NBA retires Bill Russell’s jersey
Patches, logos will honor the late basketball legend
Bill Russell’s No. 6 jersey will never be issued again to another NBA player.
Tillman shoots for gold in Denver
Basketball has taken Justin Tillman around the world. Now he’s back in the U.S. and looking to play on the highest level — the NBA.
VSU hopes for a winning season
With football practices in full swing, Virginia State University is hopeful some of that Bowie State Bulldogs magic rubs off on the Trojans.
Charles Leno’s durable tackles, high rankings
If Washington Commanders quarterback Carson Wentz is to be safe and successful in his first season in Washington, Charles Leno Jr. might be a top-of-the-list reason why.
Jackie Robinson Museum opens in New York
More than 4,000 artifacts trace baseball legend’s life
Tourists have a new “must- see” destination on trips to New York.
Panthers eye contenders for quarterback vacancy
Auditions are underway at Virginia Union University.
UR to recognize Weldon Edwards, its first Black football player
Weldon Edwards is still in the news at the University of Richmond a half century after he wore a helmet and shoulder pads.
Formal wear replaces shoulder pads at football training site
The Bon Secours Training Center sits mostly silent these days with the most action likely to occur is a frilly weekend wedding.
Virginia Union golfers’ academic skills saluted
Virginia Union University’s golf team believes in posting low scores on the course but high scores in the classroom.
Hopewell and Chester alums candidates for major college football awards
The 804 area code is producing big-time running backs.
Great expectations
Spartans rely on Davis’ offensive moves for wins
J.J. Davis was a freshman phenom last year at Norfolk State University, and much more is expected this season from the now sophomore.
‘The Lioness’ gets her prey
Amanda Nunes had revenge in her corner and that, combined with her flying fists and feet, was enough to regain her UFC bantamweight belt.
Basketball icon Bill Russell dies
William Felton “Bill” Russell, the greatest team sports champion of all time and the NBA’s first Black superstar, died Sunday, July 31, 2022.
‘Chief Connection Officer’
Former NSU point guard is among nation’s top rugby players
As a Norfolk State University women’s basketball point guard, Jazamine “Jaz” Gray was known for her passing talent. She tossed for 230 career assists. Since then, Gray has passed the test in another sport — rugby.
Golfing group honors VCU Coach Andy Walker
To use a golfing term, Andy Walker has “aced” the test in his first season as VCU’s coach.
Players of color in MLB’s All-Star Game
Along with all the usual pageantry, the 92nd edition of the Major League All-Star Game was a “colorful” occasion indeed.
Posthumous honor
John Jordan “Buck” O’Neil Jr., the first Black coach in MLB history, was inducted posthumously Sunday into the same Nationak Baseball Hall of Fame class as another Black baseball pioneer, Bud Fowler, and former Negro league All-Star, Minnie Miñoso.
Virginians Mine Oregon Gold
Grant Holloway and Noah Lyles, right, have made the seismic leap from the Virginia High School League to the tip top of the track and field world.
Spartans’ notable HBCU division ranking
Norfolk State University will enter this coming football season with a national ranking.
HBCU United’s goal isn’t just about money
An HBCU basketball squad with a Virginia flavor left its mark on the winner-take-all $1 million The Basketball Tournament, the 64- team, single-elimination tournament for a million dollars.
MJBL finishes strong in Bahamas
The Richmond-based Metropolitan Junior Baseball League (MJBL) has made an international statement.
Spartans find new baseball home
Norfolk State University will have a new baseball conference affiliation starting in spring 2023.
MLB’s recent draft includes players of color
The complexion of Major League Baseball may be changing.
3 for 3
Americans sweep top 3 places at the World championships for 3rd time
Men wearing the red, white and blue have harvested gold, silver and bronze at the World Athletics Championships.
Tracye Thompson aims for Dodgers victory
Klay Thompson, who helped the Golden State Warriors win the NBA title, may have competition for bragging rights at the next family reunion.
Raiders name first Black female president of NFL franchise
First it was Art Shell. Now it’s Sandra Douglass Morgan. The Las Vegas Raiders (formerly Oakland Raiders and Los Angeles Raiders) have reached another racial milestone in the NFL.
Evolution: Black and Brown players and the MLB All-Star Games
The first official Major League Baseball All-Star Game was in 1933. But for many Black Americans, 1949 may perhaps be a year they consider more important.
Hugh Evans, first HBCU graduate to referee in the NBA, dies
Longtime NBA official and former Richmonder Hubert “Hugh” Evans died Friday, July 8, 2022. He was 81.
Hampton University on the play list
Many new schools are popping up on Hampton University’s football schedule.
Virginia-born Jimmy Walker named to college hall of fame
Native Virginian Jimmy Walker is among those selected for the College Basketball Hall of Fame’s Class of 2022. Formal induction ceremonies will be Nov. 21-22 in Kansas City, Mo.
Like father and a lot like son
Druw Jones’ baseball skills echo those of his dad
Richmond baseball fans may recall Andruw Jones as arguably the most talented player to ever suit up at The Diamond.
Brown makes sure Titans don’t sink
The Cosby High School softball team sent an SOS for a pitcher this past spring and a freshman answered the call.
From touchdowns to take-downs
Going from the gridiron to the ring isn’t as unusual as some may think.
NFL’s first black quarterback dies at age 76
Marlin Briscoe, the NFL’s first Black starting quarterback, died of pneumonia June 27 at his home in Norwalk, Calif. He was 76.
Williams makes ‘con-Vince-ing’ case to Memphis
Vince Williams is on a roll. Already he has one of his long sneakers in the NBA door. Now he hopes to continue his luck in Las Vegas. There’s no time for the former VCU standout to let his foot off the gas.
Britton Wilson finishes second at USATF Championships
It took a world-record performance to prevent Britton Wilson from being the U.S. 400-meter hurdles champion.
Curry rightly earns MVP crown after averaging 31.2 points in Finals
Legends such as Bill Russell, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, LeBron James and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar all visited the NBA mountaintop. Now it’s Steph Curry’s turn to enjoy the view from the best seat on the summit.
Florida’s Edward Waters U. wins NCAA baseball bracket
Edward Waters University has won the big prize in HBCU baseball.
Fastballs and homers command Braden Montgomery’s rise
Fans awaiting the next African-American baseball sensation may find their man wearing jersey No. 6 for the Stanford University Cardinal.
Jamestown Jackal’s Myles Copeland helps save referee’s life
Basketball player Myles Copeland will forever be a hero, even if he never makes another shot.
VUU’s fall football standing strong
The Virginia Union University football season is off to a good start despite the first game being more than two months away.
Mellody Hobson, a Black woman, joins Broncos ownership group
The Waltons, heirs to the Walmart fortune and America’s richest family, have won the bidding to purchase the Denver Broncos in the most expensive deal for a sports franchise anywhere in the world.
Another coach with ties to Richmond lands in Charlotte
The NBA’s Charlotte Hornets are taking on a Richmond look.
Bellemare’s easy to find in Stanley Cup playoffs
In viewing the ongoing Stanley Cup playoffs, it’s hard not to notice Pierre-Edouard Bellemare because he is the only Black player on either team.
Consistency, power and speed drive baseball’s roster of diverse talent
With Luis Arraez high stepping at the head of the pack, players of color are displaying a parade of excellence in big league baseball.
VUU, Hampton and NSU on tap for Chris Paul events
Virginia schools will be on full display at the second annual Chris Paul HBCU basketball events this coming season. =
