Category: Other leagues

Here’s what Jaylen Brown told Deion Sanders during UCB visit with Colorado alum Derrick White

Jaylen Brown was able to have a quick conversation with head coach Deion Sanders while visiting the University of Colorado with his teammate Derrick White.

The Boston Celtics and the NBA may be abuzz with stories and excitement from the league’s annual media day and the opening of training camps this week, but football season is already in full swing across the country, and perhaps the biggest story in North American sports at the moment is the University of Colorado football team under head coach Deion Sanders.

The former NFL great has brought his specific brand of razzle dazzle to college football, and the Colorado Buffalos have been appointment viewing all season long. Over the weekend, UCB alum Derrick White took his Celtics teammate Jaylen Brown out to Boulder to see a game live. Brown later recounted the experience during Boston’s media day this Monday.

“Yeah, who would have thought? Boulder Colorado,” Brown said “Went to the game, it was a 10 a.m. game. I’m with White, met up with him on campus.”

Playing abroad, two Boston Celtics alumni approach the Euroleague from different perspectives

Kemba Walker and Jabari Parker are embarking on EuroLeague careers with very different perspectives on what they are leaving behind.

When a prominent player in the NBA ends up at a stage of his career where he ends up playing overseas, one of two responses seems to be the outcome — embracing a new opportunity, or dwelling on the loss of an old one. And for a pair of Boston Celtics alumni and former teammates currently suiting up for EuroLeague ball clubs, one can see a bit of both.

Former star Celtics floor general and UConn standout Kemba Walker has left the Association to play for AS Monaco in the (mostly) French LNB Pro-A and EuroLeague, while mostly unsuccessful reclamation project and 2014 second overall pick Jabari Parker is playing for FC Barcelona in Spain’s ACB and the EuroLeague as well.

Asked why he elected to come to Europe by EuroHoops’ Alex Molina, Parker did not mince words; “I just want to be a part of something legitimate.”

Celtics team president Brad Stevens opens up on his, his wife Tracy’s investment in NWSL soccer

Tracy Stevens and Celtics Prez husband Brad have invested in the Boston-based women’s soccer expansion team.

It seems an interest in having a stake in a soccer team is all the rage among Boston Celtics alumni these days, with team president Brad Stevens joining the likes of Celtics co-owner Steve Pagliuca and former Boston small forward Dominique Wilkins as people in the Celtics’ orbit who have invested or tried to in a professional soccer team.

For Stevens and his wife Tracy, the team in question is the new National Women’s Soccer League expansion team to be based in Boston that will begin play in 2026 according to recent reporting from the Boston Globe’s Adam Himmelsbach. “It’s cool to be kind of on that ground floor,” said Stevens of his investment opportunity in the team.

“We’re very small with regard to our own investor status, but we’re certainly thrilled to help in any way, whether it’s the board as they’re building up a soccer operations group, or looking at recruiting coaches or players down the road,” he added. “Whatever the case may be, we want to help in whatever way we can”

Jennifer Epstein, the controlling partner and daughter of Celtics minority owner Bob Epstein, reached out to the Stevens to have a role with the soccer club.

“I’m just here if they need me to show up at something, or if they want to ask how we go about things like sports science or coaching, whatever the case may be,” suggested the Celtics president. “Anything we can answer that may be a crossover, we’re happy to help with.”

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Who should represent Team USA with Jayson Tatum at the 2024 Paris Olympics?

Who else ought to be suiting up for the US National Team next summer?

Star Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum was among the players Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James contacted about joining Team USA for the 2024 Paris Olympics after the Americans’ embarrassing failure to medal in the 2023 FIBA World Cup. Who else ought to be suiting up for the national team next summer?

A trio of former Celtics champs dived into this question on the most recent episode of the Showtime Basketball “KG Certified” podcast hosted by Hall of Fame Boston big man Kevin Garnett. His guests were fellow Celtics Hall of Famer Paul Pierce and 2008 titlist Tony Allen. They debated which of today’s top players from the United States ought to represent that country at the next Olympics in light of the need for Team USA’s redemption on the international stage.

To hear what a good chunk of the Ubuntu crew had to say about Team USA and the Olympics, check out the clip embedded below.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Can LeBron James, Jayson Tatum and an NBA A-Team save Team USA?

Will a new infusion of star power be enough to get the US back on top and holding Gold on the podium? Or will Team USA need to start crafting a program better suited to playing and coaching FIBA basketball?

Can LeBron James, Jayson Tatum and the NBA A-team save Team USA from itself?

Team USA’s performance in the 2023 FIBA World Cup and its struggles against teams with lesser-known players triggered a call from James to Tatum and a number of other elite American NBA players to remedy the situation in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Will an infusion of star power be enough to get the U.S. back on top and holding gold on the podium? Or will Team USA need to start crafting a program better suited to playing and coaching FIBA basketball?

The hosts of the CLNS Media “A-List” podcast sat down and worked their way through the Team USA FIBA flub, asking the above questions.

Take a look at the clip embedded above to hear their thoughts on the future of Team USA.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Boston’s Jayson Tatum among players LeBron James is recruiting for Team USA Olympic revenge in 2024

If such a lineup were to actually make it onto the roster for the 2024 Paris Olympics, it would go a long way toward determining whether the issue behing USA’s FIBA foibles is star power.

