Best buzzer beater in NCAA Tournament history featured 11 future NBA players and broke Michael Jordan’s heart

Start typing “Kris Jenkins” on YouTube and two words always follow.

Winner of the game.

As the NCAA Tournament enters the Final Four stage, it’s hard to imagine anyone surpassing Jenkins’ 2016 game-winner.

This is the biggest, grandest shot in the history of The Dance.

It also ended a back-and-forth game featuring 11 future NBA players, including a current MVP candidate and three members of the 2023-24 New York Knicks.

“I think every shot is made and this one was no different,” Jenkins said, after making a last-second three-pointer that gave Villanova a 77-74 victory over Carolina North at NRG Stadium in Houston.

NBA legend Michael Jordan watched from the stands in utter sorrow.

The Tar Heels’ Marcus Paige saw a game-tying double clutch with six seconds remaining suddenly erased by the true definition of a buzzer-beater.

Jenkins was trailing the game, which started with 4.7 seconds left and the score was tied at 74.

He caught a smooth setup pass from Ryan Arcidiacono with 1.2 seconds on the clock, then drilled a 3 several feet behind the line.

4

4

4

Chaos ensued, with confetti falling from the stadium ceiling before the shot was official and fans crying in the stands.

“One step, two steps, shoot them, sleep on the street,” Jenkins said.

North Carolina was supported in person by Jordan, who acknowledged that Jenkins had made a “good shot.”

But what seemed like another UNC national title ended with Jenkins’ painful game-winner.

“I’m not very good because I can’t take the pain away,” Tar Heels coach Roy Williams said. “I told them I loved them. I told them I wish I could help them more.”

Villanova’s roster was loaded with future NBA players.

Josh Hart, Donte DiVincenzo and Jalen Bruson are now all members of the New York Knicks.

Brunson is an MVP candidate, averaging 27.6 points and 6.4 assists while making his first All-Star team.

New York entered Thursday with a 41-27 record, good enough for fourth place in the Eastern Conference.

While Jordan made his own famous shot in 1982 to win North Carolina’s national championship, Jenkins’ 3 came at the last second and stole a victory in a tense game that seemed poised for overtime.

He was a true undisputed game winner and the best buzzer beater in NCAA Tournament history.

“I heard someone screaming behind my head,” Arcidiacono said. “It was Kris. I just gave it to him and he let it go with confidence.”