Scientists Discover Game-Changing Treatment for High Cholesterol

New research suggests that combining statins with another cholesterol-lowering drug, ezetimibe, could save thousands of lives. A study involving over 100,000 high-risk patients showed a significant reduction in deaths and cardiovascular events when the two drugs were used together. This combination therapy is now considered the gold standard for treating patients who have had a heart attack. The findings highlight the importance of early intervention to prevent further complications and deaths from cardiovascular conditions.

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These Ukrainian Refugees are Running a Marathon to Thank British Heroes Who Helped Them Settle

A group of Ukrainian women are lacing up their running shoes for this year’s Great North Run — not just for the challenge, but to say thank you. The women, all refugees who fled the war in Ukraine, now live in Sunderland and are running to raise awareness of the ongoing conflict in their homeland and to support The Salvation Army, the charity that helped them settle in the UK. Maryna Rahulina, one of the runners, fled Kyiv in 2022 with her two young children. “The Salvation Army helped me and my kids to stay in safety and to be not alone,” she said. “People opened their hearts to us and now I want to do the same.” Since arriving in the UK, she and hundreds of others have found a second home at the Monkwearmouth branch of The Salvation Army. The charity has supported refugee families with everything from job advice and English classes to helping children enrol in school. Regular coffee mornings and Sunday services have also given the community a place to connect, reflect, and rebuild. “When we arrived from Ukraine we were so devastated, we were lost,” said Tetiana Nikobenko, who attends the charity’s services with her husband and two sons. “We've got so much support from The Salvation Army and we want to pay back a bit.” For many, running the half marathon is about more than raising money. It’s a symbol of survival, gratitude, and resilience. Marharyta Marchenko is back for her second year in the race. “For us, this is more than just a sporting event,” she said. “For our community, it's a chance to honour every kind-hearted soul who stood by us through difficult times. Each runner carries a story of loss, courage and dreams.” “We represent the Ukrainian community of Sunderland, who are strong, brave and resilient,” she added, “and The Salvation Army Monkwearmouth, who are true heroes of everyday kindness, helping people through the toughest of times.” The group hopes their efforts will shine a light on the continued hardship faced by people in Ukraine — and on the support that helped them find hope far from home.

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Harlem Hellfighters Finally Receive Honor with Congressional Gold Medal

