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Maryland basketball legend Steve Blake was obviously happy when it was announced that his son, Nick, committed to the Terrapins. On Tuesday, the announcement of Nick's commitment made waves on social media, as Maryland fans were excited to learn that the son of a national champion was on his way to College Park.

As a senior at Olympia High School in Orlando, Blake averaged 10.6 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.3 assists. He was originally committed to play for Scranton University, but the opportunity to follow in his father's footsteps was too good to pass up.

Shortly after the announcement, Steve took to Twitter/X to share his excitement.

"Really excited for Nick to go to Maryland and experience what it’s like to be Terp! They’re getting a great young man who will do whatever it takes to help his team win. Big thank you to Coach Buzz and his staff for making this a reality! Go Terps!"

Steve Blake became a Maryland legend during his time with the Terrapins from 1999-2003. In addition to becoming the all-time assist leader in program history, Blake also became the first NCAA player to record 1,000 points, 800 assists, 400 rebounds, and 200 steals. But beyond the personal accomplishments, Blake is best known as a member of the 2002 Maryland National Championship team.

With his son now off to College Park, Maryland fans can't help but feel good about another Blake wearing a Terrapin uniform.

This article first appeared on Maryland Terrapins on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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Maria Guardiola’s Summer Bikini Photos Have Fans Losing Their Minds (And We Get It)
Soccer

Maria Guardiola’s Summer Bikini Photos Have Fans Losing Their Minds (And We Get It)

Well, well, well. It seems like being Pep Guardiola’s daughter comes with its own set of perks – including the ability to break the internet with a simple Instagram post. Maria Guardiola, the 24-year-old content creator and daughter of Manchester City’s tactical mastermind, recently blessed her 907,000 followers with a summer recap that had fans practically worshipping at their phone screens. Guardiola’s Daughter Serves Summer Looks That Put Influencers to Shame Let’s be honest here – while Pep Guardiola is busy orchestrating beautiful football on the pitch, his daughter Maria is orchestrating something entirely different on social media. Her recent Instagram post, captioned with the surprisingly modest “Summer wrapping up,” was anything but modest in terms of impact. The photo dump (because that’s what we’re calling these strategic social media moves now) featured Maria living her best life in ways that would make any 24-year-old jealous. Bikini shots by the pool? Check. Dreamy restaurant visits that probably cost more than most people’s monthly salary? Double check. The kind of effortless glamour that makes you question your own life choices? Triple check. What’s particularly amusing is how Maria has managed to carve out her own empire while her father is out there making grown men cry over football tactics. She’s not just riding on daddy’s coattails – she’s built a legitimate following that hangs onto her every post like it’s the latest transfer news from the Etihad. The Internet Goes Full Meltdown Mode Over Bikini Shots The comment section on Maria’s post read like a love letter convention gone wild. Fans were throwing around words like “angel,” “gorgeous,” and “stunning” with the kind of enthusiasm usually reserved for last-minute Champions League goals. One particularly creative fan simply commented “Angel,” which, let’s face it, probably took them a solid five minutes to come up with. But here’s what’s genuinely fascinating – Maria has somehow managed to accumulate nearly a million followers without relying on the typical influencer playbook of manufactured drama and controversial takes. Instead, she’s built her brand on lifestyle content, fashion moments, and the occasional glimpse into the Guardiola family dynamics that most football fans would kill to witness. Guardiola’s Family Life Gets the Social Media Treatment What makes Maria’s content particularly interesting is how she occasionally offers glimpses into life with one of football’s most intense managers. Earlier this summer, she and Pep were caught on camera absolutely belting out Oasis classics at a concert in Manchester’s Heaton Park. Watching Guardiola, the man who probably analyzes his breakfast cereal arrangement, letting loose to “Wonderwall” was the kind of humanizing moment that reminds us these football icons are actual people. The fact that Maria conveniently left out any reference to the Oasis concert in her summer recap is almost too perfect. Because nothing says “curated content” like strategically omitting the moment your tactical genius father transforms into a middle-aged man singing along to Britpop anthems. The Content Creator Empire Built on Authentic Glamour Born on December 28, 2000, in Spain, Maria now calls London home – which explains the effortlessly chic European aesthetic that permeates her content. She’s the eldest of Guardiola’s three children with businesswoman Cristina Serra, and watching her navigate the intersection of football royalty and social media stardom has been genuinely entertaining. Unlike many celebrity offspring who seem to stumble through their public personas, Maria appears to have found her groove in the content creation world. Her posts strike that perfect balance between aspirational lifestyle content and relatable moments that keep her audience engaged without feeling completely disconnected from reality. Why Maria’s Success Makes Perfect Sense Here’s the thing about Maria Guardiola’s social media success – it’s not accidental. While her father revolutionized football tactics, she’s quietly revolutionizing how celebrity children can build their own brands without constantly referencing their famous parents. Sure, being Pep’s daughter opened doors, but keeping 907,000 people interested enough to call you an “angel” over bikini photos requires its own set of skills. The irony isn’t lost on anyone that while Pep Guardiola spends his days obsessing over every tactical detail, his daughter has mastered the art of making everything look effortlessly perfect. Those summer photos didn’t just happen – they were curated with the same attention to detail that Guardiola brings to his team formations. In a world where social media success often feels manufactured and desperate, Maria’s approach feels refreshingly authentic. She’s not trying to be controversial or edgy; she’s simply sharing moments from a life that happens to be significantly more glamorous than most people’s reality. So while football fans continue to debate Guardiola’s latest tactical innovations, his daughter continues building her own empire, one perfectly curated Instagram post at a time. And honestly? Good for her.

