Author: lehang

The Aussie duo were both rattled after the bizarre rule was enforced.

Alex de Minaur vented his frustration with the chair umpire after Aussie rival Jordan Thompson’s hat fell off during play at the US Open to prevent him from winning the point in a bizarre tennis rule. De Minaur and Thompson engaged in a tight fourth round clash at the US Open with an Australian guaranteed to reach the quarter-final at Flushing Meadows.

De Minaur stormed out of the gates and left his fellow Aussie rival shell-shocked in the first set with a 6-0 drubbing. However, Thompson showed grit and determination to fight his way back into the match to take the second set 6-3. Although there was a controversial moment in the second set at 30-30 on Thompson’s serve.

Tennis fans were left baffled after Alex de Minaur (pictured left) was left frustrated in replaying a point when Jordan Thompson’s (pictured right) hat fell off during play at the US Open. (Getty Images)
De Minuar had moved Thompson around the court and forced him to throw up a high recovery shot on the run. The No.10 seed went to put the smash away to earn two break points, but Thompson stopped and gestured to grab the attention of the the chair umpire.

Thompson’s hat had fallen off during the play as he put up the towering recovery shot. The chair umpire hadn’t seen the hat fall off and followed the action as de Minaur won the point. Unfortunately for de Minaur, Thompson used a controversial tennis rule to his advantage having stopped during play. This was within his right.

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Once an opponent’s hat falls off during play the point needs to be replayed. If Thompson’s hat falls off a second time then he can face a point deduction. But since it was the first time during the match, Thompson told the chair umpire he stopped because the point needed to be replayed.

De Minaur approached the chair umpire and questioned why the point hadn’t been stopped as soon as Thompson’s bright yellow hat had fallen off. De Minaur was the clear favourite to win the point since he was granted a smash at the net, even though the smash went back at Thompson who returned it. De Minaur then hit a winner.

The chair umpire explained she was following the ball and had missed the hat falling off during the point. The No.10 seed accepted the decision and the chair umpire’s reason and replayed the point against his fellow Aussie. Thompson used the break to his advantage and managed to go on and hold the game. He then capitalised with the momentum to level the match at one-set all.

De Minaur didn’t show his frustration and managed to brush if off heading into the third set. However, fans questioned the bizarre rule and why de Minuar wasn’t automatically awarded the point for his opponent’s hat falling off.

Alex de Minaur confused over tennis rule

After the match, de Minaur explained his confusion during the post-match press conference. He admitted he felt the chair umpire made the right call at the time. “That’s happened to me so many times. (But) I’m normally the one with my hat just falling off,” he said.

“The only thing that I felt (was) puzzling is that I wasn’t sure, and I actually in the moment didn’t ask the ref, but I was curious if I would have hit a winner on the next shot, if it still would have been a replay or not.

“Because I’ve had times where my hat has fallen off (and) I’ve stopped, but the opponent hasn’t, and the referee deems it as it’s only endangering me and not my opponent (and that) therefore, it’s not a replay of the point.

“It feels like the rule just changes, depending on the ref, if I’m honest. I wouldn’t be able to tell you the actual rule book, because I have had so many different situations where they have played it off different ways, but in my eyes, I feel like any time the hat falls off, it should be a replay point, no matter what.”

Alex de Minaur (pictured) defeated Jordan Thompson at the US Open.
Thompson put up a very strong fight against his younger rival and made de Minaur work for every point in typical Aussie style. De Minaur improved his serving performance in the third and fourth set to pull away to win 6-0, 3-6, 6-3, 7-5.

De Minaur showed his respect for his friend and fellow Aussie during his on-court interview having praised Thompson for his mentorship throughout the years. “Yeah look, I have so much respect for Thompson. We grew up together. He has been like a big brother for me,” de Minaur said after the match.

When asked about how he was approaching the US Open, the No.10 seed pinpointed his determination as the key. “Just the mentality….try to play every point and win every point. Just compete my heart out. Thanks for those who stayed,” de Minaur added to a huge roar from the crowd.

Alex de Minaur matches Lleyton Hewitt feat at US Open

De Minaur’s win saw him emulate Aussie tennis icon and his mentor Lleyton Hewitt. The 25-year-old became the first male Aussie to reach the quarter-final in three consecutive grand slams since Lleyton Hewitt 20 years ago. Incredibly not even Ash Barty or Sam Stosur achieved this feat at the height of their careers.

