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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Tyrese Haliburton and becoming one in a million — Andscape

Published

6 months ago

June 18, 2025

OKLAHOMA CITY — Vaughan Alexander makes no bones about how wonderful he’s felt about watching his oldest son, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, living his dream. Indeed, living an entire family’s dream.

His 26-year-old son is the All-Star guard for the Oklahoma City Thunder, the NBA Most Valuable Player and has the Thunder one game away from winning the franchise’s first NBA championship.

What’s not to love? Life is good.

“This is going to be a year that is going down in the books,” Vaughn Alexander said during a recent conversation with Andscape.

As long as I’ve covered sports and watched young people and their parents, what has fascinated me more than anything is the one-in-a-million phenomenon. Out of tens of thousands of aspiring basketball players around the world, how does a player who grows up in Canada — like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, for example — find his way through the youth sports maze, the high school gauntlet, receive a college scholarship, find his way to the NBA, becomes a league MVP and put himself on the verge of winning an NBA championship?

How did he beat the odds? How much is talent? How much is drive?

“It’s more drive,” Vaughan said. “It’s more mental, it’s more who you are, its more discipline. There are so many talented people out there. You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t force them to drink. They just won’t take the teaching you give them. It’s more about making that kid be a receptive, principled, respectful-minded person; they’ll probably listen to their teachers, they’ll listen to other elders besides you.

“Who wants to be that one who does what people don’t want to do? It’s hard work, it’s not easy. You’re going to have to do some stuff that most people don’t want to do. If you’re comfortable in your own skin, and comfortable with saying, ‘I’m not going to parties, I’m not going to do this, I’m not going to do that.’ That’s one way to get yourself in that elite space.”

Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (left) handles the ball while Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (right) plays defense in Game 5 of the NBA Finals on June 16 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City,.

Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images

How do you become that one in a million?

I suppose you can ask the same question about anyone in any profession who has achieved success. There is something admirable and challenging about climbing the pyramid, especially in the bloodsports of basketball and football. Black athletes often, not always, have to traverse a minefield of a less-than-ideal environment and the lack of family wealth and connections.

“It’s more about being that sponge, being humble, understanding that you’re a kid and you don’t know anything,” Vaughan said. “Kids today know everything. I’d say eight out of 10 think they know everything because of social media.

“Be that two out of 400, be that kid who’s really humble, realizing, ‘I got to listen, ask a lot of questions.’ See the people who are doing the things you want to do and be around them.”

Vaughn and his former wife, Charmaine Gilgeous, were born in Antigua. Charmaine participated in the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona. Vaughn played high school basketball in Toronto, Canada. In addition to Shai, Vaughan and Charmaine’s youngest son also plays college basketball.

What advice does Alexander give parents as they put their children in the youth sports cauldron. Most simply want their children to have a good experience. Many want their kids to become pros.

He encourages parents to have their children embrace the qualities that make them different rather than aspiring to fit in with the crowd. Most of all, he advises parents to develop an unshakeable sense of self in their children.

They’ll need it.

“Sometimes you’ll see your kid moving around and you’ll say, ‘Hey, chill. Who do you think you are?’ But you’d rather that than under-confidence, not being confident in yourself. It’s hard to build that back up.”

Long Island Sharks head coach Rod Strickland watches during the first half against the Ole Miss Rebels at The Sandy and John Black Pavilion on Nov. 4, 2024.

Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

My frame of reference for the one-in-a-million question is Bronx-born Rod Strickland, the former point guard who enjoyed an All-America college career at DePaul and a 13-year NBA career. Strickland is currently the head men’s basketball coach at Long Island University.

You never know where young people you’re involved with will end up. For the last 25 years, I’ve run a sports and recreation program at the Church of the Intercession in Harlem. A number of years ago, when Strickland was with the Washington Wizards, I happened to mention the program.

His eyes lit up. He said that when he was 10, Intercession was where he played in youth basketball tournaments at halftime of the older kids’ games. I’m sure back then if we asked the kids on his team how many of them wanted to play in the NBA, everyone would have raised their hands. Then the adults in the room would recite the familiar refrain about how nearly impossible it is to become that one in a million who reaches the league.

After Strickland told me he was one of the 10-year-olds in the gym, I changed my perspective from lecturing about the insurmountable odds of being that one in a million to preaching that somebody has to be that one in a million and it might as well be you.

The question then becomes how do you get to be one of those needles in a haystack? How do you get to be that one in a million?

