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Starting with USC’s JuJu Watkins, women’s college teams remain in good hands

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Just just a few years ago, March Madness immediately delivered to mind men’s college basketball to a general audience well-prepared to follow the office pool cultural phenomenon, if not much else.

A simultaneous national women’s tournament? The ha was merely an afterthought, treated like a shabby property used for tax deductions. The NCAA has not improved accommodations either extend March madness branding of the women’s tournament until glaring discrepancies emerged discovered in August 2021.

Now women are kicking men’s ass and gaining popularity TV rankings.

Guys still won in the bank ($873-$6.5 million in TV rights), however the NCAA knows it has to sweeten the deal for women’s teams. Unlike their counterparts in the boys’s tournament, the women’s teams receive nothing, which is a shame. “Looking at the breakdown of the 68 (men’s) teams, I think between the 68 teams I saw $170 million” – South Carolina coach Said Dawn Staley On Saturday during a press conference. “When you start generating that kind of revenue, your campus will move in a different direction when it comes to women. So we have to fight for it.”

They actually do not have to fight for attention anymore.

They won that fight by knockout.

South Carolina defeated Iowa for the national title on Sunday, sending Caitlin Clark on her option to a blissful home – in a game that averaged 18.9 million viewers. That’s a 90% increase from the 2023 title game (when LSU sent Clark home) and a 289% increase from the 2022 title game (when South Carolina beat UConn).

Clark’s undeniable brilliance and skill contributed to unprecedented viewership, although she was not alone. He’s entering the WNBA draft alongside LSU’s Angel “Bayou Barbie” Reese and dominant South Carolina center Kamilla Cardoso, something some observers fear may reduce interest Next season.

This could also be true for fans who only watched because they saw themselves in Clark. However, there are still many colourful stars left to fuel the fireplace in women’s colleges.

Start with talented USC guard JuJu Watkins.

You can have seen her TV commercial with NBA star Joel Embiid sporting Watkins’ signature bun at the top. Watts showed he was playing just minutes from home in the guts of South Los Angeles supernatural balance as a first-year student. She earned her rise because the nation’s No. 1 recruit, leading USC to the Elite Eight while earning honors as an Associated Press first-team All-American. Only Clark averaged greater than Watkins’ 27.1 points per game

“JuJu has a chance to do something we’ve needed in women’s basketball for a long time. And this transcends sports and really sits at the intersection of women’s basketball and culture,” WNBA analyst LaChina Robinson he said Andlandscape.

USC will compete in the Big 10 Conference next season, drawing more eyeballs than in Pac-12 games. Watkins will become the face of the Big 10, filling and continuing to fill Clark’s void revive the sleeping one program produced by Cheryl Miller and Lisa Leslie. In Watkins’ first season, USC’s attendance more than tripled, with stars such as LeBron James and Kevin Hart attending her games.

“For her year as a freshman to be fearless, confident and one of the best players in the country, she needs something to build on” – UConn star Paige Bueckers he said after the Trojans bounced back last week.

Watkins isn’t the only freshman ready to take over alongside Bueckers, who is as cold as any football player – and with white privilege to boot. There is more black girl magic to behold.

Staley named freshman MiLaysia Fulwiley generational talent, capable of moments beyond the reach of most gamers – women or otherwise. Fulwiley could challenge Watkins freshman of the 12 months honors if South Carolina weren’t so loaded – including fellow freshman Tessa Johnson, who He showed up with a team-high 19 points in Sunday’s title game.

We also can’t leave out Notre Dame freshman Hannah Hildago, who was forced to do so remove nose piercing during the tournament despite wearing jewelry throughout the season. Hildago joined Watkins on the AP All-America first team; only three other freshmen have ever achieved this this honor.

Notre Dame coach Niele Ivey said Hidalgo “will do it.” change the sport” Ivey is attempting to emulate one other game changer, Staley, who will remain South Carolina’s biggest star 12 months after 12 months as his talent continues to develop.

The sport will proceed to grow in popularity if Staley has something to say, no matter anyone else.

“I just want our game to grow.” Staley said after winning their third national title. “I do not care if it’s us. I do not care if it’s Caitlin. I do not care if it’s JuJu or Hannah. I just want our game to grow, regardless of who it’s.

He’s in good hands.


