Gradey Dick’s mom Carmen stuns the NBA Draft as social media goes wild over the ex-Iowa State star

Basketball is in the blood of Gradey Dick – the newly drafted Toronto Raptors star who attracted attention with his outlandish style choice at Thursday night’s NBA Draft.

But Dick’s family – in particular his mother, Carmen Dick (née Jaspers) – stole the show during his interview with ESPN after he was selected.

The Raptors took Gradey 13th overall and the guard and his family spoke to reporter Monica McNutt after the pick was in.

Before that, viewers were given a bit of a history lesson when they found out that Carmen had an accomplished basketball career of her own – beginning at Iowa State before going to the pro ranks.

Carmen, who now works as a personal trainer in Wichita, Kansas, still shows off her skills at home in games of H-O-R-S-E, Gradey told AP earlier this year.

Gradey Dick’s mother, Carmen stole the show at Thursday night’s 2023 NBA Draft ceremony

Gradey was taken with the 13th overall pick in the draft by the Toronto Raptors

But when his mother Carmen showed up on screen for an interview, social media went wild

After being seen next to Gradey and included in the Draft’s broadcast, Twitter began drawing comparisons to others and complimenting her looks – including a now-deleted tweet where she was referred to as a ‘baddie’.

Others said that she looks similar to Georgia congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Green. More users called her gorgeous in different ways, such as saying ‘I’d give Gradey Dick’s mom whatever she wants’.

Once the audience found out her basketball accomplishments, one user wrote, ‘Gradey Dick’s mom was a hooper. Please have her teach the Raptors how to shoot [free throws].’ 

After Gradey shared his inspiration behind his suit and his feelings on getting picked, a blushing Carmen praised her son’s accomplishments.

‘He has worked so hard and deserves this,’ Carmen said. ‘He’s worked every day to get to this point.’

Carmen should know what it takes – her career as a member of the Iowa State Cyclones is still has spots in the school’s record books.

She holds the record for the most free throws made in a game for the Cyclones and the second best field goal percentage in a career – as well as spots four, five, and six in the best field goal percentage in a single season. 

Carmen also racked up accolades such as Iowa State’s female athlete of the year and made first-team, all conference in 1988 – where she averaged 15.6 points and 6.9 rebounds per game. She finished her career with over 1,000 points.

Social media users on twitter drew comparisons, sang her praises and admired her looks

Carmen Dick still has a number of records from her days playing at Iowa State 

She holds the record for the most free throws made in a game for the Cyclones and the second best field goal percentage in a career at Iowa State University

Carmen was also ISU’s female athlete of the year and was named first-team, all conference

Gradey told the AP that Carmen still shows off her skills playing H-O-R-S-E with her family

Gradey, who played basketball at Kansas, said that his mother was an inspiration to him

After NBA commissioner Adam Silver called his name, Gradey hugged Carmen and his father Bart before shaking Silver’s hand on stage.

Earlier in the year, the former Kansas star talked about his mother being an inspiration for his career and how much he knows about her prowess.

‘I know a ton,’ he told AP. ‘Obviously through this year it’s been a lot more with her being on TV (during Kansas games) and everything like that.

‘It’s more about hearing about her stats and playing 6-on-6 basketball and the crazy points she put up.’