He will next play Jack Draper in the quarter-final with a huge opportunity to reach his maiden US Open semi-final. De Minaur will now be looking to once again emulate his Davis Cup captain’s 2004 run and lift the trophy. Most importantly for de Minaur, the Aussie was moving with speed and agility having appeared to recovered from the hip injury that saw him retire from Wimbledon and withdraw from the Paris Olympics singles competition.

The Aussie tennis player has become an honorary Brit due to his girlfriend – but he won’t be against Jack Draper at the US Open.

Novak Djokovic has suffered another significant blow at the hands of an Australian tennis player, with Alex de Minaur overtaking him for the last spot in the race to the ATP Finals. Djokovic suffered a shock loss to Alexei Popyrin in the third round of the US Open, meaning he hasn’t won a single grand slam title in 2024.

The Serbian star has dropped from World No.2 to No.4 in the live ATP rankings, and he’ll fall to fifth if Daniil Medvedev beats Jannik Sinner in the quarter-finals in New York. But as well as the rankings hit and the fact he’s been stuck on 24 career grand slams all year, Djokovic is in serious danger of missing out on qualifying for the year-ending ATP Finals.

Alex de Minaur (L) has overtaken Novak Djokovic (R) in the race to the ATP Finals. Image: Getty
With de Minaur’s victory over Jordan Thompson in the fourth round of the US Open, the Aussie has now moved ahead of Djokovic into eighth spot in the race to the ATP Finals. Only eight players will qualify for the season-ending tournament, meaning Djokovic would miss out if the standings remain the same.

As opposed to the official ATP rankings, which work on a 24-month cycle, the ATP Finals field is determined by the players with the most points accrued in the calendar year. Even though Djokovic is now fourth in the world rankings, he’s ninth in the race to the ATP Finals.

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Novak Djokovic in danger of missing out on ATP Finals

It would mark a staggering development if Djokovic doesn’t qualify for the Finals given he’s won the tournament the most times in its history (seven). The 37-year-old has only missed the ATP Finals once since 2007, but that was due to injury in 2017.

Whether or not he still regards the ATP Finals as a must-play event remains to be seen, with Djokovic putting all of his focus into winning gold at the Olympics this year. The Serb didn’t appear to have his heart in it during the US Open after completing his quest to win the only major title that has eluded him in his career – gold at the Olympics – in Paris.

Alex de Minaur celebrates after beating Jordan Thompson to reach the US Open quarter-finals. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
The fact that de Minaur has overtaken Djokovic in the race for the Finals goes to show how good the Aussie has been in 2024, and the indifferent form of Djokovic. The 24-time grand slam champion hasn’t won a single title on the ATP Tour this season, with his Olympic gold medal his only prize to show for a down year.

De Minaur has a 43-19 win-loss record in 2024 and has claimed two titles – in ‘s-Hertogenbosch on grass and Acapulco on hard court. In contrast, Djokovic is 31-8 this season and hasn’t played nearly as many tournaments.

Katie Boulter will have to put British allegiances aside

De Minaur will take on Jack Draper in the quarter-finals of the US Open on Wednesday (Thursday 4am Australian time). He will put his love affair with Great Britain aside for the time being, with Brits normally happy to cheer him on due to his relationship with Katie Boulter.

Katie Boulter (L) will have her allegiances tested as Alex Minaur (R) plays her countryman Jack Draper. (Photo by Beatriz Velasco/Getty Images)
Boulter will also have her allegiances tested as her boyfriend takes on her compatriot. “Look, I’ve played plenty of Brits. It’s never easy. I feel a little bit of hostility in their country at the moment,” de Minaur said on Tuesday.

“But again, these are the types of matches I want to be playing. I worked so hard to put myself in this position throughout the years. So many hours off the court, on the court, working on little things, because these are the matches I want to be playing – tail end of slams, opportunities, quarter-finals. Yeah, I’m excited for the battle … I mean, do one for Australia, do one for myself as well.”

Swoopes is a color commentator for Dallas Wings games

Caitlin Clark led the Indiana Fever to a 100-93 victory over the Dallas Wings on Sunday.

Missing from the game was WNBA legend Sheryl Swoopes. Nancy Lieberman replaced Swoopes as the Wings’ color commentator for the game instead.

