76-Year-Old NBA Tryout Hopeful Checks Off Bucket List (VIDEO)
Don Wiberg completed one of the things on his bucket list when he competed for a spot on the Santa Cruz Warriors, a D-League affiliate of the Golden State Warriors. Wiberg competed against 68 others for the chance to play ball for the California team.
"It's on my bucket list," he told the San Jose Mercury News. "You know, what the hell."
It's been a while since Wiberg actually played ball competitively, though he loves the game. He confessed that he actually never even made his high school basketball team but was able to play for one year at Cal Tech. Then Wiberg decided to give up one game for another: water polo.
Yet, he couldn't resist the opportunity to give it a go and possibly play semi-professional ball once again. Most of his competitors were in their twenties, making it a real battle for Wiberg.
"I can't say that I can run, jump or shoot because I can't, but for a guy who can't run, jump or shoot I'm a decent passer, and I'll get in there and mix it up. I'm 76-years-old and this is the only thing left on my bucket list— to try out for the Santa Cruz Warriors," he told The Post Chronicle.
The only requirement for the tryout besides passion and enthusiasm was a $100 entry fee, which Wiberg gladly paid for the opportunity of his lifetime. Unfortunately, Wiberg was cut after only one day of tryouts, but for him, it was all worth it.
Of course, senior citizens trying out for something unexpected should be nothing new. In May of this year, 56-year-old Sharon Simmons auditioned for a spot on the famed Dallas Cowboys cheerleading squad. She put in a lot of extra time to practice and be ready to compete against girls much younger than her.
"I have improved, certainly, over what I used to be. My goal to get into the splits? I'm closer. I'm still not there," she told the CBS Dallas news. Unfortunately, Simmons did not make the squad, but she was still pleased with her overall performance.
"Certainly I was disappointed after training for months and being so excited. I was feeling that moment, and I feel I did very well," she told wtsp.com.
Watch Wiberg's tryout HERE:
