Rico Verhoeven believes he's got what it takes to do what no fighter has been able to do before – knockout all-time great Oleksandr Usyk.
The two heavyweights clash in a crossover superfight, as this boxing championship bout pits Verhoeven, a former GLORY kickboxing champion, against Usyk, the unified heavyweight champion. Despite Verhoeven (1-0) not having much experience in boxing, all while going up against a generational talent, the Dutch fighter is confident he's got what it takes to put the lights out on Usyk (24-0).
“When I land my best punch on him, of course, he will go down," Verhoeven said at Tuesday's press conference promoting the event. "It’s, like, a 20 kilo weight difference,” Verhoeven says. “He’s like a built-up cruiserweight, and I’m like a naturally-born heavyweight. That’s a big difference. That's what's going to happen if I land my best shot clean.”
Verhoeven, who stands at 6'5 and weighs around 270 pounds, expects his size to be a big advantage. Usyk is one of today's smaller heavyweights. His natural weight class is cruiserweight, but he moved up to heavyweight in 2019 in pursuit of big fights with the major top heavyweight boxers.
The Usyk-Verhoeven championship bout, where Usyk's WBC heavyweight title will be on the line, is set to go down on May 23 in front of the ancient Pyramids of Giza in Egypt. Verhoeven is excited at the opportunity and has every intention of pulling off one of the biggest upsets in combat sports history.
"All smiles because what an opportunity we have to upset the world and write history," Verhoeven said. "Exactly what Eddie said, 'Are you crazy?' I think to be the very best at what you're going, you have to be a little bit crazy and I think that's just not me, but every vertical and every discipline, you have to be a little bit crazy and obsessed with what you're doing, and that's what I am. What I do, I do to the point perfect. I do to perfection. In my vision, I love it, I enjoy it, and I do it with so much passion. I'm crazy excited to be here and super thankful for the opportunity that Alexander Usyk has given me."
Paige Secor's walk-off RBI triple in the eighth inning secured the Londonderry High School softball team a 5-4 season-opening Division I win over Salem on Monday. Secor's deep fly ball scored Mady Normand.
The two-time defending D-I champion Lancers plated their previous four runs in the fifth frame.
Londonderry ace Elisabeth Kearney allowed two earned runs on five hits and one walk alongside 13 strikeouts.
Kearney and Shannon Crowley each went 1-for-4 with two RBIs at the plate for the Lancers.
Mikayla Morales hit a solo home run for Salem.
Kings win opener
Elin Hill fanned 16 batters and five players collected at least two hits as the Manchester Memorial/Central Kings beat Nashua North 11-6 on Monday in a Division I opener at Padden Field.
Hill allowed one earned run and four hits in 6 2/3 innings.
Offensive stars were: Kianaly Gallego (2-for-4 with two doubles with 4 RBIs); Cailin Maguire (2-for-3 with three RBIs); Avery Menswar (2-for-3 with a single and a triple); Madyson Butt (2-for-3 with a single and a double and two RBIs), and Lindsay Wilson (2-for-4 with a single and a double).
Harper Lafond made the defensive play of the game, ending the game by making the catch on a short fly ball to center and doubling off the runner at first base.
Pinkerton 8, Nashua South 1
Pinkerton: Mollie Wheale, homer, double, 2 RBIs; Cara Murray, Mia Marshall, triple each; Aislynn Hyde, double; Julia Caruso, 7 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 17 Ks.
South: C. Marvin, 7 IP, 10 H, 8 R, 6 ER, 3 BB, 3 Ks.
Boys lacrosse
Trinity 14, Pelham 13
Trinity (1-0): Ben Siscavich 4g/7a; Nick Lenti 5g/2a; Dylan Behnken 3g; Brycen Lubelczyk 2g; Jack DeFreitas 3a; Andrew Gianunzio, 3 caused turnovers; Andrew Evans, 2 caused turnovers; strong LSM play from Callum O’Connor; strong play from Easton Valliere.
Singles: Lyndia Goldrick, E, d. Dan McAleer, 8-1; Camryn Lachance, E, d. Layla Conway 9-7; Cate Phelps, E, d. Maddie Wyatt 8-3; Brooke Beaulieu, E, d. Anna Taylor 8-2; Lucy Bickford, E, d. Charlotte Feke 8-5; Ava Castonguay, E, d. Elena manning 8-3.
Doubles: Goldrick/Lachance, E, d. McAleer/Conway 8-1; Phelps/Beaulieu, E, d. Wyatt/Taylor 8-3; Bickford/Castonguay, E, d. Feke/Manning 8-5.
Baseball
Goffstown 10, Alvirne 4
Goffstown: Brent Baxter, 5 IP, 5 H, 5 Ks; Brady Swansburg, 2 IP; Brady Godette, 3-for-4 with a double and two RBIs; Jaxson Marquis, Caleb Gilliland, 2 hits each.
Bedford 5, Memorial 0
Bedford: Jimmy Gilbert, 4 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 5 Ks and was 2-for-4 with an RBI; Carter Stuart, 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 Ks; Jason Topf, hitless 7th inning and was 3-for-3 with a walk, single, double and triple with 2 runs scored; Zack Papik, 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI; Ben Labonte, 1-for-3 (triple) and a run scored.
Former Chelsea and England defender John Terry attended Colchester United's League Two fixture on Tuesday amid reports that he is part of a consortium looking to take over the club.
The Sun reported on Monday that the group had submitted a £14m offer for the club, which was put up for sale last year by chairman Robbie Cowling.
His nephew Frankie Terry, also a defender, played 90 minutes for the U's in what was a third straight win for the club as they moved up to 12th.
Cowling has confirmed that "detailed discussions" are ongoing but said he was "not in a position to comment on any specific individuals or companies involved".
Speaking after the game, manager Danny Cowley told BBC Essex: "It felt like a big night for the players, first and foremost, but also the club – I thought our supporters were incredible.
"I am really proud that in front of the eyes of many we are able to show a top version of what is a wonderful football club.
"We know this is a brilliant football club because we live it every day – there are some brilliant people at this club.
"We genuinely believe it has such high potential and we do need just a springboard to push on from and that is what we hope is on its way.
"I am so excited for our supporters. It is not easy supporting lower league clubs and Colchester United have not had it easy.
"Since Nicky [Cowley, brother] and I have been here we have been able to stabilise and find a good level of consistency but we all want more and I believe there are really exciting times ahead."
When asked if he had met John Terry, Cowley added: "I will talk about Frankie, because he was great tonight and he would have done his family proud, that is for sure."
A takeover deal with the US-based Lightwell Sports Group fell through in June last year and in January, Colchester were in talks with the Sports Alpha Capital consortium which included former AC Milan and Brazil forward Alexandre Pato.
They later withdrew their interest, saying: "SAC will continue to explore future opportunities within English football while maintaining a lasting respect and affection for Colchester United and its supporters."
Terry played almost 500 games, and won 78 international caps, during a playing career which ended in 2018 following a season at Aston Villa.
He won multiple trophies with Chelsea, including five Premier League titles and five FA Cups, plus the Champions League in 2012.
Speaking on Monday, Aaron Jay, who runs the Beyond the Barside podcast, told the BBC: "I think Colchester United fans have been really eager for this sort of takeover to be done for the past year or so.
"To be at a point where we're nearly there and there's nearly something happening is exciting for a lot of U's fans."
Colchester are competing in their 10th season in a row in the fourth tier of English football, having been as high as the Championship as recently in 2008.
The All-Big West Conference honorable mention selection out of UC-San Diego and, most notably this month, NCAA transfer portal entrant had lost track of days, let alone the “hundreds” of phone calls and texts from potential basketball suitors.
On Tuesday, Mayes made official the next step in his blossoming college basketball career — and spoke about the choice exclusively to USA TODAY Sports.
The 6-5, 200-pound rising sophomore guard has signed with Eric Olen’s New Mexico program. Olen guided the Lobos to 26 wins and an NIT semifinals appearance in his debut, 2025-26 season at the helm.
“It felt like absolutely forever. If you asked me how long ago, I would tell you two months ago not officially one week in the portal,” Mayes, the Tritons’ No. 2 scorer at 11.1 points per game, told USA TODAY Sports after he ended a recruitment that also included Baylor, Notre Dame and Syracuse among top contenders. “I tried not to let myself get too stressful with it. My agent (NBA certified agent KJ Smith of Range Sports) told me once you do enter, you’re going to get hundreds of texts and calls.
“I wasn’t thinking about the portal; I was trying to help us win the Big West (tournament). But there were too many opportunities that we heard about and knew from trusted sources that were real. My dream has always been to play the highest level of college basketball and get to the highest level of college basketball. I told coach Olen (Monday afternoon), and I slept great last night.”
The son of former Notre Dame All-America wideout and Green Bay Packers Super Bowl champion Derrick Mayes, grandson of Naismith Hall of Famer and former ABA star Roger Brown, Hudson Mayes started 12 of San Diego’s final 13 games, scored in double figures in the season’s last 10 games and helped the Tritons close with eight wins in their final 11 games.
Multiple Power conference programs “offered significant money” and “multiple six figures.” Olen’s New Mexico program offered an immediate chance to compete for a starting role — and the familiarity of having already been recruited by Olen and multiple members of the Lobos staff from their previous time at San Diego.
“Coming into the portal, I obviously had pretty much every Power Five Conference and every other conference trying to get me to commit there,” Mayes said. “They were throwing me different offers. I kept money out of my decision and made a basketball decision.
“We were prepared for that, for the money, but we knew this was going to be a decision that we would have to make based on relationships and what’s best basketball-wise and what’s the best path.”
Olen doubled down on the Lobos program's ability to stand toe-to-toe with the sport's more renowned program.
"New Mexico’s rich with tradition and we want to continue that here and that just starts with building really good basketball teams," Olen told USA TODAY Sports Tuesday afternoon by phone. "It’s a great place to play college basketball, up there with the best home environments anywhere in the country and we believe in what this place can be.
"We think New Mexico basketball is a national brand, we want to be relevant on that stage and Hudson helps us do that."
With three years’ eligibility remaining, Mayes hasn’t given his New Mexico decision a moment of doubt — even as teams pressed for a final opportunity to woo the versatile combo guard who led San Diego with 5.7 rebounds per game.
“I turned down several offers from teams, at-large (NCAA) tournament teams that I kind of just decided to go with my gut,” Mayes said. “I believe next year New Mexico can be an NCAA Tournament team.”
Michigan football got some good news on Tuesday with the announcement that 2027 Salt Lake City (Utah) West four-star quarterback Kamden Lopati was committing to the Wolverines. But that wasn't the only piece of positive recruiting on the day.=
With the spring game fast approaching, set to take place on Saturday, the maize and blue have been working hard behind the scenes to fill out the 2027 class. Though much of it will likely be done in the late spring and early summer weeks, when official visits commence, there's an unofficial visit set to take place this weekend that could set the Wolverines up for the future.
Michigan had long been trending for 2027 Chatsworth (Calif.) Sierra Canyon five-star defensive lineman Marcus Fakatou, but many schools have been working overtime to woo him to their program. Fakatou has already visited Ann Arbor and while he was set to come for the spring game, it had appeared that he was going to visit Texas instead. However, his plans have reversed course, according to The Wolverine's Ethan McDowell: (subscription required)
Fakatou will visit Michigan for Saturday’s spring game. Just a couple of days ago, he planned on traveling to Texas instead. The elite defensive lineman said he talked things over with his family and decided to spend this weekend in Ann Arbor as previously planned.
ESPN is highest on Fakatou, having him as the No. 21 prospect in the country, regardless of position. He's listed at 6-foot-7, 295 pounds, and is strongly considering other programs such as Notre Dame, Texas, USC, and Ohio State.
Reporter Dianna Russini, then with ESPN, works on the sideline before the start of a game between the Oakland Raiders and Denver Broncos on Sept. 9, 2019. (Ben Margot / Associated Press)
The photos appear to show Russini and Vrabel holding hands, hugging and sitting a hot tub and a swimming pool. In the April 7 article that accompanied the photos in the Post's Page Six, Russini and Vrabel — both of whom are married to other people — gave statements denying anything inappropriate was happening between them.
The article also included a statement from Steven Ginsberg, executive editor of The Athletic, who expressed full support of Russini and said the photos "are misleading and lack essential context." The New York Times, which owns The Athletic, reported days later that the digital sports outlet would conduct an investigation into the matter.
Russini submitted her letter of resignation to Ginsberg on Tuesday, then posted it on X. In it, Russini states she has "no interest in submitting to a public inquiry that has already caused far more damage than I am willing to accept."
“I have covered the NFL with professionalism and dedication throughout my career, and I stand behind every story I have ever published," Russini wrote. "When the Page Six item first appeared, The Athletic supported me unequivocally, expressed confidence in my work and pride in my journalism. For that I am grateful. In the days that followed, unfortunately, commentators in various media have engaged in self-feeding speculation that is simply unmoored from the facts.
“Moreover, this media frenzy is hurtling forward without regard for the review process The Athletic is trying to complete. It continues to escalate, fueled by repeated leaks. ... Rather than allowing this to continue, I have decided to step aside now — before my current contract expires on June 30. I do so not because I accept the narrative that has been constructed around this episode, but because I refuse to lend it further oxygen or to let it define me or my career.”
I submitted my letter of resignation to The Athletic. Everything I have to say about it is below. pic.twitter.com/401nrtbEsj
The New York Times confirmed Russini's resignation but declined to comment further for this article.
Page Six wrote Tuesday that it received a statement from Ginsberg following Russini's resignation.
“When this situation was brought to our attention last week, there were clear concerns," Ginsberg wrote, according to Page Six, "but we received a detailed explanation and it was our instinct to support and defend a colleague while we continued to review the matter.”
But as “additional information emerged,” Ginsberg wrote, according to Page Six, “new questions were raised that became part of our investigation.” Ginsberg's statement did not elaborate on the "new questions."
The investigation is ongoing, according to Page Six.
Russini joined The Athletic in 2023 after nearly a decade at ESPN, where her roles included "SportsCenter" anchor and NFL analyst and insider. Vrabel was a three-time Super Bowl champion as a Patriots linebacker and was head coach of the Tennessee Titans from 2018-2023 before returning to New England as head coach last season.
In Page Six's initial article last week, Russini said the photos of her and Vrabel “don’t represent the group of six people who were hanging out during the day.” Vrabel said in the same article: “Those photos show a completely innocent interaction and any suggestion otherwise is laughable.”
Apr. 14—WILLMAR — The Willmar Aquatic Racing Stingrays celebrated their 2025-26 season Saturday, handing out a large number of awards.
The youth swimming and diving club team handed out honors for the Outstanding Ambassador Award, The Sportsmanship Award, Senior Scholarship Awards and recognition for state qualifiers.
Also honored were athletes who recorded mile certificates for participation.
Noelle Becker received the Outstanding Ambassador Award. Soren Newberg and Samantha Arends received Senior Scholarship Awards.
Individual record-breakers also were honored, including: Lila Arcilla, Arends, Dominick Devine, Manny Heinen, Laila Marker, Chloe Miedema, Rachel Morkrid, Levi Nelson, Britta Newberg, Jorgen Newberg, Isaac Sheets, Samuel Sheets and Marin Wallestad.
Coaches awards also were awarded to Macy Anderson, Alec Lorenz, Eve Madsen, Morkrid, Miles Nelson, Jorgen Newberg, Leah Quale and Elias Saint.
High Point winner awards went to Arcilla, Logan Devine, Hailey Fernelius, Ryder Fernelius, Cici Groshen, Cora Martinka, Ben Miedema, Chloe Miedema, Levi Nelson and Griffin Steffensen.
"We're so proud of everything our swimmers accomplished this year," Stingrays assistant coach Jodi Fernelius said in a statement. "Their hard work really shows."
The team, which started training in September, competes in meets beginning in October and running through March.
The Stingrays are members of USA Swimming. Members attend schools in Willmar, New London-Spicer, Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City, Litchfield, Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg, Community Christian School and the area home school co-op.
For more information on the Stingrays, visit the website
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Christian Wiggins of Wayzata has been selected as the 2026 recipient of the Minnesota Basketball Coaches Association McDonald Award.
Initially, there were 38 semifinalists announced in February and 15 finalists announced in March.
The award is named after legendary Chisholm basketball coach Bob McDonald, who retired with 1,012 victories.
Ms. Basketball went to Maddyn Greenway of Providence Academy. The five-time state Class AA champion is headed to the University of Kentucky.
Finalists were: Kate Amelotte of Wayzata, Kate Holmquist of Maple Grove, Mya Moore or Orono, Tori Oehrlein of Crosby-Ironton and Audrey Shindelar of Stewartville. The winner was announced Friday night in Northfield at the site of the All-Star Series banquet.
Former Minnewaska star Arivia DeBoer has been named the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Women's Golf Athlete of the Week. DeBoer, a first-year student at St. Catherine University, tied for third on the leaderboard with teammate Caylin Cantwell at the Upper Iowa Invitational on April 4. Both shot 7-over-par 79s to help St. Catherine finish second in the 10-team event.
Derek Fronckowiak won at first singles as Oneonta stayed undefeated by sweeping visiting Norwich in a Southern Tier Athletic Conference match Monday, April 13, at Wilber Park.
Fronckowiak beat Liam Hunter, 6-3, 6-4.
At second doubles, Ethan Temming beat Vinny Larson, 6-2, 6-2. At third singles, Anthony Iannelli beat Timmy Guzewich in three sets, 6-2, 6-7 (7-9), 10-4. At fourth singles, Evie Chen beat Troy Schack, 6-0, 6-1.
At first doubles, Miles Gelbsman and Nico Iannelli beat Fisher Rivenburg and Jacob Lobdell, 6-0, 6-1. At second doubles, Jordan Fronckowiak and Ibraheem Khan beat Nick Hall and Bobby Johnson, 6-0, 6-0.
Norwich forfeited at third doubles.
Oneonta (5-0, 3-0) plays an STAC match at Windsor on Wednesday, April 15.
Bailey Thayer had six RBI and struck out 11 in four innings to earn the win as CV-S/SS beat host Worcester in a Tri-Valley League game Monday.
Thayer gave up one hit and walked three, with one unearned run. She went 2-for-3 with a double and a triple and scored one run. Emily Fox struck out the side in top of the fifth inning to end the game.
Megan Bolton got the only hit for the Wolverines.
McKenzie McGovern had four RBI and scored twice, and Justeena Finch scored four runs for CV-S/SS, which had a 12-run second inning.
Cherry Valley-Springfield/Sharon Springs (2-0, 1-0) will play a TVL game at Edmeston/Morris on Tuesday, April 14.
Oriskany 9, Cooperstown 8
Carlotta Falso went 2-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored but took the loss in the circle as the visiting Skyhawks rallied for solo runs in the seventh and eighth innings in a Center State Conference Division II game Monday.
Kaelyn Mayo got the game-winning hit, doubling home Bryana Manella in the top of the eighth inning.
Cooperstown led after two innings, 8-5, but the SkyHawks got solo runs in the third, fifth and seventh innings to force the extra frame.
Falso struck out ten batters in eight innings, but walked seven. Only three of her runs were earned.
Brylie VanVechten got the win for Oriskany by pitching three scoreless innings in relief, giving up one hit.
Sophia Johnson scored two runs for the Hawkeyes, which also got a hit and a run scored from Scarlett Bong, Allie Butts and Callie Paterno.
Peyton Buehler went 2-for-5 with two RBI and a run scored for Oriskany (1-1, 1-0).
Cooperstown (0-1, 0-1) will play at Poland for a division game Wednesday, April 16.
To report spring scores, please email box scores, statistics and/or recaps to gklein@thedailystar.com.
Adam Peaty has broken 14 world records in his dominant career [Getty Images]
Three-time Olympic champion Adam Peaty made a first step towards a fourth Games in Los Angeles by winning the 100m breaststroke at the Aquatics GB Swimming Championships in London.
Peaty, 31, was challenged by two teenagers, Filip Nowacki and Max Morgan, but came through to win in 58.97 seconds.
Nowacki was second in 59.39, with Morgan third in a huge personal best of 59.56.
Peaty and Nowacki confirmed their places on the GB team heading to Paris for this summer's European Aquatics Championships with their results.
Peaty's time was the second best in the world this year, suggesting that his time at the top could continue yet as he targets the 2028 Olympics.
"We've got some talented youngsters coming through the pool," he said.
"I'm not talking about this year, it's about LA for me, and these boys are going to challenge me the whole way."
It is almost a year since Peaty, who got married while swimming took a back seat, confirmed he will go again.
He made the decision after it was confirmed the 50m breaststroke event would be added to the schedule in 2028. It gives Peaty a second shot at more individual golds - the chance to add the 50m title to the 100m medals he won in 2016 and 2021.
British titles will be awarded in 36 medal events across the meet in London this week.
Other winners on Tuesday night included James Guy in the 400m, Imogen Clark in the 50m breaststroke and Eva Okaro in the 100m free.
Head coach Joe Kuehn returns five of his six golfers from last year's Section 8AAA team, which graduated one key senior in Anthony Cellini.
Willmar kicked off the spring with a fourth-place finish at the Monticello Invitational on Monday at Monticello Country Club.
"We are about seven deep," Kuehn said. "I want to surprise people."
Kuehn's experienced squad enters the 2026 season led by his trio of junior captains Aden Jacobson, Luke Larson and Liam Ims.
Jacobson, who capped off his sophomore season as a state entrant, and Larson are Willmar's pair of All-Central Lakes Conference selections.
"We should see some really good scores out of Aden and Luke throughout the year," Kuehn said. "They should lead our team and help our team score stay down. But they are two great kids who work at it and I hope this season is going to be great for them. They're super excited."
Ims also certainly will be a key contributor for the Cardinals.
"Liam had some peak moments last year where he pulled out a couple 70s, but he's looking for more consistency and has been working hard," Kuehn said. "We need to get him settled in because we need him."
Evan Michelson will also be back in the mix this spring.
Michelson is a sophomore who takes lessons with Aaron Jacobson, who has been the Director of Instruction at Rush Creek Golf Club in Maple Grove since 2009.
Aaron is a cousin to Andy Jacobson, who is Aden's father. He is a 1991 graduate of Willmar High School and won the state Class AA championship in 1990.
Aden also takes lessons with his first cousin once removed.
"Evan looks really good," Kuehn said of Michelson, who is hitting his driver more than 300 yards. "I think this is going to be his breakout year."
Cooper Lownsbury, one of the two seniors who is looking to be a stable contributor in varsity competition, has Kuehn excited.
"He seems more confident with himself and is making better decisions," Kuehn said. "The biggest thing for Cooper is getting around the course better. He's got the length. He's got the game. He's just got to put some complete rounds together."
Lownsbury's senior teammate Gibson Horyza and junior Sawyer Dahl, who led the Cardinals with a 75 on Monday, also look to make contributions this spring.
They are part of a Willmar squad that finished fifth in the CLC last year.
Detroit Lakes, the state Class AA defending champion, won the conference and edged Alexandria by one stroke. Brainerd is also a top team to watch in the CLC.
"I'm hoping to surprise some people this year, especially if Luke and Aden do what they need to do and we get a couple guys to trickle in each event," Kuehn said. "I think we're right there."
Blackburn boss Michael O'Neill immediately turned his attention to Friday's vital home match against Championship leaders Coventry following the 3-0 defeat at Southampton.
Rovers are four points above the relegation zone so have some breathing space, largely because of a five-match unbeaten run prior to their trip to play the in-form Saints.
They have been beset by injuries and O'Neill made five changes for the second of his side's three matches in the space of six days.
"Listen, the game's gone - we just move on to Friday," O'Neill told BBC Radio Lancashire.
"We're getting through the games and the squad is very challenged in terms of numbers, with a lot of players who aren't with us at this minute in time.
"We could do with them being back for us. But the players we are putting out there are doing everything. Their attitude is first class, their commitment is first class, and that's all we can ask.
"We met a very good side in the best form. We knew it would be a tough game and it proved to be the case.
"In the second half we played well but the second goal just before half-time was a real killer."
After the defection of four-star signal caller Peter Bourque in February, Michigan football finally has its quarterback of the future.
Kyle Whittingham treaded into his old stomping grounds, seeking fortune that lay in Salt Lake City (Utah) West, in four-star dual-threat Kamden Lopati -- the No. 50 player in the country, according to ESPN. The problem? Lopati had long been pledged to Big Ten foe, Illinois.
However, on Monday, that changed. Lopati backed off his commitment to the Illini, allowing him to seek other fortunes. Thus, on Tuesday, he opted to follow those who had originally set upon the land of Utah, ultimately pledging to the maize and blue.
BREAKING: Four-Star QB Kamden Lopati has Committed to Michigan, he tells me for @Rivals
The 6’3 228 QB from West Valley City, UT recently decommitted from Illinois
-Savvy dual-threat quarterback that excels as a vertical passer and a power runner in a spread attack.-Built almost like a linebacker and measured just under 6-foot-3, 225 pounds in advance of senior year.-Can get the ball out fast with a smooth 3/4 release.-Likes to use touch when looking deep.-Will hit his first read and keep an offense on schedule, but tends to make some of his best tosses when working off-script as he constantly extends plays with his short-area quickness and pocket awareness.-Dangerous on the scramble and is the type of number that defenses have to account for in the RPO game with his vision and creativity.-Projects as a potential Power Four starter that can thrive in a system that wants to capitalize on his mobility.
Lopati had been predicted by several at Rivals, even before his Illinois defection, to the maize and blue. He is now the sixth pledge of the 2027 class, joining four-stars Recarder Kitchen and Darrell Mattison, and three-stars Maxwell Miles, Sidney Rouleau, and Louis Esposito.
The Seattle Seahawks running back room might not have Kenneth Walker III anymore, but they’re full of options already pre-draft.
While mock drafts all expect the Seahawks to take one with one of their four draft picks, John Schneider’s comments on the Seahawks ball carriers haven’t sounded like someone ready to invest heavy draft capital in the position.
Here’s what he said on Seattle Sports radio a few weeks ago:
NFL.com’s Kevin Patra laid out how Schneider’s history favors the opposite as well. In Green Bay, he went with the relatively-unknown Ryan Grant as a lead back ahead of the 2007 season before he broke out for three straight 900-yard seasons. He also led the Packers to eliminate the Seahawks in the 2008 playoffs, rushing 27 times for 201 yards and three touchdowns. This callback should make you think twice about overvaluing Walker’s playoff production, as it certainly did for Seattle’s general manager.
Maybe the way to “Run it back” doesn’t rely on a new face at RB. Maybe they already got that in Emanuel Wilson. Maybe they really do plan on George Holani leading the way until Zach Charbonnet’s back. Maybe that’s sooner than we think.
The NFL draft never goes as expected, let alone from the Seahawks’ perspective. More doors are open than closed with this position. They could bring in Coleman Bennett as a UDFA. They could draft Chip Trayanum on Day 3.
Or they could roll with what they already have. They weren’t afraid to buck the trend investing heavily in Walker and Charbonnet with 2nd round picks in consecutive years, and they might buck the trend again by zigging when they’re finally expected to zag.
NEW YORK – For a second straight game, Ben Rice is on the Yankees’ bench against a lefty starter.
Yes, that Ben Rice – the one leading all MLB hitters in on-base percentage (.508) and OPS (1.253) entering Tuesday night against the Angels.
Though the plan was to originally start Rice vs. lefty starter Reid Detmers, manager Aaron Boone said he prefers to “cherry pick’’ when to fire Rice in a big spot.
Rice was not in the lineup during the Yanks’ previous two games against lefty starters (Rays’ Steven Matz, Angels’ Yusei Kikuchi) and still made an impact.
Last Friday, Rice pinch-hit a homer in his only at-bat, in a 5-3 loss at Tropicana Field.
On Tuesday, Rice entered in the fifth inning and contributed a walk and a single in three plate appearances during the Yanks’ 11-10 comeback win at Yankee Stadium.
With the lefty-hitting Rice on the bench, “I’ve been able to fire him at the most important part, and it might be early in the game,’’ said Boone, insisting too that Rice “is going to play against lefties.’’
Rice should eventually get a few starts behind the plate, but Boone isn’t comfortable yet with Rice catching five-plus innings.
They intend to build up Rice by catching simulated games (he caught Carlos Rodon’s latest), but the focus has mostly been on reps at first base, not his natural position.
Boone also wants Paul Goldschmidt’s presence against lefty starters; he’s batting .331 with a .984 OPS in 157 at-bats vs. lefties since the start of 2025.
“Also early in the season, (I’m) trying to keep our bench in play,’’ said Boone, with Goldschmidt back in the leadoff spot Tuesday and Amed Rosario batting third.
Rice joins three other lefty hitters – Cody Bellinger, Jazz Chisholm Jr., J.C. Escarra – on the bench to begin this warm Tuesday night at the Stadium.
After reports surfaced on Monday, April 13 that Los Angeles Lakers stars Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves are inching closer to their returns from injuries, head coach JJ Redick made it clear on Tuesday, April 14 that there will be no further updates in the near future.
"Look, they're out indefinitely," Redick told reporters during his media availability at Tuesday's practice. "I'm not gonna have an update for you this week. They're out indefinitely."
NBA insider Marc Stein confirmed an earlier report that Doncic is scheduled to return to the Lakers on Friday and will be re-evaluated after undergoing multiple injection procedures in Spain in hopes of accelerating his recovery from a grade 2 left hamstring strain.
Reaves, meanwhile, has been rehabbing a grade 2 left oblique muscle strain in Los Angeles. Both Reaves and Doncic sustained their injuries during a blowout loss in Oklahoma City on April 2 and missed the rest of the regular season and will likely be out through at least the first round of the playoffs, where the No. 4-seeded Lakers will take on the No. 5 seed Houston Rockets.
While they're considered out indefinitely, both injuries usually carry a standard recovery window of about four-to-six weeks, which would sideline Doncic and Reaves through the first week of May. It's currently unclear how effective the treatment Doncic got in Spain actually was or if it impacted his timeline at all, and it most likely won't be known until after his re-evaluation at the end of the week.
What is a grade 2 hamstring strain?
A Grade 2 hamstring strain is a “moderate injury that is typically a partial tear in the muscle; patients are likely to limp when walking and will have occasional twinges of pain during activity,” according to Mercy Health.
The injury could take close to a month to heal, but “returning to sports before the injury is fully healed can cause more severe injuries.”
What is a grade 2 oblique strain?
A grade 2 oblique strain is another moderate strain in which "one of the abdominal muscles (internal or external oblique muscles) becomes frayed, torn or detached, often from the lower four ribs," according to Performance Place. The injury makes it painful for someone to breathe, cough and laugh and is common among baseball players and golfers.
At a time when the backcourt is going through a deep transition period with many seniors graduating, Clemsonwomen's basketball made a crucial decision for the future by picking up Virginia Tech transfer Mackenzie Nelson from the portal.
This was a much-needed pickup for the Tigers because with Rachel Rose and Mia Moore graduating, you're losing control, leadership, and, to be honest, the feel of the offense in addition to production. They require a guard who can do more than just fill in the minutes. Nelson immediately checks all those boxes.
This past season, she started all 32 games for Virginia Tech and averaged 8.0 points, 5.7 assists, and 1.4 steals. She doesn't turn the ball over, reads correctly, and plays under control. Her 12-assist performance against Florida State demonstrates her ceiling as a distributor. Earlier in her career, she ranked among the top 10 in the ACC in assist-to-turnover ratio. This skill is important when replacing players like Rose, who essentially maintained Clemson's stability.
NEWS: Virginia Tech transfer Mackenzie Nelson has committed to Clemson.
The 5-8 sophomore averaged 8 ppg, 5.7 apg and 1.4 spg this season.
She had 18 against Florida State and can pick her spots, but the bigger thing is she doesn’t need to force anything. Clemson doesn’t need her to be the leading scorer; they need her to keep everything organized, and she’s built for that. Defensively, she’s active and had a four-steal game against Georgia Tech.
Nelson's stats aren't the only thing that makes her certified as a baller; she is a Connecticut Gatorade Player of the Year and a former top-65 ESPN HoopGurlz player.
Former Clemson forward Chauncey Wiggins is back in transfer portal
The Miami Dolphins finished their 2025 campaign with a 7-10 record and in third place in the AFC East, leading to a regime change that landed Jon-Eric Sullivan as their general manager and Jeff Hafley as their head coach.
Their poor results in 2025 also gave the Dolphins pick No. 11 overall in the first round of the 2026 NFL, which should allow Miami to find a talented player to build around for years to come.
However, drafting isn't a perfect science, so let's take a look at who teams have picked No. 11 overall in the last 15 years.
2011 - DE J.J. Watt, HOU
Stats: 151 games in 12 seasons, 586 tackles, 317 quarterback hits, 114.5 sacks, 70 passes defensed, 27 forced fumbles, 17 fumble recoveries and two interceptions.
Accomplishments: 7-time All-Pro, 5-time Pro Bowler and 3-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
2012 - DL Dontari Poe, KC
Stats: 128 games in nine seasons, 285 tackles, 49 quarterback hits, 20.5 sacks, 14 passes defensed, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.
Accomplishments: 2-time Pro Bowler and 1-time All-Pro.
2013 - OT D.J. Fluker, LAC
Stats: 108 games and 96 starts in eight seasons.
2014 - OT Taylor Lewan, TEN
Stats: 105 games and 100 starts in nine seasons.
Accomplishments: 3-time Pro Bowler
2015 - CB Trae Waynes, MIN
Stats: 79 games and 57 starts in six seasons, 259 tackles, 43 passes defensed, seven interceptions, two forced fumbles, one sack and one fumble recovery.
2016 - CB Vernon Hargreaves, TB
Stats: 69 games and 58 starts in six seasons, 290 tackles, 31 passes defensed, four interceptions, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.
2017 - CB Marshon Lattimore, NO
Stats: 108 games in nine seasons (still active), 436 tackles, 98 passes defensed, 16 interceptions, six fumble recoveries and five forced fumbles.
Accomplishments: 4-time Pro Bowler, NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year
2018 - S Minkah Fitzpatrick, MIA
Stats: 120 games in eight seasons (still active), 690 tackles, 60 passes defensed, 21 interceptions, seven fumble recoveries, six forced fumbles and one sack.
Accomplishments: 5-time Pro Bowler and 3-time All-Pro
2019 - OT Jonah Williams, CIN
Stats: 74 games in seven seasons (still active).
2020 - OT Mekhi Becton, NYJ
Stats: 61 games in six seasons (still active).
Accomplishments: 1-time Super Bowl champion
2021 - QB Justin Fields, CHI
Stats: 59 games and 53 starts in five seasons (still active), 16-37 record, 61.4% completion percentage, 9,039 passing yards, 52 passing touchdowns, 32 interceptions, 2,892 rushing yards and 23 rushing touchdowns.
Accomplishments: NFL single-game record holder for rushing yards by a quarterback (178)
2022 - WR Chris Olave, NO
Stats: 55 games in four seasons (still active), 291 receptions, 3,728 yards and 19 touchdowns.
Accomplishments: 1-time All-Pro
2023 - OT Peter Skoronski, TEN
Stats: 42 games in three seasons (still active).
2024 - OT Olu Fashanu, NYJ
Stats: 32 games and 24 starts in two seasons (still active).
2025 - DE Mykel Williams, SF
Stats: 9 games in one season (still active), 20 tackles, three quarterback hits, one sack and one fumble recovery.
The Philadelphia Eagles must have liked what they saw from Nicholas Singleton during his time with the Penn State Nittany Lions. They interviewed him at the most recent NFL Combine, but they aren't done. It appears they'll be speaking with him again.
Singleton is a rarity in today's college football landscape, a star who spent all four seasons with the same program. In 2022, he was highly decorated. A 2022 Second-Team All-Big Ten honoree, he was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year and a Freshman All-American. He played his way to Third-Team All-Big Ten honors in 2023. The Eagles seem set at the running back position for now. Saqupn Barkley is the unquestioned leader and top man of the group. Tank Bigsby and Will Shipley are the reserves. Dameon Pierce and Carson Steele are also on the roster and should provide some conversation this spring and summer.
It's always great to have insurance, though. The running back position is football's most punishing. An unexpected injury could change the complexion of the position group in a hurry. As most know, a visit won't give a prospect any guarantees, but Philadelphia tends to add players from the pool of players they spend time with before the draft. Meeting with Singleton at the combine and in before the draft certainly shows they have some interest.
Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton said the defense has not met Baltimore's standard in recent seasons and noted that the new coaching staff, led by head coach Jesse Minter and defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver, has been direct in addressing it during the early stages of the offseason program.
“Not yet. I don’t think we’re reinventing the wheel or anything, but we just kind of have to reestablish dominance, especially on defense. Offense, they have their own thing going on, and I’m sure they’ll be alright, but I think defensively, it’s been pretty disappointing just [with] some results that we’ve had. And we’ve had some good seasons, but we’ve also had some bad seasons, and those are inexcusable, especially here. So, I think confronting that, and him along with [defensive coordinator] Coach [Anthony] Weaver, they’ve both done a great job so far [of] just kind of laying out what’s been in the past and where we want to go in the future and how the standard has not been met and upheld, and we need to fix that.”
Hamilton said the staff has been upfront about where the defense needs to improve as Baltimore works through early offseason installs and installation of the new system. As Baltimore works through a critical transition, accountability appears to be setting the tone early. With a clear message from the coaching staff and buy-in from leaders like Hamilton, the Ravens are focused on restoring their defensive identity and returning to the level of consistency expected from one of the NFL’s most respected units.
Entering the NBA playoffs as the title favorite, the Oklahoma City Thunder are 16 wins away from history. They hope to be the first squad since the Golden State Warriors to win back-to-back championships. It's a tall task, but this group feels like the best shot since those Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant days.
It took a little longer than last year, but the Thunder clinched the NBA's best record with a few days to spare. That means, for the third straight time, they will have homecourt advantage throughout the playoffs. To understand the magnitude of that feat, reference back to last year's two Game 7 wins.
Awaiting to see who their Round 1 opponent is, the Thunder have a pretty clear path to the Western Conference Finals at a minimum. They should take care of business against the play-in tournament survivor. And then Round 2 will feature either the depleted Los Angeles Lakers or the depleted Houston Rockets.
But the Thunder aren't getting too ahead of themselves. Jalen Williams talked about their mindset as they enter the NBA playoffs playing their best basketball — which coincides with them being the healthiest they've been all year. He even revealed what OKC GM Sam Presti's message was to the group.
"It's something we talk about. Because I feel like when you try and avoid talking about things, it starts to creep into everybody's head. So we've talked about it," Williams said. "Sam made a really good point. You can play the Finals back last year six million times, and there's a lot of times we don't win it. Like, Memphis, somebody can get hurt. You just never know. I know Indiana feels the exact same way, too."
That's probably the right mindset to have. The Thunder have preached since Media Day that they're flipping the page from last year. You can't bring over last year's dominance or expect things to play out the same way. To win an NBA championship, you need as much luck as talent.
"That's our biggest motivators. We can't go back in time and replicate any of that. That's what makes this really special for us. It's like a zero and zero mindset kind of thing," Williams said. "Everybody hates me for saying it, but this playoff run is so unique and so different from the last one. We have to have the ability to understand that."
Let's see how Williams' wisdom ages in a couple of months. Unlike last year, the Thunder have experience to call back on at the highest stakes of professional basketball. It's now about applying that to the present. If they can do that, there's no real reason why they shouldn't go back-to-back and add another championship banner next October.
Jalen Williams on if they talked about going back-to-back: “We’ve talked about it. Sam made a really good point. You can play the Finals back last year 6 million times, and there's a lot of times we don't win it. Like, Memphis, somebody can get hurt. You just never know. I know… pic.twitter.com/b7zGUsTqqV
The Florida State Seminoles have turned up the heat in their efforts to land 2027 blue-chip linebacker Mikahi Allen over the last few months. After having him on campus in January for a Junior Day event, Allen returned last week for a spring practice.
Things have progressed in his recruitment to the point that Allen has narrowed his choices down to eight schools. He's now focused on Texas, Texas A&M, Tennessee, South Carolina, Syracuse, Illinois, Rutgers, and FSU.
With his standout schools identified, they'll certainly be factors that separate them in the end. Allen mentioned some of the aspects that will be key in helping him make his decision.
"Scheme, how the coach coaches," Allen told Brian Dohn of 247Sports. "Are the players understanding what the coach is teaching them? Are the coaches teaching them football? Do I see myself loving that school?"
The 6-foot-1, 220-pounder specifically broke down why teams use linebackers in multiple ways.
"I look at scheme a lot because a lot of places are playing with two linebackers, but they are also putting their linebackers in multiple positions and that is what I am really looking for," Allen said. "If you want to get to that next level from what I've been hearing, you want to go to a college that can show your versatility to the scouts. That's what I've really been looking into."
Tony White’s 3-3-5 scheme should certainly be appealing to Allen in that regard. There's a Jack linebacker role within the scheme that serves as a hybrid edge-linebacker that rushes the passer and also drops into coverage.
Allen had a very good junior campaign at Don Bosco Prep High School. He amassed 58 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, seven sacks, three interceptions, two pass breakups, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and one blocked punt.
He's listed as the No. 213 player in the country and the No. 19 linebacker in the 247Sports composite rankings. He's also the No. 4 prospect in New Jersey.
Contact/Follow us @FSUWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida State news, notes and opinions. You can also follow Matthew on X @StarConscience
Manchester United watch Premier League pair, Bayern Munich want Harry Kane's England team-mate, plus who is next for the Bournemouth job.
Manchester United are monitoring Bournemouth's French forward Junior Kroupi, 19, and Argentine defender Marcos Senesi, 28. (Mail - subscription needed)
Bayern Munich are interested in signing Newcastle and England winger Anthony Gordon, 25. (Talksport)
Aston Villa are the latest Premier League club to show an interest in England goalkeeper James Trafford. The 23-year-old was signed by Manchester City last summer but was immediately replaced by Italian Gianluigi Donnarumma, 27, and should be available. (Mail)
Liverpool want Bazoumana Toure in the summer. The 20-year-old Ivory Coast winger has excelled for Hoffenheim this season and could spark the Anfield club's attack back into life. (Teamtalk)
Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate is close to agreeing a new contract to stay at Anfield. The 26-year-old France international was expected to leave this summer but could now sign a four-year extension. (RMC - in French)
Borussia Dortmund and Germany centre-back Nico Schlotterbeck, 26, has a release clause of about £43m-£52m which only applies to three clubs - including Liverpool and Real Madrid, but not Bayern Munich.(Bild - in German)
Napoli want to extend the contract of Scotland midfielder Scott McTominay before this summer's World Cup. The 29-year-old has become a huge favourite in Naples since joining from Manchester United in 2024. (Il Mattino - In Italian)
England winger Jadon Sancho, 26, will have to accept a significant drop in wages if he wants to rejoin Borussia Dortmund when his Manchester United contract expires this summer. (Mirror)
Bournemouth are considering Rayo Vallecano boss Inigo Perez, Coventry City manager Frank Lampard and Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna as they plan for life after Andoni Iraola, who has decided to leave at the end of the season. (i Sport)
Unattached German manager Marco Rose, whose last job was at RB Leipzig, is thought to be the leading contender to replace Iraola at Bournemouth. (Guardian)
Argentine defender Cristian Romero, 27, may have played his last game for Tottenham Hotspur, with the club planning a squad overhaul even if they stay up. (Talksport)
Coventry City are keen to bring Chelsea's 18-year-old forward Jesse Derry to the club next season. (Talksport)
We are now a little over a week away from finding out the landing spots for Alabama football players in the 2026 NFL draft, and according to the latest mock from USA TODAY Sports' Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, it might be a fairly quiet night one for the Crimson Tide.
According to his latest mock, Middlehurst-Schwartz projects only one Alabama player to be selected in the opening round of the 2026 NFL draft, and that is offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor.
Middlehurst-Schwartz currently projects Proctor to come off the board at pick No. 17 overall, drafted by the Detroit Lions. Proctor's run-blocking ability is mentioned by Middlehurst-Schwartz as something that could intrigue Detroit and head coach Dan Campbell, while also pairing him with current standout tackle Penei Sewell.
"The 6-7, 352-pound blocker's penchant for displacing people in the run game should endear him to Campbell right away," Middlehurst-Schwartz said.
Elsewhere in the mock, Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson was not projected as a first round pick. Aside from Proctor and Simpson, wideout Germie Bernard is likely the lone other Alabama player in potential first round consideration.
The 2026 NFL draft is set to begin Thursday, April 23 from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion.
lA QUINTA, Calif. ― David McLay Kidd has designed and built famous courses on the coastline of Oregon, on an old potato field in St. Andrews in his native Scotland and in locations as diverse as Hawaii and South Africa.
Now Kidd says he’s excited about the chance to build a golf course in the flat, sandy soil of south La Quinta.
“Sandy material to a Scotsman, that’s the elixir of life,” said Kidd, whose design for the Coral Mountain Desert Club should be open by 2028 as the first new course in the desert since 2023 and just the second new course in the desert since 2008. “Every time I have worked in sand, the results have been pretty good. I’m like a stockbroker, I can guarantee the results of the future, but if you look at my track record, it is pretty good every time I am in the sand.”
A private residential and lifestyle community on 400 acres in La Quinta, construction at Coral Mountain Desert Club should begin in July, with the Kidd course being part of the first phase of construction. Graham Culp, a partner in development company Meriweather Companies, expects the golf course and other amenities to open in either late 2027 or early 2028.
“If we can bring that (lifestyle-centered) energy to this community and design the trail system and the clubhouse and the racquet sports, the golf course, where it is still exception golf but it is still not so much golf centric, then I believe we will be successful,” Culp said.
While Kidd brings a world-class resume to the project, including courses like popular Bandon Dunes in Oregon, the Castle Course at St Andrews in Scotland and the recently completed Streamsong Golf Resort in Florida, the chance to do his first course in the golf-rich Coachella Valley has him excited. Part of his excitement is the land in La Quinta, land that may look featureless but has great potential, he said.
“All of it is surrounded by amazing backdrops, Coral Mountain in particular,” Kidd said. “Instead of the backdrops being way back there at the coastal mountain range, you’ve got this Coral Mountain that’s right there. You are literally picking bits of coral out of the rock face that some of tihse holes are going to play up against.”
Kidd, now based in Bend, Ore., promises a different kind of golf courses from a design team he calls golf nerdy, enthusiastic creative guys. The course will be a link-style course that might not fit the widely accepted definition of links.
“Links to me and to most Scotsmen means you are playing the course on the ground. That’s the key element to what Americans, even sophisticated Americans, would consider links golf,” Kidd said. “Bounce and run and chase, do all sort of things after the ball lands, and that’s what I would hope to bring to Coral Mountain. I hope we can build a golf course that allows a golfer to read the ground and then play that shot in order to get the bounce and the roll that they desire.”
Coral Mountain will be the first course bult in the desert since the 2023 opening of exclusive Gil Hanse-designed Ladera Golf Club in Thermal, which itself was the first course in the desert since Eagle Falls at Fantasy Springs Resort in Indio opened in 2008. Course development slowed in the desert in the last 20 years with swings in the economy and demands for housing and a drop in golf participation. But golf has surged since the 2020 Covid pandemic, and that’s not all that has changed in that time, Culp said.
Meriweather acquired the land in 2019 but failed to get approval for a community based around a wave basin. The new project has moved the wave basin to Thermal while looking at a changing market for the La Quinta land.
“You had really a massive resurgence in buying homes and properties in the Coachella Valley (after COVID), so you really cleared out a bunch of the inventory,” Culp said. “We go back to work designing a community centered on the golf course that we felt would perform well in any market condition.”
Culp hopes to stay away from the traditional model of a private golf club, with the Meriweather Companies partners leading a new lifestyle-centered community, a community different than what previous generations have wanted.
“We (the partners) all want to live younger longer. And we want to do so in a casual environment surrounded by likeminded people who are passionate about more than golf,” said the 50-year-old Culp. “We are all passionate about golf, but we are also into surf. We are into padel sports, not just tennis but pickleball and padel (a kind of hybrid between tennis and squash) and we care about recovery and what we eat and we also like to have a ton of fun.”
“Based on what the developers are telling me, (the private club) is not going to be too stuffy,” Kidd said. “They are going to want the members to bring lots of guests and they are not going to get insanely difficult for guests to get out there. Their hope is they build a relaxed club that is more barefoot and long shorts.”
As for the course, Kidd admits designing a course in the Coachella Valley comes with the pitfalls of comparison to other desert courses.
“I feel a sense of pressure knowing that the best, most-creative, most-celebrated architects of my generation have already stepped into the canvas, and here I am doing the same,” Kidd said. “There is a necessity to raise my game into the same high bench mark that has already been set. You can’t mail it in, There is no mailing it in when you are in this location.”
The Washington Huskies have had no problem throwing their trio of four-star freshmen wide receivers into the deep end immediately during spring practice, and they've all responded well to the challenge.
When looking at Jordan Clay, a product of San Antonio Madison High School in Texas, who wide receivers coach Kevin Cummings flipped away from Baylor hours before signing day, he's had the most significant challenge thrown at him. The 6-foot-3, 200-pound pass catcher, who was ranked as the No. 135 overall prospect and No. 20 wide receiver in the 2026 class by 247Sports, has been competing with the first team offense throughout most of spring practice and has fit right in.
During Washington's first practice inside Husky Stadium, Clay showed off his physicality and strong hands during a team period where he held onto a pass from Demond Williams Jr. over the middle of the field while getting crunched between linebackers Jacob Manu and Donovan Robinson. Then, during an extended scrimmage period on Saturday, Clay created a clean release off the line of scrimmage while working against cornerback Dylan Robinson, and elevated over the 6-foot-3 sophomore to haul in a 1-yard touchdown from Williams.
As the Huskies look to fill the shoes of projected first-round pick Denzel Boston, his early play has shown why the Huskies made such a heavy push to earn his commitment, and why he's gotten so much run early on.
"I think Jordan Clay is going to be awesome," Cummings said. "I think he's going to be amazing. I think his size, his physicality, is all there right now. He's learning so much that you don't see all of that talent, but he'll get there."
If these are the early returns on Clay, who is continuing to refine his route running after the Navy All-American Bowl Offensive Player of the Year was able to dominate thanks to his superior size, speed, and athleticism at the high school level, then the Huskies have a pass catcher with some promising potential on their hands.
Clay and fellow freshman Trez Davis have both put together several highlight plays so far as the Huskies continue to sort through their receiver room. With transfers Christian Moss and Bodpegn Miller in the mix, as well as sophomores Chris Lawson and Justice Williams pushing for spots in the rotation alongside Dezmen Roebuck and Rashid Williams, Clay and Davis have shown that while Washington may be short on experience at wide receiver, there's plenty of talent at the position.
BLOOMINGTON — Darian DeVries stayed true to his word about strengthening his Indiana basketball frontcourt options for next season on Tuesday, when he landed Turkish center Samet Yigitoglu out of the transfer portal.
A fixture at SMU across the last two seasons, Yigitoglu started all 66 games in which he appeared for the Mustangs. At 7 foot 2, 270 pounds, the Istanbul native proved an effective two-way rebounder and rim protector for Andy Enfield’s teams. He averaged double figures in scoring across each of the last two seasons as well.
Yigitoglu immediately infuses badly needed size into Indiana’s rotation. DeVries spoke openly in the final weeks of last season about recognizing he had not reinforced his lineup with enough size to compete in the Big Ten. The SMU center’s addition speaks directly to that need, giving Indiana a true five — Yigitoglu attempted just six 3s in two years in Dallas — to plug into its first five right away.
There are a lot of positives when former players visit Texas Longhorns practice. The current players can see someone they hope to emulate and the former players can pass some knowledge down. Former Longhorns legends Brian Orakpo and Jamaal Charles visited Texas practice this morning and UT coach Steve Sarkisian says the team loves it.
"I think from our players perspective, they know the connection Orakpo has with Muschamp," Sarkisian said in Tuesday's post-spring practice press conference. "So when he can speak on Muschamp's behalf, that just instills more confidence in our players. ... Like, 'Hey, this guy's gonna get you right. Just keep trusting what he's doing. Whether it's Jamaal Charles talking to the running backs. Or whether it's just Mack (Brown) being out there and his presence. All our guys know who Mack Brown is. They walk by his picture every day."
Sarkisian also knows that former players are invested and want to see the current team compete hard in practice and in the games.
"There's been a lot of blood, sweat and tears from those guys on that grass up there," Sark continued. "I think they enjoy it. I think they've got a lot of pride Longhorn football, Longhorn Nation and to see this team and watch them compete, I think they enjoy that."
Sark believes the team is inspired by former players and coaches taking time to check in on them.
"The fact that they know people are invested in them and this team," Sark said. "That they're behind them I think just serves as motivation to keep pushing through some of these tough days. Practice was hard today. But when you look over there and Brian Orakpo is standing there with his arms folded, he wants to see you keep pushing through."
Per NFL rules, the Green Bay Packers are allowed to host up to 30 draft-eligible players (excluding “local” prospects, such as those in the UW system or nearby regional schools such as Northern Illinois) for in-person visits. The Journal Sentinel is tracking the visits and supplying profiles based on information from sources and published reports.
GREEN BAY – Anterio Thompson didn’t produce big defensive numbers in his four college seasons, but his special-teams play and overall athleticism for a big man are interesting NFL teams.
The 6-foot-3, 306-pound Thompson, who grew up in Madison before moving to Davenport, Iowa, his senior year in high school, is making a pre-draft visit with the Green Bay Packers, a source confirmed. Packer Report was first to report the news.
Thompson played one season at Iowa Community College, where he was named all-conference and all-region during the team’s national junior college championship season.
He transferred to Iowa in 2023 and played in seven games, playing mostly special teams and blocking two punts. After not seeing much action on defense, he transferred to Western Michigan, where he started 12 games at defensive tackle and had 34 tackles and a sack. He also blocked another kick.
Thompson transferred to Washington and had a solid season with 30 tackles, 1½ sacks and two pass breakups.
He did not get an invitation to the NFL scouting combine and didn’t look like a draft pick until he ran a blazing 4.73 seconds in the 40-yard dash and bench-pressed 225 pounds 30 times.
Thompson could have applied to the NCAA for another year at Washington, but he thought it was time to move on. He said he learned a lot on his college journey.
“I learned to trust the process,” Thompson told Huskies Wire. “Me being a guy that typically didn't trust the process and wanted to rush through things, I kind of got frustrated. I'd say that's big; it's just me taking coaching and being coachable.”
In the NFL, he projects to an inside pass-rushing position, but with his length and massive strength, he could be an end in a 3-4 defense. Given his NFL-ready body, he should be a late third-day pick.
Per NFL rules, the Green Bay Packers are allowed to host up to 30 draft-eligible players (excluding “local” prospects, such as those in the UW system or nearby regional schools such as Northern Illinois) for in-person visits. The Journal Sentinel is tracking the visits and supplying profiles based on information from sources and published reports.
GREEN BAY – Anterio Thompson didn’t produce big defensive numbers in his four college seasons, but his special-teams play and overall athleticism for a big man are interesting NFL teams.
The 6-foot-3, 306-pound Thompson, who grew up in Madison before moving to Davenport, Iowa, his senior year in high school, is making a pre-draft visit with the Green Bay Packers, a source confirmed. Packer Report was first to report the news.
Thompson played one season at Iowa Community College, where he was named all-conference and all-region during the team’s national junior college championship season.
He transferred to Iowa in 2023 and played in seven games, playing mostly special teams and blocking two punts. After not seeing much action on defense, he transferred to Western Michigan, where he started 12 games at defensive tackle and had 34 tackles and a sack. He also blocked another kick.
Thompson transferred to Washington and had a solid season with 30 tackles, 1½ sacks and two pass breakups.
He did not get an invitation to the NFL scouting combine and didn’t look like a draft pick until he ran a blazing 4.73 seconds in the 40-yard dash and bench-pressed 225 pounds 30 times.
Thompson could have applied to the NCAA for another year at Washington, but he thought it was time to move on. He said he learned a lot on his college journey.
“I learned to trust the process,” Thompson told Huskies Wire. “Me being a guy that typically didn't trust the process and wanted to rush through things, I kind of got frustrated. I'd say that's big; it's just me taking coaching and being coachable.”
In the NFL, he projects to an inside pass-rushing position, but with his length and massive strength, he could be an end in a 3-4 defense. Given his NFL-ready body, he should be a late third-day pick.
After weeks of speculation about whether or not she and New England Patriots head coach are indeed involved, The Athletic’s Dianna Russini has decided to resign Tuesday afternoon.
She released a statement.
“I have covered the NFL with professionalism and dedication throughout my career, and I stand behind every story I have ever published. When the Page Six item first appeared, The Athletic supported me unequivocally, expressed confidence in my work and pride in my journalism. For that, I am grateful. In the days that followed, unfortunately, commentators in various media have engaged in self-feeding speculation that is simply unmoored from the facts.
“Moreover, this media frenzy is hurtling forward without regard for the review process The Athletic is trying to complete. It continues to escalate, fueled by repeated leaks, and I have no interest in submitting to a public inquiry that has already caused far more damage than I am willing to accept. Rather than allowing this to continue, I have decided to step aside now — before my current contract expires on June 30. I do so not because I accept the narrative that has been constructed around this episode, but because I refuse to lend it further oxygen or to let it define me or my career.”
Russini is right that, since this has come to light, it has been the talk of the sports world, and it has only gotten worse with the surfacing of old videos of her speaking about her marriage and of her interviewing Vrabel.
KC Concepcion might be the perfect wide receiver for the Buffalo Bills at the 2026 NFL draft, for both on and off the field reasons.
Concepcion had a standout college career, playing his first two seasons at North Carolina State before transferring to Texas A&M as a junior. Concepcion recorded 61 receptions for 919 yards and tied for an SEC-best nine touchdowns in 2025.
In terms of extracurriculars, Concepcion already has some Bills fandom built into him. Making the rounds on social media again this week is Concepcion discussing how his family has ties to being legitimate fans because he was born in the Rochester, NY, area.
"The Bills is actually my dad's favorite team," he admitted.
For more from Concepcion, see the attached clip below:
KC Concepcion was born in Rochester, NY and met with the #Bills here at the NFL Combine.
The Bills are his dad's favorite team and he's been watching them since he was a kid.
The Florida Gators are looking to get the sour taste of a second-round exit out of their mouths, and the transfer portal may give them just what they're looking for.
Todd Golden's squad is rumored to be a favorite for the No. 2 player in the transfer portal, Iowa State forward Milan Momcilovic. The Second Team All-Big 12 selection reportedly decided to enter the NBA draft as well as the transfer portal on Monday, and on Tuesday, he officially entered the portal with a do-not-contact tag.
That would indicate that Momcilovic has a pretty good idea where he's heading, should he choose to return to college for his senior season.
The Pewaukee, Wisconsin, native earned All-Big 12 Freshman honors in 2024, and he averaged 16.9 points and 3.1 rebounds this past season. He averaged in double figures offensively in each of his three seasons with the Cyclones.
The 6-foot-8 Momcilovic would be a natural replacement for Thomas Haugh, a Second Team All-American this past season who is widely projected as a first-round and potential lottery pick in the 2026 NBA draft. Adding Momcilovic to a frontcourt that could return two starters from last season in two-time All-SEC forward Alex Condon and Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Rueben Chinyelu would give the Gators a dominant group of bigs once again.
Momcilovic is currently projected to be a second-round pick in the draft, and if he opts to come back to college, Florida could be the perfect fit.
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Hunter began her collegiate career in the Pac-12, with the Oregon State Beavers. The Medford, Oregon native played just one season with the Beavers before joining Mark Campbell at TCU for the past two seasons.
For her college career, Hunter has put up 7.7 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists. Hunter put up a career-high 10.2 points per game this past season with TCU, helping the team reach the Elite Eight.
Even if Hunter’s scoring stats don’t jump off the page, she’s been entrusted as a starter since her freshman season, starting 93 of her 111 career games. At 6’0”, Hunter gives UCLA some size that they will be in need of after losing their lengthy senior class.
Hunter, along with fellow transfer additions Bonnie Deas and Elina Aarnisalo, will help fill out the Bruins backcourt after seeing Charlisse Leger-Walker, Kiki Rice, Gianna Kneepkens and Gabriela Jaquez all head to the WNBA.
There’s still much work to be done for the defending national champions, but UCLA has done a good job of finding experienced guards in the portal to help raise their floor in the 2026-2027 season.
Stan Moody is ranked 44th in the world and had to win two qualifying matches to qualify for the World Snooker Championship [Getty Images]
British teenager Stan Moody secured his place at the World Snooker Championship for the first time, a day after discharging himself from hospital.
Moody, 19, had been struggling with tonsillitis but managed to beat China's Jiang Jun 10-9 on Tuesday, with a break of 104 in the deciding frame to qualify for the Crucible.
"I was in hospital yesterday," said Moody. "They said 'we know you're going to say no, but we want you to stay in', but I said 'no, I have a match to play tomorrow', so it was never really in question.
"I've been given a load of antibiotics so I'm on the mend. I couldn't talk yesterday or eat or drink, so I've come a long way. They said if it gets worse, come back.
"I'm normally good under pressure but in that last frame I've never felt pressure so much in my life, I'm so happy."
Yorkshireman Moody, who hails from Halifax, will become the first British teenager to make his Crucible debut since a 17-year-old Judd Trump in 2007.
Moody will not be the only young player from Yorkshire making his debut in Sheffield as 20-year-old Liam Pullen from York also booked his place, beating Thailand's Noppon Saengkham 10-8.
Pullen had earlier been on course for a maximum 147, but after potting 14 reds he missed the 14th black, with the break ending on 105.
If he had made a 147 he would have earned £147,000 - for making two maximums across the major events in one season - something China's Chang Bingyu did on Monday after his 147 in his loss to former world champion Luca Brecel.
"It is a bit of a shame about the max," said Pullen, who had to win four matches to qualify.
"I'm very proud I'm still in the tournament and I'm going to go to the Crucible and try my best."
Stevens beats Bingham to earn place at Crucible
Matthew Stevens lost to Mark Williams in the 2000 World Snooker Championship final, then was defeated by Shaun Murphy five years later [Getty Images]
Former world champion Stuart Bingham failed to qualify as he lost 10-7 against two-time runner-up Matthew Stevens.
Bingham, 49, won the title in 2015 but is 17th in the world rankings, with only the top 16 qualifying automatically, meaning he had to go through two qualifying rounds.
But 48-year-old Welshman Stevens, who lost in the final in 2000 and 2005, claimed his place in the main tournament at the Crucible for the first time since 2022.
"I can still play a little bit, which I proved today and I'm really happy," said Stevens, who is 48th in the rankings. "It's nice to be back, I'm nearly 50 and I don't play as much as I used to.
"I was relaxed and Stuart didn't play at his our best, otherwise he would've beaten me."
England's David Gilbert, a semi-finalist in 2019 and 2024, was another British qualifier after winning 10-6 against Aaron Hill of the Republic of Ireland.
Iran's Vafaei among Crucible qualifiers
Iran's Hossein Vafaei qualified for a fifth successive year thanks to a 10-4 win over Gao Yang of China.
"This morning I was not well at all," said Vafaei. "It wasn't a great match, my opponent is hungry and young and he is my practice partner - every day I practise with him and he's such a great talent, but we didn't play that well.
"I'm fighting as well for my country, for my family and I'm trying my best and will give it my all. The Crucible is a fantastic place for snooker and we love to play in front of snooker lovers, especially at the Crucible."
Antoni Kowalski, 22, will be the first player from Poland to play at the finals after he beat Wales' Jamie Jones 10-8.
Kowalski, who would have lost his tour card with defeat, was in tears after the victory.
"I never cry, so that's the perfect explanation of what it means to me," he said. "I'm going to realise one of my biggest dreams and play at the 'Theatre of Dreams'.
"I'm not based in the UK so it is more special, and my girlfriend and my parents will come to the Crucible. At the end of the first session and beginning of the second I was absolutely gone, then I stopped thinking, turned off my brain and just played."
Elsewhere, Chinese duo Zhou Yuelong and Pang Junxu qualified, defeating England's Michael Holt 10-4 and Wales' Jackson Page 10-8 respectively.
The final eight places will be decided on Wednesday. Belgium's Brecel, the 2023 champion, plays 2024 runner-up Jak Jones of Wales in the pick of the matches.
Two-time Crucible finalist Ali Carter is also in action, as is Jack Lisowski, who won his first ranking tournament in October with victory at the Northern Ireland Open.
The first round begins on Saturday, with the final starting on Sunday, 3 May and concluding the next day - with full coverage of the tournament live on the BBC.
The draw will feature the top 16 and 16 qualifiers, and will be broadcast on BBC Radio 5 Live at 08:45 BST on Thursday.
Final qualifying round results and fixtures
Tuesday's results (first to 10)
Hossein Vafaei (Iran) 10-4 Gao Yang (China)
Stuart Bingham (England) 7-10 Matthew Stevens (Wales)
John Blackwell, the top guard currently in the transfer portal, has finalized his final six schools, and Duke is among them, according to Jon Rothstein.
"John Blackwell announced last week that he was considering six schools: Duke, UCLA, Illinois, Arizona, Alabama, and Louisville," Rothstein saidvia Inside College Basketball.
"According to a lot of people close to the situation, Duke and Illinois were the two schools that had the best chance to secure the services of Blackwell."
As a junior for Wisconsin this past season, Blackwell finished second on the Badgers in scoring, putting up 19.1 points while coming down with 5.1 rebounds and dishing out 2.3 assists per game.
The only problem for Jon Scheyer and the Blue Devils is where Blackwell would fit in the rotation.
"Duke has Caleb Foster, Cayden Boozer and Deron Rippey," Rothstein said. "That's three guys who will want to play with the ball. I'm curious how Blackwell would fit into that equation if he explored a route to Duke."
Former Scotland midfielder Charlie Adam reckons the three-way title race is too close to call and will come down to who can "hold their nerve the most" in the sprint to the finishing line.
With long-time leaders Hearts a point ahead of Rangers and three above stuttering champions Celtic, there are now just five rounds of fixtures remaining as the Premiership season enters the split.
Adam, who began his career Rangers, could make a case for any of the three sides going on to clinch what would be a momentous achievement.
"If you'd asked six weeks ago, there was an obvious winner, but now I think it's a flip of a coin," said the 40-year-old.
"I think it's week by week, game by game, and I think there's a lot of swings still to go in the title race.
"I didn't see Hearts being there at the start of the season and then I said I thought Hearts could win it and then they dropped points.
"Then Celtic were coming with a run, probably not playing as well as they feel they can, but they were picking up wins.
"And Rangers have just motored since Danny Rohl's came in, so I don't think you can really call anything.
"What a good thing it is for Scottish football that there's a bit of drama from now to the end of the season, and it's about who can hold their nerve the most."
With Celtic in Scottish Cup semi-final action against St Mirren this Sunday, Hearts and Rangers have both opted to go to abroad this week for their warm-weather training camps.
"I think it's good, it's an opportunity," said Adam.
"Hearts were looking to do that a few weeks ago and go to Dubai, but obviously, there was a problem to go there (with hostilities in the Middle East).
"And now both clubs have managed to do it. What I would say is I think they'd rather be playing here at Hampden in a semi-final.
"They've now got a chance to get the lads together, letting them relax a little bit, maybe a game of golf, a bit of dinner, just keeping them together.
"Because when you're in the training ground you don't spend as much time and you're going home and you're coming back.
"But when you're in there for four or five days, you're with everybody 24 hours a day, and it's a great way to keep camaraderie, get good team spirit and focus on the split."
Colorado football is off to a slow start on the class of 2027 recruiting trail, but it added an elite prospect on Tuesday, April 14, which drastically changed its outlook.
After a 2026 recruiting class that lacked a truly elite top-200 player, Deion Sanders' program made a splash to bring in four-star quarterback Andre Adams, giving a shot of momentum to a class that hopefully sees several commitments over the next several weeks.
Adams joins just one other prospect, three-star defensive back Devon Dericho. The dual-threat quarterback headlines Colorado's two-person class ranking as the No. 165 overall player and the No. 15 quarterback per Rivals Industry rankings.
With spring camp finished and several visits concluded, Colorado's recruiting department will hope for commitments to stack up as we head into the summer months.
After an elite blue-chip recruit joining the fold, here is where Colorado's class of 2027 ranks nationally and in the Big 12.
Colorado football class of 2027 updated national ranking (April 14)
On Tuesday morning, Carolina Panthers president of football operations and general manager Dan Morgan held court for one last time before the 2026 NFL Draft. But did he leave us with any worthwhile hints before next week's selection process?
Here are our four biggest takeaways from Morgan's pre-draft presser:
"All positions" are on the table
The Panthers set out to set themselves up for the draft through free agency—signing the likes of ascending pass rusher Jaelan Phillips, Pro Bowl inside linebacker Devin Lloyd and presumptive starting left tackle Rasheed Walker. And Morgan believes that work, which also included the returns of 14 of their own free agents, will allow them to pick the best available player in the first round.
"If anything, I think it opens us up to a lot of possibilities at Pick 19," Morgan replied when asked if those additions will narrow down their focus. "I think all positions are on the table. And like I said before, you never know who's gonna fall down to us.
"So I think we're definitely in the best-player-available mindset. So, yeah, I think what we did in free agency set us up to do that."
. . . and that includes wide receiver
Even after selecting a receiver in both of his first two first rounds at the helm, Morgan didn't discount a third.
"I think, with anything, we're gonna take the best player," Morgan said when asked about the possibility of using a third straight first-rounder on a receiver. "So if the the best player we feel is at 19, I wouldn't hesitate to draft another wideout.
"I don't think there's a rule that says you can't draft a receiver three years in a row. I'm not gonna box us in and say we're not gonna draft one."
The Panthers drafted Xavier Legette with the 32nd overall pick in 2024 and Tetairoa McMillan with the eighth overall pick in 2025.
Depth is also on the table
Two weeks ago at the NFL Annual League Meeting, head coach Dave Canales had stated that he isn't looking to draft depth with the 19th pick. Morgan, however, may slightly disagree.
"I understand what Coach is saying in terms of—obviously, you want your first-round pick to be able to come in and contribute immediately. So, yeah, I'm kinda with him on that," Morgan stated when asked of Canales' comments.
"You want your first-round pick to play, but there's different scenarios to where maybe it takes a guy a little longer to develop, and he may not contribute right away. With some of the picks at different positions, it may take a little longer for those guys to develop, for sure."
Those positions could include either offensive tackle spot—where the 2027 outlooks for Walker, Ikem Ekwonu and Taylor Moton aren't exactly solidified. Cornerback may also be a spot to add to with starter Mike Jackson entering the final year of his contract.
Second-guessing the favorite?
Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq has felt like the odds-on favorite at that 19th overall selection for quite some time. But Morgan made some intriguing comments on the current state of the team's tight end room that may have us second-guessing this potential pairing.
"I think we have some guys on our roster that are big targets," Morgan said. "In general, we have guys in our tight end room that we feel are good players and guys that have the skill set to be able to do that.
"Whether it's opportunity or whether guys are still developing, I think we have the pieces in that room to be able to do that."
Tommy Tremble led all Panthers tight ends with 249 receiving yards in 2025.
Carolina has not had a tight end record at least 500 receiving yards since 2019.
Ray Longo is not buying Jiri Prochazka's excuse for his UFC 327 loss to Carlos Ulberg.
Prochazka (32-6-1 MMA, 6-3 UFC) was knocked out in the first round of his vacant light heavyweight title fight against Ulberg (14-1 MMA, 10-1 UFC) in Saturday's main event at Kaseya Center in Miami.
Ulberg hurt his knee during the fight, which prompted Prochazka to stalk him. Prochazka initially threw numerous leg kicks before claiming to show "mercy" by pulling back. Just moments later, he was clipped by an Ulberg left hook that put him out.
"We have to discuss mental illness in MMA because some things – it's all funny when the guy is praying up on Mount Olympus and standing on his head, drinking his own piss, but this is what happens, man," Longo said on "The Anik & Florian Podcast."
"That poor guy was confused. 'Mercy.' Mercy, what the f*ck? You blew the f*cking fight. You blew it! You f*cking blew it! Holy sh*t, you've got to be kidding me. First of all, his first training is to go back and watch 'The Karate Kid' 1. You've got to be f*cking kidding me."
BYU safety Faletau Satuala (11) celebrates after a play against the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the Big 12 championship game held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025.
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Isaac Hale, Deseret News
From the moment that three-year defensive coordinator Jay Hill decided to leave BYU and take the same position on Kyle Whittingham’s staff at Michigan, fears that one of the Cougars’ best defenders from the 2025 group that was one of the best in the Big 12 would follow Hill to Ann Arbor raged throughout Cougar Nation.
But safety Faletau Satuala, who emerged as one of BYU’s best players — on either side of the football — during his sophomore season says he never really thought long and hard about making the move. He also stressed, humbly, that because he never entered the transfer portal, he never heard from Hill or anyone else at Michigan and doesn’t know if the Big Ten’s Wolverines even wanted him.
“I just kind of got with my parents and talked to them about it, and tried to weigh out the pros and cons (of going into the portal),” Satuala told the Deseret News on April 3 after spring practices concluded in Provo. “… Knowing how good of a dude coach Hill is, there was a lure (to follow him). But yeah, I didn’t really get to talk to him at all once he left.”
On Jan. 2, the day the football transfer portal window opened, Satuala announced on X that he would “run it back” and return to BYU this season. And all of Provo breathed a huge sigh of relief, after the former three-star recruit in 2023 who had chosen BYU over Utah due to Hill’s recruiting and a coin flip — more on that later — said he was staying.
The 6-foot-4, 215-pounder was not a full-time starter in 2025 until the seventh game of the season — the 24-21 win over Utah — but still led BYU in tackles with 83 and recorded three interceptions. He also forced two fumbles, had one sack, and made a pick-six in the 41-27 win over Iowa State that went a long way in earning him second-team All-America honors from the Football Writers Association of America.
Satuala said Hill “was actually really good about it” and told BYU’s defenders before he left that he loved them, but was going to follow the rules and not tamper with any of them.
“He just wanted us to know that he was always going to be there for us, and left it at that,” Satuala said. “He’s still probably one of the greatest mentors I will ever have in my life.”
The only BYU player who followed Hill to Michigan was backup linebacker Max Alford, whose uncle, Tony Alford, is Michigan’s running backs coach.
So what kept Satuala — teammates and coaches call him “Fally” — out of the portal, where he probably could have commanded more revenue sharing money?
“The culture here, and coach Kalani (Sitake),” he said. “Then, obviously, all the defensive players coming back and having all my teammates still here was a really big thing. Coming back with all of them and knowing they were going to be here and we have a chance to be really good was a really big thing for me.”
Not that Satuala isn’t being well compensated via revenue sharing and NIL earnings at BYU. He recently purchased a Tesla, which he uses to zoom up and down Interstate 15 to visit his parents and family back in Bountiful.
“This year I definitely had a way bigger NIL check than I did the last couple of years,” he said. “As this year goes on, I will start to get a lot more of that money and understand how good it is. It is definitely a blessing to be able to be here in this time of college. Some dudes missed out by just one or two years, so I am just super grateful that the timing worked out exactly how it did.”
What about next year? Will Satuala be that rare star college athlete in this day and age of rampant transferring who stays at one school all four years?
The kid who told his father, Ului, that one day he would play in the NFL said he will try to have a good enough season to increase all of his options. Coincidentally, one of Satuala’s uncles, Jeff Holtry, played football at Michigan and BYU but sustained a career-ending knee injury in 2000 against Florida State and never got the chance to play in the NFL.
“Once you have a chance to reach your dreams, it is hard to say no to that,” Satuala said, while acknowledging that some guys can now make more money in college than they can in professional sports. “It is a decision I will make when it comes. The big thing now is to focus on this season and be the best I can be, so I have a chance of going to the NFL, if that ends up happening.”
Flip out: How Satuala picked BYU over Utah
When he picked BYU over Utah and UCLA in December 2023 and signed with the Cougars in February 2024, Satuala said Hill was a big reason why. Recently, however, he said there was more to the story of how he arrived at BYU.
He told Center Street Media’s Hinckley Ropati, the former BYU running back, that after a Bountiful High basketball game that year, his parents told him it was time to make a decision — BYU or Utah — after he had narrowed his choices to those two in-state schools.
Satuala said he went downstairs to his bedroom to pray about it, and was prompted to follow the admonition of his mother, Corin.
“It landed on BYU. I came upstairs and told my parents, BYU it is,” he said. “I felt at peace with it then.”
On April 3, he confirmed the coin flip story to several reporters in the press box at LaVell Edwards Stadium before the annual alumni game.
Bountiful’s Faletau Satuala (11) celebrates his touchdown with London Wood against Skyline in Millcreek on Friday, Sept. 2, 2022.
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Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
“It is 100% true, actually,” he said. “I don’t know if that is a good way to put my future, but I had no other option. … My mom jokingly told me to flip a coin on it. I was like, shoot, I don’t really got anything else to decide on. So it was true, yeah.”
When he was asked if it was the right decision, Satuala nodded his head.
“I mean, we are 2-0 against (Utah), so I am pretty happy with it, yeah.”
Still, the family remains split between blue and red. His older sister, Emrie Satuala Moea’i, played volleyball for Utah, while his younger sister, Milika, who was recently named Deseret News 2026 Ms. Basketball after leading Bountiful to another state championship, has signed to play basketball for the Utes.
BYU recently offered his younger brother, Lakepa, who will be a senior safety and receiver for the Redhawks this fall, a scholarship for the class of 2027. Lakepa was on campus in Provo two weeks ago.
“He loves it down here and he’s starting to get big and fast,” Satuala said. “I think he’s going to be really good.”
Satuala and the safeties should excel in 2026
After Hill departed, Kelly Poppinga was promoted to defensive coordinator and Demario Warren and Lewis Walker were brought in to coach the safeties (Warren) and cornerbacks (Walker). Satuala said he was originally “kind of nervous” about who Poppinga would hire to coach the safeties, but after working with Warren in the spring, he’s confident that the right choice was made.
“Coach (Warren) reached out to me first and I think I was a little skeptical at first, because I love coach Hill, and he was a great coach for BYU,” Satuala said. “But over the course of spring ball, coach D-Mo was there and showed a lot of love, and he’s also really smart. He’s going to help us a lot.”
Satuala said the new coaches have brought some added elements to the secondary, such as the playing of “Cover 4” in the red zone.
Satuala will be the starting strong safety, while senior Raider Damuni will be the starting free safety. Sophomores Tommy Prassas and Jarinn Kalama are in the mix to be the primary backups. Other safeties in the room include sophomores Payton VanSteenkiste and Joseph Douglas, redshirt freshman Crew Clark and true freshman Kennan Pula, a four-star athlete from Lone Peak High.
“There are a lot of high expectations,” Satuala said. “But you can’t let up and just get content with being a starter. We have some really good dudes, especially young guys coming in who are competing and pushing us for spot. I think that will push our whole room to be really good.”
Poppinga said he will rely on the veteran safeties to bring the entire secondary up to speed as the Cougars go about replacing starters Tanner Wall and Mory Bamba in the defensive backfield.
“We have a ton of returning starters on this defense,” Poppinga said. “We are not dealing with a bunch of freshmen coming in. We’re good there. I feel really good with three safeties right now, with Tommy Prassas and Faletau and Raider. I am excited about where we are at right now.”
Especially that Satuala is in Provo, and not Ann Arbor.
Brigham Young Cougars safety Faletau Satuala (11) steps in front of Stanford Cardinal tight end Sam Roush (86) for an interception as BYU and Stanford play in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. BYU won 27-3.
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Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Rangers sat 13 points off league leaders Hearts when Danny Rohl was appointed in October. They're now one point back with five games to go and have the title in their own hands.
Rohl, whose side came back from two goals down to thrash Falkirk 6-3 on Sunday, says "months of development" is the key to their form.
The 36-year-old said: "I think you see now the group is growing and growing and this is not just the result from one week. I think this is a result of three or four months of development.
"We are still not at the end, and this is also good, but I like to see that we understand more and more. We can also switch the shapes now more quickly. This is what we have.
"The final five games are about tactics, but the most important thing is to have the right emotion."
Rangers host Motherwell in their first post-split fixture on 26 April, with the squad using their free weekend for a warm-weather training camp in Spain.
Rohl added: "It's good to have the group together, the players together. To have a little bit of time for recovery, but also to work on some small details and it's also good to refresh the mind.
"I see a lot of benefits. I will have time with the board to speak about topics for the future. This is also nice to have and I think it goes in a good direction. The players should do something together as well. This is crucial.
"Motherwell will come and they want to play football with a lot of passes. It's a demanding game.
"We are growing with the belief, and you see in some moments in the pressing, if you go with belief in the pressing you have the chance to win balls.
"If you stay half-and-half and you don't know really, then you come too late and then you are not connected. This is what we have to improve on and we will and we did so far, but let's do the next game and this is an important one."
Nieminen, 20, just completed his second season playing for the Pelicans in Liiga, Finland's highest professional hockey league. He scored five goals and 12 assists in 47 games, giving him nine goals and 19 assists in 86 games over two seasons. He also played 20 international games for Finland, recording nine assists.
A 6-foot, 187-pound left-handed player, Nieminen is an excellent skater and uses that skill to his advantage on both defense and offense. The Predators have a good track record of drafting and developing mobile, two-way defenseman - Roman Josi, Spencer Stastney, and Ryan Ufko are all examples - so it's no wonder Nashville had their eye on him.
The Predators drafted Nieminen in the sixth round (No. 163 overall) of the 2025 NHL Draft. He's now the second player from their 2025 class to sign an entry-level contract, joining Brady Martin.
Alex Daugherty is the Predators beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Alex at jdaugherty@gannett.com. Follow Alex on X, the platform formerly called Twitter, @alexdaugherty1. Also check out our Predators exclusive Instagram page @tennessean_preds.
Preston Copeland, a 6-foot-9 forward who played his freshman season for the Ball State Cardinals, has committed to the Miami University RedHawks, according to a report via Twitter/X from Sam Kayser.
Copeland averaged 4.6 points and 4.4 rebounds in 18.7 minutes per game in the 30 games in which he played at the RedHawks' Mid-American Conference rival, making 24 starts.
Copeland played in high school at Combine Academy in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Earlier in the day, forward Brant Byers, the RedHawks' second-leading scorer during the 2025-26 season, reportedly committed to Penn State.
Detroit — It wasn't that long ago that Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores released a letter expressing his sadness over the team's lengthy, disappointing play, which had left the franchise in disarray amid a 28-game losing streak during the 2023-24 season.
On Tuesday morning, more than two years later, Gores released a letter to fans on the team's website, expressing his gratitude and excitement ahead of the Pistons' opening round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs, which begins Sunday at Little Caesars Arena.
In a letter titled, "Thank You, Detroit — Let’s Keep Going," Gores writes:
What we’re building here is a story for the ages. One of the great comeback stories in sports, and not just because of where we are today but because of how we got here. The Pistons clinched the top spot in the Eastern Conference and are headed to the playoffs. I couldn’t be prouder or more thankful.
We won 60 games this season for only the third time in franchise history. But this season has been about more than winning. It’s been about building something real, something that reflects who we are and what we stand for. What makes this season special is that it’s not just happening on the court. It’s happening across our entire Pistons family.
Our players. Our coaches. Our front office and staff. Our community. And especially you, our fans.
Your energy, your belief, and your support have lifted this team and reminded everyone how powerful Detroit Basketball can be. Along the way, there were doubters. There always are. But this team never lived by other people’s expectations. They showed up every day, put in the work, and believed in each other.
They may be young, but they’ve been through a lot together. Nothing has been handed to them. They’ve earned this. They’ve been forged through difficulty and came out stronger because of it. And we did it the right way: No shortcuts. No quick fixes. Just belief, patience, and work.
There were moments when others might have lost faith and moved away from the core. We didn’t. We stayed with it. We believed in those young men and they believed in us. Today, they are the cornerstone of this franchise. And what stands out most isn’t just their talent, it’s who they are as people. That’s what makes this special.
As an organization, we’ve grown together. We’ve trusted each other. We’ve done things our way, refusing to let outside noise define us. Trajan and J.B. shared my belief in this team from the beginning. The progress has come quickly, but the mindset hasn’t changed.
I told the team recently that this isn’t a dream. This is real. And this story isn’t done. We have a lot more to do. The NBA Playoffs are the stage every team works for, and we’re excited for what’s in front of us. We know it won’t be easy. Nothing worth doing ever is. But we’re ready.Together. All of us.
Former Celtic striker Frank McAvennie has warned the club they have lost their fear factor and could be playing Conference League football next season.
Celtic have won 13 of the past 14 top-flight titles but are third in the league, three points behind leaders Hearts, with just five matches remaining.
Just over a year ago Celtic threatened a Champions League upset against Bayern Munich but have since suffered issues on and off the park, with three managers taking charge of the side this season.
Having lost their past two finals to Aberdeen and St Mirren, McAvennie wouldn't be surprised if Celtic are defeated by the Buddies again at Hampden in this weekend's Scottish Cup semi-final.
McAvennie, who played for both clubs, said: "Nobody's scared of Celtic any more, that's the biggest problem.
"Every team's having a go at them. The last 13, 14 years, it's been trophy after trophy after trophy. These young boys (among the support) have never seen Celtic where they are, and it's hurting them.
"People say to me, 'would you be surprised if St Mirren beat Celtic on Sunday?' No, I don't think anybody would. It wouldn't be a surprise the way it would be a couple of years ago.
"I don't get it, a year ago, we went and drew with Bayern Munich, great team - what's happened? Very quickly it's turned into the show it is at the moment, and it's not the best show in town."
A finish inside the top two would guarantee Celtic a chance at Champions League qualification, while Scottish Cup success would secure a Europa League third qualifying round spot.
"They could finish third this year, and if they finish third and don't win the cup, they'll be in the Conference League," McAvennie added.
"I don't think even boys like Callum McGregor and Kieran Tierney have been under pressure the way Celtic are at the moment.
"These boys know what it's like to win games, and to win leagues, but not coming from behind when, by all accounts, they're the third best team in Scotland at the moment."
Jennie Baranczyk and the Oklahoma Sooners have added their second transfer portal commitment in the last couple of days with the addition of Kansas State guard Jordan Speiser. Speiser announced her commitment on Instagram.
As a freshman with the Wildcats, Speiser averaged 10.2 points and 3.5 rebounds per game. She shot 38% from the field and 34.9% from three last season and averaged 22.9 minutes per game. She had 19 games with more than 10 points last season and finished the season with seven double-digit scoring efforts in Kansas State's final nine games. That included a pair of 20-point efforts in wins over Cincinnati and Oklahoma State in the Big 12 tournament. Speiser led Kansas State in scoring in their Big 12 tournament semifinal loss to TCU.
Speiser was a five-star prospect in the 2025 recruiting class, according to the 247Sports composite. She was the No. 17 player overall and the No. 3 shooting guard in the cycle.
Speiser joins another former five-star shooting guard, Keeley Parks, who signed with the Sooners on Monday.
Oklahoma Sooners earn a commitment from former 247Sports composite 5-star prospect Jordan Speiser out of the transfer portal.
She finished the 2025-2026 season on a tear, including a pair of 20-point efforts in the Big 12 tourney and led the Wildcats in scoring against TCU in… pic.twitter.com/zhj0g79yIw
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CAMDEN, N.J. -- It's important for a rookie to be around a number of helpful veterans who will help him and show him the ropes of what it's like to be in the NBA. That's what happened for Philadelphia 76ers guard VJ Edgecombe as he has soaked in all the wisdom of his vets on the team.
The No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 draft has been terrific all season long as he has passed every test with flying colors. He will have another one on Wednesday as he prepares to play in his first postseason game against the Orlando Magic in a play-in situation. Luckily for Edgecombe, he has some veterans around him who have been in both playoff and play-in situations to help him through it all.
One of those vets is 14-year man Andre Drummond. Their lockers are not too far away from each other and the big man has constantly been in Edgecombe's ear in terms of helping him prepare for each moment.
"Man, Drum, that’s my dawg," Edgecombe said on Friday. "To be honest. That’s my dawg. He helped me a lot. Especially, even when things aren’t flowing my way, he helps me keep me poised. He comes in, plays hard. He’s a professional. He’s really professional. He’s really good at what he do."
Drummond has stepped up and played well for Philadelphia in recent weeks with the Sixers missing Joel Embiid due to an appendectomy. He has given them a real presence in the paint with his ability to rebound the basketball and use his size and strength to help make a difference on either end of the floor. He's also added a 3-point shot to his game.
"He’s been knocking down corner 3s," smiled Edgecombe. "My first time ever seeing him shoot the ball, to be honest. I know Drum as a rebounder and a dunker, but good to see him out there, you know? Doing what he do best, but I’m very happy for him. He’s been very impactful for us. Especially, with big fella being out."
Drummond's ability to also step in and set a good screen before rolling to the basket is a big asset as well. It makes life easier for Edgecombe and the guards when it comes to making sure they get easy looks within the offense.
"It’s great, man," Edgecombe said of his chemistry with Drummond. "Drum is gonna roll right in the pocket and I’m able to either hit him or get a good shot out of it or just create an advantage for someone else. Credit to him. He sets really good screens. That’s something people don’t really talk about much, but he sets really good screens which allows us to get open and get really good shots."
As the Sixers begin the play-in on Wednesday, there will be a lot of pressure on Drummond to step in and give the Sixers a presence in the paint.
UCLA unveiled a new retro baseball uniform on Monday, April 13 that will be worn throughout a weeklong celebration in honor of Jackie Robinson.
The throwbacks were revealed to the media and the No. 1-ranked team in the nation in a presentation by Sonya Pankey, Robinson’s eldest granddaughter and executive vice president of brand development for The Jackie Robinson Estate.
The uniforms feature a navy blue hat with the UCLA script B logo and cream-colored jerseys and pants with navy piping and a "Bruins" block wordmark across the chest. While players will have their own last names across the back, each jersey will have Robinson's iconic No. 42.
"His legacy 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐧 today."
Jackie Robinson’s granddaughter, Sonya Pankey Robinson, stepped into unveil UCLA’s new Jackie Robinson‑inspired uniforms.#GoBruinspic.twitter.com/2QYWgRahko
“Jackie Robinson was a true visionary, an advocate for social justice, a progressive change agent and not just a number on a jersey,” Pankey told reporters. “He was a pioneer, he used his platform to challenge injustice, inspire change and open doors for generations to come.”
Robinson broke MLB's color barrier as its first Black player on April 15, 1947. The anniversary of that day is commemorated every year as Jackie Robinson Day, with No. 42 worn by players across the big leagues. Robinson, who grew up in Pasadena, California, lettered in baseball, basketball, football and track at UCLA from 1939-41.
The Bruins have honored one of their most important alumni in several ways over the years, including with a No. 42 monument in front of the John Wooden Recreation Center and christening their baseball stadium in his name.
Pankey will throw out the first pitch of Tuesday night's game against UC Santa Barbara following a pregame ceremony. UCLA is also rolling out promotions for each of its four home games this week, including raffles, prizes for fans wearing Jackie Robinson jerseys, legacy hat giveaways and $1 hot dogs for the first 142 fans in attendance.
“The story doesn’t end here,” Pankey told the UCLA players, many of whom wore navy blue "42" hoodies. “You guys are the future and I hope you use his story as a guide for your future mission. To the Bruins, wishing you guys continued success to the season, I hope you wear the jersey with pride and let it inspire you to build your own legacy that opens doors and creates opportunities for others to follow.”
Spring practice churns on for the Ohio State football team as the Buckeyes prepare to make another title run in the fall. With 51 new players added to the roster this past winter, Ryan Day and the coaching staff have a great deal of work to do to get everyone acclimated to the culture and style of play. Earlier this week, two more players took another step towards helping this team reach its goals next season by shedding their black stripes.
First up, safety Terry Moore becomes the newest member of BIA. Moore made his way to Columbus from the transfer portal out of Duke. Although he missed the entire 2025 season with an ACL tear, the Blue Devil defensive back broke out in 2024, where he recorded 71 tackles, seven tackles for loss, four interceptions, six pass breakups, two forced fumbles, and a sack. The stats were good enough to earn him second-team All-ACC honors. Moore is a redshirt senior and is battling with Leroy Roker III for a starting spot in the secondary.
The next player welcomed to the Brotherhood was transfer tight end Hunter Welcing. Another seasoned veteran, Welcing brings a great deal of experience after spending six seasons with Northwestern. This was another move that doesn't look all that flashy on paper, but Welcing is the type of tight end Ryan Day loves in his offense. Essentially, an extra offensive lineman who can sneak out into the flats with a great set of hands as a check-down for the quarterback. In 2026, Welcing earned All-Big Ten honorable mention while hauling in 28 receptions for 296 yards and two touchdowns.
The duo makes twelve players to be officially welcomed to the Brotherhood by losing their black stripe. There will be more to come, and we'll fill you in as they happen.
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Ryder Cup veteran Garcia joined LIV Golf in 2022 [Getty Images]
Former Masters champion Sergio Garcia has apologised after smashing his driver in anger during the final round at Augusta on Sunday.
Paired with fellow Spaniard Jon Rahm, Garcia slammed his club into the turf twice after hitting a shot that ended up in a bunker on the par-five second hole.
The 2017 champion then hit a nearby cooler, which snapped the head off his club.
"I respect and value everything that the Masters and Augusta National Golf Club is to golf.
"I regret the way I acted and it has no place in our game. It doesn't reflect the respect and appreciation I have for the Masters, the patrons, tournament officials and golf fans around the world."
Because the club was damaged out of anger, Garcia was unable to replace it, leaving him without a driver for the rest of the round.
Geoff Yang, chairman of the Masters competitions committee, issued a code-of-conduct warning to Garcia on the fourth tee.
The Spaniard went on to post a three-over-par 75 to finish the week at eight over, third from last among the 54 players who made the cut.
When asked after his round what the issue was, the 46-year-old said: "Bad golf."
CAMDEN, N.J. -- The Philadelphia 76ers will play host to the Orlando Magic on Wednesday in the 7 vs. 8 play-in tournament game. The Sixers will be looking to clinch their spot to the playoffs and advance as the No. 7 seed to then take on the Boston Celtics in Round 1 of the playoffs. If the Sixers lose, they will have to host the winner of the 9 vs. 10 matchup to decide their season.
The Sixers took two of the three matchups with the Magic on the regular season, and Orlando is coming into this one a bit off after an embarrassing loss in the season finale to Boston's third stringers, but the postseason is always a different beast. Therefore, Philadelphia will have to prepare for what Orlando brings to the table.
On a practice day on Tuesday, there were three aspects about the Magic that coach Nick Nurse addressed heading into this contest:
3-guard lineups
The Magic don't have a huge sample size with Jalen Suggs, Anthony Black, and Desmond Bane all on the floor together due to a variety of injuries, but those three represent Orlando's best units. Per Cleaning the Glass, with those three on the floor, the Magic outscore teams by 13.9 points in 667 possessions. For the Sixers, when they went to lineups with Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, and Quentin Grimes, they outscore teams by 6.9 points in 1,115 possessions per Cleaning the Glass. Those 3-guard lineups by both teams are something the Sixers and the Magic will turn to in this matchup.
"All six of the guys, I think, are really good players," Nurse said after practice. "Black had a really great year going until his injury; he’s had a real step up in play. So I think all six of those guys are very good, which is probably why both teams end up with (those) lineups."
Keeping Paolo Banchero off the free-throw line
Banchero isn't the most efficient player in the world, but he can get to the foul line when he puts head down and attacks. He averages 8.2 free-throw attempts per game and will put pressure on the rim whenever he can. He shot 11 free throws in an Oct. 27 matchup between these teams and the Sixers will have to find a way to slow him down and force him into jumpers. He shoots 45.9% from the floor and overall and 30.5% from deep. If the Sixers can force Banchero into a jump shooter, the Sixers should win the game rather easily.
Nurse on slowing Banchero:
"He is physical. He gets a lot done with his strength and size, just carving space, attacking with his shoulder hits and things like that. You’ve got to stand in there and be able to use your own physicality. We’ve got to have multiple coverages ready for him. I think showing him multiple bodies, especially in certain matchups, will be important for us. And even going as far as having three or different schemes and three or four different guys that’ll guard him. I think trying to keep him off balance with some of that stuff is important, too. But a lot of it’s just going to come down to somebody standing in there and using their force against his."
The Magic center rotation
The Magic will turn to Wendell Carter Jr. at the center spot to give them some production in a number of areas. He averages 2.1 offensive rebounds per game so the Sixers will have to be aware of that and he can knock down a corner 3-pointer. Behind him is Goga Bitadze who is a physical, defensive-minded big man, and also a terrific passer, before Moe Wagner can step in and cause havoc. With the Sixers missing Joel Embiid, more responsibility is placed upon Adem Bona and Andre Drummond.
"I think both of those guys are good players," Nurse said of Orlando's centers. "Carter’s a roller, short-pocket guy. He’s athletic, a rebounder. They’ll also park him on the perimeter in the corners. Good shooter. They’ll play through Bitadze a little bit more in some of their trail actions, cutting and things like that. Very good passer. Also a very good offensive rebounder. I think there’s probably some of the matchups we like better, but I think it’s probably a read of how things are going. I’ll say it again: We’re going to play Drum, we’re going to play Bona and we’ve got to figure out what it looks like as the game is going on."
Westphal, a 7-foot center, redshirted this season. He was the only high school recruit on Xavier's roster after he committed to the Musketeers in April.
A native of Salida, Colorado, Westphal left his hometown to play for Fear of God Athletics, an affiliate of Overtime Elite located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in 2025.
He played 11.6 minutes per game off the bench with Overtime Elite and averaged 3 points and 4.1 rebounds.
Before that, he averaged 15.1 points and 10.7 rebounds per game for Salida High School during the 2023-24 season.
Xavier's 2026-27 roster is now up to nine scholarship players. There are three returns with Westphal joining Jovan Milicevic and Gabriel Pozzato. As of now, Xavier has three incoming transfers in Rubén Dominguez, Tru Washington and Mike Nwoko. There's also the three-person Class of 2026 in Kalek House, Asher Elson and Gedeon Basson.
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Avdalas is the No. 3 shooting guard and the No. 20 overall player in 247Sports’ transfer portal rankings. He chose the Tar Heels after drawing interest from Arkansas, Florida State, Kentucky, Michigan, Oklahoma State, St. John’s and Texas.
The 6-foot-9 wing averaged 12.1 points, 4.6 assists and 3.1 rebounds while shooting 38.6% from the field and 31.4% from 3-point range for Virginia Tech last season.
Here’s a look at his skillset, the good and the bad.
Where He Excels
Avdalas is a matchup problem at 6-foot-9, moving with the fluidity and skill of a point guard. He handles the ball well, gets downhill to the rim and uses his height to see and pass over defenders.
He averaged 4.6 assists per game, which ranked eighth in the conference, and his 2.1 assist-to-turnover ratio was 12th. In conference play, he ranked 10th with a 26.7 percent assist rate. He recorded four conference games with seven or more assists.
Potential Issues
One of the biggest issues was his shooting issues as well as his inconsistent scoring outputs. Avdalas only shot 38.6% from the field and 31.4% from 3-point range on five attempts per game.
He opened the season strong, averaging 14.1 points on 44.4% shooting from the field and 37% from 3 in nonconference play. Two of his best games were a 33-point outing against Providence and a 30-point performance against Western Carolina.
However, his production dipped in ACC play. While his assist and rebounding numbers stayed steady, he struggled to score, averaging 10.8 points on 35.1% shooting from the field and 28.1% from beyond the arc. Avdalas had nine single-digit scoring games in ACC play, including nine points and 5 points in his last two.
Final Thoughts
From UNC’s perspective, Avdalas is a player you turn loose, not one you ease in. At 6-9 with an unconventional but impactful style, he fits the mold of the long, versatile playmakers coaches like Michael Malone have maximized with players such as Nikola Jokic and Michael Porter Jr. In the right structure at North Carolina, he has the tools to grow into his ceiling.
Avdalas can complement a score-first point guard or a dominant wing by handling secondary playmaking duties and initiating offense. If his development stays on track, he has the upside to anchor a perimeter core and perform at an all-ACC level.
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The news comes after the NCAA deemed there was illegal contact by Kirk Ferentz and Jon Budmayr with a quarterback via the transfer portal, which is believed to have been Cade McNamara. Ferentz has released a statement regarding the ruling from the NCAA.
“I am disappointed by the NCAA’s decision today. Throughout the process, our program has been open and honest about my mistake – contacting a potential player in the hours before it was permissible by NCAA rules.
"I felt it was important to make amends for the issue, which is why I voluntarily served a one-game suspension to start the 2023 season. I believe today’s decision by the NCAA vacating four wins in our 2023 season is overly harsh and inconsistent with the violation.
Kirk Ferentz statement on the NCAA ruling:
“I am disappointed by the NCAA’s decision today. Throughout the process, our program has been open and honest about my mistake – contacting a potential player in the hours before it was permissible by NCAA rules.
"As I tell our team and staff, it is how you respond and move forward that defines you. Our focus is on the 2026 season and that is how we are moving forward.”
It is believed that the Hawkeyes will be forced to vacate wins from the games in which Cade McNamara appeared in during the 2023 season, which is four victories.
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Florida football is expected to make a quick turnaround under its new head coach, at least according to one national outlet.
CBS Sports included the Gators in its bold SEC predictions for the 2026 season this week, forecasting that head coach Jon Sumrall will lead the Orange and Blue to a bowl game in his first year on the job.
Marcello pointed to Sumrall's history of winning as the primary reason for optimism in Gainesville. The first-year Florida head coach has won at least nine games every season as a head coach and carries a combined 21-7 record in debut seasons at his previous stops. He is rebuilding a program for the third time in five years and has consistently shown the ability to get the best out of his roster, regardless of circumstances.
The piece also acknowledged the uncertainty at quarterback, noting the position battle between Georgia Tech transfer Aaron Philo and redshirt freshman Tramell Jones Jr. as the most obvious talking point for skeptics heading into the season. But Marcello pushed back on that narrative, suggesting that Sumrall and offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner actually thrive in situations where they are forced to build from the ground up.
Sumrall talked about the starting quarterback situation after the spring game on Saturday, saying, "Nothing’s decided yet. I do think sometimes we can make too much about the quarterback deal. It's like, hey, we've got to figure out who our O-line is, which tight ends can do what, which backs are certain types of runners. But the quarterbacks have done some good things."
Here is everything CBS Sports said about Florida football and why it can make a bowl game this season.
CBS Sports' bold prediction for Florida
Gators go bowling
"Jon Sumrall will take Florida to a bowl game in his debut season. Honestly, this is the least-bold prediction on the list. Sumrall has won at least nine games every season, and he always gets the best out of his roster. He's rebuilding a third program in five years. He's a combined 21-7 in debut seasons.
"The critics will point to the underwhelming quarterback battle between Georgia Tech transfer Aaron Philo and Tramell Jones Jr. to justify their lowered expectations, but Sumrall and offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner thrive when forced to build from the ground up."
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Gloucestershire have appointed former Bangladesh coach Shane Jurgensen as a bowling consultant.
The 49-year-old Australian has had two stints as bowling coach of New Zealand and has also been in charge of the Fijian national team.
After a year as bowling coach of Bangladesh, Jurgensen stepped in as interim head coach following Stuart Law's departure - leading the side to a 3-2 One Day International (ODI) series victory against the West Indies in 2012.
Two months later, Jurgensen became Bangladesh head coach on a full-time basis, and under his leadership the Tigers completed a 3-0 ODI series whitewash of New Zealand as well as securing a Test win against Zimbabwe, their first in four years. He resigned in April 2014.
He has now signed a deal with the County Championship Division Two's bottom club until the end of June, after they went down to an innings and 225 run defeat at the hands of Durham inside three days at the weekend.
"We're really pleased to have Shane Jurgensen with us for the next three months," Gloucestershire's director of cricket Jon Lewis told the club website.
"Shane is an outstanding fast-bowling coach with real leadership experience and qualities. He has worked with some of the best players in the world, and we hope he can impart that knowledge onto our playing group."
With the NFL Draft kicking off next week, teams and players are hard at work getting their meetings and workouts in as they round out their due diligence for the draft. While Michigan State football doesn't have anyone expected to go in the first round this year, they do have a handful of players who will, at the very least, find a landing spot at the next level in some capacity.
One of those players is Malik Spencer, the veteran safety who started for three seasons at MSU and had 52 tackles, five pass breakups, and two sacks last season for the Spartans. According to Jordan Schultz, Spencer met with the New England Patriots this week for a 30-visit.
30-visits are a mechanism for NFL teams to invite 30 players to their facility as part of the pre-draft process to engage in workouts and interviews. They are usually reserved for late-draft or undrafted free agent targets for the teams.
Source: Michigan State S Malik Spencer concluded a 30-visit with the #Patriots.
A projected Day 3 pick, Spencer — a three-year starter — had 52 tackles, 5 PBUs and 2 sacks last season for the Spartans. pic.twitter.com/o09GafUxMd
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Coleman was one of the top names in this year's NCAA Transfer Portal, and with good reason. Coleman has been the Tigers primary playmaker for two season with 93 receptions for 1,306 yards, 13 touchdowns and stellar 14 yards per catch. In 2025, Coleman had 56 grabs for 708 yards, five touchdowns and averaged 12.6 yards per catch.
Is Coleman too big already to be a breakout star? Ari Wasserman of One3 says his ranking is about becoming a household name. As he says, players "who have a chance to break out as stars recognized from coast to coast during the 2026 season."
NEW: College Football Players with Breakout Potential in 2026⭐️
While Coleman is good, he's not a household name yet. That should change now that he's a Longhorn.
"Last season at Auburn, Coleman had 56 receptions for 708 yards and five touchdowns. He’s a semi-established player, but was certainly hurt by inconsistent quarterback play while he was a Tiger. What most of the country doesn’t realize is that the former five-star prospect has the athletic profile of an NFL Draft first-round pick and has yet to reach his ceiling. Now he’s teaming up with Manning at Texas behind a wizard of an offensive play-caller in Steve Sarkisian. He has the potential to go to the moon in the fall." - Ari Wasserman of On3
Trevor Goosby also made the list. While the offensive line struggled in 2025, Goosby didn't. The lineman holds down a key position in protecting Texas quarterback Arch Manning.
"What stands out about Texas’ 2025 season? It’s the offensive line struggles. But guess who didn’t struggle? Goosby. The 6-foot-7, 312-pounder was a former three-star prospect from Melissa (Texas) High in the 2023 class, and his development is likely part of why the Longhorns weren’t as aggressive as they needed to be in the portal for offensive linemen last offseason. When it comes to Texas, it’s easy to fall in love with Manning, Coleman and Colin Simmons, but having a stud tackle will be make-or-break for the Longhorns in 2026. Goosby could be that guy." - Ari Wasserman of On3
Both Coleman and Goosby will be key if Texas is to go on an win that coveted national championship.
The Ohio State Buckeyes are set to play their 2026 spring game this Saturday, April 18, at noon ET inside Ohio Stadium in Columbus. It has been an eventful spring session for the Buckeyes as new players have been shedding their black stripes daily, new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith continues to get comfortable with the college game, and a wave of freshmen and newcomers are working to make a name for themselves.
With the spring showcase quickly approaching, we have identified five players to watch ahead of Ohio State’s spring game on Saturday afternoon.
TEs Mason Williams & Hunter Welcing
Both Williams and Welcing have made noise throughout spring camp and should factor into Arthur Smith’s offense this season, a scheme that has historically leaned on 12 and 13 personnel and features tight ends heavily. Williams transferred from Ohio, while Welcing came over from Northwestern. Both bring solid size at 6’3 and 6’5, around 250 pounds.
Their 2025 numbers may not jump off the page, but both have the tools to help fill the void left by Max Klare’s production. Head coach Ryan Day was asked last week about players who have stood out recently and mentioned both Williams and Welcing, which carries weight. It will be interesting to see how they are used on Saturday with Smith calling plays.
DB Earl Little Jr.
Little Jr. was the No. 3 overall safety in the transfer portal according to 247Sports, and Ohio State was thrilled to land him. The Florida State transfer totaled 76 tackles, two forced fumbles, and four interceptions in 2025. He projects as a versatile piece in Matt Patricia’s defense, capable of lining up at safety or sliding into a nickel role.
Both Ryan Day and safeties coach Matt Guerrieri have praised Little Jr. for his leadership, competitiveness, and physicality. Day had this to say on the FSU transfer: “How do you replace Caleb Downs? You can't. But Earl (Little Jr.) has been doing a great job of really communicating back there.”
It will be fun to watch how Patricia deploys Little Jr., especially given his reputation for delivering big hits on receivers and tight ends.
WR Chris Henry Jr.
Chris Henry Jr. is one of the most intriguing storylines this spring and a major focus heading into the spring game. The five-star freshman ranks as a top 25 player and the No. 2 wide receiver in the 2026 class according to 247Sports. He has the hype, the size, and the pedigree, with his father having played five years in the NFL. Whether he starts right away depends on how quickly he can seize the opportunity.
Late in March, Ryan Day spoke about what he has seen from the 6’5 receiver and set the bar high.
“He has all the traits. He has all the skills,” Day said. “Everything we thought he would be in recruiting, we've seen on the field, so that's exciting.”
On paper, pairing Henry Jr. with Jeremiah Smith and likely Brandon Innis in the slot creates a nightmare for opposing defenses, given the size and speed on the outside. Henry Jr. can be a Day 1 starter, but it will not come easily with heavy competition in the room. Freshman Brock Boyd has been turning heads, while transfers Devin McCuin from UTSA and Kyle Parker from LSU add even more depth.
EDGE/DL Zion Grady & Qua Russaw
Another key storyline this spring has been the edge and defensive line room, particularly who will line up alongside Kenyatta Jackson. Zion Grady, a rising sophomore, saw limited action last season and recorded 13 tackles and a sack. The former four-star recruit stands 6’4 and 258 pounds and already has familiarity with Matt Patricia’s system.
Russaw brings more uncertainty but also high upside. The Alabama transfer was a former five-star recruit whose time in Tuscaloosa was impacted by injuries. Ohio State brought him in through the portal, hoping to unlock his potential and help reload a pass rush unit that lost Arvell Reese and Caden Curry to the NFL.
Grady may have the early edge in the starting race, but Russaw will push him throughout the spring game and into the summer. The competition should bring out the best in both as they battle for a key role up front.
Adams chose Colorado over Florida State, Virginia Tech, Kentucky and Oregon. The dual-threat quarterback played at Antioch High School in Nashville, Tennessee, where he had 71 passing touchdowns and 35 rushing touchdowns in 33 games. He visited the Boulder campus and met with Sanders on April 3.
"For my next three to four years, I will be committed to the University of Colorado," Adams said at a news conference in Tennessee, where he wore a Colorado T-shirt and hat as he streamed the announcement on social media.
The 6-2 Adams ranks as the No. 15 national quarterback prospect out of high school for 2027, according to 247Sports Composite, behind Baton Rouge high school quarterback recruit Elijah Haven at No. 1.
How does this fit into Deion Sanders' future plans?
Adams’ commitment to Colorado gives the Buffaloes some options for the future at the most important position on the field, especially considering how so many quarterbacks change schools through the transfer portal. Highly regarded redshirt freshman quarterback Julian “JuJu” Lewis is expected to be the starter at Colorado in 2026 but is one of only three quarterbacks on scholarship right now after the death of walk-on quarterback Dominiq Ponder on March 1.
Here is a look at who they are and how many years of eligibility they have left as the Buffs try to regroup after a 3-9 season in 2025:
∎ Lewis, 18, has four seasons of eligibility remaining after playing in four games in 2025, including two starts. He also was a four-star recruit out of high school in Georgia and chose Colorado over Southern California.
∎ Utah transfer quarterback Isaac Wilson has three years to play three more seasons. He started seven games for the Utes in 2024 as a freshman.
The 2026 NFL Draft will take place in Pittsburgh next week, a city where the Bucs could select the next star they add to their roster in hopes of righting the proverbial ship.
Before then, though, there will be plenty of speculation and buildup for the team and who they may add to the roster through the draft. While the team is selecting at 15, they will have to wait and see who falls to them.
But also, they will have to see if the player they are targeting will walk the stage in Pittsburgh in front of Acrisure Stadium. At the very least, we now know who will be in attendance for the event after the league announced the players who will attend.
The 32nd annual St. Paul Area Athena Awards ceremony is set for Wednesday at the Saint Paul RiverCentre.
Wild in-arena host Kirsten Krull will serve as the event’s emcee, while sports reporter Cassidy Hettesheimer is the keynote speaker. The event will also feature a special tribute to the late Jessi Pierce and her family.
The Athena Awards “honor female athletes for their dedication and excellence in sports.”
Here are the honorees, with highlights of their athletic achievements.
Cassandra Gonzales
School: Apple Valley
Sport: Wrestling
Accolades: Four-time state champion, 98-0 career high school record, U17 world team member
Elena Hoecke
School: Centennial
Sport: Volleyball
Accolades: Miss Baden winner, All-State, All-State tournament team.
College: Minnesota
Vita Hochuli
School: Central
Sports: Soccer, track and field, gymnastics, basketball
Accolades: Soccer – two-time conference player of the year. Track and field – All-conference. Gymnastics – All-conference.
College: Virginia State
Amaya Harmening
School: Chatfield
Sports: Volleyball, basketball, trap
Accolades: Basketball – All-conference. Trap – Top female shooter of the year.
Kayla Larsen
School: Chisago Lakes
Sports: Volleyball, basketball, softball
Accolades: Volleyball – state entrant. Basketball – second in program history in steals. Softball – state entrant.
Accolades: Track and Field – All-State, state entrant.
Jayda Wilson
School: Roseville
Sports: Volleyball, track and field
Accolades: Volleyball: State participant. Track and Field: Two-time state champion, All-State.
College: Minnesota
Angela Proper
School: St. Agnes
Sports: Softball, weight lifting, soccer
Accolades: Softball – All-State, All-State tournament team.
College: Mary (North Dakota)
Maren Overgaard
School: St. Paul Academy
Sports: Cross country, nordic skiing, track and field
Accolades: Cross country: State entrant, All-conference, team section champion. Nordic Skiing – Team state champion, All-State. Track and Field – All-conference, state entrant.
Accolades: Soccer – All-State. Track and Field – All-State.
College: Wisconsin-La Crosse
Rylee Lawrence
School: Stillwater
Sports: Soccer
Accolades: Ms. Soccer finalist, All-American, All-State tournament team.
College: North Dakota
Anna Wilke
School: Tartan
Sports: Volleyball, track and field, flag football
Accolades: Volleyball – All-conference.
Rebekah Willard
School: Trinity School at River Ridge
Sports: Cross country, track and field
Accolades: Cross County – All-State. Track and Field – All-State.
College: St. Thomas
Charlotte Chandler
School: Two Rivers
Sports: Cross country, dance, track and field
Accolades: Cross Country: All-conference, state entrant. Dance – All-State, state entrant. Track and Field – All-conference, state entrant, school record holder.
College: Louisiana State
Abigail Hemauer
School: Visitation
Sports: Softball, hockey
Accolades: Softball – All-conference.
Charlotte Brown
School: Washington
Sports: Volleyball, basketball, track and field
Accolades: Volleyball – All-conference.
Josie Guidinger
School: White Bear Lake
Sports: Alpine skiing, tennis.
Accolades: Alpine Skiing – All-conference, state entrant. Tennis – All-conference.
Briella Huebsch
School: Woodbury
Sports: Soccer, hockey, track and field
Accolades: Hockey – conference champion. Track and Field – All-State, state entrant.
Manager John McGlynn says leading Falkirk out at a Scottish Cup final would represent the "pinnacle" of his career as the club prepare for a crucial last-four tie against Dunfermline Athletic this weekend.
The Scottish Premiership side face Neil Lennon's men at Hampden on Saturday at 12:30 BST - live on the BBC - with a place in May's showpiece at stake.
McGlynn has already led Falkirk to a top-six finish in the Premiership this term after securing back-to-back promotions from the third tier of Scottish football.
However, the 64-year-old is determined to cap a stunning season with the first major silverware of his managerial career.
"It would be a great honour to take the team out in a Scottish Cup final," McGlynn told BBC Scotland. "For myself, [assistant coaches] Paul Smith and Steven McGinn, and all the backroom staff, it would reflect all the work that's been put in.
"To take the team into the Premiership, be in a strong position and reach a Scottish Cup final - that would be the pinnacle of our careers.
"We know we'll have to work extremely hard to get there and maybe need a bit of luck along the way, but walking out at Hampden for a final would be a very proud moment.
"We can't look beyond Dunfermline. If we get through, then anything can happen."
Falkirk go into the semi-final on the back of a heavy 6-3 home defeat by Rangers - a match in which they led 2-0.
McGlynn, whose side remain sixth in the Premiership following the loss, admitted the game was a harsh lesson for his players.
