LeBron James, the acclaimed star of the Los Angeles Lakers, has etched his name as one of basketball’s most celebrated icons. His journey to NBA stardom was unconventional, skipping the college basketball route and transitioning directly from high school to professional basketball.
Despite his illustrious career, James has occasionally reflected on the college basketball experience he missed. Recently, he revealed a childhood desire to play for the Cincinnati Bearcats, sparking discussions among fans about this intriguing “what-if” scenario.
On the “Mind the Game” podcast, the four-time NBA champion shared his admiration for Cincinnati, citing the allure of their uniforms and the influence of Coach Bob Huggins. “I loved Cincinnati. I remember as a kid watching it. When I was growing up I wanted to go to Cincinnati because of the uniforms and because of Huggs,” James reminisced.
Why does LeBron not like college basketball?
While James never had the opportunity to compete at the college level, he discussed a pivotal moment in NBA history. Two years after he declared for the draft, a new rule emerged mandating that players must be at least 19 years old to enter the NBA draft, effectively requiring them to play a year of college basketball without pay.
Expressing his discontent with the NCAA system, James described it as “corrupt” during a 2018 interview while he was still with the Cleveland Cavaliers. “I am not a fan of the NCAA. I love watching March Madness. I think that is incredible. I am not a fan of how the kids do not benefit from any of this,” he remarked.
James emphasized that the system did not offer tangible benefits to student-athletes, illustrating his point with examples from his own family.
“I have got a couple of boys that could be headed in that direction, so there are going to be some decisions that we as a family have to make,” he stated, alluding to potential decisions regarding his sons’ paths in professional basketball or college sports.
What are your thoughts on LeBron James’ childhood desire to play for the Bearcats? Do you share his criticisms of the NCAA system? Share your insights in the comments below!