This past Saturday night, the University of Maine men’s basketball team encountered their conference rivals, the University of New Hampshire, in a closely contested matchup, ultimately falling to a final 60-57 score.

Third-year forward Trey Woodard opened up the scoring for the Wildcats with a layup offensive rebound. Fourth-year forward Peter Filipovity quickly answered with a layup of his own, placing the Black Bears on the scoreboard. Filipovity started the game hot, scoring eight of Maine’s initial 11 points.

Despite Filipovity’s strong early performance, the Black Bears found themselves trailing 27-19 with just under seven minutes remaining in the half, the largest deficit thus far. A jumper by third-year guard Kellen Tynes ignited a 17-6 run heading into halftime.

The Black Bear offense clicked in the first half, shooting 56% from the field despite poor shooting from behind the three-point line. The defense forced turnovers and capitalized on them in transition, scoring nine points off turnovers and four fast-break points. UNH dominated the offensive and defensive glass, out-rebounding Maine 17-10 and securing six offensive rebounds to Maine’s zero. Nevertheless, the Black Bears led 36-33 in the second half.

Both offenses struggled after the break, with the first points being scored over two minutes into the half. After trading back-and-forth baskets, fourth-year forward Jaxson Baker knocked down consecutive three-pointers for UNH to tie the game at 40. Maine second-year guard Jaden Clayton responded by going on a 5-0 run to take back the lead.

Trailing by four points with just over 12 minutes remaining in the game, Woodard scored eight consecutive points to give UNH their first lead of the half. The Black Bears faced challenges in getting their offense going, and UNH capitalized, scoring in fast-break opportunities.

In the closing moments, fourth-year forward Adam Cisse got a steal with 32 seconds left in the game, setting up for a jumper by third-year forward AJ Lopez to bring Maine within one point. Third-year guard Ahmad Robinson was sent to the line with a chance to put the Wildcats up by three, sinking both free throws. Despite the odds, the Black Bears had an opportunity to send the game to overtime but could not convert.

Holding UNH to 60 points, a team that averaged 76.9 points per game entering the matchup, is an incredible defensive feat. The issue for Maine was their second-half offense, shooting a 24% conversion from the field and were 0-6 from the three-point line (1-13 for the entire game).

Filipovity delivered another standout performance, with a game-high 20 points. Clayton and Tynes reached double figures for the Black Bears with 12 and 10 points, respectively. For UNH, fourth-year forward Jaxson Baker scored a team-high 18 points with 10 rebounds. Woodard and fourth-year forward Clarence Daniels both scored 13 points.

Maine aims to return to the winners’ column when they face Bryant this Thursday.

The University of Maine basketball team picked up a big conference win on Saturday, winning 79-72 against the Bryant University Bulldogs in The Pit.

UMaine entered the game with a 12-8 record, 5-1 in conference play, coming off a 62-76 loss to UMass Lowell. Bryant entered the game with a 14-8 record, 6-1 in conference play, coming off a 99-95 win against the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.

Fifth-year guard Sherif Gross-Bullock opened the scoring for Bryant with a layup off an out-of-bounds play. Second-year guard Jaden Clayton drained a wing three to put the Black Bears on the board. Gross-Bullock and Clayton traded two more buckets, respectively, before Bryant’s fifth-year forward Connor Withers got involved in the scoring action with a three.

Maine’s offense was stagnant at the start of the game, with multiple miscommunications leading to several sloppy turnovers. Clayton was the only one whose shot was falling, and he was keeping the Black Bears in the game with his aggressiveness, including a beautiful spin move leading to a lefty layup off the glass.

Despite his efforts, Maine was down 27-16 with just under seven minutes left in the first half. Gross-Bullock, Bryant’s leading scorer, got a technical foul after complaining about getting his fourth foul on a block attempt. The Black Bears smelled blood in the water and capitalized on the momentum after the technical. The offense finally started clicking, and Maine went on an incredible 11-0 run, capped off by a jumper by third-year forward Kristians Feierbergs.

