Latest from Hayden Cilley
Star athletes and best friends: Basha’s Gabriella and J.J. Garcia share unique bond through sports
CHANDLER – Gabriella and J.J. Garcia share a unique sisterhood through playing sports at Basha High School. With a mom who was a star at Arizona State University, the two sisters learned the competitive spirit, discipline and love for one another.
From Tempe to Storrs, Connecticut: UConn A.D. David Benedict embraces success of basketball teams
PHOENIX – Tempe native David Benedict is back in the Valley to watch the UConn Huskies men’s basketball team in the Men's Final Four. The athletic director was also an associate athletic director at Arizona State.
Ultimate coup de grace: ASU men’s swim and dive team seeks to end Pac-12 era with first NCAA championship
PHOENIX – Following a dominant Pac-12 championship win, the Arizona State Sun Devils men’s swim and dive team seeks to end the Pac-12 era with the program’s first NCAA championship.
A (Caleb) Love letter: Senior’s passion for big stage helps Arizona Wildcats beat Dayton, advance to Sweet 16
SALT LAKE CITY – After struggles in the Pac-12 men’s tournament, Arizona senior guard Caleb Love regained his shooting touch in a close game against Dayton, sending the Wildcats into the Sweet 16.
An 18-wheeler: Young and spry teen Kylan Boswell is leading Arizona Wildcats in NCAA men’s tournament
SALT LAKE CITY – As the youngest player on a stacked Arizona Wildcats team, Kylan Boswell played like a true veteran Thursday against Long Beach State. His coach and teammates believe that when Boswell is confident, there’s not a team in the country that can beat them.
Faith over fear: Arizona Christian stands behind beliefs amid NAIA Sweet 16 appearance
GLENDALE – Although Division I basketball programs in Arizona are thriving in the NCAA tournament, Arizona Christian University of the NAIA is in the Sweet 16. For the Firestorm, their success stems from coaching, talent and faith.
A tale of two halves: Arizona leans on championship experience in first-round win over Long Beach State
SALT LAKE CITY – With three members of the Arizona basketball team being a part of a national championship contending team, they put that experience in use against Long Beach State on Thursday during the first round of the NCAA tournament.
‘Two genuine friends’: Arizona’s Tommy Lloyd, Long Beach State’s Dan Monson share near 30-year bond
SALT LAKE CITY – Arizona’s Tommy Lloyd and Long Beach State’s Dan Monson share a bond that stems deeper than basketball. With the two squads taking different paths to the tournament, both Lloyd and Monson are rejoicing in the opportunity to coach against each other.
‘It’s pretty terrifying’: Ex-Suns guard Rex Chapman’s memoir sparks conversations on addiction, recovery in Tempe
TEMPE – From basketball star to addiction to social media influencer, Rex Chapman continues to speak honestly and shed light on his struggles throughout his life.
ASU’s Léon Marchand preps for Pac-12, NCAA championships en route to second Olympic appearance
PHOENIX – After finishing as the Pac-12 champions in the 2022-23 season, the ASU men’s swim and dive team is poised for history. Standout junior Léon Marchand is set to make his second Summer Olympic appearance, all while focusing on the present moment.
Phoenix Suns seal deal on G League team for 2024-25 NBA season
PHOENIX – After selling ownership of the Northern Arizona Suns to the Detroit Pistons, the Phoenix Suns were the only team without a G League affiliate. Three years later, the organization is rewriting the story with a new team coming to the Valley for the 2024-25 NBA season.
‘It is a family’: Black Mountain BMX weaves lasting bonds in heart of track at Winter Nationals
PHOENIX – From one generation to the next, Black Mountain BMX is bringing a continued sense of family and togetherness during the USA BMX Winter Nationals.
Thrill ride: Radford Racing School drives enthusiasm to new heights at Barrett-Jackson auction
SCOTTSDALE – At the Barrett-Jackson car auction in Scottsdale, Radford Racing School seized the opportunity to engage with car enthusiasts, offering them the chance to not only admire fast cars but also experience the thrill of getting behind the wheel themselves.
