A’ja Wilson Sets New WNBA Single Season Scoring Record
A’ja Wilson breaks WNBA single season scoring record, nears 1,000 points milestone. We discuss it here!
Aja Wilson attends Time100 gala at Jaz at Lincoln Center in New York on April 25, 2024.
Credit: lev radin
By: Joshua Martin
Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson is strongly solidifying her place as one of the WNBA’s greatest scorers ever. Another legendary milestone was reached on Wednesday (Sep. 11) as she officially broke the league’s single-season scoring record with 956 points, placing her just 44 points shy of an unprecedented 1,000 points in a single season.
A night to remember for A'ja Wilson 🎬
— WNBA (@WNBA) September 12, 2024
Wilson dropped 27 PTS to notch the WNBA single season scoring record for most points, after tonight's game she is now 44 PTS away from being the first player in league history to score 1,000 PTS in a single szn #WelcometotheW pic.twitter.com/eEt67jqge2
Wilson’s impressive game was on full display against the Fever, but it was her pull up jumper with 26.4 seconds remaining in the first half that set the new single season high. Following the win, Wilson took to social media to celebrate her achievement.
“God is so good! Top Tier !!”
God is so good! 🤍😩 Top Tier !! 🪜 pic.twitter.com/B9jcQ1p6Me
— A'ja Wilson (@_ajawilson22) September 12, 2024
The Nike endorser continued her excitement during a post game press interview.
“It feels great because now people will stop talking about it. Felt like it was just like lingering, lingering, lingering, so I’m glad that we got it done. ”
The Olympian and two time league MVP also acknowledged her Aces teammates in helping her achieve the record.
“I don’t want to sound cliché when I say this, I don’t get any of that without every single teammate along the way. My teammates, they’re the heartbeat. They get me going. A’ja Wilson”
The league's expansion of its schedule is part of the reason we have seen several explosive offensive players emerge in recent seasons. When the WNBA was launched in 1997, each team played 28 games. From 2003-19, teams played 34 games and last season each played 40 games. Next year, each will play 44 games.
As the WNBA season winds down, all eyes will be on Wilson as she aims to reach the unprecedented milestone of a 1,000 point season. With the accomplishment, the reigning MVP will become the first player to score 1,000 points in a single season.
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Angel Reese Breaks WNBA Record for Most Rebounds in a Single Season
Angel Reese sets a new WNBA regular-season rebounding record in her rookie year, surpassing legend Sylvia Fowles and solidifying her status as one of the league's brightest stars. We discuss it here!
August 25, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese (5) walks on the court during the first half at Wintrust Arena.
Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
By: Joshua Martin
Over the holiday weekend the “Bayou Barbie” broke the league’s regular-season rebounding record, marking the latest milestone in her impressive rookie season. The record was previously held by WNBA legend Sylvia Fowles with a total of 404. Reese needed six rebounds to surpass Fowles entering Sunday’s (Sept. 1) match up with the Minnesota Lynx. The Chicago Sky forward reeled in 19 boards during the contest, bringing her current regular season total to 418.
The WNBA expanded its regular season to 40 games prior to the 2023 regular season, Reese broke the record in 32 games, two less than Fowles. With eight regular season games remaining, her new benchmark is likely to rise. Officially cementing her place as one of the most spectacular rookies in WNBA history.
“Coming into [the WNBA] I just knew my motor. Offensive rebounds and defensive rebounds is something that I know I can always do. I knew it was going to translate right away.”
Despite some common misconceptions about her game, Reese emphasizes that her accolades stem from hard work and willingness to get physical.
“A lot of people think it’s because I get my own [misses] but statistically, it’s not. People think it’s because I’m the tallest on the court, when I’m not. It’s being able to go down there and bang, doing things that a lot of people don’t want to do. Defense and rebounding wins championships. And I’ve won championships at every level by just doing that. ”
Reese broke the WNBA’s rookie record for rebounding and double-doubles earlier this season. The All-Star forward and the Chicago Sky have eight regular season games remaining and currently have a 11-21 record, placing them eighth overall in the WNBA standings.
