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Express Tribune
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Jemele Hill and Kate Fagan return to ESPN's Around the Horn for final appearance
Two popular ESPN alumni, Jemele Hill and Kate Fagan, are set to return for one last appearance on Around the Horn this Thursday, May 9, 2025. Their one-day comeback comes as part of a sendoff for the iconic debate show, which is set to air its final episode on May 23 after over two decades on air. Both Hill and Fagan were fan favorites during their original stints on the program. Hill worked at ESPN from 2006 to 2018, serving as a columnist, SportsCenter anchor, and co-host of His & Hers. Fagan, a former basketball standout, was with the network from 2012 to 2018, contributing across ESPN platforms including espnW, Outside the Lines, and The Magazine. Around the Horn, which premiered in 2002, has long featured rotating journalists debating the day's biggest sports stories. The program's longevity has made it one of ESPN's most enduring daily shows. Executive VP David Roberts praised the team behind ATH, stating, 'That kind of longevity in media is incredibly rare.' No permanent replacement has been announced for Around the Horn's 5 p.m. ET slot. Beginning May 26, a special 30-minute edition of SportsCenter will temporarily fill the time slot. As ESPN prepares to bid farewell to a major part of its afternoon lineup, the return of Hill and Fagan offers a nostalgic moment for longtime viewers of Around the Horn.
USA Today
02-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Georgia Amoore's injury is a reminder the college-to-WNBA transition is too short
Georgia Amoore's injury is a reminder the college-to-WNBA transition is too short Georgia Amoore injured her right ACL during Tuesday's Mystics practice, the team announced. She and the team will examine treatment and rehabilitation options. Amoore was the No. 6 pick in the WNBA draft. — espnW (@espnW) April 30, 2025 Mystics rookie Georgia Amoore won't suit up this season. Washington announced earlier this week that Amoore suffered a right ACL injury and would provide updates as appropriate. The first update from new head coach Sydney Johnson wasn't great. Johnson confirmed that Amoore won't see the floor this year. "From a depth standpoint, there's some minutes there that we thought Georgia would be able to play," Johnson said. "We'll have to look forward to that in 2026." After a stellar college career, including a standout season at Kentucky, the 5-foot-6 guard was picked No. 6 overall during the 2025 WNBA Draft. The Mystics selected the Australian native to pair with Notre Dame guard Sonia Citron and USC Trojans forward Kiki Iriafen as part of central pieces for an ongoing rebuild. MORE WNBA: Allisha Gray talks Brittney Griner on Dream, A'Ja Wilson shoes There went the air right out of Amoore's sails during her maiden WNBA voyage. It's a cruel reminder that the transition from college to the pros, as little as five weeks in some cases, just isn't enough time to properly adjust. This is the timeline for any athlete who played in the March Madness this year and was subsequently drafted: April 4-6: Final Four and National Championship April 14: 2025 WNBA Draft April 27: Training camp starts May 2: WNBA preseason games begin May 16: 2025 WNBA season kicks off Sounds a bit ridiculous, right? It is. In 2024, we saw the short schedule impact multiple rookies, including Sparks center Cameron Brink and Sky forward Angel Reese, who suffered season-ending injuries. Though she didn't miss any time, Fever star Caitlin Clark also battled through an ankle injury, an underlying sign that the grind of playing an entire college season and going straight to the pros isn't talked about enough. WNBA legend Candace Parker spoke to For The Win in 2024 about that intense turnaround that Clark and so many rookies like Amoore trudge through. "When you come in, you're in postseason form because you've been playing since October," Parker said. "Then, you hit that mid-season wall where you're tired. You're exhausted. Essentially, [Clark's] going to have to play a year straight with the playoffs." Caitlin Clark went to the locker room with an ankle injury She has returned to the bench 🙏 — Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 20, 2024 So, what's the solution? Unfortunately, there probably isn't an immediate one. Re-configuring the WNBA's schedule to start later would likely be rather complicated. It's often predicated on the calendar of other sports and the shared use of venues occupied by neighboring professional franchises. Additionally, while starting later would significantly help with recovery and prep time, the number of games played during the season might still nullify that. The WNBA season now includes 44 regular-season games (up from 40 last year), and the WNBA Finals is moving from a five-game format to a best-of-seven series. In other words, fixing one problem won't instantly solve another. The grind is seemingly unrelenting ― curse you, basketball gods ― and showing no signs of stopping as the league pushes to new heights. There are more games, more names and a whole lot more at stake. We can only hope that when Amoore returns in 2026, she'll be just as she was: gutsy, fiery and ready to unleash.
