Nature, Published online: 24 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-10813-zAuthor Correction: cBAF complex components and MYC cooperate early in CD8+ T cell fate

Los Angeles Sparks guard Kelsey Plum is out for the foreseeable future.The four-time WNBA All-Star has a lower leg injury, the team announced Wednesday. Plum, who is in her second season with the Sparks, is expected to be reevaluated in four weeks.During a recent 98-97 win over New York, Plum played 36 minutes, finishing with 12 points, seven assists, and three rebounds. The 31-year-old had her left leg wrapped multiple times during the matchup.Plum is averaging 23.9 points, 6.4 assists, 2.2 rebounds and 1.2 steals per matchup this season. Her nearly 24 points per contest are second in the league behind only A'ja Wilson.This season, the Sparks guard has battled several injuries. She missed four games earlier this year with an ankle injury. Plum is also the second Sparks player to be out for an extended period in recent days.Her teammate, center Cameron Brink, is also sidelined because of an ankle sprain. "It's a good ankle sprain," Sparks coach Lynne Roberts said June 17. "I don't anticipate her being back (soon)."This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Kelsey Plum injury update: Sparks star to miss at least four weeks

Scotland can secure knockout football at the World Cup when they play Brazil in game 3 of Group C.The Scots earned their spot at the tournament finals in the most dramatic fashion when they scored two stoppage-time stunners to pip Denmark to top spot in their final qualifier.With victory over Haiti, The Tartan Army watched their nation win a game at a major tournament for the first time in three decades, having experienced only losses and draws at the past two Euros.And while such an outcome might satisfy the travelling fans, Scotland’s participation at the World Cup means they have a theoretical route to the biggest match in the four-year football calendar, should Steve Clarke’s side blow all expectations out of the water.Steve Clarke leads Scotland into their first World Cup since 1998 (PA)Should they top the group they will face the nation that finishes as runner-up in Group F in the round of 32. If they finish as a runner-up, they will take on the winner of that group, which contains the Netherlands, Japan, Tunisia and Sweden.If Scotland are of the eight best third-placed teams come the end of the group stage, they will face one of the winners from Groups A, E or I in the first knockout stage.For ease of projection, let us assume that Scotland finish second in their group and the Netherlands top theirs, as the highest-ranked Group F side, setting up that round of 32 meeting.They would then face the winner of a meeting between the runner-up in Group A and runner-up in Group B. Beyond that, a tough quarter-final may loom against France or Germany should each top their Groups (E and I respectively).Should England win their group in our scenario, the earliest that they could encounter Scotland would be the final. Below is our projection using the current Fifa rankings to form a possible bracket.Scotland’s possible route to World Cup final:Group fixtures13 June: Scotland 1-0 Haiti (Gillette Stadium, Foxborough)18 June: Scotland 0-1 Morocco (Gillette Stadium, Foxborough)24 June: Scotland vs Brazil (Hard Rock Stadium, Miami)Round of 3229 June: Scotland vs Netherlands (Estadio BBVA, Guadalupe)Round of 164 July: Scotland vs South Korea (NRG Stadium, Houston)Quarter-final9 July: Scotland vs France (Gillette Stadium, Foxborough)Semi-final14 July: Scotland vs Spain (AT&T Stadium, Dallas)Final19 July: Scotland vs Argentina (MetLife Stadium, New Jersey)

🔙Spain, boosted by good news before flying to MexicoAhead of the match against Uruguay, the national team is close to having all its players back, with Víctor Muñoz taking part in part of the session.Although only briefly, it was an encouraging sign to see Víctor Muñoz back on the training pitch with Spain.The now Liverpool player was involved in the opening moments before leaving to continue his recovery process in a session where everyone is fit.Spain will head to Mexico tonight for their final group-stage match against Uruguay and will look to seal top spot in the group.This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.

We are counting down the 15 biggest highlights from the last year of Kentucky Wildcats sports, looking at the moments that stood out, and brought out the best in Big Blue Nation. The No. 2 moment comes to us from the volleyball court, and a comeback win that electrified the fans.The Wildcats volleyball team rolled through conference play, going 15-0 during the regular season. Then, in the SEC Tournament, they easily dispatched the Auburn Tigers and Tennessee Volunteers to reach the championship match against the Texas Longhorns. Texas was one of the country's best teams all season, and would not go down easily.Texas quickly demonstrated their abilities by dominating the opening set, winning it 25-19. In the second set, Kentucky jumped out to a 10-4 lead, but couldn't hold it. The Longhorns won the prolonged set 28-26 to take a 2-0 lead in the match.In set three, things looked bleak for the Cats. They fell behind early, and trailed for most of the way. Texas led 23-19, and seemed poised to sweep the match. Then a service error was followed by a Lizzie Carr block. An attack error made it 23-22, but Texas arrived at match point, 24-22. Eva Hudson smashed home a kill. Then Hudson's serve wasn't returned, tying the match. A set error moved Kentucky in front by a point before Asia Thigpen completed the comeback to take the set 26-24.After that, momentum shifted. Kentucky took set four 25-22, then finished off the reverse sweep by taking set five 15-9. It was a tremendous win that catapulted the Wildcats to a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament and a run to the championship game. The comeback win showed the true competitiveness and determination that they had. They refused to lose, and made a highlight to remember.This article originally appeared on UK Wildcats Wire: Kentucky Wildcats top 2025-26 sports moments: No. 2 Texas comeback

Jason Kelce and the Eagles Autism Foundation will be in Sea Isle City this week for a fundraising event.Today, June 24, and tomorrow, June 25, Sea Isle City will be hosting the Team 62 Fundraiser, an annual event hosted by Kelce.Along with Kelce, current Eagles players, past Eagles players, Eagles cheerleaders and Eagles mascot SWOOP will be present throughout the two days.Upcoming events: Celebrate the Fourth with these South Jersey fireworksToday’s events kick off at noon, with a fun-filled family day lasting until 3 p.m. The events will be held at Excursion Park, with various activities and a silent disco. Tickets start at $25.From 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., Kelce, along with surprise celebrity guests, will bartend an exclusive 21+ event at Ocean Drive. Tickets for this event are currently running low and must be purchased online ahead of time.Tomorrow at 11 a.m., Kelce will be heading to the Sea Isle City Yacht Club for the Beer Bowl. As another 21+ event, event guests will be able to watch teams compete for the title of Beer Bowl Champion, with a $50,000 cash prize up for grabs. Tickets must be purchased ahead of time.All money raised from the two-day event will go towards the Eagles Autism Foundation.Where is the Jason Kelce Team 62 Fundraiser?All Team 62 Fundraiser events will be in Sea Isle City. Events will take place at the following locations:Family-fun day: Excursion Park, located at 2 41st Street.Kelce bartending event: Ocean Drive, located at 3907 Landis Avenue.Beer Bowl: Sea Isle City Yacht Club, located at 4487 Venicean Road.Risha Inaganti writes about trending topics across South Jersey for the Courier-Post. If you have a story she should tell, email her at rinaganti@usatodayco.com. Subscribe to stay up to date on the news you need.This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Eagles Autism Foundation Team 62 Fundraiser event

