Latest news with #TheDecision
San Francisco Chronicle
2 days ago
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
Top 2026 NHL draft prospect Gavin McKenna says he's committing to Penn State
Gavin McKenna said he is committing to Penn State, leaving the Canadian Hockey League for the U.S. college ranks in a long-anticipated decision by one of the sport's most anticipated prospects since Connor McDavid. McKenna's jump highlights how much the junior developmental hockey landscape has changed in North America since the NCAA's landmark decision in November to lift its ban on CHL player participation. After word of McKenna's destination leaked Monday, he made the announcement on 'SportsCenter' on Tuesday. It coincidentally came 15 years to the day after 'The Decision' when LeBron James revealed on ESPN he was leaving Cleveland for Miami. 'It was a super tough decision,' McKenna said before donning a Penn State hat. 'Obviously there was a lot of great options out there, but I think me, my family and everyone that's kind of a part of my circle, we all decided that the best spot for me next year will be Penn State University.' McKenna, who turns 18 in December, is regarded a generational talent and has for the past two years been projected as the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NHL draft. 'The (Western Hockey League) was a great spot, and I'm very grateful for what it did for me and my family,' McKenna said, adding he believes facing bigger, older competition will help make the leap to the NHL easier. 'Both options were great, but I just think going to college, being in such a great conference, it'll really challenge me and prepare me.' Leaving the WHL's Medicine Hat Tigers after two-plus seasons, McKenna joining Nittany Lions makes them an immediate contender to win a Frozen Four title. He had narrowed his choices to Penn State, coming off losing its Frozen Four debut in April, and Michigan State. 'You saw what Penn State did this year making the Frozen Four,' McKenna said. 'They've come a long ways, and I think next year when I go there, obviously that's the goal is to win a championship with them.' The NCAA rule change coincides with schools being allowed to lure recruits with name, image, likeness (NIL) endorsement money, further tipping the scales toward CHL players making the jump. Previously, CHL players were barred from competing in college because they were deemed professionals for receiving a stipend of up to $600 per month for living expenses. The lifting of the ban led to college hockey officials envisioning the NCAA replacing the CHL as North America's top producer of NHL draft-ready talent. From Whitehorse, Yukon, McKenna is coming off his second full season with Medicine Hat in which he finished second in the WHL with 129 points (41 goals, 88 assists), behind 20-year Andrew Cristall's 132. McKenna's point total was third among all CHL players, rounded out by OHL's Michael Misa's 134. Misa is a year older and was selected second by San Jose in this year's draft. McKenna most notably closed this season with a 45-game point streak in which he combined for 32 goals and 100 points, and finished the playoffs with nine goals and 38 points in 16 games. Including playoffs, he failed to register a point just four times. McKenna's potential has already caused a ripple effect among NHL teams, who have been guarded about trading their 2026 first-round selections in fear of potentially missing out on a chance to select him. McKenna's name even caused a buzz at the Frozen Four in St. Louis, where there was already speculation of him being lured south. Counting the regular season and playoffs, McKenna combined for 91 goals and 198 assists for 289 points in 158 career games in the WHL. He already has NHL ties in being a cousin by marriage to Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard, the No. 1 pick in the 2023 draft. McKenna grew up in Whitehorse befriending the family of Dylan Cozens, the Ottawa Senators forward who was selected seventh overall by Buffalo in the 2019 draft. ___
Fox Sports
2 days ago
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Top 2026 NHL draft prospect Gavin McKenna says he's committing to Penn State
Associated Press Gavin McKenna said he is committing to Penn State, leaving the Canadian Hockey League for the U.S. college ranks in a long-anticipated decision by one of the sport's most anticipated prospects since Connor McDavid. McKenna's jump highlights how much the junior developmental hockey landscape has changed in North America since the NCAA's landmark decision in November to lift its ban on CHL player participation. After word of McKenna's destination leaked Monday, he made the announcement on 'SportsCenter' on Tuesday. It coincidentally came 15 years to the day of 'The Decision' when LeBron James revealed on ESPN he was leaving Cleveland for Miami. 'It was a super tough decision,' McKenna said, before putting on a Penn State hat. McKenna, who doesn't turn 18 until December, is regarded a generational talent and has for the past two years been projected as the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NHL draft. ___ AP Hockey Writer Stephen Whyno contributed. ___ AP college sports: recommended Item 1 of 1 in this topic
