Colorado football is in need of a feel-good moment right now, and since that might not be coming on the field for the next couple weeks, it is important for the players to be in high spirits off of it. Tuesday's NBA season opener gave two of the team's stars that chance.

Quarterback Shedeur Sanders (his father and head coach Deion Sanders was also present at the game) and wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter enjoyed a nice exchange with LeBron James after the Los Angeles Lakers lost to the reigning champion Denver Nuggets, 119-107.

“I love y’all boys, man,” the four-time champion told them. “You gotta send us a jersey,” Sanders replied. After James walked away, Hunter emitted a response usually reserved for boy band concerts. “AHHHHHHHH!” he exclaimed while grabbing onto his teammate and friend.

Having an in-person interaction with a generational athlete that you have grown up watching is surreal, to say the least. The Buffaloes have been directly under the spotlight for much of the season, but the type of celebrity status associated with James and the Lakers is at a whole different level. Even a two-way star like Hunter is not going to be so easily accustomed to such an experience. He is only 20 years of age, after all.

Despite the loss, LeBron James put on quite the show in Denver's Ball Arena, scoring 21 points on 10-of-16 shooting to go with eight rebounds and five assists. Nikola Jokic was just too much, however, recording a triple-double to lead the Nuggets to victory.

Ideally, all of the excitement will allow Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter to play a bit more freely when Colorado football (4-3) heads to No. 23 UCLA this Saturday. The Lakers have their own daunting challenge ahead, as they host their home opener against the Phoenix Suns on Thursday night.