Connect with us

Sports

Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels has goals on the field and in the community

Published

on

Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels’ fame as an elite defender grew last season when he was named to the 2024 NBA All-Defensive Second Team. Off the field, he hopes to guard Minneapolitans from the cold winter that is also coming.

McDaniels’ inaugural Jaden’s Winter Essentials Drive began on November 18 and runs through December 6. The Federal Way, Washington resident is encouraging Timberwolves fans and residents to donate latest and gently used winter items reminiscent of boots, hats, globes and gloves, scarves and snow pants in all sizes to their local Hy-Vee grocery stores. McDaniels donated $10,000 to buy additional winter and family items and delivered 500 latest winter coats in partnership with Operation Warm in January in Minneapolis. He also organized similar winter clothing drives in Seattle.

“I haven’t hosted a basketball camp yet and I wanted to do something other than give back with basketball,” McDaniels told Andscape. “And Minnesota, because it’s so cold every single day, I want my big coat here. The kids will probably need double the amount I gave (in January). I’m just trying to provide back to the community. Some of those kids are my fans.

Advertisement

“It just feels good to see my face (the ads fueling the coat). I just allow them to know that I help them and care about them.

Selflessness can also be McDaniels’ fame on the Timberwolves’ defensive backcourt.

McDaniels averaged 23.3 points and once scored 51 points in a game as a senior at Federal Way High School in Washington. He also averaged 13 points as a real freshman at the University of Washington in 2019-20. But whether in highschool or college, the twenty eighth overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft also took pride in his defense.

Defense is McDaniels’ calling card in the NBA.

Advertisement
Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels (left) guards Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (right) during the second half at TD Garden on November 24.

Images by Eric Canha/Imagn

The 6-foot-1, 185-pounder played part-time during his first two seasons in the NBA, showing the best promise as an extended, versatile defender. With shooting guards Anthony Edwards, Karl-Anthony Towns and D’Angelo Russell as teammates in their early seasons, McDaniels focused on defense with the goal of becoming a full-time starter in 2022-23.

Since then, he has not left the starting lineup.

Advertisement

“You have to know your body. Know what you are good at,” McDaniels said of his keys to being a solid defender. “I’m fast, but not as fast as the little guard. So when I’m playing against a small defender, I just know I actually have to provide him some space and use my length. I can reach out my hand and you will not pass me by. And then in terms of larger guys, I take into consideration what I’d do if someone was guarding me.

“So when I’m playing against people and they’re ahead, I do know they will attempt to hit. That’s what I’d do. So I’m sort of pulling the chair, protecting them. So when they fight to leap up, they find your body and eventually fall there. So just the little things.

McDaniels said being the fourth or fifth option on offense sometimes requires humility. But the “mental game” helped him overcome these thoughts and he understands that defense is his superpower. On October 23, 2023, the Timberwolves signed a five-year contract extension with McDaniels for $136 million.

“Relax, you have to accept this role if you want to play. “In certain situations, when I come in here right away, I think if they needed a goal, they had Ant (Edwards), KAT (Towns) and D-Lo (Russell),” McDaniels said. – That’s why we would have liked another person to play defense. I’ve played defense all my life. So it wasn’t a difficult transformation. But I still have my offensive bag and I still want to point out it off. It’s just not the time now.

“You must be really mentally strong to play defense and run up and down the court a number of times and perhaps not even touch (the ball) and shoot a number of corner kicks. You definitely must be mentally strong.

Advertisement

McDaniels was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team for the first time last season after earning the ninth-most votes. His 6-foot-11½-inch wingspan has played a key role in him being an extended defender, rim protector and stealer. Though stoic by nature and slender, McDaniels plays with stamina and feistiness. He can defend elite scorers like Devin Booker, Jamal Murray and James Harden and tall, shooting forwards like Michael Porter Jr. and Kevin Durant.

Timberwolves coach Chris Finch told Andscape that “every team needs Jaden McDaniels.”