Lazio sell Romagnoli to Al-Sadd, but Atalanta and Napoli battle for GilaAs expected, Alessio Romagnoli will complete his medical tests with Al-Sadd after contracts were signed, but Lazio defender Mario Gila is torn between Napoli and Atalanta.The Aquile are once again busy largely with exits on the transfer market in the early part of the summer, though some deals had been months in the making.Lazio exits for Romagnoli and perhaps GilaBERGAMO, ITALY – APRIL 22: Alessio Romagnoli of SS Lazio celebrates a opening goal during the Coppa Italia semi-final match between Atalanta BC and SS Lazio at New Balance Arena on April 22, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images)Romagnoli had already said goodbye to the fans in January when he assumed that a move to Al-Sadd would be completed, but his club blocked the exit.He returned to work with the promise that he would be allowed to go to Qatar in the summer, and that is now happening, with multiple sources including Sky Sport Italia and Fabrizio Romano all saying the paperwork has been signed.All he needs to do now is undergo the medical tests and be presented as their new player at a cost of circa €3m.ROME, ITALY – MARCH 15: Mario Gila celebrates a victory after the Serie A match between SS Lazio and AC Milan at Stadio Olimpico on March 15, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images)Meanwhile, Sportitalia transfer expert Alfredo Pedullà warns that the situation is getting complicated for another Lazio defender, Mario Gila.His contract is due to expire in June 2027 and there seems to be no sign of a renewal, yet the Aquile are also hesitant to accept a bid from Napoli, believed to be worth €15m plus add-ons.This is also because as part of his original transfer, they owe Real Madrid 50 per cent of the sale, so are tempted to simply keep him on until his contract runs down.However, Pedullà claims that Atalanta have now made a new approach for Gila and are prepared to pay over €20m, including various performance-related bonuses.It would enable the Spaniard to reunite with his old Lazio coach Maurizio Sarri, now in Bergamo.

ATLANTA, GA - JUNE 07: Tyler Kinley (45) of the Atlanta Braves pitches during the Sunday afternoon MLB game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Atlanta Braves on June7, 2026 at Truist Park in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images Following yet another depressing loss in Petco Park for the Atlanta Braves, some changes have been made and there’s some good news as far as the bullpen is concerned. Tyler Kinley is back healthy after dealing with “right elbow inflammation” and has been reinstated from the 15-day IL as a result. The #Braves today reinstated RHP Tyler Kinley from the injured list after optioning RHP JR Ritchie to Triple-A Gwinnett. The club also selected RHP Ian Hamilton to the major league roster and designated RHP Carlos Carrasco for assignment.— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) June 24, 2026This is very big news and not just because of the fact that Kinley had been turning things around before his IL stint after a rough first on the mound. Ever since May 13, Kinley had produced a 2.45 ERA (59 ERA-) and a 3.56 FIP (87 FIP-) across the 12 appearances he made leading up to his IL stint. Getting Kinley back will be huge since the bullpen was starting to show some signs of wear. Due to Robert Suarez’s forearm issues, Carlos Carrasco ended up pitching two high-leverage innings and to be quite honest, that’s just not an ideal situation for the Braves in this particular moment in time. So yeah, getting Kinley back will be massive for a bullpen that has largely kept it pushing despite dealing with whatever woes may come their way. Speaking of Carrasco, he’s going back on the DFA cycle following last night’s performance and he’s been subsequently replaced by Ian Hamilton. So far, Hamilton has pitched one inning for the Braves and it was back on April 21 when he gave up three runs on two hits and two walks, so I’d imagine that you can guess that the Braves are doing this simply to have another arm available until Cookie does his latest circuit on the DFA cycle and they can bring him back again. Meanwhile, the corresponding move for Tyler Kinley was that JR Ritchie was sent back down to Triple-A Gwinnett following his efforts on Tuesday in San Diego. As admirably as Ritchie performed in getting through five innings in each of his past three starts, giving up five runs each to the Giants and Padres is certainly not conducive to success — especially in a situation where the Braves are badly in need of consistent and stable starting pitching. Ritchie did end up with seven strikeouts on the night but he also walked four and gave up five hits on his way to giving up those five runs (four earned) and it also came as a bit of a gut punch since it happened all in the frame immediately after Atlanta had score four runs, themselves. So while Ritchie has shown some promise during his time with the Braves so far this season, it’s clear that he’s going to need a bit more work in the minors before this the big leagues becomes his permanent home station. For now, the Braves do get one of their more effective relievers back from the injury list so that’s one less thing to worry about for the time being. It’s one thing but it’s a big thing.

The Boston Celtics elected to go with a project big man in the 2026 NBA Draft, Houston's Chris Cenac Jr. Fans of the team were mixed on the selection, with some pointing to his high upside while others critiqued the fact that it might take years before he will be ready to truly help Boston compete for titles.Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens spoke on the pick in his post-first round draft press conference, and had plenty of praise for the 6-foot-11 big man. "He's just a good young player, energetic, plays hard, excellent athlete, long, fits a position of need," said Stevens. "Some things that we were a little short on this year from an athletic perspective, I think, with his size and his length.""And he is, when you play in the program he's played for, (what) he's been through, he's been taught well, and been held to a high standard," added the Celtics president. "And so I like that," said Stevens of the 19-year-old forward. "And he will undoubtedly come here and be eager to jump into it. He's a good worker.""He's a good person. And he's got a lot to learn, but we're excited about starting that process with him."Listen to "Havlicek Stole the Pod" on:Blue Wire: https://tiny.ee/CdKpiTunes: https://tiny.ee/RK47YouTube: https://tiny.ee/cOW3This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Brad Stevens on Celtics first round pick Chris Cenac Jr.

