Meeting the USA men’s basketball team before their departure for the Olympic Games in Paris, Barack Obama appeared to recreate a classic comedy sketch in which he is portrayed greeting Black supporters effusively while offering cordial handshakes to white people.
In remarks at USA Basketball’s 50th anniversary party in Las Vegas on Tuesday, the former president – the first and only Black person to hold that office – gestured to his famous love for the sport when he said: “It is true I am the hooper-in-chief.
“And I just wanted to come here to help send off the soon-to-be gold-medal-winners.”
To many, Obama’s send-off recalled a famous send-up.
In the Key & Peele sketch in question, from 2014, Jordan Peele plays Obama at a political event, shaking hands with white guests but grabbing Black guests for effusive handshakes and hugs.
“C’mon,” Peele/Obama says to one Black character. “What’s up, fam? You know this.”
Next introduced to “Keith Williamson”, the president offers a formal handshake and a polite “Nice to meet you.”
The pattern repeats, one white woman trying to hug the president but being fended off. A character played by Keegan-Michael Key confuses things before an aide whispers, “One-eighth Black”, thereby prompting a back-slapping hug.
The sketch was inspired by video of Obama greeting the USA Olympic men’s basketball team in 2012.
Slate.com said Key and Peele’s portrayal of “code-switching” – how people change their behaviour and language in different social interactions – was “especially clever”, showing an “ability and sensibility to tackle race from a variety of subtle angles”.
In the 10 years since, the sketch has lived on online, often referenced not just in relation to Obama.
In Vegas, the former president made his way down a line of players and coaches. Slapping his hand into that of Golden State Warriors star Steph Curry, he pulled the player into a hug and said, “Good to see you, man.”
LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers was also among those pulled in.
Two white people received handshakes. Two, including the head coach, Steve Kerr, received handshakes and hugs.
Similarities to the Key & Peele sketch were widely and delightedly discussed.
Barack Obama just recreated the Key & Peele handshake skit with Steph Curry, LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony & Team USA
— BAY AREA STATE OF MIND (@YayAreaNews) July 11, 2024
“It is true I am the Hooper-in-Chief”
pic.twitter.com/4HaMxt5O8q
In his remarks, Obama said USA Basketball would send to Paris “amazing young men and amazing young women who are going to be showcasing what America should be. That’s an inspiration.”
Speaking to USA Today, Curry said: “To have President Obama come – and he’s great with the microphone and really inspiring with his words – it was cool to set us off into this journey this summer with celebrating the 50 years of [USA Basketball] and what we’re trying to do this summer.
“So I got goosebumps while he was talking.”
The next day, the USA men’s team began their warm-ups by beating Canada, 86-72.
