Arizona forward Bryce James, the youngest son of Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James, will redshirt this season.
James’ decision to redshirt his freshman season for the No. 1 ranked Wildcats was announced by head coach Tommy Lloyd on Tuesday.
“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. “I have a 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.”
James, a 6-foot-5 guard, hasn’t played in a game for Arizona this season. He announced his commitment to Arizona in January 2025 and officially signed in April, according to 247Sports.com.
James, who ranked as the No. 52 shooting guard in the class of 2025, per 247Sports, also received offers from Ohio State and Duquesne. He was also recruited by USC, where his older brother, Bronny, played one season in 2023-24.
Bronny was drafted by the Lakers in the second round of the 2024 NBA Draft, where he and LeBron became the first father-son duo in NBA history to play together in October 2024.
At his first media session at Arizona in August 2025, Bryce shared some advice that LeBron offered him prior to his freshman season of college basketball.
“Some advice that he’s given me is just working hard and coming in and doing what you do best,” James said Tuesday, according to Eliav Gabay of 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.”
Top-ranked Arizona is 22-0 this season, including 9-0 in Big 12 play.