I have been ruminating over the past few days over the United States 2-0 Australia match, pouring over what the internet has had to say about the match, and watching other World Cup matches. And I really can’t stop thinking about how the US played and how impressive it really was. Here are three things lingering in my mind. 1) The USMNT is a Pretty Complete TeamIt’s kinda interesting to think about the United States Mens National Team’s 2-0 victory over Australia from the Aussie’s perspective. Australia beat Türkiye by setting up an organized low block, leveraging their physicality, and attacking on the corner. They tried to do much the same against the US (albiet with some rather baffling lineup changes), but it didn’t work. Instead, the US broke through and scrambled their backline into conceding an own goal. Australia was also supposed to be contesting and physically imposing themselves on the opposition, but the second goal came from the US winning a freekick and then reacting faster on the second ball to put it in. Which is to say, when they fell behind, Australia neither had the flexibility to change their gameplan fast enough to get back into the game, nor were able to maintain their physical dominance for the full 90 minutes for a second game. It wasn’t until the last 20 minutes or so, after making a slew of major changes at the half, that Australia began to actually impose themselves and began to dictate the game. However, even then, they barely made anything out of all that time. You can actually see that in this Expected Goals (xG) timeline, with Australia making nearly nothing from the 70th minute on. Which brings us back to the United States. Because the US used to be quite a lot like this current Australia team. They were all about attacking on the counter and having a physical and organized defense. The US definitely did a bit of that organized deep defending, what has apparently been coined by Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta as “suffering”, in their history. I normally love the Adam Cleary Football Channel on Youtube, but there was something that he said in his review of the US v. Australia game that caught my ire. Cleary mentioned that this was the first time that he saw the US “suffer” and suffer so well, by which he meant defensively manage the game even without control of possession by essentialy parking the bus. And what annoys me about that is that the US actually has a very long history of this “suffering”. You go and look back at some of the biggest moments in the team’s history, the 3-2 victory over Portugal in the 2002 World Cup, the 2-0 against Mexico in the same tournament, the 2-0 against Spain (then the best team in the world) at the 2009 Confederations Cup, the 2-1 victory over Ghana… There’s a lot of time spent sitting back and defending a lead. What is true, however, is that the US has not been nearly as good at this in a while. Under Berhalter, the team didn’t want to defend in a low block and strangle opportunities. They wanted to control possession to slow the game down, limit opportunities for the opponent to attack on the break and then, after taking a lead, continuing to hold possession to starve the opponent of time and chances at goal. In that regard, this is a bit different.This is all to say, this USMNT team is suddenly both able to be strong in attack and, as shown against Australia, be able to sit back and absorb. We aren’t the kind of sit deep, be organized, and counter team anymore. We can break down a deep defense. We can by physically imposing. We can keep possession to starve a team of chances AND we can sit deep and defend. That’s a lot of really positive attributes that are suddenly on display, and there’s not a lot of weak phases of play to point at.2) The US is a Top TeamI mean this rather literally in the sense that the US is officially finising at the top of Group D through just two games. But I also mean this to say that the quality of the US’s play has consistently been among the best of showings out of this tournament. When the fixtures were being scheduled, the US was assigned a Pot 1 spot, the pot with both the hosts and the top teams, simply because the US were hosting (along with Canada and Mexico), and not out of quality. But the US has 6 points through two matches, more than highly regarded teams like England, Spain, and Belgium. And the US has consistently looked like the better team against both Paraguay and Australia, through the whole of the match, the team clearly in control, unlike France’s first half performance against Senegal or Germany through much of their game against Ivory Coast. Of course, the retort for this is that this is merely against Paraguay and Australia. But that frankly isn’t very convincing for me. Paraguay and Australia in isolation aren’t peak rated teams, but they are comparable to the sides that other teams are facing. Actually, the US is far exceeding expectations. There were fears (including from me) that the US could be elimited entirely in the first round, and those such fears have been thoroughly exorcised. Indeed, the apparent consensus on the internet going in was that Türkiye was most likely to top the group, a prediction that looks all together ridiculous now that Türkiye has been eliminated after just two games with 0 points after scoring 0 goals. The reality is that the US’s group was largely considered among the tightest with all of the teams having the potential to advance. And it’s really been the US that has elevated themselves to stand above the rest.This isn’t to say that the US is necessarily going to be able to beat all the other top teams. Rather, it is to say that the US is playing up to that higher level and the praise is well deserved. I don’t really know what the expectations for this USMNT team really should be at the moment because they are essentialy operating at the level of “Pleasantly very surprised”. How far can this team go? Well, signs suggest we should be very optimistic.3) This Team Can Function Without PulisicAnd another reason to be optimistic is because this US team has largely done this without their star player, Christian Pulisic. Pulisic was of course central to the team’s attacking performance in the first half of the Paraguay game, but he was pulled out at halftime and has not played a minute since apparently out of an abundance of precaution following a calf injury. The team hasn’t exactly been at the same level without him, but that hasn’t stopped them from scoring three goals and winning two matches. Against Australia, the switch was to tweak the formation and bring in striker Ricardo Pepi. Both Pepi and striker Folarin Balogun were willing and able to peel into that left side, secure with the knowledge that there was another striker there to operate in the middle. And Australia simply could not hang with it. That’s how the first goal happened, with Balogun drifting onto the left and torching his man. The message for the rest of the world is that the US has dangerous players besides Pulisic, particularly Balogun and Weston McKennie. And that is very interesting given that Pulisic is coming back. He’s been reported to be fit and back in training, so there’s a lot of potential for this US team to be dangerous come the knockout rounds. That’s it from me. Tell me, what is lingering in your mind? In the meantime, the US will return on Thursday, June 25th, for their final match against Türkiye before the knockout stages start.

Jun 7, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Rockies pitcher Jaden Hill (0) reacts after a two-run home run by Milwaukee Brewers catcher Gary Sanchez (99) in the sixth inning at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images | Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images On Wednesday morning prior to their final game of three against the Boston Red Sox, the Colorado Rockies announced that they have placed right-handed reliever Jaden Hill on the 15-day injured list with right shoulder tendonitis.Hill, 26, was originally selected in the second round of the 2021 draft as a starting pitcher. However, he was converted into a reliever for the 2024 season. He has since become a regular contributor in the Rockies bullpen after posting a solid 3.38 ERA in 28 appearances last season.The Louisiana State University product started out strong this season. Through the end of May he had posted a 2.61 ERA with 23 strikeouts and just nine walks over 20.2 innings of work. Unfortunately, he has struggled in the month of June. In nine appearances this June he has completed just six innings and given up nine earned runs on eight hits, eight walks, and just five strikeouts. He has also hit three batters and seen his ERA grow to 5.06 while finishing a full inning in just three appearances.In a corresponding roster move, the Rockies have recalled right-handed reliever Seth Halvorsen from the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes.Halvorsen, 26, has a 3.31 ERA over 18 appearances and 16 strikeouts over 16.1 innings across multiple stints with the Major League roster.Join the conversation!Sign up for a user account and get:Fewer adsCreate community postsComment on articles, community postsRec comments, community postsNew, improved notifications system!Please keep in mind our Purple Row Community Guidelines when you’re commenting. Thanks!

