Is Bronny James featured as NBA 2K26 cover athlete? Viral claim debunked

Bronny James had a typical 55th-pick rookie season with the LA Lakers. However, the media attention surrounding him was way more than the No. 1 pick. Despite being a fan favorite, he faced relentless social media scrutiny.

On Tuesday, a post by NBA Centel went viral on X, which said that Bronny would grace the cover of the NBA 2K26. If he were indeed going to be on the cover, other media houses would have broken the news.

Bad news for Bronny’s fans, the story is false. NBA Centel is a parody account that appears and sounds like NBA Central, one of the stops for NBA fans to get the latest updates.

Trending

In his rookie season, Bronny James averaged 2.3 ppg, 0.7 rpg, 0.8 apg and shot 31.3% in FG% in 27 games. He also had a solid performance playing in the G League.

LeBron James makes a shocking revelation about son Bryce and Bronny James' playing career

When LeBron James stepped on the court with his son Bronny James this season, the entire sports world got behind the LA Lakers star, marveling at the rarity of the sight that perhaps would never be seen again. He was hailed as a father by many, except his detractors.

However, as the season moved ahead, in light of Bronny's performance, the chatter around LeBron and his involvement in getting his son drafted got louder. While their father-son pairing was historic, the Lakers star faced heavy criticism for his influence on Bronny's NBA entry.

Finally, the four-time NBA champion seemingly addressed the allegations on his "Mind the Game" podcast and said that he has never tried to get too involved in his son's coaching.

"I've never got involved with my kids coaches," LeBron said. "From Bronny going up to where he's now, to when Bryce on his way to Arizona, I've never got involved, I've never went to a practice and sat through practice the whole time and see how my son was utilized."

"I'm never down on the phone with the coaches," LeBron added. "Coach my son, coach him however you want to. I hope you hold him more accountable than any other kid here."

Next season, when LeBron James potentially returns, he will still be the oldest player in the league, but he will hold the record for playing the most seasons in league history. Meanwhile, Bronny will look to earn more minutes off the bench.

×

Was this article helpful?

Thank You for feedback

About the author

Nandjee Ranjan

Nandjee Ranjan is a journalist covering the NBA and WNBA at Sportskeeda whose passion for basketball dates back to his childhood when he enjoyed playing the sport in school.

Nandjee finds his heart divided between two NBA powerhouses: the LA Lakers and the Golden State Warriors. He idolizes LeBron James and his leadership, while he appreciates the Warriors' dynamic and team-oriented style of play.
Basketball, for Nandjee, isn't just a sport but a holistic approach to fitness and well-being. He's been drawn to team sports, finding fulfillment in the physical engagement basketball offers.

With years of following basketball, Nandjee contextualizes historical events and player performances. He believes in conducting thorough research before writing, only taking information from reliable sources. He doesn’t mind taking more time to write an articles, as long as it is 100% accurate for his readers’ benefit.

During his leisure hours, Nandjee finds relaxation by reading books.

Know More