Davante Adams Fuels Controversial NFL, NBA Debate Centered Around LeBron James originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

It’s been over two decades since LeBron James put down the football for good. Los Angeles Rams receiver Davante Adams believes James, who’s heading into his 23rd NBA season, could’ve accomplished a lot had he decided to pursue a gridiron career.

James combined for 103 receptions for 2,065 yards and 23 touchdowns as a high school sophomore and junior at St. Vincent-St. Mary. He had offers from several Division I programs.

“He would’ve been one of the best receivers, tight ends (of) all time. No question,” Adams said last week on “The Dan Patrick Show.” “I don’t know if you’ve ever seen him play football. … He can fly, too. That’s the thing. He’s one of the fastest NBA players, probably, of all time. I’ve never seen somebody cover space on a basketball court — maybe John Wall, Derrick Rose, something like that — but he’s up there with all them.”

Without the physical toll that snagging passes would’ve taken on him as a senior, James posted 31.6 points, 9.6 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 3.4 steals per game. He earned Ohio’s Mr. Basketball award and was taken No. 1 overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2003 NBA Draft.

According to his high school basketball coach, Jay Brophy, James never considered playing football in college.

“I went over to him and he was in the library and I said, ‘LeBron, hey, let me ask you, are you really interested in playing college football? I’ve got a ton of schools asking about you playing that have called me,'” Brophy once told Bleacher Report. “He said, ‘Well coach, I’m 99% sure I’m probably going to the NBA. But I wouldn’t rule it out.’

“He started laughing and he said, ‘No coach, I’m kidding. I’m gonna play basketball.’ I said, ‘All right, I just wanted to know.'”

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 15, 2025, where it first appeared.

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