Fourth-year guard Earl Timberlake ended Bryant’s scoring drought with a layup, but Clayton quickly responded with a jump shot after crossing over his defender. Then third-year forward AJ Lopez took over, scoring on a step-through jumper and driving layup to give Maine a 31-29 lead, their first since 18 minutes into the game. 

The Bulldogs responded quickly, scoring three straight buckets to retake the lead. Just before the halftime buzzer, Feierbergs hit a shot to narrow the deficit to 33-35. Although Maine’s field goal percentage was only 38.7% compared to Bryant’s 51.7%, they could draw fouls and convert from the free-throw line.

Bryant got to the free throw line to start the second half, with more free throw attempts in just the first two minutes than they took in the first half, to go up 40-35. That’s when it became the AJ Lopez show. The 6-foot-5 forward scored nine straight UMaine points, reducing the Bryant lead to one. The Black Bears again took the lead with a layup by fourth-year forward Peter Filipovity.

Maine expanded their lead to 10 with just under 12 minutes remaining in the half. Bryant then went on a 7-0 run to tighten the game. The two teams traded buckets back and forth, and with under four minutes left, Bryant was now only down by one.

An offensive rebound gave the Black Bears the opportunity to make a statement play, and that’s exactly what Feierbergs did. With the shot clock winding down, he drove to the basket and slammed down a vicious poster dunk, easily the play of the game. Along with many free throws, layups by Filipovity and Clayton ended the Black Bears’ two-game losing skid 79-72.

Clayton led the Black Bears in scoring with 24, with Filipovity also putting up a 21-point double-double. Lopez scored 15 off the bench, and Feierbergs reached double-digits with 10.

Maine will look to continue its climb in the American East standings when it travels to face rival University of New Hampshire this Saturday.

On Dec. 10, 2016, quarterback Lamar Jackson made history by becoming the youngest player to win the Heisman Award.

Coming out of high school, recruiting companies had differing opinions on the talent of Jackson. ESPN and 247Sports ranked him as a 3-star recruit, while Rival.com saw him as a 4-star talent. Due to his excellent ability to run with the ball, there were many conversations from both the media and schools to transition Jackson from quarterback. With offers from multiple Power Five schools, a promise from the then-head coach of Louisville, Bobby Petrino, that the dual-threat quarterback would only play quarterback ensured that Jackson would commit to playing for the Cardinals over schools such as Florida State and Clemson.

Jacksons’ first season in Louisville was nothing to write home about and gave his critics a lot of ammunition. He played in 12 games, throwing 12 touchdowns and eight interceptions during his freshman campaign. His running ability shined, rushing for 960 yards and 11 rushing touchdowns. In his eight starts, Louisville went 8-5.

Jackson did show flashes, especially in the Music City Bowl held in Nashville’s Nissan Stadium. In a matchup against Texas A&M, Jackson set a Music City Bowl record with 226 yards on the ground. He led Louisville to a 27-21 victory with two passing touchdowns and two rushing touchdowns.

The Heisman campaign started immediately the next season. In Louisville’s first game, Jackson set a school record with eight total touchdowns. Even crazier, he did it all in the first half of their 70-14 rout of the Charlotte 49ers.

The dual-threat was electric, and it didn’t matter to the opponent. The next game, Jackson and the Cardinals traveled to Syracuse and dominated them. Jackson was unstoppable again during the first half, scoring all five touchdowns in the first two periods.

His first true test was when Florida State, who were ranked No. 2 in the country and had future multi-time Pro Bowl running back Dalvin Cook, came to town. Shocking everyone, the Cardinals blew them out, much thanks to Jackson rushing for 146 yards and reaching the end zone four times. This game made Jackson the Heisman favorite and moved Louisville up to No. 3, the highest the program has been since 2006.

While the team’s success did not stay at the same level, Jackson’s production did. He finished with 3,543 passing yards, 30 passing touchdowns, and nine interceptions to go along with an absurd 1,571 rushing yards and 21 rushing touchdowns. Those video game like numbers were enough to be selected as the Heisman Trophy winner at 19. 

