Chris Bosh Details Horrifying Health Scare: ‘Almost Dropped Dead’

The former Miami Heat star is sharing his story in the hopes that other NBA players will pay attention to their own health

NEED TO KNOW

• Chris Bosh revealed that he suffered a blood clot that almost killed him in January
• Bosh said he “came back to life” after the scary episode
• Now he’s urging others to take care of their health and stay on top of any necessary medications

Chris Bosh is spreading the message about the dangers of blood clots.

The two-time NBA champ, 42, is relaying a personal medical emergency in the hopes that others prone to the issue — including San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama — will pay attention to their health.

“I had an episode in January,” the retired Miami Heat forward told HoopsHype. “I almost dropped dead pretty much and came back to life. I’m not joking.”

He continued, “I had another pulmonary embolism. I was in the hospital for a week. But, take your medicine. So, I’m taking my medicine every day, taking care of myself every day, and watching it. So, I mean, no symptoms came either, you know.”

The Mayo Clinic defines a pulmonary embolism as “a blood clot that blocks and stops blood flow to an artery in the lung.” The condition can be fatal.

Bosh, who retired from the league in 2019 due to his history of blood clots, doesn’t want other players to go through what he has experienced.

The same issue sidelined Wembanyama for much of the 2024-25 season.

The 22-year-old French phenom was diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder. He received the diagnosis following the NBA All-Star Game in San Francisco in February 2025. 

The 2024 Rookie of the Year started feeling symptoms, but thought he would feel better during the two days off after the All-Star Game, sources told ESPN at the time. The symptoms continued though, and he underwent tests that showed the blood clot.

NBA players in particular are susceptible to blood clots due to the amount of physical trauma they endure, as well as their intense travel schedules, according to the American Heart Association.

While playing for the Milwaukee Bucks, Damian Lillard was diagnosed with a blood clot on his right calf one month after Wembanyama’s diagnosis.

Due to early detection and treatment with blood-thinning medication, he was fully cleared to return to basketball activities by the next month.

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For Bosh, the writing is on the wall — and he wants Wembanyama to take heed.

“Take your medicine,” Bosh said when asked by HoopsHype what advice he has for the athlete. “Make sure that he’s staying on top of his regimen to make sure that doesn’t happen again because it only takes one more time.”