Water-crazed hunger: ASU women’s water polo embraces connection to Hungary
TEMPE – A blend of Hungarian culture has made the Arizona State women’s water polo team dynamic – and one that brings a sense of unity between coaches and players.
NCAA adopts rules to create NIL deals database, registry as convention opens in Phoenix
To kick off the push toward the NCAA Men’s Final Four, NCAA president Charlie Baker read to third-graders at Gateway School in Phoenix. Two days later, the NCAA adopted rules to create an NIL deals database and registry.
College football 2024: After leading team to Fiesta Bowl, Liberty quarterback Salter opts for transfer portal
GLENDALE – The Vrbo Fiesta Bowl spotlighted what college football in 2024 looks like thanks to NIL deals and the transfer portal. After leaving the Tennessee football program to leading the Liberty Flames into a New Year's Six bowl, quarterback Kaidon Salter told his team he is entering the transfer portal. Just a earlier, after a loss to Oregon in the Fiesta Bowl, Liberty coach Jamey Chadwell said, "He's the face of the football program.”
Liberty, Liberty, Liiiberty: Flames’ resurgence spotlights coach Jamey Chadwell, despite Vrbo Fiesta Bowl loss
GLENDALE – When Liberty University brought on a new football coach for the 2023 season, few knew what to expect. Yet Jamey Chadwell brought a unique team together and ended up in a New Year's Six bowl. Even though the loss in the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl wasn't what the team wanted, the foundation is set.
Between a remote and a hard place: Sports fans, leagues wrestle with true cost of streaming
PHOENIX – In recent years, sports fans have grown to rely on illegal streaming to watch their favorite teams to cut costs, a dynamic not on the radar of mainstream media. This era may be over soon, however, as major pro sports league have claimed billions of dollars in revenue losses.
‘Weird’ and exciting: Emotions, memories flow as ASU basketball prepares to move to Big 12 after 46 years in the Pac-12
TEMPE – With Arizona State moving to the Big 12, many around the program reflect on the past and consider what the future could look like in a new conference.
‘Stay hungry, stay humble’: Washington State starter, Casteel High alum Brock Dieu ready for Arizona return vs. Sun Devils
PHOENIX – As a 2021 graduate of Casteel High School, Washington State Cougars offensive lineman Brock Dieu makes his first start Saturday in Arizona against the Sun Devils. Last time Dieu was in Arizona, he was patiently waiting for his moment to become a full-time starter.
Big 12 move highlights BYU, Arizona communities entwined through LDS faith, football
PHOENIX – Entwined by faith and football, Brigham Young and Arizona State renew their old Western Athletic Conference rivalry when the two schools join the Big 12 next season.
Kyle Larson, Dale Jarrett team up in Phoenix to supercharge Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
PHOENIX – NASCAR stars Dale Jarrett and Kyle Larson visited Phoenix Children's Hospital in support of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month – a cause the drivers cherish from their personal experiences.
WNBA’s inclusion efforts in leadership ranks receive low marks for gender, racial hiring
PHOENIX – A report from The Institute of Diversity and Ethics in Sport highlighted the lack of representation of women of color in WNBA leadership, making it difficult to create a lasting impact across the league.
With tears and laughter, Mercury center Brittney Griner speaks for first time since Russian detainment
PHOENIX – Phoenix Mercury star Brittney Griner met with reporters for the first time since her arrest in Russia on Feb. 17, 2022, on drug-related charges. The press conference attracted local and national media and included Gov. Katie Hobbs and Griner’s wife, Cherelle.
On the clock: Countdown to the 2024 Men’s Final Four underway
PHOENIX – With the 2024 Men’s Final Four set to be in Arizona, the countdown for the event begins at Sky Harbor International Airport, early Thursday morning.
Houston’s Final Four success foreshadows potential economic boost for Arizona in 2024
HOUSTON – On the heels of the 2023 Final Four in Houston, the next stop for the tournament is in Arizona. The Valley of the Sun previously held the Final Four in 2017 and brought in near-record numbers.
