Latest news with #Houstonian
Axios
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Axios
A new Houston audience goes all-in on mahjong
Mahjong is making a major comeback — and the tile game is now trending with a younger, diverse audience. Why it matters: The centuries-old Chinese strategy game often associated with older generations in the Asian diaspora has a new wave of players in Houston who are making it their own. Stunning stat: Between 2023 and 2024, mahjong events on Eventbrite surged 179% nationwide and a staggering 867% in Houston, per the online platform's data. Among the nine major cities analyzed by Eventbrite, Houston ranked third for most events last year, behind New York and San Francisco. State of play: While longtime players continue their regular games, a new crowd is reshaping the hobby — drawn in by post-pandemic social appeal, and, of course, all the new pretty tiles in the market. Houston - and Dallas -based tile companies now sell sets that run upward of $300. Houstonian Amanda Commons discovered mahjong on a bachelorette trip about three years ago and, along with her friend Nicole Cottone, joined a group of HISD moms in West University who had a Google Sheet of roughly 100 players. In November 2023, Commons and Cottone launched That's aMAHJzing, a company offering $60–75 lessons to help people start their own neighborhood groups. They also host $50 open plays, tournaments and kids camps. "I think it's people craving connection … and I think people like to get involved with beautiful trends," Commons tells Axios. Making an old game "bougie" and slapping "a big price point" also makes more people want to play, Commons adds. The big picture: As demand grows, many instructors now regularly teach the American version of mahjong in collaboration with tile companies. While many new players are white women, the resurgence is drawing people of all ages and backgrounds — including those reconnecting with the game through their cultural roots. Flashback: Originally Chinese, mahjong was embraced by Jewish women in 1930s New York, shaping the American version still played today — including at the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston. Versions like Cantonese, Taiwanese and American each have distinct rules — all played by four people, often with gambling elements. Zoom in: The Chinese Community Center in Houston is seeing a rise in mahjong participants, too. After a successful AAPI Heritage Month game event in May, the center began hosting monthly beginner meetups using the Taiwanese version and is now adding bimonthly club sessions for more experienced players, CCC development manager Jo Truong tells Axios. The most recent meetup hit capacity with 40 players across 10 tables — only four of whom were CCC members. Entry is $35, and the event gained traction through a "very active" Facebook mahjong group sharing the invite. What they're saying: Lynn Chou, who started playing at age 6, now teaches alongside friends at the CCC and says attendees have ranged from young children to a 100-year-old.
USA Today
18-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
See which Texans players cracked CBS Sports' top-100 player list
See which Texans players cracked CBS Sports' top-100 player list The 2025 NFL season is quickly approaching (in a few months), which means everyone is beginning to take a hard look at the state of the league, which teams are filled with standout players and who could have the biggest impact on the year's outcome. CBS Sports' Pete Prisco ranked his top 100 players heading into the 2025 season. Four Houston Texans made the list, with two landing inside the top 50 and one inside the top 25. All-Pro cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. was ranked the highest at No. 23 and No. 2 ranked defensive back, trailing only Denver Broncos star and reigning Defensive Player of the Year Patrick Surtain II. Last season, Prisco rated Stingley at No. 80 overall. New York Jets All-Pro Sauce Gardner, who was selected after Stingley, came in at No. 24. "Stingley Jr. has emerged as one of the best cover players in the league after a so-so rookie season in 2022, which is why the Texans rewarded him with a big extension," Prisco wrote. "He had five interceptions in 2024." Not only did Stingley finish top five in interceptions, but he also posted 18 pass breakups (second most) and allowed the second-lowest completion percentage among cornerbacks with at least 200 coverage snaps (46.7%), according to NFL Next Gen Stats. His performance led to a new three-year, $90 million extension this offseason, making him the highest-paid cornerback in the league with an annual $30 million salary. Defensive end Danielle Hunter joined Stingley inside the top 50 after a promising first season with the Texans, coming in at No. 47. The native Houstonian wasn't the top name on the Texans' defensive line, but his consistency and pressure rate allowed Will Anderson Jr. to go untouched in most instances en