LeBron James thinks of himself as a honorary member of the Duke basketball program.
Perhaps the two biggest icons in the basketball world sat down for an interview during All-Star Weekend as former Duke basketball head coach Mike Krzyzewski chatted with LeBron James after he became the NBA’s all-time leading scorer.
Krzyzewski and James have a long history going back to their time with USA Basketball while winning back-to-back gold medals in the 2008 and 2012 Olympics in addition to winning the gold at the FIBA Americas Championships in 2007.
Coach K took the future first ballot Hall of Famer on a journey throughout his career and everything that has led to him surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in total points on February 7.
At the beginning of the conversation the two spoke about the beginning of James’ career in the spotlight at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School playing games on national television.
Krzyzewski quickly jumped in saying that Duke never recruiting LeBron in high school and James asked the 76-year old why that was.
“Because I knew you weren’t coming,” Krzyzewski jokingly responded.
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It has been known that if LeBron James opted to go to college instead of the NBA out of high school it is likely that he would have attended Ohio State.
“Well, you are a smart man,” James said back to Coach K.
“I’m an honorary Dukie.”
Duke basketball not in running for LeBron James Jr.
LeBron James has said his goal in the NBA is to play with his son, Bronny James, and reiterated that in his conversation with Mike Krzyzewski.
However, the Blue Devils are not in the running for the uncommitted four-star senior.
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It has been reported that James Jr. is deciding between Ohio State, Oregon, and USC.
Duke holds the No. 2 recruiting class in 2023 with Mackenzie Mgbako, Sean Stewart, Jared McCain, Caleb Foster, and TJ Power.