There were no Christmas or birthday presents from Shelly and Kent Sanheim this year for their kids and grandkids. They combined everything into one big present for each family member.
But those tickets to Italy weren’t for a typical family vacation. Instead, the tickets for three of their kids and their families were bought early in the hope that their brother, Travis Sanheim, had done enough to book his own trip to the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics and represent Canada.
The cancellation option, added just in case, was not needed.
Around 8 a.m. Mountain Time on the morning of New Year’s Eve, the Flyers defenseman called his parents to give them the news that they needed to work on their Italian. The phone rang as they were making their way through airport security, going from Vancouver, British Columbia, to Calgary, Alberta, as they followed the Flyers on their Western Canada trip.
“I guess maybe three, four years ago, he never thought he would have a shot at this, and now he’s going to, hopefully, bring back a gold, right?” Kent said. “So I don’t know what else to say. I guess, it’s just, I don’t know, it’s hard. It brings tears to my eyes.”
There was a lot of emotion as Kent and Shelly spoke to The Inquirer a few hours later on the concourse at the Scotiabank Saddledome, the rink where Travis starred for the Hitmen of the Western Hockey League during his junior career. The emotions filled the rink, as it was a family affair with everyone, including his twin brother, Taylor, his teammate in the WHL, there to watch Travis play for the Flyers and celebrate his big moment.
This is what the Sanheims are all about: family.
Twin brothers Travis and Taylor Sanheim during their days together with the Calgary Hitmen. This season, apart from Travis with the Philadelphia Flyers, Taylor has played with the Esterhazy Flyers (Sask East Hockey League) pic.twitter.com/tswGkvNw4j
Driving through the prairies of Canada, the chartreuse of the canola fields can be mesmerizing as the sun hits the bright yellow that stretches across seemingly endless miles. Across that open land, not far from the 100th meridian and tucked into the town of Elkhorn, Manitoba, is one of those fields with some wheat intermixed. In this town of about 500 people, with no street light and one K-12 school, is where Travis Sanheim learned all about responsibility, work ethic, and dedication.
“Being out on a farm, you get firsthand … how much work my family puts in and being able to help out, at a young age, I remember skipping school for harvest, jumping in the combine, and helping mom and dad out with harvest … and just how excited I was to be able to help and be a part of it,” the 29-year-old defenseman said recently.
Born and raised a 3½-hour drive west of Winnipeg, Travis grew up wanting to be like Kent and would help him out on the farm as much as he could. He would help plant crops in the spring and harvest them in the fall and complete daily chores throughout the year. If he didn’t help, there would be no time for hockey. And for Travis, it was all about the hockey.
“Just a die-hard, loved the game — always has,” Shelly said of a young Travis. “Always excited to go to the rink and wanted to go to the rink.
“It’s funny, I see on Twitter or whatever about Trav being the last one off the ice and working on things, and I’m like, ‘This is this kid his entire life.’”
Elkhorn is where Travis fell in love with hockey. He always wanted to play, and he and Taylor even would try to scrape off the dugout, a storage reservoir on the farm, to go one-on-one. And while Kent would stay on the farm to work, they’d pile into the car and Shelly would drive them to the local community rink.
“As long as they didn’t look in the waiting room, they didn’t think they ever had to go home because I’d be knocking on the glass and pointing to my watch, and they just would never look up,” she said with a laugh.
“And then they got to stay longer at the rink. He would always be the last one on the ice, if possible. We dragged him off.”
Kent Sanheim with his twin sons, Travis and Taylor, when they played youth hockey in Manitoba.
Wheat Kings and hockey things
At some point growing up, Travis got a key to the rink, which often was open, anyway, in the town that sits near Manitoba’s border with Saskatchewan. While the temperatures could dip well into the teens in the winter months, he’d call his buddies to get games of shinny going with him and his brother.
“We did everything together,” Travis said of Taylor. “A lot of battles in the basement, playing hockey against each other. That’s kind of where my competitiveness, I would say, came from. … Was really lucky to have the opportunities that I did growing up, that I was able to skate as much as I was, and had the guys that pushed me, and obviously, my brother was a huge reason as to why.”
The duo also would hit a frozen pond on Boxing Day before watching Canada compete at World Juniors — a fitting tradition for a family that has a sign in the living room asking people not to disturb them because they’re watching hockey. And Travis remembers sitting in front of the television as Sidney Crosby crushed the hearts of Americans everywhere with his golden goal against the U.S. at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.
As a 13-year-old, he just wanted to make the NHL; he never expected to now be lining up alongside the all-time great seeking a gold medal.
“Super excited,” he said. “Obviously, a dream come true. Getting to represent your country and playing in the Olympics and being an Olympian means a lot, and something that I never really thought was possible, but now that it’s here, and then I get the chance to do it, just really excited.”
Sanheim has donned the maple leaf several times before, including at the 2013 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge and the 2014 U18 World Championship, snagging a bronze medal at the latter; the 2016 World Juniors; and the 2022 and 2025 World Championships, winning silver four years ago.
Travis Sanheim celebrates after Canada’s victory in the 4 Nations Face-Off last February.
And he surprised many across Canada last year when he was named to the team for the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament, which the Canadians won. Now he’s going for Olympic gold.
“You never know, there’s so many good players in Canada. They could take a second team and probably still medal with the second team,” Shelly said. “So, you know, just the fact that he was in the mix was a thrill for us, and then to have the dream come true here just — I think I’m still shell-shocked over it. It’s hard to believe.”