Texas Tech alumna Sheryl Swoopes attends the Alumni Weekend at the Texas Tech game against Baylor on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, at United Supermarkets Arena. (IMAGN)

ESPN’s Stephen A. Smtih believed that Swoopes was removed from the broadcast due to her personal feelings toward Clark.

“What incriminates, in my opinion – it’s just my opinion – but what incriminates somebody like Sheryl Swoopes even more who, by the way, was supposed to be calling the game with y’all yesterday, and she did not call the game,” Smith said during a recent episode of “The Stephen A. Smith Show”.

“And no doubt it had something to do with the fact that, when Caitlin Clark had performed early in the week she didn’t want to talk about it at all.”

Smith is referring to when Clark scored 31 points with 12 assists during the Fever’s 100-81 win over Angel Reese’s Chicago Sky last week.

“We recognize that, and we know in television the way that I do. I know what producers do, I know bosses do when you see your personal feelings, whatever they may be infiltrating the proceedings and compromising your position as a professional.”

Sheryl Swoopes speaks on Monday, Jan. 20, 2020, during the Earl Lloyd Sports Legacy Symposium at FedEx Forum in downtown Memphis, Tennessee. (IMAGN)

Bally Sports Southwest did not have a comment for Fox News Digital when asked about Swoopes not being on the broadcast. The Dallas Wings did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

Swoopes, during an appearance on “Gil’s Arena,” podcast with former NBA star Gilbert Arenas in February, made incorrect statements about Clark’s collegiate career and stats.

Swoopes said that Clark stayed in college for five seasons and that she took over 40 shots per game while discussing the topic of how Clark broke the NCAA’s all-time basketball points record her senior year in 2023.

While, in fact, Clark played just four seasons while averaging just 22.7 shots per game en route to the record.

Swoopes posted the text message apology she sent to Clark following those comments from February to X on Monday.

“Hey Caitlin, I wanted to personally reach out to you and say I made a mistake on what year this is for you, COVID year has me all confused,” Swoopes wrote. “I also have nothing but respect for you and your game and appreciate your skill. Congrats on everything you have accomplished thus far. Be blessed.”

The other screenshots show Clark thanking Swoopes for reaching out and her contributions to the WNBA. Swoopes said that she appreciates Clark and her game and told her to “keep being great!”

Swoopes, during an August episode of her “Queens of the Court” podcast, notably omitted Clark as a reason for the recent improvement of the Fever. Swoopes only praised Aliyah Boston, Kelsey Mitchell and Lexie Hull.

However, Clark has been the team’s leading scorer during its win streak and is already one of the top scorers in the WNBA.

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark, #22, brings the ball up court against the Chicago Sky during the first half at Wintrust Arena in Chicago on Aug. 30, 2024. (Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports)

The Fever began the season 1-8 and have since gone 16-8. After their win on Sunday, they are over .500 for the first time all season at 17-16.

Smith responded to Swoopes’ statements in that episode and said the Hall of Famer was “insane to do that.”

“Do you have any idea how that makes you look?”

“You talk about whomever and whatever you want to on your podcast. Correct? So why can’t I? Also, did you listen to the ENTIRE episode? NOPE! I have a personal relationship with these players and they deserve recognition as well.”

Smith said that Swoopes’ basketball acumen makes her lack or praise of Clark seem personal.

Texas Tech alumna Sheryl Swoopes attends the Texas Tech game against Baylor on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, at United Supermarkets Arena. (IMAGN)

“But I think in the case of Sheryl Swoopes, and I’m not going to belabor this point, but it’s important to be made that Sheryl Swoopes is a winner. She was great, and she’s a phenomenal basketball mind.”

“What she’s not realizing is that when she doesn’t state the obvious it’s automatically going to be assumed that it’s something personal, because we know you know the basketball game, the game of basketball too well to ignore the kind of things that she’s ignoring when it comes to Caitlin Clark.”

The Fever’s next game is away against the Los Angeles Sparks on Wednesday.

Fox News’ Jackson Thompson contributed to this report. 

One could find countless examples of Kobe Bryant and his Mamba Mentality. The Lakers legend has inspired even the WNBA rookies Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese. Many legends too have shared a similar sentiment. And recently, when his former teammate and coach shared a story, a veteran did not like it. He did not oppose the story, but the interpretation from a fan, and it was not the first time he shut down bizarre fan theories.

