Bronny James is still navigating the physical aftermath of his cardiac arrest, nearly a year removed from the medical emergency that paused his basketball journey.
In a recent interview with ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, the 20-year-old guard acknowledged that his immune system has not fully rebounded since the incident. “I get kind of sick easier now,” James said. “Which is kind of weird, but I think it messed with my immune system a little bit.”
James, drafted 55th overall by the Los Angeles Lakers in 2024, shared that illnesses have disrupted his conditioning and training, particularly ahead of the 2025 Summer League. A recent bout of sickness forced him to miss a full week of workouts before the California Classic in July, sidelining him from the opener and placing him on a minutes restriction in his second appearance.
That setback affected his ability to maintain game-ready stamina, something that has already been identified as a key developmental hurdle.
“It takes some time for the body’s collaborative immune system to build back up,” Lakers athletic trainer Mike Mancias told ESPN. “It’s very normal to have even elite athletes experience this. But because of Bronny’s age and condition, it [will happen] even faster.”
James’ on-court flashes in the G League and Summer League have drawn attention, including a 39-point performance for South Bay in March. However, prolonged progress may hinge on how consistently he can stay in shape amid health interruptions.
Lakers head coach JJ Redick recently emphasized that Bronny’s pathway to rotation minutes will depend largely on elite fitness. “That’s the barrier of entry for him right now,” Redick said. “If he does that, I think he’s got a chance to be a really fantastic player in the NBA.”
The rookie appeared in 27 regular season games for Los Angeles, averaging 2.3 points in 6.7 minutes per contest. He also played two brief stints in the 2025 playoffs.
