Latest news with #RookieOfTheYear
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Brian Thomas Jr. Had a Lot to Say About Travis Hunter
Brian Thomas Jr. Had a Lot to Say About Travis Hunter originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Brian Thomas Jr. outperformed even the highest expectations in his rookie year with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Advertisement After being selected 23rd overall in the 2024 draft, Thomas would end the year with 1282 yards and 10 touchdowns. His rookie performance placed him in the top 3 of Rookie of the Year voting alongside college teammates Jayden Daniels and Malik Nabers. This week, Brian Thomas Jr. was asked about getting to know rookie WR/DB Travis Hunter, 'It's been pretty good. Pretty fun. He's a fun dude. Super cool, super chill—I'm not going to say that one (laughs). Super cool, super fun. He's just a fun guy to be around. A lot of energy. Super fun.' Brian said that rookie who player Coach Prime is definitely trying to soak up as much information as possible. 'Yeah, he's been asking a lot of questions. But that's just him trying to be the best he can be. Just talking through routes, talking through little things, plays, why we run these certain plays versus these certain looks. So just little things like that. He wants to be the best. We both want to be the best. We just come out and compete each and every day and whatever he needs help with, I'm glad to help him,' said Thomas Jr. Brian also was questioned about whether it's been very competitive between the two receivers. 'Yeah, for sure. We compete in everything we do. We come out here each and every day, coming out here striving to be the best.' Advertisement Thomas Jr. talked about his first time seeing Hunter out on the field. 'I actually came out here for when they had the rookie minicamp. I was up here, so I came out. I just stepped out here and looked at him doing the drills and stuff. It was really just how quick he was and how detailed he was. When he might've gotten a drill wrong or something, and he was just hopping back in line and going right back at it and trying to find ways to do it right and find ways to be the best that he can be.' Finally, the second-year receiver was asked if he's tired of answering Travis Hunter related questions? He's taking it in stride and understands there is a lot of excitement. He also made it clear he wants to help others the way vets helped him as a rookie. 'No, it would never be like that because guys that were here last year, they helped me out throughout the whole season and they were there for me. So, anything he needs help with, I'll be there for him.' Related: Angel Reese and Livvy Dunne React to Hailey Van Lith Swimsuit Photo Shoot Related: Livvy Dunne Shares Her Workout Secrets Related: Livvy Dunne Shares Revealing Swimsuit Photos This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
WNBA Fans Refuse To Accept Truth About Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers
WNBA Fans Refuse To Accept Truth About Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Caitlin Clark had one of the best WNBA rookie seasons of all time after being drafted No. 1 overall by the Indiana Fever in 2024. Advertisement Clark won WNBA Rookie of the Year while putting up more points (769), assists (337), three-pointers made (122) and triple-doubles (2) than any other first-year player in league history. Quietly, what 2025 No. 1 overall pick Paige Bueckers has done so far with the Dallas Wings might be even better. A comparison between the first nine games of Bueckers' and Clark's rookie seasons emerged on Wednesday. It left some fans uncomfortable when they realized Clark's numbers were not as untouchable as they thought. Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (left) and Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (right).Trevor Ruszkowski, Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Bolstered by a career-high 35 points in her seventh professional game, Bueckers' stats are eerily similar to Clark's early on in their professional careers. Advertisement Their points per game averages in their first nine games as a rookie were essentially even (17.7 to 17.6). Clark had a slight edge in assists per game (6.6 to 5.7), while Bueckers accounted for more steals (2.1 to 1.2) on defense. Bueckers' trademark efficiency proved the most glaring difference. She shot nearly 10 percentage points better from the field (47.2% to 37.7%) while averaging less than half as many turnovers per game (2.3 to 5.7) as Clark did. Despite the facts, fans refused to put Bueckers on Clark's level, claiming that the Fever star faced tougher circumstances than her Wings counterpart. Advertisement "Caitlin played 11 games in 20 days against the best teams in the league," said a fan. "3 back to backs too I believe. Paige is great but not a fair comparison yet." Clark's first nine games came over 17 days, and the Fever came out of it with a 1-8 record. Bueckers has missed four games this season, so it took her over a month to play her first nine games. Dallas is 2-11 overall, but 2-7 with Bueckers in the lineup. "When she's double teamed for 94 feet and plays 11 games in 19 days these stats might matter," said a Clark sympathizer. "With all due respect Paige isn't having to fight through blocks like Aaron Donald out there in the court like Caitlin," joked another. Advertisement "Nothing against Paige but she cant fill seats like CC can," one fan said, bringing off-court metrics into the conversation. WNBA fans will have a chance to see the two No. 1 picks go head-to-head very soon. The Wings host the Fever on Friday, June 27, in a game that will now take place at the American Airlines Center, home of the Dallas Mavericks, to accommodate the demand for tickets. Related: Valkyries' Move Before Fever Game Fuels Speculation Related: Caitlin Clark Issues Demand to Dallas Wings Before Paige Bueckers' WNBA Arrival This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 19, 2025, where it first appeared.
