Bryce James did not play in Arizona’s 80 to 69 win at Auburn on Friday, Nov. 13, one game after starting. Coach Tommy Lloyd moved JJ Mandaquit into the starting lineup in James’ place and rode a tight eight man rotation. Afterward, Lloyd said he wished he had gotten LeBron James’ youngest son into the game.
Bryce James had started all six of Arizona’s exhibitions and its first three regular season games. Now the most famous player on the roster is fighting for minutes four games into his first season of college action.
Why did Bryce James not play against Auburn?
Lloyd called it a matter of the moment. He said he saw the Auburn trip as a big road test, the kind of win that looks great on a tournament résumé, so he tightened the lineup. He wanted more ball handling on the floor and went with the group he considers his best.
As for Bryce James, Lloyd said the two had a great conversation. Once Arizona built a lead and Auburn started coming back, he said, it felt hard to throw in a player who had not been on the court, so he stuck with the guys who had built the lead. He added that Bryce James has shown him a lot in recent weeks and that he will keep looking for ways to get him opportunities.
Bryce James is starting to understand it now 🔋
Doing a little bit of everything in only his third career game 💯 https://t.co/dNdJAEzd2i
— SportsCenter NEXT (@SCNext) November 11, 2026
How has Bryce James played this season?
The numbers are modest. James is averaging 2.7 points, 1.7 assists and 1.3 steals in 12 minutes a game, shooting 3 for 11 from the field and 2 for 7 from 3 point range.
He has had flashes. In last week’s win over Northern Arizona, he fired up the crowd by blocking a dunk attempt and then hitting a 3. But the 19 year old is still adjusting after spending last season as a redshirt, when he did not play a single minute during Arizona’s run to the Final Four.
Who replaced Bryce James in Arizona’s lineup?
Mandaquit played 31 minutes and made all six of his free throws. With him running the point, Derek Dixon slid over to shooting guard and scored 11.
Arizona’s starters did nearly all the damage. Caleb Holt scored 24, Ivan Kharchenkov added 19 and Mo Krivas had 16. The starting five scored 76 of Arizona’s 80 points, about 95%. Lloyd said the bench will have to grow over the season but that Auburn was not the night for a long look.
That is part of the problem for James. According to KenPom, Arizona gives its bench fewer minutes than all but a few dozen teams in Division I.
What does this mean for LeBron’s son?
Being the son of a superstar means every box score becomes a headline. Bronny James lived that at USC before the Lakers drafted him. Now his little brother is getting the same treatment.
When Bryce James committed, LeBron praised Lloyd as a straight shooter who told his son exactly what he thought of him. Friday was that honesty in action. There was no special treatment, just a coach riding his best lineup in a tough road game. For a young Black athlete who has had cameras on him since middle school, earning minutes the hard way could end up mattering more than any highlight.
What is next for Bryce James and Arizona?
The schedule does not get easier. Arizona hosts No. 4 UConn on Wednesday, Nov. 18, at 7 p.m. MST on FS1.
Lloyd has said James will get chances. Whether one comes against UConn, in a game where Lloyd will likely lean on his starters again, may tell us whether Friday was a one night choice or the start of a new role.
