Dru Joyce III, head coach of the Duquesne University men’s basketball team, will be honoring NBA superstar LeBron James this Saturday. This upcoming tribute will come in a very meaningful game as the Bulldogs face their archrival Northeastern. The game will be played on LeBron James Court at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School, Akron, Ohio. This is where LeBron made his mark more than two decades ago, thanks to the influence of his three mentors and the example set by his father, Dru Joyce II.
Joyce’s African American high school team was the first to win a state title in all of Ohio over 20 years ago. This surprise victory catapulted James into the national spotlight. In 2003, LeBron James was the first overall pick in the NBA Draft. This instantaneous event began the meteoric rise of a remarkable career, ripe with championships and career highlights. Joyce hopes to use this opportunity to teach his current student athletes. He wants to show just how deeply James has impacted his hometown of Akron, as well as the game of basketball today.
Joyce and his team visited the I Promise School ahead of the game. This school, in essence, is a massive experiment. It is an educational initiative created and supported by LeBron James’ family foundation. This visit provided the Duquesne players a unique opportunity to learn firsthand about the community organizing and social justice values that James embodies.
On the significance of the game, Joyce stated, “This one is close to the heart, man. It is special.” More than anything, though, he was hopeful Saturday’s matchup will help his team further grasp James’ contributions to Akron and beyond.
Gloria James, LeBron’s mother, was a powerful part of this story. She spent time with Joyce when he sent his championship team to the I Promise School. Joyce is still close with the James family today. Just this past weekend, both LeBron and his mother were in attendance for Duquesne’s upset victory over Villanova.
Joyce mentally prepares for the matchup against St. Vincent-St. Mary. He knows to expect a few spectacular surprises along the way. “I don’t know who walks through that door on Saturday,” he remarked, hinting at the possibility of special guests or unexpected moments during the event.
LeBron James’ influence continues to resonate throughout Akron, and Joyce’s leadership serves as a bridge between past and present. His team will face off this Saturday. They will do justice to a legacy that began on the exact same court they will compete on.
For the record, the Los Angeles Lakers, James’ current NBA team, will be playing the Utah Jazz in a favored road game on Sunday. Meanwhile, Joyce and his players focus on building their own legacy while honoring a player who has shaped the game significantly.
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