Latest news with #MikeKrzyzewski
Yahoo
13-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Felix, Serena go into Team USA HoF along with an icon who paved the way for women: Anita DeFrantz
FILE - United States head coach Mike Krzyzewski shouts from the sidelines during the men's gold medal basketball game against Serbia at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sunday, Aug. 21, 2016. (AP Photo/Matt York, File) FILE - United States' Kerri Walsh Jennings digs for a ball while playing Brazil during the women's beach volleyball bronze medal match of the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Aug. 17, 2016. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File) FILE - Serena Williams, of the United States, chases down a return during her loss to Elina Svitolina, of Ukraine, at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2016. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File) FILE - Allyson Felix, of the United States, smiles after taking the bronze, in the final of women's 400-meters at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco, File) FILE - IOC member Anita DeFrantz, of the United States, attends the start of the 142nd IOC session at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 23, 2024, in Paris. (AP Photo/David Goldman, File) FILE - IOC member Anita DeFrantz, of the United States, attends the start of the 142nd IOC session at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 23, 2024, in Paris. (AP Photo/David Goldman, File) FILE - United States head coach Mike Krzyzewski shouts from the sidelines during the men's gold medal basketball game against Serbia at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sunday, Aug. 21, 2016. (AP Photo/Matt York, File) FILE - United States' Kerri Walsh Jennings digs for a ball while playing Brazil during the women's beach volleyball bronze medal match of the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Aug. 17, 2016. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File) FILE - Serena Williams, of the United States, chases down a return during her loss to Elina Svitolina, of Ukraine, at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2016. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File) FILE - Allyson Felix, of the United States, smiles after taking the bronze, in the final of women's 400-meters at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco, File) FILE - IOC member Anita DeFrantz, of the United States, attends the start of the 142nd IOC session at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 23, 2024, in Paris. (AP Photo/David Goldman, File) COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) — In some ways, one of the longest-serving members of the International Olympic Committee, Anita DeFrantz, paved the way for the new president of the IOC, Kirsty Coventry, to get to where she is today. That why Coventry, the first female leader of the IOC, pulled a big surprise Saturday. She traveled to Colorado Springs to watch DeFrantz, a trailblazing Olympic rower in 1976 and IOC member since 1986, get inducted into the Team USA Hall of Fame. Advertisement 'She opened up so many doors, for me and for so many others,' said Coventry, who took over as president last month, in an interview with The Associated Press before the ceremony. 'I'm extremely grateful for that. I know that I've got to make sure I do that for other women.' The 72-year-old DeFrantz is part of a class that includes eight individual women — among them 11-time Olympic medalist Allyson Felix, four-time Olympic champion Serena Williams, three-time Olympic champion Kerri Walsh Jennings and 2012 all-around gymnastics champion Gabby Douglas. Also inducted Saturday were Bode Miller, Mike Krzyzewski, Phil Knight, Steve Cash, Susan Hagel, Flo Hyman and Marla Runyan, along with the 2010 four-man bobsled team and the 2004 women's wheelchair basketball team. Coventry showed up for DeFrantz, who played an important role in moving votes toward the five-time Olympic swimmer from Zimbabwe in the seven-person race to succeed Thomas Bach earlier this year. Advertisement This was one of Coventry's first big — albeit low-key — trips in the new role, and DeFrantz was shocked to see the new president standing there as she got out of her car to head into the ceremony at the Broadmoor. DeFrantz described herself as a little lonely when she went to her first IOC meeting in 1986. 'I walked in and I thought, 'This is odd,'' she said. 