PITTSBURGH, Pa. (PTTP) – Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James made headlines last week when he broke Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s all-time scoring record to become the NBA’s all-time leading scorer. Meanwhile in Pittsburgh, another milestone occurred for someone very close to James.
Keith Dambrot, Duquesne’s head coach, secured his 500th career win at the collegiate level when the Dukes knocked off George Mason 75-62. However, Dambrot and James intersected in Akron, Ohio, at St. Vincent-St. Mary’s High School.
Dambrot was looking to revive his coaching career after fizzling out at the collegiate level. Meanwhile, James became a phenom featured on the front cover of Sports Illustrated and the likely top draft pick in the 2003 NBA Draft.
It might feel like destiny for both, but each took time out of their respective limelights to show some love to the other.
“Coach D, my guy, oh my goodness, 500,” James said. “That’s ridiculous. You never cease to amaze and I want to congratulate you on an incredible feat. There’s many more wins coming in the near future, but take time to enjoy this moment, I love you. You’re one of the best.”
Dambrot downplayed his impressive achievement after the win. He gave all the props to James for breaking the scoring title shortly before Dambrot registered the key milestone in his career.
“You know, people ask me about LeBron breaking the scoring title last night and me getting 500 tonight, that’s a joke,” Dambrot said. “I can’t believe it. That guy’s a special person and player. For me, it’s nice, but it’s nothing like that.”
Duquesne associate head coach Dru Joyce II coached James longer than anyone for eight years. He went out to Los Angeles to see James set the record while Dambrot stayed back to prepare for the basketball game. But Dambrot knew that James would get the record.
“Dru went out there, and I knew he was going to get it,” Dambrot said. “He asked all of those guys from Akron to come out there, so I thought he was going to get that. I get up at 5 in the morning, so I wasn’t watching it because I knew he was going to get it. But my wife let me know he got the record.”
Dambrot and the Dukes continue an impressive 18-8 and 8-5 in the Atlantic-10 as they make their push for the NCAA Tournament. Meanwhile, James and the Lakers will do the same as they push for the NBA playoffs.
