It may still be early in the college basketball season, but I call this one of the most bizarre moments in sports this year.
In a game between the men’s basketball teams of the University of Kentucky and Jackson State University, one player threw a shoe at his opponent during the game.
After scoring a bucket for his Jackson State team, Tigers forward Dylan Canoville lost his shoe while coming out of the basket.
Kentucky quickly inbounded the ball and began running up the court to their own basket to take advantage of Canoville’s lost shoe.
But Canoville, in an act of quick thinking (or perhaps no thinking at all), decided to throw his shoe at the ball as it was being dribbled by Kentucky forward Brandon Garrison.
The boot missed the ball completely and Garrison was able to punch the ball home before turning around in bewilderment and exclaiming, “What the hell?”
Jackson State’s Dylan Canoville (right, dark jersey) seen throwing a shoe at the ball
Kentucky forward Brandon Garrison was left stunned and mouthed, “What the f***?”
Canoville finished the night 2-of-6 from the field and had a final statline of seven points, six rebounds and two steals.
Garrison didn’t fare much better, shooting 3-for-7 from the field and 0-for-2 from beyond the arc and finishing with six points, eight rebounds, six assists, three steals and three blocks.
Fortunately for Garrison, Jackson State was blown out 108-59 by Kentucky in Lexington.
The Wildcats were led by Dayton transfer Koby Brea, who came off the bench to drop 22 points in 23 minutes. Other key contributors included Otega Oweh, who scored 21 points, one rebound, two assists and three steals.
As a team, Jackson State was thoroughly outmatched as they shot 33 percent from the field and 19 percent from beyond the arc.
Ninth-ranked Kentucky is playing in its first season under head coach Mark Pope after longtime head coach John Calipari left for Arkansas in the offseason. They host Western Kentucky next week.