by jose calderon III

The big moment of the offseason is upon us, the NFL Draft. It's the weekend when teams pick up the league's future stars, and GMs have the chance to change the course of their franchises for years to come. This year's draft is loaded with offensive talent alongside pass rushers and a stacked cornerback unit. I expect most of the top QBs to be drafted in the top 5 and lots of team reaching to make ends meet with team needs. It will be a fun few days leading up to the draft, with some of the biggest NFL draft storylines drawing to a conclusion.

1. Chicago Bears: QB Caleb Williams, USC

Starting with Mr. First Overall himself, Caleb Williams. This feels like the worst-kept secret in the NFL since the Bears traded away QB Justin Fields. Am I skeptical about the prospect, Caleb Williams? Yes, very much so. I'm not bought into the show he's brought to the draft concerning his combined status, crying after a game on live television, demanding ownership, and all the antics surrounding wherever he'd land. However, he has a great surrounding cast, including Keenan Allen and DJ Moore. I'd personally sit Caleb for a few games to start the season, but Chicago will likely be pressured to start him due to the hype in taking him. The Bears seem all in. I hope they don't regret the Fields trade.

2. Washington Commanders: QB Jayden Daniels, LSU

This may come to many as a surprise due to the QB2 Drake Maye talk, but Jayden Daniels could come out as the best quarterback of this draft. The Heisman trophy winner had an incredible season with LSU and has proven excellent at the dual-threat game for any team looking for a QB. He's on the older side, at 23, but given the tools, he might be the most pro-ready QB in this year's draft. Washington may have another shot to succeed with a tremendous dual-threat prospect at QB.

3. New England Patriots: QB Drake Maye, UNC

The Patriots have gone to hell and back searching for Tom Brady's successor since he skipped town for sunny Tampa Bay. They've drafted QB Mac Jones and QB Bailey Zappe, but neither seems to be the long-term solution for the position. They have to strike now with a top-3 pick and select a quarterback. However, I am not as high on Drake Maye as other scouts are. The number looks great, with nearly 8,000 passing yards in the past two seasons for UNC, but that's the problem... it was at North Carolina in the ACC. There was not much competition, and the team finished the season at 8-5. They were not the best, considering they were 6th in the division. He's got a huge ceiling but a steep floor. If New England were smart, they'd sit the kid behind QB Bailey Zappe and let him develop accordingly. Meanwhile, tanking another season while drafting another playmaker for Maye. Let's see how the new coaching staff manages this situation.

4. Minnesota Vikings (mock trade with ARI): QB JJ McCarthy, Michigan

My first mock trade of the draft includes a huge deal between the Cardinals and Vikings. The rise of JJ McCarthy on the draft board is the type that makes the team make an absurd trade to get the "QB of the future." And I suspect Minnesota will be the team to make that trade. It could be the Giants, but Minnesota has the most to give. They currently hold two first-round picks in 2024 and would bring JJ into a great situation. He needs to sit out his first year to develop under Sam Darnold, and he'll be set with Justin Jefferson the year after. I like JJ, and I think he's a winner, but he's very green and needs time to develop. It will be a tragedy if he starts week one.

5. Los Angeles Chargers: WR Marvin Harrison Jr., OSU

Coach Harbaugh is the luckiest man on planet Earth. His boy from Michigan, McCarthy, is flying up the charts, which makes this move available. The combination of QB Justin Herbert and a prospect like WR Marvin Harrison Jr. will feed families for years to come. Marvin will fall with the rise of the desperateness for Quarterbacks in this year's draft. He also didn't do much favors for himself by opting out of the combine and Ohio State's pro day. He'll be a great fit for the Chargers, and Coach Harbaugh gets a steal here. 

6. New York Giants: WR Malik Nabers, LSU

Although many suspect a quarterback for the Giants, I don't see them taking Bo Nix or Michael Penix Jr. this high. Instead, get a playmaker in Malik Nabers; this kid has stud written all over him. New York finally gets a playmaker on offense to make up for the loss of RB Saquon Barkley...

7. Tennesse Titans: OT Joe Alt, ND

Tennesse is in a weird position: a young team with a young, developing QB but not quite tanking. What's a better way to help a quarterback develop than by building a wall in front of him? Replace longtime LT Taylor Lewan with a young beast like Joe Alt. Joe would go higher if it wasn't for QBs and superstar WRs.

8. Atlanta Falcons: EDGE Dallas Turner, Alabama

The Falcons have some holes on defense that need addressing, like edge and cornerback; the best defensive player on the board should go here. The team was ranked 11th in defense, and adding a player with the talent of Dallas Turner would take them to that next level they needed. The offense is set with WR Drake London, RB Bijan Robinson, TE Kyle Pitts, and veteran QB Kirk Cousins. This upcoming year should be a revival season for the Falcons.

9. Indianapolis Colts (mock trade with CHI): TE Brock Bowers, Georgia

Another big trade in the top 10 is the Colts trade up with Chicago to take the guy they're in love with. It is no secret that the Colts have attempted to move into the top 10 to acquire Brock Bowers' talent. They haven't made a draft trade under GM Chris Ballard, but I think that ends this year, and they acquire a playmaker to match with QB Anthony Richardson. I'm not huge on Brock Bowers because I don't believe in first-round tight ends, and I see flaws in his blocking and receiving game. He can be used as a utility/slot guy, but you don't draft those in the top 10. However, I could be wrong. 

10. Jacksonville Jaguars (mock trade with NYJ): WR Rome Odunze, Washington

I can see back-to-back trades going down here. The Jets have loved the prospect of Brock Bowers, but with him off the board, they could get a second-rounder in return for a trade back. The Jaguars need a playmaker after losing Calvin Ridley and "replacing" him with Gabe Davis... With Rome Odunze falling here, I can see him landing with Trevor Lawrence and making a splash for them in his rookie year. Jacksonville could also go OL here, but a trade-up for Rome, I believe, will be the most beneficial, as there are many OLs in the draft.

