Sportsman of the Week Ending 5/10/2026

The late spring sports season continues with elite golf, horse racing, along with playoff basketball and hockey.  On the basketball side, the Oklahoma City Thunder seem poised for a back-to-back title.  Young and loaded.  While reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is consistent, it's been his big man so far to lead the Thunder to a 3-0 lead against LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers.  7'1" Chet Holmgren is an unstoppable force that the Lakers can't answer.  In the first three games of the Western Conference semifinals, Holgren has averaged 21 points, 10 rebounds, to go with 2 assists, 2 blocks, and 2 steals per game.  While shooting 60% from the field, 45% from 3-point land, and over 80% from the line.  Efficient.  Difference maker.  The Lakers can't finish a game within 15 points of the best team in the NBA.  Thanks to our Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week!

Sportsman of the Week Ending 5/3/2026

Mid-spring is for horse racing, specifically the Triple Crown as the weather warms up and mid-latitude venues host the best 3-year-olds in the Sport of Kings.  And nothing captures the spirit more than the Kentucky Derby, run with a full entry as owners, trainers, and jockeys vie for greatness.  Sometimes a favorite wins.  And sometimes it's an underdog.  Horse, trainer, and jockey.  The 152nd running of the Run for the Roses was a wide-open field, and a long shot won coming from the back.  Eighteen horses made it to the post, and Golden Tempo won.  Golden Tempo started on the outside as the 19th draw and entered 18th at the stretch.  Jockey Jose Ortiz guided the colt to a thrilling and unexpected victory at 23-1 paying of handsomely to those with faith.  Ortiz has now won the personal Triple Crown, having won the Belmont Stakes (Tapwrit 2017) and Preakness Stakes (Early Voting 2022).  Winning the Personal Triple Crown, biggest horse race of the year, and doing it on a 23-1 longshot seems worthy of Sportsman of the Week!