SAN ANTONIO — After days of practice and trash talk on social media, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, is ready to play a game in front of thousands of nonpaying fans that will, in his words, feature the least amount of talent ever assembled on a basketball court.
Cruz is less than 24 hours from a one-on-one spectacle against late night host Jimmy Kimmel that, despite a high likelihood of sub-par basketball, is set to potentially attract 8,000 spectators at Texas Southern University in Houston. According to the Texas Republican, fans should expect exceptionally low quality of play.
“It may be the biggest crowd assembled to watch the least talent in the history of basketball,” Cruz quipped during an interview with the Washington Examiner Friday night.
Cruz has been active on social media promoting the game, which he has dubbed “Houston vs. Hollywood.” The game’s origin centers around the ABC host’s initial barbs at the Houston Rockets for losing to the Golden State Warriors in the NBA’s Western Conference Final, which he blamed on Cruz’s presence. In a Twitter hype video posted earlier Friday, Cruz took shots at Kimmel’s “class,” “strength,” and “speed” — or lack thereof.
TOMORROW: The Showdown of the Summer at @TexasSouthern.
Me vs @jimmykimmel. Tweet #TeamCruz to let everyone know where YOU stand! #KimmelvsCruz
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) June 15, 2018
The Texas Republican has also posted videos of him shooting elbow jumpers and layups in the paint. He also apparently left a note for Kimmel in his locker room.
Cruz is listed as the favorite for the Saturday night tilt. The game is set for 6 p.m. EST.
[Opinion: Cruz tops Kimmel in basketball game no one wants to watch again]
