Magic Johnson and Isiah Thomas embrace during an NBATV interview. (Photo Courtesy: NBA/Twitter @NBA)
Magic Johnson and Isiah Thomas are legends. One grew up in Michigan, the other in Chicago. Both went on to Hall of Fame careers and won multiple NBA championships. They were best friends for many years during their basketball career. And then something happened. After meeting in the NBA Finals in consecutive seasons in 1988 and 1989, their relationship seemed to be over.
In 1992, Magic famously helped keep Isiah off the 1992 Dream Team, a team that Thomas was clearly good enough to be on and should have been on.
Johnson admitted he helped keep Thomas off the Dream Team in part because he says Isiah spread rumors that he was bisexual or gay after Magic contracted HIV in 1991.
It was messy. It was ugly. It didn’t seem like reconciliation was possible.
But then an amazing thing took place recently when the two reunited in a special that aired Tuesday Night on NBATV.
“My wife, my mother, my father saying you all need to get back together,” Magic said. “So when everybody called, I said no question we’re going to do this.”
As Isiah sat and listened, he began to get emotional as Magic continued to share his feelings.
“You are my brother,” Magic said to Isiah. “Let me apologize to you. If I hurt you. That we haven’t been together. God is good to bring us back together.”
The two embraced in a long hug, both emotional and tearful. It was a wonderful moment for two of the greatest to ever play the game.
“I’ll always be here,” Isiah said.
Magic responded as always the competitor that he is. “And I’m still mad that you beat me.”
Both laughed and embraced one last time.
In Ephesians 4:31-32, Paul says we are to forgive as Christ forgave us. Magic and Isiah have finally done that and are once again, brothers.
“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” – Ephesians 4:31-32
From Tulsa to Mizzou, hooping'is fun again. I Off the court, l've got a few hidden talents -Rubik's cubes included. And if I'm turning on a movie? Interstellar is the go-to every time. & Check out my interview!@MizzouAthletics@MizzouHoops#MIZ#ETTBpic.twitter.com/pFPpIB708V
Philadelphia 76ers draft pick VJ Edgecombe, June 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
From the shores of Bimini in the Bahamas to the bright lights of the Barclays Center in Brooklyn on Wednesday, the journey to the NBA has always been about more than basketball for VJ Edgecombe.
He was selected No. 3 overall by the Philadelphia 76ers, making him the highest-drafted player to come from Baylor University. Like many players on draft night, Edgecombe was overcome with emotion while shaking hands with Commissioner Adam Silver, and again when joined by his mother and brother while being interviewed by ESPN.
In fact, he first spoke for his mother, who was asked about her emotions but couldn’t find the words.
“Super excited. We came from nothing. We’re truly blessed just to be in this position,” Edgecombe said. “I know the emotions are high right now … but we came from nothing. So that’s why the emotions are so high right now. … I’m blessed to be the third pick. This is a dream come true.”
Later, in an interview with NBA TV, Edgecomebe said that his family lived off a generator for seven years, and he was brought to tears recalling how hard his mom worked to feed him and his siblings. He was then asked what advice he’d give to young kids who might be in similar situations and want to accomplish a dream like he had.
“Don’t stop working. Don’t let anybody tell you that you can’t,” he said. “I heard that a lot growing up; me and my cousins, we all heard that a lot, that ‘you can’t do it, you can’t do it.’ Man, I’m telling you, if you have confidence in yourself, if you have faith in yourself and in the Lord, I promise you, you’re going to be just fine.”
Edgecombe, who says he’s a “Christ Follower” in his Instagram bio, isn’t shy about how his faith in Jesus has been central to his story from the beginning, shaping not just his identity, but the way he approaches the game of basketball.
Born and raised in Bimini, Edgecombe grew up with little but learned early on that with faith and hard work, anything was possible. He came to the U.S. in ninth grade to pursue basketball, playing at Victory International Institute in West Palm Beach, Florida, and Long Island Lutheran in Brookville, New York, where he was named a McDonald’s High School All-American in 2024.
He then spent his lone season of college basketball at Baylor, where he averaged 15.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.1 steals per game. He finished with 68 total steals — the most ever by a Baylor freshman — and was named Big 12 Freshman of the Year.
“You’re going to grow spiritually here. I feel like that’s what drew me to Baylor — to grow as a man,” Edgecombe said following Baylor’s loss to Duke in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. “I promise you, basketball is going to stop. How I’m going to approach life after that, I just want to be the best man I can be. I just want to stay connected to God, and if you want to stay connected to God, come to Baylor.”
VJ Edgecombe recaps his season at Baylor👇
"I wouldn't trade the experience for nothing in the world … I promise you, basketball gonna stop … I just want to be the best man I can be. I want to stay connected to God, and if you want to stay connected to God, come to Baylor." pic.twitter.com/TGS5qfSVZr
From a basketball perspective, he joins a Sixers team with a crop of young talent, including guards Tyrese Maxey and Jared McCain, to go with veterans Joel Embiid and Paul George. The Sixers missed the playoffs this past season after seven consecutive appearances (including five trips to the Eastern Conference Finals), and are hoping Edgecombe’s athleticism and skillset can move the needle back in a positive direction.
During his pre-draft workout with the team, Edgecombe was excited about the idea of him landing in Philadelphia.
“I feel like I fit in,” he said. “They’re great players. Embiid’s an MVP of the league. Paul George was the front-runner before, so I just feel like I fit in well with them. Even Coach (Nick) Nurse, he’s a defensive-minded coach, and I feel like I play a lot of defense.”
President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey shared similar excitement after the pick was official.
“We’re super excited about VJ and what he can bring to the team,” Morey said. “He brings a dynamic athlete. Potential All-Star two-way player. Really helped his team. He’s got all these winning qualities that we think really fit. Great teammate.
“His story and what he’s done to get to this point is really unbelievable, and we think he’s on a great trajectory to take where he’s come from and continue to improve through Baylor and a very long and promising NBA career, and we’re excited it’s here with the 76ers.”
THIS IS THE SPORTS SPECTRUM PODCAST WITH MATT FORTE & JASON ROMANO, FEATURING JACIE HOYT
Jacie Hoyt is the women’s basketball head coach at Oklahoma State University, a role she took over in March 2022 after serving as the head coach at the University of Missouri-Kansas City from 2017 to 2022. In 2024-25, Hoyt led the Cowgirls to 25 wins and their second NCAA Tournament berth in three seasons.
Today on the podcast, Jacie Hoyt returns to the show to share about her experiences of leading a team with a strong sense of community and faith, her personal struggles with infertility, and the joy of returning to coaching shortly after giving birth. The discussion also touches on the evolving landscape of college basketball, including the impact of NIL and the transfer portal, and how she navigates these changes while maintaining her commitment to her players and their development.
Grateful for an administration who believes in me, and thankful for the players and coaching staff who bought into the vision and put in the work to make it all possible! Being a part of @OSUAthletics and this community is an honor! Loyal & True…let’s keep climbing 🧡🤠 https://t.co/v07nWfDJ8z
Michigan's Alyssa Crockett, left, and Jordan Hobbs, right. (Photo courtesy of Instagram/@umichwbball)
THIS IS SPORTS SPECTRUM’S WHAT’S UP PODCAST
WITH ANNABELLE HASSELBECK
On today’s episode of Sports Spectrum’s “What’s Up” podcast, we have Michigan women’s basketball players Alyssa Crockett and Jordan Hobbs.
Alyssa and Jordan share about their time as campers and interns at Athletes in Action’s Ultimate Training Camp, their experience playing for Michigan women’s basketball, and how the Lord is working in their lives.