Transgender women incarcerated in Scottish prisons must be housed in men’s facilities, following a judge’s ruling last week. Judge Lady Ross’s June 19 opinion came in response to a challenge brought by anti-trans group For Women Scotland (FWS) to the Scottish Prison Service’s Policy for the Management of Transgender People in Custody Operational Guidance. FWS is the same group that brought the case leading to the U.K. Supreme Court’s ruling last year that the legal definition of a woman under the country’s 2010 Equality Act is based on “biological sex.” Related Masculine cis woman forced into men’s prison based on her “appearance” Prior to Ross’s ruling, the Scottish Prison Service’s guidance around housing transgender women was based on individual risk assessment, allowing some trans inmates to be housed in women’s facilities, the BBC notes. But in her opinion, Ross said the guidance was “in conflict with the requirement that prison accommodation be provided separately for men and women” and that it was unlawful in all circumstances. She also said she based her decision on the precedent set by the U.K. Supreme Court’s 2025 ruling. Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today Following Ross’s judgement, Scottish First Minister John Swinney initially told BBC Scotland that his government would “consider all of these details because there are complex issues that are involved.” “We will assess the implications the judgement has on carrying out policy in relation to the handling of prisoners,” Swinney said. “The government will do that work and respond accordingly to the judgement that has been made.” But on Tuesday, the Scottish Government released a statement saying it would not appeal the decision. The Scottish Prison Service withdrew its policy on Monday, and work has already begun to transfer trans women to men’s facilities, the statement said. “This case has involved important consideration of Ministers’ legal obligations as well as the serious practical implications arising from the issues before the court, including the risk of suicide recognized in the judgement,” Scottish Justice Secretary Neil Gray said. “The safety, wellbeing and rights of all those living and working within Scotland’s prisons and the welfare of affected individuals will be the primary consideration and operational changes will be taken forward carefully, lawfully and in a managed way.” Scottish Government will not appeal Lady Ross's ruling on prisons. pic.twitter.com/FnzWEKmed4— For Women Scotland (@ForWomenScot) June 23, 2026 Prior to the government’s Tuesday release, anti-trans advocate J.K. Rowling responded to Swinney’s initial statement by suggesting in a comment on X that “female prisoners whose legal rights aren’t being upheld should be reminded of the existence” of her J.K. Rowling Women’s Fund. The Harry Potter author reportedly set up the private fund in late 2024 to use her vast wealth to personally fund legal cases aimed at diminishing rights and protections for transgender women in the U.K. and Ireland. Female prisoners whose legal rights aren’t being upheld should be reminded of the existence of https://t.co/iyohnrgVZN.— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 20, 2026 It would be very sweet and the fund stands ready to fund such an action.— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 20, 2026 In response to another X user’s comment that “it would be sweet” if current and former cisgender incarcerated women brought a class action lawsuit against the Scottish government, Rowling wrote that “It would be very sweet and the fund stands ready to fund such an action.” The author made headlines in February 2024 when she pledged a £70,000 (about $89,000) donation to For Women Scotland to help fund its efforts to enshrine an anti-trans definition of women into U.K. law. It’s unclear whether Rowling contributed funding to the group’s challenge to the Scottish Prison Service’s policy. However, in a May 2025 X post, she made it clear that she was eager to “give financial backing to any woman who wanted to sue because she suffered detriments through being incarcerated with a [transgender woman].” Editor’s note: This article mentions suicide. If you need to talk to someone now, call the Trans Lifeline at 1-877-565-8860. It’s staffed by trans people, for trans people. The Trevor Project provides a safe, judgement-free place to talk for LGBTQ youth at 1-866-488-7386. You can also call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

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We are diving into some IDP fantasy football content this offseason as we look to bring in all sorts of football fans to Bucs Wire. While offensive rookies tend to dominate fantasy football conversations, linebackers remain some of the most valuable assets in IDP leagues when they earn significant playing time.Next up is New York Giants linebacker Arvell Reese.Reese arrives in New York after a productive career at Ohio State, where he showcased the athleticism, range and versatility that NFL teams look for in modern linebackers. His final season with the Buckeyes demonstrated growth as a run defender and tackler, helping him earn a starting opportunity almost immediately after entering the league.Depth Chart SituationWLBArvell ReeseMicah McFaddenDarius MuasauMLBTremaine EdmundsJack KellyZaire BarnesIDP Talent Around HimBrian Burns, EDGEAbdul Carter, EDGETremaine Edmunds, LBJevon Holland, STyler Nubin, SPaulson Adebo, CB2026 Stat Projections82 Total Tackles7 Tackles For Loss2 Sacks1 Forced Fumble4 Pass Deflections155 Fantasy PointsReason to Believe in Arvell Reese in 2026: A clear path to tacklesThe biggest reason to believe in Reese as an IDP asset is opportunity. The Giants currently list him atop the weakside linebacker depth chart, putting him in position to see meaningful snaps from the start of his rookie season. Unlike many first-year defenders who must carve out rotational roles, Reese enters training camp with a realistic chance to remain on the field in a starting capacity.His skill set fits the role well. Reese is an explosive athlete who covers ground quickly and has the range to impact plays from sideline to sideline. He showed improvement throughout his time at Ohio State, becoming more patient when diagnosing plays and more consistent when going downhill against the run. His ability to stay active with his hands and work through traffic helped him become a more reliable defender as his experience grew.The production supports the projection. Reese earned an 86.5 run-defense grade and an 85.6 tackling grade during his final college season while missing only four tackles. He recorded 34 defensive stops and demonstrated the ability to contribute in multiple ways, whether attacking downhill, dropping into coverage, or occasionally rushing the passer. That versatility is important because it creates more paths to fantasy production.The environment around him should help as well. The Giants feature one of the league's more disruptive edge duos in Brian Burns and Abdul Carter, while veteran linebacker Tremaine Edmunds handles responsibilities in the middle of the defense. That combination could allow Reese to play fast and attack the football rather than constantly having to take on blockers.2026 OutlookAmong the rookie defenders entering the league this season, Reese has one of the most attractive redraft profiles. Starting linebackers with strong tackling ability often outperform rookie edge rushers in fantasy football because tackles provide a more stable weekly floor.Fantasy managers should view Reese as a late-round LB4 with upside to finish as an LB3 if he maintains a full-time role throughout the season. His combination of projected snaps, tackling efficiency, and athletic range gives him a legitimate chance to become one of the better rookie values in IDP formats during 2026.This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Arvell Reese fantasy outlook for 2026: IDP rookie profile

Every NFL season has good and bad roads it can take. More often than not, there is one key factor that can take a season to new heights, or make it all come crashing down. CBS Sports' Tyler Sullivan recently laid out the best and worst-case scenarios for every NFL team. When it came to the Vikings, it all centered around the play of Kyler Murray. He comes to Minnesota after being let go by the Arizona Cardinals this offseason, and he hopes for a fresh start. Most importantly, they hope Murray can return to his old ways, showing he is worthy of being a top-paid player at his position. In terms of the best-case scenario for that, Sullivan writes that they can hope for a Sam Darnold-like run. "The pressure of the quarterback battle produces a diamond. Either Kyler Murray is Sam Darnold 2.0, giving the Vikings a veteran capable of competing for an NFC North title, or J.J. McCarthy stabilizes and rises to the occasion to fend off Murray. Either way, the quarterback question is definitively answered, and Minnesota suddenly is back where it was in 2024, battling for the division crown and the No. 1 seed."If they can get Darnold-ish play, then the sky could be the limit for this team. There is a small Super Bowl window for this team, but it will all center around the play out of the quarterback position. This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: What is the best case scenario for the Vikings season in 2026?

