Mirin Fader

The former no. 1 pick has silenced his doubters—and his own inner critic—and has the upstart Pistons on a path to the playoffs

Baun’s NFL career stalled out after being drafted by the Saints. But after a fortuitous signing with the Eagles and a move to inside linebacker, Baun has been the breakout star of the Philadelphia defense.

The Oklahoma City Thunder star can shoot, pass, and run offense. He can defend point guards and centers. He’s the skeleton key that unlocks the Thunder, and he’s still getting better. “It would be silly to put a ceiling on how good he can be,” says Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

From Italy to Idaho, Jeanty’s career has been forged by patience and persistence. His powerful, explosive running made him a Heisman Trophy contender.

In an exclusive excerpt from ‘Dream: The Life and Legacy of Hakeem Olajuwon,’ Mirin Fader explores how soccer, handball, and Olajuwon’s upbringing in Lagos, Nigeria, coalesced to create one of the most singular and devastating post moves in NBA history. "He’s no dream," says former Lakers center Mychal Thompson. "He was a nightmare."

In an exclusive excerpt from ‘Dream: The Life and Legacy of Hakeem Olajuwon,’ Mirin Fader explores how soccer, handball, and Olajuwon’s upbringing in Lagos, Nigeria, coalesced to create one of the most singular and devastating post moves in NBA history. “He’s no dream,” says former Lakers center Mychal Thompson. “He was a nightmare.”

Bueckers returned to UConn this year to chase an elusive national title. To win it, she’ll have to become someone new on the court.

With a new son and a chance to earn her third Olympic gold medal, Griner is finding joy and healing after enduring months of hell

With a new son and a chance to earn her third Olympic gold medal, Griner is finding joy and healing after enduring months of hell

Injuries may have cut Budinger’s basketball career short, but they didn’t end his Olympic dream. How did the former NBA role player become an American beach volleyball star?

Injuries may have cut Budinger’s basketball career short, but they didn’t end his Olympic dream. How did the former NBA role player become an American beach volleyball star?

They waited with terror, not knowing what would happen. Ruminating on what could happen. Suddenly, they realized just how unpredictable life could be. How arbitrary it all seemed. How things could be fine one day, then twist into chaos the next. Back in 2016, Jrue Holiday’s wife, Lauren, a former star midfielder for the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team, underwent medical testing. She had been experiencing terrible headaches and was six months pregnant with their daughter at the time. Then, one…

Being traded is a rattling experience. But this summer’s blockbuster paled in comparison to a previous newsbreak in Holiday’s life. “I think it helped prepare me for [the trade],” he says. 

The world is watching impatiently as LeBron’s oldest son tries to follow in his father’s impossible footsteps. But despite unfathomable pressure, Bronny isn’t crumbling. “It’s who he is as a person,” says USC coach Andy Enfield.

The world is watching impatiently as LeBron’s oldest son tries to follow in his father’s impossible footsteps. But despite unfathomable pressure, Bronny isn’t crumbling. "It’s who he is as a person," says USC coach Andy Enfield.

The second-year Kansas City Chiefs running back has become famous for his distinctive playing style, but there’s passion, pain, and somehow joy behind every step

Before every game, Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco takes a moment to himself, bowing his head and saying a quick prayer for his late siblings, Celeste Cannon and Travoise Cannon. They are always with him. Before the game. During the game. After the game. In his heart, his mind. He thinks about them often—and if they could see him now. See how far he’s come since he lost them. Pacheco was just a high schooler trying to find his way when Travoise was killed in January 2016, the victi…

Life as a modern-day NFL running back isn’t easy. The Atlanta Falcons rookie’s up-and-down season illustrates just how confounding playing the position can be. But Robinson’s positionless approach could be the future. “He’s become, I believe, the new prototype,” says LaDainian Tomlinson.

There’s an urgency about Kara Lawson. You can hear it in the way she speaks, you can see it in the way she moves. Her eyes expand, her shoulders stiffen. When the Duke women’s basketball coach leans forward, you feel the power of her undivided attention. Each word has weight, a hidden parable. “There’s three things that can never drop,” Lawson says, “and that’s your work ethic and your focus and your discipline. Those have to stay high.” Her cadence begins to quicken. “There’s different things t…

The former WNBA All-Star left an assistant coaching gig with the Boston Celtics for the chance to run the Duke women’s basketball program. Four seasons in, Lawson is working to establish the kind of sustainable greatness that Coach K cultivated on the men’s side. “If you build it right,” she says, “you’ll never build again.”