“His willingness to take on the toughest matchups and fit seamlessly into any lineup is a testament to the type of person and quality player he is,” Finch told Andscape. “I love how his inner feistiness sets the tone for our guys. He’s so damn competitive on the court, and off the court he’s such a gentle, sweet and kind young man.”

“Last season I blocked (Denver Nuggets forward) Aaron Gordon in the playoffs and I felt like LeBron (James) blocking the (2016) NBA Finals. Taking care of Jamal Murray, KD and Devin Booker in the playoffs shows versatility,” McDaniels said.

Advertisement
Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon (right) plays with Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels (right) during an NBA playoff game on May 12 at the Target Center in Minneapolis.

Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images

After advancing to the 2024 Western Conference Finals, McDaniels and the Timberwolves were projected to have a potentially franchise-changing season ahead of them. Edwards, two-time All-Star and four-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert returns. Minnesota made major changes before the season, adding three-time All-Star forward Julius Randle and veteran defenseman Donte DiVincenzo to Towns’ squad. With Gobert anchoring the paint, McDaniels takes on difficult tasks in the wing defense.

However, Minnesota (RECORD UPDATE) has been disappointing to date ahead of Friday’s game against the LA Clippers (ESPN, 7:30 p.m. ET).

“We’re having some difficulties right now, but it’s still early,” McDaniels said. “We are still in a superb place. In the West (in the conference rankings) it is vitally tight. If we keep our streak of 5 games in a row, we are able to get back into the top seven. Let’s get it together.

Advertisement

If we collect the ball and gain possession, we are able to beat anyone. It just shows how good we might be after we play against the best teams. We just have to handle the other teams. Don’t underestimate weaker teams.


There was excellent news for McDaniels as he was in a position to rejoice Thanksgiving along with his family in Minneapolis as an alternative of at the team hotel on the road.

On Monday, McDaniels told Andscape that his parents, Will McDaniels and Angela Jackson, could be amongst 10 relations in town for Thanksgiving. He hoped his brother, G League Capital City Go-Go forward Jalen McDaniels, could be in attendance. Jaden McDaniels also has a brand new member of the family: son Mekhi.

“I love Thanksgiving. You can eat all the good food with your family and relax and unwind,” McDaniels said. “My mom and dad must be here and I hope my brother could make it. We are adding a brand new one to the family. I wish he could eat some food. He’s missing out this 12 months.

Advertisement

“At the McDaniels household, there are all the time a variety of people around the crib during Thanksgiving. Cousins ​​and family reunion. Everyone rests and eats and we finish late. We probably won’t finish eating until 9:30 or 10 at night. The whole family is nearby. It’s an everyday Thanksgiving.

McDaniels credits his parents with a selfless mentality.

In September, McDaniels and Timberwolves mascot Crunch attended the Be the Change MN Back to School soul food picnic at Nellie Stone Johnson Elementary School in North Minneapolis. He also takes pride in helping his family and friends in need. But selfishly, in a superb way for the Timberwolves, he dreams of creating the NBA All-Defensive first team for the first time this season.

“That’s one of my goals, to be first team,” McDaniels said. “Last season I used to be in the second team. It’s an enormous goal. As the first team, we take it one step at a time. For me, he keeps an eye fixed on the best players. I do not lock them up, but I make their lives harder. I’m reducing their (shooting) percentage.

“If they take 10 shots, I’ll make them miss 20 or 30. (Defense is about) being present. Being really tenacious on defense regardless of what.

Advertisement

Marc J. Spears is Andscape’s senior NBA author. He used to find a way to dunk on you, but he hasn’t been in a position to do it for years and his knees still hurt.

This article was originally published on : andscape.com
Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Sports

Jalen Milroe can follow the Jalen path in NFL

Published

on

By


Star Black playmakers aren’t any longer an exception – they’re the rule. Throughout the entire football season, this series will discover the importance and influence of black QB from bottom -up to NFL.


Indianapolis-keep me, should you heard it earlier: playmaker Alabama born in Texas, who’s a stronger runner than a passerby, will probably be called outside the first round of the NFL Draft.

