'Earned Not Given': Ryan Day jokes about LeBron James playing for Buckeyes

Fresh off a national championship, Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day might have an unexpected recruit on his radar — LeBron James.

While on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” on Monday, Fallon brought up an old post on X from the Los Angeles Lakers star. James wrote: “Do I have college eligibility if I went to play another sport besides basketball? How does that rule work?”

Fallon then jokingly asked Day that if, hypothetically, James wanted to play for the Buckeyes, would it be possible?

The Ohio State head coach immediately acknowledged James’ support for the program, but made it clear that wouldn’t give him a pass for playing time.

“With that being said, he’d be right in line with the freshmen in the back of the room,” Day said. “We’d have to work his way up. I mean, he doesn’t get any special treatment.”

James agreed with Day’s plan, writing on X in reaction to the video: “I don’t mind it one bit Coach Day! Earned Not Given!” Day, however, jokingly pointed out an offer is on the table.

Just to be clear, we have a scholarship and great NIL deal for you though… https://t.co/jDSVSJMCf8

— Ryan Day (@ryandaytime) January 29, 2025

The four-time NBA MVP is an avid Buckeyes fan, attending their national championship winning performance against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish last Monday. Cameras caught him celebrating an Ohio State touchdown.

While on the “New Heights” show hosted by fellow Ohio natives Jason and Travis Kelce, James revealed that former Buckeyes head coach Jim Tressel pitched him on being a two-way athlete similar to Colorado‘s Travis Hunter.

“They knocked on the door and was like ‘if you come to Ohio State we want you to play both sides,'” James said.

The Lakers forward declared otherwise, but — if he decides to give college football a try — he’d have to take the hard route onto the field.