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NBA Academy players Emmanuel Okorafor, from Nigeria, and Khaman Maluach, from South Sudan, have a lot in common, from a love for basketball to a shared passion for playing FIFA… but they differ very strongly when it comes to the Premier League teams they support.

Bitter rivals Chelsea and Manchester United have staunch supporters in the two teens, who met when they joined the NBA Academy in Senegal, and then played at the Basketball Africa League’s Nile Conference in April.

The BAL Elevate programme saw each team handed one Academy player for the duration of the tournament, with Maluach, who is only 15 and stands at 7ft, playing for South Sudan’s Cobra Sport, and Okorafor, 17, playing for DR Congo’s Espoir Fukash.

The two hoopers both played The Beautiful Game as kids, with child-like ambitions to go pro, until their height [Maluach was 6ft7in at the age of 12] saw them change direction, onto a path becoming more and more viable for Africa’s lanky athletes.

READ: Everything you need to know about the BAL 2022

Chelsea fan Okorafor’s love for football remains deep though, and he considers Nigeria legend John Obi Mikel an idol. Despite Mikel having left Chelsea, the Nigerian teenager is still a supporter of the Blues.

“John Obi Mikel is an inspiration for me because he came from a poor background and struggled through Nigerian football and ended up at Chelsea. Even at Chelsea, he did great — he did a good job. He’s a legend — everyone knows John Obi Mikel, so he’s a big idol also to me,” Okorafor told ESPN.

Just as Mikel played a major role in Okorafor falling in love with football, so did his older brother in convincing him to transition to basketball.

Okorafor added: “Growing up, I played soccer. My big brother played basketball, so I always followed him when he went to play basketball and fell in love [with] bouncing the ball and shooting the ball, even though I was too weak to make it to the hoop.”

Maluach, who had a similar journey from football to basketball while growing up in Uganda, said: “I used to love football, or soccer, so much.

“I used to be a goalkeeper or striker sometimes. Suddenly, they told me to join a Luol Deng camp — it was happening in Uganda. They told me I should just go and watch and maybe I would love it.

“Most of my brothers knew I would grow taller — at that time, I was maybe 6’7″ or 6’8”. Suddenly, I fell in love with the game of basketball. In 2019, everything started coming slowly and I fell in love.

“I saw some highlights of Giannis [Antetokounmpo] and KD [Kevin Durant]. I think it was at the time that Giannis got Bucks MVP, so I was like: ‘Wow.’ I fell in love with the game of basketball.”

Although the two youngsters have much in common, especially lounging on the couch and playing FIFA for hours, Maluach’s football supporter credentials are directly opposed to Okorafor’s, and even Maluach’s own family’s allegiances.

“I support Manchester United,” said Maluach. “Almost everyone from my brother’s side, all his kids, they support Chelsea. I was the only different Manchester United fan — and my elder brother. We are the only two Manchester United fans.

“I love Manchester United. I saw Cristiano Ronaldo‘s highlights… I fell in love. And Juan Mata [and Paul] Pogba. I really like how they play.”

Nigerian 17-year-old Emmanuel Okorafor played for Espoir Fukash in the BAL, as part of the NBA Academy and BAL Elevate programmes, and was a stand-out regardless of his team’s elimination. Armand Lenoir/NBAE via Getty Images

While not all BAL Elevate players were able to impose themselves to the extent that Okorafor and Maluach did, the duo profited from being in teams without many established stars as it gave them more court time than most.

Both will be remembered for heroic performances against African champions Zamalek. Maluach held his own in Cobra’s opening game, an 80-63 defeat to the Nile Conference hosts.

But Okorafor went one further and stole the show in a 101-92 loss to the same opponents, securing a double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds in 25:35 minutes on the court.

The generally impressive performances of BAL Elevate players in Dakar and Cairo caught the attention of some senior players, with Zamalek’s Nigerian star Ike Diogu and Petro de Luanda’s Angolan legend Carlos Morais singing the praises of their own teams’ teens.

