X / @DuqMBB
12:14 PM — LeBron James was clearly watching every second of the first-round matchup … ’cause the Lakers superstar was quick to congratulate his former coach on the 71-67 upset win over BYU.
“YEAAAAHHHH @DruOnDemand LFG!!!! Go Dukes @DuqMBB,” Bron said on Thursday.
As the saying goes … it’s gotta be the shoes!!
The Duquesne basketball team got a sweet surprise before their first-round game in the NCAA Tournament … brand new LeBron James XXI kicks — from the King himself!
The Lakers superstar had the white and light blue sneakers delivered to the 11th-seeded team this week before Thursday’s game against 6th-seeded BYU … in the tourney’s East Region.
The players were HYPED when they saw the new shoes … and were super appreciative of the gift.
FYI, the LeBron 21s “Blue Diver” dropped this month … with Air Zoom cushioning and a glow-in-the-dark outsole. The shoe was modeled after an Oyster shell.
There’s a deeper meaning … and it’s a tribute to Bron’s daughter, Zhuri, and how the proud dad protects his daughter just as a shell shelters a pearl.
You’re probably asking, why Duquesne? Well, James’ former high school basketball coach is their current HC … Keith Dambrot, who has been the coach of the Dukes since 2017.
The special delivery comes on the heels of Duquesne’s biggest basketball game in decades … they haven’t been in the NCAA tourney in 47 years, and last made a trip to the Final 4 in 1940, 84 years ago.
Good luck!!!