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Shedeur Sander signs NIL deal with Nike
Shedeur Sanders, standout Colorado Buffaloes quarterback and son of NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, signs an NIL deal with Nike, continuing his father's legacy with officially licensed apparel and footwear. We discuss it here!
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders #2 is tackled by UCLA defensive line Laiatu Latu #15 during an NCAA college football game between the UCLA and the Colorado, Oct. 28, 2023, in Pasadena, Calif.
Credit: Ringo Chiu
By: Joshua Martin
Standout Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders is following his father’s footsteps by signing an NIL deal with the uber popular athletic brand Nike. The son of NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, Shedeur has rapidly emerged as one of college football’s brightest stars. As Deion’s relationship continues with upcoming releases of the renowned Nike Air Diamond Turf Max ‘96, his son will carry the legacy on the field with a deal that includes officially licensed apparel and footwear.
BREAKING: Nike has signed Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders to a NIL footwear & apparel deal. 📄✍️ pic.twitter.com/4M8oWVzijO
— Nick DePaula (@NickDePaula) August 28, 2024
When asked about his father’s iconic line, The 22-year-old shared his thoughts on his future in footwear and the importance of the Nike Deion line.
“I would want to build on it. I want to build on it. Have like a different version. But I think concept, because I feel like it’s more… like now, like just looking at life and looking at everything, it’s more about generational. It’s more about what could be passed down year after year after year after year rather than everybody starting to think they’re whole new wave and whole new because there’s no real substance behind it. ”
Known for his poise in the pocket, strong arm, and ability to lead under pressure, Shedeur has proven he can perform on the biggest stages. In his collegiate debut, he broke Colorado’s single-game passing record with 510 yards, showcasing his pinpoint accuracy and elite playmaking ability.
Colorado opens their season Thursday (Aug. 29) against FCS powerhouse North Dakota State and expectations are at fever pitch after falling short of a bowl game last season. Sanders is currently ranked as one the best quarterbacks in the upcoming NFL Draft and a projected Heisman Award winner.
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LA Chargers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh Offered Colin Kaepernick Coaching Gig
Colin Kaepernick considers a coaching role with Jim Harbaugh, raising questions about a potential return to the NFL and his ongoing impact on social justice. We discuss it here!
Colin Kaepernick attends 2024 Annual Gordon Parks Foundation Gala at Cipriani 42nd street in New York on May 21, 2024
Credit: lev radin
By: Joshua Martin
The good trouble civil rights activist, Colin Kaepernick, was offered a coaching opportunity by his former head coach and mentor. Some are wondering if this could be a way “Cap” sees some playing time this season. Interestingly enough, the social justice warrior hasn’t wavered on the idea of a return.
“Yeah, we talked a little bit about it. He’s considering it. He was out of the country. He said he was going to get back to me. We haven’t reconnected since then. That was early, early in the year. ”
Why is this noteworthy? On Aug. 26, 2016, Colin began sitting during the national anthem. After the game, Kaepernick shared his thoughts on the recent injustices and why he chose to sit during the anthem.
“It is to protest the injustices that are happening in America, the oppression that is happening in America… ”
The following Sunday after famously speaking with U.S. Army veteran Nate Boyer, Kaepernick took a knee alongside his 49ers teammates. Images that will live forever.
SInce that time, the free agent quarterback has been trying to get back on the field as a player, though it’s been widely speculated that he's been blackballed. One thing that’s unclear is how the NFL would respond to Kaepernick in the role of a coach. If he ever reconnects with Harbaugh, his potential to influence as a coach would manifest differently than as a player. Challenging his alleged “blackballing” streak.
“I mean, it’s something I’ve trained my whole life for. So, to be able to step back on the field would be a major moment, a major accomplishment for me. I think it’s something that I could bring a lot to a team and help them win a championship. ”
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Noah Lyles Claims Gold in Men's 100m Final at 2024 Paris Olympics
Noah Lyles wins his first Olympic gold in the men's 100m final at the 2024 Paris Olympics, setting a personal best record of 9.784 seconds and securing his title as the world's fastest man. We discuss it here!