New York Times
27-03-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Jennings: Without JuJu Watkins, the show goes on. Expect women's March Madness to deliver
So much had been heaped on JuJu Watkins from the start — from the moment she set foot on USC's campus, she was the one who would bring the program back to the mountaintop. This season, she was the player who would carry the star power in women's college basketball in the wake of Caitlin Clark. It was a lot of weight on anyone's shoulders, but she handled it well. She thrived under that responsibility and blossomed in the spotlight. But last weekend, the biggest star in women's college basketball was carried away after collapsing to the court with a season-ending ACL tear. Her absence has left USC fans stunned and the women's college basketball world restless. Some kind words for JuJu Watkins 🥹 — espnW (@espnW) March 25, 2025 Salt in the wound? Commercials featuring Watkins will continue playing during the NCAA Tournament. She's the biggest individual star in women's college hoops right now, drawing red-carpet-like turnout from celebrities at her games in the Galen Center. That reception would have boomed with a Final Four trip or national championship as an undeniable Hollywood storyline. Advertisement While prayers rained on Los Angeles for Watkins' recovery, questions bubbled up: What now? Who now? It's a fair question. And it echoes the refrain women's basketball was asked repeatedly after last season, when Clark departed for the WNBA. Would her legions of fans and millions of viewers who set records watching her play for Iowa stick around for the 2024-25 college season? Nobody expected this season's tournament to match the record-setting viewership of last season, but progress can't be measured just in year-to-year gains. And while no one expected the numbers to quite reach the fever pitch of Clark Mania a season ago, the trend continues in one direction: upward. The first two rounds of the tournament featured no Cinderellas, no major upsets, no Clark. They were light on the dramatics that some believe necessary to attract viewers. And yet, the numbers don't lie — ratings from the first two rounds ranked second best in tournament history, coming in at 43 percent higher than in 2023, which now stands as the third-best year in tournament history viewership. As generational as Clark was, the game has still shown momentum in her wake. With Watkins absent over the rest of this tournament, as large as that will loom, there's no reason to think the sport isn't strong enough to continue. Because this question isn't new. Many forget that before Clark captivated the country, Paige Bueckers was doing the same. A UConn star as a freshman, she won the national Player of the Year in 2021 and became an early darling of the name, image and likeness era. Then, she tore her ACL and missed an entire season, leaving questions about how the sport would endure without its new prodigy who filled arenas. It was in Bueckers' absence that Clark and Angel Reese emerged, overflowing that void to bring even more interest to the game and push the sport to higher horizons, culminating in one of tournament history's most epic showdowns. Last season, South Carolina's undefeated campaign was led by coach Dawn Staley, who's among sports' most influential figures. The Gamecocks were tested by Clark's dazzling displays, drawing viewership ratings that dwarfed even 2023's high standards. Advertisement When Bueckers was out, Clark and Reese answered. Bueckers had done the same after Oregon's Sabrina Ionescu went to the WNBA. And fans were similarly skeptical about a lack of star power when Maya Moore graduated from UConn. The women's game has proved time and again — especially in these last few seasons — that it will produce. Luminaries will emerge and captivate basketball fans. Perhaps the answer is not as obvious as it was a week ago, when the nation's best player was leading a resurgent program with a national following and instant recognition on a must-see journey. Similar to the reactions Clark, Moore and others before them inspired, coaches were simultaneously vexed trying to stop them but appreciative to what they did for the game. Sometimes, it's easier to see the growth from within. If there's a coach who can attest to the value of players such as Watkins and their impact on the sport, it's UConn's Geno Auriemma. He has seen more phenoms up close than anyone else, many who became so beloved they could be referenced by their first names (or initials) alone: Sue, Dee, Maya, Stewie. When the ESPN broadcast wrapped its coverage Monday from UConn's second-round win after Bueckers scored 34 points, Auriemma sat courtside in Storrs for an interview. He was asked to answer quickly so the broadcast could flip to the USC-Mississippi State game starting on the West Coast. 