11. Arizona Cardinals (mock trade with MIN): OL Troy Fautanu, Washington

This was supposed to be Minnesota's selection, but with a mock trade with Arizona, I see this going to the Cardinals. Troy Fautanu is the perfect OL prospect for the Cardinals. With a QB of the size of Kyler Murray, he needs elite guards. What better than one of the most flexible offensive linemen in this year's draft? He mostly played tackle in college, but many assume he'll play guard in the pros due to his size. No weapon is available with Harrison Jr., Nabers, and Odunze gone. This is the Cardinals' chance to solidify an OL for Murray to avoid these injuries.

12. Denver Broncos: CB Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo

Unless they reach for a Bo Nix or Michael Penix Jr. selection, I don't see many options here for Denver. Get a lockdown CB like Quinyon Mitchell and fortify that defense.

13. Las Vegas Raiders: CB Cooper DeJean, Iowa

The Raiders find themselves in a similar situation to the Broncos, but luckily, there are a few great talents at cornerback this year. Coop should be a great selection for the Raiders. 

14. New Orleans Saints: EDGE Laiatu Latu, UCLA

The Saints could go offensive line here, but missing out on a talent like Laiatu Latu could bolster up the defensive line and continue to be a top defense in the league. 

15. Chicago Bears (mock trade with IND): WR Brian Thomas Jr., LSU

The Bears don't lose much of their draft position with a mock trade down with the Colts. I can see them pairing Caleb with another premier receiving talent in Brian Thomas Jr. This selection promotes the depth of the wide receiver position. Keenan Allen, DJ Moore, and Brian Thomas Jr. could be a nasty trio.

16. Seattle Seahawks: EDGE Jared Verse, FSU

The Seahawks need help on the defense, and although an interior lineman may be preferable, Jared Verse is one of the top players available. He, alongside Leonard Williams, would be a formidable crew.

17. New York Jets (mock trade with JAX): OT Olumuyiwa Fashanu

The mock trade down with Jacksonville would bring the Jets to 17, and it will be a blessing in disguise that they miss out on Brock Bowers. They recuperated a second-round selection and now have no choice but to select a tackle to defend Aaron Rodgers. And Olu Fashanu falling to 17 is a steal for the Jets. Sitting some games behind Tyron Smith until the inevitable injury could be crucial to his development. There are some flaws in the big man's game, but with the right development, he'll transition just fine to the pros. If I'm GM Joe Douglas, I get as much OL depth as possiblesibly can. 

18. Cincinatti Bengals: OT Taliese Fuaga, Oregon State

How can we avoid Joe Burrow dying behind center? You build him a wall. The Bengals OL was nearly atrocious last season as Joe Burrow suffered a season-ending injury due to the lack of protection. It's time to do right by Joe and get him the protection he needs.

19. Los Angeles Rams: CB Terrion Arnold, Alabama

The Rams need defense, mostly everywhere. After losing Aaron Donald, I could see them going interior DL, but Kobie Turner has been a good get. Losing Jalen Ramsey has had its effect, and I can see them replacing him with Terrion Arnold this year. 

20. Pittsburgh Steelers: OL Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon

The Steelers need linemen badly. RT Broderick Jones has been a beast, but the rest of the line, not so much. Drafting Latham doesn't make much sense because he primarily plays at right tackle. However, drafting Powers-Johnson gives you flexibility due to his ability to play center and guard.

21. Miami Dolphins: DL Byron Murphy II, Texas

Losing Christian Wilkins isn't something you easily recover from. However, getting a premium rookie interior lineman like Byron Murphy can fix that problem. Interior lineman is an issue for Miami, but they can address that in later rounds; possibly getting a steal like G Zak Zinter from Michigan could be in the cards.

22. Philadelphia Eagles: CB Nate Wiggins, Clemson

Philly, Philly, the Eagles desperately need to improve the defensive back position, and snagging a top talent like Nate Wiggins at the position will improve the room drastically.

23. Cleveland Browns (mock trade with ARI, prev. MIN):   DL Jer'Zhan Newton, Illinois

This pick would be part of the trade involving Minnesota and Arizona. The Cardinals holding three first-round picks gives them flexibility to trade back and collect future selections. The Browns get their pick back that they traded to Houston for Deshaun Watson, which made its way to Minnesota. They do this because one of the best defensive talents in this year's draft, Jer'Zhan Newton, is still available, and he will be a steal in this year's draft for the Browns. Cleveland continues to build a top defense.

24. Dallas Cowboys: OT JC Latham, Alabama

The Cowboys enter the draft with various holes in the team as they lost many vets and uncertainty surrounding the QB, WR, and OL positions. This is a must-win year, and you must protect Dak. Build that line and pick up the Bama beast, JC Latham.

25. Green Bay Packers: OL Graham Barton, Duke

The Packers had an incredible season, and they need to continue rebuilding the line for quarterback Jordan Love. You lost Bakhtiari but never had him for much of the season. Graham Barton is another very flexible lineman. He played his whole collegiate career at LT, but many speculate a switch to center or guard. The Pack could use help at all those positions.

26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: EDGE Chop Robinson, Penn State

The Bucs lost star pass rusher Shaq Barrett, so you replace him with CHOP Robinson. What a name. Maybe a reach at round 1, but he'd be a great fit.

27. Arizona Cardinals: WR Adonai Mitchell, Texas

Continue to build around Kyler Murray and give him zero excuses to not ball out this upcoming season. They got this pick from Houston from the trade-up last season to select Will Anderson Jr. Select Adonai Mitchell and get Kyler a playmaker.

28. Buffalo Bills: WR Xavier Worthy, Texas

Stefon Diggs is not a man you can replace. However, you can attempt to fill the void with young and exciting talent like Xavier Worthy, the new 40-yard line record holder. Get Josh Allen some help. He's going to need it desperately in the AFC East.

29. Detroit Lions: CB Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama

KOOL-AID, what a name. One of Detroit's only flaws at defense was the cornerback position. Just a year or so ago, Kool-Aid was always ranked as a top prospect. And he is a great talent to get at 29th overall.

30. Baltimore Ravens: OT Amarius Mims, Georgia

Lamar Jackson and the Ravens are coming off a hot year, the revival of MVP Lamar. They practically lost the entire OL, with Kevin Zeitler, John Simpson, and Morgan Moses departing in the offseason. And Amarius Mims would be solid at RT with Ronnie Staley still at LT. This whole draft should be dedicated to rebuilding the OL and getting more depth at edge and WR.