More than 100 years after their bravery on the frontlines of World War I, the Harlem Hellfighters have been awarded the Congressional Gold Medal — the highest civilian honor bestowed by the United States Congress. The recognition comes decades after the all-Black 369th Infantry Regiment of the New York National Guard served with distinction in France, despite being largely ignored, segregated, and sidelined by their own military leadership back home. "It's never too late to do the right thing," said Rep. Tom Suozzi, D-N.Y., during the official ceremony on Capitol Hill Wednesday. “Today we honor the legacy of your fathers, your grandfathers and your great-grandfathers who served our nation under extreme circumstances and despite intense discrimination. We are all better for their service.” Suozzi introduced the bill to honor the regiment back in 2021. It was only this week, however, that the medal was officially presented — marking a long-overdue moment of national acknowledgement. The medal will be placed in the Smithsonian Institution, where it will be displayed and made available for research. Debra Willett, whose grandfather Sgt. Leander Willett served in the unit, accepted the award on behalf of the soldiers. “I know that my grandfather and the other brave men that fought alongside him never thought that their courage and their exploits would be celebrated in such a revered setting,” she said. “They sacrificed, and they thought they were making a difference. And today proves that they did.” The Harlem Hellfighters fought in the trenches for 191 straight days — longer than any other American regiment during World War I. While the U.S. military kept them segregated, it was the French who recognized their capabilities and welcomed them to the front lines. The men of the 369th fought with such ferocity that captured German soldiers gave them a nickname: the “Hellfighters.” "They are devils," one Prussian officer reportedly said. "They smile while they kill and they won't be taken alive." But before they ever reached the battlefield, they had to survive the racism of the segregated military system. Historian Chad Williams of Boston University said the regiment endured “harrowing experiences” during their U.S.-based training. In Spartanburg, South Carolina, they were nearly caught in a race riot, prompting the military to relocate them to New Jersey. Even there, tensions remained high. “The reason they were shipped to France when they were was because the United States Army wanted to get them off of American soil as quickly as possible to avoid any potential racial catastrophes,” Williams told NPR. While white American soldiers refused to fight alongside them, the French had no such qualms. The Hellfighters were folded into French units, equipped with French helmets and rifles, and sent into some of the war’s toughest combat zones. They were also among the first Allied units to reach the Rhine River during the final stretch of the war. Originally known as the “Black Rattlers,” their battlefield reputation would soon redefine them in the eyes of allies and enemies alike. Still, for decades after the war, their contributions were barely acknowledged in U.S. military history. Many returned home to continued discrimination and few honors. That silence is only now beginning to be corrected. Speaking at the ceremony, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., acknowledged the injustice. “We know that generations of African-American soldiers have answered that call to fight for freedom, whether on battlefields at home or abroad,” he said. “Their nation asked them to fight, and they did again and again, even while being denied the full measure of those freedoms here on American soil.” The timing of the recognition hasn’t gone unnoticed. It comes as the Trump administration continues its efforts to reshape how American history is presented in federal institutions. In a letter sent last month to Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch III, the White House said it was reviewing museum content to “ensure alignment with the President’s directive to celebrate American exceptionalism, remove divisive or partisan narratives, and restore confidence in our shared cultural institutions.” Williams said the gesture of honoring the Hellfighters is both inspiring and politically complicated. “On the one hand, it's long overdue recognition, but it is certainly ironic, considering the times that we're in,” he said. “It speaks to the very complicated and oftentimes very hypocritical ways in which this country has chosen to address its racial history.” Still, for the families and descendants of the men who fought so fiercely in a war that was not theirs to begin with — and for a country that did not yet grant them full rights — the moment carries weight. “It was a very inspiring, very patriotic, very well-deserved recognition of the historical significance and sacrifices of the 369th,” Williams said. “On the other hand, it was a very cynical display of selective racial memory.” For the Harlem Hellfighters, recognition may have taken a century. But their legacy, now cast in bronze, is no longer invisible.

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They Fell in Love at a Drive-In—Now They Run the Oldest One in the World.

In a story that feels tailor-made for a movie, a Pennsylvania couple has gone from first date to film projectors, preserving a piece of American history while building a life together. Lauren McChesney and Matt McClanahan are now the owners of Shankweiler’s Drive-In Theatre, the oldest continuously operating drive-in movie theater in the world. It first opened in 1934, just one year after the first-ever drive-in debuted in Camden, New Jersey. Their story started with a ticket. In 2018, McChesney handed one to McClanahan at a drive-in he managed — and unwittingly kicked off what would become a romance, a business partnership, and a shared mission to keep drive-in movie culture alive. They started dating in 2019, got engaged this August, and along the way, took a leap few couples dare: buying a century-old theater with everything they had. “This was an undertaking that was leaps and bounds bigger than anything I’d ever done in my life, in terms of investment, monthly expenses, and debt,” said McClanahan. “It still feels surreal when I think about it.” The pair bought Shankweiler’s in 2022 with pooled savings and a $1 million loan, jumping into a business that has largely faded from the American landscape. Drive-ins peaked in popularity in the 1950s with more than 4,000 theaters across the U.S., according to the United Drive-In Theatre Owners Association. But by 2024, just 283 remained. McClanahan, 35, grew up going to Shankweiler’s and later managed another drive-in. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he even launched a mobile movie business. McChesney, 41, was new to the format — she hadn’t been to a drive-in before 2018 — but left a steady job in healthcare to help run the business full-time. Their dream originally involved building a brand-new drive-in. But that changed during a road trip across the U.S., where they visited both active and abandoned outdoor theaters. When they found out that Shankweiler’s, practically in their own backyard, might be sold to developers, everything clicked. “Why are we spending so much time trying to build one when there’s one literally down the road from our house that’s for sale and is like the most important drive-in?” McClanahan said. The theater has a long legacy. Opened on April 15, 1934 by Wilson Shankweiler, a hotelier and film enthusiast, it was Pennsylvania’s first drive-in and only the second in the country. Today, McChesney and McClanahan are its fourth owners. Their stewardship has turned the theater into a destination. Shankweiler’s now hosts themed screenings, including a popular Valentine’s Day showing of The Notebook, and welcomes big studio releases like Wicked. It operates daily during the summer and on weekends the rest of the year. Admission is $13 for adults and $9 for children. “It’s wonderful to have an old-school, an old venue like this still going,” said Ken Querio, 52, of nearby Kutztown. He’s been coming to Shankweiler’s since he was a teenager and made a point to thank the couple before a recent showing of Jaws. For McChesney and McClanahan, it’s not just about nostalgia. It’s about creating something that still feels magical — where people can gather under the stars, listen to the movie through their car speakers, and maybe, like them, start a new chapter. “We knew we’d eventually get married,” McChesney said, “but we kept doing other things instead, like starting businesses and buying movie theaters.” Now, with their engagement official and the business thriving, it looks like they’ve got the perfect double feature: one eye on the past, the other on their future.