route to a breakout second season. "Hunter had 12 sacks in his first season with the Texans, giving him three straight double-digit sack seasons and five straight in seasons where he's played at least 16 games," Prisco wrote. "He is a force off the edge, teaming with Will Anderson Jr. to give the Texans a nice combo." Anderson, who totaled a team-leading 13.5 sacks and 19 tackles for loss, cracked the top 60 at No. 56. His lethal speed and hand usage makes him one of the rising stars entering a pivotal year ahead of contract negotiations. "In his second season, Anderson Jr. had 13.5 sacks for the Texans," wrote Prisco. "He pairs with Danielle Hunter to give Houston one of the best edge-rushing duos in the league." Even after missing five games, Nico Collins made the list at No. 67. Among receivers, Prisco listed him as the No. 9 pass-catcher entering this fall, but it has more to do with his time off the field than on it. Even in 12 games, he averaged over 14 yards per catch and finished with over 1,000 receiving yards for the second straight season. "Bothered by injuries, Collins played in just 12 games last season as the Texans offense took a step back," Prisco wrote. "When he was on the field, he was still a big-play threat with 68 catches and seven touchdowns. He averaged 14.8 per catch, which was down from the year before." Oddly enough, neither quarterback C.J. Stroud nor running back Joe Mixon made the list despite their statistical accomplishments in 2024 and predicted consistency heading into the season. Prisco ranked 11 other quarterbacks and eight other running backs, which should give you an indication of where the Texans' backfield could rank in his eyes. The Texans open the regular season on the road against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Sept. 7.
USA Today
09-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
‘Fought with grit, heart, and determination': Steven Adams reflects on Rockets' season
'Fought with grit, heart, and determination': Steven Adams reflects on Rockets' season 'We fought with grit, heart, and determination, displaying the kind of resilience that goes beyond the court,' veteran center Steven Adams says of the 2024-25 Rockets. The 2024-25 NBA season didn't have the desired postseason ending for the Houston Rockets, but it was a largely successful one for veteran center Steven Adams. After missing all of last season due to knee surgery, Adams worked his way back into form in 2024-25 and took on a massive role in the 2025 playoffs, finishing as Houston's most impactful player (by many metrics) in its first-round series against Golden State. Days after Houston lost its winner-take-all Game 7, the 31-year-old took to Instagram to thank fans of the team. The Rockets concluded the regular season at 52-30 and No. 2 in the Western Conference, representing their best finish this decade. Via Instagram, Adams shared his thoughts on the journey: Houston, thank you. The energy, passion, and unwavering support you brought to the arena this year were nothing short of incredible. I hope we represented this city with the pride and resilience that define what it means to be a Houstonian. Going to battle with the brothers was an honor. We fought with grit, heart, and determinationdisplaying the kind of resilience that goes beyond the court. Proud of the boys and everything we learned together. Adams will be an unrestricted free agent in the upcoming 2025 offseason, though there appears to be mutual interest in a return to Houston. In seven contests against the Warriors, Adams averaged 5.7 points (60.0% FG), 6.6 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks in 22.1 minutes per game. Beyond his on-court contributions, the New Zealand native is also extremely well regarded for his leadership skills and locker-room presence. More: As free agency looms, Rockets hopeful of reunion with Steven Adams
Black America Web
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Black America Web
Megan Thee Stallion FINALLY Replies to Slim Thug Shooting His Shot Online
Black America Web Featured Video CLOSE Source: 300 ENT / 1501 Certified If there's one thing about Slim Thug, he's gonna speak his mind online. The topic could be politics, sports, women's rights and even celeb crushes. Recently Thugga's being campaigning for the affection of fellow Houstonian Megan Thee Stallion. RELATED: Vivica A. Fox Said THESE HOLLYWOOD MEN Are The Best Kissers As reported on Hip Hop Wired , after the Hot Girl Coach was seen dancing to two of his classic tracks, 'Thug from Around the Way' and the iconic 'Still Tippin,' Slim Thug took it as more than just a tribute. 'Aye, if that ain't a 'Daddy, I want you' call then what is,' he said. 'She danced to two of my songs? I say I'm in there.' The rapper believes it's only a matter of time before Megan makes the first move. 'I'm just waiting on my day she comes to Houston and hits me up,' he added with a smirk. The two H-Town artists go way back, with Slim Thug showing love to Megan early in her career. Their paths have crossed at several Houston events, but fans are skeptical about his recent crush claims. Many online are calling Thug delusional, saying Megan was simply showing respect to another Houston icon, not flirting. 'That's not her shooting her shot, she's just reppin' the city,' one fan commented. Now Meg has replied to Slim's playful advances. 'And no, Slim Thug, this don't mean I like you,' she said before a massive crowd. 'I just like your music babe.' Check out the video below. SEE ALSO Megan Thee Stallion FINALLY Replies to Slim Thug Shooting His Shot Online was originally published on