Limited Details Emerge On Naomi’s Canceled Match On WWE Raw
Wrestling

Limited Details Emerge On Naomi’s Canceled Match On WWE Raw

Why was Naomi held out of action on this week’s WWE Raw? It was another action-packed show for the red brand, but one previously advertised match that didn’t take place was the Women’s World Championship showdown. Naomi was set to defend the title against former champion IYO SKY, but WWE announced on social media that Naomi had not been cleared to compete. Instead, Sky lost to Roxanne Perez in singles action, which eventually led to a frustrating backstage exchange between Sky and former Damage CTRL partners Asuka and Kairi Sane after they tried to interfere to help her. But the question is, what was the reason for the switch? According to Fightful Select, details regarding Naomi being out of action were kept “very quiet” backstage on Raw, and that talent “didn’t even know what happened” with her for WWE to pull the match. However, the report states that Naomi was still backstage at the show, despite not appearing on screen. WWE sources were also reportedly happy with the replacement match between SKY and Perez. When Will Naomi Return? Naomi is currently scheduled to defend the Women’s World Championship against Stephanie Vaquer on August 31 at Clash in Paris. Vaquer won the opportunity by scoring the win in the 20-Woman Evolution Battle Royal last month. That show also featured Naomi’s surprise cash-in during the SKY vs. Rhea Ripley match to win the title. Will the Vaquer vs. Naomi match still happen? Vaquer did interact with SKY on Raw, where she stated that SKY wasn’t the only person who was promised a title match. It was a vague line, but it did tease the possibility that Vaquer may not be getting her match in the near future. Naomi last wrestled at SummerSlam Sunday on August 3, where she defeated SKY and Ripley in a Triple Threat Match to retain the title. WWE has yet to announce an official update on her status. Also advertised for Clash in Paris is John Cena vs. Logan Paul, and Seth Rollins defending the World Heavyweight Championship against CM Punk, LA Knight and Jey Uso in a Fatal 4-Way Match. The Latest in WWE, AEW, More Karrion Kross Reveals Why WWE Contract Negotiations Fell Apart Sylvester Stallone Comments On The Death Of Hulk Hogan WWE Referee Charles Robinson Hospitalized After Being Bitten By Bat Vince McMahon Addresses Hulk Hogan's Character, Decision To Bring Him Back To WWE

