Omar Zahran
@omarzahran.bsky.social
Sports writer on Medium
Staff writer for KnicksFanTV
Host of the Deep Cover Podcast
Lover of sports, tech, and amazing food
Staff writer for KnicksFanTV
Host of the Deep Cover Podcast
Lover of sports, tech, and amazing food
Pinned
Omar Zahran
@omarzahran.bsky.social
· May 1
Deep Cover | Omar Zahran | Substack
Weekly sports analysis that goes beyond hot takes and highlights. Click to read Deep Cover, by Omar Zahran, a Substack publication. Launched 2 months ago.
deepcover.substack.com
Hey everyone.
If you ever want to read my stuff please subscribe to my Substack below. It’s free! And you’ll get a couple rambling sports essays from me every week!
It would mean the world to me if you subscribed!
deepcover.substack.com
If you ever want to read my stuff please subscribe to my Substack below. It’s free! And you’ll get a couple rambling sports essays from me every week!
It would mean the world to me if you subscribed!
deepcover.substack.com
How bad is the trend of pro players coming back to college basketball? Francis Carlota joins me this week on the podcast to discuss the ever changing landscape of college hoops in the current era.
February 12, 2026 at 3:14 PM
How bad is the trend of pro players coming back to college basketball? Francis Carlota joins me this week on the podcast to discuss the ever changing landscape of college hoops in the current era.
New podcast episode!
I'm joined by Francis Carlota to talk about the trend of basketball players that have been drafted and even played in the NBA going back to college. We talk about the changing landscape and what it means for college hoops. Check it out below!
open.spotify.com/episode/4qGZ...
I'm joined by Francis Carlota to talk about the trend of basketball players that have been drafted and even played in the NBA going back to college. We talk about the changing landscape and what it means for college hoops. Check it out below!
open.spotify.com/episode/4qGZ...
#99 - Pros Returning to College & the Future of College Basketball w/ Francis Carlota
open.spotify.com
February 12, 2026 at 2:56 PM
New podcast episode!
I'm joined by Francis Carlota to talk about the trend of basketball players that have been drafted and even played in the NBA going back to college. We talk about the changing landscape and what it means for college hoops. Check it out below!
open.spotify.com/episode/4qGZ...
I'm joined by Francis Carlota to talk about the trend of basketball players that have been drafted and even played in the NBA going back to college. We talk about the changing landscape and what it means for college hoops. Check it out below!
open.spotify.com/episode/4qGZ...
I've been publishing articles online for 6 years now. And there are few things that make me feel more alive than when I hit publish on a new story.
February 12, 2026 at 6:43 AM
I've been publishing articles online for 6 years now. And there are few things that make me feel more alive than when I hit publish on a new story.
Hard foul on Mitchell Robinson and Jose Alvarado is right in there getting in the defenders face sticking up for his teammate.
Beyond what he gives you on the floor, that's a culture setting thing that this Knicks team has needed. Love to see him sticking up for his guys like that.
Beyond what he gives you on the floor, that's a culture setting thing that this Knicks team has needed. Love to see him sticking up for his guys like that.
February 12, 2026 at 1:08 AM
Hard foul on Mitchell Robinson and Jose Alvarado is right in there getting in the defenders face sticking up for his teammate.
Beyond what he gives you on the floor, that's a culture setting thing that this Knicks team has needed. Love to see him sticking up for his guys like that.
Beyond what he gives you on the floor, that's a culture setting thing that this Knicks team has needed. Love to see him sticking up for his guys like that.
This Wizards Cavs game has to be the most black and gold saturated uniform matchup I've seen
February 12, 2026 at 12:16 AM
This Wizards Cavs game has to be the most black and gold saturated uniform matchup I've seen
I HATE losing to the Pacers. But even I have to admit, that was incredibly entertaining. 39 lead changes, a season high across the NBA. The end of both the fourth quarter and OT were theater. And I swear every time these two teams regardless of standings it feels like a playoff game. Tough loss.
February 11, 2026 at 3:43 AM
I HATE losing to the Pacers. But even I have to admit, that was incredibly entertaining. 39 lead changes, a season high across the NBA. The end of both the fourth quarter and OT were theater. And I swear every time these two teams regardless of standings it feels like a playoff game. Tough loss.
