The USC medical and athletic training staff has had to act quickly at a basketball workout in two consecutive summers.
In July of 2022, the USC men’s basketball trainers and the medical professionals who work with them had to step in and save Vince Iwuchukwu when the new Trojan freshman suffered an episode of cardiac arrest.
In July of 2023, the staff had to do the same thing when Bronny James suffered an episode of cardiac arrest.
Vince Iwuchukwu was able to make his way back to the court. He played his first game for USC on January 12 of this year. That timeline offers no guarantees about Bronny James’ path to recovery and the possible resumption of basketball activities, but it offers a marker of sorts and a noteworthy piece of context.
What matters most: USC’s medical and athletic training team was prepared.
The school had the right equipment in place. The staff, which is excellent at its job, knows how to use that equipment in urgent situations where time is of the essence and stabilizing a person in trauma is paramount.
USC has an automated external defibrillator (AED) right next to the Galen Center court. That device, used expertly by USC’s world-class staff, has saved the lives of Iwuchukwu (2022) and Bronny (2023).
Ryan Kartje of the Los Angeles Times took note of this and added the important follow-up point for any scholastic athletic program:
USC has an automated external defibrillator (AED) hanging in the hallway right off the main Galen Center court. It’s now saved the lives of two men’s basketball players in just over a year.
— Ryan Kartje (@Ryan_Kartje) July 25, 2023
Needless to say, every single sports program in America — high school, college, etc. — should have an AED in close proximity. It can make all the difference.
— Ryan Kartje (@Ryan_Kartje) July 25, 2023
Kartje wrote and reported about how the Vince Iwuchukwu experience one year ago helped the USC medical and athletic training staff to be even more prepared to help Bronny James on Monday.
The Los Angeles Times sports team offered more information and context on sudden cardiac trauma incidents. It’s worth reading:
Why would a young, healthy athlete like Bronny James go into sudden cardiac arrest? Good info from @corinnepurtill: https://t.co/4FhyuwSqcp
— Ryan Kartje (@Ryan_Kartje) July 26, 2023
It is very unfortunate to see young men suffer these traumatic episodes. Thankfully, these episodes did not lead to deaths. That’s because USC was prepared, and its medical and athletic training staff are first-class in what they do and how they do it. It’s a real credit to this university and the people who are part of it.
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