Who's Next? The Athlete Poised to Level Up and Dominate the Next Phase of Their Career
Draymond Green Will Always Be Money
By: Eric Lambkins II
Hailing from Saginaw, Michigan, Draymond Green has gotten out of the mud. With an unconquerable spirit and unquenchable will, Green's tale of grit, audaciousness, and tenacity has primed him for success now and in the immediacy of his post-playing career.
Hate or love him, Green is brash, blunt, unapologetically Black, and uninhibited from speaking his mind. Green has built a hall-of-fame resume on the hardwood through more than skill and will; his calling card has been his tenacity, toughness, and willingness to push boundaries. One to flirt with the razor-thin line between controversy and toughness, Green is an anti-hero to some and an antagonist to others. He has found himself amidst some of basketball's most maligned moments., but that makes him compelling.
His influence during his 12-year career is undeniable. He has been the heart and soul of the surge in the Bay, proving himself instrumental in luring Kevin Durant to the Golden State Warriors, only to play an equal part in driving Durant out. He executed a rear naked choke on Rudy Gobert during an on-court kerfuffle involving Klay Thompson. Teammates have not been spared from Green's ire. He infamously leveled Jordan Poole during practice, sending shockwaves throughout the organization and league.
Draymond's combustibility can fuel or torch an organization. His complex, multi-layered sandpaper persona either smooths or irritates––how you perceive him is left up to you.
As a media lightning rod, his transition into the next generational media darling seems inevitable and predestined. Green has quickly captured media shares as the host of his podcast "The Draymond Green Show" and as a fill-in analyst on TNT's "Inside the NBA." He has quickly shown his penchant for media savvy and separates himself with a brand of authenticity reminiscent of Charles Barkley and Shaquille O'Neal.
In a world where media personalities are bland and overly polished, Green's raw and unfiltered commentary soothes aching ears. Through his authenticity, he captures a rare and genuine connection with his audience in today's media landscape.
His in-depth knowledge of basketball provides him with a unique edge. Years of developing and showcasing his IQ from playing at the highest level have endowed him with a rich and rare perspective on the game, culture, and ecosystem of the NBA.
Green effortlessly dissects complex plays, schemes, and player scouting reports, offering engaging and insightful commentary and analysis. His appetite for explaining the intricacies of basketball with an undeniable presence and charisma in a digestible and captivating way makes him a compelling figure on screen.
With a natural confidence and a way with words that draw people in, whether he's discussing a game or delving into social issues, Green is a must-see TV personality. His delivery is always captivating and essential for any successful media personality
As a frequent post-game interviewee, Green has amassed extensive experience with the media that has honed his communication skills. Hosting his podcast has only deepened his understanding of media dynamics, which has prepared him for a smooth transition into a broader media role.
Draymond knows how to navigate conversations. He frequently creates viral moments, knowing which probing questions and comments are likely to blow and how to keep his audience engaged.
His network within the sports industry is a huge boon. Green frequently draws from relationships with fellow players, coaches, and analysts, providing valuable insights and potential guest appearances that enhance his media projects. These connections and appearances allow him to bring unique and nuanced perspectives to his shows, making his content more decadent and varied.
Yet, Green's brilliance extends beyond the realm of sports. His ability to add cultural relevance enhances his cachet and persona. In an era where athletes and pundits are encouraged to stick to sports, Green frequently boldly tackles broader social issues like social justice, attracting a myriad of perspectives as diverse as an arena on game day. His willingness to speak out on salient issues makes Green more than a mere jock; it has fashioned him into a voice that garners the attention and respect of many.
Green does not shy away from controversy or be anything other than himself. His relentlessness and fearless expression are a testament to his refusal to be anything other than his authentic self. This unbridled commitment to authenticity has driven his success as a player and will all but ensure his success when his career concludes. Draymond has established himself as an equally formidable force within the media landscape as he has been in basketball. He is capable of displaying charisma, which works in his favor. His confidence and ability to deftly articulate his thoughts make him a natural in front of the camera.
