PHOENIX — Diana Taurasi stepped foot on the basketball court at the Mortgage Matchup Center on Sunday, Aug. 16, like she's done so many times throughout her 20-year career in Phoenix.
But this time was different. The Phoenix Mercury's game against Portland Fire doubled as Taurasi's Ring of Honor induction, where her No. 3 jersey was officially retired and hung in the rafters alongside Cheryl Miller, Jennifer Gillom (22), Bridget Pettis (32), Penny Taylor (13) and Michele Timms (7).
"Driving to the game today, I didn't know whether I was going to suit up and play, if it was my funeral or a celebration," Taurasi joked during her induction speech. "It's all of those things and it's amazing. And I wouldn't have it any other way because that's how I live every single day of my life. With every single one of those emotions in this building."
Despite the Mercury's 88-85 loss to the Fire, there was a sense of celebration both before and after the game because of Taurasi, the greatest scorer in WNBA history.
What makes Diana Taurasi great? The stories behind the GOAT

#phoenix #diana #every

Angel Reese's viral fast-break finish overshadowed by costly miss in Dream loss originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Angel Reese produced another double-double for the Atlanta Dream on Sunday, but two moments near the basket attracted far more attention than her complete performance.
The first came in transition, when Reese finished a fast break with an emphatic-looking play that quickly circulated online. House of Lowlights sarcastically labeled the finish an "Angel Reese fast break dunk" on X, adding more fuel to the constant scrutiny surrounding her offense.
The second moment was far more important.
With Atlanta and the Indiana Fever tied at 81 in the closing seconds, Rhyne Howard missed a potential game-winning 3-pointer. Reese collected the offensive rebound underneath the basket and had a clean opportunity to end the game.

#break #atlanta

Sophie Cunningham's birthday outfit turns heads before clutch Fever win originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Sophie Cunningham made sure her 30th birthday started in style. The Indiana Fever guard showed off a head-turning pregame outfit before Sunday's matchup against the Atlanta Dream, adding a fashionable opening to an already special day.
"Birthday hoops on the way for Sophie Cunningham," the Fever wrote on X.
Cunningham eventually made her presence felt on the court, too. Her only basket came during one of Indiana's biggest moments in a dramatic 95-91 overtime victory. With the Fever trailing 77-75 late in the fourth quarter, Cunningham drove to the basket, finished through contact and converted the ensuing free throw. Her three-point play briefly put Indiana ahead and helped keep the Fever alive during a tense finish.
Cunningham finished with three points in nearly 32 minutes, but Indiana relied on her defense, toughness and experience throughout the important Eastern Conference matchup.

#OUTFIT #made #basket

Aug. 16—SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Fifteen years before Gonzaga transformed into an undisputed college basketball power, the small Jesuit university in Spokane made a brief flicker on the national stage with a standout point guard from a high school just down the street.
Gonzaga Prep's John Stockton captured WCAC Player of the Year in 1984, earned all-conference honors in consecutive seasons and was selected 16th overall by the Utah Jazz in the 1984 NBA draft. Chances are you know the rest of the story.
Stockton's Naismith Hall of Fame induction call came in 2009, six years after the NBA's all-time ****** ists leader wrapped up a distinguished, record-setting career with the Utah Jazz and 25 years removed from his final game in a Zag uniform.
But would the point guard ever have company in Springfield, Massachusetts? The odds of another Gonzaga induction always seemed low. Lightning usually doesn't strike twice for a midmajor school in a small-market city like Spokane, but Stockton was always willing to make room if somebody else ever came along.
"It's unbelievable and special. What are the chances?" Stockton said Friday, 24 hours before Gonzaga coach Mark Few officially joined him in the pantheon of college and professional basketball as a newly enshrined Hall of Famer. "You look back 30, maybe 40 years ago and you would've never thought any of this could happen. So it's pretty exciting for all of us."

