Greetings BBN!

With the 2024 Olympics underway, we’re getting to see Kentucky Wildcats legend Anthony Davis suit up for Team USA as he looks to claim another gold medal.

Over at ESPN, their staff just ranked the 25 best NBA players of the 21st century. To no surprise, Davis made the cut, checking in at No. 19 behind Allen Iverson and ahead of Ray Allen.

Once known for his unibrow more than for his unicorn skill set, Davis blossomed from a defensive lynchpin in his early days in New Orleans to one of the most polished two-way threats in the league after five seasons spent in L.A. So far, nothing he’s done has topped his first season with the Lakers when he teamed with James to deliver the purple and gold their first title in 10 years under the most trying of circumstances as the franchise was reeling from Bryant’s death and the league was put on hiatus because of a global pandemic. His signature shot from L.A.’s bubble run — a buzzer-beating, game-winning 3 to go up 2-0 in the Western Conference finals — has cemented him in Laker lore. The fact that he yelled, “Kobe!” right after making it while wearing the Lakers’ special “Black Mamba” uniform in the game only made it more epic. — Dave McMenamin

Davis has achieved just about every major basketball accomplishment there is. That includes leading Kentucky to its most recent NCAA National Championship, as well as helping the Los Angeles Lakers win the 2020 NBA title.

Go Cats!

Tweet of the Day

Bow to the brow.

Headlines

Ranking the top 25 NBA players of the 21st century – ESPN
From LeBron to Luka, Kobe to KG, here’s a look at ESPN’s top players of the past 25 years.

Four Men’s Golfers Named Cobalt Golf All-America Scholars – UK Athletics
Oakley Gee, Alex Goff, Campbell Kremer and Jansen Preston comprised the honorees for the Wildcats, giving the team the second most selections among schools in the SEC.

Kentucky Baseball assistant Chase Slone excited for new journey in Lexington – KSR
The newest Kentucky Baseball assistant Chase Slone spoke to the media last Thursday, where he express his excitement to be in Lexington.

Six Wildcats Named ITA Scholar Athletes, Women’s Tennis Named ITA All-Academic Team – UK Athletics
In addition to the six student-athletes who received individual honors, Kentucky was also honored as an All-Academic Team for the sixth consecutive season dating back to 2019.

Behind Enemy Lines: Texas Longhorns – KSR
Kentucky will close SEC play against a newcomer to the conference. A Longhorn insider gives us a closer look at the 2024 Texas football team.

Ranking college basketball programs by most NBA champions – 247
These college basketball programs have big-time bragging rights, including Kentucky.

Ohio State players received ‘around $20 million’ in NIL, believed to be largest amount in college football – CBSSports.com
Buckeyes athletic director Ross Bjork revealed a jaw-dropping number for the team’s NIL payouts

Falcons QB Kirk Cousins cleared to practice after torn Achilles – ESPN
Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins has been cleared to practice after rehabbing from a torn Achilles.

EA Sports College Football 25 Review – University Of Madden – GameSpot
EA Sports College Football 25 proves it’s more than just nostalgia with its impressive production and gameplay.

NFL submits final written position attacking Sunday Ticket verdict – NBC Sports
How will this major lawsuit play out?

Big deal or no big deal: 2024 NFL training camp hot topics, including Joe Burrow fully cleared, key holdouts – CBSSports.com
Assessing top training camp storylines.

Primary Cause of Lupus Discovered–And a Possible Way to Reverse It – GNN
The team’s next step has them already working on developing a pharmacologic method of delivering the potential cure-like molecule.