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Phelps creates quite a distraction, helps Arizona State

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Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps, center, performs behind the "Curtain of Distraction" during an Oregon State free throw against Arizona State in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 28, 2016, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)

TEMPE, Ariz. – Wearing a tiny swim suit and flashing his abs, Michael Phelps created quite the distraction.

The Olympic great, who is training at Arizona State University this year, helped the school’s college basketball team Thursday.

Phelps appeared from behind the ASU student section’s “Curtain of Distraction,” standing between two shirtless students with 13:47 left to play.

With gold medals around his neck and a yellow swim cap on his head, and little else, Phelps stripped and danced as Oregon State’s Stephen Thompson Jr. missed two foul shots. The moment drew the loudest cheers from the crowd at Wells Fargo Arena.

Arizona State coach Bobby Hurley says Phelps “made a major contribution to the game.” Phelps lives in suburban Phoenix and plans to become a volunteer assistant coach at ASU after the Rio Olympics.

Arizona State won the game 86-68.

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This item has been corrected to show Michael Phelps is training at Arizona State. He is not an assistant coach.

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