#years #spokane

PHOENIX (AP) — Carla Leite scored 23 points and the Portland Fire rallied to beat Phoenix 88-85 on Sunday night, when the Mercury had halftime and postgame ceremonies celebrating franchise icon Diana Taurasi.
Leite had the final two baskets in a 6-0 run and the expansion Fire (15-20) moved in front 81-80 with 1:12 remaining. Portland's Emily Engstler and the Mercury's Kahleah Copper traded baskets before Katie Lou Samuelson hit the second of two foul shots with 20 seconds left to put the Fire up 84-82.
Bridget Carleton blocked a shot by Copper and grabbed the rebound with 12 seconds to go, then sank two free throws for a four-point lead after Copper fouled her. Alyssa Thomas buried a 3-pointer, but Carleton sank two free throws to preserve the win.
Leite shot 9 for 15 and added five ***** ists. Megan DiLeo had 15 points.
DeWanna Bonner scored 23 to lead Phoenix (13-23). Copper totaled 19 points and seven rebounds. Thomas finished with 17 points and 11 rebounds, falling one ***** ist shy of a triple-double.

#leite

Indiana Fever schedule 2026: Dates, times, TV channels, live streams to watch Caitlin Clark WNBA games originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The WNBA is officially back, and as always, the Indiana Fever are the talk of the town.
Even entering her third season in the league, women's basketball fans can't get enough of Caitlin Clark. The point guard was plagued with injury throughout her sophomore campaign, only playing 13 total games. Clark is surely returning to the court with redemption top of mind.
Despite navigating a myriad of team injuries last year, the Fever were still able to push the eventual champion Aces to five games in the league semifinals. With the core of Clark, Aliyah Boston, Sophie Cunningham and Kelsey Mitchell all back in action, Indiana looks like it could be a top franchise in the WNBA this season.
Be sure to tune in for this team.

#fever #WNBA #back #season

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Recent Kickapoo graduate Vincent Mhire might have been known locally for his skills on the basketball court, but he is even better known in sports media.
Just a few years after picking up a professional camera for the first time, he now boasts over 40 thousand followers on Instagram (vinnyflics) and creates hype videos for nearly every high school in the Springfield area. It all started with an injury called mallet finger.
"So I was going to be out for the next three months. And in that time, especially during the summer, there's these things called AIU tournaments. They're basketball, like summer leagues for high school players and stuff like that," Mhire said. "All my friends were in those and I couldn't play. So, I decided to go and like, just go with them to those tournaments. And I don't know what caused me to do this, but I started filming videos on my phone."
Mhire as he works a golf tournament in the United Kingdom in May of this year.
After realizing he had a true passion and some skill for videography, he leaned into building his brand. All while continuing to keep up his grades and play basketball, something that he feels gives him extra insight.

#mhire #like #school #started

ARDMORE, Pa. — Jack Whaley of England used double gloves, needed an umbrella, was stung by a wasp at rainy Merion Golf Club and still pushed through the inconveniences to cap a tremendous tournament and hold off Jay Leng Jr. to win the U.S. Amateur on Sunday.
Whaley should keep the rain jacket.
The 22-year-old English amateur golfer from Doncaster gets to soak up the spoils that come with winning amateur golf's greatest prize.
With skies finally clear on the rain-slogged course, Whaley sank his final putt to clinch the 36-hole final, 4 and 3, and hugged it out with his caddie — his father, Andy. Whaley's mother ran out to join them for a family embrace while Andy gripped the famed wicker basket flagstick.
Whaley broke down in tears as he held the Havemeyer Trophy and dedicated the win to his father, who never stopped encouraging his son to play, even as he kept missing cuts as a teenager.

#merion

It was a big weekend on the campus of Duke University as students moved back in to prepare for the start of the new school year.
Jon Scheyer, his family and the coaching staff were there to lend a hand to parents and incoming students who needed help, with Scheyer's son, Jett, gifting an item we all needed in our dorm room: a mini basketball hoop.
To welcome the class of 2030, Scheyer spoke to the incoming freshmen in Cameron Indoor Stadium, surely to fill them in on the many traditions and chants of the Cameron Crazies.
While Scheyer does have some newcomers on his team, including transfers John Blackwell and Drew Scharnowski, joining freshmen Cam Williams, Bryson Howard, Deron Rippey, among others, those guys have been on campus this summer looking to get ready for the 2026-27 season, in which the Blue Devils are already one of the favorites to bring home the national ******* le.
This article originally appeared on Duke Wire: Jon Scheyer welcomes Duke Class of 2023, helps move in