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Here's the Top Good News You Missed This Week!

Every day, the team at Goodable give you the world's happiest stories that show how the world is stepping up in creative ways. From new approaches to mental health care to renewable energy breakthroughs, here are some of the uplifting headlines making news this week. Portland is expanding its first responder program dedicated to mental health crises. Since 2021, the Portland Street Response has handled nearly 40,000 calls, with demand rising 19 percent in the past year. The team, made up of unarmed responders trained to support people with mental health or substance use challenges, will add 14 staff and be stationed across the city for faster response times. Denver has run a similar initiative since 2020, and both cities report improved outcomes when crises are handled by professionals who are not police. In Pakistan, solar energy is booming. Imports of solar panels tripled in 2024 to nearly $2.1 billion, making the country one of the fastest adopters of renewable energy worldwide. Communities are pooling money to install panels on shared spaces such as mosques, cutting dependence on an unreliable grid and high-cost electricity. With China producing solar panels in huge quantities, Pakistan’s uptake is expected to keep growing this year. A regional conservation project is taking shape in Central America, where Belize, Guatemala, and Mexico are joining forces to establish what will become the second-largest nature reserve in the Americas. In Vermont, a statewide ban on plastic bags appears to be paying off. Four years after the 2020 law came into effect, researchers at the University of Vermont found bag usage had dropped by 91 percent. Paper bag use ticked up slightly, but most residents switched to reusable options. Researchers noted the success came largely from grassroots pressure on lawmakers to pass the ban. On the fundraising front, YouTube stars MrBeast and Mark Rober rallied creators worldwide for #TeamWater, a campaign that raised more than $41.5 million for WaterAid. Contributions will fund clean water projects reaching an estimated 2 million people. “This will have ripple effects for decades to come,” said WaterAid’s CEO, highlighting how access to safe water transforms education, healthcare, and livelihoods. Affordable housing also made headlines this week. A new poll found 63 percent of Americans view affordable housing positively, with most willing to see new developments in their own neighborhoods. In Madison, Wisconsin, St. John’s Lutheran Church is going a step further. The nearly 170-year-old congregation will demolish its current worship space to make way for a 10-storey complex with more than 100 units of affordable housing, a community center, and a new chapel. City officials say it will be the first project of its kind in nearly two decades. Conservation efforts are reshaping livelihoods in Cabo Verde. Residents who once poached endangered sea turtles are now employed as rangers to patrol and protect nesting beaches. The shift has contributed to a dramatic drop in illegal harvesting, with catches of female turtles on one island falling from over 1,200 in 2007 to just 20 in 2024. Other stories worth noting: • A study found the global suicide rate has fallen by nearly 30 percent since 1990. • Illinois is keeping a dedicated 988 lifeline for LGBTQ+ youth even as the national version closes. • A Chicago café, Sip of Hope, continues to give 100 percent of its profits to mental health outreach. • The Conservation Fund bought and protected North America’s largest blackwater swamp, safeguarding the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. • South Australia secured enough federal funding to become the first grid in the world powered entirely by wind and solar. • In Colorado, 3D-printed homes designed to resist wildfires were built in just 16 days. • Egypt won its first Homeless World Cup, while Uganda took the women’s title.

