Back in early January, Bryce James, the youngest son of NBA legend LeBron James, officially committed to play college basketball for the Arizona Wildcats. He also received offers from Ohio State and Duquesne, but ultimately chose to join Tommy Lloyd’s program in Tucson. This week, the Wildcats made it official with a social media announcement welcoming Bryce to the team. The question now becomes: Could he one day share the court with his father and brother, Bronny James?
As part of the official announcement, Arizona didn’t just unveil Bryce’s commitment with custom graphics—they also released a video message from the 17-year-old. In it, Bryce appears wearing a Wildcats jersey and delivers a short but confident message to his new fan base: “What’s going on Wildcat Nation? Can’t wait to get there and start working. Bear Down!”
Bryce, who is three years younger than his brother Bronny, has a long road ahead. Bronny has already made headlines by debuting in the NBA alongside their father in what was a groundbreaking father-son moment in professional basketball. Could lightning strike twice? Thanks to LeBron’s remarkable longevity, that dream might not be as far-fetched as it seems.
If it happens, it would be unprecedented. A father playing not just with one, but two of his sons in a professional sports game has never happened in modern sports history. To make that scenario a reality, LeBron would need to remain active for at least three more seasons, while Bronny must continue to develop into a consistent NBA contributor. At the same time, Bryce would need to accelerate his growth and arrive in the league quickly and successfully.
When could Bryce realistically reach the NBA? A timeline breakdown
Bryce James, now 17, is set to make his college debut in the 2025–26 NCAA season. Under current NBA eligibility rules, players must be one year removed from high school graduation before entering the draft. That means the 2026 NBA Draft would be Bryce’s first opportunity to turn pro.
If all goes according to plan, Bryce could make his NBA debut in the 2026–27 season, at age 19. That would also mark LeBron James’ 24th NBA season, when he’d be 42 years old.
Even for LeBron—widely recognized as one of the most durable athletes in NBA history—that timeline presents serious challenges. Age, health, and motivation will all play critical roles. But if anyone can defy those odds, it’s him.
How rare is a multigenerational NBA legacy? Let history be the judge
A LeBron-Bronny-Bryce trio on the NBA floor would mark uncharted territory for any major sport. In baseball, Ken Griffey Sr. and Ken Griffey Jr. made history in 1990 when they played together for the Seattle Mariners—but that was just father and son. In football, iconic dynasties like the Mannings, Matthews, and Longs have spanned generations, yet never simultaneously. And in the NBA, the Curry family—with Dell, Stephen, and Seth—offers another notable case, though they never shared a roster.
What the James family is potentially building transcends those examples. This wouldn’t just be a legacy—it would be a living sports epic, magnified by the stature of LeBron as one of the greatest to ever play the game.
