Shaq and Charles Barkley shout out UBC in hilarious video
The UBC Thunderbirds just got an incredible endorsement from some NBA legends.
Vancouver is set to play host to the U Sports Final 8 basketball championships later this week, with both the UBC men’s and women’s teams competing. This is the first time that both the men’s and women’s championships have been held in the same location.
UBC’s men’s and women’s teams each got a big boost in support in the form of a hilarious shoutout from Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, and Ernie Johnson while on the set of TNT’s Inside the NBA.
Shaq was his usual goofball self in the video, trying his best to imitate the sound of a thunderbird.
“UBC Thunderbirds, I heard you guys are going to the championship,” Shaq started the video. “I just wanted to say congratulations and good luck.”
View this post on Instagram
While Shaq was holding the phone, he panned it over to the rest of the TNT panel, with Barkley yelling, “Good luck, Thunderbirds,” from the far side of the panel.
The quarterfinals get underway on Thursday with the UBC women’s team lining up against Saint Mary’s while the men will go to battle against UPEI. Both games are set to take place at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Centre.
The championship game is scheduled for Sunday night for both men and women.
Sports fans in Vancouver wanting to get in on the action will have affordable ways to take in the championship. Games played at the War Memorial Gym will be general admission, while the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Centre will have assigned seating.
Each ticket bought will ensure access to two games (or a “session”) throughout the tournament.
Ticket prices are going as low as $14 in the student section, with standard admission tickets coming in between $26 and $38. If you want to get courtside seats, those tickets will run between $62 to $98.
The last time the UBC women’s team won the U Sports title was back in 2008. The men’s team is looking to break a drought that dates back to 1972.