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Paige Bueckers And JuJu Watkins Debuted Special Nike PEs For Saturday’s USC-UConn Game
Bill DiFilippo
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Two of the faces of women’s college basketball are going head-to-head on Saturday evening. JuJu Watkins and the seventh-ranked USC Trojans will make their way to Connecticut to play Paige Bueckers and the fourth-ranked UConn Huskies in one of the most highly-anticipated games of the season. It has all the makings of one of the best games we’ll watch this regular season, and before things tip off, Watkins and Bueckers are going to take a moment to celebrate women’s sports and debut a special sneaker.

In conjunction with Nike and TOGETHXR, the two stars were scheduled to meet at center court in a unifying moment that recognizes women’s sports and those who have helped them become increasingly popular. And both will have a special pair of sneakers, the TOGETHXR Everyone Watches Women’s Sports (EWWS) G.T. Hustle 3, on their feet, with the Trojans and the Huskies wearing colorways inspired by their respective programs.

Both teams will enter Saturday’s game with a 10-1 record, with each squad losing to Notre Dame. Bueckers, the projected No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, is averaging 20.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 2.1 steals in 29.9 minutes per game. Watkins, meanwhile, should end up being one of the favorites to go with the top overall pick in 2027, and does a little bit of everything for USC, as she’s putting up 24.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 2.5 steals, and 1.9 blocks a night.

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Editor’s note: Baseball Hall of Fame outfielder Rickey Henderson died at age 65, MLB announced Saturday. Henderson, who was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility in 2009, is widely considered the greatest leadoff hitter in baseball history. A 10-time MLB All-Star, two-time World Series champion and the 1990 American League Most Valuable Player, Henderson is one of 33 players in MLB history with 3,000 hits and is 19th in league history in Wins Above Replacement (WAR). He is MLB’s career leader in stolen bases (1,406) runs scored (2,295) and still holds the record for stolen bases in a season (130 in 1982).

Andscape senior NBA writer Marc J. Spears grew up an Oakland Athletics fan in San Jose, about 40 miles from Oakland where Henderson played for the Athletics and covered him when Henderson played for the Anaheim Angels.

I swore I was Rickey Henderson as a kid playing for the Spartan Little League in San Jose, California. Any time I got a chance to steal a base, I would take a couple steps out, wiggle my fingers just like Rickey and as the pitcher threw the baseball I was gone. And no matter the situation, like Rickey, I was diving headfirst into the base. And to my recollection I never got caught stealing, like the greatest base stealer of all-time and, in my opinion, the most talented baseball player ever.

Once I got in junior high school, me and my buddies would take the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) from Fremont to Oakland without parental guidance to the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum for one main reason: Watching Oakland Athletics star Rickey Henderson in person before Mount Davis was built (Bay Area folks know). We would use the A’s Safeway Saturdays promotion to get in for $5 for a general admission seat, a hot dog, sunflower seeds and a soda. And me and my boys sat in left field as close as possible so we could watch Rickey’s every move and hope for some type of interaction.

Posters on my childhood wall included Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Julius “Dr. J” Erving, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley and Eric “Sleepy” Floyd. There was only one non-basketball poster. It was a Winchell’s Donut poster highlighting an eye-black wearing Rickey, whose A’s uniform was covered in dirt. Basketball was my love since junior high, but I idolized Rickey and followed him from Oakland to both New York teams to Toronto to San Diego to Anaheim to Los Angeles and to Seattle over the course of 25 seasons. It didn’t matter what team he was on. I was a Rickey fan — from his baseball talent to his swaggy home run trot, to his dangling jewelry to his unique way of catching a pop fly with a snap, to his third-person, confident, grammar-challenged quotes. Rickey was always that guy.

In 1997, I got a job covering the Anaheim Angels for the Los Angeles Daily News. Upon landing the job, I thought to myself a 38-year-old Rickey was on the team. But just like Rickey, I had to be cool. The Chicago born, Oakland-raised star could not have been nicer and more welcoming, which meant the world to me, especially since it wasn’t the always the case throughout the locker room.

Once we established a rapport a few weeks into my new job, I told him that I used to have his Winchell’s poster on the wall in my childhood room.

“Oh man, you making Rickey feel old,” he said.

Rickey also told me one of my favorite quotes in nearly 30 years of being a sportswriter. I asked him foolishly if he was the greatest leadoff hitter in Major League Baseball history.

Without missing a beat, Rickey answered, “I think I is the greatest leadoff hitter that ever be.” Grammatically correct? No. Understood and factual? No question. And when I needed a laugh during a slow Angels game, I would find that tape and play the quote to the delight of my fellow writers.

My journalism career took me back to the San Francisco Bay Area in 2009. I ended up becoming friends with two people that knew Rickey well: former Oakland A’s star pitcher Dave Stewart and local architect Rick Dumas.

It was through Stewart that I would get to hang out with him and Rickey at Athletics games from time to time in a private suite. Rickey said he remembered me, to my surprise, and he showed me a lot of respect. I cherished every conversation we had talking baseball, Oakland and life.

Rickey was also a regular at Dumas’ legendary and private Super Punch annual holiday party at the latter’s home in the Oakland Hills. But when I went to the most recent party on Dec. 7, everyone but Rickey seemed to be there drinking the mystery spiked punch. His presence was certainly missed. I would later find out that Rickey wasn’t there because he was fighting health issues that would ultimately take his life.

I’ve been blessed to be in a business where I have been able to meet a lot of my sports heroes and the world’s current best athletes. Some of those encounters could be disappointing. That wasn’t ever the case with Rickey. He never disappointed, on and off the diamond. YouTube and other videos will never replicate what it felt like seeing this baseball giant hitting leadoff home runs followed by a very slow trot, making nonchalant outfield catches and stealing second and third base with ease.

Rickey Henderson will always be a baseball legend, an Oakland legend and one of the greatest people there “ever be.” Rest in Peace.

Not Today: Driver Teaches Armed Robber A Lesson!

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Driver Teaches Armed Robber A Lesson. Posted By Persist

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See the full credits of SZA’s SOS Deluxe: LANA
Steffanee Wang
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Kendrick Lamar, Lil Yachty, and more had a hand in the making of the album.
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Lil Baby Explains Why He Will Never Get Legally Married
Elias Andrews
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Lil Baby has been doing press at an unprecedented level in promotion of his new album WHAM. The rapper typically likes to keep to himself, but he has been incredibly forthright about his personal life and his stances on various topics. One of the most intriguing topics came about during an appearance on the Lil Yachty podcast A Safe Place. Lil Baby was asked whether he would consider getting married at some point in the future. He made it clear that legally speaking, he has no interest in tying the knot.

Lil Baby has nothing against romance, but he doesn’t feel the need to go through the legal steps needed to become man and wife. That’s what he told Lil Yachty, at least. “Prenups don’t mean nothing,” the ATL rapper asserted. “It’s no thing that you can marry a woman and then she don’t get nothing.” Baby added that he would prefer to establish a marriage on his own terms. He wants to go about his love life without the financial risks that come with paperwork. “It’s ways for her to get something, regardless once y’all get married,” Lil Baby noted. “I give a girl $10 million ring, $10 million wedding, no paperwork.”

Read More: Top 10 Best Athletes Of 2024

Lil Baby Doesn’t Want To “Share” His Finances

Lil Baby believes that a personal vow should be more than enough to bind two people, romantically. “That’s my offer,” the rapper asserted. “I vow til death do us part, we married.” Lil Yachty tried to pose different situations in which being legally married would benefit the rapper. Lil Baby wasn’t going for it, though. Even if he was in an accident, or sent to prison, the rapper said he “wouldn’t give a damn” about the benefits. He also wanted to account for the possibility of feelings changing with a partner as he gets older. “That could change when I get older,” the rapper noted. “I don’t really see that.”

