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Video: Lakers' LeBron James Gifts Sneakers to Duquesne Men's CBB for March Madness

Erin WalshMar 21, 2024

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James is ready to cheer on Duquesne in the NCAA tournament, and the Dukes are geared up for March Madness courtesy of the four-time NBA champion himself.

James gifted the Duquesne men's basketball team with new sneakers—his signature Nike LeBron 21s, per TMZ Sports—ahead of their tournament opener against BYU on Thursday:

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The news comes as little surprise, as Duquesne's head coach Keith Dambrot was James' head coach for two years at St. Vincent-St. Mary's High School. Dambrot is retiring from coaching after the NCAA tournament.

The sneakers, which are modeled after the oyster cultivation process, are white and light blue, have Air Zoom cushioning and a glow-in-the-dark outsole.

They are also a tribute to James' daughter Zhuri "and how the proud dad protects his daughter just as a shell shelters a pearl," according to TMZ Sports.

Duquesne, a No. 11 seed, won the Atlantic 10 tournament last Sunday to secure a berth in March Madness. It's the Dukes' first tournament appearance since 1977.