A unique board game, styled after the classic 'Operation,' has recently surfaced, directly targeting Oklahoma City ThunderTeam·Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-AlexanderPlayer·Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's distinctive skill in drawing fouls. Titled 'Unethical Hoops,' the game has garnered attention, particularly due to its endorsement by Phoenix SunsTeam·Phoenix Suns guard Dillon BrooksPlayer·Dillon Brooks.
The game replaces the traditional patient with a caricature of Shai Gilgeous-AlexanderPlayer·Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, challenging players to meticulously remove tiny basketballs from slots representing various foul-drawing maneuvers. These tactics include playfully named actions such as "Head Snap," "Leg Kick," and "Phantom Contact." A buzzer sounds if a player's tweezers touch the edges, signaling a "foul" and adding a layer of interactive commentary to a frequently debated aspect of Gilgeous-Alexander's game. Underdog Fantasy is credited with creating 100 copies of this specialized game for a promotional giveaway.
Dillon BrooksPlayer·Dillon Brooks, known for his assertive on-court persona, actively promoted 'Unethical Hoops' through a video. In the clip, Brooks humorously stated, "You know I don't foul," before deliberately triggering the game's buzzer himself. This public endorsement follows a contentious first-round playoff series between Brooks' Suns and Gilgeous-Alexander's Thunder, where Brooks was vocal in his criticism of what he perceived as foul-baiting by Gilgeous-Alexander and overly lenient playoff officiating. During that four-game series, Gilgeous-Alexander attempted 49 free throws, while the entire Suns team collectively attempted 79.
Shai Gilgeous-AlexanderPlayer·Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has enjoyed a remarkable 2025-26 NBA season, securing his second consecutive Kia NBA Most Valuable Player award. He also earned the NBA's Clutch Player of the Year award, appearing in 68 games and averaging 31.1 points on 55.3% shooting from the field, 38.6% from three-point range, along with a career-high 6.6 assists, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.40 steals per game. He led the NBA in overall win shares with 15.2. The Oklahoma City ThunderTeam·Oklahoma City Thunder finished the regular season with an NBA-best 64-18 record, marking their second consecutive season with over 60 victories.
Despite his individual and team success, Gilgeous-Alexander has consistently faced scrutiny for his ability to draw fouls, with some fans and even fellow players expressing their disapproval of what they label "foul-baiting." Gilgeous-Alexander, however, has publicly stated that such negativity does not concern him, viewing it as a distraction. He maintains that drawing fouls is a legitimate skill, one utilized by players he admired during his formative years, and an integral part of contemporary basketball.
Currently, the Oklahoma City ThunderTeam·Oklahoma City Thunder are engaged in the Western Conference FinalsCompetition·Western Conference Finals, where their series against the San Antonio SpursTeam·San Antonio Spurs is tied 1-1. Game 3 of the pivotal series is set to shift to San Antonio. Gilgeous-Alexander experienced a challenging shooting performance in Game 1, converting only 7 of 23 attempts, but rebounded strongly in Game 2 with a 30-point effort.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Canada 2) passes during the Paris 2024 Olympic quarterfinals. (Majerus/IMAGO)
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