In the world of college basketball, a whirlwind of rumors was set off this week by a parody post suggesting Bryce James was leaving Arizona for a $25 million YouTube challenge involving MrBeast and bounty hunters in Eastern Europe.
The satire originated from an X account managed by Scott Hughes, which humorously claimed that Bryce, the son of NBA legend LeBron James, was planning to leave the Wildcats to participate in a MrBeast video. The post suggested James would attempt to evade capture by bounty hunters for six months in Europe, with a hefty prize awaiting him if successful.
This fictional tale quickly spread among fans before being debunked as satire. In truth, Bryce James is not departing Arizona.
The 6-foot-5 freshman guard has decided to redshirt, a strategic move confirmed by Arizona's coach, Tommy Lloyd. This decision gives James the chance to further develop within one of the nation’s elite programs without losing a year of eligibility.
“The redshirting decision was just a long play, to give Bryce the most options in his career as his career unfolds,” Lloyd shared with reporters. "I have a real strong belief that Bryce will be a contributor at Arizona in the near future. He’s really shown a lot of progress, not only learning our system but just physically maturing.”
James hasn't yet hit the court for the top-ranked Wildcats, who boast a remarkable 26-2 record and are off to their best start in program history. With a talented roster featuring standout freshmen like Koa Peat and Brayden Burries, Lloyd and his staff are taking a patient approach.
While Bryce James’ name naturally draws attention, his focus remains firmly on development in Tucson, not on any fictional escapades abroad.