Wow.
#Spurs
HC Gregg Popovich just grabbed the arena microphone with Kawhi Leonard at the free throw line, and asked the crowd to stop booing.
Fans have been booing Leonard, who asked to be traded from San Antonio, on every touch.
Not sure I've seen that in an NBA game.
#Spurs
win tonight 117-103, but the only team Gregg Popovich wanted to talk about in the postgame press conference was Becky Hammon's WNBA Champion Las Vegas Aces.
Hammon served as a Spurs assistant under Pop from 2014-22.
"I gotta go get some wine....can I say that?"
@LVAces
Wembanyama is 3 weeks removed from playing in soldout French gyms against 30-year- old men.
In the time since, he’s moved countries and been herded around 3 cities. He’s met an entirely new team of players and coaches, and had maybe 5 practices.
This is a VERY fair response.
The WNBA Draft turnaround time is wild.
Caitlin Clark was playing in an Iowa jersey THREE WEEKS AGO.
To take that much of a jump in level in such a short time and still COOK is so fun to watch.
She deserves all the attention.
Timed perfectly with San Antonio’s moment of totality, Nike appropriately uses the eclipse to tease their “Alien” partnership with the NBA’s extraterrestrial superstar….
Victor Wembanyama.
After his team put up arguably it's most impressive fight of the season tonight,
#Spurs
HC Gregg Popovich's postgame comments lasted less than one minute.
Here they are:
#UTSA
QB Frank Harris (
@thefrankharris
) gave out free happy meals to kids at his local McDonalds today in Converse, TX.
This was an awesome interaction with a young fan. Watch as Frank helps the kid realize that he is his favorite player.
This is your QB, San Antonio! 👏
Took a trip to the
#Spurs
ticket office, where phones are ringing off the hook this morning. Since last night, the Spurs have received:
-over 2,500 deposits for season tix
-700+ downloads of the team app
The overnight effect of the
#1
Pick…
Cmon. This no-look pass from Victor Wembanyama is absolutely mind-blowing. He’s falling out of bounds, and puts it on the money to Devin Vassell.
Earlier, Wemby dribbled through a defender’s legs in transition.
How is the 2nd-tallest player in the NBA doing this….at 19?! 🤯🤯
QB Owen McCown is having a dream debut for
#UTSA
.
The son of 18-year NFL veteran Josh McCown is 10-10 with 119 yds & 2 TDs since starting the second half.
It’s no joke. The lanky lefty gets the ball out quick and on target. Frank Harris might have an heir apparent. 👀
San Antonio
#Spurs
F Keldon Johnson is here with some teammates on the sideline at the UTSA-Texas game. He was at
@UTSAFTBL
's home opener at the Alamodome, and is clearly all in on the Roadrunners.
Check his reaction on the RB-pass TD to Zakhari Franklin. Dude is fired up.⬇️
NEWS: After retiring from football, ex-UTSA QB Frank Harris tells me his next role will be with
@CityFans210
, where he will serve as Executive Director overseeing
#UTSA
Football NIL.
Harris was offered coaching jobs by Jeff Traylor & Clemens HS, but wants to raise NIL awareness.
A guest appearance at
#UTSA
Pro Day from alum &
#Seahawks
Pro Bowl DB Tariq Woolen (
@_Tariqwoolen
).
Woolen famously turned heads in the predraft process last year, running a 4.26. Seattle took him 5th round, and he led the NFL in INTs.
His message to the next wave of prospects:
An hour before the
#Spurs
Summer Leaguers arrived to practice, veterans Keldon Johnson, Devin Vassell, Zach Collins, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Charles Bassey, & Doug McDermott all walked in the gym.
Minus Gregg Popovich, it feels like the Spurs are having an NBA practice right now.
Sandro Mamukelashvili has been flat-out sensational for the
#Spurs
down the stretch. 21 pts & 12 reb tonight to key the comeback win. Gregg Popovich on if Mamu will be back:
"We definitely have to have that discussion."
If you listen closely, you can hear the
#Spurs
locker room celebrating while Gregg Popovich was at the podium tonight.