The blend of authenticity, expertise, charisma, and experience positions Draymond Green to excel in this inevitable post-playing career as a media darling. He provides a rare combination of his content that is both informative and engaging, which all but ensures that he is a permanent fixture in sports media.
Two New Stars Looking to Become Household Names for NFL Fans
By Mykell Mathieu
The NFL season is nearly upon us!
Teams around the league will start their training camps soon, and some players are looking to break out this season. We always look to the quarterback position for the next guy(s), and I believe we have found them.
In a league where it once took a long time for African American quarterbacks to get opportunities, some of the top players today are Black. We all know Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson with their extraordinary abilities and award-winning ways. But there is always a question of who is next.
The next two breakout quarterbacks are here and their names are Jordan Love and C.J. Stroud.
Green Bay's Jordan Love sat and waited his turn behind future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who is now with the New York Jets, and he didn't disappoint. The former first-round pick led Green Bay back to the playoffs with a 9-8 record and was a bad fourth quarter away from playing in the NFC Championship game versus a Detroit Lions team they blew out on Thanksgiving Day last year.
Love threw for 4,159 yards and was second in the NFL with 32 touchdown passes. In many ways, the young quarterback looks just like his predecessor. He made clutch plays and won big games with a young receiving group that will only improve around him. The Packers also added running back Josh Jacobs from the Raiders, who will look to boost the running game.
The fifth-year quarterback has the weapons and coaching around him to take the next step as a player, and I believe he will. Green Bay has struck gold again with the quarterback position, and after this season, the entire football world will have love for Jordan Love's game.
Then there is Houston Texans' C.J. Stroud, the former quarterback of the Ohio State Buckeyes, who was the second overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Stroud showed everyone last year that he should've gone number one. He led the Texans to a surprising AFC South title and won a playoff game in year one.
He was named the Offensive Rookie of the Year after throwing for 4,108 yards, 23 touchdowns, and only five interceptions.
Fans are starting to see his face all over TV, and he is garnering respect from several people in the NFL, including players, executives, and media members.
If Stroud can perform at or even better than the level he did last year, the Texans may be the top contender in the AFC to compete against the two-time defending champion, Kansas City Chiefs.
The Texans added another weapon for Stroud with veteran wideout Stefon Diggs and veteran running back Joe Mixon to go along with the young talent already on their roster.
Surrounding a young quarterback with proven talent can help them maximize their abilities. This is exactly what the Chiefs did with Mahomes and the Ravens did with Jackson. The Packers and Texans have done exactly what's needed to put their guys in the position to make huge jumps this season, and I believe in them.
So, with your fantasy drafts coming soon, don't you dare overlook Jordan Love or CJ Stroud because they may win you your league and maybe the matchup in this year's Super Bowl.
Chennedy Carter's Journey: From Overlooked Talent to WNBA Rising Star
by Jackie Rae
The WNBA is having its moment. It is the moment when the world can see what long-time fans already know: The athletes in the WNBA are phenomenal. There are obvious generational talents like A'ja Wilson or new rookies like Angel Reese. But as fans, we always look for star power. As journalists, we look for that standout athlete that no one is talking about. That athlete is Chennedy Carter.
Thankfully, the buzz around Chennedy Carter is finally building up. But make no mistake, the talent that people are praising now has always been there. To be fair, one of the reasons her talent has been overlooked is Chennedy Carter.
At Texas A&M, Carter was an exceptional college athlete, earning All-American honors and averaging over 20 points per game in each of her three seasons. In 2020, she went fourth in the draft to the Atlanta Dream and made an immediate impact. Despite injuries, she finished second in Rookie of the Year voting, averaging 17.4 points per game in 16 games.
Carter's freshman high soon became a sophomore low after an elbow injury limited her to 11 games. Once she was back in action, her playing time was limited. While sitting on the sidelines during a game against the Las Vegas Aces, Carter did not engage with her teammates, prompting Courtney Williams, who was having an All-Star season at the time, to ask Carter to step up, engage, and cheer for her teammates. What followed was absolute chaos.
Williams and Carter argued on the sideline. After checking out at the end of the first quarter, Carter did not play in the second quarter and remained in the locker room for the second half. After the game, Carter approached Williams to express her frustration with her playing time and the team's performance against the Aces. When Williams said she wasn't interested in discussing playing time, Carter hinted at wanting to fight.
