Happy New Year 2025

Tag: team

Bronny James scores career-high during Lakers’ G League affiliate team victory

Bronny James is NBA great LeBron James’ oldest son, which placed a spotlight on the 20-year-old rookie.

In October, Bronny was part of history when he checked into the Los Angeles Lakers season opener and played alongside his father. It marked the first active father-son duo in league history. Shortly after his NBA debut, the Lakers announced the youngest James would split his time between the NBA franchise and their G League affiliate — the South Bay Lakers.

Bronny does not travel with the team for road games, but he was on hand for South Bay’s game against Rip City Remix — the Portland Trail Blazers G League affiliate — in El Segundo, California on Jan. 24. James had a game to remember on Friday, finishing South Bay’s 122-110 win with a career-best 31 points.

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Jan 23, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Bronny James (9) during the game against the Boston Celtics at the Crypto.com Arena. (Kirby Lee-Imagn Images)

His strong performance on the offensive end of the basketball court was highlighted by a monster slam dunk. James also made five of his eleven 3-point attempts.

LEBRON JAMES PICKED FOR 21ST STRAIGHT ALL-STAR GAME, EXTENDING NBA RECORD

A screen from center Christian Koloko allowed James to pick up his dribble and throw down the highlight-reel worthy dunk over Rip City’s Sterling Manely. The dunk also tied the game and sparked a 9-4 South Bay run.

James spoke about his confidence after the game.

“I’m just trying to get my confidence back,” James told a reporter during his on-court interview. “I’m just trying to play my game. Learn from every game. While I’m not playing in the G League, learn from the Lakers, learning from my vets and just keep trying to be myself. That’s been working recently. I’m happy with my results.”

Jan 23, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) interacts with son Bronny James during the game against the Boston Celtics at the Crypto.com Arena. (Kirby Lee-Imagn Images)

“I am having fun,” James responded when asked about the spotlight that’s been placed on him. “Any time I’m playing basketball, any time I’m out here breathing, any time I’m out here walking … I’m grateful for everything.”

Oct 28, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Bronny James against the Phoenix Suns at Footprint Center. (Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images)

The win improved South Bay’s record to 2-7.

Bronny’s four-time NBA champion took notice of his son’s heroics. “GRATEFUL OF YOU KID!!” the elder James wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, after the game.

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James likely will not get the call to rejoin the NBA team until next month. The Lakers are in the midst of a road trip and return to Southern California for a cross-town game against the Los Angeles Clippers on Feb. 4.

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Chantz Martin is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.

January 26, 2025
Ex-Commanders owner Dan Snyder ‘hates’ seeing team one win away from Super Bowl: report

The Washington Commanders are just a win away from reaching Super Bowl LIX, as they head to Philadelphia to face their NFC East-rival Eagles in the NFC Championship Game on Sunday.

It’s been more than a quick turnaround for this franchise, as quarterback Jayden Daniels, the team’s No. 2 overall selection, and the new coaching staff headed by Dan Quinn have completely revitalized the Commanders to the point where they could be competing for the Vince Lombardi Trophy in New Orleans next month.

But one person in particular doesn’t seem to like watching this incredible NFL storyline unfold. That’s because he used to own the team.

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Washington Commanders owner Dan Snyder on the field before a game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. (Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports)

ESPN reports Dan Snyder, the disgraced former owner of the Commanders, doesn’t like seeing the franchise succeeding without him.

The report states that, during a dinner with associates in London, where he mostly lives now, the Commanders were naturally brought up in the conversation. When one of those associates returned to the States, a colleague of theirs asked what Snyder thought about the team, which also had a first-year GM in Adam Peters build out a roster that was playing well at that time during the regular season.

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“He f—ing hates it,” the associate of Snyder’s said to the colleague.

Snyder sold the Commanders under duress, as significant scandals regarding workplace culture, including sexual harassment and a toxic work environment, were on public display. An NFL investigation was conducted which resulted in findings that supported the allegations, leading to pressure from all directions to sell.

Snyder eventually sold the franchise that he controlled since May 1999 for a record $6 billion to Josh Harris and a group of limited partners, which includes David Blitzer, who together own the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers and the NHL’s New Jersey Devils. Magic Johnson is also in the ownership group.

While he didn’t want to sell the franchise, Snyder was pressured by his fellow owners, whom he wasn’t in good standing with in the first place. There were even reports in 2022 stating that Snyder had told some close associates that he had dirt on commissioner Roger Goodell and fellow owners, including Dallas Cowboys’ Jerry Jones.

Washington Commanders owners Tanya Snyder, left, and Dan Snyder on the field before the Dallas Cowboys’ defeat of the Washington Commanders, 25-10, at AT&T Stadium on October 2, 2022, in Arlington, TX. (John McDonnell/The Washington Post via Getty Images)

“They can’t f— with me,” Snyder reportedly said, accordig to ESPN.

But the sale went through after Harris got around 20 partners to put up the capital, and the experienced sports team owner set out to change the culture within the team on all fronts. And that seems to be going faster than expected on the performance aspect.

