Ex-UCLA player loses free car over hoops career
Never had winning a car seemed so easy.
Former UCLA basketball player Nicole Kornet made a layup, a free throw, a 3-pointer and a half-court shot in succession during a promotional contest in her former team’s game against Fresno State on Friday night. The prize for making all four was a car, so a fitting celebration followed when Kornet’s final shot went in.
I JUST WON A CAR. THAT WAS EASY. pic.twitter.com/LICabfPgw2
That elation was short-lived.
After posting the video to Twitter, Kornet followed up Saturday morning with bad news: She wasn’t eligible. In a tweet that was later deleted, Kornet said the contract for the contest said the participant needed to be four years removed from their basketball career. Her final season at UCLA, where she transferred to after playing three years at Oklahoma, ended in 2017.
“They’re not letting me keep it,” she wrote in another deleted tweet. “It’s okay though, my dad can now sleep easy knowing I don’t have to pay any taxes. Forward thinking.”
Kornet also tweeted that UCLA did nothing wrong.
I did not end up winning the car, but they warned me beforehand. UCLA did their job! I just don’t want them in the hot seat. Thanks for understanding!
UCLA has not responded to a request for comment from ESPN.
Kornet started seven games for the Bruins in 2016-17, averaging 7.7 points per game. Her brother, Luke, is on a two-way contract with the New York Knicks and has appeared in six games this season.