Bryce James Didn’t Speak At Final Four, As LeBron's Son Focuses On Development — But It Was Still Awkward
LeBron James’ son drew attention after he was not available to speak during a crowded Final Four locker room session.
INDIANAPOLIS — Lost in the shuffle of players within four different locker rooms on Thursday afternoon at the Final Four was Bryce James, the son of LeBron, not answering questions during the opening period.
Don't get me wrong, Bryce James has not done enough yet during his college career to see the court at Arizona, lost in the shuffle of elite talent that Tommy Lloyd has assembled in Tucson this season while he uses a redshirt. The decision to take the year and develop was announced by head coach Tommy Lloyd in February.
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There comes a massive following when you're the son of one of the greatest players to put on an NBA jersey, so not seeing the court has to bug Bryce at times. But, it's also been made clear that the young man is still learning how to play at this level, so maybe his time will come over the next few years.
I have to admit, I've been in quite a few locker rooms during my time covering college athletics, but I don't think I've seen anything quite like this, with someone essentially standing in the way of a player and reporters.
No, Bryce James Didn’t Have To Speak At Final Four
And, even though he has zero obligations to answer anything, it's still awkward to see someone preventing you from asking an athlete questions, no matter who his father is.
But again, on the other hand, I understand that a lot of the questions that would come during a media appearance surrounded by your teammates could fester into inquiries that have nothing to do with Arizona being in the Final Four.
Though most of us know what we're doing, and will stay away from questions that he obviously cannot answer.
"I’ve always told you we love Bryce. Bryce is an important part of our team, and we’re going to give Bryce the space and opportunity to develop into a young man just like everybody else. We also understand there’s a certain scrutiny that comes with who he is, and we just want to protect him," Arizona head coach Tommy Lloyd noted this week.
Bryce James didn’t speak at the Final Four, as LeBron's son focuses on development. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Bryce James has not been forced to be in the open locker room at Arizona since he arrived, which was not really a decision made entirely by Wildcats' officials.
"To me, the coolest story is gonna be this. Everyone give him space. Let him be his own 18-19-year-old kid," Tommy Lloyd added. "I think he’s going to develop into a good enough player to play at Arizona. That's gonna be a kick-ass story," Tommy Lloyd said on Wednesday.
"I’m not trying to be part of a media circus or him doing this or that. I want to help Bryce as a basketball player, and that’s been our focus, and we’re not going to change course on that."
In all honesty, I don't have a problem with Bryce not speaking with the media, and I haven't been around the team on a daily basis this season. He will get more playing time in the future, though that might be with another team. Who knows.
But, it was still pretty awkward on Thursday to see the son of LeBron James being guarded from answering questions, while the graduate assistants and anyone else with a pulse inside the Arizona locker room was freely speaking.