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Associated Press
4 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Athletes Abroad Summit Returns to Las Vegas July 8–10, 2025 at the Iconic Bellagio Hotel & Casino
Empowering American pro athletes abroad with tools for legacy, business, and personal growth—this summit is built for players, by players who win. LAS VEGAS, NV, UNITED STATES, June 5, 2025 / / -- The highly anticipated Athletes Abroad Summit returns to Las Vegas this summer, taking place July 8–10, 2025, at the iconic Bellagio Hotel & Casino—a fitting venue for high-impact conversations, global networking, and legacy-driven leadership. Held annually during the NBA Summer League, the Athletes Abroad Summit is the first and only business and personal development conference created exclusively for American athletes pursuing professional careers overseas. Now in its second year, the Summit continues to expand its global impact by bringing together a powerful community of athletes, advisors, and industry innovators. Co-founded by Dr. Tywanna Smith, an award-winning international sports advisor and former professional basketball player, and Sonny Weems, a former NBA player and three-time Chinese Basketball Champion, the Summit was launched to fill a critical gap—providing structure, strategy, and support for athletes navigating the unique challenges of international careers. Featured speakers and session leaders include: - Sonny Weems – With nearly two decades of championship experience across the NBA, EuroLeague, and Chinese Basketball Association, Sonny will lead peer-to-peer player sessions focused on winning on and off the court. - Andrea Durham, CEO of Minority Women in Sports – Advocating for global opportunities for women to play, work, and lead in sports. - Jori Davis, Founder & CEO of WeVolve – Delivering tech-driven tools for contract analysis, salary benchmarking, and agent matchmaking—created by athletes, for athletes. - Eddie Gill, Retired NBA Player – Now a financial advisor, board member of the National Retired Players Association, and analyst for the NBA and Indiana Pacers, Eddie shares key insights on long-term financial strategy and transition planning. Summit partners include: - SEICon – A next-gen sports and entertainment innovation platform. - WeVolve – A consultancy advancing leadership and culture in sports. - UFC – A proud Summit Partner supporting athlete-centered growth and opportunity. With over 10,000 American athletes competing internationally each year, the Athletes Abroad Summit is redefining what it means to win beyond the scoreboard. Through focused sessions on financial literacy, mental wellness, brand development, sports technology, and life after sport, the Summit empowers athletes to expand their global reach, protect their futures, and turn their careers into lasting legacies. Set against the backdrop of the world-famous Bellagio—renowned for its art, elegance, and energy—this year's event is poised to be the most impactful yet. Whether an athlete is actively competing overseas or preparing for their next chapter, the Athletes Abroad Summit is a must-attend experience. Register today at and be part of the global movement redefining athlete leadership——built for players, by players who win. This isn't just another event created for athletes—it's led by them. The Athletes Abroad Summit represents a powerful shift from resources being built for players to being driven by players who win. Every speaker, session, and partnership is shaped by athletes who have competed—and succeeded—on the global stage, offering real-world insights designed to help others do the same. Rachel Dares Rachel Dares PR +1 714-718-9043 email us here Visit us on social media: LinkedIn Instagram Other Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
Newsweek
5 days ago
- Business
- Newsweek
Suns to Hire Cavaliers Assistant as Franchise's Next Head Coach
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. The Phoenix Suns have been going through coaches at a pretty high rate in the last few years as they chase an NBA championship. In fact, they have had three different coaches in the last three years. They decided to part ways with Mike Budenholzer after just one year. This offseason, the Suns were deciding between two different Cleveland Cavaliers assistant coaches, as they believed those two guys were the best finalists for the job. Summer League head coach Jordan Ott of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks on against the Los Angeles Lakers in the first half of a 2024 NBA Summer League game. Ott is now the new head coach... Summer League head coach Jordan Ott of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks on against the Los Angeles Lakers in the first half of a 2024 NBA Summer League game. Ott is now the new head coach of the Phoenix Suns. More Photo byThe Suns have decided to hire Jordan Ott as the new head coach of the franchise. He will be in charge of leading the Suns back into contention for a title. Just In: The Phoenix Suns are hiring Cleveland Cavaliers assistant Jordan Ott as the franchise's new head coach, sources tell ESPN. Ott has been an NBA assistant since 2012 and has a strong background of offensive and defensive creativity, player development and communication. — Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 4, 2025 Ott has been an assistant coach in the league since 2016, but this is his first stint as a head coach. He leads a Suns team with a lot of star power. According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Devin Booker was heavily involved in this decision. More NBA on Newsweek: LeBron James' 'Mind the Game' Podcast Takes Massive Shot at Brian Windhorst This story will be updated....
