Clam Dunk: Sea Otter Juno Plays Basketball

The NBA Finals aren’t the only must-see basketball this season. Juno, a rescued sea otter at the Oregon Zoo, is swimming straight to the hoop — and she can dunk with the best of them.

Several years ago, zoo care staff trained the otter to put a ball through a plastic basketball hoop as a way of exercising her elbow joints. Until recently, her athletic exploits took place off-view, in a behind-the-scenes training pool.

Now, thanks an assist from the zoo maintenance team, Juno slams it home in a custom-made hoop mounted to the rock wall of her habitat. Zoo guests lucky enough to catch one of her training sessions can see some exciting basketball action — no NBA Finals tickets required.

At 9 Juno’s still a relatively young sea otter, but moving her front limbs is a way of staving off stiffness and arthritis as she ages, according to zoo caregivers. Plus, she can’t get enough of the game.

[LindaR]

I don't watch basketball or any sports but if there was a basketball game with sea otters I'd be right there watching it. How darned cute!

[kolitiokada]

57 seconds of a hella lotta cuteness right there!
Love how she twirls around twice while holding the ball at 00:24

[kevhead]

Even without training, sea otters love to play. It's so cool.

[vbee]

That is The Cutest Basketball Player I’ve ever seen!! 😃 😍

[pattyoneill]

Juno is just adorable and like to see her playing happily.

[Lara-eusk]

I love the way this cutie spins around holding the ball 🏀

[beverleyschmidt]

Just watched on BBC now Otto's playing basketball....oh my Word cuteness overload....🙌🙌😁😀😀😄😄🐾🐾❤️💓

[jessicas.]

Honestly amazed she can hold onto the ball so well with her short digits. She’s a pro!

[tanyawilliams]

I could just sit and watch her all day.

[tryingtodobetterotto]

GlobeOtter pass back and spin was the best move.

[aht]

Otters just proved to me that they are the best

[imogen]

They’re doing much better than I would 😂😂😂

[prudencelandis]

NOBA (Nat'l Otter Basketball Association) MVP.

[caseregan]

After Dame was traded he was offered a spot on the Blazers but declined due to better opportunities elsewhere

[AustinSPTD]

It's certainly an interesting choice to move Juno's basketball regimen from behind the scenes (like with the late Eddie) to center-stage. I wonder why that decision was made? The stone hoop is certainly a cool addition though. Just don't make Juno perform on a fixed schedule (which I wasn't expecting to happen anyway). At least it's bounds better than the NBA. ;)

[mroberts]

It's my first experience of the OBA! There's a future here!

[Hallands.]

You let these otters watch entirely too much television!

[lovethemflowers]

Someone may have already beaten me, but “Sweet Georgia Brown” should be playing in the background.

[cherylmcnutt]

She should have automatically gotten a clam for every basket she made!

[peterkings]

This dude appears to be saying...Can You Do That LeBron?