Eddie Johnson, currently working for Phoenix Suns as a color analyst, expressed his displeasure on X. He tweeted this when a fan shared Brian Shaw’s Kobe Bryant’s story of scoring 62 points against the Mavericks. Shaw narrated that during the game in 2005, the 5x NBA champion wasn’t keen on returning in the last quarter just to boost his scoring record. “Nah, I’ll get it another time when we really need it,” said Kobe Bryant as recalled by Shaw. He further added how Kobe kept his word and scored 81 points against the Raptors, which has now been turned into a statue outside Crypto.com.

The part that Eddie Johnson did not like was where the Chicago Sky rookie was trolled. The tweet mentioned Angel Reese as one of the players in the WNBA who is “SHAMELESSLY stat padding.” Plus, using the Kobe Bryant story as a tool to state that the previous generation of players did not focus on boosting their individual stats.

“You have 0 clue about basketball mentality and growth. You using an analogy, comparing a rookie WNBA player to Kobe in his 9th year. Kobe didn’t care about the points and he told you Why. He said he can go get it again. He knew he could take 30 shots anytime he wanted. Stop!”

You have 0 clue about basketball mentality and growth. You using an analogy, comparing a rookie WNBA player to Kobe in his 9th year.
Kobe didn’t care about the points and he told you Why. He said he can go get it again. He knew he could take 30 shots anytime he wanted. Stop! https://t.co/fVAoojygxh

— Eddie A Johnson (@Jumpshot8) September 3, 2024

The Angel Reese debate is heating up because she broke the all-time WNBA record for the most rebounds in a single season. A report from last Wednesday claimed that Reese had 53 rebounds of her misses. But, this was not the first time he came in defense of Reese.

After disproving fan’s Kobe Bryant theory, Eddie Johnson stuck by Reese

The co-host of The NBA Today Show on SiriusXM NBA Radio previously too stopped any negative narrative against the Sky forward. A fan on X, in July, shared his perspective on why fans hated Reese more than Clark. The video currently has 1.1 million views, where he took a few examples during different WNBA games to ascertain the “character” of Reese.

The clip was from the game when Chennedy Carter fouled the Fever rookie, which was changed to Flagrant the next day. In the clip, Reese was cheering her teammate for the shoulder push, and the fan did not like the celebration. However, Johnson was quick to disapprove of any character certification.

“😂. If you have never been between the lines competively, please sit this one out. This G rated video is what makes our skin crawl. Stop analysing a sport where you have zero clue about competitive drive and forgetfulness. Its a part of the game. Both players are respected!”

He also avoided getting pulled for the ROTY debate. He did not pick any side, instead said both of them are the same.

Ever imagined Paul George taking over the center position on the hardwood? It sounds odd, right? But what if I tell you, it could’ve been the case if the 8x NBA All-Star hadn’t taken a stern call in his childhood? Yes, whatever you read was right. The Philadelphia 76ers star was growing up to become another Shaquille O’Neal until the unexpectedly hilarious moment.

Before Shaq became the LA Lakers Shaq, he had an explosive stint with the Orlando Magic for four seasons. This short stint was enough for the big man to set the stage for redefining the center position. Dr. Diesel brought dominance and physicality to the rim protection business and went on to become one of the best centers in the league’s history.

Of course, anyone would get drawn to the magnetism of his game. And Paul George’s father wasn’t any different. Looking at his son’s growth spurt at a very young George Sr. wanted to transform his son into Shaq 2.0. Featuring in Podcast P with Paul George, he said, “I’m thinking he was gonna be real real tall. Okay, he gonna play center… and then at the time, Shaq was the man he was with the Magic… I’m buying everything Magic.” 

Unfortunately, Paul George felt differently than his dad. While George Sr. obsessed over the Magic franchise and center position, PG dropped the hammer on his dad. Narrating the childhood tale on the podcast show, the star’s dad said, “Paul’s looking at me. he’s like, ‘Dad I know you like Shaq and all that, but… I am not gonna play no center.’” Grinning with the narration, he added, “You going to be kind of tall, you know, you might want to try to play center, you know stick on that, you know. He was like, ‘No’”

Paul George and his Shaq connection

While the NBA world missed out on another Shaq, there is a blessing in disguise. Paul George emerged as one of the greatest handles in the NBA world. The star’s father added how the star dribbled the ball almost all the time. George Sr. continued, “Every day he was out there dribbling the ball he was dribbling walking to school dribbling walking back. so he just got in his dribbles handles and all.” 

