Ohio State University to Honor NBA Legend LeBron James with Prestigious Doctor of Public Service Degree for His Transformative Impact

LeBron James has worn many hats over the course of his extraordinary life—basketball icon, philanthropist, activist, entrepreneur, and father. Now, he will soon be able to add another title to his long list of accomplishments: Doctor. The Ohio State University has announced it will award James an honorary Doctor of Public Service degree in recognition of his profound contributions to society both on and off the court.

This honorary degree, one of the highest honors a university can bestow, symbolizes Ohio State’s appreciation of James’ tireless work to uplift communities, particularly in his home state of Ohio. The ceremony is scheduled to take place during the university’s spring commencement, where James will be recognized alongside students earning undergraduate and graduate degrees. While James never attended college due to his direct leap from high school to the NBA, his impact on the educational landscape has been monumental, and Ohio State’s decision to honor him in this manner reflects the values he embodies and promotes.

Born and raised in Akron, Ohio, LeBron Raymone James has long maintained strong ties to the Buckeye State. Despite never playing college basketball, he has been an unofficial ambassador for Ohio sports for over two decades. His storied NBA career, most notably with the Cleveland Cavaliers, brought the state its first major professional sports championship in over 50 years when the Cavs won the NBA title in 2016. But his legacy in Ohio extends far beyond any basketball arena.

What truly sets James apart is his unwavering dedication to improving lives through education and public service. In 2018, he launched the I PROMISE School in Akron, a public school designed for at-risk children in partnership with Akron Public Schools. The school represents a radical rethinking of public education and provides resources such as free tuition, meals, transportation, bicycles, and guaranteed college scholarships for graduates who meet certain criteria. The I PROMISE model goes beyond academics, offering family support services, counseling, and job placement programs. James’ goal was simple: to break the cycle of poverty through education, and the early results of the initiative have been promising and inspiring.

The LeBron James Family Foundation, which funds the I PROMISE initiative, has also made significant investments in affordable housing, transitional living programs for students and their families, and community spaces such as House Three Thirty, a renovated historic building offering job training, financial literacy programs, and recreational facilities. These efforts reflect James’ deep understanding that education alone is not enough; students must also be supported at home and in their communities to truly thrive.

Ohio State’s decision to award the honorary doctorate acknowledges these holistic, life-changing efforts. University President Walter “Ted” Carter Jr. praised James for “his unparalleled commitment to public service and his unwavering belief in the power of education.” In a statement released by the university, Carter noted, “LeBron James has not only elevated the game of basketball to new heights, but he has also set a global standard for using influence and resources to transform lives. It is only fitting that Ohio’s flagship public university recognize his dedication to the public good.”

James is no stranger to accolades. A four-time NBA champion and four-time league MVP, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. He recently became the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, a record many believed would never be broken. However, he has often said that his work off the court, particularly with underserved youth, will be his most important legacy.

The announcement of the honorary doctorate has sparked enthusiastic responses across social media, with fans, educators, and civic leaders praising both James and Ohio State for setting a powerful example. “We need more institutions that reward people not just for what they do, but for what they give back,” one educator wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “LeBron’s degree is a symbol of hope, dedication, and vision.”

LeBron himself responded with characteristic humility. “It’s an incredible honor to be recognized by Ohio State,” he said in a post. “Everything I do is rooted in love for my community and belief in our kids. This means a lot.” He also extended congratulations to the graduating class and encouraged them to “be bold, stay true to yourselves, and always look for ways to lift others up.”

This isn’t the first time Ohio State and LeBron James have been publicly linked. Though he never attended the university, James has openly supported the Buckeyes, and his ties to the campus have been strong. He has attended numerous games, appeared in promotional materials for the school, and even donated to the athletic department. In 2007, Nike released a special edition of the LeBron James shoe line in Ohio State colors, further cementing the relationship between the two iconic Ohio institutions.

Moreover, James has worked closely with a number of Ohio-based colleges through his foundation. In addition to the I PROMISE School’s partnership with the University of Akron, his foundation has also collaborated with Kent State University and others to provide tuition and support for underserved students. These partnerships have changed the lives of thousands of young people and inspired many more across the country.

Honorary degrees are often reserved for figures who have achieved significant milestones in public life, particularly those who reflect the values and aspirations of the awarding institution. In awarding James this doctorate, Ohio State is not only recognizing a native son but also sending a clear message about the importance of civic engagement, education equity, and the power of using fame for good.

The timing of the award also carries symbolic weight. As America continues to grapple with systemic inequality, particularly in education and economic mobility, LeBron’s efforts stand as a beacon of what is possible when resources, passion, and strategic thinking align. His work demonstrates that celebrity does not have to be self-serving—it can be used as a tool for collective upliftment.

The degree will be presented to James during a commencement ceremony attended by tens of thousands of students, families, and faculty. While it’s not yet confirmed whether James will give a commencement address, many are hopeful that he will speak to the graduates about perseverance, leadership, and the transformative power of service. Should he choose to speak, it would undoubtedly be one of the highlights of the day, given his charisma and ability to connect with young audiences.

As LeBron James continues to build his off-court legacy, his recognition by Ohio State only adds another meaningful layer to an already profound life story. The honorary doctorate is not simply a ceremonial title—it is an acknowledgment of a lifelong commitment to improving lives, especially those of young people facing barriers similar to those James encountered in his youth.

In many ways, the story of LeBron James is a quintessentially American one: a child from a single-parent household in a struggling Rust Belt city who rose to international stardom, only to return to his roots and devote his energy to lifting up others. With this honorary degree, Ohio State is affirming not just the man’s past, but his continuing promise.

Ultimately, this degree serves as a reminder that greatness is not measured solely by trophies or points, but by impact. LeBron James may be an NBA superstar, but at heart, he remains a son of Ohio—forever committed to helping others find the opportunities he fought so hard to earn. As he takes his place among the honorary graduates of The Ohio State University, he stands not just as a doctor of public service, but as a living example of what that service looks like in action.