Tag: basketball

Jayson Tatum misses start of USA Basketball camp in Las Vegas

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Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics hoists the Larry O’Brien trophy as he is introduced during the Boston Celtics Victory Event following their 2024 NBA Finals win at TD Garden on June 21, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. Maddie Malhotra/Getty Images/AFP

LAS VEGAS — Jayson Tatum of the NBA champion Boston Celtics was not present Saturday for the start of the U.S. men’s Olympic basketball training camp, excused because of personal reasons.

Tatum is expected to join the team by Monday, when it will have the third of its four camp practices in Las Vegas, U.S. coach Steve Kerr said. The team plays its first exhibition on Wednesday against Canada, then leaves Thursday for nearly five weeks abroad — going first to Abu Dhabi for two games, then to London for two more games, then finally to Paris for the Olympics.

The 26-year-old Tatum — one of two Celtics on this U.S. team, along with Jrue Holiday — is seeking his second Olympic gold medal, after being part of the team that won at the Tokyo Games held three years ago.

READ: LeBron James says gold is all that matters at Paris Olympics

Tatum averaged 15.2 points for the Americans in those Olympics, second on the team behind Kevin Durant’s 20.7 points per game.

The Olympics will be the capper of a busy few months for Tatum. The five-time All-Star helped the Celtics win their first NBA title since 2008 last month — then started his offseason by agreeing to a league-record $314 million, five-year extension that could keep him in Boston through the 2029-30 season.

That contract was finalized Saturday, the first day that such a deal could be executed by NBA rule.

“Jayson is a special person and player, and it’s been a thrill for all of us to watch his entire journey in Boston,” Celtics President Brad Stevens said Saturday in a release distributed by the team.

READ: LeBron James says gold is all that matters at Paris Olympics

“He has embraced all that comes with being a great Celtic, and shows consistent and genuine care for every one of his teammates, coaches, and staff across the organization.

Tatum averaged 26.9 points, 8.1 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game this past season for the Celtics, and has averaged 23.1 points, 7.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists in his first seven NBA seasons.

Tatum was in Las Vegas for most of the week prior to the start of the U.S. camp, hosting his own elite camp for select high school and college players. Fellow U.S. Olympian Bam Adebayo was also part of that camp, as were fellow NBA players Paolo Banchero and Chris Paul.



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Gilas’ Justin Brownlee ‘Michael Jordan of PH basketball’

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Justin Brownlee leads Gilas Pilipinas’ rout of host Latvia to open the Filipinos’ Fiba OQT campaign. –FIBA PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Kai Sotto was all praise for Justin Brownlee, who once again played the hero for Gilas Pilipinas in its 89-80 shocker of world No. 6 and host Latvia in the Fiba Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) on Thursday.

Sotto even went on to say that his naturalized teammate is the “Michael Jordan of Philippine basketball.”

Brownlee, also the hero in the Gilas’ historic gold medal run in the Asian Games last year, scored six straight points highlighted with a four-point play to give the visitors an 85-71 with over three minutes left.

SCHEDULE: Gilas Pilipinas at Fiba OQT in Riga, Latvia

“The world doesn’t really know much about Justin Brownlee. But for me, he’s the Michael Jordan of Philippine Basketball,” said Sotto, who also stepped up for the Filipinos with 18 points and eight rebounds, in an interview with Fiba.com

Brownlee and Sotto paved the way for the Philippines’ first win against a European team in a Fiba-sanctioned tournament since 1960.

The 22-year-old Sotto was confident that Brownlee would deliver when it mattered most, restoring the order for Gilas when Latvia fought its way back from a 26-point deficit and cut it down to 79-69 midway through the fourth quarter.

Justin Brownlee Gilas Pilipinas stuns world No. 6 Latvia to open Fiba OQT bid schedule

Justin Brownlee soars for a slam in Gilas Pilipinas’ Fiba OQT win against Latvia. –FIBA BASKETBALL

“That’s what we expect him to do and that’s what he does every night,” said Sotto, who first teamed up with Brownlee in the first window of the Fiba Asia Cup qualifiers early this year.

“He just goes out there with his A-game every single night. He’s a great teammate. He’s a great player and we’re very blessed. We’re very lucky to have him.”

READ: Tim Cone dismisses notion that Gilas not big, fast, strong enough

Brownlee flirted with a triple-double with 26 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists.

Sotto, who has been thriving under coach Tim Cone’s tutelage at Gilas Pilipinas, relished surpassing the Filipinos’ first test of the Fiba OQT on the road to the Paris Olympics.

