Ronald Martinez/Getty Images
Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James took the time to congratulate the Duquesne men’s basketball team for posting a 57-51 victory over VCU to win the Atlantic 10 tournament on Sunday.
LeBron James @King James
YESRRRR!! Punch that ????️ at the Grande Danse @DuqMBB !!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! I love you Coach Dambrot & @CoachDruJoyce ????????????????????????????
Although he skipped college to enter the 2003 NBA draft, James shares a special bond with Dukes head coach Keith Dambrot. Dambrot coached the four-time MVP during his teenage years at St. Vincent-St. Marie High School. Duquesne associate head coach Dru Joyce III was also James’ high school teammate.
Dambrot previously served as Akron’s head coach, leading the program to a 305-139 record before joining the Dukes prior to the 2017-18 season. After bouncing back from a tough 6-24 record in 2022, Duquesne has surpassed 20 wins in each of the last two seasons.
James has praised his former coach in the past, congratulating Dambrot when he reached 500 career wins in February 2023.
“Coach D, my guy, oh my God,” James said (h/t Adam Bittner of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette). “Five hundred? Five hundred wins is ridiculous. Man, oh man. Never ceases to amaze me. I want to congratulate you on this incredible feat and many more wins to come in the near future. Enjoy this moment, you deserve it, I love you, and you are the best.
Now, the Dukes will head to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1977.
Register to play the NCAA March Madness Men’s Bracket Challenge, Tournament and Pick Em Conference Tournament.
