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Chicago Tribune
2 days ago
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
NBA veteran Max Strus returns to Stagg to recognize comeback of Oak Forest athlete
Max Strus was choked up. While giving a speech Thursday to end his fourth youth basketball camp at his alma mater, Stagg High School in Palos Hills, the NBA sharpshooter thanked his parents, John and Debra, and joked they were the reason he turned out 'perfect.' But when it came to thanking his 'role models,' his older sister, Maggie Sommer, and older brother, Marty Strus, his voice cracked, and he took a few seconds to compose himself. That show of emotion from the Cleveland Cavaliers guard was just the warmup of an even bigger outburst of emotions from the Castillo family. Oak Forest High School sophomore Paityn Castillo won the inaugural Gary Strong Award from the Max Strus Family Foundation for her fight with Guillain-Barré syndrome, which she suffered in October right after the volleyball season. The foundation, created in January, named the award after Gary Wimmer, the father of foundation official Jake Wimmer. Gary had a four-year battle with cancer before he died in August. Castillo faced paralysis and couldn't breathe on her own, so she needed a ventilator. She spent 98 days in a hospital and was told she might not walk again or get feeling back in her feet. Now, not only is she walking, she is learning to drive, participated at Oak Forest's volleyball camp, tried out and made the Lions South 16 club team and is jump serving. 'I have a new perspective on things,' Castillo said. 'I don't take things for granted and I appreciate the little things in life.' Strus said Castillo is the type of person the foundation wants to help. 'We want to find ways to help different communities, whether that's home around the South Side of Chicago, in Miami where I lived for three years or Cleveland now,' he said. 'These are places near and dear to my heart.' Castillo's story was shared in a five-minute video shown in the Stagg main gym in front of hundreds of campers and their parents. It showed some of the therapy she had to go through. Her father, Reggie, mother, Sandy, and sister, Kamryn, were on hand for the award and to receive a surprise $10,000 check from the foundation. There was plenty of emotion, especially with Reggie, who was crying when he addressed the crowd, and said he wasn't ashamed to be crying. 'I guarantee there weren't many dry eyes today,' Reggie said after the ceremony. Reggie said he was also touched because, between 2003 and 2023, he was an athletic trainer at Stagg and knows the Strus and Wimmer families well. Paityn started to walk in February and, given the severity of what she went through, her family was stunned with her 'It's been crazy,' Kamryn . 'It's hard to believe.' 'It's a miracle — it really is,' Reggie said. Sandy echoed that and said the family has ridden an emotional rollercoaster since October. 'It was hard watching the awful moments with her,' Sandy said. 'But watching her battle and work really, really hard is a highlight. She pushes so hard. When the ventilator went away, it was awesome.' Meanwhile, Strus is not only proud of his camps' philanthropy — raising more than $100,000 for the Andrew Weishar Foundation — he looks forward to being with the young basketball players who are trying to learn the sport. One camp official said Strus is the only player in the NBA who runs a camp and is there for all four days. Whether that's true, the fact is Strus is hands on at the camps and is not just lending his name to the project. In the past, he brought in some NBA chums, including Gabe Vincent. This year, Cavaliers Coach Kenny Atkinson came in for a session. Strus also takes photos with the campers and had some fun Thursday outside the school, handing out Peppo's Subs orders in a truck to campers and parents. When he started the camp, Strus talked about how special it was because he and Marty attended summer camps at the school. Four years, and one foundation, later, it's still special to him. 'I've seen a lot of new faces this year and some faces of those who have been here all four years,' he said. 'The campers and their parents make it all possible and I appreciate that. 'And we want to come back again next year.'
