Music teacher Gabe Rios’ phone exploded.
Messages and calls flooded his phone after he made an incredible half-court shot during a San Antonio Spurs game in December.
Rios made the shot as the buzzer sounded at the end of the Victory Capital Halfcourt Heroes contest.
DRILLS IT FROM HALFCOURT FOR $10K 🤩
— NBA (@NBA) December 20, 2024
Hawks and Spurs benches were loving it! pic.twitter.com/OmZFPmoo1S
Rios and his family were officially presented with the $10,000 check he earned on Friday morning. They also spent some time in the San Antonio Spurs’ practice area.
“It was a blur. I kept going back and watching it over and over again and a bunch of friends and family happened to be there. A couple of students were even there,” Rios said. “So, I got all the videos from their point of views (sic). And so that was very fun to kind of piece it together.
“My legs were wobbly right before, and I was exhausted right after.”
Rios said he and his family have immediate plans for the $10,000 prize.
$10,000 SHOT! Tonight at 6 & 10 on @ksatnews, don’t miss hearing from Gabe Rios, the @spurs fan who won the Victory Capital Half Court Hero promotion and the $10k prize. Plus, he gave me some pointers to try it out for myself. 👀🏀 @VCMtweets #PorVida #GoSpursGo #SanAntonio pic.twitter.com/UjpUd7NblN
— KSAT Nick Mantas (@KSATNick) January 24, 2025
“We’re just looking forward to being able to pay off some bills and some debt and have a better opportunity for our family,” Rios said.
Rios’ five and seven-year-old daughters said they want a hamster.
According to Rios, a hamster doesn’t appear to be much of a high priority for now.
“That’s way, way at the bottom,” Rios said.