31. San Francisco 49ers: OT Tyler Guyton, Oklahoma

The Niners need a few positions filled, being linebacker, cornerback, and possibly depth at WR with Brandon Aiyuk in a contract dispute. However, above all those positions, the need for linemen has affected the entire NFL, even the reigning NFC Champs. On the opposite side of Trent Williams' line, Tyler Guyton could be a great duo to help Brock out.

32. New York Giants (mock trade Kansas City Chiefs): QB Bo Nix

A team has to trade up in the late first round for a QB due to the absolute need for it in this year's class. The Chiefs primarily need a WR, and there's not much first-round talent left in the WR department, so I can see them trading this selection. The likely suitors for a trade-up would be the Las Vegas Raiders and Denver Broncos, but there's no logic in helping a division rival acquire the franchise's new face. So, a deal to New York seems likely. The Giants have clearly shown their doubts about Daniel Jones as their QB1, so a replacement feels inevitable. The Vikings jumping them at 4th overall ruins the JJ McCarthy plan. However, the interest in Bo Nix has been reported... develop him under Daniel Jones and then play him. Get that 5th year option.

Where could Michael Penix Jr. land?

I suspect Michael Penix Jr. will drop in this year's draft due to his sustained injury history. Penix has gone through two torn ACLs and two shoulder injuries in his collegiate career. This isn't the ideal injury history for a franchise quarterback. On top of that, he's almost 24 years old. A little old for a top-tier QB draft selection. However, I think Penix will be a steal and is one of the most pro-ready quarterbacks alongside LSU QB Jayden Daniels. I see the Raiders, Rams, Seahawks, or Falcons as a home for him. Rams would be the ideal candidate as he can serve as Stafford's successor. Someone should take a chance on the kid, and it'd be a tragedy if he fell out of the second round.

by jose calderon III

I don't think this is much of a secret, it is just a matter of realization for NBA fans. The ratings, starpower and lack of personality in the NBA has led to a steady decline and inevitable demise. The sport is struggling to find its next big star since LeBron James came on the scene in 2003. Before James, they had Kobe. Before Kobe, they had Michael Jordan. Before Jordan, they had Larry Bird and Magic Johnson. Before Bird and Magic, they had the 70s and 60s. Which were two of the hardest decades for the NBA. 

The Rise from the Ashes:

The reputations of players were ugly and the games were on tape-delay. It was estimated that about 75% of the league used cocaine on a regular basis, during the games and practice. It gave the NBA a tainted reputation and players would also get into open brawls mid-game. Although there were all-stars like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Julius Erving and much more. It wasn't enough to defeat the rising debut of the NFL and dominance the MLB had on the American audience. NBA Commissioner David Stern needed something big. Then came along the showtime Lakers with newly purchased owner, Jerry Buss, and superstar rookie Magic Johnson. However, to every Superman and Batman there has to be a Lex Luthor and Joker... that job would belong to the nasty Boston Celtics led by Larry Bird. This era of the sport would spring them to stardom and give a new life to the sport. Then in 1984, the most-influential player in NBA History was drafted 3rd overall to the Chicago Bulls... Michael Jeffrey Jordan. He would sign a generational shoe deal with NIKE and give birth to the infamous Air Jordans. He would go onto win six championships wearing the number 23. After his dominance, a young man accompanied by Shaquille O'Neal would run the league for years to come in the early 2000s on the Lakers, that being Kobe "Bean" Bryant. After the Lakers dynasty, a young kid from Akron, Ohio would take the High School basketball scene by storm in 2003. He would be compared to the Michael Jordan and be considered the greatest basketball prospect... ever. His name was LeBron James. The year is now 2024, 21 years later, and LeBron James is still the biggest name the NBA has to offer. Now that I've reviewed the legacy and rise of the NBA, this is why it could all be in jeopardy. 

What's the plan?

The next star of the NBA was deemed to be Zion Williamson, superstar college athlete out of Duke University, the last gift from Coach K to the NBA. He would be selected first overall to the New Orleans Pelicans, with lots of hype as he was considered one of the greatest prospects since LeBron. Which is a peculiar statement because he plays power forward and the avergae height for a power forward is, 6'8".... Zion stands at 6'6". That'd be considered below average, he'd also come into the league weighing at 280 at 19 years old. Many compared him to Charles Barkley because of the size but Charles played at 250 and was one of a kind, also never was able to win a championship. Five years since his selection, Zion has had loads of controversy. He's played only 152 games out of 376 possible games played, which isn't even half. Zion has also lost the trust of the organization as leaks came out that the team was upset with his eating habits. Lastly, which is the worst, was his scandal with adult film star, Moriah Mills. She went to social media and dragged his name in the mud. It is safe to say he hasn't lived up the "Next LeBron James" hype.

Another player would be Ja Morant. He was the second players selected in Zion's draft class and has been on a tear. Morant had put Memphis on the map with back to back 50 win seasons and it looked like the NBA had maybe invested all their chips into the wrong 2019 draft prospect. That was until 2023. Ja Morant went on Instagram showing off a gun and after so many warnings and slaps on the wrist, the NBA decided to suspend Ja Morant. He's made his return from suspension and immediately suffered a season ending injury, the Grizzles now sit at third-to-last in the Western Conference. 

Lastly, Anthony Edwards was the first player selected in the 2020 draft class. First of all he plays in Minnesota. However, he's led Minnesota to the top seed in the Western Conference. Ant is on a run of his life and has shut lots of doubters up, including myself. Yet, midway through this run he was also called out by an Instagram model. She claimed he paid her to have an abortion and that has now tainted his "model for the kids" reputation.

For players like Cade Cunningham, Tyrese Haliburton, Paolo Banchero, Victor Wembanyama, Joel Embiid, Chet Holmgren, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jayson Tatum. It's hard to call them "superstars" because either they play for a team like the Pistons, Pacers or the Magic. Also they might have little to no personality or just do not have the hardware to say they're the best in the league with no MVPs or championships.