USA Today
24-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Story behind Ben Sheppard's mustache: Pacers guard says, 'I feel like it's part of me now'
Story behind Ben Sheppard's mustache: Pacers guard says, 'I feel like it's part of me now' Show Caption Hide Caption Who will be the X Factor in the Pacers-Knicks Eastern Conference Finals? The Eastern Conference Finals between the Knicks and Pacers might get tight. Here are the players who we think might be able to break through and tilt the series. SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — Ben Sheppard started growing his mustache on a whim after the Indiana Pacers drafted him with the No. 26 pick in 2023. He was clean shaven as a college player at Belmont and stayed that way long enough to take all of the post-draft photos alongside fellow first-round pick Jarace Walker. Then he just started letting his facial hair grow. By the start of NBA Summer League in 2023, he was showing some stubble, but eventually gave up on everything but the hair above his lip. By training camp he had a full-grown mustache. "At first I couldn't grow any other facial hair except for a mustache," Sheppard said, "but I like how it looks on me." MORE: Pacers vs. Knicks highlights: Pascal Siakam's career night gives Indiana 2-0 lead MORE: Pascal Siakam smokes Knicks for playoff-high 39; Josh Hart, interior defense AWOL for NY Sheppard, who scored six points and added an assist during Indiana's Game 2 win over New York in the Eastern Conference finals Friday night, said his parents didn't buy into his new look right away. His parents, David and Susan, were not big fans and suggested he shave it. Ben was about to acquiesce, but then he saw a picture of them at their wedding and noticed that his father had a mustache that was almost exactly the same as his. "I just wanted to keep it after that," Sheppard said. At that point David bought into the idea, Ben said, because what could he say? Susan was still more than skeptical but eventually had to surrender. "It probably took my mom a year to accept the fact that I have a mustache," Sheppard said. "But my dad likes everything that I do." It has since become the defining feature of Sheppard's aesthetic as he's settled into a rotation role as the Pacers' high-energy, low-maintenance wing off the bench ‒ an '80s style 'stache sitting above a seemingly permanent smile. "I feel like it's like a part of me now," Sheppard said, "so I'm keeping it for the time being." The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.
Indianapolis Star
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indianapolis Star
The story behind Ben Sheppard's mustache: 'I feel like it's like a part of me now'
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah -- Ben Sheppard started growing his mustache out on a whim after the Pacers took him with the No. 26 pick in the 2023 draft. He was clean shaven as a college player at Belmont and stayed that way long enough to take all of the post-draft photos alongside fellow first-round pick Jarace Walker. Then he just started letting his facial hair grow. By the start of NBA Summer League in 2023, he was showing some stubble, but eventually gave up on everything but the hair above his lip. By training camp he had a full-grown mustache "At first I couldn't grow any other facial hair except for a mustache," Sheppard said, "but I like how it looks on me." His parents, David and Susan, were not as big of fans and suggested he shave it off. Ben was about to acquiesce, but then he saw a picture of them at their wedding and noticed that his father had a mustache that was almost exactly the same as his. "I just wanted to keep it after that," Sheppard said. At that point David bought into the idea, Ben said, because what could he say? Susan was still more than skeptical but eventually had to surrender. "It probably took my mom a year to accept the fact that I have a mustache," Sheppard said. "But my dad likes everything that I do." It has since become the defining feature of Sheppard's aesthetic as he's settled into a rotation role as the Pacers' high-energy, low-maintenance wing off the bench -- an 80s style 'stache shitting above a seemingly permanent smile.
San Francisco Chronicle
15-05-2025
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
At 7-foot-1 with an ability to score, China's Yang comes to draft combine looking for an NBA shot
CHICAGO (AP) — Yang Hansen had just taken questions for about 20 minutes in his native Mandarin, then decided to show off a little of his English as he walked out of the room. 'Bye bye,' he said, stretching his arm skyward as he waved farewell. 'Bye bye.' Yang — a 7-foot-1, 253-pound center from China — is one of a slew of international players at the draft combine in Chicago this week, meeting with teams, getting measured and being put through drills. He also is taking part in the 5-on-5 scrimmaging, under the watchful eye of executives from every NBA team. He turns 20 on June 26, the day that the Round 2 picks in this year's NBA draft will get selected. That might turn out to be a fairly memorable birthday for the Chinese big man. 'He really feels happiness here," Chris Liu, Yang's interpreter, said after relaying Yang questions from The Associated Press. "And then, he's really willing to compete with everyone and against everyone. He really enjoyed that.' Yang knows there is an inevitable comparison. Any Chinese center until probably the end of time is going to be asked about Basketball Hall of Famer Yao Ming, who at 7-foot-6 was by far the best Chinese player ever to hit the NBA. Yang is not Yao. Being the next Yao, that's not realistic. Being the best version of Yang is the goal. He has gifts: a nice touch around the basket and solid passing ability among them. He also has things to work on, as would almost any 19-year-old trying to get into the league. 'Yao Ming is my predecessor," Yang said in Mandarin. 'I have always respected him. I want to learn from him.' There is a learning curve that goes beyond the language barrier. Liu has been sitting with Yang on the bench and in the huddles at games during the combine, translating what's being said by coaches and others. But when Yang goes into games, he doesn't need much in the way of additional explanation. Yang averaged 16.6 points, 10.5 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game in the Chinese Basketball Association this past season and was an All-CBA first-team selection. And this draft combine isn't his first foray into the NBA world — he was on a team that China sent last year to the California Classic summer league, one of the prequels to the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. Yang also has been working out in Los Angeles in recent weeks, with former Florida Atlantic and Michigan center Vladislav Goldin — another draft hopeful — among those who were with him for some of those sessions. Goldin and Yang were matched up in one of the draft combine scrimmages. 'We kind of know each other now," Goldin said. "It was just cool.' Yang might be facing long odds. He doesn't seem worried. 'I will do my best,' he said.
