Elmbridge man beats US basketball star

Oct 20 2008 By Tim Stewart

Watch Stuart in action on YouTube

A part-time basketball coach from Thames Ditton has become an internet sensation after four million people watched him beat a top US basket ball star one-on-one.

A two minute video clip featuring Stuart Tanner, 28, and NBA champion Devin Harris is one of the most viewed videos on YouTube this week.

The footage was filmed by Mr Tanner's brother Greg after the multi-million dollar NBA star had led a coaching clinic in Stockwell, South London.

Mr Tanner, of Rushett Close," said: "Devin was one of the last players to leave and people were crowding round for photos or his autograph. I wasn't fussed about either.

"He is a point guard, which was my position, and I said to my brother Greg that I would rather take him on in a one-on-one. My brother asked him and Devin looked at me in my jeans and jumper and probably thought I was no threat at all.

"He missed and I scored my first hoop, which made him suddenly show me some respect. He stepped up the second time and was defending properly but I managed to pull out a trick and bounce it through his legs and score again.

"It was a bit embarrassing for him as you shouldn't ever really get beaten like that but he took it really well and was very nice about it.

Mr Tanner is a part-time basketball coach in Kingston, and gave up playing seriously five years ago after failing to make the grade with the Milton Keynes Lions in the British Basketball League.

He is also studying to be a gym personal trainer.

He said: "I was excited and amazed when I saw that one hundred thousand people had watched the video. Now everyone in America seems to be talking about it.

"I'm wondering what on earth is going on. I haven't played seriously for five years. I never made it as a professional and all of a sudden everyone is talking about me, which is amazing."

New Jersey Nets point guard Harris earns £4.5 million a season and was in London with the Nets to play Miami Heat at the O2 arena.

Afterwards the star said: "Man did you see how fast he was? He tricked me. He hustled me on my own court!

"He might be able to get an NBA contract. We might need to sign him up tonight."