Time of India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
'Cowardly betrayal'- LeBron James delivers stunning decision to leave Cleveland Cavaliers for Miami Heat
'Cowardly betrayal'- LeBron James delivers stunning decision to leave Cleveland Cavaliers for Miami Heat (Image Source: Getty Images) Fifteen years ago, the basketball world stopped for a TV special that changed everything. LeBron James shocked fans when he announced he would leave the Cleveland Cavaliers. The news came during a live ESPN broadcast called The Decision. What he said next sparked cheers in Miami, heartbreak in Cleveland, and years of debate that still continue today. LeBron James leaves Cleveland Cavaliers during live ESPN special LeBron James was 25 back then. He had played seven years with the Cleveland Cavaliers. People in Ohio loved him. He was born in Akron and was seen as the one to bring them a championship. LeBron went on live TV and the show was called The Decision. It aired from the Boys & Girls Club in Greenwich, Connecticut. At exactly 9:28 PM ET, LeBron said the now-famous line: 'I'm going to take my talents to South Beach and join the Miami Heat.' That one sentence turned cheers into boos in seconds. Cleveland Cavaliers fans were crushed. Many burned his jersey in anger. Team owner Dan Gilbert wrote a public letter calling LeBron's move a 'cowardly betrayal.' On the other side, Miami Heat fans celebrated. Their team had just added LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh, forming a 'Big Three' that promised championships. LeBron James builds dynasty in Miami and starts NBA's superteam era After joining the Miami Heat, LeBron James played in four straight NBA Finals from 2011 to 2014. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Why seniors are rushing to get this Internet box – here's why! Techno Mag Learn More Undo He won two titles in 2012 and 2013. His move didn't just create wins - it changed the entire league. For the first time, fans and players saw how much power star athletes had in free agency. The phrase 'take my talents to South Beach' became a pop culture reference. From sports debates to memes, people kept talking about it. That 2010 decision is now seen as the moment when the 'superteam era' officially began. On July 8, 2024, sports outlet ClutchPoints posted a throwback on social media, marking 15 years since the famous moment. Fans filled the comments with old emotions - some still upset, others thankful for what came next. Labron James went back to Cleveland Cavaliers in 2014. Two years later, in 2016, he helped him win his first NBA Championship. Nevertheless, for many people, the night he left in 2010 is difficult to forget. This was a moment that changed everything. Also Read: 'I just screamed'- Dwyane Wade admits he screamed at TV star Bellamy Young in rare fanboy moment That moment wasn't just about basketball. It was about a bold choice, deep emotions, and a sentence that rewrote the league's future. Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
Winnipeg Free Press
2 days ago
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Top 2026 NHL draft prospect Gavin McKenna says he's committing to Penn State
Gavin McKenna said he is committing to Penn State, leaving the Canadian Hockey League for the U.S. college ranks in a long-anticipated decision by one of the sport's most anticipated prospects since Connor McDavid. McKenna's jump highlights how much the junior developmental hockey landscape has changed in North America since the NCAA's landmark decision in November to lift its ban on CHL player participation. After word of McKenna's destination leaked Monday, he made the announcement on 'SportsCenter' on Tuesday. It coincidentally came 15 years to the day of 'The Decision' when LeBron James revealed on ESPN he was leaving Cleveland for Miami. 'It was a super tough decision,' McKenna said, before putting on a Penn State hat. McKenna, who doesn't turn 18 until December, is regarded a generational talent and has for the past two years been projected as the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NHL draft. ___ AP Hockey Writer Stephen Whyno contributed. ___ AP college sports:
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
NBA》15年前的現在 LeBron James上電視宣佈「The Decision」就此改變聯盟生態
15年前的7月8日，詹姆士(LeBron James)透過ESPN的全美轉播，向全世界籃球迷宣佈自己決定將天賦從克利夫蘭帶往邁阿密，「The Decision」不僅從此留名青史，甚至直到15年後的現在，依舊能感受到當時這個重大事件留下的深刻影響。 LeBron James' 'The decision' interview from 2010 — Historic Vids (@historyinmemes) May 4, 2025 「The Decision」除了對詹姆士、克利夫蘭騎士隊及邁阿密熱火隊等當事者帶來直接影響之外，整個過程對聯盟生態造成最直接的衝擊，就是「球員自主權」的崛起。 過去幾年，我們看到不少球員主導自己在自由市場和交易中的落腳處，為了尋求最有利自己發展的環境，球員們常對所屬球隊施壓要求補強，即便偶爾還是會爆出唐契奇(Luka Doncic)這種無預警被捨棄掉的案例，但整體而言，聯盟中目前真正握有最大權力的是球員。 有些專家認為，這股風潮其實從詹姆士宣佈The Decision之前的兩年就開始醞釀，當時有不少球隊為了延攬詹姆士，從2010年夏天前幾年就開始清楚球隊薪資空間，於是那段期間，合約在2010年到期的球員突然變得非常搶手。 根據當時的一些八卦消息指出，詹姆士在最終階段將有興趣加盟的隊伍名單縮減至6隊，並從7月開始陸續和這幾隊會談，這些球隊包括布魯克林籃網、熱火、紐約尼克、洛杉磯快艇、騎士和芝加哥公牛，值得注意的是，詹姆士陣營並不是到這些球隊所在地進行會談，而是讓這些球隊代表到自己位於克利夫蘭的辦公室會面，充分展現主導權。 這個模式後來幾乎成為所有頂級球星談判合約的準則，除了最終引人詬病的電視轉播公佈結果之外，從挑選會面地點、與多隊會談、刻意拉長談判天數等，近年來可說是屢見不鮮，也讓球星主導權日益強大，近來甚至包括練球時間、隊友陣容、教練團隊等安排，球星們常常都展現關鍵影響力。 除了球員主導權興起之外，伴隨社群媒體興盛而形成的「爆料文化」、以及三巨頭團抱爭冠模式等，似乎也都從The Decision開始成為趨勢，即將邁入第23個職業生涯的詹姆士，帶給聯盟的深刻影響力絕對不僅止於場上那些不凡數據而已。
