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Patrick Antonelli scored his first points as a D1 hooper this week during a game between Louisville and Indiana. Making the moment all the sweeter was the fact that his mom was there to witness.
Debbie Antonelli works as a broadcaster for ESPN. She was on the call for the Bad Boy Mowers Battle 4 Atlantis. Not only was she in attendance, but she got to give a play-by-play breakdown while watching her son accomplish an exciting personal feat.
Patrick Antonelli previously played for DII program Emory & Henry. There, he started 56 games while averaging 6.5 points per contest across four seasons. He was slowed by injury last year, appearing in just four games. When a spot at Louisville opened up, he jumped at the opportunity!
Antonelli is from Charleston, SC. Cardinals head coach Pat Kelsey coached at College of Charleston for three seasons. It was a fitting match.
As a walk-on, he’d appeared in two games this year. Both came in blowout wins over Morehead State and Bellarmine. He probably wasn’t expecting to see the court when the Cardinals faced 14th-ranked Indiana on Wednesday but get a chance to play in the second half – and he wouldn’t disappoint!
Louisville blew the Hoosiers out, winning 89-61. The Cards led by as many as 36 late in the action. Patrick Antonelli helped add to that advantage when he got on the court. He scored his first three points as a D1 player, and they came against one of college basketball’s most historic brands.
Antonelli’s dream has been to play for Louisville, according to his mom. She made sure to relay that message on the ESPN airwaves Wednesday.
What a special moment for Louisville basketball’s Patrick Antonelli and his mother, NC State basketball legend Debbie Antonelli, who’s calling today’s game for @espn pic.twitter.com/QDgns2vjkI
— 35KYSports (@35KYSportsMedia) November 27, 2024
Debbie Antonelli is a women’s hoops legend. She suited up for NC State between 1983-1986 and was inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame in 2022.
Now, she works on the sidelines as a member of the broadcast crew. This was likely her all-time favorite call!
Patrick Antonelli finished the game with three points in two minutes of action. Each came from the free throw stripe where he shot 3-of-4. His mom got to witness those monumental points in person. What a moment!