While Bronny James declared for the NBA Draft close to two years ago, after just one season at USC, his younger brother, Bryce, is now biding his time at Arizona.
Bryce James has been redshirting the 2025-26 season, and, according to head coach Tommy Lloyd, the 18-year-old guard has made «huge progress.»
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«He’s been with us through the summer and now, and the redshirting decision was just a long play to give Bryce the most options in his career as his career unfolds,» Lloyd said in an interview with reporter Chancellor Johnson that made the rounds Tuesday.
Lloyd added: «I have a real strong belief that Bryce is going to be a contributor at Arizona in the near future. He’s really shown a lot of progress in just kind of not only learning our system but just physically maturing.»
Bryce James Update 🏀:
It’s a redshirt year for LeBron James’ youngest son and Tommy Lloyd can already see the growth:
“Bryce has made huge progress. I have a real strong believe that Bryce will be a contributor at Arizona in the near future.” pic.twitter.com/l5iVbU8Ivl
— Chancellor Johnson (@ChancellorTV) February 3, 2026
The Wildcats remain undefeated and have been the top team in the AP Poll the past eight weeks. While they’ve piled up six top-25 wins, James has been watching from the bench.
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The 6-foot-5, 195-pound Sierra Canyon product has yet to make his collegiate debut.
Lloyd explained that James is a year behind most players in his class. James turns 19 in June. He was a three-star prospect and the No. 231 overall recruit in the 2025 cycle, per the Rivals industry ranking.
«So part of the thinking was let’s slow it down and let Bryce’s physical development catch up with his peers, and it really has,» Lloyd said, via Johnson.
«We love having Bryce around. What I’ll say about Bryce is he’s a normal person, a normal kid. He’s a great teammate. He draws no extra attention to himself. That’s all from the outside. Those people do it. But on a day-to-day basis, he’s a really valued member of our team, and he’s a great young man.»
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James, who notably also held an offer from Ohio State, helped Sierra Canyon win the CIF state Division I championship last year.
The year before that, he played on the Nike EYBL circuit with Strive For Greatness. Across 14 games with them in spring 2024, he averaged 6.9 points and 2.2 rebounds, shooting 36.8% from deep, per ESPN, which reported that James made multiple 3s in seven games during that span.
Bryce James wasn’t nearly as highly touted of a recruit as his older brother, whom the Los Angeles Lakers ultimately selected in the second round of the 2024 NBA Draft, setting the stage for father-son NBA history.
