LeBron James gifts every member of March Madness team Duquesne a new pair of sneakers ahead of their first NCAA Tournament game since 1977

LeBron James gifted a pair of shoes to every member of Duquesne’s men’s basketball team ahead of the Dukes first NCAA Tournament game since 1977 on Thursday. 

Duquesne had to win the Atlantic-10 Conference Tournament to book a place in March Madness and did so by winning four games in five days, including over the conference’s regular-season champions, Dayton. 

James’ gift to Duquesne was not just out of appreciation. His first high school coach at St. Vincent–St. Mary High School, Keith Dambrot, is at the Dukes’ helm. 

Dambrot is retiring from coaching at the end of this season to take care of his wife, who has been diagnosed with breast cancer. 

For the biggest game for the Dukes in almost a half-century, James gifted each player a pair of his Nike LeBron XXI shoes. 

Duquesne’s basketball players celebrate their new shoes courtesy of LeBron James

James purchased each of his Nike-branded shoes for every member of the Dukes roster

The shoes are blue and grey, while Duquesne’s colors are navy and red. While the Dukes may not wear the gifted shoes during March Madness, each player to receive the shoes appeared elated.  

Duquesne earned a No 11 seed in the NCAA Tournament and will play BYU on Thursday with its season on the line. 

The Dukes have not advanced beyond the first round of the NCAA Tournament since 1969, when the program last made the Sweet 16. 

Dambrot has never led a team to victory in the NCAA Tournament, but the Dukes have the highest seed of any team he has coached in March Madness.  

During his tenure at Akron, the Zips qualified for three NCAA Tournaments.