Heading off to college can be a stressful experience, not just for everyday students but also top-tier athletes playing for major programs. It helps to get guidance from friends, family and former teammates.<\/p>\n
Three members of Arizona\u2019s sizable freshman class spoke to reporters on Tuesday, following the Wildcats\u2019 final summer practice before classes begin later this month. That included guard Bryce James, the younger son of NBA superstar LeBron James, who shared the most important piece of advice his famous father gave him.<\/p>\n
\u201cEven if you\u2019re not having some good days, always have that stay positive mentality,\u201d James said. \u201cDon\u2019t keep your head down, always keep your head up.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ivan Kharchenkov, a Russian-born wing who grew up in Germany, was fortunate to have several American teammates last season while playing with FC Bayern Munich. That included guard Elias Harris, who played at Gonzaga when Tommy Lloyd was an assistant coach, and ex-Clemson forward Devin Booker, whom he credits for laying out the \u201cadult shit\u201d he should know before heading to the U.S..<\/p>\n
The unofficial advisor to Mabil Mawut, a slender 6-foot-11 forward from South Sudan, is former Duke center Khaman Maluach. Mawut was in the green room with Maluach in June when he was taken 10th overall by the Houston Rockets in the 2025 NBA Draft.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s my best friend,\u201d said Mawut, calling the draft experience surreal. \u201cIt happened so fast, but it was an amazing experience. I hope to be there someday.\u201d<\/p>\n
James, who helped Sierra Canyon win a California state title in March, picked the UA over Duquesne, Ohio State and USC. His older brother, Bronny, played one season at USC in 2023-24 before turning pro and it was a media circus, something that no doubt contributed to Bryce\u2019s decision to go to school away from home.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor me personally, I just want, like, a real college experience,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
James attended Arizona\u2019s home loss to Duke last November, his first college basketball game, and was sold on the environment.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know the fans, they really enjoy coming to the Arizona games,\u201d he said. \u201cThey like to get rowdy, get loud.\u201d<\/p>\n
Neither Kharchenkov or Mawut attended a UA game before committing. Each did so during the spring, part of a recruitment process that was spearheaded by assistant coach Jack Murphy. And in both cases, Arizona\u2019s history of bringing in and developing international players under Lloyd helped seal the deal.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat was definitely one part,\u201d Kharchenkov said. \u201cYou see somebody that worked in the past a lot with European players and worked out great. It\u2019s definitely helpful, especially on my team where I played, Elias Harris (spent) four years at Gonzaga with Tommy as (an assistant) coach, so he told me great things about him.\u201d<\/p>\n
Added Mawut: \u201cCoach Tommy has had a great success with international players. I think I could be one of those players if I take my development right.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mawut has been in the states for a while, playing the past two seasons at Our Savior Lutheran Academy in New York City. Prior to that he spent two years at the NBA Academy program in Senegal. He\u2019s only been playing basketball since he was 13.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s around the age Kharchenkov was when he joined Bayern Munich, one of the top German basketball clubs. He played at all levels of their program, spending 2024-25 with the senior team that featured former NBA guard Shabazz Napier and several older players who had played collegiately including ex-Colorado forward Oscar Da Silva.<\/p>\n
But Kharchenkov wasn\u2019t getting much run as one of the younger members of a team that reached the EuroLeague playoffs last season.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a young player, you always want to play a lot,\u201d he said. \u201cI cannot be two years without playing a big role.\u201d<\/p>\n
His agent suggested going the college route, which resulted in him hooking up with Murphy and coming to Tucson. Arizona\u2019s other freshmen have all admitted to having \u201cwelcome to college ball\u201d moments in practice, most of them involving having to deal with senior forward Tobe Awaka, but Kharchenkov comes with plenty of experience going up against bigger and older players.<\/p>\n
\u201cMaybe when the games start,\u201d he said. \u201cI have to adjust a little bit to the game here. It\u2019s definitely more packed, like they\u2019re really reaching a lot. Because in Europe it\u2019s just one extra pass and it\u2019s going to be a 3-pointer in your face. You don\u2019t have a lot of space to drive, so it shrinks a little bit.\u201d<\/p>\n