Morais told ESPN: “For us, we’ve got lucky because we have a nice guy, a nice kid [Thierry Serge Darlan]. He knows how to take care of himself. He doesn’t talk much but he lifted the whole team. For us, it’s been amazing having a young player of such talent.”

Meanwhile, Diogu, who played alongside Khadim Mboup, said: “He’s very good. The sky is the limit. Being 15 years old and coming in and playing against grown men and holding his own – the sky is the limit for him.”

Cape Town Tigers captain Pieter Prinsloo, who is 2m tall, watches as 15-year-old Khaman Maluach (7ft) soars to the hoop at the Basketball Africa League. Pape Emir/NBAE via Getty Images

Asked if he could have performed adequately in the BAL at the age of 15, Diogu said: “Probably not, because it’s professional basketball and there’s a certain level of physicality that comes with African basketball.

“Just going to high school in the United States, it’s a totally new brand of basketball being played [in Africa], so I’m not sure that I would have.”

With Cobra Sport and Espoir Fukash eliminated from the BAL as the roadshow heads to the Playoffs in May, Maluach and Okorafor will have to plot the next steps in their careers, and hope that next year’s BAL will give them another chance to shine.

One ingredient that will not be in short supply for the pair is motivation. Maluach explained that he is carrying the family name when he takes to the court: “I am the first basketball player in my family, maybe even our clan, to reach this level.

“I had a cousin that played basketball. He’s the one who gives me the most advice. I get some advice from my mom, even though she doesn’t know the game of basketball. She always tells me to pray before I play.”

Okorafor, who will also return to the NBA Academy to continue his basketball and academic education, summed up the duo’s determination most succinctly: “I don’t have a second option. Basketball is going to work out, for sure!”

The BAL Playoffs will take place in Kigali, Rwanda, from May 21 to 28, and will feature the top eight sides that advanced from the Sahara and Nile Conferences, including defending champions Zamalek, and surprise package Cape Town Tigers.

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The Notre Dame Fighting Irish Football team has been loaded with talent over the last decade or so. During the 2021 season, things were up and down for the Irish before just missing the College Football Playoff. Now, we are going to see some of their players taken in the 2022 NFL Draft.

A lot of people expected Kyle Hamilton to be drafted a lot higher than the 14th overall pick but that wasn’t the case on Thursday night. The Baltimore Ravens selected him with that pick and he is going to be an absolute steal for them.

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ATLANTA — Ronald Acuna Jr. was playing the “Call of Duty” video game when he got an unexpected FaceTime call at 1 a.m.

Atlanta Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos wanted to know if Acuna was ready to play.

Not another rehab game in Triple-A, mind you.

Anthopoulos was talking about a return to the big leagues.

“Oh yeah,” Acuna replied. “Let’s go! Right now!”

One of baseball’s most dynamic players came off the injury list Thursday, a week ahead of schedule and less than 10 months after he sustained a major knee injury.

Acuna was immediately inserted into the Braves’ lineup, and took his familiar leadoff spot in Thursday’s 3-1 win over the Chicago Cubs.

“It really was a long, difficult process,” Acuna said before the game. “I’m just really excited to be back.”

Acuna went 1 for 5 with two stolen bases in his return.

The Braves are certainly excited to have him back. The reigning World Series champions are off to a sluggish start, winning just eight of their first 19 games and already falling 5 1/2 games behind the NL East-leading New York Mets.

Acuna was one of the league’s leading MVP contenders when he completely tore the ACL in his right knee last July 10 when he landed awkwardly while attempting to make a catch on the warning track at Miami’s Marlins Park.

At the time, he was hitting .283 with 24 homers, 52 RBIs, 17 stolen bases and a .990 OPS in 82 games.

“What he can do offensively, defensively, on the bases, he’s a game-changer,” said third baseman Austin Riley, who was one of the players who came up big for the Braves after Acuna went down. “To have him back in the lineup is huge.”

Acuna had tears in his eyes when he was carted off the field in South Florida.

He was nothing but smiles Thursday, arriving at the ballpark wearing a yellow Atlanta Hawks jersey with Trae Young’s name and No. 11 on it.

Young was one of the athletes who texted Acuna to wish him well in his return to the Braves.

