Screengrab from LeBron James’ Instagram account.
MANILA, Philippines-For some parents, when their kids get the attention of top colleges through their basketball talent, they’d be happy.
But LeBron James is unlike most parents.
James Jr., a 10-year-old minuscule version of the NBA 4-time MVP, got the attention of scouts after his superb showing in an Amateur Athletic Union tournament went online and spread like wildfire.
“Yeah, he’s already got some offers from colleges,” James told CBS Detroit before the Cleveland Cavaliers’ game against the Detroit Pistons Wednesday (Manila time).
“It’s pretty crazy. It should be a violation. You shouldn’t be recruiting 10-year-old kids.”
James’ son, however, is not the only grade-schooler to receive scholarship offers.
According to ESPN, Connecticut’s Ryan Boatright committed to University of Southern California before he went to high school.
Marquette’s Matt Carlino reportedly got offers from Arizona while he was still in elementary school.
Michael Avery accepted a University of Kentucky offer in 2008 while he was an eighth-grader.
And even if James doesn’t want scouts looking at James Jr.’s games, NCAA apparently permits them to do so as long as it is within the scouting season.
From the NCAA handbook: “In men’s basketball, a coaching staff member may observe an individual who has not entered the seventh grade participating in an athletically related activity, provided such observation occurs during a period when it is permissible to evaluate prospective student-athletes.”
Sorry Mr. James.