Fact is, no one thought Strickland would be the one. After Strickland reached college, one of his early mentors told him there were other 10-year-olds who were favored.

“He was like, ‘Back then, there were other people that they might’ve thought was the one,’ ” Strickland recalled during a recent phone conversation. ” ‘Nobody thought you were the one at that time.’ At 10 years old, I probably was one of the better kids, but then at some point between 10 and 15, I might’ve dropped off a little bit and had to recover.”

Strickland, 58, said the difference between his journey and more recent generations is that his aspirations were different.

“I think now, everybody thinks they’re going to be a pro, like it’s automatic,” he said. “I didn’t think I was going to be a pro. I admired guys; I wanted to be like Magic [Johnson] and pass, I wanted to be like Dr. [Julius Erving] with the layups. I wanted to be George Gervin with the finger rolls. I had all these idols, I had this vision, I had a creative mind and I wanted to be something, but I never knew what I was. I kept trying to attain the goal of being good and then getting better and then being able to compete against people, so there were steps to it.”

Because he always played against older competition, Strickland said he spent most of his early life trying to prove himself — in junior high and even college.

“There was never a time where I just thought I was a pro,” he said.

Then there was a game against Georgetown when he was a freshman at DePaul when he made one of his patented drives, showing the ball then going to his other hand to finish. The late Al McGuire, who was broadcasting the game exclaimed, ‘A star is born.’ At that point, Strickland felt he had a chance.

“So, for me, being that one in a million was a journey,” Strickland said. “I was just trying to figure myself out.”

Rod Strickland of the New York Knicks shoots a jump shot against the Dallas Mavericks at Reunion Arena in Dallas in 1987.

Joe Patronite/Getty Images

Before getting the LIU head coaching job, Strickland spent several years as an assistant coach where he worked in the youth basketball space.

Many young players never had to go through a journey. Some received too much too soon.

“There’s a lot of kids who are the chosen ones, but they are the outliers,” he said. “There’s these other kids who everybody puts in play to be the next pro. Sometimes they don’t make it because you’re telling them they’re there already, so they don’t get to go through the journey. It’s almost like you already know.

“I never knew until I knew.”

The secret to being that one in a million is a combination of confidence and humility; resilience and defiance.

“People can throw you off so easily, you have got to have some ‘F-you’ in you,” Strickland said.

I began covering Strickland when he was at Truman High School in the Bronx. As a junior, he led Truman to the New York State High School Championship. Strickland transferred to Oak Hill Academy (Va.) for his senior year, then went to DePaul University where he was a first-team All-American as a junior.

Strickland was drafted in the first round (19th overall) by the New York Knicks in the 1988 NBA draft and played 13 NBA seasons. He knew how to play the point guard position. He understood at an early age that the essence of the position was giving, sharing and putting teammates in a position to be successful.

“You have to be talented, but you have to be self-aware, you have to know how to make others feel good,” Strickland said.

That’s what impresses him about Gilgeous-Alexander and Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton. They are star players—one in a million—who made the journey by making their teammates better.

Gilgeous-Alexander has created space that’s allowed a teammate like Jalen Williams to break out and become a star. Haliburton, while not a prolific scorer like Gilgeous-Alexander, knows how to put his teammates in position to be successful.

“All you got to do is listen to them talk,” Strickland said. “Their sophistication and their maturity and their thought process of the game and their teammates. You got two unselfish dudes, and they play differently. Shai is scoring that ball. You could see how his teammates love him and how he embraces them and all that.

“And then you watch Tyrese play in the way he plays; he’s about everybody else. But they’re mature, articulate, they have creative minds and their thought process is just different.”

Before I ended the conversation with Vaughan Alexander, I wondered how he has maintained the father-son relationship with a son who is not only well known but wealthy. He admires his son, admits that he enjoys being in the limelight, but he is not his son’s employee or a groupie along for the ride.

“The upbringing, the product of his environment, it just doesn’t change because he’s got hair on his chest,” he said. “I’m still going to give you advice, whether you want to take in or not. They can tune me out, I’m going to tell them the right thing. That’s just how you’ve got to move with your kid.

“You’ve got to deal with them like men from early on. When they become men, you let them go do their own thing, make their own decisions. But at the end of the day, I’ll always be his father.”

There are myriad formulas for a young athlete to become that discovered needle in a haystack. Vaughan Alexander and Charmaine Gilgeous had a formula for Shai and it has worked fabulously.

