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azzibuckets · 6 months ago

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For the Love of the Game [Pazzi | Part 10/10]

paige bueckers x azzi fudd

summary: the end 🙏

a/n: decided to combine the last two chapters into one! don’t mind the abrupt ending

word count: 2.1k

masterlist w/ all parts

“You and Paige played together on the U16 and U17 USA Basketball teams, where you guys won a championship at the 2018 FIBA World Cup. Has there been a noticeable difference in your on-court chemistry from USA Baskerball to UConn after the development of your more personal relationship?”

Azzi stared at Leo blankly. “With Paige’s ACL, we haven’t gotten many opportunities to play together yet, so I wouldn’t know.”

Leo raised her eyebrows expectantly. When Azzi crossed her arms and looked away, refusing to speak anymore, she sighed in frustration and clicked her pen. “Okay…” she drawled out. Her eyes scanned her notes for the next question. “Paige was the first freshman to win the AP and Naismith Player of the Year. Although she’s still an underclassman, it would be fair to say she has a lot of valuable experience and natural leadership. What have you personally learned from Paige?”

“That she’s a fuck ass bitch,” Azzi whispered under her breath.

Leo leaned forward. “What was that?”

“Nothing.” Azzi smiled charmingly at the blinking red dot on the camera. “Paige definitely makes her presence known on the court.“ She paused, gathering her thoughts. Leo sent her an encouraging smile, her pen finally scribbling for the first time in the entire interview.

Azzi thought back to the way Paige had used to speak to her, both in their time playing together at USA Basketball and in the months leading up to their agreement. “It’s the fact that you can’t shoot a mid ranger without getting the ball turned over. These are basic foundations of basketball, Fudd. You’re playing college ball now. It’s time to grow up.” Paige had spat, months earlier. Azzi pursed her lips, her anger further fueled from the words they’d thrown at each other in the hospital bathroom the week before. “If she sees a weakness or a flaw in your play, she won’t hesitate to point it out. She likes having her way with things.” Leo’s smile slowly faded. “She has a whole system set up at UConn, and if you dare challenge it, she’ll make you regret it.” By the end of her rant, Azzi was rigid in her seat, the tips of her ears on fire as she riled herself up.

Leo’s pen slowly started moving. She aggressively slammed down her pen and paused the camera. “We can’t use that!”

Azzi looked innocently at her. “Why not?”

“No one is gonna watch this film and think you guys are dating with the way you’re speaking about her,” Leo scowled.

Azzi rolled her eyes. “I doubt Paige said anything positive about me either. Why can’t you just bin the interviews and work with the segments you already have?”

“No, she didn’t,” Leo answered roughly. “Paige gave great answers. You’re the one that’s hard to work with.”

Azzi’s leg stopped jittering. “What do you mean great answers?”

Leo clicked away on her laptop before swiveling it around to face the dark haired girl. “Watch,” she demanded, pressing play.

The video was dark and muted at first, until someone adjusted the camera and it showed Paige, sitting in one of those director’s cameras. A mic was attached to the collar of her jersey, and her hair was pinned up in her signature two braids and ponytail. Azzi’s heart ached. This was her first time seeing Paige since their incident in the bathroom, and she looked good. Better than good. She’d obviously recovered well from her surgery; her skin was glowing and the bags under her eyes were lighter than normal. Her deep blue eyes were sparkling, and she looked in a good mood.

Leo’s voice filtered in from off camera. “What do you like about Azzi?”

Paige smiled uneasily. “Basketball wise or uh,” she shifted in her seat, “girlfriend wise?”

“Both.”

“Well, in terms of basketball, I don’t really have to speak for her,” Paige laughed all nervous, and Azzi could feel her blood pumping faster through her veins. “I mean, everyone knows how good she is. She has a killer pull-up and unlimited range. Her jump shot is perfect, and she’s lethal with her catch and shoot threes.”

At that moment, Leo cut in. “Many people have been saying that with you out, UConn suffers a major drawback. Are you worried about the position of your team without your guidance on the court?”

Paige’s expression changed. “I hear that, and I understand that, but honestly, I’m not as worried as people think I am. Each player on the team is a valuable asset. If we’re talking about Azzi, she’s been putting in extra work to expand her offensive role ever since my injury. I’ve been watching her at practice, and let’s just say, I think that other teams should be even more scared of UConn this upcoming season.”

Azzi felt like someone had just dumped an entire bucket of ice water on her head. What was Paige saying? She’d expected Paige to be condescending, that of course the team was going to suffer badly without her, to laugh at the idea that Azzi would be able to compensate for her loss. But here Paige was, talking about Azzi like she’d hung the damn moon.

Leo’s voice on the video brought her back to attention. “Now, what about personally? You and Azzi have been recently named the ‘it couple’ of women’s baseball, even despite your…” Leo hesitated as she searched for the right word, “tumultuous history. We’d love to learn about what you appreciate about who fans have dubbed as the people’s princess.”

Paige smiled tightly. Azzi noticed her tapping her finger against the side of her leg, a nervous tic that not many people knew she had. “Azzi is a really good person.”

“Can you expand on that?”

Paige’s eyes focused on her lap. “She’s very selfless. Especially in the beginning, I struggled a lot mentally with my injury. Basketball means the world to me, and not being able to play it is devastating. But Azzi, you know, she’s torn her ACL before. She was there for me in the whole process, driving me to rehab sessions and making sure I always ate and doing stupid things with me to get my mind off my knee.” A faint smile flickered on the blonde’s lips as she thought to herself. “I probably wouldn’t have survived it without her.”

Azzi swallowed, trying to dissipate the knot forming in her throat. She’d been so furious at Paige just moments before - for minimizing her struggle to find her sexual identity, for trying to make their situation and her feelings so black and white when everything was a muddled grey for her. And now, Azzi was positively vibrating, like she was a little schoolgirl whose crush had just complimented her.

