Latest news with #AllRookie
Forbes
07-07-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
The Most Important Packers: No. 16 — Evan Williams
Green Bay safety Evan Williams (33) is hoping for a big second season with the Packers. The Green Bay Packers went 11-6 last season, sweeping the NFC West and the AFC South along the way. Overall, though, no one in the building was happy. The Packers failed to build on their terrific finish to the 2023 campaign, settled for the No. 7 seed in the NFC playoffs, and lost a Wild Card game to eventual Super Bowl champion Philadelphia. Afterwards, general manager Brian Gutekunst turned up the heat on everybody in the building. 'We need to continue to ramp up our sense of urgency,' Gutekunst said. 'I think it's time we started competing for championships.' Those are fair expectations. The Packers return 20 of 22 starters, and appear to have upgraded the roster via free agency and the draft. With several third and fourth year players trending upward, Green Bay should be poised to make a move. 'I think they're ready,' Gutekunst said. Now, it's time for the Packers to prove their G.M. right. Green Bay's first training camp practice is July 23. Between now and then I will count down the '30 Most Important Packers' heading into the 2025 campaign. At No. 16 is safety Evan 16 Evan Williams, S Last season Williams was named to the Professional Football Writers of America (PFWA) All-Rookie team after an impressive first season. Williams made six starts and played in 13 games as a rookie. He had an interception, forced a fumble, had three passes defensed and 47 tackles. Williams didn't play a single snap in the Packers' Week 1 loss to Philadelphia in Brazil, and he played just 34 snaps from scrimmage in Green Bay's first four games. But he moved into the starting lineup in Week 5 and made six starts overall. What slowed Williams were hamstring and quadriceps injuries, as well as a late-season concussion. In all, Williams missed four games and couldn't finish two others. 'He's got to continue to learn his body,' Packers coach Matt LaFleur said of Williams. 'Because I know we had, there were some injuries last year just to make sure that he's available.'Career to date Williams played four seasons at Fresno State before transferring to Oregon in 2023. During his five college seasons, Williams recorded 307 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 5½ sacks, four quarterback hurries, four interceptions, 16 passes defensed, four forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries. Overall, Williams earned some type of all-conference honors each of his final four college Williams passed fellow rookie Javon Bullard and earned a starting safety job next to Xavier McKinney after a month last season. If Williams can stay healthy, he should keep that position — and could become one of the NFL's top young safeties. Williams posted a 71.9 grade from Pro Football Focus in his first six games of 2024. In his final seven games, though — when injuries hit — Williams had an average grade of 58.3. Williams has the intelligence and athleticism to develop into a high level safety. The key will be staying on the Said It … 'He can be as good as he wants to be. I think he has a weapon in his brain with how smart he is and how aware he is. That accelerates your ability to play early in this league because you can grasp the concepts and what we're trying to get done.' — Packers defensive backs coach Ryan Downard on Williams'I feel like I'm a guy that learns through experience, learns through being in the fire more than just sitting back and watching. I feel like each rep, each step I'm taking this year, I'm just gaining confidence, gaining experience. Honestly I'm just looking to take that step being a confident football player out there and hopefully I'll have the defense just playbook in my back pocket so I can take that next step and think about other things; think about ok what is the offense trying to do here? What is this formation telling me? I feel like I could take steps in that department and taking it a step further and becoming a more proactive player rather than just being reactive.' — Williams on having a year of experience'I think just building on what he's already done and being consistent with it again. Another guy that loves the game. He's extremely intelligent. He comes in with the right mentality. And he just works.' — Packers coach Matt LaFleur on what Williams must do to improveTHE TOP 30 • No. 30 — RB MarShawn Lloyd • No. 29 — WR Dontayvion Wicks • No. 28 — S Javon Bullard • No. 27 — WR Savion Williams • No. 26 — LB Isaiah McDuffie • No. 25 — OL Jordan Morgan • No. 24 — WR Matthew Golden • No. 23 — CB Carrington Valentine • No. 22 — WR Romeo Doubs • No. 21 — QB Malik Willis N0. 20 — DE Lukas Van Ness • No. 19 — RG Sean Rhyan • No. 18 — LT Rasheed Walker • No. 17 — DT Devonte Wyatt
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Chicago Sky Coach Sends Strong Message on Kamilla Cardoso
Chicago Sky Coach Sends Strong Message on Kamilla Cardoso originally appeared on Athlon Sports. As Brazil opened its FIBA Women's AmeriCup campaign in Santiago, Chile, longtime center and 2023 tournament MVP Kamilla Cardoso immediately reminded fans why she's arguably the most dynamic threat on the floor. Advertisement In four group‑stage games, the 24‑year‑old averaged 11.8 points, 9.0 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 2.3 blocks and 1.5 steals across a 21.5 efficiency rating, the highest rating in the tournament. Brazil remains unbeaten through the preliminary round, with Cardoso's interior presence playing a pivotal role in the country's dominant run thus far (+114 plus-minus rating). On Wednesday, Chicago Sky head coach Tyler Marsh praised Cardoso's impressive play for Brazil. "I think that she's been aggressive, they've been winning games," Marsh said. "So she's having fun out there, she's staying healthy. And so we're looking forward to continuing to see what she does, but also we're looking forward to having her back as well." Advertisement Since drafting Cardoso third overall in the 2024 WNBA draft, the Sky have leaned on her versatility as a rim protector and secondary scorer, earning All-Rookie team honors last season. She is again off to a strong start this year. In her 14 games this season before departing for AmeriCup, she averaged 12.7 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.7 assists in just 23.1 minutes per contest, shooting an efficient 56.1% from the field. Chicago Sky's Kamilla Cardoso (10) is putting up impressive numbers for Brazil in the FIBA Gorski-Imagn Images Brazil's quarterfinal clash is set for Friday, with the semi-finals taking place on Saturday before the championship game on Sunday, should Brazil advance that far. Chicago's next matchups are Sunday against the Minnesota Lynx, next Tuesday against the Washington Mystics and a home matchup with the Dallas Wings on July 9. Advertisement With Chicago sitting at 5-11 and in need of a spark, Cardoso's upcoming return could shift momentum. Related: New DeWanna Bonner Update Emerges After Release From Indiana Fever Related: WNBA Responds to Big Caitlin Clark News on Sunday This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Aces acquire NaLyssa Smith from Wings in exchange for 2027 first-round pick
The Las Vegas Aces are eager to make some noise in the playoffs after falling short of their third consecutive championship last season. The team made a bold move in that direction Monday, acquiring NaLyssa Smith in a trade with the Dallas Wings. Smith, who was named to the All-Rookie team in 2022, was in the midst of her first season with Dallas after beginning her career with the Indiana Fever. Through 18 games with the Wings, Smith averaged 6.7 points and 4.9 rebounds. Those figures are much lower compared to her stats with the Fever, where she averaged 13.0 points and 8.0 rebounds over her first three seasons in the WNBA. Advertisement In exchange for Smith, the Wings will receive a 2027 first-round draft pick. This story will be updated.
