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SOURCE SPORTS: NBA Unveils New Division Winner Trophies Named After Six NBA Legends and African-American Pioneers

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The NBA revealed six new division-winning trophies Thursday, each named after an NBA hero and African-American pioneer. The awards, which will now be presented to division champions at the end of each season, honor the pioneers who helped pave the way for the NBA players who came after them.

Each of the trophies, designed by Victor Solomon, features a 200mm crystal ball with six segments representing each of the NBA’s divisions suspended in the center. Each trophy features a gold part that represents the NBA division it represents. The trophy base’s design is based on the division’s conference championship trophy. The namesake of each trophy, as well as the name of the winning team, are engraved on the front, while the division standings are engraved on the back.

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Atlantic Division – THE NAT “SWEETWATER” CLIFTON TROPHY

The first African-American to sign a contract in the NBA, Clifton played for the New York Knicks from 1950-57 and was an NBA All-Star in 1957. In his first season he helped lead the Knicks to their first NBA Finals appearance.

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Central Division – THE WAYNE EMBRY TROPHY
The first African-American to become an NBA general manager (with the Milwaukee Bucks) after a long-playing career that included five NBA All-Star appearances and an NBA Championship in 1968. Embry transitioned to the front office after his playing career and rose to become the first African-American to be named General Manager. He continued as a basketball executive with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Toronto Raptors and was named Basketball Executive of the Year in 1992 and 1998.
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Southeast Division – THE EARL LLOYD TROPHY
The first African-American to play a game in the NBA, Lloyd played for the Washington Capitols, Syracuse Nationals and Detroit Pistons. He was an NBA champion in 1955. A veteran of the US Army, he played nine seasons.
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Southwest Division – THE WILLIS REED TROPHY
Reed, a graduate of Grambling State University, is the only HBCU graduate to be named league MVP and Finals MVP. Reed played his entire career with the New York Knicks winning two championships. A seven-time NBA All-Star and five-time All-NBA selection, Reed was Rookie of the Year in 1965 and was named to the league’s 50th and 75th Anniversary teams.
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Northwest Division – THE SAM JONES TROPHY
Jones, a graduate of North Carolina Central University, has won more championships than any HBCU graduate who has played in the NBA. He won 10 championships as a member of the Boston Celtics from 1957-69. He was a five-time All-Star, three-time All-NBA selection and a member of the league’s 25th, 50th and 75th Anniversary Teams. He was known as “The Shooter” for hitting clutch shots in the championship runs. He stood up for the rights of African-Americans in the league and in the country during a pivotal time in the 1960’s.
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Pacific Division – THE CHUCK COOPER TROPHY
The first African-American player to be drafted in the NBA, Cooper was selected with the 14th overall pick in the 1950 NBA Draft. A veteran of the US Navy, he played six seasons in the league with the Boston Celtics, Atlanta Hawks and Detroit Pistons.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Adam Schefter Apologizes for Insensitive Tweet About Dwayne Haskins

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Over the weekend, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Dwayne Haskins died after being struck by a car. In breaking the story, ESPN insider Adam Schefter tweeted the former Ohio State QB was “struggling to catch on” drawing backlash online.

Schefter would delete his original tweet and issue another update but the damage was done. During his podcast on Monday, Schefter issued an apology.

“First, I wanted to address the death of Dwayne Haskins and the tweet I posted this weekend,” Schefter said. “It was insensitive. It was a mistake. And I can assure you it was not my intention. I wish I could have that tweet back.”

Schefter would go on to highlight numerous positive moments in Haskins’s career, stating that the late standout should be “remembered properly.”

You can hear it from Schefter below.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Brooklyn Nets Secure 7th Seed Ahead of Play in Tournament

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Brooklyn Nets Secure 7th Seed Ahead of Play in Tournament

After a controversial season filled with injuries and COVID-19 mandates, the Brooklyn Nets clinched the 7th seed in the Eastern Conference. With the 7th seed secured, the Nets will host the Cleveland Cavaliers for the right to play the 2nd seeded Boston Celtics.

The loser of the Nets vs. Cavaliers game will host the winner of the Atlanta Hawks vs. Charlotte Hornets game in a win-or-go-home game Friday night, with the victor in that game entering the playoffs against the No. 8 seed and taking on the Miami Heat starting next weekend.

The Nets finished the season winning four straight games to avoid playing the play-in tournament on the road. With a win on Tuesday, the Nets will begin a quest to be the first 7th seed to reach the NBA Finals. With a healthy Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, the top seeds in the Eastern Conference way do not feel secure with their seedings.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Lakers Reportedly Parting Ways With Head Coach Frank Vogel

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After Los Angeles Lakers played their regular-season finale, it was a matter of when, not if, they would let head coach Frank Vogel go. Well, it appears we have an answer.

According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Lakers are expected to fire Vogel as soon as Monday. The report came after their 146-141 overtime win over the Denver Nuggets on Sunday to close out the regular season.

