The Sport Superlatives - Issue 9

Do you love sports? Want to find a way to fit more sports into your week? We’ve got you. From keeping up with your work colleagues to impressing hot dates, our newsletter aims to keep you in the know regardless of your fandom level or the reason. That’s your business, sis!

🏆 The Superlatives 🏆

The Tennessee Trailblazer: Xavier Abel

We’re taking the cookout to the ice! Tennessee State University has become the first HBCU to create a collegiate ice hockey program. More importantly, Xavier Abel is the first player to commit to TSU. The Chicago native was encouraged by a former floor hockey coach to try ice hockey, and next thing you knew, it was ice ice baby from there on out! Before his transfer to TSU in January 2024, he attended Drury University, where he totaled 18 points in 34 games over two seasons. He said his motivation for transferring was to evolve representation within the sport. TSU aspires to have its hockey program shift to NCAA Division I status at some point in the future. 

The Fierce Follower: JuJu Watkins

If you’ve been paying attention, you’ve noticed that women’s basketball has become that girl as of late! All eyes have been on Iowa Hawkeyes’ Caitlin Clark as she continues to break records. But let’s chat about USC freshman JuJu Watkins. Juju is following (see where we’re going here?) former USC Trojans’ player Cheryl Miller’s footsteps and breaking her records along the way. In USC’s recent win against Colorado, JuJu had her 11th 30-point game of the season. JuJu now holds the school’s record for the most 30-point games in a single season.

🏅 Don’t Call it a Comeback –Yet: Olympian Gabby Douglas recently announced her intention to compete for the first time in almost eight years at the Winter Cup. Unfortunately, COVID got our good sis before she could put on her leotard or powder her hands.

Most gymnasts use the Winter Cup as one of the competitions leading up to the Olympics. Gabby may have missed that one, but she’s not out of the race just yet if she decides to aim for this summer’s Olympics. Later this year, the 2024 Paris Olympic Trials will be in Minneapolis from June 27-30th. We’re not sure how far Gabby’s trying to go, but we’ll be along for the ride! 

🏀 As the NBA Turns: The Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Dallas Mavericks Tuesday night with a last-second, half-court heave by Max Strus to seal the deal. Meanwhile, Father Time, aka LeBron James (and the Lakers), orchestrated a 4th quarter comeback Wednesday night vs. the LA Clippers to overcome a 21-point 4th quarter deficit. Oh, and let’s not forget how the Dallas Mavericks’ star, Luka Doncic, went off on his 25th birthday, logging a 30-point triple-double against the Toronto Raptors. How do you say “Happy Birthday, indeed!” in Slovenian? 

Now, let’s really check in. Does the NBA regular season have far too many games for you to actually keep up with? If you’re having trouble picking the best ones to watch, don’t worry; we got you. We recommend the following games this weekend: 

• Celtics vs Mavs on Friday, 3/1 at 7:30 pm

• Nuggets vs Lakers on Saturday, 3/2 at 8:30 pm 

• Thunder vs Suns on Sunday, 3/3 at 9:30 pm.

And if none of that seems appealing, you could just Netflix and chill…Avatar is out, after all. 

🎾 Speaking of Netflix: The first ever Netflix Slam will occur this Sunday, March 3, at 3:30 pm ET in Las Vegas. This live-streamed exhibition tennis match will feature Carlos Alcaraz vs Rafael Nadal. The Spaniards will face off in a battle of the ages as youth will take on experience. Our bet is on youth…but here’s to hoping Nadal remains uninjured and able to participate fully. 

🏀…And I Took that Personally: Stephen A. Smith fat-shamed Pelicans player Zion Williamson, and the Pelicans social media team responded with, as the great sage Banggaz once said, “If we beefin’, I got you.” The Pelicans proceeded to post a lowlight reel of Stephen A. Smith's lowest moment showing sometimes a little pettiness goes a long way. 

⚾ Magic Mike in the Outfield: For all the people trying to figure out if they should catch a baseball game or a Chippendales performance for their bachelorette party… this year, the MLB said, why make them choose? All of that’s to say, the new MLB uniforms are a bit risque, with parts of the pants of the newly designed Nike uniforms reportedly being see-through. There is some debate on whether or not the material is significantly different from that of the previous years, but under certain lighting, there is no denying that you can see a little something, something. 

Exhibit A:

🍿 We fly high, and you know this…BRAWLIN: A mini brawl broke out in NOLA Friday night as the Miami Heat played the New Orleans Pelicans. Although it was a tame, Kidz Bop version of Malice at the Palace, five players, including Heat superstar Jimmy Butler, still ended up being suspended. Now, we all know Jimmy lives for a petty moment (as do we,) so it’s no surprise that the suspended player spent his night off hosting a watch party and cheering on his teammates.

Also in Jimmy Butler news, it seems his emo alter ego has made a comeback for a Fall Out Boy music video appearance. Pro baller, amateur fighter, party host, and video vixen….a man of many talents.

Your sports term of the week is: take foul.

IRL Example: It’s kind of like when you’re about to lose to your annoying sibling in a video game, but the thought of them winning makes your blood boil, so you pull the power cord. Sure, it was poor sportsmanship, but at least it felt good.

We love it when a fashion statement makes a statement! This week, we’ve noticed that players are letting their t-shirts do the talking.

To start us off, CP3 hit us with a word, ok? 

We are also loving Portland Trailblazers’ Jerami Grant’s fashionable message: 

Lucky for you, we found some options for you to get in on the trend. Our first lets you support a Black-woman-owned shop if you want a t-shirt to send your own message.

We think this is a perfect one as we head into Women’s History Month:

Urban Outfitters also has a shirt that we’re feeling.

Period!

Share The Sport Superlatives with hardcore sports fans or anyone who just likes to keep a little sports knowledge on hand. 

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