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Chicago Sky Facing Angel Reese Decision After Kamilla Cardoso News
Chicago Sky Facing Angel Reese Decision After Kamilla Cardoso News originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Chicago Sky have largely struggled since drafting both Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso in the first round of the 2024 WNBA Draft. Last season, the team went just 13-27, and they are off to a 3-10 start in 2025. Advertisement Both players have started alongside each other in the frontcourt since being drafted, and both made the All-Rookie team in 2024, with Reese even making the WNBA All-Star team. Cardoso is second on the team in scoring this season at 11.8 points per game, and Reese is contributing 10.8 points per contest while also leading the league with 11.5 rebounds per game. Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese (5) and center Kamilla Cardoso (10).Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images These second-year players have been two of the focal points of new head coach Tyler Marsh's offense in Chicago to begin the 2025 season. Unfortunately for Chicago, Cardoso will be temporarily leaving the Sky after Tuesday's game against the Los Angeles Sparks. Advertisement She will be competing for her home country Brazil in the Americup tournament at the end of June and into early July, as confirmed by Sky reporter Karli Bell on Monday. "Confirmed: Kamilla Cardoso will be available for tomorrow's game and then leaving after for Americup," Bell wrote. Coach Marsh now has a decision to make about how he plans to mitigate the loss of Cardoso and who will get her minutes and touches until she returns. Sliding Reese up to the center position and playing a bit of small-ball is one option, and is something the team worked on this month at a practice in which Cardoso was sidelined. Given Reese's prowess on the glass, Chicago deciding to use her more at the five in Cardoso's absence would not be entirely surprising, as it could also increase floor spacing around the former LSU star. Advertisement Another choice would be keeping things relatively the same and moving 11-year veteran center Elizabeth Williams into the starting lineup. She is coming off a season-best 16 points and five rebounds against the Dream. While Tuesday's game against the Sparks will likely see Reese and Cardoso start alongside each other once again, fans will surely be monitoring Marsh's decision ahead of Friday's game against the Golden State Valkyries. Related: Dawn Staley's Message to Atlanta Dream Star After Chicago Sky Game Related: Starter Ruled Out for Chicago Sky-LA Sparks Game This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 23, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Grizzlies Make Announcement After Major Zach Edey News
Grizzlies Make Announcement After Major Zach Edey News originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Memphis Grizzlies center Zach Edey was selected No. 9 overall in the 2024 NBA Draft. A superstar at Purdue, Edey immediately stepped into a prominent role with the Grizzlies who were looking for a stabilizing frontcourt presence to replace Steven Adams. Advertisement It was an up-and-down rookie campaign for Edey, who averaged 9.2 points and 8.3 rebounds in 66 games. Making the All-Rookie First Team for his contributions to the Grizzlies, Edey left a lot of reason for optimism in Memphis that he can be a longterm contributor in the starting lineup. Starting 55 of the 66 games he appeared in, Edey was a regular in Memphis' first five. Memphis Grizzlies center Zach Edey (14)© Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images On Saturday, some unfortunate news was announced regarding Edey and his health. ESPN's Shams Charania reported on X that the Canadian big man is set to undergo ankle surgery that will cost him part of the 2025-26 NBA season. Advertisement "ESPN reporting: Memphis Grizzlies All-Rookie center Zach Edey re-sprained his left ankle in an offseason workout this week and will undergo surgery to re-stabilize the ankle," he wrote. "Edey will likely miss the beginning of the 2025-26 NBA season." Shortly after, the Grizzlies made this news official with an announcement: "The Memphis Grizzlies today announced the following medical update for center Zach Edey: During an offseason training session this week, Edey re-sprained his left ankle. Imaging revealed excessive ligamentous laxity, which will require Edey to undergo surgery to address the laxity and re-stabilize his ankle. A preliminary timeline will be provided following surgery, but Edey is expected to make a full recovery." Advertisement Related: Ja Morant Sends 9-Word Message on NBA's Unexpected MVP Decision Related: Grizzlies Star Sends Ja Morant Message After Trade Report This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 7, 2025, where it first appeared.
