Half-Court Shot At Heat Game Wins Computer Tech, Charity $75K
MIAMI (CBSMiami/Herald) – A half-court shot during the Heat-Pistons game Friday night netted a 50-year-old computer technician $75,000, another $75,000 for charity and a tackle from LeBron James.
Michael Drysch of McHenry, Ill., made the unlikely basket during a third-quarter timeout, CBS4 news partner The Miami Herald reported.
The shot, sponsored by Carmex, earned Drysch $75,000. Carmex will also donate $75,000 to James' charity, which supports the Boys and Girls Club. Drysch was randomly selected from 30,000 people to attempt the shot.
His shot of choice was a half-armed hook shot. He practiced it for a few days before flying to Miami, and said he made the shot "maybe 1 percent."
Drysch said he used a hook shot because that's the only way he could reach the rim from midcourt.
James watched from the bench, and when the shot swished in, he happily sprinted toward Drysch and embraced him, and both tumbled to the court.
"Nice way to meet somebody," Drysch said. "I can't believe it."
The long shot was a long shot, especially given Drysch's shooting form.
"When he wound up I was like, 'Oh no, there's no way,'" James said. "When it dropped, that was awesome. I would have probably air-balled that one in that situation."
"That was crazy," Heat guard Dwyane Wade said. "The place erupted. It was like it was when we won the finals."
Coach Erik Spoelstra was drawing up a play in front of the Heat bench when Drysch sank his shot.
"I heard the eruption, and I turned and I saw LeBron absolutely tackle him," Spoelstra said.
"I had no idea what was going on. That fan, while he'll love the $75,000, having that on video — LeBron James tackling you at half court in front of 20,000 — I think will be the longer-lasting memory."
The computer technician grew up a Bulls fan but might now change his allegiance after Friday night.