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The post Starting with USC’s JuJu Watkins, women’s college hoops stays in good hands appeared first on TheGrio.

This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
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NFL star Terrell Owens signs a contract with Michael Strahan’s talent agency

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Terrell Owens, NFL, Football


NFL Hall of Fame receiver and podcast host Terrell Owens has signed with a talent agency to further strengthen his claims within the entertainment game.

According to , Owens was signed by SMAC Entertainment, headed by host and NFL Hall of Famer Michael Strahan and his business partner Constance Schwartz-Morini.

NFL insider Jordan Schultz has also joined SMAC Entertainment.

“We are excited to add TO and Jordan to the SMAC family. They are both at the top of their game and set the standard in their industry,” Schwartz-Morini said in a written statement. “TO and Jordan have already brought an infectious energy to our team, and we are excited to help them realize their vision for careers in media, business and branding.”

A five-time first-team All-Pro and six-time Pro Bowler, Owens played for the San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals. In 2018, he was finally inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

A member of the 2000 NFL All-Decade Team, Owens finished his profession with 1,078 catches for 15,934 yards, 14.8 yards per catch and 153 touchdowns, rating third all-time in receiving yards and touchdowns.

Since retiring from skilled soccer in 2012, Owens has already made several moves. He has appeared in several movies and tv shows, including “,” and in addition had his own reality show, “, on VH1.

He currently co-hosts the podcast with former NFL player and sports analyst Shannon Sharpe.

SMAC Entertainment is home to stars similar to rapper and actor Common, Wiz Khalifa, Strahan, Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders and current NFL players similar to Stefon Diggs and DK Metcalf.


This article was originally published on : www.blackenterprise.com
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Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker brings an NBA championship desire with his Olympic experience

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The gold medal went to the USA Basketball team. Mission completed on the 2024 Paris Games. U.S. men’s basketball coach Steve Kerr just answered his final query during his final news conference on Aug. 10 after his team defeated France within the gold medal game.

However, before leaving the stage of the press conference in Paris, Kerr stopped to deliver an unsolicited message to media around the globe.

“Devin Booker is an amazing basketball player. Nobody asked about him. He was our unsung MVP. I just desired to say that,” Kerr said.

The “underrated MVP” compliment meant so much to the Phoenix Suns guard.

“It meant everything. No one really asked him,” Booker recently told Andscape. “That was probably something that was weighing on his mind throughout the entire process. A 12 months ago I said what I desired to do for this team and what we desired to do for the country.

“It was a lot larger than all of us. Survival was something we’d discuss for the remainder of our lives.

The USA Basketball team was centered around NBA star icons LeBron James, Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant. There has also been some discussion amongst media and fans in regards to the lack of playing time for Jayson Tatum and, to a lesser extent, Tyrese Haliburton. Lost within the shuffle was the all-around, unselfish play of sharpshooter Booker wearing the armband.

Guard Devin Booker throughout the final men’s basketball game between France and the United States on the Olympic Games on Aug. 10 at Bercy Arena in Paris.

Daniel Kopatsch/Getty Images

Booker was fourth in scoring for the U.S., averaging 11.7 points, 3.3 assists and a couple of.2 three-pointers made early in all six Olympics, and likewise had the perfect plus/minus (plus-130) for an American. Kerr was impressed with Booker’s deal with a difficult defense, regardless that he is thought for his offense, ball movement and the way he has adjusted to not being one in every of the highest options on offense.

“I just understood what was at stake,” Booker said. “I’m proud to be from this country. I’m happy with playing basketball. Even though it wasn’t invented in America, we dominated for a very long time. Obviously the world is incredibly talented and the sport is growing, however it was just one other message to allow them to know who we’re.

Booker said he also learned in regards to the preparations from his all-star team, watching the preparations on and off the court. The 28-year-old added that he gained lifelong friendships.

“It’s cool to see that everyone has their own issues,” Booker said. “In my 10 years in the NBA, I’ve learned that you have to choose what you can use for yourself. But the level of detail, the attention to detail, the intensity – it’s all consistent across the board.”

As for Durant, Booker said the bond between the 2 Sun stars “is close and grows stronger every day.” They live about five minutes from one another within the Phoenix area and commonly spend time at home and on the road. Most recently, Booker had to steer the Suns without Durant, who was sidelined with an injury.

