Bruhat Soma wins the National Spelling Bee after a slow night concludes with a sudden tiebreaker

OXON HILL, Md. (AP) — Bruhat Soma insisted he was nervous during the idle hours as he waited to take the Scripps National Spelling Bee stage, and he felt even more pressure to perform given that he hadn’t lost a spelling bee in eight months.

He never showed any nerves in front of the microphone, though, and when the bee abruptly went to a lightning-round tiebreaker known as a “spell-off,” he could not have been more comfortable.

The 12-year-old seventh-grader from Tampa, Florida, blitzed through 30 words in 90 seconds Thursday night, sounding more like an auctioneer than the best speller in the English language, and judges determined that he spelled 29 of them correctly — nine more than his competitor, Faizan Zaki. As the champion, Bruhat receives a trophy and more than $50,000 in cash and prizes.

He rehearsed the spell-off every day for six months.

“I was pretty confident that I had a chance at winning because I’ve been working so hard,” Bruhat said, explaining his rationale for spending so much time on a tiebreaker he might not even need. “And I really wanted to win. That’s why I practiced the spell-off so much.”

Had he known the way Scripps would conduct the final rounds, he might have spent even more time on his speed training. There was no doubt Bruhat was a worthy champion, but the conclusion left many observers disappointed and confused.

“I don’t think it was a good bee,” said Dev Shah, last year’s champion. “It’s not about spelling as many words as you can in 90 seconds. That’s not what the spelling bee is.”

The finals began with eight spellers, the fewest since 2010, and it was clear that Scripps was trying to fill the 2-hour broadcast window on Ion, a network owned by the Cincinnati-based media company. Frequent, lengthy commercial breaks allowed spellers to mill about at the side of the stage, chatting with their coaches, relatives and supporters.

And then bee officials announced it was time for the tiebreaker before Bruhat and Faizan were even given a chance to compete in a conventional round.

“I do wish that we would have gotten to see more of a duel between them,” said Charlotte Walsh, who finished runner-up to Dev in 2023.

The competition rules state that a spell-off is used in the interest of time, but Scripps still squeezed in another commercial break between the tiebreaker and the announcement of Bruhat’s victory.

“It felt so forced and manufactured,” Dev said.

Scripps said Bruhat’s winning word was “abseil,” defined as “descent in mountaineering by means of a rope looped over a projection above.” In the tiebreaker — which was used once before, when Harini Logan won in 2022 — the winning word is the one that gives a speller one more correct word than their competitor.

Shortly after Bruhat was showered with confetti and handed the trophy, Faizan was in tears at the side of the stage, accepting hugs from other spellers. A few minutes earlier, he had embraced his good friend, Shrey Parikh, after Shrey was eliminated.

Faizan spelled his final word in the regular competition in walk-off fashion, dashing through “nicuri” without asking a single question and striding back to his seat, a moment that recalled Shourav Dasari’s mic-drop spelling of “Mogollon” in 2017.

But the 12-year-old sixth-grader from Allen, Texas, wasn’t given a chance to do it again.

“I definitely think they should have been given an opportunity to have some conventional spelling rounds before they defaulted to the spell-off,” said Scott Remer, one of four coaches who worked with Faizan.

Coming into the competition, Bruhat won the Words of Wisdom bee hosted by Remer, a former speller and study guide author. He won the SpellPundit bee organized by that study guide company. And he won the first-ever online bee emceed by Dev, last year’s Scripps champion.

“I always want to win. And this was, like, my main goal,” Bruhat said. “It didn’t matter if I won all those other bees. This is what I was aiming for. So I’m just really happy that I won this.”

His last loss was in September at the WishWin senior spelling bee. He misspelled “Gloucester,” a cheese named for the city in England. He said he knew the city but didn’t know it was also a cheese, and he guessed “glaucester.”

“After that, I guess I just went on a winning streak,” he said.

Bruhat said there was one word Thursday night he didn’t know: “tennesi,” a monetary unit of Turkmenistan. Ananya Prassanna got that one right during the most diabolical round of the bee, when every word had an unknown, obscure or nonexistent language of origin. The 13-year-old from Apex, North Carolina, finished in a tie for third.

Bruhat is the second straight champion from the Tampa Bay area, and his victory means 29 of the last 35 spelling champs have been Indian American. His parents immigrated from the southern Indian state of Telangana, a region that's well-represented among the run of Indian American champions and contenders that began in 1999.

Nupur Lala was the winner that year who inspired a generation, especially after her triumph was featured in the documentary “Spellbound.” Now a neuro-oncologist, Lala returned to the bee this year for the first time in a decade.

Bruhat’s victory was also a proud moment for a previously unknown former speller-turned-coach: 16-year-old Sam Evans, who worked with three of the top four finishers. He also tutored Faizan and Shrey, a 12-year-old from Rancho Cucamonga, California. Both are sixth-graders and have two years of eligibility left.