“You see?” Leo shut her laptop, giving Azzi a pointed look. “This is what we’re aiming for.”

Azzi rubbed her palms together, thinking. Paige had callen her confusing, but right now, Paige was the confusing one. She’d essentially told Azzi to go away and never speak to her again, and then pulled shit like this. How could Azzi stay away from her when Paige was putting her name on a banner and waving it for everyone to see?

———————

Paige studied the notepad of plays in front of her. When the circles and xs and lines started blurring together on the paper from her staring at it so hard, she exhaled, letting her eyes shut for a moment.

“Hey,” Geno said gently from besides her. “Stop stressing. The girls got it.”

Paige nodded, looking up to watch her team as they warmed up for the season opener. Every bone in her body itched to be out there, stretching and warming up her shots with her girls. But she couldn’t, and right now she had to trust her team. Besides, she had an important job out here too. She’d helped draw up half of these plays, going over the strategy and who to place where in order to maximize each player’s individual talents and get as many points as possible.

Her eyes fell on Azzi. She looked nervous for her first official debut of her college career, and Paige wanted to mentally send her a message - to tell her to keep her chin up, to play as hard as possible and show everyone why she was the #1 high school recruit of her class. But Paige knew that talking to Azzi now for the first time in a month would probably heighten the girl’s nerves even more, so she kept her mouth shut, forcing herself to look away.

At half time of the game, Azzi had already scored 10 points, but Paige could tell that she was off. The crowds in the stands were large and loud, even for a season opener, and she could tell it was getting to the younger girl’s head by the way she kept missing shots she normally would’ve aced.

Someone tapped Paige’s shoulder from behind her. She turned around and saw a few guys sitting together who looked like they attended UConn. “Hey,” one of them nodded. “You miss being part of the action?”

Paige liked talking to fans, but right now she wanted to focus on the game, so she only gave a quick nod in response before turning around.

Soon, another tap came. Trying not to roll her eyes, she turned around again. “Yes?”

“It looks like your team needs you,” one of the guys chuckled, his eyes fixed on the court. Paige followed his gaze to the girls playing, and right on cue, Azzi sailed another shot. Paige’s heart lurched as the younger girl bit her lip and sprinted back to defense, a hollow look in her eyes.

“You carry the team, bro. Number 35 just missed again. You might need to give her some pointers.” The guy grinned at her, as if what he’d said was a compliment. Then, as if he couldn’t get any more audacity, he whipped out a Sharpie and dropped it on her lap. “By the way, can you sign my jersey?”

Paige stared in disbelief at the Sharpie before she picked it up and threw it at his face. She felt a sadistic sense of satisfaction as the Sharpie hit the guy right in the eye and he howled, hands going to up to massage the area.

“I’m not signing any of your shit,” she growled. “Number 35 has a name, and Azzi Fudd would drop 20 on your sorry ass any day.” With that, she turned around, fury pulsing through her veins and enlivening her senses. She secretly applauded herself for having the self control not to punch the living daylights out of that guy right then and there.

Thankfully, Azzi seemed to get ahold of her nerves after Geno’s inspiring speech at half, going on to score 10 additional points while barely missing any more shots, an impressive performance for a freshman debut. The game ended with Aaliyah pulling through to hit the game-winning buzzer beater.

Deciding that was cause for celebration, the team decided to go to Tim’s for drinks together after. Paige went straight to the bar as soon as they arrived, ordering a Shirley Temple. When she turned around, she came face to face with the guys from the game earlier.

“Hey,” one of them smirked. “Go tell your lesbo girlfriend good job for me. She looked a little rusty tonight but if you give her my number I can help her with that.” Laughing, he threw a crumpled up piece of paper at Paige, hitting her in the chest, and that’s when everything went red.

Flinging her crutches to the side, Paige moved towards him with a ferocity she’d never felt, grabbing the collar of his shirt. “Listen here, motherfucker,” she hissed. “Clearly your mother didn’t teach you any manners so I guess it’s up to me.” She let go, and the guy stumbled back, fear in his eyes. Then she reared her first back and punched him.

The guy cried out in pain, blood gushing from his nose. Incensed, his friends turned on Paige. “Come on,” she becked her hands at them. “Give me all you’ve got.” The guy she’d hit with the Sharpie earlier lunged towards her, but before he could reach her, hands grabbed Paige’s hips and pulled her back.

“What the fuck are you doing?” A familiar voice growled into her ear, restraining Paige as her other teammates rushed to intervene.

“I was giving them what they deserved,” Paige said bitterly, turning away from the scene. She shook out her hand, her knuckles aching.

“In case you haven’t noticed, there’s three of them and one of you.” Azzi forcefully moved Paige’s hips so that they were facing each other now. “What the hell has gotten into you?”

“Azzi! Take Paige away before she does any more damage,” Nika demanded as one of the guys she was pushing away started spitting curses at Paige.

Azzi grabbed Paige’s crutches, marching her off to the bathroom. She slammed the door behind them, anger evident in the slanting of her eyebrows and flattening of her mouth. “Are you serious, Paige? Getting into fights at the bar? You could get a suspension for this!”

“It doesn’t matter.” Paige fixed her eyes on the peeling paint on the wall. “I can’t even play anyways.”

“You said you don’t need my help.” Azzi paced back and forth angrily. “But here you are, throwing yourself at the hands of three grown men.”

“I didn’t need your help. I had the situation under control,” Paige said coldly.

Azzi grabbed Paige’s shoulders, shaking them. “You’re in crutches, Paige. You can barely even move. I get that you’re frustrated with your injury but you can’t just ignore it!” Azzi slumped against the sink, her head in her hands. “Why’d you even start attacking them anyways? Nothing is worth putting yourself in danger like that.”

