Mandatory Credit: Tom Hauck /Allsport   From 1985 to 1988, Deion Sanders was a two-sport star for the Florida State Seminoles. Sanders then took his talents to the pros where he played both football and baseball professionally. As fate would have it, only a few years later, the Seminoles would have another talented two-sport star. In 1992 and 1993, Charlie Ward quarterbacked the football team to a combined 5,679 passing yards and 49 touchdowns. He led FSU to the school’s first National Championship in a thrilling two-point win over the Nebraska Cornhuskers on New Year’s Day of 1994. That ..read more

(Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images)   In 1991, the University of Michigan men’s basketball program brought in one of the best college recruiting classes in recent memory. Juwan Howard, Jalen Rose, Jimmy King, Ray Jackson, and Chris Webber were dubbed the “Fab Five,” and together they propelled the college hoops game into the new millennium. Their clothing and playing styles captured the imagination of the country as the group led Michigan to back-to-back NCAA championship game appearances. 32 players 5 rounds 9,000+ votes Your Favorite Sacramento Kings Player of the last 20 years is ..read more

(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images for BIG3)   There’s little debate that Rick Barry had one of the most unique free-throw shooting styles in NBA history. Standing at the charity stripe, Barry did a half squat and held onto the ball between his bent knees. Then, in one fluid motion, he brought the ball up and tossed it underhanded toward the basket. Rick Barry perfected the art of the underhand free throw pic.twitter.com/uhTdgJxaNH — Golden State Warriors (@warriors) October 25, 2020 The unorthodox method worked as Barry’s career ABA and NBA free throw percentages were at or near ..read more

(Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images)   The modern NBA is known as a league of high scores and prolific scorers. It’s not uncommon for players to reach triple-doubles as their team scores over 100 points. Fans have regularly tuned in to watch playmakers such as Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Steph Curry. So, when an athlete is devoted to the defensive side of the ball, he’s considered an anomaly. Dikembe Mutombo could score points when he needed to, but he wasn’t nicknamed “Mt. Mutombo” for nothing. Standing over seven feet tall and able to cover both ends of the floor ..read more

(Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images)   Not all professional athletes can handle pressure. Despite the fact that they’re professionals and are paid a lot of money, some ball players would simply rather not take a shot with the game on the line. Robert Horry was different. Before arriving in the NBA, Horry was a star for the University of Alabama and elevated the program into the national consciousness. Then, during his 16 seasons in the league, Horry frequently made the big shot when his team needed it. "Pressure can burst a pipe, or pressure can make a diamond." — Robert Horry AKA Big ..read more

Mandatory Credit: Doug Pensinge   It’s well known that basketball is like a religion in New York City. Therefore, it’s fitting that God himself once graced the blacktops and courts of the Big Apple. God Shammgod was the top dog in the Mecca of point guards. God Shammgod created one of the coldest moves ever and even gave Kobe dribbling lessons. Happy birthday to a ball-handling legend. pic.twitter.com/XCrGl4kGfF — Cycle (@bycycle) April 29, 2018 He was blessed with a first-class handle and infinite skill. To this day, the point guard position in NYC is regarded as the ultimate measure o ..read more

  The WNBA was founded in 1996 and play began in 1997. The league has provided an avenue for women to play basketball after college without having to look solely overseas for opportunities. Before the WNBA, professional opportunities were limited—there were failed start-ups and short-lived leagues where women could play professionally. One of those leagues was the Women’s Professional Basketball League which operated between 1978 and 1981. During its existence, the WBL saw a number of talented players light up the scoreboard. Molly Bolin was a fan favorite and would become the face of th ..read more

(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)   He was known as “the Worm,” “Country,” “Demolition Man,” and “Dennis the Menace.” There was also the multi-colored hair, the copious tattoos, and the wedding gown and makeup when he dressed in drag. Dennis Rodman also became a five-time NBA champion, one of the best defenders in league history, and is a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Dennis Rodman understood the assignment pic.twitter.com/1NY7yHCPIY — PointsBet Sportsbook (@PointsBetUSA) August 4, 2022 Rodman overcame a tumultuous youth and shy demeanor to become a noto ..read more

  At first glance, Pete Maravich didn’t look like a basketball player. His long hair, baggy shirt, and loose-fitting socks made him look more like a hippie surfer just off the beach. However, it didn’t take long once a game started for Maravich to transform into a maestro with the ball. He was flashy and always putting on a show, just a few years before the LA Lakers made Showtime cool. Maravich’s ability to control the ball, pass on the run, and make crazy shots endeared him to people everywhere. To some, he was seen as selfish, but Maravich’s style soon became the norm in the NBA. Not ..read more