LeBron James may not be competing in the playoffs, but Tuesday is a day worthy of celebration for the four-time NBA champion.
According to reports, the Ohio State Board of Trustees is set to meet to tomorrow and give LeBron an honorary Doctorate of Public Service degree. It’s widely known by NBA fans that LeBron James skipped going to college in order to go straight into the league. Nevertheless, he’s been an Ohio State fan for years and even has honorary lockers in both the basketball and football team facilities.
“According to Ohio State’s University Senate, honorary degrees are only conferred when ‘it can be demonstrated that the recipient has made contributions far beyond the expected high standards of the profession,’” Katie Millard and Orri Benatar wrote for NBC4i.com.
“James is the only person up for approval for an honorary degree from OSU, which last awarded an honorary public service doctorate in August 2024. If approved, James will join an impressive list of awardees, including former Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Dr. Anthony Fauci and former presidents Barack Obama, Gerald Ford, George W. Bush and George H.W. Bush.”
The Ohio State Board of Trustees will meet Wednesday to vote on dozens decisions, including whether to give an honorary Doctor of Public Service degree to NBA great LeBron James. https://t.co/trO2FEcFvZ pic.twitter.com/rAF6th0fzE
— NBC4 Columbus (@nbc4i) May 20, 2025
Praise and congratulations have been pouring in for LeBron, with some people referring to him as “Dr. LeBron” now.
“Congrats Dr. LeBron James,” one user wrote.
“Ohio State is awarding LeBron James an honorary Doctor of Public Service degree! LeBron has been a hardcore supporter of the Buckeyes and has contributed tremendous value to Ohio State and its athletic programs,” wrote another.
“LeBron without a doubt fits the description for an honorary degree from Ohio State. He is a global superstar and is never shy about his love of the Buckeyes,” a third wrote.
While LeBron may not have done much for Ohio State as a player, he’s done a ton for the entire state of Ohio as both an athlete and a public figure.
LeBron’s early dominance in his first seven years with the Cleveland Cavaliers followed by his triumphant return to the team in the mid-2010s to lead them to an NBA title has made him a hero in the state.
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