It was initially thought the Braves would limit Acuna to designated hitter duties early in his return, lessening the chances of his reinjuring the knee, but his performance at Triple-A Gwinnett eased any concerns.

Acuna was 2-for-5 in his final game of the rehab stint Wednesday night and hit .368 with three stolen bases in six Triple-A games.

“He’s done everything,” manager Brian Snitker said. “He’s stolen bases, he’s diving back into bases, he’s sliding, he’s made plays in the outfield There’s no limitations at all.”

The only concession to the injury will be Acuna’s schedule. He won’t play on days the Braves travel, and he won’t play day games after night games. Also, he’ll be restricted to right field when he plays the field — no more center field, at least for now — and the universal DH gives the Braves some flexibility to keep him in the lineup without having to pick up a glove.

Snitker said the current plan is to give Acuna regular days off until he’s a full year removed from the injury in July.

Of course, that could change if he experiences no setbacks. Already, his projected return to the Braves was pushed up from the May 6 date the team initially set.

Even if he’s not able to play every day, Acuna’s mere presence should be a huge boost to the struggling Braves. He’s a two-time All-Star who won Rookie of the Year honors in 2018 and followed up with 41 homers, 101 RBIs and 37 stolen bases in 2019.

Acuna was on the way to another stellar season when he tore up his knee, which meant he could only watch as the Braves — after spending much of the season under .500 — improbably captured their first World Series title since 1995.

He is eager to be part of a championship on the field.

“It motivates me for this year, and will motivate me for years to come,” Acuna said through interpreter Franco Garcia. “Obviously, it’s not the same being able to play in the World Series as it is to just watch it from the dugout nursing an injury. That’s obviously the dream that every kid has growing up, wanting to play in a World Series.”

He added, confidently, “There will be more World Series to come.”

If anything, Acuna’s feels he is even faster than he was before the injury. He hopes to be even more of a threat on the basepaths.

“Throughout the entire rehabilitation process, there was an added focus on my legs and developing those muscles,” he said. “I think I can add speed there. I’m coming in with the intention of running a little bit more.”

The Braves designated outfielder Alex Dickerson for assignment to clear a spot on the active roster.

The decision to reinstate Acuna could have been motivated by losing Eddie Rosario for eight to 12 weeks. Rosario, the MVP of the NL Championship Series last season, had a laser procedure on Wednesday to correct blurred vision and swelling in his right eye.

The Braves went into the finale against the Cubs looking for their first series win of the season.

Acuna said he’s not concerned about Atlanta’s slow start.

“It’s not how you start,” he said. “It’s how you finish.”

For Acuna, it starts now.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

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Gluttony might be one of the seven deadly sins, but all is forgiven when you’re at Church Street Brewing. Over the last ten years, owner Lisa Gregor has shaped Church Street into a popular local spot for house-made craft brews, live music, and events all year long. And today, I’m here to help celebrate this Chicago favorite’s 10-year anniversary.

What started as a one-office-suite setup has evolved into a community hangout place taking over a huge building. The moment you step into Church Street Brewing, you’re greeted with a warm handshake and the million-dollar question: “What can we pour for you today?”. 

Opened in February of 2012 in the quaint Itasca suburb, Church Street got its namesake from a street in Addison. When the original building plan fell through, Lisa took the opportunity to mold their new venture into the brewery they wanted, and there came Church Street.

While growth was limited in the small space at the beginning, Church Street dreamed of big plans and wild ideas. Fast forward ten years later, you can now come in to enjoy beers brewed about 100 feet from your seat, hang out with friends and the Church Street team who treats you like family and throw away your stress at the shows and performances happening almost every week.

As we know, brewing has been a male-dominated industry. But Lisa has made her mark on the field by Church Street’s unique brews, expansion, and philanthropic efforts. As a member of the Pink Boots Society, Lisa dedicates herself to empowering other women in the industry. She also supports many other organizations, such as schools and community groups, and mental health awareness groups including Hope for a Day.

Additionally, Church Street is also one of the few breweries offering spirit-free options to create a safe space for those not comfortable with alcohol yet still want to enjoy social gatherings.

