Source Sports | News, Highlights and Interviews

SOURCE SPORTS: Chris Paul Receives First Kobe & Gigi Bryant WNBA Advocacy Award

by
FMGk0NVXMAA8D O

The WNBA has recognized Chris Paul of the Phoenix Suns as the inaugural recipient of the Kobe & Gigi Bryant WNBA Support Award for his substantial contributions to the promotion of girls’ and women’s basketball, as well as advocacy for the WNBA. During Sunday’s game in Cleveland, the WNBA and Vanessa Bryant presented Paul with the honor.

The annual award is given in memory of Kobe Bryant, a long-time supporter of the WNBA and women’s basketball, and his daughter Gianna Bryant (also known as Gigi). Gigi, a happy, loving, and competitive young lady, aspired to follow in her father’s footsteps by playing in the WNBA and helping to elevate women in sports. Gigi adored basketball and longed to be just like her father, who had reached the summit of the sport. Through forging partnerships, mentoring and training high school, college, NBA and WNBA players, coaching Gigi’s youth basketball team, and launching the Mamba Sports Academy, Kobe Bryant has contributed to the advancement of the women’s game at every level.

“I have seen first-hand Chris’ appreciation of the WNBA and the game at every level for women and girls, especially in Phoenix and North Carolina, and his ardent support of our game strongly reflects the legacy of Kobe and Gigi,” said WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert.  “The league is proud to name Chris as the inaugural recipient of the Kobe & Gigi Bryant WNBA Advocacy Award, as he serves as a leader and role model for other professional athletes around growing the future of the game for young girls and all fans.”

Paul has consistently demonstrated a unique level of support for the WNBA and the Phoenix Mercury, attending games throughout the regular season and playoffs while also using his public platforms to highlight WNBA players’ on-court successes and stories, as well as their leadership in the community through their fight for social justice. He can be found demonstrating his support for rookies entering the league and WNBA veterans during WNBA tentpole events like the WNBA Draft and All-Star. He also promotes the game among young girls through camps and the CP3 Basketball Academy, with the goal of enhancing young players’ dreams, disciplines, and life skills through basketball.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: Chris Paul Receives First Kobe & Gigi Bryant WNBA Advocacy Award appeared first on The Source.

SOURCE SPORTS: Curry, James Take Center Stage in 163-160 Team LeBron Win at NBA All-Star Game

by
FMF96mMWQAANsHo

Neighboring Akron, Ohio took over the scene of NBA All-Star in Cleveland as Stephen Curry dropped 50 points and LeBron James hit the game-winner to secure a 163-160 win for Team LeBron. Curry would be named MVP.

“It was kind of a perfect ending,” Curry said to ESPN. “Obviously, I got the MVP; I played well the whole night. He hit the game-winner. All the history of our series and the Akron ties, and all that kind of going into how the night went, so it was pretty — can’t really draw it up any other way.”

In the game, Curry hit 16 3-pointers, smashing the All-Star Game record of nine set by Russell Westbrook. Included in that number was an absurd jumper from near halfcourt, which Curry faked out Trae Young before launching and running back up the court before it even went in.

For King James, the game-closing jumper over Zach Lavine secured a proper homecoming.

“I couldn’t have dreamt it,” James said in postgame. “I could not have dreamed of that moment any better than the actuality that just happened. For me to be back here, like I keep stating, 35 minutes [north] of where I grew up here in Akron, Ohio, to hit the game-winner in the All-Star Game where me and my guys back in the back, we used to watch the All-Star Game. I remember 25 years ago we were 12, 11, wishing that we had the opportunity or the means to come up to Cleveland and see some of the greatest basketball players of all time because they inspired us so much.”

In the game Joel Embiid would score 36, Giannis Antetokounmpo added 30, and Devin Booker 20.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: Curry, James Take Center Stage in 163-160 Team LeBron Win at NBA All-Star Game appeared first on The Source.

SOURCE SPORTS: Howard Outlasts Morgan State in HBCU Classic

by
howard wins 1st hbcu classic 2

The Howard Bison and Morgan State Bears hit Cleveland for at the inaugural NBA HBCU Classic on Saturday. In what turned out to be a dramatic game, Howard rallied back to beat its MEAC opponent 68-66.

Howard’s Kyle Foster hit the game-winning shot, that pushed the Bison ahead in the final moments. The Bison have now won six consecutive games and are 2-0 versus the Bears this season. On January 22, Howard defeated Morgan State 91-82.

Ahead of tipoff, Chris Paul and Stephen Curry visited the teams for words of encouragement.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: Howard Outlasts Morgan State in HBCU Classic appeared first on The Source.

