When Virginia Commnwealth University plays Duquesne next season, it’s likely LeBron James will be paying close attention.

James is a lifelong friend and former teammate of Dru Joyce III, the new head basketball coach at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh.

Here’s what James posted on his X account: “I’m proud to announce, as the unquestioned source, that I am confirming Dru Joyce is the new head coach at Duquesne … so damn happy and proud of you, brother.”

James broke the news before it was formally announced by the school.

James and Coach Joyce, now 39, were teammates for three seasons (103-5 record between 2000 and 2003) at Akron’s St. Vincent-St. Mary High in Ohio. Coach Joyce moved on to star at Akron University while James … well, you know the rest.

Coach Joyce served as the Dukes’ associate head coach the past two seasons under Coach Keith Dambrot, who recently retired. Coach Dambrot served as the St. Vincent-St. Mary coach for two of three seasons with James and Coach Joyce.

In 2023, Peacock produced a movie, “Shooting Stars,” about the powerhouse high school team with Mookie Cook playing James and Wood Harris as Coach Joyce.

Duquesne defeated VCU for the A-10 title last month in Brooklyn after also topping the Rams during the regular season at the Siegel Center.

Before the Dukes’ NCAA tournament opener against Brigham Young University, James treated the entire team to Nike LeBron 21 Blue Divers, priced at $200 each.

After Duquesne upset BYU 71-67, James posted: “Ayyyyyyyeeeee!!! First tournament win in 55 years.”

Duquesne’s most recent “Big Dance” victory was in 1969.

Also entering into this equation are reports that LeBron’s son, rising sophomore Bronny, might be transferring following a coaching change at Southern California. He already has entered the transfer portal and placed his name on the NBA draft list, while maintaining eligibility to play college basketball.

VCU and Duquesne play at least once and perhaps twice each A-10 regular season with a possibility of a third get-together in the tournament.