Not every day, an NFL legend and LeBron James’ son share the same basketball court. But that’s precisely what happened at Arizona’s Red-Blue Showcase. The night blurred the line between sports and spectacle, as Rob Gronkowski made a thunderous return to campus in full “Gronkstone” mode. He decked out in caveman gear, commanding laughs with his over-the-top antics.

Yet the spotlight also shone on Bryce James, who debuted in Arizona on Saturday. Playing for the Blue team, he showcased flashes of his all-around game, while Gronk brought the chaos of the past. So why was he there?

What role did Rob Gronkowski play at the Arizona Wildcats Red-Blue showcase?

The Arizona Wildcats’ 2025 Red-Blue Showcase marked the unofficial start of the men’s basketball season. This annual intrasquad event featured a 5-on-5 scrimmage, a dunk contest, and a 3-point shootout, offering fans an early glimpse of the team.

The Red team narrowly defeated the Blue team 45-44, with freshman Brayden Burries scoring 22 points, including the game-winning shot. But that was not even the highest point of the game. It came earlier, as seen in a viral video of the Gronk/James shenanigans.

It was a conundrum when Rob Gronkowski showed up at the Arizona Wildcats’ Red-Blue Showcase. The former football star, already a campus legend, started the night as a prop in the dunk contest, helping kick off the McKale Center festivities.

In one of the night’s highlights, guard Addison Arnold lined up like Tom Brady calling signals, took a snap from Gronk, and threw down a football dunk over the 6-foot-6 tight end. In true form, Gronk flexed for the crowd and finished the bit with his trademark spike, echoing the celebration he made famous in the NFL.

But Gronk’s antics didn’t end there. After the pregame fun, he returned to the court. This time in full costume, putting on a long brown wig, fake mustache, headband, and a custom Blue team jersey that featured his college number 48 on the front and NFL number 87 on the back.

He introduced himself as “Rocky Gronkstone,” a prehistoric enforcer. His court time, however, was cut hilariously short. In just over a minute of play, “Gronkstone” had taken the stadium by storm.

He even picked up two technical fouls and was consequently ejected, as the roaring laughter from the crowd filled the arena. As he walked off, he struck the ball one last time, brushed with the referee in mock anger, and high-fived fans on his way out. This was a perfect Gronk moment from start to finish.

Even head coach Tommy Lloyd joined in the laughter. “That new kid Gronkstone, Rocky — that kid’s got some great energy,” Lloyd joked afterward. “Got to work on his temper, though. I’ll tell you what, that guy will try to sell anything. He’ll do advertisements for anything; he’ll crush it in NIL.” Lloyd praised Gronk’s fun atmosphere at the event, calling it “the kind of night that makes basketball in Tucson special.”

Are Rob Gronkowski and Bryce James actually playing together in college basketball?

Let’s clear up the talk right away. The answer is no, as Rob Gronkowski and Bryce James are not college basketball teammates. Rob Gronkowski’s appearance at the Arizona Wildcats’ 2025 Red-Blue Showcase blended celebration, promotion, and fan engagement.

As a former Arizona football player, Gronkowski returned to his alma mater. Once he was ejected, the scrimmage settled into a more traditional, competitive rhythm.

With Gronkstone gone, the ball was back in the court. For freshman Bryce James, it was his debut for Arizona. He finished the exhibition with three points on 1-for-3 shooting from the field, including one of two three-point attempts, while taking no free throws.

He also contributed one assist, one block, and one steal in 18 minutes, committing no turnovers, showing glimpses of his all-around potential despite a limited stat line. Meanwhile, Bryce is living the real grind of college basketball. Supported by his family, including his father, LeBron James, Bryce is carving out his path in Tucson.

Another freshman guard, Brayden Burries, caught fire, scoring 17 of his 22 points in the second half and sealing the Red team’s 45-44 win with a driving layup in the final 10 seconds. “It felt pretty good to finally play in front of the fans,” Burries said afterward. “They just gave me the energy I needed. My teammates had my back, and the coaches drew up plays for us to be successful.”

What can fans expect from Bryce James this season?

What would you expect from an 18-year-old freshman? Just looking at how Bryce works on himself, expect steady growth, composure, and maturity beyond his age.

His growth is visible through physical transformation, growing taller and more muscular, and the arrival of a beard, which all signal that he’s ready to handle college basketball. Fans should look for his playmaking, defensive versatility, and ability to fit within a structured system. Notably, Bryce James will be eligible for the 2026 draft.

For Father James, the boys have fled the nest. Highlighting his independent approach as a father and mentor to Bryce, he said, “I’m not sitting here, no, I’m not waiting on Bryce. He has his own timeline, I got my timeline, and I don’t know if they quite match up.”

Bryce is also supported off the court by his girlfriend and family, giving him a steady foundation. Head coach Tommy Lloyd praised Bryce’s dedication during the practice sessions: “He is all about development. So, just getting better in practice every single day, getting stronger in the weight room. So, for me, that’s what I’m looking forward to.” Bryce is poised to gradually make his mark at Arizona while developing into a well-rounded, reliable contributor.