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US Open 2024 is a refreshing mix of diversity and talent

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This 12 months’s US Open has featured major Black American tennis stars to date, including Coco Gauff, Frances Tiafoe, Madison Keys and Ben Shelton, but there are other players from the African diaspora representing other countries who seem poised to make an impact and proceed to diversify the sport of tennis.

The Frenchman and two women, one from Italy and one from Japan, showed impressive play of their first-round matches and are capable of going far within the tournament.


Arthur Fils isn’t yet a household name, however the 20-year-old from France has the abilities and personality to turn into one. Already ranked twenty fourth on the earth, Fils is coming off a fourth-round appearance at Wimbledon in July, his best Grand Slam performance. His stocky construct, strength and speed are reminiscent of former French tennis player Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, and Fils has a flair for the dramatic that recalls longtime French star Gael Monfils.

Fils says he enjoys playing on the US Open and the fans actually feel the identical way.

“I felt almost at home playing today,” Fils said after his first-round victory over American student Tien. “I played against an American guy, but the crowd was good to me and cheered me on, so I like playing in the US Open.”

Fils will play unseeded Gabriel Diallo, a Canadian of Guinean and Ukrainian descent, within the second round on Thursday. Fils likes the progress he has revamped the past 12 months and attributes much of his growth to the mental side of his game.

“I think I’m playing great and I’m improving my game, I’m getting better and better,” he said. “I didn’t get mad today. I stayed calm, you know? I could have (broken) a few rackets, but I didn’t. I stayed calm and just controlled myself, and I think that helped me a lot today and overall.”

Jasmine Paolini hits a ball to defeat Bianca Andreescu in the primary round of the ladies’s singles tournament on the US Open on the USTA Billie Jean King Tennis Center on August 27 in New York.

Italian Jasmine Paolini, the daughter of a Ghanaian-Polish mother and an Italian father, has had quite the 12 months in 2024. The 28-year-old had never reached the third round of a Grand Slam until this 12 months, when she reached the fourth round of the Australian Open and then reached the finals of the French Open and Wimbledon. Paolini is the primary woman to achieve the finals of the French Open and Wimbledon in the identical 12 months since Serena Williams achieved the feat in 2016.

The 6-foot-4, feisty and perpetually discouraged Paolini and her newfound top-five game (she is currently ranked fifth on the earth) must be a crowd favorite on the US Open.

“It’s nice to play in front of a crowd tonight,” she said after her first-round three-set victory over 2019 US Open champion Bianca Andreescu. Fifth-seeded Paolini advanced to the third round after unseeded Karolina Pliskova He retired because of an ankle injury just three points of their second-round match on Thursday. “It’s something great that I’m attempting to enjoy.

“I know I’m playing well, I’m playing well, but every tournament is different. I knew it was a really tough first round, so I tried to stay focused, stay in the present and try to play a good match.”

Although the Americans have recognized Naomi Osaka because the heir to the throne and she herself grew up within the United States, from New York to Florida to California, Osaka was born in Japan and has represented that country for the reason that starting of her tennis profession.

Osaka, of course, is already a household name and a hard-court specialist, in the event you will. She is a four-time Grand Slam champion, has won two US Open titles and two Australian Open titles.

Osaka is also known for helping to lift the problem of mental health within the sports world. After her second Australian Open in 2021, Osaka withdrew from the French Open, citing mental health issues after being fined $15,000 for missing a mandatory news conference. Athletes like gymnast Simone Biles have since shed more light on the problem of mental health.

In 2023, ahead of the Australian Open, Osaka took one other break from tennis, this time announcing that she was expecting her first child with hip-hop artist Cordae.

She’s once more helping to pave the best way for athletes. She left tennis at the height of her profession and is now attempting to reclaim her previously achieved status. The 2024 US Open may very well be the precise time to accomplish that.

“I feel like this court is my home for me, it gives me a lot more confidence,” Osaka said after a surprisingly easy 6-3, 6-2 victory over Tenth-seeded Jelena Ostapenko. “It’s like he’s walking in knowing that I probably have the most wins in the game, maybe.”

Naomi Osaka of Japan serves against Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia in the course of the women’s singles match on the US Open on the USTA Billie Jean King Tennis Center on August 27 in New York.

Osaka’s first-round win over Ostapenko was arguably her best since returning to the game after giving birth to her daughter. She has competed in all 4 Grand Slams this 12 months, but lost in the primary round of the Australian Open and lost within the second rounds of the French Open and Wimbledon. But it was her performance within the loss to No. 1-ranked Iga Świątek on the French Open that made the tennis world take notice that Osaka was on the verge of regaining her former form. She lost a three-set thriller by which she let a match point slip away from her.

“I’m really happy that I played in all the tournaments this year. Even though the results weren’t the best, I feel like I was able to learn from each of those matches,” she said.

Based on her first-round match and her previous experience on the US Open, Osaka may very well be a serious threat to fight for the title this 12 months, similar to within the old days. Osaka will face unseeded Karolina Muchova within the second round.

“To win two (champions) here means a lot,” she said. “I’ve struggled with my confidence all year, and now it forces me to look in the mirror and say, ‘Hey, you did really well here, there’s no reason you can’t do well again.’”

These three international players, together with a strong group of black players representing the United States, bring a refreshing mix of diversity, personality and talent to this 12 months’s US Open.

Jamal Murphy is a sportswriter, attorney, executive producer, and co-host of the Bill Rhoden On Sports podcast. Jamal has covered and written in regards to the NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL, college basketball, men’s and women’s tennis, boxing, and fantasy sports. The Brooklyn native is recovering from his injuries to the Knicks and Jets, but he’s still sticking with the Mets.

This article was originally published on : andscape.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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