LeBron James to Receive Honorary Doctorate from Ohio State

New Orleans Pelicans v Los Angeles Lakers — Source: Luke Hales / Getty

Ohio State University is preparing to honor one of Ohio’s most iconic figures… and he never played a minute of college basketball.

On Wednesday, OSU’s Board of Trustees voted to award NBA superstar LeBron James an honorary Doctor of Public Service degree, one of the university’s highest distinctions. The 40-year-old Akron native is the only nominee on this year’s honorary degree slate.

Ohio State only awards honorary doctorates to individuals who have made contributions “far beyond the expected high standards of the profession,” according to university policy. If approved, James will join a prestigious group of past recipients that includes former U.S. presidents Barack Obama and George H.W. Bush, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and Dr. Anthony Fauci. Legendary Ohio State track star Jesse Owens is also among the few athletes who’ve received the honor.

Though James skipped college altogether, heading straight to the NBA from St. Vincent–St. Mary High School in 2003, his connection to Ohio State has remained strong. His son, Bronny James, was recruited by Ohio State but chose to attend USC before being drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers to play alongside his father in 2024.

Off the court, his influence runs even deeper. Through the LeBron James Family Foundation, he’s led major educational and social initiatives, including the opening of the I PROMISE School in Akron and scholarship partnerships for underprivileged youth.

With the vote passing, James becomes one of the rare professional athletes to receive such an honor from Ohio State. Just another achievement for “The King”.