SOURCE SPORTS: Michigan Head Coach Juwan Howard Took a Swipe At Wisconsin Assistant After Tough Loss

by
juwan howard

Things got extremely chippy at the of the Michigan vs Wisconsin college basketball game. In the postgame handshake line, Michigan coach Juwan Howard and Wisconsin coach Greg Gard got into a verbal altercation that turned physical when both teams convened near the scorer’s table.

Howard was upset that Gard called a timeout in the final minute of the game when Wisconsin had a huge lead. Howard said something to Gard as they shook hands. Gard grabbed Howard with his left hand to stop him from moving along the handshake line and the situation quickly escalated with both coaches clearly angry.

The two were separated and another Wisconsin assistant began yelling at Howard. That’s when Howard took a swing at Wisconsin assistant Joe Krabbenhoft.

“Apparently, he didn’t like that I called a timeout to reset the 10-second call because we only had four seconds to get the ball over halfcourt,” Gard said. “And I didn’t want to put my backups, I had all my bench guys in the game, I didn’t want to put them in that position of scrambling with only four seconds. “So I took a timeout and I got us a new 10 seconds and helped them get organized and get the ball in. He did not like that when he came through the handshake line, so I’ll leave it at that and the tape will show the rest.

Howard will probably face some serve punishment for his actions which could included a lengthy suspension.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: Michigan Head Coach Juwan Howard Took a Swipe At Wisconsin Assistant After Tough Loss appeared first on The Source.

SOURCE SPORTS: LeBron James Plans to Play Final NBA Season Alongside His Son

by
a

Currently, at the mid-point of his 19th season, LeBron James has way more games behind him than he does ahead of him. During an interview with The Athletic before the 2022 NBA All-Star game, King James revealed a second reunion with the Cleveland Cavaliers is not out the question and he will play his final season alongside his son, Bronny James.

“I’m not saying I’m coming back and playing, I don’t know,” James said. I don’t know what my future holds. I don’t even know when I’m free.”

He added, “My last year will be played with my son. Wherever Bronny is at, that’s where I’ll be. I would do whatever it takes to play with my son for one year. It’s not about the money at that point.”

Bronny is eligible to join the NBA in 2024. LeBron would be 39 years old then. He currently has one year remaining on his deal with the Los Angeles Lakers.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: LeBron James Plans to Play Final NBA Season Alongside His Son appeared first on The Source.

Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Announces Finalists for Class of 2022 Election

by
FL6dCqWUYAQ5s7c

Six amazing players, four exceptional coaches, and one world-class referee have been named finalists by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame’s North American and Women’s committees to be considered for election in 2022 at NBA All-Star 2022.

Two first-time finalists are Manu Ginobili, a two-time NBA All-Star and four-time NBA champion, and Lindsay Whalen, a five-time WNBA All-Star, three-time WNBA Champion, and two-time Olympic Gold Medalist.

Longtime NBA referee Hugh Evans, five-time NBA champion and five-time NBA All-Defensive First Team selection Michael Cooper, five-time NBA All-Star Tim Hardaway, consensus National Collegiate Player of the Year Marques Johnson, two-time NCAA National Coach of the Year Bob Huggins, the NBA’s sixth-winningest coach of all-time George Karl, the all-time winningest high school coach, Leta Andrews, four-time WNBA champion Leta Andrews, four-

“It is a tremendous honor to be named a Finalist for the Basketball Hall of Fame and we’re elated to recognize the achievements by these outstanding men and women who have left a lasting impact on the game of basketball,” said Jerry Colangelo, Chairman of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. “A heart-felt congratulations goes out to the finalists and their families and we very much look forward to revealing the Class of 2022 at the NCAA Final Four in New Orleans this April.”

The full Class of 2022 will be announced at the NCAA Men’s Final Four on April 2 at 12:00 p.m. ET as part of the Hall of Fame Class Announcement in New Orleans. Early African-American Pioneers, International, Contributors, Veterans, and the new Women Veterans are among the Direct Elect Committee enshrinees honored during the NCAA Men’s Final Four.

The post Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Announces Finalists for Class of 2022 Election appeared first on The Source.

Photos: Megan Fox, Darius Garland, Dirk Nowitzki at NBA All-Star Celebrity Game

by
Jack Harlow

The annual NBA All-Star Celebrity Game kicked off this year’s NBA All-Star weekend. Team Walton won 65-51 over Team Nique. Alex Toussaint, a Peloton Instructor, was voted MVP, and Jack Harlow scored 10 points in the losing effort. Megan Fox, Rachel Kirkconnell of ABC’s The Bachelor, Cleveland Cavaliers All-Star Darius Garland, NBA Legend Dirk Nowitzki, and others sat courtside at the Wolstein Center in Cleveland to watch the action.