And for my Giannis truthers, he still plays in Milwaukee and when he made his NBA Finals debut the series averaged a mere 9.9M viewers. Not the best.

The best two players in the NBA are arguably Nikola Jokic and Luka Dončić who are both coming from an NBA Championship and 73-point game respectively. They are both also overseas players which is embarrassing for the NBA because they can't find a star in the states. Both also don't have much of a personality to intrigue the regular fan. Jokic is a great player but goes back to Serbia every offseason to watch his horses. 

The Ratings:

It hasn't been pretty and this is no secret. Only a few years ago the NBA was synonymous with Christmas, you had Christmas and basketball all in one day. The NBA would give us all-time matchups like the Warriors and Cavaliers in the prime Curry-LeBron Era. However, the NFL has entered the Christmas broadcast circle and has taken it by storm. The legendary matchup of the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtice were not able to help the NBA in Christmas 2023 with only a mere 5 million viewership rating, which was a 18% drop from last year's window. Meanwhile the NFL would draw 29 million viewers for the Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants matchup, which was at the same time as the Celtics-Lakers game. So head-to-head on Christmas wasn't a good look for the NBA, but neither was the biggest series of the year... the NBA Finals. Going by the average of the ratings in the past 5 years, there has been a significant drop. In 2019, they averaged roughly a little over 15M viewers. Since, the NBA has averaged 7.5M (2020), 9.9M (2021), 12.4M (2022) and 11.64M (2023). It's gotten better the last two years but hasn't seen their best days. 

To conclude, the NBA is missing the "it" factor. The referring has also been a problem alongside the lack of starpower, no excitement and the sad personalities in most of the NBA's best players. The Women's NCAA National Championship drew in over 18M viewers, so there is a crowd for basketball but just not the current NBA. We won't have the legend of LeBron James for much longer. It is desperate times for the NBA to find it's next big star, is Victor Wembanyama the answer? Only time will tell.

by: Jose Calderon III

The 2023 College Football season has come to an end. It culminated with a showdown between the remaining undefeated teams in the country, the Michigan Wolverines and Washington Huskies. The road to the final for both teams was a challenging one. Both faced tough challenges this season, especially in the conference championship and bowl games. 

The Michigan Wolverines began the season with high expectations after failing to reach the championship final in the last two years. The Wolverines lost against the Georgia Bulldogs and TCU Horned Frogs in the semifinals in 2021 and 2022. With devastating losses in the semifinals, the question has been: Can they get over the hump? There was also looming controversy as Head Coach Jim Harbaugh would start the year with a 3-game suspension because of recruiting violations from 2020. Months later, he would face another 3-game suspension due to sign-stealing violations from one of the coaches on his staff. That coach was immediately fired. Coach Harbaugh would return for the Big Ten Championship against Iowa in a blowout win, 26-0. It was a controversy-filled and emotional season for the Wolverines as offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore would show his emotions on TV after beating Penn State, the first landmark win for the 2023 Wolverines. After convincing wins against three ranked teams, Penn State, Ohio State, and Iowa, the Wolverines would go undefeated and be ranked the #1 team in the country. They would be matched up with Alabama in the semifinal. The Tide has been known as college football's powerhouse, especially with Nick Saban as their coach for the past two decades. This game would be Harbaugh's biggest test, and they passed it with flying colors as they'd take a 27-20 win in overtime. The Wolverines have made it to the final for the first time since 1997.

The Washington Huskies would enter the season with QB Michael Penix Jr. getting ready to enter the draft. They immediately attracted eyes as they had one of the most high-powered offenses in college football led by standout QB Michael Penix Jr., RB Dillon Johnson, WR Rome Odunze,  WR Ja'Lynn Polk, and WR Jalen McMillan. Washington's first landmark win would come against Arizona. The week after, they'd have to play QB Bo Nix and the Oregon offense in another close victory. The Huskies were on a roll and making headlines. Their season had reached a new high when they practically eliminated USC from playoff contention, sending the projected #1 overall pick in the NFL draft, QB Caleb Williams, crying home in a high-scoring game. Washington kept proving doubters wrong and winning. They defeated Oregon, once again, in the Pac-12 championship and were ranked #2 by the college football playoff committee. The Huskies were set to face off against the Texas Longhorns in the semifinal. As it came down to the wire, QB Michael Penix Jr. was too much for the Longhorns to keep up with. They defeated the Longhorns with a defensive stop in the endzone as CB Elijah Jackson came up with a game-winning deflection. Can Michael Penix Jr. prove all the doubters wrong and cement himself as the top QB in the upcoming NFL draft?

The stage was set; the best two teams in the country were facing off. The Wolverines came out shining with the running attack led by RBs Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards. Many expected Corum to attack first, but it was Edwards with the Wolverines' first two touchdowns. The Huskies stayed in the game with Penix leading them downfield, but star RB Dillon Johnson suffered an early ankle injury. However, he would return and fight through his injury. Michigan had a 17-10 lead going into halftime, and the Huskies were back in it. The 3rd quarter was a lackluster contest, but the Huskies were only behind by 7 entering the 4th quarter, 20-13. However, Michigan had other plans as they let Blake Corum loose as he scored two rushing touchdowns with mere minutes left in the game. It was 34-13. Washington attempted to get downfield, but the Wolverine defense was too much and forced interceptions and turnover on downs to end the game. The Michigan Wolverines were on top of the college football world once again. Head Coach Jim Harbaugh completed his goal of bringing greatness back to Ann Arbor. Although there is uncertainty about Harbaugh's future in Michigan, as rumors indicate he may be headed back to the NFL, he finally completed the goal of bringing honor back. Michigan fans remember the recent disappointment of the semifinal losses, losses to Ohio State, and lack of star power at the quarterback position. But that is no more. They have finally conquered the college football championship, a great win for Coach Harbaugh and young QB JJ McCarthy. 

by Gianfranco Agosti 

Endrick Felipe Moreira de Sousa better known as Endrick is the up and coming wonderkid out of Brazil. Born on July 18th 2006, the 17 year-old sensation from Palmerias should be one to watch if you haven't yet. Reportedly bought for 63.6 million from Real Madrid during December of 2022, he is to soon join Los Blancos during the Summer of 2024 to start his journey in Spain. The boy from Taguatinga, Brazil has unbelievable talent.