‘Across the icy world’
Tampa Bay Lightning and Team Canada coach Jon Cooper isn’t one to show his hand. However, the way he spoke of Sanheim in November in the bowels of the Lightning’s Benchmark International Arena — with a Cheshire Cat-like grin on his face — there was no denying that the defenseman was on his short list.
“You see these players, you compete against these players, but you don’t really know till you have them,” Cooper said. “And I’ve always, I’ve really liked his game. I’m a big fan of big [defensemen] that take up a lot of space and can skate, and he can do all those things. But his ability to jump into plays, he’s got an offensive mind to him.”
After nearly being traded in 2023, Travis Sanheim has developed into a bona fide top-pair defenseman.
Sanheim has come a long way from being a little nervous and wide-eyed at Hockey Canada’s first practice in Brossard, Quebec, ahead of the 4 Nations Face-Off last February. And while he didn’t start the tournament in the lineup, by the end — half because of injury and half because of his performance with the versatility to play right and left defense — he was not just skating in the championship game, but Cooper had him out there for the first shift of overtime.
“He was good. … Travis got thrown in when one of the guys, when [Shea Theodore] got hurt, probably,” said Vegas Golden Knights coach Bruce Cassidy, an assistant on Cooper’s staff.
“Real good player, steady player, liked his pace, transported pucks, got involved. … I think both [he and Thomas Harley] ended up playing a little bit on the right side, and there was no hesitancy to get up the ice and join the rush. And I think that’s the type of team Coop wanted to build, so he fit right in.”
There will be comfort now for Sanheim, having skated on the same team as some of the game’s biggest names like Crosby, Connor McDavid, Cale Makar, and Nathan MacKinnon. And he’ll surely be comfortable because he’ll be able to look up whenever he wants to see his family in the stands in Milan, Italy.
And he’ll surely be thinking about how far he’s come from his days on a farm in Elkhorn, Manitoba, a place Shelly says “gives him some time for clearing his head and stuff.” He hasn’t been able to spend too much time there with all his hockey adventures, but it circles back to the biggest question heading into the Games, which for Sanheim will begin Thursday against Flyers teammate Dan Vladař and Czechia (10:40 a.m., USA and Peacock).
Tyrese Maxey vowed in an emotional post-draft interview that the Sixers wouldn’t regret picking him 21st overall in 2020. It’s a promise that resonated with fans still scarred by Process-era selections that failed to pan out.
It’s safe to say that Maxey delivered immediately and has improved every season since, peaking with the guard earning an All-Star starting spot this season.
While he has always been an efficient scorer in an offense built around Joel Embiid, Maxey has emerged as the Sixers’ offensive engine — especially this season, as Sixers starters Embiid, Kelly Oubre Jr., and Paul George missed time because of injuries and a suspension.
Whether the 2023-24 Most Improved Player could maintain his efficiency under an expanded offensive burden was an open question. Maxey has again answered by posting career highs across the board while playing the best defense of his career.
As he steps into this leadership role on the team, every decision Maxey makes on the court dictates the Sixers’ chances of contention. It’s a lot of pressure. Think you can step into his New Balances and play the game like Maxey?
Maxey is coming down the court in early offense, what’s his next move?
You got it, Maxey’s a blur in transition. He uses his speed to drive straight into multiple defenders, scoring the bucket and drawing the foul.Not quite, Maxey’s a blur in transition. He uses his speed to drive straight into multiple defenders, scoring the bucket and drawing the foul.XX% of other readers knew what Maxey was thinking here.
Pace is the name of the game for Maxey, who is among the league leaders in transition points scored per game, an aspect of the game usually dominated by burly forwards like Giannis Antetokounmpo and LeBron James.
Transition Scoring leaders
Player
Team
FG%
PTS
Giannis Antetokounmpo
MIL
73.1%
7.9
Tyrese Maxey
PHI
55.7%
7.1
Donovan Mitchell
CLE
52.9%
7
LeBron James
LAL
64.5%
6.9
Jaylen Brown
BOS
58.7%
6.8
Sorted by number of transition points per game. Source: NBA.
Maxey’s quickness makes him an end-to-end threat in early offense, evidenced by the fact that he has covered the most distance of any player in the league this season.
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Maxey is mismatched against Bucks forward Bobby Portis. How should he make use of his quickness advantage?
You’re cooking! Maxey unleashes a crossover combination that tilts Portis off-balance before stepping back for a 31-foot pull-up jump shot.Cooked … Maxey unleashes a crossover combination that tilts Portis off-balance before stepping back for a 31-foot pull-up jump shot.XX% of other readers knew what Maxey was thinking here.
Maxey’s three-point shooting has always been solid, but he has now reached truly elite territory. He’s taking — and sinking — more threes from well beyond the arc, making him a threat from almost anywhere on the floor. Among high-volume three-point shooters, Maxey is among the leaders in accuracy on deep three-pointers, shooting on par with Stephen Curry from that range.
Long Distance 3PT Shooting Leaders
Player
Team
3PTM
3PT%
Tyrese Maxey
PHI
145
38.1%
Donovan Mitchell
CLE
143
38.2%
Stephen Curry
GSW
139
38.3%
James Harden
CLE
121
37.8%
LaMelo Ball
CHA
109
36.9%
At least 280 attempts between 25-29 feet at above 36%. Source: NBA.