The formula is rooted in a tenacious belief in possibility. Someone has to be that on in a million. It might as well be you.

William C. Rhoden is a columnist for Andscape and the author of Forty Million Dollar Slaves: The Rise, Fall, and Redemption of the Black Athlete. He directs the Rhoden Fellows, a training program for aspiring journalists from HBCUs.

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A Cade Christmas: Cunningham gives back to Detroit youth

Published

10 minutes ago

December 9, 2025

Your Sports Nation

After winning back-to-back games on Friday and Saturday, Pistons guard Cade Cunningham spent his Sunday giving back to his community.

“This is special,” said Cunningham. “This is the cool part about doing what I get to do.”

Cunningham hosted “A Cade Christmas” in Detroit, providing holiday support, including a fully catered meal, brand new bicycles for every child, free gift-wrapping stations, along with grocery and gas cards for parents.

“You know, being in their shoes at one point, I always appreciated when people came back to talk to me or just getting to see people that I looked up to or admired,” said Cunningham.

“They don’t get to experience this,” attendee Kalaundra Hall said. “How often do they get to meet an NBA athlete? How often do they get to come out into the community? Some kids might not even be experiencing a Christmas, but they got to come here and get some things.”

Cade says that giving back to his community is something that has always been a priority.

“As a kid, I thought like once I make it one day, that is something I would love to do, so to be in those shoes now and to be real is still surreal,” said Cunningham. “Through the ups and downs, I’ve always had so much support being in Detroit. So being able to give back and support neighborhoods and communities around here means a lot.”

The kids seemed excited to interact with Cade and many showed their support by wearing his jersey.

“I think seeing them wear my jersey is some of the coolest things I could see,” said Cunningham.

The event was hosted in partnership with Give Merit, a Detroit-based youth organization that provides educational access and mentorship to underserved students.

“I think it’s super important for our students in the community to see someone who looks like them,” said Hall. “To see someone who can identify with them giving back. They need to see that. This month, we’re talking about generosity so to have these kids understand what that is, is amazing.”

“I’ve been able to make money playing the game that I love and so to be able to put some of that back into helping some of the communities that support me, it’s special,” Cunningham said. “So, I’m going to keep on doing that as long as I can play.”

Cade and the Pistons return to the court on Friday when Detroit hosts Atlanta at 7:00 pm.

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Why the Texas Sport for Healing Fund Should Return – The Daily Texan

Published

18 minutes ago

December 9, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Texas Sport for Healing Fund was a charitable endeavour set up this year. Raising money for flood devastation, the scheme could be a permanent fixture of the state’s charity calendar.

The state of Texas has had a tough year, with floods causing chaos and ruining lives over the summer. Yet it was also a time when the state came together, and sport was at the forefront of this. The Texas Sport for Healing Fund embodied this ethos, raising money to help those impacted. But should this be a regular occurrence, and can sport be utilised for even more good in the area?

The Texas Sport for Healing Fund

This July, after the devastating floods that engulfed central Texas, an initiative known as the ‘Texas Sport for Healing Fund’ was put in place. This saw around 40 national and local sports teams come together to raise money for relief efforts. This was done through a charity auction, packed with interesting and unique items of sports memorabilia.

The items on offer were donated by a range of teams and individuals, with 80 players and squads represented. In total, 150 items were up for grabs. Running until the 8th of August, all proceeds from the auction went to support immediate relief efforts and the long-term recovery of the sport.

The Popularity of Sport in Texas

The popularity of this auction was unprecedented. Sport has always been huge in the US, with a range of activities from football to baseball and basketball being popular. In recent years, this growth has reached even further, and has been due to numerous factors. These have included the dawn of the streaming era, which has made it easier to watch games and engage with teams and players. In addition, the growth of sports betting online has been legalized in many states, adding an extra layer of excitement to game day for many players.

Missouri has been the latest state to change its laws regarding online betting, and it already has licenses lined up for some of the best global brands. Amongst them is Bet365, which is using a new user promo at Bet365 Missouri to attract new customers. This is a great introduction to the holiday season schedule, letting people place bets on the NBA and prepare for the Super Bowl.

Items That Were Sold

The range of prizes on offer ran the whole gamut. At the top end, sat some very high ticket prices. A VIP Formula One United States Grand Prix package was available with a starting bid of $50,000.

There were also much smaller game packages available for a wide range of sports, and some of the most popular were autographed pieces of memorabilia. A Dirk Nowitzki jersey, signed by the former German player who now works for the Dallas Mavericks, managed to fetch $2,200. A Mikko Rantanen Autographed Dallas Stars Jersey managed to bring in $5,150.

