Gradey Dick and Anthony Black provided one of the NBA season’s more lighthearted moments when they exchanged jerseys after a game earlier this week. Dick struggled to contain his amusement as he explained the inspiration behind the swap.
In the NBA, it’s not uncommon for players to swap jerseys after a game—a tradition originating from soccer nearly a century ago and popularized in basketball by Dwyane Wade. This act symbolizes mutual respect, often occurring after competitive matchups, although there are no strict rules dictating when it should happen.
Following the Orlando Magic’s victory over the Toronto Raptors with a score of 111-96 on Sunday night, Gradey Dick and Anthony Black decided to swap jerseys, resulting in a viral moment. A clip of the two rookies discussing the exchange beforehand hinted at their premeditated mischief.
Dick’s attempt to explain the swap while stifling laughter didn’t help dispel the notion of a prank:
“That’s my guy. I’ve been playing against him—or against him and with him—since my middle school days, so that’s been my guy for a long time. Guys jersey swap with their boys. That’s my friend.”
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Dick mentioned his willingness to repeat the gesture with other childhood teammates, suggesting a playful dynamic. Whether Dick will replicate this with Suns forward Nassir Little remains to be seen, but it could lead to another amusing moment when Toronto and Phoenix clash next.