A larger share of Maxey’s threes are now self-generated compared to earlier in his career. Isolation shots, like the above example against the Bucks, eviscerate slower defenders who struggle to keep up with Maxey. Although Maxey is taking more difficult shots with the defense more focused on him, his accuracy remains steady compared to his previously elite seasons.
Maxey is coming down the court in transition again. What’s his next move?
Found the alley and the oop! Maxey finds Embiid rumbling down the center of the court, lobs the perfect pass where only Embiid can reach it, and he throws it down.How’d you miss the big man? Maxey finds Embiid rumbling down the center of the court, lobs the perfect pass where only Embiid can reach it, and he throws it down.XX% of other readers knew what Maxey was thinking here.
Maxey is averaging a career high in assists this season. That’s mostly due to an increased playmaking burden, as the Sixers have routed more offense through Maxey than Embiid.
That said, Maxey is by far Embiid's most prolific setup man. After all, their two-man game provides some of the Sixers’ most effective plays, as evidenced by how their pairing leads all Sixers two-man lineups in plus/minus.
VJ Edgecombe sets a pick for Maxey in the final seconds of an OT thriller against the Memphis Grizzlies.
You found the hot hand. Maxey makes a pass out of a temporary double team and defensive breakdown from the Grizzlies, finding Edgecombe for a game-winning three-pointer.Not the right read! Maxey makes a pass out of a temporary double team and defensive breakdown from the Grizzlies, finding Edgecombe for a game-winning three-pointer.XX% of other readers knew what Maxey was thinking here.
Maxey is having such a dominant scoring season that defenders are staying on him at the expense of guarding other Sixers. In this instance, Memphis’ guards left Edgecombe wide open, even after Edgecombe had already scored 13 points in the fourth quarter.
Some teams have even begun double-teaming Maxey as soon as he crosses half court, a treatment typically reserved for elite guards when they are on shooting streaks.
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A screen from a teammate gives Maxey an open lane. What should he do?
On the money, Maxey speeds past his defender to the basket, but he makes sure to get a clean delivery by quickly releasing a wrong-footed left-hand layup.A good guess! But Maxey speeds past his defender to the basket, but he makes sure to get a clean delivery by quickly releasing a wrong-footed left-hand layup.XX% of other readers knew what Maxey was thinking here.
Players are taught to finish layups by using the two allowed steps to take off from the leg opposite their shooting hand. Maxey ignores the orthodoxy, often taking layups with just one step and using his off-hand to throw off his defenders’ timing.
According to basketball analyst Ben Taylor, tracking data shows that Maxey shoots more “wrong-footed, wrong-handed” layups than any other player in the league, shooting an impressive 61% on these high-difficulty shot attempts near the rim.
Maxey’s guarding a corner shooter as Cavaliers big man Jarett Allen is about to roll to the basket. What’s he to do?
You read the action right! Knowing that Embiid is there to protect the basket, Maxey motions toward Allen, pretending to help on his drive, and steals the pass to the corner shooter.A botched assignment for you but not Maxey! Knowing that Embiid is there to protect the basket, Maxey stunts toward Allen, pretending to help on his drive, and steals the pass to the corner shooter.XX% of other readers knew what Maxey was thinking here.
Smaller players like Maxey often don’t provide as much defensive value as larger, stronger players who can protect the basket against bigger opponents. This season, however, he is playing defense with renewed focus by positioning himself better and providing help more promptly.
According to CleaningTheGlass.com, Sixers opponents are scoring fewer points per possession in Maxey’s minutes for the first time in his career, a rarity among guards his size who are also offensive creators. Maxey is also averaging career highs in blocks …
… and steals, highlighted by a recent career-best eight steals against the Indiana Pacers.
2021
0.4
2022
0.7
2023
0.8
2024
1
2025
1.8
2026
2
0Steals Per Game2.5
These are just a few examples of how Maxey has leveled up his game. If Maxey continues to improve his game like he has these past several seasons, it might be possible for the Sixers to have another perennial MVP contender on their roster.
Maxey makes his first All-Star Game start and second appearance on Feb. 15 in Los Angeles.
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Photo and Video: NBA
Copy Editing: John Roberts
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Acaden Lewis toed the free-throw line with 3 minutes, 35 seconds left in the second half Tuesday night and Villanova trailing Marquette by three. The freshman point guard released the first of two attempts and watched as it failed to reach the rim. The second attempt was only mildly better and clanked off the front of it.
Just over a minute later, he was back at the line after being fouled on a drive. The deficit still was three.
In this moment, it would be Tyler Perkins who inspired the winning plays in Villanova’s 77-74 victory. They were visible all night in Perkins’ clutch three-pointers, his game-winning block, and a key steal as he finished with a team-high 22 points.
But his night also included a moment of leadership, a junior making sure a freshman could forget what had just happened.
“Tyler came up to me and was just like, ‘You’re built for these moments,’” Lewis said.
“I just relaxed and shot them.”
Both free throws went in. Lewis cut Marquette’s lead to one. The tide was starting to turn, and Villanova (19-5, 10-3 Big East) rode the wave and avoided a bad loss to a struggling Marquette team.
A Villanova free throw misses the hoop during the second half against Marquette on Tuesday.
That is the thing about free throws. They giveth and taketh. Lewis described his two misses as “uncharacteristic,” but he is shooting 60.5% for the season, and the Wildcats entered Wednesday ranked 285th in the country and 10th among 11 Big East teams in free-throw percentage (69%).
They made their last six free throws and won the game at the line over the final 2 minutes, 10 seconds. But they were in a tight game against an inferior opponent largely because they were 12-for-25 before the closing minutes.
