It’s certainly not unusual for a father to cheer on his son, but when four-time NBA champion LeBron James gives his endorsement to his son Bryce’s Arizona Wildcats in the NCAA Tournament, that sentiment just means more.
“I’m definitely rooting for them in the (NCAA) Tournament,” James told reporters.
Bryce James, a freshman guard at Arizona, decided to redshirt this season as his team’s nonconference portion of the schedule ended. He’s had the opportunity to practice against and watch veterans like Big 12 Player of the Year Jaden Bradley and Big 12 Sixth Man of the Year Tobe Awaka, who are both seniors.
James didn’t focus on the non-action but rather on the “joy on (Bryce’s) face” when Arizona defeated Houston in a rematch of the conference title game from a year prior.
And as a once 18-year-old in the NBA, James recognized the importance of absorbing what you can from elder statesmen.
“I think it’s going to pay dividends for him going into next year,” James said. “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.”
Bradley and Awaka’s consistently great play hasn’t been the only fire being stoked under Bryce, however, as fellow freshmen like Valley native Koa Peat and Brayden Burries (recently named an AP All-American honorable mention) have shown him what is possible.
James similarly had a rooting interest for the USC Trojans when his older son, Bronny, was there from 2023-24, but this time the support may be for the eventual national champion. USC hasn’t qualified for the NCAA Tournament since the 2022-23 edition, whereas Arizona is a near-perennial contender and is this year’s No. 1 seed in the West Region.
The Wildcats take on No. 16-seed Long Island University in San Diego at 10:35 a.m. The Round of 64 matchup can be watched on TNT.