#cameron #students #university

Jezelle 'GG' Banks is already one of the nation's top high school basketball prospects regardless of classification. The five-star combo guard will enter her senior season at The St. James Academy (Va.) later this year.
This summer, she's competed in OT Select, Overtime's women's basketball league. The team captain of YGE, Banks went viral this weekend during the league's playoffs. In a semifinal win over ISO WRLD, she dropped 27 points, 10 rebounds, nine ******* ists and five steals in a 77-66 win.
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The stat line is impressive enough, but that doesn't tell the whole story. Overtime released a highlight reel showcasing Banks' elite handles, passing and ability to get to the cup. Those who aren't familiar with high school hoops or recruiting are now getting familiar with the No. 4 overall prospect.
Banks would go on to deliver 27 points, nine ******* ists, eight boards and a steal in the championship game on Saturday. YGE lost 79-76 to Cold Hearts despite another massive showing from the five-star. She's long been a top talent and her stock remains on the rise heading into the fall.

#banks #year #points #nine

The Indiana Fever and Atlanta Dream meet Sunday at State Farm Arena in a matchup between two of the top teams in the Eastern Conference, with both clubs battling for playoff positioning as the regular season enters its final stretch.
Jun 20, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Dream guard Allisha Gray (15) drives the ball towards the basket against Indiana Fever guard Lexie Hull (10) during the fourth quarter at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Godfree-Imagn Images
Date: Sunday, August 16, 2026
Time: 5:00 PM ET
Channel: ESPN, ESPN Deportes

#atlanta #dream #sunday #guard

PHOENIX — Many fans across the globe know Diana Taurasi as the WNBA's all-time leading scorer, with 10,646 points across her 20-year career in Phoenix. Or as a six-time Olympic gold medalist, the most in basketball history.
But the teammates and coaches she shared the court with throughout her career know Taurasi as so much more. She's the ultimate competitor, an elite trash-talker and fearless leader who pushed you (and your ****** ons).
"It could either ****** you off or it could either elevate you," Hall of Famer Swin Cash told USA TODAY Sports.
"The thing that separates the WNBA players and the greats is, what was the impact you had with your teammates, with the organization, with the community? As (Taurasi's) jersey goes into the rafters, think about all she created off the court for those that have opportunities, whether it's in Phoenix or whether it's back in her hometown in California. ... I don't think she ever had a big megaphone around that, but she did a lot."
USA TODAY Sports talked with Taurasi's teammates and coaches from every level of her career ahead of her jersey retirement on Sunday, Aug. 16, with her No. 3 joining Cheryl Miller, Jennifer Gillom (22), Bridget Pettis (32), Penny Taylor (13) and Michele Timms (7) in the Mercury's Ring of Honor. Here's the stories that they shared:

#taurasi #sports #know

The countdown to the 2026-27 college basketball season is officially underway, and Sports Illustrated is wrapping up its position-by-position series with a look at the nation's top centers.
The series has highlighted the best players at each position; among the centers receiving recognition is Florida's Rueben Chinyelu, who enters the season as an important piece of the Gators' frontcourt.
Chinyelu will be one of the most important pieces of Florida's frontcourt, especially as an impactful rebounder and defender. His 2025-26 rebounding campaign was historic and most comparable to Oscar Tshiebwe's in the last 15 years.
Last season, Chinyelu averaged 11.2 rebounds, which ranked No. 4 in Division I basketball. Defensively, Chinyelu had a 4.2% block rate this season, which is above average for bigs, and held opponents to a 38.1% shooting percentage on 63 attempts at the rim.
Chinyelu has embraced the role of Florida's ultimate dirty-work player, providing a physical presence as a rebounder while continuing to expand his offensive game.

