Although Kris Jenkins and Christian Laettner now have something in common, James will be the one who reigns supreme.
Laettner willingly abdicated his throne as the king of college basketball’s buzzer-beaters early Tuesday morning in the aftermath of Jenkins’ incredible shot, which gave the Villanova Wildcats a victory over the North Carolina Tar Heels in the NCAA title game.
Laettner famously drained the game-winning shot to push Duke past Kentucky in overtime of the East Regional Final of the 1992 NCAA Tournament. The former Blue Devil’s effort is known simply as “The Shot.”
It’s a good thing Laettner stepped down before the debating mob forced him out. Laettner’s 2-point shot put Duke into that year’s Final Four. Jenkins’ 3-point effort won the tournament and revived the phrase “March Madness” for generations to come.
The king is dead. Long live the king.
Thumbnail photo via Troy Taormina/USA TODAY Sports Images
