clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

LeBron James rooting for Akron over Ohio State in NIT

LeBron is picking his hometown team over the team he openly roots for in the NIT.

Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports

LeBron James is a noted Ohio State fan. He has attended Ohio State games in the past, has openly supported them ahead of big games and Nike even made a custom Ohio State version of the Zoom Soldier LeBron 9.

One would think he'd be rooting for Ohio State when the Buckeyes take on the Akron Zips, even though the Zips are his hometown school, tonight in the NIT. Instead, LeBron is rolling with the Zips.

LeBron is close with Akron coach Keith Dambrot, who coached him in high school for two years at St. Vincent-St. Mary.He also is a big-time supporter of Akron's program and has played a big part in making the Zips a perennial power in the MAC. LeBron also recently had a bobblehead night at a recent ZIps game and shouted out Dambrot on Instagram after the Zips clinched the regular season MAC title.

Akron and Ohio State face off tonight Columbus in at 7 p.m. in the first round of the NIT.

SB Nation's partner FanDuel is running a FREE money fantasy basketball league tonight. Half of the league win cash. Join now!