Lakers forward LeBron James never played college basketball, something he has discussed at length in past critiques of the NCAA.
However, you could be forgiven for thinking otherwise if you attended or tuned into Lindenwood’s 73–67 win over IUPUI Saturday afternoon in Indianapolis.
With the Lions leading the Jaguars 71–64 and 1:21 showing on the clock, the officials appeared to signal that a substitute was checking into the game. After some confusion, the officials waved the substitution off; ESPN+’s cameras then panned to security escorting out a fan in full Heat-era James regalia.
Hilariously, because of the configuration of the historically hockey-oriented Indiana Farmers Coliseum, the fan could be seen trudging toward the exits in the background while IUPUI guard Jlynn Counter attempted free throws.
A fan in a full LeBron James Heat jersey tried to check in to the Lindenwood-IUPUI game. pic.twitter.com/0iNft11CLT
— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) December 16, 2023
Considering James’s rivalry with the Pacers during his Miami tenure, the most amazing part of this entire episode may be the presence of his jersey in Indianapolis.