The following season, he finished third in Heisman voting, despite his number being arguably better than the previous year, losing out to quarterback Baker Mayfield. Jackson then declared for the NFL Draft.

More discussions about Jackson’s position came up during the draft process, with some analysts suggesting that the dual-threat quarterback should switch positions due to his athleticism, but Jackson shut down those ideas. He was selected by the Baltimore Ravens at the tail end of the first round, hoping he could be a future franchise quarterback after developing under Joe Flacco for a couple of years.

Jackson played sparingly to start during his rookie season, in short stints during blowout games. But when Flacco went down with a hip injury midway through the season, he took the reins and ran with them. The Ravens finished the season 6-1 with Jackson under center. He exceeded all expectations and took them to the playoffs, becoming the youngest quarterback to start an NFL playoff game.

In his first full season as a starter, Jackson won MVP, becoming the second player since Tom Brady to be voted as a unanimous winner and he became the second-youngest player to win.

Many doubted Lamar Jackson throughout his football career, both collegiately and professionally, but his resume speaks for itself. He is one of the most talented quarterbacks of the modern generation, and we will just have to wait and see how he will continue to build on what is already an amazing career.

In their home opener, the University of Maine Black Bears Men’s Basketball won in dominating fashion over the visiting University of Maine–Presque Isle Owls 111-59 on Sunday evening in The Pit. The Black Bears bounced back in the best way possible after losing their season opener to the Charlotte 49ers.

The Isle Owls jumped to an early lead after layups by fourth-year guard Dany Harris and third-year guard Myles Jones. Second-year guard Kelln Tynes put the Black Bears on the board, halting any potential momentum for Maine–Presque. The third-year guard finished with 18 points, two assists and four steals in only 19 minutes.

After a layup by UMPI second-year guard Doug McCalla, Maine went on an incredible 36-10 run. During that stretch, the trio of third-year forward A.J. Lopez, third-year forward Kristians Feierbergs, and fourth-year forward Peter Filipovity outscored the entire Isle Owl team.

Maine entered the half-time break up 53-34, after an incredible and-one jumper by Tynes with under a minute remaining and a block by Feierbergs on a last-second three-point attempt to end the half. 

Despite the massive lead, Maine did not slow down. They outscored Isle Owls 58 to 25 in the second half. First-year guard Logan Carey came alive after halftime, with the starters not playing much of the second half due to the massive lead. Carey finished the game with 18 points, 13 of which he scored in the second half. It was a great home debut, showing why he will be an issue for any other team in the country facing the Black Bears for years.

It was a total team effort on offense, with 13 players scoring. As a team, they shot 61.5 percent from the field. Carey and Tynes led the team in scoring with 18, respectively, with Lopez adding 14. Lopez transferred from the University of New Hampshire and has been a quality bench player for the Black Bears, scoring in double digits in the first two games of the season. Third-year forward Milos Nenadic had a super efficient 16 off the bench, only missing one shot, while also snagging 10 rebounds, notching his first career double-double.

For the Isle Owls, Harris led the team in scoring with 14. Second-year guard David Ellington finished with 12 points off the bench, the only other player to reach double figures outside of Harris. 

Defensively, the Black Bears held Maine–Presque to 30.4 percent from the field and 11.8 percent from the three-point line, only allowing 2 makes the entire game. They also dominated the glass, outrebounding their opponent 54-32. 

Another good sign throughout the first two games of the season has been Maine’s ball security. Maine has created more turnovers than they commit in their early games. They forced 16 turnovers, allowing multiple fastbreak opportunities, leading to easy buckets in transition.

The Black Bears move to 1-1 on the season following and host the 0-1 Merrimack Warriors this upcoming Sunday.

In the heartland of Ohio lies a hallowed ground that stands as a monument to the legends of American football. The Canton Football Hall of Fame, situated in the city of Canton, has celebrated the storied history of football for nearly a century, paying homage to the remarkable players, coaches and contributors who have left an indelible mark on the game at the professional level. Let’s look at this institution’s history and significance, which has become the ultimate destination for football enthusiasts worldwide.