Victor Wembanyama isn't the only one putting a dollar in the swear jar.😂⬇️
Here is
#Spurs
Coach Gregg Popovich commenting on two-way rookie Sir'Jabari Rice. The former Texas/New Mexico State star's craftiness has stood out in camp.
"He's a clever, clever guy."
I asked
#Baylor
HC Dave Aranda about the changing landscape of college football (NIL, transfer portal, conference realignment) at
#TXHSFB
Coaching School yesterday.
He gave one of the more profound answers regarding all three topics and "weaponizing power". Worth a listen.⬇️
Washington State's band didn't make the trip to the Sun Bowl, so the band from El Paso's El Dorado High School (
@EDAztecs_HS
) will step in to play the Cougars' fight song!
Band Director Carl Ortega says it's a crash course the kids are ready for!
STORY:
Moments ago, Victor Wembanyama and the
#Spurs
Summer League team arrives for practice at a Las Vegas/area high school.
I wonder what the
#1
pick thinks of Vegas thus far. 🤔
#UTSA
with a drive for the ages in the last minute to beat North Texas 31-27. Jeff Traylor is a fantastic coach, but that drive was pure playmaking ability by the Roadrunners.
UTSA is bowl eligible yet again. But that’s just the surface for this program.
With Stephen Jackson trending in
#Spurs
circles, I archived this clip of Jackson in 2003 talking about Gregg Popovich helping him more than being a basketball player.
This week, Jackson accused Pop of trying to mess with him mentally that same year & said "F*** the Spurs."
🤔
Malaki Branham played high school basketball at St. Vincent-St. Mary in Akron, OH.
He just dunked on a fellow alum in the NBA….LeBron James.
This has to be a dream come true for the 20-year-old. One for the grandkids.
Here's Gregg Popovich on the two games in Austin.
Fans in San Antonio might be uneasy, but the
#Spurs
just built 500 MILLION $ practice facility at La Cantera. You don't spend that and dip out.
The Spurs aren't moving. They're just sleeping at a friends' house.
📹:
@Cory_Mose
Though I am leaving El Paso, El Paso is not leaving me.
Thank you
@abc7breaking
for three years. Serving this community has been the greatest honor of my life.
My final thoughts. 💙
A side-by-side of LeBron James warming up in San Antonio.
Left: 38-year-old LeBron, with 4 NBA Titles, 4 MVPs, and the all-time NBA scoring leader.
Right: 19-year-old LeBron, about to play his first game in San Antonio.
20 years of greatness.
English Championship club
@SunderlandAFC
is playing their preseason in the US, starting tonight at
@SanAntonioFC
. It might take some getting used to.
The temperature in Sunderland today is 65 degrees. Meanwhile, the high in San Antonio is 105 degrees.
It’s “good for the lads.”
Victor Wembanyama says he’s thought about learning Spanish, and that it will definitely happen at some point.
He also made a point to reference breakfast tacos.
Dude is fired up to get to San Antonio.
Dear UTEP Fans,
I'm not one to play "PR guy," but
@UTEPFB
's 5-1 start deserves a full stadium. Saturday's game vs. La. Tech is bowl significant, but a win COULD open bigger doors. This year might be special, and your help is needed.
Watch My Full Report:
Everyone wants Wembanyama, but I’m glad the national audiences will get to learn things about this
#Spurs
team that we already know:
-Devin Vassell is a premier bucket getter
-Keldon’s lovable energy
-Popovich = still a wizard
-Spurs fans DO NOT QUIT
Let’s ride, San Antonio!
I’m thrilled to be the new Sports Anchor at
@KENS5
. From the Spurs, pros, & preps, we’ll have a blast every night.
I’ve jumped headfirst into every city I’ve called home, and I can’t wait to do the same in San Antonio! ⬇️
The Rock at the La Cantera.
The brand new, state-of-art practice facility of the San Antonio
#Spurs
.
5 Championship banners already hung up inside, with space for a few more.
FINAL: UTEP 38 - RICE 28
UTEP has officially clinched their first winning record since 2014, and just their seventh winning season in 50 years. Dana Dimel is emotional talking about his senior class, some of whom went 0-12 in their first year on campus.