'It was this cavernous room' and she was one of only five female committee members there. One of her main goals in becoming a shaper of world sports policy: 'We had to help people open their minds a little." While, in some ways, the Olympics has been ahead of its time in the effort to bring women into big-time sports — 22 women participated in the 1900 Olympics while, for instance, it took until 1981 for the NCAA to sanction women's basketball — it has also shined a global spotlight on some inequities that have existed for decades. Advertisement Women's rowing didn't debut at the Games until the 1976 Olympics where DeFrantz and her teammates won bronze. Only last year did the Olympics achieve gender parity, with women making up half of the approximately 10,500 athletes, according to the IOC. DeFrantz, a vice president of the 1984 LA organizing committee, helped spark that progress. She served as chair of the IOC's women in sport commission for 20 years. She became a member of the IOC executive board in 1992 and was elected as the IOC's first female vice president in 1997. A generation later, Felix began her own fight to highlight the way women were treated when they became pregnant. She forced a seismic change in contract terms that, for decades, had given little leeway to female track stars who put careers on hold to have babies. Felix is now a member of the IOC, as well — following in the footsteps of both DeFrantz and Coventry as Olympic athletes who now have seats at the decision-making table. Advertisement 'I feel really blessed to come after Anita and I've told her this many times, she has paved the way,' Felix said. 'She's a game-changer. Just what she's seen and contributed to is incredible. For someone like me, it's just wanting to carry on her legacy." DeFrantz's honor comes at yet another tenuous time for women in sports, punctuated by headline-grabbing debates about eligibility and gender testing in track, boxing, swimming and other sports that will likely bring leaders like Coventry and DeFrantz into the mix. Coventry said it's important to 'protect the female category,' and has signaled that the IOC will take a more active role in setting guidelines for participation. But for the 41-year-old president, this was a night for celebrating a mentor who made her role in today's debates possible. 'It's all about letting people have opportunities,' DeFrantz said. 'You can't make an Olympian. But you can open the door to possibilities.' ___ AP sports:
Al Arabiya
20-06-2025
- Sport
- Al Arabiya
Duke Walk-On Stanley Borden, Last Player in College to Have Played for Coach K, Transfers to UTSA
Stanley Borden, the final basketball player still in college to have played for Mike Krzyzewski, has announced he is transferring to UTSA from Duke. The 7-foot Borden was a walk-on for the Blue Devils, joining the team in 2021–the last of the Hall of Fame coach's career. He stayed for four years, and despite not getting on the court much at all, he had fond memories of his time under Coach K. 'Everything that everyone has heard or said in terms of aura and energy is all there,' Borden said Thursday in a phone interview from Istanbul, where his family lives. 'He jokes a lot and cusses a lot, and you never knew if he was joking or being serious. Learning from the best as an 18- or 19-year-old at the end of his career was something I'll never forget.' Borden had one year of eligibility left after he didn't play his junior year because of injuries to his elbow in the preseason and a finger that needed to be re-attached after a weight room accident. He wanted to find a school that he could play at in his final season of college basketball, so he entered the portal. 'I was talking to a bunch of schools late in the process, and many of them were starting their summer workouts right now,' said Borden, who had a few dozen schools interested in him. 'There's opportunity to compete for time and also develop. They want to help you get better and make you a better player.' He played in three games for the Blue Devils this past season, grabbing a rebound and blocking a shot. He's still looking for his first points in college, having played in five games total during his career at Duke. Still, he learned a lot in his time at the school, where he earned a degree in computer science and played with some of the best players in the country at practice every day. 'Being around Dereck Lively II, Paolo Banchero, Cooper Flag, as well as other great college players made me immensely better,' Borden said. Despite not playing, Borden was a glue guy on the team and fan favorite. He made a name for himself as a sophomore when he wowed the Cameron Crazies during their midnight madness-type event. He walked onto the stage in sunglasses and a trench coat, which he opened to reveal a saxophone. Borden borrowed the instrument, which he learned to play when he was younger, from the marching band. He put on a show, much to the delight of the crowd and his teammates. The performance went viral. Borden said he didn't know if UTSA had any kind of opening event to start basketball season, but he'd be happy to come up with another musical number if the school did.
