LaPhonso Ellis in 2021. (AP Photo/Robert Franklin)
THIS IS THE SPORTS SPECTRUM PODCAST
WITH JASON ROMANO, FEATURING LAPHONSO ELLIS
LaPhonso Ellis is a former NBA player who was selected fifth overall in the 1992 NBA Draft by the Denver Nuggets. He was named to the 1992-93 All-Rookie first team, and went on to play 11 NBA seasons with Denver, Atlanta, Minnesota and Miami.
After retiring from playing, Ellis joined ESPN in 2009 and was a college basketball commentator and analyst until June 2023. The Notre Dame graduate also had a stellar career in South Bend and was named to Notre Dame’s Ring of Honor in 2021.
Today on the podcast, we talk to LaPhonso Ellis about living his life for Christ and growing spiritually after becoming a believer early in his NBA career. We also ask him about the experience of seeing his former team, the Nuggets, win the NBA championship in 2023.
(Today’s interview was recorded a few days before LaPhonso lost his job with ESPN on June 30, 2023 and the tragic death of his daughter on July 1, 2023)
“LaPhonso Ellis is one of the greatest athletes and gentlemen to ever suit up for Notre Dame basketball."
Congratulations LaPhonso Ellis on being inducted into the Ring of Honor at Notre Dame! pic.twitter.com/ECQr2diO6I
THIS IS THE SPORTS SPECTRUM PODCAST WITH MATT FORTE & JASON ROMANO, FEATURING ADAM BURT
Adam Burt is the team chaplain for the New York Jets and lead pastor of Every Nation Church in New Jersey. Prior to his work in ministry, Burt was an NHL player for 13 seasons (1988-2001) with the Hartford Whalers, Carolina Hurricanes, Philadelphia Flyers and Atlanta Thrashers.
Today on the podcast, Adam Burt shares his journey from being an NHL player to becoming an NFL chaplain, emphasizing the importance of living authentically as a Christian in a competitive environment. The conversation touches on the challenges athletes face, the significance of mentorship, and the impact of faith in their lives.
Adam Burt has taken the unique path from NHL defenseman to pastor, and now author. He's taking stories from his playing career, including playing in the longest game in NHL history, and using them as examples in his new role. https://t.co/FBXO7SuYvj
Anthony "Spice" Adams in 2010. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
THIS IS THE SPORTS SPECTRUM PODCAST WITH MATT FORTE & JASON ROMANO, FEATURING ANTHONY “SPICE” ADAMS
Anthony “Spice” Adams is a former NFL player who was selected in the second round of the 2003 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers. He spent four seasons with San Francisco, then signed in 2007 with the Chicago Bears, where he would spend the last five years of his career. He was teammates with our host, Matt Forte, for four seasons in Chicago.
Today on the podcast, Anthony “Spice” Adams joins us to talk about his family background, his draft day experience, the challenges of playing nose guard, and the humorous moments he and Forte shared as teammates. They discuss the importance of camaraderie in the locker room, the highs and lows of game-day rituals, and the adrenaline rush that follows a game.
Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) drives past a Bucks defender, April 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
The Indiana Pacers have improved on their regular-season record each of the three full seasons star guard Tyrese Haliburton has been with the franchise. A year ago they made the postseason for the first time in four years, won a playoff series for the first time since 2014, and advanced all the way to the NBA’s Eastern Conference Finals.
This spring, with a 50-32 regular-season record and the No. 4 seed in the East, Haliburton and the Pacers are positioned for another deep playoff run.
Haliburton had a relatively quiet game in Indiana’s 117-98 Game 1 victory Saturday against its first-round opponent, the Milwaukee Bucks, yet still nearly compiled a triple-double; he scored 10 points, dished out 12 assists and snagged seven rebounds.
Drafted No. 12 overall by the Sacramento Kings out of Iowa State in 2020, Haliburton was traded to the Pacers mid-way through the 2021-22 season. In Indiana, he’s become one of the best passers in the NBA and a two-time All-Star (2023, 2024). He averaged 9.2 assists per game this regular season (the third-most in the league) in addition to his 18.6 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game.
Haliburton was a member of Team USA’s gold medal-winning basketball team at the 2024 Paris Olympics, and as his fame has grown, he’s continued to speak about the importance of faith in his life. At a press conference earlier this month, he was asked about the chapel services NBA teams hold before games.
“Chapel is a big part of my game-day routine,” Haliburton said. “It started my rookie year with Harrison Barnes. As my vet, he always made sure I was going to chapel. … That 15-20 minutes I get every day to step aside and talk about what really matters — which is my Lord and Savior — I think it’s very important for me. I think we’ve built a little bit of a community within our locker room too.”
He continued later, “It’s a super cool thing that we do here in the NBA and I always appreciate it. So (chapel has) been a big part of my success and, honestly, my sanity throughout this year. It’s been an up-and-down year, but I know that coming back to the [Bible], coming back to my peace really there always makes me feel at peace and knowing the bigger picture.”
Haliburton writes “To Him be the glory forever” in his X bio, and this summer in an interview with GQ said his Bible was the first of 10 items he can’t live without.
“Over the last two years, my religion has become very important in my life,” he said in the video. “Just understanding that I’m made in the image of God, in a world where you have a bad game and they’re killing you on social media, or confidence goes up and down, I can always come right here. [The Bible] is my peace.”
Haliburton admitted he’s never truly read the Bible until recent years, knowing only the isolated verses athletes commonly reference. However, as the 25-year-old Oshkosh, Wisconsin, native has established himself in the NBA, God has been at work in his heart to draw him closer to Himself.
“Growing up we didn’t go to church a lot, but we understood God’s place in our lives,” Haliburton told NBA.com last year. “Now that I’m an adult I guess — I own a house now and live on my own — I go to church on Sunday every chance I can. I go to chapel before games.”
God has even used Haliburton’s life as a witness to his own parents, John and Brenda.
“Tyrese is humble and very blessed,” John told Andscape in December 2023. “We give God the praise and the glory. Tyrese is nothing without the mercy of God. He knows how to handle it. He knows where he comes from.”
Tip-off for Game 2 between the Bucks and Haliburton’s Pacers is set for Tuesday at 7 p.m. ET in Indianapolis, as Indiana will try to secure a commanding two-game lead in the best-of-seven series. And one thing is for certain: 60 minutes before tip, Haliburton will be in chapel, learning about and worshiping God.
THIS IS THE SPORTS SPECTRUM PODCAST WITH MATT FORTE & JASON ROMANO, FEATURING DERWIN GRAY
Derwin Gray played five seasons in the NFL with the Indianapolis Colts and Carolina Panthers. He is currently the pastor of Transformation Church in the Charlotte, North Carolina, area. His latest book, “Lit Up With Love,” is out now.
Today on the podcast, we talk to Derwin Gray about the “naked preacher” who led him to Jesus, how his scars have helped him help others, and being an “everyday missionary” who is led by love as a follower of Christ.
