LeBron James Gives Advice to AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, 2026 NBA Draft Class in Video

Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James, who is still excelling in the NBA after being selected No. 1 in the NBA draft 23 years ago, provided some advice to this year's draft class in the latest Mind the Game podcast episode (7:27 mark).

"What these guys need to understand is, one, your dream is coming true. Just try to take it all in, take the draft all in, enjoy with you and your friends and family. But understand, like, wherever you are—this is what I felt. I knew I was going to be the No. 1 pick in the draft, but I knew as soon as the draft ended, I had to start from scratch. And I was not coming into the NBA No. 1. So I had to put the work in, and I know a lot of these kids, they do work hard, but it's about putting the work in when the cameras are not rolling. I know social media is a big thing or people wanting to post everything, but just lock in on your craft, and you could be very successful in our league."

James entered the NBA with arguably more hype than any draft prospect in the history of the league, and he met it and then some.

So his aforementioned comments contain good advice from a player who has found amazing success in his 23 seasons, which include four NBA championships, four NBA MVP awards, 21 All-NBA team honors and six spots on the All-NBA Defensive Team.

This year's NBA draft will occur on Tuesday (Round 1) and Wednesday (Round 2) from Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Both rounds begin at 8 p.m. ET.