College Freshman Stuns Damian Lillard in Epic All-Star Shootout, Scores $100K
In a jaw-dropping moment that could give Hollywood scriptwriters a run for their money, college freshman Jaren Barajas became an overnight sensation after beating NBA star Damian Lillard in a high-stakes three-point shooting contest at the NBA All-Star game in San Francisco. The 18-year-old, who plays for the Los Medanos College team in California, snagged a whopping $100,000, which he says will help him and his family immensely. “This is going to mean the world to me,” Barajas told the Associated Press, adding that the cash would be a game-changer for his education and future.
The contest, hosted by popular YouTuber MrBeast, kicked off a little differently from your average celebrity-off. Barajas was plucked from the crowd, and all he had to do was sink a bomb from the half-court logo before Lillard made three. Talk about pressure! Initially trailing with zero baskets while Lillard scored two, Barajas was staring down the barrel of defeat. Yet, with motivational nudges from NBA legends Kenny Smith, Shaquille O’Neal, and Stephen Curry, he nailed a buzzer-beater that sent the crowd into a frenzy. “I knew that shot was going in,” Barajas said, clearly still riding the adrenaline rush from the moment.
Known for his calm demeanor, Lillard surprisingly took the loss like a champ, revealing that regardless of the shootout outcome, $100,000 would go to charity initiatives, such as the Damian Lillard Scholars Program and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Oakland and San Francisco. In the spirit of good sportsmanship, the NBA also confirmed they’d donate funds to the charities despite the turn of events.
Cinderella stories like Barajas’ aren’t unheard of, but this one feels especially magical. His father gifted him the tickets last minute, igniting a whirlwind experience that transformed what could’ve been a simple game night into a legendary tale. “I can’t process that this is happening… to meet all those players I grew up watching,” Barajas reflected, savoring his brush with basketball greatness.
As Barajas gears up to save a chunk of his winnings for college and family support, he joins the ranks of young dreamers who dare to make their aspirations a reality, proving that sometimes, pure luck and determination can hit the jackpot—literally.
Sources: Celebrity Storm Wire and People Magazine, NBA.com, ESPN