The playmaker was undefeated in Sec as a primary -year starter.

Advertisement

The playmaker never played for the same offensive coordinator.

The name of the playmaker is even Jalen.

But it isn’t clear that Jalen hurts. This winter he was busy winning the Super Bowl MVP, and he didn’t play Iron Bowl or against Michigan.

Instead, it’s a former playmaker of Crimson Tide Jalen Milroewho last week Combine Combine tried to convey the case to the trainers and evaluators that he – like his namesake – is price being their playmaker franchise in the future despite questions on his ability.

Advertisement

“I went through adversity. I saw everything as a quarterback, “Milroe said on Friday. “I played at the most difficult conference in the country. It would be easier to play at other conferences, but what I could see in Sec catapulted me that I was ready to play NFL. “

Alabama, Jalen Milroe, talks to the media during the NFL mix at the Lucas Oil stadium on February 28 at Indianapolis.

Justin Casterline/Getty Images

Departing from Katy in Texas, she originally got involved in Texas in 2019, but a 12 months later she fell to Alabama. After he was sitting behind the Crimson Tide Starter Bryung for 2 seasons, Milroe took his reins in the 2023 season. He helped Alabama survive Sec (8-0) this 12 months, won by the conference rival and two-time defender Georgia in the SEC championship, which caused Crimson Tide to the play-off collection.

But while Milroe had a big arm (his 10 yards for the test took third place in Sec in 2023), the pass was not his strong suit. For two seasons as a starter Milroe never achieved 3000 yards in one season, the first starter of Alabama, who did it because it … hurts.

Advertisement

Hurts, from Houston, led Crimson Tide to the National National Championships in 2016–17, but during these two seasons were lower than 5,000 yards. While Hurts was a singular Rusher (1,809 yards and 21 sticks) at the moment, his weakness as a passerby is known for led to the spare Tua Tavailoa during the break of the national championships in 2017.

In the mix, Milroe decided that despite his pedestrian passes, he was still worthy of being a start at NFL.

He is aware of his weaknesses and swore that he worked in the ass to enhance outside being “one dimension.” He could move when his legendary trainer, Nick Saban, retired after the 2023 season, but decided to not fall off. He traveled six miles a day to ensure that that something was left in the fourth quarter in the fourth quarter. He studied progression and reads after I-SNAP to lift his IQ in football.

Unlike the forecast sorts of the first round, Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders, Milroe threw a mix on Saturday, hoping that he would show the bands that he has mechanics to do that to the playmaker NFL. It turned out to be a mixed bag. Milroe showed strong arm strength and a very good location of sail routes, curls and it while throwing exercises, but fought accuracy on intermediate and on the routes.

“That’s so many things that I can learn more where I am today and where I will be when it comes to day 1, starting with NFL,” said Milroe before Saturday exercises. “Always be a game student, at all times attempt to develop, because it would be so many opportunities in which I can look back and say that it was the moment after I grew up as a playmaker.

Advertisement

“That’s right now, I’m just trying to grow as much as possible, put my best foot forward and just look for development.”

Jalen Milroe warms up during seniors training at the Hancock Whitney stadium on January 29 at Mobile, Alabama.

Derick E. Hingle/Getty Images

Milroe was asked that he was one other playmaker in Alabama to succeed in the mix, following in the footsteps of the role (who moved to Oklahoma in 2019), Tavailoa, Mac Jones and Bryce Young. Milroe said he appreciates being in the company of others, but he added that it’s difficult to check him with others.

“We had different bands, we had different players around us, we had a different system,” he said.

Advertisement

But when he specifically asked what he could study the journey of Hurts-from the first manager of the game after the super Bowl-Milroe master said he inspired him his companion Alabam.

“The most important thing I learned from J. Hurts is how he kept his head (I) always continued to work,” said Milroe. “He at all times raised his game, he has never been self -deserved, and all the pieces you see is great progress from him.

