THE The Chicago Bulls are staying close to home with their training camp contracts after signing guard Talen Horton-Tucker and forward EJ LiddellBoth players have local ties and are looking for a refreshment.
Horton-Tucker led Simeon to three consecutive Chicago Public League championships from 2016-18 before taking a strong impression as a first year at Iowa State. After the The Los Angeles Lakers Acquired in a draft-night trade in 2019, Horton-Tucker has become a key rotation player for the 2020 NBA champions.
But despite the promise of that season — at 19, he became the second-youngest player to win an NBA title — Horton-Tucker struggled to settle into a stable role with the Lakers, averaging 9.5 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.7 assists over the next two seasons. He was traded to the Utah Jazz in 2022, and his playing time has decreased until his contract expires.
Liddell played high school basketball for Belleville West and was named Illinois Mr. Basketball in 2018 And 2019 before playing three seasons at Ohio State, where he was a two-time All-Big Ten selection.
A second-round pick by the The New Orleans Pelicans In 2022, Liddell didn’t see the field as a rookie after suffering a torn ACL in his summer league debut. He played eight games for the Pelicans last season before they traded him in July to the Atlanta Hawks as part of a package for Dejounte MurrayThe Hawks then traded him to the Phoenix Suns For David Roddyand he was released last month.
The Bulls will hold a media day on Sept. 30 and begin training camp on Oct. 1. The season begins with an away match against the Pelicans on October 23, and the Bulls will play on Oklahoma City Thunder in their home opener on October 26.
Angel Reese launch a podcast
Chicago Sky Rookie Angel Reese launched his podcast, “Unapologetically Angel,” last week as his latest off-the-field venture.
The podcast is produced by Playmaker HQ, a media company founded by Shaquille O’Neal, who was Reese’s mentor. The company also produces “The Roommates” podcast, hosted by The New York Knicks Villanova players and former teammates Jalen Brunson And Josh Hart.
In the first episode, Reese opened up about missing four games early in his final season at LSU, talked about his relationship with college teammates Flau’jae Johnson and Hailey Van Lith, outlined his goals with the Sky and faced off against the story about his dynamic with Caitlin Clark.
The podcast will continue to air on Thursdays despite Reese’s injury ends his season.
DeMar DeRozan looks back on his time in Chicago
Former Bulls star DeMar DeRozan is spending the final weeks of the offseason on a different agenda: a tour to promote his book, “Above the Noise.”
The book’s promotion brought him back into the limelight Paul GeorgeThis week’s “P Podcast,” DeRozan explained the process that led to him leaving Chicago as a free agent. to join the Sacramento Kings. DeRozan said his decision not to re-sign with the Bulls came as no surprise to anyone internally involved in those negotiations — especially his teammate. Zach LaVinewith whom he spent years discussing the future, in flight and between training sessions.
While DeRozan expressed no regrets about his decision, he did point out that his connection with younger players such as Ayo Dosunmu, Patrick Williams, Coby White And Dalen Terry It gave him energy during his time with the Bulls – and made his departure more difficult.
“I was so close to all the guys that I wanted to be a part of their success and growth,” DeRozan said. “I watch how hard these guys work. I didn’t want it to stop. I wanted to be a part of their success.”
“It was like, ‘Come on, man, we gotta do this.’ Because if it goes the other way, from the top, they have to make a decision. And when they make a decision, it’s going to go in a whole direction that can prolong your (un)success.”
Silver medal for Ixhelt González
Chicago native Ixhelt González and the U.S. women’s wheelchair basketball team won the silver medal at the Paris Paralympic Games, which ended last weekend. The United States earned a spot in the gold medal game after beating China by three points in the semifinals.
But the United States was no match for the veteran Dutch, who returned 11 of 12 players from their gold medal-winning team in Tokyo. The Dutch won easily 63-49, with Gonzalez recording eight points, six rebounds and an assist. It was Gonzalez’s second Olympic medal, having won bronze in Tokyo as a 17-year-old.
What we read
Sky Dates to Watch
The Sky will play their final home game of the regular season on Sunday against the Phoenix Mercury. The Mercury hinted that this could be one of the final regular-season games for the veteran star. Diana Taurasiwho is in her 21st WNBA season.
The Sky will finish the regular season on the road against the The Atlanta Dream (Tuesday) and The Connecticut Sun (September 19). The Sky led the Dream by one game for the final playoff spot before AtlantaTuesday night’s home game against the Minnesota Lynx.
The Sky also hold a 2-1 advantage over the Dream in the season series. If the Dream even the series on Tuesday, the next tiebreaker will be conference record. The Sky also have the advantage there with a 5-12 record to the Dream’s 4-12.
What’s next for the Chicago Sky after Angel Reese’s season-ending injury?
Quotable
“We will definitely play on the same team one day.” — Angel Reese Opens Up About Her Relationship With Caitlin Clark on Her Podcast ‘Unapologetically Angel’