It seems that Peters and the rest of the organization hit the nail on the head, with Daniels, the Heisman Trophy winner out of LSU, who has shown poise, leadership and clutch play to go along with what can clearly be seen on the gridiron: A dual-threat quarterback who has quickly become a star.

The Commanders didn’t just go 12-5 during the regular season to earn a wild card spot, and they didn’t just take down the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the road to win their first playoff game since 1999 – the year Snyder bought the team. They had the upset of the year, dropping 45 points on the Detroit Lions to beat the NFC’s No. 1 seed on the road at Ford Field, shocking a team that many believed to be destined for New Orleans.

Washington are searching for its first Super Bowl appearance since 1991, a game in which they won after going 14-2 during the regular season. While the Commanders are focused on Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field in a third meeting with the Eagles this season, the future is certainly bright, with this only being the first year of a whole new regime.

Meanwhile, ESPN reports that Snyder has been selling off his U.S. real estate holdings and conducts most of his business from the United Kingdom. They also have sources saying he wants to buy into a Premier League soccer club, but he’s not expected to own a sports team anytime soon.

Team co-owner Dan Snyder speaks during the announcement of the Washington Football Team’s name change to the Washington Commanders at FedExField on February 2, 2022, in Landover, Maryland. (Rob Carr/Getty Images)

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ESPN adds that Snyder is “in denial” about what led to the pressure to sell, and a person close to him says he has “sadness – for himself.”

“It’s killing him . . . It’s devastating him,” the person said.

Commanders kick off against Saquon Barkley and the Eagles on Sunday at 3 p.m. to determine who will represent the NFC in Super Bowl LIX.

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Scott Thompson is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.

January 25, 2025
Trump names Australian pro basketball team owner as New Zealand, Samoa ambassador

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Veterans to march in DC in support of Hegseth nomination

Hudson River Swim founder and retired Navy SEAL Bill Brown joins ‘Fox & Friends Weekend’ to discuss the plan to gather veterans in Washington for Tuesday’s secretary of defense confirmation hearing.

President Donald Trump announced on Friday that Australian basketball Illawarra Hawks majority owner Jared Novelly will serve as the next U.S. ambassador to New Zealand and the Independent State of Samoa.

Trump described Novelly as a “highly respected philanthropist” in an announcement on Truth Social.

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Illawarra Hawks owner Jared Novelly is seen in the crowd during the round five NBL match between Cairns Taipans and Illawarra Hawks at Cairns Convention Centre, in Cairns, Australia. (Emily Barker/Getty Images)

Novelly serves as chairman of Crest Sports and Entertainment and Crest Management.

WHO IS SEAN CURRAN? HEAD OF TRUMP’S PERSONAL DETAIL TO BE NOMINATED FOR SECRET SERVICE DIRECTOR

He is also an East Asia Superleague Basketball shareholder, according to his LinkedIn profile.

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“He will fight hard to protect our Nation’s interests in the Indo-Pacific, and always put AMERICA FIRST,” Trump wrote. “Congratulations Jared!”

Alexandra Koch is a breaking news writer for Fox News Digital. Prior to joining Fox News, Alexandra covered breaking news, crime, religion, and the military in the southeast.

January 25, 2025
Georgia high school basketball player assaults pair of athletes from opposing team, video shows

Tempers flared during a high school basketball game in Georgia this month. The heated moment appeared to spark a physical altercation between players from opposing teams.

TMZ reported that the fight in question happened during a game between Sonoraville High School and Rockmart High School on Jan. 3 in Calhoun, Georgia. Calhoun is located approximately 70 miles from downtown Atlanta.

A video posted to social media appeared to show an unidentified Rockmart player shoving one of Sonoraville’s athletes to the ground. The Rockmart athlete then immediately hit the Sonoraville player in the face immediately after he regained his footing.

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The altercation happened during a basketball game between Sonoraville High School and Rockmart High School in Calhoun, Ga., on Jan. 3, 2025. (Fox News)

The Rockmart player was later seen punching a separate player from the opposing team.

HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL PLAYER JUMPS INTO ACTION TO SAVE OPPONENT’S LIFE AFTER HARROWING ON-COURT COLLAPSE

The second Sonoraville player was hit after he dashed toward the scuffle. Spectators in the crowd could be heard making noises as they reacted to the situation. The video also showed some individuals moving from the stands to the court area to intervene.

The altercation happened during a basketball game between Sonoraville High School and Rockmart High School in Calhoun, Ga., on Jan. 3, 2025.

An incident report from the Gordon County Sheriff’s Office suggested a Rockmart player was provoked by the repeated use of a racial slur by the player from the opposing team.

The teenager who appeared to initiate physical contact during the incident faces two charges of simple battery, per the police report. The brawl broke out during the third quarter of the game.

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Officials from Rockmart High School and Sonoraville High School have yet to offer public comment on the incident.

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Chantz Martin is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.

January 24, 2025