The NBA's global popularity continues to soar, with its stars captivating audiences both on and off the court. Players leverage social media platforms like Instagram to connect with fans, build personal brands, and extend their influence beyond basketball. This digital engagement has become a significant aspect of their public personas.
On Wednesday, Lev Akabas of Sportico revealed a list of the top-25 most-followed NBA players on Instagram. Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James leads the pack with an impressive 159.7 million followers, followed by Stephen Curry with 58.1 million and Russell Westbrook with 22.9 million. These figures not only showcase their on-court greatness but also their ability to engage and resonate with a global audience.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James and guard Bronny James.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James and guard Bronny James.
© Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
However, the list also revealed a surprising some surprising news: Bronny James, LeBron's son, boasts 7.9 million Instagram followers. This places him ahead of established NBA stars like Jayson Tatum, who has 7.4 million followers, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who wasn't even on the list.
Bronny James' significant following at such an early stage in his career has sparked conversations about the evolving dynamics of fame and influence in sports.
"Even Bronny James has more aura than Jayson Tatum," one fan noted.
"Bronny has more than 'why can’t I be the face of the league' Tatum," another fan said.
"Bronny got more than Shai," a third fan added.
"Bronny at 18 is wild," another fan posted.
Bronny James' substantial following can be attributed to several factors. Being the son of LeBron James naturally draws attention, but he has also carved out his own identity through his basketball journey, including his time at USC.