Wembanyama, countrymen add French flair to international class of NBA draft prospects

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 18:17:33 GMT

Wembanyama, countrymen add French flair to international class of NBA draft prospects PARIS (AP) — Victor Wembanyama wasn’t the only young French prospect turning heads overseas.Granted, fans would have had to look much farther to find Rayan Rupert, who played for the New Zealand Breakers. He is among the international prospects expecting to hear their names called at the NBA draft on Thursday in New York. They don’t possess Wembanyama’s size and skills, but they’re confident they can make an impact.There’s a distinct French flavor in this year’s draft class. Wembanyama and Rupert are French, as is Bilal Coulibaly, Wembanyama’s teammate with Metropolitans 92.Here’s a look at some of the top international prospects other than Wembanyama:RAYAN RUPERT, NEW ZEALAND BREAKERSSTRENGTHS: Rupert is a tenacious defender with a 7-foot-2 wingspan who likens his game to Mikal Bridges of the Brooklyn Nets. Standing 6-6 without shoes, the 193-pound swingman was part of the National Basketball League’s Next Stars program and just turned 19. ...

‘It still doesn’t feel real’: Washington Spirit’s Chloe Ricketts reflects on living her soccer dreams at 16

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 18:17:33 GMT

‘It still doesn’t feel real’: Washington Spirit’s Chloe Ricketts reflects on living her soccer dreams at 16 Chloe Ricketts is living her dream.The 16-year-old Dexter, Michigan, native became the youngest player at the time to sign a contract in the National Women’s Soccer League when she joined the Washington Spirit in March. The fact that she plays alongside U.S. women’s national team players Trinity Rodman, Andi Sullivan and Ashley Hatch shocks her daily, she said.“Getting to be around these players every day is insane,” Ricketts said. “I wake up, and I’m like, ‘Oh, my goodness, I’m a professional soccer player.’ It still doesn’t feel real.”The midfielder spoke in her first press conference Wednesday, detailing her adjustments to becoming a professional at a young age and why she appreciates the slow approach in her development.Despite only playing nine matches in all competitions, including two starts during the Challenge Cup group stage, Rickets has slowly become a fan favorite during Spirit home matches. Her dribbling ...

Millones de estadounidenses hablan “spanglish”. Este experto dice que es un superpoder

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 18:17:33 GMT

Millones de estadounidenses hablan “spanglish”. Este experto dice que es un superpoder (CNN) — José Medina creció en Texas y, siendo apenas un niño, sus maestros le prohibieron hablar español en el aula. Sus padres, por su lado, le prohibieron hablar inglés en su casa.Medina nunca sintió que pertenecía. Pero años más tarde, cuando él mismo se convirtió en maestro y,  dice que sin darse cuenta, comenzó a hacer lo mismo.“Me convertí en el maestro que les decía a los niños: ‘Así no se dice’. No se dice así (NdR: en español). Porque eso era lo que me enseñaron”, dijo Medina a CNN en una entrevista reciente.Medina dice que corregía la forma en que los estudiantes e incluso los miembros de su familia hablaban tanto inglés como español, y evitaba que mezclaran los dos idiomas.Ahora, el consultor educativo e investigador de idiomas de 52 años está tratando de enseñar a otros a usar un enfoque diferente. Está trabajando con distritos escolares de todo el país para crear y hacer crecer programas bilingües que valoren los idiomas del hogar tanto com...

Two for tea? The Queen’s Library Tea Room now open in Richmond

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 18:17:33 GMT

Two for tea? The Queen’s Library Tea Room now open in Richmond RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — A new tearoom has opened catty-corner from The Jefferson Hotel in downtown Richmond.The Queen’s Library Tea Room began operating in early May, on the same day Prince Charles was crowned King of England. Since then, the charming Virginia tearoom has served tea and treats to hundreds of guests.“We serve Fortnum & Mason tea imported from London,” owner Daniel Luna, 26, said. Fortnum & Mason tea has been served to kings and queens of England, including Queen Elizabeth.This is the first business venture for Luna and his wife, Clarissa, who is also a full-time pastor at Life Church, a nondenominational church in Mechanicsville.“We host events to bring people together. We see this as an extended living room, a cozy and peaceful space,” Clarissa, 31, said.The tearoom at 21 W. Main St. was formerly the space of The Queen Bee & Co., a tearoom run by former Miss Virginia Heather Marie Van Cleave. She ran the tearoom for a year and a half before selling it to th...

