Kentucky’s Kam Williams Stuns Crowd with Jaw-Dropping Half-Court Shot—Fan Cashes In Big!

LEXINGTON — There’s something electric about a big shot landing right when the pressure’s sky-high, isn’t there? Take last Saturday at Rupp Arena, for instance, during Big Blue Madness — where Kentucky basketball’s own Kam Williams nailed a jaw-dropping half-court basket, turning what started as a $25,000 fan challenge into a $5,000 payday thanks to some quick-thinking from Coach Mark Pope. Misses piled up at first, tension mounting, then bam! Williams swoops in, cool as ever, securing the win and setting the tone for the upcoming season. Big Blue Madness wasn’t just a pep rally; it was a glimpse at the fire and grit poised to light up the 2025-26 basketball year. Can’t wait to see the Wildcats come October and November, with the men kicking off against Purdue and Nicholls, while the women take on Morehead State. It’s heading to be a season to remember. LEARN MORE.

LEXINGTON — Kentucky basketball player Kam Williams hit a half-court shot at Rupp Arena during Big Blue Madness on Saturday night to win a fan $5,000.

The initial proposal was for the fan to make a half-court shot for $25,000. After he missed his first two attempts, UK men’s basketball coach Mark Pope pledged $5,000 for a third attempt. The fan missed again, but then Williams came to the rescue, sinking his first attempt and winning the prize on the fan’s behalf.

Big Blue Madness is a preseason pep rally for Kentucky men’s and women’s basketball.

Kentucky men’s basketball kicks off the 2025-26 season with an exhibition against Purdue on Oct. 24. The regular season starts Nov. 4 versus Nicholls. Kentucky women’s basketball opens Nov. 3 against Morehead State at Memorial Coliseum.

Reach college sports enterprise reporter Payton Titus at [email protected] and follow her on X @petitus25. Subscribe to her “Full-court Press” newsletter here for a behind-the-scenes look at how college sports’ biggest stories are impacting Louisville and Kentucky athletics.

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