Duke Student Wins $19K with Half-Court Shot – Full Story

 College GameDay Hype at Cameron Indoor Stadium

On February 1, 2025, Duke University’s Cameron Indoor Stadium was buzzing with excitement as ESPN’s College GameDay set the stage for one of the most anticipated rivalry matchups in college basketball: Duke vs. UNC Tar Heels. The pregame festivities included an electrifying moment when a Duke student was given the chance to take a half-court shot for $19,000—a contest that has become a signature feature of ESPN’s College GameDay, adding excitement before marquee games.

 The Contest and the Big Prize

The contest was sponsored by State Farm, tying into their 19,000 agents with a rule that gave participants 19 seconds to make the shot. Among those selected to attempt this high-stakes challenge was Raphael Lee, a junior biology major from Cary, North Carolina.

The pressure was on as Lee took the court, knowing he had a limited window to nail the incredible shot.

 Three Attempts, One Perfect Shot

With the crowd watching, Lee missed his first two attempts, but he remained calm and focused. On his third and final shot, he launched the ball from half-court—and it swished through the net!

The arena erupted in cheers, with fans, analysts, and fellow students celebrating the dramatic moment.

 Epic Reactions from the Crowd

The reactions from the crowd and commentators captured the excitement:

• "Don't throw the ball back!" (0:03) – Urging Lee to keep control.
• "No!" (0:05) – Likely in response to an early miss.
• "He got a shot clock!" (0:11) – Noting the ticking countdown.
• "Get that money!" (0:13) & "Let's get that money!" (0:15) – Encouragement from the hyped-up crowd.
• "Yeah!" (0:16) & "Give us that cash!" – Wild celebration after he made the shot.

Lee's victory not only secured him the $19,000 prize, but also supercharged the atmosphere for the upcoming Duke-UNC showdown.

 The Tradition of Half-Court Challenges

ESPN’s College GameDay half-court contests have become a fan-favorite tradition, offering students a chance to win significant prizes while building excitement ahead of major games. Over the years, these contests have produced unforgettable moments, and Lee’s clutch performance joins the list of legendary shots.

With the rivalry game set to tip off, this moment added another layer of excitement to the storied matchup between Duke and North Carolina—one of the fiercest rivalries in college basketball.

 Key Takeaways

• Where: Duke University’s Cameron Indoor Stadium
• When: February 1, 2025, during ESPN’s College GameDay
• Who: Raphael Lee, a junior biology major from Cary, NC
• Contest Details: Participants had 19 seconds to hit a half-court shot
• Prize: $19,000 from State Farm
• Shot Attempts: Missed first two, sank the third
• Crowd Reaction: Explosive cheers and viral-worthy excitement
• Game: Preceded the Duke vs. UNC Tar Heels rivalry matchup
• Significance: Part of ESPN’s tradition of energizing fans before big games

 Hashtags

#DukeBasketball #CollegeGameDay #HalfCourtShot #Basketball #MarchMadness #GoDuke #SportsMoment #ClutchShot #UNCvsDuke #BigWin