Bulldogs

Today, the NBA and FIBA announced 80 of the top high-school-age prospects from across Africa who will participate in the 19th edition of Basketball Without Borders (BWB) Africa, which will be held July 28-31 at the American International School of Johannesburg (AISJ) in South Africa.
BWB Africa 2023 will bring together 80 boys and girls from more than 25 African countries &ndash; including 19 NBA Academy Africa and NBA Academy Women&rsquo;s Camp Africa 2022 prospects &ndash; to learn directly from current and former NBA, WNBA and FIBA players, legends and coaches and compete alongside their peers from across the continent.&nbsp;
The campers will be coached by two-time NBA All-Star Bam Adebayo (Miami Heat; U.S.; ties to Nigeria), 2022 NBA All-Star Darius Garland (Cleveland Cavaliers; U.S.), 2022 NBA champion Jonathan Kuminga (Golden State Warriors; Democratic Republic of the Congo) and Jalen Suggs (Orlando Magic; U.S.).
Five current and former NBA head coaches will also serve as BWB Africa 2023 coaches: Cavaliers head coach J.B. Bickerstaff; two-time NBA Coach of the Year, Nigeria Men&rsquo;s National Team head coach and Sacramento Kings head coach Mike Brown; 2018 NBA Coach of the Year Dwane Casey (most recently with the Detroit Pistons); Los Angeles Lakers head coach Darvin Ham; and veteran NBA coach Dave Joerger (most recently with the Philadelphia 76ers).
Several former NBA and WNBA players will also serve as BWB Africa 2023 coaches, including 2015 FIBA AfroBasket champion Olumide Oyedeji (Nigeria), 2011 NBA champion Ian Mahinmi (France; ties Benin), former NBA player and Basketball Africa League Head of League Operations Ruben Boumtje-Boumtje (Cameroon), former NBA player Tacko Fall (Senegal), 2003 WNBA champion Astou Ndiaye (Senegal), two-time WNBA champion Taj McWilliams-Franklin, four-time WNBA champion Sheryl Swoopes and Mozambique basketball legend Clarisse Machanguana.&nbsp;
Toronto Raptors Vice-Chairman, Team President and Alternate NBA Governor Masai Ujiri; New Orleans Pelicans Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations David Griffin; and Portland Trail Blazers Assistant General Manager Mike Schmitz will serve as camp directors, while David Crewe and Frank Adams (Phoenix Suns) will serve as the camp&rsquo;s athletic trainers.
The players and coaches will lead the campers through a variety of activities, including movement efficiency drills, offensive and defensive skill stations, three-point contests, 5-on-5 games, and life skills and leadership development sessions.&nbsp;&nbsp;A ceremony on the final day of the camp will award the Kim Bohuny Camp MVP, the Patrick Baumann Sportsmanship Award, the B.J. Johnson Most Improved Player Award, the Three-Point Champion and the Defensive MVP to the boys and girls who distinguish themselves on the court and as leaders.
As part of the camp, NBA players and coaches will also participate in several community outreach initiatives around Johannesburg, including a hospital visit and a Her Time to Play seminar for the female campers on July 28, and a court unveiling in the Alexandra Township on Saturday, July 29.&nbsp; In addition, BWB Africa 2023 coaches will lead a development clinic for local coaches at AISJ on July 30.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Also on July 29, select&nbsp;NBA players&nbsp;will visit the NBA Store at Sandton City Mall in Johannesburg and engage with fans.
BWB Africa 2023 will be supported by Nike, a global partner of BWB since 2002, which will outfit participants with Nike apparel and footwear, and Gatorade, which will keep players and coaches hydrated throughout the camp.
BWB has reached more than 4,100 participants from 136 countries and territories since 2001, with 112 former campers advancing to the NBA or WNBA.&nbsp; The NBA and FIBA have staged 70 BWB camps in 47 cities across 32 countries on six continents.
The following is a complete list of players participating in the 19th&nbsp;BWB Africa camp (rosters subject to change):
&nbsp;
<table style="width: 447px;" width="447">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 403px;" colspan="2">
GIRLS
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 191px;">
Name
</td>
<td style="width: 212px;">
Country
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 191px;">
Ines Bellahmer
</td>
<td style="width: 212px;">
Algeria
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 191px;">
Filomena Luis
</td>
<td style="width: 212px;">
Angola
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 191px;">
Guigma Sadia
</td>
<td style="width: 212px;">
Burkina Faso
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 191px;">
Gisele Kipo*
</td>
<td style="width: 212px;">
Cameroon
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 191px;">
Hannah Dibadjou
</td>
<td style="width: 212px;">
Cameroon
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 191px;">
Salma Khedr*
</td>
<td style="width: 212px;">
Egypt
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 191px;">
Leila El Sanadily
</td>
<td style="width: 212px;">
Egypt
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 191px;">
Aisha Hassan
</td>
<td style="width: 212px;">
Egypt
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 191px;">
Lucie Mounganga
</td>
<td style="width: 212px;">
Gabon
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 191px;">
Fatoumata Sylla
</td>
<td style="width: 212px;">
Guinea
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 191px;">
Roseline Ooko
</td>
<td style="width: 212px;">
Kenya
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 191px;">
Harena Randriamasimanana
</td>
<td style="width: 212px;">
Madagascar
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 191px;">
Fitahiana Ratsimason
</td>
<td style="width: 212px;">
Madagascar
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 191px;">
Joanie Rakotonanahary
</td>
<td style="width: 212px;">
Madagascar
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 191px;">
Fatoumata Samake*
</td>
<td style="width: 212px;">
Mali
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 191px;">
Oumou Soumare
</td>
<td style="width: 212px;">
Mali
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 191px;">
Aya El Kallali*
</td>
<td style="width: 212px;">
Morocco
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 191px;">
Albertina Matsinhe*
</td>
<td style="width: 212px;">
Mozambique
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 191px;">
Bata Lurdes*
</td>
<td style="width: 212px;">
Mozambique
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 191px;">
Shanaya Matusse*
</td>
<td style="width: 212px;">
Mozambique
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 191px;">
Joy Biribebe
</td>
<td style="width: 212px;">
Nigeria
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 191px;">
Benitha Ngarambe
</td>
<td style="width: 212px;">
Rwanda
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 191px;">
Jane Dusabe
</td>
<td style="width: 212px;">
Rwanda
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 191px;">
Fatou Sima
</td>
<td style="width: 212px;">
Senegal
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 191px;">
Marie Diouf
</td>
<td style="width: 212px;">
Senegal
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 191px;">
Ndickou Matar Diop*
</td>
<td style="width: 212px;">
Senegal
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 191px;">
Tacko Sy
</td>
<td style="width: 212px;">
Senegal
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 191px;">
Sheriffa Rahman
</td>
<td style="width: 212px;">
Sierra Leone
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 191px;">
Onnetse Molokwame
</td>
<td style="width: 212px;">
South Africa
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 191px;">
Luhle Ndaba
</td>
<td style="width: 212px;">