After the Lakers’ win, Vogel talked to the media as the Wojnarowski report was Tweeted out. “I haven’t been told s— and I’m going to enjoy tonight’s game, celebrate what these young guys did in terms of scratching and clawing and getting back in this game and getting a W, and we’ll deal with tomorrow, tomorrow,” he told reporters during his postgame media availability.

The Lakers failed to make the playoffs, let alone the play in-game. The team is only two years removed from winning the 2020 NBA Championship. Since then, it was a first-round exit last season and a complete failure of a season this time around. Clearly, the organization is painting Vogel as the scapegoat when the championship roster was scrapped for older veterans who couldn’t hang all season long.

Next for the Lakers’ organization is to begin an extensive such for the team’s next head coach. That next head coach will have to find a way to get the best out of a core that includes LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Russell Westbrook.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Ben Roethlisberger Pens a Touching Tribute to the Late Dwayne Haskins

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Ben Roethlisberger Pens a Touching Tribute to the Late Dwayne Haskins

As the NFL world continues to mourn the loss of Dwayne Haskins, someone who served as a mentor during his last season with the Pittsburgh Steelers had some amazing words to say about him.

Recently retired Ben Roethlisberger turned to Twitter. Speaking on behalf of himself and his wife, Ashley, the Pittsburgh icon, talked touchingly about his time with Haskins and also spoke to Haskins’ wife, Ashley.

“He came to work everyday with a smile on his face and energy and love in his heart,” Roethlisberger wrote. “I really enjoyed his passion and love for the game and wanting to learn and be the best. His smile and zeal for life will be missed!

“Wish we had more time together on this earth, but I will cherish the time and the laughs we had! I’ll say it again just like I told you to your face, I still wish I could throw the ball like you!! Love ya pal.”

Roethlisberger served as a mentor to Haskins last season. With Roethlisberger’s final season last year, he was getting the young quarterback ready for life as a Steelers’ starting quarterback. No word yet as to what the Steelers plan to do to honor the late quarterback.

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NFL Quarterback Dwayne Haskins Dies After Being Hit By a Car in South Florida

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Dwayne Haskins has won the starting quarterback job for the Washington Football Team.

NFL quarterback Dwayne Haskins died after being hit by a car in South Florida on Saturday morning. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Haskins was in South Florida training with quarterbacks, running backs, and wide receivers from the Pittsburgh Steelers. Haskins was only 24 years old.

Just three weeks ago, Haskins was signed to a one-year restricted free agent tender by the Steelers. His goal was to develop into a starting quarterback.

“I feel like I can be a starter in this league. I got drafted for that reason,” said Haskins in January. “I definitely believe I have the talent to. I just haven’t put it all together yet. And that’s something I have to do this offseason to put myself in position to play.

“I’ve wanted to be a quarterback my entire life. Being a quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers is a dream. I always had great respect for the black and gold. Great respect for Coach (Mike) Tomlin, 15 seasons with no losing season. I want to show him that I want this bad. I want to be a leader. I want to be a guy that people can rely on, on and off the field to be more than just a guy that can throw a ball, talented enough to be in a position where I can execute at a high level and keep the Steelers way.”

Haskins was drafted by Washington in 2019 after a stellar career at The Ohio State University. Rest in peace to Dwayne Haskins.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Miami Heat Secure the Number 1 Seed in the Eastern Conference

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The NBA playoffs are a week away and it appears that the Miami Heat has clinched the number one seed in the Eastern Conference. After losses by the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76er, the route towards the NBA Finals must come through Miami.

The Heat came out on top of the competitive Eastern Conference despite stars Kyle Lowry, Jimmy Butler, and Bam Adebayo missing significant time throughout the season. With just two seasons removed from the team’s last NBA Finals appearance, not many have the Heat in this position.

The Heat will have to wait a few more days to see who will be their first-round opponent. As it stands right now, it could be either the Brooklyn Nets, Atlanta Hawks, Cleveland Cavaliers, or Charlotte Hornets. The Heat’s opponent will be determined by the league’s play in tournament that is set to start on Tuesday.

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SOURCE SPORTS: NBA Commissioner Adam Silver Still Concerned About Star Players Missing Games

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Adam Silver on NYC Mandate Keeping Kyrie Irving Out of Home Games

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver is still not a fan of star players sitting out games, especially with the playoffs. During a Wednesday press conference, Silver said he and the league plan to look into “a trend of star players not participating in a full complement of games.”

Silver brought up this issue when asked about the Ben Simmons and the 76ers’ ongoing arbitration. He said he would instead focus on the trend above of various star players missing big chunks of games.

“I’m not standing here saying I have a great solution,” Silver said via ESPN. “Part of the issue is injuries. One of the things we have focused on at the league office and we’re spending—we had begun to spend a lot of time on pre-pandemic—are there things we can do in terms of sharing information, resources around the league to improve best practices, rehabilitation?”

Silver also mentions that the play-in tournament is here to stay. Silver noted that the play in tournaments was also meant for players to want to have more incentive not to miss many games throughout the season.