You’re worth it, Paige thought. But she stayed quiet, hoping Azzi’s anger would blow over.

“Are you serious? You’re not even gonna tell me what started this whole thing?” Azzi threw up her hands in exasperation. “Is this what you’re like now? Being all moody and mysterious and hitting people whenever you feel like it? I don’t even know you anymore.”

Paige clenched and unclenched her fist. The soreness was starting to get her. Azzi must’ve noticed, because she took her hand and examined it.

“It’s gonna bruise,” Azzi said, her voice now soft.

Paige shrugged.

Sighing, Azzi gently led Paige’s hand under the faucet. She gently washed away the blood on her knuckles. Paige flinched - not at the pain, but from the all too familiar feeling of Azzi’s fingers touching her.

Azzi managed to find some bandages after rummaging through the cabinets. She slowly wrapped the gauze around Paige’s knuckles, her touch sending electric sparks through Paige’s hand. Neither of them spoke as Azzi patched her up, the tension in the air thick.

Paige swallowed, the silence becoming overbearing. “They were saying things about you.”

Azzi’s eyes shot up, her hand stilling. “What?”

Paige ducked her head, avoiding her stare. “The guys. They were at the game and making stupid comments the entire time, and I mostly ignored them.” She huffed. “But then they came here, and when they said something else, I just lost it.”

Azzi’s jaw clenched. She finished wounding the bandage, but she didn’t let go of Paige’s hand, and Paige didn’t move either. “I don’t need you defending my honor,” Azzi said quietly. Her thumb brushed once against Paige’s knuckles. “People like those guys are always gonna talk. It’s better to just ignore them and not give them what they want.”

Paige grunted, clearly not heeding Azzi’s words.

Azzi’s lips parted. “I miss you.”

Paige grinded her teeth.

“And I know you miss me too.” Azzi put her finger under Paige’s chin, forcing her to make eye contact. “I watched your interview with Leo.”

Paige cursed. “I told her not to show you that.”

“I would’ve seen it eventually, once she published her film.” Azzi studied the blonde’s face, memorizing the features she’d missed so much. Her long eyelashes, the way they fluttered. The wrinkle in the corner of her eyebrow. The turn of her pretty pink lips.

“I know you’re angry that I couldn’t tell you what I wanted. I was still figuring myself out. And these past few weeks, I’ve been working at it. Trying to come to terms with my sexuality.” Azzi took a deep breath, stepping closer. Paige’s hands instinctively went down, brushing the younger girl’s waist as the distance between them grew closer.

“I think I’m bi,” Azzi breathed out. “And if you can’t respect that, then I don’t think we can be together. But I don’t think my sexuality was the issue. I think that you were hurting, and you were impatient, and you wanted an immediate answer, and when I couldn’t give that to you, you ran away.”

Paige’s eyebrows furrowed.

“We’re killing each other, P,” Azzi whispered. “It’s torture not being able to see you and kiss you every day. And you’re obviously not coping with it any better than I am.” She brought her hands to cup Paige’s face, pressing their foreheads together. Paige relaxed, leaning into her touch.

“I need you, Paige,” Azzi begged. “I need us.”

Paige’s heart erupted, and she closed the gap between them, bringing her lips to Azzi’s and pulling her in for a bruising kiss. Azzi gasped, but recovered quickly, tangling her hands into Paige’s hair.

“‘M sorry,” Paige breathed as soon as they broke apart. “I was so awful. I should’ve never made you feel stupid for trying to figure out your sexuality.” She bit her lip, anguish in her eyes. “It’s just always been so easy for me. I’ve always known I liked girls. I was being hot-headed and I didn’t consider how you were feeling.”

Azzi laughed. “Yeah, that was pretty shitty of you. But I did some selfish shit too.” She nudged her nose with Paige’s. “And I think it’d be fair to call us even.”

Paige trailed her hands up Azzi’s sides. “What I told you at my surgery was complete bullshit. You’re always on my mind, driving me fuckin’ insane. I’ve missed you so much.”

“I know. Getting into fights and everything. A little part of me is flattered,” Azzi joked. Paige groaned in embarrassment, hiding her face in the crease of Azzi’s neck. Azzi brought her hands up to rub her back in calming circles. “Everything’s over. We went on the Europe trip, where you ignored me the whole time,” she laughed at that. “And Leo’s done with her film. She’s set to submit it tomorrow.”

Paige nodded, drawing back to look Azzi in the eye. “No more of this fake dating shit. I want you to be my girl for real.” She tenderly caressed Azzi’s cheek, not believing how someone as beautiful and kind as Azzi could want someone like her. “I meant everything I said in the interview, ya know? About how talented you are at basketball and how selfless you are in real life.”

“I know,” Azzi whispered, “I know.”

“I’m gonna take you on a date,” Paige rambled. “A good fucking date. The best date you’ve ever had. Gonna make you forget about all the other girls you’ve ever been with.”

“That sounds great, baby,” Azzi giggled softly, her hand playing with the wisps of hair at the base of Pige’s neck.

“Gonna make you fall in love with me,” Paige mumbled, her head dropping on Azzi’s shoulder. Azzi smiled. You already have, she thought silently.