“And I have to applaud him as a person, he as a man, because he is definitely inspiring for many playmakers of my image, as well as many playmakers throughout the country. He leads to all of us. “

The couple isn’t completely similar. Hurts had about 20 kilos on Milroe when he was in college. Milroe has a stronger arm, while Hurts played more and not using a mistake of football: Milroe threw 17 interceptions and ate 67 bags for 2 seasons as a starter in comparison with 10 captures Hurts and 43 bags.

But they can each be changing the game when their teams need them. In a highly publicized match against Georgia at the starting of the last season, Milroe finished almost 82% of his passes on 374 yards and two appointments, adding 117 yards to the ground for the next two results.

Advertisement

Milroe can also match the wounds in the so -called “Jalen-ISMS. “

“Climbing upstairs is not easy, but when you reach the top of this mountain, you will learn so many things when it comes to adversity when it comes to difficulties, things along the way,” said Milroe in a mix.

Martenzie Johnson is an older author for Andcape. His favorite film moment is that Django said: “You all want to see something?”

Advertisement
This article was originally published on : andscape.com
Continue Reading

Sports

Like Tommie Smith and John Carlos from 1968. Black Power Salute inspired me to find my goal

Published

on

By

I’d say that I grew up within the household to be sure that that me and my siblings were aware of the black history. My parents invested in the gathering of black encyclopedias. On the duvet we had a version of the Bible with Black Jesus. Our house was stuffed with books of black novelists and thinkers, and if a black document appeared, we watched it. I watched all movies made on television about Dr. King, each “Roots” and “Alex Haley’s Queen” and I sat for all 14 hours “Eyes on the reward”-as a toddler. Bless my heart.

Having said this, there have been pockets of black history, and more likely that I had no opportunity to delve into once I was a toddler. The college was where all the will for information and understanding of the combined. I attended Morehouse College in Atlanta, Ga., One of a very powerful historically black universities within the country. It was there that I met people from around the globe whose knowledge about black history differed (often depending on the colleges and the communities by which we lived), but everyone had hunger to learn more.

Advertisement

One day, through the first yr, I remember one among my friends in a T -shirt by which I had definitely seen before, but I never paid attention to. There was a black and white screen printing on the shirt (what I do know now) the enduring moment on the Olympic Games in Mexico in 1968, where on the rostrum for 200-meter medals, Tommie Smith, John Carlos (races 1. And 3. Place Finaners) Everyone gathered a black fist in gloves while he played “Star Spangled Banner”. Peter Norman, the second place from Australia, wore a human rights badge, like Smith and Carlos.

Not only did they raise the fist of black power (although they each said it was for human rights), they received medals in black socks to represent poverty within the black community, and Smith wore a black scarf for black pride. Carlos showed solidarity with blue-wheeled employees, unpacking the jacket and wore a necklace from the beads for individuals who were lynched. Due to the state of Black America in 1968 and a continuing struggle for equality and civil rights, there have been calls to a boycott of the Games. Martin Luther King, Jr. He was also killed in April this yr – and all three athletes were inspired enough to find a way to do it on the rostrum, which led to one of the crucial durable images of public protest.

I remember how I learned history and realized that on the most important scene these brave men used their moment of triumph and victory to quietly protest against the conditions of underrated communities in America. I felt strengthened; We often discuss standing on the arms of giants, however the more I got into the history of black in America, the more I spotted what number of giants there have been. In college I used to be very bad and for a while ready to burn every part that represented the establishment or any obstacle to black liberation. I felt like all those individuals who even saw their space on the planet in reference to individuals who could never give you the option to speak as heroes whose lives were to be modeled later. Especially since it was also fastidiously that putting people in front of him can often bring an enormous personal loss.

When Smith and Carlos took their position, they were booed on the stadium and ordered to be sent home by the International Olympic Committee. The athletes returned home, but they weren’t welcomed by the hero, but as a substitute of rough sleds, and even in some cases the specter of death. They were also not beloved by athletes. Two men, associated eternally in history, even have a good relationship –Carlos even claims that he let Smith go within the race Because “Tommie Smith would never put his fist in the sky if I won this race,” the claim that Smith denies.