#series #centers #important #frontcourt

The Philadelphia 76ers have had a strong summer under the guidance of President of Basketball Operations Mike Gansey and the rest of the front office. The Sixers have leaned on Gansey, HBSE President of Sports Bob Myers, and Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Jameer Nelson in an effort to help the franchise reach the mountaintop.
The Sixers have been able to lean on those three to overhaul the roster as they have been able to land Jaylen Brown, LeBron James, and a slew of others to join Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid, and VJ Edgecombe. Philadelphia will be looking to end a long **** le drought in the upcoming season with the additions made to the roster.
The Sixers have reportedly made a front office hire with the addition of Tommy Balcetis as Head of Basketball Intelligence, **** ytics, and Innovation. He spent the last 12 years with the Denver Nuggets and previously served as an **** istant GM for the organization.
Balcetis will look to help the Sixers in a number of ways as Philadelphia looks to move up the ladder in the Eastern Conference.
This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Report: Philadelphia 76ers to make big addition to their front office

#president #balcetis

Before Indiana Pacers superstar Tyrese Haliburton tore his Achilles tendon in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals, the point guard was well on his way to becoming a household name. Sure, Haliburton had been well-known to basketball fans for years at that point, but an NBA championship ring would've pushed him into another realm of stardom.
Alas, it wasn't meant to be after Haliburton went down midway through the first quarter of Game 7, with the Oklahoma City Thunder cruising to victory in his absence.
Haliburton's injury coming at the latest possible moment of the season meant he would miss the Pacers' entire 2025-26 campaign rehabbing. Hali would raise his national profile a bit by contributing to Prime Video's NBA Nightcap throughout the season, but the Pacers guard was largely out of sight and out of mind as the team finished 19-63, the worst record in franchise history.
But with Haliburton poised to make his return this upcoming season, and the Pacers looking to right the ship, Indiana would seem to be an intriguing team headed into 2026-27. Alas, the NBA schedule makers didn't find them intriguing enough to put the team in a national television window for Haliburton's return. The Pacers will open the season against the New Orleans Pelicans on Oct. 21 and it will not be nationally televised.
That news didn't sit well with Haliburton, who shared his feelings on a recent episode of the Numbers on the Board podcast.

#Pacers #haliburton #point

Former Phoenix Suns superstar Amar'e Stoudemire was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame this weekend.
Stoudemire spent the first eight seasons of his NBA career with the Suns before signing with the New York Knicks in 2010.
The power forward loved his time playing at Madison Square Garden, even though they never had any playoff success.
Stoudemire paid tribute to the Knicks and their famous fans in his Hall of Fame speech in Springfield on Saturday.
Photo by M. Anthony Nesmith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

#stoudemire #hall #fame #amar 'e

Mike Conley might not be the best option to play heavy minutes at this stage of his career, but the veteran floor general will not need to be leaned on by the Boston Celtics unless the team has other problems to deal with considering their guard depth. And for Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens, that is exactly the sort of role they have in mind for the former Minnesota Timberwolves point guard.
"People talk about veteran leadership and they talk about how important vets are, and my argument to that would be good vets are really important," said Stevens in a recent episode of the team's "Celtics All-Access" video series. "Guys that really have a great understanding of where they are in their career, how they impact winning, and the appropriate amount of expectations from the individual standpoint."
"And I think that that's what you get with Mike," continued the Celtics president. "Every time he plays, has a big impact on winning."
"And so I think the balance of being able to play at a high level, not needing to play every minute of every game is an incredibly valuable thing," said Stevens. "And it's usually reserved for guys that have a good perspective on life, and Mike does he certainly has that."
Conley, for his part, is already making the sort of little changes he'll need to adapt to playing for Boston. "I've never wore a big number before," said Conley, "so, I'm going to get used to it."