South Africa
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 191px;">
Reneilwe Motebele
</td>
<td style="width: 212px;">
South Africa
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 191px;">
Susan Peter
</td>
<td style="width: 212px;">
South Sudan
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 191px;">
Asunta Ring
</td>
<td style="width: 212px;">
South Sudan
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 191px;">
Nawasa Lazaro
</td>
<td style="width: 212px;">
Tanzania
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 191px;">
Ibouanga Moussounda
</td>
<td style="width: 212px;">
Togo
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 191px;">
Arwa Ghorbel*
</td>
<td style="width: 212px;">
Tunisia
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 191px;">
Eya Nasri
</td>
<td style="width: 212px;">
Tunisia
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 191px;">
Afef Bengoula
</td>
<td style="width: 212px;">
Tunisia
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 191px;">
Christine Namyalo
</td>
<td style="width: 212px;">
Uganda
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 191px;">
Immaculate Adongpiny
</td>
<td style="width: 212px;">
Uganda
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
*Participated in NBA Academy Women&rsquo;s Camp Africa 2022
&nbsp;
<table width="447">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 418.75px;" colspan="2" width="447">
BOYS
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 197.167px;" width="208">
Name
</td>
<td style="width: 221.583px;" width="239">
Country
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 197.167px;" width="208">
Aginaldo Neto*
</td>
<td style="width: 221.583px;" width="239">
Angola
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 197.167px;" width="208">
Manuel Camboma*
</td>
<td style="width: 221.583px;" width="239">
Angola
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 197.167px;" width="208">
Inacio Anatoli Da Silva
</td>
<td style="width: 221.583px;" width="239">
Angola
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 197.167px;" width="208">
Claudino Capangaa
</td>
<td style="width: 221.583px;" width="239">
Angola
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 197.167px;" width="208">
Sansao Wika
</td>
<td style="width: 221.583px;" width="239">
Angola
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 197.167px;" width="208">
Philippe Ntungicimpaye
</td>
<td style="width: 221.583px;" width="239">
Burundi
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 197.167px;" width="208">
Arnold Eyadi Kenfack
</td>
<td style="width: 221.583px;" width="239">
Cameroon
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 197.167px;" width="208">
Hermann Bel Gassina
</td>
<td style="width: 221.583px;" width="239">
Cameroon
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 197.167px;" width="208">
Chris Naguidebe
</td>
<td style="width: 221.583px;" width="239">
Central African Republic
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 197.167px;" width="208">
Tahir Doungous*
</td>
<td style="width: 221.583px;" width="239">
Chad
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 197.167px;" width="208">
Zie Cheikh Conde
</td>
<td style="width: 221.583px;" width="239">
C&ocirc;te d&rsquo;Ivoire
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 197.167px;" width="208">
Tarek Khairy
</td>
<td style="width: 221.583px;" width="239">
Egypt
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 197.167px;" width="208">
Ahmed Nedale
</td>
<td style="width: 221.583px;" width="239">
Egypt
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 197.167px;" width="208">
Karim El Gizawi
</td>
<td style="width: 221.583px;" width="239">
Egypt
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 197.167px;" width="208">
Courage Agbekpornu
</td>
<td style="width: 221.583px;" width="239">
Ghana
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 197.167px;" width="208">
Kiggundu Austin Omondi
</td>
<td style="width: 221.583px;" width="239">
Kenya
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 197.167px;" width="208">
Chouhaybou Keita
</td>
<td style="width: 221.583px;" width="239">
Mali
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 197.167px;" width="208">
Mahamadou Konate
</td>
<td style="width: 221.583px;" width="239">
Mali
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 197.167px;" width="208">
Hamza Bechchar
</td>
<td style="width: 221.583px;" width="239">
Morocco
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 197.167px;" width="208">
Bolaji Oderinlo
</td>
<td style="width: 221.583px;" width="239">
Nigeria
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 197.167px;" width="208">
Sultan Baruwa
</td>
<td style="width: 221.583px;" width="239">
Nigeria
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 197.167px;" width="208">
Ibrahim Dan-Mutum
</td>
<td style="width: 221.583px;" width="239">
Nigeria
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 197.167px;" width="208">
Jonah Precious
</td>
<td style="width: 221.583px;" width="239">
Nigeria
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 197.167px;" width="208">
Ezekiel Obe*
</td>
<td style="width: 221.583px;" width="239">
Nigeria
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 197.167px;" width="208">
Andre Bonazebi
</td>
<td style="width: 221.583px;" width="239">
Republic of Congo
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 197.167px;" width="208">
Jude Fred Nkouka Silaho
</td>
<td style="width: 221.583px;" width="239">
Republic of Congo
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 197.167px;" width="208">
Khadim Mboup*
</td>
<td style="width: 221.583px;" width="239">
Senegal
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 197.167px;" width="208">
Assane Mandian*
</td>
<td style="width: 221.583px;" width="239">
Senegal
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 197.167px;" width="208">
Yakhya Diop*
</td>
<td style="width: 221.583px;" width="239">
Senegal
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 197.167px;" width="208">
Amar Diop*
</td>
<td style="width: 221.583px;" width="239">
Senegal
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 197.167px;" width="208">
Mouhamed Camara
</td>
<td style="width: 221.583px;" width="239">
Senegal
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 197.167px;" width="208">
Siyanda Radebe
</td>
<td style="width: 221.583px;" width="239">
South Africa
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 197.167px;" width="208">
Gilchrist Storm
</td>
<td style="width: 221.583px;" width="239">
South Africa
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 197.167px;" width="208">
Khaman Maluach*
</td>
<td style="width: 221.583px;" width="239">
South Sudan
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 197.167px;" width="208">
Moses Marial Mandiria
</td>
<td style="width: 221.583px;" width="239">
South Sudan
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 197.167px;" width="208">
Bol Wieu Mou Thet
</td>
<td style="width: 221.583px;" width="239">
South Sudan
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 197.167px;" width="208">
Lual Deng Lual Aguek
</td>
<td style="width: 221.583px;" width="239">
South Sudan
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 197.167px;" width="208">
Rayen Rouissi
</td>
<td style="width: 221.583px;" width="239">
Tunisia
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 197.167px;" width="208">
Amen Hammi
</td>
<td style="width: 221.583px;" width="239">
Tunisia
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 197.167px;" width="208">
Liberty Fusire*
</td>
<td style="width: 221.583px;" width="239">
Zimbabwe
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
*NBA Academy Africa prospect