Jude Bellingham responds to José Mourinho’s Real Madrid returnReal Madrid star Jude Bellingham has provided his take on the club’s decision to appoint José Mourinho as manager for the seasons to come.And the Englishman’s comments suggest that he is fully aligned with Florentino Pérez and co. regarding the call.Legendary tactician Mourinho was of course announced as the latest installation on the Real Madrid bench earlier this month, marking a return to Spain’s capital for the Portuguese.‘Mou’ is understood to have been identified as the ideal profile to restore order and harmony in a fractured dressing room at Valdebebas, fresh off a 2nd successive trophyless campaign in 2025/26.One Blancos star expected to play a leading role in Mourinho’s setup is the aforementioned Jude Bellingham, held in high regard by his new manager.Speaking during an exchange with the media this week, the Englishman was therefore drawn on Mourinho’s Bernabéu comeback.And Bellingham appears to be fully behind the appointment, having responded:“José Mourinho at Real Madrid? Amazing, amazing. He’s a top, top manager. I’m very happy.”Conor Laird – GSFN

World Cup 2026 official line-ups: Bosnia vs. Qatar and Switzerland vs. CanadaThere are several Serie A players involved in tonight’s World Cup games, as Group B will be decided with Bosnia and Herzegovina vs. Qatar and Switzerland vs. Canada.They both kick off simultaneously at 20.00 UK time (21.00 CEST), but in two different countries.This was set to be the group that Italy were going to be placed in, until losing the World Cup play-off on penalties to Bosnia and Herzegovina.ZENICA, BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA – MARCH 31: Haris Tabakovic of Bosnia and Herzegovina celebrates with his teammates after scoring his team’s equalizing goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers KO play-offs match between Bosnia & Herzegovina and Italy at Stadion Bilino Polje on March 31, 2026 in Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina. (Photo by Getty Images/Getty Images)There are quite a few Serie A representatives in that squad, including Sead Kolasinac of Atalanta, Sassuolo’s Tarik Muharemovic, new Venezia signing Ivan Basic and ex-Roma, Inter and Fiorentina striker Edin Dzeko.Bosnia are still looking for their first 2026 World Cup victory after a 1-1 draw with Canada and 4-1 defeat to Switzerland, where Muharemovic was sent off and is therefore suspended here along with Qatar’s Assim Madibo and Homam Al-Amin.MILAN, ITALY – APRIL 17: Manuel Akanji of FC Internazionale Milano warms up prior to the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Cagliari Calcio at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on April 17, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)In the other match, both Canada and Switzerland have four points, so go head-to-head for top spot.Juventus striker Jonathan David bagged a hat-trick in the 6-0 victory over Qatar, and starts again for the CANMNT.However, the tournament is over for Sassuolo midfielder Ismael Kone, who fractured his leg in that match.Inter defender Manuel Akanji, Bologna midfielder Remo Freuler and Pisa’s Michel Aebischer are all familiar faces, but Milan’s Ardon Jashari is on the bench.World Cup Group BBosnia and Herzegovina vs. QatarBosnia and Herzegovina: Vasilj; Radeljic, Katic, Malic, Kolasinac; Bakaktarevic, Sunjic, Basic, Alajbegovic; Demirovic, DzekoQatar: Abunada; Pedro Miguel, Boualem Khoukhi, Laye, Sultan Albrake; Jassem Gaber, Fathy, Boudiaf; Hassan Alhaydos, Akram Afif, Edmilson JuniorSwitzerland vs. CanadaSwitzerland: Kobel; Jacquez, Elvedi, Akanji, Rodriguez; Freuler, Xhaka; Manzambi, Sow, Vargas; EmboloCanada: Crepeau; Johnston, De Fougerolles, Cornelius, Laryea; Buchanan, Choiniere, Saliba, Ahmed; Jonathan David, Larin

Florida State got some good news this week when safety commit Jemari Foreman announced he was shutting down his recruitment and sticking with the Seminoles, despite a strong push from the Louisville Cardinals.Foreman is coming off an excellent junior season at Plantation High School in Plantation, Florida, finishing the year with 70 tackles, 9.0 tackles for loss, 11 pass breakups, 10 interceptions, and two forced fumbles. He believes he can play at multiple safety spots in FSU's 3-3-5 defense, something he is planning to figure out with the coaching staff when he makes it to campus. "As of right now, we're trying to figure it out because of my film, I can play everything. When I get there, we'll figure it out," Foreman told Chris Nee of Noles247."Probably like boundary, free," Foreman said. "Because of my ball skills. I can go and make plays on the ball up top at the boundary."Foreman is ranked as the No. 629 overall player and No. 61 safety in the 247Sports composite. The 6-foot, 180-pounder is also the No. 51 player from Florida.Follow us @FSUWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida State news, notes, and opinions.This article originally appeared on FSU Wire: Florida State football working to figure out Jemari Foreman's position

