Tyson Taylor took part in the Flair Airlines promotion at the Niagara River Lions – Fraser Valley Bandits game on Monday night.
The Alberta-based budget airline hosts the event at every Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) game. Those chosen to take part in the challenge, dubbed ‘Shot From The Dot’, take two shots of the Flair logo: the first from inside the court line and the second from outside.
After Taylor missed the first shot and a chance to win a round-trip ticket to the CEBL Championship weekend in Ottawa, the pressure was on.
The amateur baller then retreated behind the half-court line for the final try.
After a few focused dribbles and breaths, Taylor launched the ball over the hardwood and sank the shot into a crowd of screaming fans.
Taylor was rushed by his friends to celebrate, including Memphis Grizzlies and Mississauga native Dillon Brooks.
“After missing the first shot and hearing the crowd and seeing people doubting me, it made me want to hit the second shot even more,” Taylor said in an interview after the shot.
“I knew I was going to hit the second shot 100 percent,” he said.
Taylor is just the second person to successfully take the shot out of 156 fans who have already taken part in the challenge.
BC resident Malcolm Williams was the first to win last week. He went home with CEBL championship tickets and a year of free travel after successfully making both buckets.
Taylor is now faced with the not-so-difficult task of choosing where to fly first from Flair’s dozens of routes – but it looks like he’s already got his mind set on Florida.
“We are definitely going to Miami! We got to celebrate in South Beach,” Taylor said with a laugh.