Bam Adebayo, Darius Garland, Jonathan Kuminga and Jalen Suggs will coach 80 top high-school-age prospects from across Africa.

Adebayo, Garland, Kuminga, Suggs to coach prospects at BWB Africa 2023

LOS ANGELES (AP) &mdash; Nikola Jokic had 30 points, 14 rebounds and 13 assists, and the Denver Nuggets advanced to the NBA Finals for the first time in team history Monday night, sweeping the Western Conference finals with a 113-111 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.
Jamal Murray scored 25 points for the top-seeded Nuggets, who overcame LeBron James&rsquo; 31-point first half and a 15-point halftime deficit with a tenacious finish in Game 4 to earn their first conference title in their 47 NBA seasons.
James finished with 40 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists after the highest-scoring postseason half of his career, but even the top scorer in NBA history couldn&rsquo;t keep the deep, dynamic Nuggets from their sixth consecutive victory overall.
James missed two tying shots in the final seconds, with Aaron Gordon appearing to block his shot at the buzzer.
Jokic earned his eighth triple-double of the playoffs by the third quarter, breaking Wilt Chamberlain&rsquo;s 1967 NBA record for triple-doubles in a single postseason. The Serbian big man also led the Nuggets&rsquo; tenacious defensive effort despite picking up his fifth foul midway through the fourth quarter &mdash; and when Denver needed a big basket, Jokic delivered that as well.
The Lakers erased a seven-point deficit and tied it with five minutes to play, but Jokic hit a 25-foot fallaway 3-pointer. After Anthony Davis hit two free throws to tie it with 1:11 left, Jokic muscled his way past Davis for the tiebreaking layup.
James then badly missed a strange fallaway jumper with 26 seconds left. After Murray missed a turnaround to give the Lakers one last chance, James&rsquo; drive at the buzzer was thwarted by Murray and Gordon, who scored 22 points.
The Nuggets will cap their superb season under coach Michael Malone by playing for their first NBA championship. Denver both eliminated the Lakers for the first time in eight playoff meetings and swept a playoff series for the first time, likely earning several days off before the finals.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-theme="dark">
Nikola Jokic and Michael Malone celebrate the first NBA Finals appearance in franchise history <a href="https://t.co/Ic7y6hkkeZ">pic.twitter.com/Ic7y6hkkeZ</a>
&mdash; Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) <a href="https://twitter.com/BenGolliver/status/1660851131042414598?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 23, 2023</a></blockquote>

<script src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>

Unless the Boston Celtics make basketball history by rallying from their 3-0 deficit in the East finals, Denver will host the eighth-seeded Miami Heat to open the NBA Finals, beginning June 1.
James scored 21 points in the first quarter and worked desperately to keep the Lakers competitive in the final game of his 20th NBA season. But the Lakers couldn&rsquo;t even force a Game 5, with an apparently exhausted Davis scoring 10 of his 21 points in the fourth quarter and adding 14 rebounds.
Austin Reaves scored 17 points for the Lakers, who were swept in a playoff series for the 11th time in team history, including nine best-of-seven series.
The loss ended seventh-seeded Los Angeles&rsquo; incredible turnaround after starting the season 2-10 under new coach Darvin Ham. After bolstering their roster at the trade deadline and surging into the postseason with two months of strong play, the Lakers then knocked off second-seeded Memphis and eliminated defending champion Golden State to stir their worldwide fans&rsquo; hopes for one of the most unlikely championship runs in NBA history.
Facing elimination for the first time in their remarkable playoff run, James and the Lakers responded with their best half of the series, taking a 73-58 halftime lead on James&rsquo; broad shoulders. He had 21 points in the first quarter, tying his playoff career high for a quarter in his record 282nd postseason game. He then matched his career high for points in any first half.
But the Nuggets responded with a relentless third quarter, taking their first lead less than eight minutes after halftime. Denver pushed its lead to seven before the Lakers rallied, with Davis&rsquo; putback dunk tying it with 5:02 to play.
TIP-INS
Nuggets: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope converted a four-point play in the first quarter. He finished with 13 points. ... The Nuggets have yet to trail in any series, and they&rsquo;re 8-0 at home in the playoffs &ndash; 10-0 since March. Denver is 12-3 overall in the postseason.
Lakers: James got an accidental 3-pointer in the first half when his lob pass to Rui Hachimura went in the basket. ... Ham shook up his starting lineup for the Lakers&rsquo; last chance, replacing struggling D&rsquo;Angelo Russell and Jarred Vanderbilt with Dennis Schr&ouml;der and Hachimura. The moves immediately worked, with the two new starters combining for 19 points in the first half. ... James&rsquo; 21 points were the most by a Lakers player in a playoff first quarter since at least 1997. ... Veteran Tristan Thompson had four points in 10 minutes during the most significant playing time of his Lakers career, which began in the final weekend of the regular season. &hellip; Kyrie Irving watched the game from courtside. The star free-agent guard has been linked to a reunion with James on the Lakers next season. Other fans at courtside included Vin Diesel, Adam Sandler and Aaron Donald.

Nikola Jokic had 30 points, 14 rebounds and 13 assists, and the Nuggets advanced to the NBA Finals for the first time in team history.

