Anthony Edwards answers iconic fan with goat sound during World Cup game / News - Basketnews.com

A fan attempts to disrupt Team USA players while they are shooting free throws by imitating goat sounds.

Credit: FIBA Credit FIBA

Did you also notice an ear-catching sound through the Mall of Asia Arena while watching the FIBA World Cup 2023 games in Manila?

USA / Schedule

USA New Zealand99-72 Greece USA81-109 USA JordanWed08:40

A fair number of TV viewers noticed it. Every fan in the Mall of Asia Arena caught it. So, as the Team USA members.

Every time Team USA players stepped to the free-throw line, the silenced Mall of Asia Arena would suddenly be broken by the sound of a goat.

It turns out that a particular fan would make his way from the rooftop seats a little bit closer and, just before the shot was taken, attempt to disrupt the Americans with a goat sound.

This fan's goat sounds have entertained FIBA World Cup spectators for several days.

Turning into a local icon, this fan celebrates after every missed shot by Team USA as if his team just took the lead in the final minute of the game. Contrarily, when the Americans make a shot, he visibly displays his frustration.

Against New Zealand, the Americans converted 21 out of 27 free throws, while against the Greeks, they made 30 out of 34 attempts (88%).

The guy has become a standout character to the point that after a made free throw in the third quarter against Greece, Anthony Edwards himself made a goat sound.

The audience erupted in laughter.

During the game, as he sat on the bench, Tyrese Haliburton also spotted the guy in the stands and playfully pointed him out to his fellow Americans.

But even the Americans couldn't resist. The Team USA bench also displayed their trash-talk abilities, with a particular focus on free throws taken by Thanasis Antetokounmpo.

To their delight, the Milwaukee Bucks forward missed all four free throws, much to the amusement of the Team USA bench crew led by Haliburton.

"I'm really going with the Team USA bench," Haliburton grinned when asked who creates a bigger distraction – the Team USA bench or the guy who makes goat sound. "I think we do a pretty good job over there."

At one point, the Americans were so into it that towards the end of the third quarter, former Houston Rockets player Kostas Papanikolaou approached them with a smile and said something.

Asked if the Team USA bench contributed to Antetokounmpo's missed free throws, Haliburton didn't take credit.

"I don't know, I can't say that! But we brought a good energy. We communicate well. It happens," he responded.

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