Watch Mississippi State senior hit halfcourt shot, imitate Kobe Bryant at Humphrey Coliseum

Stefan Krajisnik, Mississippi Clarion Ledger
·2 min read
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STARKVILLE — Mississippi State senior Brooks Bryant spent 11 days preparing to shoot a free throw while seated in a recliner at Humphrey Coliseum.

That was the infamous promotion at Mississippi State basketball games where selected fans were struggling to even come close to nailing the trick shot this season. During halftime of Monday’s matchup between MSU and Omaha, Bryant was determined to nail the shot.

That was until he was informed the recliner shot was no longer a promotion. Instead, Bryant was informed he’d get three chances to make a halfcourt shot. Was he prepared for the sudden shift?

“Hell no,” he told the Clarion Ledger. “If I make it, I’m jumping on the scoring table.”

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The first shot clanked off the left of the rim. Bryant gathered himself and motioned for the student section behind the basket to get on its feet.

The second shot hit off the right of the rim. Bryant reset again. He walked in a circle, this time motioning for the entire arena to get loud.

Mississippi State senior Brooks Bryant celebrates making a halfcourt shot during halftime of a Nov. 28, 2022, matchup between MSU basketball and Omaha.
Mississippi State senior Brooks Bryant celebrates making a halfcourt shot during halftime of a Nov. 28, 2022, matchup between MSU basketball and Omaha.

The third shot swished. Bryant, an Atlanta area native, sprinted to his left and jumped on top of the scorer’s table − reminiscent of Kobe Bryant after winning the 2010 NBA title.

“Pressure makes diamonds,” Brooks Bryant tweeted afterward.

The video quickly spread across the internet. MSU tweeted its high-quality version. Cell phone footage made its way on social media, including a shoutout from Barstool Sports personality and Mississippi native Brandon Walker.

“I can’t believe I made it,” Bryant, who is now $500 richer, said.

Stefan Krajisnik is the Mississippi State beat writer for the Clarion Ledger. Contact him at skrajisnik@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter @skrajisnik3.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Mississippi State senior hits halfcourt shot at Omaha basketball game