However, on the other hand, there is a seamless parallel between the duo. While PG discarded Shaq’s route in his childhood, the big man disregarded the star’s opinion on live TV. After losing the playoff first round in Game 6 last season, George said, “f you fail, you fail. Live with the results.” 

Shaq wasn’t a big fan of the statement and he immediately slandered the star. He said, “No, I ain’t going with that. If you fail, you can’t fail… If you play hard and play with a lot of effort, that’s not a failure. You play hard, you go out there and get 15 points when you are 2-15, nah, I ain’t living with that.” Most importantly, the two have evened out their silent beef. Do you think Paul

Before leaving, do watch the Dual Threat Show hosted by BG12 where Bulldogs’ Asia Avinger details her experience with Kobe Bryant, her WNBA ROTY picks, and more in the video below.

The ‘Hello’ singer has 10 more shows scheduled for her Las Vegas residency

Adele is saying goodbye to performing for a while.

A fan shared a video on TikTok of the singer during a recent performance in Munich, Germany, where she said she’s planning a lengthy break after her Las Vegas residency.

“I have 10 shows to do, but after that I will not see you for an incredibly long time, and I will hold you dear in my heart.”

Representatives for Adele did not immediately return Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

Adele said on stage that she would not see fans “for an incredibly long time.” (Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for AD)

Adele has been performing her Las Vegas residency at The Colosseum Theater at Caesars Palace since November 2022.

She initially announced this residency in 2021, only to stun and disappoint fans months later by postponing the tour entirely. In an emotional video, the “Rolling in the Deep” singer told fans that the caliber of her show was not up to par and that she and her crew wouldn’t be ready to begin on time.

Once the shows began, Adele extended her dates into 2023 and again through most of 2024. Her last shows are set to run from Oct. 25 through November 23 this year.

In July, the Grammy-winner told Germany’s ZDF public broadcast service she was looking to do other “creative things.”

Adele began her Las Vegas residency in November 2022 after a false start in 2021. (Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images for Adele)

“I don’t have any plans for new music at all,” she told the outlet.  “I want a big break after this and I think I want to do other creative things, just for a little while.”

She also told the outlet, “I don’t like being famous. I love that I get to make music all the time.”

Earlier this year, the “Hello” singer also said she struggles with the pressures of fame.

During a concert in February, she discussed photos of her taken at an NBA game in which she looks upset. She explained that she did not look happy because people were filming her against her will and that she does not like being famous to begin with.

Adele told German outlet ZDF, “I don’t like being famous. I love that I get to make music all the time.” (Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for AD)

“Do you remember that viral meme of me looking like I don’t give a flying f—?” she asked her audience, referring to the photos taken in February 2022 at the 2022 NBA All-Star Game. She made a face mimicking the one she made in the famous photos.

She explained she went back and forth about being filmed at the game and ended up being filmed anyway.

“The reason I looked like my lips had filler – because I got naturally big lips, right, I don’t need filler – the reason I looked like a different person was because I was sulking, because I was like ‘these motherf—ers have come back and are filming me against my will,’” she said, according to fan recorded video.

She added, “I didn’t realize they were airing it on TV, I thought it was just in the room.”

Adele went viral for her serious expression during the 2022 NBA All-Star Game, which she later explained was caused by being annoyed by being thrown on camera on TV without okaying it. (Kevin Mazur/Getty Images)

“I was ignoring, looking everywhere but in the camera because I was very annoyed because I asked not to be filmed, but I guess I was asking it by going. Also my face is just very meme-able, I can’t help it.”

Fox News Digital’s Caroline Thayer and Emily Trainham contributed to this report.

Jaylen Brown made his expectations clear about the 2024-25 NBA season. The veteran swingman isn’t done proving doubters wrong and he’s working hard to have another remarkable season.

After one fan predicted that Brown’s villain year was loading underneath one of his Instagram posts on August 31, JB sent a strong message about the upcoming season, making it clear he’s out for blood.

“I want blood,” he replied to the comment.

Brown is coming off the best season of his NBA career, having secured the 2024 championship after leading the league with the best regular-season record and losing only three games in the postseason. He averaged 23 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.6 assists across 70 regular season games and 23.9 points, 5.9 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game during the 2024 NBA playoffs.

