A pipefitter by trade, Bobby Shivar can also lay a brick on occasion.
The 45-year-old Beulaville, N.C., man could have won $1 million Sunday had he hit a 3-point basket during halftime of a college all-star game. But Shivar's one shot - no practice, no second chance - clanged off the right side of the rim and he wound up with a $25,000 consolation prize.Shivar had never played organized basketball at any level before, but his wife entered his name in the contest for the chance at $1 million. Shivar was chosen from more than 2 million entries.
"I guess she thought I had a better chance to make it," he said. "I'm not sure."
He installed a hoop in his driveway and since January tried about 200 shots - each one 19 feet, 9 inches from the basket. Under the tutelage of former Boston Celtics great Dave Cowens, he had improved to about 37 percent shooting.
"I didn't really get started until the first of the year because of hunting season," he said, smiling but a little wobbly after being presented with his consolation prize. "I've got priorities."