To start my day, the team greeted me and took me on a tour (shout out to my tour guides, Jace Rhea and Amanda Steinbraker!) and everyone felt like old friends I’d known for years. Through the good laughs and insightful conversations, I saw the team’s unfaltering loyalty and passion for the brewery. I mean, Jace was literally running through walls in 2020 to help with their huge renovation plans!

We walked through the tasting room, barrel rooms, and the place where the magic happens — the brewing room with the kettles! Then, we’re back to the dining area. I was seriously amazed at the amount of space this place has got, and how it’s grown from a small suite to a 20,000 square-foot full-service brewery with a patio. Honestly, if you need a space to host a party, shower, or any event, check out Church Street!

Next comes tasting. Since I had been sipping on Church Street’s signature Heavenly Helles throughout the tour, I was ready to try something different. Jace started my tasting with a Strawberry-Rhubarb sour and it couldn’t be more perfect for spring and summer. I see myself sipping on this fruity beer on a long, hot July day, and I sure will when the time comes.

Next, I sampled the traditional German maibock. It’s a crisp, golden brew perfect for kicking off Summer with a smooth berry finish (and thanks to Jace for the language lesson on that one). If you want something different, try the Righteous Red, featuring a nice creamy, caramel-y taste but still light enough for the upcoming warm weather. Meanwhile, seltzer fans have to try Church Street’s Holy Water. I know we’re all at the point where seltzer brands that rhyme with Right Paw and Try Soon are getting to be a little bland. But the Holy Water was a pleasant surprise. With notes of strawberry, blueberry, and lemonade, I wasn’t left thinking “wow, here’s another seltzer that tastes like..water”. 

For its 10-year anniversary, Church Street will have a big celebration on April 30th called Fruhlingfest, featuring the best of Church Street but also Elmhurst Brewing, Half Day Brewing, and many other local breweries. In true Church Street fashion, Fruhlingsfest is also a charitable event, raising money for the Boy Scouts of America. Food options include the brewery kitchen and some local food trucks. 

Also, for the first time in history, Church Street will create its own beer garden, “Camp Church Street” in Itasca’s Hamilton Lakes Park where the brewery takes its iconic shipping container outside. Your favorite brews will be available Thursday through Sunday with events, live music, and food trucks all summer! For more information, check out their website https://www.churchstreetbrew.com/, or follow them on Instagram at @churchstbrew. 

Featured Image: Church Street Brewing on Facebook

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In 2021, the Chicago Bears traded their 2022 first-round draft pick t the New York Giants so that they can move up and select Justin Fields out of Ohio State University. Now, the Bears can only hope that Fields makes it worth it for them as they try to finally have a good offense.

The Bears were awful in 2021 so that led to New York landing a top ten pick in the 2022 Draft from them. In fact, they had the Bears pick land at seventh overall and they had their own pick at fifth. With the fifth pick, they selected Kayvon Thibodeaux out of Oregon.

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ATLANTA — The Atlanta Braves reinstated outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. from the injury list Thursday, more than a week ahead of the team’s target date for his return from knee surgery.

Acuna is scheduled to hit leadoff and play right field against the Chicago Cubs on Thursday night.

The defending World Series champion Braves have struggled at the start of the season and are still looking for their first series win after splitting the first two games of their three-game series with the Cubs.

The Braves will be looking for Acuna to provide a boost to their lineup after he showed in his rehabilitation stint with Triple-A Gwinnett that he has recovered from the surgery that ended his 2021 season.

Acuna was 2-for-5 for Gwinnett on Wednesday night and hit .368 with three stolen bases in six games.

Despite the strong showing by Acuna in his rehabilitation assignment, the Braves had appeared firm in their plan to remain cautious ahead of his projected return on May 6.

There had been some signs that Acuna was influencing that plan, however. On Wednesday, manager Brian Snitker said the team would wait until after Acuna’s scheduled nine innings with Gwinnett on Thursday night before deciding on his next game.

