Lebron_james
Whoa. Things just got kicked up a notch. Kate Fagan of Philly.com is now reporting that LeBron James will be taking his talents to University City. James, Kevin Durant, and Chris Paul will join Carmelo Anthony and others in a pick-up game at the Palestra on September 25th.

Tickets go on-sale Tuesday at 9 AM at ruvilla.com and the Palestra box office. Wow.

Here's the press release…

TEAM MELO SET TO TAKE ON PHILADELPHIA ALL STARS IN BATTLE FOR  I-95 ON SEPT. 25 AT THE FAMED PALESTRA ON THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA CAMPUS 

Baltimore/DC vs Philadelphia grudge match will feature all star players from both cities in a battle for bragging rights!  

Philadelphia, PA. (September 12, 2011) – What started as friendly debate between two former NCAA National Championship teammates from Syracuse, has turned into a full blown “winner take all” grudge match.  This debate can only be settled on the basketball court, so on September 25 at 6 pm, Carmelo Anthony will bring his Team Melo All Stars down I-95 to face Hakim Warrick and his Philadelphia born squad at the Palestra Arena on the University of Pennsylvania campus in Philadelphia.  Confirmed participants to date include Hakim, Carmelo, Kevin Durant,Chris Paul, Lebron James, Lou Williams, Wayne Ellington, Markieff and Marcus Morris, Jason Thompson and Ronald Murrary. 

A portion of the revenue generated by the game will go to charity including the West Philadelphia Community Center where Hakim Warrick grew up playing basketball and other community groups in the Philadelphia area.  

“My Philadelphia All Stars look forward to getting on the court and proving to Melo and the people of Baltimore/DC that the best ballers come out of Philly!” joked Hakim Warrick.  “Melo told me he was bringing a squad that can’t be beat so I have a few ‘all star’ surprises for him when my team takes the court on Sept. 25” The game will be broadcast live via the web on The Basketball Channel, hosted by Fox Sports’ Marques Johnson and Philadelphia basketball legend Gregory “Bo” Kimble. 

Tickets for the event will be priced at between $35-$50 with a number of upper bowl to be donated to community groups throughout the city.  Tickets for the event will go on sale on September 13th at 9 am through the Palestra box office located 215 South 33rd Street Philadelphia, PA 19104 and participating VILLA locations throughout the Philadelphia area or visti RUVILLA.COM

 

UPDATE: Despite the release, tickets are NOT on-sale at the Palestra this morning.

H/T to (@JustinSchacher) for the heads up