Bryce James, the youngest son of NBA legend LeBron James, is going through a troublesome battle within the Identify, Picture, and Likeness (NIL) sport. Regardless of his spectacular 3.4 million social media followers-five occasions greater than his closest rival-Bryce has slipped to No. 5 on the On3 Excessive Faculty Basketball NIL Rankings.
As soon as the top-ranked highschool athlete and among the many prime 15 throughout all sports activities, Bryce now finds himself overshadowed by rising star AJ Dybantsa.
Dybantsa, a 6-foot-9 ahead and the projected 2026 first-overall NBA draft decide, continues to dominate the NIL panorama. His valuation lately skyrocketed from $2.05 million to a staggering $2.4 million-a progress of 18% in simply 10 weeks.
Dybantsa is best than James on and off the court docket
AJ’s meteoric rise is fueled by his on-court prowess and profitable partnerships with Nike and Crimson Bull, the place he turned the primary male basketball participant to signal with the vitality drink big. “The partnership was proper there,” Dybantsa stated of his Crimson Bull deal. “Crimson Bull offers you wings, and I can for positive fly.”
Whereas Dybantsa’s model is hovering, Bryce’s NIL valuation stays stagnant, with no current will increase reported. Critics level to his comparatively modest basketball expertise in comparison with his friends as a possible motive.
As the one three-star recruit within the prime 10 and certainly one of solely two gamers with over $1 million in valuation and not using a five-star score, Bryce’s on-court efficiency is underneath scrutiny.
AJ can be a prime prospect
Including to the disparity, Dybantsa isn’t just racking up NIL offers; he is additionally a coveted recruit with affords from over 30 schools, together with Alabama, Baylor, and North Carolina. Analysts predict his valuation may attain $7 to $9 million subsequent 12 months, based on Jeff Goodman of the Discipline of 86 podcast.
Bryce James, nonetheless, has but to announce any main new offers past his Taco Bell partnership. As Dybantsa continues to thrive with endorsements and on-court dominance, followers are left questioning if Bryce can rise to the problem, enhance his sport, and reclaim his place on the prime of the NIL rankings. Solely time will inform.
