Spotting Spike Lee at a basketball game is not a rare occurrence.

However, the famous movie director and producer was not at his usual courtside seat at a New York Knicks game. Instead, Lee was front and center draped in St. John’s gear at the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence, Rhode Island, on Saturday for a matchup between the No. 2 seeded Red Storm and No. 10 Arkansas.

Lee was in attendance to watch the matchup between legendary coaches Rick Pitino and John Calipari but took time to take a photo with McNeese student manager Amir Khan before the game.

Here’s what you need to know about why Lee was at the St. John’s-Arkansas 2025 men’s NCAA Tournament second-round game on Saturday:

Why was Spike Lee at St. John’s game vs Arkansas?

Lee was there to support Pitino and the Red Storm, sporting a red St. John’s jacket, a red Yankees cap, and red sneakers. Before the game, in an interview with Fox Sports’ Joe Fanta, Lee delivered a statement regarding the run by St. John’s in Pitino’s second season with the Red Storm.

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“Coach Pitino has really brought our team back,” Lee said. “New York City is all behind him. The Garden is rocking. So, why stop here?”

Spike Lee college

Lee attended Morehouse College in Atlanta for his undergraduate degree before attending New York University for his Master of Arts.

Where is Spike Lee from?

Lee, despite being born in Atlanta, has deep roots and love for New York City, particularly Brooklyn. He is a superfan of New York sports. He is routinely seen sitting courtside at New York Knicks games.