitted to his father, his confidence has been shaky. But he’s finding his rhythm. He’s finding himself back in the game of basketball, the one he began playing in the backyard. Therefore, proud mother Savannah couldn’t stop herself from reposting a reel of Bronny in action on her IG Story with a simple one-emoji caption: “😁”

Bronny James‘s journey is just beginning. He’s battled doubt, criticism, and even his own body—but he’s still standing. Still proving. Still rising. “I don’t know if people really understand Bronny,” said the King last year, but now it is time to make everyone see the James gene. His family stands with him, unwavering. And as the noise grows louder, so does his game. The kid isn’t just surviving—he’s thriving.