Cameron Rodriguez, a 23-year-old college basketball player, won $20,000 on a half-court shot during a pro basketball game, but he may not be able to accept it and continue playing the sport he loves.

According to the Associated Press, he was at an Oklahoma City Thunder home game against the Denver Nuggets when he drained the basket from half-court. Rodriguez, however, plays for Southwestern College in Winfield, Kan., part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and the prize money may violate his status as an amateur.

After he hit the shot on Nov. 8, Southwestern's athletic director Dave Denly said the NAIA informed Rodriguez, a sophomore, he would be ruled ineligible if he accepted the money. The school appealed and request the money be accepted in the form of a scholarship.

Rodriguez, who already has a partial scholarship, told the AP he never officially accepted the money and said he would not if it meant being ineligible for college basketball.

"In my eyes, it's just money," said Rodriguez, who may have a pretty slim chance at the NBA anyway. "I know I'm a college kid who can use some help, but my love for basketball and my passion for the sport - it's worth more to me than $20,000."

NAIA spokesman Chad Waller said they are looking into the formal appeal and could return a decision within two weeks. Should the NAIA stick with its initial ruling, Rodriguez said he would hope for the money to at least go to a charity or nonprofit.

According to Thunder spokesman Dan Mahoney, eight people out of 231 participants have hit the half-court shot, sponsored by a local bank, and won the prize money.

"We've been in communication with Cameron," Mahoney said of the Elk City, Okla. native. "He's a great kid, and we hope it works out best for him."