Mayor Boris shows off amazing basketball skills (or just incredible luck) with over-the-shoulder fluke shot outside City Hall
- Mayor was attending photocall to promote basketball competition in May
- 'Let's be clear, I was saving that up. I could have done it at any time,' he says
By Damien Gayle
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Boris Johnson astonished onlookers today by making a spectacular over the shoulder throw straight into a basketball net set up outside of City Hall.
Seemingly without effort, the Mayor of London nonchalantly tossed the ball with both hands over his head, whereupon it bounced off the backboard and straight through the hoop.
'Let's be clear,' he said. 'I was saving that up. I could have done it any time.'
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Shooting from the hip: Boris Johnson watches on as his blind shot sails towards the basketball hoop
Silky skills: Boris Johnson scores an unlikely over-the-shoulder basketball shot in a net set up outside of City Hall at a photocall for the upcoming Turkish Airlines Euroleague Final Four competition next month
Fortuitously for the top Tory, who has made no secret of his ambition to lead his party, he pulled off the incredible shot in front of reams of photographers and a television news camera crew.
Political columnist and author Jonathan Freedland tweeted: 'More proof that Boris Johnson has that invaluable political commodity: luck.'
Mr Johnson made the trick shot during a photocall to promote the Euroleague Finals in London next month, where Europe's top four basketball teams will compete to become the continent's champions.
Also announced today, as part of the activities surrounding the competition, there will be a free fan festival in London's Trafalgar Square, including a basketball court in the centre of the space.
The family-friendly attraction is expected to draw crowds of an estimated 50,000 basketball and non-basketball fans alike with a variety of activities.
'Let's be clear... I could have done it at any time': Mr Johnson celebrates after his breathtaking shot
White mayors can't jump: Unfortunately, Mr Johnson's attempts at a lay-up shot were less breathtaking
Hustle: Mr Johnson challenges England player Kingsley Okoroh for the ball outside City Hall today
Mr Johnson said: 'London is proud to be hosting the prestigious Euroleague finals, another testimony to this city's status as a top flight venue for elite fixtures.
'I am also pleased to welcome the free Fan Zone to Trafalgar Square giving everyone the chance to have a go at this great sport.
'Last year's Olympic and Paralympics Games has already given basketball a bounce in popularity from professional to grassroots level.
'This summer, the London Lions are due to move into the magnificent Copper Box venue on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and we are also seeing huge interest through the London School of Basketball, part of my programme to get more people involved in sport.'
Festivities: The Euroleague fanzone planned to take place during the finals which will feature a full-size basketball court in the middle of Trafalgar Square
Mr Johnson's trick shot comes after he just last week accepted a challenge from Pippa Middleton to a table tennis showdown to prove who is from the most competitive family.
The socialite and author threw down the gauntlet to the London Mayor, boasting of her prowess as an under-13 competitor in national competitions.
The contest will pit the Middletons and Johnsons, both with claims to being close to the Royals, against each other in a game of what Boris likes to call 'whiff-whaff'.
Following the challenge, Mr Johnson took to Twitter to declare: 'I’m game if she is. Happy for Pippa to join me on a visit and see the benefits of our £22m Sports Legacy Fund in action.'
Now watch a video of Mr Johnson's incredible trick shot
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The way people support this guy for being a character is just foul. The same people would criticise America relentlessly for electing the buffoon that was George Bush, then when an equally idiotic politician who uses feigned stupidity to win votes pops up in London you all fall for it? I'll never understand it.
- Lacura , Earth, 10/4/2013 17:19
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