Meanwhile, Championship side Dunfermline, who have beaten Premiership pair Hibernian and Aberdeen to reach this stage, had an eight-game unbeaten run ended by title-chasing Partick Thistle at the weekend.
"It was going so smoothly for us," McGlynn said of Sunday's loss. "We were playing very well and everything was going to plan.
"But when you get yourselves 2-0 up, you've got to take that opportunity and we didn't. When teams like Rangers and Celtic get into that rhythm, they can be very difficult to stop.
"We struggled defensively as a team and were punished. It wasn't nice to look back on - it was painful. But we've dusted ourselves down and focused on what's ahead.
"We've got so much to play for, especially this week. This is a huge game, and we've got to learn from what happened."
The Florida Gators have emerged as a college basketball blue blood since the turn of the millennium, winning three national championships, playing in the title game a fourth time, and making five total Final Four appearances. What was once considered a football school has become a dual threat in two of North America's biggest sports.
Now that the dust has settled from the Michigan Wolverines' second-ever NCAA Tournament triumph, ESPN's Myron Medcalf took on the task of ranking every champion of this century — bearing in mind that there was no champion crowned during the 2020 COVID campaign — beginning with the 1999-2000 season.
The author employed "a combination of real data and the eye test" in making his assessment, so these rankings are anything but scientific. Take a look at where the Orange and Blue's three trophy-winning teams landed on the list.
Non-tourney achievements: Finished second in the SEC; won SEC tournament championship
Best player: Walter Clayton Jr. (AP All-America first team, NCAA tournament Most Outstanding Player)
"The Gators ended the season as one of the hottest teams in the country after losing just one game after Feb. 1, finishing a game behind the NCAA tournament's No. 1 overall seed Auburn in the SEC standings while securing the conference tournament title. They also ranked second in adjusted offensive efficiency and sixth in adjusted defensive efficiency on KenPom," Medcalf begins.
"It was Clayton's rise — he scored 23 or more points in four NCAA tournament games — that helped lift the Gators through close calls in multiple games. They had to fight through sizable deficits in multiple games and managed to launch successful comebacks in each, but they were a great story more than an all-time great team."
2006 Florida Gators (No. 12)
Record: 33-6
How they won: def. UCLA 73-57
NCAA tournament margin of victory: 16.0 PPG
KenPom net rating: +28.28 (1st in the nation)
Non-tourney achievements: SEC tournament champion
Best player: Joakim Noah (AP All-America honorable mention, MOP)
"Billy Donovan's two-peat began with a Florida team that won its first 17-0 games and then struggled through a 5-6 stretch. There were mitigating circumstances, though. Lee Humphrey, the starting point guard, had to overcome a shoulder injury and Corey Brewer needed time to recover from mono," Medcalf notes.
"On March 1, 2006, however, Noah scored 37 points in a 77-66 win over Georgia that snapped a three-game losing streak. Florida never lost another game. Noah had 30 blocks in the NCAA tournament, as the Gators — whose roster also included Al Horford — ended 2-seed UCLA's 12-game winning streak. Plus, their NCAA tournament opponents averaged only 56.6 PPG."
2007 Florida Gators (No. 5)
Record:(35-5)
How they won: def. Ohio State 84-75
NCAA tournament margin of victory: 14.1 PPG
KenPom net rating: +30.81 (2nd in the nation)
Non-tourney achievements: SEC regular season champion; SEC tournament champion
Best player: Joakim Noah (Associated Press All-America second team)
"Between March 21, 2006, and Feb. 17, 2007, these Gators lost only two games. Their first national title run in 2006 established a new standard for a program that won its second title in a row a year later. How? They thrived on a concept that's almost impossible to achieve in today's game: continuity," Medcalf offers.
"The same starters from the 2006 title game — Lee Humphrey, Taurean Green, Al Horford, Corey Brewer and Noah — also started in the 2007 championship win over an Ohio State squad led by freshman Greg Oden (an AP first-team All-American) and Mike Conley Jr. (18 years in the NBA). These Gators didn't dominate the NCAA tournament, but they were more consistent than the 2006 team and one of the better squads we've witnessed over the past 25 years."
Ranking NCAA tournament champions of the 21st century
2001 Duke Blue Devils
2009 North Carolina Tar Heels
2012 Kentucky Wildcats
2024 UConn Huskies
2007 Florida Gators
2018 Villanova Wildcats
2004 UConn Huskies
2005 North Carolina Tar Heels
2008 Kansas Jayhawks
2026 Michigan Wolverines
2023 UConn Huskies
2006 Florida Gators
2016 Villanova Wildcats
2015 Duke Blue Devils
2000 Michigan State Spartans
2013 Louisville Cardinals
2002 Maryland Terrapins
2003 Syracuse Orange
2010 Duke Blue Devils
2022 Kansas Jayhawks
2021 Baylor Bears
2025 Florida Gators
2019 Virginia Cavaliers
2017 North Carolina Tar Heels
2011 UConn Huskies
Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
Alabama dropped to No. 2 while Texas Tech, Texas, Nebraska, Arkansas, and Florida stayed in their spots from a week ago.
Continuing their rise are the Tennessee Volunteers, who are now up to No. 8 in the nation, having won six in a row, including a sweep of Kentucky.
Six of the top 10 teams in D1Softball's top 25 are from the SEC, along with 10 in the top 25.
The Sooners take on the Oklahoma State Cowgirls on Wednesday night at Devon Park in a top-25 nonconference showdown and then host Arkansas at Love's Field for three games this weekend.
After the series win over the Longhorns over the weekend, the Sooners have put themselves in a position for a strong finish to the season against quality competition. If OU can win series against Arkansas, Georgia, and Texas A&M to close the regular season, they should go into the NCAA Tournament as the No. 1 seed.
D1Softball Poll
Released 4/14/2026
Rank
Team
Ovr. Record
Last Week
1
Oklahoma
40-4
2
2
Alabama
39-3
1
3
Texas Tech
41-3
3
4
Texas
33-6
4
5
Nebraska
33-6
5
6
Arkansas
35-6
6
7
Florida
40-5
7
8
Tennessee
37-6
9
9
UCLA
37-5
10
10
Virginia Tech
36-6
11
11
Florida State
36-7
8
12
Georgia
31-11
13
13
Texas A&M
30-12
14
14
Mississippi State
34-11
15
15
Duke
31-12
16
16
Arizona
30-11
12
17
Oregon
32-9
17
18
LSU
28-14
20
19
Oklahoma State
27-11
18
20
Washington
34-9
22
21
UCF
32-11-1
21
22
Stanford
26-12
NR
23
Virginia
33-8
19
24
Grand Canyon
41-4
23
25
Marshall
32-10
NR
Also receiving votes: Boston, Kansas, Belmont, Louisville, Arizona State, Nevada, North Carolina, Omaha
Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X (formerly known as Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions.You can also follow John on X @john9williams.
The WNBA is an exclusive club. Only a select few people get a chance to play in it. Even fewer get an opportunity to attend the league’s draft and have their name called in the first round.
Naturally, to join a group with that type of exclusivity, a hazing ritual comes first: walk on this stage with all your nerves and emotions and do this awkward television interview in front of a silent auditorium of people listening closely to every word.
Welcome to the W!
Listen, the draft is a special moment for every player who gets dressed up to hear their name called. So players power through to make the best of it no matter what. With family and friends in attendance, it even presents as a cozy environment on TV.
But that same intimacy that gives the draft its charm also makes for some incredibly uncomfortable moments. And it was never more obvious how awkward the whole production can be than it was Monday night, from the very beginning of the 2026 draft.
With the The Shed in New York City piping in ESPN broadcast audio, Azzi Fudd and Awa Fam Thiam presumably could hear the announcers speculate over which would be the No. 1 pick while sitting at their tables. And after Fudd was the pick by the Dallas Wings, she fumbled through her interview with Holly Rowe upon hearing her own voice over the PA system.
No. 2 overall pick Olivia Miles tripped over her first few words too. “That is so weird,” she said to agreement from Rowe. Yup, welcome to the club! Hopefully it’s a warm welcome after Miles also told the room “I have the highest IQ as a guard” before realizing how that might’ve sounded. “Sorry, I didn’t mean that in a harmful way.”
Oh, then there was the Flau’jae Johnson trade that was apparently agreed to before she was picked No. 8 by the Golden State Valkyries but not announced until 40 minutes later, after she had already done post-draft interviews as a Valkyrie. Hey, maybe announce the trade at the time of the pick next time?
I haven’t attended a draft for any league, so maybe they’re all a bit awkward in person. Or maybe this one wasn't as awkward as it seemed. But I've watched plenty on TV, and from an in-home viewing experience, the WNBA took the cake with this one.
The Lynx were the only team to come out of the first round with less than a B grade:
"To be honest, we feel like the Lynx missed the boat here to replenish its frontcourt after losing Alanna Smith, Jessica Shepard and Bridget Carleton earlier this month. Cheryl Reeve is a great coach, so we're sure she's got a clear vision for what she wants out of Miles. However, the team's issue wasn't at guard, at least in the starting lineup."
Fair points. Miles' potential to have an immediate impact might've been too much for Minnesota to pass on.
Quick hits: Raven Johnson to Indiana ... Dylan Harper hurt ... and more
Just as they had hoped, the Carolina Panthers feel like they have allowed themselves to take the best available player next Thursday night.
On Tuesday morning, president of football operations and general manager Dan Morgan chatted with reporters for his annual pre-draft press conference. And after taking an aggressive and successful path through free agency, he was asked if the team's newest additions will narrow the focus of their first-round selection.
"No. If anything, I think it opens us up to a lot of possibilities at Pick 19," Morgan replied. "I think all positions are on the table. And like I said before, you never know who's gonna fall down to us.
"So I think we're definitely in the best-player-available mindset. So, yeah, I think what we did in free agency set us up to do that."
Morgan and company attacked the open market as soon as they could last month, reeling in pass rusher Jaelan Phillips and Pro Bowl inside linebacker Devin Lloyd on the first day of the legal tampering period. Carolina also added left tackle Rasheed Walker and center Luke Fortner, both of whom seem likely to start come Week 1, and brought back 14 of their own free agents.
The Panthers' biggest remaining needs—at least according the consensus from around the league—sit at wide receiver, tight end, linebacker, cornerback and safety.
Marvin Ducksch joined Birmingham from German side Werder Bremen last summer [Getty Images]
Birmingham City striker Marvin Ducksch has been charged with drink driving following a three-vehicle collision on Easter Monday.
Warwickshire Police have confirmed the German was arrested after officers attended the scene on the A3400 near Henley-in-Arden, close to where the club's training ground is based, at around 22:30 BST.
He was charged with the offence on Monday, 13 April.
The striker, 32, is on bail and will appear before Warwickshire Magistrates' Court in Leamington Spa on Wednesday, 20 May.
"Marvin wishes to apologise to his team-mates, staff and supporters of the club and accepts full responsibility for his actions," the club said in a statement.
"The matter has been dealt with internally and no further comment will be made at this time."
Per NFL rules, the Green Bay Packers are allowed to host up to 30 draft-eligible players (excluding “local” prospects, such as those in the UW system or nearby regional schools such as Northern Illinois) for in-person visits. The Journal Sentinel is tracking the visits and supplying profiles based on information from sources and published reports.
GREEN BAY – Depending on your tastes, Louisiana-Monroe defensive back D’Arco Perkins-McAllister is big enough to play safety or fast enough to play cornerback.
Perkins played both in four college seasons, starting with two years at strong safety for TCU and one year each of cornerback at Tennessee-Chattanooga and Louisiana-Monroe.
The Green Bay Packers may see Perkins-McAllister as a safety who can play man coverage. They are bringing him in on a pre-draft visit, a source confirmed. KPRC 2-TV in Houston reported it first.
McAllister, who projects as an undrafted free agent, is getting notice because at 5-11½, 200 pounds, he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.44 seconds and had a 35½-inch vertical. He was a top Division 1 recruit coming out of high school, but didn’t shine until his senior year.
Last year, he started 10 games and totaled 33 tackles, four sacks, seven pass breakups and a blocked kick.
The former four-star prospect played in a total of 20 games at TCU in 2021 and 2022, with seven tackles and one pass breakup during that span. He transferred to New Mexico in 2023, then to Chattanooga for 2024, where he started 12 games for the FCS school and intercepted three passes.
The Packers have been paying attention to a lot of cornerbacks and versatile safeties, many of whom will be drafted late or wind up free agents.
Per NFL rules, the Green Bay Packers are allowed to host up to 30 draft-eligible players (excluding “local” prospects, such as those in the UW system or nearby regional schools such as Northern Illinois) for in-person visits. The Journal Sentinel is tracking the visits and supplying profiles based on information from sources and published reports.
GREEN BAY – Depending on your tastes, Louisiana-Monroe defensive back D’Arco Perkins-McAllister is big enough to play safety or fast enough to play cornerback.
Perkins played both in four college seasons, starting with two years at strong safety for TCU and one year each of cornerback at Tennessee-Chattanooga and Louisiana-Monroe.
The Green Bay Packers may see Perkins-McAllister as a safety who can play man coverage. They are bringing him in on a pre-draft visit, a source confirmed. KPRC 2-TV in Houston reported it first.
McAllister, who projects as an undrafted free agent, is getting notice because at 5-11½, 200 pounds, he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.44 seconds and had a 35½-inch vertical. He was a top Division 1 recruit coming out of high school, but didn’t shine until his senior year.
Last year, he started 10 games and totaled 33 tackles, four sacks, seven pass breakups and a blocked kick.
The former four-star prospect played in a total of 20 games at TCU in 2021 and 2022, with seven tackles and one pass breakup during that span. He transferred to New Mexico in 2023, then to Chattanooga for 2024, where he started 12 games for the FCS school and intercepted three passes.
The Packers have been paying attention to a lot of cornerbacks and versatile safeties, many of whom will be drafted late or wind up free agents.
Monday was a big day for the Kentucky Wildcats and coach Mark Pope. No. 1 2026 recruit Tyran Stokes was in town on a visit, as was Rob Wright III, the top point guard available in the transfer portal. Both would be huge wins for the program, but Tuesday's visitor is also a big one. Forward Donnie Freeman will be in Lexington to meet with the staff.
Freeman is a 6'9", 205 power forward who was a former five-star recruit in the 2024 class. He committed to Syracuse as the 15th ranked player in the group, and he immediately became a key player. Last season, he was an impact player, averaging 16.5 points and 7.2 rebounds per game. He's also a capable shooter, and knocked down 30% from three-point range, making him a valuable stretch forward who can help spread defenses out.
Injuries have been an issue, and it does make Freeman a bit riskier. He missed nearly 30 games across his two seasons with foot injuries. There was no word on whether or not the two injuries were related, which is something Pope will want to know.
Even with the injury questions, Freeman ranks as a top 20 player available in the portal. Fans may have some injury flashbacks, but if Pope is satisfied with his health, he could be an elite player, and a great fit in the offense. We will continue to update his recruitment.
In a few years, NFL fans are going to watch cornerback Jadon Canady and just assume he was a high draft pick.
They would be wrong.
Canady has a big chance of being your typical "mid-round steal" that occurs every single NFL season. In just one season at Oregon, Canady made a huge impression and made himself an NFL prospect. He had 39 tackles and two interceptions for the Ducks, one coming against USC and one at Washington in the next week.
At the NFL level, Canady could play either corner, safety, or at a rover position. He would provide depth for a team, but don't be surprised if Canady moves up someone's depth chart fairly quickly, first as a third-down specialist and then receives more time on the field after that.
In most seasons, a talent such as Canady would be a mid-rounder, but this draft is deep in the secondary spot, so he is projected to be a late-rounder instead. Whoever picks him, expect Canady to make a splash and play sooner rather than later.
Here are some fits that we like best at the NFL level for Canady.
Cincinnati struggled in the secondary last season, so expect the Bengals to go heavy on the defense in the draft this year, including at corner, and this is where Canady would fit. They will also draft fairly early in each round, and they could go after a star such as Caleb Downs, if available, then go for depth with Canady later in the selection process.
The Dolphins are also a team that struggled in the secondary, but they already have young talent back there that just needs more experience. Drafting Canady would add to that depth, but it's a place where he could rise up on the depth chart if he has a good fall camp. The opportunity is there for Canady to seize.
Green Bay Packers
Draft Selection: Round 6, Pick 20
Green Bay could be another place where Canady could play quickly. Their two corners, Keisean Nixon and Carrington Valentine, aren't exactly going to keep opposing quarterbacks up at night or spend extra time in the film room. We already know Canady looks good in the green and yellow (gold), so going to the Packers with their last selection in the draft would be a nice landing place.
Green Bay might have a chance to select Canady if the Panthers don't take him first, however. Carolina is thin at several different spots on the defense, including corner. Starting right away might be a stretch, but Canady would definitely be on the field early on for the Panthers. They have Jaycee Horn at one corner and the other side of the field is up for grabs if Canady wants to take it.
One wouldn't think the Chiefs would have such a glaring hole, but they do need help in the secondary after losing such players as Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson. Would it be a shocker to see Canady helping out the backend of the defense at Arrowhead? Probably not. Kansas City is a place where it is usually greater than the sum of its parts and Canady would be a nice piece to that puzzle. And he might meet Taylor Swift. Not a bad gig if he can get it.
Contact/Follow @Ducks_Wire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oregon Ducks news, notes, and opinions.
For a ninth week in a row, Mililani is No. 1 in the Star-Advertiser Softball Top 10. The past eight weeks have been a unanimous selection by the panel of coaches and media. The Trojans collected all 11 first-place votes.
Mililani is 7-0 in OIA West play (17-2 overall) with three games on the slate this week. The Trojans play at Kapolei today, then at Leilehua on Thursday and Saturday. All are makeup games.
Previously scheduled intradivision matchups with Kalani, Castle and Kailua have been canceled. Intradivision games, a new twist to the league schedule, do not count in the league standings.
While rainouts continued to wreak havoc on schedules, ‘Iolani returned at No. 10 after posing a 17-0, five-inning win over Mid-Pacific, and a 13-3, TKO loss to Kamehameha.
The Raiders have four games in a five-day span this week. They are 4-6 in ILH play, battling to stay in the third-seed position with Punahou (2-9).
Warriors a near-unanimous No. 1
Kamehameha remains at the top of the Baseball Top 10 after a 7-5 win at Mid-Pacific last week. The Warriors had three more games rained out, but will meet fast-rising Punahou today at Ala Wai Community Park.
At 7-0 (16-2 overall), Kamehameha leads Pac-Five (5-1), Punahou (4-1-1), Mid-Pacific (3-2-2), Saint Louis (3-4) and ‘Iolani (1-6-1) in the ILH standings.
Pac-Five (9-4 overall) rose one spot to No. 3 this week. The Wolfpack play ‘Iolani today at Patsy T. Mink Central Oahu Regional Park, then battles No. 6 Punahou on Thursday at Ala Wai.
Kaiser returned to No. 4 after a 13-10 win over Tesoro (Calif.) and a 10-3 intradivisional victory at No. 10 Pearl City.
Hoops coach Kapeliela steps down at Kohala
After guiding the Cowboys to four Division II state championships, Kihei Kapeliela is calling it a wrap.
“We had a great run,” Kapeliela said on Monday. “Time to hand the reins off to the next generation.”
The former Kohala sharpshooter led the program to its first state crown in 2020. That state final was a raucous, physical, no-holds-barred scrum of a game that the tough-nosed Cowboys adjusted to in a 51-48 win over Roosevelt.
Kohala fell to a deeply talented Maui Prep squad in the ’22 semifinal round, but bounced back with a 40-38 win over University in the final of the ’23 state tourney.
A year later, in ’24, Kohala edged Seabury Hall, 49-45, in overtime for the koa trophy. The next season, standout guard Layden Kauka transferred to Utah Prep, then returned after a half-season. He suffered an ankle injury in the state tourney, and Seabury Hall went on to win the ’25 state crown.
This year, the Cowboys put it all together again, beating ILH title contender University and De La Salle of Chicago along the way. Kohala outlasted Seabury Hall, 49-35, in the state final.
For a third time in four seasons, Kohala went unbeaten in a regular-season slate that includes all D-I and D-II teams.
HONOLULU STAR-ADVERTISER SOFTBALL TOP 10
Sunday, April 12, 2026
Rank
School (1st)
Record
Pts
LW
1.
Mililani (11)
> bye (rainouts)
> next: at Kapolei, Tuesday, April 14, 3 p.m.
17-2
120
1
2.
Maryknoll
> def. Punahou, 13-0 (5 innings)
> next: at No. 4 Kamehameha, Monday, April 13, 4 p.m.
> next: vs. No. 4 Kamehameha, Wednesday, April 14, 4 p.m.
17-2
107
2
3.
Kapolei
> bye (rainouts)
> next: vs. No. 1 Mililani, Tuesday, April 14, 3 p.m.
15-5-1
92
3
4.
Kamehameha
> won at ‘Iolani, 13-3 (5 innings)
> next: at No. 2 Maryknoll, Wednesday, April 15, 4 p.m.
19-4-1
88
4
5.
Campbell
> def. Leilehua, 25-0 (3 innings)
> next: vs. No. 8 Pearl City, Monday, April 13
> next: at Kaiser, Tuesday, April 14, 3 p.m.
18-5
68
5
6.
Moanalua
> def. Kaiser, 13-5
> next: vs. Leilehua, Tuesday, April 14, 3 p.m.
16-5-1
48
6-t
7.
Kapaa
> bye (rainouts)
> next: vs. Waimea, Wednesday, April 15, 6 p.m.
14-7
47
6-t
8.
Pearl City
> def. Waianae, 13-0 (5 innings)
> next: at Moanalua, Wednesday, April 15, 3 p.m,.
13-7
43
8
9.
Kalani
> bye (rainouts)
> next: vs. Kailua, Wednesday, April 15, 3 p.m.
12-5-2
18
9
10.
‘Iolani Raiders
> lost to Kamehameha, 13-3 (5)
> next: vs. Pac-Five, Monday, April 13, 4 p.m.
> next: at Mid-Pacific, Tuesday, April 14, 4 p.m.
10-11-1
13
NR
No longer in Top 10: Punahou (No. 10).
Also receiving votes: Radford 5, Kaiser 4, Punahou 3, Baldwin 2, Mid-Pacific 1, Pac-Five 1.
STAR-ADVERTISER BASEBALL TOP 10
Sunday, April 12, 2026
Rank
School (1st)
Record
Pts
LW
1.
Kamehameha (7)
> won at Mid-Pacific, 7-5
> next: vs. No. 6 Punahou, Tuesday, April 14, 3:30 p.m., Ala Wai
16-2
79
1
2.
Waiakea (1)
> def. Kealakehe, 12-0 (5 innings)
> next: at Konawaena (2), Wednesday, April 15, 1 p.m.
12-1
71
2
3.
Pac-Five
> bye (four rainouts)
> next: vs. ‘Iolani, Tuesday, April 14, 3:30 p.m., CORP
9-4
52
4
4.
Kaiser
> won at Pearl City, 10-3
> next: vs. Aiea, Monday, April 13, 3 p.m.
> next: at Farrington, Wednesday, April 15, 3 p.m.
16-4
48
5
5.
Baldwin
> lost to KS-Maui, 5-2
> next: vs. Maui, Tuesday, April 14, 3:30 p.m., Iron Maehara
13-4-1
38
3
6.
Punahou
> bye (rainouts)
> next: vs. No. 1 Kamehameha, Tuesday, April 14, 3:30 p.m.
9-4-1
37
8
7.
Mid-Pacific
> lost to Kamehameha, 7-5
> next: vs. Maryknoll, Wednesday, April 15, 3:30 p.m.
11-5-2
35
7
8.
Mililani
> def. Kalani, 4-3
> next: at Leilehua, Monday, April 13, 3 p.m.
> next: vs. Moanalua, Wednesday, April 15, 3 p.m.
18-8
33
6
9.
Saint Louis
> def. ‘Iolani, 12-8
> next: vs. Damien, Tuesday, April 14, 2:30 p.m., CORP
Brydon Carse was England's leading wicket-taker in the Ashes with 22 [Getty Images]
England fast bowler Brydon Carse has been ruled out of his Indian Premier League (IPL) stint with Sunrisers Hyderabad because of a hand injury.
The 30-year-old sustained the injury to his right hand - his bowling hand - in training and will return home to be assessed.
It is the second time in as many seasons Carse has had to pull out of the Sunrisers squad without playing a game. Last year he had a toe injury.
The impact on Carse's availability for England's first Test of the summer against New Zealand on 4 June will only be known with more information about the injury.
The IPL final is on 31 May, four days before the series opener against the Black Caps at Lord's.
It would be difficult for any pace bowler who remains at the IPL until the closing stages of the competition to switch to the workload of Test cricket at such short notice. Jofra Archer, currently playing for Rajasthan Royals, could be in this situation.
If Carse's injury is not too severe, he could be available for the first Test, though he too would have to boost his loads in order to be match fit.
It seems likely there will be pace-bowling spots up for grabs in the England squad, probably alongside Josh Tongue and Gus Atkinson.
Matthew Fisher was called into the Ashes squad and would be one contender, alongside Surrey team-mate Tom Lawes. Sonny Baker has a central contract and has made a good start to the season with Hampshire.
Like Lawes, Hampshire's Eddie Jack and Lancashire's Mitchell Stanley have England development deals and were with the Lions in Australia during the winter.
Ollie Robinson was discarded by England more than two years ago, but has taken 10 wickets in captaining Sussex to two wins from two at the start of the season. The 32-year-old has 76 wickets from his 20 Tests at an average under 23.
Carse has not played any cricket since the fifth Test of England's 4-1 Ashes series defeat. He has been replaced in the Sunrisers squad by Sri Lankan Dilshan Madushanka.
We all know that former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback and legend Ben Roethlisberger is eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. But meanwhile, another former Steelers from that era is eligible as well, and that is wide receiver, Antonio Brown. Where we think Roethlisberger goes in on the first ballot, the discussion of Brown is far more complicated.
Brown's numbers are a mixed tale. From 2013-2018, there was no better receiver in the league. Still to this day, that six-season stretch is one of the greatest of all time. But is a six-season stretch of elite play counter his final three seasons and all of the non-football drama he brought upon himself and the league?
Brown now joins Hines Ward as another former Steelers receiver who is on the HOF ballot. How long will it take voters to put aside all of Brown's antics and give him a fair shot and will he get in before Ward, who has been eligible since 2017?
Spring practice is nearing its end, with focus quickly shifting to summer workouts and the rapidly approaching fall camp, which will be here before fans and teams realize. The Iowa Hawkeyes are nearing the close of spring practice, which has been vital for a team full of new faces in starting positions.
A team routinely known for its veteran experience, Iowa is ushering in a bit of a different look this year, with many starters getting their first chance and a transfer portal haul that is hoping to provide an instant talent infusion.
Those additions and the consistent success Kirk Ferentz has had in Iowa City have this team earning the benefit of the doubt, coming in at No. 19 in ESPN's spring updated top 25 rankings.
2026 outlook: The Hawkeyes are going to have many new starters on both sides of the ball, but chances are 70-year-old Kirk Ferentz and his coaching staff are going to figure out a way to produce another winning team. Jeremy Hecklinski and Hank Brown will battle for the starting quarterback job. The Hawkeyes added Phillips, who ran for 1,920 yards with 19 touchdowns for the Coyotes. Three starters from the Joe Moore Award-winning offensive line are leaving, but guard Kade Pieper coming back for another season helps. There are many holes to fill on defense, but with Phil Parker still in charge, the Hawkeyes should again be stingy. - Mark Schlabach, ESPN
It's as standard as the sun coming up each day. Iowa and Phil Parker are going to have a strong defense that makes teams earn any yardage and points. Unfortunately, just as common is the question falling back on the offense.
Can this offense find traction with a new quarterback as they usher in a new signal caller for the third time in as many years? That is where Iowa's success lies, and if offensive coordinator Tim Lester can cook up another strong rushing attack as he has done the last two seasons for the Hawkeyes, this team is going to be right there.
Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes and opinions. Follow Riley on X: @rileydonald7
Andoni Iraola says he will always have "fantastic memories" of his three seasons at Bournemouth but the end of the season is the "right moment to step away" from his role in charge of the Cherries.
"It has been an honour to manage AFC Bournemouth and I am proud of what we have achieved together," said Iraola in a statement on the club website confirming his summer exit.
"I'm thankful to the players and staff that I've worked with, as well as Bill [Foley, chairman], who have all made my time here so special.
"As for the fans, you have continued to show your fantastic support to myself and the team, and for that I will always be grateful.
"I feel this is the right moment for me to step away, but I will always carry fantastic memories of this club."
Foley added: "Andoni has been instrumental in shaping the direction of this football club over the past three seasons.
"He brought intensity, innovation and a clear philosophy that elevated AFC Bournemouth both on and off the pitch.
"We are incredibly thankful for his leadership and will always have great memories of our time working together, as well as the things we accomplished."
The best 48 boys and girls high school basketball players across all seven AHSAA classifications and the AISA, are in the running for the ASWA's Mr. and Ms. Basketball of the 2025-26 season. Three players in each AHSAA classification, and in the AISA on both the boys and girls side, will be in the running for Players of the Year.
Rounding out the accolades on Tuesday will be the ASWA's boys and girls Super All-State team led by both Mr. and Ms. Basketball.
Spring Garden's Ace Austin, and Hoover's DeWayne Brown, earned the prestigious honor of Mr. and Ms. Basketball in 2025. As the banquet gets underway, follow along as the Montgomery Advertiser will be at the Renaissance, tracking all the award winners.
2025-26 ASWA's boys and girls Players of The Year nominees
Jaeden Day covers high school sports, Alabama State football and Auburn recruiting for the Montgomery Advertiser/USA Today. You can find him on X at dayjaeden12, or reach him at JDay@montgome.gannett.com.
Following yet another impressive weekend series, the Alabama Crimson Tide are again cemented among the top the SEC softball regular season standings.
This past weekend, Alabama traveled to Auburn for a three-game set with the in-state rival Tigers, a series in which the Crimson Tide swept all three games. Alabama won the games by final scores of 1-0, 4-0, and 9-1, respectively, and are now riding a six-game winning streak dating back to last weekend against Texas as a result.
The Crimson Tide's record this season now sits at 39-3 overall, while Alabama also improves to an impressive 12-3 in SEC play.
Following is a look at the updated SEC regular season standings following the action this past weekend across the conference, as well as where Alabama sits entering a three-game set with Kentucky starting Friday in Tuscaloosa.
Updated SEC softball regular season standings
1. Oklahoma (13-2)
2. Alabama (12-3)
3. Florida (14-4)
4. Texas A&M (11-4)
T-5. Tennessee, Arkansas, Texas (12-6, 10-5)
8. Georgia (9-6)
T-9. Mississippi State, LSU, Missouri (6-9)
12. South Carolina (3-12)
T-13. Ole Miss, Auburn (2-13)
15. Kentucky (1-17)
Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion.
Mark Robins is approaching the end of his first full season as Stoke boss [Getty Images]
Stoke City manager Mark Robins claims "people don't want to hear" about the club's progress because their Championship promotion push has faded.
The Potters, who only avoided relegation on the final day of last season, have won just three of their past 16 league matches.
Robins, who took over in January last year, insists his side have improved.
He told BBC Radio Stoke: "You know why we are where we are. We've come from being a game away from relegation last season to this.
"It seems like people don't want to hear that, but that is part of the timeline of trying to build success.
"You can't do that overnight. We've said that straight all the way through. We need to be together and we need to see it through.
"And if everybody takes stock and looks at actually what is happening, what's happened and what needs to happen moving forward, you can see that there's a progression there."
Stoke enjoyed an encouraging start to the season but are currently 16th in the table.
"The disappointment comes from the emotion of the fact that we started off so well," Robins admitted.
"We lost a load of players through a period. We haven't had them for a long time and it's impacted what we've been able to do.
"But like I said, I could come and sulk because I could see that this was a time where we could kick on and go and really achieve something.
"It hasn't happened. I'm disappointed, but what do I do? I roll my sleeves up and we go again."
Ex-Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore is scheduled to be sentenced this afternoon in connection to criminal charges stemming from a 2025 encounter at the home of a woman with whom he had a roughly two-year affair.
No additional jail time is expected, say experts and Moore's lawyer.
Moore, 40, reached a plea agreement in March with Washtenaw County prosecutors. He pleaded no contest to malicious use of a telecommunications device and one count of trespass. Both are misdemeanors and different from charges originally brought last year.
District 14A Judge J. Cedric Simpson will convey Moore's sentence during a 2 p.m. hearing Tuesday, April 14. While the law indicates jail time is an option, experts told the Free Press probation is far more likely.
In December, Moore, who is married with children, was fired after U-M determined he engaged in an inappropriate relationship. Earlier that week, Moore's then-assistant, 32-year-old Paige Shiver, told university officials about the relationship.
Moore went to Shiver's apartment after he was fired. Police and prosecutors say he barged in, picked up butter knives and backed her into a corner. He also threatened self harm before leaving.
He was arrested shortly thereafter. Police records say Moore did not dispute the affair, but denied ever threatening or harming Shiver.
After his arrest, prosecutors charged Moore with third-degree felony home invasion, a misdemeanor count of stalking related to a domestic relationship and a misdemeanor count of breaking and entering-illegal entry without owner's permission.
Moore's legal team immediately fought the charges, saying he was innocent. In the midst of legal wrangling over how police presented evidence to the magistrate who affirmed the original charges, prosecutors and Moore's legal team reached a deal.
After reaching the deal, Moore's lawyer Ellen Michaels said her client looked forward to putting the matter behind him.
That same day in March, lawyers representing Shiver issued a statement that publicly identified her as Moore's assistant for the first time. The statement indicated she wanted justice from the university, foreshadowing a lawsuit.
Michaels said the basis for Moore's no contest plea is civil liability; a guilty plea can be used against someone in a lawsuit.
Ex-Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore is scheduled to be sentenced this afternoon in connection to criminal charges stemming from a 2025 encounter at the home of a woman with whom he had a roughly two-year affair.
No additional jail time is expected, say experts and Moore's lawyer.
Moore, 40, reached a plea agreement in March with Washtenaw County prosecutors. He pleaded no contest to malicious use of a telecommunications device and one count of trespass. Both are misdemeanors and different from charges originally brought last year.
District 14A Judge J. Cedric Simpson will convey Moore's sentence during a 2 p.m. hearing Tuesday, April 14. While the law indicates jail time is an option, experts told the Free Press probation is far more likely.
In December, Moore, who is married with children, was fired after U-M determined he engaged in an inappropriate relationship. Earlier that week, Moore's then-assistant, 32-year-old Paige Shiver, told university officials about the relationship.
Moore went to Shiver's apartment after he was fired. Police and prosecutors say he barged in, picked up butter knives and backed her into a corner. He also threatened self harm before leaving.
He was arrested shortly thereafter. Police records say Moore did not dispute the affair, but denied ever threatening or harming Shiver.
After his arrest, prosecutors charged Moore with third-degree felony home invasion, a misdemeanor count of stalking related to a domestic relationship and a misdemeanor count of breaking and entering-illegal entry without owner's permission.
Moore's legal team immediately fought the charges, saying he was innocent. In the midst of legal wrangling over how police presented evidence to the magistrate who affirmed the original charges, prosecutors and Moore's legal team reached a deal.
After reaching the deal, Moore's lawyer Ellen Michaels said her client looked forward to putting the matter behind him.
That same day in March, lawyers representing Shiver issued a statement that publicly identified her as Moore's assistant for the first time. The statement indicated she wanted justice from the university, foreshadowing a lawsuit.
Michaels said the basis for Moore's no contest plea is civil liability; a guilty plea can be used against someone in a lawsuit.
Former Boston College head coach Joanna Bernabei-McNamee and former New Mexico head coach Mike Bradbury are set to replace assistant coaches Shay Robinson, who joined Florida's coaching staff, and Amanda Butler, who's now the head coach at College of Charleston. It will be a reunion of sorts for Bernabei-McNamee and UofL head coach Jeff Walz, who won a national championship together in 2006 as part of Maryland's coaching staff.
"Having shared that experience, I’ve seen firsthand the level of preparation, passion and basketball IQ she brings every single day," Walz said of Bernabei-McNamee in a statement. "There’s a trust and familiarity there that you can’t manufacture, and I know she’ll make an immediate impact on our program. Joanna has proven herself as a leader and a teacher of the game, and she brings a tremendous ability to connect with our players while continuing to push them to grow."
Walz left Maryland a year after winning the national title for his first head coaching job at Louisville; Bernabei-McNamee joined West Virginia's coaching staff.
Head coaching stints at Pikeville (2013-16) and Albany (2016-18) followed for Bernabei-McNamee before she took over the Boston College program. During her eight seasons with the Eagles, the West Virginia native led the program to 20 wins in 2019-20 — including a program-record 11 ACC wins, earning her ACC Coach of the Year honors. But a five-win 2025-26 season led to her firing on on March 1.
Bradbury had been a head coach for 19 years and spent the last 10 years leading the New Mexico women's basketball program where he compiled a 202-112 overall record. That included six 20-win seasons and a program-record-tying 26 wins during the 2021-22 season. In 2023-24, he was named the Mountain West Coach of the Year thanks to a 21-11 overall mark and 12-6 Mountain West Conference record. Bradbury ended his tenure with New Mexico with a 22-9 mark this past season.
Bradbury's resume includes head coaching roles at Wright State (2010-16) and Morehead State (2007-10) with assistant coaching stops at Xavier (2002-06), Cincinnati (1996-02), VCU (1995-96), East Tennessee State (1994-95) and Chattanooga (1991-94).
"Adding Mike Bradbury to our staff is about bringing in a coach with a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of the game,” Walz said. “He’s been a head coach, he’s navigated the challenges of building programs, and he understands what it takes to compete at a high level. That perspective is invaluable for our players and for our staff as we continue to push forward."
Reach Louisville football, women's basketball and baseball beat writer Alexis Cubit at acubit@gannett.com and follow her on X at @Alexis_Cubit.
The Dallas Cowboys have two opportunities to get things spectacularly right in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Unfortunately, given their recent track record, they also have two chances to royally screw up. Dallas' reputation as a top-tier drafting organization took a major hit in the Mike McCarthy era, after flourishing in the 2010s.
There were misses here and there, but the club generally reaped Pro Bowl appearances and All-Pro nominations based on the work they did in the first round. The misses though? They are definitely warnings heading into next week's haul where Dallas has both the No. 12 and No. 20 pick. Here's a look at the worst first-round picks of the Jerry Jones era.
Warning Track: LT Tyler Guyton
We haven't reach this point just yet, but ears are certainly perked up to hear whether or not Guyton will start to realize his ceiling in 2026. Injuries have robbed him of important prep time AND game reps, which have many starting to question whether he's built for the rigors of the NFL. Guyton is getting another year to prove the improvements many saw last camp can stick and help him grow, because his max out potential is worthy of his draft status. But this is a results-oriented business, not one based on potential.
10. 1998: DE Greg Ellis
Ellis wasn't a bad pick by any stretch of the imagination. He wasn't an All-Pro, but 176 games played with 84 career sacks is an extremely solid career. The problem here is he isn't Randy Moss, whom the entire universe, including Moss himself, thought was destined for Dallas.
9. 2008: RB Felix Jones
Jones wasn't a bad draft pick, but he certainly didn't last long in the league. he ended his career with just 617 rushing attempts and 2,912 rush yards, while catching 136 passes for another 1,125 yards. He totaled 14 career touchdowns and was in Dallas for five of his six career seasons.
8. 2008: CB Mike Jenkins
Dallas actually had two first-round picks in 2008, thanks to trading out of the first in the Steven Jackson mishap. Neither flourished. Jenkins stuck around the league for a little bit and had 10 career interceptions in his 101 games played.
7. 1999: DE Ebenezer Ekuban
The Cowboys followed up the Ellis pick in 1999 with Ekuban the following year out of North Carolina. This one was on. theplayer, though, as he talled just 36.5 sacks over his nine-year career.
6. 2006: LB Bobby Carpenter
The Cowboys plucked Carpenter out of Ohio State in 2006 under Bill Parcells, but the vision was never rewarded. Carpenter lasted in the league for 93 games, but he started just 10 contests and only three in his four years in Dallas.
Click the link to go to Cowboys Wire for the full article.
In its fourth season under head coach Jon Scheyer, Duke basketball finished the 2025-26 college hoops season as the nation's second-most watched team, per an April 13 Nielsen release.
Only national champion Michigan ranked ahead of Duke in viewership, with the Wolverines garnering around 3.3 million viewers compared to the Blue Devils' 2.9. UConn (2.8 million), Purdue (2.5) and Illinois (2.3) rounded out the top-five.
The Blue Devils faced two teams in that top-five group, notching a 68-63 win over Michigan on Feb. 21 before seeing its season come to an end in a 73-72 loss to the Huskies in the NCAA Tournament Elite 8. Duke finished the year 35-3, its second-straight 35-win season.
Consistently a top-watched team, the Blue Devils finished the regular season tabbed as Nielsen's most popular men's college basketball team, measuring both viewership and social media data. They came in at No. 2 in viewership earlier in the year, trailing just Michigan State.
Nielsen most-watched 2025-26 men's basketball teams
Michigan: 3.353 million viewers
Duke: 2.965 million viewers
UConn: 2.842 million viewers
Purdue: 2.554 million viewers
Illinois: 2.377 million viewers
Anna Snyder covers Duke for The Fayetteville Observer as part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at asnyder@usatodayco.com or follow her @annaesnydr on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Former Duke guard Darren Harris has committed to join the Indiana Hoosiers after entering the transfer portal less than a week ago.
In two seasons with the Blue Devils, Harris never saw much of the floor, playing in 57 contests and averaging just 8.4 minutes per game during his tenure.
As a result, his numbers took a hit, averaging 2.8 points, 0.9 rebounds, 0.4 assists and 0.2 steals.
With two years of eligibility remaining, Harris will now join the Hoosiers in hopes of playing more frequently.
There, he'll join a team that finished 10th in the Big Ten last season and 18-14 overall.
The Minnesota Vikings are flying blind, to an extent, into the NFL Draft in a year that is more pivotal than most in the recent memory of the franchise.
The team fired general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah after the Senior Bowl and pivoted to Executive Vice President of Football Operations Rob Brzezinski as their new leader. However, reports suggest the coaching staff is having its hands all over the NFL Draft, but that doesn't mean they can do it alone. CBS Sports' Zachary Pereles discussed this, as April is a big month for the team ahead of a pivotal year, as we discussed.
Pereles discussed some of the big decisions that have been made, writing, "The Vikings made some of the biggest headlines in January when they fired GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and in March, when they signed Kyler Murray. Could they again produce a major storyline in April? First, they still haven't found a full-time replacement for Adofo-Mensah. Executive vice president of football operations Rob Brzezinski is serving as interim GM, and he will continue to do so through the draft. Only then will a full search begin. But Brzezinski has made several big calls this offseason, including signing Murray and exercising Jordan Addison's fifth-year option."
Brzezinski has made those decisions, so is this the team's way of saying we trust you going forward? We have not heard anything, and shouldn't until after the NFL Draft, which is next week. So while April is a big month for the team, May is going to be even more monumental.
One position group that needs addressing is surprisingly the tight end position. As that position group sits right now, all of the Cleveland Browns' eggs are in the Harold Fannin Jr. basket.
That's not a bad strategy, as Fannin was a superstar in his first year in the NFL. As the 67th pick, he overperformed to an amazing extent and was one of the few bright spots for the Cleveland Browns in 2025.
As the Browns evaluate their roster heading into 2026, the tight end position is an obvious place of need on Cleveland's roster. As it sits right now, the only people on it are Fannin Jr, Jack Stoll, Blake Whiteheart, Brendan Bates, Sal Cannella, and Caden Prieskorn. Outside of Fannin Jr, the other five players are guaranteed exactly zero dollars on their contracts. These are not reliable pieces of the Browns' roster.
Cleveland has two solutions to this issue. The first is to address this need during the draft, which they very well will do. They just hosted tight end Kenyon Sadiq, who has the potential to be one of the best players in the draft when it is all said and done.
A more likely outcome is a guy like Max Klare in the third or fourth round, very similar to where they selected Fannin Jr. last year.
The other option is to dip their toe into the free agency pool. The available players there are all wily veterans. The names are Jonu Smith, Zack Ertz, Darren Waller, and, of course, David Njoku. Out of those four, the obvious one that is the best fit is Njoku.
With the way that Todd Monken deploys tight ends and weapons, it is almost guaranteed that Cleveland is going to add another tight end at some point during the remainder of this offseason. The only question is when and where.
Njoku will likely want to go to a winner, and as a veteran, will probably want to wait until training camp is wrapping up before he signs. With that said, there is a legitimate connection between Njoku and the Cleveland fanbase, and bringing him back would be a great signal to the Dawg Pound.
LIBBY — Tyce Van Orden threw a five-inning three-hitter and drove in two runs to help his own cause as Eureka beat Libby 17-2 in high school baseball Monday at Lee Gehring Field.
The Lions (3-3) combined 10 hits with seven walks and one four batters issued by Libby pitching to put away the Loggers.
Two errors set up two-run singles by Logan Cuffe and Colter White in the first inning for Eureka; after Libby bounced back with two runs, the Lions added four more runs in the second inning, with Cuffe hitting an RBI single to make it 8-2.
Rogan Lytle hit a two-run single in the fifth as the game got out of hand. Lytle scored four times; Cuff had three hits; Tristan Libby scored three times for the Lions.
Van Orden went the distance; he walked none, hit one batter and struck out four.
Boe Miles and Hunter Rooney had the RBIs for the Loggers (2-2).
It's almost time for the 2026 NFL draft to kick off next week in Pittsburgh as teams finalize their big board ahead of the festivities. The Cleveland Browns aren't finding a franchise quarterback in this year's draft, which means they can give a young guy like Shedeur Sanders a chance to prove himself.
Trading back and adding assets for 2027, in case Sanders doesn't perform well, makes the most sense for the team in the long term. Let's dive into my final mock draft of 2026, as the draft is just around the corner.
Monroe Freeling might be one of the strongest pass protectors in the entire class. His length and athleticism allow him to neutralize speed rushers effectively, and he uses that same reach to control power rushers even without elite strength. Across 390 pass‑blocking snaps for Georgia this season, he surrendered just six pressures and two sacks.
Round 1, Pick 24: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
The best part of Dillon Thieneman's game is versatility. You can line him up in the slot, the box, or as a single high safety, and he plays at a high level in all three places. Not afraid to get physical in run defense, and his ability to trigger downhill quickly is impressive. Thieneman is a fantastic athlete and a true defensive weapon who could be the replacement for Delpit if he isn't brought back after 2026.
Round 2, Pick 39: Chris Bell, WR, Louisville
Chris Bell brings an impressive combination of size, physicality, and athleticism that consistently creates matchup problems for defenses. At 6‑foot‑2 and 220 pounds, he elevates with ease and shows no hesitation working through contact to finish catches in traffic. His hands are strong and dependable, and his body control allows him to adjust to off‑target throws. What really jumps off the tape, though, is his explosiveness. For a player with his build, he accelerates unusually well and becomes a dangerous threat after the catch, often outrunning defenders who appear to have the angle.
Round 3, Pick 70: Skyler Bell, WR, UCONN
Skyler Bell projects as an undersized slot receiver at the next level, but his route running and natural separation ability make him a real asset. His speed shows up both on film and in testing, highlighted by his 4.4-second 40-yard dash at the combine. Bell excels at varying his pace—throttling up and down to snap off routes and create space. In the open field, he’s slippery and efficient, consistently forcing missed tackles and generating extra yards.
Round 4, Pick 107: Sam Roush, TE, Stanford
Sam Roush brings prototypical tight end size at 6‑foot‑5 and 260 pounds, along with the versatility to line up in multiple spots. He offers solid pass‑protection ability when asked to stay in and assist the tackles, and he has the strength and frame to develop into a quality run blocker with improved technique. After the catch, he runs with physicality, and his speed is good enough to threaten defenses up the seam while working from a well‑rounded route tree.
Round 4, Pick 130: Matt Gulbin, C, Michigan State
Matt Gulbin brings versatility to the offensive line, having played both guard spots and center during his collegiate career. He has a good power profile, making him a plus-level run blocker, and a high football IQ to adjust protection at the line of scrimmage.
Round 5, Pick 149: Nadame Tucker, EDGE, Western Michigan
Nadame Tucker may be a one‑year breakout, but his production this season for Western Michigan was outstanding. He posted a 28.4% pass‑rush win rate and racked up 61 pressures, 14.5 sacks, and 21 tackles for loss. Tucker fires off the line with real explosiveness, pairing strong hands with smooth lateral agility to consistently stress offensive tackles.
Round 6, Pick 206: Devon Marshall, CB, NC State
Devon Marshall lacks great top speed, but he is at his best when he is in press-man coverage and can get physical with receivers. He does a good job diagnosing plays in front of him quickly and responds well with solid downhill speed. Marshall is a reliable tackler, and his physicality makes him worth a day-three selection.
Round 7, Pick 248: Jimmy Rolder, LB, Michigan
Jimmy Rolder would be a great special teams contributor and could earn some reps as a linebacker on defense. He's a fantastic tackler and is an above-average athlete. He navigates traffic well against the run, which would help him in the special teams area as well.
The New York Giants will be selecting fifth overall in the 2026 NFL draft, barring any blockbuster trade. With that pick, many experts believe they will concentrate on some of the top defensive difference-makers, such as Ohio State's two studs, linebacker Sonny Styles and safety Caleb Downs.
However, the experts at NFL Network don't think that would be the best use of the pick, citing need as well as best player available.
On Path to the Draft on Monday afternoon, Giants head coach John Harbaugh began the segment by providing an update on two players who are working their way back from serious injuries. Wide receiver Malik Nabers (knee) and running back Cam Skattebo (ankle) are expected to return for the regular season, fully recovered, but at the moment, both have a ways to go.
"Skatt, probably, you know, is going to be ahead of Malik with that," said Harbaugh. "Just, I think you guys all know that. Skatt will probably get out there a little bit at some point in time. To some degree. I can't really -- it wouldn't be fair for me to give you days or dates or to what degree. I really haven't had that in-depth discussion with (head trainer Adam Bennett).
"I got a vague idea, but it's not that important today. And we try to focus on today. Malik is going to be more toward, you know, in the training camp and closer to the season. That's more Malik's timeline."
That brought them to predicting who the Giants might select with the No. 5 pick in the draft. Bucky Brooks favored Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love, while Daniel Jeremiah opted for Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate.
"Based on John Harbaugh's history, I'm gonna go with Jeremiyah Love, and the reason why is the running back can settle down everything that is around (quarterback) Jaxson Dart by being able to have an effective running game," said Brooks.
"When I think about the Giants at their best is when they've been able to impose their will running the football, playing a physical brand of ball that allows them to dictate the terms to not only set up the offensive success but to protect that defense... And even though I like the thought of adding Carnell Tate to an offense that already features Malik Nabers, to me, you get more bang for your buck when you got a talented running back like Jeremiyah Love that can alleviate some of the pressure on Jaxson Dart."
Jeremiah chimed in with his case for Tate.
"Yeah, I don't know if your guys' ears perked up at all, but when he talked about Malik Nabers going into training camp and as we get closer to the season, I'm sitting here with like alarm bells going off, going, wait a second, Wan'Dale Robinson's gone, you brought in (tight end Isaiah) Likely, who I like, coming over. You know, Harbaugh's familiar with him, but they need some weapons on the perimeter for Jackson Dart. And that's why I think Carnell Tate's going to be in the discussion," Jeremiah said.
Jeremiah then admitted that Love was the better pick and has him rated higher.
"I have a higher grade on Love, so if you're going to push me into a decision there, I'm going to always lean towards best available player," he said. "But Carnell Tate's my 6th guy, and this is looking more and more like a real need and urgency here for the Giants at the wide receiver position. And to me, this is a complete receiver, somebody who can make plays down the field, big catch radius. And if Nabors is back, and when he's back healthy, that would be a fun one-two punch."
Decisions, decisions. The Giants' best bet is still to trade back a few slots, get themselves a Day 2 pick, and hope they can still land one of their top targets.
The Wisconsin Badgers men's hockey team may have made it to the national title game, but it just lost a key coach ahead of the 2026-27 season.
It's never too early to start looking ahead to next season, especially when assistant coach Nick Oliver is no longer with the program. On April 12, St. Cloud State announced that Mike Hastings' three-year assistant was named its next head coach.
"I'm humbled and honored for the opportunity to be the next head coach of St. Cloud State Men's Hockey," Oliver said. "I appreciate the support of President Tomso, Director of Athletics Holly Schreiner and the entire search committee for putting their trust in me."
"I'm excited to start the process of building relationships and connecting with our current and incoming players," he added. "We have tremendous alumni and supporters of the program that I look forward to speaking with. My family and I couldn't be more excited to call St. Cloud home again."
Oliver is the only coach or player to be part of both NCAA Frozen Fours in SCSU history. The former Huskies captain played in the 2013 Frozen Four and was an assistant on the 2021 team.
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After finishing the regular season with a 37-45 record, the Golden State Warriors face the grueling task of navigating two play-in games to try to qualify for the playoffs. Steve Kerr's team will begin their play-in tournament push against the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday, April 15, in what will be a rematch of their final game of the season, where they lost 115-110 on Sunday, April 12.
Facing off against Ty Lue's team is far from an easy task, especially with how Kawhi Leonard has been playing in recent months. The Clippers are 19-13 since the Feb. 5 trade deadline, where the front office rebuilt some of the roster. Two of those 19 wins have come against Golden State, as the Clippers won their season series against Kerr's team 3-1.
During a recent news conference, Kerr discussed the challenges of facing the Clippers in the opening game of the play-in tournament, providing an in-depth breakdown of how his team will look to guard and potentially contain Leonard.
“Well, he's always been a great player,” Steve Kerr said, via Tomer Azarly. “So I'm not sure how much he's changed now compared to when we saw him in the NBA Finals in 2019. He's just gotten better and better, but he's still doing the same things. He's just doing them at a high level. The gameplan doesn't change, but you have to recognize just how good he is, how much they depend on him, and we'll watch everything in terms of what they're running for him, his favorite spots to be in.”
Kerr then continued by detailing Kawhi's role within the Clippers offense and the challenges he can pose due to his ability to play into the ruleset.
“We'll have some rules for our guys that we've had in regular season games too in terms of not letting him do certain things,” Kerr said. “He's going to really try to get fouled. He's going to do the NBA thing which lots of guys are doing. [Brandin Podziemski] does it for us, he'll try to use the rules against the other team and get to the foul line so we have to be prepared for all of that, just like they do with [Brandin Podziemski].”
Wednesday will be a do-or-die game for Golden State. Curry and Draymond Green are highly experienced in those pressure-cooker moments and are likely to be unfazed by the situation. As such, the rest of the locker room will likely be looking to them for some leadership, both during the build-up and throughout the game itself.
Nevertheless, the Clippers are a tough opponent, especially when it comes to a win-or-go-home situation. Hopefully, the Warriors' experience in these moments will provide them with an edge; their season could come to an end on Wednesday.
The 2023-24 UNC basketball team, loaded with experienced veterans and young talent, provided a much-needed bounce back from one season before.
That North Carolina squad earned a 1-seed in the NCAA Tournament, quickly dispatching Wagner and Michigan State, before losing to Alabama in the Sweet 16.
One key player from that Tar Heels team, sharpshooter Cormac Ryan, recently capped off a historic rookie NBA season. Ryan is the first rookie, in NBA history, to average 50/40/90 shooting splits for a season.
Ryan ended his rookie campaign shooting 52 percent overall on field goals, 45.8% on 3-pointers and 92.3% at the free throw line, the last percentage of which UNC desperately needed during its own 2025-26 season.
The Bucks are heading in a bad direction, recently firing head coach Doc Rivers after missing postseason action for the first time since 2016. Milwaukee also dealt with an injury to superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo for most of the year, with no great backup plan to overshadow his injury.
Ryan averaged 14.3 points per game in 11 appearances (two starts), adding 2.5 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game. Ryan reached double figures in his final eight games, proving himself worthy of a full-time NBA roster spot in the 2026-27 campaign.
As the Bucks are likely to make sweeping changes, is Ryan a part of their future? Or will the former North Carolina sharpshooter find a new home?
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With the NFL Draft just over a week away, teams are finalizing their boards of potential fits for next weekend. The Cowboys have themselves been finishing up their 30 official visits to The Star in Frisco, identifying prospects they are interested in learning more of up close and personal.
One name that stands out is Charles Demmings, a cornerback from Stephen F. Austin. Demmings’ path to this point is far from conventional. A native of DFW from Mesquite, Texas, he attended Mesquite Horn High School, where he participated in track and only played football during his senior year. Despite starting late, he demonstrated sufficient potential to receive offers from institutions such as West Texas A&M, Pittsburg State, and UT-Permian Basin, among others.
Ultimately, he opted for Stephen F. Austin, a decision that proved beneficial.
Early in his collegiate career, Demmings began to exhibit his potential. By his sophomore year, he was already making contributions, finishing with eight solo tackles, 11 total tackles, three pass breakups, and one interception over 11 games.
His 2025 season marked his breakout year. Demmings received First-Team All-Southland honors as well as First-Team AFCA FCS All-American recognition. He recorded four interceptions and six pass breakups, demonstrating his capacity to impact the game consistently. Throughout his career, Demmings accumulated 63 tackles, nine interceptions, and 35 passes defended across 42 games. This level of production was not merely solid; it was historic. He departed SFA as the program’s all-time leader in passes defended, highlighting both his consistency and ball skills. This impressive resume earned him an invitation to the NFL Combine, where he captured even more attention.
Charlie Demmings Combine Measurements
HT: 6-foot-1
WT: 193 pounds
Arm length: 32"
40-yard dash : 4.41 seconds
10-yard split: 1.55 seconds
Vertical Jump: 42"
Next Gen Stats backed up what the tape and testing showed, giving Demmings the ninth-best Production Score and the top Athletic Score among his group.
Simply put, he tested like one of the most athletic corners in the draft.
Charlie Demmings Scouting Overview
2025 stats: 18 tackles, 12 solo tackles, 4 interceptions, and 5 pass deflections
Round Grade: Early to mid-5th round
Strengths
Demmings is a versatile defensive back with experience in multiple coverages, but his strength is clearly in press-man coverage. At the line of scrimmage, he uses his length effectively to disrupt timing. His footwork and hip fluidity allow him to mirror receivers through their breaks, and he has the long speed to stay in phase downfield. When he’s in the press and able to dictate the rep early, you see his confidence and athleticism really take over.
Weaknesses
In off coverage, his instincts and reaction time are still developing. He can be a step late when driving on routes in front of him, which creates separation windows that NFL quarterbacks will exploit if not cleaned up. Physically, he also needs to get stronger. As a tackler, he tends to rely more on drag-down techniques rather than wrapping up and finishing through contact. That will be an adjustment at the next level, especially if he’s expected to contribute on special teams early in his career. Still, the tools are there, and they’re hard to teach.
Stephen F. Austin CB Charles Demmings has really solid tape. Early day 3 pick imo pic.twitter.com/5jOEZCtU8r
Early in his NFL career, his most likely role is as a CB4 while contributing heavily on special teams, particularly as a gunner. His combination of speed, length, and effort makes him a natural fit in that phase of the game. Long-term, if he continues to develop his instincts and adds play strength, he has the traits to grow into a reliable outside corner in a man-heavy defensive scheme. For a prospect who only played one year of high school football, Demmings’ rise has been impressive. And with his athletic profile and production, he’s exactly the type of small-school prospect that could turn into a draft-day steal.
Cowboys Fit
The Cowboys invested in their cornerback position this offseason by signing former Rams cornerback Cobie Durant. Last year, they selected Shavon Revel in the third round. DaRon Bland, Shavon Revel, Cobie Durant, and Reddy Steward are the four cornerbacks expected to play next year. There may be one or two openings for the CB 5/6 positions this year. Demmings offers value as a potential gunner on special teams and as an outside corner depth option early in his career. He has significant potential to develop into a CB4 with man coverage skills and above-average instincts.
With the combine and pro days in the books, NFL teams are doing their final visits, film reviews and phone calls before the 2026 NFL Draft begins on April 23.
Mock drafts and rumors are swirling across the league, and some involve safety Dillon Thieneman, who is widely expected to come off the board at some point in the first round. Thieneman put together an impressive campaign with the Oregon Ducks after transferring from Purdue and solidified himself as one of the top safeties in the draft with an impressive showing at the NFL scouting combine.
NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah turned up the heat on Thieneman's draft projections during a recent appearance on "The Joel Klatt Show," in which he named the Dallas Cowboys as a possible yet unsuspecting landing spot for the Oregon star. For Jeremiah, it all comes down to one coaching connection for former Oregon defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi.
"The Cowboys have a glaring need in the secondary and at the safety position," Jeremiah said. "Tosh Lupoi – who we just established loves Thieneman – he was at Alabama from 2014 all the way to 2018. He was a co-defensive coordinator in 2017. You know who was coaching in that secondary? It was Derrick Ansley. You know who coaches DBs for the Dallas Cowboys right now? Derrick Ansley. That's why I've been saying I think Thieneman could be the 12th pick in the draft."
The NFL can sometimes be all about who knows who, and that extends to the draft. Although Ansley might not have the ultimate sway in his first year as a position coach in Dallas, Thieneman is a top talent in the draft that he could convince the Cowboys to take. Jeremiah currently has Thieneman ranked as the No. 17 player in the draft class.
Lupoi and Ansley were together on Alabama's coaching staff in 2016 and 2017 before both eventually moved on to roles in the NFL. However, it's possible that the bond they built in those two seasons could benefit Thieneman with a higher draft selection. It might seem like a random connection, but Lupoi only became the defensive coordinator for the Ducks because of one season he spent in Tuscaloosa with Dan Lanning, who was a graduate assistant in 2015 for the Crimson Tide.
Jeremiah went a step further, adding the idea that new Cowboys defensive coordinator Christian Parker could look to replicate some of the draft success he had in Philadelphia in 2024, when the Eagles selected Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean with their first two picks. Jeremiah believes Thieneman has similarities to DeJean as a deep safety with versatile abilities that could allow him to line up all over the defense.
The Cowboys have the No. 12 and No. 20 picks in the first round, but if they want Thieneman, they might have to take him with their top selection. Thieneman has been mocked by many draft experts to the Minnesota Vikings at No. 18 overall, and it's possible he won't make it past them on draft night.
Thieneman starred in his lone season in Eugene, totaling 96 tackles and two interceptions, both of which helped seal road wins for the Ducks against Penn State and Washington. Thieneman earned first-team All-Big Ten honors and was named a second-team All-American.
Jeremiah added that some teams have Thieneman as the top safety in the draft, ranked ahead of Ohio State's Caleb Downs, while others have him ranked third at the position behind Toledo's Emmanuel McNeil-Warren. The projections are split, but Thieneman is still considered to be a first-round pick, regardless of the order the safeties are taken in.
Time will tell if Thieneman's connection to the staff of "America's Team" through Lupoi matters enough to bring him to Dallas on draft night.
Contact/Follow @Ducks_Wire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oregon Ducks news, notes, and opinions.
With the 2026 NFL draft now just over one week away, eight former Denver Broncos players remain free agents.
The club's in-house unrestricted free agents are fullback Michael Burton (who missed last year with a hamstring injury) and center Sam Mustipher (who stepped up late in the season and in the divisional round of the playoffs). Burton has had at least one free agent visit elsewhere, and he seems unlikely to return to the Broncos after the team re-signed fullback Adam Prentice. Mustipher also seems unlikely to return given that Alex Forsyth and Nick Gargiulo are both healthy and providing depth behind starter Luke Wattenberg.
In addition to Burton and Mustipher, there are six former practice squad players who became free agents when their contracts expired last month, and they also remain unsigned.
Denver currently has 73 players under contract, and the team holds seven picks in the 2026 NFL draft. Following the draft, the Broncos will fill out the 90-man offseason roster by signing college free agents.
Ryan Blaney's issues on pit road have been well documented during the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season. Whether it is loose wheels or slow stops, Blaney's pit crew has ranked as one of the worst in NASCAR to start the new campaign. Despite the struggles on Sunday at Bristol Motor Speedway, the No. 12 crew did keep Blaney in the lead during the money stops.
Following the race, Blaney's crew chief Jonathan Hassler spoke to NASCAR.com about the performance of the No. 12 pit crew. After all of its struggles, Hassler kept his optimism, putting trust in his pit crew.
“I think they did a great job,” Hassler told NASCAR.com. “We had a couple mistakes again, but they stuck with it. All of those guys are capable and we’ve stuck with them, and when everything was on the line the most, they followed through. The guys have a lot of potential. They have the ability. We’ve had some bumps in the road, some of which isn’t necessarily those guys or any one person; just kind of getting the whole group and the car and the team kind of in sync.”
It has been a disastrous start to the 2026 NASCAR season for the No. 12 pit crew, and it is fair to wonder whether Blaney would have more than one win with better performances. However, Hassler believes they did a great job at Bristol, and maybe, there will be improvements moving forward.
The Boston Celtics have built their teams in a number of ways over the decades, but few if any methods have born more fruit than through the NBA draft. The best players to suit up for the Celtics have, by and large, come to Boston either through being taken directly in the annual event, or via trades made that night.
And it is not just the top stars who have been picked up by the Celtics via the draft. Countless members of the storied ball club's alumni have been taken by the team, and some schools are better represented than others. We can see blue blood programs and some very small schools both delivering top talent to Boston's rosters over the years, so we decided to take a look at which players came from which schools overall.
So without further ado, let's take a look at every player who has been drafted by the Celtics out of DePaul.
Gene Stump - wing
Draft year and position: third round (second pick, 22nd overall), 1947 BAA Draft
Seasons at DePaul: one
Seasons played with Celtics: two
All stats and data courtesy of Basketball Reference.
Former Ohio State and Pickerington Central forward Devin Royal will play his final season of college basketball at Villanova.
Royal, a three-year contributor and two-year starter for the Buckeyes, announced his commitment to the Wildcats with posts to social media on April 13. He has one year of eligibility remaining.
Ohio State's second-leading rebounder in each of the past two seasons, Royal averaged 10.6 points and 4.9 rebounds while playing in 96 games at Ohio State. In his last two years as a starter, Royal averaged 13.7 points both seasons while moving from power forward to small forward in 2025-26.
The transfer portal opened April 7. You can keep tabs on Ohio State's roster with our tracker by clicking here.
Ohio State men's basketball beat writer Adam Jardy can be reached at ajardy@dispatch.com, on Bluesky at @cdadamjardy.bsky.social or on Twitter at @AdamJardy.
Barcelona said the officials made "a major error" but Uefa has waved away their protest [Getty Images]
Barcelona's complaint over a "grave lack of VAR intervention" during last week's 2-0 Champions League defeat by Atletico Madrid has been dismissed by Uefa.
European football's governing body has declared the club's protest "inadmissible".
Hansi Flick's side were denied a penalty in the 54th minute of the quarter-final first leg when Atletico defender Marc Pubill handled the ball in the visitors' box.
Pubill, who had received a yellow card earlier in the game, stopped the ball with his hand after goalkeeper Juan Musso had appeared to restart play with a goal-kick.
Barcelona players appealed for a penalty but referee Istvan Kovacs allowed play to continue and Video Assistant Referee Christian Dingert did not intervene.
"The club considers that the refereeing did not adhere to the current law, directly influencing how the game progressed and the result," Barcelona said on Thursday.
They described it as "a major error" and asked for "an investigation be opened" into the matter.
But on Tuesday Uefa said: "The Uefa Control Ethics and Disciplinary Body declared the protest to be inadmissible."
The clubs meet in the second leg on Tuesday night at Atletico's Riyadh Air Metropolitano Stadium, with the hosts holding a 2-0 lead on aggregate after securing their first win at the Nou Camp since 2006 last week.
New Denver Broncos wide receiver Jaylen Waddle is embracing his new team in earnest.
Since the blockbuster trade for the star wide receiver, Waddle has been the center of attention in the Denver media. Waddle has been rubbing shoulders with all levels of Broncos brass, from a dinner with quarterback Bo Nix and front office staff to being a topic of discussion at the annual league meetings at the beginning of April. Now, he's starting to flash his skills as the beginning of offseason workouts draw near.
In a 16-second video posted on Instagram, the pass catcher flashed a lot of Broncos swag while practicing his craft. Waddle wore a white Broncos pullover and was shown flashing his speed in a throwback Broncos long-sleeve shirt. You can watch the clip below.
Waddle grinning ear to ear is a fantastic sign. He's in line to be a featured target in the Bo Nix-led offense under the direction of new offensive coordinator Davis Webb in 2026. After three 1,000+ yard seasons in five years, Waddle could have another big year for a Denver team with championship aspirations.
The 2025 season for the Iowa Hawkeyes was largely defined by the usual suspects. This team played strong defense, ran the ball incredibly well behind a stout offensive line, and won games in the forgotten third of the game, special teams.
The latter two, the offensive line play and special teams, singlehandedly won games on multiple occasions this year. The offensive line took home the Joe Moore Award and is led by two future NFL talents, Gennings Dunker and Logan Jones, each of whom has earned a "best at" in ESPN's NFL Draft superlatives.
Jones is steady in pass protection and had experience in a multiple-run scheme at Iowa. He has the field awareness to identify pressure and late movement to anchor the offensive front.
Dunker could make a move to guard in the NFL, but that won't impact his play demeanor. He looks to bury defenders on combo blocks, and he will drive linebackers out of the screen when he gets his hands on them at the second level. It's a double-chinstrap game when you line up against Dunker. - Matt Bowen, ESPN
On the special teams side of things, Iowa flipped multiple games on its head this year with electrifying special teams plays when elite return man Kaden Wetjen got his hands on the ball. One of the most explosive players in all of college football, he has NFL special teams coaches salivating with his innate ability to find green and burst through it for game-changing plays.
Wetjen is fearless in the return game, with the vision and open-field burst to create explosive plays. He returned three punts and one kickoff for a touchdown in 2025, and he had 10 punt returns of 20 or more yards -- the most in the FBS. - Matt Bowen, ESPN
Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes and opinions. Follow Riley on X: @rileydonald7
Colin Calderwood has also managed Nottingham Forest, Hibernian and Cambridge United [Getty Images]
Interim boss Colin Calderwood insists there is a "really buoyant" mood in the Northampton Town squad despite being on the brink of relegation.
The Cobblers will go down to League Two if they fail to win at Luton Town on Wednesday - and even if they do, a point for AFC Wimbledon against Stockport would almost certainly seal their fate.
Northampton have won only one of their last 21 matches - and lost all five since technical director Calderwood was put in charge following the sacking of Kevin Nolan on 9 March.
The Scot told BBC Radio Northampton that the squad's attitude "doesn't bear any relation to our situation and the results we've had".
He said: "Resilience is an important factor when you're a sportsman - you've got to come back from defeat and disappointment and we are right in the midst of that at the minute.
"As much as we can, we look forward to a really exciting game away at Luton and we'll try and put some of the energy and good stuff that we've shown (in training) this week on the pitch in the match."
Northampton have not played since a 3-1 home defeat by Wigan on 6 April and will be up against a Luton side looking for a place in the play-offs, under Jack Wilshere, after lifting the Vertu Trophy at Wembley on Sunday.
Despite that, and Luton's four wins in their last five league games, Calderwood wants his side to play on the front foot as much as possible and try to create more goal opportunities.
They have only scored 34 goals in 41 League One matches this term, the second-lowest tally in the division.
"[We need] to have more efforts at goal, put the opposition under threat, make them defend the box, whether that be off crosses or dribbles, and make sure numbers keep arriving in there.
"We are going to try and upset the applecart a little bit and start to get a bit of happiness and success and joy on the football pitch," Calderwood said.
"The boys certainly haven't given up, they're really applying themselves, trying to get better - small individual improvement leading into team improvement, that's what we're striving for.
"It's quite interesting to watch and doesn't surprise me because if you take a backward step or switch off, it's a real assassination of your own personality and character - I don't see that at all."
Luton won 1-0 at Northampton in October and also beat them in the Trophy semi-finals at Kenilworth Road last month.
Calderwood added: "They stretched us in lots of moments and I expect more of the same. Is there a more awkward game to go into? Probably not after the weekend."
We asked for your views on whether Fulham have achieved enough in the Premier League, 25 years to the day on from first winning promotion to the top flight under Jean Tigana.
Here are some of your replies:
Billy: Honestly? No. Fulham should have at least won a trophy, either an FA Cup or League Cup, by now. There is something in the club mentality that stops us from reaching our potential. We are always nearly there, but not nearly enough. You have to think about why we cannot compete at a higher level.
Jim: There are probably more than 80 teams that would be more than happy to swap their last 25 years with ours. Any long-term Fulham supporter wouldn't swap the last 25 years for our previous 25 years.
Ali: For the money spent and the players let go, constant mid-table is a success. The bigger success will be the rebuild if Marco Silva, Raul Jimenez and Harry Wilson leave this season, and in a couple years players like Bernd Leno leave - the types who have been starters since we came up last time. Watching teams like West Ham and Wolves - who were in Europe recently - struggle made me realise you're one bad manager or a few signings away from that bottom three.
David: I saw my first Fulham game in 1947, aged six. I have followed them ever since and I am still seldom confident, especially when playing lower-ranked teams, but true love never dies.
Chris: Unfortunately we badly invested in that 2001 season, where a multi-millionaire owner would have made a difference (thinking of the likes of Jack Waller etc). Once Abramovich came in, billionaire owners were needed for instant success and we never truly kicked on. We then became a selling club and lost the few stars we had in those first two seasons, within half a decade. Since then, there have been some highlights but we have missed great opportunities to get a trophy. We will likely drop down in the next couple of seasons, especially with the PSR/FFP rules.
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The WNBA draft was held Monday at The Shed at Hudson Yards in New York, New York. Two former Lady Vols were selected.
Janiah Barker and Zee Spearman became the 47th and 48th Lady Vols selected all- ime in the WNBA draft. Barker was the 29th overall pick in the second round (Las Vegas), while Spearman was selected No. 31 overall in the third round (Dallas).
Barker and Spearman are the first two WNBA draft selections for Tennessee under head coach Kim Caldwell.
Tennessee has 46 all-time selections in the WNBA college drafts and 48 total including elite drafts.
Barker appeared in 27 games (21 starts) in her only season at Tennessee (2025-26). She averaged 14.3 points and 6.6 rebounds per game.
Spearman averaged 10.2 points and 5.8 rebounds per game in 30 contests (27 starts) for the Lady Vols during the 2025-26 season.
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With the 2026 NFL draft near, we will be taking a position-by-position look at where things stand with the Indianapolis Colts.
The draft will take place from Apr. 23-25. The Colts have a modest seven draft picks at the moment, including just two in the top 100. GM Chris Ballard, however, has hinted strongly at wanting to gain additional capital. That, in part, could come from trading Kenny Moore.
Up next in our draft preview are the running backs. If you missed our quarterbacks preview, you can find that here.
No roster moves were made at running back. Tyler Goodson signed with the Falcons as a free agent, while Ameer Abdullah and Salvon Ahmed remain unsigned.
What is the Colts need at running back?
Taylor is still under contract through 2026, so the need remains relatively low. With Taylor still just 27 years old, he could be a potential contract extension candidate at some point during this calendar year.
However, while the need at running back may not be high, the Colts should still make an addition here. Adding to this position group in the draft to bolster the depth and competition behind Taylor could be on Chris Ballard's radar, although I wouldn't anticipate an early-round selection.
Bentley was on the practice squad last season, and Giddens was often inactive during the second-half of the season, still needing to develop parts of his game, particularly in pass protection.
Top running back prospects in 2026 NFL draft
With help from the consensus big board, here are the top running backs available in this year's draft:
West Ham's recent performances are giving me hope that we can stay in the Premier League, and here's why.
When you look back to the beginning of the season, or even the beginning of the year, nothing was going our way. We weren't working together as a team, we weren't performing well enough to get points, and there were absolutely none of those smash-and-grab type games where you don't deserve the win, but you still come away with it.
However, our 4-0 win against Wolves has given me hope, despite the fact that it wasn't the best performance by a long way. If I'm completely honest, that scoreline was not reflective of our performance as a whole, and we definitely didn't deserve to go into the break ahead. We could barely get hold of the ball in the first half, and yet we went on to score a total of four goals and keep a clean sheet.
But why has that filled me with confidence? Because even when we aren't playing our best, we are making moments of magic that matter. We're showing that we're able to go against the run of play to score a goal, and we're keeping our heads up even in the most difficult patches of games. And this mentality is something that I believe will keep West Ham up.
We know a lot relies on how many points we can pick up and how those around us do, but as it stands we're out of the relegation zone and if we continue to take matters into our own hands there will be nothing stopping us avoiding relegation, despite the fact that it all looked completely lost back in January.
Are we going to outperform the opponent in all six of our last league games? It's not very likely, but if we can come away with points, even when we haven't been the better side, I think we're in with a real shot of staying up.
In the final week of the NBA regular season, a few former USC Trojans thrived. Evan Mobley closed the season with a high-scoring week, Nikola Vučević is gearing up for the biggest playoff run of his career, and Bronny James is preparing to be an impactful player for the Lakers.
Here are my top performers this past week for USC hoopers in the NBA:
Onyeka Okongwu
Last Wednesday Oneyka had a domiant showing. Vs the Cavasiliers, Okongwu had 18 points, shot 7-10, and had 5 boards. The rebounding production does need to come up in the playoffs, but his ability to score against a really good defensive front court is going to be huge for Atlanta.
Nikola Vučević
Nikola Vučević missed most of March due to injury, but he has played the last stretch of games. This past week, he was ramping up, and he gave his team great confidence with his progress. On Thursday, Nikola dropped 10 points and was 2-4 from 3, and grabbed 5 rebounds off the bench. He played the following great the next day, last Friday, where he had 14 points, shot 3-5 from 3, had 4 rebounds, and 5 assists. He is really honing in on his role, and he is back to being a productive player. He will be a huge asset for the Boston Celtics this playoff run.
De'Anthony Melton
Last week, Melton had two great outings, and he shone in his role. On Monday, Melton dropped 21 points, was a stellar 4-6 from 3, and had 5 assists. This is the type of scoring the Warriors will need from his off as playoff time is here. He then, later on in the week on Friday, Melton had 17 points, shot 3-6 from 3, and had 3 assists. He is an impactful player without scoring, but when he gets t going from beyond the arc, he makes the Warriors an extremely dangerous team.
Bronny James
The Lakers will be counting on Bronny James a lot this postseason, as their team is as banged up as it gets heading into the playoffs. Bronny did a good job building some confidence this past week. Bronny James had two games last week where he scored in double figures. Vs the Golden State Warriors on Thursday, Bronny put up 10 points, 3 assists, and 2 steals. His 3-point shot was falling as he was 2-4 from beyond the arc that day. In the final regular-season game, Bronny remained productive again, shooting 3-4 from 3, posting 11 points, getting 4 assists, and 1 steal. He may not be a 20-point scorer or a microwave guy off the bench, but getting double-digit points and a steal or 2 will go a long way for the Lakers in the playoffs.
Evan Mobley
Mobley had himself another great week. He started off last week with a 24-point, 6-rebound game vs the Grizzlies on Monday. He then went berserk vs the Cavaliers in a big win for his team on Wednesday. Vs the Hawks, Mobley had 22 points, 19 rebounds, and 3 blocks. The Cavaliers should be able to get to the Eastern Conference Finals with that version of Mobley.
Vitale said Monday that biopsy results had confirmed a diagnosis of melanoma in his lung and liver cavity, which will have him starting immunotherapy. It marks his fifth battle with cancer, which sidelined him from the airwaves for two years before his return shortly before March Madness in 2025.
“I’ve beaten melanoma,” the 86-year-old Vitale said in a statement released by ESPN. “I’ve beaten lymphoma. I’ve beaten vocal-cord cancer. I’ve beaten lymph-node cancer. I’m 4 for 4 and I’m fully confident I’m going to make it 5 for 5.”
Separate from his ESPN statement, Vitale posted on social media Monday that he had gone through 10 days of testing that included scans, MRIs, bloodwork and a biopsy.
“I obviously did not get the report today that I was hoping for when my oncologist called,” Vitale said, noting he planned on “winning the battle” and adding: “Now at least I know what I face.”
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**** Vitale, pictured at a game in November 2025, announced he is facing a fifth battle against cancer. Robin Alam/ISI Photos via Getty Images
Vitale has made himself a fixture in college basketball, earning the affectionate nickname “Dickie V” with his voice and exuberant style offering a soundtrack to some of the biggest moments in the sport’s history. He’s inching closer to five decades with ESPN going back to its 1979 launch, armed with a contract through the 2027-28 season as well as the creation of a basketball event named in his honor this past season.
And every step of the way he’s quick to tell anyone and everyone how “lucky” he feels to still be working after years of fighting cancer.
That started in 2021 with melanoma, followed by treatments for lymphoma. There were also chemotherapy treatments, radiation for vocal-cord cancer and surgery by summer 2024 to remove cancerous lymph nodes from his neck, while he was unable to speak for a time after the vocal-cord surgery, leaving him having to scribble on eraser-board messages to communicate.
Still, Vitale said in his ESPN statement that he feels “fantastic.” And he quickly turned the focus of his statement to his long-running efforts to raise money for pediatric cancer research, notably with next month’s annual gala in his name that has raised more than $105 million in its two-decade history.
“At 86 years young, I’ve lived a hell of a life, and I’m more motivated than ever to raise money for kids battling cancer,” Vitale said, adding that he hopes to raise $12 million with the 21st “**** Vitale Gala” set for May 1 in Sarasota, Florida.
As Cristian Romero made an early exit at the Stadium of Light on Sunday, I think most fans knew that his tears were for Argentina, not Spurs.
Adding to Tottenham's ridiculous injury list, Romero appeared distraught despite his team-mates' efforts to console him. This raw emotion was from a man who had just realised his World Cup dream might be over before the tournament has even kicked off, not one who is desperate to keep the club he captains in the Premier League.
Therein lies the issue at Spurs. There doesn't seem to be anyone taking responsibility for this relegation battle, nor is there any sense of panic about our plight. Don't get me wrong, I'm not suggesting it would be helpful for our players to run around in alarm. Clearly, they need calm heads. But where is the sense of urgency?
Instead, there is an ominous air of resignation in the Spurs camp. The fans are still giving it everything we have, including those who travelled to Sunderland in the fragile, and ultimately futile, hope that we might secure our first league win of 2026.
However, the stony expressions on the faces of our board members watching on told a different story. Their final, desperate gamble of appointing Roberto de Zerbi - a decision that has divided the fanbase for good reason - has started in the worst way possible.
Any dreams of this mythical "new manager bounce" were destroyed by a cruel deflection which led to the only goal of the game and yet another defeat. If De Zerbi was under any illusion about the desperation of this situation, the scale of his task was brought into sharp focus for him in his first match in charge.
Whichever league we end up in next season, there must be a full-scale review of the club over the summer, resulting in a change of leadership from top to bottom, on and off the pitch.
For now, if we have any chance of surviving the drop, these players need more than a big brother or a father figure. They need a miracle-worker.
The irony of the Premier League's top clubs faltering at this stage of the season is that Nottingham Forest should have been the ones to take advantage.
After 32 games last season, the Reds were in third place with 57 points. The same points at this stage would have them in third place, two above Manchester United and Aston Villa.
If strengthening the squad last summer could have kept us on the same trajectory, then the depth and quality would have kept us in the race for the Champions League - now confirmed as five places again for the Premier League for next season.
That points tally would put us nine clear of sixth-placed Chelsea and, feasibly, last season's total of 65 points would probably be enough for a place in Europe's top competition.
As it is, football - as Liverpool, and possibly Arsenal, fans will confirm - doesn't always follow logic. And the season we have is the season we have.
Except the opportunity to write our own history, as it was back in August, is still ours to own. Vitor Pereira's steady hand took us closer to a Europa League semi-final last Thursday and Sunday's draw with Aston Villa was a warm-up against our possible opponents should we beat Porto on Thursday.
Pereira is notably the first of our four managers this season to successfully shuffle the squad in a cup game and not be embarrassed.
While hindsight is a wonderful thing, conjecture is also dangerous and each game as it comes is the sensible way to proceed. But if you can't dream in football, what can you do?
Forest's season can still go several ways but the redemption arc is one in which our failings in the Premier League could be redeemed by Europa League glory.
A place in the Champions League and Premier League status retained? The dream remains alive.
The Buckeyes are ending spring practice on April 18 with a banged-up backfield, leaving them short on available running backs for the scrimmage at Ohio Stadium.
The Buckeyes are not only expected to be without running backs Bo Jackson and Isaiah West, who have been limited following offseason labrum surgeries, but also Legend Bey and Anthony Rogers.
Coach Ryan Day said Bey has been recovering from a hamstring injury in recent weeks. He did not address Rogers’ injury, but suggested it was likely to keep him from being a participant.
During the scrimmage open to students two weeks ago, the only available scholarship running backs were freshman Favour Akih and Florida transfer Ja’Kobi Jackson.
“We'll have to throw the ball some,” Day said, “which is good for the quarterbacks to get the ball out of their hand and see how they handle the environment, then get a chance to see the ball with the wide receivers and see what those guys do, and then pass rush and pass protection.
“Not that we won't run the ball, but with those guys down you probably won't get as much of that.”
The Buckeyes are deep at wide receiver, affording their quarterbacks plenty of potential targets.
Along with retaining Jeremiah Smith and Brandon Inniss, they brought in UTSA’s Devin McCuin and LSU’s Kyle Parker as transfers during the offseason portal window and signed a talented freshman class to add to a group of underclassmen.
The depth could result in the Buckeyes using a deeper rotation this year, a possibility that Day acknowledged.
“If I'm predicting it, I would say probably yes,” Day said. "A lot of guys are playing themselves into roles that I feel like they can play for us. Still yet to be seen, we're not going to make any decisions coming out of the spring, but if the competition continues and the guys continue to improve, you're going to see guys get opportunities.
“We've done it before. If guys deserve to play, they're going to play. We do have a good room with some good depth, so that’ll keep those guys fresh. It’s a long season.”
Joey Kaufman covers Ohio State football for The Columbus Dispatch. Email him at jkaufman@dispatch.com and follow him on @joeyrkaufman on X.
With the 2026 NFL draft near, we will be taking a position-by-position look at where things stand with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The draft will take place from Apr. 23-25. Although the Jaguars are without a first-round pick, GM James Gladstone does have 11 picks in total to work with -- tied for the second-most in the NFL.
He also has four selections in the top 100, giving him the ability to still address key needs and the flexibility to let the board dictate what he does or move around as he sees fit.
Up first in our preview are the running backs. If you missed our quarterbacks preview, you can find that here.
Jaguars' free agent running back Travis Etienne signed a four-year, $52 million deal to join the New Orleans Saints.
Jacksonville signed free agent running back Chris Rodriguez to a two-year deal worth $10 million.
Jaguars re-signed DeeJay Dallas.
What is the Jaguars' need at running back?
The Jaguars could be content with the current construction of their room. There are five running backs under contract, giving them depth on the training camp roster. Chris Rodriguez and Bhayshul Tuten could share the workload out of the backfield in-season, while LeQuint Allen continues to see snaps during more obvious passing downs. That said, with 11 draft picks, Jacksonville does have the flexibility to continue adding here, while still addressing more high-priority needs.
Top running back prospects in 2026 NFL draft
With help from the consensus big board, here are the top running backs available in this year's draft:
You won't see many 7-0 victories celebrated as half-heartedly as Chelsea's over Port Vale 10 days ago.
Despite such a heavy win, and the morale-boosting bonus of having seven different goalscorers, supporters had seen more than enough in the preceding defeats by Newcastle,Everton and PSG (twice) to know that things were going seriously wrong. It would have taken more than a big win against a League One team to change their mind.
What really mattered was the game against Manchester City on Sunday and that match proved the fears of those supporters correct. The Blues were right back to the worst of their recent Premier League defeats: weak in defence, blunt in attack and lacking any conviction from the moment they conceded.
Liam Rosenior has only been in charge since January, a fact he likes to repeat as a means of excusing the huge problems with the team he manages. Given his limited time in charge, it's astonishing how often we've already heard him repeat the same lines to explain defeats.
His team are "immature", lacking in resilience both physically and mentally. They miss too many chances and make too many errors defensively. They have no discipline both tactically and professionally, with dissent on the pitch now joined by dissent off it as an issue. These were all problems before Rosenior arrived, but they've all worsened since he took over.
If it didn't already, his reign has a familiar, Graham Potter-shaped shadow hanging over it. A manager without the credentials either as a player or a coach to convince top players to buy into his system needs results to act as his CV. Once he stops getting those results, and the players stop believing in him, he enters a vicious circle.
He can't win games without players buying in. They won't buy in because they aren't winning games. This paradox only ends one way.
When Bournemouth brought in Alex Scott from Bristol City in 2023, it felt like it could be a real statement signing. It was clear that this wasn't just a talented youngster, but a player with the tools to develop into at the very least a well-established Premier League midfielder - and boy has he!
Before his move to the Cherries, Scott had already built a reputation as one of England's most exciting young midfielders, a player many that believed had a remarkably high ceiling from the off.
This season, in particular, has felt like a real turning point for Scott. After an injury-disrupted first year or so at the club, 2025-26 definitely feels like the campaign where he has truly arrived.
He has become a near ever-present in a competitive midfield area for the Cherries, playing over 2,000 league minutes and establishing himself as one of the first names on the teamsheet.
Despite his age, Scott always plays with composure well beyond his years, showing an ability to receive the ball under pressure, glide past opponents and carry possession through midfield with purpose.
What has elevated him even further is how he's managing to influence games beyond just the raw numbers. While his return of goals and assists may remain somewhat modest, his overall performance level has been consistently high, with strong match ratings and underlying metrics that highlight his consistent contribution to the team.
Alex isn't just fitting into the Premier League but he's now shaping games within it and becoming one of the most impressive midfielders in the top flight. England and Thomas Tuchel may have lots of options to consider, but there is no doubt for me that Alex would add something to the current England group.
Wolves' defeat to West Ham exposed a familiar problem that has been an underlying issue all season.
For most of the first half, Wolves actually looked the better side. But even then, the same problem kept appearing - a lack of quality and directness in the final third. That is not good enough now and it will be even less acceptable in the Championship.
The two goals conceded in quick succession also pointed to a deeper issue. Individual errors, combined with a clear lack of focus and a bit of naivety, cost Wolves badly at a key moment in the game. Those kinds of mistakes cannot keep happening.
Wolves have not had enough physical presence or enough players who can handle a proper battle. Against West Ham, that lack of size and power showed up again. In the Championship, where games are often scrappier and more physical, that weakness would stand out even more.
The squad has limited creativity and that is telling when so much is being asked of Joao Gomes, who is naturally a defensive midfielder, and 18-year-old Mateus Mane. who has already had to carry a huge amount of responsibility over half a season. That is not sustainable if Wolves want to come back stronger.
There was also a familiar lack of support around the striker. When Wolves get players close enough to combine, they can create chances. When they do not, the centre-forward is isolated and attacks break down before they begin. Adam Armstrong has at least offered movement and link play and this may have been helped had there been a second striker like Tolu alongside him.
In truth, this defeat said as much about squad balance as it did about the teamsheet. Wolves have spent too long without enough physical presence. If they are being overrun in the Premier League, that same profile will struggle in the Championship too.
Wolves need more imagination, more pace, more physicality and more players who can make the final third feel dangerous. Right now, too many promising spells fade into nothing.
Manchester City are finding their stride at the perfect time and it's the most daunting of warnings being issued simultaneously to those of an Arsenal persuasion.
Mikel Arteta's side stumbled and Pep Guardiola's players pounced and at the heart of that deadly punch was Rayan Cherki, who grabbed the Chelsea game by the scruff of its neck to take all three points.
Chelsea frustrated and on numerous occasions threatened to do their London rivals a favour in the first half on Sunday, but it was City who stood firm, albeit whilst not creating too much themselves.
By the start of the second half, there was a new-found urgency in the way City were operating. It was relentless, free-flowing and a clear desperation to find goals in abundance. Much of that masterplan saw the ball fed to Cherki at every opportunity, with the French magician viewed as the key to breaking down a stubborn Chelsea rearguard.
All too often over a 10-year period, we would speak of Kevin De Bruyne's ability to find a pass and a space to unlock a defence that many others simply could not do. And in the 22-year-old "maverick", Hugo Viana and City may have found a similar architect.
One inch-perfect, sweeping ball into the penalty area found Nico O'Reilly for the first, before a mesmerising dribble across the face of the Chelsea 18-yard box and the narrowest of openings to find Marc Guehi gave City a crucial two-goal advantage.
It's certainly too early to say we've found the perfect De Bruyne replacement and if we're being entirely honest, nobody can come close to directly replicating the Belgian's achievements.
But Cherki is his own man, a refreshing entry into the Premier League bringing true freedom and creative magic just as the English top flight finds itself in danger of falling back into the trap of being known for brute force, physicality and in some ways overstepping the mark from set-pieces to win football matches.
The Premier League need Cherki, as much as City need Cherki if they are to win the title.
If you can't win, don't lose. It was definitely one point gained, rather than two points dropped when Everton came from behind twice at Brentford. The resilience of this team is paying off, with the Toffees still on the hunt for European football.
It comes off the back of a turbulent week for the club with the announcement of increases to season ticket prices. This was met with widespread criticism.
However, it isn't just an Everton problem, it's a football problem with similar protests at our Merseyside neighbours. The game, particularly in the Premier League, doesn't feel geared towards the dedicated season ticket holder, there rain or shine, home and away.
At Everton there's an extremely difficult balance to be met.
On the one hand the new ownership must put the recent past behind them, to move forward and become a more prosperous and stable football club. That inevitably means Everton needs to become a thriving business. If it wants to challenge with the higher echelons of the Premier League, unfortunately that means they need more irregular visitors through the door who will part more freely with their money.
But Everton at its heart has a working-class, loyal fanbase, who live by the motto "nil satis nisi optimum" - i.e. nothing but the best is good enough. This also translates to their utter devotion to this football club.
For many to now feel priced out of a sport they love feels like a punch to the gut, particularly after the part they have played the last few seasons rallying the team out of relegation.
Progress in modern football so often comes at a cost and more often than not, that cost is felt most by those who have given the most for the least.
Everton must not forget its foundation as the people's club.
To rotate or not to rotate? That was the question Palace fans were asking prior to the Newcastle game on Sunday. With eyes on securing a European semi-final on Thursday, possibly against his nature as a coach, Oliver Glasner made five changes to the starting line-up - one forced by injury.
The Conference League dynamic is certainly leaving players with plenty to play for in terms of places, even in the Premier League, where mid-table is a certainty.
Perhaps there was no greater beneficiary than Jean-Philippe Mateta, who was gifted the start against Fiorentina due to a suspension and had the chance to capitalise on a tiring Newcastle as a substitute.
The debate now is whether the Frenchman has already put himself back in pole position to be Glasner's starter, ahead of record signing Jorgen Strand Larsen, with his three goals in two games, albeit two from the spot. Even if it is perhaps too soon to conclude that battle either way, Palace have landed in a very strong situation up top after toiling with one available option for most of the campaign.
In a wider context, Mateta's goalscoring return to the team has added to his historical accolades. With 59 goals, he's now the 16th highest scorer in the club's history, across all competitions.
Having netted his ninth and 10th Premier League goals this season, he is now the only player other than Wilfried Zaha to have scored 10 or more goals in a top-flight season on three separate occasions. The club have only had 19 such individual tallies across the Premier League and the old First Division - those two players make up 31.5% of them.
It's unclear whether Mateta has been fully accepted back into the fold by all fans after his failed move to Serie A in January, but he has already won back the vocal majority at Selhurst Park, if Sunday was any measure.
The scenes at Turf Moor on Saturday afternoon told a very clear story: the seats were either empty or emptying, as Burnley once again failed to find a way to break down a side that didn't really have to break into a sweat to beat them.
So many posts across the various social media channels told tales of fans opting to do something else with their time, something better than watching another 90 minutes of dreary Parkerball: holidays with family; taking up a new hobby; pub with friends. Some posts talked of a decision not to renew their season ticket this year, often the first time in a long time.
I listened to about 12 seconds of Scott Parker's post-match interview. I didn't need to listen to any more, it's the same old nonsense he has been pushing out all season. Nothing has changed. Nothing is going to change.
The harsh reality is that as incredible a person Scott Parker is (and I bring no joy in what I am about to say) he simply does not have what it takes to manage at the top level. Perhaps no manager could keep Burnley in the top flight any more, but even if we accept that as true, what I cannot accept is such a dogged refusal to do anything differently.
I really wanted this to work for him. I really did.
If Parker, and the board and the players had proactively changed their approach throughout the season to try to improve things, then I wouldn't feel the apathy I do towards them. There's no accountability, no jeopardy. We are seeing more and more mistakes across our website, programmes and fixtures lists - there seems to be no pride in what we produce any more.
A total of 100 Premier League appearances for Jan Paul van Hecke at the Albion. It's a milestone that feels both remarkable and, somehow, inevitable.
Since his introduction in 2022, van Hecke's rise has been a story of patience, development and quiet belief. There were early moments where his enthusiasm spilled over into rash decisions, but even then, there was a sense he had the raw attributes to reach the very top. What perhaps few anticipated was just how complete a defender he would become.
Now he is fast establishing himself as one of the standout Dutch defenders in the Premier League. For many Albion fans, the turning point will always be that night against Manchester City, a 1-1 draw that sealed European qualification and a place in the club's history.
Up against Erling Haaland, one of the most feared forwards in world football, van Hecke delivered a performance of composure and authority. He didn't just compete, he controlled. It was the night he truly announced himself.
What has followed is consistency, leadership and a deep connection with the badge. JP van Hecke plays with such visible pride and determination that resonates with supporters, matched by a professionalism that sets the standard.
And yet, with that growth comes an uneasy thought. Players of this quality rarely go unnoticed. If the time comes when he moves on, there is little doubt he would thrive at any club in world football.
For now, though, Albion fans can celebrate a player who has not only reached 100 appearances, but has come to embody everything they value.
Who was the area's top performer last week? You tell us.
You can vote for the high school athlete of the week until 3 p.m. Saturday, April 18. You don't have to be a subscriber to vote.
Green Bay Notre Dame soccer player Serene Adamski was last week’s winner, receiving 27,448 votes.
The freshman is the second Notre Dame athlete to win the honor this school year and the first since football player Joey Massey in the fall.
Seymour track and field standout Maya Vande Kolk was runner-up with 15,790 votes, while Luxemburg-Casco’s Emi Kuhn (1,827 votes), the Pulaski duo of Emerson Fabry (1,644) and Mitchell Pilon (1,431) and Green Bay Preble’s Jordan Escobar-Goral (1,343) all received more than 1,000 votes.
Here are this week's nominees. Be sure to vote in the poll below.
Keaton Dauk, Pulaski boys track and field
The junior had a big day at the Denmark Cold Vike Invite, winning three individual events.
He captured the 200-meter dash title in 23.20 seconds, won the 110 hurdles in 15.47 and the 300 hurdles in 40.66.
Dauk was runner-up in the 300 hurdles at the WIAA Division 1 state meet last season while reaching the big stage in all three events.
Tenley Kuehn, Green Bay Preble softball
The senior pitcher helped the Hornets start the Fox River Classic Conference season with wins over Green Bay Notre Dame and Bay Port.
Kuehn allowed two runs in seven innings against the Tritons and went 1-for-3 with an RBI.
She followed by allowing three runs and striking out eight against the Pirates while adding another hit and RBI at the plate.
Gavin Lux, Luxemburg-Casco baseball
The senior had a huge game on the mound and at the plate in a 10-0 win over Southern Door.
Lux pitched a five-inning no-hitter and struck out 11 batters. He also went 1-for-1 with a walk, two runs scored and two stolen bases.
Brett Paulsen, Kewaunee baseball
The star pitcher threw a perfect game in a 9-0 win over Escanaba, striking out 19 batters.
He also went 2-for-4 with two RBI.
David Petasek, Green Bay Preble baseball
Helped the Hornets to a doubleheader sweep over Ashwaubenon, both 5-4 wins.
He had a home run, triple, two RBI and two runs scored in the first game and two hits in the second.
Payton Spaeth, De Pere softball
The junior led the Redbirds to a 2-0 week with a 15-1 win at Green Bay Southwest and a 5-2 victory over Slinger.
Spaeth went 2-for-4 with two RBI, one run scored, one walk and two stolen bases against the Trojans.
She followed by going 2-for-3 with a home run and four RBI against the Owls.
Ava Wachtel, Shawano softball
The Hawks had a 3-1 week thanks in part to some big performances at the plate by Wachtel, who went a combined 9-for-16.
It included a huge game in a 9-7 win over New London in which she went 5-for-6 with four RBIs, two runs scored and a double.
If Brentford miss out on qualifying for Europe, then lack of squad depth will be one of the main reasons.
During the January transfer window we were fair to players who weren't getting any game time like midfielders Frank Onyeka, Yunus Konak, Paris Maghoma and Myles Peart-Harris in letting them leave either on loan or permanently.
Unfortunately those decisions have backfired on us as we are now desperately short in midfield.
Antoni Milambo, Fabio Carvalho and Josh Dasilva are long-term injury casualties, but Vitaly Janelt got injured in February and Jordan Henderson was hurt on recent England duty.
Mikkel Damsgaard played the first half against Everton despite suffering from illness and the only option to replace him was Reiss Nelson, who is a winger not a midfielder.
At Leeds, the bench had five teenagers on it and there were four on Saturday. In each game, Keith Andrews only made one substitution.
This is not blaming those players but, apart from Romelle Donovan, it would have been unfair to throw the others on given their inexperience.
Meanwhile, Everton made a triple substitution in the 74th minute on Saturday and although we retook the lead almost immediately, the fresh legs then swung the momentum in their favour.
Despite all this, we still got a point against the Toffees. It would almost have felt better at full-time if it had finished 1-1 as, having been 2-1 up going into stoppage time, not winning from there is more disappointing.
That makes it four consecutive Premier League draws for the first time. The away ones at Bournemouth and Leeds were decent results, but Saturday and the match with Wolves could ultimately prove costly.
But it's not all doom and gloom. We are still in contention for Europe and this weekend's derby with Fulham is even more important than usual.
Bedford Town boss Lee Bircham says he announced he will quit at the end of the season despite having two games to go because he has "not enjoyed a minute" of their time in National League North.
When The Eagles won promotion by winning the Southern League Premier Central title last season, he said they had "struck it lucky" because of the size of the club's playing budget.
But despite that remaining an issue, they are currently 17th in the North table - the second tier of non-league football - with 51 points and in with a good chance of staying up.
Bircham announced his decision to quit following Saturday's 2-2 draw with Hereford but will remain in charge until the end of the season.
He told BBC Three Counties Radio's Non-League Show that with the level of resources the club has, it "couldn't work for another year".
The 49-year-old said: "This year's been really tough and if I'm honest I've not enjoyed a minute of it. It's too tough for a club like us, we're fighting tooth and nail, we cannot believe we're on 51 points, we've given ourselves a right chance.
"I don't think people realise the resources and finance involved in that league.
"I've got the best owner I've ever had in John Taylor, he's got a few quid but he's not a multi-millionaire, he can't be funding the club and losing hundreds and thousands every year to do it."
Their first competitive meeting will take place in the Bedfordshire Senior Cup final at the end of the season.
But Bircham is more concerned about Town's tough remaining league games against second-placed South Shields and Scarborough Ahletic, who are fifth.
He said: "No-one's ever gone down on 51 points when we've been looking back through the record books.
"If there's that freak and we go down on 51 points, we'll have to wear it, but it's been fantastic this year and I'm so proud of the football club."
Bircham is confident his players will be "as motivated as ever" despite knowing that he will be leaving the club at the end of the season.
"The generation of players now are not the same as the young men of my generation. They're different. They're used to carnage.
"When I was playing you probably had the same manager for five years, they're all used to these things and it's just the way the modern game is.
"For some of the boys it'll give them a bit of a spur, they'll go 'right, we need to finish the season strongly now - we haven't got that protection of Birchy's still here and he loves me so I'll be alright next year'," he said.
Bircham regards National League North as tougher on the clubs involved than the South division - a "totally different animal", he said - but even if Town stay up, the board will not over-reach themselves.
"In National League North you can quite easily get yourselves in all sorts of trouble, look how many clubs have done it and spiralled down through the leagues, Bedford Town won't do that," he added.
"It might be a bit easier next year because we know what we're doing, what we're getting ourselves in for.
"When I arrived there was no connection with the supporters, the players, staff, the boardroom, there was nothing, it was a horrible place to walk into. You come and see that place now, it is chalk and cheese.
"If I had a few quid, it'd be the club I'd buy tomorrow because it has so much potential."
Lee Bircham was speaking to BBC Three Counties Radio's Ollie Bayliss
Leeds United manager Daniel Farke says his team are "working hard" to prove the old saying 'Leeds are falling apart again' wrong this season, following two big wins in the FA Cup and Premier League in the space of eight days.
Speaking to BBC Radio Leeds, Daniel Farke said: "I'm pretty tired, like after the FA Cup game, but I'm pretty relieved. I'm unbelievably proud of the boys, what a week we've had!
"We are working to get rid of this old narrative that 'Leeds are falling apart again'. We want to deliver when it counts.
"It is a huge step forward for us - but I'm not so interested in the gap, I'm interested in the amount of points. Nothing is achieved yet so we have no reason not to stay grounded, humble and hungry."
Dominic Calvert-Lewin was measured with his emotions after the 2-1 win: "It is a really good feeling. I'm probably not as high as you would think because we still have a job to do.
"We can be proud of ourselves because it has gone down in the history books, but I'm focused on making sure we are mathematically safe.
"We are six points clear of the bottom now but the more points we get on the table, the happier I will be."
James Justin reiterated that the group are taking one game at a time: "It is a good three points, but we are already looking forward to Wolves at the weekend.
"The travelling fans were probably the loudest I've ever heard them. I can only take my hat off to the support we get from them. I feel their emotion but I have to stay level-headed because we still have a job to do.
"People are always telling me Leeds don't do things the easy way. We would like for things to be plain-sailing, but it just isn't the way things have fallen this season."
On the same day it was revealed that the Washington Commanders would be hosting Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson on an official pre-draft visit, Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network revealed another interesting receiver was scheduled to visit: Tennessee WR Chris Brazzell II.
Brazzell is an interesting prospect. He stands 6-foot-4 and weighs 198 pounds. He's also fast. Brazzell ran the 40-yard dash in 4.37 seconds and profiles as a Z receiver in the NFL. Those traits would make him a nice fit for the Commanders, with Terry McLaurin as the X receiver.
The 22-year-old Texas native began his college career at Tulane, playing two seasons for the Green Wave. He redshirted in 2022, before appearing in 13 games in 2023, catching 44 passes for 711 yards, averaging 16.2 yards per catch, with five touchdowns.
The combination of that production with Brazzell's potential led him to transfer to Tennessee. In 2024, Brazzell played in 13 games for the Vols, finishing with 29 receptions for 333 yards and two touchdowns. In 2025, Brazzell played in 12 games, catching 62 passes for 1,017 yards and nine touchdowns. He earned first-team All-SEC honors.
Here's NFL.com's Lance Zierlein's scouting report on Brazzell:
Long-limbed “Z” receiver with the ability to create downfield for an offense thirsty to make more explosive plays outside. Brazzell’s 2025 tape shows the game slowing down for him, allowing the production to catch up with the traits. He builds to speed with long strides and dominates above the rim. He’s adept at using length and body control to capture air space against cornerbacks. He’s a more competent route runner than most field-stretcher types, but he needs to become more physical on contested targets underneath. Brazzell didn’t see many in-your-face press challenges this past season, but he’s likely to get an early taste of it as a pro. Two-high shells and zone-heavy looks can shrink his snap-to-snap impact, but the quick-strike potential is real.
Brazzell is expected to go sometime on Day 2 of next week's NFL draft. Washington has the No. 7 overall pick, but doesn't pick again until No. 71 overall. Could Brazzell last into the third round? If he does, he'd be an ideal selection for the Commanders.
Southampton's Tom Fellows is hoping to contribute more goals and assists as Saints seek promotion back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.
Fellows has featured in 15 of the 17-game unbeaten run in all competitions, making three assists but the midfielder is yet to score this season.
"It's always on your mind but sometimes I'm more interested in the general performance. I think some of my best games have been when I haven't scored, I haven't assisted," Fellows told BBC Radio Solent.
"We've got a lot of competition in the squad, so I've just got to try and play a little bit better and help the team more but I think it's going great for everyone and long may it continue."
Southampton currently sit fifth in the Championship, having picked up 36 points since their last loss to Hull City in January.
The appointment of head coach Tonda Eckert kickstarted a remarkable turnaround for Saints, who were sat 21st in the table and looking more likely to be embroiled in a relegation scrap than shooting for promotion when previous boss Will Still was sacked at the beginning of November.
"[Eckert]'s very tactical, very detailed, obsessed with the game. He's also a very good man-manager. He speaks to you a lot, he knows how to deal with certain things well. It's that balance which is why we've done so well," Fellows said.
"A breath of fresh air."
Southampton host Blackburn Rovers in the Championship tonight (20:00 BST), when a win would take them closer to the automatic promotion spots.
"[Blackburn] are obviously in a relegation battle, that always brings a little bit extra out, especially towards the end of the season when you know another good result will help them so much," Fellows said.
"We've got to match that and we're fighting for something; got our own goals."
"We understand they're going to be well drilled, physical but they can also play some good football so it will be a tough game."
The NBA regular season is over, which means many teams are shifting their focus entirely to the 2026 NBA Draft.
With nearly half of the teams done with games for the season, their scouts and front office executives will soon determine which future pros they may add to their roster for next year. After an exciting March Madness tournament won by the Michigan Wolverines, several prospects showed exactly what they can offer in the league.
As many collegiate players announce their intention to declare early entry to the 2026 NBA Draft, we can start to develop a more clear picture of what this class may look like.
The 2026 NBA Draft Lottery, which will determine the order of picks one through fourteen, will be held May 10 in Chicago, followed immediately that week by the draft combine, also in Chicago.
Here's how USA TODAY currently projects the No. 3 pick will play out with Brooklyn Nets making the selection.
Our draft order is based on Tankathon.com and factors in trades, including swaps and protections.
While he is no longer perceived as the near-certain No. 1 overall pick that he once was due to relative inconsistency and injury issues, many scouts and evaluators feel that Darryn Peterson is the most talented player in this class. The Nets had the worst offense in the NBA and could change the course of the franchise by selecting Peterson. It is incredibly rare to find a prospect who is able to score as efficiently as Peterson did while holding a usage rate as high as his was this season.
The NBA regular season is over, which means many teams are shifting their focus entirely to the 2026 NBA Draft.
With nearly half of the teams done with games for the season, their scouts and front office executives will soon determine which future pros they may add to their roster for next year. After an exciting March Madness tournament won by the Michigan Wolverines, several prospects showed exactly what they can offer in the league.
As many collegiate players announce their intention to declare early entry to the 2026 NBA Draft, we can start to develop a more clear picture of what this class may look like.
The 2026 NBA Draft Lottery, which will determine the order of picks one through fourteen, will be held May 10 in Chicago, followed immediately that week by the draft combine, also in Chicago.
Here's how USA TODAY currently projects the No. 5 pick will play out with Utah Jazz making the selection.
Our draft order is based on Tankathon.com and factors in trades, including swaps and protections.
Utah Jazz 2026 projected draft picks
No. 4
Utah Jazz 2026 NBA Draft prediction: Pick No. 5 overall, Kingston Flemings, G, Houston
Kalbrosky's Analysis:
The Jazz had the worst defensive rating in the Western Conference and could potentially improve that by selecting Houston freshman Kingston Flemings to join Keyonte George in their backcourt. The All-Big 12 guard has several games when he has recorded at least three steals, notching eight against Arizona State earlier this season. He scored 42 points against No. 11 Texas Tech on Jan. 24. Flemings helped lead Houston to the Sweet 16, and with highs as high as his were this season, it will not take long for him to hear his name called on draft night.
The NBA regular season is over, which means many teams are shifting their focus entirely to the 2026 NBA Draft.
With nearly half of the teams done with games for the season, their scouts and front office executives will soon determine which future pros they may add to their roster for next year. After an exciting March Madness tournament won by the Michigan Wolverines, several prospects showed exactly what they can offer in the league.
As many collegiate players announce their intention to declare early entry to the 2026 NBA Draft, we can start to develop a more clear picture of what this class may look like.
The 2026 NBA Draft Lottery, which will determine the order of picks one through fourteen, will be held May 10 in Chicago, followed immediately that week by the draft combine, also in Chicago.
Here's how USA TODAY currently projects the No. 1 pick will play out with Washington Wizards making the selection.
Our draft order is based on Tankathon.com and factors in trades, including swaps and protections.
Washington Wizards 2026 projected draft picks
No. 1, No. 51 (via MIN) and No. 60 (via OKC)
Washington Wizards 2026 NBA Draft prediction: Pick No. 1 overall, AJ Dybantsa, F, BYU
Kalbrosky's Analysis:
The Wizards finished with the worst record in the NBA and would benefit tremendously from a lottery win. They had the second-worst offense in the league and could instantly inject life into their offense by selecting AJ Dybantsa, the NCAA scoring champion and Julius Erving Award winner. He emphasized that point during his one game for BYU in March Madness, putting up 35 points and 10 rebounds. The Big 12 Rookie of the Year led the nation in unassisted points scored (680) by a wide margin this season, per CBB Analytics. The emerging star also had 40 points against Kansas State in the Big 12 Tournament on March 10 and averaged a stellar 28.8 points per game over his final 17 appearances.
The NBA regular season is over, which means many teams are shifting their focus entirely to the 2026 NBA Draft.
With nearly half of the teams done with games for the season, their scouts and front office executives will soon determine which future pros they may add to their roster for next year. After an exciting March Madness tournament won by the Michigan Wolverines, several prospects showed exactly what they can offer in the league.
As many collegiate players announce their intention to declare early entry to the 2026 NBA Draft, we can start to develop a more clear picture of what this class may look like.
The 2026 NBA Draft Lottery, which will determine the order of picks one through fourteen, will be held May 10 in Chicago, followed immediately that week by the draft combine, also in Chicago.
Here's how USA TODAY currently projects the No. 10 pick will play out with Milwaukee Bucks making the selection.
Our draft order is based on Tankathon.com and factors in trades, including swaps and protections.
Milwaukee Bucks 2026 projected draft picks
No. 10
Milwaukee Bucks 2026 NBA Draft prediction: Pick No. 10 overall, Mikel Brown Jr., G, Louisville
Kalbrosky's Analysis:
The Milwaukee Bucks, potentially heading toward an ugly Giannis Antetokounmpo divorce, must simply draft the best player available with whatever pick they have and will likely keep Louisville floor general Mikel Brown Jr. highlighted on their big board. The All-ACC guard has deep shooting range and was among the freshmen leaders in 3-pointers made from beyond 25 feet (27) this year, per CBB Analytics. Brown was averaging 29.2 points per game over his last five appearances, including 45 points against NC State on Feb. 9, while hitting 10 shots from beyond the arc, before an injury on Feb. 28 forced him to miss March Madness.
The NBA regular season is over, which means many teams are shifting their focus entirely to the 2026 NBA Draft.
With nearly half of the teams done with games for the season, their scouts and front office executives will soon determine which future pros they may add to their roster for next year. After an exciting March Madness tournament won by the Michigan Wolverines, several prospects showed exactly what they can offer in the league.
As many collegiate players announce their intention to declare early entry to the 2026 NBA Draft, we can start to develop a more clear picture of what this class may look like.
The 2026 NBA Draft Lottery, which will determine the order of picks one through fourteen, will be held May 10 in Chicago, followed immediately that week by the draft combine, also in Chicago.
Here's how USA TODAY currently projects the No. 24 pick will play out with New York Knicks making the selection.
Our draft order is based on Tankathon.com and factors in trades, including swaps and protections.
New York Knicks 2026 projected draft picks
No. 24, No. 31 (via WAS) and No. 55
New York Knicks 2026 NBA Draft prediction: Pick No. 24 overall, Chris Cenac Jr., F/C, Houston
Kalbrosky's Analysis:
It was an up-and-down season for former five-star recruit and McDonald's All-American Chris Cenac Jr. at Houston. He did, however, got hot at the perfect time. During his first game in the Big Dance, the big man recorded a season-high 18 rebounds, while also knocking down a 3-pointer and grabbing a steal. Then in the Round of 32, he showed off more scoring with some impressive cuts to the basket, dropping 17 points against Texas A&M. He was quieter in the Sweet 16 but still managed 10 rebounds.
