Seaford fan wins big at Knicks game
Michael Sapraicone, 21, of Seaford, poses for a portrait on his back yard basketball court on Feb. 21, 2012 a few days after hitting an amazing half court shot at a New York Knicks basketball game at Madision Square Garden. Credit: Daniel Brennan
Until Monday night, Seaford resident Mike Sapraicone said he had never won anything in his life.
But then he made a half-court shot during a television timeout of the Knicks game, and Sapraicone found himself the owner of a new Kia Optima.
Sapraicone, 21, a former captain of his basketball team at Seaford High School, was giddy Tuesday as he awaited word from New York's NBA team and the car company about his new automobile. "I just got picked out of the crowd," he said. "A Knicks marketing guy was walking through the crowd and we made eye contact."
The next thing he knew, Sapraicone -- a lifelong Knicks fan and season ticket holder -- was on the floor during a third-quarter timeout at Madison Square Garden, competing for a chance to win the car in a Knicks promotion called the Kia Performance Sweepstakes.
A spokesman for the team said Tuesday that Sapraicone is the contest's first winner. But for Sapraicone, just being allowed on the court was a gift.
"When I walk into the Garden, I still get chills every time," he said of the venue dubbed "Basketball's Most Famous Arena." "So to stand on the court, with everyone still in their seats, it was a huge, huge thrill."
Sapraicone had to make five free throws in 30 seconds to get a chance to win the car. He sank five in seven attempts, winning $1,000 and the opportunity to shoot from half-court.
When he got to the middle of the floor, he was a bit nervous, the business student at Baruch College in Manhattan said. But he also was confident because he's an athlete who plays pickup basketball at least twice a week.
"I told myself, 'You have a chance to make this shot. And, hit or miss, you're on the court at the Garden.' "
Sapraicone said he wanted to make sure he had "enough distance" on his shot. He went for a bank shot and nailed it, drawing big cheers. He then went over hugged superfan Spike Lee.
The new Optima replaces a 2004 Ford Explorer with more than 100,000 miles on it, he said.
The Dolan family owns controlling interests in the Knicks, MSG and Cablevision. Cablevision owns Newsday.
