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Chelsea Gray and the Las Vegas Aces’ Path to WNBA History – Essence

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Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images

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The Las Vegas Aces have every right to be the best dynasty in WNBA history. But to make that claim, they need to do something the WNBA hasn’t seen in years — win a 3rd straight championship.

Luckily, their star point guard and Finals MVP, Chelsea Gray, returned from injury on June 19 after missing the team’s first 12 games. Her impact was felt immediately, including two landslides in her first two games back. For Gray, it wasn’t a change in any respect. “It’s more of a ‘back to business,’” she says. “I’m still getting back into shape, but I feel very comfortable with who I’m playing with.”

That comfort level has been evident on the court. Since Gray’s return, the Aces have lost only one game, including a six-game winning streak. It’s been a whole 180 for the Aces, and they once more seem like the championship contenders everyone expected them to be entering the season.

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“I’m the X factor for this team,” the Duke alum tells ESSENCE. “My teammates have been playing out of position a little bit while I’ve been gone, so there’s peace with me being back in the lineup. They know the point guard is there and they can take their spot.”

A terrific point guard really does make it easier for everybody, and Gray is considered one of the best in the league. With her on the court, the Aces outscor opponents by a median of 10.3 points. It’s night and day when it comes to her back, but that shouldn’t come as a surprise to someone nicknamed “Point Gawd” — a reputation first given to her by the great Candace Parker. She shares that nickname with one other legendary point guard, Chris Paul, and the two share many similar traits.

“My IQ, my knowledge of the game and my leadership are the three things that are most important to me when I’m on the field,” Gray explains. “I have a great feel for who hasn’t touched the ball in a while or what defenses the opposing teams are playing.”

In 2022, it was the regular presence of veteran Gray that led to the Aces’ first championship. The following yr, it was the dominance and emergence of a brand new face in the WNBA, A’ja Wilson. “See what she does?” Gray says of the superstar forward. “She’s the best player in the world, hands down! I can pass her the ball every day. It’s not just her scoring, it’s her defensive skills. She’s the whole package. Anyone who says anything different is wrong and hasn’t watched the game.”

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The final two Finals MVPs will even be teammates in Paris for the Olympics in just a few weeks, but the 12-woman roster wasn’t without controversy. There was plenty of discussion about who didn’t make the team, especially with the two rookies, Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark. The former has been on a roll currently, breaking quite a lot of WNBA records, including the rookie rebounding record previously held by Wilson. Reese’s strong play culminated in her becoming the first rookie this season to win WNBA Player of the Week. Gray sees similarities between the players, but thinks it’s unfair to compare them.

“I think it’s unfair to both of them because, one, Angel is a rookie who’s still learning, and two, I think A’ja is playing the best basketball she’s ever played,” Gray says. “I’m excited about Angel Reese’s trajectory. I think she’s a hard worker, she’s a great rebounder, and she has the potential to be a great defender like A’ja. I might be biased because she’s my teammate and my dog, and I think she’s amazing. It’s hard to compare when she’s playing the best basketball and she’s the best player in the world.”

The Olympics might be a much-needed break for Gray and her teammates. They’ve played longer than some other WNBA team in each of the last two seasons and are hoping to win three more times this yr. In addition to making history, this championship run has added motivation. “My purpose and motivation changed with the birth of my son—he’s a bundle of joy that’s given me a new perspective,” she says.

Gray has done all of it in her legendary profession. She’s already an Olympic gold medalist, a 3-time champion and a WNBA Finals MVP. Add a mother to that extensive resume. She’s now not chasing anything but basketball legend. If she will help the Las Vegas Aces achieve a never-before-achieved three championships this summer, the Hall of Fame won’t be the only place her name is etched.

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Joining the likes of Sue Bird, Diana Taurasi, and Rebekkah Brunson, she might be referred to as considered one of the best winners in the game’s history.

This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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USC striker kiki iriaphene sneaker deal sneaker from Skechers – and scape

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Just a couple of weeks before the WNBA, Skechers and Kiki Iriafen project, they announced a brand new partnership today. The former striker of the University of Southern California will likely be the primary signing of Skechers in history. Iriafen will likely be the brand’s ambassador from Los Angeles and will appear in global performance brand marketing campaigns when he starts his skilled profession.

“This partnership concerns something more than just basketball. Skechers understand who I am on the pitch and besides what I have to be at the best edition,” said Iriafen in a press release. “I love that the brand is based in LA and has a global range that will help me inspire and influence more women -sportsmen around the world to make my dreams come true. Skechers comfortably better than any other brand I experienced, which I experienced that I give me as a teammate when I go to the next chapter of my life.”

The striker of the University of South California Kiki Iriafen will play in basketball shoes Skechers after entering professionals.

Iriafen is the second woman who joined the Skechers team as an endorser, following the footsteps of Los Angeles Sparks Rickkea Jackson. In the upcoming season it should wear a Skechers basketball model, SKX Nexus. New hot colourful basketball colours will likely be available for purchase on April 15, 2025 on the corporate’s website And select Skechers retail stores.

Iriafen on average 18.6 PPG and 8.5 RPG for Trojans this season, supplying them to the primary place on this yr’s NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament. Recently, it was called the primary ALL-BIG team within the 2024-25 season and is seen as one of the best perspective on this yr’s WNBA project.

Iriafen joins the list of Skechers athletes, including Joel Ebid, Julius Randle, Clayton Kershaw, Aaron Noli, Norman Powell, Jabari Walker, Josh Green and Terrance Mann.

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Marcus Shorter is a communication specialist and author. When he didn’t write about consistency, cages or rattling disgusting seats, he makes exceptionally nerdy within the texts of rap, politics, poetry and comics.

