Helena Frye
The Aaron Wiggins saved basketball meme originated from a tweet by Cody Burton, a high school sophomore from West Virginia, who was half-asleep when he created it. The meme features a GIF of Wiggins, in his Maryland jersey, screaming into a camera. The tweet gained traction, and Wiggins became a beloved role player for the Oklahoma City Thunder, with his timely cuts to the hoop, hustle plays, and pesky defense. While the original meme is no longer widely used, Wiggins' growing popularity as a player has kept the meme alive, with some believing that he truly saved basketball.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Originator of the meme | Cody Burton, a high school sophomore from West Virginia |
| Inspiration for the meme | Baseball meme "Marwin Gonzalez saved baseball" |
| Date of creation | 2021 |
| Format | GIF of Aaron Wiggins in a Maryland jersey, screaming into a camera |
| Spread | |
| Meme evolution | The original meme is no longer in use. It evolved as Wiggins grew as a player. |
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What You'll Learn
Aaron Wiggins' popularity as a meme
Aaron Wiggins, a popular Thunder basketball player, became a meme when Cody Burton, a high school sophomore from West Virginia, created a GIF of Wiggins in his Maryland jersey, screaming into a camera, with the caption "Aaron Wiggins Saved Basketball". The meme, which makes little sense, became popular and led to Aaron Wiggins being known as the savior of basketball.
Burton shared that the idea for the meme came from a baseball meme that credited former MLB utility man Marwin Gonzalez with saving baseball. In a similar vein, Wiggins is viewed as the NBA's version of Gonzalez—a deep cut that only die-hard fans would know. The more Burton shared the meme, the more it spread and evolved, with countless variations created and shared online.
Wiggins himself has embraced the meme, stating after a game in early March, "Shoutout everybody who believes I saved basketball". The meme has become so popular that Wiggins has been asked about it several times, and his teammates have also referenced it. It has even been reported that Wiggins was asked during Thunder media day about what he had done that summer to "continue saving basketball", to which he jokingly replied that he was "just trying to take it one day at a time, saving more and more basketball every day".
The popularity of the meme can be attributed to the combination of the GIF of Wiggins screaming into the camera and the ironic caption, which presents Wiggins as a superhero of the sport. This unique and humorous pairing captured the attention of fans and led to the widespread circulation and evolution of the meme.
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The origin of the meme
The "Aaron Wiggins saved basketball" meme originated from a baseball meme that Cody Burton, a high school student from West Virginia, recalled as "Marwin Gonzalez saved baseball." Marwin Gonzalez was a baseball player who played for several teams but never became an All-Star. Similarly, Wiggins was a rising basketball star who was not yet very well-known.
Burton, a fan of the Oklahoma City Thunder, created the meme featuring a GIF of Wiggins, in his Maryland jersey, screaming into a camera. The meme began to spread as Wiggins continued to grow as a player, and it eventually took off. The meme has since evolved, with Burton sharing it on his Twitter account, @LuDortBurner, which has 16,000 followers.
The meme has become so popular that Wiggins has been asked about it several times, and his teammates have also referenced it. Wiggins himself has embraced the meme, shouting out "everyone who believes I saved basketball" after a game in early March.
While the exact origins of the meme may remain a mystery to some, it is clear that it began with Burton's creative twist on an existing baseball meme and took on a life of its own as Wiggins' career progressed.
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Aaron Wiggins' playing statistics
Aaron Wiggins, the man who saved basketball, is a shooting guard for the Oklahoma City Thunder. Wiggins is known for his timely cuts to the hoop, hustle plays, and pesky defense.
Wiggins's playing statistics reflect his impact on the court. During the 2024-25 season, he put together a solid regular season, posting career-best scoring numbers. He averaged 12.0 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game, while shooting efficiently at 48.8% from the field and 38.3% from beyond the three-point line. Wiggins appeared in 76 regular-season games, with 26 starts and an average of 22.9 minutes played per contest.
Despite having an up-and-down postseason, Wiggins reached double figures in five games. However, he was also held scoreless in five other games, including Game 7, where the Thunder still emerged as champions.
Wiggins's three-point shooting has been particularly noteworthy, averaging 6.3 points per game in his third season while shooting an impressive 50.5% from beyond the arc. This three-point shooting percentage would rank him second in the NBA if he qualified for the minimum number of makes.
The popularity of the "Aaron Wiggins Saved Basketball" meme has grown alongside Wiggins's development as a player. The meme originated from Cody Burton, a high school student from West Virginia, who created a GIF of Wiggins in his Maryland jersey, screaming into the camera, with the caption "Aaron Wiggins Saved Basketball." The meme has since evolved, and Wiggins has embraced the catchphrase, even referencing it in interviews.