A remarkable turnaround.
#BREAKING
: Conference USA MVP QB Frank Harris officially announces he will return to
#UTSA
for the 2023 season.
“I wasn’t ready to leave yet.”
With Harris’ return, I expect the Roadrunners to be ranked in the 2023 Preseason Top 25.
NBA announces that Friday's Las Vegas Summer League games are sold out.
#Spurs
rookie Victor Wembanyama is expected to make his debut vs. Hornets (8pm CT).
The lowest priced-tickets to see him were listed at $186 on SeatGeek, going as high as $617 per seat.
THE WEMBY EFFECT.
#Spurs
legend Tony Parker enters the Basketball Hall of Fame this weekend, but he almost never was a Spur. In 2001, Parker worked out TWICE for the
#Spurs
because Gregg Popovich initially didn't like him.
"Thank god to RC Buford & Sam Presti forcing Pop to do a 2nd workout."
🤯
More
#Spurs
rookie camp footage:
Here’s purple-haired Jeremy Sochan working on his jump shot, with Gregg Popovich intently looking on.
Pop then comes over and appears to coach him on his jab step. If Jeremy’s jumper evolves, he could reach new heights.
Chris Paul is a free agent.
The
#Spurs
, flush with cap $, desperately need a veteran ball-handler. Imagine CP3 & Wembanyama in the pick & roll, w/ Tre Jones off bench.
At 38, Paul could accelerate the growth of the whole team. Gregg Popovich thinks so ⬇️
Some news. This is my last week at KVIA ABC-7. I’ve accepted a new job that I’ll announce soon, but right now my mind is on El Paso, TX.
I love this city. I knew no one when I arrived 3 years ago, and I leave with friends who became family. We’ve endured tragedy & triumph. (1/2)
Victor Wembanyama’s
#Spurs
jersey is easily the most repped by fans here in Vegas. They’re everywhere.
I’ve talked to folks from Corpus Christi, Boston, Hawaii, & California who have had one.
It doesn’t even have to do with being a fan. A Wemby jersey is a fashion statement.
Outsiders might not see that Frank Harris is about as big a figure in the city of San Antonio as anyone. He should get a crack at the pros, but regardless he’ll be the face of this
#UTSA
program for a long time.
An all-time great college football player.
This is a problem with modern day college athletics. Here is an NIL agent who is already trying to showcase
#UTSA
’s Carlton Linguard to other schools while he’s IN SEASON playing w/ the Roadrunners.
I’ve had multiple coaches tell me that the agents are their biggest headache.
I am in debt to the people of El Paso, who welcomed me in as one of their own, as they would ANYONE.
And when the time comes for our community to rally around the team with EL PASO on its chest, it's going to be loud enough for all America to hear.
Because we are
#ElPasoStrong
.
Check out this one-handed grab from
#UTSA
TE Oscar Cardenas at this morning's spring practice.
HC Jeff Traylor has raved about the physical condition of the San Antonio native as Cardenas preps for his 6th year of eligibility with the Roadrunners. He'll certainly be relied upon.
#UTSA
dominates Rice 41-7, and I expect them to be ranked in the polls on Monday.
With UCF’s loss to Navy, UTSA enters the mix for a New Year’s Six bowl bid.
If UCF wins the American & UTSA wins out.…I think UTSA would be the highest ranked Group of 5 team at the end of year.
#TCU
is getting an absolute STUD in newest QB commit Ty Hawkins (
@CTJFootball
). He’s 4-stars right now, but when he finishes high school in two years he should a Top 25 player in America. He’s going to pop off here soon.
Throws like this are the norm ⬇️
Gregg Popovich with his most insightful answer on coaching Victor Wembanyama, responding to
@SamSmithHoops
in Chicago.
Victor's rookie season is much different that Duncan & Robinson.
