A North Carolina judge ruled Tuesday that public school athletes in the state can profit from NIL. The ruling stems from the lawsuit the mother of Class of 2026 Tennessee five-star quarterback commit Faizon Brandon brought against the North Carolina Board of Education and Department of Public Instruction. Wake County Superior Court Judge Graham Shirley made his ruling Tuesday. Please click here for more.
Former Duke player AJ Griffin exits $17M contract to follow Jesus: ‘The Lord was calling me’
Third-year NBA player AJ Griffin, who played at Duke, is giving up professional basketball to serve in ministry full-time. Just ahead of the 2024-25 NBA season, Griffin announced on his YouTube page that he would be stepping away from basketball after reaching an agreement to be waived by the Houston Rockets. “I gave up basketball to follow Jesus,” Griffin said. He was an honorable mention All-ACC selection and member of the ACC All-Freshman Team in 2022. Please click here for more.
After touring western NC, Trump learns of Pete Rose’s death, pushes for Hall of Fame
Following the death of Pete Rose, Former President Donald Trump praised the star and insisted Rose finally be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Please click here for more.
Latest in Duke Basketball Recruitment of Boozer Twins
The decision dates remain a mystery, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if Duke basketball soon gets an answer from the legacy five-star brothers. It appears both are down to three programs – Duke, Florida and Miami. Please click here for more.
Davin Vann, NC State football spearheading relief effort for those affected by Hurricane
N.C. State football defensive lineman Davin Vann and the Wolfpack are collecting relief supplies to send to western North Carolina in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Vann’s mother, Joy Hall, owns Joyful Movers moving company in Cary. The Wolfpack will be collecting donations and filling up trucks for communities dealing with the devastating effects of Helene. Please click here for more.
Four star guard no longer considering UNC in recruitment; Duke still in the mix
Acaden Lewis is no longer considering the Tar Heels in his recruitment. UNC just recently landed guard Derek Dixon and are in pursuit of guards Braylon Mullins and Isaiah Denis as pieces to the 2025 class. That leaves a final three that includes Duke, UConn, and Kentucky. Please click here for more.
UNC’s Mack Brown: ‘We shouldn’t ever be critical of kids’
In case he hasn’t been looking at social media, Mack Brown doesn’t seem to have to worry about him getting the blame rather than his players. Still, Brown told the coaches, “Don’t blame players. That doesn’t work. You got them all here. You’ve had them since January.” He expects his team to pull together and player tougher against Pitt this weekend. Please click here for more.
College football in North Carolina is struggling. What are the reasonable expectations?
Doesn’t it feel like the best teams are somehow even better than they used to be, relative to the rest of the sport? Doesn’t it feel like the gap is somehow widening between the UNCs and NC States of college football, and those schools at the very top? Andrew Carter of the News & Observer weighs in. Please click here for more.
Canes’ Jackson Blake Growing His Stock Throughout Preseason
Jackson Blake, a North Dakota rookie, seems to be the type of player that Carolina Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour looks for within his system. What makes him lethal is his passing ability and what he can do with the puck on his stick. He has become an elite versatile playmaker who has tremendous puck-handling abilities and a high hockey IQ. Please click here for more.
4-Star Prospect Derek Dixon Commits to UNC Men’s Basketball
Derek Dixon, who is rated as a four-star prospect in the recruiting class of 2025, announced his commitment to Hubert Davis and the UNC men’s basketball program on Friday. Please click here for more.