The Celtics dominated their opponents, with Brown winning the MVP honors for both the Eastern Conference finals and NBA Finals.

Brown is having a busy offseason, even though he didn’t get the call to represent the country in the 2024 Paris Olympics. Besides his underwater workouts, the player tried his luck as a rapper, dropping a song with ASAP Ferg.

Gilbert Arenas explains why Jaylen Brown isn’t at the same level as Jayson Tatum

Former NBA star Gilbert Arenas made a clear statement about Jaylen Brown’s position among the NBA elite. While Brandon Jennings claimed that Brown could get the same overall rating as Anthony Davis in NBA 2K25 (94), Arenas strongly disagreed with that notion.

“Jaylen Brown (92 overall) could be over Anthony Davis (94 overall) in [NBA2K25],” Jennings said, via Legion Hoops on X.

“Cap… [Jaylen Brown] is not the No. 1 option on his team. He sits in the corner; they double Tatum. Pass, pass, [Boston] goes through Holiday… He does not demand the double team… He’s not in this realm [of the top 10 players in NBA 2K25],” Arenas responded.

Brown has the second-largest contract in NBA history after being a consistent contributor for the Celtics. The team had to wait and endure multiple seasons with disappointing playoff exits before reaching the promised land last season. They have a target on their back now, but Brown isn’t backing down to any challenge.

Boston Celtics champion Jayson Tatum showed off his skill set, which extends beyond the basketball floor and onto an art canvas, during his Jordan brand’s promotional tour, which stopped in China last week. The All-NBA star received a unique portrait of him hoisting his son, “Deuce,” in a shower of green and white confetti moments after winning the NBA Finals in 2024.
And Tatum is seen making some of his own art via Celtics Wire’s Cameron Tabatabaie.

As fellow Jordan brand ambassadors, Tatum was joined by Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic , New Orleans star Zion Williamson, and Orlando Magic All-Star Paolo Banchero in China.

Tom Brady praises Jayson Tatum for role with Team USA in 2024 Olympics

 

United States guard LeBron James (6), small forward Jayson Tatum (10), shooting guard Stephen Curry (4) and center Joel Embiid (11) in the second quarter against Puerto Rico during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Stade Pierre-Mauroy. John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Jayson Tatum opened up about his role in winning a gold medal with Team USA at the 2024 Olympics in a recent interview with The Athletic’s Jared Weiss. Tatum addressed his minimal role on the team, including playing zero minutes in Team USA’s win against Serbia in the group phase and again in the semifinal round. Then, head coach Steve Kerr played Tatum for only 11 minutes in the gold medal game against France.

“I wasn’t moping around. I didn’t have an attitude,” Tatum said, per The Athletic. “I wasn’t angry at the world. I stayed ready and did what was asked of me and I won a gold medal, right? I know I didn’t make a jump shot when I was with Team USA. I don’t know, law of averages. It’s a weird rhythm thing being with Team USA; you never exactly know when you’re gonna get the ball. But that’s part of it. You sign up for that because I’ve done it before (at the Tokyo Games).”

Tatum’s quote triggered a response from Tom Brady. The seven-time Super Bowl champion quarterback praised the NBA champion for being a true professional who has no issue putting his team’s goal ahead of his own.

“A true professional! A true champion! And a great teammate!” Brady wrote on Instagram. “We should celebrate people who care more about the team success than the individual success! There are so many people involved in every organization who don’t always play a ‘starting’ role but play a huge role in the success of the team. I have more respect for Jayson Tatum now more than ever! 100% now this is what we should be teaching our kids!”

The five-time Celtics All-Star averaged 5.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in four games for Team USA.

On Sunday, Milwaukee Bucks superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo married his longtime partner, Mariah Riddlesprigger. Their extravagant wedding, reportedly set in the two-time MVP’s native Greece, featured several of his current and former teammates.

Antetokounmpo and Riddlesprigger, who have three children together, Liam, Maverick Shai and Eva Brooke, have been together since around the mid-2010s. Thus, Bucks fans have long anticipated the couple tying the knot.

According to Greek media outlets, their three-day wedding celebration took place at Costa Navarino, a luxury beachfront destination in Messenia in Greece’s southwest Peloponnese region.

The festivities reportedly began on Friday with a white dress party. The following day, the couple hosted a Nigerian-themed bash, paying homage to Antetokounmpo’s Nigerian roots.

