Imagine a simple phrase—'6-7'—sparking a nationwide frenzy in basketball arenas, from the NBA to college courts. It’s not just a number; it’s a cultural phenomenon that has fans, players, and even coaches on the edge of their seats. But here’s where it gets intriguing: no one really knows what it means, and that’s precisely why it’s so captivating.
LaMelo Ball, the 6-foot-7 sensation of the Charlotte Hornets, has become the face of this craze, though it’s not his playoff push that’s stealing the spotlight. Instead, it’s his height—and the mysterious allure of '6-7'—that has fans buzzing. Dictionary.com even crowned '6-7' as the word of the year for 2025, cementing its place in pop culture. And this is the part most people miss: it’s not just about the number; it’s about the connection it fosters between fans, teams, and the game itself.
Teams like the Hornets and the New Orleans Pelicans have jumped on the bandwagon, introducing '6-7' cameras during timeouts to capture the excitement. Seth Bennett, the Hornets’ chief marketing officer, explains, 'We want to listen to our fans and connect with them in a fun, meaningful way. This trend is a perfect opportunity to do that.'
The origins of this craze trace back to Skrilla’s 2024 hit, 'Doot Doot (6-7),' which exploded on TikTok thanks to basketball stars like Ball and high school standout Taylen Kinney. When asked about its meaning, Skrilla kept it deliberately vague: 'Everybody created their own meaning. It’s global. It’s bigger than me now.' And that’s the beauty of it—it’s a blank canvas for fans to project their own interpretations.
The phenomenon even has its own hand gesture: flip your palms up and alternate lifting your arms. Charlotte’s Miles Bridges, also 6-foot-7, famously flashed the gesture after sinking a 3-pointer against the Indiana Pacers. 'It’s our way of having fun with LaMelo and keeping the energy high,' Bennett added.
But it’s not just the pros who are in on the action. The '6-7' craze first bubbled up in women’s college basketball, with fans at games like Oklahoma’s holding up signs and erupting in cheers when their team hits 67 points. On December 22, Oklahoma’s Aaliyah Chavez drained a buzzer-beating 3-pointer to reach 67, sending the crowd into a frenzy. 'It’s all about the energy and the connection with the fans,' said Oklahoma center Raegan Beers.
Even academics are taking note. Daniel Durbin, director of USC’s Annenberg Institute of Sports, Media and Society, observed the phenomenon at a USC women’s basketball game. When the team hit 67 points, the crowd erupted in the loudest cheer of the night. 'It’s part of the long history of arbitrary sports traditions that make fans feel more connected to the game,' Durbin explained. 'Think of it as a modern-day superstition.'
Coaches are getting in on the fun too. Maryland’s Brenda Frese wore a jersey with the number 67 before a game, while LSU’s Kim Mulkey flashed the hand gesture on the big screen, drawing cheers and laughter. But here’s the controversial part: is this just harmless fun, or is it distracting from the actual game? Some argue it’s a welcome addition to the fan experience, while others worry it’s taking focus away from the players’ skills and the sport itself.
What do you think? Is the '6-7' craze a brilliant way to engage fans, or is it a passing fad that overshadows the game? Let us know in the comments—we’d love to hear your take on this bizarre yet captivating trend.