Jokic leads Nuggets to first NBA Finals, eliminating LeBron's Lakers

SYDNEY (AP) &mdash; The names on the U.S. team have changed, the Americans&rsquo; dominance has not.
A&rsquo;ja Wilson scored 19 points, Kelsey Plum added 17 and the United States beat China 83-61 on Saturday to win its fourth consecutive gold medal at the women&rsquo;s basketball World Cup.
&ldquo;It feels great,&rdquo; said Wilson, who was selected as the tournament&rsquo;s MVP. &ldquo;We came here on a mission, we got it. We got gold. Now we&rsquo;re going home with some hardware. It feels great to us. Australia was great to us. I didn&rsquo;t see any kangaroos, but it&rsquo;s OK because we are leaving with a gold.&rdquo;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-theme="dark">
It never gets old 🏆 🇺🇸 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/USABWNT?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#USABWNT</a> x <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FIBAWWC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FIBAWWC</a> <a href="https://t.co/LLc1t7VMBs">pic.twitter.com/LLc1t7VMBs</a>
&mdash; USA Basketball (@usabasketball) <a href="https://twitter.com/usabasketball/status/1576164772810264576?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 1, 2022</a></blockquote>

<script src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>

This was one of the most dominant teams in the Americans&rsquo; storied history in the World Cup that now has won 11 gold medals. They&rsquo;ve won four straight gold medals for the first time. This also was the biggest win in a gold-medal game, surpassing the 20-point wins that the Americans had done twice.
&ldquo;Everybody wants to beat us. Everybody wants what we have and that&rsquo;s gold medals and victories,&rdquo; Breanna Stewart said.
What started with Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi has now been passed down to Wilson and Stewart. With Alyssa Thomas the oldest player at 30, the domination could continue for years to come.
&ldquo;It&rsquo;s been an incredible journey just to continue to lay that foundation down like so many of the greats in front of us have,&rdquo; Wilson said. &ldquo;Now it&rsquo;s our turn to step up and be in that situation.&rdquo;&nbsp;
Host Australia defeated Canada 95-65 to win the bronze medal, led by 41-year-old Lauren Jackson&rsquo;s 30 points.
As they&rsquo;ve done all tournament, the Americans did it on both ends of the court, playing stellar defense as well as using a high-powered offense.
The U.S. (8-0) finished the World Cup averaging 98.8 points &mdash; just short of the mark held by the 1994 team that averaged 99.1. They won by an average of 40.8 points, topping the mark held by the 2010 team.
The game was a sellout with nearly 16,000 fans &mdash; the biggest crowd to attend a women&rsquo;s World Cup game since the inaugural tournament in 1953 in Chile.
Led by Li Yueru and Wu Tongtong, China hung around. The Chinese team trailed 33-28 late in the second quarter before the U.S. went on a 10-2 run highlighted by fast-break layups by Stewart and Wilson to extend the advantage to double-digits.
Jin Weina hit a 3-pointer just before the halftime buzzer to get China back to within 10.
The U.S. was just too good to let the upset happen, outscoring China 25-14 in the third. The Americans did have one scary moment when Thomas went down after a collision with Li in the lane. She was helped off the court, but returned a few minutes later.
&ldquo;It was a tough game as we expected,&rdquo; Thomas said. &ldquo;By no means is this game easy. We stuck to it and pulled out a win.&rdquo;
China won its first medal since the 1994 World Cup when the team also took the silver and are a rising power in women&rsquo;s basketball. After the game, the team posed for a photo with their flag and men&rsquo;s great Yao Ming, who is the president of the Chinese Basketball Association.
Li finished with 19 points and Wu added 13 before leaving the game in the fourth quarter after her knee gave out driving to the basket. She had to be carried off the court.
The victory was the 30th in a row in World Cup play for the Americans, who haven&rsquo;t lost since the 2006 semifinals against Russia. The Soviet Union holds the World Cup record with 56 straight wins from 1959-86. This is only the second time in the Americans&rsquo; storied history they&rsquo;ve reached four consecutive gold medal contests. They also did it from 1979-90, winning three times.
This U.S. team, which has so many new faces, continued to dominate the paint even without 6-foot-8 Brittney Griner, outscoring its opponents by an average of 55-24.
The teams met in pool play and China gave the U.S. its toughest game, losing by 14 points.
CHAMPIONSHIP PEDIGREE
Wilson, Chelsea Gray and Plum are part of an incredible group that won a World Cup and WNBA title in the same year. There have been 14 total now.
HONORING GRINER
&ldquo;This is for BG. I hope BG knows she&rsquo;s in our thoughts,&rdquo; Stewart said. &ldquo;We can&rsquo;t wait for her to come home and hoping that she&rsquo;s going to be home as soon as possible. BG, we got the gold for you and we miss you and we love you.&rdquo;
Griner was sentenced in August to nine years in a Russian prison after she was convicted of drug possession. The U.S. honored her by not having anyone wear her No. 15 on the roster.
WOMEN&rsquo;S WORLD
FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis was pleased that half of the officials in the tournament were female and five of the 12 head coaches were women. Both China and the U.S. had women in charge of their teams, the second straight time that two female coaches made it to the gold-medal game.
MISSING IN ACTION
The U.S. was without Kahleah Copper for the second straight game after injuring her left hip in the win over Serbia in the quarterfinals. Copper landed hard on her hip driving to the basket and had to be helped off the court. China was missing its star guard Li Meng, who sat out a second consecutive game with what Chinese media reported as having a fever due to body fatigue.&nbsp;

A’ja Wilson scored 19 points, Kelsey Plum added 17 and the United States beat China 83-61 to win its fourth consecutive gold medal.

U.S. women win fourth straight gold at World Cup, top China

Spencer Davies recaps Donovan Mitchell's introductory press conference in downtown Cleveland with the Cavaliers.