Villanova’s win against Georgetown on Saturday didn’t have to be as hard as it was. Fourteen missed free throws made it nervy. The fans who were at Finneran Pavilion on Tuesday night know the issues well. They gave a Bronx cheer to freshman Chris Jeffrey when he made a pair of free throws midway through the second half.
It is worth mentioning that the struggles are abnormal for a program that consistently has resided at the top of the conference and near the top of the country in free-throw percentage for much of the last decade. But it is not particularly relevant context, given that Kevin Willard is in his first season coaching an entirely new team.
Still, what gives?
“Everyone is in there every day,” Willard said. “It’s not like we’re not doing it. I think it’s a little mental right now. I think we miss one, and it’s like we got a little bit too much negative emotion right now on the free-throw line. I’ve got to change that somehow.”
Villanova coach Kevin Willard calls out instructions during the first half against Marquette on Tuesday.
How does one change a mentality this late in the season?
“We’ll get there,” Willard said. “If we can improve our free-throw shooting and make a couple layups in the first half, it’s a completely different game. We held them to 32 points [in that first half], we should’ve had 44 points, and it’s a different type of game.”
Willard was flanked in his postgame news conference by Lewis and Perkins. He turned to Lewis and mentioned that the freshman shoots around 200 extra free throws after practices and noted that Perkins, who is shooting 75% for the season, never misses in practice.
“I have a lot of confidence in these guys that as we go through February and get into March that we’ll make them,” Willard said.
Bryce Lindsay made his first shot Tuesday night, a three-pointer less than three minutes into the game.
It had to, at least briefly, feel like the weight of the world was off his shoulders. Lindsay entered the night having made just 15 of his previous 64 attempts from three-point range (23.4%) over Villanova’s last 10 games since the calendar turned to 2026. The sharpshooting redshirt sophomore guard was a big reason behind Villanova’s strong start to the season, but he has reached double figures just four times in the last 11 games. That initial attempt Tuesday night was his only make on six three-point tries. He went scoreless Saturday afternoon at Georgetown.
Villanova guard Bryce Lindsay dribbles past Marquette’s Chase Ross during the second half Tuesday.
“He’s going to get going,” Willard said. “It’s a little mental. I talked to the team earlier, before the game, about staying in the moment. Talking to each other and not worrying about the past, not worrying about the future, just trying to stay in the present. Sometimes it’s hard when you’re not playing well to kind of stay in the moment.
“I have a lot of confidence in Bryce. He’s in the gym with me every day working. He’s going to get it. I thought he had some good opportunities tonight. When you’re struggling the way he’s struggling, sometimes you just need one, get a good bounce, bank one in. I told him to sleep on the other side of the bed tonight. Sometimes you’ve just got to try something different.”
Something different, like starting sixth man Devin Askew and giving Lindsay a different look off the bench?
“No,” Willard said. “He’s still doing a lot of other things, and people have to guard him.”
Lindsay did affect the game in positive ways despite only scoring four points. He was plus-8 and had three rebounds and four assists, including a key pass to the corner for a Matt Hodge three-pointer with 4:20 left in the game.
Willard said he likes Askew coming off the bench as a “security blanket.”
Speaking of which … it was Askew who made two free throws with 11 seconds left that gave Villanova a three-point lead and forced Marquette into a desperation three-point attempt.
ColeKuhn went to St. Joseph’s Prep on a partial music scholarship. He had played the double bass since the fourth grade.
He also did other extracurriculars as kid, like ballet, basketball, soccer, and baseball. However, he didn’t make the junior varsity baseball team as a freshman.
Now, the 16-year-old is throwing a fastball harder than most major leaguers. You may have seen the viral video, if not, here’s the gist of it: Kuhn was throwing 101.7 mph and has quickly emerged as one of the nation’s top high school pitchers.
He holds a scholarship to Duke and is being scouted for the 2027 Major League Baseball draft.
This all happened so rapidly — almost as fast as the pitches the 6-foot-6 teenager throws from his right hand. But it did not happen by accident. Kuhn is enrolled at Ascent Athlete, a training center in Garnet Valley that looks like a baseball laboratory.
And some say it’s why Kuhn has progressed so quickly on the mound: “Without question, that place is the single biggest driving force behind his major jumps over the last eight months,” Kuhn’s mother says.
Read more from Matt Breen’s intriguing piece about a young pitcher charting his path to becoming a baseball prodigy.
Sonny Jurgensen, running for a first down against the Vikings at Franklin Field on Dec. 15, 1963, played in 83 games as an Eagle between 1957 and 1963.
It’s been nearly a week since Sonny Jurgensen died at 91 and nearly 62 years since he departed Philadelphia for Washington in a trade. Jurgensen played the first seven seasons of his Hall of Fame career with the Eagles.
Thinking of Jurgensen now, he had a knack for quickly surveying the downfield action, then flicking those effortless passes to Tommy McDonald or Pete Retzlaff. But I also still see, maybe more than in any other athlete from that era, his personal foibles, writes Frank Fitzpatrick.
There was the booze, the mischievous smile, the postgame cigars that jutted from his mouth like middle fingers to all those who disapproved. He was one of the first Philly athletes whose lifestyle was as well-known as his talents.
What we’re…
👕 Buying: The Union unveiled a new home kit to illustrate and honor the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
🏀 Sympathizing: Jared McCain shared an emotional reaction to being dealt to the Thunder, a trade that came as a surprise.
