> At a Glance
> – Lilo the corgi turned a balloon trick into viral fame with sports predictions.
> – 1M+ TikTok followers tune in to watch her choose winners by sinking shots.
> – Wrong calls spark fan meltdowns, including angry DMs during the 2023 NBA playoffs.
> – Why it matters: A pup’s playful trick is now a cultural touchstone for sports fans.
A party trick in Houston, TX, 2020 became a full-blown sports-predicting phenomenon when accountant Denny Ku saw his Pembroke Welsh corgi Lilo swat a balloon through a makeshift hoop. The family swapped balloons for mini basketballs, filmed the results, and uploaded them as playoff picks. Within months the account, nicknamed Steph Furry, exploded across TikTok and Instagram.
From Balloon to Bracket Buster
Ku says the first basket happened in June 2020 during the NBA bubble. Friends joked they had a real-life Air Bud, so Ku began labeling each shot with team logos and tracking hits or misses as predictions. Lilo’s accuracy surprised everyone-she chose winners more often than not, even when Ku tried to nudge her the other way. The corgi’s diva streak helped: if she didn’t want to shoot, the camera kept rolling until she did.
Social Media Slam Dunk
The family launched the TikTok during lockdown hoping for 5,000 views; a blooper reel soon cracked 1 million. Followers now flood comments with “In the corgi we trust” and flood Ku’s inbox with requests for everything from Premier League derbies to MLB playoff series.
- 1M+ TikTok followers
- ~400K Instagram followers
- Sports covered: basketball, football, soccer, rugby, lacrosse
Star-Studded Nickname
Fans brainstormed monikers-Corgi Bryant, Kevin FURant-before landing on Steph Furry, a nod to Steph Curry and Kobe Bryant‘s Mamba legacy. Ku also calls her the Fluffy Mamba.
Behind the Scenes
Filming isn’t simple. Ku sets up multiple toy balls spelling W-I-N for best-of-seven series and captures real-time suspense as shots roll around the rim. When Lilo breaks picture frames or refuses to participate, the outtakes become content themselves.
**Ku admits:
> “If she picks against my team, I feel conflicted. Watching sports has become emotionally confusing-but so much fun.”
Viral Hits and Misses
- Nailed a Manchester derby final score, goal order, even rim-outs.
- Called several Super Bowl winners.
- Predicted a seven-game Dodgers series win.
But misses sting. During the 2023 playoffs, Lilo said the Warriors would erase a 3-1 deficit; the first five games unfolded exactly as her shots fell. When the Lakers closed it out in Game 6, Ku’s feed filled with furious comments and reaction videos.
Ku recalls:
> “Angry Lakers fans sent intense DMs. As sad as the loss was, the break from notifications felt like fresh air.”
Mainstream Recognition
ESPN, athletes, and team mascots have since invited the duo to events. At 2024 NBA All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis they met Myles Turner and recorded content with influencers.
Life Beyond Predictions
Now 10 years old, Lilo still fetches for hours with scheduled active rest periods. She’s big sister to Ku’s kids Koa, 3, and Kya, 1, and stars in a children’s book, An Underdog’s Tail, about competing against larger dogs. Future plans include educational videos teaching shapes and numbers to young fans.
Ku reflects:
> “Whether 10K or 10M views, the bond with my dog makes every minute worth it. Lilo proves the smallest pup can make the biggest splash.”
Key Takeaways
- Lilo’s balloon toss became a sports oracle act followed by millions.
- Her viral accuracy drives fan joy-and outrage-when favorites lose.
- The corgi’s platform now attracts ESPN segments, player meet-and-greets, and a kids’ book.
One bounce of a balloon in 2020 launched a decade-old corgi into a cultural sports icon, proving predictions can come from the unlikeliest-and fluffiest-hoopsters.
