Latest news with #RachidMeziane
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
WNBA Team Cuts Ties With Rookie After Scoring O Points in Three Straight Games
WNBA Team Cuts Ties With Rookie After Scoring O Points in Three Straight Games originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Connecticut Sun are making a series of roster moves as the team attempts to gain some momentum amid a 2-15 record, the worst in the WNBA. Connecticut is cutting ties with a rookie in order to make room for a player returning from playing in the 2025 FIBA Women's EuroBasket. Advertisement The Sun have not won a game since June 6 as the team is on a nine-game losing streak. Connecticut is activating Leila Lacan who was playing in the EuroBasket. To make room for Lacan on the active roster, the Sun are cutting ties with Kariata Diaby. The rookie had made a minimal impact, scoring four points in her last five games. Diaby was held scoreless in her last three matchups while playing nine total minutes. Connecticut Sun center Kariata Diaby warms up before the game against the Golden State Valkyries at Chase Yamashita-Imagn Images Prior to making her WNBA debut this season, Diaby was playing in France, posting four years with ESB Villeneuve before joining Tango Bourges Basket in 2024. Pressure is mounting on head coach Rachid Meziane as the Sun have been the worst team in the WNBA to start the season. Back in June, Meziane made waves after a physical game between the Sun and Indiana Fever. Advertisement The Sun coach labeled a late foul from Sophie Cunningham on Jacy Sheldon as "disrespectful." "When you are winning a game by 17 points, and you doing this ... for me, (it's) a stupid foul," Meziane said on June 17, per ESPN's Alex Philippou. The early signs point to 2025 being a developmental season for the young players on the Sun's roster. Time is running out for Connecticut to turn around a frustrating season. Related: WNBA Announces Frustrating Brittney Griner News on Friday This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
Straits Times
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Belgium eyes global glory after historic EuroBasket defense
Belgium's stunning 67-65 victory over Spain on Sunday not only secured them consecutive EuroBasket titles, but also established them as Europe's most formidable basketball force with genuine global ambitions. The Belgian Cats have undergone one of the most remarkable transformations, evolving from an unranked nation in 2016 into a continental powerhouse. Claiming both their 2023 and 2025 titles despite trailing at half-time in both finals is just one of the extraordinary feats they have achieved, making them only the third nation after the Soviet Union and Spain to successfully defend the EuroBasket crown. Rising from continental hopefuls to global contenders, they have won four European medals since 2017 and secured fourth- and fifth-place finishes at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups respectively. Now, they are setting their sights on conquering the global stage at the FIBA World Cup next year and the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028. Funding from the Olympic Solidarity Team Support Grant for the 2021–24 period, combined with backing from the Belgian Olympic Committee, has accelerated their development. At last year's Paris Olympics, Belgium came tantalisingly close to their breakthrough moment, reaching the semi-finals before losing 81–75 to the eventual runners-up, France, in overtime. Their subsequent 85–81 bronze-medal loss to Australia left them in fourth place, agonisingly close to their first Olympic podium finish, but demonstrating their ability to compete with the global basketball elite. Coach Rachid Meziane, who led the team to their first European success, left in December to take up a position with the Connecticut Sun in the WNBA. Mike Thibault, former coach of the Washington Mystics, took over in January and has continued to propel the team forward. MASTERFUL EXECUTION WITH GENERATIONAL BLEND Under Thibault's guidance, Belgium delivered a superb EuroBasket campaign, topping Group C after victories over Portugal, Montenegro and co-hosts Czech Republic. Their systematic approach has become their trademark, as evidenced by their dismantling of Germany by 24 points in the quarter-finals and their hard-fought 66–64 semi-final victory over Italy. Sunday's final epitomised Belgium's championship DNA. Spain seemed destined for their fifth European title when they established a commanding 65–53 lead with 2:56 left in the final quarter. However, Belgium's competitive spirit emerged in the crucial final minutes. Kyara Linskens, Emma Meesseman, and Julie Allemand combined to reduce the deficit to one point with just 18 seconds left on the clock. Antonia Delaere's decisive steal and layup completed the victory, leaving Spanish players burying their heads in disbelief in front of a raucous 7,827 crowd at the iconic Peace and Friendship Stadium - a record attendance for a Women's EuroBasket Final in the 21st century. The team's blend of experience and youth revolves around Meesseman, 32, the first