Sports

Watkins Award Honors Nation’s Top Black HS Players

THE AFRO — For 30 years the National Alliance of African American Athletes has created a movement amongst young high school football talent.

Published

7 years ago

March 10, 2019

Oakland Post

By Mark F. Gray

For 30 years the National Alliance of African American Athletes has created a movement amongst young high school football talent who buy into being a part of the legacy where they are a part of a fraternity of exceptional athletes who are committed to servicing their communities.

Their signature event is the Watkins Award Banquet where The Franklin D. Watkins Memorial Award is presented to the best African American high school football player in the nation. Five finalists from around the country will be honored this week at the Hilton Hotel in Crystal City, VA with one earning the Watkins Award, which is the equivalent to the high school football Heisman Trophy for Black Athletes.

“The Watkins Award Class of 2019 features an incredible collection of fine student-athletes,” said J. Everette Pearsall, executive director of The Alliance. “Each of these young men are well equipped for success academically. We continue to recognize and honor the premier African American Scholar Athletes in the United States.”

Five finalists from across the country will attend the gala, when this year’s standard bearer will be announced to cap a weekend of celebration where the alumni who has impacted major college football and the NFL reconnect for a weekend of fellowship that is unique to sports.

Normally if an athlete is nominated for an award and doesn’t win the only bond is between the winner and those who have preceded him. However, with the Watkins Award, once you’re a finalist you’ve become a lifelong member of this athletic fraternity even when the trophy goes home with another athlete.

The finalists for the Watkins Award have traditionally been some of the most decorated high school student-athletes in the nation. They are mostly blue chip players who have received countless awards while operating under the media spotlight of being a talented athlete who earns a share of celebrity. Since an early age most have been the focus of college recruiters while performing well on the field.

However, the Watkins award is different. It is based on more than just athletic performance and statistics. The premise behind the award is to honor the spirit of the student-athlete who makes a difference in the classroom and community while competing at a high level. Most of the athletes who enjoy the festivities in the D.M.V. have never visited the Nation’s Capital which only adds to the lure of the event.

The list of NFL Players who are Watkins alumni are some of the rising stars of the game. Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston is a former winner. Carolina Panthers safety Eric Reed, who joined Colin Kaepernick’s protest when they were teammates with The San Francisco 49 ‘ers, is among recent nominees also. Former Bullis and Ohio State QB Dwayne Hoskins, who is projected to be one of the first two taken in this year’s NFL Draft, was also nominated in 2016.

This year’s emcee will be ESPN football analyst and former NFL defensive back for Washington’s franchise Ryan Clark, who won a Super Bowl while playing with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Ric “Doc” Walker, Super Bowl champion with Washington, will host the red carpet.

The Watkins Class of 2019 includes Jaylen Coleman from Porter Ridge HS in Charlotte, N.C., who signed with Duke. Nakobe Dean of Horn Lake HS in Horn Lake, Miss. and is enrolled at Georgia. Aeneas DiCosmo, who played for Bergen Catholic HS in Montclair, N.J. and Elijah Higgins, of John Bowie HS in Austin, Texas who signed with Stanford. Roschon Johnson of Port Neches-Groves HS in Port Neches has already enrolled at Texas.

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Seth Curry Makes Impressive Debut with the Golden State Warriors

Seth looked comfortable in his new uniform, seamlessly fitting into the Warriors’ offensive and defensive system. He finished the night with an impressive 14 points, becoming one of the team’s top scorers for the game. Seth’s points came in a variety of ways – floaters, spot-up three-pointers, mid-range jumpers, and a handful of aggressive drives that kept the Oklahoma City Thunder defense on its heels.

Published

3 months ago

December 4, 2025

Oakland Post

Seth Curry is a point guard on the GSW team.Photo courtesy of the Golden State Warriors.

By Y’Anad Burrell

Tuesday night was anything but ordinary for fans in San Francisco as Seth Curry made his highly anticipated debut as a new member of the Golden State Warriors. Seth didn’t disappoint, delivering a performance that not only showcased his scoring ability but also demonstrated his added value to the team.

At 35, the 12-year NBA veteran on Monday signed a contract to play with the Warriors for the rest of the season.

One of the most memorable moments of the evening came before Seth even scored his first points. As he checked into the game, the Chase Center erupted into applause, with fans rising to their feet to give the newest Warrior a standing ovation.

The crowd’s reaction was a testament not only to Seth’s reputation as a sharpshooter but also to the excitement he brings to the Warriors. It was clear that fans quickly embraced Seth as one of their own, eager to see what he could bring to the team’s championship aspirations.

Warriors’ superstar Steph Curry – Seth’s brother – did not play due to an injury. One could only imagine what it would be like if the Curry brothers were on the court together. Magic in the making.