Lil Baby also discussed his stance on “snitches” during his Safe Place discussion. He told Lil Yachty that he does not make music with rappers he considers to be snitches. His reasoning? He doesn’t feel like his lyrics would come across as convincing in collaboration with someone who doesn’t share his values. “It boils down to what we rapping about,” he explained. “We can’t rap about that if you did that. If I was making Christmas music, then I don’t give a damn what you did.”

Read More: Hip-Hop Albums That Grew On Us The Most In 2024

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The post Lil Baby Explains Why He Will Never Get Legally Married appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

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Whoa: 3 Car Collision In Thailand Results In 8 Injuries & 1 Death!

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Three vehicles were recently involved in a high-speed collision at a four-way intersection in northeastern Thailand resulting in 8 injuries and 1 death. Posted By Persist

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SALT LAKE CITY – Phoenix Suns star forward Kevin Durant had just completed a pregame workout on Dec. 13 in preparation for his long-awaited return after an ankle injury. Certainly, there was some rehab and rest to be had before facing the Utah Jazz. But before heading to the visiting locker room, Durant made a point to sit and talk for several minutes to a big fan of his who also happens also be the No. 1 high school basketball player in America.

AJ Dybantsa, a projected future NBA star, also spent time with Suns guard Devin Booker and rookie forward Ryan Dunn.

“I love him. I was just chopping it up asking him when he plays again,” Durant told Andscape after a 134-126 win against the Jazz. “Wish I was able to see that. I got to know him two summers ago between his sophomore and junior year in high school. He came to work out with us.

“I was impressed by his size and fluidity as a player, his ballhandling. He was shooting jump shots well. He got the body type to become a pro in this league for 20 years. It is good to be around him. He has a lot of energy, too.”

“You can already tell the maturity level. You can tell the competitive nature through the conversation. You can just tell when someone is more advanced than their age. I picked that up and gathered that from him early,” Booker told Andscape.

Dybantsa, a 6-foot-9 wing, announced his surprising commitment to BYU on Dec. 10 on ESPN’s First Take. The projected No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA draft received an NIL deal from BYU believed to be at least $5 million, sources said, and turned down similar scholarships and financial offers from Kansas, North Carolina and Alabama. Dybantsa, who is Catholic, told Andscape he chose the Mormon university in large part because its coaching staff has NBA experience, led by BYU Kevin Young, who was a Suns associate head coach and assistant coach from 2020-24 and coached in the G League.

Dybantsa, 17, said that he is trusts Young and BYU to prepare him for the NBA in what is expected to be a one-and-done season. Young says the Cougars are excited and ready for the Utah Prep forward.

“It’s unparalleled excitement, but it seems like a two-way street,” Young said of Dybantsa to Andscape before the Jazz-Suns game. “He’s just as excited as everybody else, which is really cool. I want to teach him a lot of the nuances. It’s funny just seeing Book before this game talking to him. He is so detailed-oriented about the defensive coverages and nuances and details of everyone’s job, pick-and-roll schemes. Teaching [Dybantsa] that kind of stuff will help him more than drawing up a great play for him.

“I want to challenge him on the [defensive] end of the floor. And offensively, we will help each other. He will make my job easy. I will help him be more efficient, and offensively that is where I go to the most.”

“He’s in great hands with coach K.Y. We’ve done a lot of special things together. He allowed me to take my game to the next level and he’s going to do the same for him,” Booker said.

On Dec. 13, Dybantsa and his father, Anicet Dybantsa Sr., talked to Andscape for the following Q&A about the BYU decision, their game plan, NIL rumors, their honest father-son relationship, dealing with agents’ interest, the teenager’s NBA mentors and much more.

So, when it was official to the world that you were going to BYU, was there a sense of relief?

AJ: Yeah, there was definitely a relief. I already knew where I was going and I could keep secrets, but it’s just nice just letting the world know because I was still getting texts and calls and comments like, ‘Oh, you’re going for four different options.’

What did you think about the wide-ranging reaction to the decision to go to BYU?

Anicet: Could care less. His decision.

AJ: Same thing.

What was the determining factor?

AJ: Those four pillars that I talked about on all the shows. It was a family atmosphere, a winning program, a development program and [an NBA experienced] coach.

There probably aren’t a lot of people who are educated on Young taking over BYU. What should folks know about this program that was attractive to you?

AJ: They’re new, but 90% of the staff is from the NBA. Kevin Young coached in the NBA. Michael Davie was Giannis’ strength coach. Craig Manning was Giannis’ development coach. Their dietician is from the Phoenix Suns. The analytics guy is from the NBA. Everybody is NBA something. If I could sharpen myself with NBA guys a year earlier, then it’s going to be better for me.

Tell me about what Coach Young said that resonated with you more so than any other coach?

AJ: It was basically just the NBA stuff. He said that I’ve done that at the highest level … We can trickle it back down to college and do the same thing that NBA guys are doing in college. And that really stuck out to me because all those other programs have made guys go to the NBA. All those other schools have a ton of NBA guys. But these coaches [at BYU] have been coaching in the NBA with NBA guys. And that was the big difference.

Did you talk to any of the Suns players about Young?

AJ: I spoke to KD and Book, CP3 [Chris Paul]. KD was just talking about how [Young] is a great coach. Book said the same thing, calling it ‘KYU.’ He said he was going to turn this university around and CP told me the same thing. They all said the same thing about I was just saying about [Young].

Which NBA players do you consider mentors now?

AJ: The closest relationships I have are probably Kevin Durant, Chris Paul, Paul George, Bradley Beal, [Jayson] Tatum, Paolo [Banchero].

What’s the best word of advice they have given you?

AJ: Take your time. They say don’t be in rush to get to the NBA. You still want to enjoy this life, because when it gets to the NBA, it’s way different than what people see.

In your decision, did you factor in much campus life or are you strictly focused on basketball and school for a year before going to the NBA?

AJ: A little bit of both, but most of these schools are in the middle of nowhere anyway. It’s like, I’m trying to lock-in for eight months.

As a Boston suburban kid from Brockton, why were you attracted to colleges in small towns and not the big city?

AJ: The best schools happen to be in the middle of nowhere. Less distraction. It’s better.

BYU has an honor code. Have you read through the whole thing? (Note: The Church of Latter-Day Saints has an honor code that includes being honest; no sexual relations outside of marriage; abstinence from alcohol, tobacco, tea, coffee, vaping and marijuana; no beards; a dress code; and to attend church services.)

AJ: No, I haven’t.

It basically says such things as you can’t drink, no sexual relations outside of marriage, you must attend Mormon church services and more. Does any of that even jump at you as a possible issue?

AJ: Not really. I’m already on a diet, so I’m not drinking a lot of stuff anyway. I have a certain religion, so I’m still going to pray to my God. I am trying to get to the NBA.

As Catholics, does the Mormon environment have an impact?

Anicet: No. Not at all.

AJ: No.

Will you be open-minded about what they ask you to do?

Anicet: That’s it.

Do you feel added pressure being so close to the 2026 NBA draft that you can’t make any mistakes off the court?

AJ: There’s pressure, but I’m not really feeling it because, I mean, it’s not a job yet for me. I’m still trying to have fun and like college. College supposed to be fun. Playing in March Madness, just having the excitement of playing basketball. It is two years away. It’s going to come quick, but I mean, it’s still far away, so I still got time. So, I’m just not really worried about mistakes.

Do you enjoy the celebrity of it?

AJ: Not really. When I was younger, I was like, ‘Oh, my God, I want to be famous.’ But at heart I’m much like a low-key, chill dude. I would rather be [more] out [of] the way than what I am. But I mean it comes with it.

When did you realize that you were losing your anonymity?

AJ: I just had to start walking through back doors, [have] security out of games.

What do you think about the fascination with the NIL money and what you guys got and who paid more and the way society is viewing it? (Note: There have been rumors that AJ Dybantsa has received between $5 million and $8 million in NIL money. The Dybantsas didn’t reveal the amount.)

Anicet: Well, regardless to what I say, people going to write whatever they want. I know what he got. He didn’t find out until he picked the school. My wife and I chose not to tell him because we didn’t want money to affect his decision. So, once we told him, once he picked the school and I told him. That was it. So as far as the people, they are entitled to their opinion. People are going to talk regardless.

