Bryce James: LeBron’s Son Redshirting and Preparing for Arizona Wildcats Basketball

Bryce James: A Rising Star in Arizona Wildcats Basketball

It’s not uncommon for a father to support his son’s athletic endeavors, but when four-time NBA champion LeBron James publicly endorses his son Bryce James and the Arizona Wildcats in the NCAA Tournament, it carries significant weight. James recently expressed his enthusiastic support, stating, “I’m definitely rooting for them in the (NCAA) Tournament.”

A Year of Growth and Learning

Bryce James, a freshman guard for the Arizona Wildcats, made the strategic decision to redshirt during his first season. This allowed him valuable time to develop and learn from the team’s experienced players. He’s been actively participating in practices, competing against and observing veterans like Big 12 Player of the Year Jaden Bradley and Big 12 Sixth Man of the Year Tobe Awaka, both seniors.

LeBron James emphasized that he wasn’t focused on Bryce’s lack of game action, but rather on the “joy on (Bryce’s) face” following Arizona’s victory over Houston – a rematch of the previous year’s conference championship game. Drawing from his own experience entering the NBA at 18, James understands the importance of absorbing knowledge from seasoned players.

“I think it’s going to pay dividends for him going into next year,” James said. “He’s just living in the moment. … I always say the best teacher in life is experience. So, of course, I don’t have a choice but to root for Arizona. My son’s there.”

Surrounded by Talent

The influence extends beyond the senior leadership. Bryce is also benefiting from the presence of fellow freshmen like Valley native Koa Peat and Brayden Burries (an AP All-American honorable mention), who are demonstrating the potential for success at the collegiate level. This supportive environment is crucial for his development.

A Different Kind of Support

While LeBron James also supported his older son, Bronny, during his time at USC (2023-24), the situation with Arizona feels different. USC hasn’t qualified for the NCAA Tournament since 2023, while Arizona is consistently a strong contender, earning a No. 1 seed in the West Region this year. This positions Bryce and the Wildcats for a potential deep tournament run, and perhaps even a national championship.

Upcoming Matchup

The Arizona Wildcats will face No. 16-seed Long Island University in San Diego at 10:35 a.m. The game will be broadcast on TNT. All eyes will be on the Wildcats as they begin their quest for a championship, with LeBron James proudly cheering from the sidelines.