How LeBron James became Duquesne's biggest fan during March Madness (hint: their coaches)
The Duquesne men’s basketball team upset BYU on Thursday to win its first March Madness game in 55 years, and LeBron James was as hyped as anyone to see it happen.
Duquesne is led by coach Keith Dambrot, who was James’ high school coach at St. Vincent-St. Mary for two seasons. The team’s associate coach, Dru Joyce III, was one of James’ teammates at the school, and Joyce’s father was a coach and mentor to James when he was 10 years old.
A film about James’ high school days, Shooting Stars, came out last year on Peacock. Stranger Things star Caleb McLaughlin played Joyce III, while Dermot Mulroney played Dambrot, Oregon basketball player Mookie Cook played James and Wood Harris played Joyce II.
All of those close connections makes James the most notable person cheering Duquesne on in this year’s tournament, as its historic win over BYU on Thursday sparked James to send out a few congratulatory messages on Twitter (X).
AYYYYYYYEEEEE!!! First tournament win in 55 years! @CoachDambrot @DuqMBB . Keep it going
— LeBron James (@KingJames) March 21, 2024
YEAAAAHHHH @DruOnDemand LFG!!!! Go Dukes @DuqMBB
— LeBron James (@KingJames) March 21, 2024
James also hooked up the Duquesne team with basketball shoes before its big game on Thursday.
Appreciate it King @DuqMBB x @KingJames pic.twitter.com/yTiQFMBno0
— Duquesne Basketball (@DuqMBB) March 20, 2024
This is a really neat connection that will be worth following for the duration of Duquesne’s March Madness run, one the Los Angeles Lakers superstar (and many more) will be watching intently.