Alright, Wildcat fans, the King's youngest is officially trading California sunshine for the Arizona desert!
Bronny 2.0? LeBron's Youngest Son Bryce James Officially Signs with Arizona!
After verbally committing back in January, the ink is officially dry: Bryce James, the youngest son of NBA royalty LeBron James and younger brother of former USC Trojan Bronny James, has officially signed his letter of intent with the Arizona Wildcats!
"What’s going on Wildcat nation, can’t wait to get there and start working. Bear down," Bryce declared in a post on X. The young James, who turns 18 next month, is a three-star recruit and ranked as the No. 257 player in the Class of 2025 according to the 247Sports Composite. The 6-foot-5 shooting guard, who played his high school ball at Sierra Canyon in California, ultimately chose Tommy Lloyd's Wildcats over offers from Ohio State and Duquesne (where LeBron's close friend Dru Joyce III coaches).
While Bryce was part of Sierra Canyon's state championship-winning squad, his stats in that game (three points on nine shots, five rebounds, two assists) and his summer AAU numbers on the Nike EYBL circuit (6.9 points, 2.2 rebounds in 14 games; 5.6 points, 2.8 rebounds at Peach Jam) paint a picture of a developing prospect.
Despite Bryce's individual stats, the Wildcats are bringing in a serious haul in the 2025 class, currently ranked seventh nationally by 247Sports. He joins four-star wing Dwayne Aristode and five-star studs Koa Peat (No. 8 overall) and Brayden Burries (No. 11 overall) in what's shaping up to be a loaded Arizona roster.
Of course, the comparisons to his older brother, Bronny, who was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers after one season at USC, are inevitable. But the scouting report suggests Bryce is a different prospect at this stage.
Bryce James: A Project in Progress?
According to 247Sports' assessment, Bryce is "less developed than his older brother was at this point in their respective careers." While both share a similar size, Bronny has always been more physically mature and athletic.
The report goes on to suggest that it would be "shocking" if Bryce played a major role for Arizona as a freshman next season. Even compared to Bronny, who many felt could have used more college seasoning, Bryce appears to be a longer-term developmental project for Tommy Lloyd and the Wildcats.
Interestingly, before committing to Arizona, his main suitors were Duquesne (due to the LeBron connection) and Ohio State (close to LeBron's hometown). Arizona, a program that has consistently won big under Lloyd, feels like a different level of competition and expectation.
In terms of his game, Bryce is described as an "even more of a strict off-ball player than Bronny." While his 6-foot-5 frame suggests potential growth (though unlikely to reach LeBron's height), his shooting touch at lower levels hints at a future as a perimeter floor-spacer. However, he'll need significant development defensively to guard high-major wings.
Bleacher Banter's Take:
While the name "James" brings instant attention, Wildcat fans shouldn't expect Bryce to be an immediate game-changer. This feels like a calculated, multi-year developmental play by Tommy Lloyd. He's proven his ability to evaluate and develop talent, and perhaps he sees long-term potential in Bryce's frame and shooting touch.
However, compared to the immediate impact expected from fellow freshmen Koa Peat and Brayden Burries, Bryce's role next season is likely to be limited. Arizona, a program consistently competing at a high level, isn't typically a place for significant freshman learning curves.
Still, the James name carries weight, and his progress will be closely monitored. Will Tommy Lloyd work his magic and turn Bryce into a productive high-major player? Only time will tell. For now, welcome to Tucson, Bryce! Bear Down and let the development begin!