In this image from video, Michelle Zajko, who is associated with a cultlike group known as Zizians that is linked to several deaths across the U.S., is escorted into court for a pretrial hearing on trespassing, gun and drug charges in Cumberland, Md., Friday, Jan. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Mark Scolforo, File)2026-06-24T17:23:37Z A member of the cultlike group known as Zizians has been charged with murder in the shooting of her parents at their Pennsylvania home on her 30th birthday, and a prosecutor said Wednesday that authorities don’t believe she was acting alone.Michelle Zajko, who has been jailed in Maryland on other charges since February 2025, has been charged with murder, burglary and conspiracy charges in the deaths of Rita and Richard Zajko, Delaware County District Attorney Tanner Rouse said at a news conference. The prosecutor said she did not act alone. In this combination of undated photos provided by the Pennsylvania State Police, Richard Zajko, left, and his wife Rita Zajko, who police say were shot to death in their home in suburban Philadelphia on Dec. 31, 2022, are shown. (Pennsylvania State Police via AP, File) In this combination of undated photos provided by the Pennsylvania State Police, Richard Zajko, left, and his wife Rita Zajko, who police say were shot to death in their home in suburban Philadelphia on Dec. 31, 2022, are shown. (Pennsylvania State Police via AP, File) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Read More Rouse said that Zajko is known to have been among those who killed her parents “to the extent that if she wasn’t the one who actually pulled the trigger, she was certainly aligned with those who did.”Online court records didn’t immediately indicate whether Zajko had an attorney in the Pennsylvania case as of Wednesday. An attorney representing her in Maryland did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment, and the Delaware County Public Defender’s office declined to comment. The couple was shot to death in their home on New Year’s Eve after police say a neighbor’s doorbell camera captured video of a car pulling up to their home in Chester Heights, a voice shouting “Mom!” and another voice exclaiming, “Oh my God! Oh, God, God!” Michelle Zajko has denied any involvement, and in court filings suggested her father might have killed her mother and then himself. Read More “I didn’t murder my parents,” she wrote in an April 2025 “ Open Letter to the World.”Authorities, however, had long described Zajko as a person of interest in the double homicide, two of the six deaths linked to a group of young, highly intelligent computer scientists who appear to share radical beliefs about veganism, animal rights, gender identity and artificial intelligence.Since 2022, members have been tied to the death of one of their own during an attack on a California landlord, the landlord’s subsequent killing, the Zajkos’ deaths in Pennsylvania, and a highway shootout in Vermont that left a border agent and another Zizian dead. Zajko, who is charged with providing the gun used to kill U.S. Border Patrol Agent David Maland in January 2025, was arrested in Maryland a few weeks later along with Daniel Blank and Jack “Ziz” LaSota, whom authorities describe as the group’s leader. Police who responded to a landowner’s complaint about suspicious people parked in box trucks on his property described them as having “ties with the Zizians Cult” and said they would be questioned about crimes across the country. Sign up for Morning Wire: Our flagship newsletter breaks down the biggest headlines of the day. Email address Sign up By checking this box, you agree to AP's Terms of Use and acknowledge that AP may collect and use your data pursuant to our Privacy Policy. All three face state charges of trespassing and illegal gun and drug possession, while LaSota faces a federal charge of illegal gun possession by a fugitive. A judge recently granted a defense request for a competency evaluation in the federal case. In court filings, LaSota’s attorneys said their client eschews the term Zizian and denies that she and her friends have formed a cult. Zajko has claimed authorities arrested the group in Maryland to prevent them from exonerating Teresa Youngblut, who has pleaded not guilty in Vermont to murder and could face the death penalty if convicted. This Jan. 29, 2025 photo shows a Chester Heights, Pa., home, the scene of the 2022 killing of Richard and Rita Zajko, (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File) This Jan. 29, 2025 photo shows a Chester Heights, Pa., home, the scene of the 2022 killing of Richard and Rita Zajko, (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Read More Zajko was living in Vermont at the time of her parents’ deaths and was questioned there by police shortly after they died. A few weeks later, officers briefly took her into custody at a Pennsylvania hotel but released her without charges. LaSota, staying at the same hotel, was charged with obstructing the homicide investigation and disorderly conduct.Zajko had been estranged from her parents in the year leading up to their deaths, the prosecutor said. They were killed hours after Rita Zajko texted her daughter in an attempt to reconcile. “Her mother reached out and explained that she was sorry for the rift that had grown between them,” the prosecutor said. “That text went unanswered.”A few hours later, at least two people entered the home. “The lights go on in the home, and Richard and Rita Zajko are executed,” he said.____Ramer reported from Concord, New Hampshire.

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Fantasy managers tend to focus on the exciting breakout candidates or the deep sleepers who could take their game to another level and lead teams to a championship. However, it’s just as important to avoid the players who could implode during the season and cause you headaches every week when setting your lineup. Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Football league for the 2026 NFL seasonTo help you steer clear of any disappointing fantasy picks, here are the players I’m passing on at their current ADPs, per FantasyPros. QuarterbackPatrick Mahomes, ChiefsADP: QB11, 90th overallConsider this another reminder that real-life football and fantasy football don’t always equate. Mahomes remains one of the best quarterbacks in the league and finished as the fourth-highest scoring fantasy QB on a per game basis in 2025. The bounce-back campaign came after a couple down seasons where the Chiefs’ franchise passer fell to the low-end QB1 range as the QB11 in 2024 and QB12 in 2023.However, the rushing ceiling that boosted his fantasy production last season — including career highs with 422 rushing yards and five touchdowns — is likely to be much lower coming off a torn ACL suffered in Week 15. We’ve seen quarterbacks coming off ACL tears be far more hesitant to use their legs the next year, leading to decreased stats on the ground. The two-time MVP, who will turn 31 in September, appears on track to be available for the opener and there’s no doubt the two-time MVP will find a way to keep the Chiefs’ offense moving until he’s fully regained his pre-injury form. Unfortunately, Mahomes’ fantasy projection for 2026 doesn’t do justice to the future Hall of Famer. The arrival of RB Kenneth Walker III will bring balance to the offense and reduce the need for Mahomes to use his legs as frequently. With less rushing attempts and so many good quarterbacks to choose from in fantasy, Mahomes is a tough sell inside the top-100 picks. Running BacksBucky Irving, BuccaneersADP: RB23, 59th overallIrving is a tough click in fantasy drafts, so it’s not surprising his ADP has steadily fallen throughout the offseason. This comes after an injury-riddled campaign where he suited up for just seven games while sharing the Bucs’ backfield with Rachaad White and, to a lesser extent, Sean Tucker. Any hope that Irving would get a bigger workload in 2026 was dashed when the team signed Kenneth Gainwell in free agency and re-signed Tucker. The result is a backfield that’s just as crowded as it was last year, with Gainwell representing an even bigger threat to Irving’s touches. Gainwell was identified as a standout in OTAs, with head coach Todd Bowles describing him as the 1B to Irving’s 1A in an expected committee. We already saw Gainwell suppress the value of someone ahead of him on the depth chart last year in Pittsburgh. Serving as an overqualified No. 2 option, he limited Jaylen Warren’s numbers while also starring when he was given starter’s snaps. In addition to finishing with over 1,000 scrimmage yards and eight total TDs, Gainwell posted stat lines of 134 yards and two TDs, 105 yards and two TDs, 122 yards, and 126 yards in the four games where he saw at least 15 touches for the Steelers. If you’re not worried about Gainwell infringing on Irving’s upside, you should be. This doesn’t mean Irving can’t earn a spot in fantasy lineups this year, but it does raise serious concerns about his ceiling. When you combine the presence of Gainwell and Tucker with the fact that Irving is a former Day 3 back who has dealt with durability issues, it pushes Irving down into the RB3 range in my projections. Wide ReceiversGeorge Pickens, CowboysADP: WR10, 25th overallThere's no denying Pickens was outstanding in his first year with the Cowboys, turning in a 92-catch, 1,420-yard, nine-touchdown campaign that saw him go from the WR29 in preseason ADP to finishing as the WR6 in fantasy points per game. Even so, we can acknowledge that Pickens’ final stats were helped by CeeDee Lamb missing a month in the first half of the season due to injury. During that time, Pickens was the No. 1 scoring fantasy receiver overall. Once Lamb returned in Week 7, Pickens was the WR12 in fppg the rest of the way. Regardless, Pickens has a chance to produce low-end WR1 numbers once again, but there are some reasons to be worried about his floor. The 25-year-old will be the only star playing on the franchise tag this season, an outcome that definitely can’t sit well with the mercurial wideout whose inconsistent effort was one of the reasons he was traded by the Steelers. There is also the emergence of No. 3 receiver Ryan Flournoy to contend with, following a 40-catch, 475-yard, four-touchdown stat line in 2025. Though he’s not a threat to Pickens’ role, he does add another set of reliable hands to the passing attack and was regularly mentioned as a riser by everyone in attendance at Cowboys OTAs. Meanwhile, Dallas’ offense could see some natural regression moving forward. The defense underwent a massive overhaul in terms of personnel and should be far more competitive this season. That might create fewer shoutouts and less opportunities for Pickens and the passing game. None of those variables are enough to scare you off Pickens by themselves, but when you factor them in with his current ADP at the Round 2-3 turn, it makes for a risky fantasy pick that I’d rather not roll the dice on. Malik Nabers, GiantsADP: WR14, 33rd overallLet me make one thing clear right away — I am a huge Malik Nabers supporter. A healthy version of Nabers would be in the mix to join the group of elite fantasy receivers that includes Ja’Marr Chase, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Puka Nacua in the first half of Round 1. Sadly, we’re not getting that version of Nabers any time soon due to ACL and meniscus tears. Despite suffering his knee injury in September, the Giants’ star had to do one month of “pre-hab” before undergoing surgery, which didn’t occur until the end of October. Nabers told reporters at locker cleanout that he wasn’t sure he’ll be ready for the opener and that his target date is when his body feels ready. Head coach John Harbaugh didn’t inspire confidence in May, when he didn’t provide a clear return timeline and referred to the situation as “not a simple knee injury.” At this point, I’m projecting Nabers to start the season on the PUP list and miss at least the opening month. Even when he returns, he might not be back to form right away. On top of it all, he’ll have more target competition than past years, with the additions of Isaiah Likely, Darnell Mooney, Malachi Fields, Odell Beckham Jr., Calvin Austin and JuJu Smith-Schuster. When healthy, Nabers has top-five upside at his position, but the uncertainty around his recovery doesn’t make me interested in the injury discount that comes with his third-round ADP. I’d rather look elsewhere for a starting WR in 2026. Tight EndSam LaPorta, LionsADP: TE8, 82nd overallLaPorta is a very solid tight end and a decent mid-range fantasy starter, but he no longer carries the upside we witnessed early in his career. While he broke out as a rookie with 86 receptions, 889 yards and 10 touchdowns, that occurred in a Lions’ offense that only had one strong receiver in Amon-Ra St. Brown. Jahmyr Gibbs was still a rookie and Jameson Williams hadn’t emerged yet. The target competition in Detroit has gotten tougher by the season with St. Brown and Gibbs reaching superstar status, Williams turning into a very dangerous No. 2 option and Isaac TeSlaa arriving as a playmaker and red-zone threat. We also need to put an asterisk next to LaPorta’s TE1 overall fantasy finish from 2023. It was the only time the No. 1 fantasy tight end averaged less than 12 fantasy points per game since 2016, with LaPorta coming in at 11.6. He hasn’t even come close to those numbers the last two years, averaging 9.0 fppg in 2024 and 10.5 fppg through the first 10 games of 2025 before a lingering back injury eventually sent him to injured reserve when he required surgery. Though he should be ready for Week 1, back issues can be tricky and can sometimes pop up unexpectedly and cause problems. The real issue with LaPorta’s fantasy outlook is the increased target competition, which will prevent him from challenging for a spot among the elite performers at the position.That makes me much more inclined to spend up for a top-five TE, chase the injury discount George Kittle or go after a breakout candidate (Dalton Kincaid, Likely, Chig Okonkwo).

