Sullinger sets scoring record in memory of uncle

Over the years, we have seen several stars step up or dedicate their performance to a loved one who recently passed away.

The most memorable recent one came in 2002, when high-school stud Chris Paul scored 61 points the game after his grandfather died – one point for every year his grandfather lived.

Add another one to the laurels.

Ohio State freshman forward Jared Sullinger missed the Buckeyes’ pregame shoot-around on Thursday to attend a viewing for his uncle, Harold Sullinger Jr. “Briefcase” died on Dec. 3 from a massive heart attack.

Hours after paying his last respects, Sullinger put up 40 points and 13 rebounds in a 75-64 comeback win over IUPUI. The 40 points set an Ohio State freshman record. 26 of those points came in the second half, many of them as a result of his 16-of-23 performance from the free-throw stripe.

“That was for you Uncle Brief,” Sullinger tweeted after the game. “I love you dude.”

With Kyrie Irving possibly missing the rest of the season, Sullinger’s emotionally-laden performance might have pushed him to the head of the national freshmen pack.

Rony Seikaly wants to take you on a journey

When planning your New Year’s Eve festivities this year, you might want to research where Rony Seikaly is performing.

Seikaly, a former star at Syracuse who played 11 seasons in the NBA, is beginning to make a name for himself “as an up-and-coming D.J.” at the age of 45.

He did not start seriously pursuing a DJ career until 2008, but now Seikaly mixes house music for fist-pumping partiers from Las Vegas, New York and Miami to Ibiza and Paris.

“It’s a passion,” Seikaly told The New York Times. “It’s a hobby. It’s a hobby on steroids because it’s no longer a hobby.”

Well said, Rony.

It might seem like a mid-life crisis to some, but Seikaly has been frequenting the Miami club scene for several years and understands what it takes to be a successful nightclub DJ.

“As soon as you feel that connection to the crowd, then you know you’ve got them,” he said. “And then you can take them on any journey you want.”

Picture the guy in the above picture saying that -- you can't tell me that doesn’t sound like a good time.