Redshirting Bryce James is a ‘possibility,’ Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd says at Big 12 Media Days
Redshirting Bryce James is a "possibility," Arizona men's basketball coach Tommy Lloyd said at Big 12 Media Days on Wednesday.
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Redshirting Bryce James is a “possibility,” Arizona men’s basketball coach Tommy Lloyd said at Big 12 Media Days on Wednesday.
Lloyd said he’s had a lot of conversations with James in terms of how the pair can figure out the upcoming season.
“The reason I say that (redshirting is a possibility) is because I believe in Bryce,” Lloyd told a panel of ESPN hosts at Big 12 Media Days. “And if you didn’t believe in somebody, why would you spend extra resources on them or extra time?”
The 3-star prospect part of the 2025 recruiting class and son of Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James originally committed to the Wildcats on Jan. 1.
“Bryce has been great at our place,” Lloyd said. “His body’s starting to change. I think the one thing people don’t realize about Bryce is he’s a year younger than his class. So, he should be a senior in high school right now. So kind of helping him with that transition has been fun.”
247 Sports ranked him the No. 53 shooting guard in the 2025 class and No. 31 recruit out of California. He picked Arizona after receiving offers from Ohio State and Duquesne.
James did not check into Arizona’s exhibition against St. Mary’s on Saturday until 1:32 remained in the blowout. He finished with one point on one shot attempt. With 40 seconds left, James was fouled while shooting a long-range jumper and split a pair of free throws. He later missed another long jump shot that rimmed out.
“My job is to respect him as a person and help him with his own journey,” Lloyd said. “And that’s our plan at Arizona. We got no extras. Let’s just help this kid develop into a great young man, and I think that’s what his family wants, and what he wants, and we’re gonna help him with that.”
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Comments
2 Comments
Top 8? Top 10-12. Just above the preferred walk-ons. That's not a slam, just a fact. Ohio State offered because they missed on Bronny... Duquesne right now (role player at mid-major) is about his level. But Az can do things, feed him, world class training and weight program, competition in practice everyday. The last is key, most teams go 1-6/7 deep. AZ is one of a handful that their top 10 guys all have Top50 talent and athletic ability. And yes, you get better in practice. Did you see Aristode? Big 3 needs work on his skills but has a NBA body. Go against that guy or Burries everyday for a year will make you improve. I like a redshirt, they don't need him this year.
Thats code for "He aint cracking the top 8" this year. Too much talent above him.