LeBron James Announces College Basketball Return, Set to Join Duke Blue Devils for the Upcoming NCAA Season
In a move that has sent shockwaves through the basketball world, LeBron James has announced his intention to return to college basketball, declaring that he will be joining the Duke Blue Devils for the upcoming NCAA season. The news comes on the heels of two major departures from the program—top prospect Cooper Flagg heading to the NBA and standout guard Tyrese Proctor declaring for the draft.
LeBron, widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time, skipped college entirely when he was drafted No. 1 overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003. Now, over two decades later, he’s turning back the clock in a way no one saw coming.
“I never had the chance to experience college basketball, and with Bronny going through it now, I thought—why not me?” LeBron said in a surprising video post on social media. “Duke has always been a school I respected deeply, and with Coach Scheyer building something special, I want to be part of that.”
The announcement has left fans, analysts, and fellow players stunned. At 40 years old, James is still performing at a high level in the NBA, averaging over 25 points per game last season with the Los Angeles Lakers. However, speculation about his future has ramped up in recent months, especially as he’s expressed a strong interest in playing with or alongside his son, Bronny James.
What this move means for his NBA career remains unclear. Some are interpreting this as a symbolic gesture—perhaps LeBron will enroll as a student-athlete to technically fulfill his long-missing college experience without giving up his professional playing status. Others believe this could be the start of a transition away from the NBA and toward new personal goals.
Duke, meanwhile, will welcome James at a time of transition. Cooper Flagg, the projected No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, recently confirmed he would be declaring after a stellar freshman year. Tyrese Proctor, the Australian guard who has been a critical piece of Duke’s backcourt, is also moving on to the professional ranks.
Coach Jon Scheyer responded to the news with excitement: “LeBron is a once-in-a-lifetime player, and we’re honored he chose Duke. His leadership, basketball IQ, and drive to win are unmatched. This is a great day for our program and for college basketball as a whole.”
Social media platforms exploded within minutes of the announcement. Fans are already speculating about how LeBron will fit into a collegiate system and what matchups to look forward to. Merchandising and ticket sales for Duke games are expected to surge as anticipation builds for what could be the most-watched college basketball season in history.
Regardless of how it plays out, one thing is clear: LeBron James’ decision to suit up for Duke adds a new chapter to an already legendary career—and college basketball may never be the same again.
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