SPORTS SECTION E
Charlton out for season By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
IT wasn't the way guard Veronaye 'Tweedy' Charlton had expected to start the new year in her junior transfer season for the Austin Peay State University Governors women's basketball team, but she's making the most of it. In a 73-38 blowout win over Berry University on Sunday, December 30 at the F&M Bank Arena in Clarksville, Tennessee, Charlton was diving for a loose ball and she collided with an opposing player. Charlton, who had scored nine points in 21 minutes, had her left leg pinned under the player as they fell to the floor, resulting in her tearing her ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) and she had a complete tear of her meniscus. The 20-year-old Charlton is expected to undergo surgery on Friday in Tennessee and is expected to be out of action for the next nine months. Charlton, who came over from North Alabama where she completed her freshman and sophomore
seasons, said she's not upset in the least, not being able to complete this season with the Govs. "Everything happens for a reason," she said. "I will realise in the end why it happened and I already realised why it happened. So I'm just taking it one day at a time. "I'm taking every treatment seriously and just being there for my team-mates as another coach on the sidelines and just helping them in whatever they need." Her mother, Christen, said when she and her husband, Verron Charlton, were watching the game from their home in The Bahamas, they knew it was serious. When they got a call from team officials and some family members in the United States, who were in attendance at the game, it was not the type of news they wanted to hear. "I'm helping her with her movements and so forth, but she's in good spirits," said her mom, who is currently assisting her daughter in Tennessee. "The first thing she did when she saw me was she
said 'momma' and she gave me a hug. All she said was 'sorry,' but I told her, 'girl,' it's going to be alright." As the Govs picked up the pieces without Charlton, Austin Peay State University improved their winning streak to 6-0 with a 71-65 win over Jacksonville on January 1 and 80-55 over North Florida on January 3 to push their record to 10-2. As Charlton continues her rehab, the Govs, coached by Brittny Young, will be back in action on January 8 against Florida Gulf Coast and will complete their regular season on February 27 against Lipscomb. The Govs will then prepare for the ASUN Women's Basketball Tournament, scheduled for March 3-9 and hopefully the NCAA Division One Women's Basketball Championship from March 18-23 with the first round. The final is set for April 5. Before she went out with the injury, the 5-foot, 4-inch Charlton was averaging 9.2 points, 3.8 assists and 2.7 rebounds per game while stealing a total of six passes. She also credits three straight double-digit scoring
Tuesday, January 6, 2026
Deandre Ayton - Page 5
SERIOUS INJURY: Guard Veronaye ‘Tweedy’ Charlton warms up with the Austin Peay State University Governors women’s basketball team. performances, one of which was a season's high 19 points and a career-high
10 rebounds in 29 minutes of play in a 66-46 win over the University of
Missouri-Kansas City Roos at Swinney Center in Kansas City, Missouri.
Franco Miller Jr scores 12 points in his first NBA G League game By JONATHAN BURROWS Tribune Sports Reporter jburrows@tribunemedia.net FRANCO Miller Jr took the floor for his first NBA G League game on January 4, suiting up for the Santa Cruz Warriors in a convincing 106-71 victory over the Oklahoma City Blue at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
The Bahamian guard came off the bench and delivered a steady performance, finishing with 12 points, three rebounds, three assists, one steal and one block in just over 20 minutes of action. Miller shot 5-of-12 from the field and showed comfort handling the ball and attacking the lane which he is known to excel at. For a player appearing in his first
G League game, the efficiency and poise stood out. Santa Cruz controlled the game from the start, allowing Miller to play freely and settle into the pace without being forced into rushed decisions. The Warriors selected Miller with the 58th overall pick in the 2025 NBA G League Draft before acquiring him from the available player pool and
officially adding him to the roster in December. The move gave Miller his first opportunity to compete full-time in the G League after gaining professional experience overseas. Speaking shortly after joining the Warriors, Miller described the opportunity as an important step. “This is something I’ve been working toward for a long time. Being in the G League puts you around high-level players every day, and it pushes you to be locked in with your preparation. I just want to keep improving and help the team whenever my name is called.” Santa Cruz head coach Matt Powell praised Miller’s approach during his early days with the team. “Franco has come in with the right mindset,” Powell said. “He listens, he competes and he understands what we’re asking him to do. For a guard coming into this league, that’s important, and he showed that in his first game.” Miller’s path to the G League has been built through patience and steady development. He began his college career at the University of Mississippi before transferring to Florida Gulf Coast University, where he became a dependable guard known for his defence and playmaking. His college numbers were modest, but coaches consistently valued his versatility and basketball IQ. After college, Miller played professionally in Spain with Fibwi Palma,
FRANCO Miller Jr took the floor for his first NBA G League game on January 4, suiting up for the Santa Cruz Warriors in a convincing 106-71 victory over the Oklahoma City Blue at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City. gaining valuable experience against seasoned veterans. That season overseas helped him adjust to physical play and professional systems, preparing him for the transition back to the U.S. game. Internationally, Miller has also represented The Bahamas men’s national basketball team, contributing to Olympic pre-qualifying and FIBA competitions. Those experiences, he said, helped sharpen his confidence. “Playing for The Bahamas taught me how to stay
composed in big moments,” Miller explained. “You’re representing more than yourself, and that carries over into how you approach every game.” His debut against Oklahoma City was only one game, but it was an encouraging start. Miller showed he could score within the flow, defend multiple positions, and stay composed at G League speed. As he continues to earn minutes, the Santa Cruz Warriors will be watching closely to see how quickly he can expand his role.