Entertainment
Iowa State sensation Audi Crooks scores 40 points in NCAA debut

STANFORD, Calif. (AP) Des Moines police consider they’ve little likelihood of stopping Audi Crooks.
Either way, it is a good-natured message they’re sending.
Crooks is popping heads all over the place after a dominating 40-point NCAA Tournament debut, and the nation’s police are having just a little fun with Iowa State’s NCAA Tournament success up to now, powered by its stellar freshman center.
“Some fraudsters no one can stop.”
This is what social media is congratulating post to the team and Crooks read on the police channel via X, formerly Twitter, posting a photograph of a smiling Crooks wearing a No. 55 jersey and holding a basketball.
The imposing 6-foot-3 Crooks and Iowa State play in Ames, about 55 miles from the state capital of Des Moines. Sure, Crooks doesn’t have the celebrity of Iowa’s Caitlin Clark, but she’s quickly made a reputation for herself on the March scene.
“I thought it was pretty funny. It’s nice that the police are watching and taking notice,” said the deceptively quick Crooks. “It actually brings a lot of attention to our program and women’s basketball, so overall I think it’s just a positive thing.”
With a relentless smile and poise well beyond her 18 years, Crooks converted 18 of 20 shots and led the Cyclones to a 20-point comeback as seventh-seeded Iowa State (21-11) defeated Tenth-seeded Maryland 93-86 on Friday night.
This signifies that the second round of the competition will happen on Sunday evening, in which No. 2 seed Stanford (29-5) will play on Cardinal’s home field.
“I don’t think there’s any doubt that Audi has the opportunity and the platform to impact our sport,” Iowa State coach Bill Fennelly said Saturday.
According to OptaSTATS, Crooks joined Bill Walton because the only players in NCAA Tournament history to attain 40 points on not less than 90% shooting after Walton did it for UCLA in the 1973 NCAA Championship Game.
“Obviously last night was interesting, so not every game is going to be like that,” Crooks said a day later. “I’ll just take whatever comes next.”
Stanford players were in a position to watch Crooks play live in the stands before heading to the locker room to arrange for the tip of the sport.
“She’s phenomenal, very efficient and I think she was 18 out of 20 last night,” guard Hannah Jump said. “So I think I’m just trying to limit her catches, be aggressive, make sure we take her out and don’t let her get any second chances.”
Hall of Fame Cardinal coach Tara VanDerveer is delighted with the fanfare surrounding the Crooks’ breakout.
VanDerveer gave a shout of appreciation to the police officer: “I thought it was really cute that there’s nothing wrong with being a crook.”
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The Des Moines Police (*40*) public information officer is Paul Parizek, a friend of Fennelly and this system.
In an email to the Associated Press, Parizek described Katie Dinnebier of Clark, Crooks and Drake as “a homegrown Iowa talent who has made her mark on the national stage.”
“Our perspective is that if women succeed, we all succeed. Anything we can do to help increase the achievements of women in our state is a win for everyone,” Parizek wrote. “Our agency has quite a big social media following in central Iowa, and we wish to do all the things we will to focus on the outstanding achievements of female role models.
“These actions, which discourage law enforcement agencies across the country from using social media platforms to acknowledge the greatness of our communities, promote the success of others, and expand our reach amongst the various communities we serve, seem like counterproductive to our collective success. It’s Women’s History Month and a lady’s place is anywhere she wants, regardless of what uniform she wears!
VanDerveer knows that form of recognition could reach a brand new audience, which could shed a brand new perspective on women’s basketball and fans who won’t otherwise tune in on Sunday.
“I think it’s fantastic,” said VanDerveer, who passed former Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski earlier this season as probably the most successful coach in men’s and ladies’s basketball. “…We need regular people, not only basketball fans who’re all interested in basketball, but everyone who says, ‘Hey, let’s check the rating, let’s watch.’ It’s great. I believe it’s really exciting that something like that is getting this much attention.
Crooks realizes that repeating her first-round performance is not realistic, especially considering Stanford’s Cameron Brink is the nation’s top shot-blocker and had six shots in the first-round win over Norfolk State.
Brink has 115 blocks this season, and her frontcourt teammate Kiki Iriafen is equally able to disrupting shots regularly.
“It kind of reminds me of growing up playing against my sister, who was a lot taller than me and hit all over the place,” Iowa State’s Addy Brown said of older sister Kennedy, a Duke star. “They’re really good inside at blocking shots, especially Cameron. I just have to be smart and prepared for it, know that she will come. You can’t be afraid of it.”
VanDerveer will depend on several players in Crooks’ defense, calling her a “great talent.”
“I’m glad I don’t have to watch her,” the coach said. – We have players on the team who will work really hard against her.
Entertainment
Tyler Perry praises Angie Stone at the funeral: “I’m angry with the way she was treated”

