Ohio State women's basketball received a care package from LeBron James this week.
Head coach Kevin McGuff broke the news of the custom-made Beats by Dre and LeBron XX shoes sent by James, who said he took notice of the Buckeyes' hard work in the preseason and claimed he would keep a close eye on the program's success throughout the year.
These are sick!
— Ohio State WBB (@OhioStateWBB) December 2, 2022
Thank you @kingjames for these incredible custom branded headphones and your continued support! We salute you! O-H.... #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/6SkD7xKfIg
"The season is here," James wrote. "So are the expectations. But you put in the work. Time to play the game and change it forever. Let's make some history. O-H!"
Ohio State is off to a 7-0 start in 2022-23, including wins over then-No. 5 Tennessee and No. 18 Louisville. The Buckeyes are currently ranked as the fourth-best team in America, according to the Associated Press Top 25, and sit behind only defending national champions South Carolina, Stanford and Connecticut in the poll.
Guards Taylor Mikesell and Jacy Sheldon have been the team's statistical leaders this season, with Mikesell contributing 17.7 points, 2.1 rebounds and 2.4 assists and Sheldon adding 16.0 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.2 assists per contest. The Buckeyes have also seen tremendous efforts from Rebeka Mikulasikova as of late, and the senior forward is now up to a team-best 18.1 points and 6.0 rebounds per game for Ohio State this year.
Ohio State will face its first Big Ten opponent of the season when it travels to face Rutgers at Jersey Mike's Arena in Piscataway, New Jersey, on Sunday. The Scarlet Knights finished 13th in the conference last season with an 11-20 (3-14 Big Ten) record and are off to a 4-5 start this year.
James has been a frequent donor to Ohio State's athletics this season. In August, he gifted the football team with Beats – the same ones the women's basketball program received this week – and later provided the players with custom-made black and scarlet cleats for the Michigan game. Additionally, James donated scarlet and gray pairs of his LeBron 20 shoes to the men's basketball team in early November.
James also shared his support for Ohio State women’s basketball on Twitter in a response to McGuff on Friday.
Very welcome Coach!! Best of luck to you and your hard working ladies this year and beyond! Always got my support!! O-H.. #GoBucks
— LeBron James (@KingJames) December 2, 2022