Evans was frequently astonished by Bruhat, saying his pupil could remember any word he saw and that once he missed a word, he'd never get it wrong again.

“He always says he's nervous, but he doesn't look nervous, like most of them look nervous,” Evans said. “I can't explain that. I don't know how he does it.”

Ben Nuckols has covered the Scripps National Spelling Bee since 2012. Follow him at https://x.com/APBenNuckols

Bruhat Soma, 12, of Tampa, Fla., stands on stage with his family after winning the Scripps National Spelling Bee, in Oxon Hill, Md., Thursday, May 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib)

Bruhat Soma, 12, of Tampa, Fla., accepts the trophy from E.W. Scripps Company president and CEO Adam Symson after winning the Scripps National Spelling Bee, in Oxon Hill, Md., Thursday, May 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

As confetti falls Bruhat Soma, 12, of Tampa, Fla., left, smiles after winning the Scripps National Spelling Bee, in Oxon Hill, Md., Thursday, May 30, 2024, as Faizan Zaki, 12, of Allen, Texas, stands next to him on stage. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Bruhat Soma, 12, of Tampa, Fla., accepts the trophy from E.W. Scripps Company president and CEO Adam Symson after winning the Scripps National Spelling Bee, in Oxon Hill, Md., Thursday, May 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Shrey Parikh, 12, of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., competes in the finals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, in Oxon Hill, Md., Thursday, May 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Faizan Zaki, 12, of Allen, Texas, gestures with his fingers as he figures out how to spell a word during the finals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, in Oxon Hill, Md., Thursday, May 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Nathan Howard)

Faizan Zaki, 12, of Allen, Texas, competes in a spell-off during the finals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, in Oxon Hill, Md., Thursday, May 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Eliminate spellers react after watching Bruhat Soma, 12, of Tampa, Fla., compete in a spell-off in the finals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, in Oxon Hill, Md., Thursday, May 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Shrey Parikh, 12, of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., competes during the finals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, in Oxon Hill, Md., Thursday, May 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Nathan Howard)

Shrey Parikh, 12, of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., reacts after spelling a word incorrectly during the finals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, in Oxon Hill, Md., Thursday, May 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Nathan Howard)

Faizan Zaki, 12, of Allen, Texas ., gestures to his family after spelling his word correctly in the finals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, in Oxon Hill, Md., Thursday, May 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib)

Faizan Zaki, 12, of Allen, Texas, competes in the finals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, in Oxon Hill, Md., Thursday, May 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Bruce Westerman, R-Ark., competes in the finals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, in Oxon Hill, Md., Thursday, May 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Bruhat Soma, 12, of Tampa, Fla., and Faizan Zaki, 12, of Allen, Texas, compete in the finals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, in Oxon Hill, Md., Thursday, May 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Bruhat Soma, 12, of Tampa, Fla., holds the trophy with his parents after winning the Scripps National Spelling Bee, in Oxon Hill, Md., Thursday, May 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Bruhat Soma, 12, of Tampa, Fla., holds the trophy after winning the Scripps National Spelling Bee, in Oxon Hill, Md., Thursday, May 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Shrey Parikh, 12, of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., left, high-fives Ananya Rao Prassanna, 13, of Apex, N.C., second from right, and Faizan Zaki, 12, of Allen, Texas, right, while competing during the finals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, in Oxon Hill, Md., Thursday, May 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Nathan Howard)

Officials confer during a break in competition in the finals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, in Oxon Hill, Md., Thursday, May 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Nathan Howard)

Ananya Rao Prassanna, 13, Apex, North Carolina, competes in the finals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, in Oxon Hill, Md., Thursday, May 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Shrey Parikh, 12, of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., reacts to a fellow competitor's word during the finals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, in Oxon Hill, Md., Thursday, May 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Nathan Howard)

Kirsten Santos 9, of Richmond, Texas, reacts after spelling her word incorrectly in the finals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, in Oxon Hill, Md., Thursday, May 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib)

Aditi Muthukumar, 13, of Westminster, Colo., reacts after spelling her word incorrectly during the finals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, in Oxon Hill, Md., Thursday, May 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Nathan Howard)

Bruhat Soma, 12, of Tampa, Fla., reacts after watching his video during the finals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, in Oxon Hill, Md., Thursday, May 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib)

YY Liang, 12, Hartsdale, N.Y., succesfully spells her final word during the semifinals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, in Oxon Hill, Md., Wednesday, May 29, 2024. Eight spellers including Liang will head to Thursday's finals. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Shrey Parikh, 12, of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., spells his final word correctly earning him a place in the finals, during the semifinals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, in Oxon Hill, Md., Wednesday, May 29, 2024. Eight spellers including Parikh will head to Thursday's finals. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Ananya Rao Prassanna, 13, of Apex N.C., reacts after spelling her last word correctly, allowing her to continue on to the finals, at the conclusion of the semifinals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, in Oxon Hill, Md., Wednesday, May 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Faizan Zaki, 12, of Allen, Texas, reacts with jubilation after spelling his final word correctly during the semifinals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, in Oxon Hill, Md., Wednesday, May 29, 2024. Eight spellers including Zaki will continue on to Thursday night's finals. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Kirsten Tiffany Santos, 13, of Richmond, Texas, smiles as she spells correctly earning her a place in the finals, during the semifinals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, in Oxon Hill, Md., Wednesday, May 29, 2024. Eight spellers will head to Thursday's finals. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

