November 23, 2024
Ruth J Morrison

Ruth J Morrison

Celebrities representing the East line up to take a photo prior to the 2015 NBA All-Star Celebrity Basketball Game.

What's The 411Sports correspondent Crystal L. Harris and filmmaker Spike Lee take time out to pose for a selfie before a New York Knicks v. Brooklyn Nets basketball game at the Barclays Center.

New York Knicks introduce Derek Fisher as the new head coach.. In the photo (l to r) Steve Mills, Derek Fisher, and Phil Jackson.

Bianca Peart, host of What's The 411Sports at 2014 NBA Draft Lottery.

Glenn Gilliam, host of What's The 411Sports at the 2014 NBA Draft Lottery

No Real Surprises with the Top Five 2015 NFL Draft Picks

With the No. 1 pick at the 2015 NFL Draft, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Florida State University quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner, Jameis Winston

Many in the media predicted that because of Winston’s off-the-field issues that he would slip out of the No.1 NFL Draft pick position. However, Buccaneers coach Lovie Smith and general manager Jason Licht stuck with their reported game plan. They said repeatedly over the past two months that they were comfortable with the prospect of taking Winston.

Winston generated negative headlines when he was cited for shoplifting crab legs from a supermarket and later suspended for one game last season after climbing onto a table in the Florida State student union and shouting an obscenity.

Additionally, Winston was accused of sexual assault during his freshman season at Florida State; however, prosecutors felt they did not have enough evidence to bring charges against the football phenom.

Below are the Top Five 2015 NFL Draft Picks and their respective NFL teams:

Jameis Winston   Tampa Buccaneers
Marcus Mariota    Tennessee Titans
Dante Fowler       Jacksonville Jaguars
Amari Cooper      Oakland Raiders
Brandon Sherff    Washington Redskins

 

Before Tiger Woods, there were many successful African-American golfing professionals and it is with sadness that we report that one golfing great has passed away.

African-American professional golfer Calvin Peete died earlier this morning in Atlanta. Peete was 71-years old.

Peete was born in Detroit, Michigan on July 18, 1943, as the eighth of nine children. The son of an auto factory worker, Peete went on to become the most successful black golfer on the PGA Tour gaining 12 PGA Tour wins while Tiger Woods was in elementary school.

He won The Players Championship in 1985 and represented the USA in the Ryder Cups of 1983 and 1985, winning both of his singles matches and finishing with a record of four wins, two defeats and one half.

Peete achieved all this despite playing with a left arm he could not totally extend because of a broken elbow that occurred during a childhood fall, and his permanently bent arm ensured his swing was easily recognizable.

Calvin Peete US Ryder Cup winner passes at age 71 on 04292015Calvin Peete, American Ryder Cup winner, passes away at age 71

He is survived by seven children and his wife Pepper, who said: “Everyone in the family admired and loved him. We are so thankful that he was in our lives as a father, husband and role model. He was a blessing, and he will be missed.”
PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem said: “Calvin was an inspiration to so many people. He started in the game relatively late in life but quickly became one of the Tour’s best players, winning and winning often despite the hardship of his injured arm.

“I can still remember watching Calvin hit drive after drive straight down the middle of the fairway, an amazing display of talent he possessed despite some of his physical limitations,” Finchem added.

“I can still remember watching Calvin hit drive after drive straight down the middle of the fairway, an amazing display of talent he possessed despite some of his physical limitations,” Finchem continued. “Throughout his life, he gave so much, and we especially noticed it when he moved to Ponte Vedra Beach as he continued to support the community, the PGA Tour, and our various charitable pursuits.

“Calvin will always be remembered as a great champion and an individual who consistently gave back to the game. We will dearly miss him.”

Professional golfer Jack Nicklaus added: "I thought Calvin Peete was a remarkable golfer. He overcame a lot of adversity, including a physical limitation, to become a very, very good golfer.

"He played on my Ryder Cup team in 1983 and he was an excellent team member and player. Calvin helped us to get off to a good start that year with a win in a match that included Seve [Ballesteros], and then in singles, where every point was so critical, he picked up a big victory.

Calvin Peete capturing Pacific Atlanta Classic in 1983 Joe Holloway Jr Associated Press 600x881Professional golfer Calvin Peete after capturing the Pacific-Atlanta Classic in 1983

"Over the years, we played a lot of golf together, and I was amazed at what he could get out of his game. He was an extremely straight driver of the golf ball; a very smart golfer; and, you might say, he was very much an overachiever.