USA Today
20-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Space City Home Network to offer local playoff broadcasts for Rockets-Warriors series
Space City Home Network to offer local playoff broadcasts for Rockets-Warriors series For fans wanting a local call, Houston's Space City Home Network (SCHN) will broadcast Rockets-Warriors playoff games for most of the first round. SCHN will also have pregame and postgame coverage. In the 2025 NBA playoffs, every game will be broadcast to a nationwide audience by one of the league's national television partners. But for first-round series, with the lone exception of ABC exclusives, games can also be broadcast by each team's regional sports network (RSN). For the Rockets, that's Space City Home Network (SCHN), which the organization jointly runs with Major League Baseball's Houston Astros. SCHN is available on distribution platforms including DirecTV, Xfinity, AT&T U-verse, and fuboTV (free trial). So, in the case of Sunday night's Game 1 between the Rockets and Golden State Warriors, fans have the option of watching either the national feed on TNT or the local feed on SCHN. The SCHN broadcast will have the team's usual announcers during the regular season — Craig Ackerman as play-by-play, Ryan Hollins as analyst, and Vanessa Richardson as sideline reporter — on the call. For Hollins and Richardson, who joined the Rockets' broadcast team in late 2021 and 2022, respectively, it will be their first time calling live playoff action. 'Craig, Ryan, and I couldn't be more thrilled to be broadcasting playoff games,' Richardson told Rockets Wire. 'I have so much respect for national media, but I think Houston sports fans will enjoy the option of watching the first-round games with their local broadcasters.' Of the first four games of the best-of-seven series, only Game 3 is an ABC exclusive. That means SCHN will carry Game 1, Game 2, and Game 4. The broadcast networks and tipoff times for Game 5 and beyond (schedule) have yet to be determined, since those games are not yet necessary. As part of its coverage, SCHN will also have its usual pregame and postgame shows featuring former Rockets as analysts — most notably, Hall of Famer Calvin Murphy and native Houstonian Gerald Green. These pregame and postgame shows can run immediately before and after every game, including ABC exclusives. For example, even though SCHN can't broadcast Saturday's Game 3, the network does have a live postgame show scheduled for that night. Those shows will include live reaction, analysis, and interviews with players and coaches from the Rockets. 'I'm passionate about sharing the incredible things this franchise is doing, as someone who is fortunate to be around this team daily,' said Richardson, who also attends every practice and shootaround while collecting exclusive content and one-on-one interviews for use on future broadcasts and social media. All NBA playoff games in the second round and beyond are national TV exclusives, though SCHN —should the Rockets advance — would still have the right to air pregame and/or postgame content. In that round, the winner of the Western Conference series between the No. 2 Rockets (52-30) and No. 7 Warriors (48-34) will face the winner of the series featuring the No. 3 Los Angeles Lakers and No. 6 Minnesota Timberwolves. In 2026 and beyond, under the NBA's new agreement with its national TV partners, every playoff game — first round included — will be a national exclusive. Thus, the 2025 playoff run is the last under the current structure. But for fans of the Rockets, it does provide a few more opportunities to see and hear the familiar voices of their own broadcast crew during a memorable 2024-25 season. Tipoff of Game 1 and Game 2 is at 8:30 p.m. Central on Sunday and Wednesday nights, respectively, with both games available to watch on SCHN. Since Houston had the superior regular-season record and holds home-court advantage in the series, both will be played inside the team's home arena of Toyota Center. SCHN's most recent playoff broadcast was Game 7 of Houston's 2020 first-round series versus the Oklahoma City Thunder, which the Rockets won to advance to the second round. Prior to 2025, that was the last year the Rockets qualified for the NBA playoffs. More: By the numbers: Key head-to-head statistics for Rockets, Warriors in 2024-25 season
