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Mental health is one issue that has been openly discussed in the sports world and some courageous athletes have shared their stories of how they thrive despite their challenges.
Las Vegas Aces star guard Kelsey Plum has been open about her struggles with anxiety, depression, heavy suicidal thoughts, and is one of the most prominent advocates of mental health in the WNBA.
To bring even more awareness about the importance of mental health, Plum unveiled her latest Under Amour Breakthru 5 ‘Mental Health Awareness (MHA)’ PEs which “are dedicated to raising awareness for mental health and suicide prevention, a cause that holds special significance for Kelsey.”
The Breakthru 5 (MHA)’ PE silhouette is the same model that rocks on the court and her recent birthday pack that UA released in August. The shoe features a bold combo of blue and purple, the colors associated with suicide prevention awareness, and a white outsole embellished with light blue speckles.
On the heel tab, the sneaker has a purple and blue ribbon which is the symbol for suicide prevention awareness. Also, the split between the heel of each shoe is the phrase “What you water will grow”, displaying “the importance of self-care and putting positive energy and effort into oneself when it comes to maintaining mental health.
The special Breakthru 5 ‘MHA’ PE’s ($135) are available in limited supply in women’s sizing on UA.com.
Also, the Kelsey Plum SlipSpeed™ Mega PE ($140) is available now on UA.com in limited supply and the Breakthru 5 ‘Flowers’ ($125) will drop on October 3 on DSG.com only.
Be sure to stay locked into Sports Illustrated's Kicks On SI for all their sneaker news from the WNBA and beyond.
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TODAY'S BEST
New era taking shape for Mystics ahead of WNBA trade deadline
The Aug. 7 WNBA trade deadline is on Thursday, and for the Washington Mystics, it’s clear a new era is taking shape. After trading All-Defensive guard Brittney Sykes to the Seattle Storm on Tuesday in exchange for Alysha Clark, guard Zia Cooke and a 2026 first-round draft pick, the optimism is that the Mystics could be suitable trade partners for any team looking to offload a huge contract attached with draft compensation. It all starts with Shakira Austin. When healthy, she’s the franchise cornerstone — strong in the paint, athletic and able to anchor the defense. But now she’s getting help from two rising rookies who are starting to turn heads. Kiki Iriafen, the rookie out of Stanford, has been a revelation. Her energy is nonstop, she crashes the boards like a vet and her confidence is growing with each game. She’s not just filling minutes — she’s making an impact. Pairing her with Austin in the frontcourt gives the Mystics a gritty, physical presence they can build around. And then there’s Sonia Citron, who might be one of the smoothest rookies in the league right now. Her basketball IQ, her pace, her ability to make plays without forcing shots — it’s all there. With Sykes gone, expect Citron to take on more responsibility. She’s earned it. Of course, there are still moves that could happen. Aaliyah Edwards has been generating trade buzz since June, and Washington has a crowded frontcourt. If the team can flip Edwards or any veteran not a part of the long-term plans for future draft capital, it would align perfectly with what they’re building. The Mystics may not be making a playoff push this year, but don’t sleep on what’s happening in D.C. This team is rebuilding with purpose. And with Austin, Iriafen and Citron leading the way, the future is starting to look bright.
Patriots stars react to HC Mike Vrabel getting bloodied while breaking up camp fight
New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel likely won the respect of his team Wednesday. However, he may have needed a few stitches afterward. The Patriots hosted a joint practice with the Washington Commanders at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. New England rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson took a Commanders pass-rusher to the ground in pass protection, resulting in a scuffle. Vrabel then jumped in to help stop the fight. His face was bloodied after both teams calmed down. Patriots second-year quarterback Drake Maye loved that his coach was willing to step in. In a news conference after practice, the 22-year-old passer said that's the mentality the team needs. "That's what we're trying to build," he said. "The intensity, bringing it every day, taking no cr-p when we're out on the field. But also, it comes a time where, with our guys offensively, and getting over there and getting some tussles and kind of having some penalties, and extra after the whistle, can get us in trouble. But for mentality, I like it. I mean, I almost got in there, but I think maybe another day, maybe." His new coach doesn't want the QB to get in any brawls. The Patriots are banking on the third overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft being the franchise's future. Plus, he doesn't need to worry about the Patriots' intensity with Vrabel in the building. New England wide receiver DeMario Douglas noted the former linebacker didn't seem rattled after breaking up the scrap. "I said, 'Coach, what's wrong with you?' And he said, 'You should have seen the other guy,'" Douglas told the media while smiling. "I just saw the scar on his face but didn't know what was happening." Vrabel likely sent two messages at Wednesday's practice. He won't tolerate an undisciplined team but also has his players' backs. That could go a long way for a Patriots squad aiming to improve after a 4-13 season.