📺 Watching: AmericanspeedskaterJordan Stolz and Chloe Kim in action on Wednesday during the Winter Olympics.
🏈 Learning: The Eagles are bringing back assistants Jemal Singleton and Aaron Moorehead to their offensive coaching staff.
Jabari Walker has exhausted the maximum 50 games for which he is allowed to be active for the Sixers while on his two-way contract.
Jabari Walker, the Sixers reserve forward who spent his first three seasons with the Trail Blazers, was unable to play in his former NBA home on Monday. That’s because he exhausted the maximum 50 games for which he is allowed play on a two-way contract. However, Walker is remaining optimistic that a deal to convert his contract to standard will be figured out soon.
Also, the Sixers signed former Bulls swingman Dalen Terry to a two-way contract. The 6-foot-6 swingman was recently waived by the New Orleans Pelicans.
Travis Sanheim grew up in Elkhorn, Manitoba, where he worked on his parents’ grain farm.
Travis Sanheim has gone from nearly being traded three years ago to the Flyers’ unquestioned best defenseman. You can also add Olympian to his resumé after he was named to Team Canada at the turn of the year.
But Sanheim’s story isn’t the normal one for a Canadian Olympian. In fact, he’s about as big a long shot as one can be, given that he grew up in a town of 500 people in Manitoba and spent his spare time working on his parents’ grain farm, Jackie Spiegel writes.
Speaking of the men’s Olympic tournament, which begins on Wednesday, here are four things to watch for, including a potential Canada vs. U.S. rematch in the gold medal game.
Sports snapshot
New Penn State field hockey coach Hannah Prince talks with her team. Prince joined the Nittany Lions after leading St. Joseph’s to the NCAA Tournament in each of her four seasons on Hawk Hill.
Winning ways: Hannah Prince led St. Joe’s to the NCAA Tournament in field hockey. She hopes to do the same now at the helm for Penn State.
Creating culture: Matt Campbell believes building a strong program starts with “aligning the team.” His new QB will be expected to help with that.
Another attacker: The Union paid a transfer fee of around $2 million to acquire forward Agustín Anello, marking another major signing.
Sensing a pattern: Villanova pulled off a 77-74 win against Marquette on Tuesday. But there are concerns. Particularly at the free-throw line.
🧠 Trivia time answer
Who is the only Flyers player to win the Conn Smythe Trophy twice as MVP of the playoffs?
D) Bernie Parent — Chayim S. was first with the correct answer.
What you’re saying about the Phillies
We asked: What is the key for the Phillies if they hope to contend for a World Series title? Among your responses:
They have the pieces to contend. Consistent seasons from their secondary players like Stott and Marsh (playing all season like they did after the all star break). Having new additions like Crawford and Painter deliver good seasons. And, getting the old Wheeler back early in the season. I think the bullpen is in better shape and they still have one of the best defensive catchers in the game. You have to have faith. — Bill H.
Pitching Pitching Pitching. Can Wheeler return to being the best pitcher in baseball or at least our #1? Can Nola return to being the guy he was 2 years ago? Can Painter hold down a spot in the rotation for the full season? Is this bullpen better than the patchwork pen we have seen in recent years? Or are we going to rely on Taijuan Walker for meaningful innings? If the pitching holds up this team can win 96 games again this year. If we have to rely on Sanchez and a bunch of question marks it could be a long season. — Mike D.
There are 3 keys to a successful Phillies season: Stable starting pitching — replace Ranger and hope Zack is healthy, Consistent and balanced hitting and a reliable bullpen. — Bob C.
Phillies pitchers and catchers take part in an early workout on Tuesday in Clearwater, Fla.
So many questions. Can a year older Harper, Turner, J.T., and Schwarber deliver what is needed from them? Can Crawford and Painter and other young players really come through as hoped for? Can Nola and Wheeler come back at 33 and 36 and perform at the level needed to take this team to a WS? The Mets made far more significant moves than the Phillies and along with the Braves are committed to ending their time as NL East champs. I think the Phillies made a mistake in not signing Bader. I am cautiously optimistic and hoping for the best. — Everett S.
The Phillies must match the Dodgers, by position. If they do, that will also advance them past the Mets in the East. They came up short in several positional categories in 2025; particularly relief pitching and run scoring. Adding Keller, Backhus and Pop to Duran, Alvarado, Kerkering and Banks is significant for the bullpen. On offense and defense, Garcia offers more power and better outfield defense than Castellanos in right field, and Crawford plus Garcia will likely increase their on base rate and run scoring. — John W.
What the Phillies need in order to contend this year is easy to identify: Health and Luck, in no particular order. — Dan B.
We compiled today’s newsletter using reporting from Matt Breen, Frank Fitzpatrick, Jeff McLane, Owen Hewitt, Ariel Simpson, Jonathan Tannenwald, Rob Tornoe, Greg Finberg, Jeff Neiburg, Gustav Elvin, Gina Mizell, Keith Pompey, and Jackie Spiegel.
By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.
Thanks for reading. Enjoy the warmer weather this week. Kerith will catch up with you in Thursday’s newsletter. Til’ then. — Bella
Philly fans probably weren’t expecting to see Ben Simmons during the Super Bowl — but the former Sixers first-round pick made headlines on Sunday that don’t have to do with professional fishing.
Simmons starred alongside comedian Tiffany Haddish in an ad, which debuted on Instagram before the Big Game, for fantasy sports app Sleeper.
