Bryce James, son of NBA superstar LeBron James, commits to Arizona
3 min readBryce James, the son of NBA superstar LeBron James, has committed to the University of Arizona, joining the Wildcats for the 2025 class. The 17-year-old made the announcement via Instagram, sharing a photoshopped image of himself in Arizona gear next to Wildcats head coach Tommy Lloyd, along with the caption “100% committed.” LeBron, his proud father, also posted the same graphic on Instagram, writing: “CONGRATULATIONS MAXIMUS!! SO PROUD OF YOU!!!”
Bryce James, a six-foot-four small forward, is regarded as a four-star prospect by ESPN. Last year, he played 14 games for the Strive for Greatness program, which competes in the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League. During the season, he averaged 6.9 points and 2.2 rebounds per game. His shooting statistics included a 39% shooting percentage from the field and 36.8% from beyond the three-point arc. His solid performance on the circuit contributed to his growing reputation, and he had offers from several colleges, including Ohio State and Duquesne. Duquesne, led by LeBron’s longtime friend and former high school teammate Dru Joyce III, extended an offer in the summer of 2022.
By committing to Arizona, Bryce follows in the footsteps of top prospect Dwayne Aristode, who also joined the 2025 class in October. Arizona’s recruiting class is shaping up to be one of the nation’s strongest, with the Wildcats still targeting three top-15 players: Koa Peat, Brayden Burries, and Alijah Arenas. This solid recruiting foundation places Arizona in a strong position as they look to continue their competitive run in collegiate basketball.
Bryce’s commitment is a major milestone in his basketball journey, which comes just after his older brother Bronny James faced health challenges. Bronny, who spent the 2023-24 season at USC, experienced a cardiac arrest due to a congenital heart defect, which significantly limited his participation. Despite the health scare, Bronny was selected by the Los Angeles Lakers in the second round of the 2024 NBA Draft. In a historic moment, LeBron and Bronny became the first father-son duo in NBA history to share the court when they played together in a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves in October.
LeBron, who has dominated the NBA for nearly two decades, recently addressed speculation about his future in basketball. On his 40th birthday, LeBron hinted that he could continue playing at a high level for another five to seven years, but he quickly added that he does not intend to play that long. This statement has only fueled more discussions about LeBron’s career trajectory and his eventual retirement.
Despite these ongoing rumors, LeBron’s influence in basketball extends far beyond his own career, with both of his sons making significant strides in their basketball paths. Bryce’s commitment to Arizona is another testament to the James family’s ongoing impact on the sport, and his development will be closely watched as he prepares for the next stage of his career in college basketball.
Bryce’s decision to attend Arizona is also noteworthy for the school, which is gaining a highly talented player to add to their roster. His versatile playing style, combined with his basketball IQ and shooting ability, will make him an essential piece of Arizona’s future plans. Coach Tommy Lloyd and the Arizona staff are clearly excited about the addition of Bryce to their team, and they will be looking to support his growth and development in the coming years.
While Bronny’s health recovery has been a major story this year, Bryce’s announcement adds another chapter to the James family’s basketball legacy. As the younger James prepares to join the ranks of collegiate basketball players, all eyes will be on his performance at Arizona, with many wondering how his game will evolve in the years to come. The James family’s influence continues to resonate in both professional and collegiate basketball, as LeBron’s children follow in his footsteps, carving their own paths in the sport.