Donovan Mitchell ecstatic to bring experience to young, 'fun' Cavaliers

On March 18, 1995, Michael Jordan shocked the sports world by announcing that he was coming out of retirement and returning to the Chicago Bulls with a short-and-sweet fax that read: &ldquo;I&rsquo;m back.&rdquo;
Almost exactly 27 years later, Tom Brady gave us the 2022 version of this fax, announcing that he was coming out of retirement and returning to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with a short-and-sweet tweet that concluded: &ldquo;Unfinished business LFG.&rdquo;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-theme="light">
These past two months I&rsquo;ve realized my place is still on the field and not in the stands. That time will come. But it&rsquo;s not now. I love my teammates, and I love my supportive family. They make it all possible. I&rsquo;m coming back for my 23rd season in Tampa. Unfinished business LFG <a href="https://t.co/U0yhRKVKVm">pic.twitter.com/U0yhRKVKVm</a>
&mdash; Tom Brady (@TomBrady) <a href="https://twitter.com/TomBrady/status/1503147141795045378?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 13, 2022</a></blockquote>

<script src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>

Jordan sent his fax on a Saturday afternoon, taking attention away from the 1995 NCAA Tournament that had tipped off two days earlier. Brady sent his tweet on a Sunday afternoon, stealing the spotlight from the 2022 NCAA Tournament's Selection Sunday.
Rather than leaking the news anonymously or holding a press conference, both players took breaking the news of their return into their own hands. Jordan&rsquo;s agent, David Falk, has <a href="https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/12501628/michael-jordan-famous-back-fax-25-years-later" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> that he wrote up several different press releases for Jordan to choose from, but MJ &ldquo;didn&rsquo;t like the feel of them... He said, &lsquo;I&rsquo;ll do it myself.&rsquo;"
Email wasn&rsquo;t popular yet, so Alyson Sadofsky, Falk's director of media services, couldn&rsquo;t send out a mass message; each fax had to be sent individually (which entailed making a cover sheet, sending the fax and waiting for a confirmation receipt). The fax was sent to local media in Chicago as well as national outlets such as the Associated Press, ESPN, The New York Times and The Washington Post, and it took two hours to inform every publication.
<img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://cdn.basketballnews.com/images/story/body/jjr_lg.jpg" alt="" width="519" height="449" />
Last month, Brady was frustrated when reporters leaked news of his (short-lived) retirement before he could announce his plans, so it&rsquo;s no surprise that the seven-time Super Bowl champion chose to speak directly to his fans when it came time to announce his return.
Using his iPhone, Brady posted the message on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, racking up more than 3.2 million likes combined. Immediately, it became the top story on ESPN. And just like Jordan&rsquo;s announcement transcended the sports world, Brady&rsquo;s tweet was covered by basically every major media outlet (including <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory/tom-brady-returning-tampa-play-23rd-season-nfl-83427086" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ABC News</a>, <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/13/sport/tom-brady-returns-tampa-bay-buccaneers/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CNN</a>, <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/sports/tom-brady-coming-return-tampa-bay-weeks-after-retirement-announcement" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Fox News</a>, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/13/sports/football/tom-brady-returning-buccaneers.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The New York Times</a>, <a href="https://www.npr.org/2022/03/14/1086395502/tom-brady-called-an-audible-and-is-not-retiring-after-all" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NPR</a>, <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/american-football/60185291" target="_blank" rel="noopener">BBC</a> and <a href="https://apnews.com/f6d646a9109b591183836fbf593c0f2b" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Associated Press</a>).
Jordan was retired for 528 days, missing the entire 1993-94 NBA season and most of the 1994-95 campaign as he played minor league baseball for the Birmingham Barons. Brady was retired just 40 days, and he started dropping hints about a possible comeback less than a week after he announced that he was hanging up his cleats.&nbsp;
Neither comeback announcement came as a complete surprise. After all, Jordan had resumed practicing with the Bulls in the weeks before his fax, and there had been rumblings about a possible comeback. Brady was asked about the possibility of playing again on his <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lets-go-with-tom-brady-larry-fitzgerald-and-jim-gray/id1584409759" target="_blank" rel="noopener">podcast</a> and responded: &ldquo;You never say never.&rdquo; This led to rampant speculation about a possible return, but it was far from certain. Even Bucs head coach Bruce Arians <a href="https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/bruce-arians-would-be-shocked-if-tom-brady-returned-to-nfl-in-2022-i-dont-see-it-happening/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">didn't think</a> Brady was coming back just a few weeks ago, saying, &ldquo;That would shock me&hellip; I don&rsquo;t see it happening.&rdquo;&nbsp;
All things considered, Brady&rsquo;s news was probably more shocking. Not only was his retirement so short-lived, but he&rsquo;s also 44 years old, whereas Jordan was 31 when he walked away. Like Brady, Jordan found it difficult to remain retired. After sitting out three seasons (from 1998 to 2000), a 38-year-old Jordan came out of retirement for a second time to join the Washington Wizards for two seasons.&nbsp;
In both sports, we&rsquo;ve seen that it's very difficult for legends to walk away from the game they love. In the NFL, Brady joins Brett Favre, Randy Moss, Deion Sanders, Reggie White, Ricky Williams, Randall Cunningham and his buddy Rob Gronkowski as players who came out of retirement. In the NBA, that list includes Jordan, George Mikan, Bob Cousy, Dave Cowens, Sidney Moncrief, Brandon Roy, Rasheed Wallace and Kevin Johnson among others.
On Sunday, Bucs fans got a taste of how Bulls fans must have felt in 1995. Few individuals have the ability to completely reverse a team&rsquo;s fortunes, but Jordan and Brady are obviously on that short list. Tampa fans were trying to talk themselves into Kyle Trask or Blaine Gabbert under center, but now they get a bonus year from the greatest quarterback of all-time and one more shot at a championship.&nbsp;
Following Brady&rsquo;s announcement, Tampa Bay&rsquo;s odds of winning the Super Bowl&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/gregauman/status/1503156153794113543" target="_blank" rel="noopener">went from</a> 25/1 to 8.5/1, giving the Buccaneers the third-best odds in the NFL behind only the Buffalo Bills (7/1) and Kansas City Chiefs (7.5/1). In 2021, Brady and the Bucs defeated the Chiefs in the Super Bowl, becoming the first team in NFL history to hoist the Vince Lombardi Trophy in their own stadium.
Last season, Brady was the NFL MVP runner-up, and he finished the year with 5,316 passing yards, 45 total touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He led the Bucs to a franchise-best 13-4 record and nearly pulled off a miraculous 24-point comeback win against the Los Angeles Rams in the divisional round of the playoffs. However, the Rams kicked a game-winning field goal as time expired and went on to defeat the Cincinnati Bengals in the Super Bowl.
This will be Brady&rsquo;s age-45 season and his 23rd year in the NFL, as if this situation didn&rsquo;t have enough ties to Jordan. Now, Brady gets his own version of The Last Dance.

