New on Sports Illustrated: Four Guys Threw BYU’s Mascot Into Orbit for an Insane Dunk

HOW?!

You won’t see this at the NBA dunk contest

Who knew cougars could fly?

The highlight of BYU’s blowout win over San Francisco on Saturday came during the first timeout of the second half, when BYU mascot Cosmo the Cougar was launched through the air for a ridiculous dunk.

Four members of BYU’s dunk team (yes,

they have a dunk team) gathered beyond the three-point line and threw Cosmo like a shot put. The mascot soared high in the air, caught a pass from someone on the ground and threw it down.

Here it is from a few different angles.

That’s just ridiculously impressive. They threw Cosmo more than 22 feet and he must have reached a maximum height of about 15 feet. They almost threw him too far—he very nearly hit his head on the rim.

I hate to burst anyone’s bubble but according to local radio station KSL, Cosmo needed multiple attempts to actually convert the dunk. In the NBA dunk contest, that would knock your score down to a 9 out of 10.

The best of SI

Ben Pickman spoke with the photographer who captured that amazing photo of LeBron. ... The XFL got off to a promising start on its debut weekend. ... Bob Knight finally returned to Indiana this weekend after 20 years away from Bloomington. ... Tom Verducci landed the first interview with A.J. Hinch since he was fired as part of the sign stealing controversy.

Around the sports world

Former Little League World Series star Mo’ne Davis made her college softball debut this weekend. ... Darren Collison isn’t coming back to the NBA this year after all. ... After it appeared to be in danger, the Mookie Betts trade was finally agreed upon. But the Dodgers’ deal sending Joc Pederson to Anaheim fell apart. ... Spike Lee honored Kobe with his tux at the Oscars.

The NFL should have implemented this years ago

This seems like a decent way to make kickoffs safer

NFL coaches would never go for this, though

The XFL already has streakers

The XFL still has its kinks to work out

He got what was coming to him

Hard seltzer is not meant to be consumed responsibly

We’ve all been there

20 feet, 3 inches!

This was very well done by ESPN

Punk had the most athletic performance of the weekend

They always had the touch from deep

Not sports

A guy who apparently hates craft beer pulled a gun on people waiting to buy the newest cans from a Brooklyn brewery. ... A Connecticut man who got a job at a gas station is accused of stealing $17,000 worth of merchandise on his first day.

Stephen A. is everywhere!

I bet it goes right to your thighs

Oh, sure. “Hackers.”

Very mixed reception for Eminem from the Oscars crowd

A good song

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