Bryce James, the youngest son of NBA star LeBron James, will redshirt his freshman year at Arizona. The 6-foot-5 guard has not played in a game for the top-ranked Wildcats this season, a decision confirmed by coach Tommy Lloyd. This means Bryce James will practice with the team but will not be eligible to play in any games, preserving a year of eligibility.
“The redshirting decision was just a long play, to give Bryce the most options in his career as his career unfolds,” Lloyd told the Big 12 Network, according to The Associated Press. “I have real strong belief that Bryce will be a contributor at Arizona in the near future. He’s really shown a lot of progress, not only learning our system but just physically maturing.”
Before the decision to redshirt the 18-year-old, coach Lloyd told CBS, “I want Bryce to have the best college basketball career and the most options in his college basketball career long-term, whatever that looks like. Throwing a kid with a lot of potential that’s developing, he or Mabil, a few garbage minutes — it might feel good now, but potentially down the line it could be something you regret.”
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Bryce James joined Arizona as a freshman, entering with a highly-regarded class that included fellow top prospects like Koa Peat and Brayden Burries. This incoming group was expected to significantly boost the Wildcats’ roster and competitiveness from day one.
The Wildcats‘ incredible 22-0 start is a historic achievement, marking the best beginning to a season in program history. This dominant run has afforded Coach Lloyd and his coaching staff the invaluable opportunity to be patient and deliberate in the strategic development of Bryce James’s skills.
The added history of his famous family includes his older brother, Bronny, who is currently playing for the Los Angeles Lakers, the same team that features their father, a celebrated figure in basketball.
Bryce James had announced his commitment to the university in January 2025 and officially signed in April, as reported by Cleveland.com and 247Sports.com.
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Bryce James, rated by 247Sports as the No. 52 shooting guard in the 2025 class, had also received offers from Ohio State and Duquesne. Furthermore, he was recruited by USC, the same school where his older brother, Bronny, played during the 2023-24 season.
Bryce James shared the advice his father, LeBron, gave him before the start of his freshman college basketball season during his first media session at Arizona in August 2025, as he was about to begin his college athletic career.
“Some advice that he’s given me is just working hard and coming in and doing what you do best,” Bryce James said, according to Sports360AZ. “Making sure if you’re not having some good days, you just always have to stay positive mentality … maybe (you) miss a shot, maybe get a turnover or something, don’t hang your head down. Always keep your head up. Push through and stay positive.”