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Mahjong Nights Are Becoming the Hottest Trend in San Francisco Bars

What started as a few friends gathering around a mahjong table in a San Francisco apartment has grown into one of the city’s most in-demand social scenes — thanks to 25-year-old Ryan Lee. Lee, a Chinese American management consultant and business school student, first learned to play mahjong just two years ago. He got hooked quickly. He dug up his parents’ old sets and began inviting friends over to play. Then he took things up a notch. Today, Lee runs the Youth Luck Leisure (YLL) Mahjong Club, a fast-growing community that hosts bimonthly pop-up events in bars, restaurants, and nightclubs across San Francisco. Some nights draw up to 200 people and 30 tables of players, with live DJs, themed cocktails, and a mix of seasoned players and total beginners. “A lot of people are just really intrigued even though they don’t really know how to play,” Lee said. “There’s a cultural component they’re trying to connect with. It’s kind of like a cultural nostalgia.” That nostalgia — mixed with a desire to unplug and socialize — is part of a larger trend. According to ticketing platform Eventbrite, mahjong events in the U.S. jumped 179% from 2023 to 2024. Gen Z, in particular, is embracing old-school activities like needlework, baking, and now mahjong, as part of the so-called “grannycore” movement. Mahjong, a game of strategy, tiles, and sharp memory, was invented in 19th century China and typically played with four players. The objective is to form a winning hand with four sets of three and one pair. But its appeal goes far beyond the rules. “It’s a really tactile game, and it’s really a social game. It really easily builds community among people,” said Nicole Wong, a writer and audio producer based in Oakland. Wong learned to play during childhood visits to her grandparents in New Zealand, and now shares her passion through The Mahjong Project, an oral history initiative and instructional guide. She also authored Mahjong: House Rules from Across the Asian Diaspora, which explores the game's global variations and cultural significance. “For the Asian American community, I think there’s interest in connecting to your heritage and your culture in a way that was not the case when I was growing up,” Wong said. That sense of reconnection is something Lee has tapped into, especially among young Asian Americans who may not have grown up playing mahjong but are curious to learn. Each YLL event includes teaching assistants to help newcomers get started. “We welcome people who have no experience at mahjong at all,” said Joyce Yam, YLL Mahjong Club’s sponsorship manager. “And they love it so much that they keep coming back.” The pop-ups have a festive, clubby atmosphere — a far cry from the quiet games some may associate with older generations. Lee sees that as the point. “It’s not just an interest to learn how to play mahjong,” he said. “It’s to find a third space or another community to do things with.” The club has now hosted nearly 20 events in San Francisco since launching last year, and Lee’s sister has started a similar series in Los Angeles. Expansion to other cities is in the works. Along the way, it’s helped connect people like Ethan Vuong, a Florida native who moved to San Francisco and wanted a way to meet new people while reconnecting with his Chinese heritage. “It’s not just a skill or mechanics-based game,” Vuong said. “It’s an expression of your personality. I just keep playing because I have this goal that I’m going to beat my grandma one day.” From late-night bars to Chinatown pop-ups, Lee’s mahjong nights are reviving an age-old game in a distinctly modern way — one that’s social, inclusive, and deeply rooted in culture. And if the long waiting lists are any sign, he’s just getting started.

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Meet The Inspirational Cyclists Defying Stage 4 Cancer In Sir Chris Hoy's Tour de 4

