See you soon, 2026...
Is Jokić a top-10 player of all time? Kehlani stops by COLORS. St. John’s vs. G'Town. And more...
Happy Sunday, and welcome back to Hoops, Rap, and Everything Black. I’m Curtis “Trey” Rowser, back in your inbox with the final dispatch of 2025.
By the time this reaches you, I’ll be in transit—headed back to Atlanta after an extremely blessed week back home in Virginia. I’m still spiritually unpacking all that this trip offered, and in due time I’ll share the stories and lessons that found me along the way. If nothing else, I’m returning to the A even more rooted in my faith, with a renewed urgency and desire to seek God in every corner of my life.
Due to the holiday week and my travel schedule, tonight’s issue is a lighter one. Still, I’ve gathered a handful of things I’ve been watching, listening to, and reading that felt worth passing along. Plus, my player of the week and a slate of must-watch games on the horizon.
Let’s get to it…
Player of the Week: Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets
On Thursday, Jokić delivered the perfect bow on a great day of NBA Christmas. He finished with an absurd 56 points, 16 rebounds, and 15 assists, scoring 16 of those points in the final three minutes of overtime after the Anthony Edwards–led Timberwolves had pushed their lead to nine. It marked the 179th triple-double of his career and the highest-scoring triple-double in NBA Christmas history—breaking a record he already owned.
Edwards was spectacular in his own right, pouring in 44 points, including the game-tying three to force overtime while gutting it out through a nagging shoulder injury. Ant deserves his flowers—but the night belonged to the Joker. Is it crazy to say Jokić is a top-10 player of all time? Asking for a friend.
Games To Watch This Week
Men’s
21 Virginia vs. Virginia Tech, 12/31 at 2 p.m. [ACC Network/ESPN]
St. Johns vs. Georgetown, 12/31 at 8 p.m. [FS1]
24 USC vs. 2 Michigan, 1/2 at 7 p.m. [Peacock]
9 Michigan State vs. 13 Nebraska, 1/2 at 9 p.m. [Peacock]
Kentucky vs. 14 Alabama, 1/3 at 12 p.m. [ESPN]
19 Tennessee vs. 18 Arkansas, 1/3 at 3 p.m. [ESPN2]
Women’s
17 USC vs. 20 Nebraska, 12/29 at 3 p.m. [B1G+]
Alabama vs. 3 South Carolina, 1/1 at 2 p.m. [SEC Network/ESPN]
11 Kentucky vs. 5 LSU, 1/1 at 8 p.m. [SEC Network/ESPN]
17 USC vs. 4 UCLA, 1/3 at 8 p.m. [Peacock]
15 Ole Miss vs. 2 Texas, 1/4 at 3 p.m. [ESPN2]
22 Baylor vs. 10 Iowa State, 1/4 at 3 p.m. [ESPN]
5 LSU vs. 12 Vanderbilt, 1/4 at 5 p.m. [ESPN]
What I’m Listening To
What I’m Watching
What I’m Reading
What’s behind Vanderbilt’s resurgence? A team built on liking each other [The Athletic]
The Conscious And Subconscious Mind: Everything You Need To Know [Substack]
The story behind rapper Wale’s journey to headlining the Nike G.T. Future [Andscape]
That’s all I have for you today. It’s been a beautiful ride so far, and 2026 is looking up. I’ll be back in your inboxes next Sunday, bigger and better. I hope everyone brings in the new year on a high note—and safely. Don’t hesitate to reach out with tips, ideas, feedback, comments, whatever. Community is everything, and I’m thankful you’re a part of mine. Love always!
Until next year,
Curtis “Trey” Rowser