The Canton Football Hall of Fame dates back to the early 1920s when football rapidly grew in popularity across the United States. Recognizing the need to preserve the sport’s history and honor its luminaries, a group of individuals, including local sports journalist Joe Horrigan, formed the Hall of Fame. Their vision was to establish a place where the achievements and contributions of football’s finest could be enshrined for generations to come.

In 1963, the Hall of Fame found its permanent home in Canton, Ohio, due to the city’s historical significance in the early days of professional football. Canton was home to the American Professional Football Association, later known as the National Football League (NFL), and the site of the league’s first meeting. This connection made Canton the ideal location for the Hall of Fame.

The heart and soul of the Canton Football Hall of Fame is its enshrinement process. Each year, a select few individuals are chosen to join the ranks of football’s greatest. The selection committee, composed of media members, former players and coaches, and Hall of Fame inductees, reviews nominations and selects the most deserving candidates.

The induction ceremony is grand, with inductees taking their rightful place among the sport’s immortals. The moment is filled with emotion and nostalgia as fans and fellow players gather to celebrate the enshrinement of new legends.

The Canton Football Hall of Fame is not just a place to honor the heroes of the past but also to educate and inspire future generations. The museum houses a vast collection of football memorabilia, from vintage equipment and jerseys to trophies, photographs and interactive exhibits. Visitors can immerse themselves in the sport’s rich history, gaining a deep understanding of its evolution and significance in American culture.

One of the most impressive features of the Hall of Fame is the bronze bust gallery. Each enshrinee is commemorated with a lifelike bust, symbolizing their lasting presence in the annals of football history. Walking through this gallery, visitors can witness the faces of legendary players and coaches, from Jim Brown to Vince Lombardi, encapsulating the essence of their contribution to the sport.

Beyond the busts, the Hall of Fame offers numerous engaging exhibits. The “Pro Football Today Gallery” explores the modern game with interactive displays, while the “Super Bowl Experience” allows fans to relive memorable moments from the biggest game in American sports. Young and old alike can also test their skills in the “Interactive Skills Challenge” and marvel at the “Holographic Theater,” which brings iconic plays and players to life.

The Canton Football Hall of Fame is more than just a museum; it’s a living tribute to the game of football. It honors the individuals who have shaped the sport and showcases football’s cultural and historical significance in America.

On Oct. 20, 1976, basketball legend Julius Erving was traded from the New York Nets to the Philadelphia 76ers.

Erving, also known as Dr. J, is considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time. He started playing in the ABA and was immediately viewed as a star, making the All-ABA Second Team his rookie year playing for the Virginia Squires.

The Squires, struggling financially, could not afford to pay the rising star, so they traded Erving to the New York Nets, who gave him an eight-year deal for over $300,000 a year. The Nets would win their first-ever APA championship led by Dr. J.

The Nets, Denver Nuggets, Indiana Pacers and San Antonio Spurs joined the NBA before the 1976-77 season. To join the NBA, the Nets had to pay a fine, and the New York Knicks demanded that they also pay them $4.8 million because they were “invading” their territory.

Nets owner, Roy Boe, struggling to cover all the expenses, refused to pay Erving’s promised contract, which caused him to sit out of training camp until he got a new deal. The Nets front office offered Erving’s contract to the Knicks in hopes of covering the “fine,” but they declined.

After acquiring Erving, the New York Knicks found it difficult to pay for his high-priced contract. Consequently, they started looking for other teams willing to pay for his contract. Five teams expressed interest but eventually reached a deal with the Philadelphia 76ers, who purchased Erving’s contract for $3 million.

Erving made an impression immediately, leading the team to a fifty-win season and an NBA finals appearance, where they lost in six games to Bill Walton and the Portland Trail Blazers. 

Over the next five years, Dr. J had memorable matchups with NBA legends such as Magic Johnson and Larry Bird in heated playoff matchups with both the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers. One of his most memorable plays occurred during the 1980 finals against the Lakers.