Noah Lyles of the USA wins and celebrates his victory in the 100m race at the Meeting de Paris Wanda Diamond League 2023 athletics event on June 9, 2023, at Charlety Stadium in Paris, France.
Credit: Victor Velter
By: Joshua Martin
Many may consider Team USA sprinter Noah Lyles a bit braggadocious but he certainly has the chops to back it up. On August 4th, Lyles won his career-first gold in the men’s 100m final at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The newly decorated gold medalist proved to be the “ world’s fastest man” with a personal best record of 9.784 seconds. Defeating Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson, who previously held the world’s fastest time in 2024, by 0.005 of a second.
In post-race presser with ESPN, Lyles detailed how close the race was and openly admitted he thought he might lose to Thompson. Having to “lean” forward to secure the photo finish
“We were waiting for the names to pop up, and I’m going to be honest, I came over [Jamaica’s Thompson], and I was like: ‘I think you got that one, big dawg! Something said I need to lean, and I was like, ‘I’m going to lean,’ because it’s that type of race.”
I Told You America I Got This! #OlympicChampion pic.twitter.com/boBOZv3650
— Noah Lyles, OLY (@LylesNoah) August 4, 2024
“What’s crazy is my [biomechanist] Ralph Mann, before I left for Paris, he’s like, ‘This is how close first and second is going to be away from each other. I can’t believe how right he was.”
His journey to his gold medal moment wasn’t full of first-place finishes. In June, Lyles suffered a close loss in the semi final qualifying race with a 9.83-second time, losing to Jamaica’s Oblique Seville by 0.02 seconds. Oblique stared him down towards the end of that the race, however Noah would get the last laugh with a first place finish this go around. Seville completed the competition in last place.
Two months ago, Oblique Seville stared down Noah Lyles at the Racers Grand Prix. Noah Lyles made it known he wouldn’t forget ✍️
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) August 4, 2024
Today he just claimed the title of fastest man alive 🔥 pic.twitter.com/gOzdrWqxv0
Noah will have the opportunity to take home a second gold medal when he runs in the 200-meter final on Thursday, August 8th.
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Simone Biles Wins Gold in Women's All-Around at 2024 Paris Olympics
Simone Biles secures gold in the women's all-around finals at the 2024 Paris Olympics, becoming the oldest woman to win the event since 1952 and tying for two-time Olympic champion status. We discuss it here!
Paris, France – August 1, 2024: Simone Biles (USA) performs in the floor exercise during the women's all-around final in artistic gymnastics at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Bercy Arena.
Credit: A.RICARDO
By: Joshua Martin
On Thursday (August 1st) Simone Biles came in first place, earning the gold medal in a highly competitive women’s gymnastics all-around finals at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Biles edged out Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade by just over a point, one of the closest finishes she has ever experienced in any international event.
With her victory, the 27-year-old became the oldest woman to win the all-around finals since the first-ever Olympic all-around in Melbourne in 1952. Additionally, Miles joins Larisa Latynina of the Soviet Union and Vera Caslavska of Czechoslovakia as the only women to become two-time Olympic champions.
Paris, France – August 1, 2024: Simone Biles (USA) competes in the floor exercise during the women's all-around final in artistic gymnastics at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, held at Bercy Arena in Paris, France.
Credit: A.RICARDO
“I just go out here and do what I’m supposed to and I’m doing what I love and enjoying it. So that’s really all that matters to me. Yes, it’s amazing now that I hear it, but I don’t think I’ll truly understand the depth of it until I walk away from the sport.”
Earlier this week, Biles became the most decorated American gymnast in the history of the Olympics after she earned her eighth Olympic medal with Team USA. An historic feat, she currently sits as the most decorated gymnast in history from any country if you include world championship medals.
Check out her award winning performance below:
Stop what you’re doing right NOW and watch Simone Biles on floor! 🐐 #ParisOlympics
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 1, 2024
📺 NBC and Peacock pic.twitter.com/yAKPJ9PVEh
Meet Joshua Martin, Senior Video Editor for 247 Live Culture!
Email: Joshua@247LCTV.com