Cowboys fans won't like Jerry Jones' update on Micah Parsons standoff
NFL

Cowboys fans won't like Jerry Jones' update on Micah Parsons standoff

With the regular season approaching, the Dallas Cowboys should be aiming to extend EDGE Micah Parsons promptly. But they're still in no rush to do that. Parsons is set to play on the fifth-year option of his rookie contract in 2025 and has requested a trade. Dallas insists it has no plans to move the 26-year-old pass-rusher but hasn't clarified when it will extend him. Giving him a new deal before the regular-season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sept. 4 at 8:20 p.m. ET (NBC, Peacock) seems wise. Dallas owner Jerry Jones, however, said that's not the team's deadline, nor does it need one. "No, not at all," Jones said Wednesday, via Jonah Javad of WFAA-TV in Dallas. "You don't have deadlines when you're playing under contract." Parsons is under contract, but that doesn't mean he must suit up. The EDGE could hold out of regular-season games, like former Cowboys star running back Emmitt Smith did in 1993. The Pro Football Hall of Famer missed the first two games of the season before becoming the league's highest-paid RB at that time. Parsons hasn't said whether he would hold out of regular-season games, but it's apparent he's unhappy with where things stand. "My mouth is closed," Parsons said Wednesday while leaving the practice field in Oxnard, California, via Field Level Media. Jones didn't say if talks with Parsons would resume when the Cowboys return to Texas for their second preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens. The matchup is scheduled for Saturday at 7 p.m. ET. The owner still seems confident Parsons will play on the fifth-year option if Dallas doesn't sign him before the start of the regular season. "Again, all you've got to go on are contracts," Jones said. "We are negotiating for a contract. When you do a contract, you would hope that after a negotiation, that's what both the team and player look to see what our obligations are. I have a lot of respect for the contract." Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb played the last years of their rookie contracts. Perhaps Jones wants Parsons to do the same. Still, that would be silly. Paying the four-time Pro Bowler should be a no-brainer for the Cowboys, so they should stop wasting time and show him the money.

'Worst Point Guard in the Championship Finals': When Magic Johnson Destroyed Russell Westbrook During 2012 NBA Finals
NBA

'Worst Point Guard in the Championship Finals': When Magic Johnson Destroyed Russell Westbrook During 2012 NBA Finals

Not every NBA player has the privilege of being the darling of the media like Stephen Curry, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Russell Westbrook’s relationship with those in media roles hasn’t been the smoothest over the years. The genesis of Westbrook’s rocky reputation in the media comes from some choice words from Magic Johnson. Typically, the NBA is like a brotherhood. Former and current players look out for each other. That form of camaraderie may come in a different form depending on the player. For example, Shaquille O’Neal’s way of showing love is tougher than someone like Kenny Smith. Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson usually carries a light-hearted energy. During the 2012 NBA Finals between the Miami Heat and Oklahoma City Thunder, he spoke with a different level of intensity when it came to Westbrook. “I was very disappointed in Russell Westbrook,” Johnson had said. “That was the worst point guard in the championship finals I’ve ever seen.” Those were extremely harsh words from one of the greatest point guards of all time. If anyone had a valid assessment of Westbrook’s performance, it was definitely Johnson. But it got the ball rolling for more negative claims to reach Russ’s way. Westbrook finished the first half of Game 2 with 2-10 shooting, with many of those shots coming unnaturally. His lack of production led to the Thunder facing a 55-43 deficit at the half. Johnson hoped his comments would be a wake-up call. “He was too wild. He was taking off-balance shots. You have to come out and set the tone with Kevin Durant,” Johnson added. Of course, the Thunder don’t have ESPN‘s halftime show on in the locker room. Regardless, it seemed that Johnson’s sentiments made it’s way to Westbrook’s ears. He improved his level of play drastically in the second half. Westbrook ended up playing 42 minutes, which was the most on the team. The 6-foot-3 guard finished with 27 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists on 10-26 shooting from the field. His presence helped push the Thunder to a fourth-quarter run. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough. As a result, they lost 100-96. Following the game, Westbrook would get the opportunity to hear what Johnson had to say. During OKC’s next practice, he addressed the Hall-of-Fame guard. “I’m not making any adjustments, regardless of what anybody says,” Westbrook said. “I’m going to play my game regardless of what happens.” Westbrook did exactly that in Game 3, although the results weren’t what the Thunder wanted. Russ cleaned up his efficiency, shooting 8-18 from the field, but wasn’t able to impose his will on the game. He finished with 19 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists. In Game 4, Westbrook would bounce back with a performance that many were expecting since Game 1. Westbrook tallied 43 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists on 20 made field goals. That performance wasn’t enough to rewrite the narrative surrounding Westbrook. As everyone knows, the performance came in a losing effort, and the Heat would go on to win Game 5, capturing the 2012 NBA title. Westbrook has yet to get back to the coveted stage of basketball. He is far from his prime days, but if he got the chance again, it would be great to see Russ under the bright lights.

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