Colorado football needs a feel-good moment right now, and with the possibility of not being on the field for the next few weeks, it’s important for players to keep spirits high. Tuesday’s NBA season opener gives the team’s two stars that chance.
Quarterback Shaddell Sanders (whose father and head coach Deion Sanders also attended) and wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter enjoyed good communication LeBron James was with the Los Angeles Lakers after their 119-107 loss to the defending champion Denver Nuggets.
“I love all you boys, man,” the four-time champion told them. “You have to send us a jersey,” Sanders responded. After James walked away, Hunter delivered a response usually reserved for boy band concerts. “Ahhhhhh!” he yelled, grabbing his teammates and friends.
LeBron James: “I love you guys, man.”
Shedeur Sanders: “You’ve got to send us a jersey, you’ve got to make us do it right!”
*LeBron walks away*
Travis Hunter: “Ahahahahahaha!” 🤣
(pass @BleacherReport)pic.twitter.com/e1VNNFEhAr
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) October 25, 2023
Interacting face-to-face with a generation of athletes you grew up watching is surreal, to say the least. Buffalo has been directly in the spotlight for much of the season, but the type of celebrity status associated with James and the Lakers is on an entirely different level. Even a two-way star like Hunter won’t get used to this experience so easily. After all, he is only 20 years old.
Despite the loss, LeBron James performed well in the arena in Denver, scoring 21 points on 10-of-16 shooting, along with eight rebounds and five assists. However, Nikola Jokic was just too good, finishing with a triple-double to lead the Nuggets to victory.
Ideally, all the excitement will allow Shadre Sanders and Travis Hunter to move more freely this Saturday when the Colorado football team (4-3) takes on No. 23 UCLA Contest. The Lakers face a tough challenge as they host the Phoenix Suns on Thursday night.