Michigan man who almost won ‘Survivor’ gets rich on ‘Jeopardy’

He almost won “Survivor,” but his performance on the question-and-answer game is turning heads. Already qualified for the “Jeopardy” Tournament of Champions, this Michigan college graduate has won more than $111,000 in the last six games.

Last Wednesday, June 19, in metro Detroit, former “Survivor 45” contestant Drew Basile of Birmingham defeated the 13th highest-paying prize winner and contestant with the 11th longest winning streak in “Jeopardy” history, 15-time champion Adriana Harmeyer, who won nearly $350,000.

Basile, 23, is currently studying at the University of Pennsylvania. Today he won seven straight matches against Luke Hemphill of Washington State and Jayaker Kolli of Austin, Texas.

JEOPARDY ROUND

After correctly answering the first clue for $600, Basile next landed on the only Daily Double of the round and got the $1,000 clue wrong, putting him $400 down. After the first commercial break, he was two thousand behind Kolli.

Kolli controlled much of the round and finished with $5,800. Basile stayed close at $1,200 behind, followed by Hemphill, who finished third at $3,200.

DOUBLE JEOPARDY ROUND

Just like Basile in the first round, Kolli answered the first clue correctly before landing on the first Daily Double on the next pick. He was wrong and lost $2,000. Basile then answered a few clues correctly and took the lead, but it was still early in the round.

Basile had a number of correct clues before landing on the second and final Daily Double of the round. He bet four grand and had the correct clue to extend his lead, while both Kolli and Hemphill struggled with a few incorrect guesses in this round.

At the end of Double Jeopardy, Basile was leading the game with $19,000. Kolli and Hemphill were in second place with $7,800.

LAST JEOPARDY

The category: Businessmen. The clue: After joining the army for a short time in 1906 at the age of 16, he was given a much higher honorary rank by the governor of his state 29 years later. The question: Who is Col. Sanders?

Kolli was correct but didn’t bet anything. Hemphill was wrong and lost all but $800. Basile was also wrong but only bet $1,000, adding $18,000 to his previous winnings. His total winnings after seven days are now $129,601.

Basile will seek his eighth consecutive win tomorrow night against Andrew Fox of Minnesota and Cat Pisacano of New York City.