“It’s a pity that we won’t see Endrick a lot here in Brazil. This boy is going to fly.” said former Brazilian international, Craque Neto. Endrick finished the season with Palmerias and won the league championship. The young star scored 11 goals in 31 games at only the age of 17. This impressive feat is a big factor as to why he has been watched by many clubs all over the world. His goal tally at Palmeiras has surpassed Neymar's record at Santos as the player with most goals under 17 years of age in the top flight of Brazilian football. Right above him, is none other than Ronaldo Nazario who has 12 goals.  

Considering his age, Endrick being 5’8” has proved to be a technically gifted player with good physical attributes. This has led to comparisons to his predecessor Gabriel Jesus, who once played at the same club. Endrick is a player that can dribble through a defense and embarrass his opponents, while making key passes as well. Possessing a powerful left foot, he has great finishing, and is notably able to shoot on target from far, possessing quite the shot power. 

Another big factor in Endrick's promise is how at such young age he has proven to be a mature and mentally strong player. When experiencing stints of goal droughts, he kept up, as well as keeping his composure through crazy amounts of media coverage. “I didn't ask for this. There are situations that cross a line. 'Ah, he's the new Pele.' Man, nobody is going to be Pele, he's the king of football." Endrick would say on GQ Brazil. 

Throughout the 2023 campaign Endrick went through goal droughts. At one point having broken down on the bench after being substituted during a game in February for not having scored. But his mental fortitude would lead him to have an insane goal spree in the final parts of the season scoring key goals leading to many massive points earned. The reward for this goal spree would give Endrick the biggest challenge and reward of his footballing career,, the Brazilian National team call up.

Being the youngest player to be called up since Ronaldo Nazario in 2004, Endrick would make his milestone debut as a substitute against Colombia. He played 8 minutes and was subbed on against Argentina. On social media many football fans' had a sense of nostalgia as they saw a young Endrick appear in outfits that were resembling those of O Rei Pele. 

With the Brasileirão Série A now over, Endrick has to wait until July 2024 when he turns 18, to start playing with Real Madrid. This is due to transfer restrictions set by Fifa for minors playing abroad in the EU. However as of now Endrick has met his future teammates recently as he watched Los Blancos play against Villareal. He has also been seen at a Boston Celtics game where he would swap jerseys with Celtics player, Jayson Tatum. Surprisingly enough, New Balance signed him to a shoe deal on December 19th. 

There is quite a lot of pressure for the young talent and has a lot to prove. He joins a Madrid team that has incredible talent. Endrick must prove himself to gain some form of playing time. The youngster has a lot of eyes on him as he can hopefully be the next big thing out of Brazil since Neymar. Only time will tell.

by Gianfranco Agosti 

The Italian champions are now in a mid table spot half way through the season. Last year's Scudetto champions, Napoli, has had an underwhelming season. Something needs to be done to solve this problem. They have seen such an incredibly horrible dip of form from last year. 

What happened:

With the departures of the exuberant manager Luciano Spalletti, two managers since the beginning of the season, arguably their best defender in Kim Min-jae, a rather monotonous summer transfer window; Napoli seemed to be in an ever falling hole of doom.  

With Luciano Spalletti surprisingly stepping down from the manager role at Napoli and the loss of sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli, president Aurelio De Laurentiis has seemingly not been able to find adequate replacements for these two positions. 

Throughout the summer rumors of big name managers being thrown around such as Luis Enrique, Antonio Conte, and Rafa Benetiz to name a few all could have been great candidates for the job. To conclude on June 15th, 2023 recently sacked manager of Ronaldo’s club, Al Nassar in Saudi Arabia, Frenchman Rudi Garcia was appointed to take the reigns of the Partenopei. The hiring of a recently sacked manager is never an ideal decision.

Rudi Garcia has most notably won the Ligue 1 with Lille in the 2011-2012 season, as well as managing Roma, Lyon, and Marseille. He would find himself in Saudi Arabia for one season being the manager to welcome notably one of the greatest players of this generation Cristiano Ronaldo to the club. With the pressure of such a player and a gain of popularity to the Saudi Arabian league Rudi Garica would underperform and be sacked from Al Nassar. It was a questionable appointment to add this manager when names like Luis Enrquie were available and rumored for the position.

Rudi Garcia eventually would be sacked on November 14th 2023 with a record of 8-4-4 after having a shaky start to the season and losing three games at home. Despite bringing Napoli to the round of 16 in the Champions league it was a rather unconvincing run of games. 

Napoli would turn their heads to a former manager in Walter Mazzarri, who had led the team to a runners up 10 years ago. But things haven’t gone great for Mazzarri either. With a current record of 4-1-6, he has brought Napoli to 8th place by matchday 20. Compared to last year by matchday 20 Napoli sat first with 53 points while now they are at 29 points. 

Transfer market issues:

A lot of the problems may be how defensively incapable Napoli have been this season. The stellar signing of Kim Min-jae and Khvicha Kvarastkhelia, as well as strikers Giacomo Raspadori and Givoanni Simeone were all great last season and proved to be very successful. 

With a boserting defense letting in only 28 goals last season has looked almost completely ruined since last season as the team has now let in 24 goals. The loss of Kim Min-jae has left a hole in the wall Napoli once held, unsatisfactory recruiting from the board has led Napoli to turn their heads to a Brazilian youngster in Natan from RB Bragantino from Brazil, who on his debut hasn’t done bad but will take time to adjust to European football. Napoli would bring in Jesper Lindstrom from Frankfurt for 30 million euros and Swedish centermid Jens Cajuste for 12 million euros. Money was also spent on the clauses of both Raspadori and Simeone which was 36 million euros in total. 

Many fans would expect for a team that just won the Serie A to be making acquisitions for more high profile players, besides Gabri Viega who would move to Saudi Arabia. There was never much competition in deals for many players. The January window is definitely important so that Napoli can improve their squad and attitude. Hopefully bringing in new players that can bring new hope to the side of Napoli. 

It seems that Napoli have had nowhere near a successful season for the first half. A turn around in attitude from the players and most importantly a boost of confidence from President Aurelio de Laurentiis. He has had a rather shaky way of managing the scudetto winning team so far this season. 

