Morgan Freeman, an award-winning actor and famous Ole Miss basketball supporter, stood out among the 9,631 people in the SJB Pavilion on Saturday.
More often than not, if there’s a big game in Oxford, he’ll be sitting courtside dressed in Rebel gear.
Although many were likely unaware of Freeman’s connection to the program outside of Ole Miss fanbase and circles, given his Mississippi residency, many saw him this past Saturday following an interesting incident with an Auburn player.
During the game, there was a pause of play on Freeman’s end of Craddock Court, and Tigers center Johni Broome was standing right in front of him.
Freeman tried to catch Broome’s attention by gently tugging the back of his No. 4 jersey, but Broome swatted the hand behind him away.
Many consider Freeman to be the voice of “God” and the President of the United States, based on popular parts he has done throughout his film career.
“I assumed it was an Ole Miss supporter just snatching my jersey and holding onto me.
So I just took his hand off and saw who it was,” Broome said at the postgame press conference.
“I am a huge movie buff. I probably saw one of his films on the aircraft over here.
I noticed it was him and thought, ‘Oh my gosh, I’m a huge fan. I apologize! He simply said, “Just keep on playing.”
“Then I came back out of there and was like, ‘I’m sorry again.’ “You’re all right, just keep playing.’ Very good man. “I love him.”
Broome finished the game with 15 points (all in the second half), nine rebounds, and seven assists.
He helped his team overcome a 13-point deficit and produce an explosive second half that resulted in a 91-77 Auburn victory.
After a year away, Freeman returned to the SJB Pavilion for a few games this season, with adding a new level of excitement to Ole Miss basketball.
Back-to-back games against Auburn and Mississippi State have drawn the arena’s two largest audiences since its opening in January 2016, with the Mississippi State game drawing an impressive 10,630 fans.
Both games drew the largest attendance in the basketball program’s history.