#conley #guys

Wearing No. 3 for most of his basketball career, Dailyn Swain will have a different look next season when he takes the court for his rookie campaign with the Chicago Bulls.
Swain wore No. 3 in high school at Columbus Africentric Early College in Ohio. He had it for his first two years in college at Xavier and again last season at Texas, helping the Longhorns to the Sweet 16 for the 12th time in program history.
The 15th overall pick was forced to change his number, with No. 3 currently occupied by Josh Giddey. He said on draft night that he may try to bargain with him for it, but it appears those efforts came up short after ultimately choosing No. 5 with the Bulls.
"I don't think I'll be able to afford a No. 3 from a guy like him," Swain said on June 23. "He definitely deserves it, you know what I mean? He is on his way up in the league, and he has been killing it. I just have to rock a new number. I'm not sure what is available. My guy Rob (Dillingham) is out there. He got 7. I really like 7. I'm going to have to see what is available."
Swain was the SEC Newcomer of the Year, averaging 17.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.6 **** ists and 1.6 steals while shooting 34.4% from 3-point range. He was the only Power 5 basketball player to lead his team in five different categories (scoring, rebounding, **** ists, steals, minutes).

#swain #Basketball

BYU's Fall Semester is 2.5 weeks away from starting, so hopefully this will be the last of these offseason notebooks I write focusing on this coming season's roster. BYU has two open roster spots, and all eyes are on the potential addition of Michigan State big man Jaxon Kohler to potentially fill out the roster.
Jaxon Kohler
I've already wrote extensively about Jaxon. The 6-foot-10 Michigan State big man would be a huge addition to BYU's roster and put BYU in contender status for a Big 12 ****** le. Jaxon would be one of the top big men in the Big 12 and single-handedly raise BYU's ceiling to a team that could go deep in the NCAA Tournament. Jaxon can score on the block, is one the best big man shooters in college basketball, and is a high-level rebounder. No other big BYU pursued this offseason would raise BYU's ceiling more than Jaxon Kohler. He would lead BYU in rebounding and probably be the favorite to be second in scoring behind Rob Wright. I'd have Jaxon as the best offensive big man in the Big 12 and one of the three best bigs in the league along with Arizona's Mo Krivas and Houston's Jo Tugler.
As it stands right now due to various state-level court injunctions, Jaxon Kohler can play a fifth year but can only do so at Michigan State. He and several other players are part of a California injunction that, if granted, would allow him to enter the transfer portal. All other state-level injunctions such as Ohio and Tennessee have granted in favor of the players and allowed them to play a fifth year and enter the transfer portal. Odds are high that the court will rule in the players favor and Jaxon will be able to enter the portal. The NCAA has maintained its stance that it opposes the courts rulings, and we should get a federal ruling early next week from the tenth circuit in the Colorado case that was recently ruled on. If the courts rule against the NCAA again in that case, that could force the NCAA to finally back off.
Based on several conversations I've had, I have BYU as the favorite to land Jaxon if he is indeed eligible to play. Schools such as Kentucky, Kansas, Louisville and several others have made a strong push, but BYU has stood above the rest. Kevin Young has made a very positive impression on Jaxon and there is a strong pull for Jaxon to stay close to home for his final season of college. Additionally, BYU has been able to raise its NIL offer in the past couple weeks to be more competitive for Jaxon, which was the last big hurdle. BYU has all the basketball and home stuff in its favor, now they have made the money less of a blocker. While BYU is not the highest bidder, BYU is in the ballpark to not have such a wide gap versus other schools. As it stands today I see Louisville as the strongest opposition to BYU due to a strong NIL offer they recently proposed, but BYU has done all the right things here. Once Jaxon gets eligibility, I anticipate he would commit to a school shortly after. That could come as soon as this week.

UConn women's basketball has won more championships than any other Division I team.
The 12 they've won came over a span of 31 years—about 39 percent of the time they won it all over that stretch, while finishing in the top 10 of the final AP poll 100 percent of the time. Every player who has come through Geno Auriemma's program since the first **** le in 1995 has had good reason to hope that they could win at least one.
So, it was inevitable that a film would be made about Auriemma's tenure, and now the docuseries is here.
Executive produced and directed by Matthew Hamachek and Erica Sashin, "The Dynasty: UConn Huskies" debuts globally on Apple TV on Friday, Aug. 21.
What wasn't guaranteed was that the filmmakers would capture a full-circle moment.