Mel Erwin doesn’t consider herself sporty. She’s 57, lives with stage 4 lung cancer, and has one and a half lungs. But this weekend, she’ll be cycling up Scotland’s steep Campsie Hills in a sparkly cape, roaring—literally—her way through the climbs. “It really helps on the steeper inclines,” she said, laughing. “I wouldn’t have done it without a goal.” That goal is the Tour de 4, a new charity cycling event founded by six-time Olympic gold medallist Sir Chris Hoy, who revealed last year that he has stage 4 prostate cancer. With a prognosis of just two to four years, Hoy has shifted his focus to redefining what it means to live—and live well—with incurable cancer. “This is not about being the fastest,” Hoy told participants ahead of the ride. “It’s about preparation, about showing up, riding your way, and being part of something bigger than all of us.” Erwin, who’s been living with her diagnosis for five years, was deeply moved by Hoy’s public honesty. “It’s rare that people speak out about having stage 4 cancer. The shame, the confusion—it’s not something we speak about,” she said. Tour de 4 is designed with that in mind: to confront stigma and isolation, and to show the wider public that life doesn’t stop at a terminal diagnosis. The event is highly inclusive, offering different levels of participation based on physical ability. That ranges from a one-minute ride on a static bike inside the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome in Glasgow, to three progressively tougher outdoor cycling routes. For Erwin, the training has been transformative. “It’s really isolating having cancer—stage 4 cancer in particular,” she said. “There’s something about keeping the wheels turning, the fact that my muscles, thighs, heart, lungs, everything is working in synchronicity.” ‘I want my girls to see I didn’t give up’ Among the 3,000 riders joining her is Christine Lote, a 41-year-old mother from Bristol, who was diagnosed with stage 4 bone cancer on her eldest daughter’s third birthday last year. In the middle of what she described as a “whirlwind of overwhelm and heartbreak,” she read Hoy’s memoir, All That Matters, and found a lifeline. His writing on how to navigate a diagnosis as a family struck a nerve. “I want to set that role model for them—to be positive, and that you can still achieve things,” Lote said. Her daughters, Sophie and Chloe, are now four and two. After her right leg was amputated below the knee, Lote had to relearn how to ride a bike with a prosthetic. She trained along the Bristol and Bath railway path. “It’s been such a focus this year,” she said. “Obviously, I can’t completely forget about the cancer when I’m out there cycling, but I’m not thinking too much about the ‘scan-xiety’ and other stuff. I’m thinking about the cycling.” Her jersey will carry the names of people in her cancer support community who wanted to join but couldn’t. Some are too ill. Some are gone. Living well, while you can Sir Chris Hoy has described the event as a way to "shine a spotlight on what a stage 4 cancer diagnosis can look like and demonstrate that it is possible to live well and lead a happy life alongside this devastating diagnosis." That attitude resonates with everyone involved. “This is a celebration,” Erwin said. “But it’s also painful. On the day, there will be tears because we’ve lost people along the way, and one day people will lose us.” She and Lote both know that not everyone with stage 4 cancer is able to train for a ride like this. That’s why the event is built around accessibility and community, not competition. As much as the sequins and capes inject joy into the ride, the message is serious: people living with terminal cancer are not just surviving—they’re participating, showing up, and redefining what it means to live with illness. “It’s about being part of a community,” Erwin said. “You do what you can, while you can.”

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An Anonymous $1 Million Donation Propels Florida Wildlife Rewilding Project Toward Success

A rewilding project in western Florida just got a big financial boost thanks to an anonymous donation. The Sarasota Audubon Society and Big Waters Land Trust received a whopping $1 million gift, according to the Herald-Tribune. This donation significantly advances their goal of transforming the Quad Parcels, a 13-hectare land tract owned by Sarasota County, into a thriving habitat for local wildlife. Situated near Interstate 75, this area acts as a buffer for the Celery Fields. The Celery Fields are not only important for stormwater management but also serve as a recreational area and home to over 250 bird species. Since its acquisition by Sarasota County in 1995, various housing developments have been proposed for this site, but they've consistently been shot down by local activists passionate about preserving the space. The whole project requires more than $5 million to see it through. Thanks to this generous donation, they're now more than halfway there. Work kicked off earlier this year on the southeastern part of the site, and with these new funds, they expect substantial progress by 2025. Christine P. Johnson, president of Big Waters Land Trust, expressed her gratitude in a press release. "We are so very thankful to this anonymous donor for their generous philanthropy," she stated. This sentiment captures how community-driven conservation can be when it receives both financial backing and volunteer effort. Jeanne Dubi from the Sarasota Audubon Society highlighted the project's dual benefits for wildlife and people alike. "On the southeastern parcel, we are creating woodlands to increase habitat diversity which will attract more and different birds as well as other species," Dubi explained. She emphasized that these efforts offer new opportunities for birding and wildlife viewing in the area. With over half of the funding now secured, this project is making significant strides toward completion on schedule.

