50 June 26 – July 2, 2025 miaminewtimes.com | browardpalmbeach.com NEW TIMES WNBA’s biggest stars. Players like Breanna Stewart, Napheesa Collier, and Angel Reese brought fans out in droves and sold out every game at Medley’s Wayfair Arena. The league provided an option for players to earn money domestically in the off-season, breaking records by providing the highest annual salaries in professional women’s sports. And Unrivaled already announced a season two here next year. BEST COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYER Cam Ward Miami Hurricanes instagram.com/camward Miami Hurricanes superstar quarterback Cam Ward was so good this college football season that NFL players were hitting his “Zombieland” touchdown celebration on any given Sunday. After transferring to the University of Miami, he raised his draft stock from a potential fifth-round pick to a Heisman Trophy finalist and first-overall pick in this year’s NFL Draft. Ward lit up Hard Rock Stadium and college football, throwing for 4,313 yards and 39 touchdowns and breaking the single-season record for most passing touchdowns in NCAA history. His record-breaking year and epic playmak- ing abilities earned him ACC Player of the Year, the Davey O’Brien Award for the na- tion’s top quarterback, and a consensus first-team All-American. New Times is still bitter that the lackluster Hurricanes defense cost Canes fans and the rest of the country the chance of witnessing Ward’s greatness and the country’s top-rated offense in the College Football Playoff. Dillon Gabriel had no business finishing ahead of Ward in the Heisman ranking. BEST COLLEGE BASKETBALL PLAYER Matthew Cleveland Miami Hurricanes instagram.com/mcleve35 University of Miami senior Matthew Cleveland is a whirlwind on the basketball court. Leading in points per game, the seasoned shooting guard and small forward truly showcased his versatility this year. With fellow guard Nijel Pack suffering from a foot injury, Cleveland stepped up as a leader and continued to stretch the floor. From his first season in the NCAA, his original 11.5-point average shot up to 17.6 for the 2024-25 season. Notable games for Cleveland were against NC State University and Syracuse, with him scoring 32 points at each. With a nearly doubled three-point shooting average, it’s no wonder why this Hurricane is rumored to be a second-round steal for the 2025 NBA draft, which transpires mere days after this issue goes to press. BEST FLORIDA PANTHERS PLAYER Sergei Bobrovsky nhl.com/panthers When the Panthers needed him most, Sergei Bobrovsky delivered a playoff performance for the ages in 2024. Then he did it again this June in helping the Panthers be- come back-to-back Stanley Cup Champions. That’s what the Flor- ida Panthers had in mind when they signed Bobrovsky in 2019 to a seven-year, $70 million con- tract. And that’s what he brought them — Stanley Cup caliber perfor- mances that will live in the rafters for decades to come. The veteran goaltender was a wall in the crease during both Stanley Cup pursuits, making save after impossible save in each se- ries. Bob’s redemption arc — from questioned contract to Conn Smythe contender — was one of the great South Florida sports stories of the decade. Bob is Miami sports royalty. “Best Panthers Player” doesn’t begin to cover it, but for our purposes, it’s a perfect fit. BEST INTER MIAMI CF PLAYER Luis Suarez instagram.com/luissuarez9 We know what you’re thinking. But trust us — there is a method to our madness. While Leo Messi gets all the Inter Miami love — and rightly so — Luis Suarez immediately became a vital cog to the Inter FC machine upon his arrival in South Florida, wasting no time making himself at home. Teaming up with his old pal Messi, Suarez brought grit, cre- ativity, and veteran savvy that immediately lifted Inter Miami CF. The Uruguayan legend scored 20 goals in 2024, most in big mo- ments, and consistently showed why he’s still one of the most feared forwards in the world. Suarez not only complemented Messi well, he kept him happy and engaged. That may come in handy over the next few months when it’s time for Messi to decide if Miami is where he will end his career. BEST MIAMI DOLPHINS PLAYER De’Von Achane miamidolphins.com Every few years, the Dolphins produce a breakout star who electrifies the fanbase, and in 2024, that star was De’Von Achane. Gone are the days when a running back is judged on achieving 1,000 yards. The new meta is versatile, all-purpose backs, such as Achane, who rushed for 900-plus yards in 2024 and more than 500 receiving. Tack on a combined 12 touchdowns, and you have a player that Fins fans aren’t only excited about, but all the fantasy football fans covet. With jaw-dropping speed, elite field vision, and a nose for the end zone, Achane is a player every defense must game-plan for. He’s got the tools, the swag, and the motor to be a franchise face for years to come. And if there’s one thing the Miami Dol- phins need, it’s players they can count on to perform. Achane has proven to be just that and more in his first two seasons in the 305. BEST MIAMI HEAT PLAYER Tyler Herro instagram.com/nolimitherro Along with his teammate Bam Adebayo, Ty- ler Herro is lovingly referred to as one of the Last Mohicans — part of a dying breed of Heat players left over from multiple yester- years. The only difference between then and now is that 2025 has been Herro’s time to shine, and it has shown. The sharp-shooting guard continues to prove he’s more than a sixth man — he’s a franchise cornerstone. Whether draining clutch threes or carving up defenses with slick swag-filled drives, Herro has stepped right into the role of the All-Star guard the Miami Heat desperately needed in the wake of Jimmy Butler’s midseason depar- ture. If we’re being honest, this season has felt much like Herro’s rookie season, in which Heat fans fell in love with a fearless 19-year-old kid from Kentucky who plays with confidence, flair, and just the right amount of recklessness. Herro, a first-time All-Star this season, has proven that he is no longer someone to plug into trade rumors — he is the future. BEST MIAMI MARLINS PLAYER Jesús Sánchez mlb.com/marlins In a season where the Marlins strug- gled to find consistency, Jesus Sanchez emerged as a bright spot and fan favor- ite. And we don’t need to tell you that Miami Marlins fans are searching for as many favorites as they can discover. Sanchez is a throwback, bringing raw power at the plate and a cannon of an arm in the outfield. With double-digit
