The moment we have all been waiting for is finally upon us. Team USA began their 2024 Paris Olympics campaign tipping off in Lille. While all eyes were glued to the television (or any other device you’re using), some special faces were on the courtside to witness the historic action. Many stars were part of the opening ceremony, with Lady Gaga and Celine Dion performing, and Snoop Dogg being the torch bearer. Knicks superfan and movie director Spike Lee was then spotted in the crowd at Stade Pierre-Mauroy, continuing the trend.

Yes, the 67-year-old joined the legion of traveling Team USA fans and was courtside as the Hoopers took on Serbia. But he wasn’t the only one from the glam world. Queen Latifah, a known face in basketball arenas, was also there to support the star-spangled flag. Lee was donning the all-so-familiar orange Knicks cap with a white Team USA jersey over a blue t-shirt.

The singer, on the other hand, was wearing a denim half-sleeved jacket matching Team USA’s blue kit, along with a blue cap. They both showed their support for the team by cheering as Kevin Durant and Co. bagged a dominating win to pick up 2 important points.

Spike Lee has been a regular courtside presence in the Knicks games since the 1970s. Of course, no one had a clue what he’d go on to achieve, but his success never hindered his love for the NY side. We can say the same about Spike’s love for his country. So Lee’s attendance came as no surprise, just like he did during the 1992 Olympics!

Spike Lee famously revealed one of his encounters with Team USA in Barcelona that year. It involves the Dream Team as the superfan watched MJ, Magic Johnson, and Charles Barkley together for 8 hours! But that was at a poker table and not on a court. “I don’t play poker, I don’t play cards. Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Charles Barkley, and me all in one room for eight hours. I wish I could have had a camera in there,” Lee said during an episode of First Take on ESPN.

“That was the funniest sh*t, you know what the rest is, I’ve ever hear in my life. For eight hours these guys was just going at it. Talking about oh your mother this and they were throwing down the cards on the table. Think about this, Jordan, Barkley, and Magic, just the four of us for 8 hours and they had a game the next morning and I left, I left after six hours.” That tour to Barcelona ended with a gold medal for Team USA. And good thing for Spike, that KD’s return might provide the same result this time around as well.

Spike Lee cheers on as Kevin Durant dazzles on return

Spike Lee was in full flow in Lille during Team USA’s opening group game. After a wobbly start, the Hoopers turned the tables and things only picked up after Kevin Durant made his triumphal return to the court. KD entered the game in the first quarter and with his first shot in a competitive game in 3 months, the sharpshooter splashed a 3-pointer! But it did not stop and KD did not relent either. He scored two 3-pointers, then another one, then a fourth, and then a fifth as he went 5 for 5 from downtown.

By the end of the night, Kevin Durant had scored 23 points, a game-high tally to add to his previous 435 points in the Olympics. From the field, he scored 8 out of his 9 attempts and also chipped in with 2 rebounds. This was a massive boost for Team USA’s bid for their 5th consecutive Olympic Gold medal. The road ahead is treacherous and full of challenges with the next one coming on August 1 against South Sudan.

Spike Lee already sparked the competition with his link-up and photograph with Luol Deng, South Sudan Basketball President, so expect a high-voltage game on Wednesday.

And to absorb more interesting stories, watch the Dual Threat Show hosted by BG12 where the prodigy puts Bulldogs star Silas Demary Jr under the pump with loaded NBA questions and more in this video below.