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Revolutionary 3D-Printed Device Pulls Drinking Water from Thin Air for Your Family

Two recent university graduates, Louisa Graupe and Julika Schwarz, have introduced a game-changing device that could significantly impact water scarcity issues worldwide. Their innovation, called "Water from Air," is a portable vessel capable of producing up to six liters of drinking water daily by condensing moisture from the air. This project aims to make water accessibility easier for the billions who face water security challenges. This initiative incorporates advanced 3D printing techniques and atmospheric water generation (AWG), allowing it to be both portable and affordable. According to the World Economic Forum, about 72 percent of the global population grapples with some level of water insecurity, with 8 percent experiencing critical shortages. Existing solutions for extracting water from the atmosphere are often large, costly, and technically complex. The 3D Printing Industry blog notes that Graupe and Schwarz's design addresses these issues by using innovative materials like Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol (PETG) for transparency and stereolithography (SLA) for parts such as the opaque lid. The core of this device involves metal-organic frameworks, which are porous materials acting like microscopic sponges. These frameworks draw in moisture when exposed to air; once collected, the moisture condenses into liquid form when enclosed. The Water from Air system can complete up to 12 condensation cycles per day, offering 500 ml of drinkable water every two hours. The designers claim that their device can meet the hydration needs of a family of four based on an average requirement of 1.5 liters per person per day. However, individual needs might vary depending on size, activity levels, and environmental factors. 3D printing has been crucial in shaping this project due to its rapid prototyping capabilities and flexibility in design alterations. The modular nature of the device allows for easy cleaning and repairs. Furthermore, Graupe and Schwarz believe that 3D printing can help democratize access to their design globally. Despite these advancements, it's important to note that Water from Air is still in its prototype phase. Yet there is optimism among its creators about scaling up this technology for broader community use in the future. This isn't the first time researchers have explored using 3D printing technology for addressing water scarcity. Previous studies have shown how 3D-printed plastic slabs can filter water or harness sunlight to neutralize harmful microbes. Others have utilized similar technology in reverse osmosis systems widely used in desalination processes.

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Young Phillies Fan's Disappointment Turns to Joy After Viral Home Run Ball Surprise

A young Philadelphia Phillies fan found himself at the center of an unexpected viral moment after a home run ball caught in the stands led to a heated dispute. During a Friday game against the Miami Marlins at loanDepot Park in Miami, Phillies outfielder Harrison Bader hit a home run that sent fans into a scramble for the ball. A video shows the ball landing near several spectators, with one man rushing over to snatch it. He then handed it to his son, Lincoln Feltwell. Things took an uncomfortable turn when a woman approached the man, claiming ownership of the baseball. She insisted, "That was mine," and accused him of taking it from her hands. In response, he retrieved the ball from his son and gave it to her, leaving Lincoln without his prized souvenir. The incident quickly gained attention online, with some internet users dubbing the woman "Phillies Karen." However, both teams stepped up to make sure Lincoln’s day wasn’t spoiled. In another video clip circulating online, a Miami Marlins staff member approaches Lincoln with an apology and presents him with a gift bag full of team merchandise. The staffer also wished him an early happy birthday. Drew Feltwell, reported by NBC10 as Lincoln's father, confirmed that Lincoln's birthday was approaching soon. Despite losing out on Bader's home run ball initially, Lincoln received another surprise — meeting Harrison Bader himself after the game. Bader chatted with Lincoln and gifted him an autographed baseball bat.

