Joshua Valdez Articles - Page 3

It’s hard to believe nowadays, but the New York Jets have been championship contenders on multiple occasions. There was the “New York Sack Exchange” team in the 1980s, Hall of Fame coach Bill Parcels’ upstart 1998 squad, Rex Ryan’s back-to-back AFC Championship Game teams in 2009-10, and the franchise’s one and only Super Bowl-winning 1968 […]

It’s not often that a new regime has three top-six draft picks at its disposal, but the Washington Mystics were in a blessed position on Monday thanks to the lottery, the Ariel Atkins trade, and a deal made by the previous administration. On top of that, they had one pick in each of the second […]

The Washington Wizards completed the second regular season under their new regime with Sunday’s 118-117 win over the Miami Heat, and now they’ll wait until May 12 to find out what 2025 NBA Draft pick they’ll receive in the lottery. However, there’s plenty for the organization to reflect on before that, including Bub Carrington’s growth […]

With three top-six picks in Monday’s WNBA Draft, the Washington Mystics are in an enviable position. While their new regime is focused on rebuilding, it’ll also need to decide which veterans to keep for the long haul. One of them is center Shakira Austin, whose general manager Jamila Wideman opened up about on Friday’s pre-draft […]

With just two games left in the Washington Wizards’ season, the rookies have had enough time to build chemistry and learn about each other. That’s especially true in this case, as Bub Carrington (29.8), Alex Sarr (27.8), and Kyshawn George (26.7) are first, second, and fourth among all rookies in minutes per game, respectively. All […]

The NBA’s French takeover continued in the 2024 draft when the Atlanta Hawks and Washington Wizards selected Zaccharie Risacher and Alex Sarr first and second overall. Neither are on fellow French international and 2023 No. 1 pick Victor Wembanyama’s level, but they’ve both shown future All-Star potential. San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle will likely […]

Portland Trail Blazers guard Deni Avdija has been on a tear recently, creating a divide among Washington Wizards fans. Some regret trading the 24-year-old for the 2024 No. 14 overall pick (Bub Carrington) and Malcolm Brogdon last off-season, while others are happy with the move. “I appreciate the recent moves by the Wizards front office, […]

When discussing “culture-building” veterans, nobody is better than Washington Wizards guard Marcus Smart. The team acquired the former Defensive Player of the Year from the Memphis Grizzlies at the trade deadline, and he’s been the positive mentor that the young group needs. Smart talked up the organization after its 109-97 loss to the Orlando Magic […]

The Washington Wizards’ rebuild has never been in a better place than it currently is. Rookie guard Bub Carrington could do no wrong in their 109-97 loss to the Orlando Magic on Thursday, and that’s what matters for the franchise right now. The Pitt alum became the youngest player in NBA history to have back-to-back […]

The Washington Wizards are in Year Two of a rebuild, which requires patience, perseverance, and plenty of losing on the way to the top. What they’re doing is no different than what most small-market sports teams do, but Wizards fans are especially jaded given that the team’s only title was in 1978, when it was […]

The 2024-25 chapter in the Washington Wizards’ rebuild could be called “Jordan Poole: Unleashed.” While the development of their young core is the most important storyline for the future, Poole’s growth this season has reached historic heights. The former NBA champion described how he’s changed since his arrival in Washington last season after breaking the […]

The Washington Wizards will land a star prospect in the 2025 NBA Draft if they get lucky in the lottery, but they already have a player who thinks he can be “The Guy.” Rookie guard AJ Johnson has been a walking highlight reel recently, and his 20-point game against the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday was […]

Washington Wizards rookie Alex Sarr was roasted by basketball fans online after shooting 9-of-47 in Summer League, including a 0-for-15 performance. However, the 19-year-old is now third in the NBA Rookie Ladder and has 19-plus points in eight of his last 13 outings. He also became the youngest center in NBA history to score 20 […]