The goal for Napoli at this point in the season is to find form and compete for European spots, new manager Mazzarri has a lot more to prove if he wants to keep the job.

by Minnah Khan

The Los Angeles Lakers have won the first NBA Cup tournament, the new in-season contest that began this year. Still, a lot of basketball fans have been speculating about this new tournament: What was the point? What are we going to get as fans? Why are the custom courts hurting my eyes? 

The NBA Cup was an in-season tournament that took place from November 3rd to December 9th. In a series of 67 games total, the top eight would face off in another series of single knockout games to determine a final winner. Furthermore, the winner would win a glorifying trophy and a grand check of $500K for each player of the winning team. Great prize for millionaires right! Founders say the NBA Cup tournament was initially developed to bring hype early on in the season, but do you think fans would call that a success?

Moreover, in an intense lead-up series, the top eight teams included the Pacers, Celtics, Bucks, Knicks, Kings, Pelicans, Lakers, and Suns. After facing off in elimination games during the first half of December, the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Indiana Pacers in the finals – let’s be honest the Lakers aren’t even making it to the REAL finals – to win their $500K pocket change, but more importantly, the chance to hold up that trophy.

So how did this tournament work? It followed a knockout format, with teams competing in a series of elimination rounds. The tournament's single-elimination nature added an extra layer of unpredictability and intensity, making each game a do-or-die scenario. While some people might argue that the NBA Cup stands as a pinnacle in basketball where the best of the best vie for glory, others say it’s completely pointless. 

Upon interviewing NBA fan, Pina, about the overall concept of the NBA Cup, they said, “Initially, I thought the Bucks were going to win. But now after the development of the tournament, I thought the Lakers were definitely going to win. I thought it was kinda weird, kind of off, but now after seeing it, it’s kinda cool and they should keep doing it. I also think having these heavily themed courts was nice, and it’s a cool idea.” I think it’s safe to say that many fans were not expecting this turnout, but the tournament successfully got fans excited for each game.

However, when I asked non-basketball fan Micah Goodman what he logically thought about the format and idea of the tournament, keeping playoffs in mind, he explained “What’s the point if they have a playoffs already, I don’t understand.” Honestly, I’m sure we all initially thought the same, and the results of the tournament has us questioning the unpredictability more and more. 

Yet overall, should the NBA continue this next year? Maybe not the eye grilling courts, but it seems to have exceeded expectations. Also, does the NBA Cup give fans a precursor for what’s to come in the playoffs? Like who thought the Pacers would make a decent run? I definitely didn’t. And the Lakers as well, I thought Lebron would lay low until his grandkids joined the league.

Overall, the NBA Cup seems like a good success and a great chance for teams to write their Cinderella story.

Nonetheless, congratulations to the Los Angeles Lebrons--I mean Lakers--on their win in the first ever NBA Cup tournament! But is it not sketchy that top teams were eliminated…

Best,

Your Fav Knicks fan 

Minnah

by: Jose Calderon III

The Evil Empire is back! The New York Yankees acquired 25-year old superstar OF Juan Soto and OF Trent Grisham from the San Diego Padres in exchange for RHP Michael King, RHP Jhony Brito, RHP Randy Vasquez, pitching prospect Drew Thorpe and long-time Yankee catcher Kyle Higashioka. The worst kept secret in baseball was finally exposed this past week when trade talks intensified between the Yankees and Padres for Juan Soto during Winter Meetings. After having their worst season since 1992 and going 82-80, it was apparent that they needed to make a splash to return to old form. Fans kept calling for the firing of GM Brian Cashman due lack of championship production. Knowing that the fanbase was disappointed, GM Brian Cashman needed to make this trade. 

Acquiring the young superstar solves many problems the Yankees have. They have little-to-none left handed hitters, outfielders and old players. Soto is left-handed, an outfielder and 25 years old. This trade was a no-brainer for both sides and was only just a matter of time. The Padres needed to off-load contracts as the payroll was too high for the upcoming season and Juan Soto will demand around $30M in arbitration this year then will need a contract renewal next year. Soto could demand around $40M-$50M in annual money, which the Yankees will seemingly be willing to pay. Soto’s agent is the legendary Scott Boras, who likes going to free agency with his clients and loves making big money deals with the Yankees. He negotiated the Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon and infamous Jacoby Ellsbury contracts. So with that being said, this contract renewal will likely take lots of negotiating. Mets Owner, Steve Cohen is one of the richest owners in sports and is known for his spending habits. So, GM Brian Cashman will have a heavy competition in negotiations next year in free agency if a contract isn’t signed off on by the end of the season. The Yankees also acquired OF Trent Grisham, who is a really good defensive player. He will likely serve as the team’s 4th outfielder until rookie phenom Jasson Dominguez returns from injury. Grisham is also set to hit free agency next offseason, many contracts coming up for the Yankees as newly-acquired OF Alex Verdugo from the Boston Red-Sox and 2B Gleyber Torres are set for new contracts. 

The Yankees traded RHP Michael King, who was turning into the pitcher that all fans wanted him to become. He has a promising future but you have to trade good players to get great players and the Yankees did exactly that. They also traded the pitching prospect of the year, Drew Thorpe, who was on a tear in the minor leagues. This will likely be the biggest hit in this trade but there was no way he wasn’t going to be included in this deal. They also traded RHP Jhony Brito and Randy Vasquez, who both have promising futures and showed flashes of talent. Lastly, they traded long-time fan favorite catcher Kyle Higashioka… this one stung for many fans. With Austin Wells taking over at catcher, the necessity for Higashioka significantly decreased and led to him being included in the deal as the Padres demanded a catcher. 