The NBA regular season is over, which means many teams are shifting their focus entirely to the 2026 NBA Draft.
With nearly half of the teams done with games for the season, their scouts and front office executives will soon determine which future pros they may add to their roster for next year. After an exciting March Madness tournament won by the Michigan Wolverines, several prospects showed exactly what they can offer in the league.
As many collegiate players announce their intention to declare early entry to the 2026 NBA Draft, we can start to develop a more clear picture of what this class may look like.
The 2026 NBA Draft Lottery, which will determine the order of picks one through fourteen, will be held May 10 in Chicago, followed immediately that week by the draft combine, also in Chicago.
Here's how USA TODAY currently projects the No. 29 pick will play out with Cleveland Cavaliers making the selection.
Our draft order is based on Tankathon.com and factors in trades, including swaps and protections.
After transferring from Xavier to Texas during the offseason and then leading his team to the Sweet 16, Dailyn Swain became one of the more intriguing breakout players in college basketball. The All-SEC forward is versatile and contributed a little bit of everything for the Longhorns on both sides of the ball, scoring well both in the paint and on fastbreaks. Another element that is notably compelling is that Swain is efficient one-on-one in isolation against his defenders.
The NBA regular season is over, which means many teams are shifting their focus entirely to the 2026 NBA Draft.
With nearly half of the teams done with games for the season, their scouts and front office executives will soon determine which future pros they may add to their roster for next year. After an exciting March Madness tournament won by the Michigan Wolverines, several prospects showed exactly what they can offer in the league.
As many collegiate players announce their intention to declare early entry to the 2026 NBA Draft, we can start to develop a more clear picture of what this class may look like.
The 2026 NBA Draft Lottery, which will determine the order of picks one through fourteen, will be held May 10 in Chicago, followed immediately that week by the draft combine, also in Chicago.
Here's how USA TODAY currently projects the No. 6 pick will play out with Memphis Grizzlies making the selection.
Our draft order is based on Tankathon.com and factors in trades, including swaps and protections.
Keep an eye on the Grizzlies as a potential suitor for Yaxel Lendeborg, who showed on his way winning the national championship that he is perhaps the most NBA-ready player in this draft class. The Big Ten Player of the Year offers a bit of everything on both sides of the ball and has silenced skeptics who were unsure how his game would scale after transferring from mid-major UAB to high-major Michigan. The Grizzlies have selected players with similar trajectories like Jaylen Wells and Cedric Coward. They are also not afraid to draft away from consensus and have shown a willingness to pick older, more experiences players like Zach Edey.
Memphis Grizzlies 2026 NBA Draft prediction: Pick No. 16 overall, Joshua Jefferson, F, Iowa State
Kalbrosky's Analysis:
The Grizzlies will have another first-round pick thanks to the Desmond Bane trade. A few years ago, research indicated that the Grizzlies tend to value a few statistical similarities in their draftees: Efficient shot selection, added value beyond scoring and defensive playmaking. For the second year in a row, the Iowa State forward was an impactful dribble-pass-shoot forward who met many of the qualifications that led Memphis to find players who spent many years on their roster. The All-Big 12 forward got injured during the first round of the tournament, but Iowa State still earned a spot in the Sweet 16.
The NBA regular season is over, which means many teams are shifting their focus entirely to the 2026 NBA Draft.
With nearly half of the teams done with games for the season, their scouts and front office executives will soon determine which future pros they may add to their roster for next year. After an exciting March Madness tournament won by the Michigan Wolverines, several prospects showed exactly what they can offer in the league.
As many collegiate players announce their intention to declare early entry to the 2026 NBA Draft, we can start to develop a more clear picture of what this class may look like.
The 2026 NBA Draft Lottery, which will determine the order of picks one through fourteen, will be held May 10 in Chicago, followed immediately that week by the draft combine, also in Chicago.
Here's how USA TODAY currently projects the No. 8 pick will play out with Dallas Mavericks making the selection.
Our draft order is based on Tankathon.com and factors in trades, including swaps and protections.
The Mavericks had the worst offensive rating in the Western Conference and could benefit from a player like Illinois standout Keaton Wagler. The 19-year-old guard played a crucial role to help the Fighting Illini earn a spot in the Final Four, where he recorded 20 points and 8 rebounds against UConn in the national semifinals. The freshman also dropped 25 points in the Elite Eight. He projects as one of the best 3-point shooters in this class, shooting 39.7 percent from beyond the arc as a freshman, while connecting on as many as nine 3-pointers in a game. The Big Ten Rookie of the Year has athletic limitations but is a cerebral basketball player who averaged 5.1 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game this season.
UConn senior Tarris Reed Jr. helped himself quite a bit during the NCAA tournament en route to an appearance in the national championship game. He recorded four double-doubles during March Madness, notching 31 points and 27 rebounds against Furman. Reed also had 26 points with 9 rebounds, 4 blocks and 2 steals during a win over Duke. Expect him to come into the league and find a role sooner rather than later.
The NBA regular season is over, which means many teams are shifting their focus entirely to the 2026 NBA Draft.
With nearly half of the teams done with games for the season, their scouts and front office executives will soon determine which future pros they may add to their roster for next year. After an exciting March Madness tournament won by the Michigan Wolverines, several prospects showed exactly what they can offer in the league.
As many collegiate players announce their intention to declare early entry to the 2026 NBA Draft, we can start to develop a more clear picture of what this class may look like.
The 2026 NBA Draft Lottery, which will determine the order of picks one through fourteen, will be held May 10 in Chicago, followed immediately that week by the draft combine, also in Chicago.
Here's how USA TODAY currently projects the No. 27 pick will play out with Boston Celtics making the selection.
Our draft order is based on Tankathon.com and factors in trades, including swaps and protections.
Boston Celtics 2026 projected draft picks
No. 27 and No. 40 (via MIL)
Boston Celtics 2026 NBA Draft prediction: Pick No. 27 overall, Cameron Carr, G, Baylor
Kalbrosky's Analysis:
One of the players who improved his draft stock the most this season was Baylor junior Cameron Carr. The All-Big 12 wing brings athleticism and shooting and, per Bart Torvik, he was the only player to make at least 40 field goals that were dunks and more than 60 field goals that were 3-pointers this season. Baylor outscored opponents by an additional 28.5 points per 100 possessions when he was on the floor relative to when he was not, via CBB Analytics, which ranked as the fourth-most of any high-major player in the NCAA.
The NBA regular season is over, which means many teams are shifting their focus entirely to the 2026 NBA Draft.
With nearly half of the teams done with games for the season, their scouts and front office executives will soon determine which future pros they may add to their roster for next year. After an exciting March Madness tournament won by the Michigan Wolverines, several prospects showed exactly what they can offer in the league.
As many collegiate players announce their intention to declare early entry to the 2026 NBA Draft, we can start to develop a more clear picture of what this class may look like.
The 2026 NBA Draft Lottery, which will determine the order of picks one through fourteen, will be held May 10 in Chicago, followed immediately that week by the draft combine, also in Chicago.
Here's how USA TODAY currently projects the No. 23 pick will play out with Philadelphia 76ers making the selection.
Our draft order is based on Tankathon.com and factors in trades, including swaps and protections.
Philadelphia 76ers 2026 projected draft picks
No. 23 (via HOU)
Philadelphia 76ers 2026 NBA Draft prediction: Pick No. 23 overall, Allen Graves, F, Santa Clara
Kalbrosky's Analysis:
One of the most under-the-radar prospects in all of college basketball this season was Santa Clara freshman Allen Graves, who was nearly a March Madness hero. It was hard not to notice the WCC Rookie of the Year and Sixth Man of the Year after he scored 30 points with 13 rebounds, four assists and two steals Feb. 7 against Washington State. The only players under 21 years old who held a higher box plus-minus, via Bart Torvik, were Cameron Boozer and Caleb Wilson. He declared early entry for the 2026 NBA Draft but also entered his name in the transfer portal.
The NBA regular season is over, which means many teams are shifting their focus entirely to the 2026 NBA Draft.
With nearly half of the teams done with games for the season, their scouts and front office executives will soon determine which future pros they may add to their roster for next year. After an exciting March Madness tournament won by the Michigan Wolverines, several prospects showed exactly what they can offer in the league.
As many collegiate players announce their intention to declare early entry to the 2026 NBA Draft, we can start to develop a more clear picture of what this class may look like.
The 2026 NBA Draft Lottery, which will determine the order of picks one through fourteen, will be held May 10 in Chicago, followed immediately that week by the draft combine, also in Chicago.
Here's how USA TODAY currently projects the No. 28 pick will play out with Minnesota Timberwolves making the selection.
Our draft order is based on Tankathon.com and factors in trades, including swaps and protections.
Stanford freshman Ebuka Okorie is an interesting early entry candidate in the 2026 NBA Draft. The first-team All-ACC guard was a day-one starter in the NCAA who is potentially capable of earning rotation minutes for a team like the Timberwolves. He averaged 23.2 points per game, recording 40 points against conference rival Virginia Tech and seven other games with at least. 30points. Okorie could also return to school but should earn serious first-round buzz if he turns pro.
The NBA regular season is over, which means many teams are shifting their focus entirely to the 2026 NBA Draft.
With nearly half of the teams done with games for the season, their scouts and front office executives will soon determine which future pros they may add to their roster for next year. After an exciting March Madness tournament won by the Michigan Wolverines, several prospects showed exactly what they can offer in the league.
As many collegiate players announce their intention to declare early entry to the 2026 NBA Draft, we can start to develop a more clear picture of what this class may look like.
The 2026 NBA Draft Lottery, which will determine the order of picks one through fourteen, will be held May 10 in Chicago, followed immediately that week by the draft combine, also in Chicago.
Here's how USA TODAY currently projects the No. 22 pick will play out with Atlanta Hawks making the selection.
Our draft order is based on Tankathon.com and factors in trades, including swaps and protections.
Atlanta Hawks 2026 NBA Draft prediction: Pick No. 7 overall, Darius Acuff Jr., G, Arkansas
Kalbrosky's Analysis:
The Hawks need a guard like Arkansas freshman Darius Acuff Jr. after trading away Trae Young, using a first-round pick they received from the Pelicans. En route to the Sweet 16, the SEC Player of the Year proved he is one of the most enticing offensive prospects in recent memory. Acuff Jr. led the nation for points created (1,394) either by himself or through an assist, per CBB Analytics. He led freshmen for field goals made in transition (72) and field goals made from both the left and right side of the court. He was among the freshmen leaders in alley-oop assists (17) as well. He has significant defensive deficiencies but playing alongside Dyson Daniels would help cover that problem.
Atlanta Hawks 2026 NBA Draft prediction: Pick No. 22 overall, Patrick Ngongba II, C, Duke
Kalbrosky's Analysis:
Many teams might benefit from a big like Patrick Ngongba II, who is an above-average passer for his position. His assist rate is the highest among underclassmen listed at 6-foot-11 or taller, per Bart Torvik, and he is at the top of his game when passing to a driving perimeter player. The big man, who helped Duke earn a spot in the Elite Eight, is a big-bodied prospect who can carve out space as one of the more prolific cutters in college basketball. He is on an encouraging development track, displaying legitimate year-over-year improvement from his freshman to sophomore campaign.
Of course, those Giants are embroiled in the Dexter Lawrence trade drama right now, which even got a comment from a Bengals player this week.
Before free agency started, Reader returning to Cincinnati felt like it had a nice little chance of happening. They wanted more depth there and leadership, but signed Jonathan Allen. They could address the line as early as 10th overall.
Never say never, obviously. But unless something changes with TJ Slaton, who previously felt like a cut candidate, it looks like Reader tops the list of needy teams elsewhere in the NFL.
We’re less than two weeks away from the final tell, the statement that could send shockwaves through the mighty SEC.
The NFL draft. And more specifically, the SEC’s unassailable place in it.
No other conference produces NFL talent like the SEC. No other conference has more players on NFL rosters.
And now here comes the surging Big Ten, with its three consecutive national championships from three teams, primed for another red flag shift at the top of college football.
If Michigan, Ohio State and Indiana winning the past three national titles didn’t do it for you, if the SEC missing the past three national title games didn’t clearly underscore a massive shift at the top of the sport, the NFL draft will leave no doubt.
For 19 years, the SEC has had more players drafted than any conference, a near two decade run that coincides with its dominance on the field. LSU started the conference’s run of 14 national titles this century with a win over Oklahoma in the 2003 national title game.
The dominance on the field and in the draft has been unrivaled. Until now.
Until the era of NIL and free player movement changed everything. Until the Big Ten, with its deep-pocket alumni bases and (as important) significant upgrades at the head coach and assistant coach positions, has blown by the SEC in the passing lane.
All the way to the top of college football.
It’s not just the national titles, it’s bowl games and head-to-head matchups over the past three seasons, too. Since 2023, the Big Ten is 11-4 in the College Football Playoff, the SEC is 5-8.
But the NFL draft is the final frontier. The SEC held a slim 77-71 edge in total selections over the Big Ten last year. The last and final move of this remarkable paradigm shift within the power structure of the sport could play out later this month.
It won’t take long to see where this is headed. Day 1 of the draft could pull back the curtain.
The SEC holds the record for most first-round selections in a single season with 15 (2020 and 2025), and has led or tied for the most first round picks in 14 of the past 15 years — including a whopping 170 since 2010.
In his latest mock draft for USA TODAY Sports, Nate Davis predicts 12 Big Ten players will be selected in the first round and seven for the SEC.
But like every draft, the projected 33-43 picks are also first-round worthy, so the Big Ten's number could still increase depending on how the first round shakes out. That puts the league within striking distance of the record of 15, an opening salvo in what could be a generational change in the draft.
So the SEC can ignore the three national titles in a row. It can ignore the 2024 postseason, when it pushed for South Carolina and Alabama to make the CFP — and both were beaten by Big Ten schools (Illinois and Michigan, respectively) in bowl games.
It can ignore last year, when Vanderbilt and Texas were the two teams that were “left out” of the CFP, and Vanderbilt lost to Iowa in a bowl game (Texas beat Michigan).
It can ignore Southern California and Oregon at Nos. 1 and 2 in the 247Sports composite recruiting rankings for the class of 2026, and the Big Ten with five of the first 12 in the rankings and eight of the top 30. While that’s still a long way from the 13 of the SEC’s 16 programs in the top 30, the fact we’re even talking about the inroads made by the Big Ten in high school recruiting is a massive red flag.
Recruiting leads to player development, player development leads to championships. And championship play leads to an increased presence in the NFL draft.
Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza will be the first player selected in the draft. Ohio State could have as many as five selections in the first 10 picks. And that's just the beginning of what could be a glorious Big Ten affair at the NFL's annual player procurement party.
Deny it all you want, SEC honks. The Big Ten is the new king of college football.
The official crown will be placed on its head after the NFL draft.
Matt Hayes is the senior national college football writer for USA TODAY Sports. Follow him on X at @MattHayesCFB.
Here are some things to know about Payne and what people are saying about when he could be taken in the NFL Draft, which begins on April 23.
VJ Payne NFL Combine results
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 206 pounds
Arm length: 33 3/4 inches
Hand size: 9 1/2 inches
Wing span: 80 3/4 inches
40-yard dash: 4.40 seconds
10-yard split: 1.52 seconds
Vertical jump: 35 inches
Broad jump: 10 feet, 7 inches
3-cone drill: 6.94 seconds (Pro Day)
20-yard shuttle: 4.33 seconds (Pro Day)
Bench press: DNP
VJ Payne scouting report
The Athletic's Dane Brugler: "Overall, Payne has the skill set of an interchangeable defensive back, although he projects best as a boundary safety who can play physical football and overlap short zones. He profiles similarly to JL Skinner of the Denver Broncos."
The Ringer's Todd McShay: "Payne should push for playing time in sub-packages and on special teams if he doesn’t win a starting job as a rookie. Nick Emmanwori, a 2025 second-round pick, is an optimistic comparison in terms of the role Payne might play, even if Payne is lighter and didn’t test as well."
NFL.com's Lance Zierlein: "Long and rangy, Payne is a durable 42-game starter and team captain who can play inside the box, over the slot, and as a split safety. His coverage tape pops more than his run support and tackling. He reads and responds with good timing from depth and uses his length to smother the catch point in man coverage when matched inside. Payne held his own against three of the Big 12’s best receiving tight ends in 2025. He will do his job as a run defender, but lacks an enforcer’s conviction and gets hung up on blocks too easily. Payne’s measurables and coverage versatility improve his chances of becoming a productive pro."
VJ Payne NFL Draft rankings
The Athletic Big Board: No. 12 safety
Bleacher Report Big Board: No. 141 overall, No. 13 safety
ESPN: No. 124 overall, No. 11 safety
The Ringer: No. 88 overall, No. 8 S
VJ Payne NFL Draft projections
The Athletic: 4th-5th rounder
ESPN's Matt Miller: 87th overall pick to the Miami Dolphins in 3rd round
Wyatt D. Wheeler covers Kansas State athletics for the USA TODAY Network and Topeka Capital-Journal. You can follow him on X at @WyattWheeler_, contact him at 417-371-6987 or email him at wwheeler@usatodayco.com
If you have noticed, about half of the mock drafts out there have been projecting Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love to the Commanders at No. 7 in next week's first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. If the Commanders do select Love in the first round, do you know the last time Washington selected a running back in round one?
Washington has had some great running backs. John Riggins is their career rushing leader, and yes, Riggins was drafted in the first round. However, he was drafted No. 6 by the Jets in 1971 and later signed with Washington as a free agent.
Clinton Portis is Washington's second-leading career rusher, but he was drafted by Denver and later traded to the Redskins. Larry Brown is the third career rushing leader in Redskins history, but Brown wasn't selected until 191st overall in the 1969 draft. Stephen Davis and Alfred Morris come next in career rushing yards, and both were drafted by Washington. Davis was 102nd overall in the 1996 draft, and Morris was 173rd overall in the 2012 draft.
Alfred Morris in 2012 goes down as one of the most impressive, unexpected, and underrated rushing seasons in recent league history. (Via @nflthrowback) pic.twitter.com/2wuTLOLNyZ
Terry Allen signed with Washington as a free agent after being drafted by the Vikings five years earlier in the ninth round. Earnest Byner was traded from the Browns to the Redskins for RB Mike Oliphant in 1989. Mike Thomas was selected 108th overall in the 1975 draft, and Ladell Betts was chosen in the second round at No. 56 overall.
Each is in the top 10 of career rushing leaders for Washington, and none were drafted in the first round by Washington. The last time Washington drafted a running back in the first round? You will have to go all the way back to 1967 when the Redskins selected Ray McDonald, a running back out of Idaho, with the 13th overall selection. McDonald was a beast of a man. The Redskins executives probably thought they were getting the next Jim Brown as McDonald stood 6-4 and weighed 248 pounds.
The Redskins did not get a Hall of Fame Jim Brown-type career out of McDonald, though McDonald did wear No. 32 as Brown had earlier with the Browns. They didn't even get a good career out of McDonald. In fact, he only played in 13 NFL games, period! He only earned eight starts in his two NFL seasons, both in Washington. He rushed for a career 223 yards and four rushing touchdowns. McDonald played in 12 games in his rookie season and only one in his second season of 1968. In 1969, Vince Lombardi, Redskins head coach, released McDonald prior to the start of the season. No one else signed him; McDonald was done.
If the Commanders do draft a running back in the first round of next week's draft, it will most likely be Jeremiyah Love. They will certainly be looking to get a lot more out of Love than they did out of McDonald.
Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton believes it is "make or break" time for Mikel Arteta as there is mounting pressure for him to win major silverware this season.
"I do think he has a problem if he doesn't get them over the line in the Premier League or Champions League," said Sutton on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club. "It will change the landscape in which the Arsenal fans view him because he has been there long enough.
"I don't think Arsenal have bottled it and if they do end up losing [the league] it is because Manchester City are a good side with quality.
"But the Arsenal fans will view it differently and if he doesn't have the support of the fans then a decision will need to be made, so I do think it is make or break for him.
"They have to win the Premier League or Champions League or he will be a gonner."
While most teams are busy putting the finishing touches on the pre-draft preparations, others are continuing to add in free agency.
On Monday, our colleagues at Giants Wire reported that the New York Giants have added former Tennessee Titans quarterback Brandon Allen to the roster, reuniting him with quarterback coach Brian Callahan.
Entering his 11th NFL season, Allen is a journeyman quarterback but is already familiar with the Callahan from his time with the Cincinnati Bengals and Titans. Allen was the primary backup to Joe Burrow with the Bengals for three seasons while Callahan was the offensive coordinator, and served a similar role in 2025, backing up Cam Ward.
In all, he saw action in one game for the Titans in the season finale after Ward injured his shoulder and finished by going 17-of-30 for 72 yards and one interception.
A sixth-round pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2016 NFL draft, Allen has spent time with the Los Angeles Rams, Denver Broncos, Bengals, San Francisco 49ers, and Titans during his career. Over that span, he has completed 183 of 323 passes (56.7 percent) for 1,882 yards, 11 touchdowns, and nine interceptions.
The move gives the Giants three quarterbacks on the roster, and he will be competing with Jameis Winston during training camp to be the primary backup to entrenched starter Jaxson Dart.
The 2026 season is off to a fast start with almost no weather delays and conditions looking like summer as we head into the third week of the varsity softball campaign in Central Jersey. There was plenty of top-level action played on diamonds across the Skyland, Greater Middlesex and Union Country conferences through the first two weeks and some fantastic individual performances were logged.
Here are the nominations for the season’s first Central Jersey Softball Player of the Week award. All stats through Sunday, April 12.
Voting ends Friday at noon.
Nominees selected by Simeon Pincus and Josh Rosenfeld. Voting winner will be featured as the Player of the Week.
EMMA ANDERSON
Hillsborough
Freshman
The Raiders have endured two rebuilding seasons after going to two state finals in three years and things are certainly looking extremely positive in the early season. That starts in the circle where freshman Emm Anderson appears to have emerged as an ace, fueling Boro’s 4-0 start by posting a 0.48 ERA, allowing just two earned runs on 14 hits and just four walks, striking out 47 in 29 innings.
LAYLA FRANCISCO
North Hunterdon
Senior
The four-year starter is in her third season with the Lions after playing at Gill St. Bernard’s as a freshman and, after the graduation of Skye Cooke, has taken over as the undisputed ace for North Hunterdon. She has stepped up her production in a big way through the early season, going 5-1 with a 0.85 ERA and two shutouts, allowing just five walks and striking out 56 in 41 innings.
AMANDA LEBERS
Rahway
Junior
Pitcher
The Indians have won five of their first six outings for the second year in a row and their junior ace is also 5-1 and a major contributor. She’s yielded just six earned runs for a 1.85 ERA with 39 strikeouts and 10 walks in 22 2/3 innings, also getting it done at the plate with eight extra-base hits in 21 at bats for .524/1.095 batting/slugging and 11 RBIs.
ALLISON MOSCHBERGER
Delaware Valley
Senior
The catcher/third baseman/outfielder has joined Ava Figalora and Lilly Rynearson as the big bats that have helped the Terriers to a 6-0 start and control of the Skyland Conference Valley Division race. Moschberger is hitting .619 so far with two doubles, two triples and eight RBIs.
MIKAYLA OTT
Spotswood
Senior
Pitcher
The senior struck out 10 in tossing a seven-inning perfect game at Metuchen in her first start replacing graduated All-Area selection Ava Mormile as Spotswood’s primary hurler. She then threw a four-inning no-hitter against Bard in her third start. Overall, she’s 4-1 with a 0.62 ERA, 39 strikeouts and 12 walks in 34 innings.
COURTNEY PAULIKAS
J.F. Kennedy
Senior
Pitcher
The 5-0 Mustangs are off to their best start since a 10-0 beginning to a 21-3 campaign in 2019 and Paulikas has thrown every pitch/ She’s 5-0 with a 2.69 ERA, 45 strikeouts and just nine walks in 26 innings in the circle, while also producing a .471 batting and .882 slugging at the plate, and is 25 hits shy of 100 for her career.
CARLY PFEIFFER
Governor Livingston
Junior
The junior has not only taken over at shortstop for graduated star Chelsea Kiesewetter, but has also taken a big leap forward on offense, emerging as the Highlanders’ top bat in the early season. Pfeiffer is hitting .522 through six games with a homer and a team-high 10 RBIs.
CHLOE RODRIGUEZ
North Plainfield
Senior
Catcher
The former varsity baseball player has become a dominant star in her second campaign playing softball. She’s batting .708 and slugging 1.958 with six home runs, five triples and 21 RBIs, which includes a pair of two-homer outings. She also has multiple extra-base hits in five of the Canucks’ seven contests and has also stolen eight bases.
ELLA ROYSTER
Pingry
Senior
The Big Blue’s star center fielder won first-team All-Area honors last season and hasn’t skipped a beat, leading Pingry to a 6-0 start, despite the move up to the Skyland’s top division. Royster is hitting .571 with four doubles, a triple, three homers and 17 RBIs as the Big Blue average a 9.7 runs per game heading into Monday’s action.
JOSIE VANORE
Sayreville
Senior
Pitcher
The lone returning first-team All-Area pitcher from last season, Vanore has picked up where she left off for the top-ranked unbeaten Bombers. She’s 5-0 after throwing all but 2/3 of an inning for Sayreville, posting a 0.84 ERA, 44 strikeouts and nine walks in 33 1/3 frames. She’s also a fixture in the middle for the Bombers lineup with three extra-base hits in 14 at bats.
VOTE NOW!! POLL CLOSES NOON FRIDAY!!
Staff writer Simeon Pincus has been covering NJ sports since 1997, and has been on the softball beat since 1999. He can be reached at CourierSoftball@aol.com. Follow him on Twitter/X @SimeonPincus
Follow GMC softball writer Josh Rosenfeld on Twitter/X @JoshPRosenfeld
The Chambersburg baseball senior “hates losing,” so the Trojans’ 5-13 mark didn’t sit kindly.
“My goal is to make the playoffs,” Mills said. “Last year put a sour taste in my mouth. I came out ready. I knew we’d be better, but I didn’t know we’d play as good as we have been. But we want to go to the playoffs. We want to be special.”
So far, 2026 has been a special year.
Few District 3 programs rival Chambersburg’s history. The Trojans still hold district records for championships (11) and playoff wins (70). But, they haven’t made the district tournament since 2018 and haven’t won a tournament game since 2015.
This year, there’s a different aura in the dugout.
“I think this year, our team chemistry is high, and our guys are loving each other,” senior shortstop Aaron Vasquez said. “We have each other’s backs and our team; we’ve known each other forever. We’ve been playing together forever. We had a couple guys that were injured last year, to have them back just helps so much.”
Chambersburg is 10-1 as of Monday, April 13 and is ranked first in the District 3 Class 6A power rankings that determine the 14 teams that make the playoffs.
“We always wanted to continue the Chambersburg success,” coach Scott Folmar said. “We always want to be in the playoffs, always want to have a chance to go on to the state tournament. … We want to win enough games to make the playoffs. We’re well on our way.”
A look at the scorebook shows one big reason for the turnaround: pitching.
Through 11 games, the Trojans have surrendered only 18 total runs. They’ve thrown four shutouts, highlighted by Brady Truett’s no-hitter April 4 against New Oxford.
Even the team’s one loss this season was just a 1-0 defeat to State College.
It’s been more than a one-man show.
“[Mills is] our No. 1 guy on the mound,” Folmar said. “We felt he was going to do good things for us, give us quality innings. This year, he’s even better than he was last year.
“Brady Truett has thrown really well for us. He struggled at times last year, this year, he’s been a bit of a surprise. We knew he had the potential, and now he’s realizing it. Hayden Lyons is another guy, he was hurt last year, missed the entire season last year. We weren’t real sure what to expect, but he’s been phenomenal.”
The numbers are eye-popping.
Truett, a junior, is 3-0 and has allowed only four hits and no runs, while striking out 18 in 16 innings. Mills, who’s committed to play collegiately at St. Joseph’s, is also 3-0 with a 0.81 ERA. He has a team-high 23 strikeouts in 25 ⅔ innings.
Lyons, a senior who missed all of last season with a torn ACL, has won both his starts and carries a 1.23 ERA.
Add in freshman Devon Nalewak, his two wins and 2.54 ERA, and it’s a true fearsome foursome.
Ceagan Truett, Brady’s cousin, is a senior catcher who leads the staff from behind the plate.
“The key is to just throw strikes, I know that sounds super simple, but it just comes down to throwing strikes, getting ground balls or pop flys,” Truett said. “I have a great connection with all those guys. I know what they want to throw and call the pitches, and they just execute, and if they execute well, that’s all there is."
But there’s more to it than just strong arms.
“Defensively, we have been really good,” Folmar said. “Our infield defense has been specatular. I should knock on wood, but we’re making all the routine plays and some specatcular ones as well. But we’re making the ones we should make and not making our pitchers throw more than they should.”
The defense gets a confidence boost from the guys on the mound, just as they get confidence knowing there’s a solid core behind them.
“Going out there knowing we got these four guys that are going to throw strikes and we’re going to be there to back them up,” said Vasquez, who missed all but two games last season with a broken ankle. “And it helps them, knowing we’re going to make the plays behind them.”
A six-man senior class draws rave reviews from Folmar for its leadership. The group includes Mills, Vasquez, Lyons, Ceagan Truett, Brycen Murray and Aiden Appleby. It’s the last year, the last chance for them to play together, and accomplish something special.
“It would be really good to go out by making the playoffs,” Mills said. “I’ve played with these guys my whole life, and this could be the last time playing with them. To go out winning, it would mean the world.”
“To make a state run would mean everything to us,” Truett added. “For Chambersburg, with the whole town behind us, doing it for Chambersburg, it would mean everything.”
Monday, April 20 is Patriots' Day, marking the 130th running of the Boston Marathon. Thirty-thousand participants will line up in Hopkinton early Monday morning to begin the challenge of completing one of the World Marathon Majors.
From runners who have achieved the qualifying time, to those raising money for one of the 193 charities involved with the event, the Boston Marathon celebrates the combination of sport and community, something that thousands of people attempt to be a part of each and every year.
Among the 30,000 individuals running this year are 14 that will be representing the Gardner area.
Here are the local participants, including their bib numbers. Be sure to cheer them on as they accomplish the impressive goal by following runners' progress throughout the course on the B.A.A. Racing App or by being one of the hundreds of thousands of spectators along the 26.2-mile course.
Season outlook: Coming off the best season in school history, the Jets just replace goalkeeper Kelly Rodak, who has moved on to play at Ferris State this past fall. Toth scored 46 goals last season. Basketball star Gratz joins the soccer team for the first time.
Coach’s comments: “This is the most experienced and driven group we’ve had, and they understand what it takes after last season’s run. There’s a different level of focus and accountability within the team. This group is about production and results, not just potential.”
BEDFORD
Coach: Kellie Grosteffon, fourth year.
2025 record: 2-13-1.
Returning starters: Seniors Aubrey Lisk, Gabby Chapple, Chloe Wanner, Kara Todd; junior Mia Meyers.
Other players: Seniors Dakota Frantz, Ea Brusgaard, Haley Lawson, Mercedes Melbye, Kami Morse, Veda Valliant, Lily Zornow; juniors Olivia Eby, Audrey Palmer; sophomore Phoenyx Simon, freshmen Audrey Grosteffon, Hayleigh Bishop.
Season outlook: The Mules lost two of their top players to club competition, but are encouraged by the return of Kami Morse. She missed all of last season with an injury.
Coach’s comments: “We have a great group of coachable kids that have worked really hard to get to where they are. Our team is still building but has a lot of heart and potential to have a great season. Our program is growing with a full JV squad this year and we are excited about the progress we are making.”
Season outlook: The Vikings will add some talented freshmen to a large group of experienced players.
Coach’s comments: “Dundee is looking forward to having an exciting year. This is the most focused team I have coached for Dundee. They set their own goals and expectations and are quietly looking to challenge for this year’s LCAA conference.”
Other players: Seniors Emma Kirila, Ava Gillum, Layla Holbrook; junior Kyle Balough; sophomores Juliette Morrison, Abagael Gibson; freshmen Maleah Sucharski, Elizabeth Herbert-Foe, Sydney Clark.
Season outlook: An injury to a starting defender left Stanczyk with his smallest roster in his nine seasons as coach of the Rams.
Coach’s comments: “We have several players filling positions for the first time. It will certainly be a learning experience for some. I expect the team to be able to compete and continue to work hard and make improvements.”
Other players: Seniors Morgan Kwiatkowski, Maya Genzel, Addison Wallace, Noelle Lefko, Ashley Farnsworth; juniors Sarah Pente, Zoie Bates, Kaelyn Neely, Evelyn McMaster; sophomores Giada Fioritto, McKenna Belcher; freshmen Lana Angelos, Monica Steinmetz, Melina Gervasi, Noelle Fuchs.
Season outlook: Sisters Josi (19 goals, 10 assists) and Jillian (12 goals, 12 assists) Farago are back to lead the offense. The Marauders posted 10 shutouts and gave up just .79 goals per game last season.
Coach’s comments: “I think we showed people last year that we were a force to be reckoned with, and we have our sights set on a trophy at the end of this season. I will be relying on my young, but heavily talented players to help carry this team to a record-breaking season.”
IDA
Coach: Tim Allen, third year.
2025 record:15-6-1.
Returning starters: Senior Lizzie Scheerhorn; juniors Meira Koepke, Clara Hearl, Lilah Hemmele, Maddie Kreps; sophomores Aubyn Hamm, Madeline Capling, Soli Martinez, Trinity Jackson, Elizabeth Thompson, Emmy Benson, Brylee Slater.
Other players: Junior Ava Weber; sophomore Lainey Hoffman; freshmen Audriana Johnson, Allie Kitts, Brynn Lusky, Madalyn Bliss, Adilyn Stotz, Aubrey Liedtke, Khloe Hill, Lilian Bydlowski.
Season outlook: Constructing an offense will be the big job this spring following graduation losses of Mackenzie Dollison (67 goals) and Claire Allen (37 assists).
Coach’s comments: “We have a solid team defensively. Scoring will probably be our biggest hurdle this season.”
JEFFERSON-ERIE MASON
Coach: Dave Cousino, third year.
2025 record: 9-8-1.
Returning starters: Seniors Camryn Cousino, Morgan Simota, Alena Schafer, Madison Cox, Adriaunna Moore, Madalyn Thompson; junior Lily Lee; sophomores Kate Otting, Kaylee Rupp, Alaina Rosensteel.
Season outlook: The Bears have 10 starters back from a team that improved from 1-15-2 the year before to nine wins last spring.
Coach’s comments: “We have a strong core of returning players along with some new talent that will make an immediate impact. Our focus this season is staying disciplined, continuing to improve every day, and building on the progress we made last year.”
Other players: Seniors Jeliza Fournival, Julie Kuehn; juniors Victoria Kimberly, Elyse McClaran, Audrey McClaren; sophomores Honesty Zdunczyk, Isabell Willett, Greta Hill, Alyvia Parker.
Season outlook: This year’s seniors were freshmen when Hayes took over as Milan coach.
Coach’s comments: “Losing a lot of good starters last year, this year's team is going to be filling in some big shoes but this is something that happens every year and things always turn out great in the end.”
Season outlook: A pair of sophomores will play key roles. Lechner led the team in goals last season with 26 and Jones played more minutes than anyone on the team.
Coach’s comments: “We lost five really good seniors last year. We are a good young team. We have a very challenging schedule this season and we are ready for the challenge.”
NEW BOSTON HURON
Coach: Matt Lividini, fourth year.
2025 record: 21-2-1 (Division 2 state runner-up).
Returning starters: Seniors Ava Banko, Maggie Mentzer, Avery Turk, Brooklyn Burke, Nhi Vo; junior Miley Skamiera.
Season outlook: Captains Banko and Mentzer are four-year veterans and Burke posted 13 shutouts in goal last season. Skamiera (28 goals, 16 assists in 2025) leads the offense.
Coach’s comments: “We have been strong year after year with last year being our strongest. This year’s team is super technical and rivals last year’s team, understandably so, 14 of these girls have been to the state finals at MSU nine months ago and want that opportunity back.”
Other players: Senior Marcy Anaya, Brianna Lynch, Sophia Short; freshmen Julia Gessner, Elsie Lange, Ellie Orris, Kylie Dubke.
Season outlook: Kinsey scored 16 goals last season and earned a spot on the All-Region team.
Coach’s comments: “We have a solid mix of returning starters and new players who come in with valuable soccer experience and are ready to contribute right from the start. That combination of leadership and fresh talent gives us a lot
BATTLE CREEK - We are listing the top 30 high school softball players in the area and asking readers to vote for who will end up being the Battle Creek Enquirer Softball Player of the Year when the season is over.
It's the 2026 Battle Creek Enquirer Preseason Softball Player of the Year poll.
Games have just started, and some players are already serving notice that they are ready for breakout years. But here's a preseason list of possible choices.
You can vote for who you believe to be the Preseason Battle Creek Enquirer Baseball Player of the Year below. Online poll open until noon Monday, April 20.
The list of athletes was gathered from the collection of players to watch for the area in our season preview.
Here's our list of 30 softball players in our Preseason Enquirer Softball Player of the Year poll (in alphabetical order):
Now it’s time to shine a spotlight on the athletes that made this winter a season to remember.
But, before we announce our super teams, we need more help from our readers to help choose our Player of the Year in each sport. Like our polls from this past fall, the list has been narrowed down to the most elite athletes in the area.
Vote for the SouthCoast High School Girls Track Athlete of the Year below. Reader votes will make up 25% of the tally, with Sports Editor Laurie Los Lee making up the rest of the vote.
Candidates are listed in alphabetical order by school.
Voting will conclude at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, April 22.
THE POLL
THE CANDIDATES
Shelbie Ruffley, GNB Voc-Tech
Ruffley had a strong finish to the winter season as she placed first in the 55 hurdles at the Rising Stars Championship Invitational with a personal-best 9.67. She qualified for the MSTCA Pentathlon.
The senior capped off her career with a strong showing at the state level. She placed second in the weight throw at the Meet of Champions with a distance of 50-00.25. She also came in 19th in the shot put (32-05). At the Div. 1 meet, Smith took third in the shot put (35-01.50).
Phoebe Cowles, Old Rochester
Cowles enjoyed an impressive sophomore campaign in which she won the South Coast Conference championship in the 600 and placed second in the event at the Div. 5 state meet. She broke the school record in the event five times during the season with her best being a 1:38.43. She was consistently ranked in the top 20 among 600 runners in the state. She also competed in the 300, running a time of 44.09.
BATTLE CREEK - We are listing the top 21 high school girls soccer players in the area and asking readers to vote for who will end up being the Battle Creek Enquirer Girls Soccer Player of the Year when the season is over.
It's the 2026 Battle Creek Enquirer Preseason Girls Soccer Player of the Year poll.
Games have just started, and some athletes are already serving notice that they are ready for breakout years. But here's a preseason list of possible choices.
You can vote for who you believe to be the Preseason Battle Creek Enquirer Girls Soccer Player of the Year below. Online poll open until noon Monday, April 20.
The list of athletes was gathered from the collection of players to watch for the area in our season preview.
Here's our list of 21 girls soccer players in our Preseason Enquirer Girls Soccer Player of the Year poll (in alphabetical order):
Ali Bates - Gull Lake
Marin Crandall - Pennfield
Kayla Enriquez - Battle Creek Central
Lilamae Frank - Lakeview
Abby Garcia - Coldwater
Mylee Grimm - St. Philip/Calhoun Christian
Addison Mitchell - Harper Creek
Lillian Moore - Marshall
Addison Nicolich - Harper Creek
Leah Olivarri - Lakeview
Charlye Reiner - Gull Lake
Peyton Rhoades - Pennfield
Danika Rothchild - Pennfield
Ollie Rozell-Edwards - Marshall
Lola Saber - Marshall
Blanca Sanchez - Battle Creek Central
Kenadie Schuemann - Gull Lake
Jordyn St. John - Marshall
Madeleine Thawnghmung - Lakeview
Danayah Williams - Lakeview
Rylee Zumer - Harper Creek
Contact Bill Broderick at bbroderi@battlecreekenquirer.com. Follow him on X/Twitter @billbroderick.
Miri Taylor made her home debut for Scotland in last month's World Cup qualifying win against Luxembourg [Getty Images]
Though she only made her first squad in November, Scotland had long been on Miri Taylor's mind.
The former England youth international, who spent high days and holidays in Elgin, wanted to represent the country of her beloved late grandmother's birth.
But she wanted to do it right. So she waited until she "was in the right headspace" to compete at international level.
Since making her debut off the bench in the friendly draw with Ukraine at the end of last year, the Aston Villa midfielder has looked right at home in the heart of Melissa Andreatta's side.
But she's taken quite the journey to get there.
After heading out to the United States for university, Taylor didn't think she was "of a good enough quality to play international football" when she returned and signed for Liverpool three years ago.
"I didn't think I had that footballing maturity I needed to give to a country," the four-cap Scot told BBC Scotland.
"At that time I wasn't that player and felt like I couldn't be that for Scotland. I didn't want to jump in the deep end too early and not feel like I was giving my best.
"I needed to re-evaluate where I was and grow as a player and person."
'Little won't remember me, but I definitely remember her'
If the early days of her Scotland career are anything to go by, Taylor has made rapid growth in a relatively short period of time. That sums up her story so far.
Like many, she started of by playing with the boys in Sunday little leagues, much to the disappointment of her mum.
"I absolutely loved it, but my mum was like: 'Oh, I thought you were going to be a dancer'," Taylor said. "But that was never on the cards for me!"
She joined local team Gillingham before spending a year at Charlton Athletic. Then, the big move to Chelsea - and "probably the best youth academy in the country" - came before she was a teenager.
"I got the chance to train with the first-team at like 16,17, which was an unbelievable experience with the likes of Katie Chapman, Millie Bright and Ji So-yun.
"Seeing their standards and professionalism day in, day out, I think really created a mould of what I wanted to be."
Shaped by seven years at Chelsea, she granted her Arsenal-fanatic dad his wish of playing for the Gunners for one year before moving stateside for her scholarship at Hofstra University.
"My dad was like: 'Go on, just for one year'. So I did and I played with strong females like Kim Little - she won't remember me, but I definitely remember her - Alex Scott, strong leaders from a young age who shaped how I wanted to play."
But it wasn't all about playing. Conscious of the landscape at the time, Taylor wanted to explore other options while also "offloading the financial burden" of going to university in England.
So a scholarship in New York it was as she studied speech pathology - eventually.
"I started off in English and psychology and then realised I ain't got a social life so I changed," Taylor told of her three-and-a-half year study.
"It was unbelievable, like a really interesting degree and it was just unbelievable to play at university in America and get my education at the same time.
"I didn't feel like England had that like accessibility, that whole package. I needed that move, I wanted that back-up because you never know with football."
She was drafted to Angel City in their inaugural season in the NWSL and it was through her performances there that she earned her move to "the best league in the world" with Liverpool in the WSL.
But it wasn't straightforward on Merseyside. Minutes were limited and confidence was low, then she was loaned out to Aston Villa.
"It just totally changed my perspective," said Taylor, who moved permanently to Villa in July 2024.
"Getting minutes in the WSL, it really boosts your confidence and I feel like that's something I haven't always been very good at having on the pitch.
"But the last couple of years I've definitely got over that and I know myself, my strengths and how I can change the game, dominate the game in ways that suit the team I'm playing with and suit my game as opposed to just creating self-doubt where it's not needed."
'We've got our North Star'
Taylor needn't have any doubts about her place in Andreatta's "ambitious" squad. She's fit in seamlessly.
She credits her team-mates - and their "heart-warming, familiar accents" which remind her of her grandma - with that, many of whom she's played with at club level.
Taylor was the little to 6ft 2in Georgia Brown's large in New York, while Jenna Clark was a familiar face from Liverpool. Freya Gregory is an ex-club team-mate, while Kirsty Hanson walks out in front of her on matchday for Villa.
All of them, and everyone else since entering a tightknit camp - "where there's no difference from sitting at dinner or going on to the pitch" - have made the message of making the World Cup in Brazil next year clear to Taylor, if it wasn't already.
"Coming in I knew that was the focus, I knew from the past hurt that was always going to be the drive because we do have a really ambitious bunch," she explained.
"There's no hiding from it. On day-dot everyone was like: 'This is the goal'. I feel like that brings a good level of collectiveness.
"No-one is going in half-hearted, there's no 'what we are we searching for'. There's a driven goal, we've got our North Star and everyone's on the same train, which helps drive our focus as well as our ambition."
Phil Parkinson's Wrexham are currently seventh in the Championship [Getty Images]
Phil Parkinson will officially receive the Freedom of the Wrexham County Borough today.
The Wrexham manager has overseen three successive promotions since taking charge of the north Wales club in the summer of 2021.
On the back of the Red Dragons' promotion into the Championship last year, councillors unanimously voted in favour of Parkinson being handed the honour.
Speaking in advance of the ceremony, Parkinson told BBC Sport Wales: "It's an amazing honour for myself and my family to be given that award and I look forward to going down there on Tuesday.
"One of the key parts of this job and being part of this story over the last five years is the impact on the local community.
"I've enjoyed being a part of that and meeting people in the business world around the town and it's a real honour for me to be down there on Tuesday."
Parkinson will sign official documents at Wrexham Guildhall in a ceremony at 15:00 BST.
Alex McKechnie chuckles at the leap of faith he took when he packed up almost all his belongings in Glasgow and booked a one-way flight to Vancouver, Canada on 7 September 1974.
"I had $300 in my pocket," he recounts. "And no job."
At that point it might have been hard for the newly qualified physiotherapist to imagine he would one day be telling basketball great Shaquille O'Neal - with his full entourage in tow - to wait his turn to see him.
Or that an idea he had when looking at a children's playground would spark a novel way to improve recovery from knee injuries.
His pioneering methods would make him one of sport's most sought-after physios and even earn him a small slice of British sporting history as the only Briton to win an NBA championship ring as either a player or member of the sideline staff.
He has now won six, and at the age of 74 the man credited with bringing players back from career-threatening injuries is still very much in demand.
Many top names have been on Alex McKechnie's treatment table over the years, including Kobe Bryant (left) and Pau Gasol (right) [Getty Images]
Darting with a football in his youth around the mean Scottish streets of Easterhouse - at the time the centre of Glasgow's notorious ganglands - McKechnie dreamed of playing for Rangers.
But a car crash that injured his father and brother provided his introduction to a different career path.
Watching them recover steadily fascinated a young McKechnie. It persuaded him to study physiotherapy at a technical college in Leeds before heading to North America in search of a job.
Within a week he secured a temporary role at a hospital, and within a month he was working at a university with athletes from many sports. It sparked a fascination with an area of sports science that was under-researched - anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries.
When he first started practising there was no surgery that offered a certain cure.
"It was basically an ACL tear, and your career was basically over," says McKechnie.
Working with athletes, he started to notice a link between cruciate injuries, core strength and pelvic control, and so devised a rehabilitation process based on this.
He got his patients to wear elastic bands - which simulated resistance - while doing a series of exercises that would strengthen their core.
This approach is now common, but back then it was innovative.
The elastics seen here on the late Kobe Bryant are a hallmark of McKechnie's methods [Getty Images]
His next Eureka moment came while walking his dog through a park in which children were rocking on spring-mounted horses.
It sowed the seed for the idea of a wobble board which could heighten core strength through muscle movement, training the body to learn healthy patterns which promote overall stability.
The first prototype was "built with a large engineering spring" and Reebok subsequently licensed the idea in 1999, turning it into a mass-market product sold worldwide.
Word was already spreading about the physio who was piloting new approaches and saving careers.
In 1997, when LA Lakers star O'Neal, then the most dominant centre in the NBA, sustained a strained abdominal muscle and was facing surgery that would sideline him for up to 10 months, the grapevine proposed a guru 1,200 miles up the Pacific coast.
McKechnie had treated Anaheim Ducks ice hockey player Paul Kariya for a similar issue without him needing to go under the knife, and the Lakers liked the sound of that.
The plea for assistance from the Lakers' legendary general manager Jerry West altered the Scotsman's trajectory in an instant.
Alex McKechnie took inspiration from this sort of play equipment for his wobble board [Getty Images]
O'Neal, their prize asset, was despatched to McKechnie's clinic in Vancouver for an expert opinion.
Patience, it transpired, was not O'Neal's virtue.
"I get this call from the limo driver, from his security people, saying 'we're coming'," recalls McKechnie. "I go, 'sorry, I can't see you until 1.30'. They go, 'we'd like to come now'.
"I said, 'you have to sit and wait. I've got people here I'm working with. I can't just walk away'."
They hung up. 1.30 came and went. O'Neal's party had pivoted and flown back to Los Angeles.
The next day, LA Lakers orthopaedic surgeon Steve Lombardo rang McKechnie to apologise and asked if he would see O'Neal the following week, and whether he would come into downtown Vancouver for the consultation.
The response was terse. "No, Shaq can see me at my clinic. End of story."
It turned out they felt it was worth the effort.
"In comes Shaquille with bodyguards, friends, coaches, trainers - I was just inundated with people," says McKechnie.
"The big fella came in and we sat down. I'm thinking this could go any way, in any direction, at this point."
The prescribed Core-X treatment programme - based on ensuring alignment between muscles in different parts of the body - was unconventional at the time.
But it worked wonders. O'Neal was soon back in action for the Lakers without having surgery.
"He brought me back," the grateful O'Neal said. "I was dead, and he brought me back."
A mere four days after the initial consultation, McKechnie was flown to Los Angeles and a pitch delivered to retain his exclusive use throughout the demanding NBA season.
Accepting the job offer meant a change of pace - but all-areas access within one of global sport's most famous and glamourous clubs.
David Beckham was among the celebrities regularly in the crowd at Lakers games [Getty Images]
To sit nightly in the courtside seats occupied by the Lakers coaching and training staff in that era was akin to a spot in the front row of a box-office title fight.
O'Neal and Kobe Bryant, combustible but extraordinary in unison. A head coach in Phil Jackson who had moulded Michael Jordan into a winning machine for the Chicago Bulls and was now replicating that feat in the shadow of Hollywood.
"The Jack Nicholsons of the world, all these other famous people, were sitting three, four feet away from where I'm sitting," McKechnie says. "It's the thing I'll say about the Lakers - the Lakers entertain. It's an entertainment industry.
"Every single agent is represented around the courtside. It's unbelievable. People from rock stars to David Beckham - when he was playing [football] there in LA - were there during that period, Just amazing, really."
The Lakers' supremacy in that era ensured their top billing. Keeping the headline act of O'Neal in rude health was fundamental amid huge fluctuations in his weight and a notorious distaste for keeping fit in the off-season.
McKechnie is, Jackson enthused, "a guy that can keep players on the floor".
That talent convinced O'Neal to rent a house in Vancouver and maintain his alliance with the physio during the summer hiatus.
"He [O'Neal] played bocce in my backyard with my daughters or would be out chasing the neighbours' dog," McKechnie chuckles.
The staff at the clinic felt his presence too. "He'd fool around at the reception desk and would check patients in," he says. "Just Shaq being Shaq."
McKechnie also worked with Bryant, supporting the late superstar's gruelling regime which devoted six hours each day to precise weightlifting, cardio and skills sessions.
Former England footballer Owen Hargreaves, who had been sidelined for two years with a series of knee injuries, sought out McKechnie and worked with him to make an unlikely return to the field.
McKechnie - who once said he treats "broken-down athletes who are almost like reclamation projects" - had discovered Hargreaves' knee issues were caused by pelvic instability and therefore got him working to strengthen his core. It is now an industry standard with universal acceptance.
In 2011, McKechnie was unexpectedly tempted to return to Canada, granted the title of assistant coach to Nick Nurse, once of the London Towers and the Manchester Giants but then head coach of the Toronto Raptors.
He was there when the Raptors won their first and only NBA championship ring in 2019, centred around prolonged health for their often fragile centrepiece Kawhi Leonard. Another quiet accomplishment for McKechnie, his sixth title acquired - and you sense this was the triumph he enjoyed most.
"It was incredible," recalls McKechnie, who is now vice-president of player health and performance at the team. "The [victory] parade was like nothing you've ever seen in your life. It was unbelievable. There was a million people out there to see us celebrate."
McKechnie has now completed 26 regular seasons in the NBA. Another play-off campaign lies ahead this month. His personal acclaim is widespread.
Invitations regularly arrive from Premier League football clubs to drop by. It is a chance to share wisdom and acquire fresh ideas, he says, because he is "looking for a competitive edge at all times".
That is why, in his eighth decade, McKechnie remains a master of the relentless world he inhabits.
The man who left Scotland with just enough cash to place a wild bet on himself still appreciates the pay-offs from inhabiting this high-pressure world where his healing hands can provide a critical assist.
"The NBA is like a rock concert tour," he says. "You roll in, we unload in the hotel. We set up treatment rooms. We set up everything in the hotel, we treat, pack it up, go to the arena, play, and then it's on the flight to the next city.
Adam Peaty won 100m breaststroke Olympic gold in 2016 and 2021 and also has one relay gold medal [Getty Images]
Adam Peaty is back for more, again.
The three-time Olympic champion, who almost quit the sport before the Paris Olympics and considered doing so after taking silver in the French capital, returns to the London Aquatics Centre on Tuesday.
It is a key step on the road he hopes will lead to a fourth Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028 - and possibly another Olympic gold.
"The next two years are probably going to be the hardest of my career," Peaty tells BBC Breakfast.
"There probably won't be much winning, but the one win that does matter is LA."
It is almost a year since Peaty, who got married while swimming took a back seat, confirmed he will go again.
He made the decision after it was confirmed the 50m breaststroke event would be added to the schedule in 2028. It gives Peaty a second shot at more individual golds - the chance to add the 50m title to the 100m medals he won in 2016 and 2021.
He has raced here and there in recent months with mixed results, but will compete over both distances at this week's British Championships - a crucial step which he hopes will lead to the Commonwealth Games, World and European Championships and America's west coast.
"It's like tasting an amazing steak and then having to go back to a McDonald's burger," he says.
"The Olympics is the one that excites me. That is the one that really gets me out of bed every day, the one I dream of.
"We have to set that path now.
"Two years out, it is about how much racing and experience can we gather to give the best performance in LA."
Peaty confident of avoiding burnout repeat
Peaty was beaten to a third successive gold in Paris by Italy's Nicolo Martinenghi, having contracted coronavirus in the days before the final.
"With the cards I was dealt I swam out of my skin," he says. "I shouldn't have got a silver medal."
Before the Paris Games, Peaty shared his struggles with injury and his mental health, describing the period as a "self-destructive spiral".
He says he has not allowed himself to think about what another Olympic medal might mean but remains confident similar issues will not return as he chases more success in LA.
"Can we avoid burnout? Absolutely," he says.
"It is the logistical and strategic thinking we have to do.
"I look at my life without sport and I wouldn't be 5% of the man I am, have friends I have and wouldn't have been able to deal with problems I had.
"With sport giving me what it has given, the price is the price."
'It was always going to be hard to beat Gordon's wedding speech'
Peaty believes he is in a "very good frame of mind" as he makes his return in London.
He won gold in the 50m at the Edinburgh International Swim Meet a month ago but finished fourth in the 100m, beaten by 18-year-old British junior world champion Filip Nowacki.
He's settled in his family life too, having married model Holly Ramsay, the daughter of TV chef Gordon, in December.
"It gives an incredible amount of peace, the life we've got together," he says. "But also that I can do this incredible thing which I call sport."
He adds that swimming "will humble you" and is a "hard path", but "what makes that path a lot easier is having my wife, my son and friends around me".
Peaty credits the support of his famous in-laws, too, with whom he completed his debut triathlon as part of Team Ramsay last August.
But thinking back to his wedding speech, he concedes Gordon probably won the prize for best toast of the day.
"It was always going to be hard to beat Gordon's speech," said Peaty.
"Having her [Holly's] family there for the support and the love they have for us is incredible but Gordon is never going to find it hard to make the room laugh.
"He was able to bring the room together because that's what a wedding is in my eyes - that you bring these people from all areas of your life, you bring them together."
Chef and restaurateur Ramsay, 59, has completed a number of Ironman and ultramarathon events in recent years.
"[He's] very inspiring," Peaty said. "I think for him it's obviously a very different way of life in terms of the business he has to do and the businesses he has to run.
"I take a lot of guidance. I look up to him a lot... in [terms of] sport, he knows the game is the game, that it doesn't lie. But it will humble you and you've got to work hard for those results.
"I know that whatever I learned through sport, those are the skills I can take into the rest of my life as well."
Nolan McLean (0-1) is on the hill for the Mets on Tuesday as they play their second game on a six-game road trip. New York will have their hands full with Yoshinobu Yamamoto (2-1), one of the best hurlers in baseball. McLean is hoping for a better result than his last start when the bullpen let him down after a quality start.
Tyson Foerster scored the only goal of the shootout which featured an extra round to give the host Philadelphia Flyers a 3-2 come-from-behind win over the Carolina Hurricanes in the penultimate game of the regular season for both teams.
Matvei Michkov and Trevor Zegras scored in regulation for Philadelphia (42-27-12, 96 points), who have won five of their last six. Dan Vladar stopped 24 shots and all four of Carolina's shootout attempts.
Nikolaj Ehlers had a goal and an assist and Bradly Nadeau got the other goal for the Hurricanes (52-22-7, 111 points), who clinched the top spot in the Eastern Conference with the point despite the loss. Brandon Bussi made 18 saves.
Carolina's Jackson Blake hit the goal post while cutting across the slot about 1:15 into the five-minute overtime period.
Philadelphia scored twice in the second period to tie the game 2-2.
Michkov put the Flyers on the board 7:57 into the period when he scored from the left circle skating toward the net after taking a cross-ice pass from Denver Barkey.
Zegras' power-play goal with 9:29 left in the middle period tied it. He took a pass below the right circle, had the time to take a couple of strides to his left and put a shot past Bussi. Ex-Spartan Porter Martone assisted on the goal to stretch his point streak to five games (seven points on three goals and seven assists).
Nadeau scored on Carolina's first shot 8:41 into the game. He connected on a one-timer from the slot, converting Ehlers' pass from behind the net. Ehlers power-play goal with 4:30 left in the opening period made it 2-0. His shot from below the right circle and along the goal line caromed in off of Vladar.
The win by Philadelphia eliminated Washington and Columbus from the playoffs. Those two teams battle in Columbus in a meaningless game on Tuesday.
The Hurricanes rested Sebastian Aho, Seth Jarvis, captain Jordan Staal, Andrei Svechnikov and defensemen Jaccob Slavin and Shayne Gostisbehere in anticipation of the upcoming playoffs.
Sabres wrap up Atlantic Division crown
Tage Thompson scored twice and Alex Tuch had a goal and assist as the Buffalo Sabres clinched the Atlantic Division title with a 5-1 victory against the host Chicago Blackhawks on Monday.
Buffalo (50-23-8, 108 points) recorded its fourth straight victory. The Sabres have the second-best record in the Eastern Conference behind the Carolina Hurricanes' 111 points.
After snapping a 14-season playoff drought this month, Buffalo will open the postseason against either the Boston Bruins or the Ottawa Senators.
Ryan McLeod and Josh Norris (Oxford) also scored while Rasmus Dahlin notched two assists for the Sabres. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 15 saves.
Rookie Ryan Greene scored for Chicago, and Spencer Knight stopped 21 shots.
The Sabres outshot the Blackhawks 26-16. Chicago finished 0-for-5 on the power play compared to 0-for-2 for Buffalo.
The Blackhawks (28-39-14, 70 points) put a brief scare into the Sabres when Greene opened the scoring with a short-handed goal at 3:58 of the first period. With Sam Rinzel off for high-sticking, Greene took an Ilya Mikheyev pass off the rush, made a move in front and beat Luukkonen with a wrist shot just 14 seconds into the Buffalo man advantage.
Also sluggish at even strength in the early going, the Sabres tied the game at 19:02 of the first period. Josh Doan stole a Greene pass inside the Chicago blue line and fed the puck to Norris, who sent a wrist shot over Knight from the left circle.
Norris stretched his point streak to five games while Doan extended his to four.
Blackhawks forward Frank Nazar (Mount Clemens) wore a cage mask after leaving the team's Saturday home loss to the St. Louis Blues early upon taking a puck to the face.
Chicago fell to 1-8-1 in its past 10 games.
Quick loses final NHL game
Goalie Jonathan Quick, a three-time Stanley Cup champion, lost the final game of his career as the host Florida Panthers defeated the New York Rangers, 3-2, on Monday night in Sunrise.
Cole Reinhardt produced the first two-goal game of his career, including the game-winner with 1:50 left in the third. Mackie Samoskevich also scored for the Panthers, who got 24 saves from backup goalie Daniil Tarasov, including 13 in the third period.
Quick, a 40-year-old who won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the MVP of the 2012 Stanley Cup playoffs, made 14 saves in the loss.
Both the Rangers (33-39-9) and the Panthers (39-38-4) have been eliminated from playoff contention. Florida, after winning Stanley Cup titles in 2024 and 2025, will end its season with a home game against Detroit on Wednesday. New York will end its season with a road game at Tampa Bay, also on Wednesday.
The Rangers got goals from rookies Matthew Robertson and Gabe Perreault.
Before the game, the Panthers handed out team awards to Sergei Bobrovsky (fan favorite), Luke Kunin (unsung hero), and Brad Marchand (three stars).
After the game, the Panthers called for Quick to come back to the ice for a curtain call. Quick appeared to wipe away tears as he stepped off the ice for the final time.
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On Monday, April 13, Fudd, a 23-year-old Virginia native and former UConn Huskies star, was selected as the No. 1 pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft. She will be heading to the Dallas Wings — which just happens to be the same team as Bueckers, 24.
“I’m excited to play again with Paige,” Fudd said while speaking to ESPN after the pick. The couple played at the University of Connecticut, and won a national championship together in 2025.
Cathy Engelbert and Azzi Fudd after being drafted No. 1 overall by the Dallas Wings, 2026 WNBA Draft Credit: David Dow/NBAE via Getty
“She’s an incredible person,” Fudd continued of her girlfriend. “An incredible player, and it’s gonna be a lot of fun.”
The room erupted in cheer as Fudd’s interview played on a large screen inside The Shed at the 2026 WNBA Draft in New York City. Bueckers, who was seated in the audience, was seen smiling as she watched Fudd gush about their future during her big moment.
PEOPLE also caught up with Fudd at the draft, where she shared the helpful tips she’s gotten from her peers, including Bueckers.
“I feel like the advice has mostly been a combination of, one, soak this whole weekend in,” the athlete tells PEOPLE exclusively. “You know, it only happens once — it's your moment — so really take it all in, try to take notes, try to learn, try to just enjoy the moment. And then going forward, be confident, stay true to yourself, do what got you drafted, and also enjoy that moment as well.”
Fudd and Bueckers have been a star couple from the start. They first met while trying out for the USA Women’s Under-16 National Team in 2017, then both made the team and went on to win gold.
It was also Bueckers who encouraged Fudd to commit to UConn.
Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd Credit: Azzi Fudd/Instagram
"Paige is the kind of teammate that everyone wants to play with because she’s so selfless," Fudd told Glamour in August 2025. "The way she plays, she gets everyone involved. She’s also just a great player, so she attracts so much attention that it makes it easier for everyone else to get good looks and opportunities on the court."
During that same interview, Fudd opened up to the outlet about what it would be like if she ever ended up on the same WNBA team as Bueckers, or if they became rivals.
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“I definitely would love to play with her again; at the same time, I’d love to play against her,” she added. “I think it's kind of a win-win. There’s no bad option.”
Tyson Foerster scored the only goal in the shootout to send the Philadelphia Flyers to a 3-2 win over the Eastern Conference top seed Carolina Hurricanes on Monday night and into the playoffs for the first time since 2020.
Flyerss goalie Dan Vladar stopped Carolina's fourth shootout attempt and set off a wild celebration at the next. The Flyers skated to center ice and raised their sticks toward a packed and rowdy crowd that hasn't enjoyed a home playoff series since 2018.
The Hurricanes got the point they needed to secure the top seed in the East.
The Hurricanes reached the Eastern Conference final last season, where they were eliminated by eventual Stanley Cup champion Florida. Carolina was the No. 1 seed in the East in 2006, when it won the Stanley Cup.
The Flyers, who entered the game tied for fifth in the NHL with 21 comeback victories, woke up in the second period and played like a team with a playoff berth at stake.
Flyers fans came to life when Denver Barkey used a perfect cross-ice pass and found Matvei Michkov at the left circle. Michkov beat Brandon Bussi and scored his 19th goal to cut it to 2-1.
Flyers gather around the net of goalie Dan Vladar, top left, as they celebrate after making the playoffs after an NHL game against the Hurricanes, Monday, April 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Trevor Zegras, sensational in his first season with the Flyers, scored on a power play later in the period, tying the game at 2. Zegras' goal gave him 13 points in the last 13 games and 26 goals overall this season.
With a chance to clinch the top seed in the East, the Hurricanes made most of their key players healthy scratches.
Sebastian Aho, Andrei Svechnikov and Seth Jarvis - three of their top four scorers - sat out, as did top-scoring defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere. Jaccob Slavin, one of the NHL's top defensemen, and team captain Jordan Staal also got the night off.
The makeshift lines were an instant hit for the Hurricanes, who silenced a Flyers crowd that came pumped for a playoff berth celebration.
Bradly Nadeau scored from the slot on a one-timer on Carolina's second shot of the game and Nikolaj Ehlers scored his 25th of the season - 250th of his career - on the power play late in the first for a 2-0 lead.
Stephen Curry returned to the Golden State Warriors rotation on April 5, following a two-month absence due to a persistent knee issue. The veteran guard played in four of the Warriors' last five games of the season, allowing him to work on his fitness ahead of the upcoming play-in tournament.
As such, when Golden State faced off against the LA Clippers on Sunday, April 12, in their final game of the regular season, Curry's fitness was among the key talking points. During his postgame news conference, head coach Steve Kerr discussed Curry's performance against the Clippers before sharing his stance on how his star player looked on the floor.
"Steph looked good," Kerr said, via Joseph Dycus. "I think he's got to blow it out a little bit today, which was good. First time he's gotten to that many minutes, and I asked him during the game how he was feeling, and he said it felt really good. So that was a good step for him."
Curry has featured in 43 games this season, averaging 26.6 points, 3.6 rebounds and 4.7 assists per night. He's shooting 58.4% from two-point range and 39.3% from deep. When healthy, he's still the best shooter in the world, providing a significant boost to the Warriors' chances of success in any game.
Golden State must now navigate a brutal play-in tournament, with the first game being against the Clippers. If the Warriors are to stand any chance of qualifying for the playoffs, they will need Curry as close to 100% as possible. With that in mind, Kerr's comments after Sunday's game were encouraging. Hopefully, Curry will be ready to go on Wednesday, as the Warriors try to keep their season alive.
PHILADELPHIA — Over the course of a 162-game season, there are days when the starting pitcher needs to stay in and provide innings during a rough outing.
It was Chicago Cubs right-hander Javier Assad’s night to wear it Monday at Citizens Bank Park. The Philadelphia Phillies tagged Assad for nine runs and 11 hits in 4 1/3 innings in a 13-7 loss that was more of a blowout than the final score indicated.
Assad sounded unsure afterward about what exactly went wrong, stating multiple times he needed to watch video of his outing to dissect whether the issues stemmed from sequencing, location or pitch shape. He believed he threw some good pitches that the Phillies managed to make contact against.
“Every time you go out there, you try to battle, so today was a bad day,” Assad said through an interpreter. “It was just a bad day. It’s in the past, move forward.”
Manager Craig Counsell had to keep the rest of the series in mind with a taxed bullpen. He needed to get more outs from Assad as the fifth inning started to get away from the typically reliable right-hander. Six of the first seven Phillies hitters reached base to open the inning; the lone out came on a sacrifice fly.
“I just don’t think he got his sinker going and didn’t execute with his fastball,” Counsell said of Assad. “There were balls in the zone, but he needs to get them in good places. And he didn’t get the fastball and the sinker to good places.”
A still-manageable 4-2 deficit coming into the bottom of the fifth made the spiraling frame a tough blow to the Cubs, who were looking for a strong start to a challenging two-week stretch in their schedule. Right-hander Jacob Webb retired the two batters he faced to get out of the fifth, and with the Cubs trailing by seven runs, Counsell turned to left-hander Charlie Barnes to finish off the final three innings.
Barnes’ first big-league appearance since Oct. 3, 2021, with Minnesota didn’t go smoothly, either. Barnes, 30, surrendered four runs (three earned) on four hits, three walks and one hit batter.
Kyle Schwarber took Assad deep twice in the first and third innings to help the Phillies go up 4-0. Dansby Swanson’s two-run home run off Phillies left-hander Cristopher Sánchez to the opposite field cut into the lead. However, the Cubs couldn’t take advantage of the baserunners and pressure they created against the Phillies’ star pitcher (six hits and three walks allowed).
“You put some pressure on him, but the ball is just on the ground so much that he can get out of some trouble and he got out of trouble and gets two outs with one pitch multiple times tonight,” Counsell said of Sánchez. “So he’s tough, and I thought we did a pretty decent job with him. You’re only going to get so many chances against a guy like that.”
The Cubs (7-9) finished 4-for-16 with runners in scoring position and left 10 on base. They produced a five-run eighth inning, aided by multiple Phillies errors, but even that didn’t put much of a dent in the hole the Cubs put themselves in.
The Cubs aren’t worried about how the offensive group hasn’t fully clicked yet. Not even through the first month of the season, there remains plenty of confidence in the clubhouse that this is a talented team that will get in rhythm. At some point, though, they need more from their star players. The Cubs know that. Their offensive struggles become more exposed on nights like Monday when the Cubs can’t get a quality outing from their starting pitcher while the lineup faces one of the best starters in the game.
The rest of this series won’t get any easier as the Phillies send right-hander Aaron Nola and left-hander Jésus Luzardo to the mound in the next two games.
“I think if you look at just however many games in we are this year, when some of the circumstances and variables are kind of out of our hands in terms of weather and temperatures and winds and stuff like that, when they’re a little bit more favorable, we’ve done great as an offense,” Swanson said. “We’ve put pressure on teams, whether that’s via the walk or consistently hitting the ball hard, passing the baton to one another, even tonight being able to work (Sánchez’s) pitch count up and force them to use a couple extra bullpen arms, you can look at as a win.
“We haven’t obviously been able to consistently come up with a big hit, but guys are going up there with the right mentality and putting good swings on balls. It’s just a matter of time.”
Ryan Jeffers went 3-for-4 with a homer and three RBIs, and the first-place Minnesota Twins coasted to a 13-6 win over the Boston Red Sox on Monday night in Minneapolis.
Victor Caratini also homered and drove in three runs for the Twins, who won for the seventh time in their past eight games. Minnesota and Cleveland are tied for first in the AL Central, 1.5 games ahead of the Tigers.
Byron Buxton and Ryan Kreidler also homered for the Twins.
Jarren Duran hit a two-run homer to lead Boston at the plate. Wilyer Abreu and Caleb Durbin each added two hits and one RBI.
Twins right-hander Bailey Ober (2-0) allowed four runs on seven hits in six innings. He fanned seven, walked one and hit a batter.
Red Sox ace Garrett Crochet (2-2) surrendered 11 runs (10 earned) on nine hits in 1 2/3 innings. He walked three and struck out none.
The Twins pounced on the southpaw for 11 runs in the first two innings.
Minnesota started its damage with a four-run first. Austin Martin hit a one- out double, advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on Luke Keaschall's double to left. Moments later, Jeffers singled to drive in Keaschall and make it 2-0.
An error by Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story opened the door for the Twins to make it 4-0. Brooks Lee reached on an RBI infield single that scored Jeffers, and Story's errant throw allowed Caratini to sprint home for another run.
Guardians outslug Cardinals
Brayan Rocchio hit a two-run homer while Daniel Schneemann and Steven Kwan added two RBIs apiece as the Cleveland Guardians defeated the host St. Louis Cardinals 9-3 on Monday.
Guardians starter Gavin Williams (2-1) went five-plus innings, giving up five hits and two runs. The right-hander walked two and struck out four on 93 pitches.
Williams was chased in the sixth when Jordan Walker, who had six home runs all last season, hit his major-league-leading eighth to open the inning.
Walker beat out an infield single in the eighth and scored the game's final run on Pedro Pages' sacrifice fly. Walker, 23, has a nine-game hitting streak, and he is batting .333 with 15 RBIs and 15 runs. His 46 total bases lead the majors.
Cardinals starter Matthew Liberatore (0-1) went five innings, allowing six hits and four runs. The southpaw walked three and struck out two on 105 pitches.
White Sox prospect set for debut
Fresh off their first three-game sweep of the New York Yankees in five years, the Tampa Bay Rays will look to reverse recent struggles against the host Chicago White Sox in the opener of a three-game set on Tuesday.
Chicago has gone 4-2 against Tampa Bay in each of the past two seasons after the Rays ran away with the 2023 season series 6-1.
Tuesday's pitching matchup features a pair of left-handers in Shane McClanahan of Tampa Bay and Chicago's Noah Schultz, who will make his major league debut.
Schultz, 22, earned a promotion from Triple-A Charlotte after starting 3-0 with a 1.29 ERA in three appearances, including two starts, with 19 strikeouts in 14 innings. Per MLB Pipeline, Schultz is the organization's No. 2 prospect.
The White Sox selected the 6-foot-10 Schultz 26th overall in the 2022 draft out of Oswego East High School, about 45 minutes southwest of Chicago.
"He's about as nice a guy and polite a guy as can be, but he does have an edge when he goes out there and pitches, which you love to see," White Sox manager Will Venable said.
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The Arizona Cardinals have seven selections in the 2026 NFL draft currently, one in each round. Their selection in the fifth round is the 143rd overall pick. Since Round 5 is on Day 3 of the draft, these can be developmental, rotational and special teams player, and teams hope that maybe they can become more than that.
Who have been the last few players selected 143rd overall? Let's have a look.
2025: DT Jordan Phillips, Miami Dolphins
2024: LB JD Bertrand, Atlanta Falcons
2023: RB Israel Abanikanda, New York Jets
2022: TE Chig Okonkwo, Tennessee Titans
2021: S Tyree Gillespie, Las Vegas Raiders
2020: OL Ben Bredeson, Baltimore Ravens
2019: LB Ryan Connelly, New York Giants
2018: LB Ja'Whaun Bentley, New England Patriots
2017: RB Marlon Mack, Indianapolis Colts
2016: RB DeAndre Washington, Oakland Raiders
Bentley was very good for New England. Bredeson has been a solid NFL starter. Mack was a decent player. Okwonko is a solid tight end.
The Cardinals can hopefully land someone who turns into just a solid NFL player.
Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.
The Arizona Cardinals have seven selections in the 2026 NFL draft currently, one in each round. Their selection in the fourth round is the 104th overall pick. Since Round 4 is the start of Day 3 of the draft, these can be developmental, rotational and special teams player, and teams hope that maybe they can become more than that.
Who have been the last few players selected 104th overall? Let's have a look.
2025: RB Bhayshul Tuten, Jacksonville Jaguars
2024: S Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, Arizona Cardinals
2023: CB Jakorian Bennett, Las Vegas Raiders
2022: OL Logan Bruss, LA Rams
2021: CB Brandon Stephens, Baltimore Ravens
2020: S Terrell Burgess, LA Rams
2019: QB Ryan Finley, Cincinnati Bengals
2018: RB Nyheim Hines, Indianapolis Colts
2017: QB C.J. Beathard, San Francisco 49ers
2016: CB Tavon Young, Baltimore Ravens
Tuten is a promising player as a kickoff returner. Taylor-Demerson became a key part of the Cardinals' defense last season and could be a starter. But most players end up being just decent.
Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.
NORTH ROBINSON - Rylie Hoepf had been in situations like it before.
Bottom of the ninth, winning run on third base against two-time defending Northern 10 champion Mohawk, two outs.
"I told her after the game — I know I'm hard on you ... but the expectation is a little more — and she came through," Colonel Crawford coach Ethan Weithman said. "We put pressure on them and they made a mistake ... Rylie isn't the fastest thing, but she did what she had to do."
With a 3-1 count, Hoepf belted a ground ball to short that was bobbled and allowed Olivia Friley to score the winning run as Hoepf beat out the throw to first to complete the comeback in a 5-4 win over the Warriors.
"My last three at bats I was feeling the same way," she said. "The first was in the bottom of the seventh when we wanted to tie it and then the second one I got walked, but I was just going up there ... I didn't hit well in the beginning of the game, so I knew I needed to have confidence. I was trying to crowd the plate a bit, she was throwing me outside, and I went up there expecting to swing at the first pitch every time.
"That last one, when I hit it, I wasn't feeling very (good), I wasn't expecting it to go the way it went, but I just tried to run it out because I knew Liv would be there to score no matter what."
It was the type of finish that showed just how much these Eagles have grown over the past few seasons. And it was their first win over Mohawk since May 4th, 2023 when Hoepf was a freshman; and the program's first win at home over the Warriors in nearly a decade (April 2nd, 2018).
"This year has been different than the past couple years," Hoepf said. "We've been able to fill all of (our positions) ... and we don't have weak spots, so it has been really nice. We've been able to make plays unlike in past years.
"They got up 2-0 in the beginning, then we held them pretty well. It was just hitting for us, we couldn't put the ball in play (early), and it happens, she's a good pitcher. But when we finally got that little bit of momentum and it was 4-2, that's what started it for us. Even when it was 4-0, we were in the game, we weren't making errors."
Mohawk opened with back-to-back doubles and then a sacrifice groundout two batters later to take the early 2-0 lead. The Warriors tacked on two more in the top of the fifth with a two-out triple by Katie Woodland followed by an Aubrey Gottfried double that drove in Emily Brickner and Woodland.
Arabella Stratton responded for the Eagles in the bottom of the inning with a two RBI single scoring Saylor Holt and Kinley Hoepf. Kinley Hoepf pulled the team within one in the sixth with an RBI single scoring fellow freshman Adalyn Bond, but Colonel Crawford would leave the bases loaded.
Friley scored the tying run in the bottom of the seventh with two outs on a passed ball before Hoepf drove her in for the walk-off two innings later. The Eagles had six hits on the night, five coming from the five-through-nine hitters.
"We had a couple couple big hits from the bottom of our order which kind of sparked things, and we knew coming into this game we had to stay off (Gottfried's) rise ball," Weithman said. "She is probably one of the best pitchers around ... (alongside) Rylee Robinson who we faced already. But that's why we scheduled a tougher schedule this year, we wanted to face better pitchers. That way, when we come to a game like this, it shouldn't surprise us.
"At the beginning we struck out a ton, then we were finding ways to put pressure on them ... if she's striking everybody out, you're not putting any pressure on the defense. And (when we did), they made mistakes."
Mohawk committed four errors on the night, all at costly moments. Gottfried had 14 strikeouts and six walks with 154 pitches thrown, Betts fanned a pair and walked a pair with 105 pitches. It was a game where both defenses shined, Colonel Crawford's ultimately making fewer mistakes to come away with a potential title-defining win.
"This past weekend we had a few hiccups, but it's all about playing together," Weithman said. "This was the loudest I've heard them in the dugout, and it's because they were fighting for each other. I would rather play games like this and lose than play a team you know you're going to pound on, because that doesn't make you better.
"These are the games that make you better, build your confidence, make you realize you can play against the best teams around."
Phil Parkinson says Wrexham must get "our own house in order" rather than focusing on results elsewhere over the remainder of their run-in.
The Red Dragons sit four points adrift of the Championship play-off places with just four matches of the regular season left to play.
And having failed to capitalise on Hull City's 2-1 loss to Sheffield United at the weekend, Parkinson stressed that Wrexham's focus must be on returning to winning ways having suffered back-to-back defeats by Southampton and Birmingham City.
"We need to look closely at all the players to see who is ready to take the challenge on of Stoke City at home next week," the Wrexham manager said.
"The message is going to be this week that we need to get back to getting the balance right in our play and do better than we've done in the last two games. I think that's as simple as that. That's whatever personnel is on the pitch.
"First and foremost, before we think about anyone else's results, we've got to get our own house in order and give ourselves a chance to start with next week."
Wrexham's remaining fixtures
Wrexham v Stoke City - Saturday, 18 April (15:00 BST)
Oxford United v Wrexham - Tuesday, 21 April (19:45 BST)
Coventry City v Wrexham - Sunday, 26 April (12:00 BST)
Wrexham v Middlesbrough - Saturday, 2 May (12:30 BST)
NEW YORK — The 2026 WNBA Draft looked like it would have some surprises.
But as it turned out, Azzi Fudd, who was predicted to be the top pick going into the college season, was indeed, selected No. 1 overall by the Dallas Wings. She will be reunited with UConn teammate Paige Bueckers.
UCLA had a record six players from their national title team drafted including Angela Dugalic, Gabriela Jaquez, Gianna Kneepkens, Charlisse Leger-Walker and Kiki Rice. Notre Dame had five players drafted in the top 20 in 2019. The 2023 South Carolina Gamecocks and 2008 Tennessee Volunteers also had five players drafted in a single year, but not in the first round.In all 45 players had their names called. Here are the winners and losers of the WNBA draft:
2026 WNBA Draft winners
Dallas Wings
No one is probably more relieved that the WNBA draft is over than the Wings. Picking Fudd at No. 1 overall has to feel like a sigh of relief and happiness all at the same time. Fudd is a dynamic talent whom Dallas can pair with Paige Bueckers and Arike Ogunbowale to form a three-guard attack that should be hard to defend. The UConn product brings her stellar shooting and off-ball movement to a franchise that has sorely missed that in recent seasons.
Cori Close and UCLA
The Bruins set a WNBA draft record by having five players selected in the first round, led by Lauren Betts going fourth overall to the Washington Mystics. Beginning with Betts, UCLA had players taken back-to-back-back, with Gabriela Jaquez going fifth to the Chicago Sky and Kiki Rice going sixth to the Toronto Tempo. Angela Dugalić will join Betts in Washington as she was drafted ninth overall, while Gianna Kneepkens was taken 15th overall by the Connecticut Sun. A sixth UCLA player, Charlisse Leger-Walker, was taken in the second round by the Sun. With the transfer portal still open and her top six scorers to replace, UCLA head coach Cori Close can sell to recruits the fact that she can develop WNBA prospects.
Taina Mair
Taina Mair wasn't projected to go in the first-round on many draft boards, but the Duke guard played her way into the first round by way of a sensational performance in the 2026 NCAA Tournament. Mair scored 43 total points across Duke's Sweet 16 and Elite 8 games against LSU and UCLA, respectively. Mair is the first Blue Devil selected in the first round since 2018, when Lexie Brown was taken ninth overall by the Connecticut Sun.
Dawn Staley and South Carolina
South Carolina ended its season with an ugly loss to UCLA in the national championship game, but Dawn Staley's program officially turned the page with a great showing at the 2026 WNBA Draft. Staley had three players selected in the draft, led by Raven Johnson going to the Indiana Fever with the No. 10 overall pick.
2026 WNBA Draft losers
Teams allowing the Las Vegas Aces to draft Janiah Barker
The Las Vegas Aces always manage to pull off a head-turning move without many draft picks. They did it again this year by drafting Janiah Barker late in the second round, a really good value at No. 29. The new Aces rookie gets the chance to learn from a gaggle of veterans who have won at the highest level in nearly every possible way, something many in their first year don't get the chance to experience. Also, the Tennessee forward is already a solid blend of size and skill that makes her hard to defend when she's in rhythm, and now she'll have a chance to be coached by Becky Hammon, which can only help refine her skills. Not to be dramatic, but pencil Barker in on the way-too-early All-WNBA rookie team.
Ta'Niya Latson
Latson transferred to South Carolina from Florida State to boost her WNBA draft stock and be part of something bigger. It seemed like she would accomplish both of those goals as the Gamecocks reached the national title game and Latson was widely projected to be a first-round pick. But of the 15 prospects invited to attend the WNBA draft, Latson had to wait the longest. She was finally taken off the board by the Los Angeles Sparks, who grabbed her in the second round with the 20th overall pick. Latson will get the chance to make an impact in LA as she joins a Sparks team equipped with Kelsey Plum, but otherwise needs backcourt depth.
A large “EP” in white paint is emblazoned on the stretch of green grass between home plate and the stands at Southwest University Park in El Paso — home of the Triple A El Paso Chihuahuas.
Isotopes shortstop Ryan Ritter had to walk near that logo on his way to bat. Since he walks behind — not in front of or through — the catcher and umpire, Ritter’s walk to the batter’s box last week in El Paso, as noted by longtime Albuquerque Isotopes broadcaster Josh Suchon, included stepping on only the green grass between the E and the P, turning into a dance of sorts.
Whatever he’s doing, it’s working. Ritter now has a 28-game Isotopes hitting streak — tied for a franchise record (Mike Tauchman had such a streak from Aug. 12, 2016 through April 9, 2017).
The streak began May 14 last season, about two weeks before his first major league call-up to the Colorado Rockies, extended some during a return to Triple-A, paused again for a trip back to the big leagues, and now is tied for the longest ever for the franchise.
A week before that June 6, 2025 big-league debut for the Rockies, the Journal asked Ritter if he had any weird superstitions as part of the red-hot streak that landed him that call-up. He said not really. Then listed about a half dozen.
“I have one where I’m driving here (to Isotopes Park), and I take a long turn and then get back into the right lane,” he explained. “It might be illegal, I don’t know. Just putting my left sock on (first). I have a toothpick that’s always in my back pocket. It’s just fun. It’s part of it. ...
“I guess I do the same thing every day. Everything’s just a routine at this point. I guess you could say superstition or routine — put it in the same category. ... Tunnel vision. Whatever works.”
Ritter, in doing whatever works, now has a streak that includes hitting .407 with 11 doubles, three triples, 11 home runs and 40 RBIs.
Tuesday, the 2022 fourth-round draft pick of the Rockies will get his shot at making the record his own in front of the Isotopes home crowd. That is, of course, as long as Ritter doesn’t erroneously stop on any chalk or field paint before the game.
Trivia time!
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QUESTION: The Isotopes are coming off a 5-1 series win over El Paso. Since the Pacific Coast League went to a six-game series format in 2021, the Isotopes have played in 113 six-game series. In how many of those have they won at least five games?
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ANSWER: See below...
Know the foe
The Isotopes host a six-game PCL series at Rio Grande Credit Union Field against the visiting Oklahoma City Comets, Tuesday through Sunday.
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Isotopes, Triple-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, 8-7 overall, t-5th place PCL
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Oklahoma City Comets, Triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers, 8-7 overall, t-5th place PCL
What’s up, Chuck?
Rockies power-hitting prospect Charlie Condon is tied for third in the PCL with four home runs. None have come in the thin air of Albuquerque.
What’s up, Chuck? Was it something we said?
Well, Condon, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft out of the University of Georgia, has played only two of his 10 games this season in Albuquerque.
Three up, three down
Some things that have been looking good lately for the 'Topes, some not so good.
Looking good:
1.
The Isotopes’ 58 runs in last week's six-game series vs. El Paso (Albuquerque won five of the six games) was the most in a series for the club since scoring 62 from May 2-7, 2023, vs. Sugar Land.
2.
Sunday’s 10-run 10th inning in a 19-12 win over the Chihuahuas was the highest-scoring extra inning in franchise history. Previous record was six runs in the 10th inning of a 14-11 road win at Las Vegas on May 19, 2005.
3.
OF/SS Cole Carrigg leads the PCL in stolen bases with seven — three ahead of Round Rock’s Richie Martin and Sugar Land’s Taylor Trammell, who each have four.
Look away:
1.
The Isotopes have not won a series vs. OKC since May 2024. Albuquerque went 1-2 at Oklahoma City to open the season in an abbreviated three-game set, and last season went 3-3, 3-3 and 2-4.
2.
The Isotopes have scored 12 runs combined in innings 7 through 9 this season. That's 15 games, 43 innings (they did not hit in the bottom of the ninth of their two home wins earlier this month) and just 12 total runs. For context, they scored 10 in just the 10th inning on Sunday in El Paso.
3.
The Isotopes have been caught stealing more than any team in the PCL — seven times. (Of course they also lead the league stolen bases with 26.)
Fast food
The first homestand of the season wasn’t something we want to Taco-bout, so let’s just get on to the standings for this season’s chile race competition.
2026 season standings:
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3 wins — Salsa Jar
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2 wins — Red Chile
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1 wins — Green Chile
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0 wins — Taco
Homestand highlights
Here are some of the promotional highlights for this week’s homestand at Isotopes Park (games start at 6:35 unless noted):
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Specialty food item for the homestand: Green chile patty melt (available at the Bullpen Cart by section 114)
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Wednesday: Jackie Robinson Day; pregame ceremony honoring educator and New Mexico’s first black congressman Lenton Malry with the 2026 Jackie Robinson “Making a Difference” award; all players wear No. 42 jerseys in honor of Robinson
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Thursday (12:05 p.m.): Day game.
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Friday: Orbit sock giveaway to the first 2,000 fans; STEM night with interactive exhibits on the concourse provided by New Mexico Tech; pregame autographs from 5:40 to 6 p.m. just inside third-base entrance.
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Saturday: Postgame fireworks.
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Sunday (1:35 p.m.): Meet Bluey and Bingo (Fans can line up behind section 123 for photograph time slots from 2:30 to 3 and then 3:30 to 4 p.m.)
Trivia answer
Eight. The Isotopes have won five or more games in a series eight times since that 2021 format shift to regular six-game series.
The last 5-1 series win for the Isotopes before this past week in El Paso was Sept. 12-17, 2023, also at El Paso.
ST. LOUIS – Opportunities can come your way when you least expect them, in the most unlikely of places. For a half-dozen Minnesota Wild prospects, an opportunity arrived on a muggy weeknight night in Missouri.
In their final road game of the regular season, the Wild rested many regulars and patched together a lineup that fell behind, took a lead, fell behind again and ultimately lost to the St. Louis Blues 6-3 on Monday.
Leading 3-1 in the second period, the Wild surrendered the next five unanswered as goalie Filip Gustavsson was touched for five or more goals for the second consecutive start. He finished with 17 saves in the loss as Minnesota went 0-3 on its final road trip of the season.
Nick Foligno, Danila Yurov and Michael McCarron scored for the Wild, who finished their regular season road slate with a 23-14-6 mark away from Grand Casino Arena.
Minnesota hosts Anaheim in Minnesota’s regular season finale on Tuesday.
The visitors’ lineup versus the Blues was reminiscent of a preseason game, with defenseman Zach Bogosian still missing due to a lower body injury, and eight regulars given a night off. The voluminous healthy scratch list included Matt Boldy, Jonas Brodin, Joel Eriksson Ek, Brock Faber, Marcus Foligno Ryan Hartman, Quinn Hughes, Kirill Kaprizov and Mats Zuccarello. Added all up, that was 486 points missing from the visiting team’s line chart.
In their place were five recent call-ups from the Iowa Wild and rookie defenseman Viking Gustavsson Nyberg making his NHL debut, as well as some lesser-utilized members of the NHL roster.
Playing out the string after they were eliminated from the playoff race last weekend, the Blues started fast, taking the game’s first lead just 82 seconds into the game. Gustavsson got most, but not all, of Colton Parayko’s slap shot from the blue line, and the puck trickled over the goal line, forcing the visitors to play from behind early.
The Wild’s first power play of the game had just expired when they got the equalizer, with Nick Foligno cleaning up a mess in front of the Blues net after Hofer had stopped shots by Daemon Hunt and Yakov Trenin. It was the elder Foligno’s first goal with the Wild after coming over from Chicago at the trade deadline.
With two minutes left in the period, Parayko ran Danila Yurov into the boards from behind, touching off a fight between the Blues defenseman and Trenin. Both took a five-minute break, while the Wild went to their second man-advantage of the game. It ended when Vladimir Tarasenko found Yurov alone in front of the Blue net, and the Russian rookie blasted a shot past the goalie’s glove. It was the first career power play goal for Yurov.
Minnesota appeared to take a 3-1 lead early in the middle frame on what would have been Hunter Haight’s first career goal. Hofer made the initial pad save, on a Haight shot, then the Wild rookie pushed the puck, and the goalie’s pad, over the line. Officials immediately ruled no goal, and after a discussion, Minnesota declined the opportunity to challenge the call.
Haight was almost immediately whistled for tripping, but Minnesota’s penalty killers produced a 2-on-1 break and a two-goal lead when McCarron beat Hofer with a wrist shot after a set-up pass from Foligno.
Minnesota successfully challenged an apparent Blues goal a short time later, and it came off the board when replays showed St. Louis had entered the zone offside. But the Blues responded to the setback with a pair of goals just 25 seconds apart to get the game tied and the audience back involved. St. Louis appeared to re-take the lead with just under eight minutes to play in the second, and again Minnesota successfully challenged for offside.
The Blues finally got a go-ahead goal that counted late in the period to lead 4-3 after two periods, then added another early in the third to give themselves some breathing room. Former Gophers star Jimmy Snuggerud hit on a long-range empty net goal with three minutes to play for the final margin.
Hofer finished with 28 saves for St. Louis, which won its season series with Minnesota 2-1-0.
The Philadelphia Flyers and Bank of America want to get children moving in the classroom.
Representatives from both organizations hosted a wellness event on Wednesday at Disston Elementary School in Tacony. They launched a Flyers World inside the move-to-learn app, Rallee.
The program is designed to improve students' focus. It delivers quick, personalized brain breaks.
The Flyers say they are also the first professional team to introduce a customized version of the app. It features a "Flyers World" experience, which expands hockey beyond the ice.
Bank of America is donating $70,000 worth of ball hockey equipment to the School District of Philadelphia.
Mia Nicastro of Western Illinois was fourth in the nation in scoring this season with 24.1 points per game and didn’t hear her name called. Neither did South Dakota State’s Brooklyn Meyer, who was the Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player of the Year. While playing for Texas A&M, Ny'Ceara Pryor was fourth in the nation in assists and eighth in steals and still went unselected.
Several other college stars went undrafted too, like Iowa’s Hannah Stuelke, Maryland’s Yarden Garzon, Miami’s Ra Shaya Kyle, Texas center Kyla Oldacre, and the Texas Tech duo of Bailey Maupin and Snudda Collins.
Here are the three best players that went undrafted. Expect them to receive training camp invites where they’ll have the chance to make a roster.
Maggie Doogan, Richmond
A 6-foot-2 forward, Doogan powered Richmond to three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, and this season was the highest single-game scorer, pouring in 48 points in a triple-overtime win in January. Doogan averaged 21.1 points, 7.9 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game this season while shooting 50.6% from the floor, 40.4% from 3-point land and 89.1% from the free throw line – just shy of a coveted 50-40-90 season.
When Doogan scored 26 points on 10-of-14 shooting to go along with six rebounds in a Feb. 14 win at Davidson, representatives from the Toronto Tempo, Atlanta Dream and Dallas Wings were in the building. She also participated in trials for the AmeriCup last summer with Team USA.
Doogan has often played well in big games. She had 30 points and 15 rebounds in an NCAA Tournament upset of Georgia Tech last season, scored 27 points against UCLA in the second round and scored in the 20s against both TCU and Texas this past season. In this year’s NCAA Tournament, she had 24 points and 10 rebounds against Nebraska.
Raegan Beers, Oklahoma
Perhaps undersized for a center at 6-foot-3, Beers was a double-double machine for the majority of her college career, averaging 16.1 points and 9.7 rebounds per game across 129 contests with Oregon State and then Oklahoma.
Her 62.4% career shooting clip from the floor is the fourth-best all-time in the history of the SEC. In each of the past three seasons, Beers ranked inside the top 25 nationally in player efficiency rating, too.
And wherever Beers was, her teams won. Oregon State went to the Elite Eight with her as the frontcourt anchor in 2024, and Oklahoma has been a top 16 seed and made the Sweet 16 in each of the past two seasons.
Beers was the Pac-12 Rookie of the Year in 2023, a two-time All-SEC selection and a one-time All-American.
Shay Ciezki, Indiana
What Ciezki did this season flew under the radar a bit because Indiana wasn’t all that good, finishing 18-14 overall and 6-12 in Big Ten play. However, Ciezki put up a 50-40-90 season.
While posting 22.8 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game, the 5-foot-7 guard from Lancaster, New York shot 52.6% from the floor, 44.6% from behind the arc and 90.8% from the free throw line. Since 2009, she is one of two players in Division I women’s basketball to have a 50-40-90 season while also averaging north of 20 points per game. The other was Eva Hodgson of William & Mary, pulling it off in the 2019-20 season.
Ciezki, who started her college career at Penn State, shot 40% from 3-point range and 89% from the free throw line across 129 collegiate games.
For the first time in two years, the Phoenix Mercury had picks in the WNBA Draft, and the team decided to go after international players.
The Mercury used their first selection on France's Ines Pitarch-Granel at No. 27 overall, followed by Hungary's Eszter Ratkai at No. 42 overall on April 13.
Pitarch-Granel spent the last two seasons with Tango Bourges Basket in her native France, averaging 5.3 points and 2.6 rebounds in 24 games this season.
The 5-foot-11 shooting guard is the third French player in the Mercury's organization in 2026, as the team signed 31-year-old forward Valériane Ayayi to a protected contract and 26-year-old forward Noémie Brochant to a training camp contract.
Phoenix selected Hungarian guard Eszter Rátkai, who has been playing for Hungarian club PEAC-Pécs since 2022. The 19-year-old is currently averaging 8.5 points, 3.1 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 1.2 steals in 23 games. Like Pitarch-Granel, Rátkai has been playing for her youth national team since 2022.
General manager Nick U'Ren addressed open roster spots in 2025 by finding players with extensive international experience over WNBA veterans, and continues to do so in 2026.
With most of the league's veterans as free agents and a new collective bargaining agreement, the Mercury had to navigate a new landscape.
But the team didn't make any big swings during the opening days of free agency and instead re-signed Alyssa Thomas, Kahleah Copper, DeWanna Bonner and Sami Whitcomb. Star forward Satou Sabally leaves a big gap after heading to the New York Liberty in free agency.
The Mercury have yet to lock down starting point guard Monique Akoa Makani, forward Natasha Mack and forward Kathryn Westbeld after sending qualifying offers on April 7.
The roster will continue to take shape before training camp begins on April 19.
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History was made on draft night by the UCLA Bruins. For the first time in WNBA Draft history, a school had six players selected. UCLA accomplished the feat when Charlisse Leger-Walker was taken in the second round by the Connecticut Sun.
Cori Close and UCLA saw five Bruins selected in the first round, setting a new record, before Leger-Walker went off the board with the 18th overall selection. Leger-Walker spent two years with UCLA but was only on the court for the Bruins this past season.
Leger-Walker’s time at Washington State showed off her scoring. Leger-Walker scored 18.8 points per game as a freshman and was at 17.7 as a junior, a far cry from her 8.4 this past season for the Bruins. Leger-Walker served as the team’s initiator allowing others to handle the scoring. Playing alongside Leger-Walker led to career-best shooting seasons from both Kiki Rice and Gabriela Jaquez.
Connecticut is fresh off of an 11-33 season but the good news is that Leger-Walker will be reuniting with UCLA teammate. The Sun took Gianna Kneepkens with the last pick in the first round. The two Bruins will now look to help improve the Sun the same way they did for UCLA this past season.
It's no secret that Washington Commanders general manager Adam Peters would like more picks in next week's 2026 NFL Draft. Washington has six picks, but is without picks in the second and fourth rounds due to last year's trade for left tackle Laremy Tunsil.
The Commanders would do that trade all over again. Tunsil was phenomenal last season, earning a two-year extension that once again makes him the NFL's highest-paid offensive tackle. But if Peters could have Tunsil and somehow add back picks, it's something that should be on the table.
It is, per Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated, who said that the Commanders are one of five teams in the top 10 wanting to move back.
Count the Cardinals, Titans, Giants, Browns and Commanders among those already looking at trying to drop down in the order to accumulate capital. The problem for those five is finding teams to move up.
Each of those other four teams is ahead of Washington in the draft order. The lack of quarterback depth in this class really makes trading back more difficult. The top talents in this class also play non-premium positions, such as running back Jeremiyah Love, linebacker Sonny Styles and safety Caleb Downs.
The Cowboys are frequently mentioned as a team that wants to trade up. It's hard to imagine Dallas wanting to strike a deal with the Giants or Commanders, division rivals, making Cleveland at No. 6 a prime spot.
Every team puts out feelers long before draft day. However, trades don't often materialize until a prospect they covet begins to fall. NFL draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah recently mocked the top 10 picks on ESPN, and he had the Commanders moving down to No. 16 in a trade with the New York Jets. In this deal, Washington passed up drafting Love and Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate, to move back nine spots and add the No. 44 overall pick and a fourth-round pick.
The Commanders face a dilemma: stick at No. 7 and pick a blue-chip talent, or move back and add more picks? Washington needs a game-changing talent in this draft. Can Peters move down and still find that guy?
The Commanders are one of the biggest wild cards in the top 10, with so much depending on what happens before them.
Chris Payton-Jones, a 30-year-old former NFL cornerback and videographer, died Saturday in a car accident.
Payton-Jones was traveling eastbound in the westbound lanes of Florida’s State Road 24 when his car collided with a pick-up truck, according to USA Today, which cited First Coast News. Payton-Jones’ vehicle was reportedly engulfed in flames, and he was pronounced dead on the scene.
Payton-Jones played college football for the University of Nebraska and went on to play for multiple NFL teams, including the Arizona Cardinals, Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings and Tennessee Titans. He most recently played for the St. Louis Battlehawks in the United Football League prior to retiring from the sport this past January.
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Chris Payton-Jones posed for a portrait as a member of the St. Louis Battlehawks in 2024. UFL via Getty Images
The Jacksonville native was also known for his videography. He built the YouTube channel, Flashflix, which focused on sports content. He described his videos as “bringing the cinematic vibes to YouTube,” and his efforts garnered more than 1.3 million views. Payton-Jones was also known for mentoring younger videographers.
“Chris was a beloved teammate and leader in the locker room, who demonstrated the importance of hard work, determination, and resilience throughout his career,” the UFL said in a statement. “As importantly, Chris was always a bright soul who everyone throughout the league enjoyed spending time with off-the-field during his three-year tenure.”
“I’ve trained him and worked with him,” James Coleman, a former fullback at Florida State, told News4JAX. “I’ve never been around a more genuine guy who has a big heart for kids in this community. Just a positive role model in action, not choice.”
Their first pick was 6′6″ record-setting center Madina Okot as number 13 overall.
Okot, who grew up in Mumias, Kenya, played volleyball as a child and didn’t pick up a basketball until she was 16.
Just five years later, she ranks third in the country in double-doubles and second in the University of South Carolina’s history for offensive rebounds.
“I couldn’t be more excited (about Okot),” said Dream Head Coach Karl Smesko. “We were really hopeful and maybe a bit pessimistic that she would be available. Her ability to crash the boards and the way she moves defensively, I think she’ll be a good addition.”
With the 28th overall pick, the Dream selected University of North Carolina guard Indya Nivar.
Nivar is only the fourth player in ACC history to post a triple-double featuring steals.
“We like Nivar’s ability to make plays and her knack for the ball,” said Smesko. “She’s aggressive, attacks downhill and is not afraid of conflict. She is high energy and gets a ton of steals. We’re excited that she was available and looking forward to seeing her compete in training camp.”
“I’ve been in this league a long time, and I’ve been with losing teams, been on losing teams,” Davis said Monday. “It’s very hard to be a losing team and then a championship contender, right? I think one team has only done it: Boston in ’08. The only team, right? Even when I was in New Orleans and we had two losing seasons, then we made the playoffs our third year — that, within itself, is a huge jump: showing that you want to be on a path to winning. “And that’s what it takes. So, if something comes out of the conversation where that’s the path — and, obviously, you won’t know until the season starts — that’s what I would like to see. What is our plan for winning going into next season? And how? Not like this is a plan, but how do we execute that? And based on that, we’ll kind of see what happens.”
Chase Hughes: Trae Young on Anthony Davis: “I’ve never played with a player as talented or as special as A.D. is… Having someone who can demand a double-team like that is honestly a first that I’ve had since I’ve played in the NBA... [That] is going to unlock everybody’s game, even mine.“
“I’ve never played with a player as talented or as special as A.D. is… Having someone who can demand a double-team like that is honestly a first that I’ve had since I’ve played in the NBA... [That] is going to unlock everybody’s game, even mine.“ pic.twitter.com/HNSAk6Z2lP
TAMPA, FL – Sebastian Cossa's status as exempt from waivers is coming to an end, but he'll go into his first season with the Detroit Red Wings having played just one NHL game.
With the Wings eliminated from the playoffs, they called up 2024 first-round draft pick Michael Brandsegg-Nygård on Monday, April 13, to have available for the last two games. But Cossa, a 2021 first-round pick and the presumptive goaltender-of-the-future, was not considered as a candidate to be called up from the Grand Rapids Griffins.
The Wings finish the season against the Florida Panthers on Wednesday (7 p.m., FanDuel Sports Network Detroit).
Former Michigan State standout Trey Augustine (a 2023 second-round pick and the winner of the Mike Richter Award as the nation's top collegiate goalie last week) signed with the Wings in late March and was assigned to the Griffins, joining Cossa and Michal Postava. The Griffins clinched a playoff berth in late February.
"They're getting ready down there," McLellan said. "They have a real big push. They have three really good goaltenders there right now. How they'll use them in the playoffs, I don't know. But I know that all three are really, really important, and we need them to focus on their job and their task down there."
McLellan added that the Wings, "used up the remaining recalls. We're done as far as that goes. So there was no opportunity to bring him." Teams get four non-emergency call-ups after the trade deadline.
Cossa has appeared in one NHL game, coming in in relief on the road against the Buffalo Sabres on Dec. 9, 2024 – a game he won in a shootout. The 23-year-old posted a .857 save percentage, allowing two goals on 14 shots in 45 minutes of action.
Monday was a day full of loss in the Tennessee Titans community. Hours after the unfortunate news that former Titans cornerback Chris Payton-Jones tragically passed away in a Florida car accident, the Titans family suffered a significant loss closer to home. Dave McGinnis, known affectionately by most as "Coach Mac", has passed away.
This is a huge loss that will be felt not only in Nashville and the surrounding communities but across the football world. McGinnis, whose infectious optimism was a staple of Titans radio through these dark times, was a man who loved both the game and the Titans, and clearly bled two-tone blue.
McGinnis passed away on Monday at age 74, after an illness that first hospitalized him in early March. The longtime coach became a friend to many in the Nashville area and a fan favorite after joining Jeff Fisher’s staff as a linebacker coach in 2004. After eight years on the sidelines, he departed, but couldn’t stay away, returning in 2017 on Titans Radio and endearing himself to many, including this sports writer, as the gameday color analyst.
McGinnis was also a presence across the NFL, building a lasting career that would span three decades of coaching from 1986 to 2016 with the Chicago Bears, Arizona Cardinals, Tennessee Titans, and the St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams, rising from the ranks from linebackers coach, to defensive coordinator, and then assistant head coach, and even head coach.
In a statement, Titans owner Amy Adams Strunk said this about beloved “Coach Mac”.
"My heart aches with the loss of Coach Mac, who was so much more than a coach and broadcaster – he was family," Titans controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk said. "Coach Mac gave so much of himself to this organization over the years, and his passion, loyalty, and love for the Titans never wavered. He cared deeply about the people around him, and that kindness and authenticity left a lasting impact on everyone who knew him. He held a very special place in our family, and his presence in our lives and within this franchise will never be forgotten. We will miss him dearly, and we will always be grateful for the legacy he leaves behind."
There is no doubt the weight of his loss will be felt by the organization, players, and fans, but there is no doubt when Cam Ward connects with Chimere Dike on a classic transcontinental for a touchdown, somewhere he will be looking down and cheering for #TitanUp.
MADISON – The Wisconsin men’s hockey team netted some help for the D-core on Day 1 of the transfer portal.
The Badgers announced the signing of Dylan Compton, a 6-foot, 185-pound defenseman who spent this past season at Northeastern. He has three years of eligibility left.
As a freshman, he finished with four goals and 10 assists and a plus/minus of +2. He finished the season as part of the Huskies' No. 2 line.
The addition of Compton will help offset the loss Ben Dexheimer and Aiden Dubinsky, who completed their eligibility. The Badgers’ freshman class includes one defender, John Stout, who comes to UW from the Madison Capitols of the USHL.
MADISON – The Wisconsin men’s hockey team netted some help for the D-core on Day 1 of the transfer portal.
The Badgers announced the signing of Dylan Compton, a 6-foot, 185-pound defenseman who spent this past season at Northeastern. He has three years of eligibility left.
As a freshman, he finished with four goals and 10 assists and a plus/minus of +2. He finished the season as part of the Huskies' No. 2 line.
The addition of Compton will help offset the loss Ben Dexheimer and Aiden Dubinsky, who completed their eligibility. The Badgers’ freshman class includes one defender, John Stout, who comes to UW from the Madison Capitols of the USHL.
Lady Vols basketball forward Zee Spearman was selected No. 31 overall by the Dallas Wings in the third round of the 2026 WNBA Draft on April 13.
Spearman transferred to Tennessee ahead of Lady Vols coach Kim Caldwell's first season and excelled in her system.
Spearman joins senior forward Janiah Barker as the first WNBA draftees under Caldwell. She's the 48th WNBA draft pick in program history. The Lady Vols' last WNBA draft pick before this year was former star forward Rickea Jackson, who was the fourth-straight first-round pick for Tennessee under former coach Kellie Harper in 2024.
Here's what Spearman brings to the Wings.
What Zee Spearman brings to Dallas Wings in 2026 WNBA Draft
Spearman blossomed into a versatile stretch forward playing for Caldwell. She immediately improved her scoring at Tennessee and increased her playmaking.
Spearman thrived playing as a guard and isn't afraid to shoot from deep, although her shooting from range was more consistent as a junior.
Spearman is a solid rebounder and can handle physicality in the post, and has great potential as a rim protector. Her efficiency took a hit as a senior as Tennessee's season spiraled, but she was a career 50% shooter in her first three seasons.
Zee Spearman's highlights, strengths, weaknesses at Tennessee
Spearman at her best was the top performer in Tennessee's upset of UConn her junior season. She led the team with 16 points and seven rebounds, including the game-clinching bucket.
Spearman can put pressure on the rim with her drives, and her 3-point shot forces opponents to guard her on the perimeter. She also runs the floor in transition and plays well in a two-man game.
However, her regression as a senior could be cause for concern, although part of it was likely due to Tennessee's overall spiral as a team. But Spearman's shooting percentage dropped from a career-high 51.5% as a junior to 38.4% this season.
Her 3-point shooting also got worse, from 30% on 2.4 attempts as a junior to 23.3% on 3.4 attempts as a senior. Spearman's turnovers also increased from 1.8 to 2.4 per game.
Zee Spearman career stats at Miami, Tennessee
2025-26 (Tennessee): Started 27 of 30 games, averaged 10.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 1.3 blocks, 38.4% shooting percentage, 23.3% on 3.4 attempts from 3-point range
2024-25 (Tennessee): Started 23 of 34 games, averaged 11.7 points, 6.0 rebounds, 26.2 minutes, 51.5% shooting percentage, 30% on 2.4 attempts from 3-point range
2023-24 (Miami): Started 10 of 30 games, averaged 6.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, 18.7 minutes, 50% shooting percentage
2022-23 (Miami): Appeared in 30 games, averaged 5.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, 13 minutes, 51.2% shooting percentage
The most glaring need on the Oregon Ducks men's basketball roster is at the point guard position, as star point guard Jackson Shelstad departed via the transfer portal, ending up with the Louisville Cardinals. Each of the Ducks' other ball-handlers, Jamari Phillips, Wei Lin and Drew Carter, also will not be back.
Head coach Dana Altman has secured the commitments of a pair of wings in San Francisco's Tyrone Riley IV and Boise State's Andrew Meadow, but has yet to land his point guard of the future. Preston Edmead may be that answer, as the Hofstra Pride's star point guard is set to visit Oregon on Tuesday, per multiple reports.
Edmead averaged 16.1 points, 3.5 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game as a freshman, starting all 35 games for the Pride on his way to being named the CAA Freshman of the Year. Hofstra went 24-11 and won the CAA Tournament, advancing to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2001.
The tournament appearance brought a matchup against the four-seeded Alabama Crimson Tide in which Edmead played 40 minutes and scored 24 points, grabbed four rebounds and dished out four assists while converting on six three-pointers.
On the season, the 6-foot-1 guard from Deer Park, NY, knocked down 38.7% of his triples, a spectacular mark for a freshman and for someone who's routinely creating his own shot off the dribble.
Edmead is rated as a four-star and the No. 31 point guard in the transfer portal and should be the biggest priority for Altman and his staff to lock down for the future. With three years of eligibility remaining, the former Hofstra standout has a chance to provide much-needed stability at the point guard position for the Ducks in the wake of Shelstad's departure.
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Jaquez was the Bruins best player in UCLA’s win over South Carolina to capture a national title, scoring 21 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. It was fitting for the do-it-all wing player, who can impact a game in ways that don’t always translate to a box score.
Another thing Jaquez has showed, is that she just keeps on getting better. Jaquez shot a career-high 54% from the field and 39% from beyond the arc. If Jaquez’s jumper can maintain that efficiency at the professional level, she’ll be a dream fit for the new-look Sky team.
Jaquez’s scoring isn’t her calling card, but the experienced Jaquez is a timely rebounder and a terrific cutter, doing a lot of things to help offense flow, even when she’s off the ball.
It’s been a busy offseason for the Sky, most notably trading forward Angel Reese, but Chicago has center Kamilla Cardoso, forward Rickea Jackson and guard Skylar Diggins. With those three on the roster, it allows Jaquez to excel in her role rather than being forced to become a primary scorer right off the bat in the WNBA.
MIAMI – Kevin Holland met the media Saturday after his win over Randy Brown at UFC 327.
Holland (29-15 MMA, 16-12 UFC) outworked Brown (20-8 MMA, 14-8 UFC) for a unanimous decision sweep of the scorecards in their welterweight fight that closed out the prelims at Kaseya Center in Miami.
The win got Holland back on track after back-to-back losses to Daniel Rodriguez and Mike Malott, and now Holland said he wants to run things back with each of them, even though they just fought in 2025.
Rodriguez recently posted on social media that he had been released from a Mexican prison he had been in for months. Malott headlines UFC Fight Night 273 this Saturday in Winnipeg against Gilbert Burns.
"I need my rematches. I need D-Rod … and I need Mike Malott," Holland said at his post-fight news conference. "If he gets past Gilbert Burns, then I'd like to fight Mike Malott. If he doesn't get past Gilbert Burns, then somebody shoot him in the nuts and give me Gilbert Burns."
Holland, who came out of the second season of DWCS in 2018, won eight of his first nine fights in the UFC. Since then, he's had five separate two-fight skids and three separate two-fight winning streaks.
In with those skids, though, have been some elite names at welterweight, including current middleweight champ Khamzat Chimaev, former welterweight champ Jack Della Maddalena, and former 185-pound titleholder Reinier de Ridder.
After fighting five times in 2025 alone, Holland took an uncharacteristic six months off after his loss to Malott this past October. The break may have done the 32-year-old some good.
Check out Holland's post-fight interview in the video above.
Two familiar Scioto County powerhouse softball programs again find themselves back near the top of the heap in the first edition of the Ohio High School Fastpitch Softball Coaches Association State Poll on Monday, as the Wheelersburg Pirates' softball program sits third in the OHSAA Division V realm while the Notre Dame Titans' softball program currently sits sixth in the OHSAA Division VII realm as of Monday morning.
Wheelersburg, third, 79 points (four first place votes), OHSFSCA Division V State Poll
Coming in with an impressive start to the season, the Wheelersburg Pirates' softball program holds a 5-3 overall record with four wins by shutout and a victory Saturday over present No. 3 Division I state-ranked Watkins Memorial this past Saturday (11-5) on its resume as the Lady Pirates, under the leadership of longtime head coach Teresa Ruby and her staff, continue producing a top-notch resume.
Wheelersburg, who only sits behind Springfield Shawnee (82 points, five first-place votes) and Baltimore Liberty Union (98 points, two first-place votes) in the state rankings, lost its three contests to the No. 1 team in Division IV in Kenton Ridge (7-5), the No. 1 team in Division II in Anthony Wayne (1-0) and the No. 2 team in Division I in Hilliard Bradley (3-2).
The dynamic attack has been led so far by sophomore Lauren Truitt, who is hitting .636 at the plate with a home run, four doubles and eight RBI, as well as Charleston (W. Va.) verbal commit and junior third baseman Makenzie Mullins, who is hitting .500 with a home run, three doubles, a triple and a team-leading 10 RBI in 2026.