It’s now the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament, and Washington Wizards fans will see their potential future star Cooper Flagg and No. 1 Duke play No. 4 Arizona on Thursday night. There’s no doubt that the 6-foot-9-inch, 205-pound freshman will be the top pick of the 2025 NBA Draft, as he has no major […]

Washington Wizards rookie AJ Johnson doesn’t have the fanfare of Jordan Poole or Alex Sarr, but he will soon if he keeps playing like he did against the Toronto Raptors on Monday. The 20-year-old notched a career-high 17 points (5-9 FG, 1-2 3 PT) with six rebounds, three assists, and one steal across 28 minutes […]

Kelvin Sampson has done as good a job as any coach in the nation with Houston basketball. The Cougars hadn’t been to the NCAA Tournament in four seasons when the former Houston Rockets assistant took over in 2014, and he’s gotten them to one Final Four, one Elite Eight, and five total Sweet Sixteens since […]

Jordan Poole has quietly become one of the NBA’s most improved players in his second campaign with the Washington Wizards. The former NBA champion became only the fourth-ever Wizard to hit 200 three-pointers in a season during their 120-105 loss to the Orlando Magic on Friday night, just one year after being benched. Poole attributed […]

It’s no coincidence that St. John’s basketball is having its best season in 40 years now that Rick Pitino is in his second campaign with the team. The college hoops legend has experienced success at every program he’s coached, and his run with the No. 2 Red Storm (30-4, 18-2 Big East) is no exception. […]

March Madness is exciting for all basketball fans, especially for Washington Wizards supporters this season. Duke star Cooper Flagg (ankle) is ready for the tournament after exiting the ACC Tournament Quarterfinal, so they’ll get more chances to watch the future No. 1 NBA Draft pick. However, Rutgers didn’t qualify for the NCAA Tournament, which means […]

The Washington Wizards’ young players have stepped up on an injury-riddled squad, but now they’ll need to do even more. Sixth man Corey Kispert (thumb) is officially out for the season as of Tuesday, via Wizards PR. “INJURY UPDATE: Guard-forward Corey Kispert underwent a successful surgical procedure today in New York City to repair a […]

Washington Wizards Owner Ted Leonsis was overjoyed when he got a new basketball for Christmas as a kid. Now, the Monumental Sports and Entertainment CEO will pay it forward by giving one to every elementary public school student in Washington, D.C., via Monumental Sports. “Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE) Founder & CEO Ted Leonsis today announced […]

The Washington Wizards (15-51) are no longer the worst team in the NBA, as they’re one game ahead of the Utah Jazz (15-53) heading into Tuesday night. While there’s still a long way to go, it’s a significant accomplishment considering that the Wizards started 6-41, and is a promising sign for their rebuild. However, general […]

The Washington Wizards have multiple snipers on their hands. Not only did rookie Kyshawn George sink a corner three to take a 123-121 lead over the Denver Nuggets with 10 seconds left on Saturday, but Jordan Poole hit a game-winner from the logo with 1.8 ticks to go. JORDAN POOLE BURIES IT FROM DEEP FOR […]

The Washington Wizards are winning so much that it could foil one of this season’s main missions: securing the NBA’s worst record to ensure a top-five lottery pick this summer. They’re 6-4 in their last 10 games and 9-11 in their last 20, a stunning turnaround for a team that started 6-41. The Wizards were […]

The injury bug has bitten Washington Wizards wing Bilal Coulibaly for the second straight year. The 20-year-old strained his right hamstring in the first quarter of Monday’s 119-104 loss to the Toronto Raptors and will be out for four to six weeks, likely ending his season. Coulibaly took a step forward in his second campaign, […]

In a Washington Wizards season defined by player development amid adversity, Jordan Poole has had a different experience from his Golden State Warriors days. The Michigan alum was a backup on a squad with future Hall of Famers Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green before getting traded to the rebuilding Wizards in July 2023, […]

