Norfolk State’s Jaylani Darden displaying more than just skill on this unreal play

Jaylani Darden's unreal play gave the Norfolk State Spartans some energy despite a massive deficit against the Florida Gators
Jaylani Darden, Norfolk State v Florida
Jaylani Darden, Norfolk State v Florida | Jared C. Tilton/GettyImages

The Round of 64 matchup wasn't going well for the Norfolk State Spartans. Not many people were surprised, given that Norfolk State faced the No. 1 seed Florida Gators in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament.

As the first half wound down, one play gave Norfolk State a little pep in its step, despite the massive deficit. As the Gators led the Spartans 53-21, Norfolk State guard Jaylani Darden had an unreal play. In fact, it might have made most viewers rewind their broadcast and watch it all over again.

As Darden and the Spartans drove down the court on a fast break, the guard's shorts started to slip down his legs and, eventually, fall almost all the way off.

That layup he was going for? Darden made it, giving the Spartans a few points to cut down Florida's rather large lead.

The focus required to make a layup in the middle of an NCAA Tournament game, much less when your briefs are being exposed to a national audience is not just noteworthy but commendable.

By the end of the first half, Norfolk was able to keep the game within 21 points as the Gators ran away with a 53-32 lead but the (semi-practical-joke) layup by Darden gave the Spartans some fuel for their fire, no matter how much they trailed by.

Darden is a Norfolk native, growing up in Norfolk, VA and committing to the Spartans in the spring of 2023, after starting his collegiate career with the Longwood Lancers. Heading into the game against Florida, Norfolk State was 24-10 on the season with an MEAC Tournament title in its back pocket.

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