Ohio State Recruiting: LeBron James an Important Target in 2018
Ohio State athletics biggest recruit for 2018 is needed in Cleveland, not Columbus.
The sports world transferred their focus this week to the NBA off-season. NBA free agency used to be a benign event until Ohio’s favorite son and Ohio State super-fan LeBron James transformed it into must watch TV. Unfortunately, the creation of this spectacle came at the expense of Ohio sports and fear is creeping up that tragedy could strike twice.
The unfortunate (if not predictable) loss to the Golden State Warriors in the NBA finals cost the Cavaliers their repeating as champions but also caused concern that James may again take his talents somewhere else. NBA expert Adrian Wojnarowski had his doubts as expressed on The Vertical Podcast with Woj:
"“Not only is there no guarantee he’s coming back, I’m not sure there’s an expectation he’s re-signing there. I think they feel, I think within Cleveland and around the league, they feel that he’s very much in play to leave again and likely head out West to one of the two L.A. teams.”"
The trepidation about James’ departure should extend beyond Cleveland to the Ohio State athletic department who reap the benefits of LeBron playing in their state.
LeBron James: Buckeye MVP
LeBron’s ties to Ohio State date back to his first stint in Cleveland. Ohio State basketball teams began wearing LeBron James branded uniforms during the 2007 season. Despite his initial defection, the Buckeyes gave LeBron his own locker in the renovated basketball facilities in 2013. Ohio State added a football locker for LeBron in 2016, a sport he hasn’t played in decades..
LeBron is more important to Ohio State than new apparel and shoes, though. Rather, his stardom provides a year-round spotlight for athletics in the state.
LeBron sightings at Ohio State games draw the attention of fans, media and most importantly recruits. LeBron hugging Ezekiel Elliott after the championship or dancing with his Cavs teammates on the sidelines during a win over Michigan bring the type of buzz to Ohio State’s programs that could prove to be the difference in landing recruits over the competition.
New Buckeye basketball coach Chris Holtmann may have more stake in the LeBron ties than anyone. LeBron’s son LeBron Jr. already appears to be an elite talent at age 12, and he lives right in Ohio State territory. Additionally, LeBron’s comments during a 2013 football pep rally suggest that some parental influence could factor in:
"““I promise, I say this all the time — if I had one year of college, I would have ended up here…. No matter where I go in the world, no matter where it is, I will always rock Ohio State colors.””"
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Though the potential recruitment of LeBron Jr. is 6 years away, it is never too soon to plan for a transcendent talent that comes with that pedigree.
Recruiting Pitch
If anyone in Ohio could potentially sway LeBron, it is Urban Meyer. They share northeast Ohio heritage, and Urban challenges LeBron as the most iconic sports figure in the state. Urban may want to get in the ring and try to recruit LeBron again two decades after his first attempt. This time Urban won’t pitch Columbus or South Bend, but Cleveland.
Next: Commits on 'Annual Recruiting Trip'
Ohio State will never actually come to mind when LeBron decides where he will finish his Hall of Fame career. However, he should be on the minds of Buckeye fans and coaches.