Maryland signee and senior center fielder Ava Estep (.483, 2 HR, 4 2B, 4 RBI, 13 R), sophomore catcher Mati Jennings (.452, 3 HR, 2 2B, 7 RBI, 7 SB, 13 R) and Shawnee State signee and senior Jalynn Drake (.429, 2B, 6 RBI, 5 R) have also been heavy hitters offensively, as has Shawnee State volleyball signee Mylee Jo Gleim who is hitting .387 and has matched Jennings with a team-leading three home runs to go along with six doubles, six RBI and 11 runs scored.
Defensively, Jennings heads the charge from her catching position, having not committed a single error in 70 defensive chances.
She has successfully caught the strong efforts of freshman pitcher Rylan Butcher and junior arm Emmee Eaton — with Butcher (3-2, 1.70 ERA, five complete games, two shutouts) and Eaton (2-1, 0.44 ERA, three complete games, two shutouts) heading the way.
Butcher and Eaton have combined to strike out 65 batters while walking just 13 for an impressive five-to-one strikeout-to-walk ratio to begin the season.
Notre Dame, sixth, 33 points (one first-place vote), OHSFSCA Division VII State Coaches Poll
Out to an impressive 9-2 start themselves following an undefeated stretch in Myrtle Beach, S.C., Notre Dame sits sixth in the OHSFSCA Division VII State Coaches Poll with wins over Jackson, Parma Heights Holy Name, Fremont Ross, Otsego, Ironton, Northwest and Chesterfield (S.C.), all schools of larger enrollment, on its resume. The Lady Titans also have two wins over SOC I foe East to boot.
Notre Dame's batting order has been impressive from top to bottom as three everyday players — Bella Rush, Kate Entler and Alayla Soard — are each batting at or above .560 for the season so far, with five everyday players hitting above .500 when one throws in both Kennedy Lyon and Jaysa Bryant.
Soard, a Ball State signee, is hitting .560 with two home runs, two triples, two doubles, 11 walks, eight RBI and 15 runs scored while Entler, who is hitting .567, has two home runs, a triple, three doubles, five walks, 14 RBI and six runs scored.
Bella Rush, who leads the team with a .593 average, has five doubles, nine RBI and eight runs scored to boot on the season from the bottom of the order.
Bryant, who is hitting .542, has a home run, three doubles, nine RBI and eight runs scored while Lyon, who is batting .517, has accumulated two doubles, five walks, nine RBI and 11 runs scored.
Maycee Ford is batting .364 with 14 runs scored from her leadoff position in the batting order while Lyndsey Schaefer has six extra base hits — including five doubles and a homer — to go along with 11 RBI, six runs scored and a .333 average.
Laikyn Puckett, who has gone 7-for-10 at the plate in her last four games with two triples, seven RBI and eight runs scored, has been a major contributor as well as Audrey Bach, who has come up with timely hits herself. Candace Oudeh, Kameryn Stringer, MaKenna Hadsell and Sophie Phillips have been highly capable courtesy runners and productive in their own at-bats.
Lastly, Ava Rush, who is batting .450 herself at the plate, spearheads it all as the team's ace in the circle. In nine appearances and seven starts, Rush is 5-2 inside the circle with 56 strikeouts to just 15 walks and has only given up eight earned runs in her nine appearances all year.
Behind an offense that produced 14 hits from seven different players, the Wheelersburg Pirates' softball program was able to claim an impressive 11-5 win over the Watkins Memorial Warriors' softball program Saturday in Pataskala.
Two-hole hitter Mylee Jo Gleim led the way by going a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate with a home run, a double, two RBI and two runs scored to lead the Wheelersburg offensive attack, while Lauren Truitt added in a home run, a double, two RBI and two runs scored as well in the contest, going 2-for-4 in the game herself.
Makenzie Mullins (2-for-4, RBI, run scored), Mati Jennings (2-for-4, double, RBI, two runs scored) and Jalynn Drake (2-for-4, RBI, run scored) rounded out the multi-hit performances for Wheelersburg in the contest, while Lainey Skeenes (1-for-3, walk, two runs scored) and Layna Howard (1-for-4) rounded out the offense for the Lady Pirates.
New Boston Glenwood 18, Hannan (W. Va.) 1 (F/5)
Behind a complete game one-hitter with 11 strikeouts from Mya Truitt, the New Boston Glenwood Tigers' softball program cruised to an 18-1 victory over the Hannan Lady 'Cats' softball program in five innings on Saturday afternoon at Millbrook Park in New Boston.
Truitt, who also went 3-for-4 with a walk and two runs scored to help her own cause offensively, carried a perfect game into the fifth inning before giving up a leadoff triple that resulted in Hannan's only hit and run in the contest. Truitt didn't walk a single batter to boot.
Along with Truitt, Addison McCreary (3-for-3, walk, three RBI, run scored), Janecca Marsh (2-for-3, triple, two walks, three RBI, three runs scored) and Rilyn Holbrook (2-for-3, walk, RBI, three runs scored) all had multi-hit outings while Justina Williams (1-for-3, walk, RBI, two runs scored) and Zoey Burchett (1-for-1, two walks, four runs scored) also reached the hit column in the 17-run victory.
Friday, April 10
BASEBALL
Northwest 15, South Gallia 2
Behind a complete game one-hitter from Chase Kingrey and 11 hits from eight different Northwest players, the Northwest Mohawks' baseball program was able to claim a 15-2 victory over the South Gallia Rebels' baseball program Friday evening in South Gallia.
Kingrey, who rolled through the Northwest lineup in his complete game performance, struck out 15 batters while only walking one in another competitive pitching performance. Kingrey also went 1-for-4 at the plate with a walk, an RBI and a run scored to help his own cause.
Along with Kingrey, Levi Shepherd (2-for-5, double, walk, RBI, run scored), Breven Staggs (2-for-4, walk, RBI, three runs scored) and Aiden Moore (2-for-4, two RBI, two runs scored) led the Mohawks offensively.
Wesyn Lang (1-for-3, triple, two RBI, walk, run scored), Aidden Armbrister (1-for-2, double, two runs scored), Austin Smith (1-for-3, double, RBI, two runs scored) and Braxton Burris (1-for-5, run scored) rounded out Northwest's hitting lineup.
Portsmouth 5, Gallia Academy 1
Led by a complete game four-hitter by Leeland Scurlock on the mound and a strong day from Jacob Roth at the top of the order, the Portsmouth Trojans' baseball program was able to claim a 5-1 victory over the Gallia Academy Blue Devils' baseball program in an important Ohio Valley Conference tilt Friday evening in Gallipolis.
Roth, who scored Portsmouth's first run of the contest in the opening frame as well as insurance runs in the fifth and seventh innings of work, went 3-for-4 on the day with a triple and three runs scored, while Camron Williams added in a 1-for-3 day at the plate with a double and a walk.
Landon Malone (1-for-2, RBI, run scored), Trevin Brooks (1-for-4, RBI), Jace Leonard (1-for-1, two walks) and Owen Wells (1-for-3) all contributed to the hit column in Portsmouth's triumph.
Scurlock struck out eight batters in his complete game effort.
SOFTBALL
Green 12, East 3
Behind a seven-run fourth frame and a 13-strikeout performance from Baylee Bridges in the circle, the Green Bobcats' softball program was able to claim a 12-3 victory over the East Tartans' softball program Friday evening in Slocum.
Bridges, who hit a grand slam in the fourth inning to center field to help her own cause, struck out 13 batters while only walking one en route to her complete game six-hitter.
Jayden Neal (2-for-2, two doubles, walk, RBI, run scored), Peyton Neal (1-for-4, two RBI, run scored), Addy Brown (1-for-3, walk, RBI, two runs scored) and Jayden Appling (1-for-1, RBI) also reached the hit column in the win.
Northwest 22, South Gallia 2 (F/5)
In a monstrous offensive effort, the Northwest Mohawks' softball program was able to claim a 22-2 victory over the South Gallia Rebels' softball program Friday evening in Mercerville.
Annika Carpenter and Kamryn Journey each led Northwest with three-hit outings, as Carpenter went 3-for-3 with a double, four RBI and two runs scored while Journey followed by going 3-for-4 with a triple, a walk, three RBI and a run scored herself.
Lauren Copp (2-for-4, double, walk, three RBI, four runs scored), Joshline Sanford (2-for-3, walk, two RBI, three runs scored), Kendra Bostwick (2-for-4, walk, two RBI, four runs scored), Abigail Farmer (2-for-4, double, two RBI, two runs scored) and Audrina Brewer (2-for-2, two doubles) all reached the multi-hit column while Rylee Montgomery (1-for-3, RBI, two runs scored) rounded out the hit column for Northwest in the game.
Between them, Montgomery and Carpenter struck out 10 batters in their five innings of work between them to secure the victory.
Valley 7, South Webster 6
Rallying back from a 6-5 deficit heading into the final two innings of competition, the Valley Indians' softball program scored the game-tying run in the sixth inning on Emilie Barr's sacrifice fly and walked things off in the seventh on an EJ Vice RBI single to claim a 7-6 win over the South Webster Jeeps' softball program Friday evening in Lucasville.
Valley, who got 10 hits from eight different players in the contest, was led by a well-balanced effort that was spearheaded by Laylee McGraw (2-for-3, double, walk, run scored) and Allison Strickland (2-for-4, double, run scored), who led the Lady Indians with multi-hit performances.
Vice (1-for-2, RBI), Barr (1-for-2, walk, two RBI), Ryleigh Weeks (1-for-3, walk, two runs scored), Izabella Bray (1-for-4, RBI, run scored), Kendyl Christman (1-for-2, walk, RBI) and Zoe Wolfe (1-for-3, walk, home run, RBI, run scored) all contributed in the win for the Lady Indians offensively.
McGraw and Christman also combined for eight strikeouts offensively to lead Valley in its winning cause.
South Webster was led by Addi Claxon (3-for-4, two doubles, RBI, two runs scored) and Kaylee House (2-for-4, double, two RBI), while Caleigh Benner (1-for-4, two RBI), Brooklynn Piguet (1-for-4, run scored), Jaiden White (1-for-3, walk, run scored) and Baylee Brown (1-for-1) rounded out the Lady Jeeps' offensive production.
West 15, Waverly 12
Behind four home runs, seven extra base hits and 12 runs in the opening three innings of competition, the West Senators' softball program was able to claim a 15-12 triumph over the Waverly Tigers' softball program Friday evening in West Portsmouth.
Heading into the bottom of the second inning tied at four runs apiece, Ally Buckner's two-run homer to left field and a three-run shot to center by Aubree Hayslip gave West a 9-4 advantage after two innings of work. Lainey Cook then added her second home run in as many days with a two-run shot to center field as part of a three-run third inning that increased the West advantage to 12-5 after three innings of work.
Ariane Jordan added in a solo home run in the sixth inning to set the final score.
Hayslip went 2-for-5 with a home run, five RBI and two runs scored while Jordan added in a 2-for-3 outing with a homer, a walk, two RBI and three runs scored to head the way. Kylee McCleese joined the duo with a multi-hit performance, going 2-for-4 with two runs scored to boot.
Buckner (1-for-4, home run, two RBI, run scored), Cook (1-for-3, home run, two RBI, three runs scored), Rylee Pollard (1-for-3, run scored) and Layla Kamer (1-for-3, walk) rounded out the massive offensive output for West in the contest.
ADDITIONAL SCORES:
Saturday, April 11 (BB): New Boston Glenwood 15, Ashton (W. Va.) Hannan 5
Saturday, April 11 (SB): Anthony Wayne 1, Wheelersburg 0 — Ava Estep 1-for-3, double.
Friday, April 10 (BB): Waverly 7, West 1 — Drew Dettwiller 2-for-3, double, RBI; Levi Picklesimer 1-for-4.
When? Well, now it seems like a return date remains a mystery.
The Houston Texans' star No. 2 pass-catcher has been working toward a return to the field over the past 14 months after suffering a knee injury in the regular-season loss to Kansas City in December of 2024. While he's trending toward running drills, Houston remains cautious about setting a timeline for when he expects to return to the field ahead of Week 1.
Earlier this offseason, Texans coach DeMeco Ryans told reporters at the annual league meetings in Phoenix that Dell was "grinding," but he didn't know when he would be back for on-field drills. Initially, that seemed to only qualify when asked about OTAs later on next month.
But with the draft less than two weeks away, the Texans must look at all options on the table, including adding depth behind Dell via the draft should he not be cleared to return until the middle of the season. When asked for another update on speedy wideout, general manager Nick Caserio's left the return date somewhat open-ended.
"With Tank, honestly, it's probably a day-to-day, we'll kind of see where he is," Caserio said on Monday. "Probably have a better idea as we get through the spring of what his availability is going to be in training camp. He's been here pretty religiously, since he's been able to do more once he's gotten out of the rehab stage."
Coming into his own in 2024, Dell was carted off the field in December of 2024 after hauling in a touchdown pass from C.J. Stroud, tearing multiple ligaments in his left knee while also dislocating his kneecap. Because of the severity of the injury, he missed the entire 2025 season while undergoing multiple surgeries and rehabilitation workouts.
Midway through last season, Dell began to ramp up his workouts. He even tried to make a push for a postseason return after the Texans clinched 12 wins, but the team chose to give him more time to get acclimated to his body and prep for the start of a new season.
Houston would love nothing more than for Dell to be good to go for September, especially as a secondary weapon for Stroud. A third-round pick from 2023, the University of Houston product had 98 catches for 1,376 yards and 10 touchdowns in 25 games.
While Caserio didn't rule out drafting a receiver to add competition to the room, he did clarify that Dell's injury stauts would be the reason for the team's call to either add or pass targeting a option.
"If there is a receiver that we like that we feel we want to add to the team, then we're going to take him independent of what's going on. In the end, the competition will sort itself out," Caserio said. "DeMeco and I talk about this all the time. Get them in the building, they'll figure it out."
Getting Dell healthy isn't only needed for the offense, but also for the future. Entering the final year of his rookie contract, Dell, 26, still remains a mystery on if he'll ever return to peak form. Ryans, for now, just wants to see him play once more.
Should Dell miss time and the Texans were to pass on adding a weapon via the draft, adding a free agent isn't out of the question. Last year, Houston added Pro Bowl running back Nick Chubb from the Cleveland Browns at the start of OTAs once it became clear it would be without Pro Bowler Joe Mixon for the year.
"There's a group of players that we haven't talked about after the draft, if they're not with a team, is there a player that we feel could add some value to our team and program," Caserio said.
"There might be somebody out there who makes sense. We'll try to make an evaluation that we feel makes the most sense for the team.”
INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Fever have selected Vanderbilt’s Justine Pissott with the 25th pick of the 2026 WNBA Draft.
Pissott, a 6-4 shooting guard/forward, averaged 11.1 points on 43.7% shooting with an SEC-leading 42.2% mark from 3 last season for the Commodores. She started in all 34 games and rounded out her line with 4.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game.
Pissott, who transferred from Tennessee following her freshman season, led Vandy to its first Sweet 16 appearance since 2009 as a senior. She is the program’s first WNBA Draft selection since 2009 when Christina Wirth was selected 19th overall by the Fever and Jennifer Risper was taken 29th overall by the Chicago Sky.
The Indiana Fever began the week with three players under contract. Here's an updated roster:
Monique Billings, forward
Aliyah Boston, center
Caitlin Clark, guard
Sophie Cunningham, guard
Damiris Dantas, center
Ty Harris, guard
Myisha Hines-Allen, forward
Lexie Hull, wing
Megan McConnell, guard (training camp contract)
Kelsey Mitchell, guard
Makayla Timpson, forward
Kayana Traylor, guard (training camp contract)
Follow Brian Haenchen on Twitter at @Brian_Haenchen.Get IndyStar's Indiana Fever and Caitlin Clark coverage sent directly to your inbox with our Caitlin Clark Fever newsletter. Subscribe to IndyStar TV: Fever for in-depth analysis, behind-the-scenes coverage and more.
Now halfway through April, college basketball programs are starting to see their 2026-27 rosters shape up, largely through the transfer portal.
Teams are also watching players declare for the NBA Draft. Tar Heel Nation hoped Caleb Wilson would return for Year Two, especially after two injuries cut his freshman season short, but UNC's freshman superstar recently made his decision.
On Monday afternoon, in a heartfelt message posted to social media, Wilson officially declared for the NBA Draft in June.
“What’s up Tar Heel Nation? It’s Caleb here," Wilson said. "This past year has best the most fun year of my life. Although it has been filled with a lot of growth and adversity, I will always cherish this univerrsity and the people that make this place what it is. I’m grateful for the opportunity I had to represent North Carolina. Wearing number eight, running out of that historic tunnel every day for practice and games. And I’m happy to say every day, I gave it my all. Lastly, I would like to thank my family, coaches, fans and my support system and especially my head coach, the Godfather of Chapel Hill Hoots and my Academic Advisor, Jean, who always checked on me in my toughest times. WIth that being said, I will declare for the 2026 NBA Draft. Go Heels.”
Wilson was the crown jewel of North Carolina's 2025 recruiting class, which included guards Isaiah Denis and Derek Dixon. Wilson carried high expectations into Chapel Hill, but he thoroughly exceeded them, quickly becoming a household name in college basketball.
Wilson averaged 19.8 points and 9.4 rebounds per game during his lone season as a Tar Heel, breaking Tyler Hansbrough's program record for most 20-point games by a freshman. When injury forced Wilson off the court, he was UNC's greatest cheerleader.
Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers said this week that inconsistency was the primary reason Baltimore fell short in 2025, pointing to a combination of injuries and uneven play across the season.
"We were inconsistent. We were inconsistent. Like you said, [it was] injuries – there's a lot of things that play into it. We had three real seasons in a row [with] how it ended. So, it's just, I don't know, that's just how it went. It's football. In the NFL, everybody is the best in the world."
Flowers said the team has had multiple seasons in a row that end in disappointment, but emphasized that the level of competition in the league leaves little room for prolonged stretches of uneven play.
He added that the margin in the NFL is small, with every team capable of beating any opponent on a given week, something he said the Ravens are focused on correcting heading into the 2026 season. Flowers' assessment highlights a recurring issue that Baltimore will need to address moving forward. While injuries are often unavoidable, consistent execution and the ability to sustain performance week to week remain critical for a team with playoff expectations.
As the Ravens enter a new season with fresh leadership and a retooled roster, eliminating those lapses will be a priority. If Baltimore can pair its talent with greater consistency, the group could be better positioned to turn past frustrations into meaningful success in 2026.
The Indiana Fever selected Vanderbilt star Justine Pissott with its second pick of the 2026 WNBA draft, pick No. 25 overall.
A 6-foot-4 guard, Pissott averaged career-bests in points (11.1), rebounds (4.5) and assists (2.3) per game. Pissott shot 43.7% from the field, 42.2% from 3-point range and 76.5% from the free-throw line.
In her career, Pissott scored 739 points and knocked down 178 3-pointers, including 95 treys last season with the Commodores.
with the No. 25 pick in the @WNBA Draft, we have selected @VandyWBB guard Justine Pissott 👏
Pissott joins the Fever's first-round selection, South Carolina guard Raven Johnson, as Indiana picks in the 2026 WNBA draft.
Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes and opinions.Follow Josh on X: @JoshOnHawks
Lady Vols basketball forward Janiah Barker was selected No. 29 overall by the Las Vegas Aces in the second round of the 2026 WNBA Draft on April 13.
Barker was projected to be a first-round draft pick going into her senior season at Tennessee. But she dropped in projections throughout the season and was no longer a projected first-round pick by the time the Lady Vols' season ended at 16-14 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Barker is the first WNBA draftee under Tennessee coach Kim Caldwell and the 47th WNBA draft pick in program history. The Lady Vols' last WNBA draft pick was former star forward Rickea Jackson, who was the fourth-straight first-round pick for Tennessee under former coach Kellie Harper.
Here's what Barker brings to the Aces based on her career that included three different schools.
What Janiah Barker brings to Las Vegas Aces in 2026 WNBA Draft
Barker's talent has never been a question since she was the No. 2 overall recruit of the 2022 class. She's a pure three-level scorer with a beautiful shot, whether it's from midrange or on spot-up 3-pointers. One of her go-to shots is a fadeaway pull-up jumper, and when it's on, it's on.
Barker also has a unique blend of size and athleticism at 6-foot-4, and she's got a pro-ready body. She's a great rebounder and passer and has all the tools to be great in the WNBA.
Barker is comfortable with the ball in her hands and creating her own offense, and she's typically an efficient player. She has a high upside as a stretch four, but a lot of her ceiling as a pro will come down to Barker's intangibles.
Janiah Barker's highlights, strengths, weaknesses at Tennessee
One thing that raises question marks around Barker as a prospect is her tendency to be inconsistent and her decision-making offensively. And for all her passion and high energy on the court when things went well, Barker's poor body language at times when things went wrong could be just as bad.
Caldwell also said at the beginning of the season she brought Barker in hoping she would be a leader in the locker room coming off a Final Four appearance with UCLA. But that never materialized, and Tennessee's lack of leadership was a detriment as the season spiraled out of control.
Barker also was absent from two games down the stretch of the season. Barker had a one-game absence and didn't travel to Oklahoma because Caldwell said she "didn't meet team standards." This was the game after Barker scored a career-high 29 points against Texas A&M.
Then Barker was a late scratch from the Lady Vols' NCAA Tournament loss to NC State due to "illness" after she participated in media and open practice the day prior.
Janiah Barker career stats at Texas A&M, UCLA, Tennessee
2025-26 (Tennessee): Started 20 of 27 games, averaged 14.3 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.1 steals, 23.9 minutes, 46.5% shooting percentage, 36.5% on 3.9 attempts from 3-point range
2024-25 (UCLA): Started three of 36 games, averaged 7.4 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 17.5 minutes, 46.5% shooting percentage, 18.2% on 0.9 attempts from 3-point range; 2025 Big Ten Sixth Player of the Year
2023-24 (Texas A&M): Started 27 of 30 games, averaged 12.2 points, 7.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.3 steals, 26.5 minutes, 47.9% shooting percentage, 34.3% on 2.2 attempts from 3-point range
2022-23 (Texas A&M): Started seven of 19 games, averaged 12.7 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.1 steals, 1.0 blocks, 22.7 minutes, 45.6% shooting percentage, 40.7% on 1.4 attempts from 3-point range
Lady Vols basketball forward Janiah Barker was selected No. 29 overall by the Las Vegas Aces in the second round of the 2026 WNBA Draft on April 13.
Barker was projected to be a first-round draft pick going into her senior season at Tennessee. But she dropped in projections throughout the season and was no longer a projected first-round pick by the time the Lady Vols' season ended at 16-14 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Barker is the first WNBA draftee under Tennessee coach Kim Caldwell and the 47th WNBA draft pick in program history. The Lady Vols' last WNBA draft pick was former star forward Rickea Jackson, who was the fourth-straight first-round pick for Tennessee under former coach Kellie Harper.
Here's what Barker brings to the Aces based on her career that included three different schools.
What Janiah Barker brings to Las Vegas Aces in 2026 WNBA Draft
Barker's talent has never been a question since she was the No. 2 overall recruit of the 2022 class. She's a pure three-level scorer with a beautiful shot, whether it's from midrange or on spot-up 3-pointers. One of her go-to shots is a fadeaway pull-up jumper, and when it's on, it's on.
Barker also has a unique blend of size and athleticism at 6-foot-4, and she's got a pro-ready body. She's a great rebounder and passer and has all the tools to be great in the WNBA.
Barker is comfortable with the ball in her hands and creating her own offense, and she's typically an efficient player. She has a high upside as a stretch four, but a lot of her ceiling as a pro will come down to Barker's intangibles.
Janiah Barker's highlights, strengths, weaknesses at Tennessee
One thing that raises question marks around Barker as a prospect is her tendency to be inconsistent and her decision-making offensively. And for all her passion and high energy on the court when things went well, Barker's poor body language at times when things went wrong could be just as bad.
Caldwell also said at the beginning of the season she brought Barker in hoping she would be a leader in the locker room coming off a Final Four appearance with UCLA. But that never materialized, and Tennessee's lack of leadership was a detriment as the season spiraled out of control.
Barker also was absent from two games down the stretch of the season. Barker had a one-game absence and didn't travel to Oklahoma because Caldwell said she "didn't meet team standards." This was the game after Barker scored a career-high 29 points against Texas A&M.
Then Barker was a late scratch from the Lady Vols' NCAA Tournament loss to NC State due to "illness" after she participated in media and open practice the day prior.
Janiah Barker career stats at Texas A&M, UCLA, Tennessee
2025-26 (Tennessee): Started 20 of 27 games, averaged 14.3 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.1 steals, 23.9 minutes, 46.5% shooting percentage, 36.5% on 3.9 attempts from 3-point range
2024-25 (UCLA): Started three of 36 games, averaged 7.4 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 17.5 minutes, 46.5% shooting percentage, 18.2% on 0.9 attempts from 3-point range; 2025 Big Ten Sixth Player of the Year
2023-24 (Texas A&M): Started 27 of 30 games, averaged 12.2 points, 7.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.3 steals, 26.5 minutes, 47.9% shooting percentage, 34.3% on 2.2 attempts from 3-point range
2022-23 (Texas A&M): Started seven of 19 games, averaged 12.7 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.1 steals, 1.0 blocks, 22.7 minutes, 45.6% shooting percentage, 40.7% on 1.4 attempts from 3-point range
There is no secret that Michigan State basketball is in the market for a center in the transfer portal. Michigan State has been in contact with a plethora of good centers in the portal and is looking to make a splash. There is now a new prospect that the Spartans are reportedly interested in.
Luke McEldon, a Mount St. Mary's transfer, has reported interest from Michigan State. A 6-foot-10, 255 pound forward from London, England, McEldon had a breakout year in 2025-26. Averaging 11.7 points and 6.2 rebounds per game last season, he is firmly on the map for the high majors.
After spending his first two collegiate seasons with Santa Clara, and this past with Mount St. Mary's, McEldon has drawn interest from Michigan State, Mississippi State and Northwestern, according to a Northwestern souce. He is also reportedly visiting Northwestern to open the week.
McEldon will have two years of eligibility remaining at his next stop.
Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Cory Linsner on X @Rex_Linzy
First-year Baltimore Orioles manager Craig Albernaz was struck in the face by a foul ball off the bat of his second baseman, Jeremiah Jackson, in the fifth inning of the team's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday, April 13 at Camden Yards.
Albernaz, 43, was positioned in his usual spot in Baltimore's first-base dugout when Jackson looped a line drive measured at 70.6 mph off his bat. It struck Albernaz in the side of the face and he was immediately escorted down the tunnel to the Orioles' clubhouse by coaches and players.
Here's video, courtesy of MASN, of the foul ball off Jeremiah Jackson's bat that struck Orioles manager Craig Albernaz. Scary scene. pic.twitter.com/5OjR39MSkH
The ball came up on Albernaz quickly, leaving him virtually helpless to avoid the baseball, though he turned his head and perhaps absorbed a more glancing blow.
Albernaz, the Orioles said, was evaluated on site by the team's medical personnel and returned to the dugout some 45 minutes later.
Jackson hit a grand slam one inning after his foul ball struck Albernaz as the Orioles came all the way back from a 7-1 deficit, pulling ahead of the Diamondbacks 8-7 on Pete Alonso's two-run homer in the seventh.
Albernaz has the Orioles off to an 8-7 start entering Monday night's game, which put Baltimore tied atop the AL East alongside the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays.
Albernaz previously had worked as a coach for the Rays (2015-19), San Francisco Giants (2020-23) and Cleveland Guardians (2024-25).
Flau’jae Johnson's time with the Golden State Valkyries lasted less than an hour, as Monday night's No. 8 overall pick at the WNBA Draft was traded to the Seattle Storm in a stunner of a deal in the second round.
It's quite rare to see players who were just drafted — especially ones of a high caliber like Johnson — be traded on the very same night, but that's exactly what the Valkyries did. When WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert took the stage to announce the Storm's pick to kick off the second round, instead of a player, she broke the news of the deal between the Storm and Valkyries.
In the trade, the Storm acquired Johnson's draft rights, while the Valkyries got newly drafted Marta Suarez and a 2028 second-round pick. The trade was so unexpected that the breaking news elicited a stunned reaction from the crowd in New York for the draft.
BIG TRADE 😲
The Seattle Storm have traded the draft rights to Marta Suarez (selected 16th overall) and its own 2028 2nd round pick to Golden State for the draft rights to Flau'jae Johnson (selected 8th overall). pic.twitter.com/0uJnvqknCA
Yeah, no one was expecting that at all. WNBA fans on social media were equally overwhelmed by the trade, as shocked reactions flooded both Twitter and Bluesky the moment the deal was announced.
The Washington Huskies have been among the top contenders for high-end four-star cornerback Censere Gaylord for a long time, and on Monday morning, the coveted prospect from IMG Academy in Florida narrowed his list of 32 offers down to a final four.
Washington remains standing alongside Auburn, Georgia, and Georgia Tech for the 6-foot, 160-pound defensive back, who is originally from California and is ranked as the nation's No. 110 overall player and No. 13 cornerback in the 2027 class by 247Sports.
Gaylord has locked in official visits with each of his finalists, beginning with the Yellow Jackets on May 29. From there, he'll head to Montlake on June 5, before checking out the Bulldogs on June 12, and rounding things out with the Tigers on June 19.
NEWS: Four-Star CB Censere Gaylord is down to 4 Schools, he tells me for @Rivals
The 6’0 170 CB is ranked as the No. 2 CB in Florida (per Rivals Industry)
"I really like how they develop their defensive backs at Washington," Gaylord told Rivals' Greg Biggins of what has kept the Huskies at the top of his list following an unofficial visit to Seattle for Junior Day in March. "They let them play fast and aggressive in the secondary, and that's my style as well."
Gaylord is a perfect fit for secondary coach John Richardson's teaching style and defensive coordinator Ryan Walters' scheme. He plays with a quick trigger against both the run and the pass, is a willing tackler who plays with immense physicality, and has good ball skills after recording 22 tackles, 5 pass breakups, and 4 interceptions during his junior season at IMG.
After four-star cornerback Josiah Molden announced his commitment to Oregon on Sunday, Gaylord is the clear-cut target on top of Richardson's board in the secondary.
It is the Tar Heels’ highest ranking in the D1Baseball Top 25 since last season, when they were the No. 1 team in the country to end the regular season. Before this week, their highest ranking in the Top 25 was No. 6.
North Carolina (30-6-1) is the second-highest ranked team in the ACC, behind Georgia Tech, which is No. 2. Joining UNC and Georgia Tech in the Top 25 are Florida State (No. 8), Virginia (No. 9) and Boston College (No. 24). The ACC is tied with the Big 12 for the second-most teams in the Top 25 with five, behind the SEC, which has 10.
🆕 D1Baseball Top 25 Rankings: Week 9 (Presented by @NettingPros)
North Carolina will take on UNC-Wilmington at Boshamer Stadium at 6 p.m. on Tuesday night before it welcomes Georgia Tech to Chapel Hill for a three-game series between two of the best teams in the country from April 17-19.
The full Top 25 poll is below.
D1Baseball Top 25 Poll
UCLA (33-2)
Georgia Tech (30-5)
North Carolina (30-6-1)
Texas (27-7)
Georgia (29-8)
Oregon State (28-7)
Coastal Carolina (26-9)
Florida State (24-11)
Virginia (26-11)
Texas A&M (27-7)
Alabama (26-11)
USC (30-7)
Auburn (24-11)
Oklahoma (24-11)
West Virginia (24-8)
Arkansas (24-13)
Mississippi State (26-10)
Kansas (26-10)
Oregon (26-10)
Florida (27-10)
UCF (20-12)
Southern Miss (25-11)
Arizona State (26-11)
Boston College (26-12)
Ole Miss (26-11)
Teams that were dropped
LSU (22-15), Nebraska (27-9)
Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.
By the time her decorated career at LSU ended, Flau’Jae Johnson was ready to start the next chapter of her life in basketball.
“I'm very excited just to be able to know where I’m going to live. You know what I'm saying? Who are my teammates? I'm excited,” Johnson said Saturday in New York City. “This is a new journey. Now you're coming into the league where there's so much growth visibility.”
Now, Johnson knows her path forward. She'll still be wearing purple, just a different shade.
The Golden State Valkyries selected Johnson with the eighth overall pick in Monday night’s WNBA Draft.
Johnson's jaw dropped when she heard WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert say her name. She collected herself, exchanged hugs and kisses with her mom, brother and LSU coach Kim Mulkey, then marched to the stage.
Johnson joins a team coached by Natalie Nakase that was an expansion team a year ago and made the playoffs in its inaugural season. Golden State just signed 2025 All-Star Gabby Williams and brings back guards Veronica Burton and Kate Martin.
Following Angel Reese and Aneesah Morrow, Johnson becomes the third consecutive LSU player to be selected in the first round of the WNBA Draft. Overall, she’s the sixth Tiger coached by Kim Mulkey to be drafted. Dating back to her days at Baylor, Mulkey has now coached 28 WNBA Draft picks, with 12 going in the first round.
The four-time national championship-winning coach has long believed that Johnson would be a WNBA-caliber player.
“Her all-around game has just elevated. She’s a pro. You haven't seen the best of her yet,” Mulkey said during the NCAA Tournament. “I just think she's so unselfish with her passing. She sees things two and three steps ahead of most people and she can just flick a wrist and throw it.”
A college basketball star who has another career as a hip-hop recording artist, Johnson was the first McDonald’s All-American that Mulkey signed at LSU when she took the reins of the Tigers in 2021. A native of Savannah, Georgia, Johnson was a four-star recruit and tabbed as the 26th best player in the 2022 class by ESPN. Her late father James was also a rapper who performed under the moniker “Camoflauge.”
Johnson has been a starter for all but two of the 141 games she played in over four years at LSU, including the 2023 national title game in Dallas, Texas, where the Tigers defeated Caitlin Clark’s Iowa for their first championship in program history. Johnson earned SEC Rookie of the Year honors that season.
After Reese left for the WNBA, Johnson became the face of the program. Following the national title, she led LSU to a pair of Elite Eight appearances and a Sweet 16 trip this past season. Johnson was a three-time All-SEC selection, a two-time All-American and a two-time All-Region selection in the NCAA Tournament. She also featured on Team USA last summer on the squad that won the gold medal at the FIBA AmeriCup.
While LSU fell short of achieving its biggest goals this past season, Johnson averaged 14.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.3 steals per game while shooting a career-best 39.3% from beyond the arc. For her career, she shot 47% from the floor and 75% from the free throw line.
“Flau'jae is going to be a really, really good pro, and I think the pros are going to help Flau'jae and maybe some of the disconnected play that we saw at LSU this year,” ESPN’s Ryan Ruocco said last week. “Maybe some of that just gets cleaned up playing with a little bit more cohesion at the pro level, and a player like Flau'jae might benefit from that.”
A 6-foot guard, Golden State is getting an excellent spot-up shooter, a defensive stopper on the perimeter and an elite all-around athlete.
In the 2026 WNBA Draft on Monday, the Golden State Valkyries selected Flau'Jae Johnson at No. 8 overall. The former LSU women's basketball guard is officially headed to the professional level.
Johnson was projected as a first-round pick for much of her collegiate career. Some mock drafts had her going in the top five, especially as she cemented herself as one of the most prolific scorers in the country.
After four years in Baton Rouge, Johnson finished at No. 5 on LSU's all-time leading scorers list. She racked up 2,063 points over her time playing for head coach Kim Mulkey, shooting 46.7% from the field and averaging 14.6 points per game.
A four-year starter, Johnson helped LSU win the first national championship in program history as a freshman. Her best scoring year came as a junior, averaging 18.6 points per game. She increased her effectiveness from beyond the arc in 2025-26, shooting a career-best 39.3%, and on defense.
To everyone's surprise, the Pittsburgh Steelers had former Utah offensive tackle Spencer Fano in for a Top 30 visit ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft. Fano represents the highest-rated prospect the Steelers have had in so far this draft cycle and with five visits left to go, might be the highest one overall.
This got us thinking about what it would cost to trade up for Fano and where the Steelers would have to trade up to if they wanted to land him. Here are three scenarios.
To determine these three potential trade partners, we ran more than a dozen first-round simulations. There were three teams in this area who were drafting offensive tackles, with all three of them taking Fano at some point or another.
No. 11 - Miami Dolphins
Going up to 11 would cost the Steelers their first-round pick in 2026, third-round pick in 2026 (No. 76) and second-round pick in 2027. A pretty hefty price to go up a full 10 spots but Fano could start at guard or tackle for the Steelers this season.
No. 13 - Los Angeles Rams
Moving up to No. 13 changes the formula a great deal. Pittsburgh would still have to give up No. 21 but for the third-round pick could drop back to pick No. 99 and in 2027 a third-round pick would suffice.
No. 17 - Detroit Lions
If the Fano were to make it past the Rams, the Steelers could move up here as the next-best landing place. It would only cost Pick No. 21 and pick No. 99 to move up to No. 17. Probably the biggest longshot unless Fano is somehow the fourth offensive lineman off the board.
The Aaron Rodgers waiting game has been one of the longest-running storylines the Pittsburgh Steelers have been a part of this offseason — and ESPN insider Adam Schefter joined in on the laughs, suggesting a decision could come during the 2026 NFL Draft.
During a recent episode of The Pat McAfee Show, Schefter joked that Rodgers could make the return announcement during the NFL Draft.
"What would be cool is, at some point in the draft, [Aaron Rodgers] walked out on stage and announced he was coming back," Schefter said. "They play Renegade, and he comes walking out to announce the Steelers' pick. That would be pretty cool."
Schefter went on to express uncertainty surrounding a potential timeline for when Rodgers could actually make his decision, as general estimates have continued to get pushed further and further back.
As hilarious as it would be for Rodgers to make his big announcement at the draft, the Steelers may need to wait a little while longer for official confirmation, potentially around June, when he signed his contract last season.
For up-to-date Steelers coverage, including any offseason moves, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like.
The 6-foot-5 guard out of Long Island committed to North Carolina back in February when Hubert Davis was still the Tar Heels coach. North Carolina fired Davis on March 24 following another first weekend exit from the Men's NCAA Tournament.
The Tar Heels hired Malone, who has not coached at the college ranks before, on Monday, April 6 to be Davis' successor. The NCAA allows committed high school recruits to get out of their binding agreements with their future university
Mingo is ranked as a five-star recruit and the No. 5 overall recruit in the 2026 recruiting class according to 247Sports' Composite rankings system. He chose North Carolina over Baylor, Penn State and Washington. He was one of two 2026 recruits who committed to North Carolina under Davis, with the other being Maximo Adams, who has re-committed to Malone and the Tar Heels.
As noted by ESPN's Jeff Borzello, Mingo missed most of his high school season at Long Island Lutheran High School with an ankle injury and sat out last summer's Peach Jam, one of the top AAU tournaments on the Nike circuit, with an injury.
Mingo is the brother of former Penn State guard Kayden Mingo, who is the No. 14-ranked player in USA TODAY Sports' most recent transfer portal rankings.
Dylan Mingo 247 rankings
Stars: Five
National ranking: No. 5
Positional ranking: No. 2
State ranking: No. 1
Dylan Mingo was listed as a five-star recruit and the fifth-best recruit in the 2026 recruiting class per 247Sports' Composite rankings. He was also listed as the No. 2 combo guard and the No. 1 player in the state of New York in his class.
Dave McGinnis, who spent 25 seasons coaching in the NFL — including three seasons as head coach of the Arizona Cardinals from 2000-03 — died on Monday, April 13, following an illness that hospitalized him more than a month ago.
He was 74.
McGinnis, affectionately known as “Coach Mac,” passed away after being admitted to a Nashville hospital on March 4. In recent days, friends and colleagues and many of his former players reportedly came to visit him and he listened to recorded voice messages from those who couldn’t be there.
“We were deeply saddened to learn of Dave McGinnis’ passing and extend our heartfelt condolences to all who knew and loved him,” Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill said in a statement. “As Dave often said, he was a ‘ballcoach’ through and through, and no one ever filled that role with more passion, enthusiasm and charisma. Coach Mac truly loved the game and everything — and everyone — associated with it, especially his players.
“He was one of a kind and will be greatly missed.”
McGinnis was defensive coordinator for the Chicago Bears for 10 years before joining the Cardinals in that role in 1996. He replaced Vince Tobin as head coach midway through the 2000 season and went 17-40 in 3½ seasons with Arizona before being replaced by Dennis Green in 2004.
One of the players McGinnis coached in Arizona was Pat Tillman, who left the NFL to enlist in the U.S. Army following the September 11 terrorist attacks in 2001. Tillman died in Afghanistan from friendly fire in 2004 at the age of 27.
"I've coached eight Hall of Famers, and no player I've ever coached had more of an impact on my life than Pat Tillman did," McGinnis once said. "It was an immense loss, and it will always be there. But we are all better for having known him. His legacy will live forever."
McGinnis was born in Independence, Kansas, but raised in Texas. He was the linebackers coach for the Tennessee Titans from 2004-11 and has been the team’s radio color analyst since 2017.
“My heart aches with the loss of Coach Mac, who was so much more than a coach and a broadcaster — he was family,” Titans controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk said in a statement. “Coach gave so much of himself to the organization over the years and with passion, loyalty and his love for the Titans never wavered.
“He cared deeply about the people around him and that kindness and authenticity left a lasting impact on everyone who knew him. … We will miss him dearly, and we will always be grateful for the legacy he leaves behind.”
Will Texas A&M defensive end Cashius Howell be available for the Seattle Seahawks to select with the No. 32 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft?
Pre-draft projections have Howell as a mid-to-late first round pick. The Seahawks will have to wait until the very end of the first round of the draft to make their first selection of the event, which positions them to see many top prospects fly off the board by then.
”Cashius Howell may have short arms, but his aggression and versatility make up for it,” Dajani said. “His 11.5 sacks last season for the Aggies were the most since Myles Garrett recorded 12.5 in 2015, and he was also named SEC Defensive Player of the Year.”
Howell registered 14 tackles for loss in 2025. He also had a forced fumble, as well as six passes defensed last season. Howell was effective as a disruptor in the passing game throughout the year.
The Seahawks lost Boye Mafe to the Cincinnati Bengals in free agency last winter. Seattle will have the option to replace Mafe on the edge in the draft. Howell is one of the best players at the position that the Seahawks will potentially have the chance to select in the event that his name doesn’t get called prior to their first selection of the draft.
MIAMI – Mateusz Gamrot met the media Saturday after his win over Esteban Ribovics at UFC 327.
Gamrot (26-4 MMA, 9-4 UFC) submitted Ribovics (15-3 MMA, 4-3 UFC) with an arm-triangle choke late in the second round of their lightweight fight on the prelims at Kaseya Center in Miami.
The win was a big one for Gamrot, who got back on track after a submission loss in a short-notice headliner in Brazil against former champion Charles Oliveira. Gamrot took that fight after Rafael Fiziev dropped out, and Oliveira became the first person to finish him when he tapped to a face crank.
After such a high-profile fight with Oliveira, Gamrot found himself taking a pretty major step back in competition, at least in terms of ranking systems, when he took on Ribovics. But getting back in the win column was crucial and allowed the Polish 35-year-old to lodge some key callouts.
"I know it's weird, but I understand this position a little," Gamrot told MMA Junkie at his post-fight news conference. "… I understand there's politics, but right now, I deserve guys from the top. Maybe BSD, maybe Paddy, maybe Arman again – it doesn't matter who. I want to fight. I want to prove I'm the best in the world. Only full camp, and I'm ready to rock and roll
"For sure, this is a fun fight (against Lopes) – very entertaining for the fans. I know he has a fight booked at the White House (against Steve Garcia), but I heard he wants to move to the lightweight division. … I can wait for him. I'm patient. I'm in no rush. Maybe the end of the year, I can compete with this guy. He's good everywhere – I respect him for sure."
Check out Gamrot's post-fight interview in the video above.
Ross Dillard has a resume befitting a head football coach. In fact, he’s had one for several years.
But he never felt the timing was right when it came to pursuing his first head coaching position — for himself or his family.
Dillard was waiting for the perfect opportunity to present itself.
He just found it.
Dillard was confirmed as the new head football coach and athletic coordinator for Memorial High School during a Wichita Falls ISD board meeting Monday, April 13.
It’s a promotion for the longtime assistant coach who has spent the past 11 years as a defensive coordinator — first at Rider and then Memorial.
“I’m excited for the opportunity,” Dillard said. “I think this is the right thing for the kids, continuing the culture that we’ve put in place in this program.”
Dillard inherits the Memorial program from Marc Bindel, who left to be the head football coach at Celina in March. Bindel spent 12 seasons leading WFISD football programs, and Dillard was by his side each year.
The Mavericks have gone a combined 16-7 in their two seasons of existence, qualifying for the postseason each year.
Dillard was actually Bindel’s first official hire when the latter was named head coach in 2014. Dillard was promoted to defensive coordinator in 2015.
Spending more than a few years as a coordinator at a high-profile Class 5A program like Rider naturally put Dillard in consideration to be a head coach at numerous programs.
However, his interest never went past an innocent phone call about a potential job — that is, until Bindel emerged as the top candidate to take over the Celina program.
“There was some interest from other programs at times in my career, but the timing never felt right,” Dillard said. “I was in such a good situation here. I was part of a great staff, and my family loved being in Wichita Falls.
“When the dynamic is really good with the people you’re working with, you don’t want to ever give that up. There’s just so many unknowns when you move around. We have something special in Wichita Falls.”
Dillard is finishing his 21st season as a high school football coach. He and his wife, Erin, have three kids, including 17-year-old Layla — a senior at Memorial due to graduate in May. They also have 16-year-old daughter, Drue — a sophomore at Memorial — and 10-year-old son, Rhett.
Dillard is a 1999 Iowa Park graduate, playing under legendary coach Weldon Nelms, who he credits with leading him toward the coaching profession.
Dillard graduated the same year from Iowa Park as Bindel did from Wichita Falls High. Dillard is also quick to point out that Iowa Park defeated Old High, 21-7, during their senior years.
“We actually don’t talk about it much, but we did beat them our senior year,” Dillard said. “We knew each other and played spring-league basketball together. I’ve learned a lot from Marc being his assistant, and it means a lot to me to be the guy chosen to take this program from him and continue to build on the foundation here.”
“This season has been so special. I've enjoyed every second,” Betts said. "I'm playing with my best friends, my sister. I've had the most amazing season, and I feel like you can just see all the positivity that I play with."
Betts was the seventh first-round WNBA draft pick that UCLA has produced, following in the footsteps of Natalie Williams (1999, No. 3, Utah), Maylana Martin (2000, No. 10, Minnesota), Lisa Willis (2006, No. 5, Los Angeles), Noelle Quinn (2007, No. 4, Minnesota), Jordin Canada (2018, No. 5, Seattle) and Michaela Onyenwere (2021, No. 6, New York).
That number grew as guard Gabriela Jaquez went fifth overall to the Chicago Sky and guard Kiki Rice was selected with the sixth overall pick by the Toronto Tempo, bringing the number of UCLA's all-time first-round selections to nine. It marked only the second time in WNBA history that three consecutive picks were selected from the same school. UConn first accomplished the feat in 2016 following the selection of Breanna Stewart, Moriah Jefferson and Morgan Tuck with the first, second and third overall pick.
UCLA forward Angela Dugalić and guard Gianna Kneepkens are also projected to go in the first round.
Betts is an elite finisher at the rim on offense and rim protector with great timing on defense.
"My biggest mindset going into every single game is just rebound and play defense and the points will come," Betts said April 4. "I think my entire goal this entire season is just to do my job and protect the rim. ... Just protect the rim, don't let people get easy shots. If guards get beat, I'll be there to help them."
Betts' averages slightly dipped during her senior season – 17.1 points, 8.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 2.1 block in 37 games – but she worked her way up many draft boards behind a dominant performance in UCLA's national title run. Betts averaged 21 points, 9.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.8 blocks during the tournament, including a key block against Texas' Madison Booker in the Final Four to propel UCLA to its first NCAA national title game in program history.
"When that play happened, I really have so much confidence that every time she is in a matchup, she's going to find a way to alter, block, scare somebody from doing that. I just think she's spectacular," Close said of the game-saving block. "People have asked me, Do you think she's mobile enough? I'm like, Well, question answered... Watch her move her feet. Watch her when we can switch with her."
Betts was named the Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four. Betts was also named the Big Ten Player of the Year and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, in addition to earning an All-American First Team nod.
Reach USA TODAY National Women’s Sports Reporter Cydney Henderson at chenderson@gannett.com and follow her on X at @CydHenderson.
Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves have each been out since the Lakers' 139-96 blowout loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on April 2, but there are new updates on the L.A. stars.
News emerged, during a segment on ESPN's NBA Today Monday, April 13, that Dončić is reportedly traveling back to the United States after undergoing "multiple" injections on his left hamstring over the last week in Spain to promote healing from his grade 2 strain and potentially expedite his return to the floor.
On Lakers star Luka Doncic’s impending return to the U.S. after treatments in Spain for NBA Today: pic.twitter.com/ZWWSelaZ5L
He is expected to rejoin the Lakers by Friday, April 17, though it remains unclear whether or not the treatment has sped up his recovery timeline from the standard 4-6 weeks.
Reaves, meanwhile, has been rehabbing his grade 2 left oblique muscle strain in Los Angeles and was also originally given a return window of 4-6 weeks.
"Both of these guys going into the playoffs, there is an expectation that they will be sidelined an indefinite period of time, just how soon (remains to be seen)," ESPN's Shams Charania said on-air. "They're both trying to get back ASAP."
If both original timelines hold up, Dončić and Reaves would be out through at least the first week of May. But while the Lakers aren't expecting Reaves back against Houston, Dončić will reportedly be re-evaluated once he rejoins the team for a possible return in the first round.
What is a Grade 2 hamstring strain?
A Grade 2 hamstring strain is a “moderate injury that is typically a partial tear in the muscle; patients are likely to limp when walking and will have occasional twinges of pain during activity,” according to Mercy Health.
The injury could take close to a month to heal, but “returning to sports before the injury is fully healed can cause more severe injuries.”
OXFORD — Ole Miss football coach Pete Golding revealed details about the week that led to him getting his first head coaching job. He was in the dark for much of it.
Golding joined ESPN college football analyst Greg McElroy's "Always College Football" podcast on April 13.
The pair discussed former Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin's departure for LSU on Nov. 30 after the 2025 regular season. Golding, the former Ole Miss defensive coordinator, was announced as the Rebels permanent head coach the same day. It's the first time Golding, 42, has been a head coach.
Golding said he rode with Kiffin in a van from Starkville to Oxford after the 2025 Egg Bowl on Nov. 28. With Florida and LSU rumors swirling, Golding still couldn't get a bead on Kiffin's plans.
"I still couldn't get a real feel, because I was with him the whole time," Golding said on the podcast. "It was like, 'Hey, Tuesday I'm going to Florida. Wednesday I'm going to LSU. Thursday I'm staying.' I still didn't have a real feel."
Ole Miss athletic director Keith Carter clued Golding in on the night of Nov. 29.
"Saturday night I got the call from Keith saying, 'Kiff has decided to go elsewhere. Let's meet at 7:30 (Sunday morning)'" Golding said.
From there, things moved quickly. Golding said he was called into another meeting on Sunday afternoon at 12:20 p.m. with Carter and Glenn Boyce, the Ole Miss chancellor.
Golding said some other names were floated as head coach options, but he was told he was the guy they wanted.
"I was like, 'I don't really want to work for somebody else at this point in my career. Let's just do this,'" Golding said. "I didn't ask how much, I didn't ask how many years. I just went straight over to the building and started recruiting some offensive staff."
Ole Miss won two CFP games under Golding following Kiffin's departure. The Rebels beat Tulane 41-10 in the first round and then beat Georgia 39-34 in the Sugar Bowl.
Ole Miss' season ended vs Miami in the Fiesta Bowl 31-27 as the Rebels made it to the semifinals in their first College Football Playoff.
It didn't take long for Golding to adjust to his role as the head coach. He will coach against Kiffin and LSU in 2026 on Sept. 19.
"After five days of being into it I was like, 'Man I wish I would have done this a long time ago.' With the ability to impact people around you and those type of things," Golding said.
Ole Miss is in the middle of Golding's first spring practice as head coach.
Sam Hutchens covers Ole Miss for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at Shutchens@gannett.com or reach him on X at @Sam_Hutchens_
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers continue to bolster their cornerback room ahead of the 2026 season. The Buccaneers have agreed to terms with cornerback Chase Lucas on a one-year deal, adding another depth piece.
Lucas, a former seventh-round pick, brings experience from stops with the Detroit Lions and San Francisco 49ers. He’s appeared in 33 career games, including 15 last season, giving the Buccaneers a player who can be plugged in and play immediately if needed and not need any growing pains along the way. Lucas immediately brings value on special teams, logging over 200 snaps in the 2025 season.
That alone gives him a legitimate path to making the roster, especially under new special teams coordinator Danny Smith, who will look to turn around one of the worst units in the league.
In Todd Bowles’ system, defensive backs are expected to be versatile. Lucas checks several of those boxes, having played in different schemes while showing a willingness to contribute wherever needed. At minimum, he provides depth insurance in a cornerback room that still has plenty to prove heading into training camp. Of course, there’s a reason Lucas was available at this stage of the offseason. He has yet to record an interception in his career and has primarily been a depth contributor rather than a difference-maker on defense.
If he’s going to stick or even carve out a larger role, he’ll need to show more consistency in coverage and find ways to create turnovers.
Albanese has spent three decades with Independence Blue Cross.
"Thirty years is a really, really long time. Not many people stay with something so long," she said.
During her tenure, she has seen 300 miles run by participants, and each spring, the IBX corporate relations executive becomes part of the magic of the race.
"It's so rewarding because I'm the person holding the finish-line tape for the winners," Albanese said. "It's exhilarating."
The Broad Street Run began with about 1,000 participants. Today, the race has grown to roughly 40,000 runners, making it the largest 10-mile road race in the nation.
"I don't think 30 years ago people took their health as seriously as they do now," Albanese said.
She'll be back at the finish line again on May 3 - cheering runners on from the moment the tape breaks until the final participant crosses the line.
The Cleveland Browns have a massive hole on their offensive line with no real starting-caliber left tackles on the roster heading into the 2026 NFL draft. One name that has popped up lately for the Browns is Alabama left tackle Kadyn Proctor, with multiple draft analysts and insiders, including Todd McShay, saying he could be the pick at six overall.
In this week's podcast, we talked about Kadyn Proctor, his strengths and weaknesses, and if we would be happy or angry if the Browns took him. Another question that comes up with Proctor is: are you more comfortable with him later in the draft if you plan to move him inside to guard?
He is a polarizing prospect, with many people who think he can play tackle and just as many who think he has to move inside to guard. Then we talk about the tackle class and the only guys who can play left tackle that are worth a first-round pick. You can hear a more in-depth analysis on these topics and more in this week's episode by clicking here.
There was no update on how long he'll be sidelined, or if surgery will be required, in his Instagram post from April 13.
"I will be back stronger than before, and right now I’m just excited to start this comeback journey, with my loved ones by my side," Abou Ali said. "Thank you to all my teammates, staff and doctors who gave me the support during the tough time."
In the 23rd minute of the 1-1 tie at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field, Abou Ali went down favoring his right knee following a noncontact injury.
Abou Ali walked off to the sideline on his own before returning to the lineup. However, eight minutes later, the 27-year-old went down again inside Orlando City's box and left the field on a stretcher.
Crew coach Henrik Rydstrom had no update on his status in the postgame, though stated "it doesn’t look so good."
Rydstrom also had no specific reasoning for Abou Ali reentering the game after going down the first time.
"We have a very good medical team," Rydstrom said. "They made a judgment there in the moment. I don’t know if the two situations are connected. Nobody did anything wrong, and you can have bad luck anyway."
Abou Ali started this season having recovered from a right ankle fracture that ended his 2025 season just five games into his Crew tenure.
On July 26, Abou Ali signed a two-year deal with the Crew as one of their three designated players.
Lavonte David isn’t the type to stir up drama, which is exactly why his latest story caught so many off guard.
Appearing on a recent episode of The Arena podcast, the longtime Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker opened up about a personal clash with former offensive coordinator Todd Monken during the 2017 season, one that had nothing to do with play-calling or on-field frustration, but instead stemmed from a situation in practice
According to David, the situation escalated after Monken called him a name during a heated moment, telling him to go back to the other side of the field and calling him a name we cannot type, but the post shares. What followed wasn’t just a quick exchange, as it turned into real tension between two strong personalities in a locker room already dealing with a disappointing season.
David admitted the situation nearly became physical.
For a player known around the league as one of the most level-headed leaders, that alone speaks volumes. But what made the story even more telling was what came after. David said the two had genuine “beef,” going weeks without speaking to each other as the tension lingered inside the building. That kind of silence between key figures, especially a respected defensive captain and a coordinator, is not something that's heard of often, if at all. Over time, David and Monken were able to hash things out and move forward, putting the issue behind them.
It’s a reminder that even in professional environments, personalities can clash.
Needing a spark at the plate, Oregon Ducks coach Mark Wasikowski made some changes to the lineup this week, inserting a couple of freshmen who had typically come off the bench into the starting lineup. Brayden Jaksa thrived at the top of the lineup, but it was Naulivou Lauaku Jr. who came away with conference honors.
Lauaki was recognized as the Big Ten Freshman of the Week for his performance in Oregon's four games this week, all of which he started. Lauaki served as the designated hitter in all four games, replacing Dominic Hellman, who has been the typical designated hitter this season. Hellman has slumped, leading to Lauaki's extra chances at the dish.
He made the most of them, slashing .471/.471/1.176 with a 1.647 OPS after collecting eight hits during the week. Lauaki belted his first career home run in a midweek loss at Portland, and followed that up with two more big flies on Saturday against Nebraska. He also had three doubles and six RBI during the week.
𝐓𝐨𝐩 𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐡@junior_lauaki rewarded with @bigten Freshman of the Week honors after leading Ducks' to a ranked series win. #GoDucks
Lauaki took a redshirt for the Ducks last season and has been a steady force off the bench throughout this season. The slugger from Springville, Utah, has regularly pinch-hit and been featured as the designated hitter and first baseman at different points this season.
The Ducks have been collecting conference awards routinely this season, but this is their third Freshman of the Week honor. Angel Laya, who broke the Oregon freshman home run record on Sunday, has won the award twice this season. Ducks catcher Burke-Lee Mabeus also won the award once last year.
Hellman won Big Ten Player of the Week on March 23 after a big week at the plate, and left-hander Miles Gosztola won Pitcher of the Week on March 30 after a stellar midweek outing against UC San Diego.
Lauaki's recent success at the plate has given the Ducks a boost at the bottom of the order, and he is likely to remain in the lineup as the Ducks get set to battle rival No. 6 Oregon State on Tuesday.
Contact/Follow @Ducks_Wire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oregon Ducks news, notes, and opinions.
This story was updated to correct a misspelling/typo.
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish have offered Benjamin Coleman a scholarship.
Coleman is an offensive lineman and tight end at Providence Catholic High School in New Lenox, Ill. The class of 2028 product is listed at 6'5" and 285 pounds.
Notre Dame tends to build its offenses around a stout offensive line and productive tight-end play, so Coleman could be a good fit should he accept and end up in South Bend.
Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes and opinions.
Tech coach Joey McGuire said on Monday, April 13, that Cofield's projected timeline to return has moved up to perhaps late September.
"We think he could be back as early as the Houston game [Sept. 18]," McGuire said. "If not, the Sam Houston State game [Sept. 26]. He's a lot farther ahead than what we expected, so that just adds depth. When you start looking at it, we're going to have a legit three-deep at both defensive tackles with the guys that we have going through spring and then you add Cofield back in it."
Cofield's a 6-foot-2, 330-pound junior from Manor. As a young backup the past two seasons, he's been credited with 23 and 24 tackles, respectively, and 4 1/2 tackles for loss both years. He suffered a partial Achilles tendon tear in Tech's New Year's Day loss to Oregon in the Orange Bowl. He underwent surgery shortly thereafter.
In February, McGuire said Cofield's expected return was in October, based on medical staff assessments.
Asked what caused the timeline to change for the better, McGuire said, "Going through all his MRIs and going through his rehab, he's healing at a little bit faster rate than what we expected. A lot of times with big guys, you probably can get them a little bit back faster off an Achilles than some of your skill guys, but we feel really good about where he is."
Tech returns second-team All-American defensive tackle A.J. Holmes. From the portal, the Red Raiders added Julien Laventure from Akron, Bryce Butler from Washington, Mateen Ibirogba from Wake Forest and JoJo Johnson from Oregon State.
Counting Cofield, McGuire said, "There's six guys right there that have played college football and have been in some really big games."
Other returning defensive tackles are sophomore Keyshawn Williams from Spring Dekaney and redshirt freshman Dylan Singleton from Loreauville, Louisville. Singleton has missed spring practice recovering from a shoulder injury.
Texas A&M big man Jamie Vinson has decided to stay in Aggieland for his junior season, per Luke Evangelist of TexAgs.
An Austin, Texas native, Vinson began his collegiate career at Texas, where he saw limited action on an overall disappointing Longhorn squad. When head coach Rodney Terry was fired and Texas acquired two big men in the portal, Vinson left for College Station.
Vinson didn’t get much burn during his sophomore season; his 6.7 minutes a night ranked 12th on the team. When the Aggies faced off against a pair of physical teams in the NCAA tournament, however, Vinson’s playing time jumped to 9 and 11 minutes against St. Mary’s and Houston, respectively.
He thrived against Houston, picking up 6 rebounds against a UH side that thrived on the glass. Per Hoop Explorer, Vinson was also the only Aggie to leave a positive defensive impact, and he posted a game-high 1.2 net points generated by defensive rebounds.
While his limited playing time clouds his statistical impact, Vinson played like one of the best defensive big men in the country this season. He ranked top-90 in the country in defensive box impact, top-110 in defensive rebounding influence, and top-150 in defensive RAPM and offensive rebounding influence. Put into English, the Aggies were a significantly better team on defense and on the glass when Vinson was in the game.
The Aggies will lose star small-ball five Rashaun Agee, who has exhausted all five years of eligibility. This leaves Federiko Federiko and incoming freshman Josh Irving as the presumed competition for the starting center spot. While Federiko earned more regular-season playing time and starting nods, Vinson outperformed him in just about every measure, particularly as a defender and rebounder (his block and defensive rebounding rates are nearly double Federiko’s). While Irving is an elite prospect, his 6'11, 200-pound frame pales in comparison to Vinson's 245 pounds at the same height. Irving is also listed as a forward by the Aggies, potentially hinting at a combo-big role that could work alongside Vinson.
Vinson could be primed for a breakout season with a clear pathway to an increased role and another year of experience playing for Bucky McMillan, whose fast-paced offense is perfectly suited for a mobile, high-flying, rim-running big like Vinson.
BREAKING:
Texas A&M forward Jamie Vinson will return to Texas A&M next season, he tells me @TexAgs 👍
The 6-foot-11 sophomore showed flashes against Texas, Alabama, and St. Mary’s.
Averaged 3.5 PPG and 2.3 RPG in 6.6 MPG last year. He has 2 years of eligibility remaining. pic.twitter.com/dAvcDpTf6i
Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Sam on X:@Smallred25
Falkirk will review ticketing arrangements for their final game of the season against Rangers after allegations away fans obtained tickets for the home end when the two teams met at the weekend.
Rangers ran out 6-3 winners on Sunday, but Falkirk say supporters complained about incidents involving fans of the Ibrox club in the home end, including injury to a steward.
Falkirk also say they received multiple complaints from fans about alleged sectarian singing in the away end.
Rangers return to the Falkirk Stadium for the final game of the Premiership season. The Bairns say they already had a "robust plan" in place for that fixture, but will now consider "the implications of [the weekend's] incidents".
The result took Rangers to within one point of Hearts at the top of the Premiership and the next meeting of the sides could be decisive in the destination of the title.
Hearts travel to third-placed Celtic - who are two points behind Rangers - on the final day.
"Following yesterday's match, many Falkirk fans have contacted us about away fans obtaining tickets for the home end and the behaviour of these fans, which included a steward requiring medical attention.
"We have also received complaints about sectarian singing from a large proportion of away fans.
"Football is passionate, but none of this is acceptable. We condemn all of the aforementioned incidents.
"We therefore apologise to our fans for the deeply unpleasant experience they were subjected to.
"Falkirk FC will work with Police Scotland, stewarding partners, our colleagues at other clubs, the SPFL and SFA, and endeavour to improve the experience for our fans.
"The club already had a robust plan in place for the final game of the season, with enhanced measures in place given the potential significance of the fixture.
"We are now considering further the implications of yesterday's incidents for future matches against Rangers, including security and ticketing arrangements, and will inform our fans once a decision has been taken."
In an additional post on X, Falkirk chief executive Jamie Swinney said: "We apologise profusely to our fans for what occurred within our ground yesterday.
"I assure all of our fans that lessons will be learned & that we will consider a variety of measures to control what we can control for future games."
It’s been an offseason of change for the UCF women’s basketball program.
Miami native Gabe Lazo takes over as the Knights’ new coach, replacing Sytia Messer, who was let go after four losing seasons.
Lazo faces a complete roster rebuild after more than a handful of players enter the transfer portal, including starters Leah Harmon (15.7 points per game), Khyala Ngodu (11 ppg.) and Summer Yancy (6.5 ppg.).
Here is the latest:
COMMITTED
G KEY ROSEBY
Vitals: 6-0
Resume: Roseby averaged 10.7 points, 5.8 rebounds and 26.5 minutes in 70 games in two seasons at Stephen F. Austin. She shot 42.4% from the field, including 33.8% from 3-point range, earning her a spot on the All-Southland Conference first-team.
Role: The sophomore started all 35 games for the Ladyjacks, who earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament after winning the Southland Tournament.
Outlook: Roseby becomes the second guard to commit to the Knights this offseason.
G MIKAYLA JOHNSON
Vitals: 6-1
Resume: Johnson averaged 13 points and 5.1 rebounds in 28 games for Pittsburgh last season. She transferred to Pittsburgh for the 2024-25 season, stepping into the starting small guard role and averaging 10.9 points and 4.1 rebounds in 32 games with 27 starts.
Role: The junior started 27 of the team’s 31 games, averaging nearly 32 minutes per game for a Panthers team that finished 8-23, including a 1-17 mark in the ACC.
Outlook: Johnson fills an immediate need at guard, giving the Knights veteran leadership.
LEAVING
G LEAH HARMON
Vitals: 5-6
Resume: The sophomore led UCF in scoring with 15.7 points per game while appearing in just 20 of the Knights’ 30 games this season.
Role: Harmon was the team’s starting point guard before injuries limited her time on the court.
C KHYALA NGODU
Vitals: 6-3
Resume: The junior averaged 7.9 points and 6.2 rebounds in 84 games in three seasons with the Knights. She was seventh in the Big 12 in blocks per game (1.3) and 10th in overall blocks (35).
Role: Ngodu started 24 of the 27 games, averaging a career-high 10.8 points and 7 rebounds per game.
G SUMMER YANCY
Vitals: 5-11
Resume: Yancy spent two seasons at UCF, appearing in 50 games while averaging 4.9 points and 3.3 rebounds.
Role: The sophomore started 16 games for the Knights this season, averaging 6.4 points. 4.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists.
C SAVANNAH SCOTT
Vitals: 6-4
Resume: Scott arrived at UCF following one season at Auburn, where she averaged 4.5 points and 3.5 rebounds for the Tigers.
Role: The sophomore appeared in every game this season, while starting in 5 games, averaging 5.0 points and 3.6 rebounds. She scored in double-digits in four games for the Knights.
G KAYANNA COX
Vitals: 5-10
Resume: Cox was another offseason addition for the Knights, arriving after playing one season at SMU, where she averaged 2.5 points and 1.7 rebounds in just 13 appearances.
Role: The sophomore appeared in 25 games, primarily as a backup, averaging a career-high 3.8 points and 1.2 rebounds.
G LOGAN REED
Vitals: 6-0
Resume: Reed transferred to UCF after redshirting her freshman season at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.
Role: The redshirt freshman had 8 blocks and 2 field goals and a steal in just 28 minutes of action in 6 games this season.
G AUDREONIA BENSON
Vitals: 5-7
Resume: The Alabama native transferred from Pensacola State College, where she spent her first three seasons before arriving at UCF.
Role: Benson averaged 3.1 points per game in just 104 minutes of action last season. She had a season-high 10 points against Florida A&M on Nov. 21.
G SAMARI BANKHEAD
Vitals: 6-0
Resume: Bankhead signed as part of UCF’s 2026 recruiting class from Los Angeles. She appeared in 30 games for the Knights, averaging 3.6 points and 1.4 rebounds.
Role: Averaged at least 20 minutes in nine games last season as a primary backup.
Besides having WWE's biggest stars competing in the ring, WrestleMania is known for its celebrity involvement, and it won't be any different in 2026.
WrestleMania 42 will have some notable stars in the ring, including two viral sensations in Logan Paul and IShowSpeed. It's no surprise to see Paul in WWE, as he has been wrestling for more than four years and has become a full-time talent in recent months, but it may be a shock to see IShowSpeed there. One of the most popular streamers in the world with 50 million YouTube subscribers, he's had a few appearances with WWE, but WrestleMania 42 will mark his first official match, and it will happen with Paul on wrestling's biggest stage.
Paul has been part of The Vision since November and is currently one half of the World Tag Team Champions alongside Austin Theory. The group won the titles from Jimmy and Jey Uso and have been feuding with the Usos for months.
IShowSpeed had a hand in the titles changing hands. In late March when Danhausen "cursed" him, and he inadvertently hit LA Knight during the championship match that led to The Vision winning. The group celebrated with IShowSpeed, and a few days later, Knight appeared in his stream and attacked him.
The following week, IShowSpeed again got in the way of a match between Theory and Knight, and it was announced he would join The Vision in a tag team match against The Usos and Knight at WrestleMania 42.
When is Logan Paul, IShowSpeed WrestleMania 42 match?
Paul, IShowSpeed and Theory will face The Usos and Knight on WrestleMania 42 night one on Saturday, April 18.
Logan Paul WWE history
WrestleMania 42 will be fifth time Paul will compete at the event. He currently owns a 3-1 WrestleMania record.
During his time in WWE, Paul has won the United States Championship in addition to his current tag title.
IShowSpeed WWE history
This will be IShowSpeed's biggest match yet in his WWE career. He actually has somewhat teamed with Paul before, dressed as a Prime bottle at WrestleMania 40 to help him against Randy Orton and Kevin Owens. His first official action came at the 2025 Royal Rumble as a surprise entrant, where he had a viral moment of taking a spear from Bron Breakker.
Just a few short years ago, Noah Schultz was pitching on the field for Oswego East High School. On Tuesday, he makes his first start ever for the Chicago White Sox.
In the 2022 Major League Baseball draft, the White Sox's first choice was the hometown boy.
Schultz made the leap from high school to professional baseball. His family and friends are bursting with excitement.
"I'm just so proud of him. No one really knows the journey, the grind. And he's put in the time and hopefully he'll enjoy it," mother Kim Schultz said.
Schultz and his two older sisters settled on baseball and softball at early ages. His sisters played collegiate softball. Schultz accepted a $2.8 million signing bonus with the White Sox to skip college and go straight to the pros.
He spent just three years in the minor league system before being called up to make his major league debut Tuesday. Oswego will be cheering him on.
"He's a local kid. Cheer on our community. It's good for the sport, good for the Oswego East area. We're super excited," Oswego East baseball coach Brian Schaeffer said.
Schultz's parents were not professional athletes. They are unsure from where he got his athletic talent and his height: He is a 6'10" lefty.
His mother says he and the whole family dedicated themselves to travel sports.
"Fifteen years of travel, no vacations, sacrifice, there was no going to Disney World," Kim Schultz said.
She said she believes the sacrifice has paid off, and she'll be proud, no matter how things turn out. His former coach believes they will turn out pretty well.
"He's got the talent. Hopefully he stays healthy, and he's gonna do great things," Schaeffer said.
The entire Oswego East baseball team will be in the stands Tuesday.
For a second straight year, Rory McIlroy is a Masters champion. And for a second straight year, the six-time major winner was presented the green jacket. It just didn't go quite the way he imagined, after joking last year that he couldn't wait to come back and present himself the jacket.
"I wasn't quite correct, because the chairman did it," McIlroy joked Sunday. "But I did want to come back here and prove last year wasn't a fluke." Mission accomplished.
Before you ask, no, McIlroy didn't get a new green jacket. Multi-time winners at Augusta keep their original jacket unless their size changes. Which obviously wasn't the case for McIlroy, who became just the fourth player ever to win in back-to-back years and first since Tiger Woods in 2001-02.
The New York Jets firmly have interest in Indiana wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. ahead of the 2026 NFL draft.
According to ESPN's Jordan Reid, Cooper has taken a top-30 visit to New York prior to the upcoming draft:
Indiana WR Omar Cooper Jr. is on a 30 visit with the Jets today, per source. In need of WR help, he’s been a popular pairing with the team at No. 16 overall. pic.twitter.com/92oIvSmn21
Cooper's draft stock is a bit up in the air. Most consider him as a first-round selection, but could New York try to roll the dice in that regard?
The Jets have three picks in the first 33 selections at the 2026 draft at Nos. 2, 16, and 33. Cooper's stock appears to be somewhere between those 16 and 33 selections that Gang Green currently holds.
Could that mean the Jets would want to trade back up from No. 33 to secure Cooper in the back of the first round? What about waiting for a drop? Or the option of just securing Cooper at No. 16? All those appear to be on the table since Cooper has visited One Jets Drive.
Cooper's dynamic ability helped Indiana win the National Championship last season, and he could help Garrett Wilson at wideout on the Jets offense moving forward. In 16 games played last year, Cooper had 69 catches, 937 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Jets Wire will continue to provide updates throughout the 2026 offseason.
Pittsburgh, PA, will host the NFL Draft starting on April 23rd, and so far, 16 draft prospects have confirmed their attendance for the festivities.
Three of college football's most notorious schools will have the most players on site: Ohio State with five, Alabama with two, and Miami with two. The Big Ten Conference will lead all conferences by having six prospects in attendance. Followed by the SEC with five, and the ACC with two.
The Draft begins with the first round on Thursday night, April 23, and continues Friday, April 24, with Rounds 2-3. The Draft will conclude on Saturday, April 25, with Rounds 4-7.
The NFL Draft is being hosted in Pittsburgh for the first time since 1948.
Former Duke Blue Devil and recent No. 4 overall pick Kon Knueppel capped off a tremendous rookie campaign Sunday night, finishing with 14 points, six rebounds, five assists, two steals and one block against the New York Knicks. Knueppel also knocked down three three-pointers.
As a result, Charlotte's sharpshooter finished the season with 273 made three-pointers, just ahead of his Hornets teammate LaMelo Ball, who finished the year with 272. This shattered the previous rookie record (206) set by Keegan Murray (Sacramento Kings) in the 2022-23 season. It also marked the first time that a rookie ever led the league in three-pointers made.
Looking ahead, Knueppel and the Hornets will host the Miami Heat Tuesday in a Play-In Tournament elimination game, looking to get one step closer to the playoffs.
FOXBOROUGH, Mass — Despite the focus being on the 2026 NFL Draft, Patriots executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf couldn't escape being asked about the possibility of trading with the Philadelphia Eagles for wide receiver A.J. Brown.
Specifically, Wolf was asked if the door is still open for this potential move.
"As far as players on other teams, again, gonna keep the door open to anything that we think may improve our roster," Wolf said. "Whether that's with the player you mentioned or other players."
This has been the same answer Wolf has repeated throughout the offseason when asked about any trade, and the widespread belief is that Brown will be a Patriot before the start of the 2026 season. There's the possibility that New England and the Eagles can agree on a trade before the draft next week, but it seems more likely that things will hold off until after June 1 due to the dead money hit Philadelphia will have to take.
The biggest question that now remains is what the Eagles' exact asking price is and whether the Patriots will be willing to meet it.
It has been a good week for Sean Miller and the Texas Longhorns men's basketball program. The Horns have signed two strong players from the NCAA transfer portal and now have the No. 2 portal class in the nation, according to 247Sports.
On Saturday, we learned Texas had secured the commitment from Colorado Buffaloes point guard Isaiah Johnson. Coming off an impressive freshman year, where he averaged 16.9 points per game, Johnson is known as a prolific finisher at the basket. The Valley Village, CA native is also a solid three-point threat, shooting 37.8% on 4.6 threes per game. He is considered to be a strong replacement for fellow lefty guard Tramon Mark,.
Sunday, TCU Horned Frogs power forward David Punch gave his pledge to Texas. The 6-foot-7 sophomore started every game this season and averaged 14.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game. Punch had a strong postseason. The Killeen, Texas native averaged 25 points on 58.6% shooting, 8.5 rebounds and three blocks in two Big 12 Tournament games. He also had a double-double with 16 points and 13 rebounds in TCU’s 66-64 win over No. 8 seed Ohio State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Texas now has the No. 2 transfer portal class in the country this offseason after landing David Punch, per 247Sports' rankings. pic.twitter.com/qCmVkRkFXI
Newcastle left-back Lewis Hall is a target for Chelsea and Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United eye RB Leipzig defender David Raum, Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen considers future.
Arsenal and Chelsea are leading the chase to sign Newcastle's Lewis Hall, 21, but the Magpies will not let the left-back leave easily. (Caught Offside)
Liverpool and Manchester United are keen on RB Leipzig captain David Raum having been impressed with the 27-year-old Germany left-back during scouting missions this season. (Teamtalk)
Brighton's Bart Verbruggen might leave the Seagulls this summer with the Netherlands goalkeeper, 23, considering various options over his future. (Florian Plettenberg)
Chelsea would also like to add Porto's Brazilian winger William Gomes, 20, to their attacking options for next season. (Sport Witness)
Liverpool are set to evaluate handing a new contract to 33-year-old Brazil goalkeeper Alisson next season. (Football Insider)
Former Liverpool and Paris St-Germain midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum is keen to make a return to the Premier League next season, with the 35-year-old Dutchman's contract with Saudi Arabian club Al-Ettifaq expiring this summer. (Sky Sports)
Swansea have placed a £15m price tag on Slovenia striker Zan Vipotnik, 24, who leads the Championship goalscoring charts and has attracted interest from Brighton. (Football Insider)
Newcastle's hierarchy are continuing to include boss Eddie Howe in discussions on transfer plans for the summer despite uncertainty over his future at St James' Park for the first time. (The I)
Real Madrid will listen to offers for Spanish forward Gonzalo Garcia, 22, this summer but spurn any interest in 19-year-old Brazil striker Endrick, who is currently on loan at Lyon. (The Athletic - subscription required)
Juventus will seek to immediately sell forward Lois Openda, 26, after being obliged to sign the Belgian this summer at the end of his loan from RB Leipzig. (Fabrizio Romano)
Heading into the 2025 NBA Draft, Duke star Cooper Flagg was a runaway favorite for the No. 1 overall pick after a stellar season with the Blue Devils.
Flagg won the Wooden Award in college, averaging 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game.
As the NBA Draft Lottery approached, it was just a question of where he'd end up.
In a recent podcast appearance, Flagg opened up about his thoughts on the night of the lottery.
"Dallas was never a thought. I never thought about coming to Dallas. There was a lot of teams in the mix; I never even thought about them (Mavericks) getting the pick."
Going into the draft, Dallas had just a 1.8% chance to receive the first pick after finishing 10th in the Western Conference the season prior.
The three teams with the highest chance at the No. 1 overall selection (Washington, Utah and Charlotte) all fell out of the top three.
Although the team hasn't found much success during the 2025-26 season, Flagg is holding up his end of the bargain and is among the favorites for the NBA Rookie of the Year award with five regular season games remaining.
Drew Hill: I asked Kleiman on Memphis criticisms and the lack of organizational response 1/3: "We want to win here. We love being here. We take a major pride in doing what we do to put the best possible product on the court here.
Drew Hill: "I have enough of a lens into this to see that the people who are working with the city are focused on improving downtown and putting everything in a position where are in the best possible spot in Memphis going forward. That is the goal. The goal is to win here."
Lisandro Martinez was sent off after 56 minutes against Leeds United [Getty Images]
Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez was sent off after 56 minutes for pulling the hair of Leeds United striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin at Old Trafford.
Martinez, 28, was shown a straight red card and will now face a three-match suspension .
United were trailing 2-0 after Noah Okafor's first-half double when the Argentine tried to stop the Leeds attacker by holding his hair.
Referee Paul Tierney was instructed to review the incident on the pitchside monitor by the video assistant referee (VAR) before sending off Martinez.
"After review, Manchester United 6 is guilty of pulling his hair - violent conduct. Final decision is red card," Tierney announced to the stadium.
The Premier League Match Centre posted on X: "After VAR review, the referee issued a red card to Martinez for violent conduct."
Martinez was making his first Premier League start for United since a 1-1 draw against West Ham on 10 February, after recovering from a calf injury.
The former Lipscomb Academy coach was announced as the first TSSAA football coach at Nashville Collegiate Prep, the charter school announced on April 13.
Nashville Collegiate Prep, located in Antioch, opened in 2021 and will play its first Tennessee high school football season in the fall of 2026 as part of a co-op with fellow south Nashville charter school Valor Prep.
Devin Arnold, an Antioch graduate who worked with Graham as his former director of operations at Lipscomb Academy, was also announced as Nashville Collegiate Prep’s athletic director in 2026.
Graham went 6-15 in two seasons at Lipscomb. He confirmed that Lipscomb Academy dismissed him as head coach in January, shortly before announcing the school had brought back former Mustangs coach Trent Dilfer. Lipscomb offered Graham an assistant coaching position, but he declined to seek something different.
That led the former Whites Creek and Vanderbilt two-sport standout to Nashville Collegiate Prep, which opened its upper school this past August. The school began in 2021 for grades kindergarten through fifth grade. It includes ninth and 10th graders this year and will graduate its first senior class in 2028.
The TSSAA approved Nashville Collegiate Prep for membership in February 2026. Graham didn’t estimate how big the football program is currently but said there are opportunities to grow.
The program is expected to compete in Class 1A or 2A.
“I think we’re in a good location for people who might be open to a charter school. I think they do things in a way that’s positive,” Graham said. “The campus is amazing. The football field sits down in a valley and already has turf. They have a turf baseball field. It sits on about 82 acres. I mean it’s a beautiful school.”
Arnold was Antioch’s athletic director and football coach from 2022-23, helping pull the program out of a 22-game losing streak and reach the TSSAA football playoffs for the first time since 2016.
“It’s super exciting to be able to come back to the community of Antioch and build something special for the kids in this community,” Arnold said. “They need another program that can be elite athletically, and we have an opportunity to do that with coach Graham.”
Tyler Palmateer covers high school sports for The Tennessean. Have a story idea for Tyler? Reach him at tpalmateer@tennessean.com and on the X platform, @tpalmateer83.
Dick Vitale's latest biopsy has brought some bad news.
In a statement shared by ESPN's PR account on X (formerly Twitter), the legendary college basketball analyst announced on Monday, April 13 that results from his biopsy last week confirmed a diagnosis of melanoma in both his lung and liver cavity.
"I've beaten melanoma. I've beaten lymphoma. I've beaten vocal cord cancer. I've beaten lymph node cancer. I'm four-for-four and I'm fully confident I'm going to make it five-for-five," Vitale wrote in the statement.
Vitale said he'll soon be starting immunotherapy treatment and plans on "winning" this latest health battle of his. He also said he is "feeling fantastic" amid the diagnosis. Last week, Vitale shared that he underwent a biopsy at a hospital in Sarasota to look into some of the "abnormalities" that his doctors found on a series of recent routine tests, which included a PET scan, a CAT scan and two MRIs.
He shared in a social media post late Sunday night that he hasn't been able to sleep recently, he has been "so worried about the report," adding that his PET scan last week "shocked" him.
Vitale has had multiple health issues, including several types of cancer, over the last few years. He was declared cancer-free last year and made his return to broadcasting, most recently in the First Four game between Texas and North Carolina State.
"I am truly overwhelmed by the love, support, prayers and messages I've received from so many people," Vitale said in his statement on Monday. "I'm incredibly blessed to have my family beside me, and my ESPN family — led by Chairman Jimmy Pitaro — has been absolutely terrific. Their support has inspired me to keep fighting and I will do everything in my power to win another battle."
Dick Vitale health update
Here's a look at Vitale's full health update statement:
The NBA regular season is over, which means many teams are shifting their focus entirely to the 2026 NBA Draft.
With nearly half of the teams done with games for the season, their scouts and front office executives will soon determine which future pros they may add to their roster for next year. After an exciting March Madness tournament won by the Michigan Wolverines, several prospects showed exactly what they can offer in the league.
As many collegiate players announce their intention to declare early entry to the 2026 NBA Draft, we can start to develop a more clear picture of what this class may look like.
The 2026 NBA Draft Lottery, which will determine the order of picks one through fourteen, will be held May 10 in Chicago, followed immediately that week by the draft combine, also in Chicago.
Our draft order is based on Tankathon.com and factors in trades, including swaps and protections.
1. Washington Wizards: AJ Dybantsa
TEAM: BYU
POSITION: Wing
BORN: Massachusetts
HEIGHT: 6-9
DRAFT AGE: 19
The Wizards finished with the worst record in the NBA and would benefit tremendously from a lottery win. They had the second-worst offense in the league and could instantly inject life into their offense by selecting AJ Dybantsa, the NCAA scoring champion and Julius Erving Award winner. He emphasized that point during his one game for BYU in March Madness, putting up 35 points and 10 rebounds. The Big 12 Rookie of the Year led the nation in unassisted points scored (680) by a wide margin this season, per CBB Analytics. The emerging star also had 40 points against Kansas State in the Big 12 Tournament on March 10 and averaged a stellar 28.8 points per game over his final 17 appearances.
2. Indiana Pacers: Cameron Boozer
TEAM: Duke
POSITION: Forward
BORN: Florida
HEIGHT: 6-9
DRAFT AGE: 18
Duke freshman Cameron Boozer was dominant during his first NCAA season, earning national collegiate player of the year honors. According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, rival teams believe Boozer would be the "preferred selection" for the Pacers because of his "potential fit" alongside Pascal Siakam and Ivica Zubac. The ACC Player of the Year isn’t a human highlight reel, but he offers consistency and a diverse, impactful skill set. More importantly, he can bring a culture of winning after multiple championships in high school and an elite Duke team that made it to the Sweet 16 before a heartbreaking last-second loss.
3. Brooklyn Nets: Darryn Peterson
TEAM: Kansas
POSITION: Guard
BORN: Ohio
HEIGHT: 6-5
DRAFT AGE: 19
While he is no longer perceived as the near-certain No. 1 overall pick that he once was due to relative inconsistency and injury issues, many scouts and evaluators feel that Darryn Peterson is the most talented player in this class. The Nets had the worst offense in the NBA and could change the course of the franchise by selecting Peterson. It is incredibly rare to find a prospect who is able to score as efficiently as Peterson did while holding a usage rate as high as his was this season.
4. Sacramento Kings: Caleb Wilson
TEAM: North Carolina
POSITION: Big
BORN: Georgia
HEIGHT: 6-10
DRAFT AGE: 19
The Kings need the best player available regardless of fit, and that is North Carolina freshman Caleb Wilson, who unfortunately missed the NCAA Tournament with a broken thumb. Wilson, who also suffered a hand fracture earlier in the season, did more than enough to earn this placement. According to Bart Torvik, before the injury the All-ACC big man led the nation with 67 dunks recorded. He was also the only player under 20 years old to reach thresholds of 2.5 percent for both block and steal percentage while also notching a defensive rebound percentage above 20.0 percent.
5. Utah Jazz: Kingston Flemings
TEAM: Houston
POSITION: Guard
BORN: Texas
HEIGHT: 6-4
DRAFT AGE: 19
The Jazz had the worst defensive rating in the Western Conference and could potentially improve that by selecting Houston freshman Kingston Flemings to join Keyonte George in their backcourt. The All-Big 12 guard has several games when he has recorded at least three steals, notching eight against Arizona State earlier this season. He scored 42 points against No. 11 Texas Tech on Jan. 24. Flemings helped lead Houston to the Sweet 16, and with highs as high as his were this season, it will not take long for him to hear his name called on draft night.
6. Memphis Grizzlies: Yaxel Lendeborg
TEAM: Michigan
POSITION: Forward
BORN: New Jersey
HEIGHT: 6-9
DRAFT AGE: 23
Keep an eye on the Grizzlies as a potential suitor for Yaxel Lendeborg, who showed on his way winning the national championship that he is perhaps the most NBA-ready player in this draft class. The Big Ten Player of the Year offers a bit of everything on both sides of the ball and has silenced skeptics who were unsure how his game would scale after transferring from mid-major UAB to high-major Michigan. The Grizzlies have selected players with similar trajectories like Jaylen Wells and Cedric Coward. They are also not afraid to draft away from consensus and have shown a willingness to pick older, more experiences players like Zach Edey.
7. Atlanta Hawks (via Pelicans): Darius Acuff Jr.
TEAM: Arkansas
POSITION: Guard
BORN: Michigan
HEIGHT: 6-3
DRAFT AGE: 19
The Hawks need a guard like Arkansas freshman Darius Acuff Jr. after trading away Trae Young, using a first-round pick they received from the Pelicans. En route to the Sweet 16, the SEC Player of the Year proved he is one of the most enticing offensive prospects in recent memory. Acuff Jr. led the nation for points created (1,394) either by himself or through an assist, per CBB Analytics. He led freshmen for field goals made in transition (72) and field goals made from both the left and right side of the court. He was among the freshmen leaders in alley-oop assists (17) as well. He has significant defensive deficiencies but playing alongside Dyson Daniels would help cover that problem.
8. Dallas Mavericks: Keaton Wagler
TEAM: Illinois
POSITION: Wing
BORN: Kansas
HEIGHT: 6-6
DRAFT AGE: 19
The Mavericks had the worst offensive rating in the Western Conference and could benefit from a player like Illinois standout Keaton Wagler. The 19-year-old guard played a crucial role to help the Fighting Illini earn a spot in the Final Four, where he recorded 20 points and 8 rebounds against UConn in the national semifinals. The freshman also dropped 25 points in the Elite Eight. He projects as one of the best 3-point shooters in this class, shooting 39.7 percent from beyond the arc as a freshman, while connecting on as many as nine 3-pointers in a game. The Big Ten Rookie of the Year has athletic limitations but is a cerebral basketball player who averaged 5.1 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game this season.
9. Chicago Bulls: Brayden Burries
TEAM: Arizona
POSITION: Guard
BORN: California
HEIGHT: 6-4
DRAFT AGE: 20
Arizona freshman Brayden Burries was an exciting prospect to watch during the Big Dance, making it all the way to the Final Four and dropping 23 points against Arkansas. He had two breakout games in January, which helped solidify his draft stock. But the All-Big 12 guard continued to display his tantalizing talent, scoring 31 points with seven rebounds and five steals against Colorado on March 7 and 20 points with 12 rebounds and five assists during a victory against No. 14 Kansas on Feb. 28. He has proven productivity, and he is able to defend, relocate, move the ball and make 3-pointers off the dribble. Burries would make a great pick for whatever new executives take over the front office for the Bulls.
10. Milwaukee Bucks: Mikel Brown Jr.
TEAM: Louisville
POSITION: Guard
BORN: Florida
HEIGHT: 6-5
DRAFT AGE: 20
The Milwaukee Bucks, potentially heading toward an ugly Giannis Antetokounmpo divorce, must simply draft the best player available with whatever pick they have and will likely keep Louisville floor general Mikel Brown Jr. highlighted on their big board. The All-ACC guard has deep shooting range and was among the freshmen leaders in 3-pointers made from beyond 25 feet (27) this year, per CBB Analytics. Brown was averaging 29.2 points per game over his last five appearances, including 45 points against NC State on Feb. 9, while hitting 10 shots from beyond the arc, before an injury on Feb. 28 forced him to miss March Madness.
11. Golden State Warriors: Labaron Philon
TEAM: Alabama
POSITION: Guard
BORN: Alabama
HEIGHT: 6-4
DRAFT AGE: 20
The Warriors will be seeking more reliable players in the backcourt and could find a fairly compelling player in Alabama sophomore Labaron Philon. Even though the All-SEC guard was not playing at 100 percent during March Madness due to injury issues, he played well in the tournament, recording 35 points during a loss against Michigan. He also notched 29 points in his first-round game and 12 assists in his second. The guard averaged 22.0 points per game this season, and he improved his 3-point shooting from 31.5 percent as a freshman to 39.9 percent as a sophomore, while also managing 5.0 assists per game in the process.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Clippers): Aday Mara
TEAM: Michigan
POSITION: Big
BORN: Spain
HEIGHT: 7-3
DRAFT AGE: 21
After winning the 2025 NBA Finals, the Oklahoma City Thunder could add even more lottery-caliber talent, like Michigan center Aday Mara, in the 2026 NBA Draft. While leading his team to win the NCAA championship, Mara became one of the prospects who helped himself the most during March Madness. The 7-foot-3 big man, who transferred from UCLA, is a fantastic rim protector. Opponents only attempted 20.4 percent of their field goals at the rim when the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year was on the court, per CBB Analytics, which ranks near lowest among all NCAA players. He can also pass well, finding some awesome outlet looks in transition and at the rim.
13. Miami Heat: Koa Peat
TEAM: Arizona
POSITION: Forward
BORN: Arizona
HEIGHT: 6-8
DRAFT AGE: 19
The Miami Heat have drafted several prospects known for their athleticism, which means a player like Arizona forward Koa Peat will probably have some appeal to the organization. Peat is an ideal match for this franchise given his versatility as a playmaking forward. Arizona played at a significantly faster pace (3.9 extra possessions) when Peat was on the floor relative to when he was not, per CBB Analytics, which would fit very well with Miami’s fastest-paced offense in the NBA. The All-Big 12 forward just needs a jumper to carve out regular minutes as a high-impact pro.
14. Charlotte Hornets: Braylon Mullins
TEAM: Connecticut
POSITION: Wing
BORN: Indiana
HEIGHT: 6-6
DRAFT AGE: 19
Braylon Mullins, a five-star recruit and former McDonald's All-American, was a breakout star in the NCAA tournament after hitting one of the most improbable 3-pointers in March Madness history. Mullins continued to show a winning mentality, helping the Huskies earn a spot in the national championship game. The Big East All-Freshman wing shot 40.7 percent on 3-pointers during his first 18 games in the starting lineup. He is a useful off-ball threat, too, which gives him an immediately practical role at the next level.
15. Chicago Bulls (via Trail Blazers): Nate Ament
TEAM: Tennessee
POSITION: Wing
BORN: Virginia
HEIGHT: 6-10
DRAFT AGE: 19
The Chicago Bulls will receive this pick if the Portland Trail Blazers advance in the play-in tournament. After a relatively slow and inefficient start to the season, Tennessee freshman Nate Ament started to realize some of his lofty expectations. The freshman averaged 21.6 points per game, while shooting 38.9 percent on 3-pointers, during a 13-game stretch before an injury against Alabama on Feb. 28. The All-SEC forward then had 27 points (4-of-6 on 3-pointers) with eight rebounds, four assists, three blocks and a steal against Auburn on March 12. He was not as efficient during March Madness, but it will only take one team to fall in love with Ament, and that team is likely picking near the lottery.
16. Memphis Grizzlies (via Magic): Joshua Jefferson
TEAM: Iowa State
POSITION: Forward
BORN: Nevada
HEIGHT: 6-9
DRAFT AGE: 22
The Grizzlies will have another first-round pick thanks to the Desmond Bane trade. A few years ago, research indicated that the Grizzlies tend to value a few statistical similarities in their draftees: Efficient shot selection, added value beyond scoring and defensive playmaking. For the second year in a row, the Iowa State forward was an impactful dribble-pass-shoot forward who met many of the qualifications that led Memphis to find players who spent many years on their roster. The All-Big 12 forward got injured during the first round of the tournament, but Iowa State still earned a spot in the Sweet 16.
17. Charlotte Hornets (via Suns): Jayden Quaintance
TEAM: Kentucky
POSITION: Big
BORN: Ohio
HEIGHT: 6-9
DRAFT AGE: 18
Jayden Quaintance recorded just one start during his sophomore campaign as he recovered from a torn ACL, meniscus and fractured knee. The big man is still one of the youngest players in this class, but he has shown flashes during his time at Arizona State and Kentucky. When healthy, he is arguably the most talented defender in this draft class and could help a team that desperately needs frontcourt help, like the Hornets. But health may cause some concern for evaluators.
18. Oklahoma City Thunder (via 76ers): Karim López
TEAM: International (Australia)
POSITION: Forward
BORN: Mexico
HEIGHT: 6-8
DRAFT AGE: 19
The Thunder have drafted multiple players from Australia’s NBL and could dip into this well again by selecting Karim López with their pick from the Philadelphia 76ers. While the Mexican-born forward still needs some development, he is physically gifted and widely seen as the top prospect from this class currently playing overseas. He exploded for 32 points (11-of-13 FG) with eight rebounds, two blocks and one steal against Melbourne on Jan. 30. Even if he is a draft-and-stash player, that is ideal for a team with a rotation as crowded as the Thunder.
19. San Antonio Spurs (via Hawks): Hannes Steinbach
TEAM: Washington
POSITION: Big
BORN: Germany
HEIGHT: 6-11
DRAFT AGE: 20
German big man Hannes Steinbach is a name worth watching in the 2026 NBA Draft. While his team missed the tournament, the All-Big Ten post is an instinctive rebounder with great hands, including an absurd 24 rebounds against USC on March 4. Additionally, the center is one of the more prolific pick-and-roll finishers in college basketball. He shined during the FIBA U19 World Cup, too, and scouts love that he is a smart basketball player who can make great reads. Steinbach could make an excellent backup to Victor Wembanyama.
20. Toronto Raptors: Bennett Stirtz
TEAM: Iowa
POSITION: Guard
BORN: Missouri
HEIGHT: 6-4
DRAFT AGE: 22
The Raptors need another guard and should have Bennett Stirtz on their priority list. After transferring from Division II to a mid-major and then to a high-major program, he is at the top of the class in creating his own shot off the dribble in isolation or the pick-and-roll. The All-Big Ten guard can also finish plays from dribble handoffs. His play during March Madness, which included 24 points against Illinois and 20 points against Nebraska, earned a spot in the Elite Eight. The Raptors play at a slow pace, which would translate well for Stirtz, who did the same at Iowa.
21. Detroit Pistons (via Timberwolves): Christian Anderson
TEAM: Texas Tech
POSITION: Guard
BORN: Georgia
HEIGHT: 6-3
DRAFT AGE: 20
While they are one of the best teams in the league this season, the Pistons are still struggling from the perimeter and will want more talented 3-point shooters on their roster. A simple fix would be drafting Texas Tech sophomore Christian Anderson, who had the most unassisted 3-pointers (61) among high-major players, per CBB Analytics. After moving from the two-guard to point guard, the All-Big 12 Most Improved Player recorded more than twice as many assists per 100 possessions as a sophomore compared to when he was a freshman.
22. Atlanta Hawks (via Cavaliers): Patrick Ngongba II
TEAM: Duke
POSITION: Big
BORN: Virginia
HEIGHT: 6-11
DRAFT AGE: 20
Many teams might benefit from a big like Patrick Ngongba II, who is an above-average passer for his position. His assist rate is the highest among underclassmen listed at 6-foot-11 or taller, per Bart Torvik, and he is at the top of his game when passing to a driving perimeter player. The big man, who helped Duke earn a spot in the Elite Eight, is a big-bodied prospect who can carve out space as one of the more prolific cutters in college basketball. He is on an encouraging development track, displaying legitimate year-over-year improvement from his freshman to sophomore campaign.
23. Philadelphia 76ers (via Rockets): Allen Graves
TEAM: Santa Clara
POSITION: Forward
BORN: Louisiana
HEIGHT: 6-9
DRAFT AGE: 20
One of the most under-the-radar prospects in all of college basketball this season was Santa Clara freshman Allen Graves, who was nearly a March Madness hero. It was hard not to notice the WCC Rookie of the Year and Sixth Man of the Year after he scored 30 points with 13 rebounds, four assists and two steals Feb. 7 against Washington State. The only players under 21 years old who held a higher box plus-minus, via Bart Torvik, were Cameron Boozer and Caleb Wilson. He declared early entry for the 2026 NBA Draft but also entered his name in the transfer portal.
24. New York Knicks: Chris Cenac Jr.
TEAM: Houston
POSITION: Big
BORN: Louisiana
HEIGHT: 6-11
DRAFT AGE: 19
It was an up-and-down season for former five-star recruit and McDonald's All-American Chris Cenac Jr. at Houston. He did, however, got hot at the perfect time. During his first game in the Big Dance, the big man recorded a season-high 18 rebounds, while also knocking down a 3-pointer and grabbing a steal. Then in the Round of 32, he showed off more scoring with some impressive cuts to the basket, dropping 17 points against Texas A&M. He was quieter in the Sweet 16 but still managed 10 rebounds.
25. Los Angeles Lakers: Morez Johnson Jr.
TEAM: Michigan
POSITION: Big
BORN: Illinois
HEIGHT: 6-9
DRAFT AGE: 20
Morez Johnson Jr. is one of the best two-way players in the NCAA. He is a crucial part of the Michigan identity this season, leading his team to win the NCAA championship game, and has thrived since transferring to the Wolverines from Illinois. Johnson's shooting form at the free throw line looks good, and he scores well near the rim, especially when cutting to the basket. The former FIBA U-19 Team USA standout and All-Big Ten big man is a trustworthy defensive playmaker, too, and should carve out minutes at the next level.
26. Denver Nuggets: Thomas Haugh
TEAM: Florida
POSITION: Wing
BORN: Pennsylvania
HEIGHT: 6-9
DRAFT AGE: 22
After winning a national championship with Florida last season, Thomas Haugh was instantly regarded as one of the most interesting players who elected to return to college. The All-SEC forward had one of the top motors in the NCAA this season before an early elimination from March Madness. While he did not score efficiently in a set offense this year, he does not need the ball in his hands very often to make a difference on the floor for his team. He can serve as a glue guy for a contending team looking to win an NBA title like the Nuggets.
27. Boston Celtics: Cameron Carr
TEAM: Baylor
POSITION: Wing
BORN: Minnesota
HEIGHT: 6-5
DRAFT AGE: 21
One of the players who improved his draft stock the most this season was Baylor junior Cameron Carr. The All-Big 12 wing brings athleticism and shooting and, per Bart Torvik, he was the only player to make at least 40 field goals that were dunks and more than 60 field goals that were 3-pointers this season. Baylor outscored opponents by an additional 28.5 points per 100 possessions when he was on the floor relative to when he was not, via CBB Analytics, which ranked as the fourth-most of any high-major player in the NCAA.
Stanford freshman Ebuka Okorie is an interesting early entry candidate in the 2026 NBA Draft. The first-team All-ACC guard was a day-one starter in the NCAA who is potentially capable of earning rotation minutes for a team like the Timberwolves. He averaged 23.2 points per game, recording 40 points against conference rival Virginia Tech and seven other games with at least. 30points. Okorie could also return to school but should earn serious first-round buzz if he turns pro.
29. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Spurs): Dailyn Swain
TEAM: Texas
POSITION: Wing
BORN: Ohio
HEIGHT: 6-8
DRAFT AGE: 21
After transferring from Xavier to Texas during the offseason and then leading his team to the Sweet 16, Dailyn Swain became one of the more intriguing breakout players in college basketball. The All-SEC forward is versatile and contributed a little bit of everything for the Longhorns on both sides of the ball, scoring well both in the paint and on fastbreaks. Another element that is notably compelling is that Swain is efficient one-on-one in isolation against his defenders.
30. Dallas Mavericks (via Thunder): Tarris Reed Jr.
TEAM: Connecticut
POSITION: Big
BORN: Missouri
HEIGHT: 6-10
DRAFT AGE: 23
UConn senior Tarris Reed Jr. helped himself quite a bit during the NCAA tournament en route to an appearance in the national championship game. He recorded four double-doubles during March Madness, notching 31 points and 27 rebounds against Furman. Reed also had 26 points with 9 rebounds, 4 blocks and 2 steals during a win over Duke. Expect him to come into the league and find a role sooner rather than later.
The best NFL defenses often have one quality in common with the world's best cellular service carriers – great coverage.
And just like a phone plan, you can add on all the bells and whistles you want. Pass-rushers, linebackers, run stuffers and more mean nothing if the back end of the defense is nonexistent. Luckily for teams looking to upgrade their coverage, there will be no shortage of options in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Littered with quality talent at cornerback and safety, they are two of the strongest positions in the class headlined by Ohio State's Caleb Downs.
It's a group that will bring youth and an infusion of new talent into the league and that will be music to the ears of teams with needs in the secondary
Scouting report: Downs won't go No. 1 overall because of the position he plays. The Buckeyes' star defensive back is one of the best safeties in recent memory. He offers impressive athleticism, coverage skills, run defense and general football IQ to be a true defensive weapon in multiple ways. He raises the floor of a secondary while moving up the ceiling for a creative playcaller.
2. Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
Scouting report: Don't let his lean frame (6-foot-1, 187 pounds) fool you. Delane is a technician at the cornerback spot with impressive savvy for a player his age. Quarterbacks actively avoided him in the SEC; he was targeted just 35 times in 11 games and allowed just 13 receptions for 147 yards all season. There are concerns about his frame in run defense but the coverage acumen is off the charts.
3. Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
Scouting report: Teach-tape level tackler with impressive speed and football IQ. May need to bulk up at the NFL level but improved in both coverage and run defense in 2025. Alignment versatile prospect who can line up in the box, nickel or deep safety without cause for concern. Ideal vision and coverage acumen. Athleticism translated to field drills at the NFL combine.
4. Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
Scouting report: McCoy didn't play in 2025 due to an ACL tear in January and that could impact where he lands if medicals do not check out. If he's cleared, he'll be potentially the first cornerback off the board. His fantastic athleticism is paired with ideal outside cornerback size (6-foot, 195 pounds) and scheme versatility. His ball skills should translate to the NFL as well.
5. Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
Scouting report: Terrell, the younger brother of Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell, is another Clemson defender who could hear his name called in the first round. He's slightly undersized at 5-foot-11 and 186 pounds but makes up for it with a tenacious, disruptive mentality. He didn't record an interception in 2025 but that's not his limit as a turnover creator: he recorded a career-best five forced fumbles.
6. Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State
Scouting report: Don't overlook his small school career. Johnson is scheme-versatile with ideal size for outside cornerback, great vision, and NFL-caliber athleticism. Fluid hips to keep in position at all times. Willing tackler in the running game. Great ball production in 2025; allowed just a 16.1 passer rating when targeted.
7. Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
Scouting report: Took on a bigger role with teammate McCoy sidelined with injury in 2025. Solid size at outside corner. Understands positioning and leverage in man coverage. Explosive enough to make plays on the ball when taking chances. Performs best in Cover 2 for zone schemes. Improved his tackling immensely in 2025.
8. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
Scouting report: Elite athleticism and traits to be a versatile safety at the NFL level. Sure tackler who dishes out hits in run defense, but could use a better understanding of fits. Not proven as a solo single-high defender. Very good ball production (11 PBUs, 5 INTs in three seasons).
9. Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina
Scouting report: As expected at South Carolina, Cisse is an outstanding athlete at 6-foot and 190 pounds. That elite athleticism will give him a high floor to overcome lapses in coverage. He broke out in his lone season with the Gamecocks with just 18 receptions on 38 targets in 2025. He did allow 20.1 yards per reception in coverage, though.
10. D'Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana
Scouting report: Small frame may keep him off the board completely for some teams but he plays much bigger than that. Competitive attitude and a tough mentality keep him in contention. Ideal closing speed and great athleticism for the position. Allowed just one touchdown in coverage compared to 5 INTs and 13 PBUs over his last two seasons (more than 900 coverage snaps).
11. Kamari Ramsey, S, USC
Scouting report: Outstanding play recognition for the position with ideal mirroring abilities to maintain proper position in zone coverage. Versatile enough to play in multiple spots with the athleticism to recover. Needs to improve tackling consistency. Lacks elite lateral burst, limiting his man coverage ceiling.
12. A.J. Haulcy, S, LSU
Scouting report: Near-linebacker size with good athleticism to hold up in coverage. Tallied 8 INTs and 10 PBUs in his last two years (2024 with Houston, 2025 with LSU). Excellent instincts in zone coverage. Can line up in multiple spots thanks to his size. Is an older prospect and lacks lateral quickness which can come up in man coverage assignments.
13. Davison Igbinosun, CB, Ohio State
Scouting report: Elite athlete for his size who brings a thumping presence in run defense. Took a step in coverage in 2025 with zero TDs allowed and a sub-50% catch rate allowed when targeted. Great ball production (4 INTs, 19 PBUs in four years). Best in man coverage and press to utilize his physicality. Needs to improve his discipline with penalties and off-coverage understanding to work in zone.
14. Zakee Wheatley, S, Penn State
Scouting report: Latest Penn State safety to be a top option in his draft. Notable presence in run defense with a thumping attitude. Improved notably in coverage in 2025 with just a 69.2 passer rating when targeted. Great ball production in 2024 on more targets. Best as a single-high safety to use his instincts and trigger correctly.
15. Keith Abney II, CB, Arizona State
Scouting report: One of the best contested catch cornerbacks in the class. Alignment versatile with a track background to help him outside or at the nickel. Good footwork with a physical playing style. Can get a bit grabby and that may hurt him more in the NFL.
16. Genesis Smith, S, Arizona
Scouting report: Ideal length and coverage sense for modern NFL safety. Will be a good fit in Cover 1 or Cover 3 schemes that can utilize his length as a centerfielder-type of coverage safety. Great ball production for a safety (5 INTs, 10 PBUs as a two-year starter). Struggles to bring consistency in run defense which lowers his ceiling. Not a reliable tackler.
17. Chandler Rivers, CB, Duke
Scouting report: Undersized corner who outplays his stature with a thumping presence in run defense and aggression in coverage to trigger on throws. Experienced playing outside but may be best in the slot. Took a slight step back in coverage efficiency in 2025 but had a stellar 2024. Teams may feel confident that's more of what he is.
18. Treydan Stukes, CB, Arizona
Scouting report: Spent six years with the Wildcats and will be a 25-year-old rookie. Spent two years at cornerback before switching to a hybrid role as slot corner/box safety. Allowed zero TDs on 39 targets in coverage with 4 INTs and 6 PBUs in 2025. Versatile run defender who tallied two sacks in 2025 as well. Age and injury history will be his knocks (ACL in 2024).
19. Keionte Scott, CB, Miami (FL)
Scouting report: Transferred to Miami from Auburn and took a leap forward as a defender in 2025. Primarily operated in the slot with a physical playing style. Can be used as a blitzer (five sacks in 2025). May struggle against stronger wide receivers due to slight frame. Age (24) will be a knock as well.
20. Malik Muhammad, CB, Texas
Scouting report: Ideal anticipation and feel for what opposing receivers are trying to do against him. Technique keeps him in position both in man and zone coverage assignments. Footwork and athleticism keep him in position throughout routes, much to the annoyance of opposing receivers. Lean frame brings some run defense concerns.
21. Jalon Kilgore, S, South Carolina
Scouting report: Impressive athlete who is at home either at nickel or safety. Length and physicality show up in run defense. Solid coverage abilities with good ball production (8 INTs, 18 PBUs in three years). Coverage is more instinct than technique at this point. Can waste steps in transitioning to close on receivers which will show up more in the NFL.
22. Michael Taaffe, S, Texas
Scouting report: Smaller frame may limit him to a coverage specialist in the NFL. He excels at it with impressive ball production (7 INTs, 10 PBUs in college). Football IQ to diagnose plays pre- and post-snap and flies to the football. Physical at the catch point despite lean frame. Anticipates throws well.
23. Tacario Davis, CB, Washington
Scouting report: Longest wingspan of any cornerback at the NFL combine and that shines in press coverage. Disrupts opposing wide receivers with his long arms and speed. Wingspan also helps with tackling in run defense, where he's better than many lean cornerbacks. Transitions can leave him vulnerable to good route-runners. Can get a bit grabby in coverage.
24. Devin Moore, CB, Florida
Scouting report: Outstanding length which shows up in press coverage. Fights hard in contested catch scenarios. Good tackler in run defense despite a leaner frame. Tracks the ball well. Hips aren't as fluid as you'd like. Injuries affected his 2022, 2023 and 2024 seasons. Can leave too much space in zone coverage.
25. Will Lee III, CB, Texas A&M
Scouting report: Ideal frame for outside corner with the strength to excel in press coverage systems. Great ball production (16 PBUs in the last two years alone). Hard hitter in run defense. His awareness in zone is lacking. Can get grabby in coverage which may show up more in the NFL.
26. Julian Neal, CB, Arkansas
Scouting report: Ideal size for the outside cornerback position with the burst to handle myriad assignments. Physical at the catch point. Consistent tackler. Good processor who transferred from Fresno State to Arkansas and held up despite an increase in competition. Lacks elite speed, can be overly aggressive in coverage, and needs to improve footwork consistency.
27. Jakobe Thomas, S, Miami (FL)
Scouting report: Thomas plays an aggressive brand of football with the physicality and athleticism to be deployed as a robber or blitzer as well as manning up a tight end in coverage. Five INTs, six PBUs alone in 2025. Can be too aggressive at times and relies too much on reading the quarterback's eyes.
28. TJ Hall, CB, Iowa
Scouting report: Strong cornerback who is best in press coverage, mirroring opposing wide receivers. Stays tight on his assignment throughout the play. Solid ball production (12 PBUs, 2 INTs in 2024-2025 combined). Plays faster than his timed speed. Doesn't always locate the ball, leaving him vulnerable to penalties. Lacks the long speed to hang with vertical routes.
29. Bud Clark, S, TCU
Scouting report: Older prospect who played six years for the Horned Frogs. Experience in multiple coverages and positions; went from box focus to a slot-heavy role in 2025. Good ball production (20 PBUs, 15 INTs from 2022-25) thanks to awareness, instincts and extra gear to close on passes. Play recognition is good but he can play a little overaggressively. Age means he's more of a finished product with a higher floor but low ceiling.
30. Daylen Everette, CB, Georgia
Scouting report: Long, athletic cornerback with the speed and size to hang in man coverage in the NFL. Mirrors well with feet and is capable of jumping routes. Came up with interceptions in big-time games. Grabby as a defender and speed doesn't translate well to recovery in coverage. Open-field tackling is average at best.
31. VJ Payne, S, Kansas State
Scouting report: Do-it-all safety who played snaps in the box, slot, and free safety in 2025. Athletic enough to hang with mismatch weapons on offense (e.g. Baylor TE Michael Trigg) with the play recognition to anticipate in coverage. Good size to handle man coverage assignments. Okay as a run defender despite his size. Arm tackles too often.
32. Hezekiah Masses, CB, California
Scouting report: Transferred to Cal from FIU and his ball production took off (9 PBUs, 5 INTs on 61 targets). Mirrors well with his long levers and has adequate speed to defend downfield. Has a playmaking mentality to attack the ball. Size will call his run defense into question. Can get grabby instead of using technique to stick with assignments. Long legs can hinder transitions.
33. Louis Moore, S, Indiana
Scouting report: Takes away deep routes and makes plays on the ball with great experience but his short arms and limited athleticism will hurt him in NFL coverage.
34. Jadon Canady, CB, Oregon
Scouting report: A lock for nickel at the NFL with physicality, versatility and play recognition but an undersized, short-armed frame could limit him.
35. Bishop Fitzgerald, S, USC
Scouting report: Alignment-versatile, ballhawking (12 PBUs, 10 INTs) safety with great closing burst but can struggle to keep speed in transition and needs improvement as a tackler.
36. Ephesians Prysock, CB, Washington
Scouting report: Long, tall corner with long speed and awareness who uses length in press but doesn't transition well in breaks for coverage, plays very upright and lacked ball production in college.
37. Jalen Stroman, S, Notre Dame
Scouting report: A strong run defender who works best in the box, firing on intermediate routes and runs but lacks ball production and coverage acumen outside of Cover 2 or quarters.
38. Thaddeus Dixon, CB, North Carolina
Scouting report: Adequate size and athleticism to be scheme versatile with smooth footwork but can play upright, especially in off coverage, and allows big plays over the top too often.
39. Xavier Nwankpa, S, Iowa
Scouting report: Ideal athleticism for his size and plays well in run defense with adequate range in coverage but doesn't have ideal play strength or instincts.
40. Andre Fuller, CB, Toledo
Scouting report: Good athlete with smooth transitions at prototypical size but can be grabby in coverage.
The Chicago Bears are preparing for the 2026 NFL Draft, where edge rusher is sure to be a focal point to overhaul the roster.
