A UMass student successfully made a $10,000 basketball shot, but his excitement was cut short when officials denied the prize over a technicality.
A University of Massachusetts student experienced a rollercoaster of emotions after winning a halftime basketball challenge, only to be denied the $10,000 prize due to a minor technicality.
The Halftime challenge: A shot at $10,000
Noah Lee, a UMass student, participated in a halftime basketball challenge during a university game. The challenge required players to make a layup, free throw, three-pointer, and half-court shot within 30 seconds.
Lee successfully completed all four shots, including an impressive half-court buzzer-beater. The crowd erupted in cheers, and Lee described the moment as “surreal.”
The heartbreaking disqualification
Despite his success, Lee was denied the $10,000 prize the following day. An email from the UMass athletics representative explained that his foot was on the line during the half-court shot, invalidating the attempt.
Lee expressed his disappointment, saying, “Which is obviously a little disappointing.” The technicality left him without the prize he believed he had earned.
UMass offers compensatory rewards
In response to the incident, UMass offered Lee several compensatory rewards. These included tickets to a men’s basketball game in a four-person loge suite and participation in an on-court hot shot contest.
The hot shot contest offers prizes for making a layup, free throw, and three-pointer, with a $1,000 reward for a successful half-court shot. UMass also provided Lee with court-side seats for a women’s basketball game, $100 in concession gift cards, and a swag bag of UMass gear.
The Massachusetts Collective, a separate entity, also reached out to Lee. They offered him another chance to win $10,000 with a simple half-court shot.
Their tweet read, “One half-court shot, $10k cash. Simple… Just stay behind the line!” This new opportunity gives Lee a shot at redemption.
Noah Lee’s Perspective
Despite the disappointment, Lee remains positive. He reflected on the experience, saying, “These memories that we’ve all kind of made because of this event are pretty priceless.”
Lee added, “I’ll definitely remember these for quite a while.” His resilience and optimism highlight the value of the experience beyond the monetary prize.
Noah Lee’s story is a testament to the highs and lows of competitive challenges. While the $10,000 prize slipped away due to a technicality, the memories and lessons learned are invaluable.
UMass and The Massachusetts Collective’s gestures show their commitment to fairness and community spirit. Lee’s positive outlook serves as an inspiration, reminding us that some rewards are beyond monetary value.