San Diego State’s loss to UConn in NCAA National Championship game does little to quiet Pac-12 rumors
HOUSTON – Despite the Aztecs' loss against UConn in the national championship game Monday night, their NCAA tournament run has solidified the athletic program’s case for a potential move to the Pac-12.
‘We couldn’t be closer:’ Hurley brothers strive to continue family legacy
HOUSTON – With UConn set to play in the championship game on Monday, Arizona State head coach Bobby Hurley is living in the moment with his brother, Dan.
‘I got a Ph.D. in basketball’: Experience at Arizona pays off for SDSU assistant coach JayDee Luster
HOUSTON – San Diego State men’s basketball assistant coach JayDee Luster credits his time as a graduate assistant at Arizona under Sean Miller for helping him understand what it takes to help a team get to the top of the NCAA.
‘I thought he was going to be with us forever’: Housing programs aim to close the gap for people with autism
PHOENIX – A report from the Greater Phoenix Housing Market Analysis shows the lack of attention given to people with autism or who are neurodivergent makes it difficult for them to get out of poverty.
Game changers: Two years after historic broadcast, rise of women shakes up industry
PHOENIX – The first all-women’s NBA basketball broadcast happened in 2021 and two years later, women continue to make names for themselves, but sometimes change is still glacially slow.
Student of the game: ASU junior Cris Valle working overtime as Hamilton boys basketball coach
CHANDLER – Former Hamilton basketball star Cris Valle had a dream of playing professional basketball. However, he found a true passion for coaching and giving back what he learned to the next generation of players.
Backyard Bowl: Devon Allen, an Olympian, an Eagle and Brophy alum, returns home for Super Bowl 57
PHOENIX – Devon Allen is a two-time Olympian and a wide receiver on the Philadelphia Eagles practice squad. As a Brophy College Prep graduate, Allen is looking forward to returning home on one of the biggest stages in the world.
Remembering Lute: Two years after his death, Olson remains important figure to former players
TUCSON – Two years after his death, Lute Olson’s legacy remains far-reaching. He let his players be a part of his family, both on and off the court. That family atmosphere inspired former players to seek out coaching positions, collegiately and in the NBA.
African American Reconstruction teams with pro sports organizations to empower Black community
PHOENIX – African American Reconstruction, a nonprofit organization that looks to tackle issues and educate people within the Black community, has partnered with professional sports teams to help its mission.
Mercury’s Brittney Griner in ‘good condition’ in Russian prison, State Department official says after visit
PHOENIX – Brittney Griner is in “good condition,” a State Department official said after Russia granted access to the Phoenix Mercury basketball star.
Brittney Griner’s detainment in Russia until at least May 19 casts light on WNBA overseas travel
PHOENIX – WNBA players have left Russia after the arrest of Brittney Griner, who will now be detained until at least May 19. Since the arrest, more is uncovered about why players travel overseas during the offseason.
Mercury ‘closely monitoring’ after report Russians arrested Brittney Griner on cannabis oil possession charge
PHOENIX – After a Russian news agency reported that a WNBA player had been arrested in Russia for possession of cannabis oil, the Phoenix Mercury issued a statement that they are "aware of and are closely monitoring the situation with Brittney Griner ."
Heart, hope and a defibrillator: Mercury forward Tina Charles’ foundation helped save a life
PHOENIX — A Texas landscaping supervisor, had his life saved by an automated external defibrillator provided by Hopey’s Heart Foundation, a nonprofit organization that the Mercury’s Tina Charles started with a mission of equipping gymnasiums with AEDs to prevent sudden cardiac arrest
COVID and political fatigue inspired ‘lighter, comedic’ Super Bowl ads
PHOENIX – Super Bowl television commercials adopted a kinder and more humorous tone during the big game this year after a few companies built their spots around the pandemic or politics in 2021 – if they advertised at all.
New coach Vanessa Nygaard to ‘shepherd’ Phoenix Mercury, star Diana Taurasi
PHOENIX – The Phoenix Mercury introduced a new coach with Arizona roots. Vanessa Nygaard grew up in Scottsdale and is excited to be back in the state.