"Off the golf course, Calvin was a tremendously warm and caring man. I always liked Calvin and enjoyed a great relationship with him. We always had fun together.

"Calvin gave so much of himself to the game and to others, and there are countless young men and women whose lives he touched through The First Tee and other organizations, who owe Calvin a debt of gratitude.”

VIDEO: What's The 411Sports takes a retrospective view of the athletes and sporting events it has covered.

 

This video is the highlight reel for What's The 411Sports' (411SportsTV). The promotional video features athletes, former athletes, sports executives and sports fans. Showcased on the video in order of appearance are: NBA Commissioner Adam Silver; Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Garnett; Brooklyn Nets General Manager Billy King; Milwaukee Bucks head coach Jason Kidd; Washington Wizards small forward Paul Pierce; Ray Allen; Dwayne Wade; comedian Chris Rock; Brooklyn Nets guard Deron Williams and shooting guard Joe Johnson; Chicago head coach Tom Thibodeau; NBA MVP Kevin Durant; New York Knicks former head coach Mike Woodson; filmmaker and No.1 Knicks fan, Spike Lee; New York Knicks President Phil Jackson; New York Knicks head coach Derek Fisher; Amar'e Stoudemire and J.R. Smith; former heavyweight boxer Gerry Cooney; New York Knicks fans; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony; former NBA player John Wallace; Prince William and his wife the Duchess of Cambridge greeting Jay Z and Beyonce; Prince William and his wife the Duchess of Cambridge with LeBron James; What's The 411 hosts Glenn Gilliam and Bianca Peart at the NBA 2014 Draft Lottery; NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum; Philadelphia 76ers CEO Scott O'Neill; Minnesota Timberwolves' Anthony Bennett; Basketball players Maria Clifton and Lilka Adams; Kobe Bryant; LeBron James; Wendy Lewis, Senior Vice President MLB; Brian Smith, Senior Vice President, Corporate and Community Relations, New York Yankees; C.C. Sabathia; Oscar de la Hoya; Brooklyn Nets CEO Brett Yormark; boxers Danny Garcia, Oscar de la Hoya and Eric Morales; boxers Zab Judah; Paulie Malignaggi; Danny Jacobs; Bernard Hopkins; Sonya "the Scholar" Lamonakis; Tanzee "Sweet T" Daniel; and Mike Tyson; NFL football players Victor Cruz and Eli Manning; New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin; Richard Sherman; Peyton Manning; and Richard Sherman; former NFL players Wesley Walker and Willie Roaf; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater; Jadeveon Clowney; Johnny Manziel; 2013 Heisman Trophy class; Tennis legend Venus Williams; D.A. Abrams, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, USTA; and Serena Williams

In-studio Report About 2015 WNBA Draft with Naomi Grey

What’s The 411Sports correspondent, Naomi Grey, came to the studio to talk with What’s The 411Sports hosts Glenn Gilliam and Greg Alcala about the 2015 WNBA Draft.

In the video, Naomi gives us the “411” on the first five players selected in the draft; and the New York Liberty’s draft selections. Naomi also engaged in conversation with Glenn and Greg regarding what the WNBA and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver can do to give the WNBA more visibility.

In case you were wondering, the top five picks in the 2015 WNBA Draft were:

1. Notre Dame’s shooting guard, Jewell Loyd selected No.1 by The Seattle Storm

2. Minnesota Golden Gopher’s Amanda Zahui B. selected by Tulsa Shock

3. UConn’s Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis selected by the Seattle Storm

4. Duke’s center/forward Elizabeth Williams selected by the Connecticut Sun

5. Middle Tennessee State University center Cheyenne Parker selected by Chicago Sky

Oddly enough, the Daily News Journal reported that Parker was dismissed from her MTSU team in late February for repeated violations of athletic department policy.

Parker served a five-game suspension for an undisclosed violation of athletic department policy to begin this season. That suspension included both of the Lady Raiders' preseason games and the first three games of the regular season.

I guess the Chicago Sky were unfazed by Parker's athletic department policy violations, or her skills trump the violations. We'll get to the bottom of this later.

For more information about the WNBA Draft, read Naomi Grey’s detailed article about the 2015 WNBA Draft.

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