The commercial introduces a fictional “Simmons & Haddish” law firm and pokes fun at Simmons’ ex-girlfriend Kendall Jenner, who starred in her own Fanatics Sportsbook Super Bowl commercial, teasing the Kardashian dating curse.
“Haven’t you heard? The internet says I’m cursed,” Jenner says in her ad. “Any basketball player who dates me, kind of hits a rough patch. While the world’s been talking about it, I’ve been betting on it. How else do you think I can afford all this … modeling?”
Jenner and Simmons were first linked together in May 2018 before calling it quits in May 2019. She has also dated Devin Booker, Jordan Clarkson, and Blake Griffin. Booker responded to the ad on X. But, Simmons had his own response to Jenner’s recent commercial.
“Are your exes subbing you in commercials?” Simmons says in the Sleepers ad.
“If so, you may be entitled to retribution,” Haddish adds. “You need emotional injury specialists Simmons & Haddish. You need the ex-communicators.”
Simmons and Haddish offer their services to help during celebrity breakups. The ad featured many famous exes, including Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce’s ex-girlfriend Kayla Nicole, rapper Cardi B’s ex-husband Offset, and reality star Chelley Bissainthe’s ex-boyfriend Ace Greene.
Each ex had their own testimony for the work of Simmons & Haddish, including Nicole — and they didn’t have the best reviews.
“Simmons & Haddish promised me that they could put an end to this whole ‘ex-girlfriend’ fiasco quickly,” Nicole says.
Simmons interjected with a reference to Kelce’s current fiancée, Taylor Swift: “That doesn’t sound right … I said ‘swiftly.’ Why is that so hard to remember?”
The ex-communicators even had their own catchy theme song.
When your ex becomes a hater, call the ex-communicators. Simmons & Haddish.
With a return to the NBA currently on hold, Simmons is now a controlling operator of the South Florida Sails Angling Club, a team in the Sports Fishing Championship. When he’s not fixing celebrity relationships, that is.
On Monday, former Eagles quarterback Michael Vick joined former NBA star Carmelo Anthony on his 7pm In Brooklyn podcast to discuss his NFL career — including the impact Andy Reid and the Eagles organization had on him when he returned to football after serving 21 months in federal prison for felony offenses related to operating a dogfighting ring and a gambling enterprise.
“That second act was everything that I needed in my life,” Vick said. “Talk about full circle, completion.”
Changing Birds
Vick joined the Eagles shortly after his time in prison in 2009, with Reid bringing him in to back up then starter Donovan McNabb. At the time, it was unclear if Vick, a three-time Pro-Bowler with the Atlanta Falcons and the 2005 MVP runner-up, would get a second chance in professional sports following his indictment.
“I hate to say it, but I needed some time to myself,” Vick said in reference to his time in prison. “As much as it hurt and as much as I cried, because I didn’t come from that, I had to adjust and adapt to that. I did, and I made it through, but within that time I was just building my whole [mentality] to come back and be a better version of myself.”
A backup in his first year, Vick was able to return to a starting role in 2010 after the Eagles traded McNabb, and his replacement, starter Kevin Kolb, suffered a concussion against the Green Bay Packers in Week 1. Vick was eventually named the starter, helping the team go 10-6 while earning himself NFL comeback player of the year honors.
Michael Vick signed with the Eagles as a backup in 2009.
Rejuvenated
Vick finished second to Tom Brady, the eventual MVP, in offensive player of the year voting in 2010, and the Eagles fell to the Packers in the wild-card round of the playoffs. The lefty quarterback, who signed a six-year, $100 million deal with the Birds that offseason, credited his career resurgence to his teammates and the culture Philly had established before his arrival.
“I still was young,” Vick said. “Still had so much to learn. I appreciated it the second time around because I ended up with Andy Reid. I ended up with a great group of teammates: DeSean [Jackson], LeSean [McCoy], Jeremy Maclin, Jason Peters, Jason Avant, Jason Kelce, Nick Foles — all these dudes were my brothers, Donovan, [Brian] Westbrook, it was family.”
Vick noted how he didn’t apply himself fully in Atlanta, and that the Eagles taught him how to be a professional, and described how too many nights out and an unserious mindset hampered his growth while with the Falcons.
“I had seen that they were just different in Philly,” Vick said. “It was just all about learning and getting better every day and supporting one another. Things that I didn’t do in Atlanta, that I wish I had done, I was able to do. Being able to come back and win comeback player of the year, all the hard work I put in, it’s like, damn, mentorship is really real. Brotherhood is real. Trust is real. Accountability is real.”
Vick also pushed himself to improve off the field, which started during his time in prison.
“When I was away, I wanted to prepare myself to be a better version of myself,” Vick said. “As far as being media friendly, being more approachable, just being better, a better person all around, a better family man for my kids, my wife, just searching for completion.”
Vick is now the head coach Norfolk State, and faced off against former teammate DeSean Jackson, now the coach of Delaware State, at the Linc last year.
Coaching matters
Before he ever wore midnight green, Vick says he was jealous of McNabb and the situation the former quarterback had in Philly — specifically highlighting Reid’s coaching style. McNabb and Reid ended two of Vick’s playoff runs with the Falcons, defeating Vick in the divisional round in 2003 and in the 2005 NFC championship.
“Don’t take this the wrong way, Donovan, but I was a little envious,” Vick said. “Like, damn, man, you got a great coach. I’m looking at the offense, watching them on film, and if I was doing that type of stuff, we’d be winning more.”