K State [Kansas State] before they pulled out, Alabama, UNC, BYU, they all offered the same. It was just a matter of where he wanted to go.

How much of a blessing is it to be in a NIL world that didn’t exist two or three years ago where you can now benefit from this?

Anicet: I’m a kid from Congo, brother. I am living the American dream. Literally.

AJ, what did you think when you find out the money on the NIL deal with BYU?

AJ: It’s cool. I’m trying to get to the NBA to have that type of money. Seeing this is good, but it’s nothing that can be compared to what type of money I can keep getting if I keep turning up …

It’s just reality. You see the numbers at Tatum, Luka [Dončić], [Nikola] Jokić and Giannis [Antetokounmpo] are getting? The numbers are only going to get higher by the time I get there. Yeah, it’s money. It’s good money. I’m trying to get way higher.

You come from a family where you were able to get what you needed. But what does it mean to be able to take care of your family any way you need to now financially?

AJ: I have thought about it. Me and my [two] sisters, I would never say I got it out the mud. We lived in a good city block in Massachusetts, south side of Brockton, Massachusetts. So, we always had food to eat, we went to private school. We always lived good, but it’s just being able to give back to the people that’s been with me since I was born.

What would you like to spoil yourself with?

AJ: I’m not really a flashy person. Maybe a house so I would be like the big-time coaches. I am not really into cars. I’m going to get a car. I’m not really into crazy stuff.

What does it mean to have a strong Black father helping you and guiding you every day? What example do you and your father show America?

AJ: It’s a great example. I’ve seen certain people, certain families, with only single mothers. And not to say their mother’s not doing everything she can, because she definitely is. But I just see the difference of how I grew up and how I act versus how they act. Definitely, especially as a son, just having a father model is just great because you see what a real man supposed to be doing. He might not do what you do because he doesn’t play basketball. But just everything else outside of basketball, you see a role model. You see expectation of what you should or surpass it because obviously they want you to do better than them. So, you see the expectation and you just got to surpass it.

Often times, a Black father that is heavily involved with their child in athletics can be criticized as too overbearing and can be overlooked. What are your thoughts on that?

Anicet: Welcome to America.

What do you think about how you’re guiding your son and how society looks at it positively and negatively?

Anicet: I hope they look at it positively. I’m hate protecting. I hear [I need] the agent when I do this, want to do that. I changed the diapers, so I’m going to decide if I’m going to need you. So far, I don’t need an agent. I’m behind him with whatever he wants to do. If it makes sense, I always want to support him. Just like the schools, he picked the school. I asked him why. He gave me a reason. I told him, ‘I don’t think this one best you.’ We agreed. We move on. I picked some schools for him. He didn’t like it at first and he changed his mind. So, we always have to agree always. And that’s the way it’s going to be always.

What did you think about his decision to pick BYU?

Anicet: I’m cool with it because he wanted to play in the Big 12. My wife and I had a good impression of KY when we first met him. We met him without [my son]. My wife and I went to Utah around the 21st of April during the [NBA] playoffs. The man flew from Phoenix to come and meet us. So, he told us the expectation and we continued the conversation. And ultimately, again, I did not tell [my son] where to go. Pick a school, tell me why, If it’s good, we’re going there. And that’s exactly what he did.

What did your mom think?

AJ: My mom actually loves Provo. She loves the scenery. She loves the school. She been on all the visits. So, my mom’s more of the academic side and she liked the academic part of it, and she just thought it was a good fit. My mom has a nose for things, and this is one of her choices, too.

What kind of things does your mom discipline you about from afar?

AJ: Schoolwork. That’s the biggest thing. I got to show her.

For somebody that’s projected to be a one-and-done, why is school important to you?

AJ: Basketball is not forever. When you’re done with basketball, what are you going to do outside? For the most part, the best basketball players are the most successful off the court, too.

Is there anything you want to study and eventually try to get your degree in?

AJ: I’m going to study financial planning. But when I’m done playing basketball, I hope to just be on TV with what Shaq [O’Neal] and them do.

You got a personality for it?

AJ: I think so. People have told me I do.

How would you describe your father-son relationship?

Anicet: He knows who I am. We mess around. But when it comes to discipline, he knows. We are very open. We talk about everything. I mean everything. Sex, religion, the whole nine. We talk about everything. Very open. It’s very important.

Is it kind of like a tough love on your son?

AJ: Yeah. I never had a good game in my life. I’m so serious.

How has that pushed you?

AJ: It pushed me. I know when I have good games, but I want to prove him that I have a good game. So, I got to do more. It pushes me to do more.

Do you think you’d be the player you are now if your father didn’t challenge you the way he does?

AJ: No, I wouldn’t be. I’d probably cruise off. That’s why I said I need a non-sugarcoating coach because I know how to motivate myself to an extent. But I just need somebody to get on me because it would just make me be better.

How do you want BYU to coach you?

AJ: Just keep it real. If I’m doing something wrong, tell me. Don’t just because I’m who I am, just let it rock. When I get to the NBA, it’s a job at the end of the day. So, I want to be prepared.

What was it like being at a BYU basketball game after your announcement got out?

AJ: It was good. I went the next day. They announced my name at halftime and the whole crowd was just going crazy. All the phones out. The flashlights. It was fun just getting the support early.

If you could enter the NBA draft out of high school, would you have done it?

AJ: Probably not. No. I told my mom I’m going go to college.

Anicet: Mama wouldn’t let him. Do one year of college.

Are you talented enough, you think, to play in NBA right now?

AJ: Yeah. Obviously, you just got to learn different things. If I were to get to a training camp, summer league, I just have to get used to that [3-point] line.

Anicet: That’s what they telling me.

What are the things you want to improve on the most before you get there?

AJ: Definitely my 3-point shot. Just being 40% make my drives easier. And then when I get into the paint, it’s going to just be easier to reads, pass or layup.

So, what is Utah life like right now playing for Utah Prep in small town Hurricane, Nevada?

AJ: Nothing. Golf. I play golf, I go to the gym and I’m his Uber.

Nothing to do. School and basketball. That’s it.

What kind of impact do you want to, what kind of international dreams do you have in terms of promoting yourself off the court? Are you and your father and your team already thinking about that?

AJ: Just promoting myself in different countries. Obviously, he wants me to be big back home where he is from in France. My mom is from Jamaica. I really want to get through clinics with basketball stuff out there in different countries because not a lot of countries have that.

What impact did your time in Congo and Jamaica, where your parents are originally from, have on you?

AJ: Just to be grateful. Jamaica is a little better than where he’s from [Congo]. Be grateful because those guys don’t have shoes to wear on. They walk outside barefoot. So, you just see where they live, you just got to be grateful for little things …

When I was 5, we went to Congo and [my dad] gave away pens and pencils. Ever since then I was, like, when I had the chance to get back, I’ve donated my Gatorade Player of the Year check. I’ve done backpack giveaways, sneaker giveaways, bunch of stuff, Legos, bikes — in the Boston, Brockton area, in Jamaica. It’s good. Kids look up to you, and being able to help is just a good feeling.

Do you have aspirations to play for USA Basketball in the 2028 L.A. Olympics?

AJ: That’s the goal. Trying to make the team is the goal. I have to keep trending upwards. Obviously, there’s guys that’s hooping right now. My position probably got a couple people like Paolo, Brandon Miller. There’s going to be guys in these next two drafts coming up. You don’t know who’s coming back, going back. That shooting guard position, Ant [Anthony Edwards]. Tatum could be back.

So just keep turning upwards and then do the other things. But I did tell Paul George on the podcast, ‘If I’m the last guy on that bench, I’ll still play.’

What’s the most challenging thing for you being so far away from home? What do you miss the most?

AJ: Just not seeing my mom and my sisters. That’s about it. My home. Home itself. It’s cool, but I want to explore different parts [of the country] anyway.

On July 31, you left the Boston University Police Department to concentrate on and be with your son. How did you end it?

