NBA Tradition Earns Oklahoma City Thunder Fan $20,000 For Sinking A Half-Court Shot

While the fans at Paycom Center were tensed about the tight game, a fan eased everyone with a blinder. The Oklahoma City Thunder has its very own half-time tradition to hype up fans. The tradition is simple: a fan will have an opportunity to make a half-court shot within 30 seconds to take home $20,000. Tonight, a lucky fan grabbed the opportunity with both his hands and left the court with a $20k cheque.

Jaylen O’Conner, an OKC fan, casually shot his five from the logo and it seemed like Jaylen would walk away just like every other fan. However, with 5 seconds on the clock, he sunk a clean one for $20K. The arena immediately erupted into a loud cheer, and O’Conner ran around the court in joy.

This special tradition in the middle of the Oklahoma City Thunder home court began during the 2008-09 season after a notable partnership. During that season, MidFirst Bank became one of the five founding partners of the Thunder franchise. Since then, the MidFirst Bank has taken the responsibility to keep the fans engaged during the breaks.

Apart from half-court contests, they also carried out various other contests like ‘Show me the money’. In that contest, the fans sitting in the arena need to show MidFirst credit cards, debit cards, checkbook covers, or homemade signs to grab $200. However, nothing came closer to the half-court traditions that enable fans to win the big money.

Ever since the Thunder began the tradition, so far, 20 fans have won the big money in the last 16 years. Jaylen O’Conner became the 21st fan to win and the second fan to win in this season. After winning $20K, O’Conner revealed that he would use this money to start a business, as per USA Today. At the same time, Cody Hoover, an 18-year-old student from Arkansas, who won it before O’Conner said he would use the money to buy something special for his parents.

Oklahoma City Thunder fans once made a big steal

Even though only 21 fans have grabbed the big prize in the last 16 years, the MidFirst once faced a big blow. In 2013, five fans sunk half-court shots, leaving the partner to lose $1,00,000 in that year alone. However, speaking of it, Thunder spokesperson said, “MidFirst writes the check; they’re glad to pay it — they think it’s money well spent.”

Importantly, MidFirst gets their publicity only if a fan makes a half-court shot. Prior to 2013, none of the fans were able to sink a bucket during the 90-odd home games in the previous two seasons.

Speaking of winning $1 million, a lucky fan in 1993 won a million dollars along with a memorable moment from an NBA superstar. Don Calhoun, a Chicago Bulls had a life-changing moment when he sunk a bucket almost from a full-court range. He won the prize money along with a hug from the man himself, Michael Jordan. Also, he received handshakes from the rest of the legendary Bulls roster.

Similarly, NBA fans have witnessed many iconic fan-player moments on the court. List your favorite moment in the comments section below.