Whitnall High School alumnus Tyler Herro is coming home under wild circumstances, now an NBA all-star who's been traded from the Miami Heat to his hometown Milwaukee Bucks.From a high-profile decision to not attend the University of Wisconsin to eye-popping numbers to missing out on Mr. Basketball, here's a look at Herro's connection to the Milwaukee area and Wisconsin:Where is Whitnall High School?Whitnall is in Greenfield, but primarily serves Hales Corners. It's named after former Milwaukee city treasurer Charles Whitnall and is located in the southwestern portion of Milwaukee County. Herro starred for the basketball team from 2014 through 2018.How did Tyler Herro do in high school?He ruled. As a senior, he averaged 32.9 points per game and 7.8 rebounds, plus 3.8 assists. He reached 2,000 career points despite missing half of his junior season with injuries. His jersey was retired by the school in 2023, and numerous Heat teammates – including Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo – joined him at the celebration.Did Tyler Herro win Mr. Basketball in Wisconsin?Hoo buddy, that's a story. He didn't, and neither did fellow NBA standout Tyrese Haliburton of Oshkosh North, who happened to be playing in the same class. Instead, that award went to Jordan McCabe of Kaukauna, who in fairness was sensational, won two state titles and earned a Division I scholarship to West Virginia (which was very good McCabe's senior year).Why didn't Tyler Herro wind up playing at the University of Wisconsin?That's yet another story.Herro did commit to the Badgers in September 2016 and reassured Badgers coaches he was keeping his commitment, but in October 2017, Kentucky came calling. Herro backed out, committed to John Calipari and Badgers fans weren't happy about it. Herro heard booing at most of his games during his senior year.With scholarship availability limited, the Badgers didn't heavily recruit Haliburton, believing they had Herro locked in. It's easy to theorize that the Badgers had a much better chance of landing Haliburton otherwise. Instead, he developed into a lottery pick at Iowa State.For Herro, Kentucky obviously proved to be the correct choice. He spent only one season there and developed into a lottery pick himself, then found pretty immediate success in the pro game. In a relatively civil exchange with ex-Badgers player Zak Showalter in 2020, Herro noted that he'd "still be at Wisconsin" if he had kept his commitment, nodding to what he considered a too-methodical style of play.Did Tyler Herro's teams win any state titles?No, he only made one trip to state in 2016 as a sophomore, when his team fell to Waunakee in the Division 2 semifinal, 62-59 (and McCabe's Kaukauna team defeated Waunakee for the title). Herro scored 20 points in the loss. After an injury-shortened junior season, Whitnall met Pewaukee in an epic sectional semifinal in his senior year, in 2018.Herro's final high-school game was wild, and another name you know played in the gamePlayed in sold-out New Berlin West (relocated there because of intense ticket demand), Pewaukee survived, 60-59, getting a late basket from big man Grant Basile, who had suffered a bad ankle injury late in the game and was gutting through it.Basile, who played Division I basketball at Wright State and Virginia Tech before playing overseas, finished with 29 points and 23 rebounds. Herro posted 24 points and 16 rebounds in a game that lived up to the hype.One of Pewaukee's other top scorers happened to be Jack Gohlke, who later rose to prominence with Oakland University in the NCAA Tournament, when he caught fire from three-point range to help take down Herro's alma mater, Kentucky, in the first round. Pewaukee, though, didn't make it to state, falling one step short to Milwaukee Washington with Basile sidelined by the injury. Washington wound up falling to McCabe and Kaukauna in the state final.Tyler Herro has been a thorn in the Bucks' sideHerro has scored 20.9 points per game against the Bucks with 5.6 rebounds and 5.0 assists in his 18 career games against Milwaukee. Injury limited him to just one game in 2023 when the eighth-seeded Heat shocked the Bucks in the opening round of the playoffs, but he did score double figures over five games in the Orlando "bubble" when the Heat upset the Bucks in 2020.Herro scored 40 points, one shy of a career high, against the Bucks on Feb. 23, 2025, though the Bucks won the game.What has Tyler Herro said about returning home?He's posted "414" on X, which is of course the area code of Milwaukee County. What is Tyler Herro's contract?Herro is entering the final year of a four-year, $120 million rookie extension and should make about $33 million in 2026-27. An old video began recirculating after the trade in which Herro explained the ways he managed to spend $600,000 during the first five months of his rookie season.Tyler Herro breaks down how he spent $600,000 during the first 5 months of his NBA rookie season• Gucci purse for mom — $5,000• S63 AMG Mercedes — $200,000• 4 door Jeep Wrangler — $60,000• Clothing — $85,000• Rent — $60,000• Private chef — $20,000• Porsche for mom… pic.twitter.com/nRQVhKOmXi— dank (@cptdankkk) June 23, 2026Is Tyler Herro the best NBA player ever from a Wisconsin high school?He's on the short list, although Haliburton arguably has the better case for the moment. Along with Jalen Johnson in 2026, Wisconsin has seen a bumper crop of top-flight success in the NBA. The cadre of Wisconsin all-star players had been limited to a handful of names before the current generation, guys like Devin Harris, Latrell Sprewell, John Johnson, Nick Van Exel and Terry Porter.This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: A look at new Bucks player Tyler Herro's career in Wisconsin

