Columbus, OH

FanSided

Simply qualifying for the Olympics made South Sudan a compelling story. They have only been an independent state since 2011 and are currently the world's youngest country. Their recent history has been defined by decades of violent civil war both before and after their founding. But their strong performance in...

South Sudan basketball roster for 2024 Olympics: Every former NBA player

This story appears in SLAM Presents USA Basketball. Shop now. When the 1992 Olympic Dream Team used a ridiculous, 46-1 first-half run to turn its opening game against Angola into an emphatic statement of what was ahead for the rest of the world in Barcelona, it did more than just validate forward Charles Barkley’s prediction that Angola was “in trouble.”

Winning Time: Chronicling the History of USA Basketball’s Men’s National Team

Indiana State

Indianapolis, IN

USA TODAY Sports Media Group

The Indiana Pacers inked former UConn Huskies guard Tristen Newton to a two-way contract on Saturday.
Newton was the 49th player selected in the 2024 NBA draft, joined in the draft class by fellow UConn starters Stephon Castle, Donovan Clingan, and Cam Spencer.
The 6’5 guard averaged 9.0 points, 4.6 assists, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.2 steals across five Summer League games, although he shot just 20% from the field and 18.2% from the three point line.
“Tristen Newton, tremendous [growth] from game one to game five,” Pacers summer league head coach Jannero Pargo said. “Understanding our offense more, playing more confident. Being able to call plays and run our sets and be more comfortable out there.”
Newton averaged over 15 points, six assists, and six rebounds in his final season with UConn, leading Dan Hurley’s team to back-to-back national championships as the primary ball-handler.
Now, his experience, winning mentality, facilitation, and positional rebounding skills will give Indiana additional point guard depth available throughout the season, although Newton will likely spend most of his time in the G League with the Mad Ants.

Two time national champion point guard signs with Indiana Pacers

NBA Central: Luol Deng has been funding South Sudan’s national basketball program out of his own pocket for four years, per Royal Ivey “Luol Deng has been funding this thing for four years out of his own pocket. He pays for gyms, hotels, plane tickets—everything. Kudos to Luol and the staff. We wouldn’t have been able to put this team together without them.”

Luol Deng funding South Sudan's national basketball program out of his own pocket

The Morning Hustle

It's amazing that people still pay attention to anything NBA player-turned podcaster Gilbert Arenas says, but his 723,000 YouTube following means he does have a large platform.

Gilbert Arenas Apologizes To Luol Deng For South Sudan Comments

Blanco, TX

Community Voices represent independent, third-party users who have joined our contributor program but not yet verified their accounts. Community Voices are expected, like all users, to adhere to our Community Standards.

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Brigid Pfeifer

There were a number of celebrities who passed away within the past week, including two notable actresses: Shelley Duvall and Shannen Doherty. Shelley Duvall passed away on Thursday July 11th at her home in Blanco, Texas. The cause of death was complications from diabetes and news of her death was confirmed by her partner Dan Gilroy.

Two Beloved Hollywood Actresses Have Passed Away This Week

Los Angeles, CA

Los Angeles Lakers On SI

Former Los Angeles Lakers star Pau Gasol makes big announcement.

Former Lakers Star Pau Gasol Makes Big Announcement

New York City, NY

Writers represent independent, third-party users who have joined our contributor program and self-verified their accounts. Writers are expected, like all users, to adhere to our Community Standards.

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Cheryl E Preston

Yesterday was the third time this year that an ad stating Chelsea Clinton lives in a beautiful Virginia home popped up on my laptop. My computer did not warn me this was a dangerous site, so this time, I clicked on the link.

Chelsea Clinton is rumored to be living in Virginia but probably still in NYC

The Big Lead

The NBA All-Stars did not play a single second in the United States' Paris Olympics opener.

Steve Kerr Left Two NBA All-Stars on Team USA’s Bench Against Serbia

Virginia State

Wendy's birthday was spent away from her loved ones. Virginia Wendy Williams fans, the latest update is not encouraging. The former talk show host turned 60 on July 18 without any of her loved ones around. According to Yahoo, family members remain "out of bounds" and have no access to Wendy as she battles dementia and progressive aphasia.

The family of talk show diva Wendy Williams were unable to celebrate her 60th birthday by her side

Athlon Sports

The Los Angeles Lakers recently posted a video of NBA rookie Bronny James on their official X (formerly Twitter) account. The video features the eldest son of LeBron James sharing his insights on his young basketball career. The younger James discussed his potential for making it to the ...

