Sports
Bulls and Gators Earn Orange Bowl Basketball Classic Wins in Convincing Fashion
SUNRISE, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) – The 29th edition of the Auto Nation Orange Bowl Basketball Classic featured three Florida teams (Florida Gators, FSU Seminoles, USF Bulls) along with the Richmond Spiders who were making their second appearance at the event. While all four teams were represented in the stands, the seats were mostly filled with orange and blue.
Game 1 – USF Bulls (AAC) vs FSU Seminoles (ACC)
The Bulls stampeded out the gate scoring the first eight points of the game and never trailing enroute to a 38-24 halftime lead. Florida State struggled to hit baskets in the first half, shooting 2-11 from three-point land while USF shot 6-14. The 2nd half didn’t start any different as USF scored nine straight points, including a monster dunk by Kasean Pryor, to extend the lead to 43-24 within the first 90 seconds. Back-to-back dunks by FSU cut the lead to 15, but Chris Youngblood hit a three-pointer to push it back to 18. With just under 13 minutes to go, the Noles cut the lead to single digits (nine) with an 8-0 run, but they wouldn’t hit a field goal for the next seven-plus minutes as USF pushed the lead to 21.
South Florida shot 52.2 percent from three-point range (12-23) against a top 10 ranked Florida State defense that entered the game holding opponents to 25.2 percent from three.
Jamir Watkins scored a team-high 15 points for FSU before fouling out and Baba Miller had a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds, but Florida lost their third straight game.
Chris Youngblood was named MVP, helping first year head coach Amir Abdur-Rahim earn his first signature win. Youngblood followed Abdur-Rahim to USF after spending three seasons at together at Kennesaw State. It was the Bulls first win against the ACC since 2007.
Seminoles fall to .500 on the season, dropping to 4-4 and hope to stop their three-game slide as they host SMU on Saturday. USF improves to 3-4 and will host AR-Pine Bluff on Tuesday.
Game 2- Florida Gators (SEC) vs Richmond Spiders (A-10)
The Florida Gators played a complete game for the first time since their 19-point win over Florida State last month enroute to an 87-76 win over the Richmond Spiders. Florida transfer bigs (Tyrese Samuel – Seton Hall/Micah Handlogten – Marshall) dominated the paint and boards from the start, each hitting a three-pointer in the first half as the Gators built a 40-30 lead. Richmond scored six quick points to open the second half and cut the lead to four and the teams traded baskets until freshman Alex Condon threw down a thunderous dunk bringing the lead back to nine with 15:21 to go.
After the under-16 media timeout, Will Richard hit three consecutive three-pointers to push the lead to 16, Florida’s largest of the game. Richard, named MVP, scored 19 of his game-high 21 after halftime. Mikkel Tyne’s three-pointer with 7:19 left in the game cut the deficit to seven and had Gator coach Todd Golden looking at scoreboard debating whether or not to use a timeout. He didn’t and the team responded and maintained the seven-point advantage until the final buzzer.
Preseason A-10 first team center Neal Quinn had 17 points but was unable to stop the Gators down low. Tyrese Samuel led the way with 18 points and 14 boards (ties career high). Handlogten added eight points and 10 rebounds as they outscored Richmond 34-18 in the paint.
Despite being outshot behind the arc (50 percent with 11 made to 31 percent with nine made) and committing more turnovers (12 to 8), the Gators lead all but three minutes of the game. It’s even more impressive with Walter Clayton Jr. and Riley Kugel combining to shoot 6-for-23 (1-11 from three).
The Gators held A-10 scoring leader Jordan King to 14 points on 6-for-15 shooting (0-for-4 from three), which is seven points below his average (21ppg).
Florida out-rebounded Richmond 49-30 and held the Spiders to 39 percent shooting inside the arc. Richmond entered shooting 58 percent on two-point field goal attempts, one of the highest rates in the nation.
The last time the Florida Gators and Richmond Spiders met in the Orange Bowl Basketball Classic (2009), the Spiders left Florida with a 56-53 win. Florida now leads the series 4-2, evening the score at the OBBC while giving coach Todd Golden his first win (1-0) in Sunrise.
Florida plays East Carolina in the Florida Tip-Off on Thursday in Lakeland, Florida. Richmond has a home game against Charlotte on Saturday.
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Matt Wolff is a South Florida reporter for Florida National News. | info@floridanationalnews.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) — During Women’s History Month, leaders across the United States are recognized for their contributions to progress, equity and community empowerment. Among them, Florida National News (FNN) recognizes retired U.S. Army Commander Jocelyn Thomas, a military veteran, author, speaker and advocate for women’s sports.
Thomas has built a career defined by service, leadership and storytelling, transitioning from two decades in the U.S. Army to a growing influence in the sports and media industry.