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The impact of the meme on Wiggins' career
The "Aaron Wiggins saved basketball" meme has had a significant impact on Wiggins' career, both positively and negatively. On the one hand, the meme has brought Wiggins increased popularity and attention, with fans creating and spreading the meme, even before he became a beloved role player for the Oklahoma City Thunder. The meme has helped to establish Wiggins as a fan favourite, with his timely cuts to the hoop, hustle plays, and pesky defence, in addition to his impressive shooting percentages, further enhancing his reputation.
Wiggins himself has acknowledged the meme, calling it a "fun meme" and giving a shout-out to those who believe he saved basketball. He has even played along with the joke, as seen in his exit interview, where he stated, "I'm literally just Aaron Wiggins," which also became a meme. The meme has also led to light-hearted questions during media days, such as being asked about continuing to save basketball over the summer.
However, the meme may also have added pressure and expectations on Wiggins and his performances. As the meme grew, Wiggins was asked about it several times, and his teammates also referenced it. Additionally, some fans and media members have started to view Wiggins as more than just a meme, emphasising his on-court contributions and impact on games. This shift in perception indicates that while the meme brought initial fame, Wiggins' skills and performances are what sustain his career and the respect of fans and peers.
Overall, the "Aaron Wiggins saved basketball" meme has had a complex impact on his career. It has brought both fame and heightened expectations, with fans and the media now recognising his athletic prowess and impact on his team's success. Wiggins has embraced the meme and used it to further engage with fans, showcasing his approachability and sense of humour. The meme's evolution from a joke to a more nuanced appreciation of Wiggins' skills reflects the unique interplay between sports and online culture, where a player's reputation can be shaped and transformed by viral moments.
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The evolution of the meme
The "Aaron Wiggins saved basketball" meme has an interesting history, evolving from a simple phrase to a widely recognised concept. The origin of the meme is attributed to Cody Burton, a high school student from West Virginia, who created it in 2021, the same year Wiggins began his Thunder career. Burton, a fan of Wiggins, crafted the meme featuring a GIF of Wiggins in his Maryland jersey, screaming into a camera, with the text "Aaron Wiggins saved basketball". The meme was shared on Burton's fan account, @LuDortBurner, on Twitter, and soon took on a life of its own, spreading and evolving beyond its original form.
The inspiration for the meme is believed to have come from a baseball meme that credited Marwin Gonzalez, a utility player for various MLB teams, with saving baseball. In a similar vein, Aaron Wiggins, a breakout NBA player, was viewed as the NBA's version of Gonzalez. The phrase "Aaron Wiggins saved basketball" resonated with fans and gained popularity, particularly among Thunder fans, who admired Wiggins' playing style and approved of his contributions to the sport.
As the meme circulated, it caught the attention of the basketball world, and Wiggins himself. During Thunder media day in October, Wiggins was questioned about his role in "saving basketball", to which he jokingly replied, "I'm literally just Aaron Wiggins", further fuelling the meme's fire. The more Wiggins progressed as a player, the more the meme evolved and gained traction, eventually becoming a widely recognised concept.
The impact of the meme was such that Wiggins was officially recognised as "The Man Who Saved Basketball" on his Basketball-Reference profile. This recognition solidified the idea that Wiggins had, in some capacity, contributed to the preservation and evolution of the sport. The meme's evolution from a simple phrase to a viral concept showcases the power of social media and fan culture in shaping narratives and celebrating athletes.
While the exact details of how Aaron Wiggins "saved basketball" may be shrouded in mystery and hyperbole, the impact of the meme is undeniable. It has become a testament to Wiggins' popularity and the creative nature of sports fans, who embraced the idea and ran with it, ensuring its longevity in the basketball community.
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Frequently asked questions
The meme was created by Cody Burton, a high school sophomore from West Virginia. It started as a tweet that gained traction and evolved into a GIF of Wiggins in his Maryland jersey, screaming into a camera.
No, Wiggins was not involved in the creation of the meme. However, he has embraced it and even referred to himself as a "savior of basketball" on multiple occasions.
The meme spread primarily through Twitter and other social media platforms. As Aaron Wiggins' career progressed and he became a more prominent player in the NBA, the meme gained even more popularity and evolved beyond its original form.
The meme is often used to highlight Wiggins' impact on the court, especially in crucial or challenging games. It has become a way for fans to express their appreciation for his contributions to the sport and his ability to consistently "save the day" for his team.
Yes, Wiggins has been asked about the meme in interviews and has provided lighthearted responses. He often thanks the fans who believe he has saved basketball and embraces the positive attention it has brought him.