The Bears had just 35 sacks as a team last season, 40 in 2024, and 30 in 2023. The production has been inconsistent, and even when general manager Ryan Poles traded for Montez Sweat, it sure bolstered the production, but it hasn’t been enough.
Chicago saw positive growth from their former fifth-round draft pick Austin Booker. After starting the season on injured reserve, Booker finished the season with 4.5 sacks, 35 tackles, and five tackles for loss, leaving a lot of room for growth coming into his third season.
The Bears also had just eight games of Dayo Odeyingbo after he tore his Achilles tendon in Week 8 against the Cincinnati Bengals. He still has two years left of his initial three-year deal and Chicago is looking to see more production from him as well.
Not addressing edge rusher in free agency or in the trade market for high-end guys like Maxx Crosby or Trey Hendrickson, Poles elected to keep the draft capital the Bears currently have, and by the looks of it, are looking to address the edge rusher position via the draft. Here are six suitable prospects that the Bears could potentially select come late April.
Zion Young, Missouri
Measurables: 6-foot-6, 263-pounds
As I said in my first mock draft, Zion Young is a guy the Bears would love to draft with their first pick. With 33-inch arms and a fiery competitiveness, Young is the standard size of an edge rusher who has power, knows how to attack based on blocking schemes, and can counter tackles with an inside move. He impressed during his Senior Bowl performance and finished his senior season with 13 games played, 42 total tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks. Young continues to draw attention from teams, as his projection now sits late first round, early second round. But this spot at No. 25, if Chicago stays put, is interesting, because defensive tackles will be there, so will edge rushers, and potentially safeties
Keldric Faulk, Auburn
Measurables: 6-foot-6, 276-pounds
Keldric Faulk may be the most interesting edge rusher of the draft class because he has the physical tools at 6-foot-6, 34 ⅜ inch arms, but he offers versatility. He took 30% of his snaps this past season in the interior of the defensive line as a 2-4 tech. He needs to figure out a plan when it comes to attacking as a pass rusher, winning just 11.4% of his one-on-one battles, but he also possesses lots of great production as a run stopper. But this is athleticism, strength, and effort that he plays with – Faulk should hear his name called in the first round because of what he can do.
Akheem Mesidor, Miami (FL)
Measurables: 6-foot-3, 259-pounds
Akheem Mesidor is a prospect who has played so much college football, and at the age of 25 comes in as someone who can start Week 1. His first two years at West Virginia, he played both defensive end and nose tackle. He moved to nose tackle during his sophomore season, finishing with 38 tackles, eight tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks. Mesidor is as good at the feel for the game as any edge in the draft and has an array of moves to get to the quarterback. His frame gives him the ability to bend at the edge, which is a problem for the guard if moved inside, and he often gets into the backfield. The only real knock for Mesidor is his height and length, the fact that he is 25 years old.
Cashius Howell, Texas A&M
Measurables: 6-foot-3, 253-pounds
Cashius Howell has a burst – he’s quick, fast, has a good bend to get around tackles, which is why he had 11.5 sacks this season with 14.0 tackles for loss, but his small frame and inability to use his hands at the point of attack leave so much meat on the bone. On obvious passing down, Howell is so good at attacking the tackle's outside shoulder and getting around, but not being great against the run doesn’t quite make him a three-down defender right away. This is someone Chicago could target in a scenario where they end up trading back, and Howell is still available, but in Dennis Allen’s scheme, they are targeting large human beings who can play the run.
Gabe Jacas, Illinois
Measurables: 6-foot-4, 260-pounds
Gabe Jacas is a prospect that won’t be picked in the first round, but is a round pick, and if Chicago is to go elsewhere at No. 25, Jacas is certainly in play at No. 57 or No. 60. Jacas, since his freshman season, has been in a starting role. He has 50 games played in four seasons and has 27 career sacks, including 11.0 this past season. Jacas possesses tremendous power with his hands and drive from his legs. He has a good build with length, and has shown to pursue in the run game, and looks to create turnovers. The only knock against Jacas is that his scheme, when rushing, can become predictable.
Malachi Lawrence, UCF
Measurables: 6-foot-4, 253 pounds,
Like Jacas, Malachi Lawrence is another edge that won’t be drafted in the first round, but he's primed to hear his name called in the second round and early third round. At 253 pounds, Lawrence and power he loses because of his weight, he makes up with his explosive get-off and array of attacking setups. Lawrence is an athlete and tested well at the combine. He ran a 4.52 40-yard dash and had a 1.59 10-yard split.
The stragety for the Bears at No. 25 will be best availble, which means it could go anywhere from, defensive back, offensive tackle, edge rusher or defensive tackle. But if Chicago chooses to pass up on edge in the first round, there are a nunber of options in the late second round.
Going from one NBA home to another, Isaiah Hartenstein's journeyman start to his career could've hardened his heart. Cynicism could've usurped any goodwill. After all, he saw firsthand just how cold and calculated the results-oriented basketball conglomerate is.
When he joined the Oklahoma City Thunder, Hartenstein could've taken a mercenary approach — sign a life-altering three-year, $87 million contract; arrive; morph into a double-double machine; help them bring home an NBA championship and then dip for an even bigger payday.
But nope. That's not in Hartenstein's DNA. Instead, the seven-footer stretched out his pterodactyl-esque wingspan and wrapped his arms around the small-market fanbase for a squeezing hug. Even though he's only in his second season with the Thunder, he quickly accommodated himself to his latest home — to the point that his foundation has become a staple in the OKC community.
In some parts of the city, Hartenstein is known as a philanthropist first and an NBA player second. While every player does the occasional community work during the regular season, he's gone out of his way to add even more onto his plate under his own accord.
The latest example? Helping make a 14-minute documentary about the tragic Oklahoma City bombing. On the cusp of the 31st anniversary, the Hartenstein Foundation funded the mini-film that highlights the 'Oklahoma Standard' — the values of service, resilience and community that emerged from what happened on Apr. 19, 1995.
The Oklahoma City bombing was a domestic terrorist attack on the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. American anti-government extremist Timothy McVeigh's makeshift bomb resulted in the deaths of 168 people and injured 684 more. Over 30 years later, it remains the biggest act of domestic terrorism in United States history.
So what caused Hartenstein to bring this project to life? While there are countless documentaries about the national tragedy, he didn't feel like any really captured the intangible strengths of those directly impacted. We know what happened, but we don't really know how people moved forward with their lives after such a traumatic event.
"Before we did this, we watched a couple of documentaries about it before. A lot of them were focused on the negative part and so little on what made Oklahoma and Oklahoma City so special, which was how they responded," Hartenstein said. "Me and the director wanted to come down and say, 'How can we teach the new generation and the people who maybe don't know much about it, about the Oklahoma Standard?'"
Since the Thunder arrived in 2008, they've proudly embraced that darkest chapter of OKC's history. The tragedy's aftermath saw an entire county work together to help the city recover. To honor the victims, rescuers and everybody affected, the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum opened up.
Every Thunder player has paid a visit to it. It's a tradition that Sam Presti and the rest of the organization have held up high in their nearly two decades of existence. Every year, newbie players tour the OKC National Memorial & Museum.
In one of the final stops of the museum's emotional tour, you can spot OKC's 2019-20 City Edition uniform on full display. The grey-and-gold jersey featured several symbolic elements reflective of what happened.
Speaking from personal experience, there's a sickening beauty to the museum. It does such an impeccable job at immersing visitors into what happened and the aftermath of the tragedy. To the point that you feel a lump in your throat by the end of it and unlock a level of appreciativeness to even the ugliest chapters of life.
Sadly, time has caused the national tragedy to fall into the background. Most folks around the country remain unaware of it — or have obscurely heard about it. As we get further away from what happened, newer NBA players first learn about it when they arrive in OKC. But as long as the Thunder are around, they won't let it get lost in the passage of time.
Now, Hartenstein has done his part to do the same. The 14-minute film — coined 'The Oklahoma Standard' — aims to help educate a new generation of Oklahomans about the Standard’s origin. It explores how those principles continue to shape Oklahoma today and inspire acts of kindness and unity across generations.
Hartenstein recently showed a special screening of the documentary. It will be publicly available to watch on his YouTube channel on Sunday, Apr. 19 — which marks the anniversary of the tragedy. Consider it appointment viewing before OKC hosts the eighth seed in Game 1 of the 2026 NBA playoffs.
"Doing it on the anniversary, I think so many people have been through such a rough time. There's a certain meaning behind it," Hartenstein said. "Now, so many people are being impacted by what came out of it. So many people's lives have changed by it. I know it's a hard time for people who were impacted by it, but just kinda giving them a little hope that it's really changing people's lives."
We'll see what happens with Hartenstein's future. The Thunder have a $28.5 million team option for the 2026-27 season. But regardless of whether he stays or goes, his lasting legacy in OKC will equally be about being a starter on a championship team and going all out to help people across the state.
The first high-ranking member of the New England Patriots has now addressed Mike Vrabel's situation − sort of − nearly a week after photos of the club's head coach with NFL reporter Dianna Russini at an Arizona resort were published by the New York Post.
Asked during the team's April 13 pre-draft news conference about Vrabel's involvement with player evaluations over the past week, Pats vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf said: "Very involved. Business as usual. He’s been in there with us a little more than he was last year."
And that was pretty much it. Wolf didn't talk about Vrabel before he began taking questions, then only got one remotely acknowledging the controversy his coach currently finds swirling about him.
Vrabel, who addressed reporters the week prior to last year's draft, did not do so Monday but was never scheduled to, either. He and Wolf both met with the national media at this year's annual scouting combine. Vrabel also spoke to reporters at the NFL's annual league meeting in Phoenix on March 31, just days after he'd been photographed at a posh Arizona getaway with Russini, The Athletic's NFL insider but before those pictures surfaced.
The photos, which were published on April 7, show Vrabel and Russini in bathing suits poolside as well as hugging on a rooftop at the Ambiente in Sedona, Arizona, days before the league meeting. Both Vrabel, 50, and Russini, 43, are married to other people with whom they have children.
"These photos show a completely innocent interaction and any suggestion otherwise is laughable," Vrabel told the Post, which published the photos, in a statement last week.
"This doesn’t deserve any further response."
Vrabel will likely speak publicly during the NFL draft, which begins April 23 in Pittsburgh, a person familiar with the situation told USA TODAY Sports. That person was granted anonymity because the Patriots have not scheduled any news conferences during the draft. And New England, which holds the penultimate pick of the first round, might not even choose anyone on the first night if the team trades back from that 31st overall selection − the one organically conferred to the previous season's Super Bowl runner-up.
Vrabel, Wolf and VP of player personnel Ryan Cowden all addressed reporters at various points during the 2025 draft, Vrabel doing so on the night of the first round following the selection of former LSU left tackle Will Campbell with the fourth overall selection.
Russini, who worked for ESPN prior to joining The Athletic in 2023, covered Vrabel while he was the coach of the Tennessee Titans from 2018 to 2023. Though she initially received a statement of support from The Athletic (also effectively the New York Times' sports section) after the release of the photos, her conduct is now being investigated by The Times. She won't be reporting in the interim.
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In May, Ohio High School Athletic Association member schools will decide on giving kids more opportunities to play sports.
During the annual referendum voting period from Mat 1-15, OHSAA member schools will vote on 12 referendum issues facing high school sports. The 12 proposals could apply changes to the OHSAA constitution and bylaws.
The most interesting issue is Issue 2B - Bylaw 4-3-1 (Enrollment and attendance, exc. 8, non-enrolled participation) which if passes would allow students at an OHSAA member public school that does not sponsor a particular team sport to participate in that sport at another OHSAA member public school. If the issue passes, there would be two conditions:
The other school is within 20 miles by the most direct route.
The superintendents of both schools have to approve the arrangement.
In multi–high school districts, students whose school does not offer a specific sport may be assigned to participate at another school within the same district.
This issue became a hot topic in Richland County during the 2026 spring season when Mansfield Senior could not field a full varsity softball team with parents and athletes seeking an opportunity to play high school softball. Under current rules, no student at a public school that does not offer a varsity sport the student would like to participate in is not allowed to play that particular sport at a different school. The referendum is seeking to change that.
Students at a private school wishing to participate in a sport that is not offered by the private school are allowed to play at the public school in which they reside. That has become popular with students at Mansfield Christian and St. Peter's playing football at the school district in which they live.
Voting results will be announced on May 18 and a simple majority vote is needed to pass an issue. The OHSAA is expected to hold meetings on April 14, April 15, April 20, April 23, April 27 and April 28 to explain each referendum issue in full detail to school administrators so they may cast an educated vote.
Below are the other 11 OHSAA referendum issues as announced by Tim Stried, Director of Media Relations at the OHSAA.
2026 OHSAA Referendum Issues
Constitution Articles (1 Issue – Voted on by High School Principals):
ISSUE 1C – Constitution Article 8, Amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws (Modification)
Would allow the OHSAA Board of Directors to reinstate a bylaw or constitutional provision that was previously removed to comply with state law, if that law is later repealed. This eliminates the need for an emergency referendum and allows the rule to take effect immediately as it was last approved by the membership.
7th & 8th Grade Ballot (3 Issues):
ISSUE 1B – Bylaw 4-2-2, Exceptions 1 & 2, 7th & 8th Grade Age Exceptions (Modifications) AND
Would revise the current requirement that a student must have no impact on the outcome of a contest to qualify for the requested exception, changing it to require that the student does not have a significant impact. This allows students who play a limited role (e.g., are in the rotation but not a major contributor) to still be eligible. The Executive Director’s Office will consider the extent of the student’s participation when making determinations. All other requirements remain unchanged.
Would remove the requirement that a student must have been withdrawn or removed from school during the immediately preceding grading period for the exception to apply. Instead, the student and/or family must provide documentation showing that a hardship existed at the time their ineligibility occurred.
Bylaw Articles (8 Issues – Voted on by High School Principals):
ISSUE 1B – Bylaw 4-1-4, Member of an Interscholastic Team (Modification)
Would add language to clarify that a school is considered to have “sponsored a sport” once its team participates in a regular-season contest (not a preseason event). This helps determine student eligibility to participate elsewhere, either under state law or Bylaw 4-3-1 Exception 8 (if approved), when their school of attendance cancels its season.
ISSUE 3B - Bylaw 4¬-4-1 Exception 1, High School Academic Hardship Exception (Modification)
Would remove the requirement that a student must have been withdrawn or removed from school during the immediately preceding grading period for the exception to apply. Instead, the student and/or family must provide documentation showing that a hardship existed at the time their ineligibility occurred.
Modifications to Exception 4 would permit a student whose parents live outside the state of Ohio, but who have been continuously enrolled within the same member public school/district since the start of 6th grade**, to participate at the member high school in which they are enrolled.
**Current requirement is enrollment from the start of 1st grade for public high schools, and the start of 6th grade for non-public high schools. Proposed modification brings consistency to requirements.
Parallel modifications to Exceptions 4 and 6 would add language to permit students whose parents live outside the state of Ohio, but who have been continuously enrolled within the same member school district/system since the start of 4th grade, to participate within that district/system in 7th & 8th grade. Applicable for both public and non-public members.
ISSUE 5B – Bylaw 4-7-2, Definition of Transfer (New Note)
Would exempt a student from being subject to the transfer bylaw when they change their enrollment to a different but return to the same school of attendance without participating in any sport(s) while enrolled at the other school.
ISSUE 6B – Bylaw 4-7-2, Exception 1, Bona Fide Change of Residence (New Definition)
Would codify a formal definition of a bona fide change of residence. The definition would require a student’s parents to fully relinquish all responsibility for their previous residence, such as by selling it, leasing it to a non-family member, transferring it to an LLC for business purposes, or terminating the lease, in order for this exception to apply. The new language also gives the Executive Director’s Office discretion to review and address cases where this requirement has not been fully met.
ISSUE 7B – Bylaw 4-7-8, Superintendent’s Memorandum of Understanding, Transfer (New Bylaw)
Would allow a transfer student to have their eligibility fully restored upon a transfer if the Superintendents or Heads of School from both OHSAA member school systems enter into a memorandum of understanding confirming that the transfer is necessary to protect the student’s physical or mental well-being or to address other appropriate extenuating circumstances. This exception may be used up to two times during a student’s high school career. If approved, Bylaw 4-7-2 Exceptions 4 (Self-Support), 9 (Discontinues Entire interscholastic Athletics Program), and 10 (Death of Immediate Family Member) would be stricken.
ISSUE 8B – Bylaw 4-11 NIL (Modifications and New Section)
Would add clarifying language to Bylaws 4-11-2 (b) and (d), and 4-11-3 to ensure consistent application within NIL regulations. Also creates new Bylaw 4-11-8, which allows students to enter into agreements with athlete agents (only as defined in ORC §§ 4471.01) solely for marketing purposes. Any such agreement must also be disclosed to the Executive Director’s Office within 14 days.
It's time to vote for the athlete of the week from the High Desert.
Sixteen athletes from across the region are in the running for the Joe Orthodontics High School Athlete of the Week.
Each week throughout the 2025-26 school year, the Daily Press will recognize one standout student-athlete from the High Desert as Athlete of the Week.
Through nominations submitted by coaches, as well as our own research, those selected will be placed on a ballot every week. The nominations are limited to only varsity athletes.
You can vote for your favorite high school athletes as often as you’d like. The poll closes at 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday night.
Here are the choices for this week, based on performances from April 6 to 11.
Aaron Bowlan, Silver Valley baseball — Bowlan went 4 for 4 with a walk, seven RBIs and a run in an 18-3 victory over Victor Valley Christian on April 7. He followed that by going 1 for 2 with two RBIs, four runs, three walks and two stolen bases in a 27-11 victory on April 9.
Andrew Honnold, Cobalt Institute of Math and Science baseball — Honnold went 3 for 4 with two RBIs and a run in a loss to Lucerne Valley on April 7. He followed that by going 4 for 4 with seven RBIs, four runs and four stolen bases in a 22-11 victory on April 10.
Brady Van Hulzen, Sultana baseball — Van Hulzen went 4 for 4 with a home run, two RBIs and two runs in a 10-3 victory over Serrano on April 8. He followed that by going 2 for 3 with an RBI, two runs and two walks in a 10-8 victory over Serrano on April 10.
Breeanna Garcia, Riverside Prep softball — Garcia hit a grand slam in a 19-7 victory over AAE on April 8. She followed that by going 3 for 4 with a home run, four RBIs and two runs in a 16-3 victory on April 10.
Bryson Lilly, Academy for Academic Excellence baseball — Lilly went 3 for 3 with an RBI and a run in a 14-4 victory over ACE on April 7. He followed that by going 2 for 3 with an RBI and three runs in a 12-2 victory on April 10.
Carlos Ramirez, Hesperia baseball — Ramirez went 2 for 4 with an RBI and two runs in a 9-6 victory over Apple Valley on April 8. He then delivered a walk-off hit and struck out six batters over five innings in a 5-4 victory on April 10.
Ceonie Turner, Adelanto softball — Turner went 2 for 4 with an RBI and two runs in a 10-7 victory over Granite Hills on April 7. She followed that by going 2 for 4 with a home run, three RBIs and three runs, while also earning the win in the circle in an 8-7 victory on April 9.
Connor Byrom, University Prep baseball — Byrom struck out 11 batters and allowed two hits over seven innings in a 4-0 victory over Hesperia Christian on April 7.
Jaden Padilla, Apple Valley baseball — Padilla went 3 for 4 with two runs and a stolen base in a 9-6 loss to Hesperia on April 8. He followed that by going 3 for 4 with an RBI and a run, while also striking out two batters over 4 ⅓ innings on April 10.
Madison Buzzard, Apple Valley softball — Buzzard went 4 for 5 with a home run, five RBIs and three runs in a 21-1 victory over Burroughs on April 8.
Milo Figueroa, Victor Valley baseball — Figueroa went 3 for 4 with an RBI, two runs and a stolen base in a 7-2 victory over Barstow on April 7. He followed that by going 2 for 4 with a run and a stolen base in a 5-4 victory on April 9.
Paityn Zimmerman, University Prep softball — Zimmerman went 1 for 3 with a walk in a 4-1 loss to Hesperia Christian on April 7. She followed that by hitting two home runs, driving in three RBIs and drawing a walk in a 10-8 victory on April 9.
Reagan Farrand, Cobalt Institute of Math and Science softball — Farrand went 4 for 6 with seven RBIs and three runs in a 31-9 victory over Lucerne Valley on April 7. She followed that by going 3 for 3 with a walk, two RBIs, three runs and a stolen base in a 23-4 victory on April 10.
Sienna Garcia, Oak Hills softball — Garcia went 3 for 3 with a home run, four RBIs and three runs in a 23-2 victory over Serrano on April 8. She followed that by going 3 for 4 with a home run, five RBIs and three runs in a 14-4 victory over Hesperia on April 10.
Travon Jackson Jr., Granite Hills baseball — Jackson went 3 for 4 with an RBI and three runs in a 12-2 victory over Adelanto on April 7. He followed that by going 2 for 3 with a run in a 4-2 victory on April 9.
Victor Herrera, University Prep baseball — Herrera went 3 for 5 with two RBIs, two runs and a walk in a 23-4 victory over Big Bear on April 8. He followed that by going 3 for 4 with an RBI, four runs and a walk in a 17-3 victory on April 10.
You Can Vote Here
Nominations must be received for consideration by Sunday morning following that week's games. Anyone can nominate an Athlete of the Week for every varsity sport.
Be sure to nominate next week’s ballot through email to sports reporter Jose Quintero at JQuintero@VVDailyPress.com. Feel free to also reach out to him on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @J0seQuintero, or on Instagram at @760Varsity. Please include a player’s statistics and a photo if possible.
The NFL draft has seen countless players through the years. What colleges have seen their players taken most often in the first round?
The list is full of college football powers. The dynamic has changed, especially with NIL giving those with deeper pockets being able to woo the top talents to either sign out of high school or hit the transfer portal and shift their way.
Big Ten schools are at the top of the list and they are joined by those in the SEC. That would include some schools that have recently made their way into conferences through realignment.
A look at the schools that have produced the most first-round NFL picks.
Former Milwaukee Bucks coach Doc Rivers, left, and star Giannis Antetokounmpo embrace before a game against the Brooklyn Nets on April 10 in Milwaukee. (Jeffrey Phelps/Associated Press)
The NBA regular season ended Sunday and the first order of business for teams that fell short of making the playoffs was to evaluate their head coach. Hall of Famer Doc Rivers, wasn't spared the scrutiny.
He agreed to depart from the Milwaukee Bucks after winning 16 fewer games this season than last. Rivers has one year remaining on the $40 million contract he signed in January 2024 and will be paid for the final season.
The Bucks were 32-50 this season largely because superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo played in only 36 games because of injuries. Antetokounmpo, who expressed frustration talking to reporters Sunday, might be next out the door.
If so, the Lakers undoubtedly would be interested. They are projected to have about $60 million in salary-cap space and three first-round draft picks they can use — 2026, 2031 and 2033 — to try to make a deal this offseason.
Despite his insistence that he was healthy fairly soon after he suffered a left knee hyperextension and bone bruise March 15, Antetokounmpo didn't play in the last 15 games of the season.
"To my understanding, I had to play 3-on-3 to be able to be available to play," he said. "I did that multiple times. I've never in my life denied participation of practice. Whoever came up with that is disrespectful toward what I’ve done for this team and the way I carry myself."
The decision was likely made to ensure the trade value of the two-time Most Valuable Player wasn't diminished by another injury. Antetokounmpo, 31, is under contract for 2026-2027 and has a player option of $62.7 million for 2027-28.
The Lakers — and other trade partners — would be more than willing to give him an extension. The contracts of LeBron James ($52.6 million), Rui Hachimura ($18 million) and Maxi Kleber ($11 million) expire after this season, giving the Lakers the cash to toss in Antetokounmpo's direction.
The Bucks floundered without him and the coach paid the price. Rivers, 64, hadn't had a losing full season since 2006-2007, a span that included an NBA title with Boston in 2007-2008, seven seasons with the Clippers and three with the Philadelphia 76ers.
“I have truly loved my time in Milwaukee,” said Rivers, who played college basketball at Marquette. “Coming back to where I got my start, to a city that has always embraced me, has been a privilege. I am disappointed that things did not turn out the way any of us hoped, but I am deeply grateful for this experience, the relationships built, and unwavering support from our fans and the community.”
Rivers began coaching after a 13-year NBA playing career and has a 1,194-866 record (.580) with five teams across 27 seasons. His regular-season wins are the sixth most in NBA history and he will be enshrined into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame this year.
The Bucks discussed with him an advisory role in the organization, but Rivers is taking his time deciding what to do next. Asked how long he envisions coaching, Rivers mentioned his grandchildren.
“I won’t answer that, but I have grandkids that I want to see,” Rivers told reporters. “I’ll let you figure it out from there. I have seven grandkids now, and they’re all 8 years and under, and it kills me every time I miss grandparents day with each one of them in school. It’s probably time to go see them more, so I’ll let you figure out the rest.”
His seven consecutive winning seasons with the Clippers are part of the franchise's current streak of 15 consecutive seasons with a winning record, the longest active run in the NBA and fourth-longest in league history.
Other NBA coaches on the hot seat include Jamahl Mosley of the Orlando Magic and Brian Keefe of the Washington Wizards. Portland Trail Blazers interim coach Tiago Splitter also might be replaced.
Splitter took over for Chauncey Billups, who has pleaded not guilty to charges he profited from rigged poker games involving several Mafia figures and at least one other ex-NBA player.
New Kentucky Wildcats football coach Will Stein has already made an impact in Lexington, putting together a solid group of transfers to upgrade the talent level. Now, he's putting together a recruiting class for 2027 that keeps getting better.
Over the weekend, the Wildcats got a commitment from quarterback Jake Nawrot, a top 50 player overall in the class. Now, they're closing in on Antwoine Higgins, a four-star edge rusher out of Cincinnati, Ohio.
Higgins is a 6'3", 215 lb linebacker who is rated four stars, and ranks as the No. 388 overall player in 247Sports composite rankings. On3 ranks him in their top 300. He would be another big recruiting win for Stein and the Wildcats coaching staff.
Steve Wiltfong of On3 reports (subscription required) that Kentucky and Indiana are currently the two main contenders, but that the Wildcats lead the way. As such, he has made an official prediction for Kentucky to land Higgins.
Though he hasn't set an official decision date, a commitment could come soon. He does have a visit scheduled to Lexington on Jun. 12.
The Iowa State women’s basketball team entered the offseason with one goal in mind — rebuild the roster.
The Cyclones have plenty to work to do after the season ended and the bulk of the team moving on.
Nine players on last season's roster, including four starters, announced they were hitting the transfer portal.
Guards Arianna Jackson and Evangelia Paulk said they plan to come back to Iowa State. Fellow guard Freya Jensen originally planned to enter the portal, but changed her mind.
That leaves plenty of spots for the Cyclones to fill.
Here’s a look at the Cyclones who have revealed their plans to transfer, along with Iowa State's incoming transfers.
Iowa State roster additions through the transfer portal
During Babbitt’s three seasons at Kent State, she started 60 of the 84 games she played in, averaging 11 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game.
She set the school’s single-season record for made 3-pointers with 83 as a sophomore, and is coming off her best season, averaging 16.1 points and 4.0 rebounds a contest.
Iowa State outgoing transfers, departures
Reese Beaty
Beaty, a 5-foot-8 freshman guard, made an immediate impact during her first collegiate season, appearing in 27 games and making two starts. She averaged 4.6 points per game while shooting 37.7% from the floor.
She handed out 90 assists and ranked in the top 100 nationally in assist/turnover ratio (1.80). She announced on social media that she plans to transfer to Mississippi State.
Alisa Williams
Williams came to Iowa State from LSU, where she was a part of a national title team. After redshirting her first season, Williams moved into a role backing up Iowa State star Audi Crooks, adding valuable depth the last two seasons.
She played in 32 games last season and made two starts while averaging 4.8 points and 3.3 rebounds in 11.8 minutes per game before announcing she was leaving.
Williams announced she’ll play next season at Indiana.
Jada Williams
The other Williams on Iowa State’s roster spent just one season with the Cyclones after coming to Ames from Arizona. She turned into one of the best point guards in the country, earning first-team All-Big 12 honors by averaging 15.3 points, 7.7 assists and 3.5 rebounds per game.
She took over the starting spot for Emily Ryan and became a star, ranking in the top five nationally in both season assists and assists per game. Williams also delivered one of the best performances in program history, tallying an Iowa State Big 12 game and Hilton Coliseum record 44 points on 15-of-22 shooting against Cincinnati.
Taulelei began her career at UMass but then transferred to Iowa State, where she’s spent the past two seasons providing depth in the post for the Cyclones. She appeared in 43 games over the last two seasons, averaging just 1.9 points in only 4.9 minutes per game.
Kenzie Hare
Hare began her collegiate career at Marquette, where she was an elite 3-point shooter, but never got into a rhythm at Iowa State. A hip injury limited her to just 10 games during the 2024-25 season. Hare redshirted that season and returned the following season as a starter.
She averaged 6.0 points and 2.5 rebounds and hit one of the biggest shots of the season, knocking down a game-winning 3-pointer at the buzzer to beat Kansas.
Reagan Wilson
Wilson was an important player off the bench at times for Iowa State. She appeared in 59 games during her two seasons with the Cyclones and made three starts. Wilson, a high-energy guard who began her sophomore season buried on the bench, battled for brief playing time and finished the campaign with 2.5 points in 9 minutes per game.
Addy Brown
Brown, a McDonald’s All-American out of high school, was one of Iowa State’s biggest recruiting wins and it showed. She earned a starting spot right away as a freshman and turned into one of the most versatile players in the country.
Brown started all 89 games she played in during her career at Iowa State and did a little bit of everything, averaging 13.6 points, 8.1 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game. During her junior season, she tallied the school’s first triple-double in over a decade.
A lower-body injury forced Brown to miss 11 games and the Cyclones suffered during her time on the sideline.
Tanke was a big pickup out of Johnston High School. During her freshman season, she played in 32 games and made six starts. But the following season, her playing time diminished with Tanke appearing in just 12 games and averaging only 0.9 points and 1.4 rebounds in 7.2 minutes per contest.
Audi Crooks
Crooks was the biggest loss for the Cyclones in the transfer portal. The Algona native was a star on and off the court for the Cyclones as a popular player, with fans flocking to see her. Crooks usually delivered, averaging 22.8 points per game during her 99 games with the Cyclones.
The multi-time All-American led the Big 12 in scoring and set Iowa State's single-season scoring and field goal records.
She broke the school’s single-game scoring record multiple times and still has the mark after tallying 47 points on 19-of-25 shooting during a victory against Indiana.
Tommy Birch, the Register's sports enterprise and features reporter, has been working at the newspaper since 2008. He's the 2018, 2020, 2023 and 2025 Iowa Sportswriter of the Year. Reach him at tbirch@dmreg.com or 515-284-8468.
Oklahoma basketball added its second portal commitment of the day on Monday. After Jennie Baranczyk and the women's team added Keeley Parks, Porter Moser and the men's team broke the ice this portal cycle with the commitment of Louisville transfer forward Khani Rooths.
Rooths just completed his sophomore season with the Cardinals. In two seasons, he's played in 66 games. Last season, he started two games for Louisville and averaged 15.9 minutes per game. As a sophomore, he averaged 5.3 points per game on 44.9 percent from the field. He also averaged 4.3 rebounds, one assist, 0.5 blocks, and 0.6 steals per game last season.
At 6-foot-10, Rooths provides the Sooners with good size in the front court. He's an athletic, versatile wing player who can get above the rim on lobs and run the floor very well.
The Sooners need Rooths to provide key minutes at forward after they lost Mohamed Wague, Tae Davis, and Kirill Elatontsev, who are out of eligibility.
Here’s a look at new #Sooners wing Khani Rooths, who has great positional size and moves extremely well for his height. There’s a ton of potential and upside here. pic.twitter.com/WdYOxX9165
Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X (formerly known as Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions.You can also follow John on X @john9williams.
My Wide Receiver Rookie Model evaluates receiver prospects through the traits that historically translate best to fantasy production. The model weighs target earning, market-share production, route efficiency, role deployment, ball skills, athletic translation, age, breakout timing, teammate competition, team context and historical outcome trends.
Brazzell grades out as one of the more interesting upside receivers in the 2026 class because he brings rare size, perimeter-oriented usage and a profile that offers more fantasy appeal if his NFL team can unlock his role correctly. He is not as statistically clean as some of the names ranked above him, but the size and outside fit still matter.
The model views Brazzell as a size-based perimeter receiver whose fantasy value comes from boundary deployment, catch-radius appeal and the possibility of developing into a higher-value outside role.
The Composite Athleticism Score blends size-adjusted speed, burst, agility and model-derived translation when full testing is unavailable. The percentile compares Brazzell to historical wide receiver prospects in the database.
Brazzell projects as an above-average athlete in this model. At his size, that matters. He does not need to be a rare burner to profile well because the size-adjusted movement translation already supports the idea of an NFL-usable perimeter receiver.
Receiving Efficiency Metrics
Yards per Route Run: 1.86 Yards per Target: 9.4 Touchdowns per Target: 7.5% First Downs per Route: 0.101 Targets per Route: 0.198
Brazzell's efficiency profile is more solid than dominant. He was capable of turning targets into useful production, but he does not carry the same overwhelming route-efficiency case as some of the more polished receivers higher in the class.
Usage and Alignment
Average Depth of Target: 13.8 Catch Rate: 67.4% Contested Catch Rate: 54.5% Contested Target Rate: 18.1% Drop Rate: 3.6% Yards After Catch per Reception: 4.1 Slot Rate: 12.8% Wide Rate: 85.9%
Brazzell's role was clearly perimeter-driven. He lined up overwhelmingly out wide, worked down the field and brought the size profile of a true outside receiver. That archetype can be valuable in fantasy, but it also tends to be more dependent on landing spot and quarterback fit than volume-heavy slot profiles.
Target Share: 15.0% Yard Share: 18.6% TD Share: 18.5% Dominator Rating: 18.5% Yards per Team Pass Attempt: 1.71
Brazzell's 2025 production profile is respectable, but not dominant. The market-share numbers are solid enough to keep him on the board, though this is more of a projection based on size, role and upside than a profile built on overwhelming collegiate volume.
Positive Indicators
Rare size for the position
Brazzell brings a size profile that is hard to find, and that alone gives him interesting upside in a perimeter NFL role.
Perimeter-friendly usage
His alignment and depth profile clearly point to outside usage, which matches the type of role fantasy managers want if the player develops.
Above-average athletic translation
The model sees enough size-adjusted movement ability here to support NFL outside viability rather than just viewing him as a tall receiver with limited functionality.
Areas of Concern
Production profile is more good than great
Brazzell's target share, route efficiency and overall volume do not hit the same level as the strongest receivers near the top of the class.
Older prospect profile
He does not get the same age-related boost as some of the younger receivers in the class, which tightens the margin for projection.
Higher dependence on role development
Brazzell's fantasy appeal is tied heavily to whether an NFL team can turn his size and outside usage into a meaningful target role.
This comp cluster reflects bigger perimeter receivers whose fantasy value depends on outside-role translation, vertical utility and whether their physical traits become meaningful target value in the NFL.
These outcomes are exclusive and sum to 100%. Brazzell's distribution reflects clear upside, but it also carries a heavier bust rate than the more complete receiver profiles near the top of the class.
Early Career Fantasy Outlook
Year 1: WR40—WR55 Year 2—3: WR24—WR40
Brazzell projects as a developmental perimeter contributor early, with a path to more useful fantasy production if his NFL role expands and he earns stable outside volume.
Dynasty Translation
Brazzell profiles as an upside dynasty stash for managers willing to bet on size and outside-role projection.
He brings rare perimeter size, enough athletic translation to support NFL viability and a role that can produce splash plays if the fit is right. That gives him a more interesting ceiling than some of the safer but lower-upside receivers further down the board.
The model still sees more risk here than with the cleaner top receiver profiles, but Brazzell is the kind of player who can outperform consensus if his landing spot turns his physical tools into meaningful target value.
There were plenty of tremendous performances last week in the Central Mass. softball season, and Jennifer Toland found some of the best of them for readers to vote on to decide the Hometeam Softball Player of the Week.
Congrats to West Boylston's Antonia Bianchini, for taking the top spot in last week's poll, registering 5,593 votes (46.5 percent) of over 12,000 votes cast and topping Millbury's Gianna Cappoli (3,540) for the honor.
These picks were selected from performances reported by area coaches to the Hometeam Scoreboard. Coaches or administrators are encouraged to report game results and highlights each night by calling the T&G sports desk at 508-793-9350 or emailing sports@telegram.com.
Ja’Niyah Alejandro, Burncoat
Alejandro smashed a grand slam to power the Patriots past Quaboag Regional.
Riley Anderson, Leominster
Anderson delivered the walk-off RBI single to lift the Blue Devils past Grafton.
Hailey Angell, Oxford
Angell hit for the cycle while going 5 for 5 and driving in three runs to lead the Pirates past Leicester.
Antonia Bianchini, West Boylston
Bianchini struck out 10 and allowed 1 earned run and 1 hit in a win over Littleton. She struck out 13 and drove in 6 runs in a victory over Bromfield.
Sophia Brooks, Algonquin
Brooks turned a game-ending double play in the ninth to help the Titans beat Groton-Dunstable Regional.
Marisol Burgos, Marlborough
In the Panthers’ three games, Burgos had four hits and five RBIs.
Julia Cahill, South
Cahill collected four hits and two RBIs in a 2-1 week.
Meghan Charlton, Auburn
Charlton’s first varsity hit was a 3-run homer that helped the Rockets beat Westborough.
Anna Comeau, St. Bernard’s
In a win over Worcester Tech, Comeau had a triple, single and four RBIs.
Riley Corder, Quaboag
Corder hit a walk-off grand slam to beat Whitinsville Christian.
Riley Cormier, Doherty
Cormier delivered the go-ahead 2-run homer in the top of the seventh to lead the Highlanders past Nipmuc Regional and struck out eight and did not allow an earned run in a win over Notre Dame Academy.
Alannah Coughlin, Worcester Tech
Coughlin had four hits, including a home run, in a win over Southbridge.
Kira DeBaggis, Nipmuc
Debaggis had three hits and three RBIs in wins over Valley Tech and Hopedale.
Jenna Gale, Nashoba
Gale hit a walk-off 2-run homer to beat Oakmont Regional and had a triple and two RBIs against Algonquin Regional.
Maddie Habel, Oakmont
Habel belted a grand slam in a win over Narragansett Regional.
Kylie Hogan, Tyngsborough
The Tigers’ ace went 2-0 and struck out 15 in a two-hit shutout of Ayer-Shirley. She collected 5 hits and drove in 9 runs in the two games.
Rayna Horton, Millbury
Horton with 4 for 5 with three RBIs in a win over Oxford.
Emily Hultgren, Shepherd Hill
Hultgren delivered a walk-off RBI single in the ninth to beat St. Paul, homered in a win over Shrewsbury and helped lead the Rams to a 3-0 week.
Layla Huntley, Hopedale
Huntley went 3-4 and drove in three runs to lead the Blue Raiders past Millbury.
Sophie Kagles, Douglas
Kagles had two hits, including a triple, and drove in two runs in a win over Worcester Tech.
Mia Manca, Narragansett
Manca struck out 10 in a no-hitter against Quabbin Regional.
Aria McCarthy, Lunenburg
McCarthy went 2-0 with 26 strikeouts and allowed three earned runs.
Keira McCord, Tantasqua
The Warriors’ ace went 3-0 and struck out 32 batters in wins over Longmeadow and Uxbridge. She homered against the Spartans.
Giada Manolakis, North Middlesex
Manolakis went 3-4 and drove in three runs in a win over Marlborough.
Ava McLeod, AMSA
McLeod collected four hits and six RBIs in wins over Doherty and St. Paul and helped lead the Eagles to a 3-0 week.
Alyssa Olsen, David Prouty
Olsen struck out eight in a shutout of Leicester and contributed three hits.
Selina Piehl, Bay Path
In a one-hit shutout of David Prouty, Piehl struck out 13 and went 4-4 with 5 RBIs.
Olivia Quinn, Tahanto
Quinn delivered the walk-off RBI single to beat Millbury.
Ryleigh Raschi, Maynard
In the Tigers’ 3-0 week, Raschi had 9 hits and 3 RBIs, and she struck out 11 batters in a win over Fitchburg.
Leo Repole, Clinton
Repole struck out 16 in a no-hitter against Algonquin Regional.
Aaliyah Salamone, Assabet Valley
Salamone’s pinch-hit grand slam helped the Aztecs beat BMR.
Payton Smith, Valley Tech
In a win over Bay Path, Smith struck out 13 and had two hits.
Kallie Tevepaugh, Northbridge
Tevepaugh delivered a go-ahead two-run, two-out single in the sixth to lift the Rams over Leicester.
Liv Trudell, Worcester Academy
Trudell went 5 for 5 with a homer and seven RBIs in a win over Deerfield.
Violet Walsh, Gardner
Walsh struck out eight in a one-hit shutout of Athol.
Kaila Wheeler, Sutton
In wins over Keefe Tech and Bartlett, Wheeler struck out 22 batters. She had 3 hits and 4 RBIs against Bartlett.
Cassie Wilkins, Wachusett
Wilkins had two doubles and drove in three runs in the Mountaineers’ season-opening win over Grafton.
Norah Wojnarowicz, Notre Dame Academy
Wojnarowicz went 4 for 5 with a pair of doubles and a home run to power the Rebels past Hudson.
Monday is becoming a busy day for Michael Malone and the North Carolina Tar Heels' basketball program. After landing a commitment from former Virginia Tech wing Neoklis Avdalas, they are now adding to their coaching staff.
Per Inside Carolina, the Tar Heels have reached an agreement to hire Kim English as an assistant coach under Malone's staff. It's the latest coaching staff addition after they also added Chuck Martin while retaining three former coaches for the staff.
The 37-year-old English is a former head coach, spending time at George Mason and Providence. Most recently, he spent three seasons at Providence as the head coach, posting a 48-52 record overall and a 23-37 record in Big East Play.
He was fired on March 13 following a season-ending loss in the Big East Tournament.
With the addition of English, North Carolina's staff includes Martin, Sean May, Pat Sullivan and Eric Hoots as of right now. There could be another addition coming as Malone is rounding out the staff.
Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.
No. 10 UCLA softball swept Illinois in their series with an 18-0 shutout in the finale at Eichelberger Field in Urbana-Champaign, Ill on Sunday. The impressive wins moves the Bruins to 37-5 on the season as we head towards the end of the regular season.
Illinois scored their only run of the series in a 10-1 win for the Bruins in their second game, which followed UCLA's 17-0 shutout against Illinois was a 17-0 win in their series opener. In the finale, sophomore right-handed pitcher Brynne Nally was the only Bruin to step on the mound and gave up five hits and a walk, but no runs in her five innings. Meanwhile, UCLA's batters had a field day with 18 runs off of 18 hits and three walks.
Explosive start
In the top of the first, UCLA scored their first two runs off of a single. The Bruins continued to pile up runs with a three-run homer struck by redshirt freshman infielder Aleena Garcia. Sophomore center fielder Sofia Mujica and freshman utility Jolyna Lamar followed up with home runs of their own to put the Bruins in the driver seat with a 7-0 start five hits into the game.
No seconds
UCLA was unable to match the success they had in the first with a double play cutting their second inning short. Nally gave up two hits to start the bottom of the second, but didn't allow the Fighting Illini's baserunner to get home from third with three consecutive outs to close out the inning.
Defensive third
In the top of the third, the Bruins couldn't get a runner on base but Illinois found better success in the inning. A walk, a double and a hit by a pitch had the bases loaded, but Nally and the defensive unit once again prevented Illinois from making it home to keep their 7-0 lead intact.
Doubling the score
The Bruins experienced their second seven-run inning in the top of the fourth with the first run coming off of a throwing error. Senior utility Megan Grant followed up the first run with a two-run homer and a couple batters later, Garcia struck her second three-run homer of the game. The Bruins seventh hit in the fourth led to UCLA's last run of the inning off of a single to put them up 14-0.
A few more in the fifth
UCLA added four more runs in the top of the fifth with two of those runs came off Mujica's two-run homer. The Bruins were up 18-0 and with the Fighting Illini being unable to get home in the bottom of the fifth, the run rule was initiated.
The Bruins will return home to Easton Stadium in Los Angeles to play their midweek game against Cal Baptist on Tuesday with an anticipated start time of 6 p.m. PT.
There is another high-level transfer portal center that Michigan State has been linked to on Monday.
Jeff Goodman, a college basketball insider for The Field of 68 / On3, reported a list of schools that are in the mix for Cincinnati transfer Moustapha Thiam, with Michigan State included. Other schools mentioned by Goodman includes St. John's, UConn, Gonzaga, Arkansas, Duke, Kansas, Texas A&M, Tennessee and UCF.
Thiam has started all 65 games he's played in his first two seasons at Cincinnati, averaging double-digits in scoring in both seasons. This past year, he averaged 12.8 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game.
Thiam is listed at 7-foot-2 and can clearly make an impact on both ends of the floor -- hence why so many big-name programs are in pursuit of his talents in the portal. Michigan State has been linked to a number of center prospects, but this was the first time Thiam had been connected to the Spartans. This could be a player we monitor more and more, especially as we anticipate a decision looming from fellow portal target Alabama transfer Aiden Sherrell. If the Spartans are unable to land Sherrell, then I would anticipate they go all-in on someone like Thiam.
In addition to St. John's, Cincinnati transfer Moustapha Thiam is also considering the following, per source:
UConn Gonzaga Arkansas Duke Kansas Michigan State Texas A&M Tennessee UCF https://t.co/miMHbO4fD6
Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page onFacebookto follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Robert Bondy on X @RobertBondy5.
The 2026 NBA draft is two months away. BYU star AJ Dybantsa is the likely No. 1 pick. Now that the NBA regular season has ended, we can see which teams ended up at the bottom of the standings, all while Adam Silver and the league wrestle with how to create a better, stronger anti-tanking plan. This is a discussion which is both familiar and frustrating. Let's try to make sense of it, keeping in mind the always-changing realities of college basketball and how the college game shapes each year's draft.
Not all NBA draft situations are equal
NBA analysts say this, and they're right: Not all drafts are equal. Some give Tim Duncan, AJ Dybantsa, Zion Williamson, LeBron James, Dwight Howard, or Derrick Rose as a No. 1 pick. Other drafts produce Michael Olowokandi, Kwame Brown, Andrea Bargnani, Anthony Bennett, or Markelle Fultz as a top pick. The incentives for tanking aren't the same each year. An anti-tanking plan has to make sense in a larger context beyond one year's NBA draft dynamics.
Washington Wizards
The Washington Wizards went 17-65, the worst record in the NBA this season. Should they have the best odds for the No. 1 pick (Dybantsa), in a year when the top of the draft board is viewed as being relatively strong? That's a very important question. Should a team be incentivized to lose more -- 65 times compared to 55 or 50 times -- in pursuit of a top pick?
Don't reward losing too much
Obviously the non-playoff teams should get first dibs on the next year's best college players, but it shouldn't be a race to the bottom -- first to 65 losses wins. That's where the NBA has to think of something creative which improves the league product or, at the very least, is fan-friendly.
Reward fans of losing teams, not the teams themselves
If owners pinch pennies or do things to not make their team fully competitive, that's not a fan-friendly approach. Anti-tanking plans should not view wins and losses as irrelevant, but not as the be-all and end-all.
An anti-tanking plan -- inspired by Charles Barkley's point that sub-.500 teams should not be allowed to raise ticket prices for the following season -- would be to reward teams with lower average ticket prices with a higher draft pick. A non-playoff team with 30 wins gets preference over a team with 20 wins if the 30-win team has a lower average ticket price. Wouldn't that be an incentive for owners to adjust?
Playing players
NBA teams can have 15 players on a roster. The NBA should be even better at limiting the number of back-to-backs teams play, but that point aside, the point of rostering 15 players -- or any number of players -- should be to have all players play and make meaningful contributions to the team. NBA teams which play more players at least 10 minutes a game -- more than just a two-minute garbage-time cameo appearance -- could receive first-in-line NBA draft priority over other teams, even if they win more games.
Change of mindset
The natural inclination has been to let NBA teams with more losses pick first. The change in mindset should be to reward teams which do fan-friendly and player-friendly things during the season. The two ideas above are examples. Other similar ideas could flow from those and govern a new anti-tanking plan.
AJ Dybantsa
AJ Dybantsa of BYU has consistently been viewed as the best player in the 2026 NBA draft. The buzz surrounding him isn't new or recent; it has been there all along. When a draft has a possible top pick who has regularly stood at the forefront of the conversation, the incentive to tank becomes greater. The NBA has to get away from creating situations where teams lose in pursuit of a prospect such as Dybantsa.
International imports in college basketball
We have seen international players become top picks several times this century. We are also seeing college teams such as Arizona and Illinois lean into international recruiting and have success with it. Both Arizona and Illinois made the Final Four this year. If teams really love a specific international star, they should be rewarded with a chance to draft him not because they lost more games, but because they exhibited good internal governance and operational behavior.
Good business practice
This is the solution to the idea that tanking incentives aren't the same every year, due to some drafts having very weak No. 1 picks and other drafts having future Hall of Famers as the top pick. An anti-tanking plan which works every year can't bend to the particularities of each draft class. The focus in the NBA should move to which organizations exhibit the best business practices and treatment of both fans and players. That's where the incentive structure should move to; it isn't there now.
Contact/Follow@College_Wire on X and@College_Wires on Threads. Like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of college sports news, notes, and opinions.
Rueben Bain Jr., a projected top 2026 NFL Draft pick, was involved in a deadly car accident in 2024, according to multiple reports
Bain was at the wheel when his SUV crashed on a South Florida highway early on the morning of March 17
One of Bain's passengers, 22-year-old Destiny Betts, later died from injuries she sustained in the wreck
One of the top edge rushers in the upcoming NFL Draft has been linked to a deadly 2024 crash in Florida, according to multiple reports.
Rueben Bain Jr., a standout defensive end at national championship runner-up Miami who is projected to be a top 10 pick at the draft later this month, was at the wheel of an SUV on a South Florida highway when one of his passengers died in a crash, according to court documents obtained by The Read Optional and OutKick and cited by ESPN.
Bain, 21, was driving a 2021 Land Rover on Interstate 95 north in Miami in the early morning hours of March 17, 2024 when he allegedly rear-ended another car, hit a concrete barrier and then ricocheted into another barrier before the SUV came to rest on the shoulder, according to the crash report, per the outlets.
Three other passengers — fellow Hurricanes players Wesley Bissainthe and Nyjalik Kelly, as well as Destiny Betts, 22, of Georgia — were inside the vehicle.
Betts, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was seriously injured and transported to Ryder Trauma Center in Miami, according to The Read Optional.
Rueben Bain Jr. at the 2026 Miami Pro Day Credit: Megan Briggs/Getty
Betts was in a coma for nearly three months before she died from her injuries on June 13, 2024, the outlet reported.
According to the police report, per the outlet, Bain was cited for operating the SUV “in a careless or negligent manner.”
The charges were later dropped, according to The Read Optional. At the scene of the accident, no field sobriety tests were administered, according to the crash report.
A year later, Bain was cited for careless driving but was not charged due to a “defective citation,” PEOPLE confirmed.
Multiple teams are aware of the accident, OutKick reported, but it is unknown how it could affect the first-team All-American player’s status at the draft, which begins April 23.
The New England Patriots are inching closer to the 2026 NFL Draft, and a recent mock draft has the team getting quarterback Drake Maye another offensive weapon.
The Ahletic’s Nick Baumgardner predicts that the Patriots will take Notre Dame wide receiver Malachi Fields with the 63rd overall pick in the second round of the draft.
This is one of the deeper draft classes at the receiver position, and the Patriots could choose to wait until Day 2 to address that position. However, Fields would be an intriguing selection due to his impressive physical stature. The 6-foot-4 and 218-pound wideout can dominate on the outside in contested catch situations.
He could serve as a solid complement for veteran wide receiver Romeo Doubs on offense. The 22-year-old recorded 35 catches for 630 yards and five touchdowns last season, averaging a team-high 17.5 yards per reception. Fields' size could come up big for the Patriots in red zone situations at the next level.
There is still a possibility that the team could look to trade for Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown after June 1, but they obviously can't afford to view that move as a certainty. They have to continue to find ways to improve offensively, even if it means making a move in the draft.
Perhaps selecting a big and powerful playmaker like Fields would be the right move to make.
As the Texas winter and spring high school sports season marches on, The Standard-Times will continue accepting nominations for City National Bank Athlete of the Week throughout the year.
Plenty of action and outstanding performances remain in the high school sports season as local track teams head to the postseason and other spring sports ramp up competition.
The Standard-Times will release a list of finalists for the High School Athlete of the Week each Monday, and several standouts were nominated for the most recent City National Bank Athlete of the Week award.
The poll starts every Monday and runs until 11 a.m. Thursday, and the winner will be announced shortly after.
Jesus Garza, Sonora boys track – He won the District 7-2A 1600-meter run event with a time of 4:54.34 and the 3200-meter run event with a time of 10:41.95.
Slayton Hallmark, Wall boys track – He won the District 6-3A 110-meter hurdles event with a time of 14.03 and the 300-meter hurdles with a time of 38.90.
Ryler Hunt, Christoval baseball – He went two of four from the plate with three RBIs, one run, one double and one home run.
Bryson McFarden, Wall boys track – He won the District 6-3A high jump event with a height of 6-feet and 8-inches.
Taelynn Oden, Colorado City softball – She went two of three at the plate with two runs, two RBI’s, one double and one homerun in a 6-1 win over Christoval.
Kellan Oliver, Wall baseball – He went four of four from the plate with six RBIs, four runs and two home runs.
Kayleigh Pump, Christoval girls track – She won the District 7-2A 1600-meter run event with a time of 6:03.38 and the 3200-meter event with a time of 13:20.97.
Ashtyn Wilson, Ballinger girls track – She won the District 8-2A 100-meter hurdles event with a time of 15.15 seconds.
Nominations for next week's award are due by 5 p.m. every Saturday and can be submitted through email at sports@gosanangelo.com.
Students participating in all varsity sports are eligible for nomination. Please include an athlete's statistics/times from a single game/event in an email to the San Angelo Standard-Times.
Athletes who win Athlete of the Week cannot win the award twice for the same sport. An athlete can be nominated in a different sport, but can't win the award more than three times in a school year.
Paul Witwer covers high school sports and Angelo State University sports for The San Angelo Standard-Times. Reach him at sports@gosanangelo.com. Follow him on X @Paul_Witwer, Instagram and TikTok at pwitwer_sast.
BLOOMINGTON — Indiana basketball reached into the ACC for its latest addition this portal cycle, when Duke wing Darren Harris announced Monday his decision to transfer to Bloomington.
A 6-foot-6 forward who played his prep basketball for WCAC powerhouse program Paul VI, Harris was a top-50 recruit when he signed with the Blue Devils in the 2024 class. He arrived in Durham with a strong reputation as a dangerous 3-point shooter, but struggled to find his rhythm there. Over 57 games at Duke, Harris shot just 30.8% from 3.
But he saw substantial improvement from his freshman to his sophomore seasons in both 3-point and free-throw shooting, against a negligible turnover rate. He fits the mold Darian DeVries likes in his wing players, given his combination of length and range. With players like Nick Dorn and Jasai Miles gone, Harris figures to step into meaningful minutes as a multiyear transfer already familiar with the demands of high-major basketball.
He was part of a busy and ultimately lucrative early period of the transfer window that saw top targets including Markus Burton, Aiden Sherrell and Jaeden Mustaf all pass through Bloomington as well.
Harris joins FILL IN REST OF TRANSFER CLASS TO DATE HERE.
The Indianapolis Colts are doing their homework on the quarterback position in the 2026 NFL draft.
According to the NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, the Colts are hosting North Dakota State quarterback Cole Payton on an official pre-draft visit. Indianapolis has also had LSU's Garrett Nussmeier in for a visit as well.
During the pre-draft process, each NFL team can have up to 30 draft prospects take an official visit. These visits can be with first-round prospects all the way to UDFAs.
Let's take a closer look at what Payton could bring to the Colts.
Colts 2026 NFL draft prospect to watch: QB Cole Payton
The 2025 season was Payton's first as a full-year starter. He completed 71% of his 226 pass attempts, averaging a whopping 12.0 yards per pass attempt with 16 touchdowns to four interceptions.
Among all FCS quarterbacks, Payton ranked first in yards per pass attempt by a wide margin, according to PFF. He also took care of the ball with a turnover-worthy play rate of only 2% and ranked first in big-time throw rate as well, showcasing his ability to make downfield and tight-window throws.
Cole Payton is a QB prospect in the 2026 draft class. He scored a 9.87 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 15 out of 1111 QB from 1987 to 2026.https://t.co/7xavaCW8dnpic.twitter.com/jCf0wiRpUg
Here is what NFL.com's Lance Zierlein had to say about Payton in his pre-draft report:
"Payton is a dual-threat, single-season FCS starter with good size. He’s a lefty with shoddy mechanics and subpar arm talent, but he still manages to deliver throws with touch to all three levels. He lacks drive velocity to dot throws into tight windows and might not have the timing needed to outfox pro zone defenders, though. He’s not shifty but excels when short yardage is needed and has build-up speed for explosive runs once he gets rolling. Payton projects as a QB3 and will require packaged plays to take advantage of his rushing ability until he proves himself a functional pocket passer."
What is the Colts' need at quarterback?
With Daniel Jones under contract, the need here is low. The Colts put all of their offseason eggs in the Daniel Jones basket, believing that the success that he had through the first half of last season can be repeated and sustained, even with him coming off a major injury.
Assuming the Colts do find a trade partner for Anthony Richardson, that still leaves them with Riley Leonard as the team's backup. Leonard impressed during his Week 18 start against Houston last season, showcasing that he is ready to fill that backup role.
Perhaps later in the draft or afterward in undrafted free agency, the Colts will make an addition to compete with Seth Henigan for the third quarterback spot on the depth chart. Before the Colts can bring in another developmental quarterback, there are more pressing needs to tackle.
Jordan Ott has had a huge say in the Phoenix Suns having a surprise season.
That’s a major reason why he should be considered for 2025-26 NBA Coach of the Year.
“First-year coach, the expectations people had of us,” Suns big Oso Ighodaro said. “And to do it in the West this year with how competitive the West was. More importantly than the results, just who he is and how he’s handled this season. His character has been high level. He’s been elite.”
The Suns made the now 41-year-old Ott their fourth head in four seasons last summer in replacing Mike Budenholzer after a 36-win season with a Big 3 of Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal.
Ott took on the challenge that included long-term injuries to key players and coached the Suns (45-37) to seventh in the West, four spots better than last season.
The Suns will look to advance to the playoffs through the play-in tournament as they’ll face the Portland Trail Blazers (42-40) in the 7-8 Play-In game April 14 at Mortgage Matchup Center.
The winner will advance to the Western Conference playoffs as the seventh seed. The loser gets one more shot, on April 17, against the winner of the No. 9 Clippers vs. No. 10 Warriors Play-In game, which is April 15.
“When you’re around the league for so many years, just in basketball, you’re really grateful for a group that likes each other,” Ott said, who won Western Conference coach of the month in January. “That’s stuff, we as coaches, it’s really hard to generate. We have good guys who are about the right stuff.”
The Suns have their share of award candidates aside from Ott.
Most improved: Collin Gillespie
Gillespie averaged a career-high 12.7 points in his second season in Phoenix, setting the franchise single-season record for made 3s at 232.
Gillespie went 39-of-90 last season on 3s as a two-way contract player. He spent much of 2024-25 with the Valley Suns G League team.
Playing all but two games this season, Gillespie is one of nine players in NBA history to have 350-plus assists, 230-plus 3-pointers and 95-plus steals in a season. He started 58 games after collecting just nine starts last season.
Gillespie scored a career-high 30 points in a road win Feb. 3 over the Blazers.
All-Defensive team: Jordan Goodwin
One of the league leaders in steals, Goodwin has averaged two-plus steals in 31 games off the bench, the most among NBA reserves this season.
He averaged 1.5 steals in his second season with the Suns.
The Suns finished ninth in the NBA in defensive rating, with Goodwin their best on-ball defender. He’s also able to defend bigger players in the post despite standing just 6-3.
Goodwin earned the 2026 Dan Majerle Hustle Award.
Have opinions about the current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-810-5518. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @DuaneRankin.
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Auburn baseball takes a step forward in the polls this week after taking two of three games from Kentucky over the weekend.
The latest USA TODAY Coaches Poll has placed Auburn at No. 11 in this week's rankings, up one spot from No. 12 in last week's poll. The Tigers rose in the polls after going 2-2 in last week's action, dropping a midweek contest to Jax State and the middle game to Kentucky on Saturday by a run. Both the Gamecocks and Wildcats received votes in this week's USA TODAY Coaches Poll.
Auburn is one of 10 SEC teams in this week's coaches poll, joining Texas, Georgia, Texas A&M, Alabama, and Oklahoma in the top 15. Texas A&M made a giant jump in the ranking after taking two games from Texas and former head coach Jim Schlossnagel over the weekend; the Longhorns fell from No. 2 to No. 4 after losing the series to their in-state rival. Auburn's next opponent, Florida, jumped six places to No. 18 after winning a road series at Georgia. The Bulldogs, however, suffered minimal damage by falling one space to No. 5.
Here is a look at this week's USA TODAY Coaches Poll:
Rank
Team
Record
PTS
1st
Prev
Chg
Hi/Lo
1
UCLA Bruins
33-2
750
30
1
-
1/2
2
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
30-5
719
0
3
1
2/5
3
North Carolina Tar Heels
30-6
680
0
5
2
3/14
4
Texas Longhorns
27-7
621
0
2
2
2/4
5
Georgia Bulldogs
29-8
618
0
4
1
4/13
6
Oregon State Beavers
28-7
611
0
7
1
6/18
7
Texas A&M Aggies
27-7
516
0
15
8
7/NR
8
Coastal Carolina Chanticleers
26-9
511
0
11
3
7/25
9
USC Trojans
30-7
506
0
10
1
8/NR
10
Florida State Seminoles
24-11
437
0
6
4
6/17
11
Auburn Tigers
24-11
402
0
12
1
4/12
12
Virginia Cavaliers
26-11
383
0
14
2
11/NR
13
Alabama Crimson Tide
26-11
325
0
9
4
9/NR
14
Oklahoma Sooners
24-11
319
0
18
4
8/NR
15
West Virginia Mountaineers
24-8
306
0
19
4
12/NR
16
Mississippi State Bulldogs
26-10
305
0
8
8
3/16
17
Arkansas Razorbacks
24-13
272
0
22
5
5/22
18
Florida Gators
27-10
233
0
24
6
8/25
19
Oregon Ducks
26-10
216
0
20
1
10/NR
20
Southern Miss Golden Eagles
25-11
176
0
13
7
7/20
21
Kansas Jayhawks
26-10
153
0
NR
12
21/NR
22
Arizona State Sun Devils
26-11
138
0
21
1
21/NR
23
Ole Miss Rebels
26-11
125
0
NR
3
18/NR
24
Boston College Eagles
26-12
111
0
25
1
24/25
25
Nebraska Cornhuskers
27-9
93
0
17
8
17/NR
Schools Dropped Out
No. 16 UCF; No. 23 North Carolina State;
Others Receiving Votes
North Carolina State 74; UCF 49; Jacksonville State 33; Miami (FL) 15; Tennessee 14; California Baptist 13; Missouri State 6; Wake Forest 5; Kentucky 4; UC Santa Barbara 3; Vanderbilt 2; UTSA 2; LSU 2; Liberty 1; Dallas Baptist 1;
Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinions.You can also follow Taylor on Twitter @TaylorJones__
Joan Beringer registered his first double-double on Sunday and joined Kevin Garnett in franchise history, leading the Minnesota Timberwolves to a win in their regular-season finale.
Beringer recorded a career-high 24 points, 13 rebounds, seven blocked shots and two assists in a 132-126 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans. Earning his third start, Beringer finished by shooting 9-of-12 from the field in 31 minutes, 16 seconds of action.
The 17th overall pick tied Garnett for the most blocks by a rookie in a single game in franchise history. He also became the youngest player in history to record at least 20 points, 10 rebounds and five blocked shots in a game (19 years, 152 days).
"There is a lot to polish there, but the motor is high," Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said of Beringer. "We've said from Day 1 that he is pretty fearless. He has got to keep learning on the job. He did a good job the last two games of staying out of foul trouble but still being a big presence defensively."
Beringer played sparingly this season with the Timberwolves, averaging 3.9 points and 2.3 rebounds while shooting 66.3% from the field in 40 appearances. He had the chance to log 20 or more minutes over their last three games after they clinched a playoff berth on April 7.
The Frenchman also spent time in the G League with the Iowa Wolves, averaging 14.6 points, 10.9 rebounds and 2.4 blocks in 11 games. He registered seven double-doubles, including an 18-point, 19-rebound effort on March 16 in a win over the Salt Lake City Stars.
Beringer has spent the year mostly in a developmental role, showcasing his ability as a rim-roller and rebounder in a limited sample size. The team is excited about his potential as he continues to expand his overall game on both ends of the court.
Northamptonshire were frustrated by the rain on the final day of their County Championship match with Kent at Canterbury, which ended in a draw.
The visitors took two early wickets in the morning session to reduce Kent to 179-5, but they were unable to make further inroads before rain stopped play at 12.30pm. When play finally resumed Ben Compton and Daniel Bell-Drummond batted for 14 overs to secure the draw.
The visitors' Harry Conway finished with match figures of 7-95. Compton was unbeaten on 114 at stumps, while Bell-Drummond was 36 not out.
Kent's chances had looked slim when they resumed on 162-3 overnight, with Compton unbeaten on 70 and the night-watcher Singh on 0.
Singh was the first to go, trying to fend off a Conway bouncer and gloving it behind for two. Sanderson then removed Tawanda Muyeye, lbw for four, but Bell-Drummond joined Compton and batted through until the rain forced an early lunch, with Kent on 231-5.
Compton was stranded on 99 and play didn't resume until 5.05pm, with 60 overs lost.
When the match finally did get back under way Compton looked vulnerable to the first three deliveries he faced, but after he took a single from Harrison to reach three figures there were few serious alarms. The players shook hands on the draw at 5.55pm.
Report by ECB Reporters' Network, supported by Rothesay.
What should fans expect from the Houston Texans entering 2026?
The AFC South franchise is fresh off its 12-win season since 2012, following a dominant run from the defensive front. The only problem? The Texans are 0-3 in divisional round playoff games since the run of the DeMeco Ryans era started in 2023.
Houston seems to be all-in for the 2026 season with Pro Bowl quarterback C.J. Stroud entering a prove-it year as QB1. Offseason moves made included shoring up the offensive line with Cleveland Browns Pro Bowl guard Wyatt Teller and Indianapolis Colts right tackle Braden Smith. They also traded for David Montgomery from the Detroit Lions and restructured his deal.
Defensively, Houston brought back Sheldon Rankins for the defensive line and bolstered the secondary with the arrival of Reed Blankenship from Philadelphia. They also signed Logan Hall from Tampa Bay to bolster the run defense while bringing back E.J. Speed as linebacker depth.
So, what does the roster look like headed into the draft?
Let's dive in and see the newest additions, plus how they will fit into the lineup.
Quarterback
Starter: C.J. Stroud
Backups: Davis Mills, Graham Mertz
Running Backs
Starter: David Montgomery
Backups: Woody Marks, Jawhar Jordan, British Brooks
Over the weekend, Texas Longhorns football was busy on the recruiting trail. They welcomed three-star 2027 recruit Travion Washington to campus for an unofficial visit. While Washington has not set a commitment date, he made his interest in Texas clear and got a preview of what his future in the burnt orange could hold.
While the Longhorns would get a boost with Washington in the mix, they are not the only program interested in his services. The talented linebacker has received offers from some of the top programs in the nation, including Arkansas, Auburn, Colorado, Florida State, Miami, Michigan, Ohio State, Ole Miss, and Alabama. That list could continue to grow the longer Washington is on the market.
— Travion “Tray” Washington (@TravionWas24901) April 11, 2026
The heavy interest comes as no surprise, given how Washington is viewed by scouts. He is ranked as the 13th-best linebacker in his class by 247Sports Composite. They also rank the Longhorns' recruiting target as the fifth-best player from Mississippi and the 165th-best player in the nation. That is partly why programs such as the Longhorns have made Washington a target.
If the Brandon High star were to begin his career at the Forty Acres, he would be part of a talented 2027 class. The Longhorns have secured commitments from four-star recruits Easton Royal and Cameron Hall. They will be joined by three-star recruits Keyon Hemphill-Woods, JT Geraci, Karnell James, Cade Huag, and Jackson Cook. That group is currently ranked 11th in the nation.
As Washington continues to weigh his options, the Longhorns will be a team to watch. They have only one commitment from a linebacker in the 2027 class and could use more depth at the position. That is one of the many reasons Washington would be a welcome addition.
With plenty of holes to fill, the Longhorns are far from done filling out their roster, and Washington is their latest target.
Florida baseball was on the upswing this week, earning a trio of victories over a pair of top-10 teams in four tries to move up six spots to No. 18 in the latest USA TODAY Sports Baseball Coaches Poll. The Gators now sit between the No. 17 Arkansas Razorbacks and No. 19 Oregon Ducks.
The week began with the completion of a season sweep of the then-sixth-ranked Florida State Seminoles on Tuesday night with a 4-3 win in Tallahassee. Kevin O'Sullivan's squad moved on to Athens, where they opened the weekend with an 8-2 victory over the then-fourth-ranked Georgia Bulldogs on Friday night, followed by a 5-1 loss on Saturday afternoon, and then concluded with a 13-7 slugfest triumph on Sunday afternoon that sealed the deal on the series win.
Next up for the Orange and Blue are the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats, who travel to Gainesville for a Tuesday night midweek matchup starting at 6:30 p.m. ET inside Condron Family Ballpark. The homestand continues into the weekend, with the No. 13 Auburn Tigers arriving in town for a trio starting on Friday at 5:30 p.m. ET.
SEC schools in USA TODAY Sports Baseball Coaches Poll Week 9
The Texas Longhorns remain the top-ranked SEC team but fell two spots to No. 4 overall, followed by Georgia (No. 5) and the Texas A&M Aggies (No. 7), both of whom also sit among the top 10. The Auburn Tigers (No. 11), Alabama Crimson Tide (No. 13), Oklahoma Sooners (No. 14), Mississippi State Bulldogs (No. 16), Arkansas Razorbacks (No. 17), Florida (No. 18) and Ole Miss Rebels (No. 23) round out the conference's representation among the top 25.
USA TODAY Sports Baseball Coaches Poll top 25 for Week 9
Rk
Team
Rec
PTS
1st
Prev
Chg
H/L
1
UCLA
33-2
750
30
1
-
1/2
2
GA Tech
30-5
719
0
3
1
2/5
3
UNC
30-6
680
0
5
2
3/14
4
Texas
27-7
621
0
2
2
2/4
5
Georgia
29-8
618
0
4
1
4/13
6
Oregon St
28-7
611
0
7
1
6/18
7
TX A&M
27-7
516
0
15
8
7/NR
8
Co Carolina
26-9
511
0
11
3
7/25
9
USC
30-7
506
0
10
1
8/NR
10
FSU
24-11
437
0
6
4
6/17
11
Auburn
24-11
402
0
12
1
4/12
12
Virginia
26-11
383
0
14
2
11/NR
13
Alabama
26-11
325
0
9
4
9/NR
14
Oklahoma
24-11
319
0
18
4
8/NR
15
W Virginia
24-8
306
0
19
4
12/NR
16
Miss St
26-10
305
0
8
8
3/16
17
Arkansas
24-13
272
0
22
5
5/22
18
Florida
27-10
233
0
24
6
8/25
19
Oregon
26-10
216
0
20
1
10/NR
20
So Miss
25-11
176
0
13
7
7/20
21
Kansas
26-10
153
0
NR
12
21/NR
22
Arizona St
26-11
138
0
21
1
21/NR
23
Ole Miss
26-11
125
0
NR
3
18/NR
24
Boston Col
26-12
111
0
25
1
24/25
25
Nebraska
27-9
93
0
17
8
17/NR
Schools Dropped Out
No. 16 UCF; No. 23 North Carolina State
Others Receiving Votes
North Carolina State 74; UCF 49; Jacksonville State 33; Miami (FL) 15; Tennessee 14; California Baptist 13; Missouri State 6; Wake Forest 5; Kentucky 4; UC Santa Barbara 3; Vanderbilt 2; UTSA 2; LSU 2; Liberty 1; Dallas Baptist 1
Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
It's no secret WrestleMania is WWE's biggest event of the year, now annually held in NFL stadiums. It consistently has filled up the venue, but it's been a struggle in 2026.
Back at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, attending WrestleMania 42 has been a hot topic in the wrestling world, as fans have been frustrated with the cost of attending it. There are a multitude of factors contributing the unhappiness, and it's resulted in WWE trying several late pushes in hopes of getting people in the stands − and not having to deal with empty seats.
The clock is ticking on selling tickets with the event less than a week away, so what's going on with WrestleMania 42 tickets? Let's explore what's causing the controversy.
What's the deal with WrestleMania tickets?
There are multitude of factors at play, including WWE keeping WrestleMania in Las Vegas for the second straight year. However, the main issue has been the price.
WWE ticket prices have risen exponentially since the company merged with UFC in September 2023 to form TKO Group Holdings. It's been a consistent talker for years, causing pain for what has long been advertised as a family event. The cost finally reached a breaking point with WrestleMania 42, with ticket packages noticeably higher than previous years. When tickets first released, the get-in price to attend both night one and night two were over $850.
Not only is the cost high, but fans have felt the match card isn't worth the price, with frustrations felt in storytelling and quality of fights. Last year's ticket cost was also high, but it was fueled by the demand to see John Cena's final WrestleMania match.
The issues have become such a talking point, World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk advocated for lower prices during his pipebomb on the April 6 edition of Raw, targeting Pat McAfee.
"You want to talk about ticket sales, do me a favor: call up that agent that was foolish enough to shoehorn you into this business and this show and tell him to lower the ticket prices," Punk said. "Lower the ticket prices because I want all these families to come and watch me stand on Roman Reigns' throat at WrestleMania."
WrestleMania 42 tickets sales
The frustrations have been shown in ticket sales. As of April 10, there have been just over 40,000 tickets distributed for night one and 42,000 for night two, respectively, according to WrestleTix.
While it's a good portion considering each night is set up for 45,000 seats, it's a major drop from the 60,000 tickets WWE had last year. The announced attendance of WrestleMania 41 night one was 58,538, while night two was 60,103.
Allegiant Stadium also has a capacity near 70,000 for non-football events.
WWE pushes for WrestleMania discounts
In an effort to get people in seats, WWE has run several promotional discounts. The first major one came on March 16, in honor of Stone Cold Steve Austin Day, with a 31.6% discount on prices.
Another effort came on the April 10 episode of SmackDown, when Pat McAfee announced a 25% discount on tickets for night one, which features the Undisputed WWE Championship match between Cody Rhodes against Randy Orton, who McAfee is controversially backing up.
How much are WrestleMania tickets?
With some late pushes and discounts, WrestleMania 42 ticket prices have dropped considerably as the event gets closer. Of course, the cheaper tickets will be further away from the ring and off to the sides or behind the stage, making it harder to see entrances.
Ticketmaster is the official seller of WrestleMania tickets, and here are get-in prices as of Monday, April 13:
Deebo Samuel in Las Vegas? The idea seems more and more plausible. The veteran receiver is still lingering in free agency this spring. Making him one of the best players remaining in the open market at this juncture of the offseason.
The Raiders could certainly use the help. Las Vegas's receiving unit did not produce a single pass-catcher who went for more than 700 yards in 2025 and added just Jalen Nailor this offseason. Tre Tucker played well last season. He recorded 696 yards on the year. Nevertheless, Las Vegas has need for a dynamic wide receiver to elevate their offense.
The 2026 NFL Draft will give the Raiders the opportunity to select out for a top prospect at wide receiver as early as the second round, with Indiana’s Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza being a foregone conclusion to land in Las Vegas at No. 1 overall. Indiana WR Omar Cooper Jr., Notre Dame’s Malachi Fields, as well as Tennessee’s Chris Brazzell II are among the best players anticipated to be in range for the Raiders to begin day 2 of the draft.
But best not to pin their hopes on landing a top receiver in this draft. So, there’s still room for Samuel in the Raiders offense.
Samuel is compatible for Las Vegas through and through. He went for 727 yards as well as five touchdowns in 2025 with the Washington Commanders. And the 30-year-old showed that he can still handle the ball in the ground game, despite a drastic reduction in carries last season.
The Raiders’ offense needs dynamism in 2026. Even if it’s taking the slightest bit of pressure off of Ashton Jeanty, who got the lion's share of carries in the ground game last season with 266, Samuel has the ability to do that in his role. Is he still a secondary wide receiver? His output proves that he is capable of being that in Vegas next season.
After another exciting week of the high school girls track and field season, it's time to look back on the best performances.
Read about the athletes who stood out last week and let us know who you think should be the HSS North Jersey Performer of the Week in the poll at the bottom of this page.
Voting closes at 5 p.m. Thursday.
Adelosa Afonja, Dwight-Englewood
The junior jumper went 36-1 1/2 in the triple jump, longest in North Jersey this season at the Aviator Relays at Hasbrouck Heights, just nine inches from the school record.
Mikaella Francisco, Clifton
The senior jumper dominated both the long and triple jumps at the Dr. Boverini Passaic County Relays at Wayne Hills, breaking a 29-year-old school record in the long jump at 17-7, more than a foot further than any other girl and triple jumping 35-10, tying another school mark.
Tori Hackett, Passaic Tech
The sophomore added a new event to her repertoire, leading all 400 meter hurdlers at the Passaic County Relays with a time of 65.26, already among the top 30 times in Passaic County history. She also had the longest javelin throw of the day at 127-9 and ran legs on the Bulldogs winning shuttle hurdles and 4-x-400 teams.
Julia Korpics, Hawthorne
The senior shattered the 12-year-old school record in the shot by tossing a massive personal best and Passaic County leading 38-2 a week after crushing her own school record in the discus. The old shot put record was 36-4 by Sherika Dyer in 2014
Catherine Larsen, Ramsey
The senior added the 400 hurdles to her arsenal this season and ran a sensational 63.0 hand timed race at the Aviator Relays, cracking the top 35 all-time in Bergen history and coming within a second of the school record set nearly 20 years ago. One of the mainstays of Ramsey's back-to-back state Group 1 state winter relays titles, is now even more of an individual threat.
For the Summer Creek High School boys' soccer team, what a difference a year makes.
"Our team doesn't have a lot of cliques," senior captain Patrick Cleveland said. "Last year, we would be like seniors, juniors, and sophomores."
"We really start to focus on each other and build as a team, and then now as we are in the postseason, we're on a good streak right now, and hopefully it doesn't end," junior captain Kainoa Carlsward said.
The Bulldogs finished last in the district a year ago, only winning five games all season. This year, they are District 23-6A champs and just eliminated with a shutout against the defending state champs from Vandegrift. The Bulldogs will play in their first state championship in school history.
"I don't think that there's a secret," head coach Parker O'Quinn said. "We just work hard, and these guys have been grinding since August and, you know, they've put in the hours, and I just try and get out of the way."
Their journey to this point started when O'Quinn took over and set the expectations for the program in August.
"When I got here in August, we didn't talk about a rebuild," O'Quinn said. "My perspective is you can't have a rebuild because these seniors don't get another year. These juniors don't get another year."
O'Quinn also said the goal was to win the regional final. Well, the Bulldogs have reached and exceeded their early-season goals.
"Making a reasonable goal was good, and then being able to get further than our goal and achieving a state final was great," junior captain Bruno Montemayor said.
And with a win, they'll add to history, which they have already made. Completing an improbable turnaround with memories that will last forever.
"You want to go out and think it's any other game, just play your game, try to keep a level head, and then stay confident yourself," Kainoa Carlsward said.
"I'm trying to hold off on visualizing," Monemayor said. "I don't want to get too ahead of myself, but yeah, of course, how can someone not imagine what it might feel like in the future in the school, not only in that school, but in the communities?"
Former Tennessee Titans cornerback Chris Payton-Jones has died in a car crash in Florida, his family confirmed to the New York Post.
Payton-Jones played four years at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln before entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent. He first joined the Detroit Lions as a practice squad member, but was later signed by the Arizona Cardinals, where he played from 2018 to 2020.
In 2020, he also spent time on the Lions' active roster, as well as the Minnesota Vikings. In 2021, he played the entire season with the Titans, and in 2022, he landed on the Las Vegas Raiders practice squad.
He joined the XFL in 2023 and transferred to the UFL when the XFL and USFL merged.
Everyone who knew Payton-Jones loved him. He was well-respected and very well liked among his peers, coaches, and mentors.
Payton-Jones was driving his sedan when he was hit head-on by a truck and did not survive the collision. The truck's three passengers suffered minor injuries.
Tony Jacklin will tell you, "It was Jack." Jack Nicklaus said, "I'm sure it was Tony."
Whoever decided the course the two World Golf Hall of Fame members co-designed in Bradenton 20 years ago should be named, "The Concession," it certainly does not matter now.
Jacklin, the then-25-year-old Brit, wearing a light blue sweater, has his left arm draped over the shoulder and around the slightly taller Nicklaus. Jacklin is holding a putter in his left hand.
Nicklaus, then 29, with the red U.S. sweater and flowing blonde hair, has his arm around Jacklin, his right hand resting on his shoulder.
Both men have a slight smile, understanding in the moment and what it meant when Nicklaus conceded a 2- to 3-foot putt in the 1969 Ryder Cup that, if Jacklin missed, would have meant an outright victory for the Americans.
But the tie, the first in Ryder Cup history, allowed the U.S. to retain the Cup.
And that was good enough for Jack.
"I thought the spirit of the Ryder Cup was goodwill, camaraderie, building friendships across the pond and doing it the right way," Nicklaus once told The Palm Beach Post. "And I thought that was the right way to do it."
That moment has been honored through the years as the ultimate act of sportsmanship, becoming the catalyst for the Nicklaus-Jacklin Award, which recognizes a Ryder Cup player who exemplifies sportsmanship, teamwork and integrity.
And a golf course.
It was the early 2000s when Jacklin, living in Bradenton, took the photo to a developer and said, "What about building a course as a memorial? I don't know if it's ever been done and it would be a nice thing to do," Jacklin recently told The Palm Beach Post.
"And then he turned to me and says 'Let's have a look at this idea.' "
That look turned into a concept. And then reality.
Jacklin went to Nicklaus, proposed a co-design and in 2006 The Concession Golf Club was unveiled west of I-75 in Bradenton, on the Manatee and Sarasota county line.
The Concession will host the Senior PGA Championship for the next three years, the first starting April 16. The par 72 will play 7,152 yards for the elite of the 50-and-older tour. The tournament, hosted by the PGA of America, will be played for the 86th year, the oldest of the five major championships in men's senior golf.
This is the first time the Senior PGA Championship will be played in Florida since it was held at PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens from 1982-2000.
"It's a tough golf course. It's a very challenging golf course," said Nicklaus, who lives in North Palm Beach. "They wanted a championship golf course. They wanted something that was going to be challenging."
Tony Jacklin's inspiration for The Concession depicted in photo
Jacklin, 81, and Nicklaus, 86, were friends before that 1969 Ryder Cup that allowed the U.S. to continue its dominance against a team that had yet to include players from all of continental Europe.
The U.S. retained the Cup in 1969 for the sixth straight year and 13th time in 14 years.
Jacklin was the best player on either side that year, going 4-0-2. He played Nicklaus twice in singles on the final day, winning the morning match 4 and 3.
"I beat him quite comfortably in the morning," Jacklin said. "He wasn't on the top of his game. It was as simple as that, but everybody knows match play. It's all about, you know, up and down. Nothing's straightforward when it comes to match play."
Jacklin, who was born in England, was one of the pioneers when it came to taking his talents to Palm Beach County. He and his wife, Astrid, moved to the area in 1993 — long before it became the preferred destination for so many PGA Tour professionals. Before finding a place to settle, they moved in with Jack and Barbara Nicklaus for about a month.
When Jacklin joined the senior tour in 1994, he struck a deal to represent PGA National, which is where he and Astrid established their permanent residence. At least until they moved to Bradenton in 1999.
Jacklin is a member of Nicklaus' Captains Club at the Memorial Tournament that Nicklaus founded and hosts in Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio. The club is an elite, independent group of international golf ambassadors.
"I see Tony a lot," Nicklaus said. "Tony and I have been good friends for a long time."
So Jacklin knew he had to make one call when he was "burned out" playing senior golf — his only Tour Champions wins were in 1994 and 1995 — and came up with the idea to build a golf course.
That led to driving across the state and meeting with Nicklaus.
"I told him what I'd thought, we could build this golf course together and it would memorialize the moment," Jacklin said. "We said, 'Let's go and try and find some land.' "
Jacklin found the land through a member at Bradenton Country Club, where he still lives.
"He insisted that it was a collaboration," Jacklin said. "It was a Nicklaus Design in association with me. I would have had no problem taking a back seat with his design, but he actually insisted, to his eternal credit, that, no, let's just do it together."
The project was finished in 2006, although the clubhouse was not completed for about another three years.
Golf Digest named Concession its “Best New Private Course” in 2006 and it has been consistently among its top 10 Florida courses, including No. 5 in its latest ranking.
Concession has hosted one official PGA Tour event, the 2021 WGC-Workday Championship won by Collin Morikawa, a tournament that was relocated from Mexico City because of COVID.
In 2023, Concession held the inaugural World Champions Cup, a senior stroke play golf tournament featuring teams from the USA, Europe and an International team.
Paul Azinger, the lead analyst for the senior tour's broadcast team, was among Concession’s original members.
“It’s great for the area,” the 66-year-old Azinger said. “We’re going to have an economic boom, and this golf tournament is going to be a big reason why."
Jack Nicklaus believes Concession greens could be challenging for seniors
Jacklin no longer plays much golf, but he takes pride in his role as an ambassador for the club. He lives about a 45-minute drive from the course.
But he does remember his best round at Concession. He says it was about 20 years ago when he shot a 1-under 71 from the tips.
"I was hitting four irons and woods into par 4s," he said. "After I did that, I said, 'that's it. That's as good as I'm ever going to do.'"
Jacklin never played from the tips again.
Nicklaus, who enjoys designing challenging golf courses, can foresee what's going to happen when the seniors step onto the course.
"The guys will complain a lot about the greens," he joked, before getting serious.
"Actually, it depends really on the speed they get them. If the greens are not lightning fast, they won't be bad. But if they get really lightning fast, they won't. But they, of course, can get tough."
Nicklaus talking about putting at The Concession is fitting considering it was borne out of a putt that never was hit.
One that made a major impression on Jacklin and in a way helped shape part of his life.
"As he picked his ball out of the hole, he picked my marker up," Jacklin recalls of that day more than 56 years ago at the Royal Birkdale Golf Club in Southport, England. "I was shocked and obviously, mixed emotions. Shock would be the first one and then gratitude. I was thankful that I didn't have to make it in those circumstances.
"And he said at the time, 'I don't believe you would have missed it, but I would never give you the opportunity in these circumstances.' People who knew golf continued to make reference to the '69 match because it was a sort of watershed year."
Tom D'Angelo is a senior sports columnist and reporter for The Palm Beach Post. He can be reached at tdangelo@pbpost.com.
Nottinghamshire closed out their first win of the County Championship season as Glamorgan, tasked with scoring 478 to secure a highly improbable victory, were bowled out for 285.
Asa Tribe, unbeaten on 82 overnight, was dismissed in the third over of the morning but promoted Glamorgan at least demanded patience and perseverance of the defending champions, who collected 20 points to go second in the early-season Division One table, winning by 192 runs.
Starting on 132-2, Glamorgan were 200-7 at lunch but kept Nottinghamshire in the field until just before 16:00 BST, thanks to a show of defiance led by Mason Crane, their leg-spinner, who batted two-and-a-half hours for his 39.
Crane was last man out, leg before to left-arm spinner Liam Patterson-White, who finished with 3-13. There were two wickets for all-rounder Lyndon James, who did not start this match but came in as a last-day replacement after Australian bowler Fergus O'Neill dropped out with a rib injury.
O'Neill had taken five wickets in the match and played an important role with the bat too, his first-innings half-century helping Nottinghamshire recover from 103-6 to 279 all out after being put in on a difficult pitch.
Jack Haynes led that fightback with his first century of the season, matched by Joe Clarke in the second innings, whose 136 was key to giving his side a commanding lead after Glamorgan had been dismissed for 113.
Glamorgan went into the final day theoretically needing 346 more to win. Surviving 96 overs nine down or fewer was a more realistic target, so losing three wickets in the first five overs of the day was not the kind of start that was needed.
The news that O'Neill would miss the remainder might have been a source of comfort but Hutton and Dillon Pennington, who had combined effectively on the third evening after 52 overs were lost to rain, continued where they had left off.
Pennington struck first, having Kiran Carlson caught behind with a fine ball that took the outside edge of the Glamorgan captain's defensive bat, before Hutton landed two major blows in the space of nine deliveries.
The bigger of the two came first as Tribe, who had survived a fierce test of his technique and temperament before Sunday's close, shaped to play square into the off side only to bottom-edge into his stumps.
Wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne, who had been standing up when Tribe was facing Hutton, went back for Colin Ingram and profited almost immediately as the 40-year-old Glamorgan stalwart could only connect with the edge as he went to drive.
James, the all-rounder, came in for O'Neill as the second injury replacement of the match.
Sean Dickson, the first of the substitutes after Ben Kellaway dropped out on day one, joined Chris Cooke in the middle and the pair mounted some resistance. Had they been able to sustain it beyond lunch, then Glamorgan might have felt they still had a chance of effecting an escape.
But James, on after a brief spell from Josh Tongue at the Stuart Broad End, removed each of them in consecutive overs, Cooke leg before and Dickson caught behind square, both pulling. Lunch saw Glamorgan 200-7.
To their credit, Glamorgan refused to roll over.
Timm van der Gugten and Crane dug in for another hour before the former was leg before to Patterson-White.
Crane found another durable partner in Andy Gorvin, who almost made it through 21 overs to tea, only to lose concentration just two balls from the scheduled interval time, dragging on a delivery from Patterson-White to be bowled, the ninth wicket delaying tea just long enough for the left-arm spinner to finish the job.
Report by ECB Reporters' Network, supported by Rothesay.
Why did he win? Because, he was very good on and around the greens at Augusta National.
McIlroy bombed his driver throughout the week, but he hit the fairway off the tee just 55% of the time. To wit, he missed the fairway to the right on his final hole. As he did throughout most of the week, McIlroy avoided disaster. He needed a bogey on No. 18 to win at 12-under, and so bogey was what he carded.
Why does he still rule the Masters? It's obvious. His putting was dialed in, particularly during his sizzling Round 2, when he needed just 24 putts. He had only two three-putts throughout the 72 holes.
That included a three-putt on No. 4 of his final round for his lone Sunday double-bogey.
McIlroy got his round back on track with a 7-footer for birdie on No. 7, then made another 7-footer for more red ink on the par-3 No. 12, kicking off back-to-back birdies in a tour through Amen Corner that won the Masters for McIlroy.
Asked to grade his tournament in the various facets of his game, here's how McIlroy saw it:
Rory McIlroy's driving at Masters
McIlroy's grade: B-
What he said: "I didn't drive the ball great. I drove it better (in the final round)."
McIlroy's irons at Masters
McIlroy's grade: B
What he said: "My irons were really good, Thursday, Friday, and (Sunday) I felt like I hit some better iron shots. (Saturday) was really poor."
McIlroy's short game and putting at Masters
McIlroy's grade: A+
What he said: "My scrambling and my short game and my putting, that's what won me the tournament this week."
North Carolina coach Bill Belichick caught a stray during a recent segment on Run It Back, when Michelle Beadle, Lou Williams, and Chandler Parsons discussed the hiring of former NBA champion Michael Malone as North Carolina's new basketball coach.
The cast was asked if they thought that Malone would be more successful at North Carolina than Belichick.
Last season was clearly a disappointment for Belichick's Tar Heels, who went 4-8 in their first season under the former New England Patriots' six-time Super Bowl-winning head coach. In addition to losing football games, there was also the off-the-field noise emanating from Belichick's relationship with his 25-year-old girlfriend, Jordon Hudson.
"The logical hiring of Michael Malone out of nowhere to be their new head coach, although he hasn't coached in the college ranks since 2001. But then again, they did hire Bill Belichick with a whopping 4-8 record," said Beadle. "So, talk to me. He's gotta be better than Belichick, right? Gotta be."
Both Williams and Parsons agreed that Malone would be more successful at North Carolina than Belichick.
To be fair, Malone is 54 years old in comparison to the 73-year-old Belichick. So there's a good chance that he will have more time on his hands to turn things around.
He might also be set up with a better situation overall considering the Tar Heels' perennial success as a basketball program. One would assume that Malone will have significantly more to work with than Belichick did upon arrival.
"Michael Malone will have a lot more success at North Carolina than Bill Belichick," Parsons quipped.
Belichick has certainly received his fair share of criticism for his first season at Chapel Hill. There's hope that he can start to turn things around after his first full season with the program. However, it's also clear that the legendary coach has his work cut out for him to get the team on the right track.
The Pittsburgh Steelers offseason kicked off with the resignation of Mike Tomlin and hasn't let up since. Now the Steelers are less than two weeks to the start of the 2026 NFL Draft and there's still more work to do. The team has made some huge changes on the roster via free agency and trade which forced us to make some changes in our top four draft needs.
One big caveat here. No quarterback in our top draft needs. With Aaron Rodgers eventually showing up and Will Howard having the support of head coach Mike McCarthy, we've taken quarterback off our list completely.
1 - Offensive guard
Replacing Isaac Seumalo was a top priority heading into the offseason and the Steelers didn't address it. We aren't opposed to Spencer Anderson starting the season at left guard, but long-term, his value is as a reserve who can play multiple spots. The top of the draft has four guards who we see could come in and start Week One to address this need.
2 - Wide receiver
You might think trading for Michael Pittman Jr. fixed the wide receiver issues but it didn't at all. NFL teams need at least three starting-caliber receivers, which is why we have a wide receiver here. In terms of draft order, we won't be at all surprised if a receiver is the target in the first round.
3 - Tight end
The Steelers lost two of their top four tight ends this offseason and without Jonnu Smith and Connor Heyward and must be replaced. This draft is filled with prospects who offer value as both receivers and blockers and with three third-round picks, look for one of them to come off the board there.
4 - Offensive tackle
The future of starting left tackle Broderick Jones is currently up in the air. There are concerns he won't be ready to start the season, and if he misses a significant chunk of the year or struggles, hemight not get a new contract at the end of the year. This why we view drafting a player who might be able to replace him sooner rather than later this high.
Take notice, Esports world. Florida State is one game away from its second national championship in collegiate Splatoon. On Sunday, the team defeated UC Santa Cruz 5-4 in a best-of-nine set, advancing to the Collegiate Cephalopod Association's Division 7 National Championship.
FSU Goldies started by dropping the first game to UC Santa Cruz in Splat Zones, but responded by taking the next three games in a row in Tower Control, Rainmaker, and Clam Blitz. With a 3-1 lead, the Seminoles let UC Santa Cruz back in as they won their second Splat Zones game and another game in Tower Control.
A 3-3 tie brought it to match point on Clam Blitz in the Museum d'Alfonsino map, but UC Santa Cruz would push it to a game nine, with it being all on the line in Splat Zones on Shipshape Cargo Co. In a thrilling game nine where FSU brought it to one point away from a knockout, the Goldies allowed UC Santa Cruz to score 81 out of the 100 points to clinch the match.
In the last 10 seconds, FSU painted the zone and ran out the clock to punch its ticket to the national championship. FSU Splatoon advances for just the second time to the National Championship game in the CCA league. The last time they were there in 2023, they won it all.
Commentator inker2_ on the Twitch livestream was quoted as saying, "That set really had it all. No hyperbole to it. That was absolutely everything you could possibly want in a best-of-nine. FSU, knowing that they had a problem in Splat Zones, [they needed] to overcome [their] greatest challenge to deserve the finals. They are definitely deserving of their finals spot to go and take it home."
Kyon, the other commentator, also spoke on the match's intensity, "That was a fun one to watch," he said.
Player Revolution on advancing to the national championship put it best: "To be able to be out there representing Florida State, it’s amazing, but it can get pretty intense. There was a lot of pressure in this match, and there’s going to be more in the finals, but when it’s game time, you just have to clear your head out of all the noise and stay focused. That’s what I did here, and I think it made the difference in a few places for everyone to stay focused and go for the win."
Clover added to this, saying, "I’m really glad to be here for this. We’ve worked really hard and improved a lot since the start of the season, so this is a big testament to our growth. I’ll do my best to treat this next match like any other, since I always try to stay level-headed in a high-pressure match. Just watching the game back has my heart pounding. We really worked hard to make it work."
In his postgame interview, team captain Ghast told Kyon and Inker about saving the game, "It's always me telling myself that it's not over till it's over. No matter what the score is, always try your best."
The Goldies will play the University of Houston in a rematch of the group 3 championship game in the national championship. The championship game will be held on Sunday, March 19th at 8 p.m. ET. Fans can stay updated by following @FSUSplatoon on X.
Contact/Follow us @FSUWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida State news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Jacob on X at @jsmith_sports.
Hull FC announced last week that John Cartwright would be leaving the club at the end of the season [swpix.com]
Outgoing Hull FC head coach John Cartwright says he has not been given a reason for why they have opted to part ways with him at the end of the season.
"I still haven't been given one (a reason), I have asked and I expect to be able to sit down with someone in the not too distant future.
"When people know the facts they can make their own mind up but for me I feel a bit betrayed and disrespected."
In a candid interview Cartwright said he had not had a "major" fallout with the board prior to them making the decision.
It has been widely reported that former England and Catalans Dragons head coach Steve McNamara will be coming in as his replacement.
Cartwright confirmed that he expects the Warrington assistant to take over at MKM Stadium at the end of the year.
"I believe it's done. The information was leaked and I found the timing of that awkward," he said.
"I've got nothing against Steve McNamara at all, it's just the business we're in, but I thought the timing could have been handled better."
'A training session wouldn't have been of any value'
Cartwright led the Black and Whites to a seventh-placed finish, three points off a play-off place, last season.
He said that they had cancelled last Tuesday's training session after he told the team about his exit.
"There was a pretty emotional meeting when I addressed the players," he said.
"The coaches left the room and the players decided to stay. In all honesty it wasn't the type of atmosphere where a training session would have been of any value so I decided to call the day off.
"They needed to go and chat amongst themselves. I haven't asked what was said, it's not my business. I think they had some grievances that they wanted to talk about and I don't know if they have been addressed either."
The former Gold Coast Titans head coach said that despite his own situation he would not allow the season to be "wasted".
"We've got to make sure we win as many games as we can," he said.
"It's ridiculous to waste a season. We're sitting two points out of the top six."
Ninth-placed Hull FC next welcome Challenge Cup semi-finalists St Helens on Thursday.
The NBA’s regular season is over, and it was an up-and-down one for former UConn players. Some are thriving, like Stephon Castle and Donovan Clingan, while others are just trying to hang on to a roster spot and ensure they’ll be in these rankings next season.
Here’s a look at how the former Huskies fared in the NBA this year.
1. Stephon Castle, San Antonio Spurs
After a season in which he averaged 16.7 points, 7.4 assists and 5.3 rebounds, Castle is one of the most important players on a possible championship team, as the Spurs enter the playoffs with high hopes. San Antonio finished with the second-best record in the league at 62-20, and is the No. 2 seed out West to start the playoffs. They also had the top-seed Oklahoma City Thunder’s number, winning four of five matchups in the regular season. You throw out the records when you get to the playoffs, but it’s clear the Spurs match up well with the defending champs. Another thing is clear, too–Castle could be a name casual NBA fans get to know well as the Spurs are in a position to contend for a long time.
2. Donovan Clingan, Portland Trail Blazers
The Bristol big man quietly had an excellent season, averaging a double-double–12.1 points and 11.6 rebounds, while starting 77 games and shooting 52 percent from the floor. He even increased his 3-point percentage to 34 percent, and is averaging over a make per game. Clingan is a key reason why Portland has steadily improved over the last two seasons– from 21 wins in 2024 to 36 last year, to 42 this season and a spot in the West Play-In. The Blazers will take on the Suns in the 7-8 game on Tuesday (10 p.m.)
3. Cam Spencer, Memphis Grizzlies
Is Cam trending toward becoming an Austin Reaves-level star in the NBA? Before you push back, think about this: Spencer finished third in the entire league in 3-point shooting percentage this season, at 44.9 percent. He trailed only the Lakers’ Luke Kennard and the Bucks’ Bobby Portis. He also shot 47.3 percent overall– fantastic for a guard. He started 20 games for the Grizzlies this season and averaged 11.1 points and 5.6 assists in 23.8 minutes. If you adjust those stats for consistent starter’s minutes (per-36 minutes), he’s averaging 16.8 points and 8.4 assists, truly impressive numbers. Spencer is clearly in the team’s plans, as he signed a four-year contract last offseason worth $10.5 million.
4. Andre Drummond, Philadelphia 76ers
Drummond will look to help the 76ers get out of the Play-In Tournament in the East starting Wednesday. Philly is the No. 7 seed, taking on the Magic in Round 1. As it almost goes without saying at this point, they’ll be without Joel Embiid, who came down with appendicitis and is out indefinitely. The 32-year-old Drummond averaged 6.4 points and 8.4 rebounds while shooting 47.2 percent this season.
McNeeley is now a G League champion, as his Greensboro Swarm swept the playoff bracket to take home the title. The former Husky scored 21 points in the clincher, and averaged 19.6 through 18 G League games. Sure, it’s not the NBA, but McNeeley proved he’s elite at the level below, and now he’ll hope for a chance to contribute as Charlotte embarks on its NBA playoff run, beginning Tuesday night at home vs. the Heat (7:30 p.m.). The Hornets are the No. 9 seed in the East, but have one of the league’s best records in the second half of the season, making them dangerous this spring.
6. Jordan Hawkins, New Orleans Pelicans
Hawk saw his role diminished greatly this season, as he went from averaging 23.6 minutes per last year to just over 13 minutes this season. He posted just 4.9 points per game while shooting 37 percent, numbers well below what UConn fans know he’s capable of. The team has an option on his contract for next season, and a fresh start elsewhere seems like the best outcome.
7. Tyrese Martin, Philadelphia 76ers
It wasn’t quite the year Martin had hoped for, as he was waived by the Brooklyn Nets in February and signed to a two-way contract with Philadelphia. He hasn’t been able to make much of an impact with the Sixers, averaging just nine minutes in nine games. Martin will look for a more permanent role, either in Philly or elsewhere next season.
8. Andre Jackson Jr., Milwaukee Bucks
Jackson didn’t make much of an impact this season, averaging just 2.4 points in 8.5 minutes per game. The team has an option on his contract for next season, and it seems unlikely he’ll return. The hope is that another team saw enough in him to allow him to compete for a roster spot next season.
The New York Giants have agreed to terms with veteran quarterback Brandon Allen, adding experienced depth to their quarterback room as the team prepares for the upcoming season.
Allen, 33, brings 10 years of NFL experience as a reliable backup and occasional starter.
Brandon Allen signing with #Giants per league source, reunites him with Brian Callahan, his coach with #Titans, who is now New York quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator #NFLhttps://t.co/7JaaZn6zj0
Originally a sixth-round draft pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2016 out of Arkansas, he has suited up for multiple teams, including the Los Angeles Rams, Denver Broncos, Cincinnati Bengals, San Francisco 49ers, and most recently the Tennessee Titans.
Across 19 career games with 10 starts, he has completed 56.7 percent of his passes for 1,882 yards, 11 touchdowns, and nine interceptions.
With Jaxson Dart entrenched as the starter and Jameis Winston serving as the primary backup, Allen is expected to fill the QB3 role or compete for the position during training camp.
The move reunites Allen with new Giants quarterbacks coach Brian Callahan, who previously served as head coach in Tennessee and worked with Allen during their shared time with the Bengals.
Allen's familiarity with Callahan's should help accelerate his integration into the offense. The signing provides the Giants with a steady veteran presence behind their young core as they build for the future.
Fantasy expert consensus rankings (“ECR”) are starting to pop up across the Internet, giving managers an early glimpse into how the market might value hundreds of players this summer. As we look ahead to the 2026 season, here are the biggest Falcons bargains based on ECR.
There might not be a more top-heavy offense in the league. Bijan Robinson (RB1 ECR) and Drake London (WR8 ECR) have almost nowhere to go but sideways or down. Robinson is elite. London is near-elite. Playing at their full potential, they can both dominate.
Yes, there’s Kyle Pitts (TE8 ECR). As noted earlier, he has historically underperformed when his alpha WR is on the field. We need to dig a lot deeper, with the understanding that Atlanta’s highest-producing fantasy QB last year (Michael Penix) was the QB30, while the second-best fantasy WR (Darnell Mooney) was the WR90. Yeah. Yikes.
So the hard part for managers is whether any Falcon can be viewed as a “bargain.” I’m willing to bet on Brian Robinson at his RB58 ECR price point. A departing Tyler Allgeier last season managed RB50 numbers, and we’ve seen him do better than that despite playing behind Bijan Robinson. Assuming he locks down the handcuff role in camp (and assuming this team doesn’t draft an RB who might compete for the backup role), Brian Robinson should outperform expectations.
Whoever starts at quarterback will also be a clear-cut bargain. Not surprisingly, Penix’s ECR is QB30, while Tua Tagovailoa’s is QB34, which is somehow behind Shedeur Sanders and Geno Smith. One of the Falcons’ quarterbacks can be a QB24 or better in points per game, thanks to a strong core of high-end playmakers.
Also, keep an eye on which wideout (or “wideouts”) Atlanta drafts. It would be inconceivable for them to roll with London, backed by Jahan Dotson and Olamide Zaccheaus. If I’m mistaken and they stand pat, then Dotson (unranked) or Zaccheaus (WR114 ECR) should top Mooney’s 2025 production and finish in the top 80. But if this team invests in a starter-ready wide receiver, that rookie would be primed for top-60 numbers.
In nine nerve-wracking minutes, Christian Fuchs admits he lost a few years.
Now the man who was part of Leicester City's 5,000-1 Premier League win could be just a week away of securing an unlikely EFL survival as the numbers start adding up for his Newport County side.
The Exiles were bottom of League Two and four points from safety when the ex-Austria international was appointed in his first crack at management.
It had been looking bleak for some time for the Amber Army, wondering if their 13th season at this level would have proven an unlucky one.
But, after enduring nine minutes of injury time, the weekend's 2-1 win over fellow strugglers Harrogate Town has pushed Fuchs' men four points clear with three games remaining.
"As you can imagine, it was a huge one," said Fuchs on the importance of a win secured when defender Joe Thomas turned unlikely hero with an eye-catching first goal of the season.
"We knew the importance of the game, obviously, and it was very important for the players to understand that all the feelings that you have around this game are completely normal.
"We knew what was on the line, what can be with either outcome, but the boys showed the right response.
"But I definitely lost a couple of years of my life!"
Fuchs, 40, cannot relax yet but there is a chance Newport can seal survival this weekend should rivals Barrow slip up when they play their game in hand against Oldham Athletic on Tuesday.
Defeat for Sam Foley's side would mean Newport would head into Saturday's game at Cheltenham Town knowing three points would be enough to retain EFL status should the sides below them lose.
Fuchs, though, is not calculating any targets.
"We're just going into every game to win it," he said. "That has to be our mentality. It's not, 'Okay, let's sit back, let's see the next game out and see what happens'.
"We need to be on the front foot and being a nuisance for the opposition - when we do that, that's definitely playing to our strengths."
Delp recorded 20 receptions for 261 yards and a touchdown in 2025. The 22-year-old averaged no less than 17.7 yards per reception in any of his previous three seasons at Georgia from 2023-25. He has exceptional speed in the open field for a tight end, and his pass protection has also steadily improved.
With Hunter Henry turning 31 years old and Austin Hooper leaving in free agency, the Patriots are expected to make another move at tight end. The team signed veteran blocking tight end Julian Hill in free agency. However, they still have room for another dual-threat option at the position.
Delp joins the list of prospects that the Patriots have in consideration for this year’s draft. The Patriots have the option to host up to 30 prospects at their facility before the draft commences on April 23.
The 2026 NFL Draft is less than two weeks away, which means teams are putting the final touches on their boards and analysts are putting together the last of their mock drafts. The Los Angeles Rams' top need has become clear from the outside looking in, with wide receiver jumping to the forefront after the team's big additions at cornerback.
That doesn't mean it's certain the Rams will take a wide receiver with their first pick, though. Offensive tackle is on the table, and cornerback remains an option, too. No matter which direction the Rams go, they're going to add a talented rookie to their offense or defense in Round 1.
With just over a week to go until the main event, we rounded up the latest mock draft projections from experts. While there isn't a unanimous prospect for the Rams, one player has become the most popular at No. 13: Makai Lemon out of USC.
Here are the latest mock draft projections from NFL draft experts.
A one-year starter who's probably still a bit of a project, Freeling might not necessarily make sense for a Rams team looking to cash in its chips for another title push with Matthew Stafford at the helm. Yet with both of the top receivers off the board, Los Angeles might have to make the best of things. Freeling could take over at some point for right tackle Warren McClendon Jr., who is entering the final year of his deal.
Many a mock draft has paired Makai Lemon with the Rams, and we'll continue that here. A Puka Nacua/Davante Adams/Lemon trio would be a tremendous advantage for Matthew Stafford and Sean McVay in 2026, and Lemon could step into a bigger role in 2027, should Adams leave after this year.
Tyson’s draft slot feels difficult to pinpoint, even at this stage in the cycle. Although injuries could cause a fall, his twitchy releases, wide catch radius and clutch playmaking will attract a slew of teams. The Rams seem likely to add another dynamic playmaker in what could be Matthew Stafford’s final season, and Tyson would assemble a ludicrous trio next to Puka Nacua and Davante Adams.
Let me be clear: Any receiving corps that includes Puka Nacua and Davante Adams is not actually in need. Inside linebacker and right tackle qualify better in the traditional sense of "need." But Les Snead has attacked this offseason with a Super Bowl-or-bust mentality. Concepcion scored 28 touchdowns in 38 college games. He drops the ball more than he should, but the ones he holds onto have a way of making it into the end zone, whether as a receiver, runner or returner. I think he could give the Rams a similar jolt to the one Rashid Shaheed provided the Seahawks last year.
Mauigoa brings an intriguing blend of size, strength, and versatility that would immediately bolster the Rams’ offensive line. Whether it’s at tackle or potentially sliding inside depending on the team’s needs, he has the tools to compete for a starting role right away. His physicality in the run game, paired with his ability to anchor in pass protection, makes him a valuable addition for a team looking to stay balanced offensively.
This is a clean fit for both parties involved. Longtime right tackle Rob Havenstein retired this offseason, opening the door for the Rams to grab a talented right tackle prospect in Lomu. He would be a perfect fit in Sean McVay’s running game, routinely showing off ideal power and athleticism that prototypical tackle prospects possess in the NFL.
This is a clean fit for both parties involved. Longtime right tackle Rob Havenstein retired this offseason, opening the door for the Rams to grab a talented right tackle prospect in Lomu. He would be a perfect fit in Sean McVay’s running game, routinely showing off ideal power and athleticism that prototypical tackle prospects possess in the NFL.
Lemon fits with a lot of what the Rams do on offense. And taking the 2025 Biletnikoff Award winner would be a sign that the Rams are truly all-in to win in 2026, potentially Matthew Stafford's final season. But this pick would also have the long term in mind, with Davante Adams entering the final year of his deal and turning 34 in December.
SB Nation didn't provide a write-up of its selection but in this mock, the Rams pass on Kenyon Sadiq and Jordyn Tyson in favor of Lemon, who's becoming the clear-cut favorite for Los Angeles in mock drafts.
Ryder picked Purdue over reported offers from Illinois State, North Dakota and Southern Miss. The 6-foot-5, 210-pound QB does not yet have a star rating in the Rivals industry rankings. Per 247Sports, he is a three-star prospect ranked No. 984 overall and No. 57 among quarterbacks.
"Ready for the next chapter," Ryder wrote, in part.
Ryder became the third known 2027 commit, all on offense. Florida running back Amos Bradford announced his commitment Sunday. Bastrop (Texas) receiver Dallas Crescenzo committed in October.
Ryder threw for 1,784 yards and 17 touchdowns against four touchdowns in 10 games for New Trier last season, per MaxPreps. He also rushed for 163 yards and four touchdowns on 19 carries.
Purdue has made the Chicago area renewed recruiting focus since the beginning of Barry Odom's tenure. It signed four Illinois prospects in the 2026 class, three from the greater Chicago area.
Corin Berry enrolled this winter as the quarterback for the 2026 class. Purdue currently projects to still have current starting quarterback Ryan Browne around for the 2027 season. Backups Evans Chuba and Garyt Odom could also still be in the fold at that time.
With the 2026 NFL draft near, we will be taking a position-by-position look at where things stand with the Indianapolis Colts.
The draft will take place from Apr. 23-25. The Colts have a modest seven draft picks at the moment, including just two in the top 100. GM Chris Ballard, however, has hinted strongly at wanting to gain additional capital. That, in part, could come from trading Kenny Moore.
Up first in our draft preview are the quarterbacks.
Colts' quarterbacks under contract
Daniel Jones
Anthony Richardson
Riley Leonard
Seth Henigan
Colts' offseason departures at quarterback
None -- as of now. The Colts are attempting to trade Anthony Richardson.
What is the Colts' need at quarterback?
With Daniel Jones under contract, the need here is low. The Colts put all of their offseason eggs in the Daniel Jones basket, believing that the success that he had through the first half of last season can be repeated and sustained, even with him coming off a major injury.
Assuming the Colts do find a trade partner for Anthony Richardson, that still leaves them with Riley Leonard as the team's backup. Leonard impressed during his Week 18 start against Houston last season, showcasing that he is ready to fill that backup role.
Perhaps after the draft, the Colts will sign a UDFA to compete with Seth Henigan for the third quarterback spot on the depth chart. Given the needs on the roster elsewhere, and that Ballard is in a must-win season, he may not have the luxury of using a draft pick -- even a late round selection -- on this position group.
The entire team made the trip out to New York for the draft, where as many as six UCLA players could get selected. The Bruins have four consensus first round picks in Lauren Betts, Gabriela Jaquez, Kiki Rice and Gianna Kneepkens. Both Angela Dugalic and Charlisse Leger-Wallker have developed games and will likely garner draft consideration as well.
Q: How do you think your style of play translates to the WNBA?
A: “My versatility. I’m able to pull people out with my shooting ability but also as a low post presence – so I can pick and choose how I want to score. I also feel like I’m a pretty good passer. That passing role has been my role the past few years playing with UCLA … And then defensively, I can switch really well so I can guard one through five.”
Gabriela Jaquez
Q: What will it be like playing against your former UCLA teammates?
A: “It’s going to be a little weird. I played against Gianna [Kneepkens] before. I played against [Charlisse Leger-Walker] before, and Lauren [Betts] when she was at Stanford. But obviously we’re teammates for life. So, it will be a little weird, especially Kiki [Rice] because we've been teammates for four years. We were even thinking like, dang, we need to learn new plays now and go to a new team. We’ve been running the same system for four years. So, it will be an adjustment, but it'll be fun and really competitive.”
Gianna Kneepkens:
Q: How does it feel to go through this moment with your UCLA teammates?
A: “It’s been incredible. I couldn’t have asked for a better situation. It’s cool to see the behind-the-scenes of what they have done and the work they’ve put in. To see them get to this point and be able to do it alongside them has been really special.”
Kiki Rice:
Q: We’re two days out from the WNBA Draft; can you describe your emotions?
A: “Just excited. This is a moment I’ve been dreaming of for a very long time. So, finally to be in New York, to be at the Draft, is honestly really exciting [and] a little bit surreal. I’m really just excited to see where I end up and get to the new organization and meet my teammates.”
Lauren Betts:
Q: Who are you most excited to match up with?
A: “I think any of my [UCLA] teammates. Once I see them in their W jerseys, I’m probably going to cry after the game just because I’m so proud of them. I feel like that’s going to be a surreal experience, seeing everyone on their different teams.”
Andy Robertson has won two Premier League titles and the Champions League during his time at Liverpool [Getty Images]
Tottenham are in advanced talks over a free transfer for Liverpool defender Andy Robertson this summer.