Alex Kennedy explores the similarities between Tom Brady's comeback tweet and Michael Jordan's legendary "I'm back" fax.

Tom Brady’s comeback tweet is modern version of MJ’s ‘I’m back’ fax

E.J. Liddell scored 28 points and No. 21 Ohio State shot 50% to defeat No. 22 Wisconsin 73-55 on Saturday.
The Buckeyes (8-2) outscored the Badgers by 13 points in the second half, running away with the game after leading by five points at halftime.
Zed Key finished with 11 points and Meechie Johnson Jr. scored eight, including a pair of 3-pointers in the second half. Kyle Young hauled in a career-high 14 rebounds.
Johnny Davis led the Badgers with 24 points and Brad Davison added 13. The loss halted Wisconsin (8-2) at six consecutive victories as they produced a season-low scoring output.
Ohio State outmatched Wisconsin on the glass, grabbing a season-high 49 rebounds to the Badgers&rsquo; 28.
The Badgers led by as many as eight points in the first half, but a 12-point run midway through the half helped Ohio State regain the lead for good with 8:26 left. The Buckeyes shot 58% in the first half.
The win improved Ohio State&rsquo;s home record to a 7-0 and marked the first time the Buckeyes defeated Wisconsin in Columbus since the 2016-17 season. The Buckeyes also extended their winning streak to four games.
BIG PICTURE
Wisconsin: Shooting woes plagued the Badgers for the second straight game. Wisconsin wasn&rsquo;t so fortunate on Saturday after defeating Indiana on Wednesday on 35.5% shooting, making buckets at a 34% clip against the Buckeyes.
Ohio State: Turnovers remained an issue for the Buckeyes. They allowed 14 giveaways to Wisconsin, including 10 in the first half.
UP NEXT
Wisconsin: Hosts Nicholls State on Wednesday.
Ohio State: Faces No. 10 Kentucky in Las Vegas on Dec. 18.

E.J. Liddell scored 28 points and No. 21 Ohio State shot 50% to defeat No. 22 Wisconsin 73-55 on Saturday.

Liddell paces No. 21 Ohio State past No. 22 Wisconsin 73-55

Zion Williamson has been ruled out indefinitely with a fractured left ring finger, per the New Orleans Pelicans.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-theme="dark">
Zion Injury Update: <a href="https://t.co/DPY2RSJq0x">pic.twitter.com/DPY2RSJq0x</a>
&mdash; New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/PelicansNBA/status/1390774391630450689?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 7, 2021</a></blockquote>

<script src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>

New Orleans executive vice president of basketball operations David Griffin sounded off on NBA officials regarding the lack of calls Zion received this season, and how the physicality led to the injury.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-theme="dark">
Pelicans' David Griffin blames officiating for Zion Williamson's broken finger: "He&rsquo;s injured now because of the open season there&rsquo;s been on Zion Williamson in the paint... There&rsquo;s more violence encouraged in the paint against Zion Williamson than any player I&rsquo;ve seen since Shaq" <a href="https://t.co/7rYQ7A1mfR">pic.twitter.com/7rYQ7A1mfR</a>
&mdash; Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) <a href="https://twitter.com/BenGolliver/status/1390783150737956871?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 7, 2021</a></blockquote>

<script src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>

The Pelicans' hopes of making a last push for the play-in tournament just got a little slimmer, as their star sophomore big man won't be able to play and seemingly won't be back in time to end the season. New Orleans will rely on Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball and company to get them a spot in the postseason.
In 61 games, Williamson is averaging 27.0 points, 7.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists on 61.1% from the field.

Zion Williamson has been ruled out indefinitely with a fractured left ring finger, per the Pelicans.

Zion Williamson fractures left finger, out indefinitely for Pelicans

According to PWCC Marketplace, a signed 2003 LeBron James Exquisite Collection patch rookie card has sold for a record-breaking $5.2 million in a private sale.
The record for most expensive basketball card had been set in February when a 2018 autographed Luka Doncic Panini National Treasures card was sold for $4.6 million in a private sale, but that mark lasted just two months. This James card is the new record holder.
Source: <a href="https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/lebron-james-rookie-card-sells-for-record-5-2m-tying-mark-for-most-expensive-sports-card/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chris Bengel of CBS Sports</a>
ANALYSIS: Chris Bengel went on to say that the James rookie card is not only the most expensive basketball card ever, but it also ties the all-time sports trading card record, which was set by a 1952 Mickey Mantle card that in January went for the exact same price tag.
Bengel also noted that 23 of the 24 most expensive sports trading cards of all-time have been sold since February 2020, which indicates a high demand for rare sports cards at the moment.

A LeBron James rookie card has sold for $5.2M, tying it with a Mickey Mantle card for the most expensive sports card ever.

LeBron James rookie card sells for $5.2M, tying mark for most expensive sports card

The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame announced the presenters for its upcoming class of inductees. Among them is Michael Jordan, who will present the late Kobe Bryant at the enshrinement ceremony.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-theme="dark">
Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame announces presenters for 2020 class: - Michael Jordan will present Kobe Bryant - David Robinson will present Tim Duncan - Isiah Thomas will present Kevin Garnett
&mdash; Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) <a href="https://twitter.com/BenGolliver/status/1382741188860514305?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 15, 2021</a></blockquote>

<script src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>

Jordan will also present Baylor head coach Kim Mulkey. David Robinson will present former Spurs teammate Tim Duncan, while Isiah Thomas will present Kevin Garnett. Below is the full list of inductees and presenters:
<img src="https://cdn.basketballnews.com/images/story/body/image_lg.png" alt="" width="485" height="278" />

David Robinson will also present former Spurs teammate Tim Duncan.

