It would be interesting to see if the C was signaling a 3 point shot. You can't really tell from the video. If he was signaling a 3 attempt that sort of answers the question.
As officials, is it a duty to know what the play is going to be? Do we know for certain, as someone mentioned, that he was supposed to pass to the player cutting down the left side? Or pass it up the line to the player who ended up covered?
I see a player leave his feet and launch the ball towards the ball from half court are towards the goal. We have already determined there is no rule we can cite to say this is a shot attempt or this is a pass attempt. Since we are dealing with judgement, go with the easiest option. Is it easier to believe this was a shot attempt or some botched play with an errant pass?
And whoever asked why a kid would shoot a ball from mid court with that much time left made me laugh. Much like women, I have given up trying to figure out why teenagers do what they do and just go with it!
