'Squid Game: The Challenge' star TJ Stukes's captaincy ignites tension among players
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM: TJ Stukes has transitioned into the role of an assistant basketball coach at Northern New Mexico College, where his wife, Samantha, holds the position of the head coach for the women's team.
Building on an illustrious basketball career, Stukes made his mark by joining the Harlem Wizards in 2009, continuing to play for over two decades under the moniker "Tomahawk" Stukes.
Before embarking on his basketball journey in 2005, he participated in an MTV2 reality show titled 'Nike Battlegrounds', which was hosted by basketball icon LeBron James.
In a more recent venture, Stukes, alongside his wife Samantha, showcased their competitive spirit on the TBS gameshow 'The Cube', emerging victorious with a $50,000 prize.
As Stukes was made the captain, many players were not in favour of this decision, making their unhappiness quite evident. More importantly, when TJ was saved from an elimination, it did not please many players. But, soon after, he was eliminated.
How did TJ get eliminated from 'Squid Game The Challenge'?
In a shocking turn of events, TJ, once considered a formidable contender, faced an unexpected elimination during the challenging glass game.
Despite his initial lead and determination to fight until the last second, the game took an unexpected twist with his very first jump.
TJ, who had been a frontrunner throughout, found himself unexpectedly eliminated, leaving both players and viewers in disbelief.
The glass challenge proved to be a game-changer for the captain of the game himself.
TJ chose Mai as an ally after becoming captain
As the captain, TJ was granted a special power that could shield him from one elimination round during the crucial phase of ally selection.
When the moment arrived to choose an ally, TJ surprised everyone by selecting Mai, effectively saving her from potential elimination.
Mai expressed her gratitude for being chosen, showcasing the strategic alliance formed between them.
This wasn't the first instance of collaboration; even before the intense glass challenge, TJ had demonstrated his support for Mai, emphasizing his commitment to having her back throughout the competition.
TJ credits his height for 'never falling'
TJ revealed about a humorous childhood memory, recalling the days when he never experienced the inevitable falls that often accompany playtime.
He humorously shared his unblemished record to being the tallest among his friends.
One particular incident stood out, where he and his friends were daringly jumping from a two-story building, and TJ, owing to his height advantage, managed to escape any tumbles.
In his lighthearted explanation, he compared himself to giraffes, emphasizing how these majestic creatures, with their towering stature, never experience falls.
TJ playfully suggested that his tall height served as a unique advantage giving him an upper hand.
'Squid Game: The Challenge' finale will be released on December 6 on Netflix.
