Bronny James technical foul: What did Lakers rookie say to ref to earn first 'T' in NBA Summer League?

Bronny James notched a couple of firsts Wednesday night in NBA Summer League action. He drained his first 3-pointer — and he also picked up his first technical foul.

The 19-year-old rookie earned the "T" on a drive in the third quarter. James believed he was fouled on the way up, but the referee called it a clean strip and turnover on James.

James isn't known to be much of a complainer on the basketball court, but his words to the official after the play were apparently enough to warrant a technical foul. It's the first of his professional career, although it's mostly meaningless considering it came in Summer League.

The technical foul didn't cost the Lakers the game, as they won 87-86 against the Hawks in Las Vegas. Here's what the Lakers rookie said to the referee.

MORE: How many points did Bronny James score tonight?

Bronny James technical foul: What did Lakers rookie say to ref?

James was a bit too overzealous in the third quarter of the Lakers' Summer League game against the Hawks on Wednesday.

The rookie drove to the rim but was stripped of the ball on his way up. James believed he was fouled and yelled at the referee to make his point.

Bronny goes off on the ref and gets a tech ???? pic.twitter.com/6DpsS82PZQ

— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) July 18, 2024

James appeared to be petitioning for a foul call, but the referee signaled it was a clean strip off James' knee, resulting in a turnover. The referee didn't call a technical immediately, so it's unclear what James said after the initial cry for a foul.

Bronny James picked up a technical foul after this drive ???? pic.twitter.com/IoNXtkhXMO

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) July 18, 2024

While it's uncertain exactly what was said, the referee clearly believed it was enough to warrant a technical foul in Summer League.

Bronny James college technical foul

James had a notable technical foul in college against UCLA in January. The USC freshman recorded a big block and immediately taunted the opposing team.

The referee called the technical. In response, James looked a bit surprised but otherwise unbothered.

Bronny James high school technical foul

James doesn't generally earn technical fouls for speaking out toward referees. He did, however, pick up a technical foul for smacking the backboard after an alley-oop jam during his high school career.

Bronny James slams home a huge lob, smacks the backboard with his left hand, and gets called for a tech. Parents LeBron and Savannah can’t believe it. Bronny just grins. Sierra Canyon up 48-28 over Crespi. pic.twitter.com/VqkcPpn6HB

— Luca Evans (@bylucaevans) January 14, 2023

James' parents — LeBron James Sr. and wife Savannah — were shocked at the call.