Anicet: Three weeks before I see my chief. I said, ‘Chief, I can’t do this anymore.’ He said, ‘What took you so long?’ He couldn’t believe what I did last year. Every weekend I was on the road. I worked doubles Monday through Thursday so I can have weekends off. Anytime he saw me he would shake his head. And when I told him, he said, ‘What took you so long?’

Your father retiring from being a policeman to support you, what does that mean?

AJ: He told me it was going to be a matter of time until he did it. But he’ll come back home, take me to practice, take me to go work out. So, he’ll sleep in a car while I’m practicing. Take me to work out, drop me off, sleep for an hour, then go back to work. I’m like, I can barely do school and ball.

What does that say about him?

AJ: It’s just the expectations that he has. So, when I have kids, I have my son and you just got to set the standard. That’s what real love is.

You have a Nike and Red Bull deal and more on the horizon. How would you handle on and off the court without having an agent?

Anicet: They call me all the time and I tell them I’m good … I use my favorite word, which is, ‘No.’ ‘Can we?’ ‘No, I’m good. If I need you, I will call you.’

The first offer I got from an agent was half a million. I say, no thank you. The second one, he said, ‘I’ve got $200,000 cash. Make it $250[000].’ I looked at it, I said, ‘I just turned down half a million.’ So, I say I was very polite. I’m like, ‘Let me talk to my wife.’ I’ll get back to you. Never did.

The third one, $900,000 to represent him. I’m like, ‘No.’ He said, ‘That’s almost a million dollars.’ ‘Why didn’t you just make it a cool million?’ What happen? I’m 56 years old. I was never a millionaire, not even once. He goes, ‘What’s your point?’ I said, ‘Well, if I waited 56 years, what is two more years? He just looked at me, shook his head and walked away.’ And I told [AJ] you are not for sale, so when they come to you, think about it.

AJ, has anyone tried a sneaky way to reach to you?

AJ: No, my [direct messages] are blocking and I have a new number. And I’m going to change my number again. I don’t want to talk to you. I’m just trying to play basketball and go to school. I don’t need to worry about it.

Understanding Kendrick Lamar‘s 2024 boils down to one passage. In a year when Lamar’s name held a vise grip on American pop culture, this made his intentions blindingly clear.

“Flip a coin, want the shameless me or the famous me?/ How annoying does it anger me that lames can speak on the origins of the game I breathe/That’s insane to me,” he rapped on “man at the garden” on the recently released album, GNX. “It’s important, I deserve it all ’cause it’s mine/ Tell me why you think you deserve THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME, motherf—er!”

Lamar positions himself as one of the last gatekeepers in a culture seemingly devoid of them. Dating back to his earliest mixtapes — projects such as Training Day in 2005 or Overly Dedicated in 2010 — Lamar has taken his role in rap seriously, almost as a divine purpose. The evidence lies in the curation of each body of work, the subject matter and the emotional depths he’d force himself to navigate. Then, and now, Lamar’s survivor’s remorse from growing up in Compton, California, left him with no shortage of emotional and moral flaws that left him hell-bent on confronting his demons head-on.

In 2011, West Coast royalty Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, and The Game proverbially “passed the torch” to a then-24-year-old Lamar, a flagship moment in a career that would come to have countless moments. But it was also one that came with speculation — not necessarily about Lamar’s talent but the appetite for it.

“The only question is, can a smart, uncompromised rapper earn national radio play and go gold without having to change the style that got him there in the first place,” the Los Angeles Times pondered in 2011, “particularly in a commercial climate that favors the pop crossover?”

Thirteen years and a slew of platinum albums; a Pulitzer Prize, rap’s longest charting non-greatest hits hip-hop album, good kid, m.A.A.d city in 2012; an Oscar nomination; 17 Grammys and record-breaking tours later, consider the question answered. Somewhat.

“[Kendrick] was always viewed as more of a critically acclaimed artist as opposed to the commercial juggernaut because Drake was always the person seen as being in that position,” Dan Runcie, founder of Trapital, said. “Drake was always the one that was breaking these records. Even though I think there are certain parts of Drake’s music, maybe some of the earlier stuff, that did get more critical acclaim than some of the newer stuff, it was always Drake who got more of that love. So for Kendrick to be in this kind of position to be getting not just critical acclaim, but also now the huge commercial [success] and some of the things that Drake himself hasn’t even attained or done himself, the turn of events is fascinating.”

Everything about this year goes back to that line on “man at the garden.” In 2024, Lamar chose lyrical violence because of love, not because he was desperate for relevancy or chasing a hit record. Hip-hop is a rib for Lamar. The West Coast is, too — “What I learned is n—as don’t like the West Coast, and I’m fine with it/I’ll push the line with it,” he pledged this year. So, for him and people like him, a perceived front to the art form that saved his life and altered his family’s trajectory is paramount. Every move he made this year was with those two ideas in mind. Or, as Lamar confessed in “Watch the Party Die,” going full scorched-earth was the only option if survival and evolution were to be obtained.

Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant once made Lamar laugh. This wasn’t one of those manufactured laughs that celebrities often have around each other when cameras are rolling. Instead, it was one of those, we’re-wired-the-same sort of laughs.

“When you step out there on the court, [it’s about] taking heads off. I don’t wanna hear Michael [Jordan’s] the best player in the world. I don’t wanna hear they call him ‘Black Jesus.’ I don’t wanna hear that,” Bryant said in 2017 as Lamar sat laughing beside him during an interview with journalist Brandon “Jinx” Jenkins. “You got to show me!”

Being “one of the best” wasn’t good enough for two hypercompetitive marksmen of their craft. The company, and competition, wasn’t worthy of their company. They had to be the best, and everyone had to know they were the one. The only one. That same energy effectively shifted the course of hip-hop on March 22. Lamar’s feature on Future and Metro Boomin’s “Like That” instantly sent shock waves through the culture. Though he didn’t say names, everyone knew who he was taking aim at: J. Cole and Drake. The two had collaborated on “First Person Shooter,” a monster hit record of the previous year that also contained lyrical darts aimed directly at Lamar.

“Motherf—er the Big 3, n—a! It’s just Big Me, n—a!” Lamar’s battle cry roared.

It’s not hyperbolic to say that one line changed the course of the entire year, and really the music industry.

Products of the well-documented, incredibly influential “blog era” of the late 2000s and early 2010s, Lamar, J. Cole and Drake had long been grouped as the three definitive artists of their generation. What we came to learn this year was that Lamar resented that label. More than that, he resented Drake. Their history, which wasn’t always competitive, goes back well over a decade, with a fruitful working relationship that included hit records and Lamar being part of Drake’s famed Club Paradise Tour. Everything changed in 2013 when Lamar released his feature verse on Big Sean’s “Control.” He made it clear that he had respect for his peers, Drake included, but he wanted to lyrically murder them. Many in hip-hop took exception to the genre-shifting verse. Drake was no exception, even seemingly predicting the events of 2024.

“I almost wish he had come in there on that s— because I kinda lost a little respect for the sentiment of the verse,” Drake told journalist Elliott Wilson in 2013. “If it’s really f— everybody, then it needs to be f— everybody. It can’t be halfway for the sake of the people.”

The two would trade veiled, yet direct shots at one another throughout the next decade. Over that same time, the two became megastars of their own with tensions coming to a head in 2024. Lamar never discounted Drake’s success or his ability to make hit records at historic clips. In Drake, though, Lamar despised what he deemed inauthenticity, musically and culturally. Those in the know in hip-hop understood the two biggest forces weren’t fond of each other and that it was only a matter of time before rap’s next great lyrical war erupted. Now, it has. This was a battle of two contrasting ideologies on the world’s stage.

Drake and Lamar’s verbal waltz stands alone in a genre with no shortage of battles. Never before had rap’s two biggest names delivered a heavyweight fight like this. Their records moved needles and bottom lines, and for two weeks during the spring — during the heart of the NBA playoffs — there was no bigger story in American pop culture. Five records cracked the top 20 of the Hot 100 charts on Billboard during the beef’s apex.

