LeBron James has just signed his letter of intent to play basketball for Eastern Illinois University.

Ya know, the LeBron James who is Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson rolled into one? The LeBron James who, despite not yet attending his senior prom, has scouts proclaiming he has the talent to pull any NBA team (even the Bulls) out of last place.

Gosh, he’s won more player of the year awards than Justin Timberlake.

That guy will bring his array of talents to Eastern to help Josh Gomes, Jesse Mackinson and the rest of the team dominate the Ohio Valley Conference in the fall.

“He (will) play the three, small forward,” head coach Rick Samuels said. “And he’s not going to play unless he defends – let’s get that straight.”

Take that Murray State.

But there is one snag to the LeBron James project: Eastern hasn’t offered James a scholarship – and neither has any college across the nation.

The main reason being, the “if I had to bet the farm” consensus is that James, who was a three-time Ohio State Mr. Basketball at Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary High School, will jump straight to the NBA foregoing college.

“Somebody might give me a scholarship, I hope,” James said in an April 9 ESPN.com article when asked what he would do if he decided to go to college.

So sorry Panther fans, LeBron won’t exactly be perusing Carman Hall next semester, but that doesn’t stop anyone from wondering “what if…”

“Well, I guess we’d probably sell out, and we’d probably have a new TV package,” Rich McDuffie, director of athletics, said when asked the effects of James coming to Eastern. “And we’d have to start charging students $20 a ticket … just kidding.”

James, who averaged 32 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and four steals a game for his state championship-winning team this year, would surely change the landscape of not only the Panther’s team, but also the entire OVC.

The 6-foot-8, 240 pound James would rival conference big men in height and size, but his skills in the open court and as a passer also would rival the guards.

“Well, I don’t think we would have to revamp our entire offense,” Samuels said. “We would probably do things to take advantage of what his skills are like. He’s great in the open court, so we’d probably run a little more.”

And the Panthers would be accustomed to defenses keying in on one player.

“Yeah, I’m sure we’d see lots of gimmick defenses,” Samuels said about the inevitable box and one and triangle and two defenses opponents would use. “There might be somebody who said we would deny him the ball and play him straight up and make other people beat us.”

This past year, many OVC teams tried to limit Domercant’s effectiveness by defending him as physical as possible via holding, pushing and grabbing.

Henry Domercant, bless his soul (and good luck with the whole NBA thing), is four inches shorter and 40 pounds lighter than James. In comparison, Henry would be like a Geo Metro and LeBron like a conversation van.

Take that Austin Peay.

But the biggest challenge the James-led Panthers might face may not be the on-court competition, but the media swarm.

“Well, I’d guess we’d handle them the best we could,” McDuffie said. “I don’t know about that one.”

Samuels predicted James’ arrival could be a media nightmare.

“Well the publicity would be incredible, but that’s going to happen to whatever NBA team he goes to,” said Samuels who only laughed when asked if James would come to Eastern. “They’ll play to full houses not only at home, but on the road.”

And starting for the Panthers at small forward … LeBron James … Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary High School.

That has a nice ring to it.

“Any kind of basketball inspires me,” James said. “It doesn’t matter if you’re being competitive.”

Hmm … sign here, LeBron. The only thing left, I presume, is a visit to Charleston.

“Well, it would sure be interesting to find out You want to ask him to visit,” McDuffie said.