A video of a 12-year-old basketball player went viral as the player hit a half-court show at the final buzzer. The crowd went wild when Nico Peña made the game winning basket!
“After I shot it I saw the ball go in, I felt like everyone was standing still and staring at the ball and when it went in everyone went crazy,” he said.
As the team celebrated, Nico's dad looked proud from the stands.
“It’s his work ethic we’re most proud of,” dad Ray said. “You can’t get someone to do the things they do, that he’s doing, if you don’t have love for the game.”
The 7th grade Staten Island student plays on three different basketball teams and practices 6 days a week.
“Ever since I got the ball in my hand I was playing it,” Nico said.
“I just want him to have the future he dreams of,” mom Dina said. “Whatever it is he wants I tell him ‘that’s your goal, you aim for that’.”
The video of the half-court show has even been featured on an ESPN highlight reel.
“He’s so humble and quiet about it we were waiting for him to jump up and go crazy and he just put his head down with his shy face,” Dina said. “He couldn’t believe it.”
This was the fourth buzzer beater Nico has hit in his career.
“Obviously it’s a lucky shot, a far shot, but you wouldn’t believe it if I told you he’s surprised us many times,” Ray said.
“For me I feel like that’ll happen again,” Nico said. “I hope it will.”
Video & story via CBS New York
Photo: Getty