Diallo’s triumphant dunk is half-Superman, half-amazing

Hamidou Diallo dunks over Shaq ASW 2019 - cropped version

By Casey Bannon Medill Reports CHARLOTTE, N.C. — He flew over Shaq like Nate Robinson did with Dwight Howard. He dunked and then dangled on the rim by his forearm like Vince Carter. And he tore open his jersey to reveal a Superman shirt like Cam Newton. On a night where creativity, culture and controversy […]

Joe Harris doesn’t get memo, beats Steph in shootout final

ASW 2019 Three-Point Champion Joe Harris

By Joshua Jonah Fischman Medill Reports CHARLOTTE, N.C. — In not only the first three-point competition of his NBA career, but of his life, Nets guard Joe Harris defeated two-time league MVP Stephen Curry in the final round to win the 2019 event. Curry, the 2015 champion, was supposed to win the shootout as part […]

Tatum goes deep to snatch Skills Challenge

Jayson Tatum NBA ASW 2019 Skills Challenge

By Eric Frazier Medill Reports CHARLOTTE, N.C.– In the battle of who has the best skills in the NBA, Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics won the Taco Bell Skills Challenge with a three-pointer from beyond half court. Tatum beat out Trae Young in the final round with that shot after Young started strong and […]

Adam Silver on NBA’s role in equality and inclusion

Adam Silver - ASW 2019

By Greg Melo Medill Reports CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The elephant in the room during All-Star weekend was the “bumps in the road” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver acknowledged during his annual news conference: North Carolina’s recent history regarding LGBTQ rights and its impact on staging the event. The heart of Silver’s opening statement detailed what it […]

Sounds from the 704: The 2019 NBA-All Star weekend Ultimate Playlist

Spectrum Center, Charlotte

By Andre Toran Medill Reports CHARLOTTE, N.C.– The NBA and hip-hop are two streets that have formed an intersection as the league has become more accepting of the hip-hop community. The two have become intertwined, especially during All-Star Weekend, as rappers, performing artists and other celebrities flock to arguably the biggest sporting event of the […]

The 2019 NBA All-Star Weekend is a landmark event for the G League

By John Alfes Medill Reports CHARLOTTE, N.C.– Beneath the surface of the NBA is an emerging pipeline, a new route for the game’s next wave of star players. The G League is no longer a mystery, nor is it the cellar for basketball in America. “It’s not deemed as a punishment,” said Darvin Ham, who […]

Anthony Davis lists his preferred destinations. All 29 of them.

Anthony Davis at ASW 2019 Media Day

By Andrew Donlan Medill Reports CHARLOTTE, N.C.– Anthony Davis, a current member of the New Orleans Pelicans, mostly fielded questions regarding what team he’d play for in the future at All-Star media day on Saturday. Celtics fans rejoiced when Davis said that Boston was on his list. “They were never not on my list,” Davis […]

Danny Cares: Raptors forward champions for the humane treatment of animals

Danny Green Foodbank via Instagram

By Andre Toran Medill Reports CHARLOTTE, N.C.– Towering over a table full of provisions and supplies, Toronto Raptors forward Danny Green anchored an assembly line with an ear-to-ear smile, ready to help. Hopeful hearts and good intentions catalyzed the production lines at Second Harvest Foodbank of Metrolina Friday afternoon in Charlotte, as current NBA players […]

Different strokes for Mike Conley after trade deadline

Conley with other volunteers ASW 2019

By Andre Earls Medill Reports CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Finally past the other side of the trade deadline, Memphis Grizzlies star point-guard Mike Conley was happy to be assisting with the community service project in West Charlotte. On the Friday of All-Star weekend, NBA legends past and present collaborated with dozens of NBA Cares volunteers to […]

Blast from the pass

Young-Kuzma-Fox Collage

By Louis Ricard Medill Reports CHARLOTTE, N.C. – No-looks, alley-oop, bounce, between the legs, over the head — there are so many ways to pass a basketball. While dunks and threes dominate the NBA highlights, most start the same way; with an assist. Though times have changed and the younger generations may not remember how […]