Per Skai TV, Antetokounmpo and Riddlesprigger were wed in a Greek Orthodox and Catholic hybrid ceremony, with Milwaukee star wing Khris Middleton serving as best man.

Middleton has been Antetokounmpo’s wingman throughout the latter’s NBA career, which began in 2013. The duo, which led the Bucks to the 2021 NBA title, have developed a strong bond on and off the court. Three years ago, Antetokounmpo described their journey as “unbelievable.”

Milwaukee big man Bobby Portis and Antetokounmpo’s former teammates Jrue Holiday and Wesley Matthews also attended the wedding. On Sunday, Bucks insider Nathan Marzion shared a photo on X, formerly Twitter, of the group posing together.

However, none of Antetokounmpo and Riddlesprigger’s wedding photos have been publicized.

According to the Proto Thema newspaper, the eight-time All-Star opted for a private ceremony without media coverage. He and Riddlesprigger reportedly even asked those involved to sign confidentiality agreements to ensure their privacy.

LeBron James purportedly attended Giannis Antetokounmpo’s wedding

While Giannis Antetokounmpo’s wedding ceremony didn’t feature any media coverage, a few other high-profile sports figures were purportedly in attendance.

Per Eurohoops, LA Lakers superstar forward LeBron James and tennis icon Serena Williams were members of the estimated 200-person guest list.

Greece men’s national basketball team coach Vassilis Spanoulis and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis were also named among the attendees.

However, despite their big-name guest list, for the most part, it appears Antetokounmpo and Riddlesprigger successfully kept their wedding under wraps.

Before being the Wolves’ pack leader, Anthony Edwards was a Bulldog. And it only sits right that the Georgia program takes its place in the roaring success of its alumnus. Edwards’ signature sneaker line with Adidas has been nothing short of a jackpot. Retail prices are over the roof, and it’s hard to get your hands on the fast-growing sneaker. Through its short time on the market, the shoe has seen various iterations. But none that shed light on Edwards’ stepping stone into the world of the NBA.

That wait is finally over. After a patriotic colorway for the Paris Olympics, Adidas is releasing The Pure Ruby AE 1. The shoe will be live on their website and in select stores on Saturday. To celebrate the release, Anthony Edwards wrote a short, yet reassuring message to the Bulldogs fandom on his Twitter.

“You know how we comin @UGABasketball #GoDawgs,” he wrote.

The shoe seems to be a long time in the making. During the ongoing WNBA season, Indiana Fever’s Erika Wheeler first debuted the red and black PE. It instantly caught the attention of the fans who noticed a possible future release coming. Now, they are finally here. It’s one of the few ways that Edwards has managed to show his admiration for Georgia.

During the postseason, after sweeping his idol, Kevin Durant, a reporter posed a question to Edwards. He asked where he played in college. Rather than a straightforward answer, Edwards indirectly spoke to Georgia, almost as if he representing them while conquering the NBA court.

“Yeah, UGA, you know what’s up,” said the 22-year-old.

The shoe in general has seen a seismic rise, labelled as one of the best signature shoes in the NBA today. After seeing the craze behind the enchanting star, Adidas reportedly signed Edwards to an extension that pays him eight figures every year. A deserved promotion for someone who boomed the shoe market for Adidas.

Anthony Edwards didn’t have great success with Georgia

Edwards entered the Bulldogs’ programs as one of the highest-ranked players in the country. Just like any other collegiate star, he played one season as a necessity to enter the league. During the run, he averaged 19.2 points, the second most in the program’s history by a freshman. It was here that his charismatic personality and explosive athleticism came to the notice of the basketball world.

A star was born within their ranks. But as far as the team goes, they achieved rather underwhelming results. The team, under second-year coach Tom Crean, finished with a 16-16 record despite having a well-constructed roster around their star player. As the ace, Edwards though didn’t have the opportunity of having a full season due to the pandemic.

If it wasn’t for the shortened campaign, there could have been a resurgence that might have increased the already exponential allure of Ant-Man. However, it didn’t waver his draft projections. Edwards remained the ace.

The Minnesota Timberwolves didn’t stutter to pick him with the first pick in the 2020 draft. As his story proves, he was the transformational component the Wolves were after. Now entering his fifth season with Minnesota, Anthony Edwards’ stardom could hike rapidly. But his Atlanta spirit and love for Georgia remains stable.