Tommy Lloyd explains Bryce James sitting out Arizona's win over Auburn

Bryce James, the son of NBA star and current 76ers forward LeBron James, was not part of Arizona's rotation for the first time this season on Friday, going unused in the Wildcats' 80-69 win over Auburn. James had started each of the first three games of the 2026-27 season against Northern Arizona, Cal Poly and UCLA.

After the game, Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd said he had a "great conversation" with James and that the program will continue looking for ways to get him on the court.

"I wish I would have got him in the game," Lloyd said. "It just kind of got tight there and we got the lead.. I went with the guys who had been out there and were able to get us that lead, and hoping they could do it again. But Bryce has really shown me a lot the last couple weeks and we'll continue to try to find ways to give him opportunities for sure."

James had been a fixture in the rotation during the program's Lithuanian tour earlier this summer and through the first three games of the season before logging his first DNP-CD of the year. Against Auburn, Lloyd opted for a three-guard starting lineup, with JJ Mandaquit getting the start over James.

The Wildcats played only eight players in the victory. Maksim Brnovic (six minutes), Evan Otten (eight) and Cameron Holmes (14) were the only ones to log minutes off the bench. Arizona's rotation has been in flux to start the season because of the pending eligibility of Clemson transfer RJ Godfrey, who is currently ineligible to play.

Lloyd said Arizona viewed the matchup as "a really important game for our season," adding that he expects it to be a Quad 1 win. He explained that he tightened the rotation and changed the starting lineup because he wanted more ball handling on the court, saying that group has been the team's best lineup as it tries to establish its identity and build confidence.

James was part of Arizona's loaded 2025 recruiting class that helped the Wildcats reach the Final Four for the first time since 2001. After redshirting during his freshman season, he was expected to be a key part of the rotation during the 2026-27 campaign off the bench.

Arizona has a huge matchup coming up next, facing No. 4 UConn on Wednesday.