Robertson confirmed last week he is leaving Anfield after nine years at the club when his contract expires this summer.
Spurs have a long-term interest in the 32-year-old left-back and tried to sign him during the January transfer window but Liverpool were not prepared to let him leave.
Tottenham remain committed to signing the Scotland captain and while sources insist a full agreement is yet to be reached, discussions are understood to be at an advanced stage.
Any deal, however, is contingent on Spurs staying in the Premier League.
They are 18th in the table and in the relegation zone, two points adrift of 17th-placed West Ham.
Tottenham want to add experience and leadership to their squad this summer and view Robertson as a key target before manager Roberto de Zerbi's first full season in charge.
Meanwhile, club captain Cristian Romero will have tests on Monday to determine the extent of the knee injury sustained in Sunday's loss to Sunderland.
Romero looked visibly upset as he limped off after a collision with goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky, raising concerns the centre-half may have picked up a serious injury which could rule him out of Tottenham's final six games of the season.
Any long-term injury would also have an impact on the 27-year-old's involvement in Argentina's World Cup squad.
Chase Elliott had a rough NASCAR Cup Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway. After winning the Cup Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway, Elliott came home with a 22nd-place finish at Bristol as the last driver one lap down. The driver of the No. 9 car caused the second-to-final caution after spinning out by himself, avoiding the wall.
However, Elliott's race took another turn for the worst in NASCAR overtime. Coming off of Turn 4, the Hendrick Motorsports driver spun out again, collecting Ty Dillon. NASCAR kept the race green, as Elliott got his car straight and crossed the start-finish line.
Here you can watch Elliott's No. 9 car onboard camera during his second self-spin at Bristol on Sunday afternoon.
Something everyone missed, including myself: There was a crash on the last lap. Chase Elliott self spun coming to the white flag and collected Ty Dillon.
NASCAR let the race go green with Elliott out of harm's way on the inside of Turn 1. pic.twitter.com/yx7XiKjGx3
Elliott had a tough race at Bristol, and he will be happy to see that Kansas Speedway is next on the NASCAR schedule. After all, the driver of the No. 9 car won the last time NASCAR competed at Kansas in 2025.
Former Sunderland captain Gary Bennett says the Black Cats' mantra of "keeping going and making it to 40 points" this season is credit to head coach Regis le Bris and his players.
Former England captain Wayne Rooney says Manchester City "will have the edge" psychologically in the Premier League title race.
Speaking on The Wayne Rooney Show, he said City "know how to win the title" and "have a manager who knows how to do it".
"I think City will have the edge on that, just purely the manager and players they've got. They will be able to stay a little calmer than the Arsenal players," said Rooney.
"They will be worried because when you go on a run and lose a few games, you start thinking 'where's the next goal, the next win going to come from?' That negative mindset really has an impact on your performance."
Manchester City beat Chelsea 3-0 on Sunday to take advantage of Arsenal slipping up with a 2-1 defeat by Bournemouth on Saturday.
Rooney said that whoever wins Sunday's "title decider" in Manchester will be favourites to win the league.
He added that he thinks a draw will be a "good point" for Arsenal, who may need to "play dirty".
Rooney added Mikel Arteta's side must "be tough to break down, make sure there's no gaps between the lines and try to hit them on the break".
He added: "Whether the fans like that type of football or not, they have to do anything to stop City winning. They need to be resilient enough to stop City from scoring."
Former England captain Wayne Rooney says Manchester City "will have the edge" psychologically over Arsenal in the Premier League title race.
Speaking on The Wayne Rooney Show, he said City "know how to win the title" and "have a manager who knows how to do it".
"I think City will have the edge on that, just purely the manager and players they've got. They will be able to stay a little calmer than the Arsenal players," he said.
"They will be worried because when you go on a run and lose a few games, you start thinking 'where's the next goal, the next win going to come from?' That negative mindset really has an impact on your performance."
Manchester City beat Chelsea 3-0 on Sunday to take advantage of Arsenal slipping up with a 2-1 defeat by Bournemouth on Saturday.
Rooney said that whoever wins Sunday's "title decider" in Manchester will be favourites to win the league.
He believes a draw will be a "good point" for Arsenal, who may need to "play dirty".
Rooney added Mikel Arteta's side must "be tough to break down, make sure there's no gaps between the lines and try to hit them on the break.
"Whether the fans like that type of football or not, they have to do anything to stop City winning. They need to be resilient enough to stop City from scoring."
Zan Vipotnik has scored 21 league goals for Swansea City this season, five more than nearest rival Haji Wright of Coventry City [Huw Evans Picture Agency]
He's the Championship's top scorer enjoying the season of his life.
So much so, that not even Harry Kane can touch the clinical nature of Swansea City's Zan Vipotnik's 2025-26.
England captain Kane may have hit 31 Bundesliga goals for Bayern Munich to leave him clear in the Golden Shoe charts.
But that's what you would expect from a world-class striker getting world-class service.
For Vipotnik, and his 21 goals in a mid-table Swansea side, it's a different story.
Indeed, according to Opta's Expected Goals (xG), the 24-year-old Slovenia international should not have scored as half as many as he has.
Because Vipotnik is out-performing an xG of 11.61 by 9.39 goals. In other words, he's scored at least nine more goals than statistics would suggest.
For comparison Kane's xG is 24.34 compared to his actual tally of 31.
He is still the biggest over-performer in the Bundesliga on that metric.
Leading the Premier League, Wales forward's Harry Wilson's 10 goals for Fulham against an xG of 5.12 underlines his superb season.
Take penalties out of the equation, and Manchester City's Antoine Semenyo leads the way with his 14 goals comparted to an xG of 8.57.
But only one player in Europe's top five leagues and England's EFL betters Vipotnik with Reading's former Wrexham striker Jack Marriott boasting 16 goals against an xG of just 6.54.
Freak or fluke?
Harry Wilson has scored a career-best 10 Premier League goals this season - with an xG of 5.12 [Getty Images]
It does pose the question whether Vipotnik's season is freakish or a fluke.
Signed on a free from Bordeaux in the summer of 2024, the powerful number nine only managed seven goals in his debut campaign.
But while he took his time to adapt to British football, observers at Swansea would often cite his consistently impressive finishing in training.
He has displayed it and then some this season, goals of all types despite a team that have struggled to create, offering a significant presence at the top end of the pitch.
And while there have been some spectacular strikes – a thunderous free-kick against Sheffield Wednesday a good example – his xG anomaly is not purely a result of scoring from range or the types of goals that are likely to have contributed to Wilson and Semenyo's over-performance. There have been headers, tap-ins and instinctive finishes aplenty for a player nominated for the Championship's player of the season.
Which is why plenty are likely to be taking an interest in his services.
'He's done it by himself'
Former Swansea midfielder turned BBC Wales pundit Andy Robinson suggested it was "imperative" the club keep the striker and end a recent trend of selling top players to plug financial losses.
"He's done it by himself because the creativity has been inconsistent all season," Robinson said. "The board have shown a little bit of ambition this season and let's hope it continues."
There are some warnings from history, if you consider the xG. While Liverpool's signing of Mo Salah was reportedly based on xG, Manchester United's signings of xG over-performers Bryan Mbuemo and Matheus Cunha are yet to bring real rewards.
Regardless, West Ham United have been among those linked, but Swans boss Vitor Matos did warn last week that it would take "proper money" if Vipotnik was to leave given he only last month signed a fresh contract until 2030.
After an eye-catching counter-attack goal was enough to beat Leicester City at the weekend, Vipotnik reiterated his happiness and eyed more goals; he is only four shy of bettering the likes of Michu, Wilfried Bony and Fernando Llorente and becoming the first Swansea player to score more than 24 in a season since Alan Curtis in 1978.
"I need to say thanks to the people in the club who believed in me and the result is here," he said. "I know how tough it is because last year I was struggling and I'm just happy that I'm here to help the team with the goals.
"We will see in the summer what will happen but I am happy here and it was not a tough decision [to sign a contract]."
Vipotnik added that he "recognised the project" Swansea are trying to build as the former Premier League club look to continue improvements under Matos and aim towards a sustained promotion bid next season.
If he can continue to over-perform, then you would expect them to have a chance.
Analysis - brute force with razor-sharp accuracy
Away form has held Swansea back this season, but in downing ailing Leicester they showed once again some great promise under Vitor Matos - a head coach who will demand more next season.
The goal that settled the contest at the King Power Stadium owed so much to a desperately misguided free-kick from Leicester's Divine Mukasa and the home side's inability to defend the resulting burst upfield, but my goodness Swansea stole the eye with their skill and composure in the build up.
Led by Jisung Eom, who was in sole charge of that burst, sprinting from box to box, maintained balance and presence of mind to set up Zan Vipotnik.
The Slovenian striker - the Championship's leading scorer with 21 goals now - hit his shot with such brute force it underlined how confident he is in front of goal.
And he's not a bad defender either - as a superb goal-line block to deny Oliver Skipp suggested at a crucial moment just before half-time.
Swansea need to hold on to these protagonists. Eom and Melker Widell both tormented Leicester from midfield and Vipotnik almost lurks in the background - but to great effect. He can finish with razor-sharp accuracy.
The Welsh side look to be on the right path after a solid win in the East Midlands. There's no doubt they have a basis of talented players to build around this summer if they can.
Tottenham Hotspur ended the weekend sitting in the relegation zone, following their defeat at Sunderland and West Ham's win against Wolves.
Former England captain Wayne Rooney felt Spurs' performance was "a bit flat" in the north east, which prevented them being able to have a new-manager bounce in Roberto de Zerbi's first game in charge.
"Sometimes you get a bounce but I think you get that when a new manager comes in and you are front-footed and aggressive on the ball," he said on The Wayne Rooney Show. "I thought they were a bit in between."
The ex-Premier League striker added that De Zerbi "needs to find some answers quickly" and that dropping to the Championship would be disastrous for the club.
"It will be a disaster for them if they do go [down]," said Rooney. "I think that's where some of those players probably are looking at it thinking if they go down they can move on and go to a different club.
"If they don't get back in the Premier League in the first year, that will be an absolute nightmare for them."
Tottenham have not won a Premier League match in 2026 and their next game is at home to Brighton on Saturday 17:30 evening.
Rooney feels they must figure out a way to win to help boost their confidence.
"If they can do that then they give themselves a chance. The longer it goes without winning is difficult for them."
Tottenham Hotspur fan Hollie Agombar says the club are in a "mess" at the moment and doesn't believe the team has it in them to "fight" in their bid to stave off a shocking drop to the Championship.
The 1-0 loss against Sunderland was Spurs' fifth defeat in six Premier League games and leaves them two points adrift in the relegation zone after West Ham thrashed Wolves to leapfrog their London rivals.
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, Hollie was asked about Roberto de Zerbi's first game in charge: "It's just the same old, same old, isn't it? I know I said a few weeks ago we're already going down and I think that's cemented. We can't even get a new manager bounce at the moment, either.
"It is just a mess to be brutally honest. I think he's alluding to a mentality thing as well because we've heard managers over the years say that, and I 100% get that, but I don't think they've really got it in them to fight and that's what we've seen in recent weeks.
"It's a very strange time at Spurs at the moment."
The state of the WR position is extremely solid in terms of talent and health for the Lions. Could a top WR talent still tempt the team in the upcoming draft? Jordyn Tyson is considered possibly the top WR prospect. However, he has an active medical concern that could drop him in the draft.
(Ages in parentheses are at start of 2026 season and are factored into the concern level. Injury info and ages based on available public information are unverified and subject to update. Games played data courtesy of sports-reference.com.)
A hamstring that has been lingering for multiple months raises a lot of questions for Tyson. Is the hamstring hiding a more serious injury? Is the hamstring just an excuse to hide poor athletic testing numbers? Are there any work ethic or motivation issues that could have prolonged the recovery?
He reportedly has a private pro day scheduled on April 17 where he will be doing positional work only. A limited workout can only partially assuage concerns.
The other main issue is his major knee injury in 2022 which could have residuals due to cartilage damage. The collarbone fracture is of minimal concern with likely no residuals.
Tyson finished college with 158 receptions for 2282 yards.
Former Newcastle defender John Anderson says Sunday's defeat at Crystal Palace has made things "an awful lot more difficult" for head coach Eddie Howe.
The Magpies conceded twice in the final 10 minutes to fall to 14th in the Premier League, making a late push for Europe seem more unlikely.
"It's not about performances, it's about results and this result is damaging, there's no doubt about it," Anderson told BBC Radio Newcastle's Total Sport after the match.
"It's definitely not the result or performance Eddie Howe was looking for. It looked like it would finish 1-0 so the late turnaround is hard to take. But that's football. You have to keep working and doing the right things. We didn't do that today, we gave away a silly penalty and defended better at the end.
"These last seven games was a mini-league and it's a bad start. Yet again, we can't keep clean sheets. We were a team who were built on keeping clean sheets and not giving goals away and now we're finding it so hard to keep the opposition out.
"You've got to reset, prepare for Bournemouth next week, and you have to go again.
"This result has made things an awful lot more difficult."
Tennessee wide receiver Chris Brazzell II will visit the Green Bay Packers this week, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Brazzell has several late pre-draft visits scheduled, with trips to Green Bay, Washington and San Francisco this week after making three visits last week.
Brazzell, a Tulane transfer, caught 91 passes for 1,350 yards and 11 touchdowns over two seasons at Tennessee. He was an All-AAC selection during his final season at Tulane in 2023 when he caught 44 passes for 711 yards and four scores. In 2025, Brazzell was a first-team All-SEC selection and third-team All-American after catching 62 passes for 1,017 yards and nine scores. He led the conference in both receiving yards and receiving touchdowns and was a Biletnikoff semifinalist.
Brazzell ranks as the No. 54 overall player on the consensus big board, making him a possibility for the Packers -- who traded away Dontayvion Wicks last week -- at No. 52 in the second round. Dane Brugler of The Athletic ranks Brazzell as the 17th best receiver in the draft class and the No. 96 overall player, so it's also possible Brazzell is a third-round option at No. 84.
Brazzell measures 6-4 and 198 pounds, and he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.37 seconds at the combine. He chose not to do any of the other testing. But with his speed and length (80" wingspan), Brazzell is a menacing big-play threat who could provide speed, vertical ability and red zone value to an NFL offense.
From Brugler's draft guide: "Overall, Brazzell still has a long way to go before becoming a complete receiver, but he is a long-striding athlete and dangerous vertical threat with surprising savvy for his size. He has the talent to become a team’s No. 2 or No. 3 option."
Per PFF, Brazzell dropped only two passes in 2025 and had a career drop rate of 8.2 percent at the collegiate level. However, he offers little after the catch and is a non-factor as a run blocker, and his lack of a route tree run during his collegiate career will mean a steep developmental curve in the NFL.
Packers Wire is tracking all of the team's pre-draft visitors here.
Jack Draper reached the semi-finals of the US Open in 2024 [EPA]
Britain's Jack Draper had to retire in the third set of his first-round match against Tomas Martin Etcheverry at the Barcelona Open because of a knee injury.
Draper, playing his first match of the clay-court season, won the first set against Argentina's Etcheverry 6-3 but began to have difficulty with his movement and lost the second set 6-3.
The 24-year-old received attention from a physio and had tape applied to an area below his right knee shortly before the deciding set started.
Draper's serve was broken twice by Etcheverry in the third set and, after struggling to get around the court, he conceded the contest at 4-1 down.
The Ravens saw 13 players depart in Free agency, but thanks to elite use of the compensatory picks system and comparable drafting, Baltimore will be able to maintain a talented roster while adding just six players on the open market. The biggest name is sack master, Trey Hendrickson, but John Simpson returns at one of the offensive guard spots on a three-year, $30 million deal, and Jaylinn Hawkins shores up the third safety spot after agreeing to a free agent deal.
The Ravens made several notable moves in free agency as they look to contend in a loaded AFC. But which new additions have the most potential to move the needle in 2026? We ranked every Ravens free agent signing by expected role and upside, breaking down which pickups could prove to be the most valuable as Baltimore chases another deep playoff run.
Baltimore added six players in free agency, and here's a full breakdown of how each signing fits the Ravens roster, positional needs, and overall defensive and offensive schemes heading into the 2026 season.
Trey Hendrickson, OLB
Fit: Starting edge rusher
Hendrickson, 31, was coming off back-to-back 17.5-sack seasons and four straight Pro Bowls before contract frustrations and core muscle surgery in December limited him to four sacks in seven games in 2025. He got a one-year, $29 million deal from the Bengals last year, but was uncertain to draw as much this time around. The four-year deal averages out to $28 million per season and keeps the pass rusher in the AFC North. Hendrickson needs 19 sacks to reach 100 for his career and could take this defense to another level.
Jaylinn Hawkins, S
Fit: Starting safety
Baltimore primarily plays three safeties, and Hawkins will team with Kyle Hamilton and Malaki Starks to give the Ravens the most versatile and athletic trio at the position. Last season, Hawkins had a breakout performance, recording 71 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and a team-high four interceptions for the Patriots. The 28-year-old started all 15 games in which he played and logged 836 defensive snaps last season, marking the second-highest total of his career. In his second year with the Patriots, Hawkins proved to be a crucial part of the secondary, leading the team in interceptions and ranking fourth in passes defended.
John Simpson, OL
Fit: Starting offensive guard
Simpson started every game for the Jets the last two seasons, but returns to a Ravens team with a new head coach and questions at both guard spots.
Durham Smythe, TE
Fit: Backup tight end
Smith spent 2025 with the Bears, seeing action in all 17 games and catching four passes for 25 yards on six targets. He totaled 13 receptions over the last two seasons while serving primarily as a blocking tight end.
Jovaughn Gwyn, OL
Fit: Backup offensive guard, Center
Gwyn has spent two seasons on the Falcons' practice squad and reunites with former Atlanta offensive line coach and new Ravens run game coordinator Dwayne Ledford.
Danny Pinter, C
Fit: backup center
In 2024, Pinter appeared in 14 games and started at center in Weeks 13 and 15, earning a career-high 82.9 Pro Football Focus overall grade as a starter in the Colts' Week 13 win over the New England Patriots. In 2025, Pinter played just 139 snaps in a reserve role, earning a 56.5 PFF grade in six appearances last season.
The UFC is back in Canada this week and in the province of Manitoba for the first time in more than eight years.
Here's how to watch UFC Fight Night 273, where lightweight standouts headline in Winnipeg.
Broadcast and streaming info
UFC Winnipeg has a main card that streams at 8 p.m. ET on Paramount+. The prelims stream on Paramount+ at 5 p.m. ET.
Stay tuned to MMA Junkie for additional broadcast details later this week.
Main event: Gilbert Burns
Record: 22-9 MMA, 15-9 UFC
Opponent: Mike Malott (13-2-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC)
Division: Welterweight
Key wins: Jorge Masvidal, Neil Magny, Stephen Thompson, Tyron Woodley, Demian Maia, Gunnar Nelson, Olivier Aubin-Mercier
Misc.: Burns seems to be a far cry from his title shot, now more than five years in the rearview mirror. That loss to Kamaru Usman snapped a six-fight streak, and he’s just 3-5 since then – with four straight losses. Those setbacks have come to some of the elite in the division, though: ex-champ Belal Muhammad, ex-champ Jack Della Maddalena, Sean Brady and, 11 months ago, Michael Morales by first-round knockout – leaving Burns without a win for more than three years.
Main event: Mike Malott
Record: 13-2-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC
Opponent: Gilbert Burns (22-9 MMA, 15-9 UFC)
Division: Welterweight
Key wins: Kevin Holland, Charles Radtke, Trevin Giles
Misc.: After he got his deal on DWCS in 2021, Canada’s Malott started his UFC tenure with three straight finishes. He was upset by Neil Magny in early 2024, but has rebounded with three high-profile wins, including Radtke and Holland – each of whom picked up big wins this past Saturday at UFC 327.
Co-main event: Charles Jourdain
Record: 17-8-1 MMA, 8-7-1 UFC
Opponent: Kyler Phillips (12-4 MMA, 6-3 UFC)
Division: Bantamweight
Key wins: Davey Grant, Ricardo Ramos, Lando Vannata, Doo-ho Choi
Misc.: Montreal’s Jourdain has found it hard to put together much consistency. He’s been two fights up, then two fights down for 10 straight fights. Right now, he’s on the two-fights-up swing after wins over Grant and Victor Henry, which might give Phillips reason to be hopeful Saturday.
Co-main event: Kyler Phillips
Record: 12-4 MMA, 6-3 UFC
Opponent: Charles Jourdain (17-8-1 MMA, 8-7-1 UFC) vs. Kyler Phillips (12-4 MMA, 6-3 UFC)
Division: Bantamweight
Key wins: Pedro Munhoz, Raoni Barcelos, Song Yadong
Misc.: Phillips is badly in need of a rebound, and he’ll have to do it in enemy territory. His three-fight winning streak was snapped in 2024 by a decision loss to Rob Font, and he dropped a second straight points setback to Vinicius Oliveira this past July, marking the first skid of his career.
UFC debut: Mandel Nallo
Record: 14-3
Opponent: Jai Herbert (13-6-1 MMA, 3-5-1 UFC)
Division: Lightweight
Misc.: After years in Bellator, where he made eight walks, and on the regional scene, Canada’s Nallo made it to the big show through DWCS this past September. The 36-year-old, formerly known as “Rat Garbage,” has all 14 of his pro wins by stoppage.
UFC debut: Marcio Barbosa
Record: 17-2
Opponent: Dennis Buzukja (12-5 MMA, 1-3 UFC)
Division: Featherweight
Misc.: The 27-year-old Brazilian has stoppages in 16 of his 17 pro wins, and they’ve all come in the first round. His knockout of Damon Wilson this past August on DWCS punched his ticket to the UFC.
Misc.: The 34-year-old from Quebec has five straight wins, including a middleweight title win for Samourai MMA a year ago.
UFC debut: Gokhan Saricam
Record: 11-2
Opponent: Tanner Boser (22-10-1 MMA, 5-5 UFC)
Division: Heavyweight
Misc.: The 35-year-old from Turkey went 5-2 in several years with Bellator, where he established himself as an up-and-coming heavyweight. He’s won seven of his past eight fights.
UFC debut: Mark Vologdin
Record: 12-4-1
Opponent: John Castaneda (21-8 MMA, 4-4 UFC)
Division: Bantamweight
Misc.: Vologdin is a rare case of a fighter who got a UFC deal despite a loss on DWCS. He dropped a decision to Adrian Luna Martinetti this past October, but the 25-year-old, who trains with Alexander Gustafsson and Khamzat Chimaev at Allstars Training Center in Sweden, got a contract, anyway.
Misc.: Siraj was out for years with a rare brain infection, but his comeback over the past few years, including a Tuff-N-Uff title, caught the UFC’s attention. Now the Canadian gets a big show home debut.
Going into the 2025 college football season, the position with the most youth was the linebackers for the Auburn Tigers. Now, for 2026, it is one of the more experienced groups on the roster. The Tigers will return some key members on the defense from a year ago, with Xavier Atkins, Demarcus Riddick, and Elijah Melendez. They are also the unit on that side of the ball that is coached by defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin. Head coach Alex Golesh has praised Durkin and the defense and expressed the joy he has working with him.
Overall, the defense has much more experience than the offense. While they did have some portal departures, they also had some key players return to the team. The return of Xavier Atkins is the biggest return for the linebackers. In his first season with Auburn, he led the team with 84 tackles and nine sacks. He also had one interception and two forced fumbles. Pairing Atkins with Melendez and Riddick gives Auburn a good foundation at the position. Coming into the season last year, Riddick was the most experienced linebacker on the team.
Auburn did have some departures by way of the transfer portal. Robert Woodyard Jr. left for Missouri, and Caleb Wheatland will be playing for Michigan State this fall. They did add Michael Mathews-Canty from Hampton in the transfer portal.
Here is a look at the linebackers for Auburn as spring practice continues with the annual A-Day Game this Saturday.
Xavier Atkins
Number: 17
Measurables: 6-0, 210 pounds
Class: Junior
Previous school: LSU
Career Stats: 87 tackles, 9 sacks
Elijah Melendez
Number: 9
Measurables: 6-0, 228 pounds
Class: Sophomore
Career Stats: 29 tackles, 2 interceptions, 1 sack
Demarcus Riddick
Number: 6
Measurables: 6-2, 228 pounds
Class: Junior
Career Stats: 40 tackles, 4 sacks
Antonio Melendez
Number: 45
Measurables: 5-11, 237 pounds
Class: Junior
Career Stats: N/A
Coleman Granberry
Number: 42
Measurables: 5-11, 206 pounds
Class: Junior
Career Stats: 3 tackles, 1 tackle for loss
Michael Mathews-Canty
Number: 51
Measurables: 6-3, 215 pounds
Class: Junior
Previous school: Hampton
Career stats: 102 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks
Bryce Deas
Number: 16
Measurables: 6-1, 210 pounds
Class: Sophomore
Career Stats: 12 tackles, 2 tackles for loss
William Grier McDuffie
Number: 52
Measurables: 6-1, 217 pounds
Class: Sophomore
Career stats: N/A
Shadarius Toodle
Number: 24
Measurables: 6-3, 235 pounds
Class: Freshman
Career stats: N/A
Adam Balogoun-Ali
Number: 44
Measurables: 6-2, 215 pounds
Class: Freshman
Career stats: N/A
Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinions.You can also follow Phillip on Twitter@PJordanSports
As the second day of the WNBA's free agent signing period unfolded, veteran forward Natasha Howard officially closed her second stint with the Indiana Fever by agreeing to a two-year, $1.4 million deal with the Minnesota Lynx. ESPN's Ramona Shelburne broke the news of Howard's signing with the Lynx.
Originally selected by the Fever with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2014 WNBA draft out of Florida State, Howard would spend her first two years in Indiana before being traded to Minnesota, where she helped lead the Lynx to the 2017 title. After being traded again to Seattle, she would power the Storm to WNBA titles in 2018 and 2020.
Howard then spent two seasons each with the New York Liberty and Dallas Wings before signing back with the Fever prior to the 2025 campaign as a veteran boost to the franchise's young core. In her 44 games played last season, Howard averaged 11.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.2 steals per contest on 55.2% shooting.
Although the Fever will lose out on the 6-foot-3 power forward's leadership qualities and scoring production, the team may have upgraded with the recent free-agent signing of Monique Billings, who will operate in the same floor space as Howard did last season.
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Nebraska baseball (27-9, 12-3) clashed with No. 21 Oregon (26-10, 10-5) on Sunday afternoon in the final game of the top 25 series. The Ducks claimed the series, slipping past the Huskers with a 5-4 win.
Nebraska held a 4-2 lead over Oregon by the top of the third and held the Ducks scoreless through the next three innings. But Oregon broke through in the sixth, adding three runs off four hits, including a solo home run, to take the lead. The Huskers, meanwhile, got shut down after the third, earning just three hits across the final six innings.
Nebraska finished the day with eight hits, while Oregon earned just seven hits. Case Sanderson and Jeter Worthley each posted two hits and two RBIs in the loss. Sanderson batted 2-for-3, hitting a solo home run and an RBI single. Worthley finished 2-for-5, earning both his RBIs on a double.
Grant Cleavinger (0-1) took the loss after surrendering a run in the sixth. Cooper Katskee started the game for the Huskers and pitched 5.1 innings. He delivered six strikeouts and allowed four runs on five hits. Gavin Blachowicz took over after Oregon got the lead and held the Ducks scoreless in his 2.1 innings pitched while striking out four. Tucker Timmerman recorded the final out in the bottom of the eighth.
Nebraska returns home for its next matchup, hosting in-state rival Creighton for the second bout between the teams this season. The game is set for Tuesday night at 6:02 p.m. CT on BTN.
Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes and opinions.
[BBC Sport]Saints currently stand fifth in the Championship table [Getty Images]
If there was any doubt about Taylor Harwood-Bellis' importance to Southampton, the past week has removed it entirely.
Across recent victories over Arsenal, Wrexham and Derby, he has delivered performances that define not just matches, but momentum.
At a stage of the season where pressure intensifies and margins tighten, Harwood-Bellis is stepping forward as the leader this side needs.
Saturday's win over Derby felt particularly significant as, with the game finely poised, it was Harwood-Bellis who rose highest to score the winner.
That was a moment that underlined both his defensive authority and growing influence in the opposition box - it was not just a goal, it was a player taking responsibility when it mattered most.
There is now a real composure to his game, when pressure builds he does not panic instead he controls, organising those around him and ensuring Southampton remain structured.
Speaking after the Arsenal win, Harwood-Bellis made it clear that this unbeaten run is no accident, it is built on belief, detail and the work of the manager.
That shift in mentality has been crucial, but it is backed by tactical precision.
From going direct into forwards, to winning second balls and exploiting space, Southampton now play with a clear and consistent identity.
Those details are making a difference. He is winning more first contacts, making smarter decisions and playing with a calmness that was not always there before.
There is no doubt this is the best we have seen of him in a Southampton shirt, he has developed massively, with his vision and composure now central to how Saints build from the back.
As the promotion race intensifies, Harwood-Bellis is not just contributing, he is defining it.
Former LSU women's basketball guard Bella Hines transferred to TCU, per a report from On3's Talia Goodman on Sunday. The move comes after her lone season in Baton Rouge.
Hines was part of the top signing class in the 2026 recruiting cycle. She averaged 4.2 points per game, shooting 44% from the field. Most of her shots came from beyond the arc, helping stretch the floor for LSU's playmakers.
Early in SEC play, Hines saw few meaningful minutes but that changed in February. She played over 10 minutes five out of the seven games LSU played that month, upping her game as a scorer and defender.
Hines' decision to transfer came as a surprise, considering her strong finish to the season. She would've been in the running to start or be one of the first two players off the bench, but instead, she'll head to the Big 12.
NEWS: LSU transfer Bella Hines has committed to TCU.
TCU developed a reputation for scoring big pickups in the transfer portal. Last season, head coach Mark Campbell secured a commitment from former Notre Dame guard Olivia Miles and former Tiger Hailey Van Lith ahead of the 2024-25 season.
After a few days in the transfer portal, Aaliyah Crump has found a new home. The former Longhorn committed to Duke on Sunday, officially putting an end to her time in Austin. Although her time in burnt orange did not go as planned, she still showed flashes of why she was one of the top recruits in her class.
During her only season as a Longhorn, the Minnesota native averaged 7.9 points and 2.3 rebounds per game. While the talented guard missed some time due to injury, she was lethal from three-point range, shooting 31.5 percent from beyond the arc. Against some of the top programs in the SEC, Crump held her own while adjusting to a new system.
BREAKING: Texas transfer Aaliyah Crump has committed to Duke, sources told @On3.
The 6-1 freshman averaged 7.9 ppg this season and was a 5-star recruit out of high school.
In Crump, the Blue Devils are getting a former five-star recruit who showed in high school that she could take over a game with her scoring ability. That was not on display during the 2025-2026 campaign, partly due to being part of a roster that already had established scorers in Madison Booker, Rori Harmon, and Jordan Lee. With more playing time, she should be able to fill up the box score.
While replacing Crump will be no easy task, she is not the only player Texas has said goodbye to. They lost Justice Carlton, Lee, and Alliyah Moore to the portal. The Longhorns will also be without Rori Harmon next year because she has exhausted her eligibility. That is a lot of scoring for head coach Vic Schaefer to replace.
Minnetonka alum Aaliyah Crump will transfer to Duke. She averaged 7.9 PPG at Texas in her freshman season.
The former 5⭐️ prospect won a state championship with the Skippers in 2024 and was also named Minnesota Gatorade Player of the Year as a junior. She played her senior… https://t.co/rTcdNFvMmopic.twitter.com/fLBNpXEMbP
Although Duke is expected to make further roster changes, Crump has an opportunity to play a key role. She now knows what it takes to be successful in college and is no stranger to playing for a big program. That should make the transition to a new team easier.
For the Texas now shifts to replacing Crump and finding another player with a ceiling similar to hers.
Now that the NBA regular season has come to a close, the big question in Milwaukee is: Has Giannis Antentokounmpo played his last game in a Bucks uniform?
In a 10-minute session with reporters, the two-time league MVP repeated his frequently expressed frustrations with the state of the Bucks franchise, but he also didn't rule out the possibility of signing an extension with the team either.
If they don't trade him this offseason, the Bucks do have the option of signing Antetokounmpo to an extension this fall, something owner Wes Edens did tell ESPN was a possibility last month.
However Antetokounmpo said there's been no movement on that front.
"We'll see when we get there," he said. "But somebody has to offer you that, for you to sign. I haven't been offered an extension. So, if that is on the table, then I will try to make the best decision for me and my family."
Antetokounmpo can be an unrestricted free agent next summer.
The 10-time All-Star also expressed frustration with the team not clearing him to play after he suffered a hyperextension of his knee and a bone bruise last month − even though he says he's healthy.
"I don't have control," he said. "(M)y understanding was I had to play 3-on-3 to be able to be available to play. I did that multiple times ...
"I don't know who said that, who came up with that, but that's disrespectful towards what I've done for this team and the way I carry myself my whole career, pretty much.
Former Tennessee women's basketball player Shelley Sexton Collier retired as Lenoir City High School's (Lenoir City, Tennessee) girls head basketball coach.
Former Lady Vol Shelley Collier retired as Lenoir City High School's (Lenoir City, Tennessee) girls basketball head coach.
She announced her retirement from coaching at a Lenoir City Schools Board meeting on Thursday. The former Lady Vol will remain with the school system as the district's athletic director. She was a basketball coach for 39 years.
Collier graduated from Anderson County High School (Clinton, Tennessee) in 1983 after attending Lake City High School, which merged with Norris High School to create Anderson County.
Collier was a two-time All-State player in high school and an All-American as a senior after averaging 23 points per game. She scored 1,945 points during her high school career. Collier was a member Anderson County's first graduating class and was inducted into the school's athletics hall of fame on Oct. 2, 2025.
Prior to coaching the Lady Panthers, she served as the head girls basketball coach at Webb School of Knoxville for 25 years. She guided the Lady Spartans to six state championships and 10 appearances in the state championship game. Collier also served as head coach at Clinton High School (Clinton, Tennessee) and Karns High School (Knoxville, Tennessee). She served as an assistant athletic director at Webb, and was named Lenoir City's athletic director in 2025.
Collier played for the Lady Vols from 1983-87 for head coach Pat Summitt. She was the Most Valuable Player on Summitt's first national championship team in 1987.
Collier won a national championship as a player and graduate assistant coach Summitt at Tennessee. She played at Tennessee from 1983-87 and advanced to NCAA Tournament Final Four three times.
The Mark Pope era of the Kentucky Wildcats basketball team has not gotten off to the start fans would have liked. After a promising first season, things went downhill quickly due to injuries and poor roster construction. Now, year three is pivotal, and Monday might be the most important day Pope has had in Lexington.
Last offseason, Pope was able to bring in some big names from the transfer portal, and a couple of high-level recruits from the high school ranks. However, the 2026 recruiting class has eluded him, and fans are getting restless with the lack of portal moves.
On Monday, Kentucky is set to host two big names, one transfer and one recruit, who could change Pope's fortunes.
First up is Rob Wright III, formerly of BYU. He is the top-rated point guard available in the portal, coming off a season where he averaged over 18 points and 4 assists per game. After last season's trouble at point guard, adding such a talent would be a massive win for Pope.
Also visiting Monday is the No. 1 overall player in the 2026 recruiting class, Tyran Stokes. Kansas is though to be in the driver's seat with him, but Pope will get one last shot to sell him on the Wildcats.
Pope needs wins. There are still plenty of talented players left in the portal, and guys who are difference makers. Wright and Stokes, though, would be a homerun regardless of what else happens. It's a big day, and one that could change the course for Kentucky, and certainly for Pope.
Wisconsin athletic director Chris McIntosh is leaving the school for a position in the Big Ten office, according to multiple reports.
McIntosh had been Wisconsin's AD since 2021, when he took over for Badgers legend Barry Alvarez. He made significant moves during his time leading the department, headlined by the hire of Luke Fickell to take over the football program in November 2022.
According to ESPN's Pete Thamel, McIntosh is leaving to become the Big Ten's deputy commissioner for strategy.
McIntosh's departure is significant news. Specifically, it creates a major subplot for Wisconsin's upcoming football season. The next athletic director won't have the same ties to Fickell, which could heighten the pressure on the fifth-year coach. That storyline will lead headlines as Wisconsin makes its new hire and as the Badgers work to return to their first bowl game since 2023.
Wisconsin AD Chris McIntosh will join the Big Ten as deputy commissioner for strategy, sources confirm to ESPN. Per sources, the move gives the Big Ten another practitioner in the conference office. He’d been the AD at Wisconsin since July of 2021. Wisconsin State Journal first… pic.twitter.com/x9oM2ZEDwD
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On January 14, Oregon Duck fans celebrated when quarterback Dante Moore announced that he would turn down a likely first-round selection in the 2026 NFL Draft and return to Eugene for one more season. A day later, Duck fans again celebrated as veteran wide receiver Evan Stewart announced that he, too, would return to Eugene for another year.
It may not have been clear at the time, but those two announcements were intrinsically connected.
You see, without Moore's return to Oregon for one final season, it's unclear whether or not Stewart would have come back as well. As a player with one year of eligibility remaining and, as he says, a "do or die" attitude, Stewart needed to make sure he was playing alongside an elite QB as he looks to make a statement to NFL scouts in this final opportunity.
So, as long as Moore was back, Stewart knew he would be there as well.
“It was a very big factor, honestly, because Dante is a very good quarterback," Stewart said on Saturday after the Ducks' first spring scrimmage of the year. "In my eyes, I'm waiting for him to make a decision, because, like, 'I think we could do it if you come back.'"
While Stewart and Moore don't have any pass connections in live games during their Oregon career, the relationship between the two goes back several years. Stewart says he was well aware of Moore during high school as a fellow 5-star, though the two were in different classes. They finally connected in Eugene, both transferring to Oregon during the same offseason, and quickly bonded as they worked to learn the offense together.
Though Dillon Gabriel was the starter, it was often Moore and Stewart who found each other on the practice field.
"The way that he was throwing me the ball in practice, I've never really gotten used in that type of way, like from a quarterback perspective," Stewart said of his early experience with Moore. “Dante is very mobile. He can keep his eyes down the field and see his defenders for scramble drills and stuff like that. And so, you know, having a quarterback that can keep the play alive and can make all types of throws over the field, especially with me being a speedster, me getting down the field quick, and he can lob it on my hat and run over. Like, that's nice too."
While the relationship started on the field, it quickly grew into more. Stewart says that the two hang out often, whether it's going to breakfast together or finding time for worship at church. It's not rare for quarterbacks and wide receivers to be close, but Stewart learned during his injury last year how much his teammate cares about him.
The injury, a torn patellar tendon, occurred during an offseason routes session in which Stewart and Moore were going through 1-on-1 drills. After taking what he felt like was just a "bad turn," Stewart went down, and when he couldn't put any weight on his leg, he went to the trainers. He was later told the news and admitted he needed to sleep on it for a couple of days before accepting it.
His quarterback, though, was brought to tears by the injury, convinced he played a part in it.
"They told him the news, and after, I looked over and seen him crying, because basically he was kind of like, thinking it was his fault. He was saying he should have put the ball further; it could have been a better ball," Stewart said. "Like, the fact that you shed a tear, that really means a lot to me."
Now healthy, Stewart is ready to get on the field for real with Moore and show the world what he's capable of with one of the top QBs in the nation airing it out in his direction. While their first connection this fall will technically go down as the first of their career together, make no mistake, there's a long history and deep friendship between these two.
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After losing defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers and safety P.J. Locke during NFL free agency last month, Denver's projected to receive fourth- and seventh-round comp picks for the 2027 NFL draft next spring.
This year, the Broncos received a pair of seventh-round comp picks after losing running back Javonte Williams and punter Riley Dixon in 2025. Those picks are Nos. 256 and 257, the final two selections in this year's draft.
"We have two compensatory picks this year," general manager George Paton said at the NFL's annual league meeting in Arizona last month. "Mr. Irrelevant, and we have Mr. Irrelevant runner-up. So it’s going to be cool… Then next year, we should get the [fourth-round pick] and then maybe a seven. That’s what you want to get to. It took us a while to get here, where we can get compensatory picks. You see other teams do it, and I like that we’re doing it.”
Those picks at the end of the draft may not seem very valuable, but Paton's seventh-round selections have included wide receiver Devaughn Vele, outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper and center Alex Forsyth. Holding picks at the end of the draft also gives the Broncos an edge over teams looking to sign potential undrafted free agents.
“It’s great," Paton said. "You may not be able to get a guy [as an UDFA]. The price gets higher sometimes than the picks in the free agent world. It’s crazy, the chaos. If we’re not going to get a guy… That happened with Jonathon Cooper, believe it or not. He was going to go to Jacksonville with Urban Meyer. Let’s just take him. Let him walk out, and we took him. Those sevens, we got Vele in the seventh, ‘Coop’ in the seventh. There are probably more, but all of those picks are important.”
The 2026 NFL draft will be held in Pittsburgh from April 23-25.
Is Deebo Samuel the answer for the Tennessee Titans in free agency this offseason?
Samuel’s versatility offers the Titans plenty in the open market. As a wide receiver, he makes plays in all three phases of the field. His production has remained consistent over the last four seasons as a secondary receiver who blends seamlessly into Tennessee’s offense.
Samuel recorded 727 receiving yards and five touchdown receptions in 2025 with the Washington Commanders. He was used less in the ground game last season, though his production per touch was not far off from his career averages.
The Titans need a reliable pass-catcher for quarterback Cam Ward to target when plays break down. Samuel offers a strong solution in short-yardage situations as well as in the intermediate areas of the field.
Tennessee already has Calvin Ridley as its No. 1 receiver on the outside. Ridley, along with Elic Ayomanor, serves as the Titans’ primary deep threats. Wan’Dale Robinson gives Tennessee a 1,000-yard receiver from 2025 who has the skills to take pressure off Ward in short yardage when the pocket collapses.
On paper, Samuel would complete the Titans’ passing attack. The former first-team All-Pro remains available for Tennessee to sign in free agency.
PHILADELPHIA -- Philadelphia 76ers rookie VJ Edgecombe wrapped up his first NBA regular season on Sunday as he scored nine points with 11 assists and seven rebounds in a 126-106 win over the Milwaukee Bucks at home. He played in 75 games and averaged 16.0 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 4.2 assists while shooting 43.8% from the floor and 35.4% from deep.
Edgecombe averaged 25 minutes per night and had quite a few big games for the Sixers as a rookie. He was impressive in all facets of the game, and it felt like he never really went through the vaunted "Rookie Wall" in his maiden NBA season.
"I really don't understand what this rookie wall is," Edgecombe said after the win on Sunday. "I'm being so honest with you because I don't know if it's I'm not scoring the same or, you know? I've had games where I scored single digits. Tonight, I scored single digits. I'm not too sure what the rookie wall is, but I don't think I hit it. I just try to stay the same and continue just getting better every day."
That "Rookie Wall" is normally when rookies begin to understand what it's like to be in the NBA. A collegiate season is somewhere around 35 to 40 games. An NBA season is twice that and then some as the games come fast as compared to the college game where games can sometimes be once, maybe twice a week.
"I'm not too sure what the rookie wall is," he continued. "Maybe someone can explain it to me, but I mean, obviously, the season had its ups and downs. I've had my ups and downs. I just try to keep building daily. Just to make sure I’m bringing my best foot forward every day."
While Edgecombe may not have met the "Rookie Wall", he will be meeting postseason basketball for the first time when the Sixers play host to the Orlando Magic on Wednesday in the 7 vs. 8 play-in game. The winner advances to the playoffs as the No. 7 seed to face the Boston Celtics while the loser will then face the winner of the 9 vs. 10 game for the right to earn the No. 8 seed and face the Detroit Pistons.
Playing on a team with a slew of veterans who have a ton of playoff experience to lean on, Edgecombe isn't sure what to expect, but he keeps hearing about one thing: physicality.
"I'll probably say the physicality," Edgecombe explained. "Probably the physicality. Every possession matters. I mean, that's what you hear about a lot about the playoffs. Every possession matters. I think it’ll be that for sure. Just where every possession matters. Can't give us a layup or can't give up anything. Just go out there and play balls to wall and play hard."
A player who relies a lot on watching film and working hard to prepare for certain matchups, Edgecombe is about to endure what it's like to prep for big moments such as the postseason. He gave his thoughts and guesses on what he thinks Philadelphia will do to prepare for such a moment.
"To be honest, I have no idea," he finished. "I'll be so honest with you, but I'm assuming there's gonna be more film, more attention to details, but other than that, I’m just gonna do the same recovery."
The Sixers and the Magic will face off on Wednesday at the Xfinity Mobile Arena.
It was a big recruiting weekend for Notre Dame football, as they hosted some big time prospects on campus.
One of them was 2027 defensive back Karnell “Greedy” James, who is currently committed to the Texas Longhorns. The 6-foot and 175-pound prospect spoke to On3 following his visit, and it looks very promising for the Irish.
The nation’s No. 475 overall prospect in the 247Sports Composite told Mike Singer that “meeting with head coach Marcus Freeman was a highlight. He was phenomenal,” giving him plenty of thoughts about switching his commitment. This was James’ first visit to South Bend, and it seems like it was a very good one.
Currently Notre Dame has one commit at the position in Khalil Terry, but they’re always interesting in bringing in multiple players at safety each class. If another visit is made by James, the Irish could very well be on the verge of flipping him from the Longhorns.
Texas defensive back commit Greedy James is fresh off his first visit to Notre Dame 👀☘️
“Meeting with head coach Marcus Freeman was a highlight. He was phenomenal.”
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OKC's title defense begins with the first round of the playoffs, which starts with Game 1 at 2:30 p.m. CT Sunday inside Paycom Center (ABC). And it'll learn its opponent following the conclusion of the play-in tournament.
Golden State has the most championship experience on this list. That's a big strength come playoff time, but the Warriors wouldn't have many other advantages in a first-round matchup with the Thunder.
Golden State doesn't have a ton of reliable scoring options outside of Stephen Curry, who'd be swarmed by players such as Cason Wallace, Lu Dort and Alex Caruso all series. And the rest of its turnover-prone offense would also struggle against OKC's defensive pressure.
The Warriors wouldn't have a ton of answers for the Thunder's offense either, especially Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. I'd expect OKC to complete the sweep without too much trouble.
Portland hasn't been in the playoffs since 2021. But if it can snap that streak, it'd present a slightly bigger challenge to OKC than Golden State.
The Trail Blazers rank 11th in the NBA in defensive weapons, and they have some standout players on that end of the floor. From Jrue Holiday to Toumani Camara to Donovan Clingan, it's a group that would present some problems both inside and outside the arc.
Portland excels at creating turnovers and converting them into points, but that'll be difficult to do against an OKC offense that takes great care of the ball. And if the Trail Blazers are forced to rely on their halfcourt offense, I don't see them making this much of a series.
Los Angeles began the season 6-21, and yet it found a way to climb into the play-in tournament. Part of that process included retooled the roster, sending out James Harden and Ivica Zubac while adding Darius Garland and Bennedict Mathurin.
Garland has played well since joining the Clippers, and he'll be leaned on to take some scoring pressure off of Kawhi Leonard. Mathurin has also shown that he can catch fire.
But it's still hard to imagine Los Angeles, the third-slowest team in the NBA, keeping up with OKC. I think Leonard would will the Clippers to one win before the Thunder completed the gentleman's sweep.
I don't think any of the play-in teams would make it a long first-round series for OKC. But when it comes to which squad would challenge the Thunder the most, it's the Suns.
Phoenix ranks 10th in the NBA in defensive rating, and it can certainly muck up a game with physical players at every position. The Suns also have an elite scorer in Devin Booker and a few other scoring options such as Dillon Brooks and Jalen Green.
Of course, all of that can be said about OKC as well. It's a better team across the board, which is why I think it'd win this series in five games. But some of those wins would be close ones against a Phoenix squad that'd put up a good fight.
Prediction: Thunder in 5
Justin Martinez covers the Thunder and NBA for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Justin? He can be reached at jmartinez@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @Justintohoops. Sign up for the Thunder Sports Minute newsletter to access more NBA coverage. Support Justin's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
Going into the 2026 NFL season, the Denver Broncos are not short on talent, and there are very few areas of improvement. However, Bleacher Report's Moe Morton thinks there could be a player who may be available via trade late in the draft.
Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts signed his franchise tag last week in time for Falcons workouts to begin. The one-year buffer gives Atlanta time to figure out a long-term deal while Pitts participates in offseason workouts.
It could also pave the way for a trade, if the numbers don't work out. Morton gave five teams who could benefit from Pitts' veteran leadership, and the No. 1 team on Morton's list was the Broncos.
"Entering his age-32 campaign, Evan Engram isn't the long-term starter at tight end in Denver," Morton wrote for B/R. "At this stage in his career, he's a serviceable pass-catcher but lacks a presence in the red zone. The nine-year pro has one touchdown reception in back-to-back seasons. Pitts has struggled to find the end zone in his first five seasons with the Falcons, but his touchdown production is slowly trending in the right direction. Every year in the league, he's upped his season scoring total by one. Perhaps Broncos offensive-minded head coach Sean Payton can unlock Pitts' full potential in a revamped offense."
Pitts signing his tag might signal that he's content to remain in Atlanta, but tag-and-trade deals have happened in the past, so such a scenario is at least possible in theory. However, Broncos general manager George Paton has expressed his desire for the Broncos to get younger and cheaper. Pitts' tag is a one-year, fully guaranteed $15.045 million deal. Although Denver is in a Super Bowl window to win right now, they are also looking to build a long-term contender for years down the road, and a Pitts trade might not be practical.
USA Today’s Nick Brinkerhoff suggests the Kansas City Chiefs as an ideal landing spot for Indianapolis Colts cornerback Kenny Moore II. The veteran defensive back recently revealed interest in seeking a trade and potentially putting himself on general manager Brett Veach’s radar.
“They traded Trent McDuffie and lost Jaylen Watson in free agency. Kansas City can still find a new corner in the draft with one of its two first-round picks, or it can choose to invest in other areas of need,” Brinkerhoff wrote. “The Chiefs still believe they can contend for a Super Bowl this season, which could be Travis Kelce’s last. While a youth movement figures to be a priority, the only real priority is winning – and winning now.”
ESPN’s Adam Schefter recently revealed that the Colts and Moore have mutually agreed to seek a trade and a new home for the veteran cornerback who is entering the last year of his contract.
Sources: Colts and Kenny Moore II mutually have agreed to seek a trade and a new home for the veteran cornerback. Moore is entering the last year of his contract, and both sides feel it is time to explore a trade. pic.twitter.com/VUYpsJDAEX
During his career, Moore earned 2021 Pro Bowler honors and has collected 649 tackles, 21 interceptions, 11.5 sacks, six forced fumbles, 68 pass deflections, two fumble recoveries, and five touchdowns.
Last season with the Colts in 14 games played (7 starts), Moore had 55 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 1 interception, and 2 forced fumbles. He missed three games due to an Achilles injury.
The NFL officially announced the 2026 draft order for all seven rounds in March. The New York Giants have seven total selections, but do not have a third-round or a seventh-round pick as a result of trades.
The Giants finished 4-13 in 2025 and earned the fifth overall selection. They were in the running for the top overall pick late in the season, but won their final two games, dropping them to No. 5.
They do not have a third-round selection, having used it in the trade with the Houston Texans to move up to No. 25 overall last year to select quarterback Jaxson Dart.
The Giants have three picks in Round 6: Their own (No. 186), one they received from Miami in the Darren Waller trade (No. 192), and No. 193, which was acquired from Dallas in the trade of Jordan Phillips. The Giants surrendered their seventh-round pick (No. 221) in that deal.
The 2026 NFL Draft is just around the corner, which means the Cleveland Browns and general manager Andrew Berry will look to add a slew of young, talented players to the roster before the upcoming season.
With two first-round picks in this year's draft, Cleveland is in a prime position to land multiple upgrades on the offensive side of the ball, as the unit is in desperate need of extra support under newly-hired head coach Todd Monken. Luckily for the Browns, the answer could lie in Columbus, OH.
When discussing the potential draft scenarios for the Browns, ESPN's Rich Eisen made it clear as to who he believes the organization should select with the No. 6 pick.
"If you add Carnell Tate to this mix, and you're telling the Browns' fans, 'we know you, you know this guy, come on out and watch Cleveland Browns' football,' wouldn't you think that would get people excited," Eisen stated on his show.
Tate, a former highly-touted recruit coming out of high school, was one of the most underrated playmakers at the college level over the past three seasons. After playing behind the likes of Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka, the Chicago, IL native quickly made a name for himself throughout the 2025 season while playing alongside star Jeremiah Smith, recording 875 receiving yards and nine touchdowns on 51 receptions.
Standing at 6-foot-3, 195 lbs., Tate possesses a perfect frame to become a true "X" receiver at the NFL level. This, combined with his ability to win at all three levels of the field, makes him a perfect fit for the Browns, who lack a true top-end wideout.
However, while Cleveland is in the midst of a complete offensive overhaul this offseason, the struggling franchise will continue its search for a new left tackle before next season. And despite Tate being one of the best wideouts in this year's draft, Berry could ultimately wind up trading out of the No. 6 spot and take a swing on either Georgia's Monroe Freeling or Utah's Spencer Fano. If Cleveland decides to move back and take a tackle, there are plenty of pass-catching options at No. 24 and No. 39, such as Indiana's Omar Cooper Jr. and Louisville's Chris Bell.
Fernando Mendoza is About To Be an NFL QB1. He Has Thoughts.CHANTAL ANDERSONHooded jacket by Louis Vuitton Men’s. CHANTAL ANDERSON
The room is too small for him. Even when he’s sitting, his presence overwhelms the space almost comically. Fernando Mendoza, the improbable national champion, unquestioned Heisman Trophy winner, and soon-to-be number-one NFL draft pick, is immured in a conference room in an office park in Irvine, California, at Excel Sports Management, the agency to which he has entrusted his future, talking about the daily drills and exercises he’s doing to make himself a better quarterback. There’s an idle flat-screen hanging on one wall, a whiteboard and some dry-erase markers, errant water bottles, and an Office Depot table with swivel chairs, one of which he is swiveling in.
Mendoza is explaining how he’s handling what they call the fishbowl, through which masses of people are watching him, analyzing him, prognosticating about him, doubting him, praising him, and expecting unreasonably high achievements from him at an age when he still gets carded. These masses include football fans broadly, of course. In his case, more specifically, they include fans at Cal, who wish he’d played all four years there instead of just two; fans at Indiana University, where he transferred for the 2025 season, his final year of eligibility, the year that made him; the front office of the Las Vegas Raiders (including part owner Tom Brady), the team that appears certain to draft Mendoza with its number-one pick; Catholic and Cuban American communities back in Miami, where he grew up; TV analysts and online columnists; and stud high school quarterbacks in every corner of America who believe they too might rise up to become a star through hard work and prayer.
Coat, jacket, shirt, and trousers by Bottega Veneta; socks by Bresciani 1970; shoes (in foreground) by Giuseppe Zanotti.CHANTAL ANDERSON
This article appeared in the Sept 2025 issue of Esquire subscribe
It’s a lot. In delineating his coping strategy, Mendoza speaks with urgency and speed, like a kid who just got home from school and wants to tell you what happened on the bus. He says:
“I’m very process based, which means I really like to make systems. I set a goal and I kind of work backwards to it. So I say, Hey, what do I got to get better at to be the best quarterback in September? I gotta work this, this, this. And then for each one, I’ll put a system in place. So for example, nutrition. I need to elevate my nutrition if I want to be at a certain weight. So, hey, how can I do that with a system? And that system is: One, hey, let’s adopt a new nutrition habit every one to two months. So, very tangible. And it might be like, for example, no fried foods. No desserts. I create a regimen. Or, for another example, footwork. I gotta get my feet faster. So I put a system in place, and I’m doing fifty to one hundred drops a day.”
The question was What have they got you doing each day?
Ninety-nine hot-shit quarterback prospects out of a hundred would have said something like “Working on my footwork drills, focusing on my nutrition, things like that.” Next question.
Mendoza answers questions that haven’t been asked, explains his answers when no explanation was requested, then provides multiple examples when zero would’ve been the norm and one would have been plenty.
The next question is one of clarification: Drops?
“Footwork drops.”
He pushes his chair back from the table, fingers splayed out, and it’s the first time you see the strength in his hands. Then he stands, his six-foot-five frame unfolding like a giant mantis, and hunches, pretending to take a snap from an invisible center, right here in the little whiteboard room.
“You know, like you do on every play.”
Sweater by Ferragamo.CHANTAL ANDERSON
His feet hopscotch as imaginary tackles fend off imaginary linebackers. His elbow is cocked, and he holds an imaginary ball in his right hand. His eyes focus through the plate-glass windows, as if searching the parking lot outside for a receiver. All of this happens in three, maybe four seconds. Then he repeats the motion, hunching to take another snap, only this time, when he drops back, his feet do a little fake-out motion, this way then that. He does it again, then again, each time moving his feet in a fractionally different way as his eyes mimic searching for someone to throw it to, his feet a blur against the blah industrial carpet.
You getting this? Instead of stopping at “You know, like you do on every play,” he expounds, he moves, he demonstrates, he coaches you up.
“Fifty to a hundred of those a day. Drop-backs. Because there’s different variations of that. You want to become more efficient in that and more stable.”
There it is again. Even after performing a demonstration of an example he wasn’t asked to provide, he’s not satisfied. He’s got to add that one last “Because . . .” to land the explanation, to make sure you’ve understood. He’s got to fully translate the challenge of improving his footwork, meet the moment, render the thing, answer the question.
Shirt and ties by Celine; shorts by Adidas; shoes by Christian Louboutin; socks by Bombas; watch by Cartier.CHANTAL ANDERSON
The world is spinning fast for Fernando Mendoza these days, and this is how he holds on. He controls what he can control, because the good Lord knows there are a lot of people—in this office; in the Raiders offices; in the offices of Adidas, with whom he signed a multiyear endorsement deal; and in the offices of lawyers and financial planners and the other stars in the constellation of handlers and packagers that tends to gather around the shoo-in number-one pick—who are making decisions about his life without his input, sometimes even without his knowledge.
The closer he gets to the draft in April, the tighter he holds on. Which means devising ever more systems and explanations, because if you loosen that grip with a tenth of your pinkie, you’ll be running a car dealership in two years.
Mendoza speaks not in words and sentences but in sentences and paragraphs. In the world of hot-shit quarterbacks, in the world of emerging celebrities trying to avoid a misstep, this is unusual. Mendoza might look like a Peyton Manning or a Tom Brady or an Eli Manning. And in some ways, sure. His throwing accuracy can make you blink in disbelief, and he’s tall and quick and his hands are like iron claws. We’ve seen all of that before. To learn what’s different about Mendoza, you have to listen. Peyton could always gas on pretty good, charming but a little fizzy. Brady, when he played, said about as much as the shy kid at recess.
Shirt and ties by Celine.CHANTAL ANDERSON
Fernando Mendoza has something to say. He doesn’t just want to explain things; he needs to.
And what I mean by that is . . .
And so . . .
For example. . .
He sits back down now, the hydraulics of the swivel chair wheezing under his 235 pounds.
“I always try to have a hunter mindset instead of the hunted mindset. So right now I try to compare myself to one out of thirty-two potential starting NFL quarterbacks—and I’m not even drafted by a team and I don’t have a starting position. But you want to stay hungry.”
He just says this, in response to no particular question, except of course the obvious existential ones: How do you explain the inexplicable, and how do you handle the unknown? How do you prepare yourself for what’s coming next?
Shirt, jumpsuit, and metal keys by Calvin Klein Collection; boots by Christian Louboutin; watch by Cartier.CHANTAL ANDERSON
In the third or fourth grade, Mendoza was learning his multiplication tables. He couldn’t do them perfectly on the first few tries, and he didn’t know that that was okay, that no one can. He filled them out again and again, trying to get more answers correct. He made flash cards. He asked his mother for extra workbooks. Eight-year-old Mendoza made systems, which he put in place until he got them all right.
His mother, Elsa, laughs talking about this. “He’s not a mediocre type of guy,” she says.
It makes for a tidy story, that he was always this way, but in Mendoza’s case it appears to be the true story. There’s a video of him at age thirteen or so that’s surfaced on YouTube, in which another kid asks him what it takes to win, and Mendoza says, “It just takes hard work and determination. I think the whole team helped . . .”—earnest, generous, adorable.
But Mendoza’s life has not been, as he puts it, “all sunshine and rainbows.” When he was twelve, his parents told him that Elsa had a disease called multiple sclerosis. “I didn’t really understand it,” he says. “I wasn’t dismissive of it; I just didn’t know what it was.” For a few years she was okay, or at least looked okay to her son, but her MS worsened during the Covid-19 pandemic and she lost her ability to walk. She had chemotherapy, which helped her illness but also brought its own pain. Mendoza’s father, Fernando Sr., is a pediatric emergency doctor, and when he was at the hospital Mendoza often found himself not only handling more work to keep the household running—“taking a leadership role,” in Mendoza-speak—but sometimes having to physically carry his mother around the house or to the car. He drove his younger brother Max to and from school and music lessons.
It was the only time in his life when his abiding faith in God was rattled by something he didn’t understand. “It’s tough, and you can get mad,” he says. “I was like, why?” It’s an unanswerable question, but for Mendoza, there couldn’t not be an answer. His answers in life tend to come from his family or from his faith, and in this case it was faith, the ritual practice of committing yourself to explanations, justifications, rationalizations, instructions, and reasons. The answer he was looking for lay in what he says is his favorite Bible verse, Proverbs 16:9:
A man’s heart plans his way
But the Lord directs his steps.
Shirt and metal keys by Calvin Klein Collection.CHANTAL ANDERSON
“It basically talks about how the will of God is always going to be above the desire of a man,” he says. A person can make plans and hope for all good things, but if your plan doesn’t work out, and if some of those good things don’t happen, you must have faith that God’s plan is better. You must believe this even if in the moment, when you’re watching your mother lie in bed racked with nausea or exhaustion or pain, God’s plan doesn’t seem like a very good plan at all.
“Having that rock-solid faith has helped me stay rock-solid,” Mendoza says. “That’s the way my mother wants my brothers and I to live, and that’s how we live. It’s freeing in that aspect. My parents’ example of how they built us has been through faith. Unwavering faith.”
How they built us.
Mendoza’s postgame interviews have become famous for the ample gratitude he gives to the Lord God and Jesus Christ for helping him and his team score touchdowns.
“That’s a little different type of faith,” he says.
Doesn’t giving glory to God after a win take credit away from his own work, his team’s work, the time they put in training and practicing?
“I would say it’s through Him,” Mendoza says without hesitation. “Without Him I wouldn’t be in this position.”
He continues.
“It’s about the opportunity and Him enabling me to capitalize on opportunity. It gives me strength in the game knowing, hey, this plan’s already in place. God already knows what’s going to happen.”
He goes on, chapter and verse.
“Some people are critical of this and they say, Hey, it’s you who’s throwing the touchdown pass, not God. But so many things need to go right in a game beyond a single pass. I believe that without God or Jesus Christ, we wouldn’t have won this national championship. That’s why I always try to give Him shout-outs.”
Coat by Dolce & Gabbana; sweatshirt by Adidas.CHANTAL ANDERSON
You can’t win without a quarterback. You hire a gun, you build a team around him. That’s the thinking in the NFL.
Before the 2011 collective bargaining agreement imposed a rookie wage scale, Eli Manning could sign a six-year, $45 million deal after the Giants landed him in the 2004 draft. Then there was Sam Bradford’s record $78 million contract with the St. Louis Rams in 2010, which probably helped bring about the wage scale. Mendoza won’t make Bradford money. The Raiders’ calculus is, Let’s sign this phenom at the scale-prescribed salary, then spend on giving him a solid supporting cast. If Mendoza is killing it in a few years, we’ll re-sign him for more money.
“Context matters. One kid coming out of college cannot solve all the problems that have plagued a franchise for decades,” says Seth Wickersham, a veteran ESPN writer and the author of American Kings: A Biography of the Quarterback, the definitive treatise on the pinnacle of sport. “But then the other part of it is expectation, and it’s impossible to know who can handle it and who can’t. Tom Brady has talked often about how it was such a benefit to be under the radar as a rookie. No one was watching him. Nobody expected anything from him. He could learn and make mistakes and throw passes.”
Mendoza doesn’t have that luxury. He’s in the fishbowl—but not for the first time. When he left for Indiana, he had one year of eligibility, zero certainty that this was the right decision, and a bunch of new teammates he hadn’t played with.
“It was a dark moment, very lonely. Very tough leaving all my friends at Cal,” he says. “And it was demeaning, some of the rumors and lies that were said about me. ‘He’s a traitor,’ things like that. That stuff really hurt me, because you try to make those relationships and then they get dwindled out. And that sucks.”
His brother Alberto, who was already at Indiana and played backup behind him, showed him around campus and went over the playbook with him. At Cal he had his “non-football” friends, but at Indiana he spent most of his time with the team, often playing Catan and Monopoly. In talking about this he brings up—unbidden—the question of whether the transfer would aid his dream of playing in the NFL or kill it. It’s like he’s running checkdowns in the pocket.
“I was taking a big risk on myself. Maybe I’m gonna look like an idiot if I swing for the fences and I whiff,” he says. “What if Cal has a better season than I do at Indiana? Or what if I just don’t pan out and everyone’s like, Why did you even leave? Not only do you maybe burn the bridge you left on; you also have a mountain to climb in front of you because, New quarterback, new expectations.”
He is asking questions, reflecting on them, asking you to imagine them. He was built to conjure ways to overcome challenges, and to overcome challenges you have to understand what the challenge is—its essence—so that maybe you can improvise ways to meet it. And maybe that’s how his mother’s illness helps him stand tall in the pocket. And maybe that’s what he needs to be true.
Elsa isn’t worried about her son handling the pressure. “He’s not scared of challenges,” she says. “He is willing to work to get to where he wants, and he knows it might not happen right away, just like it didn’t happen at Cal.”
Shirt, jumpsuit, and metal keys by Calvin Klein Collection; boots by Christian Louboutin; watch by Cartier.CHANTAL ANDERSON
Some Raiders fans will want to see Mendoza starting and winning games from the first snap. But in Brady, Mendoza will have someone in the owner’s box who understands that developing in the NFL takes time—and who probably sees some of his rookie self in Mendoza.
“Underneath all the polite and totally honest words Mendoza might say publicly from the podium, there’s a ruthless competitor who has to have a Brady-like level of unbreakable self-belief,” Wickersham says. “And that can be incredibly taxing. It can take these guys to incredibly dark places mentally. But however it is that they arrive there, they have to arrive there.”
Mendoza shows up for training six days a week at 7:00 a.m. and leaves at 6:30 or 7:00 at night. He calls his days “industrious” and “tenacious.” He eats no glazed doughnuts, which are his favorite. He will eat a tomato, though. Brady is one of his idols, and Brady will not eat a tomato—because it’s a seeded fruit, or something like that—but Mendoza is not that intense. If he’s out for Mexican and he gets a bowl of arroz picadillo, he’ll put salsa on it, he confesses.
Because, by the way, as much as he loves Tom Brady, this is Fernando Mendoza’s life and Fernando Mendoza’s story, and he’s doing it his way, which means, yes, listening to his trainers and his agent and his coaches and his parents and his brother and God but mostly to Fernando Mendoza. The guy talking. The guy running drills and demonstrating. He’s got a hundred little goals and a system in place for each, but he also has this one huge goal, and his whole life is a system designed to reach it, and he’s so close. The closer he gets, the tighter he holds on, because the tighter he holds on, the closer he gets. So here he is, working out in his head, in the presence of a reporter, how he balances being a super-dedicated quarterback prospect with not losing his mind:
“It’s a battle of discipline. I don’t believe in super balance; that’s just not how I am. I’m very type A—I believe the more inputs, the better outputs. But you do need some balance. You need to be maybe eighty to twenty—the eighty is football, the twenty is connecting with people. I don’t think you should be fifty to fifty. But the more you pour into relationships, whether it’s talking to my friends on the phone or hanging out with my roommates—that’s what I love. The relationships keep me on the straight path. Great relationships in the past and horrible relationships in the past—I was a bad friend maybe—how can I learn from that? Who are the people I want to surround myself with? In the craziness and the pressure of all of it, knowing that no matter if I throw five touchdowns or don’t play another down of football, these people will be my friends.”
Nothing makes sense about the fishbowl. It’s easy for us mortals to forget that these giant kids we see on television aren’t gods but other mortals, guys who get overwhelmed by everything the world expects of them, like we do, and whose heads spin at night as they wonder whether they can do it all. You can worry or you can work. You can let them write the story or set it down yourself. Mendoza’s got explanations. He’s got a system. He’s got religion. Just ask him.
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When Trayvean Scott was a college basketball player at Southern University in the 2000s, he says, he was never asked to throw a game in return for a payout.
But more than 20 years later, he worries that the lack of a uniform policy about student athletes getting paid for their name, image or likeness — also known as NIL — makes them vulnerable to not only exploitation, but agents and even fans offering them money under the table that could hurt athletic programs in the long run.
As Grambling State University’s vice president for intercollegiate athletics, Scott, along with a former student, administrator, and the father of an NBA player, testified before Congress earlier this spring in support of legislation introduced last summer that would establish a uniform federal law governing NIL rights for college athletes.
According to the NCAA, “student-athletes may receive compensation from third parties for use of their NIL, such as social media posts, brand appearances or promoting products and services. All three NCAA divisions support opportunities for student-athletes to pursue NIL consistent with rules that protect fair competition.”
In 2019, states began passing laws allowing student-athletes to profit from their name, image, and likeness. As Congress attempts to address the patchwork of state NIL laws by creating a consistent national standard, Scott hopes it will even the playing field for student athletes at HBCUs.
The legislation would also codify that student-athletes are not employees, require major revenue-generating schools to provide health benefits and support at least 16 varsity sports, and require some programs to offer health insurance.
Scott told Capital B that the proposed legislation isn’t perfect, but it’s a start to more opportunities for Black colleges and their athletic programs.
“The word I kept coming back to [during testimony to Congress] was opportunity,” he said. “If we continue not to regulate what we’re doing, we’re going to miss opportunities.”
Scott and others say there’s a lot at stake. When athletes come to historically Black colleges and universities, there’s a high likelihood that they’ll have financial need to attend.
“We’re in a space at HBCUs, at Grambling, for example, where 95-98% of our athletes are Pell Grant eligible,” Scott said. “Being able to understand where they are can sometimes be able to help assist with getting the necessary resources.”
Oftentimes, HBCU athletes may try to transfer not only for a better deal but also for a chance at more money in a brighter spotlight at a program at a predominantly white institution.
Currently, the NCAA does not regulate how many times a student can transfer if athletes are academically eligible. While the current proposed bill doesn’t include a restriction, the Trump Administration has spoken up twice, attempting to place limits on transfers.
Earlier this month, Trump signed an executive order limiting transfers to one time during a four-year degree program.
“This Executive Order builds on President Trump’s longstanding commitment to showcasing American greatness through sports and recognition of its value in forging American leaders and culture,” the White House said in a fact sheet.
The executive order also calls on the NCAA to create a national agent registry and to bar schools from cutting scholarships or eliminating women’s and Olympic sports to fund student-athlete compensation.
But some observers are skeptical of the proposed legislation and the executive order.
“This executive order is trying to work hand in hand to limit those athletes from having that [financial] mobility,” said Billy Hawkins, who has written about the politics of the Black athlete.
Sports, he continued, like entertainment, is a transactional industry. Hawkins and a colleague are looking to write more on the complexities of the transfer portals and the different reasons one may transfer. He pointed out that some athletes may transfer for academic reasons or to follow a coach, as student-athletes at Jackson State University did after Deion Sanders left the Mississippi HBCU in 2022.
‘The portal has gotten crazy’
As the college basketball season comes to a close, several athletes are expected to jump into the NCAA’s portal to let coaches know they’re looking to transfer programs. Whether that’s for more endorsement opportunities or for extended playtime, the confusion and opportunity around the NCAA’s rules on NIL are playing out in real time.
Incoming college athletes like Dorsett Edwards are trying to catch the attention of college recruiters and fight for spots on teams. Capital B spoke with people who say the limitless transfer option blocks opportunities for incoming freshmen seeking recruitment.
Howard University football players celebrate after winning a game in August 2025. Recent changes allow college athletes to be paid for their name, image, and likeness, but there is no uniform federal law. (Photo by Glenn Beil/Florida A&M University via Getty Images)
“The portal has gotten crazy,” said Edwards, a freshman football player for Howard University. “It’s taking away from the high school athletes, and they’re not getting any opportunities.”
Before NIL, college athletes’ compensation didn’t expand beyond tuition and fees for their degrees. That didn’t stop students from filing lawsuits against the NCAA for using their names and images for profit.
While Scott sees the legislation as a positive start to the conversation, Hawkins, a professor at the University of Houston’s Department of Health and Human Performance, sees it as problematic.
“They’ve been able to be compensated, now you’re talking about limiting that to a certain degree. I find that somewhat problematic,” he said.
In 2025, the NCAA was ordered to pay $2.8 billion to Division I athletes in a class-action lawsuit called House v. NCAA, marking the start of student athletes profiting from their own image. Some states, such as Oklahoma, have introduced laws that limit transfers and require a waiting period after the transfer is completed, thereby causing the organization to pay out more.
“The NCAA is trying to stop all of that type of litigation again, because it costs,” Hawkins said.
However, that door remains closed for some athletes.
Edwards couldn’t recall whether any of his teammates on Howard’s football team had NIL deals. He could only think of a few on the men’s basketball team, which made university history with its first March Madness win last month.
“You’re not an Ivy League school, you’re not playing on a national stage, so it’s not as motivating for [some],” he said. “They might feel like they’re not getting a return on investment.”
Edwards said he hopes whatever Congress decides will open more doors for athletes at Black colleges to benefit from NIL.
Wide receivers are in good supply in the top part of next week’s NFL draft, with anywhere between three and six expected to be selected in the first round, and as many as a dozen being drafted in the first three rounds.
Among the first-round prospects are Ohio State’s Carnell Tate, USC’s Makai Lemon, Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson, Washington’s Denzel Boston, Indiana’s Omar Cooper and Texas A&M’s KC Concepcion.
Overall, it’s a high-quality collection of wide receivers from top to bottom. The class offers speed, size, good hands, good route-running and high upside guys. It’s hard to guarantee that any will be an impact player as a rookie, but this is a complete class of receivers.
And, consequently, it’s a good year for the Miami Dolphins to need a wide receiver, which is the case. It’ll be interesting to see whether general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and coach Jeff Hafley think it’s worthwhile to select a wide receiver in the first round.
As a reminder, the draft is April 23-25.
The Dolphins have 11 picks, including two in the first round (Nos. 11 and 30), and seven among the first 94 selections.
Miami has one selection in the second round (No. 43), four in the third (Nos. 75, 87, 90 and 94), one in the fourth (No. 130), one in the fifth (No. 151), and two in the seventh (Nos. 227 and 238).
Here are the top wide receivers in the draft, in order:
Carnell Tate, Ohio State
Tate (6 foot 2, 192 pounds) earned academic All America honors while totaling 51 receptions for 875 yards and 9 TDs. He’s got good size, good hands and good route-running ability but so-so speed (4.53-second 40-yard dash). Only knock on Tate is he isn’t physical enough but he’s a quality WR and the clear No. 1 prospect.
Lemon (5-11, 192) is a slot WR who displayed productivity in many ways while amassing 79 receptions for 1,156 yards and 11 TDs. He’s not strong, but he’s smart, runs good routes, and is a willing blocker. Lemon’s the prototypical “high upside” guy.
Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
Tyson (6-2, 203) is an credibly talented prospect who combines good size with versatility and intelligence which explains why he had 61 receptions for 711 yards and 8 TDs. He’s certainly a first-round pick but he comes with injury concerns, most recently hamstring injuries last season. He also had knee issues (torn ACL, PCL and MCL) dating back to his freshman season at Colorado.
Denzel Boston, Washington
Boston (6-4, 212) is a big WR whose best trait is that he can go up and get the ball, which puts extra value on his 62 receptions for 881 yards and 11 TDs. He’s not necessarily physical but he knows how to use his size and body positioning. Boston could go as high as the middle of the first round or as low as the top of the second round.
KC Concepcion, Texas A&M
Concepcion (6-0, 196) is a quick, speedy WR/punt returner who can win at the line of scrimmage and in short spaces. He had 61 receptions for 919 yards and 9 TDs to go along with 2 PR TDs. Concepcion’s a big-play threat on short routes and deep routes.
Best of the rest
Indiana’s Omar Cooper (69 receptions, 937 yards, 13 TDs) is a first-round candidate who plays with strength and aggression. … Alabama’s Germie Bernard (64 receptions, 862 yards, 7 TDs) is skilled and polished but doesn’t have a standout characteristic. … Clemson’s Antonio Williams (5-11, 187), a Day 2 candidate, is elusive, athletic and versatile, traits he used to record 55 receptions, 13 carries and four PRs . … Louisville’s Chris Bell (6-2, 222) sustained a torn ACL in November but he’s a big-bodied possession WR who totaled 72 receptions for 917 yards and 6 TDs in 11 games. … Notre Dame’s Malachi Fields (6-4, 218) is big and strong, traits he used for 36 receptions, 630 yards and 5 TDs. … Tennessee’s Chris Brazzell II (6-4, 198) is an angular speedster who ran a 4.37-second 40-yard dash and totaled 62 receptions for 1,017 yards and 9 TDs.
Class grade: A
This isn’t a flashy class but it checks all the boxes. Well, all the boxes except for an instant impact player. Still, with Tate, Lemon and Tyson at the top, and Brazzell and Fields in the third round, this is a strong class that fills many needs.
Teams in need
Washington could always use more talent alongside QB Jayden Daniels and WR Terry McLaurin.
Kansas City probably wants its offense to regain the game-breaking element it had in the early years of QB Patrick Mahomes.
Miami needs to replenish after parting ways with WRs Tyreek Hill (release) and Jaylen Waddle (trade).
The L.A. Rams have a bit of uncertainty involving WR Puka Nacua, and are in “go-for-it” mode.
The N.Y. Jets have across-the-board needs, but QB Geno Smith could use top-notch WR help.
Philadelphia seems to be on shaky ground with A.J. Brown, so a WR need is understandable.
Cleveland needs help in many areas but whoever starts at QB (Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders or Dillon Gabriel) needs improvement at No. 1 WR.
Buffalo is dealing with a closing Super Bowl window for a variety of reasons, and getting QB Josh Allen a quality No. 1 is a priority.
Dolphins’ focus
Miami acquired Jalen Tolbert and Tutu Atwell and returns promising youngster Malik Washington, and together they form the top WRs. But they are all, at best, probably No. 3 WRs. The Dolphins need a No. 1 and No. 2 WR, at least.
Walsh could win her 100th England cap on Tuesday [Getty Images]
England midfielder Keira Walsh is set to make her 100th appearance against world champions Spain at Wembley.
The 29-year-old has become an integral part of Sarina Wiegman's squad, helping them to back-to-back European titles.
She could captain the Lionesses on Tuesday (19:00 GMT) with Arsenal defender Leah Williamson's fitness a doubt.
"Obviously it's a very exciting moment. We don't know the team yet for sure but when I started playing football I didn't think this was possible," said Walsh.
"It's a really proud moment for me and my family. I don't really like the attention being on me so I try to focus on the game and forget everything else.
"I do feel a bit awkward about it. I just love playing football. Whether it's the first or the 100th cap, I'll feel the same. It's still putting the shirt on."
She made her debut in front of less than 10,000 fans in a 5-0 win over Kazakhstan at Colchester Community Stadium in November 2017.
Reflecting on how things have changed since her first cap, Walsh said: "I was speaking about this with some of the girls the other day.
"When I got my first cap there was not a lot of people in the crowd. It was at a random stadium and we were playing Kazakhstan.
"Tomorrow there will be 75,000 people at Wembley and we're playing against one of the best teams in the world. That shows the growth of the women's game.
"There are some of us in the squad who were part of it when the women's game wasn't quite there. I can definitely feel that from my first to my 100th cap. It's just exciting to see where the game has gone."
Walsh's ability has been clear from the start of her England career and she was given the armband on just her seventh appearance in 2018.
She was named player of the match when England won Euro 2022 having set-up Ella Toone's opening goal in the final with an exquisite pass.
Known for her technical ability and passing range, Walsh has started almost every game for Wiegman at major tournaments, only missing one at the 2023 World Cup because of a knee injury in the group stages.
She was also awarded an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in the King's New Year Honours list for 2026.
"I watched her before I came into the England environment and she was a very good player. She was very tactical and technical," said Wiegman.
"She has enormous vision and game understanding. When I came in, I thought 'oh, that's even better than I thought.'
"She is an important player in leading the team in how we want to play. That's crucial. I think also Keira has stayed to who she is and also grown as a person."
'Baby Ronnie' and 'consistent presence'
A mainstay throughout Walsh's career has been best friend and team-mate Williamson, who played alongside her in England's youth teams.
Williamson, the Lionesses captain, said Walsh was "a good person to have in your corner" and praised her consistency.
"The way she plays is subtle but integral to the team that she's in. If Keira's good and if Keira's flying, the team's flying," Williamson told the Women's Football Weekly podcast.
"That is a heavy weight to carry, but one that I think she does with the way she presents herself. She's just this real steady, consistent presence.
"Keira can do things on a ball that other people can't. At my first World Cup in France [2019], she picked up the nickname 'Baby Ronnie' after Brazilian Ronaldo.
"Everything about her just oozes elegance and I hope she knows how appreciated she is among us. She dictates the way that you play."
Off the pitch, the pair often share rooms and sit together when travelling to England matches.
Their families are close and Williamson said she has learned from Walsh.
"She wears her heart on her sleeve and says it as it is. I think more people should be like that," added Williamson.
"Keira is a really considerate person and a really good listener. She's very intelligent. She thinks about things before she says them.
"She can be a bit annoying sometimes because she'll give me the thing I don't want to hear, but her perspective on life, how she treats other people, cultures, all of those different things, she's taught me a lot.
"She's just a good person to have in your corner."
There is very little about this race that seems to make sense.
The gruelling French farm tracks with their jagged cobblestones seem barely fit for a cow's hoof, let alone a Lycra-clad cyclists' thin tyre and ultra-light bike.
Welcome to L'Enfer du Nord - the Hell of the North - as cycling's most brutal race, Paris-Roubaix, is known.
At 260km (162 miles), it is not the longest of cycling's classics, and there are no mountains to climb. But that is not the point.
First held in 1896, it is the unrelenting cobbles - or 'pave' - that have left some of the world's finest riders, and their bikes, bloodied and broken.
Four-time Tour de France winning legend Tadej Pogacar has won every race worth winning in cycling, and often by a country mile.
But he can't win Roubaix.
The 30 sectors of cobbles along the ancient route got the better of the Slovenian for the second time on Sunday, when he was beaten by Belgian Wout van Aert in a sprint in the race's legendary velodrome finish.
"I'd describe the cobbles, not like a market place in a village as you might think, but more like someone decided to drop a load of cobbles and see where they landed, and somehow they are described as roads," Lizzie Deignan, who left blood on the handlebars of her bike when winning the inaugural women's edition in 2021, says.
"Think of hardest physical exertion you've ever done on a bike, and then being rattled at the same time to the point even the muscles in your fingers are so sore. It's a bit like holding on to a pneumatic drill whilst going as fast as you can on a bike."
A dedicated group of volunteers spend the year leading up to the race maintaining the cobbles to try to keep the course safe, while ensuring the unique profile remains.
Preparation of the route has included the use of goats to chew away the vegetation which makes its way through the stones - especially on the fearsome sector through the Forest of Arenberg, a foreboding sprint over pave which is always treacherous, often slippery, and forever fraught.
The weather also never helps: if it rains it is a near-impossible quagmire, with countless abandonments; if it is dry, the dust will get you, kicked up by competitors and the cavalcade of team cars and motorbike outriders - it's a challenge to breathe, let alone see.
On her day of glory, Deignan surprised the rest of the peloton and broke away in torrential conditions which saw her, at one point, riding the bike sideways as the rear wheel slid out on a corner.
"Everybody punctures and everybody crashes, it's whoever has good legs and survives it really," she says. "It's unlike any other race."
Paris-Roubaix falls into the same road cycling World Tour as that of the Tour de France, or Giro d'Italia. And so the same peloton will be hurtling along the cobbles a couple of months before gliding through the sunflowers of a French summer.
But success in those other races does not always translate to joy on the pave.
Four-time Tour winner Chris Froome: hated it, rode it once and didn't finish. Three-time Tour champion Greg Lemond: managed fourth. Two-time Tour winner Jonas Vingegaard: more likely to do the Paris-Dakar rally.
There were those who straddled both, including Bernard Hinault and the often-acclaimed greatest Eddy Merckx, each with five Tours de France among their glittering palmares, but even they weren't the best when it came to Hell.
Hell belongs to the powerhouses; the burly classics riders who cannot go over mountains day after day, but who can go for longer and harder across one epic day of racing.
"Every time I tried [to attack], my legs were not the greatest any more and [Van Aert was always] riding on my wheel," Pogacar, who we have grown used to winning races by several minutes, said after Sunday's edition.
For Van Aert - known to many as the 'nicest man in cycling' and who was roared into the velodrome - it was simply "a dream come true" that was "years in the making".
And nothing tells you you're part of something so difficult and profound more, than when the champion dedicates his win to a team-mate who lost his life on the cobbles eight years ago. Belgian Michael Goolearts died after a cardiac arrest during the 2018 race.
Fans line cobbled farm tracks to roar on their mud-splattered heroes [Getty Images]
Even when you win the race, you don't get away from the cobbles.
The trophy is a piece of pave - mounted by a local stone mason who works on cobbles which had been lost for generations after the tracks they formed were blown up by German bombs during the World Wars, and then ploughed back to the surface decades later by farmers, who leave them by the tracks of the present day to be carved for next year's victor.
"It's the same as it always was," says Deignan. "These are roads steeped in their own history aside from cycling - you know, World War One, World War Two…
"It's just terrain that shouldn't be raced; it doesn't make sense really.
"Everything that can possibly happen, happens on that one day - it throws everything there is at a rider, and it's such a spectacle to watch."
The pave requires a unique and counter-intuitive way of racing, says Deignan - so fast that your bike doesn't have time to get stuck in the changing profile and undulation of the cobbles, with as little as possible pressure on your handlebars.
Deignan won the inaugural Paris-Roubaix Femmes in 2021 [Getty Images]
"Everybody has a story to tell… if they make it to the end," says Britain's joint-highest ever male finisher Ian Stannard - a former Team Sky golden era classics man who now directs the team from the cars behind the peloton, and who came third in 2016.
"When things are going well, you just cruise over the cobbles, but when your legs go 'bang' you smash into every one.
"It's a great race for people - they all come over the Belgian border to watch by the roadside and set up camp and have a good time. You can smell the barbecues as you race.
"But," adds Stannard, "it really brings this area into focus."
And it's a poor one. An old mining and textile town, modern-day Roubaix has more than its fair share of poverty - striking old brickwork architecture screaming through the grime for a more gentrified age through street art installations and restaurant start-ups.
Farming, coal, wars… more farming. Paris always seems further away, both geographically and culturally, than you think.
Despite the name the race doesn't even start in the French capital famed for money and style these days, but in the outskirts of the outskirts instead.
That is why the race means more to people here than arguably the Tour de France does to, say, Parisians or Alpinistas.
Waving flags and sounding airhorns, the locals line the sides of the jagged paths, which are little more than a couple of metres wide, watching first the motorbikes and cars bouncing over at speed before a slew of seemingly out-of-control cyclists bursts through.
Those from north of Paris and south of Brussels did the digging, ploughing, assembling and many of them the fighting, on these fields which saw such bloody battles.
Fiorella, who works for her grandparents at a cafe in Roubaix on a street corner near the velodrome, says: "I'm not crazy about cycling, but I like it. It's definitely important for us in this area. You know, us, Lilleois, Belgians, even the Netherlands… we are all together.
"It's different here - our mentality is different. All the factories here, we make things. Hard work - that's what we stand for. It is different for Parisians, and the south."
People's champion Van Aert in disbelief at beating Pogacar to win the race everyone in northern France and Belgium wanted him to win [Getty Images]
Fifty years ago Paris-Roubaix was featured in what would become a cult documentary among cycling fans called A Sunday in Hell.
It featured the attempt by all-rounder Merckx to prevent the legendary powerhouse of the time, Belgium's Roger de Vlaeminck, from winning his fourth title. Both were denied by the often over-looked nearly man Marc Demeyer.
Somewhat fittingly, the 2026 edition mirrored that, with Pogacar's all-round brilliance up against powerhouse Mathieu van der Poel's attempt to win a record-equalling fourth title. Both were denied by the erstwhile underdog Van Aert.
That film also captured the spirit of the people of the region - the proud and hard-working engine room of France, cheering home one of their own from the coffee houses and tabacs.
Since 1896, when two textiles industrialists tried to promote the town and were told to ensure the race's title somehow involved Paris, little has changed in the culture of the north.
And given that, the brutal, legend-humbling race, all grit and grind, makes perfect sense.
Le Pave at the forest of Arenberg - the stuff of nightmares for the polished Tour de France specialist [Getty Images]A muddied and exhausted Pogacar after the race [BBC Sport]Some residents near the velodrome have a good vantage point [BBC Sport]Deignan is the only Briton to have a dedicated cobble on Le Pave in Roubaix [BBC Sport]
The quarterback position does appear to at least be somewhat on the Indianapolis Colts' radar ahead of the 2026 NFL draft.
In an interview with Sports Illustrated's Justin Melo, Behren Morton mentioned the Colts as one of the teams he has met with via Zoom recently.
Colts' 2026 NFL draft prospect to watch: QB Behren Morton
An experienced player, Morton has almost 1,400 dropbacks over the last four seasons. Each year from 2023 through 2025, Morton saw his completion rate and yards per pass attempt both increase, per PFF.
His most productive season was in 2024, when he threw for 3,335 yards and 27 touchdowns. This past year, however, Morton's efficiency was up, as he set career highs in completion rate and yards per pass attempt. He's thrown 71 career touchdowns and been able to mostly limit interceptions, never throwing more than eight in a season.
Morton has had to navigate injuries in his career.
"I’m excited to have this opportunity," Morton told Melo of being an NFL draft prospect. "I’m going to walk into a quarterback room that already has a veteran in it. I’m going to learn from him. Obviously I’ll be in a different system than the Air Raid.
"I’m excited for the opportunity. It’s going to be a very special experience for me. I’m going to maximize every opportunity that comes my way."
Morton is the 297th-ranked prospect on the consensus big board, making him a likely late Day 3 draft pick, or he could go undrafted.
For more on his game, here is what NFL.com's Lance Zierlein wrote in his pre-draft scouting report:
"Morton is a challenging evaluation given his injury history, but I studied his tape from 2024 and 2025 for my analysis here. He appears to lack the functional arm talent to push the ball into windows or beat safeties over the top into sideline buckets. He’s average with his anticipation and field-reading but is willing to get through progressions while trusting his pocket. He’s extremely tough and has the desired level of competitive spirit needed for the position. He can buy time for his receivers when needed and gets what he can when it’s time to run. Morton’s medicals will be critical, but it will likely be an uphill battle for him to make a roster."
What is the Colts' need at quarterback?
With Daniel Jones under contract, the need here is low. The Colts put all of their offseason eggs in the Daniel Jones basket, believing that the success that he had through the first half of last season can be repeated and sustained, even with him coming off a major injury.
Assuming the Colts do find a trade partner for Anthony Richardson, that still leaves them with Riley Leonard as the team's backup. Leonard impressed during his Week 18 start against Houston last season, showcasing that he is ready to fill that backup role.
Perhaps after the draft, the Colts will sign a UDFA to compete with Seth Henigan for the third quarterback spot on the depth chart.
2026 has kicked off in an extremely interesting way for the New Orleans Saints, as they lost two critical defensive pieces early in free agency. With Demario Davis and Alontae Taylor now out of the fold, the Saints have some work to do on defense after spending much of their cap on offense early on. The cornerback room specifically was already in need of some additional pieces, with Kool-Aid McKinstry and Quincy Riley being the only two high-snap corners on the team.
A direct slot corner replacement would be ideal, and New Orleans is already looking into potential options, as they recently interviewed Texas Tech cornerback AJ McCarty Jr. ahead of his pro day.
While coaches and scouts did not get an opportunity to see him test, his production from the 2025 season was on full display as he appeared in 14 games. In that span, he put up 20 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, a pass deflection, 5 pressures, and 9 defensive stops. In coverage, he was very strong, only facing 18 targets, allowing 11 receptions for 102 yards, without a touchdown, and no penalties against him.
Texas Tech DB AJ McCarty Jr. Had an interview with the #Saints prior to his Pro Day. Didn't test due to a pulled hamstring. pic.twitter.com/g0pfpZ0JQ8
One of the only flaws in McCarty's game is his missed tackle rate, which has ranged from 15.9% in 2022 to 34.1% in 2024, and then back to 22.7% this year. He missed out on the 2023 regular season due to the NCAA transfer policy after moving from Baylor to Texas Tech, hence why he spent five seasons at the collegiate level.
Overall, he has a ton of talent when it comes to his coverage capabilities and has shown flashes of being able to tackle in space; he just needs to become a bit more reliable about doing so to really raise his ceiling.
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Sometimes, Ian Curley hopes his Drew University professors aren't paying too much attention to what he's doing on his laptop during class. Lately, the senior finance major has been watching lacrosse video and making up practice plans.
He's fit his school schedule between 9 a.m. and about 2:30 p.m., and often shows up for his last class in lacrosse gear. Then Curley, 22, jumps into his car and zips over to Hanover Park High School.
The young coach is trying to rebuild the culture of the Park boys lacrosse team, a co-op between Hanover Park and Whippany Park. The first thing he did after being hired for the top job in late October was to institute team lifts and dinners, bringing all the players together regardless of their home school.
"We're going in a completely new direction," said Curley, who grew up in Jacksonville, Florida, but played ice hockey and lacrosse at Lawrence Academy near Boston.
"I haven't called it a rebuild year, but it is. We want to have a .500 record. We want to win a county game, and a state game if we can. For a lot of teams around here in Morris County, that's a pretty low ceiling. But for where we are, it's a big step."
Park finished 8-8 last spring. The program won the Klank in 2021 and the Kimber in 2022, but hasn't finished over .500 since 2021 and has had double-digit wins just three times in 10 years. They have won three MCT prelims in the past decade – 2018, 2021 and 2022 – but no NJSIAA Tournament matches.
Though Park started 0-5 this spring, senior defender Caden Thomas insisted, "There's an entirely different vibe around the team." A former assistant at both Park and Morristown, Curley updated the co-op's style, making the offense more fast-paced with lots of off-ball movement. Practice is more focused on individual skill improvement, and everyone comes together as a team for game-style drills at the end of each session.
Curley, a former attacker, has few qualms about pulling on pads and jumping in as well. Though he said so far he's only filled in at goalie, since Park just has one on varsity.
"Our team wasn't really fired up before games or practice," said Hanover Park senior attack Chase Olszweski, the leading scorer as a sophomore and junior. "With a younger coach, he gets more into it. He understands one guy can impact the entire team and bring the energy up. He's that main energy source. Everyone surrounds him and it builds from there."
Curley has been able to relate to the players on a different level, since he's no more than four years removed from what they're going through.
Trying to figure out college recruiting? Curley has been there and done that. Balancing two sports simultaneously? Curley did that in high school too. Juggling classes and practice proving a challenge? He's doing that right now, alongside his players.
Curley, who is scheduled to graduate from Drew in May, is even trying to figure out his career path. He earned a New Jersey substitute credential so he could coach, but his long-term plan was to work on Wall Street – not be in a classroom.
"He's still our coach, but he's more like us than any coach we've had," Thomas said. "It makes everyone want to play for him more. ... We want to win for him. It makes it a lot easier."
The Atlanta Falcons made headlines for taking an aggressive approach in last year's draft, and while the trade for James Pearce Jr. is all that many will remember, the team still found two more defensive starters in the middle rounds.
Third-round pick Xavier Watts led all rookies with five interceptions and was a finalist for the Defensive Rookie of the Year award. And in the fourth round, the Falcons landed Oklahoma defensive back Billy Bowman Jr., who won the team's starting nickel job over Dee Alford.
Bowman unfortunately injured his Achilles in the middle of the season, but both players thrived as rookies and should play key roles in Atlanta's secondary going forward. Pearce's future remains up in the air, but the Rams won't be giving the Falcons their first-pound pick back anytime soon.
Atlanta recently swapped fifth- and sixth-round picks with the Philadelphia Eagles to acquire safety Sydney Brown, but the team still has five total picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, as you can see below.
Atlanta Falcons' current picks 2026 NFL Draft:
Round 2: Pick No. 48
Round 3: Pick No. 79
Round 4: Pick No. 122 (from Eagles)*
Round 6: Pick No. 215 (from Eagles)*
Round 7: Pick No. 231
Round 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft officially kicks off at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, April 23. This year's draft will be held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Falcons will have to wait until Day 2 to make their first selection.
PHILADELPHIA -- The Philadelphia 76ers finished up the regular season with a 126-106 win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday evening to finish the season at 45-37 and the No. 7 seed in the East. The Sixers will now play host to the Orlando Magic in the 7 vs. 8 play-in game on Wednesday.
Tyrese Maxey led the way with 21 points, Andre Drummond had 12 points and 13 rebounds, Justin Edwards had 17 points, and Paul George had 11 points and five rebounds. Kelly Oubre Jr. added 11 points and five rebounds and Quentin Grimes added 20 and five assists.
Here are the three biggest takeaways following the win:
Maxey finds a rhythm
The Sixers saw Maxey struggle to start the night on Sunday as he only had five points on 1-for-5 shooting at halftime as the Bucks held a 62-58 halftime lead. Continuing to work his way back from a finger injury, Maxey's efficiency has been up and down, but he got it going in the third quarter against the Bucks. He had 16 points on 7-for-8 shooting in the third as the Sixers outscored Milwaukee 38-16 to get the job done and put the Bucks away.
"I think it's a little bit of a difficult game to play, and I don't think we came out with a lot of life and kind of wanted it to be easier than it was going to be," said coach Nick Nurse. "It's always the case in this league. I just think he just came out and turned up his work rate and aggressiveness and all that stuff in the second half. He played more like himself."
Drummond provides a lift
When the Sixers inserted Drummond into the game on Sunday, he changed everything. His physicality, size, and strength played a big role for Philadelphia taking control of the game as he continues to play well recently. Six of his 13 rebounds were on the offensive end as his presence immediately changed the game in Philadelphia's favor. It allowed the Sixers to really find their rhythm and continue to push forward toward postseason play.
Nurse said on Drummond:
He’s done a good job, no doubt about it, and we needed him to so that's been good. Just a little bit of everything. I think the rebounding always is a big one, but a couple good passes. Some back cut passes, couple, two of them, at least tonight, and some good number of offensive rebounds, getting some extra possessions. I know he had six of them. He might have got three of them on his own shot there one time, but he finished. So it doesn't matter once as long he doesn't leave until it's in the basket, but just pretty good, solid play. I thought defensively, he started getting up. That was the one thing at halftime. We weren't doing all the work pressuring the 5s, and they were wheeling deal and paying and off to all those 3-point shooters, but he got up, played really aggressive in the second half.
A bounce back season
The Sixers, once again, had to deal with a ton of adversity in the 2025-26 season between the 25-game suspension to George, the injuries and the current appendicitis surgery recovery for Joel Embiid, and a myriad of other issues that arose. Instead of crumbling as they did in the 2024-25 season, the Sixers won 21 more games than they did the previous season and head into a chance to compete in the playoffs. There is still more work to be done, but the Sixers showed their resilience and toughness in order to bounce back and be back in this moment.
Nurss stated:
I mean, I think the overall assessment is as choppy as it was again, injury-wise, I'm glad we were able to handle that a lot better. I thought a lot of guys improved, and a lot of lot of guys filled in. There was, I think, moments for almost everybody over there. That was really important considering, you know, certain times, especially, I think we were missing four starters for a good stretch there and those guys were able to pick off a good—probably a little under .500, but pretty close to keep things going, which I think was hugely important. So, I'm pretty proud of them for hanging in there and battling through the adversity and all that kind of stuff. I think we got a lot of ceiling to go yet. I think there's a lot. So, hopefully we'll get to play a bunch of games and keep improving.
NEW YORK — The 2026 WNBA Draft gets underway in a few hours.
After months of waiting, on Monday, April 13, one of the biggest events of the offseason will commence at The Shed in New York. In the previous few years, there's been a consensus No. 1 pick leading up to the event. This year's top spot has been up for grabs for weeks, driving lots of chatter about all the possibilities.
However, after an action-packed first week of WNBA free agency, the choice for the Dallas Wings got a lot clearer. The Wings should draft UConn Huskies guard Azzi Fudd at No. 1. Others in the mix for No. 1 include Spaniard Awa Fam, UCLA center Lauren Betts and TCU guard Olivia Miles.
How will all shake out? Here's USA TODAY's final 2026 WNBA mock draft:
1. Dallas Wings: Azzi Fudd, G, UConn
After free agency, Dallas has a crowded front court. While drafting another post player would not be a bad option, the Wings need guard depth and shooting. Because of that, Fudd then becomes the easy choice. She can move off-ball, defend when asked and is the purest shooter in the draft class. Dallas will have to figure out where Fudd lands in the lineup with Arike Ogunbowale and Paige Bueckers, but a three-guard attack should dramatically help the offense.
2. Minnesota Lynx: Lauren Betts, C, UCLA
After losing key pieces in free agency like Alanna Smith and Jessica Shepard, Minnesota would be wise to draft Betts. She provides an interior presence, has no problem cleaning up the board or kicking it out to an open teammate for an easy score. The Bruins center is a good defender, but Minnesota head coach Cheryl Reeve could potentially help Betts become elite.
3. Seattle Storm: Olivia Miles, G, TCU
It's no secret after the exits of Skylar Diggins, Gabby Williams and Nneka Ogwumike, the Storm are in full rebuild mode. Seattle should lean into young talent like Dominique Malonga, who was drafted No. 2 overall in 2025, and pair her with Miles. The TCU product has exquisite vision and would easily become a scoring option the Storm could lean on. Early chemistry with Malonga is needed.
4. Washington Mystics: Awa Fam, C, Spain
The Mystics could sorely use some big depth. Veteran Stef Dolson joined Seattle during free agency, and it's unclear if current center Shakira Austin will return. (Austin has an offer from the Tempo as of this publishing. The Mystics can match.) Regardless, Fam could use a place that will be patient as she continues to grow. Washington can provide that without the pressure to produce now.
5. Chicago Sky: Flau'jae Johnson, G, LSU
Chicago made some solid moves during free agency to put itself in a position to compete. Rickea Jackson, DiJonai Carrington, Skylar Diggins and Azurá Stevens are all in the mix in the Windy City. The additions plug a lot of holes, but do leave a gap at shooting guard. Johnson immediately fills that need and could start now if the Sky needed her to, bringing immediate two-way production.
6. Toronto Tempo: Ta'Niya Latson, G, South Carolina
The Tempo are also need guard help, and while Latson is a bit undersized at 5-foot-8, her confidence should help her at the next level. Latson needs to go into an environment that will elevate her as a score-first guard, and head coach Sandy Brondello has proven she can do that throughout her career. Latson may not start right away, but in Toronto, there may not be a rush.
7. Portland Fire: Kiki Rice, G, UCLA
Portland needs a floor general to round out its roster, and Rice fits the bill. During her senior season with UCLA, she proved she was more than capable of handling facilitation duties and calling her own number if needed. In the WNBA, if she can trust her judgment and take what the defense has given her, she should have a solid rookie season.
The thought of adding Jaquez to the roster should excite Golden State. The Valkyries would be getting a do-it-all player who isn't afraid to lean into the things that don't often show up on the stat sheet. She also comes with an electric 3-ball that should be a solid addition to a team that led the WNBA in made 3-points per game (9.7) last season.
9. Washington Mystics: Raven Johnson, G South Carolina
There's never anything wrong with taking guard depth and insurance as the Mystics wait to see how Georgia Amoore will fare once she returns to the court this season. Still, even with a healthy Amoore, Washington could use a gritty, scrappy guard like Johnson to anchor the defense and keep the offense running smoothly.
10. Indiana Fever: Gianna Kneepkens, G, UCLA
The one thing Indiana could never have enough of last season was guards and shooters. Kneepkens is both. She can work inside out, is underrated with her footwork and can sink a corner 3-pointer, a Fever staple over the years. Head coach Stephanie White will likely appreciate Kneepkens' intensity and energy.
11. Washington Mystics: Nell Angloma, F, France
Angloma is a versatile piece the Mystics could lean into now or stash for later. At 5-foot-11, she's likely more of a wing than a pure forward, but she can play both. Angloma does a lot of work in the paint, getting downhill quickly, but can make her baskets from 3-point range, too, when asked.
Carrión is the type of guard who exploits any second-guessing by opponents and makes them pay. She can get to the cup with her footwork, navigating traffic or she can let it go from deep without flinching. She may not play now, if drafted, but the Sun would be wise to hold on to the Spainish guard.
13. Atlanta Dream: Madina Okot, C, South Carolina
The Dream plan to take the best player available at 13. That player could contribute now, but Atlanta isn't looking for an immediate star. If the pick is Okot, the South Carolina center would be landing in a great place for her development. Head coach Karl Smesko could help her as a defender and strengthen her shooting, especially from 3-point range.
14. Seattle Storm: Marta Suarez, F, TCU
Reuniting Suarez with her college point guard might be worth it for Seattle. She led the Horned Frogs in 3-point shooting this past season and could help a Seattle team that needs chemistry sooner rather than later. A young trio of Malonga, Miles and Saurez could help the Storm build for the future.
15. Connecticut Sun: Cotie McMahon, F, Ole Miss
McMahon is a versatile player who could find her groove with the Sun as a wing or forward. She brings a lot of energy and is not afraid to get downhill or pull up from the midrange. She also moves well without the ball, opening up lanes for teammates, which could help her earn more minutes as the season progresses.
The Cincinnati Bengals should attack the tight end position once or twice before training camp.
Whether that’s in the draft, free agency or a combo deal remains to be seen.
If it’s the draft, one could see the Bengals addressing the position as high as even the second round (that’s what they did with a blocker like Drew Sample, after all).
More likely, though, is free agency, where some big names remain:
David Njoku
Darren Waller
Jonnu Smith
Will Dissly
Njoku might just be the most realistic at this point. But the list really just goes to show how much the market has cooled. Now that the Bengals have waited around, perhaps they can find a steal.
Then again, the Bengals went with a “big name” last year with Noah Fant and fumbling issues marred his time with the team.
No matter what they do, tight end is a quiet need. Sample is a blocker. Mike Gesicki is a big slot wideout. Erick All looked like the future, but the medical problems resurfaced.
Even if it’s a shot on a notable name just like Fant, expect something from the Bengals between now and camp.
CHICAGO — Regime change doesn’t happen often on the Chicago sports scene, where who you know is often more important than what you know.
And the changing of the guard at the top of the Chicago Bulls food chain could be another chapter in a long line of teams “moving on” with familiar faces still in place.
Bulls President and CEO Michael Reinsdorf acknowledged after firing executive vice-president of basketball operations Artūras Karnišovas that coach Billy Donovan could be more involved in decision-making if he stays on as coach under a new front-office regime, though he suggested Donovan wasn’t interested in “titles.”
But whatever happens with the Bulls, it’s obvious that former Alderman Paddy Bauler’s famous line, “Chicago ain’t ready for reform yet,” also applies to our five legacy sports franchises. Change has been a relative term under current Chairmen Jerry Reinsdorf, Tom Ricketts and Danny Wirtz, while the Bears’ George McCaskey has been the one outlier of our select ownership group.
Here’s a brief history of the Chicago Way.
In the Reinsdorfian worldview, staying inside the organization is the preferred process of succession. White Sox and Bulls regimes from the 1990s have bled into the 2020s, with underlings simply moving up the ladder after their predecessors have been axed, promoted or reassigned as “consultants.”
In 2023, White Sox assistant general manager Chris Getz succeeded his boss, Rick Hahn, who had succeeded his boss, Ken Williams, after Williams was kicked upstairs to executive vice president in 2012. In 2000, Williams had replaced his boss, Ron Schueler, who was hired as GM in 1990 and “resigned” after a playoff season to move into a consultant role under Reinsdorf.
Williams was responsible for the only Sox championship since 1917, but giving up day-to-day GM duties was sometimes difficult. In an interview in 2015 in Detroit, Williams asked me who I thought Reinsdorf called whenever he was ticked off.
“Hahn?” I replied.
“No, he hasn’t graduated to that point yet, and I’ve told him that,” Williams replied. “There are some things that perhaps I may have removed myself a little bit too much from the equation.”
Hahn and Williams both discovered that Reinsdorf gets what Reinsdorf wants, ignoring their advice when rehiring Tony La Russa as manager in 2020. They were fired together in ’23, and Williams was not replaced.
Bulls GM Jerry Krause was in charge for six NBA titles but also was partly responsible for the dynasty’s demise after Michael Jordan and Phil Jackson left in 1998, as chronicled in “The Last Dance.” Michael Reinsdorf last week lumped him in with Karnišovas as a poor “communicator,” forgetting he had never held a news conference himself about the direction of the Bulls in 16 years as team president.
When Krause moved on for health reasons in 2003, Jerry Reinsdorf hired TV-radio analyst John Paxson, a fan favorite from the first three-peat. Reinsdorf told ESPN he had a short list of candidates from casual interviews over the last couple of years.
“It was just a matter of refreshing my memory and having one or two conversations to come to the conclusion I came to,” Reinsdorf said. “And it was a very easy conclusion.”
Paxson moved upstairs in 2009 and handed off GM duties to Gar Forman, forming the legendary “GarPax” regime that enjoyed some success in the Derrick Rose era. Forman was named NBA Executive of the Year in 2011, but Michael Reinsdorf, who took over as president in 2010, fired Forman in 2020 and moved Paxson to senior adviser, replacing Paxson with Karnišovas.
Michael Reinsdorf admitted this week that he didn’t interview his next leader in person because of the pandemic.
Oops. At least he has hired a search firm this time.
The Cubs, meanwhile, have had only two real regimes over the last 32 years under two ownership groups: MacPhail-Hendry under Tribune Co. and Epstein-Hoyer under the Ricketts family.
Andy MacPhail took over as Cubs president in 1994 under the marketing slogan: “We’re working on it.” After an epic fail with the hiring of GM Ed Lynch and his own brief stint as president/GM, MacPhail turned to assistant GM Jim Hendry, who built three playoff teams in 2003, ’07 and ’08 but could never get over the hump.
Hendry finished the 2011 season even after being told he was being let go, before Tom Ricketts hired away Boston Red Sox GM Theo Epstein, who also brought in his old sidekick, Jed Hoyer, as GM. Epstein and Hoyer won a championship in 2016, as you might have heard. But the dynasty never materialized, and Epstein resigned after 2020, handing the baton to Hoyer.
Like MacPhail, Hoyer is also “working on it,” with one postseason appearance and no division titles in five years and a slow start this spring. He got an extension in July, so regime change is unlikely for the 2020s.
The McCaskey-owned Bears are the only team that usually went outside the organization for a new regime. Jerry Angelo, hired from Tampa Bay in 2001, took them to a Super Bowl in the 2006 season but was fired after 2011 and replaced by Kansas City Chiefs director of scouting Phil Emery, a former Bears scout George McCaskey knew well. The next two picks were both outside hires — Ryan Pace in 2015 (New Orleans) and current GM Ryan Poles (Chiefs) in 2022. The arrow, at long last, is pointing up.
The Blackhawks have been run by the Wirtzes since the 1960s, so change has not often been part of their vocabulary. For decades the Wirtzes usually turned to Bob Pulford when it was time to get rid of whoever was in charge. Pulford began as GM/coach in 1977, was kicked upstairs in 1990, resumed GM duties in ’92, and went back upstairs in ’97, saying: “I’m 62 years old. I’ve got to step aside and let the young guys have their turn. It’s time for an old guy like me to sit back.”
Or maybe not. Pully returned to the GM role in ’99 for a season and in 2003 for two seasons before director of player personnel Dale Tallon, a former Hawks TV analyst, took over in 2005. Tallon built a Hawks team that made the playoffs for the first time in seven years in 2008-09, getting into the Western Conference Finals with two young stars, Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews. Change had come at last, and the Rocky Wirtz era was one Hawks fans had waited for all their lives.
But Tallon was fired nevertheless and replaced by Stan Bowman, who reaped the rewards of the Kane-Toews rebuild with three Stanley Cup titles before a scandal over the team’s mishandling of sexual assault allegations against a former video coach led to his resignation in 2021 and the promotion of Kyle Davidson in ’22 to start another rebuild.
Davidson said they would “not rush anything for a quick run. We want to do this right and stay at a top level.” Four years later, we’re still waiting. Danny Wirtz took control of the team after his father’s death in ’23. The Hawks rebuild remains in slow-motion, despite three seasons of star Connor Bedard, whose talent has kept fans from deserting the team.
What the future holds for our legacy teams is unknown.
But if you’re looking for an owner who thinks outside the box, you’ve come to the wrong town.
Andy Whing began his managerial career at Banbury United in 2020 [Getty Images]
Brackley Town boss Andy Whing says he is "more determined than ever" to make a success of his time at the club despite their relegation from the National League.
Their fate was confirmed, with two games still to play, by a 1-0 defeat at Scunthorpe United - their 11th in the 14 games since Whing was appointed.
Brackley were promoted as National League North champions last season, but remained part-time and Whing said that had contributed to the number of injuries in the squad since he took charge.
"The quality and the depth in the squad just hasn't been there. Obviously goalscoring has been a massive problem," he told BBC Radio Northampton.
"I've learnt a hell of a lot in the last few weeks, there's loads to build on, loads to do for next season and it starts now."
Former Barrow boss Whing was appointed following predecessor Gavin Cowan's move to League Two club Shrewsbury Town.
But he had to endure eight losses in a row before they finally picked up a point in a 1-1 draw with another of his former clubs, Solihull Moors.
"Brackley and Scunthorpe went up last season, but the difference is Scunthorpe are full time and a really big football club; I remember playing against them in the Championship, which shows where the club has been," he said.
"This football club have come from lower leagues and built their way up. There was a lot of learning coming into this division, whether that's recruitment, whether that's part-time/full-time.
"I had it a few years ago at Banbury (United), it was exactly the same. The intensity of the league above, especially in a full-time league, is really difficult."
Whing said despite their disappointment with results, the majority of supporters had been "brilliant" towards him.
And he believes Brackley will be better equipped to deal with the top tier of non-league football the next time they reach that level.
He added: "There's already stuff in motion for next season in terms of recruitment, in terms of what we want to do, a rebuild, a change of player profile to what we've got this season, so when we do come into this league we're not just hanging on - we want to be in this league to challenge, to go forward.
"Sometimes it takes that step back to go two steps forward and I'm more determined than ever.
"I looked at a Facebook post of me and family having dinner in Barrow, 13, 14 (games) unbeaten we'd gone in League Two and a year later I've dropped down two leagues. It just show how quickly football changes, but it also changes the other way."
Kirsty Gilmour added European gold to her collection of five silver and a bronze [Getty Images]
Having had to settle for silver five times at the European Badminton Championships, Kirsty Gilmour finally won gold in Huelva, Spain, on Sunday.
And the 32-year-old Scot did it just five weeks after suffering a torn calf muscle.
In the final, Gilmour beat Line Hojmark Kjaersfeldt of Denmark 21-17, 21-15 after being runner-up in 2016, 2017, 2022, 2024 and 2025. There was also a bronze in 2021.
On her making her return from injury, she told BBC Scotland: "I was off my feet for two or three weeks and slowly getting back on court.
"I didn't play any practice points until the Sunday and the tournament started on Wednesday.
"I was just relying on the experience I've put behind me in the past 25 years and I knew if I played decent badminton that I could do it. It was a nerve-holding exercise in part.
"There's no such thing as perfect preparation, so much of a championship like this is a mental game."
Gilmour was the fifth seed in Huelva and upset top-ranked Kjaersfeldt to take the title.
"I was really not scared to get another silver," she explained. "If that was going to be my story, I was totally fine. That's also pretty good.
"I saw a post on Instagram saying it was like Leo [Leonardo DiCaprio] finally getting his Oscar, so it feels a bit like that."
Watford last won on the road in February when they beat Bristol City 2-1. [Getty Images]
It's Groundhog Day for Watford. With the play-offs out of reach, the Hornets have slipped into their annual end-of-season slumber, with low-key performances which instigate boos from their own fans.
