The freshman season of Bryce James, the 18-year-old son of NBA legend LeBron James, hangs in the balance as the University of Arizona contemplates a strategic redshirt for the promising recruit.
The Redshirt Dilemma
Head coach Tommy Lloyd has confirmed that no final decision has been made, but the option to redshirt Bryce James is firmly on the table. This consideration comes as James, a three-star recruit from Sierra Canyon High School, has yet to step onto the court for the Wildcats in their first three games of the season against Florida, Utah Tech, and Northern Arizona.
Lloyd explained the complex situation to reporters after the team's 35-point victory over Northern Arizona, a game where James was seen warming up but did not play. "It's tough," Lloyd admitted. "You play Bryce in a game like this for three minutes, it burns a year of eligibility."
A Stark Contrast in Eligibility Rules
The coach highlighted a significant disparity between college sports regulations. Unlike college football, where players can participate in up to four games without losing a year of eligibility, a single minute of play in college basketball counts as a full season.
Lloyd expressed his wish for a more flexible system, similar to football, which would benefit developing players like James and his teammate, fellow freshman Mabil Mawut, who is also being held out for the same reason.
"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," Lloyd stated, emphasising his long-term vision. "Throwing a kid with a lot of potential that's developing... a few garbage minutes - it might feel good now, but potentially down the line it could be something you regret."
Family Ties and a Brother's Path
Bryce, the middle child of LeBron and Savannah James, is following a path recently trodden by his older brother, Bronny James. Bronny played one season for USC, averaging 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in 25 games before being selected 55th overall by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2024 NBA Draft.
While his father recovers from a sciatica injury, Bronny is currently averaging 2.3 points in 12.1 minutes per game for the Lakers. Meanwhile, Bryce's potential redshirt decision unfolds as his Arizona Wildcats enjoy a perfect 3-0 start to their season.