#hamachek

It's been busy in Chapel Hill this past week as students have been moving in on and off campus, and the First Day of Class is set for tomorrow. It looks like those classes will include a native of Mali who Michael Malone has high hopes for in terms of much-needed front court depth.
On Saturday, Inside Carolina's Sherrell McMillan had the major scoop that Sayon Keita had obtained his visa to come to the United States, and with that he should be on the ground in time to attend classes this week. That means he should be eligible to play when the 2026-27 basketball season tips off.
It will be interesting to see just how quickly Keita can get up to speed, as the rest of the the first team ***** embled by Malone — sans Cameron Fens — have been able to have informal practices together, allowing them to start to learn how to play together. Keita will be behind in that aspect, and fans will undoubtedly remember how much another late arrival in Luka Bogavac struggled. That Keita plays a different position and is younger might actually help him adjust quicker.
The news means that Malone will now have depth — albeit untested at a high-major college level — in the front court which was considered the major hole of the first ***** embled team. Another international transfer, Alex Samodurov, should also see minutes along with Fens — presuming Fens' ability to play isn't wiped out on appeal to higher courts.
With classes starting and the first public game for the Tar Heels less than two months away, the pressure will be on for Malone's inaugural Tar Heel squad to gel quickly and cohesively. The team is already staring at an announced non-conference schedule of Georgia, Marshall, West Virginia, Arkansas, Butler, Georgetown, Kentucky, and Illinois. Rumors are also out that another major non-conference game will be announced this week, also to be played in Greensboro.

#first #week #team #high

We didn't expect Larry David to work his way into WNBA legend Elena Delle Donne's Hall of Fame speech, but here we are.
The two-time WNBA Most Valuable Player and seven-time All-Star was officially inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on Saturday.
After taking the podium for her speech, Delle Donne made a reference all fans of Larry David's work will know well.
"Before I get started, Larry David is in the building so I can only hope this speech goes pret-tay, pret-tay, pret-tay, pret-tay good," she said.
MORE: Caitlin Clark continues exerting WNBA dominance with another historic game

#pret #delle #fame

LeBron James reunites with 2016 Cavaliers teammates for surprising new project originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
New Philadelphia 76ers star LeBron James is expanding his reach beyond basketball, and his latest venture takes him from the hardwood to the golf course.
James has launched a YouTube channel centered on golf, debuting the project with a video lasting more than 90 minutes that chronicles a June golf trip to Scotland with several members of the 2016 Cleveland Cavaliers championship team.
The reunion included Kevin Love, J.R. Smith, Richard Jefferson, Tristan Thompson and Channing Frye, bringing together key members of the group that delivered Cleveland one of the most memorable championships in NBA history.
That Cavaliers team overcame a 3-1 deficit against the Golden State Warriors in the 2016 NBA Finals, ending Cleveland's 52-year major professional sports championship drought.

#cleveland

Earlier this week, UCLA men's basketball alumnus Russell Westbrook retired from the NBA after 18 remarkable seasons spent with seven franchises.
Since the Bruins legend called it a career, many professionals from across the sports world have reacted to the news, including fellow UCLA alumnus Darren Collison. The 11-year NBA veteran recalled on NBA TV's "The **** ociation" when Westbrook earned Kobe Bryant's respect while he was still a student in Westwood.
"We obviously played a lot of the NBA guys throughout the offseason when they came to UCLA and the late Kobe Bryant was one of them. I remember Kobe Bryant, he just pretty much had it with everybody on the court during a pickup game, but there was this one particular moment when Russ was guarding him," Collison recalled. "Russ kind of made it a little bit more difficult and Russ was still in college. I'm not saying he stopped him by any means necessary. We know how great of a scorer he was, but he gained Kobe's respect.
"Russ became one of the premier dominant defenders throughout that whole college season and I think that was the start of it. When you see Russ guarding Kobe throughout the pickup game, you're like, 'OK, whoa, I think we got something.' We have one of the best defenders even on our team."
Based on this story and many others, it's clear that Westbrook has always had that "dawg" in him from a very young age.

