Arizona’s men’s basketball coach Tommy Lloyd has confirmed that Bryce James, the son of Lakers star LeBron James, will sit out his freshman season with the Wildcats. This choice, known as redshirting, allows Bryce to develop his skills without losing a year of eligibility.
Lloyd explained that this decision is a strategy for Bryce’s long-term future. “We want to give him the best options as his career unfolds,” Lloyd said in an interview. He sees great potential in Bryce, noting that he is catching up physically and understanding the team’s system.
Interestingly, Bryce, who will turn 19 in June, was ranked as a three-star recruit by 247Sports. Lloyd mentioned that Bryce is younger than many of his peers, which often puts him at a disadvantage. “By letting him take his time, we’re allowing him to mature alongside his teammates,” he added.
Bryce is reportedly a humble young man who doesn’t seek the spotlight, which has endeared him to his teammates. Lloyd appreciates this trait, saying, “He’s a normal kid and a great teammate.”
In November, Lloyd hinted at this redshirting possibility after the Wildcats’ third game. He expressed the complexities of player eligibility rules in NCAA basketball, stating, “You play Bryce for just a few minutes, and it eats into a year of eligibility.”
This season has been promising for Arizona, with the team off to a 22-0 start and currently leading the AP men’s poll rankings. If Bryce returns for a second season, he may find opportunities if some players, like Koa Peat and Jaden Bradley, decide to enter the NBA draft.
In a broader context, redshirting is not uncommon in college sports, as it helps athletes grow and adapt. A study by NCAA research shows that players who redshirt tend to perform better in their later seasons. This suggests that the strategy might pay off for Bryce in the long run.
This year’s NCAA landscape has also sparked debates on player eligibility, leading to calls for reform. As college basketball evolves, the decisions made today could shape the future of many young players, including Bryce Paul James.
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