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Matthew Paras

mparas@washingtontimes.com

Matthew Paras was a digital sports writer for the Washington Times.

Articles by Matthew Paras

In this Sept. 7, 2018, file photo, Steve Nash speaks during induction ceremonies at the Basketball Hall of Fame, in Springfield, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola, File)

Steve Nash to become next Brooklyn Nets coach

The Brooklyn Nets hired Hall of Fame point guard Steve Nash to be their next head coach -- a surprising move for a team expected to be an NBA contender next season with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.

September 3, 2020
The former logo for the Washington football team is seen on the sides of the seats before an NFL football practice at FedEx Field, Monday, Aug. 31, 2020, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Redskins traces remain as team goes about scrubbing past

From the seats of FedEx Field, references to the past could hardly be found. Gone was the Redskins logo at centerfield, as well as the all caps "REDSKINS" in each end zone. There was no banner labeling the stadium "Home of the Redskins." Instead, "Washington Football Team, Est. 1932" was stretched across the video board.

September 1, 2020
Washington running back Bryce Love (35) runs with the ball during practice at the team's NFL football training facility, Monday, Aug. 24, 2020, in Ashburn, Va. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Washington 53-man projection: Will Bryce Love, Alex Smith make it?

Washington has decisions to make. With the league's deadline this Saturday, Washington and the rest of the NFL's 32 teams have to trim rosters from 80 players to 53. Coach Ron Rivera said recently that, after making evaluations over the weekend, he and his staff know who the team's top players are. But when it comes to the final cuts, there are a few spots up for grabs. "There's still a few guys we have to make our minds on," Rivera said. As the deadline looms, here's one reporter's final 53-man projection.

September 1, 2020
Sports commentator and former Georgetown University basketball coach John Thompson leaves following a private church service for former North Carolina basketball coach Dean Smith in Chapel Hill, N.C., Thursday, Feb. 12, 2015. Smith died Saturday, Feb. 7, 2015. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)

John Thompson’s legacy extends far beyond basketball

John Thompson Jr., the larger-than-life Georgetown University and D.C. legend, is credited -- and rightly so -- with breaking down barriers for Black coaches, for making his hometown a better place and for serving as a protector, mentor and role model for generations of young men and women.

August 31, 2020
CORRECTS THAT THE GAME WAS AGAINST ST. JOHNS FOR THE BIG EAST CHAMPIONSHIP, NOT AGAINST HOUSTON FOR THE NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP - FILE - In this March 9, 1985, file photo, Georgetown NCAA college basketball head coach John Thompson poses with player Patrick Ewing after Georgetown defeated St. John's in the Big East Championship in New York. John Thompson, the imposing Hall of Famer who turned Georgetown into a Hoya Paranoia powerhouse and became the first Black coach to lead a team to the NCAA mens basketball championship, has died. He was 78 His death was announced in a family statement Monday., Aug. 31, 2020. No details were disclosed.(AP Photo/File) **FILE**

John Thompson leaves behind iconic coaching legacy

When Boeheim heard the news Monday that Thompson had died at age 78, the Syracuse coach said he had trouble finding the right words to sum up how much Thompson had meant to college basketball. Boeheim, who was 21-25 against Thompson, was adamant about one thing: The world had just lost one of the best coaches of all time.

August 31, 2020
Washington running back Antonio Gibson (24) runs a drill during practice at the team's NFL football training facility, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2020, in Ashburn, Va. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Chase Young, Antonio Gibson rising to expectations at training camp

Rivera said there are still seven to eight roster spots undecided before the team has to go from 80 to 53 players by next Saturday. He added Sunday was particularly important for the team's younger players to see who stood out. With all that at stake, five capitalized on Sunday.

August 30, 2020
Washington defensive tackle Jonathan Allen (93) arrives for practice at the team's NFL football training facility, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2020, in Ashburn, Va. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Jonathan Allen injures leg

Jonathan Allen suffered a leg injury during Sunday's practice, but coach Ron Rivera said afterward that the Washington defensive end appeared to avoid major damage.

August 30, 2020
Washington tight end Logan Thomas reaches for the ball during practice at the team's NFL football training facility, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2020, in Ashburn, Va. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Logan Thomas growing fast as Washington’s top tight end

When Logan Thomas took his coronavirus test at Washington's team facility late last month, it came back with an unexpected result: He tested positive. The tight end felt no symptoms, but as a result of the NFL's health and safety protocols, Thomas was required to be in self-isolation for a minimum of 10 days.

August 28, 2020
In this Dec. 26, 2015, file photo, Washington Redskins owner Daniel Snyder walks the sidelines during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, in Philadelphia. A new name must still be selected for the Washington Redskins football team, one of the oldest and most storied teams in the National Football League, and it was unclear how soon that will happen. But for now, arguably the most polarizing name in North American professional sports is gone at a time of reckoning over racial injustice, iconography and racism in the U.S. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke) ** FILE **

Attorneys call for Dan Snyder to be suspended, NFL to launch investigation

Two attorneys representing more than a dozen former Washington Football Team employees called on the NFL to immediately suspend owner Dan Snyder and launch an independent investigation in wake of the 55-year-old being accused of humiliating a former cheerleader and the other allegations of misconduct that have surfaced regarding the team's workplace.

August 27, 2020