Athlete Unlimited Hoops Carves A Unique Lane For The Future Of Women Hoops / March 3, 2022 by Hussein Abdullahi

Tianna Hawkins Wins Inaugural AU Hoops Title

Photo by: Jade Hewitt/Athletes Unlimited

On Saturday, Athletes Unlimited Basketball wrapped up its inaugural season with a triple-overtime nail-bitter, a clash between Team Hawkins and Team Cloud featured the top two leaders in Tianna Hawkins and Natasha Cloud. Cloud and Hawkins were former teammates of the Washington Mystics, where they won a Championship title in 2019. Tianna Hawkins willed her team to a 116-108 win over Team Cloud, securing Hawkins the inaugural Athletes Unlimited Championship title. Hawkins finished first on the AU leaderboard with a total of 6,831 points, she also notched a league-high 11 double-doubles, 3,336 stat points and 750 MVP points. Coming off an emotional roller-coaster, Tianna Hawkins has taken a bold step in an attempt to prove herself. Last season, Tianna Hawkins was waived by the Atlanta Dream. Hawkins used that as fuel to power through the outstanding AU season as she was crowned the Inaugural season Champion.

“So many people have counted me out, so many people said I was trash. Atlanta said I was not going to be enough. And what i did? I took my ass to the gym and worked on myself, and now here I am. - Tianna Hawkins (Washington Mystics/WNBA)

The Washington Mystics Forward celebrated her Championship title with an inspirational speech that moved the building, highlighting the emotional journey it has been. Hawkins adds this Championship to her collection of hardware that includes a 2019 WNBA Championship title won alongside teammate Natasha Cloud who earned the second-place finish with 5,919 points. Behind Hawkins and Cloud, was Dallas Wings’ Isabelle Harrison, and the 2021 WNBA Champion Lexie Brown. 11 of the 44 athletes in the AU hailed from the WNBA and the league will aim to get 20 additional players for the 2023 season. In just its first season, Athletes Unlimited has set the professional sports world on fire, leaving no stones unturned. Athletes Unlimited CEO Jon Patricof has exceeded expectations as the AU Basketball league provides more basketball opportunities within the U.S.

Athletes Unlimited Hoops Create A New Sports Revolution For Pro Sports

The inaugural season of Athlete Unlimited Basketball has created a new sports revolution for the professional leagues. When observing the WNBA model, several underlining issues are still present. The pay equity gap is roughly 1.5 of the average NBA salary. The average WNBA player makes closer to $75,000, opposed to $7.7 M in the NBA. Due to the Pay disparity between the WNBA and NBA, several WNBA athletes go overseas to add to their salary earnings. According to Athletes Unlimited Co-Founder and CEO Jon Patricof, compensation for the 44 athletes equals over $1 million (more than $20,000 per player). Top performers can make between $40,000- $50,000 in the 5-week season, including bonuses. Patricof and the staff have done an outstanding job with the overall investment in the athletes. The athletes spoke highly on the investment made to enhance the player experience. Athletes were living in hotels throughout the season with access to rental cars, sports medicine technology, child-care and most meals covered. One of many competitive advantages of the Athletes Unlimited infrastructure in comparison to apparent women leagues.

“I just hope that we continue to be an option for players.. a good option”

— Jon Patricof (Athletes Unlimited CEO)

The Adoption Of A Player-Driven Model In Pro Sports

“Our goal as athletes is to leave the sport better than we found it. So, that means progressing our sport and fighting for progression.”

— Natasha Cloud (Washington Mystics/WNBA)

A handful of the WNBA athletes have vocalized the importance of a player-driven model, a system created in which athletes have more control over their respective careers. The Athletes Unlimited model was set up to empower its athletes and what better way to do so than creating a player-driven system. AU’s objective for a player-driven system was to replicate a cohesive environment where female athletes can become leaders. AU allows their athletes the option to construct their rosters, select a points system, negotiate salary earning (to a certain extent), and enforce league rules. Executive Decisions in the hands of the athletes, something that has become foreign in the arena of pro sports. The Athletes Unlimited Player Executive Committee is led by five athletes: Natasha Cloud, Tianna Hawkins, Ty Young, Sydney Colson, and Jantel Lavender, who work in unison with the AU staff. Under the Athletes Cause program, each player got to play for a cause of their choice in which the AU will match 50% of their season bonuses to the selected charities. Over the five-week season, Athletes Unlimited Hoops have garnered the attention of players, GMs, WNBA staff as well as, other apparent pro sports leagues in the US. Season Two of AU Hoops will kick off in 2023.