IF the Yankees extend Soto, then this deal can be viewed as a win-win. IF not and he leaves without winning a World Series, then this will be viewed very negatively. GM Brian Cashman is playing with fire and risking a lot but this acquisition is the revival of the evil empire. The Yankees are also set to meet with free agent Japanese pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto on Monday in the US. He’s won championships, MVPs and pitcher of the year awards in Japan. They are reportedly high on the Japanese superstar pitcher and are in competition with many teams including the Mets and Giants. If they pull this off… is it World Series or bust? Is the Evil Empire regime back in business? Only time will tell… The Yankees are back in headlines and are taking baseball by storm!

by: Gianfranco Agosti

The U-17 World Cup Indonesia 2023, concluded this Saturday and the boys are finally on their way home. An experience that shows many top clubs the threshold of young talents that these national teams have. In a dramatic 2-2 final leading to a 4-3 score in penalties; Germany came back home with the cup and hopefully serves as another glimmer of light for the current state in German footballing. 

Here’s a review of the top 4 teams of the tournament:

Argentina has once again shown that they are never stopping to produce talents. With Claudio “Diabalito '' Echeverri and Agustin Roberto both players from River Plate scoring a total of 13 goals for Argentina. With the Golden Boot going to Roberto with a total of 8 goals and the Bronze Boot going to Echeverri with 5 goals, 3 of which were scored in a thrashing of Brazil.  

Mali has won the hearts of many football fans as well as leaving the footballing world in shock by beating teams such as Morocco, Mexico, and Argentina on their way to a third place finish. An underdog story that can hopefully shine a new light on African footballers as a hub for new talent. Ibrahim Diarra netted 5 goals and 4 assists for his country giving him the adidas Silver Boot award. Leading his team to a very close semi-final match against France. Inspiring performances by defensive midfielder, Hamidou Makalou winning him the adidas silver ball. 

France has once again not disappointed on the international stage. Le Blues proved their talent by making it to another World Cup final, no matter the age, despite losing they made the game tight and brought it all the way to penalties. Throughout the tournament France kept a strong defense only conceding three goals, The French shot stopper Paul Argney won the Golden Glove for his acts, having a shocking 5 consecutive clean sheets. France’s central player, Mathis Amougou was also on the podium for best players given the Bronze Ball. 

Germany has shown something their senior team hasn't been able to do since the 2014 world cup, win. They have made it to a final and have shown how a German team should be managed. Amassing a total of 18 goals and conceding 9 goals proves another historical win for their youth team. Germany brings glory with a domestic double of a Euro and a World Cup both beating France in penalties. Dortmund talent Paris Brunner won the adidas Golden ball Award with 5 goals to his name scoring a brace in the semifinal and a goal in the final.

by Gianfranco Agosti

The international break ended yesterday with some of the most thrilling games in the South America 2026 Conmebol World Cup qualifiers taking place in the United States, Canada and Mexico. 

Here is my overview of this international break. 

Team of the international break: Uruguay

Uruguay had a great run of form under Marcelo Biesla beating the World Champions undefeated streak in a thrilling game at the Bombonera winning 0-2. Goals from Barcelona defender Ronald Arajuo and Liverpool Striker Darwin Nunez. This is the first defeat of Argentina in the qualifiers and their first loss since their infamous opening game against Saudi Arabia in the world cup.

Uruguay would then host a struggling Bolivian side that still has not been able to pick up any momentum. A cruising 3-0 win for Uruguay left the Bolivians in agony once again as they now sit in 9th place at the end of the break. A brace from Darwin Nunez and own goal off a corner from Gabriel Villiami would decide the game for La Celeste. 

To top off the triumph, Uruguay now sits in second place of the table, only 2 points behind Argentina with only one loss so far this qualifier. There is definitely more to come from this Uruguayan side as Marcelo Bielsa keeps showing why he is the right man for the job. 

Honorable mention: Colombia

Game of the break: Brazil-Argentina 

Even though Uruguay and Colombia shocked arguably the biggest teams in South America. I have opted to go for the biggest classico in the world futballing stage. 

Brazil would host Argentina in the Maracana. Before the game, inevitable violence broke out in the stands as fans from Argentina were being berated by the Brazilian police with batons. 

A bloody scene as a man was left in a stretcher, families were in shock, players were upset, and ultimately, a situation that should be handled much more smoothly leaves me and many others wondering what the Brazilian Federation was thinking, mixing fans from both sides together. 

Argentina captain Lionel Messi would have this to say about the commotion. "It was bad because we saw how they were beating people ... The police, as it already happened in the Libertadores final, were once again repressing the people with night sticks, there were players who had families over there," 

The game would be delayed 30 minutes later starting around 8pm eastern time.

The game was rough; a total of 42 fouls were shared by both sides as Brazil would commit 26 fouls. Rodrigo De Paul would become the main target of Brazil and be fouled 5 times. Additionally in the 81st minute Newcastle player Joelinton was handed a red card after pushing him in the face much after the ball was released by the player. 

Throughout the match Brazil would have much more momentum towards the Argentinian goal with their biggest chance coming from a Gabriel Martinelli strike from outside the box, only for a goal line clearance from Christian Romero. 

The game would be decided at the 63rd from a Giovani Lo Celso corner which would be put in the box for Nicolas Otamendi to head the ball into the goal.  

The game was extremely exciting with many stops throughout the game. Most interestingly this marks the first defeat for Brazil at home in a world cup qualifier. Times are changing and Brazil has lost 3 games in a row. Is it time to get rid of Diniz and find a replacement. 

Honorable mention: Colombia vs Brazil or Uruguay vs Argentina

Player of the break: Darwin Nunez 

Darwin Nunez impressed this international break with 3 goals in 2 games. The Liverpool striker has been sensational with the national team being on the scoresheet the past 4 games. 2 goals against Bolivia and 1 nutmeg to Dibu Martinez has made Darwin nunez the top goal sorcerer of the qualifiers with 5, 2 more than Messi. 

Honorable mention: Luis Diaz  

Best moment: Luis Diaz father goal reaction 

Luis Diaz’s father was recently released from being kidnapped, though all of this, he made time to come and watch his son play against Brazil. Luis Diaz would score a brace scoring two headers in 5 minutes with the second one sending all of Colombia in a frenzy. The goal captures one of the happiest moments as seen in the hearts of Colombians and fans as a crying Luis Manuel Diaz would be spotlighted in an almost fainted state, overwhelmed with joy. 

