bryce james is getting a very public vote of confidence from his father, four-time NBA champion LeBron James, as Arizona steps into the NCAA Tournament spotlight. LeBron James told reporters he is “definitely rooting for them in the (NCAA) Tournament, ” pointing directly to his son’s place with the Arizona Wildcats. The support lands as the Wildcats prepare for a Round of 64 matchup against Long Island University in San Diego at 10: 35 a. m. ET.
Bryce James is redshirting, but LeBron says the “experience” is the point
LeBron James framed this moment less around minutes played and more around the day-to-day learning that comes from being inside a tournament-caliber program. bryce james, a freshman guard at Arizona, decided to redshirt this season as the team’s nonconference portion of the schedule ended, giving him the chance to practice against and observe veteran teammates.
LeBron James emphasized the value of that environment, telling reporters, “I think it’s going to pay dividends for him going into next year. He’s just living in the moment. … I always say the best teacher in life is experience. So, of course, I don’t have a choice but to root for Arizona. My son’s there. ”
He also highlighted what he described as the “joy on (Bryce’s) face” when Arizona defeated Houston in a rematch of the conference title game from a year prior, underscoring that the season still carries meaningful milestones even during a redshirt year.
Arizona’s veteran core sets the standard ahead of the Round of 64
Inside Arizona’s practices, the program’s senior leadership has been positioned as a daily measuring stick for a young guard trying to build his next step. The Wildcats’ roster includes seniors Jaden Bradley, the Big 12 Player of the Year, and Tobe Awaka, the Big 12 Sixth Man of the Year. LeBron James explicitly pointed to the importance of absorbing what he can from “elder statesmen, ” recalling his own perspective as a once 18-year-old in the NBA.
Arizona enters the tournament as the No. 1 seed in the West Region and will face No. 16-seed Long Island University. The game is scheduled for 10: 35 a. m. ET in San Diego and will be televised on TNT.
Immediate reactions: LeBron makes his rooting interest unmistakable
LeBron James’ remarks to reporters left little ambiguity about where his attention is during March. “I’m definitely rooting for them in the (NCAA) Tournament, ” he said, tying his support to his son’s presence at the school.
He also made clear that his view of bryce james this season is grounded in long-term development rather than short-term spotlight, returning repeatedly to the idea that experience now can translate into tangible gains later.
Quick context: A familiar family dynamic, but a different bracket reality
LeBron James had a rooting interest for the USC Trojans when his older son, Bronny, was there from 2023-24. This time, the setting is different: Arizona is described as a near-perennial contender and arrives as a No. 1 seed in the West Region, while USC has not qualified for the NCAA Tournament since the 2022-23 edition.
What’s next after the first tip
Arizona’s immediate next step is clear: handle Long Island University in the Round of 64 at 10: 35 a. m. ET and keep the West Region path alive. For bryce james, the forward-looking focus stays on the same theme his father emphasized—taking in the daily lessons around veteran production and tournament pressure, with an eye on what LeBron James said could “pay dividends” next year.
