'Coach Dru Joyce Court' christened before hundreds at St. Vincent-St. Mary

Michael Leonard, Akron Beacon Journal
·4 min read
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Dru Joyce II, center, boys basketball coach at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School, and his wife, Carolyn — surrounded by his former players, Sian Cotton, left, his son Cameron Joyce, Athletic Director Willie McGee, his son Dru Joyce III, Corey Jones, Brandon Weems and LeBron James — unveil the new Coach Dru Joyce Court during a dedication ceremony Sunday at the school's LeBron James Arena in Akron.
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AKRON — Dru Joyce II and LeBron James arrived together at St. Vincent-St. Mary in 1999.

As STVM assistant athletic director Carley Whitney said, since then, the two have "put St. Vincent-St. Mary and the city of Akron on the map."

One became perhaps the best basketball player of all time and an Akron community leader.

The other turned the Irish into arguably Ohio's best high school boys basketball program.

Perhaps it's fitting the two men's names are now linked at STVM.

On Sunday, with James in attendance, Joyce was honored as STVM named its court "Coach Dru Joyce Court at The LeBron James Arena."

Former St. Vincent-St. Mary High School basketball players who played for coach Dru Joyce II bow their heads in prayer around Joyce's name on the court during the benediction of the court's dedication ceremony Sunday at The LeBron James Arena.
Former St. Vincent-St. Mary High School basketball players who played for coach Dru Joyce II bow their heads in prayer around Joyce's name on the court during the benediction of the court's dedication ceremony Sunday at The LeBron James Arena.

Nearly 100 former and current Irish players attended the ceremony, which almost brought Joyce to tears.

"It was super special," Joyce said. "They're my guys. It's been a wonderful ride. I know not all them liked me at times, but to see all of them is a real blessing."

The first team of coach Dru Joyce II at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School: from left, LeBron James, Sian Cotton, Dru Joyce III, coach Joyce, Romeo Travis and Willie McGee after the court dedication ceremony to name the court Coach Dru Joyce Court at The LeBron James Arena at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School on Sunday in Akron.
The first team of coach Dru Joyce II at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School: from left, LeBron James, Sian Cotton, Dru Joyce III, coach Joyce, Romeo Travis and Willie McGee after the court dedication ceremony to name the court Coach Dru Joyce Court at The LeBron James Arena at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School on Sunday in Akron.

Among the former players in attendance were all five members of the "Fab Five" from STVM's 2003 national championship squad. The players unveiled "Coach Dru Joyce" in black script on the court floor.

STVM also announced Sunday it will rename its boys basketball locker room in honor of coach Illya McGee. A longtime assistant coach to Joyce, McGee died June 30 at the age of 52.

A memorial to the late Illya McGee, pictured in framed photograph, left, next to head coach Dru Joyce II and fellow assistant coach Tron Rhoden, on the team bench during the court dedication ceremony to Joyce at LeBron James Arena at St. Vincent St. Mary High School Sunday in Akron. It was announced at the ceremony that the boys locker room will be dedicated in McGee's name.

Willie McGee, Illya's brother and the outgoing STVM athletic director, said his family was humbled by the move during such a tough time.

"It's a great honor," McGee said. "Illya sent me here to St. V because he liked what Coach Dru did. He knew I'd be in good hands."

A member of the Fab Five, McGee is leaving STVM to join the LeBron James Family Foundation.

"It may be the last time I get to speak in this gym," McGee said. "Honestly, my main joy was seeing the two biggest men in my life, my brother and coach Dru, coaching together. Coach Dru cared for me. He started a brotherhood that keeps going till this day.

Dru Joyce II, the head boys basketball coach at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School, speaks Sunday during the court dedication ceremony at the school's LeBron James Arena in Akron.
Dru Joyce II, the head boys basketball coach at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School, speaks Sunday during the court dedication ceremony at the school's LeBron James Arena in Akron.

"He's a living example of how to be a good man, not just on the court. He shows how to be a good father and a good husband.

Tributes rolled in for Joyce's work from many of his former players and coaches, all of whom echoed that he was as a good person as he was a basketball coach.

While praising Joyce's qualities off the court, Whitney said his on-court exploits were unparalleled.

During his 21 years as STVM head coach, Joyce has won seven state titles, 13 regional titles and 19 district titles, and compiled a career record of 441-119.

Those titles include Division II championships from 2021 and 2022. He also was assistant coach under Keith Dambrot during STVM's 2000 and 2001 state title wins.

As the STVM's girls basketball coach, Whitney said she's been striving to match Joyce's excellence, an him a great resource for his program.

"Coach Dru always told me. 'The X's and O's will take care of themselves as long as you take care of the people,'" Whitney said. "There's no greater gift that we can give than what you have done for all these young men."

As he accepted the honor, Joyce quoted Hall of Fame coach John Wooden.

LeBron James shares a laugh with Dru Joyce II after Sunday's ceremony to name a basketball court after his former coach at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in Akron.
LeBron James shares a laugh with Dru Joyce II after Sunday's ceremony to name a basketball court after his former coach at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in Akron.

"Talent is God-given. Be thankful. Fame is man-given. Be humble. Conceit is self-given. Be careful," Joyce said. "I humbly accept this.

"This whole thing started out with me coaching a rec league team ... trying to help my son," he said. "It's something that I was talking about with pastor. If you take one step, God will make it a giant step for you."

Dru Joyce II, left, is hugged by son Dru Joyce III after the dedication ceremony Sunday for Coach Dru Joyce Court at The LeBron James Arena at St. Vincent St. Mary High School in Akron.
Dru Joyce II, left, is hugged by son Dru Joyce III after the dedication ceremony Sunday for Coach Dru Joyce Court at The LeBron James Arena at St. Vincent St. Mary High School in Akron.

That son is Dru Joyce III, another Fab Five member who is an assistant coach under Dambrot at Duquesne University.

"One thing I've always understood about is that he is a leader, helping turn boys into men," Joyce III said. "At the age of 5, I could see him working with kids. Basketball was just a tool for him. It's something that a lot of people like that helps them.

"It's not about being able to live up to a legacy for me," he added. "It's about being able to witness greatness. This is a great day. I've seen what he's done."

STVM assistant coach Romeo Travis called the day "surreal," as he reflected on coming full circle from player to coach with Joyce.

"I went from getting yelled at to yelling at players," Travis said. "When I was player, I never thought he was doing anything for me. I thought he was only doing things to me. I'm forever grateful to Coach Dru."

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: LeBron James among those at unveiling of Coach Dru Joyce Court at STVM