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Londoner's 'hustle' of NBA star gets 3m hits on YouTube
Tim Stewart16 Oct 2008
A Londoner is a worldwide internet sensation after embarrassing a multi-million dollar NBA star on a Stockwell basketball court.
Stuart Tanner, 28, was wearing jeans and a v-neck jumper when he was videoed challenging American basketball hero Devin Harris to a one-on-one game after a coaching clinic.
The New Jersey Nets point guard had been in London to play Miami Heat at The O2 on Sunday and agreed to lead the coaching session the next day.
But Harris, who earns £4.5m a season, was outplayed by the amateur Stuart, and later admitted he had been "hustled".
The video, watched on YouTube by more than three million people and shot by Stuart's brother Greg, shows Harris miss a three-point shot.
Stuart then dribbles around the NBA star to score from long distance. He leaves spectators whooping with delight as he then "nutmegs" Harris - passing the ball between his legs - o n the way to his second basket. Harris grins as he says: "Man, did you see how fast he was? He hustled me on my own court. He might be able to get an NBA contract."
Stuart, from Thames Ditton, is a part-time basketball coach in Kingston. He gave up playing seriously five years ago after failing to make the grade with the Milton Keynes Lions in the British Basketball League.
Players from both the Nets and Heat took part in the coaching clinic. Stuart said: "Devin was one of the last players to leave and people were crowding round for his autograph.
"He is a point guard, my position, so I offered to take him on in a oneonone. Devin looked at me in my jeans and jumper and thought I was no threat.
" It was a bit embarrassing for him as you shouldn't ever really get beaten with a nutmeg, but he took it really well.
"I never made it as a professional and now all of a sudden everyone's talking about me - it's amazing."
Reader views (2)
That was fantastic. Played a blinder.
- Jo, London, 16/10/2008 21:35
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Absolutely awesome... wow he was fast..! A true Brit. Devin was a good sport, but did look totally shocked..!
- Paul, Bromley, 16/10/2008 18:36
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