From now on, only the real Klay Thompson can step foot in Chase Center.
Popular YouTuber Dawson Gurley, also known as "Big Daws," on Monday was banned for life from the arena after he was caught trespassing and taking shots on the court while dressed like the Golden State Warriors star.
Gurley has earned the moniker, "Fake Klay Thompson," for frequently being spotted in and around Chase Center imitating Thompson's signature look. In actuality, his costume bears little resemblance to the real Thompson and appears to be meant for more humor than realism. To mirror the basketball sharp shooter, Gurley – noticeably heavier than the actual Thompson – dons a thin beard and dresses in full Thompson Warriors gear, including his same jersey, shorts and headband.
Gurley on Monday decided to take his impersonation to another level. In a YouTube video documenting his adventure, Gurley, dressed in his Thompson garb, entered Chase Center through the media and team member entrance, hours before the Warriors and Boston Celtics played Game 5 of the NBA Finals. Gurley walked straight past security unbothered – seemingly much to his surprise – even hearing someone tell him "Good luck Klay," – while he made his way through the bowels of the arena before eventually walking onto the the same court the actual Warriors would play on later that night.
In the video, he is seen taking a series of basketball shots, including jumpers and lay ups, before eventually leaving on his own accord.
Later in the footage, just outside the arena, Gurley is approached by a man identified in the video as the "Vice President of Security at Chase Center," who informs him that he’s been banned from the arena for life for trespassing. Gurley is subsequently served with papers officializing the decision, which he posted an image of on Twitter.
A Warriors spokesperson confirmed the ban in an emailed statement to KCBS Radio.
"An individual falsely impersonated a Warriors player in a deliberate attempt to access unauthorized areas within Chase Center. These actions have resulted in a lifetime ban from both Chase Center and Kaiser Permanente Arena," the spokesperson wrote.
"Beyond that, we will not comment on legal or security matters."
After his trespassing story made national headlines, Gurley said that he will not be doing interviews because he "didn't want to make this a bigger deal than it is." He added that arena had "every right" to ban him and there are "no hard feelings."
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