"He's not gonna get a lot of counsel from veteran leaders on what's going on on the court.."⬇️
ICYMI: Before the
#Spurs
landed
#1
, they already had:
-roughly $30 mil in cap
-11 players under age 25
-SIX 1st-round picks through 2026
-$500 mil training facility opening this summer
Add in Victor Wembanyama? San Antonio should look REAL attractive to players who want to win.
After a 33-point outing in PHX, Pascal Siakam catches up with Marvin Menzies, his head coach at
@NMStateMBB
.
Menzies is an assistant at nearby Grand Canyon, but recruited Siakam to NMSU in 2014. Now an All-Star, Siakam still has time for his old college coach. Awesome.
Before tonight's game,
@chicagobulls
star DeMar DeRozan came to the
@spurs
bench and embraced Gregg Popovich for about 10 seconds.
DeRozan averaged 21.6 ppg over three seasons in San Antonio (2018-21.)
Pop called DeMar "one of my all-time favorites" before the game.
Dear
@CollegeGameDay
,
Given the renaissance of programs and the matchup uniqueness, please consider UTEP/UTSA on November 6th. A trip to El Paso showcases the ultimate blend of culture & football, and would be a show unlike seen before.
Here's why ->
-NR
Here is
@KENS5
footage of Victor Wembanyama having some fun at the end of today's
#Spurs
practice:
Even when he's goofing around, it's still jaw-dropping how effortlessly he moves his body at 7-foot-3. That's Manu Ginobili saying hello at the end of the clip.
Just talked to former
#Spurs
fan favorite Jakob Poeltl in a Summer League elevator. He made a point to mention how he much loves San Antonio’s fans.
I asked him how he would defend Victor Wembanyama.
He laughed and said “I don’t know. I’ll have to figure it out.”
Vanderbilt transfer RB Rocko Griffin announces he will transfer to
#UTSA
. Griffin was Vandy’s leading rusher in 2021, including standout performances at Ole Miss & Tennessee.
Griffin should form a strong tandem next year with Kevorian Barnes, the 2022 C-USA Freshman of the Year.
The Spurs host the Clippers again on Wednesday, so the Clips will stay here until then. Which begs the question….
What do we think James Harden is doing in San Antonio the next two nights?
LOCAL HERO: 16-Year-Old Canaan Bower is a standout wrestler at Mayfield High (Las Cruces, NM). When he heard shouting at a gas station last week, he had no idea his wrestling talent would help thwart a potential kidnapping!
A feel-good story we could all use.
@MayfieldTrojans
Here was Gregg Popovich on Keita Bates-Diop back on April 6th. Pop was spot-on in his assessment of carving an NBA career.
KBD came to the
#Spurs
on a two-way contract in 2020.
He just signed a multi-year deal with the Phoenix Suns.
Ivan Melendez is the next sports superstar out of El Paso, TX. Dude was one of the best hitters in college baseball last season, and now coming back to Texas for another year...he might be THE best.
Two home runs today. And they’ve traveled a long way...
Texas State FB news:
Confirmed per source, Barrick Nealy will be the Bobcats’ running backs coach. Nealy spent the last 6 seasons at UTEP, most recently as RB/Asst. HC.
Nealy played QB for
#TXST
from 2003-05, leaving as the school’s all-time leading passer. A legend goes home.
#UTSA
fails to crack this week’s College Football Playoff rankings, making it tough to envision a path to the New Year’s Six.
Meanwhile UCF (9-3) stands pat at
#22
following a one-score win over USF (1-11).
Conference USA is meaningless to committee. Good thing UTSA is leaving.
The people of San Antonio have been waiting for this night for some time. The
#NBADraftLottery
is here.
Nothing about it is a sure thing, and that's why it's fun.
Good luck to us all. Go
@spurs
Go.
📺:
@KENS5
Gregg Popovich is the winningest coach in NBA history.
He just called tonight's 110-105 loss to Denver "one of the most competitive games that I've been a part of for many years."
The
#Spurs
took a step forward as a team tonight.
This is awesome. After hitting the GW-shot to beat the defending champion Nuggets, Devonte Graham made the most of his postgame availability to shout-out his uncle.