Even in the lower price range, there were items for everyone. Soccer fans could have picked up a signed Houston Dynamo match ball for $350, with autographed photos going for between $100 and $150.

Why Sport for Healing Should Continue

In the end, Texas Sport for Healing raised over $6.3 million in profit. Yet this unique event was only set up to help the floods, in an isolated occurrence. But why couldn’t it do this yearly?

Texas, with its love of sports, has many sports-based charities that would benefit highly from this type of endeavour. Take Atlas Adaptive Sports. This non-profit organisation, based in Round Rock, is dedicated to providing opportunities for those with disabilities. It does this through adaptive sports and recreational activities. Funding of this nature would help them provide STEM activities, along with fun and interactive learning programmes.

Another Texas charity is Every Kid Sports. They pay youth sports registration fees for low-income qualifying families, allowing access to sport for those who would not normally be able to afford it. They believe kids are missing out simply because of the cost. They work in Texas and across the US and have so far provided $21 million to families, with access for over 182,000 children.

One of the biggest has to be the Sports Authority Foundation. This is a Houston-based organisation that holds numerous events, with its crowning glory being the Olympic and Paralympic days. This gets actual athletes who have competed to teach and train over 250 children. Sports taught include basketball, tennis, track and field, taekwondo, and more.

By holding these charity auctions, more could be ploughed into youth and adult sports alike. In fact, it does not have to stop at sport. This money could be used for a range of charitable causes. The real golden nugget from his is that it costs very little: Sports organisations lose nothing in donating match-worn and signed shirts or memorabilia, and turning them into money, which can build the future of Texas sports.

Promoted content by Bet365 Missouri.

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Boys’ Varsity Basketball Honors Coach Darrell Sumpter, Defeats Sachem North

Published

26 minutes ago

December 9, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Boys’ Varsity Basketball Hosts Memorial Game for Coach Darrell Sumpter — The William Floyd Colonials varsity basketball team stands during the pre-game tribute to Coach Darrell Sumpter. Click to view additional photos.

The William Floyd High School boys’ varsity basketball team, led by head coach Will Slinkosky, recently hosted their first annual Coach Darrell Sumpter Memorial Game in a matchup against Sachem North. Coach Sumpter was a beloved varsity assistant coach who tragically passed away last year at the age of 51. Coach D, as he was affectionately known, had a deep passion for the game of basketball and a love for the kids of the community, having served as a mentor and coach for both the boys’ and girls’ basketball programs. He also played an integral role in the creation of the community’s youth basketball program and basketball booster club.

As a tribute to Coach D, the Colonials left an empty seat on the bench adorned with a memorial t-shirt, a clipboard and a pack of Mamba candy that he often gave to players as a reward. Before the starting lineups were introduced, public address announcer Michael Feldstein shared a heartfelt tribute that celebrated Coach D’s life and legacy, followed by a moment of silence.

Please see below to view the pre-game tribute.

The Colonials, who played their hearts out for Coach D, defeated Sachem North 63-51 to earn their first win of the young season. In the game, the first quarter was a back-and-forth affair that ended with a buzzer beating three-pointer from senior Sharod Sutton, putting the Colonials up 17-14. The green and white never looked back after that, outscoring Sachem North 20-5 in the second quarter to take a 37-19 halftime lead, and opening up a 27-point lead by the end of the third quarter.

Senior Sharod Sutton attempts a three-point basket in the Colonials’ 63-51 victory over Sachem North in the Coach Darrell Sumpter Memorial Game. Click the image above for additional photos!

photo of empty seat with t-shirt on it with Coach D's face and the words "Gone but not forgotten" — An empty chair was left in honor of Coach D (Newsday photo). Click to view more photos.

Seniors Jesse Durham and JJ Smith led the Colonials in scoring with 12 points apiece, while Sharod Sutton added nine points on three baskets from behind the arc. Sharod spoke to Newsday after the game to talk about Coach Sumpter, whom he described as a father figure. “I felt like his presence was there the way we were playing and moving the ball,” said Sharod. “I just know he was watching.”

Between the pre-game ceremony, the convincing win and the presence of friends and family cheering the team on, this was a fitting tribute to honor Coach D.

The Colonials next game is scheduled for Tuesday, December 9, as they host Longwood at 4 pm.

Please click here for rules and regulation for attending indoor sports games.