USA Basketball is enduring justified criticism in the U.S. media after a disappointing fourth-place finish at the 2023 FIBA World Cup. The field continues to take steps forward. Meanwhile, the U.S. national team appears out of its depth, the result of fielding questionable rosters and strategies given how FIBA rules differ from the NBA. The current roster lacks prior men’s national teams’ experience and features only three current All-Stars, another factor behind their recent struggles.

In response to that disappointing showing, Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James committed to play for the U.S. Olympic team next summer and has reached out to some high-octane peers to help him get USA Basketball back on top per recent reporting from The Athletic’s Joe Vardon and Shams Charania.

“James has spoken to Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis, Jayson Tatum and Draymond Green, and they are all prepared to commit as well,” writes The Athletic.

“Separately, Phoenix’s Devin Booker, Portland’s Damian Lillard, Sacramento’s De’Aaron Fox, and Dallas’ Kyrie Irving also have serious interest in committing,” they add.

Such a lineup actually making it to the 2024 Paris Olympics is a big ask given the ages of James, Curry, Lillard, Green and Durant and Davis’ spotty health. However, such a group would go a long way toward determining whether the issue behind USA’s FIBA foibles in on-Olympic years is star power or the need for Team USA to invest in a full-time coach, greater continuity and a roster structure better focused on the FIBA environment.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Boston alum MarShon Brooks re-signs with CBA’s Guangdong Southern Tigers

Former Boston Celtics two way point guard Tremont Waters was not the only Celtics alum signing a contract with the Guangdong Southern Tigers in China’s Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) this week.

Former Boston Celtics two-way point guard Tremont Waters was not the only former Celtic to sign with the Guangdong Southern Tigers in China’s Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) this week. HoopsHype’s Alberto De Roa reports MarShon Brooks will join Waters in China after re-signing with the Southern Tigers for the 2023-24 season.

A player better remembered by Boston fans for his role in helping facilitate the trade with the Brooklyn Nets that sent the picks used to select All-NBA forwards Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown than for the 10 games in which he appeared for Boston. In that brief stretch, Brooks logged 3.1 points and 1.9 rebounds per game with the Celtics.

The onetime Providence standout was dealt to the Golden State Warriors with Jordan Crawford in a three-team trade that brought back veteran big man Joel Anthony and draft assets.

Brooks has since played for the Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies, and the EuroLeague’s Olimpia Milano as well as in the G League and in the CBA.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Celtics alum Luigi Datome officially retires as a player

Datome played for Boston for a total of 18 games in the latter half of the Celtics’ 2014-15 NBA season, putting up 5.2 points and 1.4 rebounds per game.

Former Boston Celtics forward Luigi Datome officially retired from the sport as a player after his final contest for the Italian National Team in the 2023 FIBA World Cup, per multiple reports.

Datome, one of Italy’s most renowned basketball players, bid adieu to his playing career after a loss to Slovenia during the World Cup.

Despite the loss, Datome received a standing ovation after he was subbed out for the last time, and players from both teams paused to pay their respects to the veteran.

“It’s one of the incredible kind gestures I received this summer,” Datome said via Sports Inquirer’s Jonas Terrado. “I thank the fans for the applause and to the opponents for stopping the game to show respect.”

“I feel lucky, humbled, grateful, and blessed because I felt all the kind words that I get,” he added.

Datome played 18 games for Boston in the latter half of the 2014-15 season, averaging 5.2 points and 1.4 rebounds per game.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Former Boston assistant, player Evan Turner on his time at Ohio State with Mark Titus

Turner and Mark Titus, former teammates at Ohio State, reunited for the first time in 15 years on an episode of “The Mark Titus Show.”

Former Boston Celtics player and assistant coach Evan Turner and Mark Titus, former teammates at Ohio State, reunited for the first time in 15 years on an episode of “The Mark Titus Show” podcast recently. The episode looks at their complex relationship from teammates to present-day media personas.

The duo touched on their immaturity as college students in their early 20s, their love-hate relationship and some regrettable moments like Titus using the unfortunate term “bipolar” to describe Turner. Turner also shared a humorous anecdote about John Mayer fans flooding his Facebook with lyrics as part of Titus’s blog antics. Despite their differences as people, both acknowledged the challenging nature of being college athletes and the pressure they faced in those days.

To hear these two catch up and reminisce, check out the clip embedded below.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Celtics’ Jaylen Brown on why he suited up to play in the BIG3 2023 All-Star Game

“It’s amazing being in this environment,” said Brown.

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If you are wondering what got All-NBA Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown to suit up in the All-Star game for the BIG3 3-on-3 basketball league in London’s O2 Arena on Saturday evening local time, so was fellow Celtics alum Brian Scalabrine, present to work the sidelines of the big event, and the White Mamba asked Brown as much. “Having some fun for charity, giving back to the community, and supporting,” offered the Cal alum in response.

“I was blown away,” said Ice Cube, standing next to Brown (h/t NBC Sports Boston’s Chris Forsberg). “I asked him if he was sure if he wanted to make this move, and he was like, ‘Yo, I want to do this for the game, for the players, and it’s a big move for the league’, so I’m excited — this guy is my hero right now.”

“It’s amazing being in this environment,” said Brown. “Shout out to London, shout out to the O2 (arena), excited to give back to charity, excited to be a part of this, and I appreciate you, Ice Cube.”

“We’re blessed to be in a position where we can give back,” replied the BIG3 co-founder. “Me being able to set the stage for the greatest athletes in the world — just call me the chef.”

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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