An introduction to Connor Groel’s sports writing.
Welcome! This page was designed to allow me to introduce myself, as well as to provide a home base for work that I am especially proud of and that I feel best conveys my interests and writing styles. It is divided into sections and will be updated as necessary over time.
Who is Connor Groel?
I’m a 22-year-old writer, podcaster, and content creator from The Woodlands, Texas. I graduated from the University of Texas with a Bachelor of Science in Sport Management in 2020 and from Northwestern University with a Master of Science in Journalism in 2021 with a specialization in sports media. …
The Asher Archives
November 12, 2051
By Asher Raines
“The whole point of playing at home is to gain an advantage, right?”
Columbus Stampede forward Armani Howard shakes his head as he remembers the opening seconds of his team’s late-July road game against the Oakland Ospreys.
“My first thought was, ‘What’s going on? Is this an emergency?’ I was looking everywhere, trying to see if there was danger. I didn’t know if I needed to evacuate. I was scared.”
Just after tipoff, sirens began roaring throughout the Pandora Arena. …
In January 2020, I published my first book, “Sports, Technology, and Madness,” a collection of pieces I wrote in 2019. The process of creating and publishing the book was much easier than I would have thought thanks to Amazon’s Kindle Create program, and I had a terrific editor (my mom).
When I first held a copy of the book with my own hands, it was an incredible feeling of accomplishment. …
Here is the latest episode of my podcast, Slept On Sports. I don’t usually share these episodes on Medium, but I thought I would this time around for the incredible story of Adrian Dantley.
You can listen to the episode on Spotify or Apple Podcasts or read a transcript below.
Six players in NBA history have averaged at least 30 points per game in a season four times. Four players have done so four years in a row. Their names are Michael Jordan, Wilt Chamberlain, Oscar Robertson, and Adrian Dantley. Today, we’ll take a look at that last guy.
I’m…
Critics of Russell Westbrook often accuse him of “stat-padding”, a selfish playstyle focused on stuffing the box score rather than team success. However, Westbrook’s style of play isn’t just for show. The Wizards are at their best when Westbrook is recording triple-doubles, and his recent performance has catapulted Washington into the play-in tournament.
On May 10, Westbrook became the NBA’s new all-time leader in triple-doubles, recording his 182nd to pass Oscar Robertson. Since then, Westbrook added two more in the Wizards’ final three games of the regular season. In total, Westbrook’s teams are 138–46 when he records a triple-double, winning…
In each of the last two NBA seasons, the Milwaukee Bucks finished the regular season with the league’s best record, with their star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo winning both MVP awards. Yet, after failing to reach the NBA Finals either year and dropping to third place in the Eastern Conference this season, the Bucks have become one of the most underrated teams in the league.
On Saturday, Milwaukee dismantled a Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons-less 76ers team 132–94, completing a 3–0 season series sweep of a team that held the top seed in the East for a good portion of the…
Go deep into the mind of rap sensation and NBA star Lonzo Ball.
Music. We all listen to it, but at times it can be difficult to decipher what exactly our favorite artists are talking about in their lyrics.
Particularly when a legend of the rap scene like Lonzo “Zo” Ball drops a new project, millions of fans across the globe will listen intently to glean every ounce of profundity hidden within his words.
Have no fear! I have intently studied every line of Zo’s critically acclaimed masterpiece debut record, “Born 2 Ball”, and will now present you with the undisputed meanings to the hottest bars from the rap sensation (and basketball player).
…
On paper, the Lakers hosting the Jazz on Saturday should have been one of the most exciting games of the regular season. It was the defending champions against the team with the best record in the NBA, a matchup featuring five of this year’s Western Conference All-Stars: LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Donovan Mitchell, Rudy Gobert, and Mike Conley.
There was only one problem — none of those All-Stars played. James, Davis, and Mitchell sat due to injury while Gobert and Conley were out for rest. …
It has been over 20 years since Shaquille O’Neal became the most recent NBA center to win MVP. However, if the voters for this year’s award are smart, that streak will come to an end. Nikola Jokic is the league’s MVP.
To become the NBA’s Most Valuable Player, one must contribute heavily to a successful team, and that can’t happen from the bench. …
It may have taken longer than expected, but we got the match we wanted.
On Dec. 5, the AP #1 Gonzaga Bulldogs and #2 Baylor Bears were scheduled to play at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in the most anticipated game of the nonconference season. But just hours before tip-off, that game was canceled due to positive COVID-19 tests within the Bulldogs program.
Exactly four months later, the two teams will finally meet, just under different circumstances. Still in Indianapolis, this time the game is at Lucas Oil Stadium. And instead of determining the early-season title favorite, a national champion will be…
