In a surprising turn of events, Bronny James, the son of basketball superstar LeBron James, has emerged as a popular bet for the NBA Rookie of the Year award. Despite being considered a massive long shot, sportsbooks have reported an overwhelming number of bets being placed on the young player.

According to ESPN BET, Bronny James has received nearly one in four bets placed on the Rookie of the Year market, making him the most popular pick among bettors. This unexpected interest has led to a significant increase in the amount wagered on the award, with BetMGM reporting that the total placed on their Rookie of the Year market has doubled compared to last year's figures at this time.

The excitement surrounding Bronny James extends beyond the Rookie of the Year market. The SuperBook in Las Vegas has even offered prop bets exclusively for the young player during the summer league. This move has proven successful, as Jeff Sherman, vice president of risk and lead NBA oddsmaker for the SuperBook, confirmed that betting on summer league games, particularly bets placed on Bronny James' props, has increased significantly.

It's worth noting that Bronny James, who was selected by the Los Angeles Lakers in the second round of the NBA draft, has been putting up modest numbers in the summer league games. Currently averaging 7.3 points with a plus/minus of minus-14, his performances have not deterred bettors from putting their money on him.

The odds for the NBA Rookie of the Year award have fluctuated since the start of the summer league. Initially, Alexandre Sarr of the Washington Wizards was considered the consensus favorite. However, Zach Edey of the Memphis Grizzlies has emerged as the betting favorite, with Reed Sheppard of the Houston Rockets also garnering significant attention.

It is important to note that betting on Rookie of the Year awards this early in the season is uncommon, as the winner will not be announced for another ten months. Nevertheless, the interest in Bronny James from bettors cannot be denied. His famous last name and the association with his father, LeBron James, have certainly played a role in capturing the attention of sports bettors.

As the summer league progresses and the regular season approaches, it will be interesting to see if Bronny James can live up to the high expectations placed upon him by both fans and bettors alike. Only time will tell if he can surprise the odds and secure the coveted NBA Rookie of the Year title.