The City of Bron-erly Love has welcomed a new superstar.
The basketball world was holding their breath all summer until Friday, July 24 when LeBron James announced that he is joining the Philadelphia 76ers.
The four-time NBA champion and league’s all-time leading scorer was reportedly deciding between Philadelphia, joining Stephen Curry on the Golden State Warriors, a return to the Miami Heat or a comeback to his hometown team, the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Besides the sports world expressing their excitement, Philadelphia rejoiced at the news. The future Hall of Famer will join former NBA MVP Joel Embiid and 2024 NBA Finals champion Jaylen Brown, who was shockingly traded from the Boston Celtics earlier in the month.
More: 7 biggest winners and losers from LeBron James joining the 76ers
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The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
Gold medalist LeBron James of Team United States celebrates on the podium during the Men’s basketball medal ceremony on day fifteen of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Bercy Arena on Aug. 10, 2024 in Paris, France.
(Ezra Shaw, Getty Images)
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The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
Gold medalist LeBron James of Team United States celebrates on the podium during the Men’s basketball medal ceremony on day fifteen of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Bercy Arena on Aug. 10, 2024 in Paris, France.
(Ezra Shaw, Getty Images)
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The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James reacts while holding the Larry O’Brien trophy after defeating the Gold State Warriors to win the NBA Finals on June 19, 2016 in Oakland, California.
Powered by an amazing effort from LeBron James, the Cleveland Cavaliers completed the greatest comeback in NBA Finals history, dethroning defending champion Golden State 93-89 to capture their first NBA title. The Cavaliers won the best-of-seven series 4-3 to claim the first league crown in their 46-season history and deliver the first major sports champion to Cleveland since the 1964 NFL Browns, ending the longest such title drought for any American city.
/ AFP / Beck Diefenbach (Photo credit should read BECK DIEFENBACH/AFP via Getty Images)
(AFP, AFP via Getty Images)
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The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
Forward LeBron James reacts against the New York Knicks in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals in the 2012 NBA Playoffs on May 9, 2012 at the American Airines Arena in Miami, Florida. Miami defeated the Knicks 106-94 to advance to the next round four games to one.
(Marc Serota, Getty Images)
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The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
MIAMI, FL – JUNE 21: LeBron James #6 of the Miami Heat celebrates with the Larry O’Brien Finals Championship trophy after they won 121-106 against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Five of the 2012 NBA Finals on June 21, 2012 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
(Mike Ehrmann, Getty Images)
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The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
LeBron James speaks to the media on an off day following Game Three of the 2014 NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs at American Airlines Arena on June 11, 2014 in Miami, Florida.
(Alex Trautwig, Getty Images)
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The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
LeBron James reacts against the Philadelphia 76ers in the second half at the Wells Fargo Center on Jan. 28, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Lakers 118-104.
(Mitchell Leff, Getty Images)
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The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
LeBron James cries before the Men’s Preliminary Round Group B match Spain vs China at the London 2012 Olympic Games , on July 29, 2012 in London.
(MARK RALSTON, AFP via Getty Images)
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The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
LeBron James is injured against the Charlotte Bobcats in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Time Warner Cable Arena on April 28, 2014 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
(Streeter Lecka, Getty Images)
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The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
LeBron James argues a foul call with referee John Goble #10 during the second half of a game against the Dallas Mavericks at Crypto.com Arena on Feb. 25, 2025 in Los Angeles.
(Sean M. Haffey, Getty Images)
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The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
LeBron James reacts as the Lakers play the Dallas Mavericks in the second half at American Airlines Center on Dec. 25, 2022 in Dallas, Texas.
(Ron Jenkins, Getty Images)
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The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
LeBron James looks on before playing against the Washington Wizards during the first half at Capital One Arena on Jan. 30, 2025 in Washington, DC.
(Patrick Smith, Getty Images)
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The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
LeBron James signals to teammates after making a three-point shot at the end of the 3rd quarter against the Chicago Bulls in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2010 NBA Playoffs at the United Center on April 25, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Cavaliers defeated the Bulls 121-98.
