On March 14, LeBron James was at the Golden 1 Center, bursting with raw emotions as his younger son, Bryce James, neared a major landmark. Sierra Cayon won the state championship, and the James family was off and celebrating. However, there came a time when the 17-year-old’s destiny could have changed. As parents, Savannah and the Akron Hammer made a tactical decision. And if Bryce hadn’t confessed, he would have never seen glory to end his high school career.

Unlike his elder brother, Bryce James wasn’t as prominent a high school athlete in his four years. With Sierra Canyon, his minutes fluctuated, and there, it didn’t seem he would get a platform to truly shine. Likewise, LeBron James and Savannah made a “parenting” call. In the summertime, he transferred to Campbell High School before his junior year. After a handful of games, it was Notre Dame next. But the younger James wasn’t content. Guess what followed?

He took a stand against his parents. Bryce expressed his dissatisfaction with Savannah and LeBron James, as James revealed on Mind The Game, “Our youngest son did as well. Because of parenting because of some things that was happening at the school that we didn’t like we kind of made him transfer in the summertime. He wanted to stay and then ultimately he came to us and said he was not happy with the places that we sent him to and he ended up going back and now this is his senior year and basically he spent all four years at the same high school too.”

It made the father feel “humble and appreciative” because both his sons had a choice. They could have had a glorified high school career if they transferred. But they decided to stick true to their roots and dig it out for Sierra Canyon. Bryce James still didn’t feature as much, but his loyalty and resolve assured James of their son’s true nature.

“You’re not like running away from adversity. You know even though things might not be going your way you able to say f*** it man like okay. I’m here I’ve laid the groundwork and okay yeah it’s not going well for me here but this is not even the real world. What if it doesn’t work out for me in the real world I can’t just pack up and just leave you know. I have to be able to stick through it and work through it so yeah,” the four-time MVP said about his sons. Maybe that is why LeBron had his whole-hearted support when Bryce committed to Arizona on New Year’s Day.

“It was his decision to make, and he went where he felt comfortable,” LeBron James had said about it. “Coach (Tommy) Lloyd is a straight shooter. Gave him exactly what they believe (about) him, what they thought about him as a person, as a player. We’re happy to be part of the Bear Down community now.” As for his high school career, Bryce’s loyalty paid off. In his senior year, he achieved something even his elder brother didn’t in high school. And to put the cherry on top, his parents were probably his loudest supporters that day.

Loyalty paid off for Bryce James

March 14 was a huge day for Bryce James. Having stuck those additional years with Sierra Canyon, the team finally had its moment. James could end his high school career with a state championship. They played against Lincoln that day. And the game went down to the wire, compelling the crowd to watch every motion with a careful gaze.

Bryce James didn’t have the highlight finals that many would have expected. He logged in three points but was on the floor for his defensive effort and shooting prowess. In the end, Sierra Canyon won the CIF State 1 Division title, beating its rivals 58-53. LeBron James was nursing a groin injury at the time. But the entertaining action made it seem that he never was injured.

He and Savannah James would be seen on their feet. The star Lakers forward was even giving out instructions during the deciding moments of the game. LeBron James was an animated yet passionate father at that moment. And it was probably when he felt incredibly happy about being wrong about his decision to transfer Bryce James.

The 17-year-old celebrated wildly with his teammates. It was the high school’s first state title since 2019, a drought Bryce James helped break with some crucial performances coming off the bench. Bronny James had an opportunity on several occasions, but never quite got past the hump.

However, his younger brother was confident he would have. In 2020, due to the pandemic, California didn’t have a championship game, leaving the now-Lakers rookie without a high school championship. So when Bryce James was asked if he had one over him, he told, “He definitely should’ve had one in COVID. I’d still say it’s 1-1.” But as far as his stand on switching back, Bryce James is surely 1-0 against LeBron James and Savannah. And as parents, that filled them with immense joy and pride.