Le Journal

SAN FRANCISCO– Andrew Wiggins will always be remembered in Golden State. Whether it be for his critical contributions to the Warriors’ 2022 title run or his humble and professional demeanor both on and off the court, Wiggins will always hold a special place in the hearts of Warriors fans, and especially in Steve Kerr’s. With Wiggins returning to the Bay Area for the first time since the Warriors traded him to the Miami Heat, in a blockbuster deal that landed them Jimmy Butler, Kerr reminisced on the trade and Wiggins’ time in Golden State. “Wiggs is just such a great human being and beloved in our locker room,” Kerr said. “Had so much success here and helped us turn things around from that two-year stretch when we didn’t make the playoffs. He was just a joy to coach every single day. When you get a guy like that on your team, and you go through a lot together, both on and off the court, then you make a trade, it’s just like that.” “It’s just crazy, this league, how this business operates. You have to just deal with it, but it is sad when your relationships like that are all of a sudden– you still have a relationship, but you don’t see each other. So we’ll say hi out there, it’s different.” Wiggins was integral to helping Kerr, Stephen Curry, and Draymond Green to their fourth title. In 22 games in the 2022 playoffs, he averaged 16.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.8 assists on 46.9% from the field. In Game 5 of the NBA Finals, Wiggins led the team with 26 points and 13 rebounds, securing Golden State a 3-2 lead over the Boston Celtics. Kerr on how Wiggins’ legacy in Golden State But for Kerr, the things about Wiggins that will stick with him have to do with his character off the court. Kerr talked about how good a father Wiggins is when he thinks about some of his memories of his former player. “For me, just what a great dad he is,” Kerr said. “He loves his girls so much, and then had his little boy Mari, a week before he got traded. I think that was another reason why it was difficult, you know, knowing that he had to pack up and leave his family late in the season. But, yeah– he’s a quiet, kind soul, and a great dad and just a good man.” As for how the fans will remember him, Kerr believes they will look to the 2022 playoff run where he was arguably the Dubs’ second-best player behind Curry. But Kerr also believes the fans will remember Wiggins for his character when all is said and done. “I would think our fans will absolutely remember his playoff run at 22, I mean, that’s what we all play for. It’s a championship. It’s what our fans are cheering for, and there’s no way we win that title without him,” Kerr said. “But then on top of that, I think you always want to connect with people as a fan. You want to connect with the human being. Want to feel good about who you’re cheering for. I think everybody here, Miami, Minnesota– I think everybody has felt good about cheering for Wiggs because of the type of person he is.” “There’s no way we win that title without him.” Asked Steve Kerr how he hopes Andrew Wiggins is remembered by the fan base, with Wiggins returning for the first time since the trade: “Everybody has felt good about cheering for Wiggs because of the type of person he is.” pic.twitter.com/m8y4PZs90O — Kenzo Fukuda (@kenzofuku) January 20, 2026 The post Warriors’ Why Steve Kerr will always hold soft spot for Andrew Wiggins appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Lil Uzi Vert is rooting for the Indiana Hoosiers at the National Championship tonight against the Miami Hurricanes. The Just Wanna Rock rapper was seen on the field ahead of the game, when a reporter asked, “Why are you hear tonight?” The rapper responded by holding up Hoosier quarterback Fernando Mendoza’s jersey. Fans in the comment section were excited for the rapper to be rooting for the Hoosiers. “Uzi from Big 10 country He knows what elite football looks like,” one fan wrote in the comment section. “Bro already got the natty champs shirt on his head he know what going down,” a Hoosier fan wrote back. “Bro is from Philly but I respect him riding with the Midwest,” another fan replied. Lil Uzi is all about Indiana and Fernando Mendoza tonight pic.twitter.com/R2mIua7wkt — Ari Wasserman (@AriWasserman) January 19, 2026 Prior to the National Championship game, Mendoza shared what this game means to him as he has the chance to win the title for his hometown. “Yeah, I would say that it’s been such a special journey. Can’t thank God enough and can’t thank my teammates enough,” Mendoza said during media day per 247Sports. “It’s been such a great year, not only on the field but also off the field with those guys and in the meeting rooms. Special is the word to describe it.” He then gave some words of advice to young men who are out there watching him on the field. “Then also, my message to the youngsters, I briefed it in my Heisman speech, but I would say no matter what star recruit you are — if you’re too big, too little, you’re not high ranked enough — you can do it,” he continued. “You’ve got to put the work in.” Mendoza explained that it took him growing up to realize what putting the work in really meant and why it has resurfaced for him in his life now. “As a kid, I always heard these messages, like, okay, does it really mean that?” he added. “A little bit of self-doubt. Now having lived that experience and lived that journey, it really has come full circle to me, and I want to share that same message to those youngsters.” The National Championship is on tonight at ESPN. The post Lil Uzi Vert throws support behind Hoosiers, Fernando Mendoza for National Championship game appeared first on ClutchPoints.