Controversy ensued when Jarred Vanderbilt tried to secure game ball for Adou Thiero

by: Adam Stratton6 hours agoAdamStrattonKSR

controversy-ensued-when-jarred-vanderbilt-tried-to-secure-game-ball-for-adou-thiero — Image via NBA

Adou Thiero scored his first NBA bucket in style on Saturday, throwing down a two-handed dunk on a fast break off an assist from LeBron James’ son. After the game, Jarred Vanderbilt tried to do his fellow former Kentucky Wildcat a solid by securing the game ball to commemorate Thiero’s first NBA points. Officials weren’t having it, though.

Crew Chief Pat Fraher took the rock away from Vanderbilt, claiming it wasn’t his ball to give away, a policy Lakers guard Austin Reeves would later say he had never heard of before.

Vando said of the exchange, “I went to grab the ball. The rookie scored his first points. That’s what happens in the league.” But what did Vanderbilt get for his generosity? A threat of disciplinary action.

Vando continued, “[Fraher] said he’s going to write me up. I don’t know what the hell he’s talking about. These refs, they just want to have their power or something, I don’t know. I don’t know what he was reaching for. That’s been a thing since way before I was in the league. What, was he going to take the ball home or something?”

Enter unlikely hero, Giannis Antetokounmpo. The perpetual MVP candidate with a little more clout than Vanderbilt stepped in to make things right. He overrode the referee’s decision and allowed the Lakers to gift the game ball to Thiero.

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Giannis secured the game ball for Lakers rookie Adou Thiero after scoring his first NBA points. pic.twitter.com/9BwecS0pdy
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) November 16, 2025

This move is a stark contrast to the altercation between Antetokounmpo and another former Kentucky star, Oscar Tshiebwe, two years ago. Then a member of the Indiana Pacers, Tshiebwe scored his first NBA points in the same game that Gianis scored a career-high 64, and the fight over who got to take home the game ball turned physical in a back hallway.

Giannis made amends on Saturday, though, playing the part of benevolent peacemaker in this situation. It led to a formal presentation of the game ball to Thiero from Luka Doncic in the locker room.

“At first I didn’t realize it was all for me,” said Thiero, “But I’m very thankful for this team. I think that shows how connected we are and how much we want each other to succeed.”

Vanderbilt is glad it all worked out. “Either way, I’m glad [Thiero] got [the game ball]. He deserves it. That’s a big-time achievement, accomplishment, scoring your first NBA points. Especially in a win.”