Photo Credit: U.S. Army Recruiting Battalion, Facebook page – Tampa (Captain Jocelyn Thomas speaker)
Commander, United States Army (Retired)
Thomas entered the United States Army at just 19 years old, beginning a distinguished 20-year military career that would take her across the United States and around the world.
During her time in service, she held numerous leadership roles including Company Commander (twice), Battalion S3, Battalion Assistant Support Operations Officer (SPO), Executive Officer, Platoon Leader, Platoon Sergeant and Team Leader.
Her assignments included Georgia, Virginia, South Carolina, Texas, Korea and Florida, along with combat deployments to Afghanistan, Kuwait and Guantanamo Bay.
As a Company Commander, Thomas led a military unit responsible for approximately 100 to 250 soldiers, overseeing mission readiness, operational planning, training and the well-being of service members under her command.
Her responsibilities included:
- Tactical Leadership: Planning and executing company-level operations and maneuvers
- Training and Readiness: Ensuring soldiers were prepared for combat while maintaining equipment and operational standards
- Personnel Management: Mentoring and developing subordinate leaders, including platoon leaders
- Disciplinary Authority: Upholding military discipline and accountability within the unit
“Being a woman in the Army is a unique experience unlike any other,” Thomas said. “I want people to know that beneath the uniform, I am my own person.”
She describes herself as influential, trustworthy and hardworking. In addition to her military accomplishments, Thomas is also a certified personal trainer and wellness coach, reflecting her continued commitment to leadership, discipline and personal well-being.
Crewing Coordinator at ESPN
Following her military retirement, Thomas transitioned into the sports and media industry, where she currently works as a Crewing Coordinator at ESPN.
In this role, she supports live sports productions, managing behind-the-scenes logistics and coordinating on-air talent to ensure seamless broadcasts.
Thomas is also a Disney Military Fellowship Program Ambassador, representing the program that helps military veterans transition into civilian careers within The Walt Disney Company and ESPN.
Her leadership, organization and communication skills have proven valuable in the fast-paced environment of sports broadcasting.
Sports Events Manager at ESPN Wide World of Sports
Prior to joining ESPN, Thomas worked as a Sports Events Manager at ESPN Wide World of Sports, where she helped oversee major sporting events from planning through execution.
Her background as a U.S. Army Operations Officer provided the leadership and logistical expertise needed to manage complex sporting events and coordinate teams working behind the scenes.
Advocate for Women’s Sports
Thomas has also become a passionate advocate for the growth and visibility of women’s sports, particularly women’s flag football.
Her work includes storytelling and coverage for initiatives such as:
- She Is Football Weekend with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Girls Flag Football Week with the Atlanta Falcons
- Coverage of Alabama State University’s Women’s Flag Football Team during the 2026 season
Through these efforts, Thomas continues to amplify opportunities for female athletes and expand awareness of women’s football programs across the country.
Author and Motivational Speaker
Beyond sports media, Thomas is also a best-selling author and national keynote speaker, sharing lessons on leadership, resilience and perseverance.
She has delivered presentations for organizations including:
- Collegiate Sports Management Group
- ESPN Wide World of Sports
- Military Influencer Conference
- The Mayweather brand
- Streaming platform Twitch
Thomas has also spoken at universities and institutions such as Spelman College, Full Sail University and the University of Tampa, along with numerous military programs and high schools.
Her philosophy remains simple yet powerful:
“Success is a marathon, not a sprint.”
Impact on Women and Future Leaders
Thomas’ journey from Army commander to sports media professional reflects the growing influence of women leaders in fields traditionally dominated by men, including military leadership, sports broadcasting and athletics.
Through her advocacy for women’s flag football, leadership mentoring and public speaking, Thomas continues to inspire young women, athletes and veterans pursuing new careers after military service.
Key Achievements and Milestones
- 20-year U.S. Army combat veteran
- Three combat deployments
- Two-time U.S. Army Company Commander
- Leader responsible for more than 10,000 soldiers during her military career
- Disney’s first Military Veteran Intern (Fellow) at Disney Sports
- First Disney Fellow to complete the fellowship program and be hired full-time by ESPN
- Crewing Coordinator at ESPN
- Former Sports Events Manager at ESPN Wide World of Sports
- Best-selling author and national keynote speaker
- Sideline reporter and journalist for the Atlanta Truth Women’s Professional Tackle Football team and Alabama State University Women’s Flag Football team
- Mother to Legend Thomas (8)
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About the Florida National News Women’s History Month Series
Each March, Florida National News proudly celebrates Women’s History Month by highlighting the achievements, leadership, and impact of women across Florida and beyond. This special editorial series spotlights trailblazers in arts, culture, and fashion; business and entrepreneurship; education and academia; government and public service; media and communications; military and veterans; nonprofit and community leadership; philanthropy; and sports and athletics—women whose stories inspire progress and empower future generations.