A concerning thing for the Knicks tonight was Indiana's general proficiency from three. But the biggest issue was how good they were in the corners. 6/14 and a few of those misses were wide open. A more glaring issue without Deuce and OG, but they have to be better at closing out on shooters.
February 11, 2026 at 3:38 AM
A concerning thing for the Knicks tonight was Indiana's general proficiency from three. But the biggest issue was how good they were in the corners. 6/14 and a few of those misses were wide open. A more glaring issue without Deuce and OG, but they have to be better at closing out on shooters.
In Mohamed Diawara the Knicks have a road that could lead to many paths. The second round pick has shown a lot of flashes, enough to make us wonder if there is a higher ceiling to unlock. Wrote more about Diawara and his potential in my latest for KFTV
knicksfantv.beehiiv.com/p/the-intrig...
knicksfantv.beehiiv.com/p/the-intrig...
The Intriguing Possibilities of Mohamed Diawara
The 51st pick has shown flashes of two-way versatility in limited minutes. With more opportunity ahead, could the 20-year-old Frenchman develop into a rotation staple?
knicksfantv.beehiiv.com
February 10, 2026 at 3:40 PM
In Mohamed Diawara the Knicks have a road that could lead to many paths. The second round pick has shown a lot of flashes, enough to make us wonder if there is a higher ceiling to unlock. Wrote more about Diawara and his potential in my latest for KFTV
knicksfantv.beehiiv.com/p/the-intrig...
knicksfantv.beehiiv.com/p/the-intrig...
Moussa Diabate looked like he actually wanted to throw his whole season away to land a punch on Jalen Duren. I now want these teams to meet in the first round. That sort of animosity is pure playoff basketball lore stuff.
February 10, 2026 at 1:43 AM
Moussa Diabate looked like he actually wanted to throw his whole season away to land a punch on Jalen Duren. I now want these teams to meet in the first round. That sort of animosity is pure playoff basketball lore stuff.
Has the media in the week leading up to the Super Bowl become lackluster in today's climate. Matt Lombardo joined me on the latest episode of Deep Cover to talk about this and more concerning the modern state of sports journalism.
February 9, 2026 at 4:33 PM
Has the media in the week leading up to the Super Bowl become lackluster in today's climate. Matt Lombardo joined me on the latest episode of Deep Cover to talk about this and more concerning the modern state of sports journalism.
What a redemption story for Sam Darnold. Draft bust to forgotten journeyman to Super Bowl champion. Incredible stuff, and a huge reason why we watch sports.
February 9, 2026 at 3:29 AM
What a redemption story for Sam Darnold. Draft bust to forgotten journeyman to Super Bowl champion. Incredible stuff, and a huge reason why we watch sports.
What a kicking night by the Seahawks btw. Jason Myers 5/5 on his field goal attempts. Punter Michael Dixson with three punts inside the 10. Just a special teams master class.
February 9, 2026 at 3:21 AM
What a kicking night by the Seahawks btw. Jason Myers 5/5 on his field goal attempts. Punter Michael Dixson with three punts inside the 10. Just a special teams master class.
Watching Drake Maye in this game I can't help but think of the Super Bowl between the Pats and Rams where Jared Goff just couldn't do anything against Belichick's defense. This Seahawks defense has just been suffocating. Unreal levels of dominance.
February 9, 2026 at 2:59 AM
Watching Drake Maye in this game I can't help but think of the Super Bowl between the Pats and Rams where Jared Goff just couldn't do anything against Belichick's defense. This Seahawks defense has just been suffocating. Unreal levels of dominance.
They're already letting off fireworks here in the PNW in case anyone was wondering
February 9, 2026 at 2:35 AM
They're already letting off fireworks here in the PNW in case anyone was wondering
In case anyone was wondering how that TP USA halftime show did
February 9, 2026 at 2:27 AM
In case anyone was wondering how that TP USA halftime show did
Seeing a lot of people noting how they enjoyed the Bad Bunny halftime show even though they didn't understand the lyrics makes me chuckle a little bit. I've always been into international music, music shows you it's a universal language. You don't have to understand the lyrics to connect to it!
February 9, 2026 at 2:27 AM
Seeing a lot of people noting how they enjoyed the Bad Bunny halftime show even though they didn't understand the lyrics makes me chuckle a little bit. I've always been into international music, music shows you it's a universal language. You don't have to understand the lyrics to connect to it!
