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Bryce James stats: Lebron James' son makes first college start for Arizona
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- Bryce James stats: Lebron James' son makes first college start for Arizona
Another James family member has started their basketball journey.
Bryce James , the middle child of LeBron James , officially made his college basketball debut, starting for No. 4 Arizona in its season opener against UCLA on Monday, Nov. 2 .
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The guard joined the Wildcats ahead of the 2025-26 campaign, but didn't appear in any game during Arizona 's run to the Final Four. However, James not only played his way into getting minutes for the 2026-27 season, but started all three of Arizona's exhibition games, giving a possibility he could be on the court for tip off. That was cemented when he was in the starting five in the season opener .
Duke center Patrick Ngongba II (21) and Kansas guard Tyran Stokes (4) are among the top 10 players in college basketball for the 2026-27 season according to USA TODAY Sports' Jordan Mendoza and Craig Meyer. Click here to see the full top 100 list
.
(Evert Nelson/The Capital-Journal)
10. David Mirkovic (Illinois):For a team returning plenty of pieces from a Final Four, Mirkovic stands out above the rest. He finds way to score across the floor, but his ability to command the boards (team-high 8 rebounds per game) played a huge role in him being named to NCAA all-South Region team. He's coming off foot surgery and when he's back, he'll be the focal point of the offense.
(Ron Johnson, Ron Johnson-Imagn Images)
9. Thijs De Ridder (Virginia):For all of Duke's firepower, the best player in the ACC may very well be in Charlottesville. De Ridder was the catalyst of Virginia's 15-win improvement under first-year coach Ryan Odom in 2025-26, averaging 15.6 points and 6.2 rebounds per game. The Cavaliers bring back most of their key players from that 30-win squad, with the 23-year-old Belgian sophomore the centerpiece of that group.
(Bill Streicher, Bill Streicher-Imagn Images)
8. Tyran Stokes (Kansas):After a prep career that saw him bounce between three high schools, Stokes will spend his first and almost certainly only college season at Kansas, where the Jayhawks will have what should be the best freshman in the sport. Last season, the nation's No. 1 overall recruit averaged 31 points, 13 rebounds, six assists, and four steals per game while leading Rainier Beach High School in Seattle to a 29-1 record and a state title.
(Evert Nelson/The Capital-Journal)
7. Patrick Ngongba II (Duke):When healthy and not in foul trouble, Ngongba is a sight to behold. The center didn't play heavily last season, but you couldn't ignore his impact when on the court, a defensive nightmare that led Duke in blocked shots. Now with an expanded role, he has the ability to be a double-double machine every night and lead the Blue Devils in scoring.
(Jared C. Tilton, Getty Images)
6. Flory Bidunga (Louisville): After frontcourt woes prevented the Cardinals from living up to massive preseason expectations last season, they addressed it by adding the best big man in the transfer portal. There are few, if any, better rim protectors in the sport than the 6-9 Bidunga, who averaged 2.6 blocks per game last season at Kansas on his way to winning Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year honors. He's a solid offensive player, too, averaging 13.3 points per game and shooting 64% from the field as a sophomore in 2025-26.
(Evert Nelson/The Capital-Journal, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
5. Alex Condon (Florida):There may be no one as versatile as Condon, entering his fourth season in Gainesville. He can score, rebound, assist and block shots at an extremely high clip, making it nearly impossible to figure out how to limit him. He's only gotten better with experience, and is a shoe-in to be all-SEC for the fourth straight season.
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, IMAGN IMAGES)
4. Motiejus Krivas (Arizona):Lost in the guard play of Arizona's Final Four run was the dominance inside from Krivas. He bounced back from injury in a big way, averaging 10.4 points and 8.2 rebound per game while his presence on the defensive end resulted in opponents shooting 36.7% from the field when he's on the court. He sets the tone for Tommy Lloyd's club with a great chance to be the player of the year in the Big 12.