Mogul Film and Television Tyler Perry paid tribute to the singer R&B Angie Stone on Friday, telling the church church at Word of Faith Cathedral in Austll, Ga. That he was “bad” from how she was treated in the music industry.
“I am angry with the way she was treated,” said Perry, who said that only recently he realized the challenges that the stones faced in recovering the money resulting from her label. “Thinking that this woman has been operating for all these years … All these years, all these songs, all the money that was due to her. Where is it? This is bad. “
Stone, who died on March 1 at the age of 63 after his involvement in a automotive accident in Alabama, had previously had common In social media on January 2, that after greater than 40 years in the industry she didn’t receive license payments from her former label, Universal Music Group. “They will have to give me money,” said Stone, who said that she had only recently learned about her financial situation after asking amongst medical problems. Ironically, the night stone was killed, traveled from the concert in Montgomery.
“There is a difference between the performance because you want and the performance because you have to,” said Tyler Perry. “I am tired of vision, how we fight and go through things, I work hard and do not benefit from what we were supposed to draw.”
The Creator of the “Madei Family Meeting” and “Beauty in black” added: “You must be careful when you start treating people badly, especially God’s children, because the Bible says:” Do not touch my anointed and don’t do my prophet. “
Although Perry admitted that he didn’t know the stone, in addition to others, sharing that he often saw her at concert events, he called the soul singer a “prophet”, adding: “she prophesied and preached her own vagina.”
Perry remembered the text of Stone’s hit “No More Rain (” In This Cloud “), saying to the congregation:” He says: “My sun came and I am flashy. There is no more rain in this cloud. “He continued:” The beauty of what she was talking about is when the cloud no longer has tears, it disperses. Disappeared. But if you listen to this song again, there is a part that I want you to really listen. She said: “What is occurring. What goes up must fall. The stuff you come back to you. “
Media tycoon praised Angie Stone for somebody who “sold kindness … (i) joy to people … sold people and her voice.” He summed up his comments: “God bless you, Angie, my heart, my soul, is with you. I am so glad that there is no more rain in your cloud. “
(Tagstransate) Angie Stone
Entertainment
Coco Gauff’s Mometown Roots Power New Balance’s latest tennis shoe – Essence

Melbourne, Australia – January 19: Coco Gaufff from the United States celebrates victory within the match with Belind Bencic from Switzerland within the match within the fourth round of ladies’s singles through the eighth day of the Australian Open 2025 in Melbourne Park on January 19, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo of Fred Lee/Getty Images)
The words “tennis” and “availability” had a protracted -term complex relationship. We took a glance, watching the story for the legacy of Serena and Venus Williams. It showed us that behind the splendor of central courts and trophies ceremonies (which Coco Gauff has lots), there may be a sport that many think financially. It is that this reality that makes the latest cooperation between New Balance and the Coco Gauff tennis star is especially noteworthy.
Today, New Balance and Gauff presented Delray Coco, a tennis shoe that pays tribute to her hometown of Florida, while coping with wider questions on who can play this sport. Available from March 13 for $ 110, shoes stand out in the marketplace, where tennis footwear often proves much higher prices.
“I am incredibly proud of launching the new Delray Coco, because this is the opportunity to expand access to people interested in playing the game and will have a positive impact on culture for the upcoming generations,” said Gaufff within the commercial. “Delray Beach helped to cause my tennis journey, so it is special for me to tell the story of this community, which influenced exactly why I love this sport.”

Technically, Delray Coco provides what you may expect from ready -made footwear for competition. It has a nylon stability plate, a light-weight fuel sole for convenience and a durable rubber outer sole designed for prolonged game on various manor surfaces. The low project includes the aesthetics of tennis and basketball from the 90s, reflecting Gauff’s appeal.
“Our hope with Delray Coco is to emphasize access to sport for everyone. For Coco, a lot means that everyone who wants to play tennis should be able to choose a rocket and play, “said Evan Zeder, head of Tennis sports marketing at New Balance. “Delray Coco represents her constant commitment to promoting this integration in sport, starting from her own yard.”
This yard – especially Pompey Park in Delray Beach – just isn’t only referred to marketing materials, but serves as a spot of premiere. New Balance and Gauff organize an event there with a campaign film show, after which a discussion with Gauff, her grandmother and inventive collaborator Joe Robinson (professionally referred to as Joe Freshgoods) about sports availability and the influence of the community.
New Balance also doesn’t end with one version of the shoe. Throughout the yr, they drop latest Delray Coco colours, releasing them together with the Gauff’s higher CG2 model. Coordinated editions mean that recreation players can take Gauff’s style, no matter their skill level. And even though it may not seem lots, it is kind of serious. Both Gauff and New Balance be sure that everyone feels on, no matter where they’re on a tennis journey.
At the top of the day, tennis still faces current questions on diversity, representation and access, and products reminiscent of Delray Coco offer a selected contribution. While shoes price 110 USD is not going to transform right into a tennis economy, this can be a step in the best direction. Delra Coco is offered all around the world at Newalance.com and chosen retail sellers with a suggested retail price of $ 110. For more information, visit newbalance.com/tennis.
Entertainment
Jennifer Hudson breaks silence a few days after she was hit in the face with basketball during the NBA match

