Everyone made the same LeBron James joke about the Reds’ MLB draft pick

IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Everyone made the same LeBron James joke about the Reds’ MLB draft pick

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Grey Papke | Last updated Jul 11, 2026 4:37 PM ET

A perfectly-named MLB prospect was perfect fodder for jokes on Saturday during the first day of the MLB Draft.

The Cincinnati Reds used the No. 18 overall pick Saturday to select Alabama shortstop Justin Lebron. Lebron hit .277 with 16 home runs and 42 stolen bases with the Crimson Tide last year.

That was secondary, however, to the immediate jokes regarding Lebron’s name. His selection coincides with LeBron James’ much-discussed NBA free agency, and many people seized on the chance to joke about James “returning” to Ohio.

BRON BACK IN OHIO @AlabamaBSB's Justin Lebron is headed to the Reds with the 18th pick of the MLB draft! pic.twitter.com/XtmEAFiK4Y
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) July 11, 2026

OMG Lebron sighting in Philly (on the MLB Draft board, drafted by the Reds, his first name is Justin) pic.twitter.com/AiMCNgJXAb
— Grace Del Pizzo (@GraceDelPizzo) July 11, 2026

My God the Reds got Lebron https://t.co/KWkBtsFHyY
— Jace (Belly De La Cruz) (@OfficiallyJace) July 11, 2026

LeBron to the Reds

DECISION MADE.

The Reds selected Alabama shortstop Justin LeBron in the first round of the MLB Draft! pic.twitter.com/iMtAvUum0Z
— James Rapien (@JamesRapien) July 11, 2026

We are, of course, no closer to actually finding out where James is going. Cincinnati does not even have an NBA team, so the joke more or less dies there. Still, a few people probably jumped a bit when they saw social media posts about Lebron heading back to Ohio.

The joke gets another layer when you consider that a move back to Ohio may be the most likely outcome for James, though it remains to be seen when that decision will be made.

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