In 2018, LeBron James highlighted his youngest son Bryce’s impressive shooting abilities in a tweet, calling him “the best shooter in this household for sure!” At 17 years old, Bryce James stands 6’4” and weighs 190 pounds, leaving plenty of room for growth. However, recent events have not been kind to the young basketball player. Bryce lost his #1 spot in the high school basketball NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) rankings, according to On3. Adding to the challenge, one of his former teams seems to have found a new standout player.
Notre Dame High School recently witnessed the long-awaited debut of a 6’7” junior named Tyran Stokes. Hailing from Prolific Prep, Stokes made a strong impression in his first game, scoring 20 points in Notre Dame’s 82-55 win over Fairfax. Stokes entered the season with high expectations after earning a gold medal with the USA under-17 national team during the summer. However, a wrist injury delayed his debut until now. According to Coach Matt Sargeant, Stokes has fully recovered from surgery, with his wrist healed, and he is expected to improve further as he gets back in shape.
Interestingly, Bryce James was once poised to join Notre Dame’s roster under Coach Sargeant. In May, Bryce transferred from Sierra Canyon to Campbell Hall, only to move again in August to Notre Dame. However, he reportedly unenrolled from Notre Dame shortly after, returning his school equipment without ever playing a game. Bryce then made a third transfer within six months, ultimately returning to Sierra Canyon.
Bryce’s constant school transfers and changes have raised concerns about the impact on his basketball career and NIL valuation. Once ranked at the top of the On3 High School Basketball NIL Rankings and in the top 15 for NIL athletes across all sports, Bryce has since fallen to fifth place in the high school basketball rankings and 44th overall.
Meanwhile, AJ Dybantsa, a standout player at Utah Prep School, has seen a meteoric rise in his NIL value. His valuation increased by $400,000 within a month, reaching $2.8 million, making him the projected first-overall pick in the 2026 NBA draft. Dybantsa’s NIL deals include partnerships with Nike and Red Bull, the latter making him their first-ever men’s basketball player to sign such a deal. Dybantsa is currently ranked sixth in the top 100 NIL athletes across all sports.
For Bryce James, these setbacks are significant. However, as he works to return from injury and help his team succeed at Sierra Canyon, he has the opportunity to rebuild his reputation and prove his critics wrong. Whether this recent dip in form is a temporary setback or a sign of deeper issues remains a topic of debate among fans and analysts. Many hope Bryce can stabilize his career and regain his position as one of the top prospects in high school basketball.