The eight-division boxing champion is seeking another signature victory when he fights WBA welterweight champion Keith Thurman on Saturday at the MGM Grand Garden.
Sam Gordon
Reporter
Email: sgordon@reviewjournal.com
X: @BySamGordon
Sam Gordon was born and raised in Minneapolis and is back for his second stint with the Review-Journal. He’s covered the NFL, NBA, the Big Ten, the Mountain West and prep sports for various publications during his professional tenure. Gordon, a University of Minnesota graduate, is a basketball junkie who coached high school basketball for three seasons.
The 62-year-old was hired as Las Vegas’ president of basketball operations in October 2017 before its inaugural season, but also managed the daily business operations.
The Las Vegas resident will defend his super middleweight title Saturday against Mike Lee on the Manny Pacquiao-Keith Thurman undercard at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
The 40-year-old Pacquiao was quiet and humble during a news conference at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, while the WBA welterweight champion unleashed his braggadocios barbs.
The two boxers made their grand arrivals Tuesday at the MGM Grand. They will fight Saturday at the MGM Grand Garden Arena for Thurman’s WBA welterweight championship.
Head coaches usually delegate Summer League duties to an assistant or two, but the 34-year-old Jenkins immersed himself in his new team — hoping to create the championship culture that Memphis is eager to restore after triggering a rebuild by trading cornerstones Marc Gasol and Mike Conley earlier this year.
In Las Vegas for the Summer League, ESPN analyst Fran Fraschilla took time to offer advice for those seeking jobs as NBA coaches or scouts.
Minnesota Timberwolves rookie center Naz Reid doesn’t lament being passed over in this year’s NBA draft.
The Aces overcame an early 14-point deficit to score an 85-81 victory over the Washington Mystics — sans star forward Elena Delle Donne — at Entertainment Sports Arena in Washington D.C.
Boston Celtics rookie Tacko Fall thought the fans would behind him at the Vegas Summer League, but was surprised by how much support he received.
NBA Summer League is crucial for the various brands to establish connections with players, their managers and agents. Most of the dealings are done away from courts inside Thomas Mack Center and Cox Pavilion, allowing for more authentic, personal interaction.
Las Vegas, at 10-5, has the best record in the WNBA, but was annihilated by Washington in their first meeting June 20, and was in the midst of getting annihilated last Friday before an earthquake forced a postponement.
UNLV’s team of student equipment managers is stationed in depths of Cox Pavilion — in a laundry room — where they wash towels, practice and game jerseys.
A’ja Wilson will captain one of the two All-Star teams, the WNBA announced Thursday, after finishing second in voting to Washington Mystics forward Elena Della Donne.
Memphis Grizzlies rookie Brandon Clarke took the scenic route to NBA Summer League. The metaphorical scenic route, that is.