“It’s a really great game tonight. We all know how great Latvia is and we really prepared hard against Latvia and their players. I think we just came out strong tonight and we had some rough couple of minutes in the second half but we just hung on and believed in each other, we just followed coach Tim [Cone],” he said.

“I’m very blessed and happy that we got the win tonight and no one got injured. I’m just happy that everyone contributed to the win.”



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Sotto and Gilas Pilipinas have no time to celebrate their historic win as they shift their focus against Georgia on Thursday at 8:30 p.m. (Manila time).

USC basketball star JuJu Watkins throws strike at Dodger Stadium

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University of Southern California basketball player Juju Watkins gestures after throwing out the ceremonial first pitch prior to a baseball game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Los Angeles Angels Saturday, June 22, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

LOS ANGELES — USC basketball star JuJu Watkins had a different kind of ball in her hand at Dodger Stadium.

She threw out a ceremonial first pitch Saturday night before the Freeway Series matchup between the Los Angeles Angels and Dodgers.

“This is probably the most nervous I’ve ever been,” she said beforehand. “Basketball comes easy, not baseball.”

READ: Sarina Bolden throws first pitch at San Francisco Giants game

Watkins had said she would be throwing left-handed because of a sprained right index finger. But she warmed up tossing right-handed and stuck with her dominant hand to deliver a strike to Dodgers pitcher Gavin Stone, who was behind the plate.

“I always see it on social media,” she said. “Never did I think I would be throwing a pitch.”

Watkins wore a personalized Dodgers jersey and after throwing from the top of the mound, she gave the traditional pre-game call of “It’s time for Dodger baseball.” She was accompanied by her parents and a cousin.

READ: Wembanyama throws out ceremonial first pitch at Yankee Stadium

As a freshman, Watkins led Southern California to its best season in years, winning the Pac-12 championship before falling one victory short of a Final Four appearance. She’s riding the wave of increased interest in women’s sports, especially basketball.

“The women in the sport are incredible and just to see the rise of the game, it’s so inspiring,” she said. “It’s definitely a collective effort. I wouldn’t say I hold any sole responsibility. Just make sure I’m doing my part.”

Watkins took a break after the season ended and recently vacationed in Mexico.

“Now I’m ready to get back to it,” she said. “There’s so many things to get better at.”



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PH women’s basketball, men’s volleyball standouts feted

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Awardees for the 2024 Collegiate Press Corps awards night on Monday. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — History was made as standouts in the women’s basketball and men’s volleyball were recognized for the first time in the 2024 Collegiate Press Corps Awards Night on Monday at the Discovery Suites Manila in Pasig.

Kent Pastrana of the University of Santo Tomas was hailed as the inaugural Collegiate Women’s Basketball Player of the Year to headline a total of 23 awardees alongside Collegiate Men’s Basketball Player of the Year Kevin Quiambao of La Salle.

Pastrana steered the Growling Tigresses to their first title in 17 years, toppling the mighty dynasty of seven-peat champion National U with a thrilling three-game series win to win the UAAP Season 86 finals.

READ: Standout coaches to be feted by Collegiate Press Corps

She was also named the UAAP Player of the Year for team events in the league’s closing ceremony last year before a fitting follow-up recognition from the CPC in the momentous ceremony.

Pastrana also led the breakthrough Women’s Mythical Five with her teammate and UAAP Finals MVP Tantoy Ferrer, FEU’s Josee Kaputu, UP’s Favour Onoh, and Kacey dela Rosa of Ateneo while Quiambao, who lifted La Salle to the UAAP Season 86 title to snap a seven-year drought, bannered the staple Men’s Mythical Five with Rookie-MVP Clint Escamis of Mapua, UP’s Malick Diouf, Lyceum’s Enoch Valdez and Jacob Cortez of San Beda.

“It’s our honor to be given this kind of opportunity in women’s basketball. Thank you for this award at sa walang pag-suporta sa amin,” said Pastrana.

For the first time also, achievers in the men’s volleyball were feted with well-deserved honors led by UAAP Men’s Volleyball Player of the Year Owa Retamar of NU and NCAA Men’s Volleyball Player of the Year Louie Ramirez of Perpetual.

READ: Kevin Quiambao, Kent Pastrana banner collegiate Mythical Teams

Retamar pocketed the UAAP Season 86 Finals MVP and Best Setter while Ramirez captured the NCAA Season 99 MVP plum anew as the both the Bulldogs and the Altas won four straight titles.

