Bryce James shocks fans by committing to Arizona for college basketball

In a significant announcement for college basketball, Bryce James, the youngest son of NBA star LeBron James, declared his commitment to the University of Arizona on Wednesday, January 1, 2025. This decision was made public through an Instagram post, with his father expressing pride and congratulations in a supportive message. Bryce, a 6-foot-4 shooting guard, has been recognized as a three-star recruit, ranking as the 257th overall player and the 46th shooting guard in the class of 2025 according to 247Sports. Bryce is following in the footsteps of his older brother, Bronny James, who previously played for the University of Southern California (USC) and was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers. Unlike Bronny, who was rated as a four-star recruit, Bryce is slightly less developed and has had his share of challenges during the AAU circuit, averaging 6.9 points and 2.2 rebounds in 14 games. While Bryce had offers from several schools, including Ohio State and Duquesne, his commitment to Arizona marks an important step in his basketball career. The Wildcats have a rich history in college basketball, having won a national championship and regularly reaching the NCAA tournament. Bryce will join a strong recruiting class that also includes Dwayne Aristode, a five-star prospect. The commitment signifies the continuing legacy of the James family in basketball, with Bryce potentially aiming to follow a similar path to his brother. However, experts suggest that he may require several years of development at the collegiate level before he can make a substantial impact, as is expected with players coming from a high-profile background. The Arizona Wildcats are poised to integrate Bryce into their program, which has an enduring tradition of excellence in NCAA basketball.