Indiana Pacers sophomore Bennedict Mathurin embarrassed himself during the 2024 Rising Stars Game. Team Jalen’s Mathurin was two free throws away from winning the opening game of the mini-tournament and making his way to the Finals. During that time, he confidently placed a bet against Team Tamika’s Paolo Banchero, only to get embarrassed.

Heading to the free throw line, Mathurin looked at Banchero and said, “$25,000, I finish the game. Bet? Say bet.” It not only stunned the Orlando Magic star but also the commentators on the broadcast. And, unfortunately, he missed the first bucket, leaving Banchero in pure joy. He ended up missing the second one, too.

Nevertheless, the team went on to win the game despite the embarrassing free throw misses. Notably, it was a fairy tale ending, as Mathurin dropped the game-winning jumper himself to seal the deal. It was the Pacers star all along the game. He scored close to 50% of the team’s offense by himself.

Since it’s a mini-tournament, instead of beating the clock, the team that reached the 40-point mark won the game. Mathurin scored 18 points, and the rest pitched in 22 points together. After beating Paolo Banchero & Co, they went on to face Team Detlef. It was a roster filled with NBA G-League players spearheaded by reigning dunk contest winner Mac McClung.

As a surprising turn of events, McClung & Co. defeated Team Pau, which had rising stars like Victor Wembanyama, Brandin Podziemski, and Jaime Jaquez. Jr. However, the juniors weren’t hot enough to contain Mathurin & Co. as they went on to win the Finals as well. And importantly, he won the MVP award, but at the cost of $25,000.

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Speaking of the $25,000 FT bet, NBA legend Kobe Bryant once pulled off a similar bet from the FT line.

Kobe Bryant and his $500K bet

In 2012, the Brooklyn Nets took on the Los Angeles Lakers, and it was nothing sort of intense drama out in the middle. Nets’ Gerald Wallace went back and forth with Kobe Bryant, trying to get the best of the superstar. In return, Kobe kept his calm and cashed out big.

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During a crunch moment, the Lakers were up by 2 points with 5 seconds remaining on the clock. Kobe went to FT line and said, “I bet I make this B***h. How much you want to put on it?… I’ll put 500 grand.” 

And eventually, Mamba makes the FTs, unlike Mathurin’s embarrassing misses.

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What do you make of the bizarre free throw bet? Let us know in the comments below.