Youtube superstar Jimmy Donaldson, better known as MrBeast, turned a routine University of North Carolina (UNC) basketball game into one of his famous challenges this past Saturday, giving away $260,000 in total prizes. 

Why it matters: Jimmy Donaldson, the North Carolina native and the world’s most subscribed to creator is known for combining high intensity challenges and high value rewards. He is a YouTube platform innovator and demonstrates the growing influence of internet celebrities while redefining traditional live public events. He brought his on-brand energy to the event and left the crowd excited long after the final buzzer.

The big picture: A surprise spectacle in Chapel Hill

The event took place during the UNC men’s basketball game against the University of South Carolina Upstate Spartans at the Dean E. Smith Center on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025.

• The anticipation: The giveaway followed weeks of speculation on campus. MrBeast had previously surprised students at UNC’s Kenan-Flagler Business School by giving away $30,000 to cover senior Vinit Satasia’s tuition and rent. This giveaway helped to build up excitement for his uncertain but grand appearance at the basketball game.

• The logistics: Even UNC athletics administrators seemed unsure of the exact format of the challenge, but everyone knew it would involve a lot of money.
• The reveal: MrBeast and his crew appeared on the Roy Williams Court at half time and again after the game to explain the competition. He and his crew had filmed a video that started with 100 participants, ages 1 to 100, and the final two were the last remaining from the challenge.

How the contest unfolded: A free-throw knockout

The final competition was a tense face off between the two remaining contestants, held on the court immediately after the Tar Heels’ victory.

• The finalists: The two who outlasted the other 98

• • Tyler Gordon (28), native of Charlotte, North Carolina.
  • Gunner Phillips (7), a crowd favorite and resident of Cary, North Carolina.
• The format: The finale was structured as a knockout-style free throw challenge. Gordon and Phillips, both dressed in MrBeast branded red outfits that displayed their ages on the front, took turns shooting. The rules were simple yet decisive: if one contestant made their shot and the opponent missed, the successful shooter would pick one of the ten brief cases lined up on the side of the court. Only one case contained the ticket to $250k, others had nothing, and another round would be played to decide who picked the next brief case.

The winner: A quarter-million and a consolation

The energy from the fans in the stadium never dipped as the crowd waited eagerly to see who would take home the life-changing money. 

• • The Grand Prize winner: Gordon came out as the challenge’s victor by sinking the decisive shot that allowed him to select the correct briefcase. He walked away with the $250,000 grand prize. 
• The consolation prize: In classic MrBeast fashion, Phillips, the 7 year old runner up, did not leave empty handed. He was awarded a significant $10,000 as a reward for making it so far in the competition.

A word from a spectator: Nate Bruber (‘29), a freshman at Green Hope High School, was at Saturday’s game. He shared his account as a spectator of the event: “It was crazy getting to see MrBeast at the UNC game. I grew up watching him but never really expected to be able to see him. The whole atmosphere was so energetic and there were little kids sitting behind me cheering on the MrBeast crew. It was a fun time.”