#paige bueckers #azzi fudd #pazzi #uconnwbb #wcbb #wbb #enemies to lovers

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fruitbasketball · 8 months ago

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lol Caitlin has used her platform to shine a light on all the black women who pioneered the sport, and actually done so by name, unlike Paige who made a vague statement one time and has never spoken up again

and idk where you get she’s entitled, it seems like all she’s ever wanted to do is win a championship which is what every player in college wants to do. she doesn’t seem remotely concerned with personal accolades, unlike other programs overly concerned with their player being NPOY despite not actually earning it

oh rightttt like that time they asked her on national television if race played a factor in the media’s treatment of her versus their treatment of angel reese and she… didn’t answer the question, right?

or the time that sheryl swoopes (one of those black women who pioneered the sport) was being attacked by her fans, and caitlin blocked everyone on twitter reminding her that her fans are racist? she did a great job shining a light on black women then!

i just feel like we watched different espys speeches, because i remember a 19 year old paige bueckers getting on national television, recognizing that she’s a white woman in a black led sport, and NAME DROPPING black women who deserved/deserve media attention, like maya moore and odyssey alexander, as well as speaking out against police brutality by mentioning breonna taylor.

and maybe we’re a little new to this and we don’t know ball, but if you’ve been following women’s college basketball for the past 4 years, you would know that instance is not a one off, because paige has been speaking out for the black community for years.

what y’all aren’t realizing is that racism is not just calling her teammates slurs or saying she hates black people or shit like that - it’s a refusal to acknowledge that racism exists in the first place.

and don’t play fucking dumb. by entitled i mean the whole “im caitlin clark give me that whistle”. fuck outta here w that ‘npoy but hasn’t earned it’. lisa bluder consistently touts that she has “the best player in the country” or “in the world”. i know that’s a dig at geno, so let’s get one thing fucking straight: paige is the best player in america. and when you have 11 fucking rings, you have every right to get up on a presser and say that. you might not think so, because your very narrow minded view of the game probably cleared the rest of the stat sheet except for points. paige came back from a fucking acl tear and she’s still a first team all american, and she’s a wade and naismith trophy finalist. she fills the stat sheet in every single thing except turnovers and personal fouls, and she does it on ridiculous efficiency. she makes her teammates better, and dawn staley herself has said she’s the most elite player to ever play the game.

do not piss me off with this bullshit

#wbb #wcbb #uconn wbb #uconn #uconn huskies #paige bueckers #caitlin clark #iowa wbb #iowa hawkeyes #ask

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philogyny08 · 1 month ago

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youtube

Paige Bueckers’ Incredible Story and Lifestyle

Paige Bueckers, born in Edina, Minnesota, showed early talent in various sports but focused on basketball. In high school, she excelled, leading her team to multiple victories and setting records. She joined UConn and quickly made her mark, becoming the first freshman to win the Naismith College Player of the Year award. Despite facing setbacks due to injuries, she showed exceptional determination. Off the court, she pursued lucrative sponsorship deals, achieving an impressive net worth. Known as "Paige Buckets," she also focuses on social justice and giving back to the community. Her success marks her as a phenomenal athlete and a significant influencer in the business world.

#youtube #paige bueckers

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mydaddywiki · 1 year ago

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Bob Knight

Physique: Stocky Build Height: 6’ 5" (1.96 m)

Robert Montgomery Knight (October 25, 1940 – November 1, 2023) was an American men's college basketball coach. Nicknamed "the General", Knight won 902 NCAA Division I men's basketball games, a record at the time of his retirement, and currently fifth all-time. Knight was best known as the head coach of the Indiana Hoosiers from 1971 to 2000. He also coached the Texas Tech Red Raiders (2001–2008) and Army Black Knights (1965–1971). While at Indiana, Knight led his teams to three NCAA championships, one National Invitation Tournament (NIT) championship, and 11 Big Ten Conference championships.

A tall, handsome silver daddy known as much for his tirades against players, referees and reporters as for his coaching brilliance. His trademark temper also cost him his job at Indiana in 2000. He once hit a police officer in Puerto Rico, threw a chair across the court and was accused of wrapping his hands around a player’s neck. But Knight remained "the object of near fanatical devotion" from many of his former players and Indiana fans.

Twice married with two sons from the first, I bet the sex with him would have been awesome. Profane filled angry sex. I mean look at him, you rarely see a smile on him. Just a bitter old man type. But I bet when it’s all done, I’d get a smile out of him. Knight, the brilliant and combustible Hall of Fame coach who won three NCAA titles at Indiana and for years was the scowling face of college basketball, died on November 1, 2023, at the age of 83.

Head Coaching Record Overall 902–371 (.709)

Accomplishments and Honors Championships As player: NCAA champion (1960) As head coach: 3× NCAA Division I champion (1976, 1981, 1987), 5× Final Four (1973, 1976, 1981, 1987, 1992), 11× Big Ten regular season (1973–1976, 1980, 1981, 1983, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1993), CCAT (1974), NIT (1979)

Awards: 2× Henry Iba Award (1975, 1989), Naismith College Coach of the Year (1987), 3× AP Coach of the Year (1975, 1976, 1989), Clair Bee Coach of the Year Award (2002), 5× Big Ten Coach of the Year (1975, 1976, 1980, 1981, 1989), Naismith Award for Men's Outstanding Contribution to Basketball (2007)

Basketball Hall of Fame Inducted in 1991

College Basketball Hall of Fame Inducted in 2006

#mydaddywiki sports figures #Bob Knight #basketball coach

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thepastisalreadywritten · 1 year ago

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Dr. James Naismith (6 November 1861 – 28 November 1939), the inventor of basketball, practiced with his wife in 1928.

In 1891, 31-year-old Canadian graduate student James Naismith needed to solve a problem in Springfield, MA, where he worked as a gym teacher at a YMCA (now Springfield College).

His students, forced indoors because of winter, had become rowdy and needed a way to stay in shape.

They had a lot of energy but no way to burn it off. It was too cold to play football and baseball, and too dangerous to play those sports in the gym.

The school asked Naismith to invent a new indoor sport. Naismith remembered a rock-tossing game he played as a child.

How about a game where players threw a ball at a target? The team that tossed the most balls into the target would win.

