By: Rashad Milligan
Who knew one jump shot could change an entire nation’s perspective on a University? Who knew that what appeared to be a disaster of injuries, would set up the perfect Cinderella ending?
Three months ago, I thought the story was good enough to be featured on a 30 for 30 documentary. Three months later, The Georgia State Men’s Basketball team is nominated for an ESPY in the category of “best upset.”
The “Upset” is of course, the 15th seeded Panthers defeating the 3 seeded Baylor Bears without their leading senior scorer Ryan Harrow. In case you need a refresher on the game, GSU kept a close score most of the way, before Baylor appeared to pull away in the second half. But the Panthers All-Time leading scorer took over and nearly went full-blown 2005 Tracy McGrady, as he scored 12 points in the final 2:30 minutes. This one-man run arguably completed the most headlined story of this year’s NCAA tournament. The game winning shot was about a 30-footer, which is extremely far for even NBA players, but the aftermath of the shot really eclipsed this moment in sports history. Head Coach Ron Hunter tore his Achilles following a post-game celebration that ensured the Panthers a spot in the tournament the previous weekend. The Coach that already stood out for his sideline passion during games now stood out even more, because he would have to sit on a stool to mobilize his way around the court. Once Georgia State and RJ Hunter completed their late game comeback against Baylor, Coach Hunter fell out of his stool with even more excitement, not just as a coach, but also as a “Dad.”
The internet validated this moment as only the internet can-through social media meme’s and parodies of Coach Hunter falling off of his stool. Georgia State University at that moment, was not only a Cinderella of the 2015 NCAA tournament, but a school and basketball program that arrived to the rest of the nation. In a recent interview done by PrimeTime’s own Jared Oliver, University President Mark Becker is very encouraged with all the attention the school has gotten since the upset. At this year’s Spring Football game, beside the field was a photo area where fans could take a photo with, on or next to the stool Ron Hunter fell off of. Everywhere in Atlanta, members of the team were now celebrities. Senior Ryan Green was no longer a walk-on, but an on the court unsung hero. Kevin Ware was now known as a college basketball player again and not “the guy who broke his leg against Duke.” There are countless likes and fan photos between both RJ and Ron Hunter on social media. The father-son duo has done so much press, the actual announcement GSU was nominated for an ESPY came through an interview with 680 The Fan in Atlanta. High School Class of 2016 Point Guard D’Marcus Simonds is a Four-Star recruit (who was previously committed to SEC school Mississippi State) who is the University’s highest rated recruit out of High School ever. RJ Hunter is also projected to be a millionaire drafted within the first 30 picks of tomorrows NBA Draft.
The University whose modern pop culture highlights were getting shout outs in songs from Kendrick Lamar and Drake, now has left an imprint for something they did themselves.
Who knew one jump shot could change an entire nation’s perspective on a University? Who knew that what appeared to be a disaster of injuries, would set up the perfect Cinderella ending?
Three months ago, I thought the story was good enough to be featured on a 30 for 30 documentary. Three months later, The Georgia State Men’s Basketball team is nominated for an ESPY in the category of “best upset.”
The “Upset” is of course, the 15th seeded Panthers defeating the 3 seeded Baylor Bears without their leading senior scorer Ryan Harrow. In case you need a refresher on the game, GSU kept a close score most of the way, before Baylor appeared to pull away in the second half. But the Panthers All-Time leading scorer took over and nearly went full-blown 2005 Tracy McGrady, as he scored 12 points in the final 2:30 minutes. This one-man run arguably completed the most headlined story of this year’s NCAA tournament. The game winning shot was about a 30-footer, which is extremely far for even NBA players, but the aftermath of the shot really eclipsed this moment in sports history. Head Coach Ron Hunter tore his Achilles following a post-game celebration that ensured the Panthers a spot in the tournament the previous weekend. The Coach that already stood out for his sideline passion during games now stood out even more, because he would have to sit on a stool to mobilize his way around the court. Once Georgia State and RJ Hunter completed their late game comeback against Baylor, Coach Hunter fell out of his stool with even more excitement, not just as a coach, but also as a “Dad.”
The internet validated this moment as only the internet can-through social media meme’s and parodies of Coach Hunter falling off of his stool. Georgia State University at that moment, was not only a Cinderella of the 2015 NCAA tournament, but a school and basketball program that arrived to the rest of the nation. In a recent interview done by PrimeTime’s own Jared Oliver, University President Mark Becker is very encouraged with all the attention the school has gotten since the upset. At this year’s Spring Football game, beside the field was a photo area where fans could take a photo with, on or next to the stool Ron Hunter fell off of. Everywhere in Atlanta, members of the team were now celebrities. Senior Ryan Green was no longer a walk-on, but an on the court unsung hero. Kevin Ware was now known as a college basketball player again and not “the guy who broke his leg against Duke.” There are countless likes and fan photos between both RJ and Ron Hunter on social media. The father-son duo has done so much press, the actual announcement GSU was nominated for an ESPY came through an interview with 680 The Fan in Atlanta. High School Class of 2016 Point Guard D’Marcus Simonds is a Four-Star recruit (who was previously committed to SEC school Mississippi State) who is the University’s highest rated recruit out of High School ever. RJ Hunter is also projected to be a millionaire drafted within the first 30 picks of tomorrows NBA Draft.
The University whose modern pop culture highlights were getting shout outs in songs from Kendrick Lamar and Drake, now has left an imprint for something they did themselves.