Why Red Sox may regret extending rookie Roman Anthony
To say that the Boston Red Sox are keeping MLB fans and analysts on their toes this season is an understatement. Almost two months after trading the face of their franchise, Boston signed MLB’s No. 1 prospect, Roman Anthony, to an eight-year, $130 million extension. Between trading Rafael Devers and locking Anthony up through 2034, the Red Sox have been the boldest MLB team this season by far. But will this move pay off? Fans expected Sox owner John Henry to spend money on the team during the offseason, but no one anticipated a massive mid-year pact with a rookie would occur. Anthony has only played 46 MLB games, during which he has slashed .283/.400/.428 with 19 RBIs and two home runs. While his rapid ascent through the minor league and hot start to his professional baseball career are beyond what fans could’ve asked for, Anthony’s extension is still premature from a financial perspective. With a $16.25 million AAV on his contract, the Sox have piled high expectations onto a player who recently turned 21 years old. For Anthony’s sizable and long-term commitment to be worth the investment, he should produce an annual 2.0 WAR at least and earn at least three or four All-Star, Gold Glove or Silver Slugger Awards by the end of his contract. For reference, Marcell Ozuna and Kyle Tucker received contracts within $250,000 AAV of Anthony’s contract AAV, according to Spotrac. All three achieved this criterion before they were rewarded with lucrative agreements. Weighing these standards against Anthony’s newness to MLB, it’s nearly impossible to say Boston’s decision-making was backed by more than just impulse. Somehow, Anthony isn’t the first rookie the Red Sox extended this year. With five games of baseball under his belt, Boston closed an eight-year, $60 million deal with Kristian Campbell, who was MLB’s No. 6 prospect at the time. While Campbell’s $7.5 million AAV is drastically different from Anthony’s, the Sox’s strategy to hoard young players before they’ve had enough time to prove themselves isn’t logical. Keeping Anthony off the free-agent market for the next decade may be the best risk the Sox have ever taken, or it may be one of the most expensive decisions made. Anthony must deliver the high-performance projections his contract sets for his early extension to pay off, but odds are, Boston is putting the cart before the horse.
Green Bay Packers: Slo-Mo Video of Jordan Love’s Insane 55-Yard TD Bomb to Romeo Doubs Goes Viral
Kevin Love reportedly has preferred buyout destination
Kevin Love is eyeing a return to his roots. The five-time NBA All-Star big man Love has a preferred destination on the buyout market, Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints reported on Tuesday. Love would like to end up in Los Angeles. Now 36 years old, Love spent the last two-and-a-half seasons with the Miami Heat. He averaged just 5.3 points and 4.1 rebounds over 10.9 minutes per game in 2024-25 but still managed to shoot 35.8 percent from three on the year. Earlier this summer however, the Heat traded Love to the Utah Jazz as part of a three-team blockbuster deal. Now Love, a 17-year NBA veteran, is pursuing a contract buyout from the rebuilding Jazz. Though he is a native of Lake Oswego, Oregon, Love played his college ball in Los Angeles at UCLA. He also has ties to both L.A. teams — he won an NBA championship with Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James on the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016 and was also coached on that team by Tyronn Lue, who is now head coach of the L.A. Clippers. Both the Lakers and Clippers are currently sitting at 14 guaranteed contracts each. While they still have spots for two-way and Exhibit 10 players, that means the Lakers and Clippers are both down to their final open roster spot. The ex-rebounding leader Love still has some value, though probably more so as a jokester than as a contributing rotation piece. While Love clearly wants a homecoming to Los Angeles, he may have some convincing to do for either the Lakers or the Clippers to give him that final open roster spot.
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