The Seawanhaka Sports Rundown is a weekly roundup of five stories that examine developments in sports news at the local, state, national, and international levels.
By: JOSEPH SIMILE / CHIEF SPORTS EDITOR
Derek Carr Signs With Saints
Former longtime-Raiders quarterback Derek Carr is reportedly signing a deal with the New Orleans Saints. The Saints were one of three teams in on Carr, beating out the New York Jets and Carolina Panthers to sign the four-time Pro Bowler. Carr had previously declined to waive his no-trade clause with the Raiders, who released Carr on Feb. 14. Carr has thrown over 3,200 yards in every season of his career, including four consecutive 4,000 yard seasons from 2018 to 2021. Carr had reportedly wanted to make a quick decision in order to lure other free agents to his destination, which ultimately will end up being New Orleans.
Knicks on Nine Game Win Streak
The New York Knicks are on a nine-game winning streak, most recently capping off a double-overtime thriller against the Boston Celtics on March 5, led by sixth-man Immanuel Quickley, who started in place of the injured Jalen Brunson. Quickley scored a career-high 38 points, also recording eight rebounds, seven assists, four steals and two blocks, shooting 54% from the field and knocking down five of his 12 three-point opportunities, good for 42%. R.J. Barrett scored 29 points and pulled in 11 rebounds, all-star Julius Randle posted 31 points, nine rebounds, and four assists, and the self-proclaimed “best center in New York” Mitchell Robinson posted a double double, with 13 points and 14 rebounds. The Knicks went on a 7-0 run in the fourth quarter to put them up by seven with 1:25 left to play, but a pair of threes from Al Horford and Marcus Smart and an and-one basket by Jalen Brown with 12 seconds left sent the game to overtime after Randle turned the ball over on the final possession. Quickley scored nine points between the two overtime periods, including New York’s first seven points of the second overtime. Quickley, who played a career-high 55 minutes was the only Knick to convert a field goal in the second overtime, with Josh Hart and Mitchell Robinson putting points on the board via free throw. It was the second Knicks win over the Celtics during this stretch, beating Boston by 15 in MSG on Feb. 27. The Knicks are currently 39-27, and sit fifth in the Eastern Conference, holding their highest winning percentage (59.1%) since 2013 (65.9%).
Grizzlies Star Ja Morant Away From Team, Will Miss At Least Two Games
Memphis Grizzlies star point guard Ja Morant will miss at least two games, with no timetable for return, after brandishing a firearm in a club on social media. The NBA announced an investigation into the post on social media. Morant has issued his own statement, "I take full responsibility for my actions last night. I'm sorry to my family, teammates, coaches, fans, partners, the city of Memphis, and the entire Grizzlies organization for letting you down. I'm going to take some time away to get help and work on learning better methods of dealing with stress and my overall well-being." Nike, who has a signature shoe deal with Morant, stated “We appreciate Ja’s accountability and that he is taking the time to get the help he needs. We support his prioritization of his well-being”. This situation comes after reports of Morant threatening the head of mall security at a Memphis mall, as well as allegations that Morant assaulted a 17-year-old boy during a pickup basketball game. Morant claimed it was self defense after the boy threw a basketball which hit him in the head, however the teenager details a different scenario, per the Washington Post: "The teenager drew the task of guarding one of the world's most electric scorers. When Morant threw the ball hard at the boy's chest as he attempted to check it in, the boy threw it back just as hard. The ball "slipped through [Morant's] hands," the teenager said, and it hit Morant's chin.
The teenager told police Morant then put his chin on the boy's shoulder and asked his friend, "Do I do it to him?" The friend responded, "Yeah, do it."
Morant then punched the boy in his jaw, the boy told police, and without warning, the friend struck him on the other side."
Kodai Senga Shines In First American Bout
Japanese star Kodai Senga made his unofficial debut against the St. Louis Cardinals in a spring training contest. Senga had inked a five-year, $75 million contract with the Mets this offseason. Senga has pitched in Japan’s NPB for 11 years, since he was 19 years old. He has posted a sub-three ERA in 9 of his 10 seasons, including a 1.89 ERA last season in 148 innings. Senga pitched two innings against the Cardinals, and despite giving up a homerun and two walks, he also posted two strikeouts and showed some of his nasty stuff. According to Statcast, Senga averaged 97 mph on his fastball, maxing out at 98.6 mph. He struck out highly-touted prospect Jordan Walker with his signature “ghost forkball”, a pitch that generated a staggering 41 inches of drop.
LIU Men’s Basketball Finishes Worst Season In School History
LIU Brooklyn’s Men’s Basketball Team has finished their 2022-23 campaign 3-26, the worst record in the school’s 81 seasons of play as a “major school”, per basketball-reference. The Sharks’ 1-15 conference record is tied for worst in school history with the 1989-90 Blackbirds, who went 3-23 overall. The Sharks only recorded one win against a Division I opponent, a 74-70 upset against Sacred Heart on Jan. 26. LIU hired head coach Rod Strickland in surprising fashion on June 29, 2022, after the transfer portal eligibility deadline had passed. There were some bright spots for this Sharks team, as freshman R.J. Greene, who was second in the NEC in assists per game, was named to the NEC All-Rookie Team. Sophomore transfer Marko Maletic was fourth in the NEC in scoring, posting 15.9 points per game, leading the NEC in three-point percentage with 38.8%, finishing fourth in the conference with 69 made threes, despite only playing 24 games. Freshman CJ Delancy was fourth in the conference with 1.3 blocks per game, and both Greene and transfer Jacob Johnson were top 10 in free throw attempts, with Johnson top ten in made free throws as well as minutes per game. LIU has already had two commits, both from the Eagle Brooklyn Academy, in 6’1 high-flying guard Eric Acker and 6'6 forward Trey Sheppard, who is averaging 19 points per game and 19.1 rebounds per game in PSAL, per Nelson Castillo.