Dubs Bringing Heat Beyond the Court: Warriors’ Brandin Podziemski Assists Season Ticket Holder Jarrod Shappell in Pop-A-Shot National Championship Quest

It’s not every day that an NBA player dishes out an assist off the hardwood. But for Golden State Warriors rookie standout Brandin Podziemski, supporting a member of the Dub Nation community ahead of a national competition was just another extension of what the Warriors brand has come to represent: connection, excellence, and a culture where everyone eats.

This week, that culture came alive in an unexpected but heartwarming way when Warriors season ticket holder Jarrod Shappell found himself on the receiving end of a unique kind of assist—not on the floor of Chase Center, but behind a Pop-A-Shot machine.

Yes, that Pop-A-Shot.

The wildly popular arcade basketball game, typically found in sports bars and rec rooms, has grown into a legitimate competitive circuit, complete with serious players, official scores, and now, a rising stage: the Pop-A-Shot National Championship. For Shappell, a longtime member of Dub Nation and a die-hard hoops fan, the tournament is more than just a game—it’s a chance to represent the Warriors community on a national stage.

But even the best players need a little boost now and then. Enter Brandin Podziemski.

Known for his savvy play, high basketball IQ, and strong rookie season with the Warriors, Podziemski took a different role this week as mentor, motivator, and hype man for Shappell, offering encouragement and support ahead of the high-stakes arcade showdown. It wasn’t part of a formal press event or a PR stunt. It was a genuine moment of unity between player and fan—one that perfectly illustrates the family atmosphere the Warriors have cultivated over the years.

The story begins with Shappell’s deep-rooted fandom. A Bay Area native and lifelong Warriors supporter, he’s held season tickets through some of the franchise’s most dramatic highs and lows. From the “We Believe” era to the dynasty run with Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green, Shappell has seen it all. But this summer, he’s writing a new chapter—not as a spectator, but as a competitor.

Qualifying for the Pop-A-Shot National Championship required months of preparation, practice, and precision. The format is simple in appearance—players have 60 seconds to score as many points as possible using rapid-fire mid-range jumpers from a fixed distance. But those who know the game understand that true success in Pop-A-Shot is anything but simple. It’s a game of rhythm, mechanics, stamina, and mental focus. And just like basketball at the professional level, it demands practice and poise under pressure.

That’s where Podziemski’s involvement made a difference. After learning about Shappell’s journey and his connection to the team, the Warriors rookie made time during the offseason to link up with him ahead of the event. Podziemski, no stranger to high-pressure moments himself, offered insights that spanned far beyond shot form. It was about mindset—how to approach the moment with confidence, how to find a rhythm, and how to enjoy the ride without letting nerves cloud execution.

“I told him it’s just like the league,” Podziemski said during a brief media availability. “You prepare like it’s a game, and when it’s time to shoot, you stay locked in but loose. It’s all in the flow.”

Shappell called the experience surreal.

“To get advice from an NBA player, let alone one who just had a killer rookie season for the team I’ve supported my whole life—that’s unreal,” he said. “Brandin didn’t just give me tips—he reminded me to have fun with it. To compete but enjoy it, just like the Dubs do.”

The two connected at the Warriors practice facility, where a Pop-A-Shot setup had been arranged specifically for the meetup. In a scene equal parts playful and inspiring, Podziemski and Shappell exchanged shots, laughed at misses, and celebrated makes with high-fives and classic Dub Nation flair. While Podziemski didn’t challenge for the title himself, his form wasn’t half-bad. “Not sure if I could win,” he joked, “but I’d definitely make the quarterfinals.”

More than anything, the moment was emblematic of what the Warriors franchise has built under the leadership of ownership, the front office, and players like Curry—an organization that sees fans not just as consumers, but as active participants in the Warriors’ journey. Whether it’s through community outreach, in-game experiences, or spontaneous offseason connections like this one, the line between court and crowd continues to blur in all the best ways.

Social media quickly caught wind of the exchange, with clips of Podziemski rebounding for Shappell and offering advice making the rounds on Warriors Twitter and Instagram. “Dubs get buckets, on and off the court,” one fan wrote. Another simply posted: “This is why we love this team.”

Even Warriors head coach Steve Kerr chimed in with a smile when asked about the story. “That’s the kind of guy Brandin is,” Kerr said. “He’s competitive, but he cares. Whether it’s Pop-A-Shot or Game 7 of the playoffs, he brings the right energy.”

As for Shappell, the big day is fast approaching. He’ll take his shot at Pop-A-Shot glory during the national finals in Las Vegas, where the best of the best from around the country will gather to determine who’s truly got the fastest hands and purest stroke in arcade basketball. Armed with advice from a pro, experience from thousands of practice rounds, and the spirit of Dub Nation behind him, he’s ready.

“I’m going in to win, no doubt,” he said. “But even if I don’t take home the trophy, this whole experience is a W. To be part of something like this with the Warriors—that’s priceless.”

The Pop-A-Shot National Championship may not yet carry the weight of an NBA Finals, but for Shappell and others in the growing competitive arcade scene, it’s a serious showcase. What once began as casual fun has grown into a nationwide phenomenon, drawing players from diverse backgrounds, each with their own style, flair, and backstory.

In that sense, Shappell’s journey mirrors the Warriors’ own rise—a story of persistence, community, and doing things a little differently. Just like the 2014-15 Warriors broke the mold with their revolutionary style, Shappell is taking a novel path toward competitive sports recognition, using an arcade game as his medium and drawing inspiration from the very team that has inspired millions.

And let’s not forget Brandin Podziemski. His involvement here may not show up in box scores or highlight reels, but it’s exactly the kind of connection that reflects who he is—and who the Warriors are becoming as they build toward a new era. In many ways, Podziemski represents the bridge between the past and future of the franchise: grounded, talented, and engaged beyond basketball.

Offseason stories like these often go under the radar, overshadowed by trade rumors, draft buzz, or Summer League headlines. But they are, in many ways, the heartbeat of professional sports—moments where real people connect, where fandom becomes community, and where the game extends beyond the hardwood into the lives of those who cheer, scream, and believe from the stands.

For Dub Nation, the message is clear: greatness doesn’t only happen under the lights of Chase Center. Sometimes it happens under the flashing LED scoreboard of a Pop-A-Shot machine, with an NBA rookie feeding passes and a lifelong fan taking aim—one bucket at a time.

As the Pop-A-Shot National Championship tips off, all eyes might not be on Jarrod Shappell—but you can be sure that somewhere in the Bay, Dub Nation is watching, cheering, and maybe even getting a few practice rounds in themselves.

Because once a Warrior, always a Warrior—even if your title run starts in an arcade.