Inside the basketball of 'One Tree Hill' 23 years later - ESPN

WILMINGTON, N.C. — «Are you here for the big game?» my new friend behind the car rental counter asked shortly after I touched down in Michael Jordan's hometown.

«People are saying you need to be in line by 7 a.m. if you want a chance at a decent seat,» she exclaimed before I could answer.

To my surprise, my big game and her big game were one and the same: the «Hey 23» basketball game celebrating 23 years since the hit television show «One Tree Hill» first aired.

Pausing to look around Wilmington International Airport, it appeared nearly everyone arriving in town had the same purpose. Couples, families and groups of friends of all ages — all donning black, white and royal blue, and not of the Duke Blue Devils variety.

I had counted at least seven combined «Scott» jerseys and two red Quentin Fields-inspired capes before a handmade «You can't kill Dan Scott» sign diverted my attention.

Then the same cheerful voice snapped me back into focus.

«Your car is ready. Just head to spot No. 23! See you tomorrow!»

Unclear whether my rental assignment was intentional or an omen, I grabbed the keys and stepped out into the North Carolina heat.

If a 23rd anniversary feels arbitrary, you're clearly not a «One Tree Hill» fan.

OTH's premise centered around a pair of half-brothers, Lucas (played by Chad Michael Murray) and Nathan Scott (played by James Lafferty) who starred on their high school basketball team in the fictional North Carolina small town of Tree Hill.

The beloved teen drama — and in my entirely unbiased opinion, the most slept-on basketball show of our generation — followed Nathan Scott, aka No. 23 and his journey from winning a state championship in high school to being recruited by Duke until his college plans were