This article was originally published on : andscape.com
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Mariah Carey about new music, Rihanna, The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and her album Lost Grunge

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It is difficult to assume now, but once within the profession of the star Mariah Carey was once. In 2001, her film “Glitter” was a industrial flop; The album that took place, the introspective “Charmracelet” from 2002, met with a muted response. She was at a crossroads.

And then all the pieces modified. In 2005, Carey published “Emanating of Mimi”. He joined her athletic R&B-Pop with a hip-hop synthesizer and fun, flirtatious, lasting hits-the now was only when she wanted, thanks very much. It sounded without cost, because the title suggested, and the world began her again.

On Saturday, the album is 20 years old. To have a good time, Carey is preparing to release Deluxe, prolonged editions of the album on May 30, with additional songs, new remixes and many others – including the official release of “When Feel It”, the song fans have been waiting since 2005. Originally, that is planned “Emanification of Mimi”, but ultimately because because of dynamic great. “Here is such a feeling.”

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“These are new jewels, as far as I am concerned,” says Carey. “It’s exciting for me.”

Carey discussed the “emancipation of Mimi”, her recent nomination, which is to be introduced to Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Rihanna and plans for new music from the Associated Press. The interview was edited for clarity and conciseness.

AP: Has your relationship with “Mimi emancipation” modified over time?

Carey: It’s still one of my favorite albums I made. And, you understand, when he appeared, everyone called it a returning album. … I didn’t really agree since you never think you didn’t go anywhere. Do you understand what I mean?

I just loved songs and performances. People appear to be really concerned with it. And new fans got here from this album.

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AP: I hear rather a lot of creative freedom on this album. Do you’re thinking that this has revitalized your profession?

Carey: I feel it has a funny feeling and definitely feels free of charge. It seems to me that this in a way revitalized my profession. I spent a while creating this album … Working with a number of great people, a number of great colleagues. … it was an experience that I’ll always remember when creating this album.

AP: In June you’ll have a good time one other anniversary. Your debut entitled is 35 years old. When are you considering about this time, did you imagine this profession?

Carey: I do not know. I actually was so involved and rooted in creating music and the new profession that I set off. And it was amazing. I mean, that is what I desired to do all my life. And then I did it.

AP: You are also nominated for Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 2025.

Carey: It’s an enormous honor. I do not know if I’m going to win it, so I don’t desire to get excited an excessive amount of. So I just wish to say that it is a huge honor again and I probably didn’t expect it. I actually didn’t think about it. And here we’re.

Outkast, Mariah Carey, Chubby Checker Get Rock Hall Nominations

AP: It looks like Rock Hall has grow to be more fluid in its definitions of the genre for years. Missy Elliott was introduced in 2023, For example.

Carey: I actually do not know if the species matters. It seems to me that individuals are more open to different species, far more than they were, you understand? But sometimes I feel like a rock star.

AP: You know, after Dolly Parton She was introduced, she He released a rock album. If and when you find yourself introduced, will you finally release the Grunge album from the 90s? Fans were waiting.

Carey: I mean I really need to, but I have the desire to make movies and I even have so many ideas for it.

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I do not think I’ll have the ability to gather it until the summer (before the Rock Hall ceremony), but possibly, possibly I’ll spend a number of songs from it.

AP: During Your Christmas route Last holiday season, your kids Monroe and Maroccan joined you on stage. They played guitar and drums; They really swayed. Would you ever consider the Family Rock ‘N’ Roll album?

Carey: I would really like to. They just have many of their very own things they do, and I don’t desire to force them to do anything.

AP: I At the last date In Brooklyn, Rihanna was primarily the audience. Would you ever work with her?

Carey: I would really like to. Have you seen what happened? She wanted me to sign her breasts. I attempted to do it fastidiously and it didn’t work out well. So I attempted.

AP: Your last album of the unique music “Attention” was released in 2018. A minute passed! Are you working on a new album?

Carey: I shouldn’t talk about it. … but I’m working on something. We won’t say what it’s, but something new.

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Rihanna makes Mariah Carey signed her breasts during a great holiday route in the final:

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This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
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Malcolm D. Lee to publish the book “The Best Man” – Essence

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Taye Diggs, Nia Long and Morris Chestnut in “The Best Man”, photo: Universal Pictures. The cover of the book “The Best Man Unfinished Business”.

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Over 25 years after winning hearts on the big screen, Malcolm D. Lee filmmaker introduces his beloved characters to the site. Today, Storehouse Voices was announced, the Crown Publishing Group, Lee’s debut novel written together by Jayne Allen. The book shall be published in a soft frame, ebook and audiobook, which is to hit the shelves on July 1, 2025.

Expanding the franchise universe, the novel rises where it ended, offering readers a deeper immersion in the next chapter of Harper Stewart, Jordan Armstrong and the lifetime of Robyn Stewart. From the navigation of interdependence and discovering personal passions to redefining love and purpose in middle age, he examines the emotional complexity that the novel that the novel could provide.

First look: Malcolm D. Lee extends the franchise

It means a visit to a brand new medium for Lee, to which Allen joins, the writer of the best -selling series of novels and “writing this debut novel around my most beloved film characters was an amazing journey – just like everything I did,” says Lee. “For over 25 years we watched the characters grow and although I thought that their stories ended when they were coming back, revealing new layers of history and depth.”

“This series offers deeper immersion in their inner worlds, allowing their next chapters in a sense only a novel,” he continued. “Sharing new stories with long -time fans, while introducing them to new recipients in a fresh medium, is really exciting. This is both a continuation and a new beginning. I could not be more excited to take old and new fans for a ride.”

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Originally published in 1999, it became a cultural landmark, advising against a successful continuation and a record series for Peacock. Now this upcoming novel is the first in the recent trilogy, with two subsequent independent titles planned for next yr.

It is now available for pre -order order, wherever books are sold.

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