player to win back-to-back EuroBasket MVP awards. The former Washington Mystics power forward's historic achievement enhances her glittering career, which features a WNBA championship, a WNBA Finals MVP award, six EuroLeague titles and three EuroLeague MVP awards. "It's still hard to believe — I've played a lot of games in my career, but never one like that, especially not in a final," Meesseman said. "It's a good reminder to never give up — in sport or in life." Veteran Julie Vanloo delivered vital assists, while the return of the injured Allemand proved crucial for excellent playmaking. Nastja Claessens, 20, emerged as an important addition, as demonstrated by her 14-point performance against Montenegro. Belgium's dynasty appears nascent, having transformed from a feel-good story into European royalty with their sights set on world domination. Having established European dominance, the missing Olympic and World Cup medals represent their ultimate prize. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Hindustan Times
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Basketball-Belgium eyes global glory after historic EuroBasket defense
By Angelica Medina Basketball-Belgium eyes global glory after historic EuroBasket defense June 30 - Belgium's stunning 67-65 victory over Spain on Sunday not only secured them consecutive EuroBasket titles, but also established them as Europe's most formidable basketball force with genuine global ambitions. The Belgian Cats have undergone one of the most remarkable transformations, evolving from an unranked nation in 2016 into a continental powerhouse. Claiming both their 2023 and 2025 titles despite trailing at half-time in both finals is just one of the extraordinary feats they have achieved, making them only the third nation after the Soviet Union and Spain to successfully defend the EuroBasket crown. Rising from continental hopefuls to global contenders, they have won four European medals since 2017 and secured fourth- and fifth-place finishes at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups respectively. Now, they are setting their sights on conquering the global stage at the FIBA World Cup next year and the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028. Funding from the Olympic Solidarity Team Support Grant for the 2021–24 period, combined with backing from the Belgian Olympic Committee, has accelerated their development. At last year's Paris Olympics, Belgium came tantalisingly close to their breakthrough moment, reaching the semi-finals before losing 81–75 to the eventual runners-up, France, in overtime. Their subsequent 85–81 bronze-medal loss to Australia left them in fourth place, agonisingly close to their first Olympic podium finish, but demonstrating their ability to compete with the global basketball elite. Coach Rachid Meziane, who led the team to their first European success, left in December to take up a position with the Connecticut Sun in the WNBA. Mike Thibault, former coach of the Washington Mystics, took over in January and has continued to propel the team forward. MASTERFUL EXECUTION WITH GENERATIONAL BLEND Under Thibault's guidance, Belgium delivered a superb EuroBasket campaign, topping Group C after victories over Portugal, Montenegro and co-hosts Czech Republic. Their systematic approach has become their trademark, as evidenced by their dismantling of Germany by 24 points in the quarter-finals and their hard-fought 66–64 semi-final victory over Italy. Sunday's final epitomised Belgium's championship DNA. Spain seemed destined for their fifth European title when they established a commanding 65–53 lead with 2:56 left in the final quarter. However, Belgium's competitive spirit emerged in the crucial final minutes. Kyara Linskens, Emma Meesseman, and Julie Allemand combined to reduce the deficit to one point with just 18 seconds left on the clock. Antonia Delaere's decisive steal and layup completed the victory, leaving Spanish players burying their heads in disbelief in front of a raucous 7,827 crowd at the iconic Peace and Friendship Stadium - a record attendance for a Women's EuroBasket Final in the 21st century. The team's blend of experience and youth revolves around Meesseman, 32, the first player to win back-to-back EuroBasket MVP awards. The former Washington Mystics power forward's historic achievement enhances her glittering career, which features a WNBA championship, a WNBA Finals MVP award, six EuroLeague titles and three EuroLeague MVP awards. "It's still hard to believe — I've played a lot of games in my career, but never one like that, especially not in a final," Meesseman said. "It's a good reminder to never give up — in sport or in life." Veteran Julie Vanloo delivered vital assists, while the return of the injured Allemand proved crucial for excellent playmaking. Nastja Claessens, 20, emerged as an important addition, as demonstrated by her 14-point performance against Montenegro. Belgium's dynasty appears nascent, having transformed from a feel-good story into European royalty with their sights set on world domination. Having established European dominance, the missing Olympic and World Cup medals represent their ultimate prize. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Yahoo
