Bryce James transfers back to Sierra Canyon, becomes eligible immediately

Sierra Canyon welcomes back Bryce James, who will be eligible immediately once cleared by the CIF office

Tarek Fattal, SBLive Sports | Nov 21, 2023

Bryce James is transferring back to Sierra Canyon.

That’s not a typo.

The youngest son of LeBron James is headed back to Chatsworth where he played his freshman and sophomore seasons after starting the 2023 fall semester at Notre Dame/Sherman Oaks.

Bryce officially unenrolled, turned in school and basketball equipment back to Notre Dame early Tuesday, according to sources.

After playing summer basketball with Campbell Hall, which included competing with the Vikings at Section 7 in Arizona, Bryce decided to enroll at Notre Dame for the fall.

Aug. 10: Bryce James transfers again, will play basketball for Notre Dame after brief stay at Campbell Hall

After just three months at Notre Dame, Bryce and the James family have decided to go back home — Sierra Canyon.

As ambiguous as it seems, Bryce James will be eligible to compete immediately at Sierra Canyon, according to the CIF Southern Section’s A-B-A rule.

When James transferred to Notre Dame, he was ruled ineligible for half the season due to transfer rules. Only a valid change of residence makes a student-athlete eligible immediately. The James family did not move.

Nov. 4: Bryce James will sit half the basketball season; Here's why

The transfer back to Sierra Canyon, where Bryce was originally eligible, allows Bryce to resume his eligibility because he did not compete in any games for Notre Dame this season, which began Nov. 13.

James could be eligible as soon as next week.

James split time between JV and varsity at Sierra Canyon and tallied 3.8 points per game in 12 varsity appearances for the Trailblazers as a sophomore.

Despite little production in high school, James had a more promising summer and has earned a four-star rating, according to 247Sports.com, and currently holds an offer to Ohio State and Duquesne University.

Bryce James will be back at Sierra Canyon this season. / Photo by Soobum Im, SBLive Sports

Published Nov 21, 2023

TAREK FATTAL, SBLIVE SPORTS

Tarek Fattal has been covering high school sports since 2015 in Southern California and primarily in Los Angeles, covering notable athletes such as Bronny James, Kayvon Thibodeaux and Alyssa Thompson. He was with the LA Daily News for eight years, which included being the beat reporter for the UCLA men's basketball team. Tarek can be seen on TV regularly on CBS/KCAL as a sports analyst with Jim Hill.