The Duke-North Carolina rivalry is always a hot ticket no matter who is on the floor for the Tar Heels and Blue Devils.
It’s one of the best rivalries in all of sports, and in years when both teams are ranked in the top 10 and the rosters are filled with NBA caliber talent, it takes on an even greater importance on a national scale, well outside the Triangle region. This is one of those years, with Duke ranked No. 1 and North Carolina at No. 8, but beyond that the presence of Zion Williamson, arguably the best college prospect in nearly a decade, means everyone wants to get into Cameron Indoor Stadium for Wednesday night’s proceedings.
This wasn’t just Duke alums in the house or even stars from Charlotte pro teams (Greg Olsen was among those in attendance). No, everyone wanted to catch the Blue Devils and Tar Heels, including former president Barack Obama who rolled through Cameron to check out Zion and company.
Former President Barack Obama pic.twitter.com/U9rbWiUIJp
— Mark Armstrong (@MarkPArmstrong) February 21, 2019
Obama isn’t alone, though, as Ken Griffey Jr. is also on hand in Durham, along with Spike Lee in full Knicks regalia, ready to wish Zion to the Knicks into existence.
Ken Griffey Jr here tonight for Duke-UNC pic.twitter.com/cQQNBKaLTy
— Adam Rowe? (@AdamRoweTDD) February 21, 2019
Spike Lee has arrived for #UNCvsDuke pic.twitter.com/UzsSxKzqGx
— Producer John (@bauman_john) February 21, 2019
Also, Hayden Panettiere is there!
Let’s go Duke!!! #BlueDevils pic.twitter.com/6Eb6mvoKp5
— Hayden Panettiere (@haydenpanettier) February 21, 2019
College basketball games are rarely the spot for significant star-watching, as you’ll typically not have much more than a few famous alumni, but this year’s Duke team is different and the chance to catch Zion’s first of two games against Carolina (barring a tournament matchup) is apparently worth the trip to Durham for many celebs.