Michael Jordan to present Kobe Bryant at Hall of Fame enshrinement

Throughout the entire NBA and WNBA restart in the bubble, player after player has verbalized the importance of arresting the officers who killed Breonna Taylor. They wore shirts with her name and redirected all questions during their media sessions to the importance of this case. Coaches discussed it during their press conferences and called for justice too.&nbsp;
L.A. Clippers forward Paul George <a href="https://twitter.com/bengolliver/status/1286051772998586374?s=21" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told reporters</a> that he would not answer any basketball questions and would only address questions specifically involving the Breonna Taylor case.&nbsp;Denver Nuggets forward Jerami Grant <a href="https://youtu.be/MdKBh8czLdw" target="_blank" rel="noopener">did the same</a>.
Nuggets guard Jamal Murray wore a tribute to Breonna Taylor and George Floyd on his sneakers.&nbsp;
&ldquo;In life, you find things that hold value to you - things to fight for,&rdquo; Murray told TNT during the first round of the playoffs. &ldquo;We found something worth fighting for as an NBA, as a collective unit. I use these shoes as a symbol to keep fighting. These shoes give me life. Even though these people are gone, they help me find strength.&rdquo;
<img src="https://basketballnews-media.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/images/story/body/Tayl_lg.jpg" alt="" width="787" height="AUTO" />
Nuggets head coach Mike Malone told reporters: &ldquo;I just put myself in Breonna Taylor&rsquo;s boyfriend&rsquo;s shoes. I&rsquo;m in my apartment, wherever I am living. Somebody breaks into my house at 2 or 3 in the morning. I am going to feel like somebody should not be there. &hellip; I know we&rsquo;ve been using our platform down here to try to bring about education and a voice in a lot of players on our team, especially speaking out on justice for Breonna Taylor. We have not gotten that justice. That&rsquo;s a shame. Hopefully that will change at some point.&rdquo;
The Breonna Taylor case was on the hearts and minds of just about everyone in the bubble, and players and coaches were using their platforms to make sure the world knew about this case as well.
Then, the moment finally arrived that a verdict was given.&nbsp;
The decision was announced on Wednesday that a Louisville grand jury would indict officer Brett Hankison on three felony charges of wanton endangerment in the killing of Taylor. So, for those who don&rsquo;t know, that means the cop was charged not for firing the bullets that took the life of Breonna Taylor, but rather for the bullets that missed and endangered people in other apartments.&nbsp;
And, as one would imagine, this news hit the entire NBA world hard.&nbsp;
Los Angeles Lakers guard Danny Green told reporters on Wednesday that LeBron James texted the grand jury&rsquo;s findings to the entire team as they were preparing to have a team meeting between Games 3 and 4 of the Western Conference Finals.&nbsp;LeBron took to Twitter to comment:
<img src="https://basketballnews-media.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/images/story/body/bron222222_lg.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="AUTO" />
On Thursday night, after the Lakers&rsquo; win against Denver that put Los Angeles up 3-1 in the series, James told reporters, &ldquo;We want justice, no matter how long it takes. We lost a beautiful woman in Breonna. I have a daughter at home and a wife and a Mom and thinking about if they were gunned down&hellip; it&rsquo;s a tragedy. Our hearts are with that family.&rdquo;&nbsp;
&ldquo;I wasn&rsquo;t surprised,&rdquo; Boston Celtics wing Jaylen Brown <a href="https://twitter.com/espn/status/1308998798782476290?s=21">added</a>. &ldquo;I think that this society &mdash; the way it was built &mdash; its intentions was to never protect and serve people of color initially.&ldquo;
Many other players took to Twitter to vent such as <a href="https://twitter.com/boogiecousins/status/1308841443998433280?s=21">DeMarcus Cousins</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/jcrossover/status/1308830980820676608?s=21">Jamal Crawford</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/isaiahthomas/status/1308838617008218112?s=21">Isaiah Thomas</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/monstatrezz/status/1308834656058511360?s=21">Montrezl Harrell</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/lexiekiah_4/status/1308850095593598976?s=21">Lexie Brown</a> of the Minnesota Lynx, <a href="https://twitter.com/t_hawk21/status/1308826732733100034?s=21">Tianna Hawkins</a> of the Washington Mystics, <a href="https://twitter.com/layshiac/status/1308827159067205632?s=21">Layshia Clarendon</a> of the New York Liberty and many others.
The collective NBA and WNBA family was heartbroken at yet another instance of the justice system failing to value a Black life. NBA games ironically resumed with the words Black Lives Matter painted on the court, but absent from reality. In fact, Michael Vick&rsquo;s dogs received more justice than Breonna Taylor.
Then came Shaquille O&rsquo;Neal and Charles Barkley&rsquo;s comments on TNT&rsquo;s &ldquo;Inside The NBA&rdquo; on Thursday night.&nbsp;
Barkley <a href="https://twitter.com/gifdsports/status/1309288231167561728?s=21">proclaimed live on air</a> that you can't put the Breonna Taylor case in the same sentence as the death of George Floyd or Ahmaud Arbery because her boyfriend shot at the police. He are his exact words:
"I don't think this one was like George Floyd or Ahmaud Arbery and things like that," Barkley said. "I feel sad that this young lady lost her life. I think this one was &mdash; the no-knock warrant is something we need to get rid of &hellip; across the board. But I am worried to lump all these situations in together.
&ldquo;And I just feel bad that the young lady lost her life. But we do have to take into account that her boyfriend shot at the cops and shot a cop. So like I say, even though I am really sorry she lost her life, I don't think that we can put this in the same situation as George Floyd or Ahmaud Arbery. I just don't believe that."
Shaq weighed in and said, "I have to agree with Charles, this one is sort of lumped in. You have to get a warrant signed and some states do allow no-knock warrants. And everyone was asking for murder charges. When you talk about murder, you have to show intent. A homicide occurred and we're sorry a homicide occurred. When you have a warrant signed by the judge, you are doing your job, and I would imagine that you would fire back."
Barkley <a href="https://twitter.com/gifdsports/status/1309289936315715584?s=21">went on to say</a>, "Who are Black people supposed to call, Ghostbusters, when we have crime in our neighborhood? We need to stop the defund or abolish the police crap."
It would be nice if these two respected and beloved commentators would fact-check their positions before they used their incredible platform to give out inaccurate information. Their entire exchange is incredibly inaccurate and it would take two articles to break down the misinformation they spewed, but here are a few points of contention:
1. Barkley, when describing why the Breonna Talylor case differs from other cases he mentioned, simply says &ldquo;because he shot at the police&rdquo; without providing any context. 
According to the testimony of Breonna Taylor&rsquo;s boyfriend, Kenneth Walker: &ldquo;Walker told investigators he heard banging at the door and assumed it was Taylor's ex-boyfriend, Jamarcus Glover. Taylor, who had awoken, shouted, &lsquo;Who is it?&rsquo; but Walker said there was no response. He said he and Taylor scrambled to get dressed and that he grabbed his gun, which his attorney has said he legally owns. He said both he and Taylor were yelling, &lsquo;Who is it?&rsquo; but received no response. As they made their way toward the front door, Walker said, the door flew off its hinges. &lsquo;So I just let off one shot,&rsquo; he said. &lsquo;I still can't see who it is or anything.&rsquo;" 
This is very different than saying, &ldquo;He shot at the cops first.&rdquo; Now, I&rsquo;m not expecting Charles Barkley to go into this level of detail during his &ldquo;Inside The NBA&rdquo; segment, but if he is going to comment on this, he has to at least give proper context.&nbsp;
2. Barkley repeats the often-expressed false narrative of &ldquo;defund&rdquo; and &ldquo;abolish&rdquo; being synonyms. Again, if he is going to comment on this, he needs to be fully educated on the subject or at least the English language. The fact is &ldquo;defund the police&rdquo; means &ldquo;reallocating or redirecting funding away from the police department to other government agencies funded by the local municipality.&rdquo; That&rsquo;s it. So, the police are responsible for areas they are trained to be responsible for. For example, issues involving mental health can be left to people trained to handle mental-health challenges.&nbsp;
Dr. Rashawn Ray, a Professor of Sociology and Executive Director of the Lab for Applied Social Science Research (LASSR) at the University of Maryland, College Park, recently explained in detail what defunding the police actually means in an article titled &ldquo;What does defund the police mean and does it have merit&rdquo; (which <a href="https://www.brookings.edu/blog/fixgov/2020/06/19/what-does-defund-the-police-mean-and-does-it-have-merit/">you can read in full here</a>).
&ldquo;Advocates for the defund movement like Phillip McHarris and Thenjiwe McHarris argue that <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/30/opinion/george-floyd-police-funding.html?referringSource=articleShare">shifting funding to social services</a> that can improve things such as mental health, addiction, and homelessness is a better use of taxpayer money,&rdquo; he writes. &ldquo;This approach further enhances the push to decriminalize and destigmatize people with mental-health conditions and addiction problems.&rdquo;
Again, I&rsquo;m not expecting Barkley to go into this level of detail during his &ldquo;Inside The NBA&rdquo; segment. But if he is going to comment on this, he needs to be well-informed of the facts.&nbsp;
The NBA and its players hold the entire crew of TNT's "Inside The NBA&rdquo; in high regard. They have become must-see TV for the majority of NBA players and fans. And I, for one, am all for the exchange of different opinions and discussions and debates. That&rsquo;s not the issue here.&nbsp;
But giving an accurate and factual portrayal when discussing a topic that is near and dear to the entire NBA world should be a requirement given the platform that O&rsquo;Neal and Barkley have. Spewing false narratives and giving inaccurate information and drawing conclusions based on those inaccuracies is not only irresponsible but disrespectful to Breonna Taylor, her loved ones, activists fighting for justice, NBA players who took up her cause and everyone else involved.&nbsp;

