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Bryce James is officially headed to Tucson. The youngest son of NBA icon LeBron James signed his national letter of intent with the University of Arizona on Thursday, solidifying his spot in one of the most buzzed-about recruiting classes in college basketball.
Arizona made the announcement on social media, posting a video of Bryce addressing fans directly:
“What’s going on Wildcat Nation, can’t wait to get there and start working. Bear Down.”
A Familiar Name, a New Chapter
Bryce James, a 6-foot-4 shooting guard from Sierra Canyon School in Southern California, is rated a three-star recruit and ranked No. 45 at his position by 247Sports. Though not the most decorated player in the class, he enters with plenty of intrigue thanks to his pedigree — and the expectations that come with it.
He spent the season playing alongside top-tier talent at Sierra Canyon, a program known for producing Division I and NBA prospects. Bryce averaged 8.0 points and 4.2 rebounds per game during his senior year and contributed to Sierra Canyon’s CIF State Division I title run. In the championship game, he chipped in three points, five rebounds, and two assists.
He turns 18 this June, nearly 18 years after his father competed in his first NBA Finals with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
A Class Built to Compete
Bryce joins a Wildcats recruiting class stacked with potential stars. Arizona also landed five-star guard Brayden Burries, who averaged nearly 30 points per game and carried Roosevelt High (Eastvale, CA) to a state championship. Fellow five-star Koa Peat, a local standout from Perry High School in Gilbert, AZ, is fresh off four consecutive state titles — an unmatched streak in Arizona prep basketball.
The fourth high school signee, Dwayne Aristode, brings international experience to the table. A 6-foot-7 forward from Brewster Academy, Aristode has already played for the Dutch senior national team and made an impression at the 2022 FIBA U16 European Championship.
Arizona’s incoming talent also includes transfer guard Evan Nelson, who spent four years at Harvard after starring at Tucson’s Salpointe Catholic. His experience could help balance a young but high-upside roster.
Another James Hits the College Stage
Bryce follows in the footsteps of his older brother, Bronny James, who played one season at USC before entering the NBA Draft. Bronny was selected by the Lakers, landing him in the same organization as their father, LeBron.
While Bryce isn’t projected as a one-and-done or top draft pick just yet, he has the tools — and now the platform — to grow into a serious prospect. Arizona’s system, under head coach Tommy Lloyd, has a strong track record of developing guards and giving them freedom to create. That could be key for a player still refining his game.
Arizona’s 2025 class isn’t just one of the deepest in the nation — it might be one of the most entertaining to watch.
