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Union Academy grad’s confidence ‘sky high’ heading into Sweet 16 with Duke

Issa Rayyan has electrified crowds and kept the attention of the Philadelphia Union technical staff while collecting the coveted ACC Freshman of the Year award this season at Duke.

But there’s at least one person in his life who isn’t happy about his backflip goal celebrations, which have become common place in recent weeks.

“My mom doesn’t like me doing the flips,” Rayyan said in a phone interview this week. “They scare her.”

Considering the risk involved, it’s understandable that Rayyan’s mom back home in Michigan wants him to change things up when he scores.