SPORTS WRAP
By William Hathaway, Jr.
The 2022 NBA Draft was held this past week, with both rounds taking place at the Barclays Center. Duke Forward Paolo Banchero was the surprise 1st overall by the Orlando Magic. Projected #1 Jabari Smith, a forward from Auburn, was taken 3rd overall by the Houston Rockets, while Gonzaga’s Chet Holmgren was picked #2 by the Oklahoma City Thunder. Rounding out the top five were Iowa forward Keegan Murray to the Sacramento Kings at #4, and Jaden Ivey, a point guard the Knicks coveted, landing at #5 to the Detroit Pistons. Once Ivey was off the board, the Knicks basically just traded draft picks for future selections. They did however take guard Trevor Keels from Kentucky with the 42nd pick in the second round.
Some local talent who did not hear their names called on draft night still have a shot at the pros. In addition to Murray, Seton Hall’s Jared Rhoden was signed by the Kings, while Rutgers standout Ron Harper signed a two way deal with the Toronto Raptors. Harper is the son of Ron Harper, Sr., a five time NBA Champion who played for the Bulls, Lakers, and others.
In other sports news the New York Yankees have the best record in baseball. Also, they agreed to a $19 million deal to finish out the year with slugger Aaron Judge to avoid arbitration. This was good for the Yanks, as Judge hit a walk-off three run homer to beat the Astros a day after they were the victims of a combined no-hitter by Houston – for the second time.
Finally, after two straight years of the Tampa Bay Lightning as the champs, there is a new NHL Champion. The Colorado Avalanche beat the Lightning in six games, winning the last one 2-1 to take the Stanley Cup. This postseason, Colorado clinched all four series on the other team’s home ice. The win marks the third championship for the Avalanche franchise, which at one point was known as the Quebec Nordiques.