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Kids, Inc., Toot’n Totum launch ‘Change for Better’ campaign for Rockrose Sports Park

Published

34 minutes ago

December 9, 2025

Your Sports Nation

AMARILLO, Texas (KFDA) – Kids, Incorporated has announced that Toot’n Totum will host a Change for Better campaign from Dec. 8 through Dec. 21, with all proceeds benefiting Kids, Inc. and the development of Rockrose Sports Park.

This year’s campaign adds a new option for giving: Customers can now round up at the pump, in addition to rounding up at the register inside any Toot’n Totum location.

The partnership comes as both organizations celebrate milestone anniversaries. Kids, Inc. marks 80 years of serving youth and families in the Amarillo area, while Toot’n Totum celebrates 75 years of service to the community.

“Toot’n Totum believes in investing in the communities that have supported us for 75 years,” said John Lutz, vice president of fuel and marketing. “Kids, Inc. has shaped countless young lives in our region, and we’re proud to stand with them as they build Rockrose Sports Park. When our guests choose to round up—whether inside the store or at the pump—they’re helping create opportunities that will benefit families for generations.”

“Two longtime Amarillo institutions—each with decades of commitment to our region’s growth—are coming together to invest in the next generation,” Haley Bell, vice president for development. “We are grateful for Toot’n Totum’s transformational support and for every customer who chooses to round up. Change truly adds up, and together, we’re building something lasting for our community.”

Funds raised through the Change for Better campaign will support ongoing development of Rockrose Sports Park, Kids, Inc.’s new multi-sport complex.

The park broke ground Oct. 7, and construction is underway. Drivers along I-27 can already see early progress at the site.

Kids, Inc. is encouraging the community to participate by visiting their local Toot’n Totum and rounding up their purchase—either inside the store or, for the first time, at the pump.

For more information about Rockrose Sports Park, click here.

Rockrose Sports Park is planned as a premier hub for Kids, Inc. sports and regional tournaments, with facilities for baseball, softball, soccer, flag and tackle football and more. The complex is expected to enhance youth sports experiences and boost the local economy by attracting teams and visitors to Amarillo.

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City in the Community Collaborates with NYU on AI Programming Course for Young Leaders

Published

2 hours ago

December 9, 2025

Your Sports Nation

This summer, City in the Community (CITC) partnered with New York University (NYU) to deliver a free, three-week Artificial Intelligence (AI) course designed to equip young leaders, aged 16-23, with the tools to use technology for social good. Hosted at NYU and facilitated by faculty from the NYU School of Professional Studies and the NYU Tisch Institute for Global Sport, the program marks the fourth year of collaboration between CITC and NYU in creating college and career pathways for high school youth.

Participants from CITC’s weekend programs, including the citywide Saturday Night Lights initiative, explored how AI can be applied to sport, community development, and entrepreneurship. Students worked in small teams to design AI-powered solutions that expand access, inclusion, and innovation across their neighborhoods.

Guided by NYU Adjunct Professor Herbert Hill, along with CITC staff Jack Jacobs and Joe Sullivan, young leaders gained hands-on experience in sports technology, applied AI, machine learning, and creative problem-solving. Their work blended academic exploration with CITC’s mission to empower youth through sport, education, and emerging technology.

“In most large organizations, programs like this can feel like a surface-level initiative, but New York City FC was fully present and supportive every step of the way,” said Herbert Hill, Adjunct Professor, NYU Tisch Institute for Global Sport. “Their commitment helped our students feel heard, valued, and confident, knowing that no dream or idea is too big. This class also showed them how AI can be used in meaningful ways, not only in sports but in their everyday lives to improve their schools and strengthen their communities.”

The initiative reflects CITC’s broader effort to create equitable pathways into STEM fields for young New Yorkers from diverse backgrounds. It also advances CITC’s vision to integrate sport, innovation, and technology to strengthen health, leadership, and opportunity across the city.

“We are deeply grateful to NYU and the Department of Youth & Community Development for their continued partnership and support in making this work possible,” said Bailee Eaglin, Director of Community Development, City in the Community and New York City FC. “This program reinforces how powerful it is when young people gain real access to emerging technology and the space to explore what it can mean for their futures. We are excited about what this creates for the years ahead and look forward to growing our role in this space across our city and our Club.”

At the program’s conclusion, participants presented final projects to NYU faculty, CITC mentors, and community partners, showcasing ideas that will guide future programming and inspire the next generation of innovation in sport and technology.

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