Naismith called his new game "basketball" and wrote up 13 rules. Two peach baskets and a soccer ball were the equipment.

Naismith put the baskets at each end of the gym, nailed 10 feet above the floor.

The teams each had nine players. Naismith threw the ball in the air for the first tipoff.

On 21 December 1891, the game of basketball was born in Springfield, Massachusetts.

The new sport quickly grew in popularity. Naismith's students went on to become teachers and coaches, spreading the game.

Teams sprung up at high schools and colleges. Boys and girls across the nation began playing basketball.

Basketball became an Olympic sport in 1936.

For the first Olympic basketball game, Naismith tossed the ball for the tipoff.

The game James Naismith invented as a winter "distraction" had turned into a global sport.

#Dr. James Naismith #basketball #indoor sport #Springfield #Massachusetts #global sport #Springfield College #YMCA #sports #gym

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lboogie1906 · 5 months ago

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Dikembe Mutombo Mpolondo Mukamba Jean-Jacques Wamutombo (born June 25, 1966) is a former basketball player. He played 18 seasons in the NBA. He has become well known for his humanitarian work.

He began his career with the Georgetown Hoyas, and is regarded as one of the best-shot blockers and defensive players of all time, winning the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award four times; he was an eight-time All-Star. He surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the second most prolific shot blocker in NBA history and he averaged a double-double for most of his career.

After the 2009 NBA playoffs, he announced his retirement. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

He was born in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. His father worked as a school principal and then in Congo’s Department of Education. Mutombo speaks English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, and five Central African languages, including Lingala and Tshiluba. He is a member of the Luba ethnic group. He decided to work on his basketball career. He moved to the US in 1987 to enroll in college.

His older brother, Ilo, began playing college basketball for the Southern Indiana Screaming Eagles. The brothers played against each other in a 1990 game at the Capital Centre.

He married Rose and they have three children together. They adopted four children from Rose’s deceased brothers. His son, Ryan, was ranked as the 16th-best center in high school and committed in 2021 to play at Georgetown.

He was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters by the State University of New York College at Cortland for his humanitarian work in Africa. He was awarded an honorary doctorate by Georgetown University.

A well-known humanitarian, he started the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation to improve living conditions in his native Democratic Republic of Congo. He participated in the Basketball Without Borders NBA program. He paid for uniforms and expenses for the Zaire women’s basketball team during the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games. He is a spokesman for the international relief agency, CARE and is the first youth emissary for the UN Development Program. #africanhistory365 #africanexcellence

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caitlinclark · 8 months ago

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@NaismithTrophy: 🚨ATTENTION🚨: Caitlin Clark is the 2024 @jerseymikes Naismith Women’s College Player of the Year🔥

#🔥🔥🔥#caitlin clark #iowa wbb

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usnatarchives · 2 years ago

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From peach baskets to skyhooks, let's play some basketball! 🏀

The sport of basketball was invented in 1891 by a man named Dr. James Naismith. He was a physical education teacher at the YMCA Training School (now known as Springfield College) in Springfield, Massachusetts, and he came up with the idea of basketball as a way to provide his students with a fun, indoor activity that would keep them active and engaged.

The first basketball game was played on December 21, 1891, and it was a pretty simple affair. There were nine players on each team, and the game was played inside a YMCA gymnasium. The court was just half the size of a modern basketball court, and the baskets were simply peach baskets attached to the walls.

The game was a huge success and quickly became a popular activity at the YMCA. In fact, the game spread so quickly that just a few years later, the first professional basketball league was formed.

Check out our new “All American: The Power of Sports” Exhibit: https://museum.archives.gov/all-american. All American is free and open to the public and will be on display in the Lawrence F. O'Brien Gallery of the National Archives Museum in Washington, DC, through January 7, 2024. This 3,000-square-foot exhibit showcases more than 75 items, including original records, artifacts, and photographs..

Image 1: “DR. JAMES NAISMITH (WEARING SUIT), A SPRINGFIELD COLLEGE INSTRUCTOR AND BASKETBALL’S INVENTOR. HE IS WITH THE “FIRST TEAM”. THE FIRST GAME WAS PLAYED IN 1891 IN FULFILLMENT OF AN ASSIGNMENT GIVEN TO NAISMITH TO CREATE A GAME THAT COULD BE PLAYED INDOORS BETWEEN THE FOOTBALL AND BASEBALL SEASONS.” SOURCE: SPRINGFIELD COLLEGE. https://catalog.archives.gov/id/12004702

Image 2: PHOTOGRAPH OF THE UNITED STATES BASKETBALL TEAM PLAYING BRAZIL IN THE TITLE GAME OF THE 1954 WORLD BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT IN RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL. LOCAL IDENTIFIER: https://catalog.archives.gov/id/12004711

#basketball #springfield #massachusetts #history #sportshistory #basketballhistory #sports #jamesnaismith

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female-buckets · 10 months ago

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With 23 former players sitting behind the bench, No. 15 Notre Dame overcame a 12-point first-half deficit and pulled away late for an 82-67 victory over eighth-ranked UConn before a raucous sellout crowd at Gampel Pavilion.

"They were behind the bench, not on the bench unfortunately," UConn coach Geno Auriemma said. "It was pretty emotional when they were playing the video before the game, especially of the 2003 and 2004 teams. There was a real emotional moment when I was talking to Dee about it. Some of these players I haven't seen in 10-12 years. Others you see more often. It was an emotional weekend. The connections they have with each other and this program are pretty unique. Dee said at one point that when you're in it, when you're here, you don't realize it. Sometimes you have to come back to try and put it in perspective."

Ten players — including Taurasi and her original recruiting class of Ashley Battle, Maria Conlon, Jessica Moore, and Morgan Valley — returned from the 2003-04 group.