Time of India
3 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
LeBron James' former teammate reveals hardest part of playing with NBA megastar
LeBron James' former teammate reveals hardest part of playing with NBA megastar (Image Credit: Getty Images) Lebron James is one of the biggest names in the NBA , who has been idolized by many since the time he broke into the business and changed it. Moreover, there have been many aspirants who grew up watching James and even dreamt of one day playing alongside him. One of those was Richard Jefferson. But to the surprise of many, he told ESPN that it was not a good experience being his teammate. A similar sentiment has now been echoed by another player who dribbled alongside The King. Lebron James' teammates spoke about playing alongside him in the NBA In an interview with ESPN, Lebron James's Cleveland Cavaliers teammate, Iman Shumpert, gave his view on Richard Jefferson's statement. He revealed there is an insane amount of pressure that comes when you are playing on the team of The King, and players had to develop a win-now mindset with James as their cohort, with major emphasis on having perfection. He said, 'I'm going to piggyback off Richard's statement in saying there's a ridiculous amount of pressure that comes with it because you have to be in a win-now mindset every time you play on his team.' The CONS of playing with LeBron 👀 + 2025 ESPY for NBA player of the year 🏆 | NBA Today Furthermore, Shupert also stated that it was hard for him as a NBA player, especially during his young days." It was a hard pivot for me to swallow as a player. To hear that when I'm young and trying to get my stuff off. I'm like, 'Man, I really want to get better.,' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Is it legal? How to get Internet without paying a subscription? Techno Mag Learn More Undo said Iman Shupert. Iman Shupert and Lebron James played together for four years Iman Shupert played alongside LeBron James in the Cleveland Cavaliers. They were on the same team from 2015 to 2019. In 2016, the Cavaliers won the NBA championship under the charge of King James, with Shupert etching an important accolade to his NBA career. Playing alongside one of the greatest NBA players of all time gave Shumpert good playoff experience and attention in front of the audience. This proved extremely beneficial for his career and would certainly be for a rising NBA talent to play and learn alongside the great. While he had a two-fold opinion about Lebron James, it can be said that he has nothing but deep respect for Lebron James and his legendary career. Also read: NBA Free Agency Rumors: Golden State Warriors predicted to re-sign $12.8 million veteran guard to support Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
3 things to know about Ty Jerome, including his connection to Memphis Grizzlies roster
The Memphis Grizzlies reportedly have their first free agent agreement of the 2025 offseason in former Cleveland Cavaliers guard Ty Jerome. A national champion at Virginia, Jerome has played six seasons in the NBA but carved out a more significant role in 2024-25 with Cleveland. He averaged 19.9 minutes per game for the top seed in the Eastern Conference. Advertisement Though he'll likely come off the bench, Jerome will help the Grizzlies replace some of the scoring they lost when they traded Desmond Bane to the Magic for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Cole Anthony, four first-round picks and a pick swap. The Grizzlies will need offensive help with Bane gone and Luke Kennard apparently going to the Atlanta Hawks. Jerome is reportedly expected to sign a three-year, $28 million deal. Here are three things to know about Jerome. He had a breakout season in 2024-25 Jerome has played on four teams during his NBA career. With the Cavaliers, he averaged 12.5 points per game and shot an impressive 43.9% from 3-point range this past season. Advertisement The 6-foot-5, 195-pound Jerome averaged 3.4 assists and 2.5 rebounds per game, and while he has room for improvement on the defensive side of the ball, he did average 1.1 steals per game. Jerome was third in NBA Sixth Man of the Year voting in 2024-25. Jerome has familiarity with a current Grizzlies player Jerome played for Virginia from 2016 to 2019. The Cavaliers won the national championship in 2019, and Jerome decided to forgo his final year of eligibility to head to the draft. He went No. 24 overall to the Philadelphia 76ers and was traded to the Phoenix Suns on draft night. Jerome's tenure in Charlottesville included two seasons with Jay Huff, who signed with the Grizzlies before the 2024-25 season. Huff played sparingly last season, but he's still under contract through the 2027-28 season. Advertisement Where Ty Jerome can help the Grizzlies It's clear that the Grizzlies coveted Jerome because of his scoring ability. The Bane trade made scoring an immediate priority, and