Bryce Maximus James, the younger son of NBA legend LeBron James, carries the legacy of his surname and a powerful middle name rich with expectation and history. Bryce was born on June 14, 2007 right in the middle of his father’s first NBA finals appearance. Bryce’s middle name, Maximus, has cinematic origins.
Maximus is a Latin word for “greatest,” and it perfectly captures the prowess that LeBron has shown on the basketball court. According to ESPN, the inspiration came from the 2000 film “Gladiator,” a personal favorite of LeBron’s.
2002 ➡️ 2022
LeBron James. Bryce James. ⏳ pic.twitter.com/2SfGC6JsDe
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In the Latin language, “Maximus” means “greatest,” indicating the hopes and expectations LeBron has for his son. Standing tall at 6 foot 6, the 16-year-old has already surpassed his elder brother Bronny in height, and with his freshman year wrapping up he is showing signs that he might one day live up to his middle name.
Bryce secured his first college scholarship offer from Duquesne University before even beginning his high school basketball season. The basketball community is eager to see how Bryce’s career develops and wonders if he will go on to become the “greatest” in his own way.
Is Bryce James a better player than his brother Bronny?
Sibling rivalries in the basketball world are nothing new and when you carry the James surname, the expectations are high. Bryce James is already being praised by some analysts as possessing more natural talent than his brother, Bronny James. With the intense media attention, the brothers are making their own paths in the shadow of their legendary father, LeBron James.
Bronny, a 6-foot-3 guard committed to the USC Trojans, is known for his defensive prowess, leadership, and three-point shooting. Whereas Bryce, with a height advantage and a more versatile game, is considered to have a higher ceiling.
LeBron James huddling up Strive for Greatness!
Watch Bryce James in action at Peach Jam ↙️https://t.co/ZqXBMFs2OF pic.twitter.com/qqZS3QD1yb
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“I think [Bronny] is going to go to college, maybe for multiple years,” Windhorst said. “The one thing we know is that, for somebody to jump right into the NBA or be [in college] a year and be ready, it’s usually somebody that’s in the top five, six, seven, eight, nine players in any top 100 ranking.”
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst has earlier weighed in on the brothers’ dynamic, stating that while Bronny has the drive, Bryce may have the edge in pure talent. This could result in differing paths, with Bronny possibly spending multiple years in college and Bryce potentially making an earlier impact in the NBA if he continues to develop his game.