'Oh, man, get off me right now, let's get to her. I want to watch her play,' Auriemma said with a smile. 'Here comes JuJu. Give me some JuJu! … Over to you, JuJu, take over!' Geno counting down the broadcast and then tossing it to JuJu telling her to 'takeover' >>>> — Tyler DeLuca (@TylerDeLuca) March 25, 2025 Coaches respect great players; game respects game. (If only the latter had some mercy for knees.) So what next? Who now? That's what the next two weeks will decide. But if the past tells us anything, it's that the women's tournament will deliver. The most elite talent is still in the game. Every No. 1 seed (UCLA, South Carolina, USC and Texas) and No. 2 seed (UConn, NC State, Duke and TCU) remains in the field, and three No. 3 seeds (Notre Dame, LSU and Oklahoma) are left standing. The spotlight is trained back on Bueckers, and as previous tournaments have taught us, even casual viewers will become new fans of the game's best players. Notre Dame's Hannah Hidalgo, LSU's Flau'Jae Johnson and UCLA's Lauren Betts have been exemplary all season, and new young players are poised to surprise us. Advertisement In Spokane and Birmingham, the show goes on. Nets will be cut. New stars will be made and crowned, and more familiar stars will shoulder a heavier load. A Watkins-less USC is not the same as it once was, nor is a Watkins-less tournament. But the greatest testament to Watkins' greatness and star power is that even in her absence, the sport she's helping to build will continue to grow.
Yahoo
09-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
LSU's Flau'jae Johnson carried teammate Aneesah Morrow off the court after foot injury vs. Texas
LSU is really going through it right now. Ahead of the SEC tournament, the Tigers were without Flau'jae Johnson. Johnson is dealing with shin inflammation, and the staff decided to rest her. That meant Kim Mulkey and her staff would have to lean on other players like Mikaylah Williams and Aneesah Morrow. That's no big deal. Williams and Morrow are fully capable. However, during a matchup with Texas on Saturday, Morrow went down with an injury. She landed awkwardly during a play and fell to the floor in pain. Members of the coaching staff, including Mulkey, rushed to be by her side, but there was one more person on the court, too ― Flau'jae Johnson. In a very supportive and sweet gesture, Johnson helped carry Morrow off the court. Aneesah Morrow was helped off the court after an apparent foot injury. — espnW (@espnW) March 9, 2025 View this post on Instagram A post shared by espnW (@espnw) After receiving an on-site X-ray, Morrow returned to the bench, wearing a walking boot. Aneesah Morrow has returned to #LSU's bench. Walking boot on. — Cory Diaz (@ByCoryDiaz) March 9, 2025 Later, Kim Mulkey revealed the senior reaggravated a foot pain. However, she is expected to play in the upcoming NCAA tournament. "She's good to go," Mulkey said. "She can go for the tournament. She was ready to come back out there, and the doctors [said], 'No. Why would you go out there?' Win or lose, we've got playoffs ... Everything's good ... We have everybody." "We have everybody."@LSUwbkb @KimMulkey updates the injury to Aneesah Morrow, says #LSU will be healthy and ready for NCAA Tournament. — Jacques Doucet New (@WAFB9Sports) March 9, 2025 This article originally appeared on For The Win: Flau'jae Johnson carried Aneesah Morrow off court after foot injury
Yahoo
16-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Texas women's basketball fans react to win over LSU: 'We should be No. 1'