Erving drove baseline, jumped into the air and levitated there for what seemed like an eternity. Kareem  Abul-Jabbar attempted to block his shot, but Erving palmed the ball, wrapped it behind the backboard, and made an incredible reverse layup. Despite his heroic effort, the Lakers won the series.

Dr. J led the 76ers to the postseason every year he was on the team, but he could never reach the top of the mountain and hoist the Larry O’Brien Trophy. Thanks to the addition of big man Moses Malone, Erving and the 76ers won their first NBA championship in 1983 over the defending champion Lakers. 

Erving retired in 1987, and his jersey was retired by the New York Nets and the Philadelphia 76ers. Erving was an All-Star every season in the NBA and finished his career with over 30,000 points scored. Dr. J is widely considered one of the greatest players in NBA history, and this historic trade changed the trajectory of multiple franchises forever.

Another week of the NFL season has gone by. Let’s take a look at the highlights and lowlights of last week’s NFL games.

The injury bug has spread like wildfire throughout these first two weeks. During the Monday Night Football matchup between the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers, Browns running back Nick Chubb was carted off the field after a gruesome knee injury. It was later announced that the four-time Pro Bowler would miss the remainder of the season after tearing tearing his MCL.

The Browns lost 26-22, falling to 1-1 on the season, but the upside of this team has drastically changed. Deshaun Watson has been very disappointing and is not performing like a quarterback with one of the largest contracts in NFL history. Without being able to lean on the elite running game by Chubb, more pressure will be on Watson to lead the offense. Due to its long-term implications on the franchise, it will be interesting to see how Watson and the Browns perform this season.

The Dallas Cowboys plowed through the New York Jets, moving to 2-0 as they continue to look like one of the most complete teams in the NFL. Micah Parsons and the Cowboys’ defense was stifling, totaling multiple interceptions and sacks en route to a 30-10 win. However, disaster struck when it was reported that star cornerback Trevon Diggs tore his ACL during practice and is out for the season. Their defense, who have only allowed 280 yards through the air this season, will be questioned when they have to play teams with talented receivers without their lockdown corner.

Speaking of question marks, the New York Jets unfortunately have a massive one at the quarterback position. Zach Wilson had a rough game. He didn’t have much time in the pocket, with the offensive line also having a poor showing, but he only completed 44% of his passes. There have been reports that the Jets front office is seeking a veteran quarterback to compete with Wilson. If Wilson continues to have more games like this, it may be difficult to envision him as a Jet in the future.

Daniel Jones led the New York Giants to a comeback victory over the Arizona Cardinals. At halftime, the Giants’ offense was held scoreless while the defense let up 20 points. Two touchdowns by Saquan Barkley and some timely throws by Jones helped the Giants outscore Arizona 31-7 in the second half to win 31-28. Barkley did leave the field late in the 4th quarter due to a high ankle sprain and is expected to miss two or more weeks of play.

Bengals quarterback, Joe Burrow, is also dealing with a nagging injury. Burrow strained his right calf during the second practice of the offseason and missed nearly six weeks of preseason. The star quarterback hasn’t looked 100% in the Bengals’ first two appearances as they have fallen to 0-2 for the second straight season. The offense did not look as explosive as last season in their 27-24 loss against the Baltimore Ravens. 

Ja’Marr Chase has called for the offense to take more shots down the field, but with a limited Burrow, the offense seems stagnant. Chase has been off to a slow start to his 2023-24 campaign, with only 10 receptions for 70 yards through the first two weeks.

The Ravens, dealing with a bevy of injuries themselves, pulled out the victory thanks to an MVP-level performance by Lamar Jackson. He fit many throws into some tight windows, including a 52-yard pass to Zay Flowers. Jackson’s connection with the rookie wide receiver has been electric so far, as the Ravens’ offense is moving like a well-oiled machine. If Baltimore can stay healthy, they could stand as one of the best teams in the NFL.

The National Football League, one of the largest sports leagues globally, had humble beginnings. Most imagine big conglomerates forming in a skyscraper with a group of businessmen in suits. On Sept. 17, 1920, the American Professional Football Association (renamed two years later) was born in an Ohio auto dealership.