“This feud has also opened new ground in terms of hit potential. Diss tracks have been around for decades, [but] they previously lived in a realm of cultural currency. Nobody really expected any commercial success from them,” Trevor Anderson, Billboard’s senior charts and data analyst for R&B and hip-hop, said. “But this time, the huge streaming numbers these tracks generated and their chart peaks became another element in people’s analysis of who won.”

The battle showcased a master class in strategic communications. Who understood their opponent, and who didn’t. Who valued what was at stake, and who didn’t. In hindsight, Drake’s belief that his fame and the gaudiness of his catalog would save him was his downfall. At least not to the level of Lamar, who seemed to approach the battle like an act of war.

For much of his career, Drake wore his cleverness as a badge of honor. He was a planner who understood the scent of victory and how overwhelming success could be repeated ad nauseam. 

Musically speaking, Drake goading Lamar to stand on what he said on “Like That” was the most erroneous public gaffe of 2024. No close second exists. “Since ‘Like That,’ your tone changed a little, you not as enthused/ How are you not in the booth?/ You kinda removed,” he chided on “Taylor Made Freestyle.” “You tryna let this sh– die down, nah nah nah/ Not this time, n—, you following through/ I guess you need another week to figure out how to improve/ What the f— is taking so long? We waiting on you.”

From illogical uses of artificial intelligence that included Tupac Shakur and Snoop Dogg’s voices (Shakur’s estate threatened to sue), mentioning Lamar’s family on record (a la his one-sided 2018 battle with Pusha T, a battle Drake conceded he lost) and leveraging social media, Drake’s plan proved shallow at best. The wrath of diss records from Lamar that followed marked a historical display of unparalleled destruction. “Euphoria,” arguably the battle’s creative zenith, emasculated Drake’s character from moral and artistic standpoints. “6:16 in LA” questioned the loyalty of Drake’s inner circle and how Lamar used the infiltration to his advantage. “meet the grahams,” was dark and personal, rendering Drake’s rebuttal in “Family Matters” useless. A hauntingly somber Lamar addressed Drake’s parents and their role in his character flaws. He also spoke directly to Drake’s son, Adonis, telling him his father wasn’t a man to admire. Lamar also rapped to an 11-year-old daughter Lamar claimed Drake kept in secret. And, lastly, he spoke directly to Drake himself. “Dear Aubrey, I know you probably thinking I wanted to crash your party/ But truthfully, I don’t have a hating bone in my body,“ Lamar’s open letter brooded. “This was supposed to be a good exhibition within the game/ But you f— up the moment you mentioned my family’s name.“

Then, of course, came the kill shot. 

Of every song that was released in 2024, no matter the genre or artist, “Not Like Us” holds a singular distinction. Not just because it would later inspire a lawsuit from Drake alleging defamation and inflated numbers. Not just because the diss record was the No. 1 song in the country for multiple weeks — and No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Rap Songs chart for 21 weeks, surpassing Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road.” Not even just because the last verse directly called Drake an artistic leech. “Not Like Us” became part of the cultural fabric of an entire year.

The Los Angeles Dodgers used the record as its official playoff anthem en route to a World Series victory. The song became a point of debate on Team USA’s men’s basketball team. Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James’ wife Savannah used the song on social media posts throughout the year, prompting speculation about if she and her husband had issues with Drake. The Democratic National Convention featured “Not Like Us” during its delegate roll call. At historically Black universities, Lamar’s devotion to Black culture and shunning those without a proper understanding of the power, pain and pride that comes with it spoke volumes.

“It’s exciting because of all the texts and emails, especially from alumni and students. They’re like, we got to play this one, so go ahead and put it on paper. The students know this is one of those tracks we can use in a [band] battle,” said Byron Chatman, assistant band director at Alcorn State University. “We had a pep rally, and they were asking for [‘Not Like Us’]. We weren’t gonna play it, but they kept asking for it. So we played it. It’s exciting that people when they see the band, they request that song.”

Anonymity is a longtime weapon of choice for an introvert like Lamar. He rarely uses social media. When he did this year, it was to release new music or announce his upcoming, highly anticipated Super Bowl halftime performance in February 2025. He says what he has to say and falls back until it’s time to pop out once again, pun intended.

In an era where the lines between quantity and quality are as blurred as ever, Lamar’s less-is-more approach has paid dividends. Every new release, whether it be a diss record or a new album like GNX, becomes its own moment. Apple Music revealed that “Not Like Us” was its most streamed song globally in 2024. Amazon confirmed that Lamar’s Juneteenth concert/victory lap, “The Pop Out: Ken & Friends,” logged the most minutes watched of any Amazon Music program on Prime Video and Twitch. Every project of Lamar’s in 2024 — features, diss records or albums — has gone No. 1. He’s the first and only artist to have three No. 1 records in 2024. He became just the fourth artist in history — joining an exclusive club of The Beatles, Taylor Swift, and, yes, Drake — to simultaneously have the top five records in the country. Nonetheless, his releases remain public mysteries because they rarely come with much warning.

“He hasn’t saturated the marketplace with a lot of tracks or features, and we don’t get many glimpses into his celebrity or personal life,” Anderson said. “He has little fatigue factor that might exhaust consumers. Plus, given how rare his drops are, other segments of the industry — radio programmers and streaming curators, for example — may be that much more eager to jump onto new releases, given the high demand for fewer opportunities to engage with new Kendrick music.”

“For someone as elusive as Kendrick, who isn’t as prolific as his counterparts, his 2024 output surpasses any other point in his career,” Carl Lamarre, Billboard deputy director of R&B and hip-hop, said. “His lyrical fury paid dividends, yielding him more wins, including a Super Bowl invitation and an upcoming stadium tour. The proverbial cherry on top came when he doled out a new solo album that clinched his banner year and had incredible replay value.”

Lamar’s crash out, one he warned the entire genre would soon feel the effects of, became his cash out. Amid all the success is the realization it was only a byproduct of his sheer disgust. Bryant’s words about showing and proving stayed with Lamar in a spiritual sense. 2024 — when broken down into the number of years Bryant played (20) and one of his jersey numbers (24) — was the launchpad. The one decision to take a direct aim would change the trajectory of both careers and how they’re remembered and anticipated.

Both face questions. Both must answer where their careers go from here, though Lamar sits in the far more advantageous seat. One place he won’t be going is seeking the land of remorse for how far things went and the unforgivable bars both sides levied on the other.

I’ll never peace it up / That s— don’t sit well with me / Before I take a truce, I’ll take ’em to hell with me, Lamar confirmed on “wacced out murals.” “N—as mad because I decided not to pretend/ Y’all stay politically correct, I’m a do what I did/Ain’t no sympathy here.“

Operating from a me-versus-the-world mentality is a familiar theme of Lamar’s existence. Now, that world just sits in the palms of his ink-stained hands.

While much of 2024 will be highlighted by the war of words that made rap stand still, it’s the progressiveness that Lamar ultimately would choose to highlight. It’s why “The Pop Out” concert was far more than a means of driving the proverbial knife farther in Drake’s heart. “Not Like Us” was a worldwide hit, but in Los Angeles, it was a spiritual vehicle that united Black and Latino communities through song and dance. In a world as complicated and diverse as Los Angeles street culture, that unification — however brief — was just as much a part of Lamar’s 2024 mission statement as anything else. “Cohesion” is the word of the year for Lamar. The collaborations on his most recent project, GNX, serve as a testament. Top Dawg Entertainment’s recent Christmas concert in the Watts neighborhood of LA did too as Lamar performed with kids on stage. Notorious for his poker face, not even Lamar could contain his joy as boys and girls from Watts feverishly enjoyed his presence. Ask Lamar, which is difficult to do because his public statements are calculated, and he’d likely say that moment meant more to him in 2024 than most. He shuns the title of “savior,” but in 2024, he cherished the title of “soldier.”