Seth’s debut proved to be a turning point for the Warriors. Not only did he contribute on the scoreboard, but he also brought a sense of confidence and composure to the floor.

While their loss last night, OKC 124 – GSW 112, Seth’s impact was a game-changer and there’s more yet to come. Beyond statistics, it was clear that Seth’s presence elevated the team’s performance, giving the Warriors a new force as they look to make a deep playoff run.

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Barbara Lee

WNBA’s Golden State Valkyries Kick Off Season with Community Programs in Oakland

“The Golden State Valkyries are more than a team—they’re a movement,” said Oakland Interim-Mayor Kevin Jenkins. “Their touchdown in Oakland marks a new era of opportunity, inspiration, and equity in sports. This partnership reflects our city’s deep commitment to uplifting women, investing in youth, and building a community where every dream has a place to grow. We’re proud to welcome the Valkyries to The Town.”

Published

10 months ago

May 18, 2025

Oakland Post

The Valkyries came to Oakland City Hall with a “Hoopbus.” Present were (from left to right): City Councilmembers Noel Gallo, Rebecca Kaplan, Zac Unger and Rowena Brown; Oakland Mayor-elect Barbara Lee, Valkyries President Jess Smith, a Valkyries team representative and Deputy Mayor LaNiece Jones. Photo courtesy Rebecca Kaplan’s office.

Team installs new nets at playgrounds, holds flag-raisings at City Halls in Oakland and S.F.

Special to The Post

The Golden State Valkyries brought the excitement of their inaugural season to every corner of the Bay Area with a full slate of community celebrations leading up to their historic home-opener against the Los Angeles Sparks at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Friday.

The week featured flag-raising ceremonies at city halls in Oakland and San Francisco, three “Violet Net” installation days at Oakland parks to encourage basketball play, fun “Hoopbus” takeovers at multiple schools presented by Kaiser Permanente, and player appearances.

In total, 90 violet nets were installed on 45 basketball courts across 34 public parks throughout Oakland this week. A list of the parks receiving violet nets can be found at Valkyries.com.

About the Golden State Valkyries

The Golden State Valkyries, the WNBA affiliate of the seven-time NBA Champion Golden State Warriors, were announced as the 13th WNBA franchise on Oct. 5, 2023. According to Norse mythology, Valkyries are a host of warrior women who are fearless and unwavering – flying through air and sea alike.

This brand is Golden State’s modern interpretation of Valkyries: strong, bold, and fierce. Tipping off during the 2025 WNBA season, the team is headquartered in Oakland and will play home games at Chase Center in San Francisco. For Golden State Valkyries’ assets, including team logos, visit valkyries.com.

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McClymonds High Names School Gym for Star Graduate, Basketball Legend Bill Russell

William “Bill” Felton Russell was born on Feb. 12, 1934, and died on July 31, 2022. He achieved fame as a U.S. professional basketball player who played center for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1956 to 1969. He was the centerpiece of the Celtics dynasty that won 11 NBA championships during his 13-year career.

Published

1 year ago

February 18, 2025

Oakland Post

Bill Russell and Brian McGhee in McClymonds High School Gym, 2011. Photo courtesy of Brian McGhee.

By Ken Epstein

West Oakland’s McClymonds High School, “the School of Champions,” this week named the school’s gymnasium in honor of one of its most famous graduates, basketball legend Bill Russell (class of ’52).

Russell is widely known as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. In 2011, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the country’s highest civil honor, from President Barack Obama for Russell’s contributions to basketball and the Civil Rights Movement.

The McClymonds’ naming ceremony was held on Wednesday, the same day as Russell’s birthday. Oakland leader Bill Patterson, a longtime friend of Russell’s, was scheduled to cut the ribbon at the reopening of the gym, which had been closed for several months for renovation. Russell’s daughter Karen was scheduled to attend the ribbon cutting.

Russell’s name and signature are now printed on the gymnasium floor.

Patterson was working at DeFremery Park when he met Russell. “I befriended him as a boy and during his years at University of San Francisco” said Patterson. “We stayed friends for the rest of his life.”

Said McClymonds Principal Darielle Davis, herself a McClymonds graduate, “We are excited to honor Bill Russell for his sports accolades and because he broke color barriers. He is part of our legacy, and legacy is really important at McClymonds.”

Brian McGhee, community schools manager at McClymonds and former football player at UC Berkeley, said that Russell meant a lot to him and others at the school. “He was a beacon of light and hope for West Oakland,” he said. “He did a lot for sports and for civil rights.”

Starting in 2018, Ben “Coach” Tapscott worked with Patterson and other McClymonds grads, community members, and former coaches to encourage the Oakland Board of Education to endorse the naming of the school gym, which finally happened recently.

“We worked hard to make this happen,” said Tapscott. “He’s an important part of McClymond’s history, along with a lot of other famous graduates,” he said.