"Should have drafted Bronny": College hoops fans react to Zaccharie Risacher going No. 1 overall in 2024 NBA draft over LeBron James' son 

Geoff
From left to right: Bronny James and No. 1 NBA draft pick Zaccharie Risacher (Image Sources: IMAGN)
From left to right: Bronny James and No. 1 NBA draft pick Zaccharie Risacher (Image Sources: IMAGN)

College basketball fans had mixed reactions to French prospect Zaccharie Risacher being picked No. 1 overall in the 2024 NBA draft on Wednesday.

Risacher, who was drafted as the top pick by the Atlanta Hawks, was the second straight French player to be selected No. 1 overall in the NBA draft following San Antonio Spurs' 7-foot-5 center Victor Wembanyama.

Some fans, however, weren't thrilled with Atlanta's decision and thought of getting the son of four-time MVP LeBron James Sr, Bronny, as a better choice.

Various news outlets reported that the four-time NBA champion has the option to opt out of his current contract with the Lakers this season and be an unrestricted free agent. Some articles told James preferred to play with his son in the coming season.

College hoops fans shared their thoughts on X/Twitter that the Hawks should've picked Bronny to serve as bait to secure LeBron's services:

"Shouldve drafted Bronny," wrote one fan.
"Should have taken Bronny James," another user said.

Another fan made a proposition:

"With this being a weak draft class, someone near the backend of the first round should draft Bronny James. Then hold him hostage. LeBron, we have your son. If you want to see him play, here are our demands."
"Hawks would have been better doing that at 1 than what they did," another fan said.
"Feels like I’ve seen this movie before," another user reacted.

One fan was confident that Bronny would get his wish of playing with the Lakers after the draft was finished:

"I’m 1000% sure Bronny James will be a laker by the end of the nba draft."

Bronny James wants his name called in the draft

Bronny James talks to the media during the 2024 NBA Draft Combine at Wintrust Arena. (Image Source: IMAGN)
Bronny James talks to the media during the 2024 NBA Draft Combine at Wintrust Arena. (Image Source: IMAGN)

Agent Rich Paul spoke about Bronny James' mind going into the 2024 NBA draft. Paul told former Washington Wizards star Gilbert Arenas in his podcast "Gil's Arena" that Bronny had a realistic tone over his fate in the draft and noted that he just wanted his name to be called. He doesn't mind which team he ends up with as long as he gets drafted this year:

"There's a lot of people out here that do not have a starting point, and there's no Waze App to life. And any time a young man or woman can get a starting point in life, it's our duty to embrace that and push them as far as we possibly can," Paul said.

Bronny is seen by mock drafts as a second-round choice but there are crazy things that happened in previous drafts so it is possible that the son of LeBron James Sr could get picked early.

So far, on the first day of the 2024 NBA draft, the top 10 overall picks were Risacher (Atlanta), Alex Sarr (Washington), Reed Sheppard (Houston), Stephon Castle (San Antonio), Ron Holland Jr. (Detroit), Tidjane Salaun (Charlotte), Donovan Clingan (Portland), Rob Dillingham (Spurs but was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves for draft picks), Zach Edey (Memphis) and Cody Williams (Utah).

What could Alabama basketball's 2024-25 starting lineup look like? Find out here

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