Sports

FGCU Eagles Dominate Stetson, Claim Sole First Place in ASUN Standings

Published

1 year ago

February 1, 2025

FORT MYERS, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) – Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) men’s basketball surged into sole possession of first place in the ASUN Conference with a dominant 82-56 victory over Stetson on Saturday at Alico Arena. Dallion Johnson led the way with a game-high 22 points, sinking six three-pointers as the Eagles cruised past their conference rivals in front of a season-high crowd of 3,570.

Hot Start Ignites FGCU
Johnson wasted no time setting the tone, nailing his first four three-point attempts to propel FGCU to an 18-4 lead. The Hatters had no answer for the Eagles’ early offensive explosion, as Keeshawn Kellman’s powerful dunk extended the lead to 22-6 at the 12:37 mark. Kellman, a force in the paint, finished with 12 points and six rebounds. Despite a potential buzzer-beater from Kellman being overturned upon review, FGCU entered halftime with a comfortable 40-23 advantage.

Second-Half Surge
FGCU continued its dominance after the break, extending the lead to 25 points when Tristen Guillouette executed a smooth spin move in the post. Stetson responded with a 7-0 run, trimming the deficit to 59-41, but FGCU immediately countered with an 8-0 burst to squash any hopes of a comeback. Rory Stewart, who contributed 13 points, played a key role in maintaining the Eagles’ control, while Zavian McLean added 10 points as FGCU had four players in double figures.

By the Numbers

FGCU has won seven of its last eight games and now sits at 13-10 overall, 8-2 in ASUN play. Jacksonville’s 81-78 loss to North Florida ensured FGCU’s place at the top of the conference standings.
The Eagles remained perfect at home in conference play (5-0).
FGCU hit 11 three-pointers, shooting 37% from beyond the arc.
The Eagles dominated inside, scoring 40 points in the paint while attempting just six free throws, making five.

What’s Next?
The first-place Eagles will look to keep their momentum going as they host Eastern Kentucky (12-11, 6-4 ASUN) on Thursday, February 6, at 7 p.m. for FGCU Staff Appreciation Day at Alico Arena.

_____________________________________________________________________

Roman Garay
Florida National News
sports@FloridaNationalNews.com

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Sports

Orlando Magic Add Veteran NBA Coaches, Player Development Leaders to Sean Sweeney’s Coaching Staff

Published

1 hour ago

July 6, 2026

FNN SPORTS

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — The Orlando Magic announced the complete coaching staff that will serve under new head coach Sean Sweeney for the 2026-27 NBA season, adding a mix of experienced NBA veterans, player development specialists and analytics experts to the organization’s basketball operations.

President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman announced that Joe Prunty, Greg Buckner, Popeye Jones, Tom Bialaszewski, Riley Crean, Jon Harris, Ben Johnson, Jacqlyn Poss and Mfon Udofia have been named assistant coaches.

In addition, D.J. Bakker will serve as assistant coach/director of player development, while Shannan Lum has been appointed assistant coach/director of coaching operations. In keeping with team policy, contract terms were not disclosed.

The Magic also announced the addition of Curtis Lewis as head video coordinator and Nicholas Russo as manager of basketball strategy within the basketball operations department.

Experienced NBA Leadership

Prunty returns for his second season with Orlando after joining the Magic in 2025. Entering his 30th NBA season, he brings one of the league’s most accomplished coaching resumes, including:

Three NBA championships with the San Antonio Spurs (1999, 2003, 2005)
Four NBA Finals appearances
22 NBA Playoff appearances
Three NBA All-Star Game coaching assignments
2024 Emirates NBA Cup championship with the Milwaukee Bucks

Prunty has also served as interim head coach for both Milwaukee and the Atlanta Hawks during his coaching career.

Buckner joins Orlando after spending the past two seasons with Milwaukee. He previously served on the coaching staffs of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Memphis Grizzlies and Houston Rockets. A former NBA guard, Buckner played 10 seasons after being selected in the 1998 NBA Draft.

Jones arrives following a season with the Dallas Mavericks and previously helped the Denver Nuggets capture the 2023 NBA championship. The former NBA center enjoyed an 11-year playing career and led the league in offensive rebounds during the 1994-95 season.

Player Development Emphasis

The Magic strengthened their player development department by naming Bakker assistant coach/director of player development.

Bakker spent the past two seasons with the Charlotte Hornets while simultaneously serving as head coach of the NBA G League’s Greensboro Swarm. He guided Greensboro to a 70-36 record, its first winning season and playoff appearance before leading the franchise to the 2025-26 NBA G League championship.

He also previously worked within the Magic organization as a regional advance scout during the 2013-14 season.

Coaching Operations and Analytics

Lum joins Orlando after serving as an assistant coach with the NBA G League’s Texas Legends following four seasons with the Mavericks organization.

Poss earns a promotion after spending more than three seasons as Orlando’s senior data scientist in basketball operations, reflecting the organization’s continued emphasis on analytics in player development and game preparation.

Additional Coaching Additions

The remaining assistant coaches bring diverse experience from the NBA, G League, college basketball and international competition.

Tom Bialaszewski most recently served as an advance scout for the San Antonio Spurs.
Riley Crean spent four seasons with the Mavericks organization, rising from video intern to head video coordinator.
Jon Harris arrives after four seasons with San Antonio, most recently working in player development.
Ben Johnson previously served as head coach at the University of Minnesota.
Mfon Udofia spent the past three seasons as head coach of the NBA G League’s Long Island Nets and has also coached Nigeria’s national team in international competition.

