1- The Fourth of July weekend

Celebrating freedom and what America is all about, can’t be beat in terms of excitement for the month of July. the Fourth of July offers amazing memories of performing in the Paxton pavilion as a kid, going to Kansas City with my parents to visit my sister, and last year going to a lake! I cant thank the service men and women enough for the sacrifices they make to preserve our freedom from enemies of the state. I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend of celebrating America.

2- Weekends at Rendleman Orchards

There will be peaches, peach smoothies, flowers, and amazing coffee all Summer and Fall. Think that’s it? They have chickens and goats to look at, different makers, different food trucks, and much more! Wayne and Michelle Sirles and their crew will take amazing care of you in Alto Pass.

3- Thor: Love and Thunder

The God of Thunder is back! The last we saw him, he was abording the ship of the Guardians of The Galaxy. I am excited to see his journeys and if the next baddie will shape his or her plans for the next phase of the MCU.

4- NBA Free Agency and trade season

Some of the drama has went away with Kyrie and KD seemingly staying in Brooklyn to make one healthy run with Simmons. I am excited to see how the Lakers try and escape their mess. As a Bulls fan, I want to see how they get their frontcourt help. The Bulls organization has said they expect Patrick Williams and Vuc on the roster for next season. So that means they may be out on a trade for a guy like Rudy Gobert or DeAndre Ayton.

5- NBA Summer League

I LOVE the NBA Summer League. Its awesome to see these rookies play against each other. I also love seeing the former Illini recruiting targets play. This year for Illini fans, their may be multiple Illini players in the Summer League. Kofi Cockburn will be one, Ayo Dosunmu may get more development time, Then you have end of roster hopeful Malcolm Hill. Then there is an undrafted guy like Alfonso Plummer who may get a look in the Summer League.