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Newsweek
03-08-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
Diana Taurasi Silences Caitlin Clark Rivalry Talk With Latest Comments
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Before Caitlin Clark was even drafted No. 1 overall by the Indiana Fever two seasons ago, she seemingly had a target on her back. Clark, who many considered to be the most-hyped-up female college basketball player in the sport's history, was just weeks away from transitioning from the University of Iowa to the WNBA, where most expected her to dominate much like she did at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. But many of the league's top stars appeared to take exception to Clark's golden-girl treatment, with some making it clear they had their sights set on humbling the two-time Associated Press Player of the Year. Recently retired Phoenix Mercury legend Diana Taurasi was among them, and during an appearance on "SportsCenter" she hinted to host Scott Van Pelt that Clark was in for a rude awakening after she was drafted. "Reality is coming," Taurasi said in an ominous warning to Clark and college basketball's other top stars making the jump to the WNBA. "You look superhuman playing against 18 year olds but you're going to come with some grown women who've been playing professional basketball for a long time." Clark ended up being the one to humble Taurasi after her near-unanimous Rookie of the Year win, as well as being an All-WNBA first-team selection and finishing fourth in MVP voting while breaking dozens of WNBA, rookie, and Fever records. More WNBA: WNBA Commissioner Breaks Silence on Caitlin Clark Bullying Controversy Guard Diana Taurasi #3 of the Phoenix Mercury drives against guard Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever during the game at Footprint Center on June 30, 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Fever defeated the... Guard Diana Taurasi #3 of the Phoenix Mercury drives against guard Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever during the game at Footprint Center on June 30, 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Fever defeated the Mercury 88-82. MoreBut in the months since Taurasi retired, she and Clark have seemingly buried the hatchet in their not-to-serious rivalry. During a recent interview with FanSided, Taurasi admitted her and Clark have gotten quite close since her rookie year, seemingly ending any speculation that the 11-time All-Star and three-time WNBA champion still had any animosity toward the Fever phenom. "We get along really well," Taurasi told FanSided. "We got some great interactions. I just absolutely love what she does on the court, off the court. When I watch her play, and the way she goes about her business, there's a seriousness about it that I love. "... You know, she's taking this game to new heights and it's been amazing to watch and follow her. You know, it's only going to get better for our league and for Caitlin." Diana Taurasi on Caitlin 'Me and Caitlin are really good friends. We get along really well…I just absolutely love what she does on the court, off the court…the way she goes about her business there's a seriousness about it that I love. She's taking this game to new heights.' — correlation (@nosyone4) August 2, 2025 More WNBA: Napheesa Collier Calls Out Alarming Caitlin Clark-Angel Reese WNBA Trend Clark and Taurasi seemed to squash any beef they had back in April during her appearance on "The Bird & Taurasi Show" during the WNBA Playoffs. Clark congratulated Taurasi on her retirement following an impressive 20-year WNBA career that included two WNBA Finals MVPs, 10 All-WNBA first-team selections, and five scoring titles. Taurasi accepted the well-wishes while also taking a self-deprecating jab at herself. "Now unfortunately, reality is coming to me now," Taurasi joked. In three games head-to-head last season, Clark's Fever bested Taurasi's Mercury all three times. Clark averaged 21.3 points, 11.6 assists, and 6.6 rebounds per game, while Taurasi averaged 17.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1.5 steals per game in two appearances.
Fox Sports
26-06-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Dallas Mavericks select Cooper Flagg with the 1st pick in the 2025 NBA Draft
The Dallas Mavericks have no more jaw-dropping news or tricks up their sleeve and have selected Duke freshman Cooper Flagg with the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. This choice was pretty much a foregone conclusion after the year Flagg had at Duke, making it a simple decision for whichever team held the first overall pick. But nothing is ever certain in the NBA. In a year when the Mavericks made one of the most shocking trades in NBA history — trading away what seemed to be the cornerstone of their franchise, Luka Doncic, to the Los Angeles Lakers — general manager Nico Harrison faced immense pressure to make up for what many considered a disastrous trade. Just his luck, the Mavericks won the NBA Draft lottery despite having just a 1.8% chance of landing the No. 1 pick, and, unlike Doncic, they weren't going to trade away that coveted asset. Flagg was one of the most anticipated recruits in the past decade, often being brought up in comparison to fellow Duke star and No. 1 overall pick Zion Williamson, another Duke standout and former No. 1 pick. Flagg lived up to the hype — and even surpassed it. In his lone year, he paced Duke in points per game (19.2), rebounds (7.5) and assists (4.2), while leading them to a 31-3 regular-season record. The Blue Devils made their way back to the Final Four, where they ultimately lost to the Houston Cougars. Following the season, Flagg was awarded the Naismith National Player of the Year, the Associated Press Player of the Year, and the John R. Wooden Award. He also claimed ACC Player of the Year honors. He became the fourth freshman in NCAA history to win NPOY. Now that Flagg has made it to the NBA, all eyes will be on him to be the next superstar, and reinvigorate the franchise that traded Doncic. He's in a great position, with the opportunity to learn from four-time All-NBA forward Anthony Davis, and, potentially, play alongside another former Duke star, Kyrie Irving, who is expected to return from injury later this season. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! recommended Get more from National Basketball Association Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
New York Post
19-06-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
Grizzlies' Zach Edey charged with reckless driving after allegedly going 101 mph
