LeBron James was the last of an era to go straight out of high school into the NBA. After he took the plunge, the NBA stated that players must play at least a year in college or elsewhere before they can agree to be drafted.
James didn’t play basketball in college, and his professional stature prohibits him from ever playing in college. Despite this, he was still able to play sports in college.
The NBA megastar tweeted Saturday that he might be interested in playing collegiate sports and wondered if he would be a good fit. Though he didn’t ask what sport he played, his tweet came during a fun day at college football. Here is what James wrote.
“Am I eligible for college if I play another sport besides basketball? How does this rule work?”
Am I eligible for college if I play another sport besides basketball? How does this rule work?
– LeBron James (@KingJames) 24. September 2022
The rules for NCAA eligibility are plain and simple. If you’ve played a sport professionally, you can’t play that sport in college. Several college football players have a history of playing professional baseball before returning to college, including Ricky Williams, who won a Heisman Trophy at the University of Texas in 1998. Williams played minor league baseball before enlisting in Texas.
Former professional athletes are also eligible for financial aid if they graduate from college as student athletes. Also, with NCAA Athlete Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) approval, someone like James could continue to rake in millions and millions of dollars while competing in college.
Foto von Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
LeBron James was considered a top high school football player in Ohio before declaring for the NBA draft after his senior year. With his size and athleticism, he was a formidable wide receiver or tight end on both an academic and professional level.
James, 37, has a net worth of more than $1 billion. He has led teams to 10 NBA Finals and won four championships between the Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Lakers. He was a four-time Finals MVP, an 18-time NBA All-Star and a two-time Olympic gold medalist. In 2003 he was selected by the Cavaliers in the first round.
If James ever decides to go back to school, he wouldn’t be the first NBA player to do so. Hell, he wouldn’t even be the first Los Angeles Lakers player to do that in 18 months. Former player JR Smith became a walk-on for the North Carolina A&T men’s golf team last year. In addition to doing well on the golf course, Smith has received awards for his work in the classroom.