Jennifer Hudson opens up about her date with Common when she “knocked up” with basketball.
The Egota winner was in Madison Square Garden on March 4 with her rapper-boy. They each sat outside, watching New York Knicks play against Golden State Warriors, when the ball suddenly flew the ball towards its direction, when Knicks Miles McBride tried to save lots of him from going outside.
In the clip of March 13 published on YouTube, “Jennifer Hudson Show” Hudson told about what happened to her audience in her talk show.

After confirming the ball, she actually hit her, got up and approached her audience. She said, “So I’m sitting there and then I talk suddenly. Don’t talk when you sit outside. First of all, so I look this way, and then suddenly I am like why everyone looks crazy. And then bam! “
Hudson said it happened: “So fast, true! So I am like what the hell did me? Something had to hit me. From all people to hit, did you hit Jennifer Hudson? Really?”
Then she confirmed that “the ball actually hit me” in response to still unclear people what happened.
“So I’m sitting there, and then suddenly something just hit me from blue. And I thought, “I do not know what happened”, and then suddenly people stand over me. They like “OK? Everything’s all right? And I’m like “Hold, let me only for a moment. Let me only gather my thoughts – said Hudson.
She explained that she was hit when McBride tried to save lots of the ball. She noticed that he was crushed about the incident and “wanted to finish the whole game.” “He was like” Oh my God. I made Jennifer, Lord. And I’m like “Honey, I’m fine, go play your game,” the mother of certainly one of them continued.
As the mother of 15-year-old David Daniel Otung Jr., whom she welcomed with her former Fiancé and former WWE star David Otung, Hudson said she understood what could occur in the game, accompanying her son and his friends in basketball matches.
She and Otung Sr. They got engaged after lower than a 12 months of dates, but separated for good in 2017 after 10 years of dates.
From 2023, the star “Dreamgirls” arranged with Common, which was sitting next to her when the ball flew on her face.
Referring to the “right” actor in the next a part of her memories, Hudson said: “And my sweet love was like” Ok, is every part okay? Would you want to go away? And I’m like “I’m good, let me sit down and gather here” because the very last thing you need to do is stand up and go somewhere. No, you would like a moment. “
But it was not a “sweetest part”, in accordance with Hudson, who then ordered the producers to throw the McBride speaking clip.
In the film he appears on the screen: “Hey, Jennifer, here is the pleasant” Deuce “McBride.” I just desired to say that I’m sorry that I got here up with you in our game last week. You know that I was in the zone, attempting to play, attempting to bring some energy, and unfortunately you were in the incorrect place at the incorrect time. I’m sorry I got something for you. We hope that we might be cool after that. I appreciate that you simply show us support and go, Knicks. “
The gift that McBride gave her was a pink bouquet of roses, which was handed over to someone from her team.
Fans replied for the incident in “Entertainment Tonight” the Instagram clip repost.
One person said: “He does too many brahs. It was an accident. “
Another wrote: “OMG drama … next time sit in the stands. She will react. “
On her side One person said: “Good in Deuce for apologizing, making a camera and sending flowers.”
The fourth said: “These roses are beautiful.”
Later, Hudson revealed that the dancers of the city of Knicks decided to make a spiritual tunnel when she entered the game “before it was knocked up”, identical to in the Spirit tunnel, which he creates for guests in his program. She added that she was right to participate in the All-Star game yearly in honor of the late brother Jason who would participate.
Jason Hudson is certainly one of the three relations who were killed by William Balfour, the alienated husband of Sister Jennifer, Julia, who was convicted of crimes. Jason and his mother, Darnell Donerson and her nephew, Julian King, found dead at home in Chicago in 2008.
(Tagstranslat) Common
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