Texas women's basketball is firmly entrenched atop the Southeastern Conference. In front of a sold-out Moody Center crowd Sunday, Texas coach Vic Schaefer led his team to a win over Kim Mulkey's No.5-ranked LSU 65-58. The Longhorns shot a miserable 18.9% in the first half but managed to bounce back, outscoring the Tigers 46-30 in the second. Though Texas guard Madison Booker shot 3 of 17 from the field, she made all 10 free throws for 16 points, 10 rebounds and three assists. Post Taylor Jones had 12 points and eight rebounds, while Rori Harmon collected 10 points, five assists and four rebounds including a clutch mid-range jumper that effectively iced the game. More: Texas basketball: Is Madison Booker on a pace to become school's all-time leading scorer? Texas hasn't lost since Jan. 12 and has no more ranked opponents on its schedule. Three games remain until the end of the regular season giving way to SEC Tournament play and eventually, March Madness. Here are some reactions to Texas women's win over LSU. RORI HARMON IN THE CLUTCH 👏 — espnW (@espnW) February 16, 2025 THREE TOP TEN WINS IN. A. ROW. 🤘#HookEm — Texas Women's Basketball (@TexasWBB) February 16, 2025 I absolutely love watching this Texas Women's Basketball team. They play with so much heart and pride.-21 for 21 from the free throw line is ridiculous and was the story of the game. -Bryanna Preston was the player of the game. She gave Texas life and was a menace the whole… — Isiah Jordan Collier (@Zay_Collier) February 16, 2025 NO. 3 TEXAS COMPLETES THE COMEBACK AND HANGS ON TO BEAT NO. 5 LSU 🤘 — ESPN (@espn) February 16, 2025 Texas comes back and beats #5 LSU 65-58Longhorns capture their 3rd win over a top-10 team in the past 7 days I'm not a voter but if I had one…UT would be the #1 team in the country tomorrow #HookEm | #Texas — Cory Mose (@Cory_Mose) February 16, 2025 For the first time since January 31, 2010 -- Kim Mulkey will leave Austin with a loss. Texas comes back from a 12-point deficit to beat LSU. Let's head to Vic Schaefer's postgame. — Eric Henry (@EricCHenry_) February 16, 2025 LSU had no business losing that fuckin game. refs were terrible but basically a no-show from them in the 4th. Texas fake demons btw — LANI ❦ (@___lovelani) February 16, 2025 In my opinion, it would've been @LSUwbkb biggest regular season win under @KimMulkey. Texas is obviously a powerful opponent, but #LSU is their own worst enemy so often with agonizing turnovers and silly mistakes. This game was there for the taking. — Jacques Doucet New (@WAFB9Sports) February 16, 2025 Credit Texas, but LSU was up 12 with under 15 to go and lost by 7. That's the kind of game you build on…if it's in December. In Feb it's a collapse. — Charles Hanagriff (@C_Hanagriff) February 16, 2025 Texas beats LSU which means LSU drops to 2nd in the SEC @GamecockWBB and Texas now sit at the top of the conference and are the big favorites to win the rest of their gamesA reminder that a coin flip would decide the No. 1 seed at the SEC tournament if they are co-champs — Matt Dowell (@MattDowellTV) February 16, 2025 Texas takes down LSU at home in a massive win for the Longhorns. They hand LSU their second loss of the year and earn their fourth consecutive ranked victory. — Talia Goodman (@TaliaGoodmanWBB) February 16, 2025 'Texas doesn't deserve number 3' 'Texas is getting belt by LSU' — Madz (@whatever120998) February 16, 2025 Texas takes down No. 5 LSU after a strong effort in the second half. @TexasWBB is the first team to win 3 straight games against Top 10 teams since 2005 #HookEm — Darby Brown (@darbyjobrown) February 16, 2025 Texas and LSU fans: you breathing???? — womenshoopsworld (@hoopism) February 16, 2025 LSU vs Texas is CINEMA — Basketball Scout (@ShowCaseShabazz) February 16, 2025 Texas beating LSU and SC in the same week… WE SHOULD BE NUMBER 1 IN THE COUNTRY🤘🏾 — 💜 (@thefutxre) February 16, 2025 Texas dominated winning have made 6 of their last 6 FGs and didn't miss a single free throw the entire game going 20/20LSU held to just 1 of their last 10 FGs and that is enough for a 65-58 Longhorn win! @NoCapSpaceWBB — Tyler DeLuca (@TylerDeLuca) February 16, 2025 Texas went 21-21 from the free throw line. LSU was 13 of 19. There's your point differential — Jeremy Wheeler (@Jwheelz007) February 16, 2025 Horns win 65-58, solidifying their case for a No. 1 overall seed. They're 26-2 overall and 12-1 in the SEC. What a comeback after rough first half offensively. — Cedric Golden (@CedGolden) February 16, 2025 Follow the American-Statesman on Facebook and X for more. Your subscription makes work like this possible. Get access to all of our best content with this tremendous offer. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas women's basketball fans react to win over LSU, Kim Mulkey
