The last time that was true? Try the 2002-03 season, when James was a senior at St. Vincent-St. Mary High in Akron, Ohio. Technically, any college hooper on scholarship “made” more than James at the time, though prominent players were getting more than room, board and tuition long before the current era of compensation in the millions.
It’s safe to say James’ rookie salary of just over $4 million with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003-04 was much more than anyone playing the college game — discreet bags of cash and keys to an SUV leased to an uncle were no match for NBA contracts. But James will make a career-low $3.8 million with the Philadelphia 76ers next season, his 24th in the NBA, and that will put him behind nearly 20 college players.
How many college basketball players will make more money than LeBron?
That’s a big jump from last season, when only a handful of college players were in the $4 million range or higher, despite an all-time freshman class led by AJ Dybantsa and Cameron Boozer. But despite criticism from coaches, the ceiling keeps rising.
At least some of that spending surge is due to several of the players returning to college who could have been drafted, causing college programs to effectively “bid” against the NBA’s rookie salary scale to lure them back to campus.
Former Kentucky forward Jayden Quaintance, who was selected 20th overall in June’s NBA Draft, wound up being the de facto line of demarcation in that respect. The 6-foot-10 big man is set to earn $3.9 million as a rookie with the San Antonio Spurs — just more than what the four-time MVP will take home with Philadelphia.
Florida’s Thomas Haugh is expected to be the highest-paid player in college basketball next season after he withdrew from the 2026 NBA Draft despite being projected a first-round pick. Matt Norlander of CBS reported Haugh’s earnings could exceed $10 million this season with the Gators, which is more than double what James will make.
Following discussions with multiple college coaches, general managers and NBA scouts, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to protect competitive interests, we know these 18 players will all be making at least $3.9 million as members of their respective teams.
Player
Position
Team
Transfer portal ranking
Aiden Sherrell
Forward
No. 20
David Punch
Forward
No. 7
Flory Bidunga
Center
No. 1
Jackson Shelstad
Guard
No. 9
John Blackwell
Guard
No. 3
JT Toppin
Forward
Returned to team
Juke Harris
Guard
No. 2
Massamba Diop
Center
No. 29
Milan Momcilovic
Forward
No. 4
Moustapha Thiam
Center
No. 13
Nikola Kusturica
Forward
Freshman
PJ Haggerty
Guard
No. 8
Samet Yigitoglu
Center
No. 51
Sananda Fru
Center
No. 39
Thomas Haugh
Forward
Returned to team
Tounde Yessoufou
Guard
No. 5
Tyran Stokes
Guard
Freshman
Zoom Diallo
Guard
No. 45
That’s a lot of college hoopers — some of whom may never make a mark in the NBA and all of whom are destined to fall short of James’ greatness — whose contracts have them making more than James next season.
And that’s not all they’ve got on him. None of them were born as of June 26, 2003, the day he was drafted.
Marc-Andrea Huesler vs. Thiago Seyboth Wild, 9:30 a.m. ET (Final)
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Anthony Joshua remains on course for a showdown with British heavyweight rival Tyson Fury later this year after recovering from being knocked down inside 20 seconds to secure a second-round knockout of Kristian Prenga in a wild clash in Jeddah.
Joshua endured a dismal first three minutes on Saturday night, hitting the canvas twice, firstly from a vicious uppercut, with the Albanian knockout specialist eyeing a seismic shock.
However, Prenga was demolished by right hands soon after in AJ’s first outing since he was a passenger in a car crash in December that killed friends Sina Ghami and Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele.
Image: Anthony Joshua was sensationally knocked down by Kristian Prenga in the opening 20 seconds
An emotional Joshua dedicated his win to his late team members, saying: “It’s more than punch power. That was spirit, that was Latz, that was Sina, that was the families. It hurts to even talk about it. It has been tough. It’s my brothers. I don’t want to talk about it.”
There was no sign of Fury as Joshua overcame a boxer in Prenga who had recorded each of his 20 victories via knockout and won his previous 16 contests since a first career defeat in February 2017.
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Dev Sahni reveals how Tyson Fury toppled Mariusz Wach in a non-TV fight in Thailand
Prenga’s stats made for strong reading and although there were no huge names on his CV he threatened a stunning result – one that could have shattered hopes of Joshua facing Fury – before the Brit registered his 30th win in 34 fights and second in a row, having beaten Jake Paul last year weeks before his car crash.
Fury contracts signed but no venue yet
After a hiccup-free weekend for Fury and Joshua coming through early adversity, a long-awaited all-British scrap looks set to happen in the autumn, with contracts already signed.
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Speaking ahead of the weekend, Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn hit back at Fury’s claims he was worried about a potential bout against AJ falling through
Fears of Joshua suffering a fifth pro defeat, after two losses to Oleksandr Usyk – the same as Fury – and one each to Daniel Dubois and Andy Ruiz, were rampant after his shocking start against Prenga but his flurry of heavy blows in the second round earned him victory.
On Fury, Joshua added: “I am going to rip his heart out. I am the meanest and most vicious champion there has ever been!
“All jokes aside, I respect everything he has done and achieved but we are here now. I hope the fans will be in for a lovely treat.”
Image: Anthony Joshua walks to the ring ahead of his meeting with Kristian Prenga in Jeddah
Joshua also reserved praise for Prenga, saying: “He’s a strong guy and I think Eddie [Hearn] wants to sign him now!
“He is going to do well and has a bright future. Maybe with a bit more experience, he will be up there with the rest of us.
“He is strong and durable and gave me a good test but this is what champions do, we rise. We get knocked down and stand up. That’s life.”
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