Los Angeles Lakers superstar forward LeBron James and his eldest son, Bronny James, had the most viewed player page across basketball sites in 2024. Simply put, 49 out of 50 states had either LeBron as their most viewed player page on Basketball Reference, Bronny as their most viewed player page on College Basketball Reference, or both.
LeBron James had the most viewed Basketball-Reference player page in 47 states, whereas Bronny James was the most popular player on College Basketball Reference in 38 states
LeBron had the most viewed Basketball-Reference player page in all but three states: Colorado, Massachusetts, and Wisconsin. Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic is still the most popular player in the Centennial State, while Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum and Milwaukee Bucks wing Giannis Antetokounmpo dominated their respective states.
Like father, like son.
49 out of 50 states had either LeBron as their most viewed player page on Basketball Reference, Bronny as their most viewed player page on College Basketball Reference, or both. 🤯 pic.twitter.com/IseBrDL7xD
— Basketball Reference (@bball_ref) December 11, 2024
Meanwhile, Bronny had more competition than his father, losing the popularity contest on College Basketball Reference in 12 states: Arkansas, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota, Tennessee, and Wisconsin.
NBA Hall of Famer Pete Maravich, nicknamed “Pistol Pete,” was the most popular player this year in Arkansas, Iowa, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. Maravich was named to the NBA’s 50th Anniversary team in 1996 and 75th Anniversary team in 2021.
Timberwolves guard Rob Dillingham had the most viewed College-Basketball-Reference page in Minnesota
Then there’s Rob Dillingham, who was selected eighth overall by the San Antonio Spurs in the 2024 NBA draft out of the University of Kentucky and then immediately traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for a 2030 protected first-round pick swap and an unprotected first-round pick in 2031.
The 6-foot-1 Dillingham had the most viewed College-Basketball-Reference page in Minnesota, edging out Anthony Edwards, Rudy Gobert, and Julius Randle. With the Wolves, Dillingham is averaging 3.8 points and 1.5 assists through 11 games off the bench.
Memphis Grizzlies center Zach Edey, who was the ninth overall pick of this year’s draft out of Purdue University, was also the most popular player in Indiana. This is fitting since the public research university is located in West Lafayette.
Of course, Lakers rookie guard Dalton Knecht had the most viewed college player page in Tennessee, considering he averaged 21.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.8 assists with the Volunteers in 2023-24.
Houston Rockets rookie guard Reed Sheppard, the third overall pick in this year’s draft out of the University of Kentucky, also won the Bluegrass State.