Visual Portfolio, Posts & Image Gallery for WordPress


Megan Fox 2


Megan Fox


Alex Toussaint


Jack Harlow


Kane Brown


Quavo

The post Photos: Megan Fox, Darius Garland, Dirk Nowitzki at NBA All-Star Celebrity Game appeared first on The Source.

Photo Recap: Quavo, Jack Harlow, Tiffany Haddish in Converse NBA All-Star Celebrity Game Uniforms

by
gettyimages 1371424335 594x594 1

The NBA All-Star Celebrity Game kicked off the action of NBA All-Star Weekend in Cleveland. The celebrities that took the court include Machine Gun Kelly, Quavo, Jack Harlow, Tiffany Haddish, Kane Brown, game MVP Alex Toussaint and more.

Team Walton, led by NBA legend Luke Walton, got the win in a nail-biting win over Team Nique, led by Dominique Wilkins. You can see pictures from the game, including the Converse uniforms created by two young 18-year-old Abel Teclemariam and 13-year-old Nestor “Lil Nes” Hernandez. Both jerseys are designed to capture the ’90s era of basketball.

Visual Portfolio, Posts & Image Gallery for WordPress


gettyimages 1238604362 594x594 1


gettyimages 1238604713 594x594 1


gettyimages 1238604862 594x594 1


gettyimages 1238605194 594x594 1


gettyimages 1238605198 594x594 1


gettyimages 1238605416 594x594 1


gettyimages 1238605535 594x594 1


gettyimages 1238605638 594x594 1


gettyimages 1371421817 594x594 1


gettyimages 1371421974 594x594 1


gettyimages 1371422026 594x594 1


gettyimages 1371422038 594x594 1


gettyimages 1371422442 594x594 1


gettyimages 1371424335 594x594 1


gettyimages 1371424394 594x594 1


gettyimages 1371424656 594x594 1


gettyimages 1371424656 594x594 2


gettyimages 1371424683 594x594 1


gettyimages 1371424757 594x594 1


gettyimages 1371424788 594x594 1


gettyimages 1371424807 594x594 1


gettyimages 1371425468 594x594 1

The post Photo Recap: Quavo, Jack Harlow, Tiffany Haddish in Converse NBA All-Star Celebrity Game Uniforms appeared first on The Source.

SOURCE SPORTS: Brian Flores Joins The Pittsburgh Steelers As Linebackers Coach

by
Dolphins Shockingly Fire Head Coach Brian Flores After 3 Seasons

Brian Flores is back in the NFL. Flores has excepted a job with the Pittsburgh Steelers as a defensive assistant/ linebackers coach.

His return to the NFL comes after Flores filed a federal lawsuit alleging racial discrimination against the NFL, the New York Giants and other teams earlier this month.

“I am excited about Brian Flores joining our coaching staff given his history of developing and teaching defensive players during his time in the NFL,” Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin said in a statement Saturday.

“Brian’s resume speaks for itself, and I look forward to him adding his expertise to help our team,” Tomlin, who also happens to be the only Black head coach in the NFL, added.

The position likely isn’t intended to be a long-term one, as Flores is almost certain to pursue another head-coaching position next year. Ironically, Flores got a job with the one team the Rooney Rule came from.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: Brian Flores Joins The Pittsburgh Steelers As Linebackers Coach appeared first on The Source.

SOURCE SPORTS: Pistons Cade Cunningham Named MVP Of Rising Stars Challenge

by
Cade Cunningham

2022 NBA All-Star Weekend got underway on Friday night with the Rising Stars Challenge. With a new format and a series of games, were four seven -man rosters coached by Hall of Famers Isiah Thomas, Rick Barry, James Worthy and Gary Payton.

When it was all said and done, Team Barry outlasted Team Thomas to win the 2022 Clorox Rising Stars Challenge with Detroit Pistons Cade Cunningham being named MVP.

“It was a lot of fun,” Cunningham said after claiming the event’s MVP award. “Great teammates, great coaches, great atmosphere … I had a good time, for sure.”

With Cunningham leading the way, Team Barry came out and played a much more organized form of basketball then the other three teams. They actually was calling real plays and didn’t have the look of a pick up team.

“I tried to get some diversification, get some size, get some guys who can shoot the ball and just play good basketball,” Barry said. “I’m proud of these guys, cause every one of them did a good job. It was so great to see them playing basketball. They really went out and played the way the game should be played.”

Share your  thoughts with us on social media.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: Pistons Cade Cunningham Named MVP Of Rising Stars Challenge appeared first on The Source.