The final eight competitors of the Scripps National Spelling Bee pose for a group photograph after the conclusion of the semifinals, in Oxon Hill, Md., Wednesday, May 29, 2024. These eight spellers will continue on to Thursday night's finals. From left they are, Faizan Zaki, 12, of Allen, Texas, Bruhat Soma, 12, of Tampa, Fla., Shrey Parikh, 12, of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., Rishabh Saha, 14, of Merced, Calif., Kirsten Tiffany Santos, 13, of Richmond, Texas, Aditi Muthukumar, 13, of Westminster, Colo., YY Liang, 12, of Hartsdale, N.Y., and Ananya Rao Prassanna, 13, Apex, North Carolina. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Bruhat Soma, 12, of Tampa, Fla., successfully spells his final word during the semifinals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, in Oxon Hill, Md., Wednesday, May 29, 2024. Eight spellers including Soma will continue on to Thursday night's finals. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — By adding Dennis Schroder, the Golden State Warriors believe they have found the perfect backcourt mate to complement Stephen Curry.

Curry can't wait to get going in what he expects to be a “seamless transition for him.”

“It can help me, it can help us,” Curry said. “What helps me helps us.”

Golden State landed Schroder in a trade with Brooklyn finalized Sunday that sends injured guard De’Anthony Melton and guard Reece Beekman to the Nets.

The Warriors are looking forward to seeing Schroder on both ends, attacking the basket and bringing a much-needed intense defensive dynamic.

“I just love his competitive nature, he's got that Dawg in him and you can kind of tell,” Curry said. “He doesn't talk that much but he's very animated and I've never not seen him in the moment trying to rip-your-head-off type vibe. I like that.”

Schroder is expected to join the team Monday to undergo his physical and have a couple of practices ahead of Thursday's game at Memphis.

“I’m thrilled. I told Dennis today he’s kicked my (butt) on three different continents,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “You can’t beat ‘em, join ’em — ’22 playoffs I thought he was brilliant against us with the Lakers. Watching him in FIBA the last two summers, Philippines and we played them in London in an exhibition game. He’s a gamer, he’s a competitor, pick-and-roll player, two-way player.”

Kerr said he and his staff will discuss Schroder's role but considers him a likely starter considering “we've been changing our starting lineup almost nightly, searching.”

The trade was agreed to Saturday. League rules didn't allow the trade to become official until Sunday, when Melton's contract became eligible to be moved.

Also in the trade: a slew of second-round draft picks. Golden State will receive a second-rounder next year (a top-37-protected pick that originally belonged to Miami) and Brooklyn gets three second-rounders — in 2026 and 2028 (both via Atlanta) and Golden State's pick in 2029.

Schroder averaged 18.4 points and 6.6 assists this season for the Nets, who are 10th in the Eastern Conference. But the trade doesn't give them much in the way of on-court help this year: Melton is out for the remainder of the season while recovering from surgery to repair his left ACL.

“Losing Melt was a huge loss,” Kerr said. “I want to say thanks to De'Anthony and Reece Beekman for everything — their contributions, their commitment, their effort. It's always hard to trade guys and we wish them both well. But you've got to do what you've got to do to get better and this was a move that we felt made perfect sense, so he will fill what Melt was doing for us in terms of being able to play on or off the ball, excellent defender, long wingspan. He's a steals guy, forced turnovers, pace, everything that we need we feel like he can provide.”

Beekman scored two points in two appearances with Golden State this season.

The move gives the Warriors, who enter Sunday fifth in the Western Conference at 14-10, another shooter to pair alongside all-time 3-point leader Curry. Schroder is making 2.5 3-pointers per game this season and shooting 39% from beyond the arc — both career bests.

Golden State becomes Schroder's eighth team in 12 NBA seasons. He had stints with Atlanta, Oklahoma City, the Los Angeles Lakers, Boston, Toronto and Houston before joining the Nets. He also helped lead Germany to the 2023 Basketball World Cup title.

“It's a great pickup for the Warriors,” Dallas coach Jason Kidd said, “a veteran who understands how to win.”

AP Basketball Writer Tim Reynolds contributed to this story.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA

Brooklyn Nets' Dennis Schroder reacts after scoring during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Milwaukee Bucks, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)

Brooklyn Nets' Dennis Schroder, left, looks to shoots over Milwaukee Bucks' Brook Lopez, right, during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)