HPU students go viral with Big South Championship commentary

GREENSBORO, N.C. — One video.

“We threw it out there, we got 70,000 views, and I’m like, DUDE, we’re viral,” said Jimmy Rossellei.

That four-second clip changed the lives of two High Point University students, Griffin Wright and Jimmy Rossellei.

The two best friends and sportscasters started their journey covering games for the university.

“As a freshman only a week into school, I got right on ESPN+, I started broadcasting, and I was at like 30 games as a freshman. Now I’m at like 70,” said Rossellei.

Griffin Wright had a similar path.

“I was like, ESPN+? I can get on that? And so freshman year, I had a couple of games on baseball,” said Wright.

Their passion led them to a pivotal moment at the Big South Championship.

“Griffin and I, we funded ourselves down to Johnson City, Tennessee. We took like $300 to $500 out of each other’s pockets trying to find an Airbnb, get somewhere to live, get food. We found the cheapest Airbnb we could in the middle of Johnson City,” said Rossellei.

Then, they witnessed history.

“We make it to the Big South Championship. We’re down by 15 with 15 minutes remaining. And that’s when I say my clip: ‘One of the best benches in the nation, and they need to start showing why,'” said Rossellei.

“They can go on a 10-0 run very quickly,” Wright followed up.

And then, it happened. The momentum shifted, players started hitting big shots, and by the end of the game, their team was up by 12.

“A guy came into our comment section and said the only reason why I’m coming back here is to see y’all’s reaction. We had a bunch of people saying that,” said Wright.

Now, the duo gets to commentate on an NCAA game live in Rhode Island.

“We go in, and these news guys are coming in like, ‘Hey, can I get an interview?’ Then we’re walking out of the tunnel, and a mom or a fan recognizes us. ‘So, you’re the guys.’ And I’m like, ‘I guess? Are we? I don’t know,” added Wright.