RNZ News
3 days ago
- Sport
- RNZ News
Caitlin Clark's basketball return scores massive TV ratings
Caitlin Clark Photo:/AFP Caitlin Clark's return on the weekend after a five-game injury absence was ESPN's third most-watched Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) game ever on ABC. The Indiana Fever star, sidelined since 24 May with a left quadriceps strain, scored a season-high 32 points with seven 3-pointers, eight rebounds and nine assists in a 102-88 victory against the previously unbeaten New York Liberty in Indianapolis. The Fever's win against the defending WNBA champions drew an average of 2.2 million viewers with a peak of 2.8 million, according to Nielsen numbers released Wednesday by ESPN. That average was up a whopping 76 percent over last season's average audience for WNBA games on ABC. So far in 2025, viewership is up 15 percent from 2024 across ESPN's platforms. Clark, 23, is averaging 21.6 points, 9.2 assists and 6.4 rebounds and shooting 36.7 percent from 3-point range in five starts this season. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft out of Iowa, Clark earned All-Star, All-WNBA and Rookie of the Year honors last season. - Reuters
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Caitlin Clark News Released After Indiana Fever Return
Caitlin Clark News Released After Indiana Fever Return originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Caitlin Clark is playing in her second season with the Indiana Fever, having already cemented herself as a superstar. Advertisement She has become one of the biggest names, not only in the women's basketball landscape but American sports in general. With success on the court comes opportunity off the court, such as endorsement deals with brands like Wilson, a company that has thrived in all things basketball for years. On Monday, Wilson Basketball announced the official release of the "Aspire," a part of a customized basketball collection that's designed to tell a story about Caitlin Clark's journey through the WNBA in her first two seasons. "Aspire / The dream big, play bigger basketball," posted the official social media account of Wilson Basketball. "Available June 23rd, as part of the @CaitlinClark22. Signature Series. Tap the link below to learn more." Advertisement Wilson basketball also attached a note that says, "Simply Caitlin. Always basketball." Caitlin Clark's second wave of customized Wilson basketballs will include designs labeled as Aspire, Envision, Embrace and Oasis. This is the second time Clark has partnered with Wilson to release customized, limited-edition basketballs. The first time the brand dropped the product was last July, during Caitlin Clark's rookie season with the Indiana Fever. During that year, Clark was named Rookie of the Year and was named a WNBA All-Star starter. Clark and the Chicago Sky's Angel Reese were the only two rookies who made the All-Star game that season. Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22).Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images This season with the Indiana Fever, Caitlin Clark has posted 21.6 points, 6.4 rebounds and 9.2 assists per game. She leads the Fever in points and assists per game. Advertisement Clark recently returned to the lineup after missing five games due to injury. In her first game back, she led the Fever to a 102-88 victory over the New York Liberty. Indiana hosts the Connecticut Sun at 7 p.m. ET Tuesday on NBA TV. Related: South Carolina Turns Heads After Team GPA Under Dawn Staley Surfaces Related: Caitlin Clark Turns Heads with Major Announcement on Monday This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 16, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Pat McAfee Had One Word for Caitlin Clark on Saturday
Pat McAfee Had One Word for Caitlin Clark on Saturday originally appeared on Athlon Sports. To say that Caitlin Clark came back with a bang on Saturday would be a major understatement. The 23-year-old played in her first game for the Indiana Fever on Saturday after missing five straight contests due to a quad injury. It was a big game, too, as the Fever hosted the defending champions, the New York Liberty, in a marquee matchup at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Advertisement Clark understood the gravity of the moment, and she stepped up to the plate in a major way. The reigning WNBA Rookie of the Year went off in her return, dropping a season-high 32 points on 11-of-20 shooting, eight rebounds, nine assists, a steal, two blocks and seven triples in 31 minutes of action. More importantly, Clark was able to lead the Fever to a 102-88 statement win, handing the Liberty their first loss of the season. Clark took it to Instagram shortly after the win, where she posted some of her favorite photos from her big night. "good to be back🫶🏻💫" Clark wrote. View the original article to see embedded media. The post quickly drew all sorts of reactions from fans and sports personalities alike. This included a one-word message from ESPN sportscaster Pat McAfee. Advertisement "#DAWG" McAfee replied. McAfee is a celebrated sports figure in Indianapolis. The former All-Pro kicker spent his entire eight-year career in the NFL with the Indianapolis Colts, and he has since made Indianapolis his home. Pat McAfee at the NFL Scouting Combine.© Kirby Lee-Imagn Images McAfee has been a vocal supporter of Clark and the Fever, and he's made his opinion of the former Iowa superstar clear yet again with his comment here. McAfee will likely be cheering for Clark and Co. again when they return to action on Tuesday against the Connecticut Sun. Related: Indiana Fever Coach Stephanie White Issues Exciting Message on Thursday Related: Caitlin Clark Post Triggers Negative Reactions After Paige Bueckers' Historic Game Related: Pacers Get Unfortunate Caitlin Clark News on Friday This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 15, 2025, where it first appeared.
