Tommy Lloyd’s mind is almost certainly focused on Arizona’s Elite Eight game against Purdue this Saturday night. The Wildcats arrive from dispatching the Arkansas Razorbacks with ease on Thursday, and they hope to make the national championship game. There on the bench to see it all was Bryce James, LeBron James’ son.
Bryce joined the Wildcats last year out of high school, but decided to redshirt this season as conference play started in 2026. His decision to attend Arizona over other schools was surprising for some, especially considering some familial connections to other programs. In the end, he decided to go to Tucson.
Here are some of the schools where he could’ve ended.
Top 3 Schools That Missed Out On Bryce James
#3 USC Trojans
This is one of the big ones. His brother, Bronny James, played his college years with the Trojans, and with his father being the leading star of the Los Angeles Lakers, he would be in his “hometown”.
The NIL appeal of the Los Angeles market is also undeniable. He never seemed to have a hard offer from them, but it always seemed like a natural endpoint for LeBron James’ son.
#2 Duquesne Dukes
The Duquesne Dukes were the first school to present a scholarship offer to Bryce James. While the school always seemed like a small place for LeBron James’ son to go, there was an emotional connection that could’ve made it possible.
The Dukes are coached by Dru Joyce III, who is a personal friend of LeBron since their time at St. Vincent-St. Mary in high school. And after all, Bryce James is just a three-star prospect, and he would’ve certainly have had a far bigger chance to be a starter than at the top-rated Arizona Wildcats.
#1 Ohio State Buckeyes
LeBron James never played at the collegiate level, going straight from high school into the NBA. However, if he had played at this level, it would’ve likely have been for Ohio State. As an Akron native, LeBron is a well-known Buckeyes fan and has been recurrently seen in Columbus to support the school.
Bryce James also made an unofficial visit to the school in 2023. It’s a Power Four school, but also likely one where he could’ve had a bigger chance to play than at Arizona. All the signs were there, and they’re considered the runner-ups to get him. In the end, it wasn’t meant to be.
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