The former and current players along with the coaching staff had dinner together Friday night.

"I haven't been back on campus in about eight years," Taurasi said. "I haven't been inside of Gampel for like 16 years. It's always great to be here. Last night at dinner was great and just to see everyone ... Twenty years later, my whole original class was back. Ten years later, Stewie's whole class was back. There's that thread that brings all of us together, no matter what era or generation you played in. It's pretty cool. You're part of a club that's select."

After seniors Sue Bird, Swin Cash, Asjha Jones, and Tamika Williams graduated from UConn's 2002 39-0 club, the 2003 Huskies continued the national championship reign. Taurasi was the consensus national Player of the Year and UConn won its first 31 games — setting an NCAA record with a 70-game winning streak — before losing in the Big East tournament final to Villanova. The Huskies rebounded to return to the Final Four and beat Texas and Tennessee in Atlanta for the title and become the first national championship team without a senior on the roster.

Their 2004 season proved to be more rocky. While they won another Big East regular-season title, they were beaten by Boston College in the tournament semifinals, the only time since 1994 the Huskies have not appeared in the conference tournament championship game. They were a No. 2 NCAA seed for only the second time since 1994 but beat Penn State in the regional final at the Hartford Civic Center and then Minnesota and Tennessee in New Orleans to complete a three-peat for themselves and the sweep with the men. Taurasi was the Naismith Award winner and Final Four Most Outstanding Player for the second straight year.

"It seems like it was just yesterday," said Ann Strother, who was named to the all-Final Four team in both championship seasons she played. "I look back and I have three kids, my teammates have kids, and you realize that time has passed. But we're still one big family."

The 2003 and 2004 teams were inducted into the Huskies of Honor in December, 2013.

The teams stood side by side during a pregame ceremony and Auriemma turned to Taurasi.

"I asked her if her team those two years played the team on the other side, who would win," Auriemma said. "She said, 'The other team is stacked.' I said, 'Yeah, they have six All-Americans. You guys have one.' That made the championships those two years even more remarkable." (continue reading)

#wnba #uconn huskies #wcbb #ncaa #diana taurasi

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northiowatoday · 16 days ago

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Women's College Basketball: Iowa State's Audi Crooks makes Wade Trophy Watch List

AMES – Iowa State women’s basketball sophomore Audi Crooks completed the clean sweep of preseason National Player of the Year Watch Lists on Tuesday when the rising star was named to the “Wade Watch” for the 2025 Wade Trophy, the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association announced. Crooks has already been named to the Preseason Watch Lists for the Naismith Trophy and Wooden Award this season. She…

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a2zsportsnews · 1 month ago

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Tony Bennett defied roster makeup, play style conventions while turning Virginia into a national power

When Tony Bennett arrived at Virginia for the 2009-10 season, 26 years had elapsed since the Cavaliers’ halcyon days of three straight No. 1 seeds in the NCAA Tournament under Terry Holland in the early 1980s. Those Holland teams are forever synonymous with the playing career of all-time college basketball great Ralph Sampson, who is still the only player to win three straight Naismith…

#Bennett #conventions #Defied #makeup #national #play #Power #roster #style #Tony #turning #Virginia

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theultimatefan · 2 months ago

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AXIA Time Partners with Heisman Trophy Trust

AXIA Time, creator of ultra-custom Swiss Made timepieces, gets another huge deal over the goal line as the Official Timepiece of the Heisman Trophy. To celebrate this win, AXIA Time has innovated a new design called the DIASIMOS with a version exclusively for the Heisman Trophy finalists and honorees in collaboration with the Heisman Trophy Trust. This unique, heirloom-quality timepiece will be presented as part of the Heisman Trophy Weekend beginning on December 13, 2024.

Adding the Heisman Trophy to the list of awards for which AXIA Time has partnered establishes the brand as the go-to watchmaker for celebrating life’s greatest accomplishments. For the past three years, AXIA Time has served as the Official Timepiece of the Tewaaraton Awards for college lacrosse. Earlier this year AXIA Time was named the Official Timepiece of the Naismith Award for college basketball, and the Official Timepiece of the College Football Playoff (CFP). The partnership with the Heisman Trophy Trust is another big play for AXIA Time, which has created personalized timepieces of exceptional quality at an affordable price to commemorate life’s biggest achievements and unforgettable moments since 2018.

THE HEISMAN DIASIMOS BY AXIA TIME

Evocative of the iconic trophy, the Heisman DIASIMOS by AXIA Time is an eye-catching study in black and bronze powered by renowned Swiss brand Sellita’s SW300 Elaboré, a 31-jewel self-winding, automatic movement which operates at a frequency of 28,800 VpH (4Hz) and has a power reserve of 56 hours. At 40.5 mm, the watch’s striking bronze-plated titanium #5 case with DLC coating features a split coin-edge bezel and a fine-tooth crown adorned with the iconic Heisman logo. The piece’s sapphire crystal caseback displays the SW300 Elaboré movement with its unique custom rotor as well as an engraving ring which provides dedicated space to honor the individual player. To ensure stylish comfort and the ease of use necessary for daily wear, the watch is presented on an American-made, black square-scale alligator strap with contrast stitching which closes via a bronze-plated deployant buckle embellished with the Heisman logo. Reminiscent of the trophy base, the Heisman DIASIMOS by AXIA Time comes in a custom, solid walnut display box.

“We are excited to include AXIA Time among our family of sponsors as the Official Timepiece of the Heisman Trophy,” stated Michael Comerford, President of the Heisman Trophy Trust. “We are grateful to AXIA Time and its founder, John Kanaras, for their focus on honoring all of our finalists and honorees AXIA’s exquisite timepieces and ultra-custom designs offer a special way for our finalists and honorees to commemorate this unforgettable time in their lives.”