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Duke walk-on Stanley Borden, last player in college to have played for Coach K, transfers to UTSA
Stanley Borden, the final basketball player still in college to have played for Mike Krzyzewski, has announced he is transferring to UTSA from Duke. The 7-foot Borden was a walk-on for the Blue Devils, joining the team in 2021 — the last of the Hall of Fame coach's career. He stayed for four years and despite not getting on the court much at all, he had fond memories of his time under Coach K. Advertisement 'Everything that everyone has heard or said in terms of aura and energy is all there,' Borden said Thursday in a phone interview from Istanbul, where his family lives. 'He jokes a lot and cusses a lot and you never knew if he was joking or being serious. Learning from the best as an 18- or 19-year-old at the end of his career was something I'll never forget.' Borden had one year of eligibility left after he didn't play his junior year because of injuries to his elbow in the preseason and a finger that needed to be re-attached after a weight room accident. He wanted to find a school that he could play at in his final season of college basketball so he entered the portal. 'I was talking to a bunch of schools late in the process and many of them were starting their summer workouts right now,' said Borden, who had a few dozen schools interested in him. 'There's opportunity to compete for time and also develop. They want to help you get better and make you a better player.' He played in three games for the Blue Devils this past season, grabbing a rebound and blocking a shot. He's still looking for his first points in college, having played in five games total during his career at Duke. Still, he learned a lot in his time at the school where he earned a degree in computer science and played with some of the best players in the country at practice every day. Advertisement 'Being around Dereck Lively II, Paolo Banchero, Cooper Flag as well as other great college players made me immensely better,' Borden said. Despite not playing, Borden was a glue guy on the team and fan favorite. He made a name for himself as a sophomore when he wowed the Cameron Crazies during their midnight madness-type event. He walked onto the stage in sunglasses and a trench coat which he opened to reveal a saxophone. Borden borrowed the instrument, which he learned to play when he was younger, from the marching band. He put on a show much to the delight of the crowd and his teammates. The performance went viral. Borden said he didn't know if UTSA had any kind of opening event to start basketball season, but he'd be happy to come up with another musical number if the school did. ___ AP college basketball:
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Report: Mavericks schedule visit with Cooper Flagg ahead of 2025 NBA draft
Projected No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg is reportedly scheduled to meet with the Dallas Mavericks ahead of the 2025 NBA draft, according to Marc Stein of The Stein Line on Substack. Flagg led Duke to the Final Four, averaging 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.4 blocks on 38.5% shooting from 3-point range. He became the 22nd player in program history to be named a consensus first-team All-American. Advertisement The Player of the Year is set to visit the Mavericks later this month to get to know team personnel before the organization selects him with the first pick on June 25. Jason Kidd said last month that he believes the Mavericks are a great situation for Flagg, with their mixture of established veterans and up-and-coming players. He believes Flagg will be able to step in and make an immediate contribution. The 6-foot-8 forward has drawn comparisons to former Duke legend and Hall of Famer Grant Hill because of his size, athleticism and ability to affect games in various ways. Former coach Mike Krzyzewski even called him the best freshman to ever play with the Blue Devils. Advertisement The Mavericks have the first pick in the draft for only the second time in franchise history. After previously trading franchise cornerstone Luka Dončić, the Mavericks will soon meet with their next once-in-a-generation player in Flagg. This article originally appeared on Rookie Wire: Report: Mavericks to bring in Cooper Flagg for a visit ahead of draft
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Mike Krzyzewski Sends Strong Message After Duke Basketball Announcement
Mike Krzyzewski Sends Strong Message After Duke Basketball Announcement originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Duke Blue Devils continue to be known as one of the top teams in college basketball, despite coaching changes. Advertisement Mike Krzyzewski served as the head coach of the college basketball program before Jon Scheyer took over three years ago. While Scheyer has since led Duke to the Elite Eight and Final Four, Krzyzewski created an unmatched legacy with the Blue Devils. Krzyzewski was also surrounded by one of the best staffs in the country, featuring Executive Director of Sports Performance William Stephens. Stephens played a large role in the strength and conditioning department for Duke, helping Krzyzewski prepare his team for multiple title runs. After the most recent college basketball season, Stephens officially retired from Duke. Advertisement Krzyzewski sent a message to Stephens after Duke posted the announcement, seemingly supporting his decision and thanking him for the success he helped bring to the Blue Devils. "Will, congratulations on an amazing career," Krzyzewski said. "Thank you for sharing that career with my career. You've made my career a [expletive] of a lot better and by the way you've made every young man that's been in our program under your tutelage better. Not just in strength and athlete ability, they became better people." Aside from being an incredible asset as the Executive Director of Sports Performance, Krzyzewski also explained that Will Stephens was a great man outside of the white lines. "As good as you do with all the strength and conditioning, to me, the most important thing about you is you're a good man," Krzyzewski said. "You're a good man and the guys, when they're in your presence, they become better… I love you and respect you and I'm so glad that God's been good to me. We've been able to become such close friends." Advertisement View the original article to see embedded media. Will Stephens spent 27 seasons at Duke. According to the Blue Devils' most recent announcement on his retirement, Stephens helped bring three national titles and four Final Four appearances, working alongside Mike Krzyzewski and Jon Scheyer. Duke Blue Devils head coach Mike KrzyzewskiRobert Deutsch-Imagn Images Mike Krzyzewski served as the head coach of the Duke Blue Devils from 1980 to 2022. During his time at Duke, Krzyzewski led the Blue Devils to five national titles, 13 Final Four appearances, 14 ACC regular season titles and 15 ACC Tournament titles. Related: Mike Krzyzewski Names Best Player in Duke Basketball History Without Hesitation 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.
