No talking to the benchwarmer.
An “enforcer” prevented media at the Final Four from speaking to LeBron James’ son, redshirting Arizona freshman Bryce James, during the open locker room sessions Thursday, according to Yahoo.
The decision to nix any potential interviews with LeBron’s middle child came from the basketball legend and his agency, Klutch Sports Group, not Arizona, per Yahoo’s Dan Wolken.
One of the added benefits of having an open locker room — compared to the usual press conference setting — is the ability to speak to non-star players for colorful anecdotes to help tell stories.
Those players sometimes have compelling stories to tell or can add colorful details to help bolster a piece.
It’s fair to wonder what this ride has been like for Bryce, 18, who could win a national title as a freshman after older brother Bronny’s lone season at USC did not include a trip to the tournament.
LeBron did not attend college and thus did not have his chance for “One Shining Moment.”
This is a unique moment for the James family, even if Bryce is not contributing, yet that story won’t be told, at least for the time being.
One could also argue that preventing Bryce from talking makes for a bigger story than if he had just answered several questions.
LeBron, for what it’s worth, has publicly commented on Arizona’s success, expressing joy after they won the Big 12 Tournament by downing Houston in March.
“To have our kid be able to experience that, to see the joy on his face, the happiness that he has being there in Arizona, learning from a lot of the vets and learning from some of the guys that he came into class with,” LeBron said. “I think it’s just a great experience and it’s going to pay dividends for him going into next year, but he’s just living in the moment. … I’m like him, I’m a big-ass Bryce, that’s what I am.
“To see the success they’re having and him enjoying that and being able to experience that, I always say. the best teacher in life is experience. Of course, I don’t have a choice but to root for Arizona, my son is there. I’m definitely rooting for them in the tournament and we’ll see what happens.”
He also tweeted praise after they bested Purdue, 79-64, in the Elite Eight to advance to their first Final Four since 2001.
“🐻 DOWN!!!! FINAL 4️⃣ BOUND @ArizonaMBB 🫡,” LeBron posted Saturday night.
Bryce joined the program as a three-star recruit, according to ESPN, and he reportedly also had offers from Ohio State and Duquesne.
“🐻 DOWN⬇️!!!!!!!!! CONGRATULATIONS MAXIMUS!! SO PROUD OF YOU!!!” LeBron wrote in his Instagram Story to celebrate the news last Jan. 1.
Bryce did not get on the court during the team’s non-conference schedule, despite plenty of blowouts, and the program made the call in February to redshirt him to avoid wasting his eligibility.
“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,” Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd said earlier this week, according to Yahoo. “We also understand there’s a certain scrutiny that comes with who he is, and we just want to protect him.”
Bryce’s teammates face Michigan in the nightcap Saturday and are 1.5-point underdogs for the much-anticipated clash.
Should they win, the Wildcats will be favorites against either UConn or Illinois in their quest for their first national title since 1997.