“We are thrilled to be partnering with the Heisman Trophy Trust to celebrate all of their honorees,” said AXIA Time founder John Kanaras. “As with the Tewaaraton and Naismith Awards, AXIA Time believes that being named a finalist is an incredible achievement that deserves to be celebrated. We hope that our timepieces will quickly become family heirlooms that will be cherished by each athlete.”

With the Heisman DIASIMOS, AXIA Time has created more than just a watch: it’s also a time machine that will instantly transport these elite athletes back to the moment of being named Heisman Trophy finalists, for the rest of their lives. These AXIA timepieces are a symbol of their exceptional sportsmanship and performance that they can cherish for a lifetime.

AXIA timepieces are designed in the U.S. and handcrafted in Switzerland by master watchmakers, using the same components and engineers as luxury Swiss brands, at a much more accessible price point. Although this collection is not for sale to the general public, the new AXIA Time Heisman timepieces are stylish and functional, meant to be worn every day, and passed on from generation to generation. As with all AXIA timepieces, crisp and elegant custom design centers what’s important to the wearer above all else: vividly capturing memories of joy and success on the field in this milestone moment.

#heisman #college football #axia time

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ozzyscollectiblehub · 2 months ago

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The Baron of Basketball: Kentucky’s Adolph Rupp and His Lasting Legacy

Few names in the history of college basketball are as revered — or as controversial — as Adolph Rupp, the legendary coach who put the University of Kentucky on the map. Known as “The Baron of Basketball,” Rupp’s four-decade career redefined what it meant to be a successful college coach. His coaching acumen, innovative strategies, and unwavering demand for excellence turned Kentucky into a basketball powerhouse. At the same time, his career was marked by complexity, as his views and actions regarding race have come under scrutiny in recent years. Regardless, Adolph Rupp’s influence on the sport of college basketball is undeniable.

Early Life and Rise to Coaching

Adolph Frederick Rupp was born on September 2, 1901, in Halstead, Kansas. Growing up in a farming family, Rupp learned the values of hard work and discipline early in life — values that would later serve him well as a coach. Basketball was a relatively new sport when Rupp was a child, but it quickly captured his attention. He played the game during his high school years and later at the University of Kansas, where he was coached by Phog Allen, a disciple of the game’s inventor, Dr. James Naismith.

After earning his degree, Rupp pursued a career in teaching and coaching, first at high schools in Kansas and Iowa, before moving to the college ranks. In 1930, Rupp accepted the head coaching position at the University of Kentucky, a decision that would change the course of his life — and the future of college basketball.

The Birth of a Basketball Dynasty

When Adolph Rupp took over the Kentucky Wildcats basketball program, the team was far from the national powerhouse it is today. Over the next 42 years, Rupp would turn Kentucky into the winningest program in college basketball history at the time, amassing 876 victories — a record that stood until it was broken by Dean Smith in 1997. Rupp’s relentless pursuit of success set the foundation for Kentucky’s basketball dynasty, a legacy that continues to this day.

Rupp was known for his attention to detail and his insistence on precision in every aspect of the game. His practices were grueling, his expectations high, and his intensity unmatched. Under his leadership, Kentucky became synonymous with a fast-paced, high-scoring style of play that was ahead of its time. Rupp’s Wildcats were known for their offensive efficiency and defensive tenacity, and his teams played with a discipline and structure that reflected his own personality.

Throughout his career, Rupp innovated on the court. He was an early proponent of set plays, fast breaks, and man-to-man defense, strategies that are now common in the game but were groundbreaking at the time. His ability to adjust his teams to the evolving nature of basketball helped him maintain success over four decades, as the sport grew in popularity and competitiveness.

Championship Glory

Under Rupp, the Kentucky Wildcats became a perennial contender for national titles. The pinnacle of his career came when Kentucky won its first NCAA championship in 1948. That team, led by future Hall of Famers like Alex Groza, Ralph Beard, and Cliff Barker, dominated the competition and solidified Kentucky’s place as a national power.

Rupp’s Wildcats would go on to win four NCAA championships in total — 1948, 1949, 1951, and 1958. His dominance during this era was unmatched, and Kentucky quickly became the premier destination for top high school talent, particularly from the southern United States.

The 1948 and 1949 championships were part of a remarkable stretch in which Rupp’s Kentucky teams not only won national titles but also represented the United States in the 1948 Olympic Games in London. That team, which consisted of several Kentucky players, brought home the gold medal, further elevating Rupp’s status in the basketball world.

The 1951 Point-Shaving Scandal

Despite his many triumphs, Rupp’s career was not without controversy. One of the most significant stains on his legacy came in the early 1950s when Kentucky was implicated in a widespread college basketball point-shaving scandal. Several Kentucky players, including stars like Ralph Beard and Alex Groza, were found to have accepted bribes to influence the outcomes of games.

As a result, the 1952–53 Kentucky basketball season was canceled by the university, marking one of the lowest points in Rupp’s tenure. Though Rupp himself was never implicated in the scandal, the incident left a mark on his otherwise illustrious career and underscored the pressures and temptations that accompanied the growing popularity of college basketball.

The Race Issue and Rupp’s Complex Legacy

One of the most complex aspects of Adolph Rupp’s legacy revolves around his handling of race. Throughout much of his career, Rupp refused to recruit Black players, even as other programs began integrating their teams. By the 1960s, as the Civil Rights Movement gained momentum, Rupp’s reluctance to break the color barrier in Kentucky’s program became a point of controversy.

Rupp’s most famous game — the 1966 NCAA championship game — highlighted the issue of race in college basketball. That year, Kentucky, an all-white team, faced Texas Western (now the University of Texas at El Paso), which had an all-Black starting lineup. Texas Western won the game, and the victory was seen as a watershed moment in the integration of college sports. The game was later immortalized in the 2006 film Glory Road.