The Washington Wizards looked like one of the worst teams ever after two 16-game losing streaks, including a winless November. However, the new-look Wizards (13-51) are 3-3 in March and 4-4 with Khris Middleton and Marcus Smart in the lineup. That’s why Washington raised two spots to No. 28 in Monday’s NBA power rankings before […]

While Duke basketball is the nation’s top-ranked team and has the sport’s best player in Cooper Flagg, it likely won’t get the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament. However, it could happen if the Blue Devils (28-3, 19-1 ACC) roll through the ACC Tournament and get outside help. Although Auburn has lost two […]

John Calipari probably wanted a smoother ride in his first season with Arkansas basketball, but what matters is making the NCAA Tournament. That’s what the Razorbacks (19-12, 8-10 SEC) are poised to do after escaping with a 93-92 win over Mississippi State on Saturday. Now the key is to not lose to South Carolina in […]

The Washington Wizards’ rookies were largely written off after an uneven Summer League campaign headlined by Alex Sarr’s 9-of-47 shooting clip. Now, the Wiz Kids are proving that the future is bright in the District. Bleacher Report, for example, gave Washington’s class an A- grade on Saturday despite giving it a D- after Summer League, […]

The New York Jets are at a crossroads. While they’re armed with eight picks in the upcoming NFL draft, the big question is if they’ll take a quarterback in the first round after moving on from Aaron Rodgers. The picture will be more clear soon, as teams can start negotiating with free agents on Monday […]

The Washington Wizards’ youth movement has never been more fun than it is right now. Kyshawn George, Alex Sarr, and Bub Carrington combined for 56 points, 17 rebounds, 15 assists, five steals, and five blocks in their 125-122 victory over the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night, signaling a bright future in the District. George, who […]

The business of professional sports can be brutal sometimes, and that was apparent when the Washington Mystics shipped Ariel Atkins to the Chicago Sky on Feb. 23. The two-time All-Star was asked on Tuesday if the Mystics’ new brass spoke to her about the trade beforehand, via The Washington Post’s Kareem Copeland. “Not necessarily,” she […]

The 2025 NBA trade deadline was unlike any other, including for the Washington Wizards. The team overhauled its roster within two days, acquiring new veterans and a bevy of long-term assets in exchange for other veterans and second-round picks. One of the veterans the Wizards gave up was Jonas Valanciunas, who they acquired in a […]

The Washington Wizards are 11-49, but team owner Ted Leonsis won’t let hard times break his spirit. The Monumental Sports and Entertainment boss, who also owns the Washington Capitals and Washington Mystics, has faith that the Wizards can reach the mountaintop, via The Kevin Sheehan Show. “I am very, very excited, because I participated actively […]

The Washington Wizards’ 2024-25 mission is coming to fruition. They’re sitting at the bottom of the NBA standings and are in a prime position to land a top-five lottery pick this summer, which increases their chances of finally getting a star. The Wizards are 11-49 ahead of their home date with the Utah Jazz on […]

In an era when schools constantly switch conferences, Clemson and Florida State are breaking the mold. Both universities will likely stay in the ACC after settling four lawsuits, via ESPN’s Andrea Adelson, David Hale, and Pete Thamel. “According to sources, the settlement includes two key objectives: establishing a new revenue-distribution model based on viewership and a […]

Washington Wizards guard Jordan Poole went viral for claiming he’s All-Star-caliber on Jan. 24, as fans couldn’t believe a player on the league’s worst team said that. Of course, the former NBA champion wasn’t selected, which he clarified on Friday that he has no issue with, via Locked On Wizards’ Brandon Scott. “Naw, I wouldn’t […]

Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey have lived up to the preseason hype, and will likely get picked second and third after Cooper Flagg in the 2025 NBA Draft. However, the star freshmen haven’t been enough to save the Scarlet Knights (14-15, 7-11 Big Ten) from misery. The kids would say that Rutgers head coach Steve […]