Grizzlies center Zach Edey was charged with reckless driving after police stopped him driving 101 mph in a 55-mph zone in Indiana on May 1, according to multiple reports. An Indiana State Trooper pulled Edey over and issued a citation for the infraction, Fox 59 reported. The 23-year-old Edey told police he was driving so fast because he was trying to pass a vehicle, according to the Journal & Courier. Edey reportedly has a court date at 10:30 a.m. on Monday for a misdemeanor charge of reckless driving. Grizzlies' center Zach Edey in a game on April 24, 2025. AP The incident took place in Tippecanoe County, Ind., the home county of Purdue, where Edey starred for four seasons. The Purdue men's basketball team posted a photo of Edey and other alumni at the school's Mackey Arena on May 6. The Toronto native is coming off an impressive rookie year with Memphis, where he was the primary starting center for a team that finished eighth in the Western Conference. Edey averaged 9.2 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game for the Grizzlies, earning All-Rookie First Team honors. Zach Edey starred at Purdue for four seasons. Getty Images He's most known, though, for his time at Purdue, where he dominated and stacked up an impressive list of accolades. He won the Wooden Award as the best player in college basketball in both 2023 and 2024, becoming the first repeat winner in more than 40 years. He was a back-to-back winner of the Associated Press Player of the Year award and Naismith College Player of the Year award over that same stretch. In his final season at Purdue, Edey averaged 25.2 points and 12.2 rebounds per game while shooting 62.3 percent from the field, leading the nation in all three of those categories. The Grizzlies selected him ninth overall in the 2024 draft, and he placed fifth in Rookie of the Year voting.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
JuJu Watkins Turns Heads with Major Announcement on Monday
JuJu Watkins Turns Heads with Major Announcement on Monday originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The USC Trojans women's basketball team has been considered one of the top brands in its sport for the past several seasons, led by JuJu Watkins. Advertisement Watkins committed to USC as one of the most highly touted recruits in college basketball history. She has now played two seasons with the Trojans, having cemented herself as one of the biggest stars in college basketball, coming off a season during which she was named the Naismith Player of the Year, Women's Wooden Award winner and Associated Press Player of the Year. While it was a successful season for Watkins, she suffered a brutal injury in the postseason, cutting her season short. Watkins went down during the Women's NCAA Tournament with a torn ACL that required surgical repair. During the offseason, while Watkins rehabs, she was featured in a major announcement via Alexa Philippou and Peacock. Advertisement "Little bit of news: 'On the Rise: JuJu Watkins' has been greenlit for a second season on Peacock," Philippou said. "The documentary series — executive produced by LeBron James, Watkins, Rich Paul and more — chronicles the ascent of the USC superstar and 2025 national player of the year." After starring in the first season of "On the Rise," Watkins will be featured in Season 2 of the docuseries. Upon release of the announcement, some fans took to social media, sharing their thoughts on the news featuring JuJu Watkins. "I LOVE GOOD NEWS," said one fan. "Interesting. This would basically be a rehab season. But still not much of a risk for a streaming show on Peacock," said another fan. Advertisement "Intrigued, but i don't have Peacock soooo," mentioned one fan. "On The Rise : JuJu Watkins" Season 2 confirmed of the documentary following the upcoming superstar of@USCWBB:@Jujubballin," commented one fan. "Oh yea," said one fan. "SEASON [two]," said another fan. USC Trojans guard JuJu Hanashiro-Imagn Images Last season with the USC Trojans, JuJu Watkins posted 23.9 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game. That followed a successful freshman season, during which Watkins averaged 27.1 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game. Related: South Carolina Turns Heads After Team GPA Under Dawn Staley Surfaces Related: Duke Blue Devils Suffer Major Coaching Loss on Saturday This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 9, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
09-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
What happened the last time the Nets won the NBA Draft Lottery?
What happened the last time the Nets won the NBA Draft Lottery? The Brooklyn Nets are just a few days away from the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery that could determine whether they can draft the best player in the Draft. While every team in the Lottery is hoping to earn the first overall pick and select Duke forward Cooper Flagg, it's interesting to remember the last time Brooklyn won the Lottery. Following the conclusion of the 1999-00 season, the Nets, then in New Jersey, finished with a disappointing 31-51 record despite going into the season with a 40.5 over/under win total. The Nets went into the 2000 NBA Draft Lottery seventh in the standings, but managed to win the Lottery with just a 4.40% chance of getting the first overall pick. With the No. 1 pick, the Nets selected forward Kenyon Martin Sr. out of Cincinnati after a senior season for the Bearcats in which he averaged 18.9 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 3.5 blocks per game while shooting 56.8% from the field and 68.4% from the free-throw line. Not only did Martin lead Conference USA in field-goal percentage, but he also led the conference in blocks per game en route to winning the Associated Press Player of the Year. After being drafted by the Nets, a move that was described as the franchise picking "maturity over potential," Martin went on to spend his first four seasons with the organization. From 2000 to 2004, Martin averaged 15.1 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per contest while shooting 46.7% from the floor and 66.3% from the charity stripe. During his time with the Nets, Martin earned the second-most votes for the 2000-01 Rookie of the Year award, received some votes for Defensive Player of the Year from 2002 to 2004, and earned the lone All-Star selection of his career in the 2003-04 campaign. Martin's time in New Jersey coincided with some of the best years for the Nets franchise as they made the playoffs in three of those seasons, including NBA Finals appearances in 2002 and 2003. Monday will be an important day for the Nets organization given that the team committed to a full-scale rebuild last summer by trading Mikal Bridges to the New York Knicks in exchange for a bevy of first-round picks. The odds (9.0% chance of getting the first overall pick) are stacked against Brooklyn to win the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery, but if they do, Flagg could have a similar impact on the franchise that Martin had over two decades ago.