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Carmelo Anthony, Dwight Howard And Maya Moore Inducted Into Hall Of Fame—Here's Why It Matters

Carmelo Anthony walked onto the stage in Springfield to chants of “Melo! Melo!” as he joined basketball’s greatest legends in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. But for Anthony, the moment was about more than personal glory. “Pardon my language, but damn,” he said, visibly emotional. “Tonight, I just don't step into the Hall of Fame, I carry the echoes of every voice that ever told me I couldn't. ... I had to build a new road. I had to write a new ending.” Anthony was part of a star-studded 2025 class that included Dwight Howard, Sue Bird, Maya Moore, and Sylvia Fowles—all inducted as individuals. Between them, they’ve won 11 WNBA or NBA titles, claimed 15 Olympic gold medals, and racked up 45 All-Star selections. “I never got an NBA ring... but I know what I gave to the game,” Anthony said. The 'Redeem Team' legacy Both Anthony and Howard were also enshrined as part of the 2008 U.S. men’s Olympic basketball team, famously known as the “Redeem Team.” That squad—featuring LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Jason Kidd, and the late Kobe Bryant—won gold in Beijing after disappointing finishes at the 2004 Olympics and 2006 FIBA World Championship. Coach Mike Krzyzewski said the team had one clear goal: “Our goal was to win the gold medal, but also to win the respect of our country again.” LeBron James, just 23 years old at the time, said Bryant set the tone. “We just wanted to get to his level and make him proud,” he said. All members of the Redeem Team attended the induction, except Bryant, who died in 2020. A historic night for the WNBA Saturday’s ceremony marked the first time that three WNBA players were inducted in the same year. Sue Bird, Maya Moore, and Sylvia Fowles—each with long resumes—shared the spotlight and reflected on their intertwined careers. Bird and Moore won NCAA titles at UConn. Moore and Fowles shared WNBA championships with the Minnesota Lynx. All three were Olympic gold medalists. “There was no logical place for a kid like me,” said Bird, remembering how her high school yearbook predicted she’d go pro in either basketball or soccer. Moore, who left basketball in her prime to work on social justice reform, dedicated her speech to today’s youth. “Figure out what motivates you every day you get out of bed,” she said. “I want to challenge you up-and-comers, every day to seek out joy and connection.” She also joked about her new role: “Now that I'm in the Hall, I believe I have become Auntie Maya.” Fowles, a two-time WNBA champion and four-time Defensive Player of the Year, reflected on the bonds formed through competition. “Our greatness is not just in the wins. It's in how we showed up for each other, and how we made space for those coming behind us.” Dwight Howard reflects on struggle and joy Howard, long known for his playful on-court persona, delivered a deeply personal and animated speech that honored his parents, especially his mother. “My mother lost seven children, and He allowed me to bring sunshine into her life,” Howard said. “I'm just honored to stand in front of you as one of the greatest basketball players ever.” He took a few playful jabs at his infamous “Superman” feud with Shaquille O’Neal and impersonated his former coach, Stan Van Gundy. But he ended on a more serious note, speaking to his children. “You only die once, but you live every day,” he told them. Howard was inducted by four Hall of Fame big men: Dominique Wilkins, Shaquille O'Neal, Patrick Ewing, and Robert Parish. He also acknowledged Bill Russell, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Dikembe Mutombo—legends he said paved the way. Saturday marked the 50th anniversary of Russell’s Hall of Fame induction. Honouring coaches, referees, and owners The 2025 class also included Chicago Bulls coach Billy Donovan, Miami Heat managing general partner Micky Arison, and longtime NBA referee Danny Crawford. Arison gave a nod to the Heat’s “Big Three” era, referencing LeBron James’ infamous “not one, not two…” championship prediction with a grin. “In 2010, with Dwyane, LeBron and Chris Bosh we knew we could win. Not one, not two... I guess it was just two,” Arison said, as James laughed in the audience. He also thanked Heat veterans Udonis Haslem and Alonzo Mourning for helping shape the team's identity. More than basketball What echoed through every speech was how much more the game meant to those being honored. Anthony’s career started on playgrounds in Brooklyn and Baltimore. He turned that tough upbringing into one of the most prolific scoring careers in NBA history. “I had to build a new road,” he said. Moore left the WNBA in her prime to free a wrongfully convicted man who later became her husband. Howard used his moment to honour his mother’s perseverance through loss. And together, the 2008 Redeem Team reminded fans how basketball can carry the weight of national pride—and redemption. For a sport that often measures greatness in rings and stats, the 2025 Hall of Fame class reminded everyone that legacy is about much more than what’s on paper.

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