Through three quarters, Drake Maye having one of those Willie Beaman rain games
IYKYK
IYKYK
February 9, 2026 at 2:23 AM
Through three quarters, Drake Maye having one of those Willie Beaman rain games
IYKYK
IYKYK
Bad Bunny halftime show was incredible. It felt like a true ode and love letter to Latin America. I loved every second!
February 9, 2026 at 1:36 AM
Bad Bunny halftime show was incredible. It felt like a true ode and love letter to Latin America. I loved every second!
Knicks absolutely needed this bounce back win today. Awesome debut from Alvarado. I am so excited to see this guy more as a Knick.
Once again, I couldn't keep my eyes away from Diawara though. This guy is going to be so good in a few years. And you see the flashes more and more when he gets minutes
Once again, I couldn't keep my eyes away from Diawara though. This guy is going to be so good in a few years. And you see the flashes more and more when he gets minutes
February 8, 2026 at 8:27 PM
Knicks absolutely needed this bounce back win today. Awesome debut from Alvarado. I am so excited to see this guy more as a Knick.
Once again, I couldn't keep my eyes away from Diawara though. This guy is going to be so good in a few years. And you see the flashes more and more when he gets minutes
Once again, I couldn't keep my eyes away from Diawara though. This guy is going to be so good in a few years. And you see the flashes more and more when he gets minutes
I'm in the middle.of reading "Game of Edges" which me and Drew Davis will be doing a podcast episode on soon.
There are a couple of chapters in this book about Liverpool FC. And I'm reminded of a story about them that tells us a lot of what makes sports special. If you'll indulge me 👇
There are a couple of chapters in this book about Liverpool FC. And I'm reminded of a story about them that tells us a lot of what makes sports special. If you'll indulge me 👇
February 8, 2026 at 4:07 PM
I'm in the middle.of reading "Game of Edges" which me and Drew Davis will be doing a podcast episode on soon.
There are a couple of chapters in this book about Liverpool FC. And I'm reminded of a story about them that tells us a lot of what makes sports special. If you'll indulge me 👇
There are a couple of chapters in this book about Liverpool FC. And I'm reminded of a story about them that tells us a lot of what makes sports special. If you'll indulge me 👇
Fuck all of this man. As a writer I find the idea of doing this so offensive
fuck this lady, fuck the nyt reporter, fuck all of this. fuck amazon for introducing the KU page read model that makes this possible, fuck our tech overlords.
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/08/b...
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/08/b...
The New Fabio Is Claude
www.nytimes.com
February 8, 2026 at 3:15 PM
Fuck all of this man. As a writer I find the idea of doing this so offensive
There were no Black head coaches hired in this NFL this off-season. Matt Lombardo and I discussed why that is and why it's a problem for the NFL on the latest episode of Deep Cover.
February 8, 2026 at 3:14 PM
There were no Black head coaches hired in this NFL this off-season. Matt Lombardo and I discussed why that is and why it's a problem for the NFL on the latest episode of Deep Cover.
Has today's political climate impacted the way that sports journalists tell their stories? Matt Lombardo joined me on the pod this week to discuss.
February 7, 2026 at 9:07 PM
Has today's political climate impacted the way that sports journalists tell their stories? Matt Lombardo joined me on the pod this week to discuss.
The Harlem Globetrotters are celebrating their 100th year. The modern view of them is as a comedic act. This ignores that the Globetrotters were integral to what the NBA would become. That legacy is largely forgotten today, wrote more about why that is below
omarzahran.medium.com/the-erased-l...
omarzahran.medium.com/the-erased-l...
February 6, 2026 at 11:01 PM
The Harlem Globetrotters are celebrating their 100th year. The modern view of them is as a comedic act. This ignores that the Globetrotters were integral to what the NBA would become. That legacy is largely forgotten today, wrote more about why that is below
omarzahran.medium.com/the-erased-l...
omarzahran.medium.com/the-erased-l...
I go for walks around my neighborhood a few nights a week. Usually this is pretty nondescript, except for a few houses that go hard in the paint with holiday decorations.
February 6, 2026 at 8:28 PM
I go for walks around my neighborhood a few nights a week. Usually this is pretty nondescript, except for a few houses that go hard in the paint with holiday decorations.