USA Today via Reuters
Apr 3, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Jalen Suggs (1) celebrate making the game winning shot against the UCLA Bruins in the national semifinals of the Final Four of the 2021 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Apr 3, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Jalen Suggs (1) celebrate making the game winning shot against the UCLA Bruins in the national semifinals of the Final Four of the 2021 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Jalen Suggs just put a dagger through the hearts of the UCLA Bruins and has started the process of reversing the years of bad fortune for the Gonzaga Bulldogs. The Bulldogs aren’t a basketball powerhouse by names like Duke or Kentucky, but they have become one of the most consistent D1 schools.
This season is the culmination of years of success, as Gonzaga are one win away from being undefeated NCAA Champions. However, the Bulldogs just won their Final Four game against the UCLA Bruins courtesy of Jalen Suggs and one of the greatest shots in NCAA history.
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Suggs spoke to the media after the win and opened up on how that shot helped him complete a dream of his – running up the scorer’s table after a buzzer-beating game-winner like Kobe Bryant and Dwyane Wade.
"I've always wanted to run on the table like Kobe or @DwyaneWade to celebrate." @JalenSuggs2020 on his EPIC buzzer-beater for @zagmbb #FinalFour pic.twitter.com/RI6FsRd8kh
— NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) April 4, 2021
“Oh my God. I don’t know what to say. I saw Jonny get the miss and put it back in. Corey took it out right away. ‘Corey, Corey, give it to me’. I took as many dribbles as I can, try to get as close as I can. He was actually right under me, but I put it up. I was fading away with it and dude, it went off the backboard and in. I’ve always wanted to run up the table like Kobe and D-Wade. That’s the first thing I did.”
Jalen Suggs: Greatest shot in March Madness history?
USA Today via Reuters
Apr 3, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Jalen Suggs (1) shoots the game winning shot over UCLA Bruins guard David Singleton (34) during the overtime in the national semifinals of the Final Four of the 2021 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
While there are a lot of fantastic shots in the history of the NCAA, this one has to be up there. Kris Jenkins sealed a title when he hit the shot against the UNC Tar Heels in 2017 for the Villanova Wildcats. Michael Jordan had one of the greatest shots as a freshman in 1982.
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READ MORE: Five Most Important Shots in March Madness History
Who can even forget about ‘The Shot‘ that Christian Laettner hit in the East Regional Finals for the Duke Blue Devils against the Kentucky Wildcats? The legacy of important game-winners in the tournament is rich.
But this was different. Suggs not only just hit an audacious near half-court three-pointer, but he eliminated a rival team in the UCLA Bruins.
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He helped the Bulldogs save an undefeated season, and now we get the matchup everyone has been waiting for. Baylor Bears vs Gonzaga Bulldogs for the National Championship. All because Jalen Suggs hit that shot.
