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Horne’s return to NC State played a key role in the Wolfpack’s unexpected Final Four appearance

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“Everyone has their own path,” Horne says

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) – DJ Horne had a long road to the Final Four.

The 6-foot-1, 180-pound guard was an undersized, undrafted recruit out of the Raleigh, N.C., base. He was a top mid-major at Illinois State for 2 years after which became a reliable scorer for the Arizona State conference program.

And now he’s a two-time homecoming star: He had his lone season with the Wolfpack and scored the most improbable of goals in the Final Four that brought him back to Arizona State, lower than an hour from his previous college stop with The Sun Devils.

“Everybody has their own path,” Horne said Friday.

“Coming back in spite of everything the traveling and stuff like that, I’d say coming home (to NC State) was stuffed with love and other people showing me respect for my grind and my journey that got me back to where I’m now “.

NC State Ranger DJ Horne (left) and Ranger Dennis Parker Jr. they emerge from the locker room after media availability before the Final Four college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament, Thursday, April 4, 2024, in Glendale, Arizona. NC State plays Purdue on Saturday. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Horne was a perfect fit for the Wolfpack as it entered Saturday’s match against Purdue in the national semifinals. It was NC State’s first appearance on that stage since winning the Cardiac Pack title in 1983 under the late Jim Valvano. He was an explosive perimeter scorer after going 1-2 with stalwart March Madness star DJ Burns Jr. on the pitch.

And his ties to Raleigh allow him to appreciate the moment as well as anyone can when North Carolina State is in the spotlight and has to fight to share it with nearby Atlantic Coast Conference rivals Duke and North Carolina.

“Taking him back to Raleigh,” Wolfpack coach Kevin Keatts said, “I thought it was very important.”

The player now entrusted with this opportunity is a far cry from the one who left North Carolina as a three-star recruit to play for the Redbirds of the Missouri Valley Conference. He made a leap in production there in his second year, averaging 15.1 points in 2020-21 while shooting 44.6% from the field and 42.4% from three-point range, making him an attractive player just in time for the regulations The NCAA cleared the way for players to transfer without having to stay at a new school.

That ultimately led Horne to Arizona State.

“When we brought him in from Illinois State, we saw how productive he was,” said Sun Devils coach Bobby Hurley, a former Duke player. “I thought his play would translate, moving up from the mid-tier competition. And he didn’t disappoint. DJ was a guy we never promised anything to when he came on our show, and he fought for it.”

Horne averaged 12.5 points while starting 62 games over two seasons for the Sun Devils, including returning to March Madness after missing two straight NCAA games. Horne also had a great performance in Arizona State’s lone tournament game, passing defender Rondel Walker to create some space and then with 15.6 seconds left, immediately burying three points and leading to a draw and finished with a team-high 17 points in a narrow loss to TCU.

“DJ is a fighter, he believes in himself,” Hurley said. “Like many small defenders, he plays with a chip on his shoulder. Once he gets going and starts shooting, man, you better watch out, he’s a dangerous guy. I think his confidence is growing, his faith is growing.”

NC State’s DJ Horne reacts after making a basket in the first half of the Wolfpack’s 80-67 victory in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Thursday, March 21, 2024, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (Kaitlin McKeown/The News and observer by AP)

At the time, across the country, Keatts was looking for help in the backcourt, rebuilding his lineup after losing the high-scoring duo of Jarkel Joiner and Terquavion Smith. Horne’s rise came at the perfect time. He became a top signing for the Wolfpack, which reached the NCAAs last season.

“Coming in, (Keatts) basically gave me the keys, man,” Horne said.

“He told me right away, ‘We’re going to need you to do this, we’re going to need you to lead, we’re going to need you to be the guy.’ Knowing my game and knowing what I wanted from this year, I couldn’t pass up this opportunity.

Joel Justus, the Wolfpack assistant coach who works with the defensemen, said Horne arrived with confidence, boosted by successful seasons at the mid-major league level and then at the power conference level, appearing in 159 college games.

“It’s a completely different day in college basketball because you’re coaching experienced guys,” Justus said. “You are coaching guys who are in a difficult situation. So it’s a much more collaborative experience for both player and coach. … When we brought him in here, we were like, ‘Hey, it’s your first year of pro basketball, you’ve got to treat it like that.’

Horne rose to the challenge, averaging a team-high 16.8 points and producing many strong performances during a nine-game stretch that saw NC State win the ACC Tournament title (first since 1987) and an improbable trip to the Final Four. The highlight was his 29 points in the ACC title game to defeat No. 1 seed North Carolina at the NCAA Regional, then he scored 39 points and six 3-pointers in wins over Marquette and Duke – his second March surge against the Blue Devils , who overtook the 11th-seeded Wolfpack from the southern bracket.