22-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Sun HC slams ‘stupid foul' by Fever, Sophie Cunningham
The post Sun HC slams 'stupid foul' by Fever, Sophie Cunningham appeared first on ClutchPoints. Things got out of hand during the Connecticut Sun and Indiana Fever game, which led to several players being fined afterward. With less than a minute left in the game and the Fever up by double digits, Sophie Cunningham made hard contact with Jacy Sheldon as she was driving to the paint. Advertisement That led Cunningham to be assessed a flagrant 2 foul and ejected from the game, as well as Lindsay Allen and Sheldon. After the game, Sun head coach Rachid Meziane spoke about the play. 'I did not understand. When you are winning the game by 17 points and you are doing this, to me, stupid foul – this is just disrespectful and I do not know how Lindsay (Allen) and Jacy (Sheldon) get ejected from the game when they did nothing. For me, it's just disrespectful to do that foul when you're winning the game by 17 points. Completely stupid,' Meziane said. Cunningham ended up being fined for the play, and she has also received some backlash for her actions toward the end of the game. Meziane noted that the team didn't stick to the game plan and focus on what they needed to do to win the game, but it was a good learning opportunity. Fever and Sun game get physical Before the fourth quarter altercation, things started to get out of hand in the third quarter. Cailtin Clark was poked in the eye by Sheldon, which led both players to get tangled up after. Tina Charles and Marina Mabrey then came into the picture, and Mabrey chest bumped Clark, leading her to fall on the floor. Sheldon was assessed a flagrant 1 foul, and Clark, Mabrey, and Charles were given technicals. Advertisement Meziane was asked after the game if he thought Mabrey should have been ejected for her bump on Clark. 'She just tried to be between two players, but no, I don't think she deserved to be ejected,' Meziane said. 'This is not my job. I am a coach. The ref has to do their job, to clean up the game and make sure the best team won the game and not just who is more physical. I don't think my players deserved this ejection.' That is what most likely led to Cunningham fouling Sheldon hard late in the game, as she wanted to try and protect her teammate. At the same time, that wasn't the best move, and she ended up getting fined for it. Related: Angel Reese's 4-word message to ex-LSU teammate after breakout game Related: Fever-Sun postgame brawl draws fines from WNBA
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
'Jaw-Dropping' Photo Of Sophie Cunningham Has Everyone's Attention
'Jaw-Dropping' Photo Of Sophie Cunningham Has Everyone's Attention originally appeared on The Spun. Don't look now, but Sophie Cunningham is quickly becoming one of the most popular players in the WNBA. Advertisement Prior to the 2025 WNBA season, the Indiana Fever acquired Cunningham from the Phoenix Mercury in a four-team trade. It hasn't taken long for her to win over the fans in Indiana. Not only has she surpassed one million followers on TikTok, her Fever jersey is currently sold out online. Cunningham earned a lot of respect from WNBA fans this past Tuesday when she retaliated for a hard foul on Caitlin Clark. During the final minute of the Fever-Sun game, she pretty much pulled Jacy Sheldon to the ground on a fast break. She then got into a scuffle with Sheldon that spilled into the crowd. Sun head coach Rachid Meziane had an issue with Cunningham's foul on Sheldon, calling it a "stupid" and "disrespectful" play. "When you are winning a game by 17 points and you doing this stupid foul, this is just disrespectful," Meziane told reporters. "I don't know how Jacy and Lindsay [got] rejected from the game when they did nothing." SAN FRANCISCO, CA - JUNE 19: Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham (8) looks on before a WNBA game between the Golden State Valkyries and the Indiana Fever on June 19, 2025 at Chase Center in San Francisco, CA. (Photo by Matthew Huang/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)Cunningham might be public enemy No. 1 in Connecticut, but she's a fan favorite everywhere else. Advertisement On Thursday night, a Fever fan posted a photo of Cunningham on X along with this caption "Our bodyguard." In less than 24 hours, this photo of Cunningham received over five million views. At this point, Cunningham has cemented herself as the most popular player on the Fever outside of Caitlin Clark. We'll see if Cunningham can keep this hype train alive heading into Sunday's game against the Las Vegas Aces. Cunningham is averaging 6.4 points and 4.3 rebounds per game for the Fever. She's been a solid contributor off the bench for Stephanie White's squad. Related: Sophie Cunningham Shares Celebratory Offseason Swimsuit Photo 'Jaw-Dropping' Photo Of Sophie Cunningham Has Everyone's Attention first appeared on The Spun on Jun 20, 2025 This story was originally reported by The Spun on Jun 20, 2025, where it first appeared.