Airstrike in Sudan’s capital of Khartoum kills at least 17 people, including five children, health officials say

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 18:17:33 GMT

Airstrike in Sudan’s capital of Khartoum kills at least 17 people, including five children, health officials say CAIRO (AP) — Airstrike in Sudan’s capital of Khartoum kills at least 17 people, including five children, health officials say.Source

Denver Weather: Saturday storms before drying out

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 18:17:33 GMT

Denver Weather: Saturday storms before drying out DENVER (KDVR) — Denver’s weather will stay wet and cooler than normal Saturday before warming up and drying out Sunday. There is a severe thunderstorm chance on Saturday amid warmer temperatures June 17.Weather tomorrow: Rain and afternoon stormsSaturday will be mild in the 70s thanks to a mixture of sunshine and clouds. This will be followed by the chance for rain and thunderstorms in the afternoon and early evening hours.Brief downpours could lead to localized flooding on June 17.The biggest concerns with the thunderstorms will be brief heavy downpours that could lead to localized flooding, especially south of the Palmer Divide.Portions of the state are under a severe threat with flooding as the main concern on June 17.Portions of the state are under a severe threat with flooding as the main concern. A flood watch is still in effect until 7 p.m. Saturday night. During this time, widely scattered rain showers will be accompanied by thunderstorms capable of producing rainf...

Illinois man shares recovery after chainsaw cuts his throat

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 18:17:33 GMT

Illinois man shares recovery after chainsaw cuts his throat DECATUR, Ill. (WSVN) – An Illinois man shared his remarkable recovery after he was cut by his own chainsaw. Jason Eckenrod said the chainsaw came back at him and cut the left side of his throat.According to the nurses, it cut through the exterior and interior jugular, cutting a muscle and just barely missing a carotid artery.“Actually I was kinda angry with myself for what happened. Like, I can’t believe I’m gonna check out this way,” said Eckenrod, who owns Arborway Tree Care near Decatur, Illinois.He was up in the boom truck last week when he was cut and proceeded to take his shirt off and tie it around his neck in an effort to stop the bleeding.As he got down to the ground and the paramedics were called, his friend and business partner Brad took him and pressed a towel on his neck.“When I go to sleep at night and I wake up, I see that saw coming at me and it gets my heart pumping pretty good again and then it’s hard to fall asleep again a...

An Arizona man was mauled to death by a black bear in a rare, unprovoked attack

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 18:17:33 GMT

An Arizona man was mauled to death by a black bear in a rare, unprovoked attack (CNN) — An Arizona man was fatally mauled by a black bear that attacked him unprovoked while he was having his morning coffee on Friday.Steven Jackson, 66, died during the attack and the bear was killed by a neighbor who was trying to save his life, according to the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office.“From multiple witness accounts and preliminary investigation of the scene, Mr. Jackson had been sitting having coffee at a table on his property where he was building a home,” the sheriff’s office said in a Facebook post, adding it was a remote, heavily wooded area.“It appears that a male black bear attacked Mr. Jackson, taking him unaware, and dragged him approximately 75 feet down an embankment.”Neighbors heard Jackson screaming and tried to help “through shouts and car horns” but the bear did not release him until a neighbor shot him with his rifle, the sheriff’s office said.“Unfortunately, by that time Mr. Jackson has succumbed to his horrible injuries,” they added.“It ...

Police: Loaded firearm found at traffic stop following foot chase in Dorchester

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 18:17:33 GMT

Police: Loaded firearm found at traffic stop following foot chase in Dorchester Two men were arrested in Dorchester following a chase from police and a search that revealed a loaded firearm early Saturday morning, Boston police said.18-year-old Jagher Hawkins of Brockton was arrested after running from police and charged with possession of a firearm, ammunition and resisting arrest. The driver of the vehicle was Alexander Belony, 19, of Holbrook, who was arrested and charged with driving to endanger and failure to stop for a police officer.Around 1:40 a.m. Saturday morning, Officers saw a car turn off its headlights and accelerate through a red light at Walk Hill Street. The car continued driving despite being signaled to stop with sirens, including swerving around traffic at another red light at Blue Hill Avenue. Police stopped the vehicle after the car “blew out the front side tire,” officials said. Hawkins continued on foot but was quickly apprehended. Both suspects are set to be arraigned in Dorchester District Court.

Bill Madden: Subway Series showed just how flawed the Mets and Yankees are this season

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 18:17:33 GMT

Bill Madden: Subway Series showed just how flawed the Mets and Yankees are this season It is a sorry commentary but true: The one undeniable takeaway from the Subway Series was that New York baseball is a potential train wreck. Both the Yankees and Mets showed themselves to be prime examples of mediocrity, with major holes. Their one saving grace is that mediocrity abounds in baseball this season, and that might still allow one or both of them to eventually creep into the postseason.In the Yankees’ case, never was it more obvious they’re a one-man team. With Aaron Judge sidelined indefinitely with his toe injury, there’s no one in the Yankee lineup that scares anyone, and no one has stepped up to provide even a semblance of his missing offensive thunder. As of Saturday, the Yankees were 9-12 in games Judge didn’t play and they’ve pretty much been playing an outfield of retreads in his absence.Giancarlo Stanton, streaky as usual, has yet to get it going this year, slashing .221/.280/.477 going into the weekend. DJ LeMahieu has become a she...