Bronny James Reveals When He Knew He Could 'Make It To The NBA'

Stadium Rant

As the 2024 Paris Olympics continue, basketball enthusiasts and analysts are buzzing with excitement about which NBA stars will shine on...

Projecting The Best NBA Players At The 2024 Paris Olympics

South Sudan's men's basketball team has one of the most incredible stories of all the teams competing at the 2024 Paris Olympics, in any sport. South Sudan is making its debut on the Olympic basketball stage just 13 years after the country gained independence from Sudan. Led by South Sudan Basketball Federation President Luol Deng and head coach Royal Ivey, the country has quickly risen to basketball prominence with a roster complete with talent.

Gilbert Arenas' South Sudan comments, explained: Why Joel Embiid, Luol Deng criticized former NBA player's rant

Missouri State

Fulton, MO

CJ Coombs

Updated on July 17, 2024, concerning two of the missing children listed below. Bringing them home: for 40 years, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) has been helping to locate missing children.

Seven teenagers have been missing in Missouri since June 2024

Salt Lake City, UT

ClutchPoints

The Utah Jazz have found themselves in an interesting spot this offseason. On one hand, they could try to build themselves into a playoff contender around Lauri Markkanen and make a run in the Western Conference. On the other hand, though, they could trade Markkanen and try to rebuild their roster to make themselves a title contender rather than just a playoff contender.

NBA rumors: Jazz's 'likely' Lauri Markkanen scenario involves Cooper Flagg

This story appears in SLAM Presents USA Basketball. Shop now. Do you know the first basketball players ever to win five Olympic Gold medals? Here’s a hint: they’re former college teammates, NCAA champions, best friends and, at one point during their careers, were super competitive rivals. But when they suited up alongside each other in the red, white and blue, they were magic. Did you figure out who it is yet? Nah, they’re not men. Think again.

Olympic Dominance: Previewing the 2024 USA Women’s National Team

Miami, FL

Miami Heat On SI

For four years Luol Deng has been paying all of the expenses for the South Sudanese squad.. It was his dream to bring Olympic basketball to his native country,

Miami Heat Legend Impressed By Luol Deng Using Own Funds To Help South Sudan Olympic Team

The Independent

LeBron James’ place in the pantheon of basketball legends is long-established, and a player who regularly contests debates over the greatest of all-time has very little to prove as he enters the twilight of a glittering career. The four-time NBA champion and four-time MVP also became the leading points scorer in NBA history in February 2023, and in March of this year he became the first player to reach the milestone of 30,000 points, 10,000 rebounds, and 10,000 assists. The Lakers star has won two Olympic gold medals – in 2012 and in 2008 as part of the so-called “Redeem...

LeBron James: NBA great leads USA at Paris 2024 in likely Olympics swansong

Total Apex Sports & Entertainment

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West are two of the biggest celebrities in modern times. While much of the happenings between the two involved their marriage and divorce, there are bigger things for them to focus on. Most notably their children.

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West’s Son Diagnosed With Rare Skin Condition

Waco, TX

The Associated Press

WACO, Texas (AP) — Baylor has extended the contract of women’s basketball coach Nicki Collen through the 2029-30 season after a 74-28 record and NCAA Tournament appearances in each of her first three years with the Bears. The Big 12 school announced the extension on Tuesday. “Nicki has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to our student-athletes and the Baylor family in her first three years with our women’s basketball team,” athletic director Mack Rhoades said. “She has assembled a strong and talented staff that is doing an excellent job in the development of our athletes. Her leadership, vision and dedication to excellence have significantly contributed to the continued success of our storied program.” The Bears were 28-7 and made it to the NCAA Sweet 16 last season, when they were 13th in the final AP Top 25 poll. They won their first 14 games, the second-best start in school history behind only the 40-0 national championship with Brittney Griner in 2012.

Baylor extends women's basketball coach Nicki Collen's contract through the 2029-30 season

NewsBreak

Building the Foundation: Luol Deng and Royal Ivey on the Rise of South Sudan’s National Basketball Team

This story appears in SLAM 251. Shop here. South Sudan, the youngest country in the world, is, as I write this, the proud home of a...

Building the Foundation: Luol Deng and Royal Ivey on the Rise of South Sudan’s National Basketball Team

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