Advertisement

History ultimately has a way of rights, but it surely took a few years and realizations on the front of social policy, in order that the actions of those persons are perceived as brave and needed, not only selfish and smug.

The lessons that I learned from College and continuous reading and education I gained (my head remained within the book about black history) were one among the best advantages in HBCU. The very variety of books I learned about about which I actually have never heard of – I actually have upheld me all my life.

That is why I remember sooner or later I used to be walking around Washington, the eastern Washington market and a street seller was selling different photos of moments in black history, and he had a 40 -inch photo within the Tommie Smith and John Carlos frame. I paid for it in money and spent it across the capital of the country until I returned home. I do know that it happened in 2005 (I finished Morehouse College in 2001) because I just moved to my first apartment with no roommate and it was the very first thing that I actually have ever suspended on the wall. This picture within the frame still hangs on the wall in my home in 2025 and I used it to teach my children about sacrifice and privilege and how you may have to discuss individuals who cannot.

Teenage students of Stax Music Academy Mark 25th anniversary, black history month with a concert

The query that my youngest children often ask: “How do I know who can’t speak for herself?” Which is an incredible query. For this I answered an easy fact, pointing to the photo:

“These men have made a gesture that gave people whose most of us, including them, would never see or never know them, but on which life negatively affects the alternatives of the wealthy and the federal government. Sometimes you may have to take this chance to say something because you do not know in the event you’ll ever have such a big platform.

Advertisement

Son, there may be at all times someone who cannot speak for himself, and you may have to use it in a voice, because perhaps the thing you say or a stand that can help someone you understand, live a greater life. ”

I take advantage of words that may understand a little bit higher, but I can inform you that my children have a look at this photo on a regular basis, and once one among my sons said: “These guys are heroes, right?”

I say yes, they’re. They are the heroes of the Black History.

They will live eternally for speaking, and even quietly, in solidarity with those that couldn’t.

Advertisement

Panama Jackson Thegrio.com

(Tagstranslate) @Ap

This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
Continue Reading

Sports

Main Treasury Official Morgan State University, Sterling Steward, died

Published

on

By

Morgan State University, Sterling Steward


Morgan State University announced that his older associate athletics director and tax director, Sterling Steward, died.

No reason for death was disclosed, but the college has confirmed his contribution since he was employed in December 2022.

Steward died on February 26. In Morgan State he was accountable for the event of university programs, supporting partnerships and strengthening the financial and operational success of the Faculty.

“Sterling was more than a colleague-he was a respected leader, mentor and friend,” said in a written statement by Den Freeman-Patton, vice chairman and director of inter-university athletes. “His passion for athletics and commitment to raising Morgan programs were visible in everything he did. He worked tirelessly to ensure that our sports students had resources and the possibilities of distinction, and its impact will be felt for many years. We expand our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones, especially his three sons and sister when we mourn this huge loss. “

While the steward worked in Morgan, strategic growth and cooperation occurred. His work with the institutional development department helped to offer more opportunities and created lasting relationships to support sports programs.

Steward earlier he worked At the University of New Orleans (UNO) as an assistant to the college athletics director for strategic income generation. He also made stays on the University of Alaska Fairbanks, Savannah State University, Mississippi Valley State University, Alabama State University, Kentucky State University, Eastern Oregon University and Xavier University in various roles, including for a senior consultant athletics director and sports director.

Advertisement

He was from New Orleans, who received the title of bachelor and master’s degree on the University of Southern Mississippi. He won a bachelor’s degree in the sphere of coaching and administration/history of sport and his master’s degree in the sphere of sport management.

(Tagstransate) Morgan State Universiry

This article was originally published on : www.blackenterprise.com
Advertisement
Continue Reading
Advertisement

OUR NEWSLETTER

Subscribe Us To Receive Our Latest News Directly In Your Inbox!

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

Trending