It’s a run that harkens back to the Wolfpack’s miraculous run 41 years ago that put 2024 in Wolfpack history alongside 1983 and the 1974 team that won the national championship – a run that included beating UCLA in the Final Four and ending John Wooden’s career A streak of seven championships in a row.

Horne admitted that when he left Arizona State last year, he allowed himself to daydream a little about the possibility of returning to Arizona State and playing in the Final Four. That’s exactly what he did on Friday when the Wolfpack took the court during an open practice, smiling broadly and bobbing his head to the Wolfpack’s music during the celebratory event.

As with everything else, Horne can relish this wrinkle, too.

“I was already planning on coming back here to visit my guys and everything,” Horne said. “But an all-expenses-paid trip and the Final Four couldn’t be better. Just seeing it come full circle and it’s now right in front of my face, I’m ready to take advantage of it.

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An attempt to save the image of Jeff Bezos’ future wife backfired after weeks of outrage and ridicule over her skimpy outfit

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Lauren Sánchez has apparently gained a popularity for her fashion hits and misses as social media users began following her every move.

Billionaire Jeff Bezos’ current fiancée stepped into the highlight long before she met the Amazon co-founder, after years spent as co-host of “Good Day LA,” a reporter for “Extra” and host of “So You Think You Can Dance,” and he even starred in a number of movies like “Ted 2.”

She faced criticism for posting a sultry selfie in November in a negligee-inspired gown by designer Laura Basca. In October, the 54-year-old again faced backlash when she showed off her latex Halloween costume as Catwoman.

Now, weeks after being deemed “cheap” and tasteless, the founder of Black Ops Aviation has turn out to be a subject of discussion.

Jeff Bezos’ fiancée Lauren Sánchez shows off a “winter white” look, weeks after critics slammed her busty latex outfit. (Photos: @laurenwsanchez/Instagram, Theimagedirect.com via Page Six)

On December 5, Sánchez and the business mogul attended The New York Times’ DealBook event in New York City. For the occasion, she wore a white Alexander McQueen suit and a white lace corset. The beaming bride-to-be sent two mirror selfies of her outfit, which she signed: “winter white.”

One follower particularly was stunned by the whole look he ejaculated that she was “very attractive and beautiful, gorgeous and stunning, charming and fantastic young lady, sexy, charming, charming and elegant” in the photos that Sánchez took.

Two other people swooned over the photos and wrote: “So chic and elegant!” and “You look great.” But as you would possibly expect from online viewers, not everyone was impressed.

When Page six published paparazzi photos from the trip, the critic commented: “It’s 30 degrees in New York and she gets out of the limo in a white Miami smock, her bra visible to everyone. No taste. Nothing. A cashmere turtleneck, flannel trousers and a wool jacket can be classy.

Someone else sharply asked: “Who can be the first to tell her that she looks tacky and not elegant and refined? Does she even know what sophistication means? A 3rd person noted: “She looks more like she’s wearing a bathrobe.”

Another person wrote in a comment from a licensed pilot: “White means…” possibly referring to rumors that Sánchez and Bezos are scheduled to exchange vows over Christmas. At least one person doubted the couple would have the opportunity to say “I do.” This person said: “This will be the longest engagement ever. They will NEVER get married and we all know why!!!!”

Sánchez told the “Today” show hosts that she was in the process of planning the big day last month. She didn’t comment on speculation about exchanging Christmas vows.

Renewed interest and scrutiny of Sánchez has increased as the pair have been spotted in various locations in recent months. The couple reportedly began dating in 2018. Their engagement was announced five years later, in May 2023. Their upcoming wedding can be a second journey for each of them.

Sánchez was previously married to celebrity agent Patric Whitesell, with whom she has two children. She can be the mother of a son, whom she shares with Pro Football Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez. Bezos was married to the mother of his three children, Mackenzie Scott, for 25 years once they divorced in 2019.


This article was originally published on : atlantablackstar.com
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Apart from the song with singer-songwriter India Shawn – Andscape

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India Shawn is a contemporary muse with a chilled nature, crafting love stories and heartfelt tales in smooth, charming songs. With over a decade of experience in the music industry as a singer-songwriter, Shawn has incredible strength. She was born in Los Angeles, and her musical roots reach throughout the country. Beginning her profession in her hometown, Shawn eventually found herself in Atlanta, where she immersed herself in the city’s deep-rooted R&B scene, further shaping her artistry.

“I transferred to ATL, I was in 10th grade, and that’s when my music journey really started,” Shawn told Andscape. “I met people who were trying to get by, so I ended up recording and learned what songwriting was really early on.”