Rupp’s reputation on race relations has been the subject of much debate in the years since his retirement. Some argue that he was a product of his time and that his views on race, while problematic by today’s standards, were common in the segregated South. Others contend that Rupp’s refusal to integrate his program until the very end of his career reflected a deep resistance to the social changes occurring in America.

It wasn’t until 1970, in the final years of Rupp’s coaching career, that Kentucky signed its first Black player, Tom Payne. While this step came too late to redeem Rupp’s record on integration, it marked a turning point for the program.

The End of an Era and Lasting Impact

Adolph Rupp retired from coaching in 1972 after compiling 876 career victories, four national championships, and a reputation as one of the greatest coaches in basketball history. The University of Kentucky’s basketball program had become a juggernaut under his leadership, and his influence extended far beyond the court. Rupp’s insistence on excellence and his innovative strategies laid the groundwork for future generations of coaches and players.

After retiring, Rupp remained involved in basketball, serving as a consultant and adviser, but his health began to decline in his later years. He passed away on December 10, 1977, at the age of 76, leaving behind a legacy that would be debated for years to come.

Today, Rupp Arena, the home of Kentucky basketball, stands as a tribute to the man who built the program into a national powerhouse. His place in the Hall of Fame is secure, and his innovations continue to influence the game.

Adolph Rupp’s legacy as “The Baron of Basketball” is both towering and complex. On one hand, he is celebrated for turning Kentucky into a basketball dynasty and for revolutionizing the game with his innovative coaching style. On the other hand, his career is shadowed by his stance on racial integration, an issue that continues to provoke discussion today.

What cannot be denied is that Rupp’s influence on college basketball is immense. He helped popularize the sport, set new standards for success, and established Kentucky as a powerhouse program that remains among the elite in college basketball today. While his legacy may be complicated, Adolph Rupp’s name will forever be associated with the rise of college basketball and the enduring success of the Kentucky Wildcats.

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mydaddywiki · 5 months ago

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Jerry West

Physique: Average Build Height: 6’ 3" (1.91 m)

Jerome Alan West (May 28, 1938 – June 12, 2024aged 86;) was an American basketball player and executive. He played professionally for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He excited fans during his playing career with the Los Angeles Lakers, and later enjoyed great success as an executive for the team. West, who was selected to the Basketball Hall of Fame three times in a storied career as a player and executive and whose silhouette is considered to be the basis of the NBA logo, died on June 12, 2024, at the age of 86.

A native of Chelyan, West Virginia, West was known as a tenacious player who was rarely satisfied with his performance. West played the small forward position early in his career: he was a standout at East Bank High School and at West Virginia University, where he led the Mountaineers to the 1959 NCAA championship game. He then embarked on a 14-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers and was the co-captain of the 1960 U.S. Olympic gold medal team, a squad that was inducted as a unit into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2010.

His nicknames included "the Logo", in reference to his silhouette being the basis for the NBA logo; "Mr. Clutch", for his ability to make a big play in a key situation such as his famous buzzer-beating 60-foot shot that tied Game 3 of the 1970 NBA Finals against the New York Knicks; "Mr. Outside", in reference to his perimeter play with the Lakers and "Zeke from Cabin Creek" for the creek near his birthplace of Chelyan, West Virginia.

West married his college sweetheart Martha Jane Kane in April 1960 in Morgantown; they divorced in 1976. They had three sons. Jerry married his second wife, Kristine "Karen" Bua, in 1978. They had two sons. What brought West to my attention was that he felt snubbed by Lakers owner, Jeanie Buss after she didn’t include him in her top-five most important Lakers of all-time. If it makes any difference Jerry, I think your the most important Lakers of all-time… that I want to fuck.

#mydaddywiki sports figures #Jerry West

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indiagoldentriangles · 6 months ago

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Caitlin Clark

In women's college basketball, Caitlin Clark is a rising star who is renowned for her extraordinary talent, ability to score points, and dynamic playmaking abilities. Clark, who was born in West Des Moines, Iowa, on June 22, 2000, gained notoriety at a young age for her skill on the basketball court.

College Career: Clark became well-known while attending the University of Iowa, where she soon made a name for herself as one of the best players in the country. Clark's incredible performances as a rookie in 2020–2021 season captured the attention of many. She led the country in scoring and won multiple awards, including Big Ten rookie of the Year and All-Big Ten First Team recognition.

Playing Style: Clark, who is well-known for her scoring prowess, has a broad skill set that lets her succeed in a variety of game situations. She can score from anywhere on the floor and generate scoring opportunities for her teammates thanks to her tremendous ball handling, court vision, and shooting range. Her work ethic, basketball intelligence, and competitive attitude make her a powerful player on both sides of the court.

Achievements and Accolades: Clark has amassed a plethora of accolades during her time in college, cementing her place as one of the most gifted players in women's college basketball. Apart from her achievements in the Big Ten, she has been recognized as an All-American by many media platforms and has been shortlisted for esteemed trophies like the Wooden Award and the Naismith Trophy.

Future Prospects: Clark is expected to have a big influence both at the collegiate and professional levels as she continues to improve her abilities and game. She has the ability to go down in basketball history as one of the most renowned players due to her skill, commitment, and love for the game.

Off the Court: Clark is well-known for her community service and academic accomplishments in addition to her basketball career. As a student-athlete dedicated to excellence on and off the court, she sets an example for young athletes who aspire to be athletes and shows them the value of perseverance, hard work, and dedication in achieving their goals.

To sum up, Caitlin Clark is a standout player in women's college basketball because of her extraordinary talent, strong work ethic, and love for the game. She has the capacity to inspire upcoming generations of athletes and create a lasting legacy in the sport with her continuing growth and development.