2025 figures to be one new heights even for an artist like Lamar. The Grand National Tour with close friend, fellow supernova and frequent collaborator SZA is historic and mysterious. The rumors of new music continue to percolate throughout the industry and social media, but Lamar’s first major milestones will occur in February. Within a week’s time, he will be a major character at the 2025 Grammys, on Feb. 1, and the lead protagonist at the Super Bowl halftime show in New Orleans on Feb. 9. Lamar is one of rap’s most celebrated performers in the genre’s 51-year history and it’s the meticulousness that plays into the anticipation of moment. No one knows exactly what Lamar will do — outside of delivering a show that may produce nearly as many headlines as the game itself.

Runcie agrees.

“Kendrick has given memorable big stage performances. There’s the Grammys after DAMN. came out. ‘The Pop Out’ [was proof] of stage command at the Kia Forum. He’s someone that clearly has stage presence,” Runcie said. “I remember seeing him open the ‘Yeezus’ tour almost 12 years ago. He’s always been able to do that stuff. That shows a tremendous amount of trust [in Kendrick]. Because if you would’ve asked me three, four years ago who would’ve been the first hip-hop artist to solo headline the Super Bowl stage, I probably would’ve guessed Drake.”

Where Lamar’s 2024 ranks among the all-time great years in hip-hop is a compelling case study. Snoop Dogg’s 1994, Biggie’s 1995, Tupac’s 1996, DMX’s 1998, 50 Cent’s 2003, T.I.’s 2006 when he had the No. 1 album and movie in the same week, Lil Wayne’s relentless 2007 or Future’s 2015 all stand out as objectively dominant campaigns.

“2024 is the year Kendrick Lamar undoubtedly solidified himself as the pre-eminent rapper of the modern-day era,” Lamarre said. “He axed all doubts by taking out the biggest rapper in the game and then enjoyed a victory lap when he released his No. 1 album that netted seven songs in the top 10 of the Hot 100.”

What makes Lamar’s year distinct is that he’s a decade and a half into his career. He’s seen the peaks of artistic expression and commercial supremacy. Before he called Drake to the middle of the ring on “Like That,” Lamar was a rap savant. Before this year, the title of boogeyman felt deserved based on the poignancy of his music and how critical he was of the world around him — including himself on records such as “u” in 2015 or agonizingly painful “We Cry Together” in 2022.

Now 2024 is etched in rap lore as deserving of a nickname that ever existed in rap. The victory lap Lamarre speaks of is showing no signs of slowing down. There are the Grammys, where Lamar is up for seven awards, including record and song of the year for “Not Like Us.” A week later is the Super Bowl. In April, the nationwide Grand National stadium tour (and its two June tour dates in Toronto) kicks off and the rumored new album on the way many industry insiders say is all but guaranteed.

Exactly what he does for an encore in 2025 and how he’ll go about it, much like everything Lamar does, is anyone’s guess.

In 2024, sneakers reflected most aspects of life, from music to television and social media. Things were fractured and segmented, and everyone’s experience differed depending on their interests.

While big-name releases felt scarce, niche audiences were spoiled for choice. For every retro comeback, a fresh silhouette emerged. Basketball sneakers returned, reclaiming relevance with a rise in signature models, particularly for women. Black collaborators continued to make their mark with major brands, earning acclaim. None cast a larger shadow than Nike and Jordan Brand’s golden child, Travis Scott. The resell market cooled, turning missed releases into attainable hits without breaking the bank. And despite the unrelenting flood of releases, the year proved that the sneaker game thrives in its abundance.

We couldn’t capture every great story or release, but here are the highlights that left a lasting impression.

The Adidas AE1 is Rookie of the Year

This time last year, we anointed Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards as the next marquee headliner of an NBA signature shoe, just a few weeks after the release of his debut model, the Adidas AE 1, on Dec. 16, 2023.

In the shoe’s first commercial, Edwards said he thought he had the best shoe in basketball. Edwards’ raw, infectious personality, which has been used to market the AE 1, set the tone for what’s ultimately been transformed into one of the greatest and longest runs for a sneaker in basketball history.

On Nov. 21, Complex named the Adidas AE 1 as its 2024 sneaker of the year, marking the first performance basketball model in the past decade to earn the platform’s annual distinction. That’s because the AE 1 has delivered features such as a mid- and low-top silhouette designed in more than 20 colorways, which Edwards wore during his first career All-NBA season and while playing on the USA Basketball team, which won a gold medal at the 2024 Paris Games.

The best part of the AE 1’s rollout has been the series of ads Adidas has unveiled starring Edwards. In a spot that dropped on the opening night of the 2024-25 NBA season, Edwards sits down to take a lie detector test, notably asked by the proctor, “Are the AE 1s the best shoe in the game?” Edwards quickly responds, “No question,” which triggers a green light on the machine, indicating that he ain’t lying. In only a year’s time, the AE 1 has more than proven itself to be just that good of a shoe. — Aaron Dodson

The return of Prime Time

When former NFL player Deion Sanders took over as coach of the Colorado Buffaloes football program last year, many people wondered what would happen between him and Nike, the apparel and gear sponsor for Colorado, given their relationship at the time. The answer? Not only did they make amends, but they decided to bring back Sanders’ Air Diamond Turf line. The Diamond Turf Max returned in cleated and non-cleated versions, including the original white and black colorway.

Besides Sanders returning to the fold, Nike also signed Sanders’ son Shedeur to an NIL deal, making him the first football NIL athlete signed by the swoosh. Nike and Shedeur Sanders wasted little time making an impact by releasing a Colorado-themed pair of the Sanders’ Diamond Turf Max, also in cleated and non-cleated versions. What is undoubtedly a testament to Sanders’ star power is that he is the only college athlete to be featured on Nike Football’s official Instagram account, appearing in four different posts.

If Sanders’ social media pages are an indicator of things to come, there should be little doubt that Boulder, Colorado, will continue to be the talk of the college football world. Pair that with what Shedeur Sanders has accomplished during his two years with the Buffaloes and his projected top-five pick status in the upcoming NFL draft, and it’s a safe bet that both father and son will be live and in prime time for the foreseeable future. — Jacob DeLawrence

A Ma Maniére is still standing strong

After a 2023 that ended in controversy, A Ma Maniere stayed low and kept firing in 2024. The Whitaker Group, which oversees the streetwear and sneaker retail brands A Ma Maniere, Social Status, APB, and Prosper, forfeited $1.2 million to the federal government in a case that alleged international money laundering of more than $32 million, but the group was ultimately not charged with any crimes. Founder and owner James Whitner maintained his innocence and that of The Whitaker Group, which continued to release collaborations.

The “While You Were Sleeping” series of sneakers and apparel, in particular, including multiple Jordan models, a Nike Air Force 1, a Converse Weapon, an Air Max 95, and even a friends-and-family Chuck 70 (the first ever to include a Nike swoosh), was a quintessential A Ma Maniere blend of materials, styling, and storytelling. There was also an Adidas Superstar collaboration and an associated art exhibit celebrating the artistic communities of Pittsburgh and Charlotte, North Carolina. The Whitaker Group built the 13,000-square-foot APB Skatepark at The Collective in Charlotte and a resort, A-Ma Maniére Beach in Folly Beach, South Carolina.⁠ — Greg Whitt

Nike released gems from the vault

Nike has been digging in the crates and releasing rarely seen sneakers that have only been seen as discussion topics on Reddit, sold with markups of a hundred percent on resale sites, or languished in the closets of sneakerheads who’ve been too timid to thaw them out and let them touch the pavement. The Patta x Nike Air Max 1 “Chlorophyll” from legendary Amsterdam outfit Patta was rereleased to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the original. The Wu-Tang Dunk, initially limited to 36 pairs in 1999, saw a wider retail release this year. Even the Huf Air Max 1 from 2004, Stash Air Force 1 and Air Max 95 were returned to store shelves.

The question for the new year is if this strategy feeds more into the idea that Nike is suffering from a lack of innovation. Nike remains a giant, but for a company that saw its sales drop for the first time in seven quarters earlier this year, it will be interesting to see if the swoosh can develop new models and technological advances in 2025.