The amazing Durant averaged 27.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and three.4 assists, which were tops for the Suns. However, the 14-time NBA All-Star has been sidelined since November 8 with a left calf strain. Suns players Bradley Beal (calf) and Jusuf Nurkic (ankle) were also sidelined. The Suns are 1-5 without Durant, which incorporates 4 straight losses.

Booker and Suns sans Durant’s next rivals shall be the New York Knicks on Wednesday evening (ESPN, 10 p.m. ET). Over the last six games, Booker is averaging 24.1 points, shooting 43.2% from the sphere and making 16 of 43 three-pointers. Suns guard Tyus Jones said there was numerous pressure on Booker offensively due to the injury.

“We’re asking a lot of Book,” Jones said after Monday’s 109-99 loss to the visiting Orlando Magic. “It’s numerous pressure for him. We are very focused on it. They are physical with him, holding him and grabbing him, throwing two or three bodies at him all night long. So he’s got so much on his plate and we just need to proceed to seek out ways to get him open within the moments we will and proceed to assist him when other players are taking shots and making plays.

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (left) with Suns forward Kevin Durant (right) during a game against the Los Angeles Clippers on Oct. 31 on the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles.

Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images

Booker currently has two Olympic gold medals, 4 NBA All-Star appearances and one NBA Finals appearance. The only thing missing from the Suns’ second-leading all-time scorer is an NBA championship. Since the Suns joined the NBA as an expansion team in 1968, they’ve yet to win a title.

After experiencing the joys of winning a gold medal, Booker as an NBA champion wants the gold Larry O’Brien NBA Championship Trophy much more.

“Most of the guys that were there did it,” Booker said of his Olympic teammates who were NBA champions. “They were champions. This is standard for them. Anything lower than that, they need nothing to do with it. It’s contagious…

“That’s all I want. That’s all I want.”

Marc J. Spears is Andscape’s senior NBA author. He used to have the ability to dunk on you, but he hasn’t been capable of do it for years and his knees still hurt.

This article was originally published on : andscape.com
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New Unrivaled Women’s League Reveals Team Rosters and Coach Allocations

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After months of introducing the players and coaches who will participate in its inaugural season, the brand new Unrivaled 3-on-3 women’s basketball league announced its team rosters and coaching assignments on Wednesday.

Founded by WNBA players Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart, Unrivaled consists of six teams of six players each. The league was created to offer WNBA players with a substitute for playing overseas in the course of the offseason.

Although initially announced as having 30 players, the league has since expanded to 36, which Collier attributed “above financial forecasts”. The league has announced 34 players publicly up to now.

The inaugural season of Unrivaled will begin on January 17, 2025, with all games going down in Miami. Here are the official teams for the inaugural season, as well season schedule.

Vinyl Basketball Club:

Arike Ogunbowale

Rhyn Howard

Aliyah Boston

Jordin Canada

Rae Burrell

Dearica Hamby

– Coach: Teresa Weatherspoon

Rose Basketball Club:

Chelsea Grey

Kahleah Copper

Angel Reese

Brittney Sykes

Lexie Hull

Azura Stevens

– Coach: Nola Henry

Mgła basketball club:

Jewell Lloyd

Dijon Carrington

Breanna Stewart

Courtney Vandersloot

Rickey Jackson

Aaliyah Edwards

– Coach: Phil Handy

Lunar Owls Basketball Club:

Skylar Diggins-Smith

Allisha Gray

Napheesa Collier

Natasha Chmura

Shakira Austin

– TBD: wild card

– Coach: DJ Sackmann

Phantom Basketball Club:

Jackie Young

Marina Mabrey

Satou Sabally

Tiffany Hayes

Brittney Grinner

– TBD: wild card

– Coach: Adam Harrington

Laces Basketball Club:

Kelsey Plum

Kayla McBride

Alice Thomas

Courtney Williams

KateMartin

Stefanie Dolson

– Coach: Andrew Wade

Mia Berry is senior HBCU author at Andscape, covering every thing from sports to student-led protests. She’s from Detroit (What’s up, Doe!), a long-suffering Detroit sports fan and Notre Dame alum who randomly shouts “Go Irish.”


This article was originally published on : andscape.com
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