“The other way we can get at it, in terms of player participation, is creating other incentives,” Silver said. “The Play-In Tournament, I thought, was a beginning of creating renewed incentives for teams to remain competitive and be fighting for playoff position. It may be through in-season tournaments and changes in format where we can get at it.”

While the NBA has seen its share of stars miss significant time this season, Silver and the league may need to look at better ways to limit back-to-back games and space out long road trips for teams.

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Floyd Mayweather Makes Boxing Return With Exhibition In Dubai This May

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Floyd Mayweather Announces Boxing Match with Logan Paul in February

Floyd “Money” Mayweather (50-0) picks up another bag as he continues his exhibition boxing run – this time, he will be fighting in the United Arab Emirates.

TMZ broke the news that the 45-year-old undefeated Hall of Famer has signed a deal to participate in his third exhibition bout, to be called “The Global Titans Fight Series,” against the undefeated boxer Don “Dangerous” Moore (18-0-1) in an eight-round match on top of a literal helipad above the Burj Al Hotel in Dubai on May 14. Mayweather originally announced plans for the fight last December after meeting with promoters.

MORE: Antonio Brown & Floyd Mayweather Hit The Studio

Moore and Mayweather are familiar with one another as Moore trained with Mayweather’s late-Uncle and former coach, Roger Mayweather. Moore and Mayweather sparred together in 2015 to get Mayweather for his bout against Andre Berto. Mayweather beat Berto that September via the decision to secure his 49th victory. You may check out the clip of Mayweather and Moore’s 2015 spar below.

Before the upcoming exhibition, Mayweather boxed two previous opponents, including kickboxing star Tenshin Nasukawa and YouTuber star Logan Paul last June. The last time Mayweather fought professionally was in 2017, when he defeated MMA star Conor McGregor by TKO. 

Mayweather says the attendance will be exclusive, calling the latest exhibition a “limited edition boxing showcase,” Mayweather says the attendance will be exclusive. “It’s going to be a very special crowd, not too many people,” he said. “So if you get the chance to come here, you must know, you’re very, very special for this event.”

The Global Titans Fight Series will be co-presented by FrontRow and ROQU and, of course, in conjunction with Floyd’s Mayweather Promotions. The undercard will include marquee names in MMA legend-turned-boxer Anderson “The Spider” Silva and Mayweather protege and former Light Heavyweight champion boxer Badou Jack (25-3-3). Silva, 46, will be facing Brazilian star, Bruno Machado. 

No official word of Mayweather’s purse and full undercard at press time.

MORE: Floyd Mayweather Celebrates Star-Studded Birthday Weekend on the Heels of New Investment

In related news, Mayweather has joined the metaverse with his own NFT project, titled Mayweverse. “Mr. I don’t lose at nothing, is back and if you in the NFT world and you betting on me, you will never lose,” he said. “Ladies and gentlemen, follow me. As you can see, we like to call this the great room, coz I’m great. Let’s go in here, that beautiful masterpiece right there, soon that’s gonna be an NFT. But what I need you to do right now, go get Mayweverse. That’s my new NFT, I’ve been working on that for months and I just dropped right now, go get it.”

See the latest addition to the Mayweverse NFT collection below. 

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The NBA Foundation Grants $11 Million to Non Profit Organizations

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The NBA Foundation kicked off its second year of grantmaking today, announcing 40 new contributions totaling $11 million to organizations helping Black kids in the United States and Canada find work, progress their careers, and gain more economic empowerment. The grants, which are part of the Foundation’s fifth grant cycle and the first of 2022, are aimed at helping Black children with career development, higher education paths, mentoring, and entrepreneurship.

The NBA Foundation, established in 2020 with a 10-year $300 million commitment from the NBA Board of Governors, has now given out 118 grants totaling more than $33 million to non-profit organizations. The exalt, Marcus Graham Project, Operation DREAM, TEAM Inc., The Knowledge House, and the Youth Empowerment Project, are among the six grant renewals in the Foundation’s fifth grant round, over $1 million. These awards will promote pipeline development in their communities for high school, college-aged, job-ready, and mid-career people.

“As we enter our second year of funding and surpass the $30 million initially provided by the NBA Board of Governors to establish the Foundation, our work with national and local organizations that are driving economic opportunity for Black youth in the NBA’s 28 markets continues to strengthen and evolve,” said Greg Taylor, NBA Foundation Executive Director. “We look forward to our growth in the year ahead and are excited to establish new relationships with non-profits serving Black youth and to further collaborate with the organizations who have demonstrated their impact.”

The NBA Foundation, established by the 30 NBA teams, collaborates with the teams’ affiliated charitable organizations and the NBPA to support national and local organizations focusing on team markets, leveraging the NBA Board of Governors’ collective $30 million annual commitment as well as other funding sources. Visit www.nbafoundation.com or follow @NBAFoundation on Twitter and Instagram to learn more about the NBA Foundation or apply for a grant.

The complete list of the 40 grantees and their efforts can be viewed here.

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