Author: hamiltonneill

Baylor to retire Brittney Griner’s No. 42 jersey

By Hamilton Neill

(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

On February 18, Baylor will retire Brittney Griner’s No. 42 jersey as the Bears host Texas Tech at the recently opened Foster Pavilion in Waco, Texas.

The Phoenix Mercury star, who was the first pick in the 2013 WNBA draft, led the Lady Bears to the Final Four twice, including a 40-0 national championship season as a junior. She’s also won two Olympic gold medals and the 2014 WNBA title with the Mercury, where she has played for ten seasons.

Born in Houston, Griner played for Baylor from 2009 to 2013 and still holds the NCAA record for the most career blocked shots (748). During her time at Baylor, she scored 3,283 points and grabbed 1,305 rebounds. Recently, Iowa’s Caitlin Clark surpassed her for the fourth position on the NCAA’s women’s basketball all-time scoring list.

“I’m honored to return home to Baylor and celebrate where so much of my journey started,” Griner said Monday in a statement. “I’m grateful to Coach Nicki [Collen] and the entire Baylor community and am looking forward to the opportunity to be back on campus, spend time with the team and have my family beside me to share in this incredible moment. Sic ’em Bears.”

Her jersey will be the seventh retired by the Baylor women’s program. She will join two of her former teammates, Odyssey Sims and Melissa Jones, in that honor.

“I have been saying this since I arrived at Baylor that she deserves to have her jersey retired and I wanted to make sure that happened when the timing was right,” Collen said in a statement. “With the opening of Foster Pavilion, and the WNBA offseason fitting into our season, this seemed like the right time to honor Brittney and welcome her back home.”

“She is one of the best basketball players in Baylor’s history, and we’re thrilled that the time has come to celebrate Brittney and all of her accomplishments.”

Alana Smith to sign two-year deal with Minnesota Lynx, per agent

By Hamilton Neill

(NBAE via Getty Images)

Unrestricted free agent Alanna Smith will be signing with the Minnesota Lynx on a two-year deal, her agent Sammy Wloszczowski of SIG Sports told ESPN.

The 6’4” forward is coming off a career year with the Chicago Sky where she averaged 9.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game, with a league-best 63% clip on 2-pointers.

As a starter for the Sky in 2023, Smith averaged a career-high 26.5 minutes per game, and was a candidate for Most Improved Player.

The Australian was selected 8th in the 2019 draft out of Stanford. She spent the first three seasons of her career in a reserve role with the Phoenix Mercury before playing nine games for the Indiana Fever in 2022. Additionally, Smith was a member of the Australian women’s basketball team at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Mike Johnson Elected as Speaker of the House: A Shift in Republican Leadership

By Hamilton Neill

In a surprising turn of events, Congressman Mike Johnson of Louisiana has been elected as the Speaker of the House, marking a significant shift in Republican leadership. This decision came after weeks of internal party conflicts and a search for a suitable candidate to lead the House of Representatives. Johnson’s election has raised eyebrows due to his staunch support for former President Donald Trump and his involvement in efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. 

“He is not part of the main stream political or legal thought,” Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.) told Axios. “Truly an aberrant candidate for America, but maybe not for a drowning Republican conference searching for a lifesaver.” 

In this article, we will delve into the background of Mike Johnson, examine his conservative record, and analyze the implications of his election as Speaker of the House. 

Who Mike Johnson? 

A Louisiana native, Johnson embarked on his political career in 2015 when he served in the Louisiana State Legislature. His dedication to conservative ideals and his unwavering support for religious liberty quickly earned him recognition within Republican circles. Johnson’s legal background, having obtained a Juris Doctorate from the Paul M. Hebert Law Center, equipped him with the skills necessary to navigate the intricacies of constitutional law and advocacy. 

In 2016, Johnson was elected to the House of Representatives, representing Louisiana’s Fourth District. As a member of Congress, Johnson wasted no time in establishing himself as a leading conservative voice. He joined the Republican Study Committee, a caucus dedicated to advancing conservative policies, and served as its chairman. Johnson’s commitment to conservative values, including his opposition to abortion rights, same-sex marriage, and LGBTQ+ rights, aligns closely with the principles of the Republican Party’s base. 

One of the defining moments of Johnson’s political career was his involvement in the efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. He played a pivotal role in garnering support for a Texas lawsuit seeking to invalidate electoral college votes from several states. Although the lawsuit was ultimately rejected by the Supreme Court, Johnson’s unwavering commitment to the cause garnered attention and praise from former President Trump. 

The Path to Speaker: Johnson’s Rise to Power 

The road to electing Mike Johnson as Speaker of the House was not without its challenges. The Republican Party experienced internal conflicts and a struggle to find a suitable candidate to lead the House. The ousting of Speaker Kevin McCarthy in early October created a power vacuum that needed to be filled. Various candidates emerged, but none were able to secure enough support from House Republicans. 

After weeks of deliberation, Johnson emerged as a compromise candidate. His conservative credentials and loyalty to Trump resonated with the party’s base, while his relative lack of notoriety allowed for a fresh face to take the helm. Johnson’s nomination received a significant boost when former President Trump endorsed him, solidifying his position as a front-runner. It is impossible to discuss Mike Johnson’s rise to power without acknowledging the influence of former President Donald Trump. Johnson’s unwavering support for Trump’s policies and his involvement in efforts to overturn the 2020 election earned him the moniker “MAGA Mike Johnson.” Trump’s endorsement of Johnson further cemented his position as the preferred candidate among the party’s base.
The Implications of Johnson’s Election as Speaker Mike Johnson’s election as Speaker of the House represents a clear shift in Republican leadership. With his conservative values and close alignment with Trump, Johnson embodies the party’s commitment to its base. This shift could have far-reaching implications for the Republican Party’s agenda and its ability to rally support from its conservative voter base.

As Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson is expected to champion a conservative agenda. His focus on issues such as religious liberty, pro-life policies, and limited government intervention aligns with the core values of the Republican Party. Johnson’s emphasis on constitutional principles and his legal background may also shape his approach to legislative matters.

Johnson’s election is not without its challenges and criticisms. His involvement in efforts to overturn the 2020 election has drawn criticism from Democrats and some moderate Republicans. Critics argue that his support for baseless claims of election fraud undermines the democratic process and erodes trust in the electoral system. Additionally, Johnson’s staunch conservative stance may alienate moderate Republicans and hinder bipartisan cooperation.

Johnson’s rise to power is closely tied to the support of evangelical Christians. As a devout Christian himself and a member of the Southern Baptist Convention, Johnson has cultivated close ties with evangelical communities. The alliance between white evangelical Christians and the Republican Party has been a defining feature of conservative politics in recent decades, and
Johnson’s election further solidifies this relationship.

Conclusion: Johnson’s Leadership and the Future of the Republican Party

The election of Mike Johnson as Speaker of the House reflects a significant shift in Republican leadership and highlights the enduring influence of former President Donald Trump. Johnson’s conservative values, close alignment with Trump, and support from evangelical Christians position him as a leading figure in the party. As Speaker, Johnson will face the challenges of
navigating a divided Congress and advancing a conservative agenda. The implications of his leadership extend beyond the House of Representatives, shaping the future of the Republican Party and its relationship with its conservative base. Only time will tell how Johnson’s tenure as Speaker will impact the political landscape in the years to come.