LeBron advising struggling OSU QB

COLUMBUS (AP) — LeBron James is helping Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor learn how to handle everything that comes with being a celebrity athlete.

“[I’m] trying to mentor him and get him through ‘life in the spotlight,’ which I’ve been through,” James said after a preseason game in Columbus on Wednesday night.

James said he has been speaking to Pryor on the phone in recent weeks to try to help him deal with celebrity at a young age. James knows something about that, since he appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated under the headline “The Chosen One” while he was still in high school in Akron.

“Being that No. 1 guy, how do you adjust to it and how do you get through it and still perform at a high level?” James said. “Sometimes it can be very difficult on [a young athlete]. I’m trying to be that guy who can really help him get through a lot of situations which he’s never seen before but now he’s seeing and understanding.”

Pryor has been under fire from Ohio State fans after throwing two interceptions and losing two fumbles in the then-No. 7 ranked Buckeyes’ stunning 26-18 loss at Purdue last week. They tumbled to No. 18 this week, and meet Minnesota on Saturday.

Adding to the pressure surrounding Pryor, his high school coach in Jeannette, Pa., said this week that Ohio State’s offense is not maximizing Pryor’s abilities. In a story which first appeared on ESPN.com, Ray Reitz said his former charge looks like “a robot” in Ohio State’s offense.

Reitz even said Rich Rodriguez’s spread offense at rival Michigan would have been a much better fit for Pryor, who chose the Buckeyes over the Wolverines.

Pryor made a surprise appearance before reporters on Wednesday night and appeared more relaxed than he had in interviews previously. He readily answered questions and spoke with conviction about the problems he has encountered.

“I came here to be a quarterback, and for the rest of the season, we’re going to be pretty darn good,” the 20-year-old said. “I don’t know why [Reitz] would say something like that. I wouldn’t trade where I’m at right now.”

Another Cavaliers star, center Shaquille O’Neal, also had words of encouragement for Pryor after Cleveland lost to the Boston Celtics in an exhibition game on Wednesday night.

Talking about his first visit to Columbus, O’Neal said, “It’s a very energetic crowd. I’m familiar with Ohio State football, of course. I know they’re always up there [in the rankings]. I just want to tell the quarterback to keep his head up. I saw that they’re getting on him the last two games. Keep your head up, young man, and try to get this football team back on track.”

The Buckeyes (5-2, 3-1 Big Ten) have had difficulty moving the ball most of the season. Pryor has 11 turnovers so far this year — eight interceptions and three fumbles — almost double the number he had a year ago when he was handed the starting job by head coach Jim Tressel. The Buckeyes went on to win eight of the next 10 games with Pryor playing most of the time, but even then Pryor and the offense played in fits and starts.