LeBron James breaks news of college coaching hire

Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

LeBron James breaks news of college basketball coaching hire

By Eric Smithling | Last updated 3/28/24

Move over, Adrian Wojnarowski.

Lakers forward LeBron James dropped his own bomb – a LeBomb? – on Thursday, announcing the next head coach at Duquesne, former four-year Akron guard Dru Joyce.

I’m proud to announce! As the unquestioned source I am confirming that Dru Joyce is the new HC at Duquesne University and is meeting with the team right now! So damn happy and proud of you my brother!!! @DruOnDemand @DuqMBB #GoDukes❤️
— LeBron James (@KingJames) March 28, 2024

James and Joyce (not to be confused with Irish writer James Joyce) both hail from Akron and were high school teammates, per CBS Sports. Joyce was named to the All-MAC team in 2006-07 after averaging 10 points and 4.3 assists per game while playing collegiate ball with the Akron Zips.

Joyce has served as assistant head coach at Duquesne the past two seasons under former head coach Keith Dambrot, who retired following the Dukes' 2024 NCAA Tournament run.

Dambrot coached both James and Joyce in high school at St. Vincent-St. Mary.

Joyce paid his dues under Dambrot and has earned the right to lead the program. But he has a tough act to follow. Dambrot sailed off into the sunset after leading Duquesne to the second-most wins in a single season in program history (25) and its first NCAA Tournament win since 1969.

The Dukes pulled off a 71-67 upset over No. 6-seed Baylor in the Round of 64 before falling to No. 3-seed Illinois, 89-63, in the second round.

Duquesne has never made the NCAA Tournament in back-to-back seasons and must replace its top-two scorers from the 2023-24 season, senior guards Dae Dae Grant and Jimmy Clark.

It won't be easy for Joyce, but it can only help to have the most famous active basketball player on the planet in his corner.

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