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This is Defector, a new sports blog and media company. We made this place together, we own it together, we run it together. Without access, without favor, without discretion, and without interference.

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Defector

NYC: Come To Our WNBA Comedy Show On May 16

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Live Event

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<div><span id="m_-2092141782617832424gmail-docs-internal-guid-bb27737d-7fff-3697-05d8-6ce69444e1e4">Mike Sielski is the author of four books, including Magic in the Air: The Myth, the Mystery, and the Soul of the Slam Dunk and The Rise: Kobe Bryant and the Pursuit of Immortality. He has been a sports columnist for The Philadelphia Inquirer and Inquirer.com since 2013 and was formerly a reporter at The Wall Street Journal.</span></div>
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Mike Sielski

David Lattin (42) and a Texas Western teammate compete for control of a rebound as Kentucky's Tommy Kron, left, and Pat Riley , right, look on during the 1966 NCAA Photos via Getty Images Championship. Texas Western defeated Kentucky 72-65 for the championship title and was the first team to have an.. all-.black starting five compete in the NCAA final

NCAA Photos Archive

Book Excerpts That Don't Suck

How The Dunk Was Banned

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Ray Ratto

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - MARCH 21: Head coach John Calipari of the Kentucky Wildcats walks off the court after losing to the Oakland Golden Grizzlies during the second half in the first round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at PPG PAINTS Arena on March 21, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Oakland Golden Grizzlies won, 80-76. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)

Oakland v Kentucky

College Basketball

John Calipari Gets Out Ahead Of The Pitchforks And Torches

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Patrick Redford

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 17: Doug Edert #25 of the Saint Peter's Peacocks celebrates after making a three-point basket against the during the second half in the first round game of the 2022 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 17, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

Saint Peter’s v Kentucky

The Only Peacocks In College Sports Broke Kentucky’s Heart

2019-01-01 00:15:14.989

Maitreyi Anantharaman

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Kentucky’s Magical Run Ended In Lunacy

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Samer Kalaf

The Kentucky Wildcats fans celebrate on the field after the 20-13 win against the Florida Gators at Kroger Field on October 02, 2021 in Lexington, Kentucky.

Florida v Kentucky

College Football

Kentucky Cornered Florida Into A Trash Bin And Shut The Lid

San Antonio, TX - MARCH 23: KENTUCKY VS IOWA during the Division I Women’s Basketball Tournament held at Bill Greehey Arena on March 23, 2021 in San Antonio, TX.

NCAA 2nd Round

No One’s Having More Fun Than Caitlin Clark

Head coach John Calipari of the Kentucky Wildcats talks to his players during a time-out during the second half against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on December 19, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Tar Heels defeated the Wildcats 75-63.

CBS Sports Classic – North Carolina vs Kentucky

College Coaches Will Have To Choose Where Their Loyalties Lie

kentucky wildcats