Kevin Durant joins the Suns after playing for the Brooklyn Nets earlier in the season and injuring his knee in January. Before his injury, Durant was having a standout season averaging 30 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game.
“I want to go out there and do as much as I can, and be the best that I can every day for you guys,” Durant said while addressing Suns fans last month. “I appreciate the warm welcome, but I got more work to do.”
“I knew this would be a great place to play, and a great place to continue to get better as a player.” Durant said. “You got somebody like Devin, Chris Paul, and Deandre Ayton, guys that work. And I wanted to be a part of that.”
Durant isn’t the only big change the Suns have made recently. Last month, Mat Ishbia was introduced as the new majority owner of the Suns and the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury. The change comes after Robert Sarver, the former owner, was suspended and fined following an INVESTIGATION that found Sarver had a history of workplace misconduct.
Ishbia agreed to purchase the Suns and Mercury in December, a deal that put the total value of the teams at $4 billion, and he is excited about the new opportunity.
“I want to think big,” Ishbia said at a press conference after taking over the teams. “I want to think how to make this one of the ELITE franchises in the NBA and the WNBA. I want everyone to look at the Mercury and the Suns as the best. What does that mean? Best in class for fan experience, community engagement, culture and winning. How do we make it the best?”
Many fans agree he’s off to a solid start with bringing Durant onboard—a deal he pulled off in his first week as owner!
2023 Caldecott & Newbery Medal Winners!
The American Library Association (ALA) announced the annual top honors for books and media for children and young adults, including the Caldecott, Coretta Scott King, Newbery and Printz awards.
The 2023 Newbery Medal winner was Amina Lugman-Dawson’s “Freewater.” The Newbery Medal was named for 18th-century British bookseller John Newbery and is awarded to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children.
The award dates back more than 100 years as it was first proposed in 1921 and awarded in 1922. It was actually the first children’s book award in the world!
“Freewater” is a novel about two enslaved children’s escape from a plantation and the many ways they find freedom.
In addition to the Newbery Medal, “Freewater” also took home the Coretta Scott King (Author) Book Award, which recognizes an African American author and illustrator of outstanding books for children and young adults. According to the ALA, the award COMMEMORATES the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and honors his wife, Coretta Scott King, for her courage and determination to continue the work for peace and world brotherhood.
The Caldecott Medal winner for the most distinguished American picture book for children is “Hot Dog,” illustrated and written by Doug Salati. “Hot Dog” is a picture book featuring an overheated and overwhelmed pup who finds his calm with some sea, sand and fresh air.
The Caldecott Medal was first awarded in 1938, after some people involved with the Newbery Medal realized that the artists creating picture books for kids were equally deserving of an award for their work. The award is named for Randolph Caldecott, an influential English children’s illustrator in the 19th century whose illustrations have been described as unique for their time.
“All My Rage,” written by Sabaa Tahir, won the 2023 Printz Award. The award is for excellence in literature written for young adults. The book is a novel about family and forgiveness as well as love and loss.
Congratulations to all of this year’s award winners!
