Latest news with #Sweat
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Why South Carolina women's basketball forward Maryam Dauda swapped time off for extra training
COLUMBIA — Before South Carolina women's basketball's 2024-25 season even ended, Maryam Dauda knew where she'd be in May. Whether the Gamecocks and coach Dawn Staley finished with a title again, as they did in 2024 before Dauda transferred from Arkansas, the 6-foot-4 forward had plans no matter what. Advertisement "I just feel like I have so much to learn," Dauda told The Greenville News. "Coming into a new system, learning this system, learning the pace of the game and I am very excited for the offseason because I am going to be in the gym," Dauda said with a smile. And she kept that promise to herself. After the Gamecocks lost to UConn in the championship on April 6, Dauda got back to work. Though she wasn't required to be in Columbia in May, she was. She worked with sports performance coach Molly Binetti and a local skills and development coach, Drevon Sweat. South Carolina's Maryam Dauda's offseason work South Carolina's assistant coaches can't participate in offseason training with the players until summer practices begin in mid/late June. Advertisement Sweat, a 2022 South Carolina graduate, has been doing 1-on-1 training sessions with Dauda since the season ended. "She didn't want to go home," Sweat said, who worked previously with former players Te-Hina Paopao, Zia Cooke, LeLe Grissett, and Destiny Littleton. "She wanted to stay here, keep working and be ready, more prepared for the upcoming season." In her first season under Staley, Dauda's minutes and impact varied. When she first arrived, the Gamecocks hadn't lost a game since March 31, 2023 and were fresh off an undefeated season. Dauda along with two freshmen joined the program but only one left. The dynamic wasn't necessarily easy to navigate. Dauda averaged 6.4 minutes and two points per game during the 2024-25 season. At Arkansas, she averaged 28.7 minutes and 10.1 points per game. She knew transferring meant sacrificing a starring role. Advertisement A key difference in her game is how she stretches the floor, something that Sweat recognized not many forwards can do. She can shoot 3-pointers, but only shot 25% last season. Before the Final Four against Texas, Dauda was drilling 3-pointers in practice when Staley asked her when she was going to do that in a game. The next day, she hit on with 24.8 seconds left to push South Carolina's lead to 20. After the game, Dauda said a sense of relief and also confidence ran through her body. Ensuring those moments are no longer few and far between is one of the many goals of the offseason. "As a team, it gives them more assets to use," Sweat said of her 3-point shooting. Advertisement In addition to sharpening her shooting, training sessions are about moving faster, being more physical, Sweat said. The duo wants to improve her confidence, dribbling, and foot speed. "A lot of little things but they add up to big things," Sweat said. "I think people will see, all the extra things ... it's about getting used to moving at a 110% but being able to slow down when playing at that speed." South Carolina's Maryam Dauda looks to improve her game for 2025-26 Dauda's game made visible improvements from her first moments in a Gamecocks uniform in November to big time minutes in March and April. In the SEC tournament win against Oklahoma on March 8, Dauda had a team-high +18, with five points, three steals, three rebounds, two blocks and one assist in 12 minutes. Advertisement "She's starting to put it all together," Staley said after the game. Dauda isn't the first college athlete to opt out of summer relaxation and instead get extra work in to improve their game. However, Sweat still sees a uniqueness about her approach during the sessions, which are typically four days a week. REQUIRED READING: Olivia Thompson's journey from South Carolina women's basketball reserve to podcast host Throughout the last month, Sweat has seen improvement in her strength, ball control, and stamina. Her ability to go 110% for the entire workout wasn't something Dauda could necessarily do last offseason. Advertisement "She's working hard and it's hard work," Sweat said. "She's not late, she's on time, she's working the whole time and not complaining. It's not easy work, she could be at the beach but it's impressive with what she's doing. Nowadays with the college landscape, there's a lot of other factors going on but the fact that she's here, working hard, focused, it's impressive." Lulu Kesin covers South Carolina athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email her at lkesin@ and follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @Lulukesin This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Why South Carolina forward Maryam Dauda dedicated her offseason to training