In the meantime, prepare for the “Galaxy” Foamposite reboot in February. — Greg Whitt

Jordan Retros lost their luster

Nike’s recent earnings statement gives the impression that the Jumpman is as strong as ever. It was the only Nike division to see a year-to-year gain. However, raw numbers don’t tell the whole story of how people feel about the product. Resale platforms such as StockX and GOAT are usually a more accurate measure of how the public views a product. StockX currently has hundreds of pairs of Jordans hovering below retail.

One main reason pairs are currently below retail is quality control problems. Just last month, Nike released an updated retro of the Jordan 3 “Black Cement,” the overall response was that the shoe wasn’t up to the brand’s standards. Many pairs were misshapen, the elephant print was off, and there were many other problems for a shoe that retailed at $220. The problems with craftsmanship apply to other releases. Several other retros from this year have similar issues, all for shoes whose retail prices start around $200.

While it’s nice to be able to walk into a random shoe store and buy a Jordan retro after the release date, it’s also, unfortunately, a sign that the brand has lost its luster because five years ago, it would have been almost unimaginable to buy the latest retro at retail after launch day. —
Jacob DeLawrence

The signature sneaker star-in-waiting

Though it’s yet to be officially confirmed, there’s no real question as to who will be the next NBA player to receive the signature treatment from Nike.

Victor Wembanyama, the 20-year-old 7-foot-3 forward for the San Antonio Spurs, will land a signature shoe line with the swoosh sooner than later. Nike first signed him as a teenager, a few years before he was selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NBA draft.

In July, we examined Wemby’s first NBA season repping Nike, discovering that he laced up a reported five different shoe sizes en route to being named the 2023-24 NBA Rookie of the Year. Inspired by Wembanyama’s size and infatuation with aliens, Nike began branding him as basketball’s “Extra-Terrestrial,” and celebrated his award with the limited-edition release of his alien-themed player-exclusive Nike GT Hustle 2s.

In the lead-up to the 2024 Paris Games, Nike designed a sneaker prototype for Wembanyama made in size 21 as the brand prepares for the arrival of his first official signature shoe. — Aaron Dodson

Sabrina Ionescu and Nike keep winning

New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu couldn’t ask for a more dreamlike season. She helped lead her team to the franchise’s first WNBA championship and had one of the biggest buckets in playoff history. And she did it while wearing her kicks, the Nike Sabrina 2, which had its own victories this season.

We rarely see sneakers fronted by a female athlete with the crossover appeal of Ionecu’s Nike line. A whopping 60 players in the WNBA and NBA laced up the shoe, and most of them were men. The trickle-down effect is real, as the shoe appeared on college courts, and even high school phenom A.J. Dybantsa has worn them. Most wearers adopt the shoe due to its similar design and performance, which are associated with models from Nike’s Kobe Bryant line. But while Bryant’s shoes can be hard to come by and go big bucks, the Sabrina 2 is widely available and comes in an array of colors.

With more women’s signature sneakers slated for 2025, let’s hope those ladies’ kicks receive the same love as Ionescu’s sneakers. – John Gotty

Another stellar year for Travis Scott

Rapper Travis Scott sold out everything from football arenas to multiple shoe models this year.

Scott has had wins this year with his low-top Air Jordan 1 releases. His low-top Air Jordan 1s, famous for the reverse swoosh logo, continue to dominate the secondary market. The Air Jordan 1 Low “Olive” colorway was one of eBay’s top five-selling shoes of 2024, and it resells for up to $2,000. The rapper even hit the jackpot with women’s shoes. The Air Jordan 1 Retro Low OG SP “Canary” arrived in women’s sizing and sold out instantly.

He wasn’t limited solely to retro products. Scott was behind two new models, Jordan Jumpman Jack TR and Zoom Field Jaxx, that were introduced this year. And his halo effect isn’t limited to the shoes bearing his name. He lent visibility to several other collaborator projects, such as the special project release for the Nike Mac Attack sneaker, a new rendition of the tennis great John McEnroe’s namesake shoe.

Scott’s continued diamond-certified music heights, creation of CactusCon, and ventures such as the rebranding of CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches in collaboration with the Houston Astros and the Washington Nationals and the Cactus Jack Foundation HBCU Celebrity Softball Classic have all aided his continued sneaker success. In April 2025, the 33-year-old will headline Coachella 2025 for both weekends in Indio, California. It’s all but given what’s on his feet will garner as much attention as what songs he plays on stage. — Alexis Davis

Stephen Curry picks his successor

For the past decade, Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry has made Under Armour a brand that people mention when it comes to basketball shoes. Most of Curry’s basketball accomplishments have come while wearing one of his many signature Under Armour shoes.

However, if you asked any basketball fan to name someone signed by Under Armour who is not named Stephen Curry, you might not get an answer. UA needs to find a successor for the 36-year-old Curry sooner rather than later.

Now, all signs point towards Sacramento Kings star De’Aaron Fox as the chosen one.

Curry Brand, the Under Armour subsidiary helmed by Curry, signed Fox to a shoe deal in 2023. A year later, Fox already has a signature shoe, the Curry Fox 1. The company has already put a solid promotional push behind Fox and his shoe by posting short ads and showcasing Fox returning to his old high school to give out pairs to the school’s basketball team. Only time will tell if he can help the brand build on the foundation Curry created. — Jacob DeLawrence

The year of the Samba

It’s something about a white-and-black shoe that gets people going. The Adidas Samba is the company’s second-highest seller and one of its oldest models. Where the Nike Panda Dunks were popular once, the Samba OG has taken over.

The Samba OG model is available online and in stores, and the $100 retail price is affordable. The classic color combo has been in high demand recently and the model’s popularity has risen for the last several years, thanks to key collaborations with the likes of reggaeton star Bad Bunny, athleisure brand Sporty & Rich and luxury label Wales Bonner, which has a silver colorway that resells for over $2,000.

Many TikTok influencers have deemed it the perfect shoe for sneaker enthusiasts, kids and moms and have customized them, adding ribbons as laces and trading pins to the tongue. Consumers can customize their Sambas with initials and symbols at the Adidas flagship store in New York City.

After 75 years, the Samba is here to stay. — Alexis Davis

Jae Tips owns the spotlight

Rapper and designer Jae Tips made a big splash in May 2023 with his first Saucony collaborations, the “Remember Who Fronted” Saucony Grid Azura 2000 and its December Grid Shadow 2 follow-up, but 2024 was more akin to a tsunami.

The native of the Bronx borough of New York dug even deeper into the Saucony archives, collaborating on the Matrix model, which hadn’t been released since 2000, the ProGrid Omni 9 and Shadow 6000 as part of his four-sneaker “To Do List” pack. His work with Saucony is more evidence of what can happen when brands give creatives access and freedom.

Speaking of access, The Flygod himself, fellow rapper and creative Westside Gunn, credited Jae Tips with “opening the door” and inspiring him as he begins his own collaboration with the century-old running brand. — Greg Whitt

The rookie and the vet have next

By signing with Reebok, Reese became the brand’s face of women’s basketball, capped with her Reebok by Angel collection. Before the release of her signature shoe in 2026, Reese, who is the WNBA’s single-season rebound record-holder, helped Reebok design its first basketball sneaker since the 2010s, the Engine A.

After months of speculation, Wilson, the original double-double queen and Nike announced that the three-time WNBA MVP indeed has a signature shoe coming in 2025 with the A’One. The two-time WNBA champion recently signed a six-year contract extension with Nike, which is reportedly worth more than $20 million.