Sources close to the situation told The Next the incident with Williams was not the first time Carter wanted to fight a teammate. In fact, a similar incident happened the previous season when Carter wanted to fight another teammate during practice.
As a result, Carter was suspended indefinitely for "conduct detrimental to the team" and didn't play for the Dream for the remainder of the season. Instead, in 2022, the Dream traded Carter to the Los Angeles Sparks. It seemed like a fresh start would result in WNBA fans seeing a different Chennedy Carter. While playing overseas, Carter spoke with the media in Los Angeles. On the call, she expressed her excitement about returning to the court.
"The last year for me has kind of been difficult, a little bit depressing, just because the game of basketball [was] obviously taken away from me. But I also got a lot of time to find out different things about myself. Spend a lot more time with my family, do a lot more traveling and also just work on my game. I was able to better my game and grow as an individual."
It sounded good, but Los Angeles did not turn out to be the best fit for Carter. From injuries to mental health issues, the Chennedy Carter era was a sporadic and emotional saga.
At one point in the season, Carter posted the five signs of depression to her Instagram story right before a game. Although she was on the floor during the shoot-around, she was escorted to the locker room before tip-off and did not play.
Speaking with Carter, she said the post was more about her difficulties adjusting to a new team and her time in Los Angeles. She also keyed in on a specific point: She needed someone she could lean on to feel accepted and receive guidance when necessary. For Carter, that person was Liz Cambage, who abruptly walked away from the Sparks late in the 2022 season, likely leaving Carter to once again feel like she was on her own.
"Liz is more than just a vet to me. I looked at her like a sister," says Carter. "We had close talks. Talks that I probably never told any teammate. I told her about family issues. I really let her in and, you know, I appreciate that she took me under her wing and she encouraged me no matter what the situation was. And, she gave me a fair chance."
Perhaps things with the Sparks would have ended better for Carter if Cambage had finished out the season. Instead, the team waived her. Since she was not picked up during the 2023 season, the Sparks had to pay her $86,701 protected salary.
Writing off Chennedy Carter after the 2022 season would have been easy. Since being drafted in 2020, Carter had more behind-the-scenes issues than she had an impact on the court. Still, if a team needs a fighter on the floor who can score and play both sides of the ball, you have to wonder if it's worth giving Chennedy Carter a chance. Chicago Sky head coach Teresa Weatherspoon took that chance. Not only has the reward far exceeded the risk, but Carter seems to have finally found her home.
Speaking with Carter, it's evident that she wants to be seen as a valuable player with immense talent who can be an asset to the team. Weatherspoon clearly sees her that way. Speaking with WGN9 Chicago, Weatherspoon said, "The one thing about Chennedy – and I actually spoke to her about this yesterday – is she is coachable. That's why you see what you see. I coach her extremely hard because I can. She responds. She responds to it because she knows I'm not asking her to do something that she can't do. This is a guard that can do anything. She does whatever she wants to out there, and it's hard to stop it. I coach her hard because I want nothing but greatness from her every night."
The way Chennedy Carter has responded to coach Weatherspoon, rookie sensation Angel Reese, and the rest of the Chicago Sky coaching staff and teammates is nothing short of beautiful. The narrative that she is difficult has begun to fade. There is no evidence to substantiate rumors that she is toxic in the locker room.
Instead, Carter is leading the Sky in points per game with 17.2. Carter and Reese have been seen on the sidelines having intense conversations that always end in a hug. While she is playing in her third season in the league it's evident that Carter didn't need a charismatic yet problematic veteran leader like Liz Cambage. She needed a natural-born leader like Angle Reese and a coach who pours out just as much love as she shouts basketball schemes.
We often underestimate the value of having not just chemistry with teammates but a genuine bond that can survive the lowest of lows in an effort to build to the highest of highs.
Chennedy Carter has the athleticism, basketball IQ, and work ethic to be an All-Star multiple times over. Now that she has found her home, the WNBA should get used to saying the name Chennedy Carter!