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
New Cardinals edge rusher Josh Sweat works to bring franchise same success he had in Philly
Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Walter Nolen III (97) works on a blocking drill with Cardinals defensive line coach Winston DeLattiboudere III during an NFL football practice Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon, right, and Cardinals defensive coordinator Nick Rallis watch defensive line drills during an NFL football practice Tuesday, June 10, 2025, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Walter Nolen III (97) works on a blocking drill with Cardinals defensive line coach Winston DeLattiboudere III during an NFL football practice Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon, right, and Cardinals defensive coordinator Nick Rallis watch defensive line drills during an NFL football practice Tuesday, June 10, 2025, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — The most recent time edge rusher Josh Sweat was seen on an NFL field, he was making life miserable for Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes in the Eagles' Super Bowl win in February. Now he hopes to lead the Arizona Cardinals to that sort of success. Advertisement 'All you got to do is approach every day with your max effort,' Sweat said on Wednesday during the second day of the team's minicamp. 'I promise you'll see a result. That's what made the difference for me.' The 28-year-old Sweat signed a $76.4 million, four-year contract in March as the centerpiece of the Cardinals' rebuild of the defensive front. General manager Monti Ossenfort also added free agent linemen Dalvin Tomlinson and Calais Campbell, and selected Walter Nolen III with the No. 16 overall pick out of Mississippi. On top of that, Darius Robinson — a first-round pick last season from Missouri — hopes to make a big jump after an injury-filled rookie season. This year's third-round pick Jordan Burch is also pushing for a role. But it's Sweat whom the Cardinals expect to lead the way. Advertisement 'I embrace it,' Sweat said. 'At the end of the day, I'm trying to be the best teammate I can be and help out however I can." Third-year coach Jonathan Gannon is pleased that Sweat has embraced more leadership heading into his eighth NFL season. Arizona finished 8-9 last season, which was a four-win improvement over 2023. Now the franchise is trying to get back to the playoffs for the first time since 2021. 'Guys pick his brain about certain things,' Gannon said. 'He'll help in that way, because he's played a lot of ball. He's been successful. I always say, 'You want to know ball, talk to the players.' He's one of those guys you can talk to.' Advertisement Sweat's resume speaks for itself. He had 2 1/2 sacks of Mahomes in Philadelphia's 40-22 victory over Kansas City in the Super Bowl. He added eight sacks during the regular season and has been a consistent pass rush threat with 39 sacks over the past five seasons, including at least six each year. He was a Pro Bowl selection in 2021. 'I know he can impact a game,' Gannon said. 'That's one of the reasons we signed him.' Gannon is familiar with Sweat's talent after spending two seasons with him in 2021 and 2022 as the Eagles defensive coordinator. The Eagles made the Super Bowl in Gannon's final year before losing to the Chiefs, which was one of the big reasons he earned his first opportunity to be a head coach with the Cardinals. Advertisement Nick Rallis — Arizona's defensive coordinator — was also with the Eagles during those two seasons as linebackers coach. The hope is the familiar faces will help Sweat make a quick transition to a new franchise. 'From a standpoint of what his job description is — that's not going to change much,' Gannon said. 'Then it's just tweaking his game. There's some differences than what we did with him (in Philadelphia) to what we do now and he picked it up quick.' Sweat agreed: 'The scheme, you can play fast in it. Picking it up is easy. It's not going to take me very long at all.' ___ AP NFL:
San Francisco Chronicle
11-06-2025
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
New Cardinals edge rusher Josh Sweat works to bring franchise same success he had in Philly
TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — The most recent time edge rusher Josh Sweat was seen on an NFL field, he was making life miserable for Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes in the Eagles' Super Bowl win in February. Now he hopes to lead the Arizona Cardinals to that sort of success. 'All you got to do is approach every day with your max effort,' Sweat said on Wednesday during the second day of the team's minicamp. 'I promise you'll see a result. That's what made the difference for me.' The 28-year-old Sweat signed a $76.4 million, four-year contract in March as the centerpiece of the Cardinals' rebuild of the defensive front. General manager Monti Ossenfort also added free agent linemen Dalvin Tomlinson and Calais Campbell, and selected Walter Nolen III with the No. 16 overall pick out of Mississippi. On top of that, Darius Robinson — a first-round pick last season from Missouri — hopes to make a big jump after an injury-filled rookie season. This year's third-round pick Jordan Burch is also pushing for a role. But it's Sweat whom the Cardinals expect to lead the way. 'I embrace it,' Sweat said. 'At the end of the day, I'm trying to be the best teammate I can be and help out however I can." Third-year coach Jonathan Gannon is pleased that Sweat has embraced more leadership heading into his eighth NFL season. Arizona finished 8-9 last season, which was a four-win improvement over 2023. Now the franchise is trying to get back to the playoffs for the first time since 2021. 'Guys pick his brain about certain things,' Gannon said. 'He'll help in that way, because he's played a lot of ball. He's been successful. I always say, 'You want to know ball, talk to the players.' He's one of those guys you can talk to.' Sweat's resume speaks for itself. He had 2 1/2 sacks of Mahomes in Philadelphia's 40-22 victory over Kansas City in the Super Bowl. He added eight sacks during the regular season and has been a consistent pass rush threat with 39 sacks over the past five seasons, including at least six each year. He was a Pro Bowl selection in 2021. 'I know he can impact a game,' Gannon said. 'That's one of the reasons we signed him.' Gannon is familiar with Sweat's talent after spending two seasons with him in 2021 and 2022 as the Eagles defensive coordinator. The Eagles made the Super Bowl in Gannon's final year before losing to the Chiefs, which was one of the big reasons he earned his first opportunity to be a head coach with the Cardinals. Nick Rallis — Arizona's defensive coordinator — was also with the Eagles during those two seasons as linebackers coach. The hope is the familiar faces will help Sweat make a quick transition to a new franchise. 'From a standpoint of what his job description is — that's not going to change much,' Gannon said. 'Then it's just tweaking his game. There's some differences than what we did with him (in Philadelphia) to what we do now and he picked it up quick.' ___
Fox Sports
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
New Cardinals edge rusher Josh Sweat works to bring franchise same success he had in Philly
Associated Press TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — The most recent time edge rusher Josh Sweat was seen on an NFL field, he was making life miserable for Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes in the Eagles' Super Bowl win in February. Now he hopes to lead the Arizona Cardinals to that sort of success. 'All you got to do is approach every day with your max effort,' Sweat said on Wednesday during the second day of the team's minicamp. 'I promise you'll see a result. That's what made the difference for me.' The 28-year-old Sweat signed a $76.4 million, four-year contract in March as the centerpiece of the Cardinals' rebuild of the defensive front. General manager Monti Ossenfort also added free agent linemen Dalvin Tomlinson and Calais Campbell, and selected Walter Nolen III with the No. 16 overall pick out of Mississippi. On top of that, Darius Robinson — a first-round pick last season from Missouri — hopes to make a big jump after an injury-filled rookie season. This year's third-round pick Jordan Burch is also pushing for a role. But it's Sweat whom the Cardinals expect to lead the way. 'I embrace it,' Sweat said. 'At the end of the day, I'm trying to be the best teammate I can be and help out however I can." Third-year coach Jonathan Gannon is pleased that Sweat has embraced more leadership heading into his eighth NFL season. Arizona finished 8-9 last season, which was a four-win improvement over 2023. Now the franchise is trying to get back to the playoffs for the first time since 2021. 'Guys pick his brain about certain things,' Gannon said. 