Before releasing her debut EP in 2012, Shawn wrote songs and collaborated with artists similar to Chris Brown, El DeBarge, Keri Hilson and Monica. In 2013, she gained much more notoriety when Solange Knowles published her song “I’m Alive” on the Saint Heron compilationmarking her as an artist value watching.

Following the release of the single “There Must Be a God” from the Andscape soundtrack, she caught up with Shawn to learn more about the muse behind the vibes.


Singer India Shawn grew up singing in church with her family. “I feel like most of us R&B kids have that experience,” she said.

India Shawn

Name:
India Shawn

Hometown:

Los Angeles

Artistic soundscape

Airy, soft, telling a story, multidimensional, soft, mysterious, atmospheric

The oldest musical memory

Shawn’s soulful sound is deeply rooted in her upbringing, with influences drawn from her childhood memories and the musical culture of her church. “I sing with my sister all the time, and I also grew up singing behind my mom in church. She was the leader of praise and worship. So I feel like most of us R&B kids have that experience,” Shawn said. “I had these little solos in church, and I believe what made me consider in it was that after the service people got here as much as me with tears of their eyes and said, ‘You really moved me while you sang.’ “These early moments of connection with music and audiences laid the foundation for conveying depth and sensitivity through her music.

Influences

For Shawn, music, especially R&B, has all the time held a special place in her life. “Me and my sister are harmonizing in the living room, just picking some of our favorite songs, including for me Mariah Carey, Babyface, Boyz II Men and (and) Brandy,” she said of her early music memories.

Creative process

Shawn often draws inspiration from real-life experiences and relationships that influence her music. She weaves this into the authenticity and atmosphere of her songs, but she didn’t immediately recognize where her inspiration got here from. “It’s funny that it took me so long to make that connection, but I realized that I was telling my whole story and presenting my business through my music,” she said. “It took me two albums to realize, wait a minute, I’m giving people a lot to understand here… these aren’t just songs. This is truly the life I live.”

Challenges and development

As Shawn’s profession grows, so do his moments of appreciation and reflection. “I literally just thought about a very gradual progression of my career. It’s like step by step, but there are more breakthrough moments. My first tour, which was so beautiful, I just knew I could pack a room and people knew my lyrics and sang my songs to me. Those moments that make the waiting not in vain.”

Shawn has plenty of recommendation for up-and-coming singer-songwriters. Her biggest sacrifice? Collaboration is essential. “I think (cooperation) is really why I’m still here. So find your people… you’ll know when it feels right, you’ll have that freedom and fluidity, and you’ll be able to really create things and create without having to think too much.” He also shares the importance of patience. “Just be patient during the journey. This has been a theme throughout my profession. Let it develop. I feel like more things come from being in that flow and being present reasonably than forcing all of it.

Current project

There should be a God”, the lead single from Andscape , now streaming on Hulu, also serves as a teaser for Shawn’s solo album. “(This song) is such a manifestation of God’s love,” she said. “I think when you find yourself in a place of waiting, you can feel very hopeless. So when you see glimpses of God’s love again, or the fact that you know there is a higher power, there is a source that is thinking about you, has you in mind, has a perfect plan for you, it’s just like the clouds parting. And this is the moment, I understand. I understand that I had to go through all this to get here. And that’s exactly what I felt in the studio that day.”

Sheila Matthews is a digital producer at Andscape and a proud HBCU graduate. She believes “Return of the Mack” must have won a Grammy, and her Twitter mentions are open to all debate.

This article was originally published on : andscape.com
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ICYMI: Tessa Thompson’s Mocha Lip, Danielle Brooks’ Updo and More – Essence

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With just a number of weeks left until the tip of 2024, the celebrities are setting the tone for the brand new 12 months this week. And although mocha mousse is anticipated to be fashionable in 2025, neutral shades in darker tones have gotten more and more popular. Paired with an array of beauty eras – from elegant Twenties updos to 2000s-style round pink, the brand new Hollywood showcases its best 12 months-end beauty moments.

Tessa Thompson and Issa Rae are the newest to debut mocha lips holiday shade near the season, and Coco Jones’ lipstick was cranberry red. Doechii’s perforated suggestions and signature face-lift tape made it probably the most avant-garde look of the week, and within the sweetest moment, Chloe and Halle Bailey’s round pink cheeks made pink cheeks a winter styling staple.

From makeup to hairstyles, Sabrina Elba and Alva Claire opted for light, coffee colours, and Jourdan Dunn’s short hairstyle proved relevant at any time of the 12 months. Meanwhile, Lupita N’yongo, Danielle Brooks and Venus Williams’ braided buns showed just how classic this style may be.

In case you missed it, take a take a look at 17 of the very best celebrity beauty moments from the week below.

This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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