(Jonathan Daniel, Getty Images)
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The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
LeBron James reacts during a 117-108 Lakers win over the Miami Heat at Crypto.com Arena on Jan. 15, 2025 in Los Angeles.
(Harry How, Getty Images)
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The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
LeBron James shouts during a game against CSKA Moscow on October 12, 2010 in Miami, Florida. Miami heat won 96-85 over CSKA Moscow.
(Marc Serota, Getty Images)
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The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers attends a quarterfinal game of the 2018 NBA Summer League between the Lakers and the Detroit Pistons at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 15, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
(Ethan Miller, Getty Images)
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The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
LeBron James reacts against the Chicago Bulls during the second half at the United Center on March 27, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois.
(Michael Reaves, Getty Images)
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The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
LeBron James sits during a training session in the leadup to the Cleveland Cavaliers exhibition match against the Orlando Magic in Shanghai in October 2007.
(MARK RALSTON, AFP via Getty Images)
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The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
LeBron James at Intuit Dome on Jan. 19, 2025 in Inglewood, California.
(Ronald Martinez, Getty Images)
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The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
LeBron James in the second half at Crypto.com Arena on Feb. 28, 2025 in Los Angeles.
(Ronald Martinez, Getty Images)
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The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
LeBron James falls to the court after a foul during the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game One of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on April 19, 2025 in Los Angeles.
(Ronald Martinez, Getty Images)
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The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
LeBron James reacts during warm up prior to the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game One of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on April 19, 2025 in Los Angeles.
(Ronald Martinez, Getty Images)
Fans also had fun imagining James on a favorite Philadelphia-based sitcom and comparing him to another beloved figure from the city.
Here’s the best pop culture reactions to James signing with the 76ers:
Philadelphia music artists are hyped LeBron James is a Sixer
While Philadelphia might be overshadowed by Los Angeles or New York in the music scene, it still has a strong stable of influential artists. Questlove posted a series of Instagram stories welcoming LeBron James. Meek Mill, Tierra Whack and Lil Dicky were also among those who celebrated the 22-time All-Star’s announcement that he was going to play in their city.
James Poyser of The Roots had maybe the best response of the day when he made a Threads post saying, “LeJawn James!!!!”
The people want LeBron James on ‘Abbott Elementary’
Quinta Brunson’s sitcom “Abbott Elementary” is set in Philadelphia and has become part of the city’s pop culture DNA. The award-winning show has seen cameos from Bradley Cooper, the Philadelphia Phillies, Philadelphia Flyers mascot Gritty and Philadelphia Eagles stars Jalen Hurts, Jason Kelce and Brandon Graham. Fans want LeBron to be next.
Brunson herself showed excitement at the NBA’s all-time leading scorer joining her hometown team. She posted a series of Instagram stories with James’ famous “Can’t believe this my life” meme, a picture of them together with the caption “My goat” and a sly emoji in response to a fan who asked if the basketball superstar would appear on the show.
LeBron James is the ‘reverse Fresh Prince’
In Akron, Ohio born and raised, on the playground is where he spent most of his days.
Several people on social media pointed out that LeBron James joining the Philadelphia 76ers is a “reverse fresh prince.” In opposite order of Will Smith’s popular ’90s comedy, the NBA superstar went from Los Angeles to Philadelphia.
X user bobcattheUNC posted the final scene of the show where the Philadelphia-bred actor stands alone in the Bel Air living room after the Banks Family moved to the East Coast and suggested James is doing a similar move to his son Bronny. James was influential in getting the Los Angeles Lakers to draft his son.
Philadelphia welcomes LeBron James
People all across Philadelphia were welcoming. Pat’s King of Steaks posted on their Instagram story and their rival Geno’s Steaks made an elaborate post. Ice cream icon Frankie Two Scoops, the Theatre of Living Arts and the Philadelphia International Airport also expressed their appreciation.
The governor of Pennsylvania, Josh Shapiro, even declared a LeBron James Day!
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: LeBron James on ‘Abbott Elementary?’ Reactions to superstar joining 76ers
