Bryce James Inherits Championship DNA from LeBron James
The 2024 NBA Draft is here, and the spotlight is shining on a prospect who might end up being a second-round pick. However, this is no ordinary player—he’s the son of one of the greatest basketball players of all time. Bronny James, eligible for this year’s draft, has everyone buzzing about which NBA team will take a chance on LeBron James’ eldest son. Rumors and speculations have been swirling for months, but the wait will finally end on Wednesday night.
However, Bronny isn’t the only James family member capturing headlines. Bryce James, the younger brother of Bronny, is also poised to enter the draft rumor mill soon. Currently a high school player, Bryce is expected to generate significant buzz when his time comes to make the leap to the professional level.
What year is Bryce James?**
Bryce James just completed his junior year at Sierra Canyon, playing as a shooting guard. He came off the bench for a talented Sierra Canyon team that also featured Justin Pippen, Scottie Pippen’s son, a top 60 recruit nationally. During his sophomore year, Bryce split time between the JV and varsity teams, playing 12 varsity games and averaging 3.8 points per game.
Since Bryce is a junior, he is set to graduate from high school in 2025. He will be eligible to enter the NBA after one year of college, making him eligible for the 2026 NBA Draft.
Bryce’s high school career has seen several changes. He started his first two seasons at Sierra Canyon in Chatsworth, Calif., playing alongside his older brother, Bronny. In April 2023, Bryce transferred to Campbell Hall in Studio City, Calif. However, his stint there was brief. After a few summer league games, he announced in August 2023 that he would transfer again, this time to Notre Dame Sherman Oaks in Sherman Oaks, Calif. Ultimately, Bryce decided to return to Sierra Canyon in Chatsworth, Calif., where it all began.
Bryce James is considered a three-star prospect by most recruiting services. According to 247Sports, he is the No. 148 prospect nationally, while ESPN ranks him as the No. 22 player in California, though he is outside their top 100 nationally. Despite being uncommitted, Bryce has already received Division I offers from Duquesne and Ohio State.
Much of the excitement surrounding Bryce is due to his potential rather than his current production. TSN’s Kyle Irving provided insights on Bryce’s development compared to Bronny:
“Bryce is not the level of athlete Bronny is but has better NBA size. It has taken him a while to grow into his body, but he has started to look much better in his junior year, holding his own against some of the best prospects in his class like No. 2-ranked Cameron Boozer. Bryce has a good shot that extends well past the high school 3-point line. He is a good finisher and a decent playmaker who can shoot off movement. He still has a ways to go in terms of putting the ball on the floor and creating shots for himself and others. Between the two brothers, Bronny is still the better NBA prospect. Bryce may have a higher ceiling if he can continue to develop his s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁s, but he has a ways to go in order to catch up.”
As Bryce James continues to grow and develop, the basketball world eagerly awaits to see how the championship DNA from his father, LeBron James, will manifest in his career.