SPORTS SECTION E
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
‘JAZZ’ CHISHOLM - E3
VJ’S BIG SCORING NIGHT
PLAYOFF DOUBLE DOUBLE: Philadelphia 76ers guard Valdez “VJ” Edgecombe Jr is congratulated by fans after defeating the Boston Celtics following Game 2 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, in Boston.
Edgecombe Jr has double double - 30 points and 10 rebounds - as 76ers beat Celtics 111-97 to tie first-round series BOSTON (AP) — Valdez “VJ” Edgecombe Jr had 30 points and 10 rebounds while playing through pain after taking a hard fall on his back early in the game, Tyrese Maxey scored 29 points and the Philadelphia 76ers beat the Boston Celtics 111-97 last night to tie their playoff series at one game apiece. Edgecombe made six of the 76ers' 19 3-pointers. He is the first rookie to record at least 30 points and 10 rebounds in a playoff game since Tim Duncan on May 5, 1998. At halftime, Edgecombe had 20 points, seven rebounds, two assists and one steal with eight of 13 field goals and four of six three pointers. He finished the game with 30 points, 10 rebounds, two assists and
NBA - SEE Page E4
76ers guard Valdez Edgecombe takes a shot against Celtics guard Baylor 76ERS guard VJ Edgecombe (77) grabs a rebound against Boston Celtics Scheierman (55) and forward Sam Hauser (30) during the first half of Game 2 guard Jaylen Brown (7) during the second half. of their first-round playoffs series, Tuesday, April 21, 2026, in Boston. (AP Photos/Charles Krupa)
Texas Tech Lady Raiders sign Bahamian forward Rhema Collins By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
MAKING MOVES: Rhema Collins has signed with the Texas Tech Lady Raiders.
AFTER earning the Conference USA Newcomer and Player of the Year in her transferred season at Florida International University, Bahamian female basketball player Rhema Collins is now off to Texas Tech. The 21-year-old, 6-foot, 2-inch forward has decided to turn in her FIU Panthers jersey as she emerged from the transfer portal with a Texas Tech Lady Raiders outfit for her senior year. From the transfer portal, Texas Tech's head coach Krista Gerlich acquired Collins along with Kiki Smith - a junior who played for the Purdue Boilermakers - and Tahys Da
Silva out of Salt Lake Community College. Having coached the Lady Raiders to their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2013 and its first NCAA Tournament victory since 2005, Gerlich feels Collins could be a key asset to their continued success. "We are so excited about Rhema. We think she could be the hidden gem of the portal," Gerlich said. "We love that she is an athletic, versatile 3-4-5 player who will go get the ball off the rim and be a rebounder." As she continues to lead her alma mater, Gerlich was rewarded with a new fouryear contract through the 2029-30 season and she said she's looking forward to Collins making a contribution in more ways than one.
"The fact she is a steal threat will add to our top 20 defence and her ability to stretch to the three or post up smaller defenders makes her a tough matchup," said Gerlich, who has recorded 103 wins with overall winning seasons in each of the past four seasons. "I love her personality, her passion and her maturity. She is driven and ambitious. She is a perfect fit for Lady Raider basketball!." Collins, the daughter of Angela and Steve Collins, played for Ole Miss under coach Yolett McPheeMcCuin from 2023-2025 before she entered the transfer portal to go to FIU. "I feel comfortable with my decision. My former
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