#kobe #many

Rajon Rondo: "Other teams that they don't fit. No disrespect to anybody but obviously Golden State, they are too old. LeBron James would have had to play too much, it would have been too much on his plate. To me, Miami doesn't have enough shooting at all, so they won't be difficult to kind of get with in the playoffs. And then, what was the other team? I guess Cleveland maybe? So, no, I don't see that. That's not a good fit. Him, James, and Donovan, no, that's not a good fit. But Maxey, who always plays without the ball, the way that he can shoot the basketball, Anfernee Simons, like we mentioned, we mentioned RJ, one of my favorite underrated guards in the league coming off the bench. I mean, it is going to be crazy. And let's not talk about the man in charge, Nick Nurse."
This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Rajon Rondo: "Other teams that they don't fit. No …

#much #good #mentioned #state

Rajon Rondo: "Brilliant move. He's arguably the young best point guard in the game. I think he averaged 30 points a game this year. LeBron James is the king on the chessboard. He has all the right pieces to make the right moves. We all know he is a great basketball mind, one of the greatest basketball minds to play the game. If you give him these type of pieces to play with, I am an early bet with them being the favorites to win in my book."
This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Rajon Rondo calls 76ers favorites to win: 'LeBron James is the king on the chessboard'

#king #right #pieces #Basketball

Oklahoma City Thunder forward-center Isaiah Hartenstein is back with Germany's senior national team, making it clear that his return is about far more than just adding another chapter to his international career. After more than eight years away from the program, the 28-year-old big is excited to represent Germany once again, having last worn the national team jersey back in February 2018 during a FIBA World Cup 2019 Qualifiers matchup against Georgia. "I'm really happy," he stated in a recent interview with German media outlet Basketball World. "I actually wanted to play for the last two years."
This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Georgia. "I'm really happy," he stated in a recent …

#georgia #national #really

Doc Rivers Pulls Off One Final Celtics Coaching Feat At Hall Of Fame originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Doc Rivers' greatest coaching achievement came when he guided the Boston Celtics to the 2008 NBA championship.
His final accomplishment involving that historic team did not require a clipboard.
Rivers brought Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen together as his presenters for Saturday's Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony in Springfield, Mass. Seeing Boston's former Big Three share the stage again carried considerable meaning. Allen's departure for the Miami Heat in 2012 fractured his relationship with several former Celtics teammates, particularly Garnett.
Rivers made it a personal goal to reunite all three players for his induction.

#fame #three

The WNBA is back with a new collective bargaining agreement and million dollar players.
The Las Vegas Aces will be looking to run it back as defending champs with the reigning MVP, A'ja Wilson, leading the way. Lots of other contenders hope to have something to say about that including the Atlanta Dream, New York Liberty and Indiana Fever. The Fever, who were without floor leader Caitlin Clark for much of last season, are fully healthy. The Liberty, who were also bitten by the injury bug last season, already have Sabrina Ionesco on the sidelines after she rolled her ankle in a preseason game against the Connecticut Sun.
The Atlanta Dream also made the trade of the offseason, getting Angel Reese from the Chicago Sky to add to a roster which won 30 games last season.
Here is the full WNBA schedule for Aug. 16 and how to watch all the games. Or see our sortable basketball schedule to filter by team or conference.
USA TODAY Studio IX : Check out our women's sports hub for in-depth **** ysis, commentary and more all season

#last #atlanta #back #schedule

For much of Elena Delle Donne's remarkable basketball career, the spotlight followed her dominance on the court. But during her Hall of Fame speech, the WNBA legend turned that attention toward someone who has been a deeply important part of her life.
Delle Donne became emotional as she reflected on her sister and the extraordinary strength she has shown throughout her life.
The heartfelt tribute offered a deeply personal glimpse into the bond between the two sisters and why this moment meant far more to Delle Donne than any other basketball honor.
Delle Donne's connection with her sister, Lizzie, helped shape her basketball journey long before she became a WNBA superstar.
In 2008, the highly touted 6-foot-5 prospect lasted only about 48 hours at UConn under legendary coach Geno Auriemma before leaving Storrs and returning home to Delaware. The decision came down to family. Delle Donne wanted to be closer to Lizzie.

#donne #WNBA #elena