LeBron James and his teammates arrived at the White House in elegant attire for a ceremony celebrating their NBA Finals victory from the previous year.

The Miami Heat clinched the championship by defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder in a series where they won four games to Thunder’s one.

A fan favorite, James received the Most Valuable Player award for the Finals and stood noticeably taller than Obama during the celebration. Some players, including James, had previously met the President when they played basketball with him on his 49th birthday in 2010.

Obama, known for his support of the Chicago Bulls, humorously remarked on the occasion, quipping, “Now I’m not trying to take all the credit, coach, but I think it’s clear that going up against me prepared them to take on Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. It sharpened their skills. It gave them the competitive edge that they needed. And I think part of the reason they came back today is they want another shot at the old guy.”

However, Obama also offered sincere congratulations to the team, acknowledging their journey to success. “This team has traveled a long road to get to where they are,” he noted, referring to their NBA Finals loss in 2011 against the Dallas Mavericks. “When you fall, the real test is whether you can ignore the naysayers, pick yourself up, and come back stronger. And that’s true in basketball, but it’s also true in life.”

Obama praised the players for their off-court commitment to fatherhood and highlighted them as exemplary role models for young boys in America. Despite having met Obama before, James appeared slightly awestruck by the occasion, murmuring, “Am I supposed to say something?” as he presented the President with a basketball signed by the team.

“We’re in the White House right now,” James exclaimed. “This is like, ‘Mama, I made it!'”