Baptism by fire: How Chadrack Mpoyi found a second family in his journey at Crean Lutheran When Chadrack Mpoyi arrived from Congo and was dealt a series of setbacks, the Crean Lutheran basketball community stepped forward. "He'll be in our lives forever."

Chadrack Mpoyi has signed to play basketball at Minnesota.

His journey from Congo to the OC came with baptism by fire. But the Crean Lutheran community, including his notable host family, uplifted him.

"He'll be in our lives forever."

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Heart and soul: Kaiden and Krawford Bailey and the gift of high school basketball Playing together wasn't promised. But the Bailey brothers have found their purpose at Santa Margarita Catholic, as family and faith made for a moment to remember.

Basketball is in the blood of Santa Margarita Catholic brothers Kaiden and Krawford Bailey.

But for a few months, it was believed Krawford's career was over before it started. They prayed about it.

How family, faith and hoops uplifted the soul: diamondseason.substack.com/p/heart-and-...

Christian Collins strikes his first NIL deal. For college, it gets more complicated. "If you see me with a deal, I definitely made that decision," Collins says. And at some point, an NIL decision on Kentucky will have to be made.

Christian Collins has signed his first NIL deal, and it's with Crocs.

Business moves are ultimately his call: "If you see me with a deal, I definitely made that decision."

Looming is a big NIL decision on Kentucky basketball.

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NaVorro Bowman Jr. is next man up after Tyran Stokes. His famous father sees that he's driven. The NFL schedule is busy, but NaVorro Bowman is seeing as much of his son playing Notre Dame high school basketball as possible. The point guard is growing right before his eyes.

Chargers asst coach NaVorro Bowman is prepping for the Eagles on MNF, but made sure to go to a different game Wednesday.

NaVorro Bowman Jr. is a top HS basketball player growing right before his eyes at Notre Dame.

On the next man up after Tyran Stokes: diamondseason.substack.com/p/navorro-bo...

Brandon McCoy, Bosco address their separation and agree: 'No bad blood,' but change is good McCoy's dazzling debut for Sierra Canyon came in front of his old St. John Bosco team. Both sides believe parting ways was for the best. Shoe boxes in Pauley Pavilion were proof.

Brandon McCoy on Bosco: "Not everything works out. No bad blood or anything."

Bosco's Matt Dunn: "It’s a very complicated story... change was good for everybody.”

On a night when both were in the same hoops palace, kept a comfortable distance, and shined: diamondseason.substack.com/p/brandon-mc...

Jason Crowe Jr. keeps on scoring, then provides a key assist: Who is Quali Giran? A special bond and moment was on display after two of the top guards in the state squared off.

Jason Crowe Jr. is poised to become California's all-time leading scorer.

After a 41-point outburst at Millikan, he shared the spotlight with a freshman who'd just been offered by UCLA.

Who is Quali Giran? "That's lil bro."

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‘Our boys aren’t forgotten’: How Jalyx Hunt’s Super Bowl sack — and fine — helped lift up Philly youth Hunt helped turn a small uproar over his NFL fine into donations for the nonprofit Barbers Who Care, which was raising money for Boys' Latin students to visit college campuses.

"I know winning the Super Bowl is huge, but y’all getting educated and taking so much more through life and affecting other people is way bigger"

How Jalyx Hunt used his Super Bowl sack — and fine — to support Boys' Latin + their college campus trip