(Ron Chenoy, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
3. Jeremy Fears Jr. (Michigan State):Fears was the nation's assist leader last season, dishing out 9.4 dimes per game for a 27-win Spartans team that narrowly missed out on the Elite Eight. Though it occasionally gets him into trouble, he's a hard-nosed, opportunistic defender who excels offensively at getting to the line, where he made 88.5% of his free throws last season. He and Michigan State are primed for what could be a special season, with the 2027 Final Four in nearby Detroit.
(Nick King/Lansing State Journal)
2. Tyler Tanner (Vanderbilt):The rise of the Commodores is thanks to Tanner. The guard is a master floor general that dishes it out at a high clip but his defensive IQ is off the charts, disrupting offenses with 2.4 steals per game (10th in Division I). What separates him is how he stepped up his scoring tremendously, averaging a team-high 19.5 points per game by driving down the lane and shooting the ball at a high clip from the perimeter. Don't let the 6-foot frame you from this assassin.
(Steve Roberts, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
1. Thomas Haugh (Florida): Gators coach Todd Golden is spoiled with the best frontcourt in the country led by the best player in the sport. With the rare combination of elite skill and experience, Haugh stands out above all with his knack to defend anyone on the court and a be a lethal offensive machine, coming off a team-high 17.1 points per game. He could've been a high NBA draft pick, but he's back as a player of the year favorite and the main reason why Florida can win two titles in three seasons.
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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College basketball is here! See who the top 10 players are heading into 2026-27 season
Duke center Patrick Ngongba II (21) and Kansas guard Tyran Stokes (4) are among the top 10 players in college basketball for the 2026-27 season according to USA TODAY Sports' Jordan Mendoza and Craig Meyer. Click here to see the full top 100 list
.
(Evert Nelson/The Capital-Journal)
1
/11
College basketball is here! See who the top 10 players are heading into 2026-27 season
Duke center Patrick Ngongba II (21) and Kansas guard Tyran Stokes (4) are among the top 10 players in college basketball for the 2026-27 season according to USA TODAY Sports' Jordan Mendoza and Craig Meyer. Click here to see the full top 100 list
.
(Evert Nelson/The Capital-Journal)
2
/11
College basketball is here! See who the top 10 players are heading into 2026-27 season
10. David Mirkovic (Illinois):For a team returning plenty of pieces from a Final Four, Mirkovic stands out above the rest. He finds way to score across the floor, but his ability to command the boards (team-high 8 rebounds per game) played a huge role in him being named to NCAA all-South Region team. He's coming off foot surgery and when he's back, he'll be the focal point of the offense.
(Ron Johnson, Ron Johnson-Imagn Images)
3
/11
College basketball is here! See who the top 10 players are heading into 2026-27 season
9. Thijs De Ridder (Virginia):For all of Duke's firepower, the best player in the ACC may very well be in Charlottesville. De Ridder was the catalyst of Virginia's 15-win improvement under first-year coach Ryan Odom in 2025-26, averaging 15.6 points and 6.2 rebounds per game. The Cavaliers bring back most of their key players from that 30-win squad, with the 23-year-old Belgian sophomore the centerpiece of that group.
(Bill Streicher, Bill Streicher-Imagn Images)
4
/11
College basketball is here! See who the top 10 players are heading into 2026-27 season
8. Tyran Stokes (Kansas):After a prep career that saw him bounce between three high schools, Stokes will spend his first and almost certainly only college season at Kansas, where the Jayhawks will have what should be the best freshman in the sport. Last season, the nation's No. 1 overall recruit averaged 31 points, 13 rebounds, six assists, and four steals per game while leading Rainier Beach High School in Seattle to a 29-1 record and a state title.
(Evert Nelson/The Capital-Journal)
5
/11
College basketball is here! See who the top 10 players are heading into 2026-27 season
7. Patrick Ngongba II (Duke):When healthy and not in foul trouble, Ngongba is a sight to behold. The center didn't play heavily last season, but you couldn't ignore his impact when on the court, a defensive nightmare that led Duke in blocked shots. Now with an expanded role, he has the ability to be a double-double machine every night and lead the Blue Devils in scoring.