Supporting Basketball Operations

The Magic also expanded their basketball operations staff with the additions of:

Curtis Lewis — Head Video Coordinator
Nicholas Russo — Manager of Basketball Strategy

The new staff will support Sweeney, who was named Orlando’s head coach on June 1, as the Magic prepare for the 2026-27 NBA season.

#OrlandoMagic #MagicBasketball #NBA #SeanSweeney #JeffWeltman #JoePrunty #GregBuckner #PopeyeJones #NBACoaching #PlayerDevelopment #CentralFlorida #Basketball #MagicNation #FNNNews #NBANews

South Florida News

Uruguay, Saudi Arabia Play to 1-1 Tie as World Cup Atmosphere Electrifies Miami Gardens

Published

3 weeks ago

June 16, 2026

FNN SPORTS

FIFA World Cup 2026, Uruguay vs Arabia Saudita, Miami, Florida. Photo by Harry Castiblanco / Florida National News

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — Hard Rock Stadium felt more like Montevideo than South Florida on Monday as tens of thousands of Uruguayan supporters packed the venue for Uruguay’s World Cup opener against Saudi Arabia.

FIFA World Cup 2026, Uruguay vs Arabia Saudita, Miami, Florida. Photo by Harry Castiblanco / Florida National News

A crowd of 62,764 fans created a vibrant international atmosphere, with Uruguay supporters draped in giant blue-and-white flags and chanting “U-ru-guay! U-ru-guay!” throughout the match. Despite the passionate backing, Uruguay was forced to settle for a 1-1 draw against Saudi Arabia.

The stadium was awash in light blue as Uruguayan fans filled much of the venue, transforming Miami Gardens into a home-away-from-home for La Celeste. Meanwhile, a spirited contingent of Saudi supporters occupied sections of the south stands, waving green flags and providing energetic support for their national team.

FIFA World Cup 2026, Uruguay vs Arabia Saudita, Miami, Florida. Photo by Harry Castiblanco / Florida National News

WORLD CUP ATMOSPHERE IN SOUTH FLORIDA

The match showcased South Florida’s growing reputation as an international soccer destination, drawing fans from across the globe and creating a World Cup-like environment inside Hard Rock Stadium.

Both teams battled evenly throughout the contest, with neither side able to find a decisive breakthrough. The result leaves Uruguay and Saudi Arabia with a point apiece as they continue their tournament campaigns.

FIFA World Cup 2026, Uruguay vs Arabia Saudita, Miami, Florida. Photo by Harry Castiblanco / Florida National News

FANS DELIVER MEMORABLE SCENE

While the match ended in a draw, the atmosphere was among the day’s biggest highlights. The sea of blue-and-white and the nonstop chants from Uruguay supporters were matched by the enthusiasm of Saudi fans, producing a memorable international soccer showcase in Miami Gardens.

Sports

Orlando Storm Quarterback Jack Plummer Named 2026 UFL Most Valuable Player

Published

3 weeks ago

June 12, 2026

Willie David

Orlando Storm Quarterback Jack Plummer Named 2026 UFL Most Valuable Player

Source: The UFL / Orlando Storm

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — The United Football League has named Orlando Storm quarterback Jack Plummer the 2026 UFL Most Valuable Player after a record-setting regular season that helped lead the franchise to the league’s best record.

Plummer becomes the third quarterback to earn the UFL’s highest individual honor, following Bryce Perkins of the Michigan Panthers in 2025 and Adrian Martinez of the Birmingham Stallions in 2024.

The award was selected by a panel of league and team executives, coaches, players, media members and broadcast partners based on performances during the recently completed 10-game regular season.

Plummer Credits Team, Coaches

“It is an incredible honor to be named the 2026 UFL Most Valuable Player,” Plummer said. “While my name may be on this award, it truly belongs to so many people who have helped me along this journey.”

Plummer thanked his teammates and coaching staff, specifically Orlando Storm head coach Anthony Becht, for helping him reach the milestone.

“I also want to extend a special thank you to Coach Becht,” Plummer said. “His leadership, trust and belief in me have had a tremendous impact on my development as a player and as a person.”

Dominant Season Under Center

In the Storm’s inaugural season, Plummer guided Orlando to an 8-2 record and the No. 1 seed entering the postseason.

He led the UFL in passing yards (2,188), completions (195) and quarterback rating (104.1) while throwing 17 touchdown passes. Plummer completed 65% of his passes and threw just one interception all season.

The Storm offense led the league with an average of 208.3 passing yards per game.

“Jack personifies exactly what an elite UFL quarterback should look like,” Becht said. “His leadership, his ability to process information and make plays at any moment made him the most valuable player in the UFL.”

Historic Numbers and Signature Moments

Plummer scored or accounted for a touchdown in every game this season and threw at least one touchdown pass in nine of Orlando’s 10 regular-season contests.

He completed 75% or more of his passes in three games and recorded three-touchdown performances in victories against the Louisville Kings and D.C. Defenders.

Among his most impressive accomplishments was setting a UFL record with 255 consecutive pass attempts without throwing an interception.

Plummer also earned UFL Offensive Player of the Week honors in Week 8 after leading Orlando to a 34-21 victory over the Dallas Renegades that clinched a playoff berth.

In that game, he threw for 238 yards and rushed for two touchdowns, including a spectacular 71-yard touchdown run that remains the longest rushing play by a quarterback in the UFL this season.

Storm Set for Playoff Run

With Plummer leading the offense, Orlando enters the playoffs as the league’s top seed and one of the favorites to compete for the 2026 UFL Championship.