LeBron James is officially a Philadelphia 76er. The four-time NBA champion agreed to a two-year, $8 million deal, ending weeks of guessing games.
Fans across Philly are excited, and so are famous faces from the city’s basketball landscape. One of them is Dawn Staley, the South Carolina women’s basketball coach. She recorded a video from the stands at a basketball game to personally welcome James to the City of Brotherly Love.
Dawn Staley Gives LeBron James a Warm Philadelphia Welcome
Shortly after James announced he was signing with the 76ers, Staley posted a front-camera video on her X account while attending a basketball game.
Super hyped throughout the clip, the three-time NCAA championship-winning coach made it clear she was thrilled to see the future Hall of Famer heading to Philadelphia.
“Bron, Philly, the Sixers… We got the King y’all.. Welcome to Philly, Bron. Let me know if you need any spots. Okay, let me know. Let me know if Zhuri needs any place to go to school. We know the entire school district. Savannah, we got you. We got you. Bron. Bron. Good, great. Choice, my guy!”
YOOOOO PHILLY STAND ALL THE WAY UP!! @ sixers @KingJames let’s gooooooo!!!! pic.twitter.com/I65ZZ1YhgI
— dawnstaley (@dawnstaley) July 24, 2026
She even offered to help LeBron’s family settle into the city. She mentioned his daughter, Zhuri, and his wife, Savannah, joking about school options and neighborhood spots. It was a warm and very personal welcome.
Staley’s excitement was hardly surprising. A Philadelphia native, she has long been one of the city’s biggest basketball ambassadors. Before becoming one of the most successful coaches in college basketball at South Carolina, she starred at Dobbins Technical High School in Philadelphia before going on to an All-American career at Virginia.
She had also publicly hoped James would choose the 76ers earlier in free agency. When reports first linked Philadelphia to the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, Staley posted on social media asking if James was “about that Philly life,” making it clear she wanted to see him wearing a Sixers jersey.
That message came right after the Sixers traded for Jaylen Brown, signaling that Philly wanted to build a real contender.
James officially ended weeks of speculation on Friday by announcing that he will sign with the 76ers. The contract includes a player option after the first season and marks what James has called the final team decision of his NBA career.
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The move gives the 76ers one of the league’s most star-studded lineups. James joins Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and newly acquired Jaylen Brown as Philadelphia looks to win its first NBA championship since 1983.
For Staley, though, the basketball fit seemed to matter less than the city itself. Her message focused on making James and his family feel at home.
It was a heartfelt welcome from one of Philadelphia’s most beloved sports figures, and, judging by her reaction from the stands, Staley believes the City of Brotherly Love has just landed its biggest basketball star yet.
