SPORTS SAVVY MAGAZINE issue 2

SPORTS SAVVY MAGAZINE

EARN WHILE YOU LEARN

PAGE 4 Who the number 1 NBA Draft Pick

Page 10 The Myth has been Dispelled

Page 18 Rest in Peace to Gus Williams

Page 25 Black History Sports Legends

Ace Bailey, Cooper Flagg, and Dylan Harper are regarded as three of the top prospects for the 2025 NBA Draft.

Although Cooper Flagg is anticipated to be the top overall selection, I will hold off on making any conclusions until I see which NBA team secures the first overall pick.

The three teams with the worst records in the NBA right now are the Washington Wizards, Charlotte Hornets, and New Orleans Pelicans.

While finishing with the worst record doesn't guarantee the top draft pick, for the purpose of this article, let’s assume this is the draft order.

Washington Wizards

Ace Bailey would thrive with the Wizards, thanks to his talent for generating scoring opportunities for himself. On the other hand, Cooper Flagg may face challenges in Washington, as the team struggles with scoring overall and lacks the playmaker necessary to ease Cooper's situation.

Moreover, the culture in Washington is so poor that I question whether, if they were to draft Dylan Harper, the current roster would allow this young talent to take the lead.

However, If the Charlotte Hornets choose Cooper Flagg as their top pick, he will join forces with LaMelo Ball. This combination would enable Flagg to thrive in both the post and perimeter, while also securing rebounds and taking advantage of fast break opportunities.

Lastly, if I were the Pelicans, I would select Dylan Harper with the first overall pick, assuming they not getting rid of Zion Williamson.

Yes I know New Orleans have CJ McCollum, Jose Alvarado and Dejounte Murray. But if I’m New Orleans one or more of these guys would have to go to make room for Dylan Harper.

The Myth Has Been Dispelled

The myth that the NFL quarterback position is exclusively suited for white players has proven to be a fallacy. Historically, Black quarterbacks have frequently been pressured to switch positions due to enduring propaganda and stereotypes regarding their leadership abilities and intelligence.

Despite misconceptions, Black NFL quarterbacks have demonstrated their ability to lead teams to championships. A notable example is the Super Bowl matchup between Patrick Mahomes (biracial) and Jalen Hurts, who are facing each other for the second time in three years.

Patrick Mahomes could make history by winning three consecutive NFL Championships. He would become the first quarterback to do so. With three NFL MVP awards under his belt, another title would place him in the conversation with Tom Brady as one of the greatest of all time.

Jalen Hurts led the Eagles from a 2–2 start to a 12–2 record, marking their first 10-game winning streak and securing a playoff spot. He initially had six touchdowns and seven turnovers, but after the bye week, he improved significantly with 26 touchdowns and only three turnovers.

touchdowns without any turnovers in the NFC Championship, advancing the Eagles to Super Bowl LIX.

Mahomes has the chance to make history by leading an NFL team to three consecutive Super Bowl victories. Lamar Jackson, a former Heisman Trophy winner, resisted pressure to switch to running back during the NFL draft combine and remained dedicated to playing quarterback, achieving notable success with two NFL MVP awards. Since joining the league in 2018, the Ravens have reached the playoffs each year. In eight playoff games, Jackson has a 60.6% completion rate, with 1,753 passing yards, 10 touchdowns, 7 interceptions, and 641 rushing yards with 3 touchdowns.

Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels became the starting quarterback for the Commanders after training camp. He scored two touchdowns in his debut, securing his first NFL win the following week. In September, he set the NFL rookie record for completion percentage (91.3%) against the Bengals and was named Offensive Rookie of the Month for achieving the highest pass percentage (82.1%) over a four-game stretch in NFL history.

Gus Williams was born on October 10, 1953, in Mount Vernon, New York. He graduated from Mount Vernon High School, where he was named Player of the Year in 1971. Gus then played college basketball at USC before being selected in the second round by the Golden State Warriors and in the first round by the ABA's Spirit of St. Louis.

Gus played two seasons with the Warriors before signing with the Seattle Supersonics.

While in Settle Gus was a two-time All-Star and was selected to the NBA All First Team. Williams helped the Sonics win their only NBA Championship as he averaged 28.6 in the 1979 finals.

During his career, Williams missed the 1980–81 season due to a contract dispute but returned in 1981–82, winning the NBA Comeback Player of the Year with an average of 23.4 points per game. He played two additional seasons with the Seattle SuperSonics before being traded to Washington, averaging 17.1 points over 12 years. His No. 1 jersey was retired by the SuperSonics in 2004 and by USC in 2016 for his contributions.

In 2004, the Seattle Super Sonics honored Williams by retiring his No. 1 jersey. Later, in 2016, USC followed suit by also retiring his jersey.

In February 2020, Williams suffered a stroke and later moved to an assisted living facility in the Baltimore area. He sadly passed away from complications on January 15, 2025, at the age of 71.