At the time, Vick didn’t understand how transformative playing for Reid would be. Not only did the coach helpgive him his second shot in the NFL, but he also opened the door for Vick to one day become a coach himself.
“God blessed me and put me in that man’s presence,” Vick said in reference to Reid. “I didn’t take that for granted, and what it taught me … [was] I can be a coach one day, even though that was something I never thought I would be doing.”
Vick is now the head coach of Norfolk State, a historically Black university located near his hometown of Newport News, Va. Last October, Vick found himself at Lincoln Financial Field once again, this time as a coach, where he faced off against former teammate DeSean Jackson, who is now the coach of another HBCU program, Delaware State.
The 76ers are signing Dalen Terry to a two-way contract.
This deal comes after the 6-foot-6 swingman was waived Friday by the New Orleans Pelicans, which came one day after he was traded twice. The Chicago Bulls traded him to the New York Knicks in exchange for former Sixers power forward Guerschon Yabusele and cash. Hours later the Knicks traded Terry, two second-round picks and cash to the New Orleans Pelicans for Jose Alvarado and the draft rights of Latavious Williams.
The Bulls selected Terry with the No. 18 pick in the 2022 NBA draft. He averaged 3.5 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 204 games with seven starts in 3 ½ seasons with the Bulls.
Dalen Terry (right) averaged 3.5 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 204 games with the Bulls.
Terry, who has a 7-foot wingspan, is regarded as a high-energy player and versatile perimeter defender. Recognized for his active hands, the 23-year-old has the ability to generate deflections.
His best game of the season came in the Bulls’ 128-126 victory over the Utah Jazz on Jan. 14. Terry finished with a season-high 11 points while making 3 of 4 three-pointers, along with five rebounds, three steals, and two blocks. He also shot a career-best 41.3% from deep this year.
As a two-way player, Terry can be active for 18 of the Sixers’ final 29 games. They’ll return to action on Wednesday against the Knicks at Xfinity Mobile Arena before heading into the seven-day NBA All-Star break.
The Eagles are retaining running backs coach/assistant head coach Jemal Singleton and wide receivers coach Aaron Moorehead, NFL sources told The Inquirer on Tuesday. While coach Nick Sirianni has already made significant changes to his offensive staff, led by hiring Mannion last month, the return of two key members of his staff suggests a relative blending of the old and new.
Mannion, a first-time coordinator, is expected to bring with him some elements of the Kyle Shanahan-Sean McVay scheme that he learned during his playing and coaching careers. While Mannion never previously worked with Josh Grizzard — the Eagles’ new pass game coordinator — Grizzard also has experience in the “Shanahan” scheme.
New tight ends coach/run game coordinator Ryan Mahaffey and offensive line coach Chris Kuper have more direct links with Mannion, having crossed paths with the former backup quarterback and Packers quarterbacks coach.
Eagles wide receivers coach Aaron Moorehead running a drill with DeVonta Smith in June.
The Eagles have yet to hire a new quarterbacks coach. Existing quarterbacks coach Scot Loeffler remains on staff. Mannion, who played for the Rams, Vikings, and Seahawks during his playing career, is expected to work closely with Jalen Hurts, which could determine the type of quarterbacks coach he tabs.
Several other assistants on offense will return, as well, although their future roles are to be determined. Pass game coordinator Parks Frazier, assistant offensive line coach Greg Austin, and offensive quality control coaches Eric Dickerson and Montgomery VaGorder also will be back, sources said.
Kevin Patullo’s future with the team also remains uncertain. He was removed as offensive coordinator by Sirianni last month following his first season as a play-caller, but he currently remains with the Eagles.
Longtime offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland’s resignation last week perhaps was the most significant change thus far this offseason. Stoutland 13-year run with the Eagles came under three head coaches. He became run game coordinator 2018 but was expected to lose that responsibility amid schematic changes.
Tight end coach Jason Michael also is no longer with the organization, sources said.
On defense, most of coordinator Vic Fangio’s staff will return. Defensive backs coach/pass game coordinator Christian Parker left last month to take the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator job. The 67-year-old Fangio considered retirement for a second straight year, but he elected to return, sources told The Inquirer last week.
It’s still unclear how much of the offense will look different with Hurts and most of the starting offense slated to return. The mix of new with Mannion and old from Sirianni’s staff since he became coach in 2021 suggests there will be some carryover.
Those were the first words from 21-year-old former Sixers guard Jared McCain in his latest vlog after getting traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Feb. 4 in exchange for a 2026 first-round pick and three second-round picks.
The former Rookie of the Year front-runner was surprised when he received the news on the team bus, which was headed to the San Francisco airport ahead of the Sixers’ road game against the Los Angeles Lakers.
“We were just on the bus,” McCain said in his latest YouTube video. “I get a call saying it might happen. And then like five minutes later [Daryl Morey] calls and says, ‘You’re cooked, Jared McCain.’ He said, ‘Bye, man. Never speak to me again.’ No, they were nice about it but, you know, it’s part of the NBA.”
When McCain initially broke the news to his teammates, they didn’t believe him.
“Right when I found out, I went to the back of the bus and I told Tyrese [Maxey] and nobody, they didn’t believe me,” McCain said. “And then I think management called them and then we were all getting on the plane and then I’m crying at this point. And we get off the buses and everybody is giving me hugs and I’m just crying. It was like a movie scene. Everybody is getting on the plane and I’m just crying. Lot of tears today. Happy, sad, I don’t know.”