It started with the 2-0 loss at Oxford United on Saturday, when manager Ed Still had to apologise for not taking it to an opposition side "who wanted it more."
It remains to be seen how Watford navigate the next few games when there's no jeopardy.
Do you stick a rocket up the current squad and at least ask them to put a bit of personal pride in their performances to collectively get some results?
Do you motivate the players by giving them a target to end their four-game winless run away from home?
That could be achieved in the remaining two trips to West Brom and Middlesbrough. But both of those sides still need wins for different reasons.
Or do you try something more radical?
The manager has said planning has already begun for next season and is happening in between these games. But what happens if these games are more obviously being used in the planning process?
Perhaps he should tell players who think they are a shoe-in for next season that the next four games are a trial to decide their role in this club going forward.
That may mean some unusual formations, more risk-taking and a greater chance of further defeats.
The Watford fans would have to tolerate using the last few games as an experiment for building a better future. Will they just stay away if the defeats continue?
It's a brave strategy which may take more man and fan management. But if Still is determined to make this club his future, he may want to create disruption now to create a better Watford for next season.
Oxford beat QPR 3-0 in the 1986 Milk Cup final at Wembley [Getty Images]
Forty years ago, Oxford United achieved the unthinkable and won the Milk Cup (what we now know as the Carabao Cup).
Jim Smith, the manager who got them to the top flight, was sitting in the opposition dugout at Wembley that day and could only watch in disbelief as his chief scout Maurice Evans instigated a masterclass in 'underdoggery' to beat his QPR favourites and lift the trophy.
In the same season, Evans kept the U's in the First Division against all odds.
Because I genuinely felt that Spirit of '86 revitalised in the team and the fans during that game at the Kassam Stadium.
Yellow flags were waving like a semaphore convention and the cheering was as loud as if it were coming from a six-sided stadium, not three.
Meanwhile, on the pitch, Matt Bloomfield's team chased every ball and never gave up, even when Watford looked like they could pinch a goal later in the second half.
You know you have done a good job when the opposing fans boo their players off the pitch at the end.
Oxford United should have got more points out of recent games, yet they are still on for a great escape.
If Maurice Evans' 1986 team did not believe, they would have been out of the cup and the league, but they never stopped believing and that Spirit of '86 needs to be repeated in 2026 as United fight through these last few games.
Each week we will feature some of the top performances across South Jersey baseball diamonds in our seven-county coverage area.
Who had the best week? Vote in the poll at the end of the story. Voting will close on Friday afternoon.
Buena's Ronnie Menne was the top vote getter last week, garnering 42.3 percent of the 5.3K votes recorded. Timber Creek's Ryan Dobrowolski and Bishop Eustace's Roman Faiola rounded out the top three vote getters.
Burlington County Scholastic League
Carter Conrad, Delran. The sophomore closed the week out with a pair of multi-hit games, going 5-for-6 with three RBIs, as the Bears defeated Maple Shade and Pitman. Conrad is off to a sizzling start with a team-best 13 hits and 10 RBIs, batting .500 (13-for-26).
Brandon Snow, Moorestown Friends. The Foxes rattled off three straight wins for their first 3-0 start in 11 years and Snow was white-hot during the stretch. The senior went 7-for-13 (.538) with six runs scored, four RBIs and four stolen bases.
Liam Velit, Northern Burlington. The senior catcher has started April with a bang, driving in 12 runs in four games as the Greyhounds extended their unbeaten streak to seven. Velit closed the week out with homers in consecutive games, collecting seven RBIs, in wins over Holy Cross Academy and Allentown. He’s hitting .440 with 17 RBIs for the season.
Colonial Conference
John Antrilli, Collingswood. The senior batted .600 (6-for-10), collecting a hit and RBI in each of the Panthers’ three games. He had a run-scoring single in a 7-4 win over previously undefeated Haddon Heights on April 9 and was 4-for-4 with a pair of doubles and four RBIs in a loss to Woodstown on April 10.
Ryan Govito, Haddon Heights. The sophomore strung together seven hits over three games, scoring seven times and clubbing his first scholastic homer. He’s hitting .438 with a team-best seven runs.
James Rowe, Haddonfield. The senior went 5-for-6 with seven RBIs as the Haddons picked up wins over Gateway and Gloucester. Rowe blasted a pair of homers and drove in five wins against Gloucester on April 10. For the season, he’s batting .529 with nine hits and nine RBIs.
Olympic Conference
Connor Byrne, Shawnee. The sophomore worked some magic at the Disney Wide World of Sports complex as he compiled three multi-RBI games to help power the Renegades to three wins in Orlando. Byrne went 5-for-8 with a triple and two stolen bases. He’s hitting .500 (7-for-14) in five games, already surpassing his entire hit total from last spring.
Gabe Lerro, Paul VI. The sophomore leadoff hitter had a pair of two-RBI games to help lead the Eagles to two victories and the team championship at last weekend's Ralph Shaw Tournament. Lerro had three hits, including two doubles, and three runs scored as Paul VI knocked off Audubon and Bishop Eustace for the title.
Vincent Olivo, Cherry Hill West. The Lions ran their unbeaten streak to four as the freshman batted .500 (4-for-8) with three RBIs during wins over Bishop Eustace and Lenape. Olivo has picked up at least one RBI in all four games en route to a team-best nine RBIs. He’s hitting .400 with a homer and two stolen bases.
Evan Vallee, Rancocas Valley. The junior went 4-for-6 with five RBIs and six runs scored as the Red Devils earned a pair of wins over Seneca and Hopewell Valley. Vallee is batting .500 (8-for-16) with three walks, four stolen bases and nine runs scored.
Tri-County Conference
Dom Abate, Clearview. The senior batted .500 (5-for-10) with six runs scored and seven RBIs as the Pioneers reeled off three straight wins for the week. Abate doubled and homered as Clearview pinned a 9-4 loss on rival Kingsway on April 9. He leads the team with 10 RBIs.
Jeff Wagner, Pennsville. The senior strung together three two-hit games for the Eagles, who went 2-1 for the week. Wagner homered in consecutive games to end the week and compiled six RBIs and five runs scored during the three-game stretch. He’s batting .467 (7-for-15) for the season.
Nick Witsch, Highland. The senior and the rest of the Tartans had a successful trip to Myrtle Beach, S.C. Witsch batted .333 (3-for-9) with a homer, four RBIs, four walks and four stolen bases. He was also hit by a pitch twice. Highland went 4-1 during the week down south.
Cape-Atlantic League
Xavier Etheridge, Vineland. The senior batted .300 with seven RBIs and seven stolen bases as the Fighting Clan swept the season series against rival Millville and completed the week with an 18-2 win over Washington Township. Etheridge had six stolen bases in the two games against Millville and a career-high five RBIs against Washington Township.
Jay Lopez, Atlantic County Tech. With three straight multi-hit games and 12 stolen bases over those three games, the senior created plenty of havoc for the Red Hawks. He had two three-hit games and stolen seven bases in one contest. For the spring, Lopez is batting .625 with 15 knocks, 10 runs scored and 16 stolen bases.
Nolan Scholder, Cedar Creek. Three was a popular number for the junior over the Pirates’ three-game winning streak last week. Scholder had three straight three-hit games, posting a pair of three-run contests to go along with three stolen bases. He’s sizzling at the plate with a .519 batting average (11-for-19) with nine runs scored.
Milestone: Bridgeton’s Enrique Pantaleon recorded his 100th career strikeout in a game against Pleasantville on April 8. The senior southpaw struck out eight, raising his career total to 103. He has 28 Ks in 14.1 innings this spring.
Tom McGurk is a regional sports editor for the Courier-Post, The Daily Journal and Burlington County Times, covering South Jersey sports for over 35 years. If you have a sports story that needs to be told, contact him by email at tmcgurk@usatodayco.com. Follow him on Twitter at @McGurkSports. Help support local journalism with a digital subscription.
A week ago, the Alabama Crimson Tide (39-3 overall, 12-3 SEC) jumped three spots to No. 1 after taking two of three from previously top-ranked Texas. Despite the Tide's three-game sweep of Auburn on The Plains over the weekend, a series that saw Alabama outscore the Tigers, 14-1, it's no longer coach Patrick Murphy's team atop the rankings.
The Oklahoma Sooners (40-4, 13-2) claimed the top spot in Softball America's new rankings. Patty Gasso's team jumped two spots after taking two of three from Texas in Austin.
Alabama dropped one spot to No. 2. The Sooners and Crimson Tide won't meet in the regular season but are currently Nos. 1 and 2, respectively, in the SEC standings with three weekend series remaining for each team before the conference tournament begins on May 5 in Lexington, Kentucky.
Oklahoma blanked previously fourth-ranked Texas, 3-0, on Friday and rallied for a 4-3 win on Saturday before falling 8-6 on Sunday. Alabama shut out Auburn, 1-0, on Friday and 4-0 on Saturday before routing the Tigers 9-1 in six innings Sunday.
For the season, Alabama is batting .348 with 70 home runs and 51 doubles in 42 games. Alexis Pupillo (.454/.541/.882) and Brooke Wells (.435/.538/.974) lead the Crimson Tide at the plate with a combined 31 home runs, 18 doubles and 93 RBIs.
Wells hit two home runs in the Tide's sweep of Auburn and finished 4-for-8 in the series. Pupillo was 4-for-9 with three walks, and Jena Young went 5-for-6 with a double and two triples. Ambrey Taylor had four hits, including two doubles and a home run.
Jocelyn Briski (16-1) started and earned two victories in the circle for Alabama. She pitched a complete-game shutout and allowed six hits in Game 1 on Friday. On Sunday, Briski gave up one run and three hits. She struck out nine without allowing a walk. Briski lowered her ERA to 1.59 in 20 appearances.
Vic Moten (15-2) lowered her ERA to 1.64 with a complete-game, one-hit shutout on Saturday. Alabama pitchers have combined for a 1.64 ERA and 329 strikeouts to 75 walks in 269 innings.
Alabama softball vs Auburn: Game 3 score, recap and highlights today
Softball America top 25 rankings: New No. 1 team after latest top-5 reshuffle
Here's a look at the full top 25 rankings from Softball America on April 13.
Rank
School
Overall Record
Week 10 Record
Last Week’s Ranking
1
Oklahoma
40-4
2-1
3
2
Alabama
39-3
4-0
1
3
Nebraska
33-6
3-0
5
4
Texas Tech
40-3
2-1
2
5
Arkansas
35-6
3-1
7
6
UCLA
37-5
4-0
9
7
Florida
40-5
4-0
8
8
Texas
33-6
1-2
4
9
Tennessee
36-6
4-0
10
10
Virginia Tech
36-6
2-1
11
11
Texas A&M
30-12
4-0
13
12
Florida State
36-7
1-3
6
13
Georgia
31-11
3-1
14
14
Duke
31-12
3-1
15
15
LSU
28-14
3-1
18
16
Arizona
30-11
1-3
12
17
Oregon
32-9
3-0
17
18
Mississippi State
34-11
1-2
16
19
Washington
34-9
3-0
22
20
UCF
32-11-1
2-1
19
21
Stanford
26-12
4-0
NR
22
Oklahoma State
27-11
2-1
20
23
Southeastern Louisiana
37-9
4-0
25
24
Kansas
29-12
2-1
23
25
Louisville
34-9
2-1
24
Alabama softball schedule 2026: Who do Crimson Tide play next?
Alabama will face the Samford Bulldogs (18-26) in Birmingham Tuesday in midweek play. First pitch for Alabama-Samford is 6 p.m. CT. The game can be seen on ESPN+.
The Crimson Tide are back home in SEC play beginning Friday when the Kentucky Wildcats (24-21, 1-16) visit Rhoads Stadium for a three-game series. First pitch for the series opener is 5 p.m. CT Friday. Game 1 of the series will be televised on ESPN2.
Here's a look at Alabama's 2026 SEC softball schedule. All start times Central.
March 6-8: at Ole Miss (W, 5-3; W, 13-2; W, 2-1)
March 13-15: vs. Arkansas (W, 4-1; L, 14-9; W, 4-1)
March 20-22: at Missouri (W, 2-1; L, 5-2; W, 7-4)
April 2-4: vs. Texas (L, 9-1; W, 11-4; W, 7-4)
April 10-12: at Auburn (W, 1-0; W, 4-0; W, 9-1)
April 17-19: vs. Kentucky (5 p.m. Friday, 1:30 p.m. Saturday, 1:30 p.m. Sunday)
April 25-27: at Tennessee (3 p.m. Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday, 6 p.m. Monday)
April 30-May 2: vs. South Carolina (6 p.m. Thursday, 6 p.m. Friday, 1 p.m. Sunday)
Young moved from second to first with a $1,080,000 payout for the Masters, while winner Rory McIlroy, with a $4.5 million check (a record for the Masters and matching what Young earned for winning The Players Championship last month) vaulted from 24th to second.
Young now has more than $7.5 million and McIlroy is north of $6.4 million.
Jacob Bridgeman, who had led the money list, earned $83,250 for tying for 41st in the Masters, but it wasn't enough to hold on to the top spot.
Another big mover was Masters runnerup Scottie Scheffler. He pulled in $2.43 million and is now fourth on the money list with more than $6.2 million.
How many players have won $1 million or more?
There are now 54 players who have earned $1 million or more in on-course winnings this season, with Max Homa and Brooks Koepka among the newest with their Masters finishes. There are 28 who have earned $2 million or more, 14 with $3 million or more and eight with $4 million or more.
Young moved from second to first with a $1,080,000 payout for the Masters, while winner Rory McIlroy, with a $4.5 million check (a record for the Masters and matching what Young earned for winning The Players Championship last month) vaulted from 24th to second.
Young now has more than $7.5 million and McIlroy is north of $6.4 million.
Jacob Bridgeman, who had led the money list, earned $83,250 for tying for 41st in the Masters, but it wasn't enough to hold on to the top spot.
Another big mover was Masters runnerup Scottie Scheffler. He pulled in $2.43 million and is now fourth on the money list with more than $6.2 million.
How many players have won $1 million or more?
There are now 54 players who have earned $1 million or more in on-course winnings this season, with Max Homa and Brooks Koepka among the newest with their Masters finishes. There are 28 who have earned $2 million or more, 14 with $3 million or more and eight with $4 million or more.
As pre-draft preparations continue to wind down for the Tennessee Titans, more names of potential targets continue to trickle out.
On Sunday, the name of another offensive weapon came to light, and he is one that is completely flying under the radar. In an interview with Justin Melo from the NFL Draft on Sports Illustrated, Georgia running back Cash Jones revealed he had completed a virtual Zoom meeting with the Titans.
More of a third-down specialist and change-of-pace running back for Georgia, Jones enters the draft as a versatile weapon and potential late-round sleeper. The 5-foot-11, 195-pounder is listed as a running back, but with solid hands and after running a 4.4 40-yard dash, the experienced back could transition to the slot, or potentially develop as a core special teamer.
.@GeorgiaFootball RB Cash Jones is an intriguing + versatile playmaker in the NFL Draft.
3rd down specialist has some slot WR upside. Jones turned heads at Pro Day by running 4.4s with all 32 NFL teams in attendance 👀@Cash3Jones x NFL Draft On SI:https://t.co/Amrv540Xa7
Used primarily on passing downs, Jones saw action in 55 games at Georgia and finished his career with 253 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns, and added 57 receptions for 573 receiving yards and six receiving touchdowns.
The Titans appear to be set in the slot with Wan’Dale Robinson and Chimere Dike, but with a new system being installed, there is a chance that Dike slides outside in the new scheme. Currently, Jones profiles as a late Day 3 or undrafted rookie free agent, but is also a name to keep an eye on.
It's time to vote for the Morris/Sussex baseball Player of the Week!
Read about the performances that stood out and let us know who you think should be the Player of the Week in the poll at the bottom of this page.
Nominations were provided by coaches and are presented in alphabetical order. Voting closes at 5 p.m. Thursday.
Josh Hale, Jefferson
Hale went 10-for-15 with eight RBIs, eight runs scored, four doubles, two walks and one stolen base in four games.
Jordan Ledesma, Parsippany Hills
In four games, Ledesma went 9-for-13 at the plate with two RBIs, two doubles, a triple and seven stolen bases.
Dan Lipsky, Morris Tech
Lipsky collected eight hits in 13 at-bats with five doubles, five RBIs, three runs and two stolen bases. On the mound, he tossed 92/3 innings, including a complete game win, while giving up just two hits and combined for 21 strikeouts.
Liam McClung, Lenape Valley
McClung tossed two complete games, one shutout, while ringing up 19 strikeouts and giving up seven hits and three walks.
Finnian O'Loughlin, Delbarton
O’Loughlin went 7-for-13 in four games last week with seven RBIs, five runs scored, a double, and two stolen bases.
Michael Paxos, Roxbury
Paxos went 6-for-14 at the plate for the week with five RBIs, a triple and one run scored. Threw five innings against Pope John, giving up one run, no earned runs, one hit, two walks and 13 strikeouts to earn the win.
It's time to vote for the Morris/Sussex baseball Player of the Week!
Read about the performances that stood out and let us know who you think should be the Player of the Week in the poll at the bottom of this page.
Nominations were provided by coaches and are presented in alphabetical order. Voting closes at 5 p.m. Thursday.
Josh Hale, Jefferson
Hale went 10-for-15 with eight RBIs, eight runs scored, four doubles, two walks and one stolen base in four games.
Jordan Ledesma, Parsippany Hills
In four games, Ledesma went 9-for-13 at the plate with two RBIs, two doubles, a triple and seven stolen bases.
Dan Lipsky, Morris Tech
Lipsky collected eight hits in 13 at-bats with five doubles, five RBIs, three runs and two stolen bases. On the mound, he tossed 92/3 innings, including a complete game win, while giving up just two hits and combined for 21 strikeouts.
Liam McClung, Lenape Valley
McClung tossed two complete games, one shutout, while ringing up 19 strikeouts and giving up seven hits and three walks.
Finnian O'Loughlin, Delbarton
O’Loughlin went 7-for-13 in four games last week with seven RBIs, five runs scored, a double, and two stolen bases.
Michael Paxos, Roxbury
Paxos went 6-for-14 at the plate for the week with five RBIs, a triple and one run scored. Threw five innings against Pope John, giving up one run, no earned runs, one hit, two walks and 13 strikeouts to earn the win.
Each week we will feature some of the top performances across South Jersey baseball diamonds in our seven-county coverage area.
Who had the best week? Vote in the poll at the end of the story. Voting will close on Friday afternoon.
Clearview's Sienna Garrison was the top vote getter last week, garnering 50.5 percent of the 7.1K votes recorded. Northern Burlington's Emily Shiner and St. Joseph Academy's Kensie Giovinazzi rounded out the top three vote getters.
Burlington County Scholastic League
Katie Kovac, Bordentown. The Scotties extended their winning streak to four as Kovac has produced five doubles, six RBIs and three runs over the stretch. She’s hitting .333 (5-for-15) on the season.
Jayla Long, Florence. The senior has started the spring with a five-game hitting streak, batting .476 with 10 knocks over the stretch. She homered and drove in three runs during a 6-1 victory over Nottingham on April 11.
Riley Pieloch, Northern Burlington. The Greyhounds put together an incredible run to the RV Elite Tournament title and Pieloch played a key role in all three wins. After scoring twice in a tournament-opening win against Paul VI, the senior went 2-for-2 with the game’s lone run in a 1-0 victory over Cherokee in the semifinal round. In the final, she had a hit, two walks and two runs scored as Northern knocked off Rancocas Valley in the final.
Colonial Conference
Alicia Chila, Paulsboro. The senior tossed a two-hit shutout with 11 strikeouts as the Red Raiders blanked Lindenwold 16-0 on April 9. She helped her own cause with two runs scored, two stolen bases and four walks on offense. She also had two hits and two RBIs in Paulsboro’s other two games for the week. Chila is batting .429 (6-for-14) with seven runs scored and seven RBIs for the season.
Emma Covello, Haddon Heights. The junior leadoff hitter crossed the plate six times as the Garnets polished off wins over Woodstown, Haddon Township and Pennsville. Covello leads the team with nine runs scored and eight stolen bases as Haddon Heights has started the season at 4-1.
Vivian Green, Collingswood. The sophomore produced a pair of four-hit games and scored eight times to power the Panthers’ offense. She went 4-for-4 with two homers and two doubles in a loss to Haddon Township on April 7. Two days later, she had four more hits in Collingswood’s first win of the season – a 16-12 victory over Haddonfield.
Milestone: Audubon’s Emma Speyerer stole her 100th career base in a win against West Deptford on April 9. The Hofstra-bound senior swiped four bags in the game, raising her career total to 103.
Olympic Conference
Ella Davis, Cherry Hill West. The senior fired a five-inning no-hitter with 17 strikeouts against Bishop Eustace on April 7 and threw 10 innings with nine more Ks in 2-1 loss against Lenape on April 9.
Evelyn Stover, Cherry Hill East. The Cougars opened their season with wins over Paul VI and Seneca. Stover played a pivotal role in each as she compiled a team-best seven hits and five runs scored. In the season opener, she went 5-for-5 with four runs scored against Seneca.
Angelyn Vaughan, Seneca. The freshman cooled off the red-hot Rancocas Valley lineup, limiting the Red Devils to two runs on four hits while striking out 10 as the Golden Eagles knocked them from the ranks of the unbeaten with a 3-2 victory on April 9. Vaughan fanned 11 batters in her scholastic debut back on March 30.
Tri-County Conference
Joselyn Bermudez, Timber Creek. The sophomore fired seven strong innings with nine strikeouts as the Chargers knocked off Delsea 4-1 on April 9. She also had a 10-strikeout one-hitter against Camden Tech on April 7. Bermudez had three runs scored and two RBIs combined in the two games.
Angel Bush, Williamstown. The senior twirled a four-hitter with seven strikeouts to lead the Braves to a 2-1 win over then-No.2 ranked Delsea on April 7. She also had the only RBI in a 3-1 loss to Gloucester on April 9.
Emery Sharpnack, Pitman. The junior has started the season with a six-game hitting streak, batting .524 with 10 RBIs and eight runs scored over the stretch. She homered and drove in six runs in an 8-3 win over Riverside on April 10.
Cape-Atlantic League
Alaina Dorsey, St. Joseph Academy. The Seton Hall-bound senior continued to create havoc on the basepaths as she swiped four bases and scored six times as the Wildcats remained unbeaten with wins over Ocean City and Cedar Creek. Dorsey has crossed home plate 18 times, coaxed 12 walks and stole 12 bases this spring. Entering this week, she has eclipsed the century mark in hits (119) and runs (106) in her career.
Brooke Douglas, Ocean City. The senior put together four multi-hit games last week, batting .750 (9-for-12) as the Red Raiders went 3-1 over the stretch. Douglas homered twice and drove in seven runs while scoring five times. For the season, Douglas is batting .615 with 16 hits, including four homers, and 13 RBIs.
Dakota Laughlin, Middle Township. Talk about a hot start. The junior went 12-for-17 (.706) with eight RBIs as the Panthers opened with four straight wins. In a 10-9 win over Mainland on April 8, Laughlin went 4-for-4 with a pair of doubles and five RBIs.
Leylani Muniz, Buena. The Chiefs’ offense has posted eye-popping numbers so far this season and Muniz has been in the middle of all the action. She scored 14 runs and drove in six more in four games last week as Buena improved to 8-0. Muniz has 22 runs scored, 10 walks, five stolen bases and is batting .636.
Tom McGurk is a regional sports editor for the Courier-Post, The Daily Journal and Burlington County Times, covering South Jersey sports for over 35 years. If you have a sports story that needs to be told, contact him by email at tmcgurk@usatodayco.com. Follow him on Twitter at @McGurkSports. Help support local journalism with a digital subscription.
The Georgia Tech transfer replaced Georgia Amoore as the Wildcats' starting point guard averaged 13.8 points and 7.9 assists to help the team reach the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament. Morgan will now hope to hear her name called during the WNBA draft later this evening.
CBS Sports projects the Florida native to go 20th to the Los Angeles Sparks, while Swish Appeal has her being selected by the Seattle Storm with the No. 16 pick. Swish Appeal has her teammate, center Teonni Key, gong 20th to the Sparks. Key was Kentucky's second-leading rebounder (7.5 per game) while averaging 11.4 points and 1.3 blocks.
On the other side of the Battle of the Bluegrass rivalry, Louisville forward Laura Ziegler will also look to begin her professional career in the WNBA. She performed well at the mid-major level during her time at Saint Joseph's and made the most of her one year in a Power Four conference. The Denmark native played an integral role in the Cards' record-setting season, supplying the team with 11 points, 6.9 rebounds and 2.9 assists en route to a Sweet 16 appearance.
Ziegler is projected to be selected by the Las Vegas Aces with the 44th pick, per Swish Appeal.
If you subscribe to a cable package, you'll be able to livestream the game via ESPN.com and the ESPN app. If you don't have cable, you can livestream the game via ESPN+ (subscriber only).
He knows what you’re thinking, and there’s no reason to push back. He failed.
There, happy now?
“We can’t live in the past,” Billy Napier tells USA TODAY Sports. “But certainly, I have to evaluate all the things I could’ve done better.”
So let’s start there in the evaluation of why it didn't work at Florida, and why it could ― separately for Napier and Florida ― in the near future. Because self-evaluation in its purest form eventually leads to self-actualization.
That’s where this thing was pointed four years ago, when Napier was one of the hottest college football coaching candidates and chose Florida over LSU. Now he’s starting over deep in the Shenandoah Valley, off the Power Four grid at James Madison and no worse for the wear despite four brutal seasons in Gainesville.
But there’s something beautifully normal about spring practice in Harrisonburg, Virginia, something downright peaceful.
There’s no drama.
JMU has been humming along for quite a few years, thank you. Curt Cignetti got it rolling in the Bowl Subdivision, and Bob Chesney took the program — just four years removed from the Championship Subdivision — to the College Football Playoff.
You know the CFP, right? The holy land Florida hasn’t sniffed since its inception in 2014. The CFP followed the Bowl Championship Series national championship game, which Florida hasn’t reached since 2008.
Sure it’s a more difficult road in the SEC than any Group of Five conference, but that’s not the point. This is: Eight SEC teams have advanced to the playoff in the time Florida hasn't.
Eight SEC teams have done enough within their programs to put players and coaches in position to win and advance in the toughest conference in college football. Florida, meanwhile, has run through four coaches since 2011 — and all four have been fired.
A school and program with the maximum level of support in a sport that demands resources, is 110-79 since 2011. So blame it all on four bad coaching hires (Will Muschamp, Jim McElwain, Dan Mullen, Napier), and keep expecting different results with each new hire.
Or maybe look deeper.
“This is the first time in my career where I’ve inherited a positive culture, confidence among players and alignment top to bottom,” Napier said.
Look, Napier is the first to admit he made mistakes at Florida. His staff needed more SEC coaching and recruiting experience. He screwed the pooch on special teams for nearly two years. He didn’t try hard enough to hire an offensive coordinator once his top choice, then-Mississippi offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr., said no before the start of Napier's third season in Gainesville.
But Florida didn’t just stumble into 79 losses over the past 15 years, didn’t morph into a more talented version of Kentucky on bad coaching alone. You learn how to win, you prepare to win — and then have the want and will to win.
Somewhere along the way, after Urban Meyer’s remarkable six-year run ended with what he called a “broken program,” that simple formula was twisted in knots season after season, coach after coach.
That’s culture. That’s why new Florida coach Jon Sumrall began his first few months with the very Urb-like move of eliminating Gators apparel from player workouts. They had to earn the logo, he said.
Yeah, it’s corny. But something has to change an environment of entitlement that has dragged down a program for nearly two lost decades. Something has to shake the funk from a program that has lost 30 one-possession games since 2011.
Meanwhile, we give you James Madison: 11-4 in one possession games since its first season in FBS in 2022.
“The player-led culture here is critical,” Napier said. “Every kid we have here is the underdog. A major chip on their shoulder, something to prove. Overlooked and disrespected. It’s the I-told-you-so university. They come here on a mission to prove themselves.”
Which, it can be easily argued, is the exact opposite at Florida.
Coaches are the easy mark, and frankly, they should be. They’re making millions to procure and develop players and win games. There are no excuses.
But the ground rules have changed with the advent of pay-for-play and free player movement. There’s more responsibility and accountability on players, more weight for winning and losing.
They’re no longer protected by coaches or an idealistic amateur system. They’re paid (and for many, paid well) to play and earn their keep. The locker room, the culture, is just as much part of their makeup as it is the coach.
Entitled players aren’t high achievers, and rarely reach uncommon ground. More times than not, they’re failures and/or moving on to the next team, and now, the next payday.
So yeah, Napier made mistakes at Florida. His game day acumen was a mess at times, and a majority of his teams lacked the focus and intentional will to win games they shouldn’t — and more damaging, to lose games they should win.
The exact opposite of what he had at Louisiana-Lafayette, when he won 33 games in his final three seasons and had LSU and Florida throwing money at him. You don't just forget how to coach, there has to be more to the equation.
Even when he had it all set up at Florida prior to the 2025 season, when the lines of scrimmage were among the best in the SEC, and there were elite skill players on offense, his rising sophomore star quarterback couldn’t stay healthy. His breakout freshman wideout played a third of the season. His star defensive lineman couldn't stay on the field.
There’s a little luck in this coaching deal, too.
“I can’t help but think we’re all going to be in a better situation because of what we went through,” Napier said. “Some of the best growth we experience is from the most adversity we go through.”
For Napier, and Florida.
Matt Hayes is the senior national college football writer for USA TODAY Sports Network. Follow him on X at @MattHayesCFB.
There's not much separating these four teams at this point in the season. Wooster is coming off a 2-2 week. Waynedale loss a two-game set to Wayne County Athletic League foe Hillsdale in the week, while Smithville is coming off taking two games from Chippewa. West Holmes has won four of their last five games that included a key 13-2 road win over Ohio Cardinal Conference opponent Lexington last Tuesday, who were Division IV state semifinalists last season.
6. Dalton (2-4)
Last season's Division VI state semifinalists are off to a pretty slow start this season, especially with a good chunk of their roster back from last year. The Bulldogs have dropped three in a row that involved losing a key two-game series to Norwayne and a 9-3 defeat to Tuslaw on Saturday, April 11. With the quality and experience Dalton has, don't be shocked if they eventually turn things around.
5. Loudonville (7-2)
In five of their last six wins, Loudonville has scored double-digit runs (10, 17, 18, 17, 16) and the Redbirds sit in an early first-place lead in the Knox Morrow Athletic Conference.
4. Hillsdale (5-1)
Hillsdale went 3-0 last week by sweeping Waynedale (outscored the Golden Bears 18-3 in the two games) and won 13-1 against Fairless on Saturday, behind Macy Mager's nine strikeout-zero earned runs-pitched game versus the Falcons. The Falcons lone loss this season came to Norwayne.
3. Tuslaw (9-3)
Tuslaw is off to a fine 9-3 start this season and it looks like the Mustangs will be battling with last season's Principals Athletic Conference winners Akron Manchester and Triway for the league title as all three currently sit in the top three in the standings. Tuslaw is coming off a strong 5-1 nonleague win at home versus Dalton on Saturday, where pitcher Gabby McGowen (10 Ks, 9 hits, 0 ER, 0 walks, 7 IP) threw a whale of a game to earn the win.
Tuslaw will have a vital two-game set versus Akron Manchester early this week.
2. Triway (10-1)
Triway have come out the gate smoking at 10-1 and 6-0 in the PAC as last year's PAC runners-up and Division V district finalist have a strong case for being in the top spot. In Triway's 4-0 week, pitcher Elena Hilty earned two of those wins as the winning pitcher.
1. Norwayne (6-0)
Last year's undefeated WCAL champions are looking quite good to start off the season as the Bobcats are currently the only undefeated team in Wayne/Holmes County. They have already submitted impressive wins against two teams that were state semifinalists last season (two wins against Dalton, Lexington) and a win versus Hillsdale, who were a regional semifinalist last season.
The season is young but the Bobcats hold the top spot right now.
Benjamin baseball coach Chad Mills had a simple message for his team.
"Hey, guys, if we don't win districts, season's over," Mills recalls telling the Buccaneers as the season entered the final stretch.
Benjamin is not alone. Thanks to a rare level of parity in Palm Beach County this season, most teams are in win-or-go-home mode as district tournaments begin this week.
Under the FHSAA playoff system, district champions account for half the field in the regional playoffs. The other half is made up of at-large teams determined by the state's ranking system.
Based on the latest rankings, at-large bids will be hard to come by for Palm Beach County teams. Only five are assured of regional bids regardless of how they fare in district tournaments — Jupiter and Park Vista in Class 7A, Dwyer in Class 6A, St. John Paul II in Class 2A and Atlantic Christian in Class 1A.
Benjamin's district, 13-2A, provides an example of how things can change from one year to the next.
In 2025, district champion Cardinal Newman was joined in the regionals by two at-large teams, St. Andrew's and St. John Paul II, with King's Academy just missing out. (St. Andrew's went on to win the regional and advance to the state tournament.)
"There's not a matchup in districts where one team can't beat the other," Mills said. "I think it's up for grabs."
Suncoast coach Jimmy Beno is in a similar situation in District 14-4A, where the district champion will move on and the other two teams will likely pack up their uniforms.
"I think districts are more important this year because there's way more parity among the teams," Beno said. "When you look around, outside of St. John Paul, there's not as many dominant teams as in years past. ... Nobody's really separated themselves to where they can get away with not winning districts."
Here's a look at the county's 10 district tournaments:
7A-District 11
Host: Higher seed, April 14 and 16
Favorite: Jupiter
Seeds:
1. Jupiter (15-9)
2. Palm Beach Central (14-10)
3. Wellington (7-13)
4. John I. Leonard (11-5)
What to know: Jupiter, the county's preseason No. 1 team, ended the season on a three-game losing streak, scoring only one run in that stretch. Outfielder Griffin Miller, a Wake Forest signee, hopes to be back in the lineup after missing about a third of the season with injuries. Clemson-bound left-hander Ethan Trivison (0.82 ERA, 51 strikeouts) is a bona fide ace, but pitching depth has been a concern for the Warriors all season. Palm Beach Central beat Jupiter in the teams' only meeting and is on the bubble for an at-large bid.
7A-District 12
Host: Higher seed, April 14 and 16
Favorite: Park Vista
Seeds:
1. Park Vista (15-5)
2. Boca Raton (13-8)
3. Spanish River (7-15-1)
4. Santaluces (2-15)
What to know: Park Vista coach Larry Greenstein has a knack for developing surprise stars. This year, it's junior outfielder Hunter Bruce, who had only five at-bats in 2025 but is now among the team leaders in batting average (.357), runs (16) and RBIs (12). The Cobras went 9-1 over the second half of the season. Spanish River played well down the stretch, beating West Boca Raton and Dwyer, and will provide a tough test for Boca Raton in the semifinals.
6A-District 8
Host: Higher seed, April 14, 15 and 17
Favorite: Dwyer
Seeds:
1. Martin County (17-6)
2. Dwyer (14-7)
3. Forest Hill (11-10)
4. Royal Palm Beach (9-13)
5. Seminole Ridge (9-12)
6. Palm Beach Gardens (3-16)
What to know: Martin County nudged ahead of Dwyer in the final week to claim the top seed, earning home-field advantage if both teams make it to the championship game. That would be a rematch of the 2025 final, which Dwyer won on the road. Two sophomores, first baseman/outfielder Owen Hewitt and pitcher Kole Griffin, could hold the key to the Panthers' success. The other four teams face the long-shot task of winning three games in four days.
6A-District 14
Host: Higher seed, April 14, 15, and 17
Favorite: West Boca Raton
Seeds:
1. Coral Springs (14-6)
2. West Boca Raton (15-10)
3. Olympic Heights (10-10)
4. Fort Lauderdale (10-8)
5. Piper (7-11-1)
6. Monarch (4-17-1)
7. Deerfield Beach (4-12)
What to know: West Boca appears to be peaking at the right time, beating four top 10 teams (Park Vista, St. Andrew's, Boca Raton and Jupiter) down the stretch. Max McDougall is one of the county's best two-way players, excelling on the mound (1.46 ERA, 39 strikeouts) and at the plate (.346, 5 HRs, 22 RBIs). Olympic Heights has been one of the county's surprise teams after going 3-18 in 2025.
5A-District 14
Host: Higher seed, April 15 and 17
Favorite: Plantation
Seeds:
1. Plantation (3-5)
2. Atlantic (2-10)
3. Boyd Anderson (5-5)
What to watch: This is possibly the weakest district in the state, but someone has to win it. Atlantic's only victories came against Glades Central and Lake Worth.
4A-District 14
Host: Higher seed, April 14 and 16
Favorite: Jensen Beach
Seeds:
1. Jensen Beach (14-9)
2. Dr. Joaquin Garcia (12-11)
3. Suncoast (11-10)
What to watch: All three teams have a shot, but Jensen Beach's first-round bye gives the Falcons a decided advantage. Dr. Joaquin Garcia and Suncoast will face off in the semifinals. Since a 6-1 start, Garcia has been hit hard by injuries, including the loss of ace Hunter Butler for the season. Suncoast has been inconsistent but has shown it's capable of beating top teams (Dwyer, King's Academy).
3A-District 12
Host: Higher seed, April 14, 15 and 17
Favorite: North Broward Prep
Seeds:
1. North Broward Prep (16-6)
2. Coral Springs Charter (8-11)
3. American Heritage-Delray (10-15)
4. Clewiston (12-12)
5. Somerset Academy-Canyons (4-16)
6. Glades Central (2-13)
What to watch: North Broward Prep, a three-time state champion, has owned this district in recent years. Heritage-Delray has one of the county's top pitchers in right-hander Noah Garfinkel, but he'll likely be needed in the semifinals if the Stallions hope to face the Eagles for the title.
2A-District 13
Host: Higher seed, April 14, 15 and 17
Favorite: St. John Paul II
Seeds:
1. St. John Paul II (21-3)
2. St. Andrew's (13-8-1)
3. King's Academy (14-10)
4. Cardinal Newman (12-12)
5. Benjamin (11-10)
6. Oxbridge Academy (8-6)
What to watch: St. John Paul II reached the regional finals the past two years as an underdog, but the Eagles have been the county's No. 1 team most of this season. Jack Wilhoit, a 6-foot-4 right-hander headed for North Florida, has led the Eagles on the mound (5-1, 1.35 ERA, 67 strikeouts) and at the plate (.408, 13 RBIs). Catcher Campbell Harrison and shortstop Tommy Ciaccio are other standouts. St. Andrew's edged out King's Academy for the No. 2 seed, earning a valuable first-round bye. Cardinal Newman-Benjamin may be the best 4 vs. 5 matchup in the state.
1A-District 14
Host: Higher seed, April 14 and 16
Favorite: Atlantic Christian
Seeds:
1. Atlantic Christian (13-2)
2. Jupiter Christian (8-8)
3. Lake Worth Christian (12-3)
4. Berean Christian (7-8)
What to watch: After earning an at-large bid last season, Atlantic Christian appears poised to win a district title under second-year coach Miguel Cuello. The Sharks, led by slugging outfielders Micah Herring and Bryan Zuniga, won all four games against district opponents. The semifinal between Jupiter Christian and Lake Worth Christian could decide an at-large berth.
Rural-District 8
Host: Higher seed, April 14, 15 and 17
Favorite: Marathon
Seeds:
1. Marathon (16-8-1)
2. Fort Meade (9-11)
3. Frostproof (14-10)
4. Glades Day (9-9)
5. Moore Haven (8-8)
What to watch: Glades Day has to survive a tough 4 vs. 5 matchup to earn a trip to the Keys to face Marathon, the heavy favorite.
Benjamin baseball coach Chad Mills had a simple message for his team.
"Hey, guys, if we don't win districts, season's over," Mills recalls telling the Buccaneers as the season entered the final stretch.
Benjamin is not alone. Thanks to a rare level of parity in Palm Beach County this season, most teams are in win-or-go-home mode as district tournaments begin this week.
Under the FHSAA playoff system, district champions account for half the field in the regional playoffs. The other half is made up of at-large teams determined by the state's ranking system.
Based on the latest rankings, at-large bids will be hard to come by for Palm Beach County teams. Only five are assured of regional bids regardless of how they fare in district tournaments — Jupiter and Park Vista in Class 7A, Dwyer in Class 6A, St. John Paul II in Class 2A and Atlantic Christian in Class 1A.
Benjamin's district, 13-2A, provides an example of how things can change from one year to the next.
In 2025, district champion Cardinal Newman was joined in the regionals by two at-large teams, St. Andrew's and St. John Paul II, with King's Academy just missing out. (St. Andrew's went on to win the regional and advance to the state tournament.)
"There's not a matchup in districts where one team can't beat the other," Mills said. "I think it's up for grabs."
Suncoast coach Jimmy Beno is in a similar situation in District 14-4A, where the district champion will move on and the other two teams will likely pack up their uniforms.
"I think districts are more important this year because there's way more parity among the teams," Beno said. "When you look around, outside of St. John Paul, there's not as many dominant teams as in years past. ... Nobody's really separated themselves to where they can get away with not winning districts."
Here's a look at the county's 10 district tournaments:
7A-District 11
Host: Higher seed, April 14 and 16
Favorite: Jupiter
Seeds:
1. Jupiter (15-9)
2. Palm Beach Central (14-10)
3. Wellington (7-13)
4. John I. Leonard (11-5)
What to know: Jupiter, the county's preseason No. 1 team, ended the season on a three-game losing streak, scoring only one run in that stretch. Outfielder Griffin Miller, a Wake Forest signee, hopes to be back in the lineup after missing about a third of the season with injuries. Clemson-bound left-hander Ethan Trivison (0.82 ERA, 51 strikeouts) is a bona fide ace, but pitching depth has been a concern for the Warriors all season. Palm Beach Central beat Jupiter in the teams' only meeting and is on the bubble for an at-large bid.
7A-District 12
Host: Higher seed, April 14 and 16
Favorite: Park Vista
Seeds:
1. Park Vista (15-5)
2. Boca Raton (13-8)
3. Spanish River (7-15-1)
4. Santaluces (2-15)
What to know: Park Vista coach Larry Greenstein has a knack for developing surprise stars. This year, it's junior outfielder Hunter Bruce, who had only five at-bats in 2025 but is now among the team leaders in batting average (.357), runs (16) and RBIs (12). The Cobras went 9-1 over the second half of the season. Spanish River played well down the stretch, beating West Boca Raton and Dwyer, and will provide a tough test for Boca Raton in the semifinals.
6A-District 8
Host: Higher seed, April 14, 15 and 17
Favorite: Dwyer
Seeds:
1. Martin County (17-6)
2. Dwyer (14-7)
3. Forest Hill (11-10)
4. Royal Palm Beach (9-13)
5. Seminole Ridge (9-12)
6. Palm Beach Gardens (3-16)
What to know: Martin County nudged ahead of Dwyer in the final week to claim the top seed, earning home-field advantage if both teams make it to the championship game. That would be a rematch of the 2025 final, which Dwyer won on the road. Two sophomores, first baseman/outfielder Owen Hewitt and pitcher Kole Griffin, could hold the key to the Panthers' success. The other four teams face the long-shot task of winning three games in four days.
6A-District 14
Host: Higher seed, April 14, 15, and 17
Favorite: West Boca Raton
Seeds:
1. Coral Springs (14-6)
2. West Boca Raton (15-10)
3. Olympic Heights (10-10)
4. Fort Lauderdale (10-8)
5. Piper (7-11-1)
6. Monarch (4-17-1)
7. Deerfield Beach (4-12)
What to know: West Boca appears to be peaking at the right time, beating four top 10 teams (Park Vista, St. Andrew's, Boca Raton and Jupiter) down the stretch. Max McDougall is one of the county's best two-way players, excelling on the mound (1.46 ERA, 39 strikeouts) and at the plate (.346, 5 HRs, 22 RBIs). Olympic Heights has been one of the county's surprise teams after going 3-18 in 2025.
5A-District 14
Host: Higher seed, April 15 and 17
Favorite: Plantation
Seeds:
1. Plantation (3-5)
2. Atlantic (2-10)
3. Boyd Anderson (5-5)
What to watch: This is possibly the weakest district in the state, but someone has to win it. Atlantic's only victories came against Glades Central and Lake Worth.
4A-District 14
Host: Higher seed, April 14 and 16
Favorite: Jensen Beach
Seeds:
1. Jensen Beach (14-9)
2. Dr. Joaquin Garcia (12-11)
3. Suncoast (11-10)
What to watch: All three teams have a shot, but Jensen Beach's first-round bye gives the Falcons a decided advantage. Dr. Joaquin Garcia and Suncoast will face off in the semifinals. Since a 6-1 start, Garcia has been hit hard by injuries, including the loss of ace Hunter Butler for the season. Suncoast has been inconsistent but has shown it's capable of beating top teams (Dwyer, King's Academy).
3A-District 12
Host: Higher seed, April 14, 15 and 17
Favorite: North Broward Prep
Seeds:
1. North Broward Prep (16-6)
2. Coral Springs Charter (8-11)
3. American Heritage-Delray (10-15)
4. Clewiston (12-12)
5. Somerset Academy-Canyons (4-16)
6. Glades Central (2-13)
What to watch: North Broward Prep, a three-time state champion, has owned this district in recent years. Heritage-Delray has one of the county's top pitchers in right-hander Noah Garfinkel, but he'll likely be needed in the semifinals if the Stallions hope to face the Eagles for the title.
2A-District 13
Host: Higher seed, April 14, 15 and 17
Favorite: St. John Paul II
Seeds:
1. St. John Paul II (21-3)
2. St. Andrew's (13-8-1)
3. King's Academy (14-10)
4. Cardinal Newman (12-12)
5. Benjamin (11-10)
6. Oxbridge Academy (8-6)
What to watch: St. John Paul II reached the regional finals the past two years as an underdog, but the Eagles have been the county's No. 1 team most of this season. Jack Wilhoit, a 6-foot-4 right-hander headed for North Florida, has led the Eagles on the mound (5-1, 1.35 ERA, 67 strikeouts) and at the plate (.408, 13 RBIs). Catcher Campbell Harrison and shortstop Tommy Ciaccio are other standouts. St. Andrew's edged out King's Academy for the No. 2 seed, earning a valuable first-round bye. Cardinal Newman-Benjamin may be the best 4 vs. 5 matchup in the state.
1A-District 14
Host: Higher seed, April 14 and 16
Favorite: Atlantic Christian
Seeds:
1. Atlantic Christian (13-2)
2. Jupiter Christian (8-8)
3. Lake Worth Christian (12-3)
4. Berean Christian (7-8)
What to watch: After earning an at-large bid last season, Atlantic Christian appears poised to win a district title under second-year coach Miguel Cuello. The Sharks, led by slugging outfielders Micah Herring and Bryan Zuniga, won all four games against district opponents. The semifinal between Jupiter Christian and Lake Worth Christian could decide an at-large berth.
Rural-District 8
Host: Higher seed, April 14, 15 and 17
Favorite: Marathon
Seeds:
1. Marathon (16-8-1)
2. Fort Meade (9-11)
3. Frostproof (14-10)
4. Glades Day (9-9)
5. Moore Haven (8-8)
What to watch: Glades Day has to survive a tough 4 vs. 5 matchup to earn a trip to the Keys to face Marathon, the heavy favorite.
Yerson Mosquera and Joelinton have become the latest players to receive a two-match ban for accumulating 10 yellow cards in the 2025-26 Premier League season.
The most recent round of Premier League matches was the final weekend for which the threshold for an automatic ban was 10 yellow cards, as the number required is now reset to 15 for game weeks 33-38.
Should a player reach a total of 15 yellow cards for the season in the remaining games, they will be handed a three-match ban that can carry over into the 2026-27 Premier League season.
Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Mosquera was booked during his side's 4-0 loss at West Ham, meaning he reached the 32-match 10-card threshold for disciplinary action.
Newcastle United midfielder Joelinton received his 10th yellow of the season during his side's 2-1 loss at Crystal Palace, also triggering the automatic two-match ban.
Brighton's Lewis Dunk is set to sit out the second game of his yellow card ban this week, having reached the threshold for disciplinary action for the second time this season.
The defender had already been issued a one-match ban for receiving five yellows before 3 January.
Until that date, players received a one-match ban for being shown five yellow cards, but after 19 games, the ban moved to 10 yellow cards - albeit with a harsher punishment.
Total yellow cards received before 3 January were carried into the next phase of games, and the same applies now.
While it my be statistically unlikely, there are currently five players for whom it is mathematically possible to reach 15 yellow cards and a three-match suspension.
Wolves' Yerson Mosquera must now serve a two-match ban after accumulating ten yellow cards [Getty Images]
Who is close to a three-match suspension?
The following are the only players who can mathematically reach fifteen yellow cards in their remaining games of the Premier League season:
Bernardo Silva (Manchester City, seven games remaining) - nine yellows
Andre (Wolves, six games remaining) - nine yellows
Moises Caicedo (Chelsea, six games remaining) - nine yellows
Diego Gomez (Brighton, six games remaining) - nine yellows
Alex Jimenez (Bournemouth, six games remaining) - nine yellows
Who is currently suspended?
Four players will now miss the next round of Premier League matches because of yellow or red-card suspensions.
Lewis Dunk (Brighton) - 10 yellows (one match remaining of two-match ban)
PHOENIX — Ahead of the Final Four and with the 2026 WNBA Draft looming, ESPN’s Andraya Carter had a simple response to a question about one of the biggest stars of the Women’s NCAA Tournament.
Could UConn’s Azzi Fudd be picked No. 1 overall by the Dallas Wings?
“Yeah, of course,” Carter told USA TODAY Sports. “Why not?”
Pressed further, Carter explained Fudd’s value.
“She's a specialist when it comes to being a shooter — the ability to hit shots, the ability to space the floor,” Carter said. “There's so many things that when you have a floor spacer, just that skill set alone is an amazing opportunity to have success at the WNBA level. Even on nights if she's not hitting (3-pointers), she can attack long close outs, which puts the defense in scramble mode. When the defense is in scramble mode, somebody's going to be open.”
In this year’s WNBA draft — which will be held Monday night in New York — there seems to be a clear separation between the top four prospects and everyone else.
There’s 6-foot-7 UCLA center Lauren Betts, who just powered the Bruins to the national championship. There’s TCU point guard Olivia Miles, a wizard with the ball in her hands who can dish out neck-breaking assists and swish open shots from deep range. There’s also Awa Fam, the 19-year-old 6-foot-6 center from Spain who is a bit unpolished, but brings sky-high potential.
And then there’s Fudd, a product UConn − the most successful program in women’s college basketball. Should the Dallas Wings take her with the top pick, she would be the seventh player coached by 12-time champion Geno Auriemma to go No. 1 overall.
“I look at Dallas and I wonder, are they going to focus more on positional need for the future? Because when it comes to post players, it's been a little inconsistent, right? So that's the only cause for pause that I have,” ESPN’s Chiney Ogwumike, a former No. 1 overall pick in 2014 said. “Are they going to take the best shooter or for-sure player, or are they going to look a little bit more positionally?
“It’s tough. I see Azzi’s skill set and she’s a sure bet. And one thing that translates is shooting.”
Like any draft prospect, there are arguments for and against Fudd having success in the WNBA.
The positives start with her offensive abilities. Fudd nearly had a 50-40-90 season this year for the dominant Huskies, shooting 48.1% from the floor, 44.7% from 3-point land and 95.5% from the free throw line. In a more prominent scoring role this year for UConn, she averaged 17.3 points and 3.1 assists per game.
Since 2009 — which is as far back as the databases for the women’s basketball analytics and statistics website Her Hoop Stats goes — Fudd is one of four players to average at least 17 points, three assists and 6.5 3-point attempts per game while shooting better than 44% from behind the arc. The others were Army’s Kelsey Minato in 2015-16, Gianna Kneepkens last season at Utah and Oklahoma’s Taylor Robertson in the 2021-22 campaign.
She’s underrated as a defender too, and this season ranked third in defensive win shares (2.8) and was 15th nationally in defensive rating (72.4).
Fudd was an All-American this season and is a two-time All-Big East selection. Last year, she was named the Most Outstanding Player at the Final Four after scoring a combined 43 points in wins over UCLA and South Carolina en route to UConn’s first national title since 2016.
“That’s who I would take No. 1 if I was a general manager,” ESPN’s Rebecca Lobo told USA TODAY Sports. “She's gonna fit in seamlessly. She's one of the greatest shooters we've seen in college. Her efficiency of movement, the way she has expanded her game — it's not just 3s. She's incredible in the mid-range, she's become a really next level defender out on the perimeter. I think she is WNBA-ready today. I think she has WNBA All-Star potential as a rookie.”
The knocks on Fudd begin with her injury history. She was tabbed as the high school National Player of the Year in 2019 and in 2021 was a McDonald’s All-American. A product of St. John's College High School in Washington, D.C., ESPN ranked her as the best prospect in the 2021 class.
But after the end of her high school season in 2019, Fudd tore the ACL and MCL in her right knee while competing in a 3-on-3 tournament. Her senior season of high school ball was limited by a foot sprain.
The injury bug followed her to UConn. She missed 11 games as a freshman due to a foot injury, then 22 games of her sophomore season due to a knee injury. She played two games in the 2023-24 season before tearing the ACL in her right knee again.
For the past two seasons, Fudd has been healthy and helped UConn go 75-4 with a national championship.
While Fudd avoided injuries this season, she didn’t finish strong. In her final three games for the Huskies — the Sweet 16 through their Final Four loss to South Carolina — Fudd averaged 10.3 points per game on 32% shooting from the floor while turning the ball over 2.6 times a game.
Experts believe that WNBA teams shouldn’t be deterred from drafting her high.
“She's a great fit anywhere. When you can shoot the way she can shoot — it's different than a post player,” Lobo said. “Everybody can use a shooter and somebody who has the versatile skill set that she has.”
Fudd proved at other points this season she can shine under bright lights. She tallied 27 points and seven assists in a win over Tennessee, scored 31 points in a narrow non-conference win over Michigan and dropped a career-high 34 points in a second-round March Madness victory over Syracuse.
Should Fudd get selected with the top pick by the Dallas Wings, it will reunite her with former UConn teammate Paige Bueckers and put her in new coach Jose Fernandez’s scheme that emphasizes constant motion on offense and 3-pointers.
“I’m interested in what Jose’s going to be able to do in Dallas,” Carter said. “Obviously, Paige and Azzi have played together before, so you trust that chemistry on the court. I think any system that he tries to put in place, having a knock down 3-point shooter would be helpful.”
Lacrosse is not as physical or painful a sport as professional wrestling, but it’s hardly a walk in the grass field, according to Park Vista girls coach Larry Brannon.
Brannon spent 12 years as a star in arguably the most physical sport known to mankind - the World Wrestling Federation.
Now Brannon is in his 8th season guiding Park Vista’s girls lacrosse team and will take the Cobras into the District 15 2A tournament as the No. 1 seed following a 9-3 regular season.
Led by top goal-scorer Brooke Ybarra, a Florida Southern commit, and elite goalie Dayana Perez, the Cobras get a first-round bye and start Monday, April 13.
By rule, girls lacrosse is not as hard-hitting as boys but it’s plenty rough.
“In theory it’s not as physical as the boys but it’s very physical,’’ Brannon said. “There’s a ton of contact. They knock the crap out of each other on a regular basis. It’s fast-paced and you’re shooting a hard rubber ball that hurts like hell when you get hit with it. I crack up when I hear girls lacrosse is a no-contact sport. That’s garbage.”
Every girl on the Cobras knows about Brannon’s background. The Martin County graduate and former college football offensive lineman wrestled under the stage name of “Vito DeNucci’," one of WWF’s villains during his pro-wrestling stint from 1999 to 2011.
Bannon, a Park Vista history teacher, is 55 now and his body remembers that era when he played to filled-up arenas around the globe.
“When I started off, I was 6-3 and change.’’ Brannon said. “Now I’m 6-1 and a quarter. I’ve lost two inches of height because I lost some disks. They are just history. People ask, 'Are they herniated?' I say, “No they’re shrapnel. They’re gone."
Brannon talks of bizarre wrestling moves like the “Veg-O-Matic’’ and “Missile Drop Kick’’ like it was yesterday.
“It’s a tough, tough business,’’ Brannon said. “I was always the heel – the bad guy, the ones that have to make the good guys look strong. We’re taking a lot of hits. It takes a toll.’’
When Brannon was in high school at Martin County as a four-sport athlete (football, wrestling, baseball, track), he had a side gig as a crew member for pro wrestling matches.
But Brannon never envisioned pro wrestling as a career. At 6-3, 260 pounds, Brannon took a football scholarship to Tennessee-Chattanooga as a center/guard and later transferred to UCF.
After graduation, Brannon opened a home-theatre company, “Wire for Sound.”
At age 26, it all changed. Brannon bumped into an old crewmate, Dennis Allen, who was still in the business. Allen convinced Brannon to give wrestling a whirl.
Five months later, Brannon became a pro wrestler after training in Tampa with Steve Keirn, teacher/former fighter who ran the “School of Hard Knocks.’’
“The key for me to going pro was being on the ring crew (in high school), doing shows in Melbourne, Fort Pierce, West Palm,’’ Brannon said. “The cool part is was when we got the ring set up, we’d work out with some of the guys. Like Jesse Barr. They wanted to work out and were happy to teach you a little.
“I had potential, was a fan as a kid. I took to it pretty naturally and was athletic enough to do the things they do. It clicked pretty quickly for me.’’
This wasn’t high-school wrestling. “Vito DeNucci’’ weaved a career that had him performing in 33 states, including upstate New York and Chicago’s United Center. He went all over Florida and had gigs at Miami Heat’s old and new arena, Orlando Magic’s former arena, Tampa Bay Lightning’s arena and Tampa’s famed wrestling hall, the Fort Hesterly Armory.
He also wrestled in countries such as Italy, Germany, Japan, China Dubai, England and Saudi Arabia. He estimates over 1,000 matches in all.
“DeNucci” was best-known for aligning with tag-team partner, Chris Nelson, known as “The Heavenly Bodies.’’ They came into the ring with instrumental song, “Frankenstein,” blaring.
“The thrill – and I probably miss it to this day - was when you got a match with a big house,’’ Brannon said. “Your music plays, you hit the stage and the crowd reacts one way or another. I miss that. It’s a rush.’’
He doesn’t miss the violence and injuries, including countless concussions. They say it is fake, but don’t tell that to Brannon’s body.
Brannon tore up a knee from a “Missile Drop Kick” gone bad and missed four months. “In that industry, you miss too much, you lose your spot,’’ Brannon said. “So you don’t stay out too long.’’
It was a sordid business. There is a popular wrestling stunt of getting bashed by a chair. Wrestling officials encouraged their athletes not to shield themselves.
“Now you put your hands up at the last minute,’’ Brannon said. “In the late 1990’s/early 2000’s, you got ostracized if you put your hands up. They wanted reality. If you took a chair shot, you’re just supposed to give them the crown of your head and take it. File it under one of the dumbest things I’ve seen.’’
Concussions were inevitable. He sustained four from football and can’t count the number from wrestling. “In my time, it’s one of those deals you referred to as getting your bell rung,’’ Brannon said.
Indeed, the wrestling stage wasn’t built for protection.
“When you bump into a wrestling ring, contrary to popular belief, it’s not a trampoline.’’ Brannon said. “The rings you get in are wood or steel and don’t give a whole lot. You hit the back of your head every time you take a back bump. By today’s interpretation, I probably had 1,000 of them. I may have gotten a concussion every damn time I wrestled.”
The threat of CTE is always looming in his mind.
“Big time,’’ Brannon said. “I’m not an idiot. I’ve had lot of head trauma over the years. I accept it likely will be a factor at some point. I hope not. I teach history and economics. I’m an intelligent guy. High enough IQ. Work my butt off to keep my brain active. You try not to get stagnant, which allegedly helps stave that off.’’
He’s safer now on the lacrosse sidelines in a sport he barely knew while raised in northwestern Indiana before moving to South Florida entering high school.
“I’ve always joked that lacrosse was a small town in Wisconsin,’’ Brannon said.
Now Brannon is a lacrosse fanatic, as are his daughters, Delaney and Riley, who each played Division I at Fresno State and Eastern Michigan, respectively. The daughters are on his Park Vista staff – Delaney as goalie coach and Riley offensive coordinator.
“I played college football, was a wrester, a pro wrestler,’’ Brannon said. “I’m a contact guy. What I bring to the table is a mental toughness in my approach that probably is lacking when they’re coached by other coaches who don’t have a similar background.
“They become more tough-minded. If they get knocked down, it’s not a deterrent as if if they’d been coached with kid’s gloves. The girls that play for me are tough. But we play the game very clean.’’
Lacrosse is not as physical or painful a sport as professional wrestling, but it’s hardly a walk in the grass field, according to Park Vista girls coach Larry Brannon.
Brannon spent 12 years as a star in arguably the most physical sport known to mankind - the World Wrestling Federation.
Now Brannon is in his 8th season guiding Park Vista’s girls lacrosse team and will take the Cobras into the District 15 2A tournament as the No. 1 seed following a 9-3 regular season.
Led by top goal-scorer Brooke Ybarra, a Florida Southern commit, and elite goalie Dayana Perez, the Cobras get a first-round bye and start Monday, April 13.
By rule, girls lacrosse is not as hard-hitting as boys but it’s plenty rough.
“In theory it’s not as physical as the boys but it’s very physical,’’ Brannon said. “There’s a ton of contact. They knock the crap out of each other on a regular basis. It’s fast-paced and you’re shooting a hard rubber ball that hurts like hell when you get hit with it. I crack up when I hear girls lacrosse is a no-contact sport. That’s garbage.”
Every girl on the Cobras knows about Brannon’s background. The Martin County graduate and former college football offensive lineman wrestled under the stage name of “Vito DeNucci’," one of WWF’s villains during his pro-wrestling stint from 1999 to 2011.
Bannon, a Park Vista history teacher, is 55 now and his body remembers that era when he played to filled-up arenas around the globe.
“When I started off, I was 6-3 and change.’’ Brannon said. “Now I’m 6-1 and a quarter. I’ve lost two inches of height because I lost some disks. They are just history. People ask, 'Are they herniated?' I say, “No they’re shrapnel. They’re gone."
Brannon talks of bizarre wrestling moves like the “Veg-O-Matic’’ and “Missile Drop Kick’’ like it was yesterday.
“It’s a tough, tough business,’’ Brannon said. “I was always the heel – the bad guy, the ones that have to make the good guys look strong. We’re taking a lot of hits. It takes a toll.’’
When Brannon was in high school at Martin County as a four-sport athlete (football, wrestling, baseball, track), he had a side gig as a crew member for pro wrestling matches.
But Brannon never envisioned pro wrestling as a career. At 6-3, 260 pounds, Brannon took a football scholarship to Tennessee-Chattanooga as a center/guard and later transferred to UCF.
After graduation, Brannon opened a home-theatre company, “Wire for Sound.”
At age 26, it all changed. Brannon bumped into an old crewmate, Dennis Allen, who was still in the business. Allen convinced Brannon to give wrestling a whirl.
Five months later, Brannon became a pro wrestler after training in Tampa with Steve Keirn, teacher/former fighter who ran the “School of Hard Knocks.’’
“The key for me to going pro was being on the ring crew (in high school), doing shows in Melbourne, Fort Pierce, West Palm,’’ Brannon said. “The cool part is was when we got the ring set up, we’d work out with some of the guys. Like Jesse Barr. They wanted to work out and were happy to teach you a little.
“I had potential, was a fan as a kid. I took to it pretty naturally and was athletic enough to do the things they do. It clicked pretty quickly for me.’’
This wasn’t high-school wrestling. “Vito DeNucci’’ weaved a career that had him performing in 33 states, including upstate New York and Chicago’s United Center. He went all over Florida and had gigs at Miami Heat’s old and new arena, Orlando Magic’s former arena, Tampa Bay Lightning’s arena and Tampa’s famed wrestling hall, the Fort Hesterly Armory.
He also wrestled in countries such as Italy, Germany, Japan, China Dubai, England and Saudi Arabia. He estimates over 1,000 matches in all.
“DeNucci” was best-known for aligning with tag-team partner, Chris Nelson, known as “The Heavenly Bodies.’’ They came into the ring with instrumental song, “Frankenstein,” blaring.
“The thrill – and I probably miss it to this day - was when you got a match with a big house,’’ Brannon said. “Your music plays, you hit the stage and the crowd reacts one way or another. I miss that. It’s a rush.’’
He doesn’t miss the violence and injuries, including countless concussions. They say it is fake, but don’t tell that to Brannon’s body.
Brannon tore up a knee from a “Missile Drop Kick” gone bad and missed four months. “In that industry, you miss too much, you lose your spot,’’ Brannon said. “So you don’t stay out too long.’’
It was a sordid business. There is a popular wrestling stunt of getting bashed by a chair. Wrestling officials encouraged their athletes not to shield themselves.
“Now you put your hands up at the last minute,’’ Brannon said. “In the late 1990’s/early 2000’s, you got ostracized if you put your hands up. They wanted reality. If you took a chair shot, you’re just supposed to give them the crown of your head and take it. File it under one of the dumbest things I’ve seen.’’
Concussions were inevitable. He sustained four from football and can’t count the number from wrestling. “In my time, it’s one of those deals you referred to as getting your bell rung,’’ Brannon said.
Indeed, the wrestling stage wasn’t built for protection.
“When you bump into a wrestling ring, contrary to popular belief, it’s not a trampoline.’’ Brannon said. “The rings you get in are wood or steel and don’t give a whole lot. You hit the back of your head every time you take a back bump. By today’s interpretation, I probably had 1,000 of them. I may have gotten a concussion every damn time I wrestled.”
The threat of CTE is always looming in his mind.
“Big time,’’ Brannon said. “I’m not an idiot. I’ve had lot of head trauma over the years. I accept it likely will be a factor at some point. I hope not. I teach history and economics. I’m an intelligent guy. High enough IQ. Work my butt off to keep my brain active. You try not to get stagnant, which allegedly helps stave that off.’’
He’s safer now on the lacrosse sidelines in a sport he barely knew while raised in northwestern Indiana before moving to South Florida entering high school.
“I’ve always joked that lacrosse was a small town in Wisconsin,’’ Brannon said.
Now Brannon is a lacrosse fanatic, as are his daughters, Delaney and Riley, who each played Division I at Fresno State and Eastern Michigan, respectively. The daughters are on his Park Vista staff – Delaney as goalie coach and Riley offensive coordinator.
“I played college football, was a wrester, a pro wrestler,’’ Brannon said. “I’m a contact guy. What I bring to the table is a mental toughness in my approach that probably is lacking when they’re coached by other coaches who don’t have a similar background.
“They become more tough-minded. If they get knocked down, it’s not a deterrent as if if they’d been coached with kid’s gloves. The girls that play for me are tough. But we play the game very clean.’’
Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton was asked what excites him most about how new head coach Jesse Minter could deploy him within the defense, and said he's open to any role while noting the staff appears to have plans for multiple players across the roster.
“I think [head coach Jesse Minter] has his own little twist [and] flavor to it, but I think over the past, ever since [Seahawks head coach] Mike [Macdonald] was here, I think they’ve kind of found creative ways to use me in different areas, week-to-week, play-to-play, drive-to-drive, that kind of thing. And I think Jesse’s going to do more of that. And I mean, whether he does or doesn’t, I’m completely fine with just being out there [at] whatever position he needs me to play, but I think that doesn’t go just for me. It goes for Malaki [Starks], Jaylinn [Hawkins], who we just got and who’s very talented. And [it goes for] all the guys in the front seven, the corners; it’s a process that everybody’s involved with, and I don’t think it’s just me that he has big plans for. It’s a lot of people.”
Hamilton emphasized the group-wide nature of the defensive installation, pointing to multiple position groups as part of the staff's broader approach. Hamilton's willingness to embrace any role underscores the flexibility Baltimore is aiming to build into its defense. With multiple players capable of moving around the formation, the Ravens appear focused on creating matchup advantages and keeping offenses off balance from week to week.
If that vision comes together, the result could be a more dynamic and unpredictable unit. With Minter designing ways to maximize talent across the roster, Baltimore's defense may lean heavily on versatility as a defining trait heading into the 2026 season.
After another exciting week of the high school softball season, it's time to look back on the best performances.
Read about the players who stood out last week and let us know who you think should be the HSS North Jersey Player of the Week in the poll at the bottom of this page.
Voting closes at 5 p.m. Thursday.
Brooke Blaikie, Cliffside Park
The Red Raiders won three games last week, including a big win on the road in Ridgefield. The junior finished the week 7-13 at the plate and scored five runs.
Abby Buser, Waldwick
In four games in the circle, the sophomore went 4-0, with a perfect game against Wallington, and a no-hitter against Butler. At the plate, she went 7-14 with a triple, homer and scored three runs.
Angelina Cecere, Cresskill
In four games, including three impressive wins, Cecere went 5-10 at the plate, walked five times, scored 11 runs and stole two bases.
Abby Kiem, DePaul
In three games against top 10 teams, the junior pitcher went eight innings and struck out seven in a hard-fought win over Ramapo. She had 15 strikeouts against Paramus Catholic, then tossed a four-hitter in 3-2 win over Ramsey.
Alexis Muscia, Fair Lawn
The Cutters put up 50 runs in four games last week. Muscia went 11-19 at the plate, with eight RBIs, two doubles and a pair of stolen bases.
Alexis Reyes, Midland Park
Can Midland Park make it two Player of the Week winners in a row? The freshman pitcher threw a perfect game against Saddle Brook and has 49 strikeouts in 18 innings this season.
Olivia Rottner, Teaneck
One of North Jersey most underrated talents, in two games against Tenafly and Old Tappan, Rottner was a perfect 4-4 at the plate and scored four runs. She’s committed to Georgian Court.
Lauren Stewart, Park Ridge
In four games this week, Stewart kept the Owls going batting 11 for 18 at the play, scoring 10 runs and driving in eight. Against Bergen Tech, she went 5-5 and scored five runs.
Vote!
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After another exciting week of the high school baseball season, it's time to look back on the best performances.
Read about the players who stood out last week and let us know who you think should be the HSS North Jersey Baseball Player of the Week in the poll at the bottom of this page.
Voting closes at 5 p.m. Thursday.
Gabe Arcieri, Westwood
Arcieri drove the Cardinals (6-1) to a 3-1 week while extending his hitting streak to seven games. The junior reached base 13 out of 17 plate appearances. He batted .692 (9 for 13), with two walks and was twice hit by a pitch, scored five runs and had three RBIs.
Justin Diez, Paramus Catholic
Diez guided the Paladins (7-1) to a 4-0 week to extend their winning streak to six games. The senior hit .533 (8 for 15), with two doubles, a walk, four steals, four runs and six RBIs. In five innings pitched, he allowed no earned runs, struck out eight and earned a win.
Mark Francin, Saddle Brook
Francin helped the Falcons (5-1) to a 3-0 week to stretch their winning streak to five games. The junior batted .636 (7 for 11), with three walks, one steal, two runs and two RBIs. He had four hits and allowed no earned runs in six innings of a 6-5, 10-inning win over Garfield.
Tyler Harris, Passaic Tech
Harris helped the Bulldogs (5-1) to a 3-0 week – all three by shutout – to extend their winning streak to five games. The senior threw six scoreless innings, with three hits, one walk and eight strikeouts, in a 9-0 win over Lakeland, and he has not allowed a run in 11 innings.
Jordan Kassteen, Wallington
Kassteen led the Panthers (5-1) to a 3-0 week and the first of back-to-back shutouts. The senior hit .750 (6 for 8), including his second homer of the season. He had three walks, seven steals and seven RBIs. He threw a five-inning shutout with nine strikeouts.
Ryan Reynoso, Lodi
Reynoso powered the Rams (5-1) to a 3-0 week and lifted his batting average above .600. The junior hit .714 (10 for 14), extending his hitting streak to six games and hitting his first homer of the season. He had six runs and six RBIs and has driven in a team-high 14.
Roysell Rivera, St. Mary
Rivera drove the Gaels (5-2) to a 3-0 week and raised his RBIs total to a team-leading 15. The sophomore hit .667 (6 for 9), with two doubles, four walks, two steals, three runs and nine RBIs. He had a double, single and two RBIs in a 3-0 victory over Lyndhurst.
Yuto Sasaki, Leonia
Sasaki paced the Lions (2-4) to a 2-1 week to help them bounce back from an 0-3 start. The senior, who transferred from Japan, batted .545 (6 for 11) to extend his hitting streak to six games. He had two doubles, a triple, three runs, six RBIs and stole five bases.
Alex Silverstein, River Dell
Silverstein helped the Golden Hawks (6-1) to a 4-0 week. The sophomore hit .308 (4 for 13), with five walks, five runs and six RBIs, including a homer and three RBIs in an 8-2 win over Old Tappan. He allowed no earned runs over five innings of a 4-1 win over Pascack Hills.
Vote!
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If the Washington Commanders were to trade down in the 2026 NFL Draft, who might be some of their prime prospects to draft?
The Commanders do have the No. 7 draft pick right now, but they also do not own selections in the second or fourth rounds. This means, if the phone rings on draft night, and someone wants that No. 7 selection bad enough, they may offer the Washington GM Adam Peters something he may feel like he can't reject. Such an offer might help Peters build the roster more than a single player at No. 7.
If they trade down with Tampa Bay to No. 15, then the Bucs would have to offer something like pick No. 46 in the second round and perhaps another pick as well, like a fourth rounder. What if the Panthers call and they want to trade up from No. 19 up to No. 7? Then the Panthers would perhaps need to give the Commanders their picks at No. 51 and 119.
It's been suggested the Rams having two first-round choices might be wanting to move up to No. 7 if Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love is still available, giving Rams QB Matthew Stafford a big-time back, helping the Rams go for another Super Bowl before Stafford retires. To move up from No. 13 to No. 7, the Rams would likely have to also provide the Commanders their pick at No. 61 and another pick either this year or next.
So, who might the Commanders be looking to draft if they ended up selecting in one of these options: Rams (No. 13), Bucs (No. 15), or Panthers (No. 19)? Don't laugh, these are real possibilities. Why else did the Commanders recently bring in Indiana receiver Omar Cooper Jr? Well, Cooper has not been mocked by anyone to be drafted near the top 10. So, the Commanders are certainly not drafting Cooper at No. 7.
Consequently, Peters is going to interview a few players he likes who are projected to be drafted later. Why? Because Peters thinks he will probably receive an offer or two on draft night to move back. Peters is doing his due diligence to prepare for a possible trade down by the Commanders.
The spots we've illustrated (No. 13, 15, and 19) suggest USC receiver Makai Lemon, Arizona State receiver Jordyn Tyson, and Indiana receiver Omar Cooper Jr. are all very capable candidates if Peters wants to go best receiver available. Other possibilities could be Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy, Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman, Miami edge rusher Akheem Mesidor, if Peters wants to go best defensive player available.
So, over the next 10 days, be looking at players mocked to be drafted anywhere from around 11-25. Become more familiar with those names, because Peters had Cooper in this week for a good reason.
With the NFL draft less than two weeks away, there is still much debate about what direction Tennessee Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi will go with the fourth overall selection.
While the Titans have needs along the interior of the offensive line, edge, linebacker, and wide receiver, many outlets continue to link Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love to the Titans in the first round. While this doesn’t fill an immediate need, Love is a game-changer who could help build the offense around Cam Ward.
While Love has gained momentum, as Nick Shook of NFL.com lays out, finding a dynamic edge to play next to Jeffery Simmons may be the wise choice.
I see a lot of mock drafts pairing running back Jeremiyah Love with the Titans, but they need another edge rusher to pair with Jeffery Simmons more than they need a ball-carrier. Luckily, this draft is loaded at that position, and the Titans are near the top of the board with their first pick (No. 4 overall). Make the wise choice instead of the sexy one, GM Mike Borgonzi.
The Titans have added to their defense during the offseason, but still lack a true outside edge rusher and will likely address the position in the draft. Fortunately, this is a deep class that offers some options beyond those at the top. That is where the question of positional value comes into play.
In a traditional view, edge would hold more value than running back, but is that perceived value worth passing up a potential generational talent? That is the question Borgonzi and the Titans’ front office must answer on April 23 in Pittsburgh.
Vote now for the candidates in the Wooster Daily Record Athlete of the Week poll.
The performances in the poll are from April 6-11. The poll will run from 4 a.m. Monday to 5 p.m. Wednesday.
Below are some of the top performances from this past week:
Athlete of the Week candidates
Jaiden Stitzlein, Loudonville softball
In Loudonville's 16-4 home win on Saturday versus Plymouth, Stitzlein had five RBIs, four hits, scored two runs and hit one home run. She also earned the win as a pitcher after striking out seven, walking three batters, gave up four runs and seven hits in five innings pitched.
Briar Cline, West Holmes softball
Cline produced four RBIs, four hits and scored three runs in West Holmes' 20-5 road win against Marion Harding on Saturday.
Ben Beichler, Smithville baseball
In Smithville's 14-0 shutout win at home versus Open Door Christian on Saturday, Beichler drove in four runs, had two hits and scored three runs in three at-bats.
After another exciting week of the high school lacrosse season, it's time to look back on the best performances.
Read about the players who stood out last week and let us know who you think should be the HSS North Jersey Player of the Week in the poll at the bottom of this page.
Voting closes at 5 p.m. Thursday.
Sam Allen, River Dell junior midfielder
Allen scored eight goals and five assists last week, helping River Dell knock off Old Tappan on the road and storm back to beat Wayne Hills in overtime. She added 12 draw controls and seven ground balls.
Delaney McCrone, Ridgewood sophomore midfielder
McCrone stepped up across the board in wins over Bergen County rivals Northern Highlands and Immaculate Heart and an upset over state No. 1 Oak Knoll. She totaled 11 goals, three assists and 25 draw controls in four Ridgewood victories.
Gabriella Solis, Pompton Lakes senior attacker
Solis matched a career high with six goals apiece in consecutive wins over Indian Hills and Waldwick. She chipped in four assists and 10 draw controls.
Jane Tenaglia, Holy Angels junior midfielder
The Liberty commit checked off another milestone last week by scoring her 200th career goal with more than one full season still to go. In two games, she picked up 11 goals and three assists for the Angels.
Ant Amato, Rutherford senior goalie
Amato was lights out last week, making 27 saves on 30 shots to help the Bulldogs earn a pair of wins. He stopped all 12 in a shutout against Passaic Tech.
Dylan Joyce, Paramus senior midfielder
It was a monster week for the Ohio Wesleyan commit, who poured in 16 goals and two assists for the Spartans. He notched his 100th career point on Apr. 11 against Demarest.
Connor Murphy, Ridgewood sophomore attacker
Murphy powered the offense with six goals and one assist on Saturday when the second-ranked Maroons got past No. 3 Bergen Catholic, 10-7, in a Gibbs matchup in Oradell. He had one goal in Ridgewood's win over Moorestown earlier in the week.
Michael Snudden, Indian Hills junior midfielder
Snudden racked up 12 points including the 100th of his career in a 21-12 divisional win over Cullen rival Dwight-Englewood. Overall, he had 10 goals and 11 assists for the Braves in a 2-1 week.
Vote!
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Another winter season is in the books with some local teams and athletes reaching high levels of success in their conference and beyond.
The SouthCoast saw three male athletes — GNB Voc-Tech’s Logan Rego, New Bedford’s Michael Antunes and Old Rochester’s Malik Washburn — reach the MIAA Meet of Champions. Washburn went on to compete at New Englands and Nationals.
Now it’s time to shine a spotlight on the athletes that made this winter a season to remember.
But, before we announce our super teams, we need more help from our readers to help choose our Player of the Year in each sport. Like our polls from this past fall, the list has been narrowed down to the most elite athletes in the area.
Vote for the SouthCoast High School Boys Track Athlete of the Year below. Reader votes will make up 25% of the tally, with Sports Editor Laurie Los Lee making up the rest of the vote.
Candidates are listed in alphabetical order by school.
Voting will conclude at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, April 22.
THE POLL
THE CANDIDATES
Logan Rego, GNB Voc-Tech
Rego enjoyed a breakthrough junior campaign in which he won the 55 dash at the MSTCA Rising Stars Track Invitational and ran on the second-place 4x200 relay team. He went on to compete in the 55 at the Meet of Champions, clocking a 6.76.
Antunes capped off his high school career with a strong showing this past winter. After placing second in the long jump at the Div. 1 championship (21-11.00), he came in 10th place in the seven (20-08.75) at the Meet of Champions.
Malik Washburn, Old Rochester
It was a winter to remember for Washburn, who won the Div. 5 championship in the 55 hurdles, clocking a 7.66. He went on to place second in the 55 hurdles at the Meet of Champions (7.63) to advance to New Englands, where he came in third place with a season-best time of 7.48. Washburn also competed at the New Balance National Championships at the Track at New Balance.
With the return of the Girls Tennis Player of the Year, Neva Matos (Old Rochester), and three Standard-Times Super Teamers — Katherine Johnson (Bishop Stang), Ava Dusoe (Dartmouth) and Caroline Houdelette (Old Rochester) — SouthCoast girls tennis teams have a mix of veterans and rising stars.
Below are the names of 18 local girls tennis players we expect to have an impact on their respective teams this spring.
Cast your vote for the 2026 Standard-Times Early Season Girls Tennis Player of the Year.
"Licha back in the squad. Harry's new contract. Good day to be a centre-half."
Those were the words from Manchester United's Instagram account recently. Well, try telling that to Matthijs de Ligt.
Unlike Lisandro Martinez and Harry Maguire, De Ligt didn't spend the other week in the plush surroundings of Carton House Hotel in Maynooth, 20 miles outside Dublin.
While most of the players were having a getaway, De Ligt was back in Manchester keeping himself in shape for when he gets the green light to start playing again.
It is over four months since the Netherlands international last played.
While sources stress his mood is good and he remains optimistic about a return before the end of this season, he is also acutely aware there will need to be some kind of lead-in time and games are running out.
There's also the reality that being within touching distance of securing a return to the Champions League, which may also prove decisive in Michael Carrick getting the full-time head coach role, may mean the man currently in charge is unlikely to take risks.
Asked about the possibility last month, Carrick said he did not want to talk about surgery as a possible remedy to De Ligt's problem. It is understood that it isn't a path the player is speaking about either, and there is good reason for that.
No two cases are the same but Bournemouth midfielder Tyler Adams' recovery from back surgery in 2024 went well, yet it was nearly four months before he was ready to start games. There are also other examples of absences stretching on far longer.
For now, De Ligt's wait goes on. It might've been a good day for Martinez and Maguire, but it was a familiar and frustrating one for De Ligt.
When asked what De Ligt had been up to while his team-mates were at their enjoyable camp, Carrick replied: "Just treatment and rehab."
But what does 'treatment and rehab' look like?
Carrick made a joke of the question, but there was a serious undertone. "He is obviously in the gym and doing work, but he isn't ready for the grass yet," he continued.
"Unfortunately, that's the process you have to go through when you're injured. Sometimes it happens quicker; sometimes things don't quite go to plan and it's a bit slower. We're trying to get him back right."
Luton Town boss Jack Wilshere says it feels "better to win silverware as a manager than a player" after guiding his side to victory over Stockport in the Vertu Trophy final at Wembley.
It has not taken long for the former England and Arsenal midfielder to experience both, doing so just six months after taking his first permanent managerial job at Kenilworth Road.
Wilshere won the FA Cup twice in his time with the Gunners and now after just his 40th match in charge of a senior club, the 34-year-old has lifted his first trophy as a boss.
He did so by overcoming an experienced County manager in Dave Challinor, who has five league titles, an FA Trophy and three play-off final promotions on his CV in 16 years and 606 games of management.
Wilshere, who retired from playing in 2022, started coaching with Arsenal's Under-18s team before joining the Norwich staff in October 2024 and had a spell as interim manager of the Canaries towards the end of last season before being appointed Luton boss in October.
'It feels really good'
Jack Wilshere took his first managerial job at Luton Town in October 2025 [Shutterstock]
"It's a really nice feeling, it's better [as a manager]," Wilshere told BBC Three Counties Radio following Luton's 3-1 win.
"Don't get me wrong, I loved every single moment of my career, especially the times we came here and won trophies [with Arsenal].
"But to do it as a coach... I've felt nothing but love since I've been here, from the board, from everyone at the training ground, the physios, the staff.
"They've backed me, they've believed in me and I couldn't have done it without them.
"To be standing there at the side of the pitch as a leader, but behind a really hardworking group of people that want the best for this club, it feels really good."
Luton have now won five of their past six games, with one draw, and appear to be hitting form at the right time in their quest to finish in a League One play-off place - they sit 10th and six points off the top six with five games to play.
Wilshere said his team are "all-in on him" and was keen to ensure the credit goes to the players for their Wembley exploits.
On this occasion it was a combination of experienced 35-year-old striker Nahki Wells leading the way with two goals - his first in particular was a classy first touch and finish - alongside young wide man Emilio Lawrence, who drew Luton level after falling behind.
Nahki Wells became the oldest player ever to score twice at Wembley for an EFL club, aged 35 years and 315 days [Shutterstock]
"There will come a time of course at the end of the season where I will be able to sit down and reflect, have a couple of weeks off and start to see where I am," he told BBC Sport.
"I've learnt a lot since being here. I've done my badges and I've coached a lot. But there are some things that badges can't teach you and you just have to adapt.
"That's probably the biggest thing that I've learnt - the ability to adapt. Then ultimately it's my ability to convince and inspire people. I'm still learning and trying to get better but I'm also proud of what we've achieved together as a group.
"I'll reflect on my time at the end of the season because I want the players to enjoy it, I want the players to take the credit. They have to because they're the ones who execute it."
Wilshere admitted he was "emotional" at the full-time whistle, citing the "sacrifice" both he and his family make for him to pursue his coaching dream.
"You sacrifice a lot," he added. "I've got four young kids and an amazing wife and they also have to sacrifice a lot.
"We [Luton] are not where we want to be but it's a big step. It's a nice feeling because of all the hard work we've put in. You can kind of see we're on the right track. We have to enjoy it."
The strains of Duran Duran's 80s hit 'Rio' swept around Anfield after the pressure and scrutiny that has been closing in on Arne Slot and Liverpool was relieved - for now - by victory against Fulham.
It was played in celebration of the brilliance of Rio Ngumoha.
He was born 26 years after the song was released - but on this day it was a timely soundtrack of celebration after the 17-year-old delivered an electrifying performance.
Ngumoha not only answered their call for inspiration in these troubled times with a goal and a starring role in a win which kept Liverpool fifth in the Premier League table, he also gave his head coach a dilemma.
If fortune favours the brave, does he now start the teenage prodigy in an attempt to retrieve the deficit when Champions League holders Paris St-Germain come to Anfield on Tuesday night?
Slot and Liverpool needed a spark with the club's season at a pivotal point - step forward Ngumoha to provide it.
Indeed, including Ngumoha would be a high-risk strategy and Slot's natural default this season has been conservatism. He will also be wary of PSG's threat on the counter-attack, which has already torn apart better teams than this current Liverpool side.
The other side of the argument asks: what has Slot got to lose?
He played his cards close to his chest post-match. "Rio showed why I play him more and more and more, because he is getting stronger and stronger, fitter and fitter, more and more ready to play at this level at 17 years of age," Slot said.
"He dominated his 1v1 situations, which is crucial, and that's why we went 1-0 up."
He was a constant threat on Liverpool's left-flank against Fulham, deservedly receiving a standing ovation when he was substituted after 69 minutes.
Was that to preserve his energy levels for Tuesday? Or was it simply because Slot felt the youngster had done enough?
The odds are probably against Ngumoha starting against PSG, but most observers would suggest he is contributing more than the subdued Cody Gakpo.
He is a guaranteed star of the future, but will Slot be bold enough to make him a star of Liverpool's present by playing him?
Alejandro Garnacho has multiple tattoos depicting Stranger Things - his favourite show - but unlike many of its characters, he is being forced to wait for his coming-of-age journey at Chelsea.
The 21-year-old is struggling to stand out among the cast at Stamford Bridge, having been linked with a transfer away and having drawn criticism for his lack of output in attack and for switching off defensively.
Garnacho has started just seven of Liam Rosenior's first 20 games in charge, with opportunities often coming in cup games against lesser opposition such as Pafos, Charlton, Hull City and Wrexham.
His best moment this season came in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg at home to Arsenal, when he struck twice as his side were beaten 3-2, eventually losing the tie 4-2 on aggregate.
He is currently averaging one goal every 4.6 games - a slight improvement on his return of one goal every 5.5 games for Manchester United across all competitions.
Eight goals and four assists in 37 appearances this season is a reasonable tally. However, a return of just one strike in 20 Premier League appearances, while underperforming his expected-goals figure of 3.11 from 28 shots, paints a less encouraging picture.
He has also been criticised for switching off at set-pieces and failing to track back in Chelsea's league defeats by Brentford, Bournemouth and West Ham.
Garnacho acknowledged he is yet to reach his peak in a recent interview with Premier League Productions, adding: "There's a lot more to come, this is just the start.
"I joined two months after the rest without a pre-season and then you also need time to adapt to a different club. Sometimes the first season is harder, but I will work very hard in the games we have left.
"I know what I can do and the most important thing is having the confidence in the player I can be. Of course, in football you have to show it so that's what I have to do."
Yet the statistics suggest the Argentina international is hardly moving forward quickly, following the early promise of his Manchester United debut at the age of 17 in 2022.
Arsenal's shock 2-1 defeat by Bournemouth at Emirates Stadium means Mikel Arteta's side have picked up just 70 points from 32 games this season.
The last Premier League champion to have as few points with six games left to play was Leicester City on 69 points in 2015-16.
Only three teams in the last 22 seasons have had as few points at this stage of the season and went on to win the title - Manchester United in 2010-11 (69 points), Manchester City in 2013-14 (70 points) and Leicester City in 2015-16 (69 points).
The average points tally of an eventual champion after 32 games played, in a 38-game season, is 74 points.
Therefore, the Gunners are four points off the pace after Saturday's loss to the Cherries. However, they still have more points at this stage than they did when they won top-flight titles in 1997-98 (66 points) and 2001-02 (69 points).
Spurs are in deep. Seriously deep. For all of the effort they made very, very few real chances in this game.
Now they are officially in the relegation zone, people are taking it seriously. It's been serious for much longer than that. It's been sitting staring at you.
We've seen teams in the past start to fall and they have faltered, they have started to lack belief. There was no lack of effort from the Spurs players at Sunderland, but was there a desperation about the desire? I'm not sure there was.
It's not like they didn't try today, but was that the desperation level that they need? I'm afraid not. Nothing feels easy. Nothing feels certain. I don't know where the points are coming from.
The Telegraph's Luke Edwards believes Roberto de Zerbi will have to "oversee some turnaround" to keep Tottenham in the Premier League this season, adding that there are "huge problems" for the club to sort out.
Tottenham failed to end their run of 14 Premier League games without a win against Sunderland on Sunday afternoon, continuing their worst run in the league for 81 years and leaving themselves stuck in the bottom three.
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily, Edwards said: "There is always hope because Nottingham Forest, West Ham and Leeds United haven't been truly convincing themselves all season. However, all of those clubs have a bit more upward momentum than Tottenham at the moment.
"It is some turnaround that Roberto de Zerbi has got to oversee. When he went to Brighton, he actually lost his first five games in charge. So as good a job as he did there, it actually took a while for him to get his ideas across.
"I was in his post-match press conference and I listened to him say: 'I can't be a coach, I've got to be a father and a brother - I've got to put my arm around these players' - but I'm not sure that is going to be enough.
"They can't keep clean sheets, they can't score goals, they are too easy to play through midfield - that is a pretty poisonous mix. There are huge problems.
"De Zerbi will be on a huge bonus to keep the club in the Premier League - and he will earn every single penny of it if he manages to do it from here.
"Having watched them, there is a stench of relegation around the club. I think they are doomed."
Caroline Weir has a decent excuse for missing her beloved Dunfermline Athletic take on Falkirk in the Scottish Cup semi-final since she will be captaining Scotland in Belgium on the same day.
The 30-year-old may be a superstar with Real Madrid but the pull of her hometown remains strong.
A Ballon D'Or nominee last year, Weir has fond memories of walking the family dog in The Glen, as Pittencrieff Park is known locally, and admits to indulging in an Empire Biscuit from Stephens Bakery on her most recent visit.
Not far from the bakers on Pilmuir Street is The Royal Bengal restaurant, the site of a mural depicting Weir, created in 2019 to mark Scotland's World Cup debut.
"It's right up there with some of my proudest achievements," she says of the street art. "It's coming up seven years and even with the Dunfermline weather, it's still managed to stay on."
Another proud moment came in October, when Weir scored and set up two goals for Scotland at East End Park in a 4-3 friendly defeat to Switzerland.
Having held a season ticket throughout her childhood, her previous outing at the stadium had been for a kids' birthday party, involving notoriously mischievous club mascot Sammy the Tammy.
"It's probably the number one question I get asked," Weir says of Dunfermline's Hampden date with fierce rivals Falkirk on 18 April.
"It just seems like every time we play Falkirk, it's a massive game. But this is going to be one of the biggest of the lot. I'm confident. I just feel it this year."
The game clashes with the second date in a double-header with the Belgians, who visit Easter Road four on Tuesday.
Both nations have 100% records after two games and will be vying for top spot in the World Cup qualifying group.
"We know it's going to be a challenge, but we're really looking forward to it," says Weir. "I think the squad's in a good place."
In September 2023, Weir ruptured her anterior cruciate ligament during a 1-1 draw with Belgium.
She missed a year of action but has gone on to become Real Madrid's leading all-time goalscorer and has now amassed 116 caps for her country, taking over the captaincy in February.
Scotland have not been at a major tournament since 2019 and Weir is desperate to end that absence at the next edition of the World Cup in Brazil next year.
"It's what I dreamed of as a kid, just to play for Scotland," she says. And then to have the honour and the privilege of leading the team in this campaign, it's a big responsibility, something I'm very proud of.
"I want nothing more this year than to qualify for that World Cup.
"The disappointment of the last couple of campaigns, it's only a bigger driver for me, and not just me, but other players in the squad.
"There's many experienced players that have been through the process before, but I think what's good is we have a lot of fresh faces, young, talented, hungry players that also want to be at that World Cup."
Another element to Weir's trips home is work with the Pars Foundation, engaging and encouraging the next generation of footballers from Fife.
"It started with me coming back and going to coaching sessions, mainly for the girls' set up and it's just developed from there and I became an official ambassador," she explains.
"It's such a cool feeling because it wasn't like that when I was their age.
"I've been so fortunate in my career and it all started at Pitreavie playing fields and coming to watch the guys at East End Park.
"Those memories are so vivid in my mind. To come back and see other girls kind of live that as well is so cool.
"This [latest] programme is for girls aged 13 to 14. And basically it's all about developing transferable leadership skills that they can take into school, into sport, whatever it is they're passionate about. Learning ways to communicate, trying to develop confidence, resilience."
Caroline Weir was talking to BBC Radio Scotland's Saturday Show.
Note: my usual format (citing examples for each attribute) does not display well on the site. Please click this link to access them.
Positives
Elite height-speed combo for a receiver and 80-plus inch wingspan further makes him a mismatch for undersized corners; caught 13 of 23 deep targets (56.5%) in 2025.
Huge frame is not wasted on contested catches downfield; if he tracks it, odds are he is going to stack his defender and come down with the catch.
Accentuates his athleticism by displaying excellent body control, footwork and field awareness along the sideline.
Surprising fluidity in his routes for a taller receiver; can drop his hips and make a cut without taking unnecessary snaps.
Has an uncanny knack of creating late separation on deep shots; generated a 51% separation rate against single-man coverage (draft class average is 38.5, per PFF).
Shows the necessary spatial awareness to find the voids in zone coverage, making him more of an option on intermediate throws than most traditional deep threats.
Negatives
Good luck finding a player worthy of being invited to the Combine who measured at 6-foot-4 and less than 200 pounds and went on to have success in the NFL. Pro cornerbacks who like to press (and are good at it) figure to make life very difficult for him at the line of scrimmage until he adds more muscle.
Although he stayed healthy after his freshman season, his durability will remain a question mark due to his lean frame.
Lack of functional play strength and elusiveness show up repeatedly after the catch; career 3.4 yards after the catch per reception.
Despite flashing some ability in contested-catch situations, he lost more 50-50 battles than he won every season (career 40.8% contested-catch success rate, including 7-for-17 in 2025).
Lined up almost exclusively at one spot (right outside), logging a total of 24 snaps in the slot in 2025.
Hard to find a player who cares less about blocking; he generally wasn't asked to block and doesn't have enough lower-body strength to do it well anyway.
Bottom Line
Volunteers head coach Josh Heupel just completed his fifth season at Tennessee and has yet to put a successful receiver in the NFL. (Cedric Tillman is the only one who has enjoyed even moderate success.) Jalin Hyatt and D'Onte Thornton were the first two size-speed freaks to enter the league playing the wide Z receiver in Heupel's offense and neither was well prepared for the NFL, to say the least. It is never a great idea to scout the helmet per se, but it is not a coincidence that two very talented wideouts with lean frames who fared very well in Heupel's offense are not doing well in the pros. The focus is on tempo and spreading the defense out as much as possible, not developing receivers for the next level. Making matters worse, Brazzell did not catch a red zone touchdown during his two-year stay at Tennessee, underscoring how big-play dependent he was for the Volunteers.
Two of the major differences between Brazzell and his predecessors (Hyatt and Thornton) are that Brazzell showed a hint of being able to do something besides outrunning coverage on deep balls. There is some nuance to his game, such as the fluidity he shows on routes that require something approaching the 90-degree cut needed on an out route or the aforementioned footwork along the sideline. One of his biggest problems from a prospect perspective is that Heupel's offense is so focused on space and pace that it does not prepare Tennessee receivers for many of the complexities in the NFL. Brazzell has the frame and athleticism to be a stud at the next level, but he probably needs at least 15 pounds of muscle to be ready for the rigors of the league. All of this is to say that - much like Hyatt and Thornton - he will enter the league behind many prospects in terms of readiness from a physical and football intelligence perspective. To what degree he succeeds in the NFL will greatly depend on how hard he works to compensate for the lack of instruction. The combination of those issues tends to be too much for most players. It is one reason why Martavis Bryant is a good player comp for him. Brazzell could enjoy immediate success as a freakish field-stretcher but ultimately wash out soon thereafter if he remains mostly a one-trick pony.
The Boston Celtics developed a deep roster over the course of the 2025-26 campaign, and it was ironically most apparent when they had just eight players available on Sunday night against the Orlando Magic. With most of the Celtics resting and sidelined — including stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, center Neemias Queta, guard Derrick White, and others — the bench was forced to step up. But to say they stepped up would be putting it lightly, as the undermanned Celtics took down the (mostly healthy) Magic 113-108 at TD Garden.
In just his fifth start of the season, center Luka Garza dazzled with a career-high 27 points, including a dagger 3-pointer with 32 seconds to go that essentially ruined the Magic's chances of capturing the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference. Celtics guard Ron Harper Jr., who had never started in an NBA game prior to this season, also finished with a career-high 27 points.
Against all odds the undermanned Celtics shock the Magic in one of the best games of the year: pic.twitter.com/T1Eid2X99O
Wing Baylor Scheierman rounded out the surprising, yet strong performances from the Celtics starters with a game-high (and career-high) 30 points in almost 39 minutes of play. His hustle on both ends of the floor boosted Boston and encapsulated the high effort of the Celtics, who largely outworked the Magic despite having nothing to play for in terms of seeding.
Up next for the 56-26 Celtics are the playoffs, which tip off for them on Sunday afternoon at TD Garden. The Green Team's first-round opponent will be the winner of a Wednesday night Play-In Tournament matchup between the Philadelphia 76ers and the aforementioned Magic.
But before the C's know who they're facing, let's take a look at the best photos from their stunning regular season finale:
Pep Guardiola has led Manchester City to six Premier League titles [Getty Images]
Former England captain Wayne Rooney says Manchester City "will have the edge" psychologically in the Premier League title race.
Leaders Arsenal, who are nine points clear having played two games more, travel to Etihad Stadium on Sunday (16:30 BST).
Speaking on The Wayne Rooney Show, he said City "know how to win the title" and "have a manager who knows how to do it".
"I think City will have the edge on that, just purely the manager and players they've got. They will be able to stay a little calmer than the Arsenal players," said Rooney.
"They will be worried because when you go on a run and lose a few games, you start thinking 'where's the next goal, the next win going to come from?' That negative mindset really has an impact on your performance."
Rooney said that whoever wins Sunday's "title decider" in Manchester will be favourites to win the league.
He added that he thinks a draw will be a "good point" for Arsenal, who may need to "play dirty".
Rooney added Mikel Arteta's side must "be tough to break down, make sure there's no gaps between the lines and try to hit them on the break".
He added: "Whether the fans like that type of football or not, they have to do anything to stop City winning. They need to be resilient enough to stop City from scoring."
Rooney said Spurs' performance was "a bit flat" in the north east, which prevented them being able to have a new-manager bounce in Roberto de Zerbi's first game in charge.
"Sometimes you get a bounce but I think you get that when a new manager comes in and you are front-footed and aggressive on the ball," he said. "I thought they were a bit in between."
The former England striker added that De Zerbi "needs to find some answers quickly" and that dropping to the Championship would be disastrous for the club.
"It will be a disaster for them if they do go [down]," said Rooney. "I think that's where some of those players probably are looking at it thinking if they go down they can move on and go to a different club.
"If they don't get back in the Premier League in the first year, that will be an absolute nightmare for them."
Tottenham have not won a Premier League match in 2026 and their next game is at home to Brighton on Saturday (17:30).
Rooney said they must figure out a way to win to help boost their confidence.
"If they can do that then they give themselves a chance. The longer it goes without winning is difficult for them."
It's official, the Golden State Warriors will face the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round of the play-in tournament. As the ninth and tenth seeds, the winner of that game will then face the loser of the Phoenix Suns and Portland Trail Blazers for a chance to play the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round of the playoffs.
For the Warriors, their play-in game against the Clippers will be a rematch of their season finale, which they lost 115-110 on Sunday, April 12. When speaking to the media after that game, Stephen Curry gave an honest assessment of the mindset his team must have when facing Kawhi Leonard and the rest of the Clippers roster.
"It's going to be fun. I mean, we know who they are. We've played them twice since the trade deadline," Curry said, via Joseph Dycus. "A little faster paced, obviously not Kawhi tonight, but you know what he's about and how well he's been playing...You know the tendencies. You know what our game plan is going to be. Just come with a level of focus. You obviously know, with a guy like Kawhi, you're going to play your best defense. He still can get his numbers, it's just how he gets them and making him work...We gotta be able to impose our will, even if he still gets his. That's the challenge to try to beat those guys."
Golden State has struggled when facing the Clippers this season, losing three of its four matchups. However, the play-in tournament will give them an opportunity to knock Ty Lue's team out of the running for a postseason spot. The most important thing for Golden State will be staying healthy between now and Wednesday, April 15, after all, injuries have been the recurring theme this season.
The Clippers will be a tough opponent. Fortunately for Golden State, when healthy, they have enough talent to go toe-to-toe with anyone in the NBA, and that includes Kawhi Leonard and the rest of the Clippers roster.
SIOUX CITY, IA (KCAU) – Here is a look at this week’s edition of our SportsZone Top 5 Plays of the Week!
5. Starting with number five in Leeds, where Sioux City North’s Kuma Gutema breaks past the defense and sneaks the ball past the goalie for the game’s first score in the final 15 minutes. The fans and the student section were feeling that one!
4. Let’s head to number four on the diamond at Dakota Valley. Two down and Madie Munch hits one to the moon! Two-run homer for the junior, and we bet the Artemis crew saw that one from orbit!
3. That sets us up for number three. It’s the Muskies’ first game of their 2026 playoff run. Luke Garry takes the loose puck and buries it for the 3-1 lead! Big score there for the green and gold!
2. Number two, we head back to the pitch. The Stars return this time with a dagger from Jose Mata Rivera. He has the touch and the howitzer, and he gets the crowd on their feet as they win 2-0!
1. Now, for our top play of the week, it’s South Sioux City’s Charly Perez making some magic happen, flicking it over the keeper under tight defense, for the slick goal!
Stay on the lookout for next week’s list!
Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
With the draft near, now is an excellent time to review the Chargers’ depth chart and determine if they need to address each position group.
First up: The offensive side of the ball.
Quarterback
Starter: Justin Herbert
Depth: Trey Lance, DJ Uiagalelei
The Chargers brought back Lance on a one-year deal. After stepping in as the backup throughout 2025, including a start in the regular-season finale, Lance gave the team reliable insurance behind Herbert. New offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel is familiar with Lance from their time together with the 49ers. Uiagalelei rounds out the room after spending his rookie year on the practice squad and earning a futures contract.
Running Back
Starter: Omarion Hampton
Depth: Keaton Mitchell, Kimani Vidal, Jaret Patterson, Amar Johnson
Hampton heads into the 2026 season as the clear-cut starter and featured back after an impressive rookie year, despite suffering an injury that kept him sidelined for a few games. Behind him, the room is a well-balanced mix of complementary pieces. Mitchell, who was signed to a two-year deal, brings explosive speed and big-play ability. Vidal is coming off a career year. He offers reliable change-of-pace work and receiving skills.
Fullback
Starter: Alec Ingold
After spending the past four years with the Dolphins, Ingold joins McDaniel in Los Angeles. He excels as a lead blocker, short-yardage contributor, and reliable pass-catching option out of the backfield. Meanwhile, Scott Matlock, who served as the fullback last season, will likely revert to playing exclusively as a defensive tackle.
Depth: Derius Davis, KeAndre Lambert-Smith, Luke Grimm, Dalevon Campbell, JaQuae Jackson
The Chargers are excited about the potential of his position under McDaniel. Leading the charge McConkey, who took a step back last season due to the presence of Keenan Allen. With Allen gone, McConkey should return to his rookie-season form and then some. Johnston enters a pivotal fourth season. After a productive 2025 campaign, the team must soon decide on his fifth-year option. Johnston is also a candidate for trade. Harris should see an expanded role as well. He flashed as a rookie with 30 catches for 324 yards and impressed as a blocker. The Bolts could look to the draft to get a wideout with speed and is at their best after the catch.
Tight end
Starter: Charlie Kolar
Depth: Oronde Gadsden, Tanner McLachlan, Thomas Yassmin
Kolar signed a three-year, $24.3 million deal. Known as one of the NFL's premier blocking tight ends, Kolar should boost the running game. He has shown untapped potential as a pass-catcher, which McDaniel will hopefully unlock. After a solid rookie season in 2025 where he recorded 49 receptions for 664 yards, Gadsden should continue to offer reliability as a receiver. I wouldn't be surprised if the Chargers look to add a versatile tight end to round out the group.
Offensive line
Starters: LT Rashawn Slater, LG Trevor Penning, C Tyler Biadasz, RG Cole Strange, RT Joe Alt
Depth: Trey Pipkins III, Branson Taylor, Josh Kaltenberger, Ben Cleveland
All of the starting interior offensive linemen from this past season departed. Bradley Bozeman retired, so the Chargers signed Tyler Biadasz to a three-year deal. Inked to a two-year, $13 million contract, Strange is slated to start at right guard, formerly played by Mekhi Becton. The starting left guard spot is currently up in the air. Trevor Penning is penciled in there as of now, but the Bolts will likely add one in the draft for competition at the very least. They could also draft a backup center to Biadasz, too.
Wales play international rugby games at the Principality Stadium [Huw Evans Picture Agency]
Here we go again.
Welsh rugby faces another crisis meeting as the latest extraordinary general meeting (EGM) is staged at the Principality Stadium on Monday evening.
The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) seems to attract these sort of events with EGM's held or called in 2014, 2020 and 2023.
The sting might have been taken out of this particular event after it was announced controversial chair Richard Collier-Keywood will step down in July - though in theory he may still face a vote of no-confidence this evening.
It could, however, turn into a "talking shop" rather than a meaningful and momentous event, but will provide the clubs and the WRU a chance to plot the future of the troubled Welsh rugby game.
Will there be anything to vote on?
It seems unlikely but is still technically possible.
The Central Glamorgan Rugby Union (CGRU) initially succeeded in receiving the required 10% of backing from Welsh clubs to call the EGM.
It had proposed three motions, which included a vote of no-confidence in WRU chair Collier-Keywood and Professional Rugby Board (PRB) chair Malcolm Wall.
The third motion involved governance changes which included how the four council WRU members - who sit on the governing body's board - are elected.
It has since been announced both Collier-Keywood and Wall will be leaving their respective roles. Former Harlequins chairman Wall has been replaced on an interim basis by Marianne Okland, while the process has been started to replace Collier-Keywood.
Following the announcement of those departures, the CGRU wrote to clubs stating it would withdraw the motions and believed the EGM should be cancelled.
The WRU rejected calls for the meeting to be called off, saying legal obligations dictate it must go ahead.
The governing body wrote to member clubs to check if any object to the resolutions being withdrawn from the EGM, given that 40 of the original 50 member clubs that requisitioned the meeting proactively withdrew their support.
If clubs responded to this letter requesting to keep the resolutions on the table, the EGM will open with all members being asked to consent to the withdrawal of the resolutions.
If consent is not obtained, the EGM will continue as originally planned and members will vote on the three resolutions.
If no objections are received, the EGM will take place as an informal meeting which will include a WRU presentation about the "future of rugby in Wales" followed by an open discussion.
Clubs can attend in person at the Principality Stadium or online with at least 95 clubs needed in order for the meeting to begin without delay, if resolutions are to be considered.
WRU board members will be in attendance. Whether outgoing Collier-Keywood - now effectively a "lame duck" chair - is present or speaks remains to be seen, with WRU chief executive Abi Tierney and director of rugby Dave Reddin the other key figures.
The WRU's most controversial plan is to cut the number of men's professional teams from four to three by June 2027.
We are waiting to see whether the WRU leadership will change their minds again about how many teams it wants and whether three is still the magic number.
After disputes with Ospreys and Scarlets, the WRU then stated it could not afford four sides any more and in August said its preferred option was two teams.
Following a consultation in September, that was changed to three teams with one to be based in the west, one in the east and one in Cardiff.
There have been no signs the WRU is planning to alter its thinking again but how it gets to three remains problematic.
That proposal has been met with criticism and protests from fans and politicians. Legal action has been initiated by Swansea Council against the WRU with doubts over Ospreys' long-term future.
The WRU has tried to convince people that the Cardiff takeover deal by Ospreys is not connected with their efforts to reduce a side, insisting publicly the two issues are separate.
The governing body says if it cannot come to an agreement with the regions about losing a professional side by consensus, a tender process will take place.
Separately, the WRU has had to deal with legal action instigated by Scarlets over the Cardiff takeover with both sides refusing to publicly release details of the case.
It remains to be seen how much the clubs challenge the WRU once they have heard the presentation.
At the annual general meeting (AGM) in November, a day after Wales had lost 73-0 to South Africa in Cardiff, there was only one question for the WRU hierarchy from the clubs about the men's professional game.
The CGRU had suggested a few recommendations to be discussed, alongside the motions that included:
An immediate hold on plans to amend the structure of the professional game, with a full review of WRU finances and organisation structure to be undertaken to identify where money can be saved (executive and board salaries, consultants) to support the professional, SRC and community game in Wales.
A rugby steering group to be set up within three weeks comprising of people from the professional, SRC and community game along with business sector. This group will be directed to advise on rugby related matters and negate the need for expensive consultants.
A central national academy to be set up within three months to be totally responsible for the identification and development of talent for male and female players.
Except for the WRU chief executive, chair and the Professional Rugby Board (PRB) chair, no directors (independent non-executive or WRU council members) should be paid.
The new WRU chair and PRB chair appointments should be immersed in Welsh culture, have a strong understanding of Welsh rugby and values, ideally be conversant in the Welsh language and live in Wales.
We wait to see whether any of these points are raised and debated.
What the WRU say about the meeting
WRU president Terry Cobner is urging the clubs to attend the meeting.
"We are embracing the EGM as an opportunity to discuss important matters about the future of the game in Wales with our membership," said Cobner.
"We are calling on all member clubs to attend, either in person or virtually, so they can listen once again to our plans, but also so they can contribute openly and we can hear their views.
"We will also be prepared to host voting on the three resolutions that had been tabled should that be required.
"But, it is vitally important we hear from our full membership and we are looking forward to, at the very least, a healthy and constructive debate on this issue and others.
"We relish this chance for Welsh rugby to gather as one and hope member clubs are able to answer the call to attend in their numbers."
The EGM at the Principality Stadium is scheduled to start at 18:00 (BST).
A surefire sign of a sports star who wants to achieve true greatness is the ability to recalibrate, realign and reach their next goal.
Jack Nicklaus had that quality. Tiger Woods also had it.
Rory McIlroy is highly unlikely to reach the same number of major wins as the two finest golfers to have ever picked up a club but, after becoming only the fourth player to successfully defend the Masters title, he has shown he has the same ability to chase down new targets.
Last year at Augusta National, McIlroy also earned his place in history as the sixth man to sweep the board at the four major tournaments - the Masters, US PGA Championship, the Open Championship and the US Open.
Afterwards, he searched for new purpose having scaled his "golfing Everest".
It is no secret of where his ambitions lie now: climbing as high as possible on the list of major wins.
"If you win more than one major you're semi-elite. To have won three of the majors means you have had an exceptional career," Ken Brown, the BBC golf commentator and former European Ryder Cup player said.
"But to win the Grand Slam and back-to-back Masters? It puts you in the spot where you are living with the absolute greats who have played the game in the modern era."
After securing a sixth major title at Augusta National on Sunday, where does the 36-year-old from Northern Ireland go next and where does he now sit in the pantheon of golfing greats?
Jack Nicklaus' record tally of 18 men's major titles - set in 1986 - remains the target [Getty Images]
Nicklaus & Woods still reign - how far behind is McIlroy?
When McIlroy emerged as a swashbuckling, shot-making force in the 2010s, many observers marked him out as a player who would claim multiple majors.
They were right, of course, but the bold predictions of the curly-haired youngster from Holywood racking up figures to challenge Nicklaus and Woods proved too dizzy.
McIlroy confidently claimed four majors between 2011 and 2014 to underline why he was considered a generational talent.
Claiming his third and fourth with back-to-back wins at the Open Championship and US PGA Championship in 2014 led to giddy thoughts of what he might go on to achieve.
Talk immediately turned to McIlroy completing the career Grand Slam at the 2015 Masters.
The weight of expectation began to bother McIlroy, not only when he made the annual pilgrimage to Augusta National, but at all of the majors.
The drought went on longer and longer as several chances were missed, most notably at the 2018 Masters, 2022 Open and back-to-back US Opens in 2023 and 2024.
The question of 'when' McIlroy would win his fifth major began to be asked less. People were now wondering 'if' he would ever add to his haul.
"Each year was getting more and more pressure," said Brown.
"You get older and older. And then you start to question yourself: 'I've had a chance to win it there, I should have won it that year, I could have done it then. Am I ever going to do it?'
"This monkey was seriously on his back."
McIlroy eventually got over the line at the Masters last year, finally completing the full house and ending a painful 11-year fallow period.
In the post-victory celebrations he was already looking ahead and detailing how he felt achieving his golfing dream would "free him up" to add more majors.
How many could he get to? Those predictions made over a decade ago that he could challenge the numbers posted by Nicklaus and Woods remain fanciful.
However, history shows McIlroy - who turns 37 next month and has a body seemingly equipped for longevity - should have plenty of time left to add more.
Phil Mickelson became the oldest man to win a major when, just 24 days short of his 51st birthday, he claimed the US PGA Championship at Kiawah Island in 2021.
"Rory is as fit as a fiddle. He's so diligent with his fitness work. I think virtually every day he does an hour just working on his legs," said Brown.
"He's never going to say, 'Oh, I'll just have the day off'. He has that level of intensity which passes people by when you see someone play.
"He is one of the greats because he's always working on something. But to win a lot of majors you've got to be fit, you've got to be strong, you've got to make sure you're mentally prepared for it every week. Rory is."
Faldo & Seve eclipsed - is McIlroy now Europe's greatest?
For the time being, there are more achievable goals that would serve to underline McIlroy's greatness.
"He wants to be known as the greatest European of all-time," said former European Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley.
Current skipper Luke Donald has already declared McIlroy as top of the pile.
Winning back-to-back Masters moved him alongside England's Sir Nick Faldo on six majors and one clear of Spain's Seve Ballesteros.
Jersey's Harry Vardon remains clear of the modern-era set after winning seven majors between 1896 and 1914 - a record six Opens and one US Open in a time before the US PGA Championship and Masters existed.
