Lakers' LeBron James to Receive Honorary Doctorate Degree from Ohio State

LeBron James has always publicly supported Ohio State, and the flagship university of his home state is reportedly welcoming him as one of its own with an honorary degree. 

Adam Jardy of the Columbus Dispatch reported Tuesday the Ohio State Board of Trustees plans on voting to award the NBA legend with an honorary degree on Wednesday. It will be a Doctor of Public Service degree that recognizes him for both his basketball legacy and the impact he has had in Ohio off the court.

"Just as he's elevated the game of basketball, LeBron has redefined philanthropy to create a revolutionary model for community building in his hometown of Akron, Ohio," the meeting notes said.

Jardy noted the resolution specifically highlighted the Los Angeles Lakers star's creation of the LeBron James Family Foundation and his "I PROMISE Program" that has helped more than 1,600 students both in school and in their communities.

"With a commitment to redefining community and building stronger families, The LeBron James Family Foundation invests its time, resources and passion into creating generational change for the kids and families of James' hometown in Akron, Ohio, through a focus on education and co-curricular educational initiatives," the organization's mission statement says. 

As for the I PROMISE Program, it serves "students and their entire families by providing them with the fundamental resources, wraparound supports and family programming they need for success in school and beyond."

The program has also helped provide housing and partnered with Akron Public Schools to assist in education.

While James never attended college, he is no stranger to Ohio State and Buckeyes fans.

He has frequently mentioned that he would have attended the school if he did play college basketball instead of going straight to the NBA from high school. He has also attended a number of Ohio State football games and makes his allegiances well known on social media.

That support has included providing some cleats and sneakers for the football and basketball programs:

The Buckeyes men's basketball team even gave him a locker when it opened a new locker room in 2013, which was used to display his gear and surely didn't hurt in recruiting.

While most Ohio State fans have thought about the championships James could have won had he played college basketball in Columbus, Ohio, he will officially be a Buckeye when he receives this honorary degree.