Watch: Zion Williamson, Luka Doncic and Jayson Tatum take on the Great Wall of China

 

This week, Zion Williamson, Luka Doncic and Jayson Tatum traveled to China as part of the Jordan Brand Family Tour. The trip marked the first of its kind of Jordan brand, with Williamson, Doncic, Tatum and Paolo Banchero all traveling overseas midway through the week. Heading into the weekend, the group visited the Great Wall of China.

The stop was just one of many that the group is making, with planned stops at various locations around Shanghai and Beijing. Along the way, the group of Jordan Brand athletes will also stop at youth camps in the area, as well as the finals of a streetball tournament.

Early Saturday morning in the US, the afternoon in China, the group was filmed hiking a segment of the Great Wall of China. The video opens with Jayson Tatum joking about how scared he is of heights before the camera then cuts to Luka Doncic, who was seen hiking the Great Wall with a walking stick.

The video then cuts to Zion Williamson, who states that he’s doing well, but it’s simply too hot for him. According to AccuWeather.com, Huairou District experienced temperatures as high as 88°F with 85% humidity on Saturday afternoon.

The clip also features a guest appearance from Luka Doncic’s father, who fans joked was in better shape than the Mavericks star.

Check out the clip below:

Looking closer at the details of the Jordan Brand China tour ft. Zion Williamson, Jayson Tatum, Luka Doncic and Paolo Banchero

The Jordan Brand tour of China was announced earlier in the week, with the brand putting out a press release. As the press release explained, the goal of the tour is to spread the game of basketball, while also connecting fans around the globe with some of the NBA’s biggest stars.

As Jordan Brand’s VP of the region explained in a press release, relayed by Nike:

“It’s exciting to welcome Jayson, Luka, Zion and Paolo to China and celebrate the growth of both the game of basketball and Jordan Brand here. They represent the greatness that is the hallmark of Jordan Brand.

“This tour, while celebrating the community we’ve built in China, also showcases the resonance of basketball culture across the entire globe. It’s a universal language and shows that the future of the Brand is limitless.”

In addition to the tour making several big stops at notable locations such as the Great Wall of China, the tour also saw Jayson Tatum unveil the Tatum 3 after previously wearing them in Paris while preparing for the Olympics.

The shoe design, which Tatum unveiled for fans in China this week, notably featured traditional Chinese artwork, according to Sneaker News.

After unveiling the shoes, Tatum left fans stunned as he autographed the demo pair of the Tatum 3 before giving them to a fan who had followed his career since the beginning.

With the tour set to run through the weekend, we’re sure to get plenty more notable moments from Zion Williamson, Jayson Tatum, Luka Doncic and Paolo Banchero.

Photos: Jaylen Brown & Kysre Gondrezick spotted in Dubai for desert safari during NBA offseason

Jaylen Brown is enjoying a much-needed vacation after playing an essential role in Boston’s 2024 NBA title run. The Celtics swingman chose to travel overseas for a getaway. However, he isn’t there by himself; his girlfriend, Kysre Gondrezick, is traveling with him.

Brown and Gondrezick opted to vacation in the deserts of Dubai. Brown shared snapshots of his vacation with his Instagram followers.

Brown’s IG Stories (Photo credits: Brown’s Instagram)

Brown’s IG Stories (Photo credits: Brown’s Instagram)

Brown’s IG Stories (Photo credits: Brown’s Instagram)

To see Jaylen Brown’s new posts and IG stories, check out his official Instagram account with the username ‘fchwpo.’

Gondrezick was the fourth pick in the 2021 WNBA Draft when the Indiana Fever selected her. The Fever released her in 2022, which led to her being picked up by the Chicago Sky.

However, the Sky waived her before the start of the 2022 season. She spent 2023 as a free agent, and earlier this year, the Sky signed her again. Gondrezick was part of the opening day roster this time, but after only five games, she was waived again.

Gondrezick has played in 24 WNBA games, 19 for the Fever and five for the Sky this season. In those 24 games, she has averaged 1.7 points per game while shooting 28.3% from the field and 26.5% from beyond the arc.

When did Jaylen Brown and Kysre Gondrezick confirm their relationship?

Rumors that Jaylen Brown and Kysre Gondrezick were dating began after the Boston Celtics secured the 2024 NBA Title. Several eagle-eyed fans spotted Gondrezick celebrating with Brown during the championship parade, causing the gossip.

After the parade, multiple sources reported that Gondrezick was there with Brown, adding more fuel to their relationship rumors.

Shortlly after talks of them being an item started, Brown and Gondrezick confirmed they were indeed dating. On July 11, during the 2024 ESPY award ceremony, Brown and Gondrezick arrived as each other’s date. It was during this event that the couple confirmed they were together.

Before dating Brown, Gondrezick dated former Houston Rockets guard Kevin Porter Jr. However, Porter Jr. allegedly assaulted Gondrezick in New York in September of last year. The Rockets guard was arrested but later posted bail. He plead not guilty to assaulting Gondrezick.

In a New York Post article written by Priscilla DeGregory and Emily Crane, Gondrezick said that while she and Porter Jr. did argue in their hotel room, it was brief, and he did not assault her.

She denied the allegations that Porter Jr. struck her in the face but also confirmed that they were no longer together.

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.

Sylvester Stallone opens up about his daughter Sophia’s battle: “My greatest joy after facing death”

Sylvester Stallone Says Daughter Is His “Joy” Years After Staying With Her During Risky Heart Surgery

Just months after Sophia Stallone was born, she had to undergo heart surgery to repair a “horrible hole in her heart,” which left the movie star devastated.
Today, the father and daughter share a special bond and share a striking resemblance.

In his dedication, Sylvester called Sophia incredible and spoke about how much “joy” she brought to his family.

Of his three daughters, he shares the closest bond with his “very special” little girl, Sophia. As her loving mother, Flavin, attested:
“…Sly is crazy about Sophia, he would cut himself in two for her, she is the great love of his life!”

Flavin also revealed more about the striking resemblance between the two, not only in terms of their looks, but also in their mannerisms and hobbies.

The mom confirmed that Sophia and her dad think, move and behave in the same way. Much like the movie star, Sophia is well-versed in Shakespeare and enjoys pursuing her interests. As reported by a family member, during the first night Sophia was born, Sylvester stayed up all night carrying her around. Sophia’s birth essentially had a positive and profound impact on the relationship between her parents, who were not yet married but were engaged. Prior to her arrival, they had faced some ups and downs. The same year Sophia was born, she had to undergo heart surgery. She had to have the surgery to close a hole in her heart. Fortunately, the surgery went well, and Sophia, who was just a toddler at the time, recovered while spending a few nights at UCLA Medical Center. A statement made by her father revealed: “I was in the hospital with Jennifer every night. I was blessed with two miracles, that of my daughter being born and that of my daughter being reborn.” The “Rocky” star was so grateful for Sophia’s successful surgery that he made good on a promise he made earlier to donate funds to other children battling heart disease. He ended up donating $200,000 to The Heart of the Child Foundation and made the donation in Sophia’s name:

“…my daughter was diagnosed with a terrible hole in her heart. And through the brilliance of science and the extraordinary talent of the doctor, she is healthy and well today.”

Today, Sophia is the first member of the Stallone family to graduate.

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.