Nevertheless, there is already a compelling argument that McIlroy is the greatest player to emerge from Europe.
It could not be credibly disputed on the basis of the statistics if he draws level with or eclipses Vardon.
McIlroy has won 30 times on the PGA Tour - long established as the strongest test of a player's ability - including two victories at the US-based tour's flagship Players Championship.
Outside his three Masters and three Open titles, Faldo won only three other events that count on the PGA Tour, although he played in a different time when the European Tour was stronger.
McIlroy is also homing in on a record eighth victory in the European tour's season-long race.
Last season he clinched a seventh Race to Dubai title - his fourth in succession - to eclipse Ballesteros' tally of six and leave him one behind Colin Montgomerie's record.
"As much as many of us might think that he's already Europe's best ever, he didn't have as many major championships as Nick Faldo or Harry Vardon," added McGinley.
"Even though he has caught Nick he hasn't caught Vardon. There's always another level to reach and I think he has reset his goals in that regard."
Clear of Koepka & Scheffler - best of his generation?
Looking at a more recent era, there is a valid argument McIlroy is the best player of his generation globally.
McIlroy's tally of six majors has not been matched by anyone else since he won his first at the 2011 US Open.
By winning his second Masters, McIlroy pulled clear of American five-time major champion Brooks Koepka (three US PGA and two US Open titles) and extended the gap on current world number one Scottie Scheffler, who has four.
Dominating the majors is no easy feat, though, and only 10 men - including McIlroy in 2014 - have won multiple majors in a single year since 2000.
Given the quality of the current crop of players, it would be brave to predict McIlroy will be able to go on a run.
Scheffler, 28, is the obvious name who poses the biggest threat, but there is a long list - with the likes of Justin Rose, Cameron Young, Tommy Fleetwood and Xander Schauffele particularly standing out - capable of major success.
"It is quite possible that he could have a battle royale with Scottie Scheffler in a month's time at the US PGA - that would be amazing," said BBC golf correspondent Iain Carter.
"Put that into the context of this being the first Masters since 1994 where we've had no Phil Mickelson and no Tiger Woods - this is golf which has gone completely full circle.
"We have our superstars now and we don't have to think about those great names from the past any more."
For now, McIlroy has reemerged as the standout star. How much further can he soar?
The Oklahoma City Thunder finished their 2025-26 regular season with a 135-103 loss to the Phoenix Suns on Sunday. The inconsequential matchup was played out of necessity as both teams had their seeding locked up.
Nikola Topic had 18 points and 14 assists. Branden Carlson had 26 points and 10 rebounds. Payton Sandfort finished with 23 points off the bench. Kenrich Williams tallied 13 points, nine rebounds and eight assists.
Jamaree Bouyea finished with 27 points and nine assists. Ryan Dunn had 20 points and 11 rebounds. Koby Brea tallied 20 points and five rebounds. Khaman Maluach finished with 18 points and 14 rebounds.
Let's look at some of the best photos from the Thunder's 32-point loss to the Suns:
Rory McIlroy says he has no plans "to stop here" after emerging from a white knuckle final round to retain the Masters and match European great Sir Nick Faldo's haul of six major titles.
Tied with Cameron Young overnight, McIlroy slipped two shots off the lead after six holes but rallied to beat Scottie Scheffler by a stroke at Augusta National and become the fourth player to win successive Masters.
Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald said McIlroy is "undoubtedly the best European golfer of all time now" as he moved to within one of Harry Vardon, the Jersey-born golfer who between 1896-1914 won a record six Open Championships and a US Open in a time before the Masters or US PGA Championship had been established.
Faldo won three Masters and three Open titles between 1989-96.
However, McIlroy is the only European to have won all four majors.
American Jack Nicklaus holds the Masters and overall record with six and 18 respectively, with Tiger Woods having won five times at Augusta and 15 majors.
"I tie Nick, so there's going to be that conversation and debate. It's a cool conversation to be a part of," he said when asked about being considered Europe's greatest.
"It took me 10 years to win my fifth major, and then my sixth one's come pretty soon after it. I'm not putting a number on it, but I certainly don't want to stop here."
With three more majors to come this year, McIlroy added he does not anticipate the "lull of motivation" he felt in the wake of his career Grand Slam-sealing Masters win last year.
To win last year, McIlroy needed to beat Justin Rose - who finished tied third on Sunday having led by two at the turn - in a sudden death play-off after bogeying the 72nd hole.
And he did not make it much easier for himself this time around. Having scorched the field to take a record six-shot lead after 36 holes, he stuttered to a one-over 73 on Saturday.
Tied with Young going into Sunday, Northern Ireland's McIlroy heaped pressure on himself with a sloppy double-bogey five on the fourth after three-putting from eight feet.
He dropped another shot at the par-three sixth, but after mixing four birdies with seven pars to build a two-shot lead over world number one Scheffler heading to the last, he said his "greatest stress" on Sunday was not knowing where his ball ended up on the 18th after flailing his drive right and in among the trees.
"It could go anywhere. It could be anywhere," added the world number two, who also drew level with Americans Phil Mickelson and Lee Trevino on six majors.
"There were a few others. I thought my second putt on 11 was huge to avoid making bogey there."
Despite falling behind Young and Rose, and with Scheffler creeping up the leaderboard, McIlroy insisted he never felt as though his chance had slipped away.
"If I hadn't birdied the seventh and eighth holes, I would have started to push a little bit," added the 36-year-old, who became just the sixth wire-to-wire Masters winner.
"But I think the birdies on seven and eight, Justin bogeying 11 and 12, and then me birdieing 12, I never felt like I was out of it. I never felt like I had to press at all."
McIlroy missed a six-footer for birdie on nine before taking control at Augusta National's famed Amen Corner which takes in the latter half of the 11th hole, all of 12 and the tee shot on 13.
He followed a gutsy par save on 11 with birdies at the next two holes.
McIlroy played a wonderful shot to seven feet on the par-three 12th - closer than any other player on Sunday - to make what he called a "bonus" birdie before finding the fairway at the par-five 13th for the first time this year which led to another birdie
"Last year, I had that three or four-shot cushion going to the 13th tee, and I started to be a little defensive. That came back to bite me a little bit," he added, referring to hitting his third shot into the creek that protects the green as he made a double bogey.
"So I stayed aggressive. Even though I hit three really poor tee shots on 13 the first three days, I stayed aggressive, and finally I made a good swing and hit a good tee shot.
"Staying aggressive and staying committed, especially on those two holes, definitely served me this week."
While McIlroy admitted he was not as emotional as last year when he tapped in the winning putt, he said it was "amazing" to savour the moment with his parents, who did not make the trip to Augusta 12 months ago.
"I caught myself on the golf course a couple of times thinking about them, and I was like no, not yet, not yet. It's really cool to have them here," said McIlroy, who choked back tears as he thanked them during his winning speech.
"I had to convince them to come this year because they thought the reason I won last year was because they weren't here.
"I'm glad we proved that wrong, so they can keep coming as long as they want. It's amazing to have them here. I'm excited to celebrate with them."
OKLAHOMA CITY — Playing the regular-season finale out of necessity, this consequence-free outing shaped more into a two-hour party than an actual basketball game. Nothing left to prove in the regular season for the reigning NBA champions. Instead, this acted as the calm before the playoff storm.
The Oklahoma City Thunder fell in a forgettable 135-103 loss to the Phoenix Suns. Anybody hoping to finish the regular season with a bang was quickly disappointed.
Just like last game, the Thunder sat out their nine best players. Only one longtime starter suited up in Lu Dort — and that was only to meet the 65-game requirement to qualify for an All-Defense Team. The other seven guys who suited up were end-of-the-bench players plus the three two-way guys.
The Suns did the same. Stuck in the seventh seed, they sat out all of their starters. They'll get two chances to clinch a playoff spot this upcoming week in the play-in tournament. Which means there's a coin flip chance they return to OKC in a week for a Round 1 matchup.
Things got out of hand pretty quickly. The Thunder fell in a 26-5 deficit in the first eight minutes. Just some bad two-sided basketball. On offense, nobody could create their own look. They leaned on Nikola Topic's playmaking to generate looks. And on defense, Ryan Dunn bullied his way to the rim. The Suns put up some video-game-esque shooting splits.
Zapping any watchability of this game, the Suns scored 21 consecutive points in the first quarter. The Thunder were in a 37-19 deficit after the frame. It only got worse from there. Phoenix ripped off eight straight points during the second frame. While OKC looked better with 33 points, it still was a ways behind on the scoreboard.
The only highlights were Jared McCain's rare dunk and Chet Holmgren — fully suited up like Slenderman — hopping off the bench and using one of the ball boy's mops to poke out a wedged ball. Oh, Game 82 of the NBA regular season — you garden some fun and weird moments across the league.
The Thunder entered halftime in a 70-52 deficit. Let's be blunt — this game was over. Most OKC fans likely had their eyes glued to the Denver Nuggets' matchup against the San Antonio Spurs. That had much more dire effects on OKC's title odds. Especially since the former locked into the third seed and is on the opposite side of the playoff bracket from the reigning NBA champions. More on that later, though.
Coming out of the halftime break, it was much of the same story. Dort eventually checked out once he logged 20 minutes. And while Topic put up some pretty impressive tape, nobody else on the Thunder had anything really going. That was until Branden Carlson became an alley-oop threat.
The Thunder scored 25 points in the third quarter. They trailed 104-77 to the Suns. At one point, they were down by as many as 32 points. That will surely hurt OKC's point differential and net rating — for those who care about such miscellaneous activities.
In front of a quarter-filled OKC crowd, the Thunder played out the fourth quarter. They scored 26 points. The local broadcast reminisced on their final game. Thanks to the NBA's new partners, every playoff game will be shown on national TV. Before, Round 1 was also shown on local broadcasts. It was also the last game of the FanDuel Sports Network era.
The Thunder shot 43% from the field and went 18-of-46 (39.1%) from 3. They shot 3-of-9 on free throws. They had 32 assists on 41 baskets. Four Thunder players scored double-digit points.
Topic finished with 18 points and 14 assists. Carlson had 26 points and 10 rebounds. Payton Sandfort dropped 23 points with five outside jumpers. Kenrich Williams flirted with a triple-double with 13 points, nine rebounds and eight assists.
Meanwhile, the Suns shot 55% from the field and went 20-of-41 (48.8%) from 3. They shot 3-of-6 on free throws. They had 28 assists on 56 baskets. Seven Suns players scored double-digit points.
Jamaree Bouyea went off for 27 points and nine assists. Dunn had 20 points and 11 rebounds. Koby Brea had 20 points and five rebounds. Amir Coffey scored 17 points. Khaman Maluach tallied an 18-point and 14-rebound double-double. Rasheer Fleming had 16 points and six rebounds. Finally, CJ Huntley scored 10 points.
And just like that, the Thunder finish the 2025-26 regular season. Man, time sure does fly. This was a pretty forgettable game with literally zero stakes. At least Topic had a strong two games to finish his tumultuous rookie year that only started right before the All-Star break. He flashed his scoring and playmaking skills. Elsewhere, though, not much else. At least the two-way guys got serious minutes for their last game of the year.
And even though the Thunder were beaten up at home, they gotta be in a good mood with the regular-season finale. The Nuggets stole a game against the Spurs. Shoutout to Nikola Jokic's one-half of play and the rest of their squad. With their win, OKC will now only have to worry about one of those two teams in a potential Western Conference Finals. The plan is that the survivor will enter limping. You need as much luck as talent to win an NBA championship. The Thunder are off to a good start in that department.
Let's look at Thunder player grades:
Nikola Topic: A-plus
Going full speed, Topic ran the full floor to get the Thunder going in the second half. His pass-fake fooled Maluach enough for him to go right at the basket. He muscled his way through the Suns' rookie contest for the running layup. Talk about finesse as the 20-year-old showed off his potential again.
Topic finished with 18 points on 8-of-16 shooting, 14 assists and four rebounds. He shot 2-of-5 from 3 and went 0-of-3 on free throws.
If you stomached through this whole game, Topic at least salvaged some of your time. Receiving another start, he showed why he was a lottery pick just two years ago. The Thunder ran their offense through him. Mostly out of both necessity and experimentation. He showed out as the primary ball-handler.
Bulldozing his way through Phoenix defenders, Topic showed his downhill ability. The 20-year-old attacks the paint with a full head of steam. There are no signs of hesitation or overthinking when the ball is in his hands. He had some difficult finishes that made your eyes pop out in excitement. He also showed off his range once again. A couple of outside jumpers displayed how fearless he is to let it fly — even if there's someone on his grill.
And then there's the playmaking. Oh, boy. Topic set an OKC rookie record for most assists in a single game. Familiar with his OKC Blue teammates, he orchestrated their offense. Whether it was dump-off passes near the rim or throwing up alley-oops or spraying it out to the perimeter. He got into a flow as their offensive engine. Mix that with some daring passes, and you heard plenty of folks audibly 'ooh' and 'aah' at his highlight reel.
Honestly, it was dope to see Topic play like this. He logged back-to-back point-assist double-doubles to finish his rookie season. Whenever the Thunder are asked about his journey and resilience, they gush nonstop. Hard to blame them, either. He was just going through chemotherapy five months ago. Now, he's playing entire NBA games. Still a feel-good story, the 20-year-old has also graduated into having real potential.
Setting a screen for a curling Topic, Carlson quickly rolled to the basket. Left open at the dunker spot, the 26-year-old had no problem going up for the alley-oop connection. He left it all on the floor as he played his final game of the 2025-26 season.
Carlson finished with 26 points on 10-of-20 shooting, 10 rebounds and one assist. He shot 5-of-10 from 3 and went 1-of-2 on free throws. He also had five blocks and two steals.
One of the handful of plays that actually worked for the Thunder, they spammed Carlson's lob-catching ability. He didn't mind it, though. The seven-footer got up plenty of shot attempts. Eventually, he found a rhythm with 13 points in the fourth quarter. That included three outside jumpers.
As the sole center, Carlson was everybody's best friend. He helped his Thunder teammates notch easy assists. While he's categorized as a stretch big, he's shown a sneaky talent to get up there and throw the ball down through traffic for loud alley-oop plays. He's no prime DeAndre Jordan, but he has a large enough catch radius to warrant the attempts.
On defense, Carlson was a block machine. He's not as nimble or quick on his feet as Holmgren, but he can easily deny undersized players who dare to go at him. Putting up five blocks is one of those box-score stats that exemplify wacky NBA regular-season basketball in March and April.
Cool for Carlson to go all out and stuff the statsheet. He's been an awesome two-way player since he arrived at the Thunder last season. Perhaps a little too good for his spot. He helped them survive a plethora of injuries in their frontcourt. These last two games of playing nearly the entire 48 minutes were a nice treat for his work.
Camping at the left corner spot, Sandfort waved his hand up as soon as the ball touched the paint. He knows his bread and butter. The Thunder kept feeding him passes as he knocked down catch-and-shoot looks. Starting the season injured, this was a nice ribbon to tie up his first year.
Sandfort finished with 23 points on 9-of-13 shooting and four rebounds. He shot 5-of-9 from 3. He also had one steal.
Scoring possessions up for grabs, Sandfort took him a handful. The 23-year-old caught fire from the outside. The Thunder gladly fed him the ball while on his heater. He eventually mixed things up when he had a handful of floaters inside the paint. Good for him and the rest of the two-way players to get their moment in the sunshine.
Sandfort was the last player to join the Thunder this season. He was signed to a two-way deal in March. That only happened after he cleared some physical hurdles. He missed all of the offseason and the start of the G League season recovering from torn labrums on both of his shoulders. Brutal luck. Especially for somebody known for their outside shooting.
After overcoming that, the Thunder added Sandfort. He's seldom played. But he put up some serious minutes off the bench in these last two games of the regular season. Nice way for him to finish his rookie year after he had doubts about even making the NBA to begin with.
Poking the ball out of Bouyea's pocket, McCain got ahead of the crowd. He ran full court as Topic flung the ball in his direction. The 22-year-old showed off some rare hops as he threw down an ultra-rare one-handed dunk in transition. You could see Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams jump up and down in excitement.
McCain finished with nine points on 4-of-13 shooting, four rebounds and two assists. He shot 0-of-4 from 3 and went 1-of-2 on free throws. He also had one steal.
Of the eight players who suited up, McCain has the second-best odds to get playoff minutes — sorry, Aaron Wiggins. It all depends on his jumper, though. If he can knock down outside looks, he could give the Thunder some big-time buckets. If not, it's difficult to keep him on the floor.
Playing in the regular-season finale, McCain's jumper didn't fall. But he made up for it with some difficult finishes in the packed paint. He checked out for the final time with a little over four minutes left in the third quarter. That alone should tell you what the Thunder think of his possible playoff impact.
We'll see what happens. Mostly running it back with the same group, he's the only newbie in OKC's playoff run this year. It'll also be his first playoff run — period. You never know how a role player reacts to those high-leverage environments. Good news is, the Thunder's back-to-back hopes won't really depend on him.
In a high-profile matchup, Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets (52-30) will face LeBron James and the Lakers (53-29) in the first round of the 2026 NBA playoffs.
Game 1 tips off in Los Angeles on Saturday, April 18 at 7:30 p.m. Central, and it will be televised and streamed to a national audience via ABC. The availability of Luka Doncic (hamstring strain) and Austin Reaves (oblique strain), who led the Lakers in scoring this season, remains very much in doubt.
Dates for the remainder of the best-of-seven series will be announced following results of the SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament, which takes place from April 14-17.
Games 3 and 4, along with a possible Game 6, will be played at Toyota Center in Houston — where the Rockets went 29-12 at home this season.
Tickets to all potential first-round home games in Houston can be purchased on Monday, April 13, with additional information available at the team’s official website of Rockets.com.
Ime Udoka said the Rockets were watching the end of the Nuggets-Spurs game in the locker room.
On playing the shorthanded LA Lakers in the first round:
"For us, obviously it's fresh that we lost two games to them recently and then kind of flipped the switch since then. Had a… pic.twitter.com/pTPuIAheeA
Historically, this will be the 10th time for the Rockets and Lakers to meet in the NBA playoffs, and the first since the 2020 Western Conference semifinals. That series was played in Orlando as part of the NBA’s “bubble” experience.
Since NBA adopted its current 16-team playoff format in 1983-84, the fourth- and fifth-seeded teams have an even series record against each other (42-42). The Rockets won their second title in 1994-95 as the sixth seed and are still the lowest-seeded champion in NBA history.
The 2025-26 Rockets finished their regular season with Sunday’s 132-101 victory (box score) over Memphis, which featured Clint Capela leading the way with a season-high 23 points (81.8% FG), 13 rebounds, and 3 blocks.
Since the Rockets were locked into the West’s No. 5 seed before the game, Durant, Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson, and Jabari Smith Jr. all sat out to rest. Each is believed to be healthy, and all should be fully available for Game 1 against the Lakers next weekend.
The NBA playoff picture has taken shape. Now, all that has to be determined is what teams will be the seventh and eighth seeds in each conference. Those positions will be settled through the Play-In Tournament, which starts on Tuesday.
There will be one Eastern Conference game on Tuesday between the 10th-seeded Miami Heat and ninth-seed Charlotte Hornets. The other game that day pits the Portland Trail Blazers (8) and Phoenix Suns (7). On Wednesday, the Orlando Magic (8) visit the Philadelphia 76ers (7) and the Golden State Warriors (10) are at the Los Angeles Clippers (9).
Each conference’s No. 7 team will play host to the No. 8 team. The winners secure the No. 7 seed. The losers get another chance to earn a playoff spot.
Each conference’s No. 9 team will play host to the No. 10 team. The winners will advance to the final stage of the Play-In Tournament. The losers are eliminated.
The losers of the No. 7 vs. No. 8 matchups will play host to the winners of the No. 9 vs. No. 10 matchups. The winners secure the No. 8 seeds.
The Los Angeles Lakers took the court on Sunday for one final tune-up before the start of the NBA playoffs. They faced the Utah Jazz, a team that came in tied for the worst record in the Western Conference and has allegedly been tanking for a while now.
The Jazz had a number of their key guys out due to injury, while Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves and Jaxson Hayes were out of action for the Lakers. This game was never really competitive, as L.A. got out to a double-digit lead midway through the first quarter and never looked back. Even though it played mostly its reserves throughout the second half, it kept increasing its lead and cruised to a 131-107 victory.
Los Angeles shot 54.8% from the field and 44.1% from 3-point range, notched 37 assists on 51 made baskets and had 20 fast-break points. The team finished the regular season with a 53-29 record, and with the Denver Nuggets defeating the San Antonio Spurs, it claimed the fourth seed in the Western Conference, which means it will face the Houston Rockets in the first round of the playoffs.
Luke Kennard: C
Kennard played just 11 minutes, attempted only one shot (which he made) and finished with three points and one assist.
Marcus Smart: C-plus
Smart shot just 1-of-7 overall and 1-of-5 from 3-point land, limiting him to five points, but he dished off 10 assists and added two rebounds and one steal. His mere presence on the court will be invaluable during the playoffs, as the Lakers didn't have a backcourt player with that kind of experience last season when they lost in five games to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round.
Rui Hachimura: A-plus
Hachimura was on point throughout the 29 minutes he got versus Utah. He made eight of his 12 field-goal attempts, three of his five 3-point tries and three of his four free throw attempts, giving him 22 points. He also grabbed 10 rebounds, which was tied for the team high in that category, and he added one steal.
In the last five games, ever since Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves went down with hamstring and oblique strains, respectively, Hachimura averaged 16.6 points a contest on 60% overall shooting and 61.1% 3-point shooting. His aggressiveness offensively will be a big key to the Lakers' success in the playoffs, and it would also greatly help if he pounds the boards hard.
Deandre Ayton: A
Ayton had a great showing on Sunday. By making a team high 10 shots on 14 attempts, he scored 22 points, and he also gobbled up 10 rebounds, blocked three shots and added one assist.
He's another player who will need to step things up if the Lakers are to get past the first round of the playoffs. But his teammates can greatly help in that regard by feeding him the ball in the paint early and often, especially as long as Doncic and Reaves are out of action.
LeBron James: B-plus
James got 17 minutes of playing time on Sunday and didn't play at all in the second half. He made pretty good use of the time he got on the court and scored 18 points on 6-of-15 shooting and 6-of-7 from the foul line while adding six assists, four rebounds and three steals.
He has looked fresh ever since he reverted to his old role as the Lakers' main superstar about a week ago, and he seems to be very ready to drop big numbers during the playoffs.
Nick Smith Jr.: B-plus/A-minus
Armed with a two-year standard NBA contract after previously playing on a two-way deal this season, Smith turned in 12 points on 5-of-11 overall shooting and 2-of-6 from downtown, plus one assist in 18 minutes. His fluidity, ability to handle the basketball, score off the bounce and occasionally hit the open man can help prevent James, Kennard and Smart from burning themselves out.
Jake LaRavia: C-minus
LaRavia shot 1-of-3 and scored just two points in 25 minutes, but he did contribute four rebounds, three assists, two steals and one block. While he can be counted on to hustle on the boards and on the defensive end, his scoring must be there, and he must hit from the outside often enough for L.A. to advance.
Bronny James: A
The younger James was on the court for 19 minutes against Utah, and he finished the regular season with a nice performance. He shot 4-of-7 overall and 3-of-4 from beyond the arc, giving him 11 points. He also did a nice job of hitting the open man when appropriate, which resulted in him getting four assists against zero turnovers, and he also chipped in one rebound and one steal.
Jarred Vanderbilt: B
In 16 minutes, Vanderbilt scored four points and had four rebounds, two assists, two steals and one block.
Maxi Kleber: B-plus
Kleber gave the Lakers two points, six rebounds and one block in 15 minutes. While he won't contribute much, if at all, in terms of scoring and is no longer an outside shooting threat, his ability to play with physicality, especially defensively and on the boards, will come in handy against Alperen Sengun and Clint Capela of the Rockets.
Dalton Knecht: A
Knecht had what was likely his best game of this season. In just 12 minutes, he scored a season-high 17 points by making six of his nine shot attempts and five of his six attempts from 3-point land. He also added four assists, two rebounds and one steal.
This was the first time he scored in double figures since a Dec. 30 loss to the Detroit Pistons.
Adou Thiero: B-plus
Thiero got onto the court for 12 minutes on Sunday, and he made all four of his shot attempts, giving him eight points. He also chipped in four rebounds and two assists to close out his first regular season in the NBA.
Drew Timme, Chris Mañon: Incomplete
The Lakers' two remaining two-way contract players got seven minutes apiece of playing time in this game. Both converted one basket, with Timme's bucket coming from beyond the 3-point line. Timme also had two assists and one steal, and Mañon logged two rebounds and one assist.
BOSTON — To the untrained eye, the Boston Celtics' 113-108 win over the Orlando Magic on Sunday night was extraordinary. The C's had just eight players available and couldn't advance or fall in the standings, so one would expect them to take the virtual rest day easy. Meanwhile, the Magic had nearly their whole lineup healthy and could improve their seeding, making the matchup theoretically mean a lot more to them.
That's not how things went down at TD Garden, though. The Celtics played harder and were fueled by several guys motivated to prove themselves, even in the last game of the season. And while Boston's benchwarmers defeating the Magic's starters was stunning in some ways, it also epitomized what the Celtics had done all season long: exceed expectations.
I asked Joe Mazzulla how proud he is of his guys for persevering and exceeding expectations tonight and all season long:
“We said it all year, one through 15, whoever steps on the floor there is an expectation to put us in position with the opportunity to win. Stick to the… pic.twitter.com/ahxhkexanQ
“We said it all year, 1 through 15, whoever steps on the floor there is an expectation to put us in position with the opportunity to win," Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla told Celtics Wire following the regular season finale. "Stick to the process of winning. Today is no different than the other 81 games from the standpoint of we had...eight guys and the expectation is to put us in a position to win, to execute, to play hard, to play together."
On Sunday, the Celtics had four players set career-highs for scoring, including wing Baylor Scheierman (30 points), center Luka Garza (27 points), guard Ron Harper Jr. (27 points), and rookie John Tonje (13 ponts). Despite these incredible and largely unexpected performances, Mazzulla emphasized that it was nothing out of the ordinary for his hard-working squad that never quits.
"Today is no different than the other 81 times," Mazzulla said. "Regardless of who’s in, who’s out."
Ron Harper Jr. on how the Celtics stay steady and even-keeled:
“We definitely didn’t go into this game thinking it was David vs. Goliath…We came into the game expecting to compete and expecting to win.” pic.twitter.com/zxB2EVx6GK
While some would argue that the aforementioned Celtics overachieving and helping upset the Magic perfectly encapsulates why Mazzulla should be Coach of the Year, he'd never propose that argument himself. At the end of the day, he'll always credit his players first.
"I think today is kind of the perfect example of just the locker room and the group of guys that we have," he said. "Everybody knows that if you’re on the floor, you’re expected to play a certain way to put us in a position to win, and the guys did that tonight.”
Where the Magic made careless mistakes, the Celtics played connected. Boston's starting five wasn't one that had ever been used before, yet the young, largely inexperienced group seemed more at ease than Orlando's crew.
“No matter who (Mazzulla) puts on the court, you know they're going to play hard for him and for each other," Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley said prior to his team's disappointing defeat.
Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley on the Celtics being inspired by Joe Mazzulla:
“They have a hell of a coach.”
“No matter who he puts on the court, you know they're going to play hard for him and for each other.” pic.twitter.com/OfYZmO2hm0
Although the Celtics' on-court success stems from their strong, persevering locker room identity, they also received a boost from their surroundings. Despite the fact that the C's essentially had nothing to play for on Sunday, the crowd was rocking and treating Game 82 like it was Game 7 of a playoff series.
"I thought the crowd was tremendous for us tonight...and I think they kept us in it," Mazzulla praised. "I think the great thing about our fans is, one, they're smart, they know good basketball. Two, they care about winning. They care about playing the right way."
Before the season even began, some members of that same crowd likely doubted the Celtics. Few fans and pundits thought they could overcome an extended absence from star forward Jayson Tatum. The Green Team then proceeded to go 41-21 without him healthy, but that didn't quiet all the naysayers.
The Celtics were again doubted heading into their showdown with the Magic. The stakes weren't nearly as high and the doubt was more legitimate, however, the Celtics proved for seemingly the thousandth time this season that underestimating them at any point is a bad idea.
"It just proves that we have really good players, proves that we have a system," Mazzulla said of their final victory of the regular season. "It proves that we have a locker room that cares about winning."
The time to prove their commitment to winning on the biggest stage is nearly here. The Celtics will host either the Philadelphia 76ers or, coincidentally, the Magic next Sunday for Game 1 of their first-round playoff series.
"I'm super excited and super proud of the effort we put out tonight," Scheierman said at the podium. "(I'm) trying to move on and get ready for, obviously, the best time of the year, which is the playoffs."
Rory McIlroy said he's treating his Masters victory differently this time, to not feel the post-win slumpJared C. Tilton/Getty Images
Rory McIlroy won the Masters tournament on Sunday for the second year in a row.
He said he was treating this win as part of a longer career journey to not face a post-win slump.
Last year, he spoke about feeling less motivated in the months following his win.
Rory McIlroy, who just won the Masters tournament for the second year in a row, said he was treating the career milestone differently this time.
In response to a reporter asking whether he would take time off to soak in the win like he did last year, the Northern Irish golfer said he considered this win "just a part of the journey," and there are still many things he wants to achieve.
"I felt like the Grand Slam was the destination, and I realized it wasn't," he said on Sunday. "I'm on this journey. I've just won my sixth major, and I feel like I'm in a really good spot with my game and my body."
McIlroy, 36, won the 2026 Masters tournament held in Augusta, Georgia. He said in the press conference that he had waited so long to win the Masters, only to find himself winning two in a row.
"But I don't think I'll go through that lull of motivation or the sort of things that I was feeling last year post-winning this tournament," McIlroy added.
Last June, after a weak showing at the RBC Canadian Open, he spoke about hitting a slump in the months after his first Masters win.
He said he wasn't chasing any goals, and after a couple of weeks off from the sport, said that "grinding on the range for three or four hours every day is maybe a little tougher than it used to be."
"You have this event in your life that you've worked toward, and it happens," McIlroy said. "Sometimes it's hard to find the motivation to get back on the horse and go again."
President Donald Trump congratulated McIlroy on his win in a Sunday post on Truth Social.
Trump, an avid golfer himself, wrote: "He performed tremendously under intense pressure, something which few people would be able to even think about doing."
"With each year, Rory is becoming more and more a LEGEND!" he added.
The Varsity 845 girls softball players of the week polls are online for March 30-April 5 and April 6-12. Information was utilized on reports gathered by Varsity 845 and nominations. Coaches are encouraged to provide their game reports in order for athletes to be chosen; they may also nominate one player from their team by Sunday afternoon.
One athlete per school is allowed per week. A poll winner will be ineligible for the following week.
The March 23-29 winners were Bethannie French of Middletown and Mia Leeper of Port Jervis.
Go to RecordOnline.com/sports/high-school and vote as often as you like until Sunday, April 19, at 11 p.m. The winners will be announced each week on the @Varsity845 account on X/Twitter.
Varsity 845 girls softball player of the week (April 6-12, large)
(candidates are listed alphabetically)
Madison Auger, Wallkill
She drove in four runs as the Panthers beat Highland 16-6 on April 7.
Isabella Brelesky, Monroe-Woodbury
She had a single, double, triple and five RBI, fanning 10 for the win as the Crusaders downed Middletown 14-2 on April 6. She threw four innings of hitless relief in an 11-2 win over Washingtonville on April 8. She fanned 11 Kingston batters in a 2-1 loss on April 10.
Vienna Conklin, Washingtonville
She drove in a run in the Wizards’ 9-2 loss to Warwick on April 6.
Addison Fabiano, Kingston
She had a double and two RBI as the Tigers bowed to Newburgh 6-3 on April 6. She added a single and RBI double in a 2-1 win over Monroe-Woodbury on April 10.
Addison Freiberger, Goshen
She threw a perfect game, fanning 16 in the Gladiators’ 12-0, six-inning win over Monticello on April 6. She added three hits in a 10-9 loss to Valley Central on April 8. She won a four-hitter with seven strikeouts in a 6-1 decision over Warwick on April 10.
Alana Hayes, Cornwall
She hit for the cycle, with four RBI, as the Dragons beat Monticello 15-0 on April 8.
Mackenzie Hinspeter, Valley Central
In an April 11 twinbill, she had a hit and two RBI in a 7-4 win over Ballston Spa and added a triple, double, two singles and three RBI in a 13-1 win over Saugerties.
Hannah Ringus, Minisink Valley
She had two doubles, a homer and seven RBI as the Warriors beat Valley Central 10-2 on April 6. She added four singles and two RBI in an 11-0 win over Warwick on April 8. She had two singles, a triple and two RBI in a 14-2 win over Washingtonville on April 10.
Abi Walsh, Warwick
She fanned 12 for the win, adding an RBI, as the Wildcats downed Washingtonville 9-2 on April 6.
Samantha Williams, Newburgh
She had two hits, an RBI and won a four-hitter, fanning five, as the Goldbacks beat Kingston 6-3 on April 6.
Varsity 845 girls softball player of the week (March 30-April 5, large)
(candidates are listed alphabetically)
Lorenza Brennie, Warwick
She had a double and walk-off single as the Wildcats nipped Wallkill 6-5 on April 1.
Shyanne Dennison, Minisink Valley
She had a homer, single and three RBI as the Warriors beat New Paltz 14-2 on March 31.
Madison Gravel, Newburgh
She had three singles, a double and two RBI as the Goldbacks beat Goshen 7-6 on March 31.
Emma Hunt, Wallkill
She had three singles and three runs as the Panthers bowed to Valley Central 21-12 on March 30. She added wo singles in a 6-5 loss to Warwick on April 1.
Eleanor O’Neill, Valley Central
She had three doubles, a single and five RBI as the Vikings beat Wallkill 21-12 on March 30.
Avery Ogden, Pine Bush
She fanned six and won a one-hitter as the Bushmen downed Valley Central 14-1 on April 1.
Varsity 845 girls softball player of the week (April 6-12, small)
(candidates are listed alphabetically)
Avery Carrier, Tri-Valley
She had two singles, a double, triple and four RBI, adding 17 strikeouts in a three-hit win as the Bears beat Seward 11-2 on April 6. She added a double, triple, three RBI and seven strikeouts in a 10-4 loss to Eldred on April 8.
Alaina Conrad, Saugerties
She posted two RBI and won a one-hitter, fanning 14, as the Sawyers beat Lourdes 12-0 on April 9.
Emerson Dazi, S.S. Seward
She homered as the Spartans bowed to Tri-Valley 11-2 on April 6.
Olivia Gonzalez, Eldred
She had two hits and two RBI as the Yellowjackets bowed to Burke 17-13 on April 6. She added a double, homer and four RBI as Eldred topped Tri-Valley 10-4 on April 8 and two hits in a 9-1 win over Seward on April 10.
Gianna Jones, Highland
She had two singles and two RBI as the Huskies bowed to Wallkill 16-6 on April 7. On April 9, she won a two-hitter, with 11 strikeouts, in a 22-0 decision over Ellenville. She added two hits, an RBI, and fanned 11 for the win in a 13-10 decision over Dover on April 10.
Kearstin Knapp, Sullivan West
She had four hits to lead the Bulldogs to a 14-11 win over Chester on April 7.
Abbey Montalvo, Port Jervis
She had three RBI, four runs and won a two-hitter, fanning nine, as the Raiders downed Liberty 23-0 on April 7.
Paige Niles, Chester
She had a grand slam among four hits as the Hambletonians bowed to Sullivan West 14-11 on April 7.
Sofia Ortiz, Burke Catholic
She had three hits, two RBI and fanned 12 for the win as the Eagles downed Eldred 17-13 on April 6. She won a one-hitter, fanning 18, in an 11-0 win over Rockland on April 8. She fanned 15 in a 12-0 win over Chapel Field on April 10.
Valeria Polanco, James I. O’Neill
She had a single, triple and four RBI, posting the win, with six strikeouts, as the Raiders beat Beacon 24-12 on April 9.
Ella Schoonmaker, Rondout Valley
She had two doubles, two singles, four RBI and got the win with eight strikeouts as the Ganders beat Red Hook 15-3 on April 9.
Abigail Spanjer, Chapel Field
She had a single and double in the Lions’ 12-0 loss to Burke on April 10.
Gabby Torre, New Paltz
She hit a go-ahead two-run double and got the win as the Huguenots beat Marlboro 6-4 on April 9.
Angie Wheeler, Liberty
She had three singles, an RBI and fanned 11 in a 6-5 win over O’Neill on April 10.
Varsity 845 girls softball player of the week (March 30-April 5, small)
(candidates are listed alphabetically)
Delainey Reid, Highland
She had three hits and three RBI as the Huskies downed Our Lady of Lourdes 12-8 on March 30.
Alabama Stankewicz, Port Jervis
She had two singles in a 6-5 win over Warwick on March 30.
Anna Lawless, Burke Catholic
She had a single, double, triple and two RBI as the Eagles downed Seward 11-6 on April 2.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — For the fourth time in franchise history, the Providence Bruins secured the MacGregor Kilpatrick Trophy in a 1-0 victory against Springfield Sunday afternoon.
Forward Riley Tufte scored the game-winning goal with 8:31 left in the third period to give the the team an AHL record 54th win of the year.
.@AHLBruins with a chance to make a little history today. A win will set AHL record for most wins in a 72-game season.
For the third time in four postseasons, the Timberwolves and Denver will meet in the Western Conference playoffs.
The Nuggets’ reserves upset San Antonio on Sunday night in Texas to secure the No. 3 seed and lock in the matchup with Minnesota.
Had the Nuggets fallen to the Spurs on Sunday, Minnesota would have drawn the short-handed Lakers.
Denver ousted the Wolves in the first round of the 2023 playoffs en route to winning the title, while Minnesota exacted revenge in the conference semifinals the following season.
Game 1 will be in Denver on Saturday at 2:30 p.m Central.
The San Francisco 49ers certainly have a type of prospect they look for at linebacker in the NFL draft. Alabama's Nikhai Hill-Green checks a ton of those boxes.
Per Sports Illustrated's Justin Melo, Hill-Green had a virtual pre-draft meeting with San Francisco. A quick peek at his athletic testing numbers show why the club may have interest in the SEC product.
The measurements and athletic test for Hill-Green line up very closely with those of LBs Dee Winters (sixth-round 49ers draft pick in 2023), Tatum Bethune (seventh-round 49ers draft pick in 2024) and Nick Martin (third-round 49ers draft pick in 2025).
Let's start with measurements, where Hill-Green checks in at 6-1, 223 pounds with 32 3/8-inch arms and a 78-inch wingspan according to the Athletic's Dane Brugler. Here's how that looks against what the trio of 49ers LBs clocked in before the draft per Mock Draftable:
Hill-Green lines up well within the range of all those measurables. His athletic testing is also close, although his 40-yard dash time falls a tick short of his 49ers counterparts. Hill-Green had a 4.65 40-yard dash with a 1.58-second 10-yard split. He posted a 112-inch broad jump, a 34 1/2-inch vertical leap and hit 23 reps on the bench press. Here are the 49ers LB testing numbers (Bethune's Pro Day numbers via Draft Scout):
Brugler projects that Hill-Green will go undrafted after a tumultuous college career that began in 2020 at Michigan. He spent two seasons with the Wolverines, missed the entire 2022 season, spent 2023 at Charlotte, 2024 at Colorado and 2025 at Alabama.
His most productive year came in 2024 with the Buffaloes where he racked up 82 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, two interceptions and four pass breakups in 12 games.
Last season in the SEC his numbers dipped some with 60 tackles and 5.0 TFLs with three pass breakups in 15 games.
If Hill-Green is undrafted, or if the 49ers manage to scoop up a late-round pick via a trade during the draft, the Alabama LB certainly looks the part of a player the 49ers would bring into their LB room.
Milwaukee might have to face an injury to another key player after designated hitter Christian Yelich had to be lifted in the fifth inning with what was described as left hamstring tightness – a malady that Brewers manager Pat Murphy didn't sound too optimistic about.
"We're most likely going to get some bad news on Yelich to further put us down," Murphy said, not exactly the news a struggling team wants to hear with two other position players (Jackson Chourio and Andrew Vaughn) on the injured list with broken hands and a key reliever in left-hander Jared Koenig out with an elbow sprain.
“We’ll respond," said Turang. "We’ll figure it out. We’re a really good team and when we play our game we’re hard to beat, and we know that. It’s up to each individual guy to trust each other and trust themselves.”
Perhaps Monday's off day comes at a perfect time – to help the Brewers flush this series, get just a little bit healthier and rediscover that missing edge that Murphy has mentioned.
"We did little things that are not typical of how we play, but every team's going to go through this," he said. "It hurts like crazy, but I still like the team. Just go through it, and you can show a lot of character right now. We expect a lot, and we've put ourselves in that position and it's discouraging when you don't come through and when you lose games like this when you did enough in some areas to win a major league game.
"But you've got to do it in all areas."
Yelich has battled back issues for much of his career in Milwaukee, but he played 150 games in 2025 and wasn't limited by any maladies this spring.
Playing only their backups, the Boston Celtics stunned the Orlando Magic 113-108 Sunday night to drop Orlando to the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference.
Instead of hosting the No. 7 versus No. 8 seed Play-In Tournament game this week, Orlando will now head to Philadelphia Wednesday night for a 7:30 tipoff. The winner locks in as the No. 7 seed and will face No. 2 Boston in the first round.
Wednesday’s loser will host the Charlotte vs Miami winner on Friday night. That winner will then lock up the No. 8 seed and a matchup with No. 1 seed Detroit in the first round.
The Magic finish the regular season with a 45-37 record.
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That didn't take long. In two days, the Oregon Ducks have landed two commitments out of the transfer portal. On Sunday night, Boise State forward Andrew Meadow announced his commitment to the Ducks on Instagram.
Meadow is a big get for the Ducks, literally. The 6-foot-7, 200-pound forward joins the Ducks after two seasons with the Broncos. Last season, he averaged 12.1 points, 3.6 rebounds and one assist per game. Meadow started 68 of a possible 102 games during his time at Boise State.
Dana Altman has worked quickly to nab two great players from the portal to start filling out what will be a brand new team next season. San Francisco transfer Tyrone Riley IV committed on Saturday after his visit and was the first addition for the Ducks. Meadow was scheduled to visit Oregon on April 14, but has decided to commit earlier.
Meadow's big frame allows him to play either forward spot for the Ducks alongside Sean Stewart, Oregon's lone returner from last season. Meadow can score in a variety of ways, pounding into the paint or stepping out and using his jumpshot. He connected on 38.6% of his 3-pointers with the Broncos last season.
Before committing to the Ducks, Meadow had another visit lined up at Arizona State, but it appears he is locked in to compete in Eugene. With a new roster of talent coming into the building, Meadow is an experienced piece that Altman will likely rely on heavily, which includes helping incoming freshman Tajh Ariza along the way.
The Ducks need some size after Kwame Evans Jr. entered the portal, as well as some production on the wing since Dezdrick Lindsay left for Kansas State. With Meadow and Riley both ready to suit up for the Ducks, Altman is on the hunt for more pieces to surround them, especially a ball handler in the backcourt to dish the ball out to their new weapons.
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AUGUSTA, GA — It is the rare Masters champion who, with just one hole to play, only a few minutes from victory, is wondering where in the world his tee shot has landed.
“Walking off the 18th tee not knowing where my ball was, I think that was the moment of greatest stress. It could go anywhere. It could be anywhere.”
With those words, Rory McIlroy appropriately described the twists and turns of his unique path to glory, one that saw an historic six-shot lead at the halfway point of the Masters evaporate into a three-shot deficit in its final round before McIlroy regained some semblance of control with nearly a half dozen worthy competitors giving chase.
So there McIlroy stood on the 18th tee with a rather comfortable two-stroke lead, watching his tee shot fly so far from where it was supposed to go that it ended up closer to the wrong fairway, the 10th, than the one he was aiming for, the 18th.
“I don’t make it easy,” McIlroy said later.
And that’s when he wondered if it might be “in a really bad spot or behind a tree,” he said. “I was just hoping that I had a swing.”
It turned out that he did. In fact, it was fitting that McIlroy’s grand plan to clinch his second consecutive Masters title was something that could have been hatched in a sports movie. He launched a towering 8-iron over not only a menacing tree but even the scoreboard on the 18th green, landing it, well — no one was exactly sure where. The TV camera people were fooled. Where was it?
It turned out the ball was nestled in a bunker guarding the front left of the green, not the best place to be, but also not the worst. McIlroy wasted no time and blasted out to 15 feet from the hole, then putted to within a few inches, then smiled. It was over and he knew it. He knew he would make that tiny putt for a bogey and a one-shot win and become the first repeat Masters champion since Tiger Woods in 2002, and only the fourth in history.
So moments later when the ball fell into the hole, McIlroy, 36, tossed his head back and yelled and shed a tear or two. He hugged his caddy and eventually his daughter and his wife and his parents, who had come in from Northern Ireland after missing his victory last year.
There is rarely a press conference or interview that goes by that McIlroy doesn’t mention his mom and dad, thanking them for the opportunities they gave him, an only child.
“I caught myself on the golf course a couple of times thinking about them,” McIlory said, “and I was like no, not yet, not yet. It’s really cool to have them here. They missed it last year, and the first thing I wanted to do was fly home to see them because I obviously wouldn't be sitting up here if it wasn't for them.”
One might think that the Masters champion’s parents would have no qualms about coming to the tournament the next year to see their son defend his title. Not the McIlroys.
“I had to sort of convince them to come this year because they thought the reason I won last year was because they weren't here,” McIlroy said. “I’m glad we proved that wrong so they can keep coming as long as they want.”
In both of his Masters triumphs, McIlroy has run the gamut of emotions: taking the lead, losing it, regaining it, hanging on for dear life. This is who McIlroy is and this is how he plays.
He is typically honest about it. “Having a six-shot lead going into the weekend, it would have been a bitter pill to swallow if I wasn't able to get myself over the finish line,” he said.
It wasn’t easy, but he did it, revealing another McIlroy strength: instant perspective, especially his ability to marvel at the moment.
“I can’t believe I waited 17 years to get one green jacket, and now I get two in a row.”
Scott McTominay (left) equalised for Napoli against Parma [Getty Images]
Scott McTominay's 14th goal of the season was not enough to prevent Napoli dropping two more points in their bid to retain the Italian title.
The Scotland midfielder slotted a precise 15-yard equaliser after 60 minutes away to 14th-placed Parma, who had taken the lead after just a minute through Gabriel Strefezza.
The draw means second-top Napoli, for whom Scotland team-mate Billy Gilmour was unused substitute, are now nine points behind Internazionale after the leaders' thrilling 4-3 win away to Como on Sunday evening.
Kieron Bowie scored his second goal for Hellas Verona since signing from Hibernian in January, but his fine solo finish to equalise against fellow Scotland striker Che Adams' Torino was not enough to prevent the second bottom visitors losing 2-1.
With Lawrence Shankland also scoring from the penalty spot in Heart of Midlothian's comeback win over Motherwell to stay top of the Scottish Premiership, with his 18th of the season, competition for striker berths at this summer's World Cup finals is hotting up.
George Hirst grabbed his 10th goal of the season, thumping home the second of the game in the East Anglian derby win away to Norwich City as Ipswich Town consolidated second spot in the Championship.
Oli McBurnie also pressed his case for a Scotland recall as the 29-year-old fired his 15th goal of the season for Hull City, but the side sitting sixth in the Championship failed to build on that and, after former Rangers midfielder John Lundstram's red card, conceded two late goals to the striker's former side, Sheffield United.
Meanwhile, Scotland Under-21 winger Emilio Lawrence inspired Luton Town's comeback to lift the Vertu Trophy with a 3-1 win over League One rivals Stockport County at Wembley.
The 20-year-old on loan from Manchester City fired the equaliser, his second goal of the season, after former St Johnstone striker Adama Sidibeh had given County an early lead.
Former Scotland youth defender Kal Naismith set up Luton's second for Nahki Wells.
The young core of the Pittsburgh Steelers continues to improve while the team searches for an answer at quarterback. Despite not finding an adequate replacement for Ben Roethlisberger since his retirement in 2020, the Steelers roster is dotted with some elite players who don't get the recognition they deserve.
Here are the three Steelers we predict will be named All-Pro for the first time in 2026.
Cornerback Joey Porter Jr.
No cornerback in the NFL was better last season at limiting touchdowns and explosive plays. A lack of interceptions and less-than-stellar run defense hurts him on grading metrics like Pro Football Focus but no cornerback keeps wide receivers in check like JPJ.
Center Zach Frazier
Frazier was one of the five best centers in the NFL last season despite being just 24 years old. The only thing keeping him from being considered the top center in the AFC is the fact that Creed Humphrey plays in the same conference. This season we think Frazier passes Humphrey up and takes his spot among the elite in the league.
EDGE Nick Herbig
It might be bold to say this about Herbig but we think he takes a huge chunk of the snaps at EDGE this season. If the Steelers trade either T.J. Watt or Alex Highsmith, this one is easier but we predict a huge breakout for Herbig ahead of a huge payday.
Rory McIlroy has accomplished his mission of winning back-to-back Masters tournaments.
McIlroy had previously admitted that he was unsure if he would ever win at the Masters, but with two green jackets in his wardrobe, he will have the opportunity in 2027 to go for his third.
He would become the first golfer to reach the feat.
McIlroy mentioned after the first victory that he looked forward to coming back and presenting himself with the jacket. While he addressed that Sunday and jokingly said that he couldn't actually present it to himself, this time he didn't allude to the desire of going for the three-peat but stated he looks forward to coming back in 2027 and for years to come.
There have been eight players who have at least three Masters victories, but none of them have come in back-to-back-to-back tournaments.
He joined an exclusive club on Sunday, becoming one of four golfers to win back-to-back Masters tournaments along with Jack Nicklaus (1965-66), Nick Faldo (1989-90) and Tiger Woods (2001-02).
Woods is the closest to winning the tournament again after originally winning it back-to-back years. He would not win again until 2005. Nicklaus and Faldo would not win the Masters again for another six years, respectively.
McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler are already being considered the favorites for the 2027 Masters. Scheffler is listed at +400 on DraftKings Sportsbook, followed by McIlroy at +600.
Multi-time Masters Tournament winners
Jack Nicklaus - 6 (1963, 1965, 1966, 1972, 1975, 1986)
PHILADELPHIA − Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 13th season with the Milwaukee Bucks ended informally on March 15, after he suffered a hyperextension and bone bruise in his left knee after landing awkwardly following a dunk. He did not play again, despite his belief he was healthy enough to do so, and a league investigation into the Bucks' handling of the situation.
And on April 12, the official end of the 2025-26 season, in the visiting locker room at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, Antetokounmpo wasn’t sure if that was his last game ever for the only franchise he’s ever known.
“I don't know, it's not up to me anymore,” he said. “It's not up to me. We'll see."
Antetokounmpo, 31, is under contract for the 2026-27 season and holds a player option for 2027-28. But, the two-time league Most Valuable Player was the subject of trade speculation since last May, and that will once again pick up now that the Bucks' season is over.
Antetokounmpo is extension-eligible, but not until Oct. 1. And Bucks co-owner and governor Wes Edens told ESPN that the superstar will either sign the extension or be traded – but no one in the organization has clarified if Antetokounmpo will still be on the roster in order to make that choice.
For his part, Antetokounmpo said that if he’s on the team in October and is offered that choice, he wouldn’t necessarily walk away from a new four-year, $275 million deal.
“To sign? A contract? No,” he said. “But, we’ll see when we get there. Until we get to October it’s eight months, seven months. It’s a long time. But somebody has to offer you that for you to sign. I haven’t been offered an extension. So if that is on the table, then I will try to make the best decision for me and family. But if it’s not on the table, then I have to focus on like how can I prove my worth and get on the floor and do what I do.”
In an interview just before the end of the season, Bucks GM Jon Horst insisted the team had yet to come to a decision on its path.
“The truth is I don’t know,” he said. “We don’t know what we’re going to do today [April 7]. And we don’t have to. What I do think we have to do is be very honest, very direct, make a big assessment. We learned a lot this year. It’s a pretty great opportunity. Of course, I’d rather be in the playoffs and be planning for whoever we’re going to play, but we’re not. So what can we learn from it and figure out how we do we get to where we want to get as quick as we can.”
In order to get to that point, however, Antetokounmpo and the Bucks ownership group (which includes co-owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam) and Horst must figure out if they’re actually going to arrive there together.
“I’m very big on communication,” Antetokounmpo said. “I’m very big on communication. I think this is why I’m able to have a happy marriage, you know? I’ve been 10 years with my wife [Mariah]. Ten years with my wife, married one and a half and I think we have an incredible family, we love one another and we support one another and the reason that is, is because we communicate with one another. This is why we so tight. We always say the truth and we never argue. Even when we argue we try to figure out a way for us to move on forward and try to find a solution that for that specific moment.
“You don’t let things linger. I’m very big on communication. I’ve always been open. But, I don’t know if that; it gotta go both ways. It has to go both ways. It cannot go one way.”
The Bucks will conduct exit interviews on April 13 in Milwaukee, and the offseason begins in earnest.
The next key date for the franchise is May 10, when the NBA will hold its annual draft lottery. The Bucks will likely get a top 10 pick for the first time since 2016, although they do not “control” their ultimate selection slot. Should the Bucks jump over New Orleans in the lottery slotting, the Pelicans will swap spots a part of the 2020 Jrue Holiday trade.
The draft is in late June, followed by free agency.
As for how far the Bucks are away from contention, Doc Rivers said after the game against Philadelphia it depends on whether the team keeps Antetokounmpo or rebuilds. Antetokounmpo pointed out that the team won the second-fewest games [32] in his tenure, so it would appear they have a long way to go.
“Whether you have an actual commitment and you offer an actual extension, it’s way more about sentimentality and alignment and togetherness and path,” Horst said. “You either have an alignment and an understanding and not commitment necessarily, but a path forward together that you understand and you go execute it. You could call that an extension or you try to figure out the best win-win that you possibly can moving forward via a trade.
“It’s not actually the only two doors, right? There’s door No. 3 that actually exists, but that’s just a level set, non-emotional reality of where it’s at on October 1. And I’m not saying that you do something beforehand. I’m just saying you do have to understand where you want to go, but we don’t have to know that today.”
PHILADELPHIA − Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 13th season with the Milwaukee Bucks ended informally on March 15, after he suffered a hyperextension and bone bruise in his left knee after landing awkwardly following a dunk. He did not play again, despite his belief he was healthy enough to do so, and a league investigation into the Bucks' handling of the situation.
And on April 12, the official end of the 2025-26 season, in the visiting locker room at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, Antetokounmpo wasn’t sure if that was his last game ever for the only franchise he’s ever known.
“I don't know, it's not up to me anymore,” he said. “It's not up to me. We'll see."
Antetokounmpo, 31, is under contract for the 2026-27 season and holds a player option for 2027-28. But, the two-time league Most Valuable Player was the subject of trade speculation since last May, and that will once again pick up now that the Bucks' season is over.
Antetokounmpo is extension-eligible, but not until Oct. 1. And Bucks co-owner and governor Wes Edens told ESPN that the superstar will either sign the extension or be traded – but no one in the organization has clarified if Antetokounmpo will still be on the roster in order to make that choice.
For his part, Antetokounmpo said that if he’s on the team in October and is offered that choice, he wouldn’t necessarily walk away from a new four-year, $275 million deal.
“To sign? A contract? No,” he said. “But, we’ll see when we get there. Until we get to October it’s eight months, seven months. It’s a long time. But somebody has to offer you that for you to sign. I haven’t been offered an extension. So if that is on the table, then I will try to make the best decision for me and family. But if it’s not on the table, then I have to focus on like how can I prove my worth and get on the floor and do what I do.”
In an interview just before the end of the season, Bucks GM Jon Horst insisted the team had yet to come to a decision on its path.
“The truth is I don’t know,” he said. “We don’t know what we’re going to do today [April 7]. And we don’t have to. What I do think we have to do is be very honest, very direct, make a big assessment. We learned a lot this year. It’s a pretty great opportunity. Of course, I’d rather be in the playoffs and be planning for whoever we’re going to play, but we’re not. So what can we learn from it and figure out how we do we get to where we want to get as quick as we can.”
In order to get to that point, however, Antetokounmpo and the Bucks ownership group (which includes co-owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam) and Horst must figure out if they’re actually going to arrive there together.
“I’m very big on communication,” Antetokounmpo said. “I’m very big on communication. I think this is why I’m able to have a happy marriage, you know? I’ve been 10 years with my wife [Mariah]. Ten years with my wife, married one and a half and I think we have an incredible family, we love one another and we support one another and the reason that is, is because we communicate with one another. This is why we so tight. We always say the truth and we never argue. Even when we argue we try to figure out a way for us to move on forward and try to find a solution that for that specific moment.
“You don’t let things linger. I’m very big on communication. I’ve always been open. But, I don’t know if that; it gotta go both ways. It has to go both ways. It cannot go one way.”
The Bucks will conduct exit interviews on April 13 in Milwaukee, and the offseason begins in earnest.
The next key date for the franchise is May 10, when the NBA will hold its annual draft lottery. The Bucks will likely get a top 10 pick for the first time since 2016, although they do not “control” their ultimate selection slot. Should the Bucks jump over New Orleans in the lottery slotting, the Pelicans will swap spots a part of the 2020 Jrue Holiday trade.
The draft is in late June, followed by free agency.
As for how far the Bucks are away from contention, Doc Rivers said after the game against Philadelphia it depends on whether the team keeps Antetokounmpo or rebuilds. Antetokounmpo pointed out that the team won the second-fewest games [32] in his tenure, so it would appear they have a long way to go.
“Whether you have an actual commitment and you offer an actual extension, it’s way more about sentimentality and alignment and togetherness and path,” Horst said. “You either have an alignment and an understanding and not commitment necessarily, but a path forward together that you understand and you go execute it. You could call that an extension or you try to figure out the best win-win that you possibly can moving forward via a trade.
“It’s not actually the only two doors, right? There’s door No. 3 that actually exists, but that’s just a level set, non-emotional reality of where it’s at on October 1. And I’m not saying that you do something beforehand. I’m just saying you do have to understand where you want to go, but we don’t have to know that today.”
The State Journal report said deputy athletic director Marcus Sedberry, who also serves as the football general manager, will serve as interim athletic director. The State Journal also reported the search for a new AD will be led by Eric Wilcots, who will become the interim chancellor after Jennifer Mnookin departs at the end of the school year to become the president of Columbia University.
McIntosh confirmed his departure to the Sports Business Journal.
"On one hand it’s very difficult for me to transition away from a place that’s so important to me," McIntosh said. "On the other hand, it’s an incredible honor and an incredible opportunity to be able to transition to a position at the Big Ten and to work for an incredible leader like Commissioner (Tony) Petitti and alongside some top-tier, very capable members of the Big Ten as we navigate a dynamic period for college athletics."
McIntosh and a UW spokesman did not return calls from the Journal Sentinel, part of USA TODAY Network.
McIntosh is in the second year of a five-year contract extension that paid him $1.5 million this school year.
The move ends his five-year run as athletic director. During that time he hired football coach Luke Fickell, men's hockey coach Mike Hastings and women’s basketball coach Robin Pingeton.
Fickell has a 17-21 overall record and led the Badgers to their first back-to-back losing seasons since the early 1990s. Hastings, on the other hand, recently took the Badgers to the Frozen Four before losing to Denver in the national championship, and Pingeton helped UW reach the WBIT semifinals in her first season.
McIntosh's tenure has also been marked by the fund-raising campaign that led to the construction of the Kellner Family Athletic Center, a $285 million project that will be home of the new indoor football facility. That facility partially opens this summer.
Under his leadership, the athletic department also placed a greater emphasis on having a presence in the Milwaukee area.
The department resumed its holiday hockey showcase, partnering with Kwik Trip, during his tenure. The volleyball and men’s basketball teams have also played regular season games at the Fiserv Forum.
McIntosh’s departure is the later chapter in a relationship with Wisconsin that dates back to his days as a college athlete.
The Pewaukee native played football for the Badgers from 1996-1999, winning Big Ten championships in ’98 and ’99. He started 50 straight games for the Badgers, served as a captain of the ’99 team and went on to be a first-round draft pick of Seattle.
He joined the Wisconsin athletic department in 2014 and served as the deputy director to Barry Alvarez from 2017-21.
The department resumed its holiday hockey showcase, partnering with Kwik Trip. The men's basketball team played an exhibition and regular season game at Fiserv Forum and the volleyball team is scheduled to play at the arena in the American Volleyball Coaches Association First Serve Aug. 21-23.
Challenges facing McIntosh’s successor include UW’s competitiveness in the NIL landscape, a rebuild of the football program as Fickell heads into his fourth season and the potential fallout from an ongoing lawsuit filed for psychological abuse by five former players against former women's basketball coach Marisa Moseley and former athletic administrator Justin Doherty.
NEW YORK — The New York Knicks’ inactive list for Sunday night’s regular-season finale against the Charlotte Hornets featured four starters and two key rotation players.
Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, Josh Hart and OG Anunoby were among those who sat out. Mikal Bridges joined them on the bench 23 seconds into the first quarter after extending his NBA-long consecutive-games streak to 638.
That was the Knicks’ (53-29) reward for having already clinched the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference, making Sunday’s outcome meaningless to them in the standings.
But there was still a game to play at Madison Square Garden, and while Miles “Deuce” McBride flashed in a featured role, the Knicks’ makeshift lineup didn’t have enough firepower in a 110-96 loss to the full-strength Hornets.
McBride led the Knicks with 21 points on 8-of-15 shooting, headlining a starting five that also included Jose Alvarado, Mohamed Diawara, Ariel Hukporti and – for exactly one offensive possession – Bridges.
Jordan Clarkson, Jeremy Sochan, Trey Jemison III, Kevin McCullar Jr., Pacome Dadiet and Dillon Jones were among the Knicks who played real minutes Sunday.
Charlotte (44-38), meanwhile, deployed its full rotation, needing a win for seeding purposes in this week’s NBA play-in tournament.
Still, McBride got the Knicks out to an early lead, scoring 10 quick points to help them go up 16-15 in the first quarter. McBride added eight more points in the second, including a transition dunk that electrified the crowd on Fan Appreciation Day.
It was an encouraging showing, considering McBride missed two months due to hernia surgery before returning late last month. Sunday’s loss was McBride’s sixth game back, and he hadn’t eclipsed six points in any of the previous five.
But the Hornets caught fire from 3-point range, starting the game 8 of 20 from deep as they built a double-digit lead in the second quarter.
A pair of 3-pointers by LaMelo Ball in the final two minutes of the first half helped give Charlotte a 57-44 lead at the break.
The Knicks cut their deficit to 69-61 midway through the third quarter, but Brandon Miller answered with a three-point play on the other end, and Charlotte took a 14-point lead into the fourth.
Charlotte finished 19 of 52 on 3-pointers. Ball, Miller and Coby White scored 19 points apiece for the Hornets.
Alvarado scored 16 points for the Knicks, while McCullar added 14 on 6-of-11 shooting off the bench.
Even with the loss, the Knicks finished with their most wins in a season since 2012-13, when they went 54-28.
Of course, this year was never about the regular season for the Knicks. Not after they advanced to the Eastern Conference finals last year, nor after they fired head coach Tom Thibodeau in the offseason and replaced him with Mike Brown to help them take the next step.
This season will ultimately be judged by what they accomplish in the postseason.
“Going into the playoffs, we feel pretty good where we are offensively and defensively as a group. We feel connected,” Brown said before Sunday’s game.
“I feel like everybody on the team has sacrificed in one way, shape or form. You need that from your group in order to have some success. Our guys compete, and like I said, at this point in the season, I feel like the guys really believe, not just in what we’re trying to do, but in each other.”
The Chargers were fairly active over the past month, bringing back some of their own players while adding a few on both sides of the ball through free agency.
Despite the slew of additions, the Bolts still have some positions that must be addressed in the draft, which is less than two weeks away.
Here are the top five:
Guard
The Chargers signed Cole Strange, who is likely going to be the starting right guard. On the other side, Trevor Penning was re-signed, but the team needs to add someone to compete with him for the starting job. If Penn State's Vega Ioane is off the board, they could turn their attention to Texas A&M's Chase Bisontis, Oregon's Emmanuel Pregnon or Georgia Tech's Keylan Rutledge.
Edge rusher
The Chargers lost Odafe Oweh, who ultimately signed with the Commanders. Khalil Mack was retained on a one-year deal. This position needs a player who will be the successor to Mack and be able to contribute from Day 1. In Round 1, Los Angeles could go with someone like Clemson's T.J. Parker, Miami's Akheem Mesidor or Auburn's Keldrick Faulk. On Day 2, Michigan's Derrick Moore, Illinois' Gabe Jacas, Oklahoma's R Mason Thomas, and Penn State's Dani Dennis-Sutton are some intriguing options.
Cornerback
The Chargers have a solid core in Donte Jackson, Tarheeb Still, and Cam Hart. But this group would benefit from another high-upside corner for defensive coordinator Chris O'Leary to utilize. The first round should offer players like Tennessee's Colton Hood, Clemson's Avieon Terrell, and San Diego State's Chris Johnson. Day 2 and 3 guys that would fit include Arizona State's Keith Abney, Indiana's D'Angelo Ponds, Georgia's Daylen Everette, Washington's Tacario Davis, and Arkansas' Julian Neal.
Defensive tackle
The Chargers lost Da’Shawn Hand (Falcons) and Otito Ogbonnia (Cowboys) in free agency. They kept Teair Tart and signed one interior defender, Dalvin Tomlinson, who is more of a run-stuffer. The room could use more pass rush juice. They've been linked to some presumed first-rounders like Florida's Caleb Banks and Clemson's Peter Woods. Players who would make sense beyond that are Oklahoma's Gracen Halton, Missouri's Chris McClellan, Texas A&M's Tyler Onyedeim, and Michigan's Rayshaun Benny.
Wide receiver
I'm intrigued to see what the wide receivers currently on the roster can do under offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel. The missing piece is a wideout with speed who is good after the catch. Top players at the position, like Texas A&M's KC Concepcion. But I think they're better off addressing some of their other glaring needs first. Georgia's Zachariah Branch, Mississippi State's Brenen Thompson, and Oklahoma's Deion Burks are some potential options.
Alabama's first NCAA transfer portal commitment this offseason, Garrison joins the Crimson Tide after two seasons at Kentucky, and will have one season of eligibility remaining.
With the Wildcats, Garrison has appeared in 71 games across the last two seasons, five of which he has started. The forward averaged a combined 5.3 points, four rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game on 52.9% shooting from the field, 28.1% from three, and 56.3% at the free throw line.
This past season, Garrison started 5-of-36 games for the Wildcats as a junior, averaging 4.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game on 55.6% shooting from the field. Garrison also shot 23.5% from three-point range, along with 59.1% at the free throw line.
Prior to Kentucky, Garrison originally began his collegiate career at Oklahoma State during the 2023-24 season as a freshman, averaging 7.5 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. Garrison was also rated as the nation's No. 36 player in the 2023 class, per the 247Sports Composite rankings, as well as the nation's No. 5 center.
At 6-foot-10, 245 pounds, Garrison is likely a candidate to start for the Crimson Tide at center during the 2026-27 season.
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BOSTON — For the second time in the last three years, the Magic had to wait until the final day of the NBA regular season to find out where they’d be headed for the postseason.
Needing a win in Boston to secure at least homecourt advantage in the Play-In Tournament as the No. 7 seed in the East, Orlando dropped the ball and fell 113-108 at TD Garden on Sunday night.
The result means the Magic drop to eight in the Eastern Conference and will travel to Philadelphia for the Play-In Tournament.
Trailing the Celtics by 13 points entering the fourth quarter, the Magic tied the game at 108-108 with 35.5 seconds left when Jalen Suggs sunk his seventh 3-pointer of the night. Luka Garza responded with a triple of his own to put Boston back in front by three with 31.6 seconds left in the game.
Garza’s 3-pointer ended up as the go-ahead shot when free throws from Jordan Walsh with 7.9 seconds remaining put Boston ahead by five points.
With the No. 2 seed already locked up, the Celtics (56-26) only made eight players available. Boston regulars Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, Neemias Queta, Sam Hauser, Payton Pritchard, Hugo Gonzalez and former Magic center Nikola Vucevic all sat out due to various minor injuries.
Instead, it was Baylor Scheierman (30 points), Ron Harper Jr. (27) and Garza (27) who combined for 84 points in the five-point win.
The Magic failed to take care of the ball; the Celtics scored 23 points off 19 Orlando turnovers.
There was a chance for the Magic (45-37) to jump into the top six of the East but the No. 6 Raptors handled their business against the Nets at home. Philadelphia, Orlando’s matchup in the Nos. 7-8 Play-In game, also won, beating the Bucks on Sunday.
With the regular season complete, the Magic now travel to Philadelphia to face the 76ers on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. The winner earns the No. 7 seed in the playoffs. The loser will host the winner of the Nos. 9-10 game (Charlotte and Miami) to earn the No. 8 seed in the first round.
The Sixers and Magic finished with identical records, but the 76ers won two of the three games against the Magic this season to hold the tiebreaker for the right to host the Play-In contest: 136-124 at home Oct. 27, 2025, and 103-91 in Orlando on Jan. 9. the Magic won 144-103 last Nov. 25.
Third-quarter swing
The Magic led the Celtics 61-52 at the half, but never closed the door on a potential comeback from Boston.
Making mistakes on both ends of the floor, Orlando allowed the Celtics to catch fire from distance in the third quarter and take control of the contest.
Boston shot 9-of-16 from 3-point range in the third period and ultimately outscored the Magic 42-20 in the quarter. On the other end, the Magic shot 1-for-7 from distance as Boston built a 94-81 lead entering the fourth.
Desmond Bane’s off night
Desmond Bane became one of only four players in the NBA to play and start in all 82 games this season. He is the first Orlando player since Dwight Howard in 2009-10 to start in all 82 games, the team said.
After scoring a quick four points and recording an assist in the first six minutes of the game, Bane sat until the 11:17 mark of the fourth quarter. The Celtics led by 11 points. Bane played 11 more minutes and ended 3-for-8 from the floor with 8 points. His 3-pointer with two minutes left brought Orlando within four points.
Rest of starters
Franz Wagner knocked down his first pair of 3-pointers and was one of two Magic players to post 14 points in the first half. The other was Suggs, who shot 4 for 9 from distance before the break.
Paolo Banchero’s night was a bit of a mixed bag. Although he neared a first-half triple-double with 12 points, six rebounds and six assists, the Magic forward shot 4-for-11 from the field and recorded two turnovers.
Wendell Carter Jr. picked up three fouls in 12 first-half minutes and finished with just 3 points in 31 minutes.
Free points
Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley often discusses the importance of defending without fouling, but the Magic did not heed that strategy Sunday.
Unlike Orlando, which entered leading the league in free-throw attempts per night (27.4), the Celtics entered averaging the fewest free throws per night (18.7).
Boston shot 17-for-17 from the free throw line in the first half and finished 22-for-22.
The Brooklyn Nets finally reached the end of a season that felt longer than 82 games. Way longer. If you lived it, it felt like an eternity.
It ended Sunday in Toronto with a 136-101 loss at Scotiabank Arena, closing Brooklyn’s year at 20-62. The finale looked like the last few weeks have looked, the Nets short-handed again, Toronto still pushing toward the postseason and playing like it. The Raptors started Brandon Ingram, Scottie Barnes, Jakob Poeltl, RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley, while Brooklyn was down nine bodies in the season finale.
Now comes the offseason the Nets have been planning around for months.
Brooklyn didn’t frame 2025-26 as a season built on wins. It was built around exposure, development and clearing space for what could come next. Sean Marks, entering arguably his most pivotal offseason as Brooklyn’s general manager, didn’t mince words in a recent YES Network interview with Ryan Ruocco, and the numbers back it up
“Knowing that our objective this year was to have the young guys play and play real NBA minutes,” Marks said. “That was the number one priority in between the G League and the development there and also here. We now lead the league in rookie minutes the whole year, so that’s exactly what we wanted to do.”
The Nets leaned into it from draft night forward. After falling to No. 8 in the 2025 NBA draft, Brooklyn made history, taking Egor Dëmin at that slot and then selecting Nolan Traoré, Drake Powell, Ben Saraf and Danny Wolf later in the first round to set an NBA record with five first-round selections. Over the season, 22 players appeared for Brooklyn, the average age was 23.8, tied with the Washington Wizards for the youngest roster in the NBA, and no player 30 or older appeared in a game.
Head coach Jordi Fernández has kept the same message running through all of it. The wins weren’t only supposed to be found in the standings.
“Losing is not fun, but as an organization we value our wins in a different way,” Fernández said. “Wins can be development and wins can be the experience of these guys being exposed to real games. And I think that we’re in a very good place.”
The other reason Brooklyn can turn the page without panic is the lottery positioning it secured before the finale even tipped. After the Nets’ loss to the Milwaukee Bucks and wins by the Sacramento Kings and Utah Jazz, Brooklyn clinched a bottom-three finish Thursday, locking in a 52.1% chance at a top-four pick and a 14.0% chance at the No. 1 overall pick.
The Nets also can’t slide lower than seventh. The lottery will be held May 10 in Chicago.
This is a rare opportunity for this franchise. The Nets have picked in the top six once in the last 25 years, taking Derrick Favors third in 2010.
There were flashes, too, of what Fernández wants the team to become once the young group has more reps and the roster has more stability. For one stretch, Brooklyn defended at an elite level, posting a 105.4 defensive rating in December, best in the NBA. The offense never held up enough for that to turn into wins, and the injuries kept reshaping everything, but the formula showed itself.
Now the summer arrives with real flexibility and intriguing choices. ESPN’s Bobby Marks projects the Nets will have $31 million in cap space. Brooklyn has until June 28 to decide on Day’Ron Sharpe and Ziaire Williams’ $6.2 million team options, and until June 29 to decide on Josh Minott’s $2.4 million option. After using cap space, the Nets will have the $9.4 million room midlevel exception available. Restricted free agents include Ochai Agbaji, Jalen Wilson, Chaney Johnson, E.J. Liddell and Tyson Etienne. Michael Porter Jr., Noah Clowney, Nic Claxton and Terance Mann are extension-eligible.
And the pick chest remains the backbone. Brooklyn is positioned to own picks Nos. 33 and 43 in addition to its lottery pick. The Nets have 13 first-round picks over the next seven years, including nine that can be traded, plus 19 second-rounders and five recent first-rounders on rookie-scale deals.
And the pick chest remains the backbone. Brooklyn is positioned to own picks Nos. 33 and 43 in addition to its lottery pick. The Nets have 13 first-round picks over the next seven years, including nine that can be traded, plus 19 second-rounders and five recent first-rounders on rookie-scale deals.
So yes, the season was a slog, and the record will sit there like a scar. But the point of the year was deeper than lottery position. It was the setup for everything that comes next, and Fernández has framed that part as the real test, staying steady through the churn, teaching through the losses, and owning the decisions that didn’t work so the next ones do.
“You cannot be overwhelmed. You have to keep going,” Fernández said. “You’ve got to trust everybody, you’ve got to build the right way, try to touch everybody every day and be ready to make mistakes, own them and move on and be better.”
The NFL is a multibillion industry and as such, they can hire the best at finding scandals when they want to. Drafting a player at the top of the first round is often such an occasion, and it appears that something significant has been uncovered.
Oliver Connolly of The Read Optional reported that University of Miami defensive end Rueben Bain was involved in a 2024 car crash where he was cited for careless driving in which the victim eventually died from injuries sustained in the accident. The Dallas Cowboys have been linked to Bain who has had to hear about his less than ideal arm length throughout the draft process.
The Hurricane prospect must now navigate questions less than two weeks from the draft.
On March 17, 2024, Bain was driving a 2021 Land Rover Sport on Interstate 95 with three other passengers, when his vehicle collided with a 2014 Jeep Wrangler driven by a person named Jaime E. Rodriguez before hitting concrete barriers on both sides of the highway.
One of the passengers in Bain's vehicle was 22-year-old Destiny Betts, a college student from Georgia visiting Miami for spring break. Betts suffered serious injuries and was rushed to Ryder Trauma Center, however she never regained consciousness and died almost three months later at North Shore Hospice.
News: Reuben Bain was cited for careless driving after a March 2024 crash in Miami that left a passenger in a coma. That passenger, a 22-year-old student, died three months later. NFL teams are aware and investigating, per sources.
A field sobriety test was not administered at the scene and the charges against Bain were dismissed two weeks before Betts succumbed to her injuries.
Bain received a single citation, "Operated his vehicle in a careless or negligent manner".
The other two passengers in his vehicle, Miami linebacker Wesley Bissainthe and Nyjalik Kelly (who now plays at UCF) were both teammates with Bain at the time of the crash and are both draft eligible for the 2026 NFL Draft.
Former Oklahoma Sooners star linebacker Owen Heinecke has filed an injunction against the NCAA for an additional season of eligibility, with the hearing set for Thursday morning in Cleveland County Court. While Heinecke himself will be taking the stand, it sounds like some major OU names will also be testifying in his favor.
According to a report from On3 SoonerScoop's George Stoia III, both general manager Jim Nagy and head coach Brent Venables, among others, will give their testimonies at Heinecke's hearing on Thursday. Stoia also reports that Heinecke's father, high school football coach, and OU director of compliance Brady Newville will take the stand as well.
Heinecke's legal counsel is led by Mary Quinn Cooper, and includes former OU chief of staff Woody Glass, OU law alum Michael Lauderdale, Tyler Ames, and Andrew Richardson. His case will be heard by judge Thad Balkman, who is an OU alum.
Heinecke's battle against the NCAA for an extra year of eligibility has been long and drawn out, and the NCAA is fighting back with everything they have. The inside linebacker had a breakout season in 2025, helping OU make the College Football Playoff. This came after he played 15 total minutes of lacrosse over the course of three games at Ohio State in 2021, missed all of 2022 after transferring to OU due to injury, and played on special teams for the Sooners in 2023 and 2024.
If Oklahoma were to get Heinecke back, it would be a huge boost to the linebacker room that is currently very thin on depth behind Kip Lewis and Cole Sullivan. However, if the ruling doesn't go in Heinecke's favor, he'll very likely be selected in the NFL draft, which beings one week after his hearing.
Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes and opinions.You can also follow Aaron on X@Aaron_Gelvin.
AUGUSTA, Ga. — This time, Rory McIlroy did not have to wait until the final putt dropped to become emotional.
After marking his ball that was a few inches from the hole on the 18th green at Augusta National, McIlroy walked to the side of the green allowing playing partner Cameron Young to close his round. He crouched, started getting emotional and had his hand over his face.
He knew what was coming.
"I looked at the back of the green and I gave it one of these," McIlroy said pumping both fists over his head.
"I looked and my mom and dad and Erica and Poppy (his wife and daughter) … I can't believe I did it again."
Then, the tap in. And here we are.
Same place. Same result.
Rinse and repeat.
Jupiter's Rory McIlroy is a back-to-back Masters champion, having survived a roller-coaster final two rounds that ended with a bogey, which was all he needed to finish one shot ahead of world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler.
McIlroy, who closed with a 71 for a total 12-under 276, is getting good at this celebration.
The look to the sky. The roar. The arms lifted high into the air. And of course, being serenaded by chants of "Rory, Rory, Rory."
But what made this victory sweeter was the hug line. Not only was he greeted by Erica and Poppy, but two special guests who were unable to witness his first Masters.
McIlroy draped his arms around his parents, Gerry and Rosie McIlroy, at once. They all had a good cry. Gerry and Rosie were not at Augusta a year ago when Rory outlasted Justin Rose on the first playoff hole. And they almost didn't come this year.
"I had to sort of convince them to come this year," McIlroy said. "They thought the reason I won last year was because they weren't here."
Now they can start booking their tickets for Augusta for 2027.
"They can keep coming as long as they want," Rory said.
Rory McIlroy joins another club that includes Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods
McIlroy joined the exclusive Grand Slam club in 2025, occupied by Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods.
The fraternity he joins by winning a second consecutive Masters is even more exclusive. He is just the fourth, joining Nicklaus, Nick Faldo and Woods.
And the first since Woods' second consecutive Masters in 2002.
Which means Augusta National Golf Club chairman Fred Ridley was called upon to present McIlroy with his second green jacket, just the fourth time the chairman was called into action.
"I just can't believe I waited 17 years to get one green jacket, and I get two in a row," he said. "I think all of my perseverance at this golf tournament over the years has really started to pay off."
By perseverance he means practice, practice, practice.
Rory has been at Augusta National so much in the last three weeks that he said Augusta National feels like his home course.
And something he has never forgotten was advice from the man who has won six green jackets, more than anyone.
McIlroy often seeks advice from Jack Nicklaus. Of course, he has a pipeline as a member of Nicklaus' Bear's Club.
"When I've talked to Jack Nicklaus over the years how he prepared for majors, and he would go the week before, and he would simulate a tournament," Rory said. "He'd play one ball for four days, shoot scores. So then when he got to the tournament, it was sort of … it felt second nature to him."
McIlroy's second Masters did not come easy
McIlroy sure knows how to make it interesting. A year ago, he missed the potential winning 5-footer on the 72nd hole, forcing the playoff. He had a three-shot lead after a birdie on No. 13 this year. Scheffler's birdie on 16 cut that to two and then the emotional roller coaster.
"I don't make it easy," McIlroy said. "It's just hard. It's hard to win golf tournaments, especially around here. It always seems to be a very tight finish at this golf course. I think it's the nature of the golf course, it's the nature of what's at stake."
The harrowing moments:
A third shot on No. 15 that most times would have spun back into the water. It stayed up.
A circuitous route on No. 18 from the pine straw closer to the 10th fairway than the 18th. That led to a shot that went over the trees, over the large scoreboard between the holes and into the left bunker. A simple chip and two putts and McIlroy was making history.
McIlroy was leading by six shots after carding a 65 in the second round. He sat with good friends Shane Lowry and Tyrrell Hatton after that round and told them "a lot can happen in a golf tournament over 36 holes or even 18 holes."
And it did.
McIlroy started the final round tied with Cameron Young. But before making the turn, he was three shots behind Rose.
A nine-shot swing in 24 holes.
"It would have been a bitter pill to swallow if I wasn't able to get myself over the finish line," he said.
As Rose started melting down, McIlroy found himself back in the lead by the 10th hole.
"There was a few guys that made a run but nothing like what Justin did last year with that 66," Rory said. "Some good play by me, and the guys didn't really come at me this year either."
McIlroys will celebrate before returning to Jupiter
McIlroy will enjoy this second go around with the Green Jacket and sterling silver trophy that is a replica of the Augusta National clubhouse the winners get to take home — unlike the Green Jacket, which stays at the club.
So 2026 will be a lot like 2025.
"We lose a lot more in golf than we win," McIlroy said. "So I think when the winning comes around, you have to celebrate it to the fullest.
"I'll have a good time tonight, and I'll probably have a sore head flying back to Florida tomorrow morning."
McIlroy now will enjoy a true break, without any day trips to Augusta in which he would drop Poppy off at school and be back by dinner.
"I'm in a really good spot with my game and my body," he said. "I feel this win is just a part of the journey. I still have things I want to achieve. But I still want to enjoy it as well. I've got a couple weeks off before I go"
But do not confuse that with complacency or satisfaction.
McIlroy's six majors moves him into a group that includes his biggest rival, Phil Mickelson, along with Lee Trevino and Nick Faldo.
At 36, he is not finished.
"I'm not putting a number on it but I don't want to stop now," McIlroy said.
Tom D'Angelo is a senior sports columnist and reporter for The Palm Beach Post. He can be reached at tdangelo@pbpost.com.
Although Stephen Curry was back in the lineup on Friday night after missing Thursday's contest against the Los Angeles Lakers, it was Brandin Podziemski who fueled the Golden State Warriors' offense in Sacramento.
On his way to a new career-high, the third-year guard notched a 30-point performance for the first time in his career. In the second-to-last game of his third season in the association, Podziemski notched a 30-point performance, erasing his previous career-high of 29 points. Podziemski's 30th point came on the final bucket of the game with free throw with 4.5 seconds remaining in Golden State's 124-118 loss to the Sacramento Kings at Golden One Center.
Podziemski finished with 30 points on 9-of-15 shooting from the field with three made 3-pointers to go along with three boards, an assist and a steal in 32 minutes. Podziemski finished 9-of-10 from the free-throw line.
In Podziemski's last 10 games, the former Santa Clara Bronco has scored 20 or more points in seven contests.
Watch highlights from Podziemski's career-high performance via YouTube:
Rory McIlroy joined more elite company Sunday at the Masters when he pulled away with a pair of birdies around Amen Corner and, as usual, saved a little drama for the end before taking his place in Augusta National history as only the fourth back-to-back champion.
In a final round where three players had a two-shot lead, McIlroy seized control for good with a bold shot over Rae’s Creek to 7 feet for birdie on the par-3 12th. Then he blistered a 350-yard drive on the par-5 13th that set up another birdie to move three shots ahead.
There were a few dicey moments, including a shot over the par-3 16th green that required him to use the slope to get in close for par, and a wild drive on the 18th that wound up closer to the 10th fairway. He tapped in for bogey and a 1-under 71 for a one-shot victory over Scottie Scheffler.
A year ago, his playoff victory over Justin Rose made McIlroy only the sixth player with the career Grand Slam. With another green jacket, McIlroy joined Tiger Woods, Nick Faldo and Jack Nicklaus as the only repeat winners of the Masters.
“A few guys made a run, but nothing like Justin last year with that 66,” McIlroy said. “Some good play by me and fortunately some guys didn’t come after me this year.”
McIlroy stood tall when he tapped in the final putt to finish at 12-under 276. There was no relief like last year of going 17 years trying to win the Masters. This was pure joy.
It was more heartache for Rose, and frustration for the others who had a chance.
Rose had a two-shot lead that evaporated around Amen Corner with two bogeys and a three-putt par. He couldn’t make up enough ground the rest of the way and had to settle for a third close call at the Masters.
Cameron Young lost his two-shot lead much earlier with a long three-putt bogey on the par-3 sixth and taking bogey on the next hole when he hit wedge from the fairway into a bunker. One shot behind going to the back nine, Young closed with nine straight pars.
As for Scheffler, the world’s No. 1 player was in position to shatter the Masters record with the largest 36-hole comeback in history. He was 12 behind going into the weekend. He was two shots behind as he approached the turn. But he ran off 11 straight pars — that wasn’t going to cut it during a final round with accessible pins to create excitement.
Scheffler had to settle for his third runner-up finish in the majors to go along with four titles. His 65-68 weekend made him the first player since 1942 to go bogey-free on the weekend at Augusta.
“I put up a good fight in order to give myself a chance,” Scheffler said.
Rose, at age 45 trying to become the second-oldest Masters champion behind Jack Nicklaus (46) in 1986, made it feel as though this was going to be his time. He made a most improbable birdie with a shot out of the trees to a foot on the seventh. That was the start of three straight birdies to close out the front nine and give him the lead.
But his approach to the 11th was well to the right and he failed to save par. His tee shot on the 12th was long, and his delicate chip didn’t reach the green, leading to another bogey. And then his 30-foot eagle putt on the par-5 13th ran 8 feet by the hole and he missed the birdie putt.
“Chance that got away,” Rose said. “I was by no means free and clear and was nowhere kind of close to having the job done, but I was right in position. ... I was really in control. And the mentality was to run through the finish line, not just try and get it done.
“I was playing great, but just momentum shifted for me around the Amen Corner.”
At the end it was a now familiar champion, McIlroy, once tormented by his chase for the green jacket and now a two-time winner whose love for the Masters only deepens.
He was so ecstatic a year ago that he asked the media when it was over, “What are we going to talk about next year?” Now the topic is easy. No one has ever won three in a row.
Nike released a sharp advertisement shortly after McIlroy's second consecutive Masters win on Sunday, one with plenty of references to the tournament at Augusta National.
"No alterations needed," Nike wrote on X (formerly Twitter). "@McIlroyRory proves he is tailored for the moment, securing back-to-back jackets at Augusta."
The win for McIlroy makes him just the fourth golfer to win back-to-back green jackets at Augusta National, and the first since 2002 when Tiger Woods won back-to-back Masters. It's the sixth career major championship for McIlroy, which is tied for the 12th most all-time.
He set the Masters record for the largest 36-hole lead at six strokes, and looked to be running away with the title. However, his third round on Saturday saw him lose that lead and head into Sunday's final round tied with Cameron Young for first place on the leaderboard. He'd face some adversity on the front nine — highlighted by a double bogey on the par-3 hole No. 6 — but overcame that with back-to-back birdies on holes No. 12 and No. 13 in the back nine.
Apr. 12—MITCHELL — Jersey Nos. 2 and 27 will forever be part of the fabric of Dakota Wesleyan University baseball.
In tribute to former Tiger ballplayers Reed Harter and Chandler Bakley, who were victims of a fatal multi-vehicle crash on Jan. 16, DWU officially dedicated both men's jerseys as numbers of honor with a ceremony at Drake Field on Saturday.
Moving forward, Harter's No. 2 and Bakley's No. 27 will be available exclusively to DWU captains selected for the honor.
According to DWU head baseball coach Charlie Dubanoski, Harter, who served as an assistant coach for the Tigers, had regularly formed a bond with players who wore the No. 2 jersey after him. Inspired by those interactions, Dubanoski proposed reserving Harter's No. 2 and Bakley's No. 27 for the program's most deserving athletes to carry on in their memory, rather than retiring the numbers, and both families supported the idea.
"Obviously, you never plan for anything like this, and you don't ever want something like this to happen," Dubanoski said. "But this felt like the best way to honor those two guys who were good ballplayers and really good people."
Seniors Shane Cowan and Dexter Payne are the first Tigers to earn the distinction of donning the No. 2 and No. 27 jerseys in honor of Harter and Bakley. Cowan, formerly No. 22, now dons Harter's No. 2, while Payne, formerly No. 29, sports Bakley's No. 27. All DWU players currently have decals in the shape of home plate and complete with the inscriptions "RH15" and "CB27" on their batting helmets. Harter wore No. 15 with the Winner/Colome Pheasants amateur baseball club.
As part of Saturday's jersey dedication ceremony, Cowan and Payne received memorial first pitches from members of the Harter and Bakley families on hand for DWU's Alumni Weekend doubleheader against Dordt. Prior to the first contest, every DWU player and coach, except for Payne wearing No. 27, came onto the field for introductions wearing No. 2 jerseys for their former coach and colleague, Harter.
"Reed was super close to this program, and I got to spend some time with him personally. He was always a great guy to me and brought a great vibe to the field. Representing such a great person and someone so special to our program, it's really an honor," Cowan said. "The pregame and seeing the families out there, it was definitely super emotional."
"It's so much more than just baseball. To see those guys' families here, and you know that they're still hurting, but it was really cool to just be there with them and honor them," Payne added. "I know that I'm playing for someone and something bigger to close it out as a senior, and it's great that they're going to keep this going."
A high standard will be expected of any DWU player with aspirations of wearing No. 2 or No. 27 in the future, as Dubanoski said those jerseys will be earned and not given. DWU baseball also announced it is working to establish a trust and present a Reed Harter and Chuck Bakley memorial scholarship to a deserving player each year.
"It's only for the guys who will represent what Reed and Chuck represented really well, and it's something that we'll think about every time we see those numbers," Dubanoski said. "Great human beings who care about the game and care about their teammates. Those are the only types of guys who are going to get the honor to wear those numbers."
Cowan, a catcher/infielder, is a native of Windsor Junction, Nova Scotia, Canada, who transferred into the DWU program last year by way of Williston State (N.D.) College.
Payne, who has played all four years with the Tigers, hails from Sioux Falls and is a Roosevelt High School product. A two-way player as a pitcher and infielder, Payne was the GPAC pitcher of the week earlier this season.
"To see those two seniors (Cowan and Payne) represent Reed and Chuck is really special," Dubanoski said. "Both of them are special young men, too, and guys I really care about."
Apr. 12—AVON, S.D. — Castlewood won five times on Saturday to claim the Avon Invitational high school softball title, capped with an 8-3 win over Scotland/Menno in the championship round.
The Warriors improved to 6-1 on the season, powered by a five-run second inning to claim the seven-team tournament title.
Scotland/Menno's Kylie Guthmiller was 3-for-3 at the plate and added a solo home run for her second home run in as many tournament games. But Cydni Kudrna had a two-run home run in the second inning as part of a five-run frame for the Warriors. Claire Horn earned the pitching win for Castlewood, allowing five hits and three runs while striking out 10 batters in five innings.
Guthmiller took the loss for Scotland/Menno, allowing eight runs on nine hits and striking out six in five innings of work. Bailey Neuharth had two stolen bases for the Trappers.
Scotland/Menno (5-3) is back in action hosting Avon on Monday in Scotland. The Trappers reached the championship with a 5-0 win over Hanson in the semifinals, powered by a home run and four RBIs from Guthmiller, who also picked up the pitching victory.
Castlewood defeated Avon in the semifinal round 14-0. The Warriors also had a 13-2 win over Wagner, a 16-5 win over Hanson and a 10-1 win over Ethan/Parkston in the earlier rounds of the tournament.
Avon (5-2) finished 3-1 in its home tournament, with two wins over Winner (21-1 and 17-1) and a 15-0 win over Wagner.
Apr. 12—MITCHELL — An unbeaten start to the 2026 spring season continued through the weekend for the Mitchell High School baseball team.
With three games in two days, the Kernels collected a trio of wins over North Dakota opponents at the Border Battle tournament in Sioux Falls, improving to 5-0 through the first week of play. Mitchell defeated Fargo Shanley 4-3 on Friday, then took down West Fargo Sheyenne 5-2 and Grand Forks Central 13-1 on Saturday.
In the blowout five-inning win over Grand Forks Central to close out Mitchell's showing at the event, Kaiden Allen earned the pitching win, striking out six batters while yielding three hits, one walk and one unearned run over four innings.
Lincoln Bottum recorded three hits and a walk, as leadoff hitter Carter McCormick had two hits, two walks and scored three runs. Ethan Hegg also had two hits and scored two runs, while Jaxson Hartman drove in three runs and Canon Moller plated two runs.
Against Sheyenne, Jacob Ebert went 5 2/3 innings on the mound to get the pitching victory, finishing with four strikeouts against five hits, three walks and two earned runs allowed. Ian Weber recorded four outs in relief and earned credit for a save. At the plate, Hartman notched two hits and scored twice, while Bottum drove in a pair of runs.
Mitchell walked off Shanley in its opener courtesy of Moller, whose two-out single in the bottom of the seventh scored Stratton Forst. Moller's game-winning base knock was one of just four hits the Kernels had in the game, but they drew nine walks, including Forst in the seventh inning, which was his third base on balls of the contest.
McCormick also drew three walks, while Moller was the lone hitter to post a hit and a walk. Meanwhile, three Mitchell pitchers combined to one-hit Shanley. McCormick and Bottum each hurled three innings, but it was Weber's seventh-inning relief effort that earned the pitching win.
Mitchell (5-0) is on the road to play O'Gorman on Tuesday, April 14 at the Sanford Diamonds in Sioux Falls.
Apr. 12—WINNER, S.D. — Area track and field programs including Kimball/White Lake, Chamberlain, Burke, Lyman, and host Winner, turned in a strong early-season showing with several athletes posting multiple top finishes at the Bill Pistulka Invitational on Saturday.
On the boys side, KWL's Lincoln Kranig led the way on the track with first-place finishes in both the 100 (11.61 seconds) and 200-meter dashes (22.57), while also running a leg on two winning relay teams. Teammate Darron Moeller added a distance title in the 3,200-meter run (10:52.02) and a runner-up finish in the 1,600-meter run (5:02.28).
Burke's Elijah Bartling captured a first-place finish in the 400-meter dash (53.76), while Chamberlain's Xavier Donovan won the 110-meter hurdles (16.21). Lyman's Cole Kieffer was a multi-event standout, winning the high jump (5 feet, 10 inches) while placing second in both the 110 hurdles (16.51) and 300 hurdles (46.19).
In the relays, KWL dominated the sprint events, winning the 4x100 and 4x200-meter relays behind Kranig, Chevy Fees, Rhys Truman, and Carter Konechne, and also taking the sprint medley title with Truman, William Brennan, Conner Stahl, and Joseph Skluzak in a time of 4:18.93. Winner's quartet of Jalen Tideman, Hudson Peters, Jed Blare, and Weston Foster placed second in the 4x400 (3:52.00), while Chamberlain and Winner followed the Wildkats in the 4x200 in second and third place, respectively.
In the field events, Winner dominated the throws. Derek Fenenga won the shot put (41-10), with teammates Jaxon Day (second, 41-2) and Mason Curtis (third, 39-7) completing a top-three throwing sweep in the event. Day also added a discus title, setting a new school record with a throw of 191 feet, 6 inches, and a second-place javelin finish (107-0), while Curtis was runner-up in discus (144-9).
Kimball/White Lake's Fees also picked up a long jump win (20-5.5). Chamberlain's Tayten Johnson contributed a runner-up finish in both the high jump (5-6) and triple jump (38-0), while teammate Tristen Johnson was second in the long jump (19-6). Chamberlain's Austin Rose added a second-place showing in the 200 (23.20), and Liam Gill placed third in the 1,600 and second in the 3,200 for the Cubs.
On the girls side, Lyman's Brooke Montgomery delivered one of the top performances of the meet, winning the 100 (12.64) and 200-meter dashes (26.10) while also placing second in the long jump (14-7). Chamberlain's Grace Phillips was another double-event standout, winning the 3,200 (12:09.05) and the 800 with a first-place time of 2:24.98.
Kimball/White Lake's Alli McCord claimed the 1,600-meter title (5:45.68) and finished second in the 3,200 (12:52.29). Chamberlain's Sasha Van Den Bosch added a runner-up finish in the 400 (1:06.76), while teammate Ava Schindler was second in the 1,600.
In the hurdles, Burke's Daytona Paris won the 100-meter hurdles (18.55), while Lyman teammates Chloe Collins and Miley Erikson consistently followed, taking second and third in both the 100 hurdles and 300 hurdles, respectively. Winner's Madelyn Danford captured first in the 300 hurdles (51.19). Chamberlain's relay team of Evelyn Bunker, Alexandra Schmiedt, Leah Schmiedt, and Nicole Schmiedt won the 4x100 (55.04) and added a second-place finish in the 4x200, while Burke finished second in the 4x100.
In the field events, Chamberlain's Piper Powell was dominant, sweeping the shot put (29-10) and discus (130-1). Burke's Annie Connot was second in the shot put (28-7), while Lyman's Aerika Janssen took second in the discus (91-7). Chamberlain's Kylah Biggins added a triple jump title (31-4) and a third-place finish in the 800 (2:44.33), while Emmy Spencer placed second in the javelin with a throw of 90 feet, four inches.
We are less than one week away from the annual Ohio State spring game, and there will be plenty to observe and dissect on the field, but there's a massive event after all of the action that you might want to be a part of.
For the fourth year in a row, the OSU program will host its premier Name, Image and Likeness event, "Saddle Up," featuring musical artist Darius Rucker. Included with the event will not only be music, but a silent auction, dancing, and the fourth annual "Run For The Scarlet and Gray" horse race with Buckeye celebrity Jockeys.
The event is set to take place at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center at 535 Irving Schottenstein Drive in Columbus. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. ET, and the event is scheduled to last until 11:00 p.m. To get tickets, you can visit go.osu.edu to find out more.
Saddle Up with the Buckeyes 🌰
Join us at 6pm on Sat. April 18 for a night filed with great music, dancing, live auctions, and more!
So, if you want to be a part of helping fund the Ohio State football program and also enjoy a night that will no doubt be memorable, consider checking it out.
Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes, and opinion. Follow Phil Harrison on X.
MIAMI – Paulo Costa has spent his whole career fighting at middleweight. Yet, despite all the history in the division, the Brazilian fighter thinks he's much closer to a UFC belt fighting at light heavyweight.
Costa (16-4 MMA, 8-4 UFC), a former UFC middleweight title challenger, moved up a weight class for a showdown against the undefeated contender Azamat Murzakanov in the co-main event of Saturday's UFC 327. Costa entered the fight as an underdog, and few gave him a chance to win, seeing the matchup as a setup for the Russian. But all that came crashing down with Costa delivering a third-round TKO finish.
"I feel good," Costa told reporters at the UFC 327 post-fight press conference. "I feel great, but I don't put a lot of attention (on the finish) because my training didn't change. The fight before this against Kopylov, man, I was knocking him out. I connected with a straight right on the chin, and he fell down. There were small details to change for me to get the knockout in the very first round."
Costa is now on a two-fight winning streak with one victory in both middleweight and light heavyweight. Despite just being 1-1 at 205 pounds in the UFC, Costa did make some big strides in the division, given Murzakanov's ranking.
"I think so. I think so," Costa said when asked if he felt closer to a title shot at light heavyweight than middleweight. "I think I'm new blood in the division, and I think this is good. I got very good feedback at the press conference. I think people are excited to see."
Costa has no preference on which belt he'd rather chase. It all comes down to which one is more attainable, at least in regard to the UFC granting him a championship opportunity.
"That's going to depend on how things end up setting up," Costa said. "If they think I'm closer to 205 to fight for the title next, OK, so I stay."
A potential target for the Arizona Cardinals in the 2026 NFL Draft, Rueben Bain, has a big red flag added to his information sheet.
According to The Read Optional, a vehicle operated by Bain struck another car before hitting concrete barriers in an incident that turned fatal for one of the passengers in Bain's vehicle.
The previously unreported collision occurred in Miami on March 17, 2024, according to The Read Optional.
The incident has not been previously reported. Bain was cited for careless driving. "It could be Laremy Tunsil all over again," a league source told The Read Optional
There were four passengers, including Destiny Betts, a 22-year-old college student who was injured and never regained consciousness. Betts passed away June 13, 2024.
Bain, who played at the University of Miami, had two teammates with him: Wesley Bissainthe and Nyjalik Kelly.
According to The Read Option:
"The police crash report states that Bain 'operated his vehicle in a careless or negligent manner.' Following the collision with the second vehicle, Bain's car — owned by a company named Miami Sports 27 Inc — struck the east concrete wall before being redirected into the west concrete wall, where it came to rest. It was later towed after sustaining disabling damage.
"No field sobriety test was administered at the scene. Bain was cited for careless driving. That charge was dismissed approximately two weeks before Betts died, while she remained in a coma.
"Multiple league sources confirmed they are aware of the incident and are continuing to investigate. It remains unclear if it will affect Bain's draft position."
Rory McIlroy became the latest golfer to win back-to-back Masters tournaments, and getting presented with the prestigious green jacket for the second consecutive year.
He joins an exclusive club, becoming one of four golfers to win back-to-back Masters tournaments along with Jack Nicklaus (1965-66), Nick Faldo (1989-90) and Tiger Woods (2001-02).
"My parting message last year was, I can't wait to come back next year and put the green jacket on myself," McIlroy said jokingly. "I wasn't quite correct, because the chairman did it, but I did want to come back here and prove last year wasn't a fluke. It is an absolutely incredible golf tournament."
McIlroy delivered a promising start to the event but had to overcome a series of hiccups through the final two days.
He managed to overcome a slow start on Saturday, briefly giving up the lead before rallying back from a three-shot deficit when it counted during the middle of the round. He finished the tournament at 12-under for the weekend.
"It felt pretty similar to last (year's final round)," McIlroy told Jim Nantz of CBS Sports after the victory. "... after that, I played flawlessly."
As a result, McIlroy was presented with the green jacket by Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley during a ceremony that followed his postgame interview with Nantz.
The previous year’s winner usually presents the jacket, but because McIlroy won the event last year, it was Scheffler who won his second jacket in 2024.
Scheffler was among those who threatened the leader on Sunday evening, finishing the final round in second place, just one shot behind the winner.
McIlroy didn't want to overthink the process and any superstitions going into this year's event as the champion.
After the 18th hole, McIlroy was greeted by family and friends on his way toward the scoring area. Among that group were his mother and father.
"It was the second major win my mom was at," McIlroy said. "… there was a part of them that didn't want to come because they thought that was the reason last time, but I’m glad they were able to experience it this time.
Ty Gibbs finally became a Cup Series winner Sunday at NASCAR's toughest short track.
The Joe Gibbs Racing driver stayed out in his No. 54 Toyota for track position, then won his first career Cup race by nipping Ryan Blaney in overtime at Bristol Motor Speedway, taking the Food City 500 in Bristol, Tenn.
In the series' eighth race, Gibbs' small lead evaporated when Riley Herbst created the ninth caution with four laps left to force the green-white- checkers overtime.
Gibbs restarted in the preferred high line and denied Blaney's No. 12 Ford by 0.055 seconds to win at the Cup level for the first time in 131 career starts, becoming the most recent driver to claim his first career checkers at Bristol since Kurt Busch in 2002 for Roush Racing.
In his fifth season, the 23-year-old driver immediately thought of his late father, Coy, who passed away at 49 in 2002. He later gave his mother, Heather, the checkered flag.
"I'd love for my father to have seen this, but I know he knew it was going to happen and expected it as well," said Ty Gibbs, who was stellar with 12 victories in 66 starts in the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series. "What a great day."
Added team owner Joe Gibbs, Ty's grandfather and Coy's father: "This is one of my best experiences. … I know Coy is probably watching."
Without a win at Bristol, Blaney was dominant in the latter half of the race but slipped up in the low groove before the late caution and could not get the run he needed in overtime.
"Fun day. Just wish we could've made it happen," said the 2023 champ, who led 190 laps, second only to Kyle Larson's 284.
Larson, points leader Tyler Reddick and Chase Briscoe completed the top five.
Toyota won for the fourth time in the past six races at Thunder Valley.
Ross Chastain made the first bold move, moving from sixth to second on the first lap, while Gibbs fell back. But by Lap 60, Christopher Bell had worked his way to third, up 11 spots, in his No. 20 Toyota as pole winner Blaney pulled away from the 37-car field.
Larson took the point after the first pit stops, but stablemate William Byron fell two laps down and dropped to 36th late in Stage 1. Larson and Bell, who combined to win the Bristol races last season, ended 1-2, respectively, in the 125-lap segment with Blaney, Briscoe and Josh Berry behind them.
Like Reddick earlier, Bell was caught speeding on pit road and fell back to 26th. The No. 20 Toyota soon lost control, struck the wall off Turn 2 and spun on the backstretch.
Larson's No. 5 paced the way as Stage 2 neared its end, but Blaney's No. 12 Ford moved to within a half-second. The two-time title winner repeated with another stage win, and Blaney, Denny Hamlin, Carson Hocevar and Briscoe were top five.
The cars were bunched up with just under 190 laps left when Herbst turned Kyle Busch, and Larson led Gibbs, Hamlin and Blaney following pit work.
Blaney moved his Ford to the point on Lap 363 after contact with Larson as drivers raced the concrete half-mile track's low or high groove and flirted with the notion of making it without another stop.
Ty Gibbs, at age 23, is too young for a winless streak to be truly meaningful.
But Gibbs had gone 130 starts, across 3.5 seasons, without a Cup Series victory heading into the Food City 500 on April 12 in the NASCAR Bristol race.
The expectations for Gibbs were (and still are) understandably high coming into his NASCAR Cup career, in top-tier equipment with family-run Joe Gibbs Racing after two dominant seasons in the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series, including a championship at age 20 in 2022.
Gibbs wiped any concerns away with a memorable first career Cup Series victory, holding off Ryan Blaney and Kyle Larson on older tires to claim the checkered flag.
Here are the winners and losers from the NASCAR Bristol race:
Ty Gibbs is a NASCAR Cup Series winner for the first time.
Gibbs steadily moved up in the final half of the race, working into the top five and then to second before the pivotal moment in the race.
Crew chief Tyler Allen opted to stay out as the other two chief contenders (Kyle Larson and Ryan Blaney) pitted with less than 20 laps to go.
Gibbs held on to the lead ahead of Tyler Reddick before Larson and Blaney quickly closed in. And it looked like Gibbs was starting to pull away when Riley Herbst's spin with four laps to go set up an overtime finish.
In OT, Gibbs lined up on the outside and never allowed Larson to drive to his outside from the second row while keeping Blaney pinned on the inside.
Blaney tried to drive off with full effort off the fourth turn on the final lap but to no avail. Gibbs claimed the Food City 500 on older tires against two of the best drivers in the sport.
Front Row Motorsports has not had a good start to the 2026 season, recording two top-10 finishes across the first seven races (both by Zane Smith) across its three entries.
But a well-timed move by crew chief Chris Lawson helped Todd Gilliland to a season-best finish.
Lawson opted for a two-tire stop with 115 laps to go, launching Gilliland from a possible top-20 finish into the top five. Gilliland faded a bit, then took two tires on the final stop with less than 25 laps to go to preserve a sixth-place finish.
Gilliland had a long road back from losing a lap early in Stage 1 and being involved in a four-car accident with Shane van Gisbergen and others. The strategy move provided a good reward after a hard day's work.
Byron's Bristol weekend may be the most inexplicable performance in the series this season.
The No. 24 struggled from the start of practice on April 11, continuing into qualifying. Byron qualified 34th in the 37-car field, then started at the rear after unapproved adjustments.
But from the drop of the green flag, Byron wasn't competitive. He only moved up a few spots in the first green-flag run, losing a lap before losing another before the end of the first stage.
His team continued to discuss strategy on the radio, with eyes on stealing a lap back via the wavearound before using a quick caution to get back even on tires. But the speed of the car was never at a level in which the team could be aggressive and move up.
Byron finished 30th, five laps down. To see the No. 24 struggle that much just on its own merit was jarring.
SVG's overall numbers on non-road courses have improved, but his performances aren't nearly strong enough to overcome too many days like the one he had at Bristol.
SVG qualified outside the top 30 and ran around 30th for the first stage, then spun on his own and collected others in a four-car crash early in Stage 2.
He did return to the track after a lengthy stint in the garage for repairs to gain a spot or two, but he finished 34th and dropped to 16th in the points standings, one point off the Chase cutoff.
SVG now has three finishes of 30th or worse in eight starts this season.
AUGUSTA, Ga. — Max Homa hasn’t forgotten. Following a Sunday 67, Homa reflected on two Aprils ago, and his tee shot that found water on No. 12 at the Masters.
“That's where I'll have my biggest regret of my career most likely,” Homa said of the 2024 double bogey.
This Sunday, Homa played Amen Corner in 2 under, with pars on Nos. 11 and 12, and an eagle on the 13th. For the eagle achievement, he’ll be awarded a pair of crystal highball glasses.
“I've just played (No. 12) a lot more aggressively and hit a beautiful one in there today,” Homa said.
As for the 13th, Max missed the fairway to the right before roping an iron to 10-feet below the hole.
“It's the easiest putt you could ask for there. That was fun,” Homa said of the eagle.
Despite carding a final round 67, Homa began his week with strolls of 72, 70 and 71. Looking ahead to the 2027 Masters, the 35-year-old said, “I would like next time to be in contention earlier. Not need a miracle on Sunday.”
The Lynx retained a couple big pieces of their current core Sunday, agreeing to two year, reportedly max deals with guard Courtney Williams and Kayla McBride, as two of the team’s bigger “splashes” thus far this offseason.
Minnesota will also welcome back a familiar face, as the team inked a two-year deal with Natasha Howard worth a reported $1.4 million.
The 6-foot-3, 34-year-old forward is a two-time all-star who played for Minnesota in 2016 and 2017, winning a title in her final season with the Lynx. But her career took off when she departed for Seattle.
Howard was the league’s Most Improved Player in 2018 and a first-team All-WNBA player in 2019. Howard averaged 11.4 points per game last summer for Indiana.
“We are happy to be bringing Tasha home to the Minnesota Lynx,” Lynx coach and basketball boss Cheryl Reeve said in a release. “She has earned some impressive accolades since her time with the Lynx, and we look forward to adding her versatile offensive skillset and defensive proficiency to our team.”
She’ll be tasked with helping replace Alanna Smith, who agreed to a deal with Dallas over the weekend. Minnesota’s roster had to be reconstructed with the free agency departures of Smith and Natisha Hiedeman, who agreed to a deal with Seattle.
Bridget Carleton was Portland’s top selection in the expansion draft.
But Minnesota has managed to keep a chunk of its core together. Minnesota extended a core offer to superstar Napheesa Collier last week, granting the franchise exclusive negotiating rights with its best player.
It also maintained its starting backcourt.
McBride has been ever present around Minnesota in recent weeks. In a release, Reeve said there “aren’t enough words” to express what the five-time all-star means to the Lynx.
“Her commitment and love for our organization are special,” Reeve said, “and I’m excited to continue to be part of her incredible career.”
Williams is a two-time all star who solved Minnesota’s point guard conundrum two seasons ago.
“The passion and joy she plays with elevates our team to great heights, and we look forward to continuing our relationship in the coming years,” Reeve said in a release.
The Lynx also signed Hopkins alum Nia Coffey, a quality depth piece. Minnesota will select No. 2 overall in Monday’s WNBA draft.
The Boston Celtics are on a collision course for the second round of the 2025-26 NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs. Or at least that is the point of view of the hosts of the CLNS Media "First to the Floor" podcast, Jake Issenberg, Ben Vallis, and Wayne Spooney, who together took some time on a recent episode of their show to talk over the impact and odds for a likely second-round series between the Celtics and the team that sent Boston packing with an injured Jayson Tatum last year.
What are the implications of this potential rematch? Do we think that the Knicks are better or worse than last season? And what about the Celtics? Most importantly, do we think that Boston is going to come away with a win to advance to the Conference Finals?
Take a look at the clip embedded below to hear what they had to say about a potential second-round Knicks-Celtics series.
Florida State landed one of the top linebackers in the 2026 class when blue-chip prospect Izayia Williams signed. Although he wasn't quite as sought-after, three-star Karon Maycock was a big target for FSU, as they've held a commitment from him since February of 2025.
Injuries during spring practice have presented an opportunity for Maycock to get a head start on learning what defensive coordinator Tony White wants in his 3-3-5 scheme. According to Noles247's Zach Blostein, he's shining daily.
With veteran linebacker Mikai Gbayor currently sidelined with an injury, true freshman Karon Maycock has turned heads as he has been granted more reps. A source said they feel like he may crack the linebacker rotation this season for the 'Noles.
Maycock picking things up this quickly is good for a few reasons. It shows that he can translate his game from the high school level to the collegiate level without having a huge learning curve. Also, it speaks well to how new linebackers coach Ernie Sims is getting his philosophy across.
FSU has veterans like Omar Graham Jr., Chris Jones, and Blake Nichelson at linebacker who he will compete for playing time with. However, Maycock, along with Williams, will need to adjust at a rapid speed as they will be counted on as well.
Contact/Follow us @FSUWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida State news, notes and opinions. You can also follow Matthew on X @StarConscience
MIAMI – Tatiana Suarez thinks her win over Loopy Godinez at UFC 327 could get her a title shot.
Suarez (12-1 MMA, 9-1 UFC) forced Godinez (14-6 MMA, 9-6 UFC) to tap to a rear-naked choke midway through the second round of their strawweight fight on the prelims at Kaseya Center in Miami.
Suarez won for the second straight time after a title shot loss to former champion Zhang Weili in early 2025, which was the first setback of her career. She also became the first to submit Godinez, which was icing on the cake.
But Suarez thinks it's time to put her into the conversation for another crack at the 115-pound belt, which now is held by Mackenzie Dern after Zhang vacated to move up to flyweight for a shot at Valentina Shevchenko's title. Zhang came up short this past November, and her next move could impact Suarez, naturally.
"I guess it just depends on Weili," Suarez said at her post-fight news conference. "I heard that she was going back down to 115, but I will gladly go fight Mackenzie for that belt. The UFC makes those decisions. I just go in there. They tell me a time, date and an opponent, and I just show up.
"… I think with a really good finish, that does put me in the talks."
It's been 10 years since Suarez won Season 23 of "The Ultimate Fighter." Three years after that, she beat Nina Nunes – and then didn't fight again for nearly four years due to injuries.
Once she was back, she needed just two years to get her title shot – the one that remains the only loss of her career. And naturally, she'd love to have another chance to fight Weili.
"Obviously I want to get the belt, regardless of who it is," Suarez told MMA Junkie. "But I do want to fight Weili again. I do think that it would be a different outcome. I know by the way (the first fight) looked, people don't think that. But I believe it 100 percent.
"I had such an amazing camp … I just went into panic mode, and I wasn't using my skills and my brain. That's very, very important when you're out there. You can be the best fighter, but if you're not mentally checked in, you can look like you're not the best fighter. I look forward to making those adjustments and becoming a world champion."
Check out Suarez's post-fight interview in the video above.
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