UMass Amherst grants $10,000 prize to Noah Lee after half-court shot controversy

In Amherst, Massachusetts, a senior at UMass Amherst named Noah Lee participated in a halftime shooting contest during a women's basketball game. This event occurred on a Wednesday night in February 2025. During the contest, Lee successfully made a half-court shot, causing excitement among the crowd at the Mullins Center. However, the celebration was short-lived when the university reviewed video footage showing that his foot had been on the half-court line at the moment of the shot, leading the insurance company to deem the shot disqualified. Consequently, UMass offered him a consolation prize package which included a suite for a men's basketball game, courtside seats for a future women's game, food, and a swag bag. Despite this consolation offer, Noah Lee had hoped to use the original $10,000 prize to alleviate his student loans and had received an outpouring of support from friends and family after the momentous shot. Initially, the UMass Athletics Department decided to align with the insurance company’s findings and uphold the decision to deny Lee the prize. However, after public backlash and further consideration, the Athletics Department decided to reverse this ruling. On a subsequent Friday, they communicated their decision through a statement, announcing that Lee would in fact receive both the $10,000 prize and additional benefits from UMass athletics. This change in stance reflects the university's sentiment and acknowledgment of the controversy surrounding the contest and its outcome. It also highlights a commitment to supporting students in their endeavors, particularly in light of financial burdens students face now more than ever.