Bryce James, son of NBA legend LeBron James, logged his first DNP-CD of the season on Friday night, sitting out Arizona’s 80-69 win over Auburn. This isn’t just a benching, folks, it’s a major shift for a player who started the Wildcats’ first three games.
Coach Lloyd Spills The Tea On Bryce’s Bench Time
After the game, Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd didn’t shy away from the situation. He said he had a “great conversation” with Bryce, and honestly, he wished he could’ve gotten him into the game. But when the game got tight and Arizona snagged the lead, Lloyd stuck with the guys who had already delivered. Here’s the kicker though: Lloyd also said Bryce has “really shown me a lot the last couple weeks” and promised they’d “continue to try to find ways to give him opportunities for sure.” It sounds like a mixed message, but it tells you the coach sees potential, even if he made a tough call for a big game. Lloyd was clear this Auburn game was “really important for our season,” calling it a Quad 1 win opportunity to establish identity and build confidence. That means every minute counted.
Rotation Roulette: A Tight Lineup Emerges
So, what went down? James had been a regular in Arizona’s rotation, even during their summer tour in Lithuania and the opening three games against Northern Arizona, Cal Poly, and UCLA. But against Auburn, Lloyd went with a three-guard starting lineup, putting JJ Mandaquit in over James. Only eight players saw action for the Wildcats in that game. Maksim Brnovic, Evan Otten, and Cameron Holmes were the only bench players to log minutes, and even then, Brnovic and Otten were under 10 minutes each. This tight rotation is partly due to Clemson transfer RJ Godfrey’s pending eligibility, which means he’s currently sidelined. Lloyd explained he tightened the lineup and changed the starters because he needed “a little bit more ball handling out on the court,” adding that this new lineup has been their best. It’s clear the Wildcats are figuring things out early, and that means some tough decisions for player roles.
What’s next for Bryce and the Wildcats? They’ve got a huge matchup coming up this Wednesday against No. 4 UConn. Bryce was expected to be a key part of the rotation this season, especially after redshirting his freshman year and being part of that loaded 2025 recruiting class that helped Arizona reach the Final Four for the first time since 2001. Will he get back on the floor for that high-stakes game? Coach Lloyd is promising opportunities, and you know everyone will be watching to see how Bryce fits into this evolving Wildcats lineup.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
Leave a Reply