
LeBron James’s career began so long ago, it was before what is now known as the “one-and-done” era, with high school players currently prohibited from jumping straight to the NBA. Had he gone to college, James has said he would have attended Ohio State. It’s a great “what if?” of college sports.
Instead, in 2003, James jumped from Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary's High School directly to the Cleveland Cavaliers. He became one of the greatest athletes of the 21st century and a cultural icon, beloved in his home state and around the world—and now, he’s set to finally fulfill his destiny as a Buckeye.