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Teddy Dupay dunk (yes, a dunk) goes viral

The former Florida standout posts a one-handed slam that has become an internet sensation.
 
Former Gator Teddy Dupay is better known for his 3-point prowess, but it's a dunk that has gone viral. (Times file)
Former Gator Teddy Dupay is better known for his 3-point prowess, but it's a dunk that has gone viral. (Times file)
Published March 20, 2018

Teddy Dupay took a pass from one of the youngsters in his basketball academy and drove to the middle of the lane. Instead of pulling up for one of his traditional long-range shots, the former University of Florida standout levitated with one hand cocking the basketball downward.

The kids, ranging from 6 to 12 years old, moved away from the basket as Dupay deposited the ball with a monster slam.

Except for one who stood in the way.

Dupay landed on top of him before hanging on to the lowered 8-foot rim. Once Dupay let go, he raised his fist before running to the other end of the court.

At 5-foot-11, Dupay is not known for dunking. Occasionally, he takes advantage of the lower rims.

"The kids love it," Dupay said.

A parent filmed the one-handed slam. Dupay got the footage but was apprehensive about posting it on social media.

Dupay put it on his Twitter account. Overtime and SportsCenter also tweeted about it.

Now, the dunk has become an internet sensation with more than 5 million views in a week's span.

"Usually, the stuff is more educational or instructional things about basketball or to highlight kids in the academy," Dupay said. "Little stuff like that. But then I go and post one dunk and it goes viral. Go figure."

A former star at Mariner High, Dupay scored a state high school record 3,744 career points and averaged 41.5 as a senior in 1998 when was named Florida's "Mr. Basketball."

Bay area fans watched him play at the Bayfront Center in the now defunct Hooters tournament in 1997.

A 3-point specialist, Dupay played with the Gators from 1998-2001. He also coached Cambridge Christian's boys basketball program during the 2016-17 season.

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Dupay now runs his own basketball academy in Tampa that hosts camps and combines and provides other training opportunities.

Three weeks ago, Dupay went to Puerto Rico to help out with 19 clinics as part of a fundraising effort. The clinics were free and the kids all received medals and basketballs.

"It was a good humanitarian thing to be involved with and a great way to give back," Dupay said. "It's been a tough six months for them, and I wanted those kids to have a little fun and keep the spotlight on them.

"Then I come back and post a dunk video and that's all that everybody wants to talk. Who knows. Maybe we should do more of them."