NBA veteran Etan Thomas vents about the misinformed comments from Shaquille O'Neal and Charles Barkley on Breonna Taylor's death.

Shaq, Barkley's misinformed comments were disrespectful

After the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Denver Nuggets in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals, LeBron James was asked about receiving only 16 first-place votes for MVP. The King <a href="https://twitter.com/NBATV/status/1307172529941835776?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">let loose</a>.
"It pissed me off. That's my true answer," James said. "It pissed me off because out of 101 votes, I got 16 first-place votes. That's what pissed me off more than anything. Not saying that the winner (<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/nba-rumors-milwaukee-bucks-giannis-antetkounmpo-repeats-mvp-most-valuable-player-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Giannis Antetokounmpo</a>) wasn't deserving of the MVP, but that pissed me off.
"I've finished second a lot in my career, either from a championship, now four times as an MVP (candidate). I never came into this league saying let me be MVP or be a champion. I've always just said I want to get better and better every single day, and those things will take care of itself. But some things are just out of my hands, some things you can't control. But it pissed me off."
ANALYSIS: LeBron has a gripe with past MVP snubs, and he's been the greatest player in the NBA consistently for the past decade. No matter what your opinion is on the ruling this year, 16 votes is pretty light for a <a href="https://twitter.com/BenGolliver/status/1307173702380015617?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">transcendent player like him</a>.

No matter what your opinion is on the ruling this year, 16 votes is pretty light for a transcendent player like him.

LeBron on MVP voting: 'It pissed me off'

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James recently admitted that he's considered leaving the NBA bubble on several occassions.
"I've had numerous nights and days thinking about leaving the bubble," James said, according to <a href="https://twitter.com/BenGolliver/status/1299938985901518848" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ben Golliver of The Washington Post</a>. "I think everyone has, including you guys (the media). I don't think there's one person that has not had a mind that said, 'Oh, I've got to get the hell out of here.' ... It probably crosses my mind once a day. For sure."&nbsp;
A number of players have opened up about how staying in the bubble has affected their mental health. For example, Los Angeles Clippers forward Paul George has been candid about dealing with depression in the bubble.
"I mean, we're all dealing with it," George said, according to <a href="https://www.si.com/nba/clippers/news/paul-george-says-multiple-nba-players-dealing-with-depression-in-bubble?utm_source=reddit.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sports Illustrated</a>. "You know, whether I was the first to say it or not, we're all dealing with it. I've had conversations with guys here, and there's been a couple guys that is like, 'Man, I'm happy I'm not the only one. I've been dealing with this, too.' It's a thing in here. It's a brotherhood. ... We support one another."
It remains to be seen if any players will opt to leave the Orlando campus. James and the Lakers recently advanced to the second round of the playoffs after defeating the Portland Trail Blazers.&nbsp;

LeBron James admitted that the possibility of leaving the NBA bubble crosses his mind "once a day."

Bez