Bronny James just wrapped up his second NBA Summer League stint with the Los Angeles Lakers, and his improvement from year one to year two was clear. Over a three-game stretch in Las Vegas—facing the Los Angeles Clippers, New Orleans Pelicans, and Boston Celtics—James averaged 16.3 points, 4.3 assists, and 2.6 rebounds per game. While he’s currently injury-free, James revealed in a recent interview with ESPN that he’s still experiencing lingering effects from the cardiac arrest he suffered just over two years ago, prior to his freshman season at USC.
Bronny James Opens Up About Health Struggles After NBA Summer League originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Bronny James just wrapped up his second NBA Summer League stint with the Los Angeles Lakers, and his improvement from year one to year two was clear.
Over a three-game stretch in Las Vegas—facing the Los Angeles Clippers, New Orleans Pelicans, and Boston Celtics—James averaged 16.3 points, 4.3 assists, and 2.6 rebounds per game.
However, he spent most of the summer on a minutes restriction. While he’s currently injury-free, James revealed in a recent interview with ESPN that he’s still experiencing lingering effects from the cardiac arrest he suffered just over two years ago, prior to his freshman season at USC.
"I get kind of sick easier now. Which is kind of weird, but I think it messed with my immune system a little bit," James told ESPN recently. "So, I would have times where I have to sit out, and that conditioning that I’m working on just goes away in that week of me being out."
Candice Ward-Imagn Images
James, still only 20 years old, faced intense scrutiny during his rookie season in Los Angeles, with some critics questioning whether he deserved to be drafted—despite being selected late in the second round at No. 55 overall.
Most of his rookie campaign was spent in the G League, where he excelled, averaging 21.9 points, 5.5 assists, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.9 steals per game. With the Lakers' main roster, however, his role was limited. He appeared in 27 games, averaging just 6.7 minutes, 2.3 points, 0.8 assists, and 0.7 rebounds per contest.
Bronny James’ rookie year in the G League was ELECTRIC! 🤩
— NBA G League (@nbagleague) June 9, 2025
At just 20 years old, he averaged 21.9 PPG, 5.2 RPG, and 5.4 APG last season with the @southbaylakers. In Laker wins, he shot 51% FG, 45% 3PT, and 88% FT. pic.twitter.com/kxJTIWpdCW
Lakers head coach JJ Redick has remained optimistic about James’ future, saying he believes the young guard has the potential to become a “fantastic NBA player.” However, he emphasized that for James—given his size—being in elite physical condition is crucial.
"With the defensive pickup points, the disruption, being able to get downhill … I think we have all seen these amazing flashes of it from Bronny. And to get to that next level for him, it’s cardio fitness…" Redick said "I get that there’s a history there of a really scary thing that he had to live through, and I think it’s tough to push past certain points for him, but he’s going to get there. He’s going to get there."
Related: Lakers Head Coach JJ Redick Reveals What Bronny James Must Improve To Level His Game Up
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 1, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: Basketball