Ralph Hay met with representatives of teams from the Ohio league a few weeks prior, where they discussed and agreed upon an outline for a new football league. A month later, Hay had connected with representatives from teams from Ohio, New York, Illinois, and Indiana. According to History.com, Hay’s office was too small to fit the representatives from the 12 teams. They opted to make one of the biggest deals in sports history on the showroom floor of Hay’s dealership. Team representatives unanimously chose Jim Thorpe, Canton Bulldogs star, as the league’s first-ever president.

The rules were much different than today. Players would play on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball, something that is only rarely seen in college. There was also no coaching on the sidelines.  There was no Super Bowl to determine the best team, so team representatives voted for the champion. The Akron Pros, based in Ohio, were voted the first-ever APFA Champions after only allowing seven total points throughout the season.

In 1992, the APFA rebranded to the NFL under new league president Joe Carr, the owner of the Columbus Panhandles. So far, 10 APFA players are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, including Thorpe.

The NFL struggled to grow in viewership. Most teams were based in small markets, and there was not enough fan interest to make teams profitable. College football was consistently out-drawing the NFL, and it did not help that many college stars chose not to play professional football.

Harold “Red” Grange was a trailblazing NFL player who became one of the league’s first true superstars. He signed with the Chicago Bears in 1925 after a legendary college football career. Grange was an immediate draw for the NFL, with notably over 36,000 fans coming to watch him play 10 days after his final college game. According to Robert W. Peterson’s book “Pigskin: The Early Years of Pro Football,” early APFA games averaged crowds under 5,000 people. Grange’s choice to play professionally led many other well-known college players to follow his path and may have potentially saved the NFL.

The growth of the NFL has been exponential since then. The evidence can be found in the cost of a Super Bowl commercial. For the first Super Bowl, played in 1967, the average cost for a 30-second commercial was $42,000, equivalent to around $333,000 in today’s money. Comparing that to modern-day Super Bowls, Dan Lovinger of NBC Sports Group reported in 2021 that “an executive in September said sales were going at a “record pace” and recent 30-second spots at the time had sold for $6.5 million.”

With the opening game for the 2023/24 season between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Detroit Lions reaching nearly 27 million viewers, it doesn’t seem like the NFL is going anywhere anytime soon.

On April 3, 1995, the UCLA men’s basketball team won their 11th National Championship, defeating the defending champions Arkansas 89-78. It was the program’s first title in 20 years and set a still–standing NCAA record as the only school to win 11 championships.

The Bruins were ranked No. 6 in the AP preseason poll after a disappointing first-round loss in last year’s tournament. After only losing one starter, they were poised for a redemption year. They kicked off the season with a six-game winning streak, including a narrow one-point victory No. 7 Kentucky and a 137-100 throttling of George Mason. The streak ended when Oregon handed the Bruins their first and only loss of the season.

UCLA ended the regular season 26-1, 17-1 in conference play. After winning the conference, they secured an automatic NCAA tournament bid and were named the No. 1 overall seed. Ed O’Bannon had an amazing season, averaging 20.4 points per game and 8.3 rebounds per game, leading the team in both categories. He won the John R. Wooden Award and was named a consensus All-American and Pac-10 Co-Player of the Year. His teammate Edney joined him on the All-Pac-10 First Team and won the Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award, an award that used to be given to players who were shorter than average. Edney led the team with nearly seven assists per game, while also being second on the team in scoring.

In the first round, the Bruins steamrolled No. 16 seed Florida International 92-56. Missouri proved much more of a challenge in the Round of 32. UCLA held a one-point lead when the Tigers scored inside with only 4.8 seconds left, giving them a 74-73 lead. The Bruins inbounded the ball to Edney, and he raced down the entire length of the court to make a buzzer-beating layup, advancing UCLA to the Sweet 16. Edney’s late-game heroics are widely considered an all-time March Madness moment and the best play in UCLA basketball history.