Maxey thought it was a joke when McCain shared the news. Afterward, the All-Star point guard publicly discussed McCain’s departure, calling him his “little brother.”
“It was just like, ‘All right, whatever. He’s just joking,’” Maxey said. “Calls start coming in, and then you realize it’s real.”
McCain had a breakout rookie season, averaging 15.3 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 2.6 assists before his season was cut short by a torn meniscus in his left knee. McCain struggled in his second season after being sidelined for surgeries on his knee and thumb. In 37 games, the young guard averaged 6.6 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.7 assists.
On a private jet to Oklahoma City, McCain tried to keep a positive mindset on the trade — even if that meant drawing inspiration from his favorite music artist, Drake.
“I’m in shock still,” McCain said. “I’m an OKC Thunder. What did Drake say? ‘It’s raining money, Oklahoma City Thunder. The most successful rapper 35 and under.’ Drake did say that. So, maybe it was destined for me. And it was in Weston Road Flows too. But, shout-out OKC, man. OKC, here we come. I’m excited, blessed, thankful. Let’s go have some fun.”
Throughout the rest of the video, McCain shared his first few days with his new team — whether he was practicing how to say hi to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, visiting the Paycom Center, getting locked out of the Thunder’s training facility, meeting OKC fans, or playing in his first game with the team, when he finished with five points, two rebounds, and one assist — and received a standing ovation.
But the former Sixers first-round pick had one more message to Philly fans and it came in song form. McCain dedicated Olivia Dean’s “A Couple Minutes” to the organization and its fan base.
Jared McCain sang his heart out in a tribute to Philly fans 🥹💙
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — Penn State faced a delayed start to the year’s first transfer window.
While most football programs were plotting next year’s rosters, coach Matt Campbell, who was named the Nittany Lions’ head coach on Dec. 5 after 10 seasons at the helm for Iowa State, was busy hiring his staff.
First he retained interim head coach Terry Smith. Then he brought several of his Iowa State assistants with him to Happy Valley. And a few weeks later, his staff was finalized. But he was behind, playing catch-up in building next season’s roster.
Campbell didn’t care, though. And neither did his staff. Because they weren’t interested in a race for the best talent or for the recruits with the most stars.
They were focused on finding the right players for their program. They recruited individuals who embody the grit and passion that have molded Penn State football into a perennial contender. And in their eyes, they accomplished that.
“We went with a mentality of not wavering from who we want this football team to be — value systems of young men that love the sport of football, young men that love Penn State, and most importantly, young men who also understand the value of an education from this institution,” Campbell said. “Those core values were really critical for us to build this football team.”
Building through the portal
Penn State fired coach James Franklin in October, which resulted in 46 players transferring this winter. But transfer season wasn’t all bad for the Nittany Lions, who added 40 players via the portal — 24 of whom came from Iowa State.
Penn State’s transfer class, which ranks No. 6 in ESPN’s 2026 transfer portal rankings, is headlined by Rocco Becht, 22. A three-year starter with a 24-12 record at Iowa State, Becht completed 60.6% of his passes for 9,274 yards and 64 touchdowns.
In 2024, Becht was an All-Big 12 honorable mention selection after quarterbacking the Cyclones to their winningest season in program history.
Campbell said he believes the quarterback and head coach must be “tied at the hip.” And he thinks his relationship with Becht, who last season played through a torn labrum in his non-throwing shoulder, exemplifies the connectivity essential to creating a successful program.
Matt Campbell said quarterback Rocco Becht is as “competitive as any football player I’ve been around.”
“I believe Penn State football is [about] integrity, character, class, excellence, and grit. [Becht] embodies every one of those traits,” Campbell said. “He’s as tough and as competitive as any football player I’ve been around … I’m really excited for him to continue to lead and grow within our football program.”
Taylor Mouser, Penn State’s offensive coordinator who spent the last two seasons in the same role at Iowa State, brings continued camaraderie with his experienced quarterback. But he wants more from the position.
His philosophy with his offensive players resembles Campbell’s roster-building philosophy. He wants a unified offense filled with “unselfish guys” who are connected to their teammates, coaches, and community.
“I want guys who can provide connection for their teammates. I want guys who can provide energy to the people on the field,” Mouser said. “Your defense is going to play better when they believe in the quarterback. So if you’re going to be a quarterback for us [at Penn State], you’d better have relationships with everybody on the team.”
Creating a culture
Every coach wants to establish a winning culture — one built on hard work, accountability, and trust. But Campbell understands that building a culture isn’t easy, and it takes years to build trust.
“Culture is not words. It’s how you live, it’s how you act, it’s how you carry yourself,” Campbell said. “… It’s all about the people. It’s about aligning the team and the people together. That’s one of the things that I at least know I can look myself in the mirror and [say], ‘We brought the right leaders of young men into our football program.’”
One of those culture builders is Ryan Clanton, Penn State’s offensive line coach who spent the last three seasons in the same role at Iowa State. The former Oregon offensive lineman said Campbell’s success stems from his character, which resembles a “normal dude.”
Clanton called Campbell the easiest coach to work for in college football. It’s why, when Campbell asked Clanton to follow him to Happy Valley, the line coach’s answer was simple: “What time does the plane leave?”
“[Campbell] is the best head coach in the nation. Wherever he went, I was going to go at any level,” Clanton said. “What people don’t see is that he’s very caring. He’ll talk to the janitor for all hours of the night. He can connect with anybody. And he likes to have fun … It’s a blessing to be with him.”
