

As his senior season at Sierra Canyon High School ends, the NBA world eagerly awaits the iconic Father-son duo of LeBron James and Bronny James to materialize in the NBA. After yet another dominant run with the Sierra Canyon Trailblazers, Bronny has seemingly garnered the attention of top scouts and millions of fans. Needless to say, Bronny’s improved performance in college will certainly push his draft stock higher in the coming months. However, surprisingly, media houses are already touting the eldest son of the Los Angeles Lakers forward as a top prospect in his class. Likewise, ESPN recently came out with its 2024 NBA mock draft and placed the 18-year-old as a top-10 pick.
Not many were bought in on ESPN’s questionable judgment and projections. In fact, most fans took to social media to vehemently protest the polarizing mock draft and Bronny’s ranking in it.
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Bronny James projected to be a top-10 pick
In the past few months, Bronny James led the Sierra Canyon Trailblazers to a dominant record of 18-5. All this while sporting impressive averages that have catapulted him to the top of the national rankings. However, interestingly, he is one of the only top recruits in the nation who has yet to commit to a college. But amid all the frenzy surrounding his NBA aspirations and his father’s influence, the NBA world focuses more on the future.
Likewise, media houses and eminent analysts are already coming out with the 2024 mock draft and Bronny’s ranking in them. Similarly, media giant ESPN also recently came out with its projections of the top 59 picks. Surprisingly, the mock draft had Bronny James getting drafted as the 10th overall pick in the first round.
In an article by ESPN, an experienced draft analyst, Jonathan Givony, explained the rationale and ‘science’ deployed behind ESPN’s projections of the 2024 draft. Likewise, Givony also harped on Bronny’s prospects and his meteoric rise in the rankings. He said, “James has earned his spot in lottery conversations…developing into arguably the best perimeter defender in his high school class while making strides in his perimeter shooting and playmaking ability”.
Givony further pointed out the budding aspects of Bronny’s game, “James has grown, filled out his frame, found another gear with his explosiveness and become an absolute terror off the ball defensively thanks to his outstanding intensity and feel for the game. He still has plenty of room to improve his ballhandling and pull-up jumper to become a more prolific and efficient shot creator…”
Though ESPN and Givony backed their Bronny pick with sound arguments, fans weren’t buying it. In fact, the mock draft slipped the NBA world into a major uproar.
Fans react to Bronny’s rise in the rankings
Most fans agree that Bronny James has immense potential in the future. However, many also agree that the 18-year-old has a long way to go. Consequently, ESPN’s placing Bronny as a top 10 pick slipped the NBA world into a major uproar. Fans weren’t buying the questionable mock draft. Moreover, some fans even blamed LeBron James’ influence as a factor.
Here are some fan reactions on Twitter:
Ain’t what you know. It’s who you know 😵💫 https://t.co/KVp0D4UkBP
— Super Nigga (@MarvyMarv__) February 22, 2023
He’s going to be a legit college player but mocking him top 10 as a one and done is insane. He wasn’t even the leading scorer at Sierra canyon this year.
I think he will end up in the league but it’s going to take a few years.— choc (@choc) February 22, 2023
Not trying to hate bc I've never seen him play, but if his name was Joe Smith would he even getting 1st round buzz or is he legit?
— . (@NationPsu) February 22, 2023
If he wasn’t the kings son would he even be mentioned though? I don’t follow the sport so I’m genuinely curious
— Bobby E (@BobbyEParody) February 22, 2023
I love Bronny but top 10? Bronny without his name is at best a D2 player. The media is really starting to make Bronny look overrated and it’s becoming weird
— LeastBiasPhillyFan (@EmbiidsBetter) February 22, 2023
He could prove he’s a lottery pick in college but he’s shown nothing right now that he’s above and beyond all the other prospects to be a lottery pick. This is clearly cause he’s LeBrons son
— Ian Shalk (@LimitZ_US) February 22, 2023
That’s funny cause if you look at it objectively, he wouldn’t be in the conversation as a lottery pick. Hell, some sights don’t even rank him in top 20 highschool players.
— Joe Stewart (@SMB0213) February 22, 2023
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The main reason he’s going to be drafted so high, (probably #1) is because Lebron said he would play where his son plays. Which is also why Lebron is tanking the Lakers this season.
— BP (@2592man) February 22, 2023
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What are your thoughts on Bronny’s ranking? Let us know in the comments below.
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