The Nike Elite Youth Basketball League (EYBL) Peach Jam is one of the most prestigious youth basketball tournaments in the country. Held annually in North Augusta, South Carolina, it is a key event in the EYBL circuit, which is part of Nike’s grassroots basketball program. The Peach Jam showcases top high school basketball talent from across the nation, featuring elite AAU teams.

Under such a high-stakes environment, tensions were palpable for the Strive for Greatness team, as they faced off against their rivals like Nightrydas Elite, Team Hero, and City Rocks. The atmosphere crackled with intensity, and Bryce James, known for his emotional investment, shared the injustices his team faced.

In an interview with Uninterrupted, Bryce said there was bias against SFG in their games. He felt that the referees were unfairly penalizing his team, evidenced by frequent technical fouls and what he perceived as unjust officiating. This frustration was compounded by the belief that his team was being targeted because they were unofficially the LeBron James team. “We shouldn’t ever have been in that playing game in the first place. It’s like SFG vs. everybody. Like they all trying to cheat us out of the game and stuff. Y’all seen what the refs are doing to us. They be handing out texts left and right, so you know, it just comes with the SFG on our chest. That’s pretty much it.”

Furthermore, he also called for “revenge” against the Nightrydas Elite, who previously beat SFG by 79-61. SFG’s loss to the Nightrydas was significant, with Bryce expressing frustration over the defeat. Bryce declared, “There’s going to be a revenge game for sure. Yeah, for sure, he’s from Indiana. I think that’s when we played them. You know, they beat us. They didn’t beat us bad, but we didn’t do great. We didn’t do well. So, you know, this game is going to be our revenge game. We gonna get back to the top. Everybody on the team, everybody on their roster, we goin’ at everybody”. 

Meanwhile, LeBron James, Bryce’s father, has always maintained a different approach to handling grievances. Known for his ‘Silent Oath,’ LeBron has never publicly declared revenge or expressed overt dissatisfaction with opponents or officials. For example, LeBron, who led the Cavaliers in the 2016 NBA Finals against the Warriors, faced intense pressure as they were down 3-1 in the series and he was under immense pressure to lead a comeback.

Despite the enormous pressure on him, the King never publicly called out any referees or criticized his teammates and the opposing team. Instead, he channeled his energy into the game and ultimately won the Finals MVP award with a unanimous 11-0 vote. However, “revenge” seems to be on Bryce’s mind following what recently happened.

Bryce James and Cameron Boozer: A high-stakes EYBL showdown

While LeBron James was in Paris for his final Olympics, his sons were under immense pressure as they navigated their basketball careers. While, the elder son, Bronny was struggling to make a mark in the NBA Summer League, where he played three games for the Lakers. He was struggling with shooting and three-pointers. Meanwhile, the youngest son, Bryce, was also facing challenges. Playing for SFG in Nike’s EYBL Peach Jam, Bryce’s team encountered a setback against the Nightrydas Elite.

The game was a test of skill and resilience, with Cameron Boozer, son of former NBA star Carlos Boozer, leading the Nightrydas Elite to a 79-61 victory. Boozer dominated with 21 points, 9 rebounds, and an impressive 3-of-3 shooting from beyond the arc.

Bryce James, representing SFG, matched Boozer’s scoring output with 21 points of his own. He added 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks, shooting 5-of-9 from three-point range. Despite his strong individual performance, Bryce and SFG couldn’t secure the win.

This wasn’t their first clash. On May 18, both players scored 21 points in a similarly competitive game, where Boozer’s shooting was a key factor in his team’s victory. As both young stars continue to develop, their rivalry promises to be a captivating storyline in youth basketball. Will Bryce and SFG find a way to overcome Boozer Jr. and NE in their next encounter? What do you think? Let us know in the comments.