“I’m really happy that I was chosen for this men’s volleyball award. I’m glad for men’s volleyball, which is slowly gaining recognition, of course with the help of the media. They’re the ones who helped expand this. I hope this continues for all the youth watching us. I hope we can inspire them,” said Retamar.

NU Bulldogs' star Owa Retamar.

NU Bulldogs’ star Owa Retamar. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

But the night didn’t only belong to the players as mentors from women’s basketball and volleyball also marked history and grand celebration.

Haydee Ong of UST copped the UAAP Women’s Basketball Coach of the Year with Dante Alinsunurin of NU and Sammy Acaylar of Perpetual winning the UAAP Men’s Volleyball and NCAA Men’s Volleyball Coaches of the Year awards, respectively.

NU’s Norman Miguel and Jerry Yee of three-peat champion College of St. Benilde’s were named the UAAP Women’s Volleyball and NCAA Women’s Volleyball Coaches of the Year, respectively.

“It’s the first time in history that you’ve given accolades and inclusivity for women’s basketball. Maraming Salamat po. This award will not be possible without the help of the whole community and ecosystem of UST,” said Ong.

Also in the spotlight of the event were the winners of the staple awards in men’s basketball and women’s volleyball

For the second time, MVP Bella Belen of NU took home the UAAP Women’s Volleyball Player of the Year while Cloanne Mondonedo of CSB, the first setter MVP in NCAA history, won the NCAA Women’s Volleyball Player of the Year.



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La Salle champion mentor Topex Robinson was named the UAAP Men’s Basketball Coach of the Year while Yuri Escueta, who engineered San Beda’s NCAA title run, was hailed as the NCAA Men’s Basketball Coach of the Year.

Angel Reese says foul on Caitlin Clark a basketball play

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Angel Reese #5 of the Chicago Sky reacts after fouling Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever during the second half  of a WNBA game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on June 16, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Emilee Chinn/Getty Images/AFP

INDIANAPOLIS –Angel Reese insisted all she did Sunday was make a basketball play against Caitlin Clark.

The former Iowa star agreed with her college rival.

But that isn’t likely to defuse what happens next.

After the Indiana Fever rookie wound up on the ground courtesy of Reese’s right elbow striking Clark’s head on a drive to the basket, the referees used replay review to upgrade the foul call to a flagrant-1 and almost assuredly setting off yet another debate about the contact Clark seems to be facing each game.

READ: Caitlin Clark, WNBA rookies draw near-record crowds for 1st month

“I can’t control the refs and they affected the game, obviously, a lot tonight,” Reese said after finishing with 11 points, 13 rebounds, five assists and five fouls in the Chicago Sky’s 91-83 loss at Indiana in the WNBA. “Y’all are probably going to play that clip like 20 times before Monday.”

Naturally, it didn’t take long for the highlight to start making the social media rounds.

But regardless of whether the elbow was intentional, the result was the same — Clark taking a head shot most sports leagues want to prevent.

Clark’s response was to walk calmly to the free-throw line late in the third quarter, make both shots and help lead her team to its second straight victory before again downplaying the situation in her postgame news conference.

“It is what it is, you know, she’s trying to make a play on the ball and get the block,” Clark said after finishing with 23 points, nine assists and eight rebounds in her best all-around game as a pro. “I mean it happens and then those free throws when you have to shoot with nobody at the line are kind of hard. So I was just focusing on making those free throws.”

READ: WNBA fashionistas showcase styles at draft

Still, Sunday’s scene was quite different from the one that played out two weeks earlier between these same teams in front of another sellout crowd in Indianapolis.

Back then, Sky guard Chennedy Carter hit Clark on an inbound play that sent the unsuspecting guard to the ground. Carter was tagged with an away-from-the-ball call, which resulted in one free throw and league officials later upgraded the call to a flagrant-1.

Fever fans serenaded Carter and Reese with cheers any time either was called for a foul in Sunday’s rematch.

No, Fever coach Christie Sides wasn’t happy to see her star player hit the deck yet again, but at least this time, she thought they got it right.

“The right call was made in that moment,” Sides said. “Just make the right call in those moments, and we can move forward. But when we don’t make the right call in those moments, that’s when there’s a problem and they made the right call tonight.”



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Reese, clearly, did not agree.

“I think we went up really strong a lot of times and didn’t get a lot of calls,” she said. “Going back and looking, I’ve seen a lot of calls that weren’t made, I guess some people get a special whistle.”