The Braves’ decision to activate Acuna could have been motivated by losing Eddie Rosario for eight to 12 weeks. Rosario, the MVP of the NL Championship Series last season, had a laser procedure on Wednesday to correct blurred vision and swelling in his right eye.

The Braves designated outfielder Alex Dickerson for assignment to clear a spot for Acuna on the active roster.

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As warmer weather slowly emerges, we’re all getting excited about the best part of summer in Chicago: live music. What better way to kick off a summer outdoors than attending a few concerts, festivals or shows to hold you over until the height of the summer season starts? Throughout May, there are tons of shows, big and small, to get yourself out of the house, grab a few drinks, good food, and get ready to enjoy live music the way it’s supposed to be—up close. 

1106 W Lawrence Ave, Chicago, IL 60640

To kick off the concerts we’re excited about, we have rapper mike. at the Aragon Ballroom on May 2nd. This 33-year-old Rhode Island Native is coming to us on his “Not My First Rodeo” North American tour. Playing at the iconic Aragon Ballroom in Uptown, this concert is sure to have an awesome atmosphere and great atmosphere, all under the stars at Aragon. You can get tickets here, but be quick! This show is going fast. 

1901 W Madison St, Chicago, IL 60612

Justin Bieber is returning to the Madhouse on Madison on May 9th. His Justice World Tour has brought him all over the US so far, and will expand globally this summer. If you haven’t seen Bieber in concert before, his shows are full-energy and full of screaming fans. While tickets for his shows are a bit more expensive, you’re sure to have a great time dancing the night away to classic JB like “One Time”, as well as his more recent hits like “Peaches”. 

329 N Dearborn St, Chicago, IL 60654

The next show we’re looking forward to seeing is young artist Koffee. At only 22-years-old, this Jamaican pop singer is taking the music scene by storm with her original sound and lively beats. Performing at the House of Blues on May 15th, you can be sure that the show will not only be a huge party, but also a more intimate performance with great views from anywhere in the building. New to Koffee’s music? Her YouTube profile is full of all her music that you’ll be bobbing your head to for hours. 

5940 N Sheridan Rd, Chicago, IL 60660

On the North side in Edgewater, you’ll find historic Colvin House. This house was built in 1909 by one of Frank Lloyd Wright’s peers, George Maher. Nowadays, Colvin House is home to contemporary workspaces, event spaces, and you guessed it, live music. In the legendary brick courtyard, you’ll find intimate concerts all summer long. With mixes of genres like folk, jazz, and classical, Colvin House is the perfect place to dip your toes into the sweet sounds of summer. You can find their full schedule of events here!

May 3 – Fumée
May 10 – Petra Van Nuis and Andy Brown Duo 
May 17 – Lynn Nardelli & Sean McKenzie 
May 31 – Sixto Franco and Shi-An Costello 

1300 S Linn White Dr, Chicago, IL 60605

There is no summer concert venue like Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island. The smell of the lake breeze, thousands of people screaming along to a song, and your favorite artist on stage. Outdoor concerts are back here, and start on May 27 with Deftones, Gojira, and Poppy. Get ready to rock to some classic alternative and kick off summer with a great night with friends. 

3200 N. Sheffield Ave, Chicago, IL 60657
(On Sheffield from Belmont to Roscoe St.)

On May 28th and 29th, the 36th annual Belmont-Sheffield Music Fest is happening! This two-day event will feature artists like a No Doubt Tribute band, Rod Tuffcurls and the Bench Press, and Trippin Billie. While the entertainment won’t stop, you can also find food, beer, and wine, and fun neighborhood acts like two, yes two, drag shows. Head out to Lakeview East to enjoy some great live music and non-stop amusement. 

337 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60601

It’s hard to believe that Chicago hasn’t had a Latin-music festival the size of Sueños before, but this May, Sueños is coming to Chicago! Featuring Latin and Reggaeton artists like Ozuna and J Balvin, this two-day festival is finding a home in Grant Park. General admission tickets are sold out, but VIP tickets are still available. Sueños is the perfect way to round out a May full of concerts, happening the weekend of May 28th and 29th.

Featured Image Credit: Deftones

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