Bryce James is all geared up to embark on a new journey. Last month, Arizona Basketball made his move to the Wildcats official, taking him one step closer to his NBA dream. So, the teenager is busy enjoying his final days as a high school student. Draped in a classy black Louis Vuitton suit, with a Cartier watched strapped on his wrist by LeBron in an emotional father-son moment, Bryce attended his senior prom this week. But even amid the celebrations, he has not taken his eyes off the ultimate goal.
In his latest Instagram post, Bryce shared a video of himself sweating it out in the gym, working on his basketball skills. Dunking, shooting, dribbling, he was doing it all. Surprisingly, there was a familiar face guiding him throughout the intense workout – former Lakers assistant coach, Phil Handy.
Well, Handy was fired by Rob Pelinka last year when the franchise let go of Darvin Ham and his crew following their embarrassing first round exit. But Phil is an elite coach with a stacked resume to back it up. Before joining the Lakers in 2019, he went to four consecutive NBA finals as an assistant coach. Three with the Cavaliers and one with the Raptors, winning two chips during that span. Sure enough, he had immediate impact upon arrival in LA as he helped the Lakers win a title in the Bubble in his very first season. And Phil had been an integral part of their coaching staff until last year.
Moreover, two of Handy’s three championships came with a LeBron led team, which means they share a solid bond. So, the coach stepping in as Bryce’s mentor before he begins his college basketball journey makes perfect sense. Even LeBron seemed to approve the move as he shared Bryce’s post on his IG story. And the Lakers superstar couldn’t be prouder of his son.
Of course, watching his younger son turn into a man right before his eyes is an emotional experience for LeBron. It was evident in the way he helped Bryce get dressed up for his senior prom, with the entire James Gang standing by his side. Filled with immense pride, King James even shared a heartfelt message with his 159 million+ followers,
Soon, Bryce will be suiting up for the Arizona Wildcats, embracing a new role that will eventually lead him to the NBA. Well, he seems to have the skills for it. Per 247Sports, he was ranked the no. 44 SG and no. 258 overall prospect in the nation. Standing at 6’4, many believe Bryce has a higher ceiling than his older brother, Bronny, who is already a Laker. So, it will not come as a surprise if Bryce follows in his father and brother’s footsteps and enters his name in the NBA draft next year, adding to the legacy of the James family. He is constantly working toward that goal, as is evident from his latest video. What a historic moment it would be when the entire James Gang steps on an NBA court together, either as teammates or opponents. Thoughts?