while signing Jerome doesn't solve the issue entirely, it at least gives them a proven commodity off the bench. There are still spots up for grabs in the rotation, with a new coach in Tuomas Iisalo and a plethora of young players battling for minutes. As it stands, Jerome likely will be one of the first couple of players off the bench. The Grizzlies clearly prioritized a defensive mindset and identity before free agency opened on June 30 (contracts cannot be signed until July 6). Caldwell-Pope is a defensive upgrade over Bane, and Memphis drafted Cedric Coward, Javon Small and Jahmai Mashack. They'll join a group of wings that includes Jaylen Wells and Vince Williams Jr. Advertisement Reach sports writer Jonah Dylan at or on X @thejonahdylan. This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: 3 things to know about Ty Jerome, who's expected to join Grizzlies
Time of India
5 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Cleveland Cavaliers Re-Sign Randy Mims, Reinforcing Ties to LeBron James and a Legacy of Loyalty
Randy Mims and LeBron James (Image via USA TODAY Sports). The Cleveland Cavaliers have made a significant move by signing a new contract with Randy Mims , a close friend and high school teammate of LeBron James . This development is notable not only for the player's connection to the NBA superstar but also for the deeper story of loyalty and long-standing partnership that it represents. Randy Mims and LeBron James share a bond that dates back to their high school days in Akron, Ohio. Mims was more than just a teammate; he became part of LeBron's inner circle, providing support and guidance as James navigated the early stages of his basketball career. Their friendship grew beyond the court, with Mims playing a crucial role in James' personal and professional life. He was known for his reliability, attention to detail, and the trust James placed in him during pivotal moments in his career. — NickPedone12 (@NickPedone12) Randy Mims' influence extended into LeBron James ' NBA journey, especially during challenging times with the Cleveland Cavaliers. He acted as a stabilizing presence in the locker room, helping to bridge gaps between players and coaches and fostering a positive team environment. His ability to understand and manage interpersonal dynamics was instrumental in keeping the Cavaliers cohesive during periods of turmoil, such as coaching changes and contract negotiations with key players like Kevin Love. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Concentrated Siberian Ginseng Extract 2oz Superior Ginseng Undo The Cleveland Cavaliers ' decision to offer Randy Mims a new contract underscores their recognition of his value not just as a player but as a vital part of the team culture and leadership. This move also highlights the Cavaliers' ongoing connection to LeBron James, who remains a central figure in their narrative despite currently playing for the Los Angeles Lakers . While LeBron recently opted into his player option with the Lakers for the 2025–26 season, speculation about his future and potential return to Cleveland continues to swirl, fueled in part by his surprise visits to the Cleveland Cavaliers' practice facility. Randy Mims' contract renewal can be seen as a strategic effort by the Cavaliers to maintain continuity and leverage the strong personal ties that have historically benefited the franchise. The story of Mims and James is a compelling example of how deep-rooted relationships in sports can transcend the game itself, influencing team dynamics and decisions at the highest level. Also read: Ben Stiller's Brutally Honest Take on the New York Knicks' Summer League Sparks Fan Buzz: "Hard to Invest Right Now" For fans and observers, this development offers an intriguing glimpse into the less visible but equally important aspects of professional basketball — the friendships, mentorships, and trust that underpin the success of star players like LeBron James. As the Cleveland Cavaliers prepare for the upcoming season, the presence of Randy Mims on their roster symbolizes a commitment to these values and the enduring legacy of one of basketball's greatest icons. For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Cavaliers reportedly extend president Koby Altman through 2029-30 NBA season after 64-win year
The Cleveland Cavaliers feel good about the direction of the franchise. The team made a move to keep its front office together for years to come Monday, reportedly signing president Koby Altman to a long-term extension, per ESPN's Shams Charania. Altman, 42, will reportedly remain with the team through the 2029-30 NBA season, per Charania. The move comes months after the Cavaliers secured the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference thanks to a 64-18 record. The team reached the second round of the playoffs, where it lost to the Indiana Pacers in five games. Advertisement This story will be updated.