Written by: Hussein Abdullahi

Featuring: Athletes Unlimited

Published by: TGQ Inc.

2022 NBA Trade Deadline | Deals for Ben Simmons, James Harden and CJ McCollum / February 11, 2022 by Hussein Abdullahi

NBA Trade Deadline 2022: Buzz, Updates

The NBA trade deadline is less than 24 hours away (3 PM ET.), and several teams have made major moves. The trade that has made national headlines is the New Orleans Pelicans acquiring CJ McCollum. This trade sends CJ McCollum to the New Orleans Pelicans in a 7-player deal. In exchange for McCullom, the Trail Blazers receive Josh Hart, Tomas Satoransky, Nickiel Alexander-Walker and protected 1st round and 2nd round picks. The Trail Blazers will need to capitalize off their multiple draft picks in pursuit of acquiring high-end talent for Lillard. The Portland Trailblazers are set to reconstruct their roster around Damian Lillard while opening up an excess of $60 million in Salary cap space this off-season. The Blazers now have the possibility to attract marquee superstars in free agency this off-season, notable free agents include Kyrie Irving, James Harden, Bradley Beal and Zach Lavine. Reshaping the Portland Trailblazers will be an ongoing process as they will rely heavily on their young core.

Ben Simmons Saga Ends, James Harden to the 76ers

“Brooklyn was ready to move off of James Harden. It was clear that he didn't want to be there anymore. They got enough back to try to put a team on the floor for this year and for years to come.” - Adrian Wojnarowski (ESPN Senior NBA Insider)

The Philadelphia 76ers have acquired James Harden in trade for Ben Simmons. The Nets and 76ers organizations have engaged in trade discussions all week in pursuit to trade two unhappy superstars looking for a new roster. This blockbuster trade sends James Harden and Paul Millsap to the 76ers in exchange for Ben Simmons, Seth Curry, Andre Drummond and two first-round picks in 2022 and 2027. Harden has vocalized his frustrations as the Nets are on a nine-game losing streak. The Absence of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving has backfired on the Nets leaving Harden no choice but to seek his option to depart to the 76ers. With the addition of Simmons, the Nets will have a new big 3 as he will join KD and Kyrie in Brooklyn. How often they will play together still remains contingent depending on how soon Simmons returns to play and Kyrie’s availability. Together the Nets will remain as a top contender in the Eastern Conference. The Nets returned as the favoured to win the NBA title, with added shooting ability courtesy of Seth curry and the defensive prowess and playmaking of Simmons. As for the 76ers, James Harden will join Joel Embiid, a duo whose combined scoring average is about 50 ppg this season. For the first time in his career, Joel Embiid will team up with an MVP in Harden. The next matchup between the Nets and 76ers will be on March 10th in Philly, a game that Kyrie Irving and Durant will be expected to play. This will be a preview of the potential matchup of the Eastern Conference finals. The most significant part of this trade is that Brooklyn is looking to retool their roster for the future with the added draft picks and their long-term investment in Kevin Durant. As for the 76ers, James Harden will become a free agent after this season and is expected to re-sign with the 76ers on a supermax deal. A plan that GM Daryl Morey’s had since he become the GM for the 76ers. In recent years, Morey tried to trade for Harden prior to him going to the Brooklyn Nets. Harden reunites with his former GM in hope of securing his first NBA championship.

Kings, Bucks, Clippers and Pistons Rosters With Trades

ESPN sources tell Adrian Woj, The Sacramento Kings, Milwaukee Bucks, Detroit Pistons and Los Angeles Clippers all engaged in a four-team trade. Full participants include Donte DeVincenzo, Trey Lyles, Josh Jackson, Serge Ibaka, Rodney Hood, Semi Ojele and Marvin Bagley III. The Kings continue to reconstruct their roster with the recent Domantas Sabonis-Tyrese Haliburton trade, now adding Donte DeVincenzo, Trey Lyles and Josh Jackson in the mix. The defending champions Milwaukee Bucks add a veteran presence with the addition of Serge Ibaka. The Bucks also will have two future second-round draft picks and cash with can be leveraged this off-season in pursuit of a sign and trade situation that will strengthen their depth. Another big trade that occurred in the nick of time was between the Dallas Mavericks and the Washington Wizards. The Wizards have acquired Kristaps Porzingis in a trade sending Spencer Dinwiddie and David Bertans. The Wizards are looking to build a team around their franchise Bradley Beal who will become a free agent after this season. The Dallas Mavericks get rid of Porzingis with the intention of clearing off his contract to retain flexibility in free agency. The Mavs have freed up excess space in their salary cap in 2023-2024 to attract superstars in free agency.