Before Reese and Wilson, there was and still is Candace Parker. A Black woman has not headlined a signature shoe since Parker wore her signature Adidas in 2010. Since over 60% of the women in the WNBA are Black, the endorsements and leadership opportunities are beginning to reflect their numbers. Parker announced her retirement in April and moved to the C-suite when she became president of women’s basketball at Adidas in May. — Alexis Davis

Players expand brand choices

“Change” best describes the state of signature sneaker deals in the NBA. While many athletes are still signing with heavyweight footwear brands such as Jordan, Nike, Under Armour, and Adidas, the enormous appeal and go-to it once was no longer there. Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid, Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokić, and Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving left sponsors such as Under Armour and Nike over the past two seasons and ended up with non-traditional brands such as Skechers (Embiid), 361 Degrees (Jokic), and Anta (Irving).

While this may seem like a sudden shift, there have been signs for the past decade. Pros such as Mavericks guard Klay Thompson and former NBA player Dwyane Wade left the traditional brands, and now their signature lines are in the double digits. Athletes are realizing they have more power and reach than previous generations did. It’s no longer about signing with a brand you grew up loving. It’s about being a key face for a brand trying to gain market share.

“It wasn’t about what they were offering,” Irving said of his decision to sign with Anta. “It was all about whether I was free to create what I want and also be part of the engine that’s going to build this big machine.” Others, such as Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown and Cleveland Cavaliers forward Isaac Okoro, cited ownership and the beauty of independence as key draws.

Whatever the reasons, more players are exploring other options, giving signature sneakers more variety than they’ve had in decades. — Jacob DeLawrence

Wales Bonner is the best-kept secret in sneakers

Wales Bonner may be Adidas’ secret weapon when it comes to creating halo products that move the needle.

Founded by designer Grace Wales Bonner, the luxury fashion brand has an opinion and the ability to showcase it through products. Bonner has a thoughtful approach to athletic footwear and apparel, mixing an air of regalness with cultural heritage to separate her brand from most sneaker collaborators.

When Adidas prioritized the Samba several years ago, Wales Bonner was an early partner who helped elevate the model and set the trend in motion. This year’s Samba Classic between the two partners was a work of art with its bright hues and crocodile-printed leather. They also added tailoring and elevated materials to Adidas tracksuits, transforming them from sportswear to camera-ready tunnel outfits.

The Samba Classic barely nudged out another of Wales Bonner’s other gems, the Adizero Adios Neftenga. This performance runner never made it past the prototype stage- but it was worn by Ethiopian runner Haile Gebrselassie when he won the Berlin Marathon in 2008. Wales Bonner’s Adios Neftenga for 2024 received minor changes, such as suede overlays and co-branding elements. How Wales Bonner unearthed the shoe from Adidas’ extensive archives remains a mystery. Yet, that’s part of the allure because, like a good magic trick, some things are meant to be marveled at instead of explained. — John Gotty

Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen, welcome to another edition of “No Black coach has ever won a college football national championship.” I’ve been on this wave all season about the top-level FBS, where legends and billions of dollars are made even as the lingering effects of discrimination deny equal opportunity.

I recently learned that Division II has a similar history – and that Tremaine Jackson, head coach at Division II Valdosta State, could achieve one of the last remaining “firsts” in sports.

Earlier this week, my phone pinged with a text from Pooh Jeter of the Black Coaches Association: “Head Coach: Tremaine Jackson. Valdosta State defeats Minnesota State 35-21 to earn a trip to the NCAA DII Football National Championship.” When I called down to the school in southern Georgia, assistant athletic director Kit Strief informed me that no Black head coach has won an FCS title (In 1978, Florida A&M head coach Rudy Hubbard won a Division I-AA, now the Division I Football Championship Subdivision, national championship).

How, Sway? Part of the answer can be found in Jackson’s winding journey to this championship game, where 13-0 Valdosta State will play 13-1 Ferris State (Saturday, 2 p.m. ET, ESPN2).

“We always talk about how in coaching, there’s two sides of the mountain,” Jackson told me during a phone interview. “There’s a side where your dad coached, your uncle coached, somebody got you started where you are kind of already on second or third base.

“And then there’s the rough side of this mountain. I came up on the rough side of the mountain. I didn’t know a lot of people. I certainly didn’t know a lot of people that were making decisions. And so every job I got, I had to fight, scratch and earn through personality, through what I really believed in. And now being the head coach of Valdosta State, looking back, it was worth every minute of it.”

After growing up in the Acres Home neighborhood of Houston, Jackson played on the defensive line at Louisiana-Monroe and Texas Southern, then graduated from the University of Houston. In 2006, he started coaching at Texas A&M-Kingsville for no salary, just room and board. Next came Trinity Valley Community College, where his $9,000 annual salary felt like the good life. 

Next he got hired at Texas Southern, where he rose to defensive coordinator of a unit that led Division I FCS in total defense. But the following season, Jackson found himself out of a job due to athletic department violations he had nothing to do with.

Jackson sat at home and watched his phone not ringing. He thought about selling insurance or working for the Boys & Girls Club. But one day he was searching the internet and saw a job opening for a D-line coach at a place called Evangel University (Mo.).

“Man, it was the best thing I ever did,” he said. “It humbled me as a coach. We’re no different than players, and as a competitor, it really humbled me to go from coaching the best defense in the country to coaching in the NAIA division. I loved those kids, but the talent level was just not what I was used to.

“I really learned and grew in terms of how to mentor kids regardless of their height, weight or stature. We learned how to connect with their hearts and make the 5-foot-8, 200-pound kid play bigger than what he really is. It taught me that pouring into young people, it doesn’t matter about statistics or hand sizes. Pouring into people is just pouring into people.”

After stints at the University of Sioux Falls, Abilene Christian and Texas State, Jackson got his first head coaching job at Colorado Mesa, where he went 8-2 in 2021. The next season, he arrived at Valdosta State, a perennial Division II power with four football national championships.

Asked to describe himself as a coach, Jackson said, “I’m very tough and confrontational, because life is tough and confrontational and demanding. You got to meet those demands to have a good life. You don’t just wake up in the morning with the house, dog, beautiful wife, two kids and a picket fence. Everything you get, you have to earn.

“I think people would say about me, ‘That dude is tough. That dude is going to make you work hard. He’s going to check your temperature to see if you actually love ball, and he’s going to love you in the same manner.’ I get excited about our guys that have been successful off the field, not just the ones that’s All-whatever. When they put me in the ground, I hope they say, ‘Here lies a man who did everything he could to make the next generation better.’ ”

Jackson is the fourth Black coach to reach the Division II title game. In 2012, the historically Black college Winston-Salem State, coached by Connell Maynor, lost to (coincidentally) Valdosta State. In 2011, Paul Winters took Wayne State to the finals, and in 1983, Central State in Ohio went there under the leadership of Billy Joe.

That’s it – four Black coaches in 51 years of Division II championships.

Since America is now in the midst of an equal-opportunity backlash, with advocacy for the disadvantaged under relentless attack, let me point out that it defies logic, history and science to claim that no Black coach has had the ability to win a national title. Black coaches have not had the opportunities – in terms of access, networks or respect for their intelligence – to get the jobs.

But equality is marching down the field, with first-and-10 inside racism’s 20-yard line. Jackson was named Division II Coach of the Year for 2024, and almost certainly will get an opportunity to step up to Division I. Black head coaches Marcus Freeman of Notre Dame and James Franklin of Penn State are in the College Football Playoff. Please believe that I’d love to stop writing these columns, but until change punches it in for a touchdown, we have to deal with the reality of the situation.

“People just need to realize that we can coach,” Jackson said. “We don’t have to be the recruiter or the guy to get a kid to sign the NIL deal, because the head coach struggles with relationships. Man, we can do all of it. I’m talking about offensively, defensively, schematically, motivationally, and relationally. You know what I’m saying? It’s just all inclusive.”

Jeter, the Black Coaches Association leader, told me that Jackson is among a group of Black college football head coaches finishing successful seasons that includes Charles Huff, who just went 10-3 at Marshall and will coach Southern Miss next season; Frank Brown at Syracuse, which went 9-3 and upset No. 6 Miami; and Myles Russ at Keiser University, which plays for the NAIA national championship on Saturday.

“We’re showing what we’ve always showed,” Jeter said. “As long as we get the opportunity, great things will happen.”