(Jared C. Tilton, Getty Images)
6
/11
College basketball is here! See who the top 10 players are heading into 2026-27 season
6. Flory Bidunga (Louisville): After frontcourt woes prevented the Cardinals from living up to massive preseason expectations last season, they addressed it by adding the best big man in the transfer portal. There are few, if any, better rim protectors in the sport than the 6-9 Bidunga, who averaged 2.6 blocks per game last season at Kansas on his way to winning Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year honors. He's a solid offensive player, too, averaging 13.3 points per game and shooting 64% from the field as a sophomore in 2025-26.
(Evert Nelson/The Capital-Journal, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
7
/11
College basketball is here! See who the top 10 players are heading into 2026-27 season
5. Alex Condon (Florida):There may be no one as versatile as Condon, entering his fourth season in Gainesville. He can score, rebound, assist and block shots at an extremely high clip, making it nearly impossible to figure out how to limit him. He's only gotten better with experience, and is a shoe-in to be all-SEC for the fourth straight season.
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, IMAGN IMAGES)
8
/11
College basketball is here! See who the top 10 players are heading into 2026-27 season
4. Motiejus Krivas (Arizona):Lost in the guard play of Arizona's Final Four run was the dominance inside from Krivas. He bounced back from injury in a big way, averaging 10.4 points and 8.2 rebound per game while his presence on the defensive end resulted in opponents shooting 36.7% from the field when he's on the court. He sets the tone for Tommy Lloyd's club with a great chance to be the player of the year in the Big 12.
(Ron Chenoy, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
9
/11
College basketball is here! See who the top 10 players are heading into 2026-27 season
3. Jeremy Fears Jr. (Michigan State):Fears was the nation's assist leader last season, dishing out 9.4 dimes per game for a 27-win Spartans team that narrowly missed out on the Elite Eight. Though it occasionally gets him into trouble, he's a hard-nosed, opportunistic defender who excels offensively at getting to the line, where he made 88.5% of his free throws last season. He and Michigan State are primed for what could be a special season, with the 2027 Final Four in nearby Detroit.
(Nick King/Lansing State Journal)
10
/11
College basketball is here! See who the top 10 players are heading into 2026-27 season
2. Tyler Tanner (Vanderbilt):The rise of the Commodores is thanks to Tanner. The guard is a master floor general that dishes it out at a high clip but his defensive IQ is off the charts, disrupting offenses with 2.4 steals per game (10th in Division I). What separates him is how he stepped up his scoring tremendously, averaging a team-high 19.5 points per game by driving down the lane and shooting the ball at a high clip from the perimeter. Don't let the 6-foot frame you from this assassin.
(Steve Roberts, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
11
/11
College basketball is here! See who the top 10 players are heading into 2026-27 season
1. Thomas Haugh (Florida): Gators coach Todd Golden is spoiled with the best frontcourt in the country led by the best player in the sport. With the rare combination of elite skill and experience, Haugh stands out above all with his knack to defend anyone on the court and a be a lethal offensive machine, coming off a team-high 17.1 points per game. He could've been a high NBA draft pick, but he's back as a player of the year favorite and the main reason why Florida can win two titles in three seasons.
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Bryce James stats for Arizona vs UCLA
James made an impact right out of the gate, assisting on the first bucket of the season for the Wildcats when he dished it out Ivan Kharchenkov in the first minute of the game.
However, that would be the only thing James had on the stat sheet. Despite starting the game, he played in just six minutes − three in each half. He missed all of his attempted shots as JJ Mandaquit played the majority of the game in relief of James.
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In his college basketball debut, James scored no points, going 0-for-3 from the field with one assist as the Wildcats were upset by UCLA, 84-75 .
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Bryce James stats: Lebron James' son makes first college start for Arizona