@Devonte4Graham
is the
#Spurs
hero tonight.
#UTSA
alum OL & San Antonio native Spencer Burford (
#74
) with a critical block to give Christian McCaffrey a lane to score the opening touchdown in the Super Bowl.
#BirdsUp
I covered UTEP basketball like white on rice when Rodney Terry coached Souley Boum from 2019-21.
If you would’ve told me 3 years ago that Boum (Xavier) and Terry (Texas) would be playing EACH OTHER in the Sweet 16, I would’ve referred you to a mental institution.
Here we are.
This man is from Corpus Christi, TX.
He’s wearing the jersey of the Spurs’ last
#1
pick in 1997.
He told me he’s ready to update the wardrobe.
I didn’t get his name, but I can tell you we are now boys.
@KENS5
WATCH:
#UTSA
1st Team All-CUSA QB Frank Harris is holding a press conference to announce his anticipated future plans. It may set college football precedents.
If Harris returns next year, UTSA will surely crack the preseason Top 25.
@KENS5
will stream it live Wednesday at 3:30.
Training camp isn't for two weeks, Aaron Jones (
@Showtyme_33
) getting in some good pass-blocking reps today at his annual Youth Football Skills Camp in El Paso.
#Packers
QBs should be well-protected...
Here is first-look video of the new Victor Wembanyama/Louis Vuitton billboard on the south side of San Antonio. 🔥🔥
The
#Spurs
rookie was just named a brand ambassador for
@LouisVuitton
, the latest visual sign that the international superstar is taking over the culture.
More
#Spurs
behind the scenes footage. Our last task after the NBA Draft was taping a segment before we could go home.
A TV Camera in an open space in downtown Brooklyn.
Midnight on a Thursday.
It went about as you'd expect. 😂
Clemson’s loss to NC State looks to me like the ACC will miss out on the College Football Playoff. Meaning a spot is up for grabs....
How much more important is the game in South Bend next weekend??
#8
Cincinnati at
#12
Notre Dame. Massive opportunity for the Bearcats. 🍿 🏈
NEW: There will no charges filed against Victor Wembanyama’s
#Spurs
security staff.
The LVMPD concluded its investigation of the alleged battery that occurred on July 5, 2023, at 11 p.m., in the 3700 block of Las Vegas Boulevard.
The Wemby/Britney matter is officially no more.
STORY: John Buggs III (
@Ice_Buggs1
) is more than a feel-good story for
@UTSAMBB
. He missed two full years of basketball after tearing BOTH of his ACLs in separate injuries.
Now healthy at
#UTSA
, Buggs has emerged as a primary option while using his past as motivation.
📺:
@KENS5
WATCH: Victor Wembanyama was the most popular athlete in the world tonight. I was only allowed to ask him ONE question, but I didn’t want it to be about hoops or hype.
I asked him a question San Antonio could be proud of. 🌮
A quick
#Spurs
Draft Recap from Brooklyn.
@KENS5
⬇️
NFL Superstar and
@packers
RB Aaron Jones spends each offseason in the place he's most comfortable: El Paso, TX.
I went 1-on-1 with
@Showtyme_33
to talk his rise to stardom, his future, his hometown, fatherhood & more.
Watch the FULL 22-MINUTE INTERVIEW:
#BREAKING
: 3-⭐️ safety Jeremiah Cooper (El Paso, TX) has committed to Iowa State. Beat out Baylor, Texas Tech, and SMU among others.
@CycloneFB
gets the 53rd-ranked safety in the nation in the Class of ‘22, per
@247Sports
. Matt Campbell continues to build recruiting momentum.
Fresh off last night’s win in Utah,
#Spurs
G Malaki Branham is back in San Antonio at Taco Bell (11238 Potranco Rd) signing autographs. Fans get a free taco with each signature. I love this location.
If you had to guess…who’s the one guy on the
@spurs
that eats the most T-Bell?
#UTSA
throws it incomplete on the two-point try in 3OT, and loses 37-35 to Houston.
Here’s the final play. Roadrunners wanted the flag. Defender never turned around. You be the judge.