'He'll help in that way, because he's played a lot of ball. He's been successful. I always say, 'You want to know ball, talk to the players.' He's one of those guys you can talk to.' Sweat's resume speaks for itself. He had 2 1/2 sacks of Mahomes in Philadelphia's 40-22 victory over Kansas City in the Super Bowl. He added eight sacks during the regular season and has been a consistent pass rush threat with 39 sacks over the past five seasons, including at least six each year. He was a Pro Bowl selection in 2021. 'I know he can impact a game,' Gannon said. 'That's one of the reasons we signed him.' Gannon is familiar with Sweat's talent after spending two seasons with him in 2021 and 2022 as the Eagles defensive coordinator. The Eagles made the Super Bowl in Gannon's final year before losing to the Chiefs, which was one of the big reasons he earned his first opportunity to be a head coach with the Cardinals. Nick Rallis — Arizona's defensive coordinator — was also with the Eagles during those two seasons as linebackers coach. The hope is the familiar faces will help Sweat make a quick transition to a new franchise. 'From a standpoint of what his job description is — that's not going to change much,' Gannon said. 'Then it's just tweaking his game. There's some differences than what we did with him (in Philadelphia) to what we do now and he picked it up quick.' Sweat agreed: 'The scheme, you can play fast in it. Picking it up is easy. It's not going to take me very long at all.' ___ AP NFL: recommended
Winnipeg Free Press
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
New Cardinals edge rusher Josh Sweat works to bring franchise same success he had in Philly
TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — The most recent time edge rusher Josh Sweat was seen on an NFL field, he was making life miserable for Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes in the Eagles' Super Bowl win in February. Now he hopes to lead the Arizona Cardinals to that sort of success. 'All you got to do is approach every day with your max effort,' Sweat said on Wednesday during the second day of the team's minicamp. 'I promise you'll see a result. That's what made the difference for me.' The 28-year-old Sweat signed a $76.4 million, four-year contract in March as the centerpiece of the Cardinals' rebuild of the defensive front. General manager Monti Ossenfort also added free agent linemen Dalvin Tomlinson and Calais Campbell, and selected Walter Nolen III with the No. 16 overall pick out of Mississippi. On top of that, Darius Robinson — a first-round pick last season from Missouri — hopes to make a big jump after an injury-filled rookie season. This year's third-round pick Jordan Burch is also pushing for a role. But it's Sweat whom the Cardinals expect to lead the way. 'I embrace it,' Sweat said. 'At the end of the day, I'm trying to be the best teammate I can be and help out however I can.' Third-year coach Jonathan Gannon is pleased that Sweat has embraced more leadership heading into his eighth NFL season. Arizona finished 8-9 last season, which was a four-win improvement over 2023. Now the franchise is trying to get back to the playoffs for the first time since 2021. 'Guys pick his brain about certain things,' Gannon said. 'He'll help in that way, because he's played a lot of ball. He's been successful. I always say, 'You want to know ball, talk to the players.' He's one of those guys you can talk to.' Sweat's resume speaks for itself. He had 2 1/2 sacks of Mahomes in Philadelphia's 40-22 victory over Kansas City in the Super Bowl. He added eight sacks during the regular season and has been a consistent pass rush threat with 39 sacks over the past five seasons, including at least six each year. He was a Pro Bowl selection in 2021. 'I know he can impact a game,' Gannon said. 'That's one of the reasons we signed him.' Gannon is familiar with Sweat's talent after spending two seasons with him in 2021 and 2022 as the Eagles defensive coordinator. The Eagles made the Super Bowl in Gannon's final year before losing to the Chiefs, which was one of the big reasons he earned his first opportunity to be a head coach with the Cardinals. Nick Rallis — Arizona's defensive coordinator — was also with the Eagles during those two seasons as linebackers coach. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. The hope is the familiar faces will help Sweat make a quick transition to a new franchise. 'From a standpoint of what his job description is — that's not going to change much,' Gannon said. 'Then it's just tweaking his game. There's some differences than what we did with him (in Philadelphia) to what we do now and he picked it up quick.' Sweat agreed: 'The scheme, you can play fast in it. Picking it up is easy. It's not going to take me very long at all.' ___ AP NFL:
