Day: July 8, 2026

Air Jordan IX OG Returns With Special Packaging Celebrating 30 Years of a Cultural Icon

Brandon King

Thirty years after Space Jam changed the worlds of basketball, entertainment and sneaker culture forever, Jordan Brand is bringing back one of the silhouettes forever connected to the legendary film. The Air Jordan IX OG “Space Jam” is expected to return on August 29, 2026, with a special packaging treatment inspired by the 30th anniversary celebration of the iconic movie that united basketball superstar Michael Jordan and Looney Tunes legend Bugs Bunny. Released in 1996, Space Jam became more than just a basketball movie — it became a defining moment…

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SWAC Announces 2026 Football Preseason Awards: Andrew Body, Kam Sallis Earn Top Honors

Brandon King

The Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) has officially unveiled its 2026 Football Preseason Awards and All-SWAC teams, with Alabama State quarterback Andrew Body and Jackson State defensive back Kam Sallis earning the league’s top individual honors. Body was voted the 2026 SWAC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year after leading one of the conference’s most dynamic offenses last season. The Hornets signal-caller also earned First Team All-SWAC honors at quarterback. In just eight games during the 2025 campaign, Body completed 113 of 160 passes (70.6%) for 1,770 yards, 20 touchdowns, and…

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WNBA to Make History with All-Star Events at Obama Presidential Center

Brandon King

The WNBA is breaking new ground once again. The league announced that it will become the first professional sports league to host events at the new Obama Presidential Center in Chicago as part of its 2026 WNBA All-Star festivities. The historic partnership will bring players, fans, and community members together for a series of basketball-focused experiences at the center, further expanding the reach of All-Star Weekend beyond the court. The Obama Presidential Center, which celebrates the legacy of former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama while promoting…

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Denver Nuggets Waive Veteran Center Jonas Valančiūnas; Multiple Teams Expected to Pursue Free Agent

Brandon King

The Denver Nuggets are waiving veteran center Jonas Valančiūnas, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. The move immediately places one of the league’s most experienced big men on the free-agent market, where he is expected to draw interest from several NBA teams.   Valančiūnas, 34, remains a productive frontcourt presence capable of providing scoring, rebounding, and physicality in limited minutes. Last season, he averaged 8.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in 65 games for Denver while serving as a reliable veteran in the Nuggets’ rotation.   His combination of size,…

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Lisa Leslie to Receive Statue Outside of Crypto.com Arena

Brandon King

Basketball icon Lisa Leslie is set to receive one of the sport’s highest honors later this year when a statue in her likeness is unveiled outside of Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The tribute recognizes Leslie’s extraordinary impact on the game and her lasting legacy with the Los Angeles Sparks, the WNBA, and women’s basketball as a whole. She will join an elite group of Lakers and Los Angeles sports legends immortalized outside the arena, cementing her place among the city’s all-time greats. Leslie’s résumé speaks for itself. During her…

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North Carolina Invests Nearly $45 Million in Winston-Salem State University to Expand Campus Growth, Scholarships and Student Success

Brandon King

Winston-Salem State University is entering a new era of growth after receiving a nearly $45 million investment from the State of North Carolina, providing critical funding for campus modernization, scholarship opportunities, workforce development and institutional support. The investment represents one of the largest recent commitments to the university and reinforces the importance of historically Black colleges and universities in shaping the future workforce and communities across the state. A Major Investment in the Future of the Rams The funding package includes nearly $40 million dedicated to capital improvements, allowing WSSU…

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Former Bucknell Strength Coach Charged in Death of Freshman Football Player CJ Dickey

Brandon King

More than a year after the tragic death of Bucknell freshman football player Calvin “CJ” Dickey Jr., Pennsylvania prosecutors have announced criminal charges against the strength and conditioning coach who oversaw the workout that preceded his collapse. The Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office announced that former Bucknell University strength coach Mark Kulbis has been charged with felony aggravated hazing, as well as misdemeanor counts of involuntary manslaughter, reckless endangerment, and hazing. The charges stem from a conditioning session on July 10, 2024, when Dickey, an 18-year-old freshman from Tampa, Florida, collapsed…

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Kansas Lands Landmark Ripple Jersey Patch Deal Featuring XRP Across All Athletics

Brandon King

The University of Kansas is set to announce a groundbreaking five-year partnership with digital finance company Ripple that will place XRP cryptocurrency jersey patches on uniforms across all Jayhawks athletic programs, according to Sports Business Journal. The agreement is reportedly one of the most lucrative jersey patch deals in college sports history, underscoring the growing commercialization of college athletics in the NIL and revenue-sharing era. Financial terms have not been disclosed, but sources indicate the deal ranks among the richest patch sponsorships to date. Ripple and its XRP cryptocurrency will…

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Nike Kobe 6 Protro “Polka Dot” Pack Celebrates Kobe and Vanessa Bryant’s Love Story

Brandon King

Nike Basketball continues to honor Kobe Bryant’s legacy with one of the year’s most heartfelt releases. The upcoming Nike Kobe 6 Protro “Polka Dot” Pack draws inspiration from Kobe and Vanessa Bryant’s shared love for Disney and the enduring bond that defined their relationship. The collection features two complementary colorways that appear to represent the iconic Disney duo, Mickey and Minnie Mouse. The “Polka Dot White” edition pairs a clean white snakeskin-inspired upper with oversized red polka dots, a black Swoosh, and red accents along the outsole and heel. Its…

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Khris Middleton Returns to Wizards on Three-Year, $17.6 Million Sign-and-Trade Deal

Brandon King

The Washington Wizards are bringing back a familiar veteran presence. According to Shams Charania, veteran forward Khris Middleton has agreed to a three-year, $17.6 million sign-and-trade contract with the Wizards, marking his return to Washington after spending parts of the previous two seasons with the franchise. Middleton, a 14-year NBA veteran, gives the Wizards an experienced leader as the organization continues to develop its young core. Known for his steady scoring, playmaking, and championship pedigree, the three-time All-Star brings valuable leadership to a roster centered around emerging talent. The 33-year-old…

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