Shock of the Break: Brazil losing streak

Brazil has more than likely achieved some new feats without even winning. It’s crazy to say but the Seleção has now lost 3 games in a row leaving many fans concerned if this is the right football a team of this caliber should be playing. Former Fluminense manager Diniz has now led Brazil to 6th place after the 6th matchday, maybe one of the lowest spots we will see in our lifetime. 

by Manuel Pereira 

The Memorial High School soccer program has become one of the more premier programs in Hudson County. They started the 2022 season with an 11-0 record, and this year they’ve made the county semi-finals. In the season prior, the Tigers went 1-14-1 and held the third worst winning percentage in the H.C.I.A.L. conference. How did this drastic change happen so quickly?

After an abysmal 2021 season, Athletic Director John Faraccio decided to make a change in the head coaching position. He used an unusual approach in his hiring process. Instead of hiring an in-house assistant, or a soccer coach at a different school, he handed the keys to Dominique Ocello, a former softball coach at Watchung Hills Regional High School. She wasn’t any softball coach, she was one of the best in the state. Ocello led the Warriors to a 27-2 record and a Group IV state title in her last season. Although she came with an impressive resume, Ocello was stepping into an entirely different environment. She was no longer leading a pristine program, she was coaching a different sport, and was now coaching boys rather than girls. 

Fast forward to the summer leading up to her Memorial debut season; Ocello made sure to stay true to her principles and set a championship tone from the beginning. “When I started with the MHS boys soccer team in July 2022 I had to implement my coaching philosophy that the athletes were not used to. I had to start from the ground up to build a foundation… ‘Championship Mindset’ and playing as a ‘family’.... The Championship Mindset is to give 110% with everything you do, starting with the little things then working your way to the bigger priorities.” Ocello also understands that it isn’t just about player and team performance, instead she aims to impact these boys' lives off the field as well, and to create an environment that feels like a big family. “The biggest adjustment was me holding them accountable for everything that they did. To be a well-rounded student-athlete you are expected to uphold a certain level of commitment. Being on time, doing your school work, taking care of equipment, respecting everyone that is a part of the story. It takes a village to run a team with many aspects that go with it. Any coach can run a practice, but do they know the ins and outs of a program? It is a 365 day job and there is no time for days off.”- Ocello. Senior defender Gerson Ventura was a starter in his sophomore year under the former coach, and has spent his junior and senior years playing for Ocello. When asked about the change of culture, he echoes his coach by saying, “There was definitely a drastic change in energy…. The old coach felt burnt out. He would just watch and supervise us in a way. But our new coach, she definitely cares about us, our well being, our mental health, our physical health, and what we do to improve.” He then goes on to say, “She cares about our futures, and has shown us the ways to be able to play at the college level.” 

The outside expectations for the Tigers was minimal, but Ocello knew that with the buy-in of her players, championship level soccer was inevitable. They ended 2022 with a 15-5-1 record, good for first in the National division of the H.C.I.A.L. conference. Kevin Moreno (SR) and Jesus Garcia (JR) emerged as elite players, providing a combined 31 goals. They came up short though in the county and state playoffs, but the season was nothing to scoff at. They looked to build off of it in 2023 against better competition. The Tigers got moved up to the American division, which is the better division in the H.C.I.A.L. conference. Not only that but Memorial also scheduled their independent games against some of the top teams in the state. They held their ground with an 8-8-3 record in the regular season, a Hudson County tournament semi-final appearance where they lost to the 11th best team in the state, and an elite West Orange team in round one of the Section 1 Group 4 state playoffs. It wasn’t the best season and the players were hungry for more. “We try to work as hard as possible, be united as possible to maximize our chances of accomplishing a common goal which is to win hardware for the school we all attend.”- Gerson Ventura when asked about the 2023 season before the State Playoffs. Although they couldn’t deliver the hardware they were striving for, there is no denying the incredible leap these young men made. High Tech’s very own, senior midfielder Davis Diaz, also played a big role in the transformation of the program. When I asked Coach Ocello about her thoughts on the 2023 season she said, “Even though we went .500 in the regular season, it was still a successful one. We accomplished so much in two years, more than anyone ever thought we would. I am very hopeful we will continue to get stronger, better and faster and be able to beat the power house teams in the state in the future.” Emilson Erazo stepped up big this season as a junior and they had promising performances from underclassmen. With the incredible culture that has been set, stars like Jesus Garcia and Emilson Erazo returning, it’s safe to say that these Tigers aren’t done. They believe they will continue to be a problem for other teams in the county for years to come. 

by Cayden Drumeler

The 162 game MLB season has finally come to an end.  Just a few days ago, the Texas Rangers and Arizona Diamondbacks raced off in a 7 game series, to see who would take home the fall classic.  Neither of those teams were expected to be a part of this series, the Arizona Diamondbacks came in the playoffs as the 6 seed, the last spot in the National League.  They battled through some of the toughest competition, defeating the Milwaukee Brewers, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Philadelphia Phillies to make it to the World Series.  The team had a miserable 100 loss season just 2 years before, the team would seemingly be in the rebuild for a while, but a miracle season came upon them, with their young and low salary cap players coming alive putting together an 84-78 season to see them make the playoffs.  The Texas Rangers were frankly a much stronger, and financially stronger team then Arizona.  Along with their already strong regular season roster, they were able to grab 2 pitching pieces from the struggling Mets at the Trade Deadline. 

With all this in mind, we asked you, the High Tech Student body to make your predictions on the 2023 World Series.  The results came in as follows:  61.4% of students chose the Texas Rangers, with the remaining 38.6% taking the Arizona Diamondbacks.  The Texas Rangers took the series convincingly, beating Arizona 4-1, only needing 5 of the 7 available games to bring home the trophy.  The votes came overwhelmingly from the junior population, with 57.1% of all votes coming for the juniors,  sophomores had 26.6% of incoming votes, seniors third with 14.3%, and the freshman had nothing to say this time around.  The votes were also separated by whether the votes actually watched/cared about baseball, and unsurprisingly, the avid baseball watchers predicted 6.1% more accurately than those who don't view the sport.  The most accurate of all 4 grades were the sophomores, somehow all choosing the Texas Rangers, predicting the series with 100% accuracy. Juniors came in a distant second, and the seniors came last with not a single correct prediction.