UCLA cruised by Mississippi State in the Sweet 16 86-67, led by O’Bannon’s 21 points. With hopes of reaching their first Final Four since 1980, the Bruins faced a sophomore Ray Allen and his Connecticut Huskies in the Elite Eight. Despite Allen’s amazing outing, scoring a game-high 36, O’Bannon and Edney combined for 48 points to help the Bruins win the high-scoring contest 102-96. The Bruins faced Oklahoma State in the Final Four. Cowboys center Byrant Reeves led all scorers with 25 points but it was not enough. The UCLA defense forced 19 turnovers en route to a 74-61 victory.

The No. 2 Arkansas Razorbacks, looking to repeat as national champions, were the last team in the way for UCLA to win their first national championship since their legendary coach John Wooden retired. The game did not start off great for them when Edney got injured less than three minutes into the game and did not return. Despite the injury, the Bruins led 40-39 going into the second half.

The adversity forced players to step up. Sophomore guard Cameron Dollar had to play big-time minutes due to Edney’s injury and had a game-high 8 assists, while freshman Toby Bailey scored 26 points. UCLA were champions once again. O’Bannon’s scored 30 points and secured 17 rebounds and was named Most Outstanding Player.

The 1995 Bruins were the last men’s basketball team from the university to win the National Championship. The drought continues, as Gonzaga beat UCLA in the Sweet 16 in this year’s NCAA tournament. UCLA has not competed in the National Championship game in 17 years, but still holds the record for most titles won by a single program.

On Mar. 1, 1996, Lenny Wilkens became the first coach in NBA history to reach 1,000 career victories when his Atlanta Hawks beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 74-68. Wilkens is widely considered to be one of the greatest coaches of all time and was the first to achieve many coaching accolades, but was also an amazing NBA player.

Wilkens played basketball at Providence College, where he was a multiple-time All-American. At the time of his graduation, Wilkens was the second-highest scorer in school history. His jersey number was retired by Providence, the first in school history.

In the 1960 NBA Draft, Wilkens was drafted by the St. Louis Hawks as the sixth pick. Wilkens was an NBA All-Star five out of the eight seasons he played in St. Louis. In his final season with the Hawks, he finished second in MVP voting behind Wilt Chamberlain. Wilkens was then traded to the Seattle SuperSonics before the start of the 1968-69 season. 

After a successful first season with the Sonics, Wilkens was named the head coach of the team. Wilkens served as Seattles’ player-coach for the next three seasons, leading them to a winning record in the 1971-72 season, although they missed the playoffs. Seattle then traded Wilkens to the Cavaliers. He would spend two seasons with the Cavaliers and one season with Portland Trail Blazers as a player-coach before retiring.

The season following his retirement, Wilkens became the full–time coach of the Trail Blazers. After taking a year off he was named the head coach of the SuperSonics. In Wilkens’ second year with the team, the SuperSonics beat the Washington Bullets in the NBA Finals. As of writing, it is Seattle’s lone NBA championship. This was the only championship Wilkens was able to capture during his playing and coaching career. In 1985, Wilkens became the first to coach in 1,000 NBA games, the first of his many coaching achievements.

Wilkens spent eight years with Seattle, then a seven–year stretch with Cleveland before becoming the coach of the team that drafted him, the St. Louis Hawks. Wilkens was named Coach of the Year in his first year with the team, leading the Hawks to the best record in the Eastern Conference. 

On January 6, 1995, in his 22nd NBA season as a head coach, Wilkens became the coach with the most wins in NBA history, passing legendary Boston Celtics head coach Red Auerbach. A little over a year later, he became the first coach in NBA history to reach 1,000 career victories. 

Wilkens then went on to coach the Toronto Raptors and the New York Knicks, both for short stints, before officially retiring from coaching in 2005. In his career, Wilkens coached 2,046 regular season games, 164 playoff games and four NBA All-Star games, making him the only head coach in NBA history with more than 2,000 games under his belt. He was inducted into the College Basketball Hall of Fame and the Basketball Hall of Fame as a player and a coach.