The Chicago Bears wrapped their offseason program earlier this month, breaking for the summer before training camp kicks off at Halas Hall on July 28. But there were plenty of standouts -- both good and bad -- during the offseason.In head coach Ben Johnson's second season, he has his team positioned to once again compete in the NFC North and NFC with an ascending quarterback in Caleb Williams, an explosive offense and with some key defenders returning from injury.During the offseason, there were plenty of storylines surrounding on-field workouts and the on-going stadium saga that has dominated the headlines. With that in mind, here are our biggest winners and losers from the offseason.Winner: QB Caleb WilliamsIt's been quite the offseason for quarterback Caleb Williams, who has become one of the faces of the NFL following a breakout second season, his first with head coach Ben Johnson. Williams was named the Madden 27 cover athlete and he's poised for another jump in his development as he gets to work in the same offense in consecutive years for the first time in his NFL career. Williams made plays throughout the offseason program, and the Bears continue to surround him with talent with the additions of wide receivers Kalif Raymond and Zavion Thomas, tight end Sam Roush and centers Garrett Bradbury and Logan Jones.Winner: WR Zavion ThomasWhile there was some initial questions about the Bears' selection of receiver Zavion Thomas in the third round, the rookie is already showing why people shouldn't question Ben Johnson. Thomas was a near-daily mention during the offseason program, be it rookie minicamp, OTAs or veteran minicamp, making plays and flashing his impressive speed. While Chicago's offense has an abundance of playmakers, led by Rome Odunze, Luther Burden III and Colston Loveland, Johnson will find a way to get Thomas involved and set him up for some big playmaking opportunities as a rookie. He should also factor into the return game.Winner: CB Jaylon JohnsonThe Bears defense struggled without their Pro Bowl cornerback Jaylon Johnson, who missed most of the season due to a groin injury and then wasn't fully healthy when he did return to action. But Johnson, when healthy, is one of the league's best cornerbacks, and he'll be key to the defense's success in 2026. Johnson attended both voluntary OTAs and veteran minicamp, and he made quite the impression during one practice recording two interceptions of quarterback Caleb Williams. It's a reminder that, when healthy, Johnson is one of the league's best. Chicago's defense is banking on that return to form in 2026.Winner: WR Luther Burden IIIThere's a ton of hype surrounding second-year wide receiver Luther Burden III, who's poised for an expanded role following the departure of DJ Moore. Burden had an impressive rookie season, amid limited action, where he showcased his speed and playmaking ability in Chicago's top-five offense. This offseason, Burden has been a standout during workouts, where his chemistry with Caleb Williams continues to develop and he continues to earn the respect of his head coach, who is "buying Luther Burden stock" heading into 2026. There's even discussion among fans and analysts that Burden could have a breakout season and surpass Rome Odunze as WR1.Loser: CB Kyler GordonThe Kyler Gordon injury saga has taken a frustrating turn. Gordon, who signed a three-year, $40 million contract extension in April 2025, was limited to just three regular season games during the 2025 season amid soft tissue injuries. At this point, Gordon has yet to play a full season through his four years in the NFL. To make matters worse, Gordon was a limited participant during the offseason program as he reportedly dealt with yet another soft tissue injury. While it's too early to worry at this point of the season, Gordon's injury track record has made it frustrating for fans and even head coach Ben Johnson. Which is disappointing considering, when healthy, he's among the best nickels in the league.Loser: President/CEO Kevin WarrenThere's no bigger offseason loser than president/CEO Kevin Warren as the Bears' stadium saga has completely gone off the rails and there remains no end in sight. Let's not forget, Warren was hired for the sole purpose to help orchestrate and execute the team's new state-of-the-art stadium. Whether it's Arlington Heights or the Chicago lakefront or now Hammond, Indiana, we're no closer to resolution. Even so, Indiana remains the front runner as the state of Illinois fights to retain the NFL's charter franchise. While there are factors outside of Warren's control, the blame ultimately falls on him as he's the one tasked with getting a deal done.This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Chicago Bears offseason: Biggest winners and losers

Rio Ferdinand defends Carlos Queiroz’s approach against England The hype surrounding England’s chances of winning the World Cup encountered a major stumbling block last night as the Three Lions laboured to a 0-0 draw with a dogged and determined Ghana side managed by former Manchester United coach Carlos Queiroz. The football on display in the game was anything but scintillating, and, predictably, it has led to an outpouring of criticism from fans and pundits alike.Thomas Tuchel’s side are under fire for failing to break down Ghana’s stubborn low block, while some are labelling the football played by Queiroz’s team as boring, as the team looked to disrupt the flow of the game at every opportunity. Legendary former Manchester United centre-back Rio Ferdinand disagrees with the latter opinion, however, and has leapt to the defence of his former coach.Queiroz’s time at UnitedQueiroz enjoyed two spells at Old Trafford working alongside the iconic Sir Alex Ferguson. The Ghana manager first joined the Red Devils as assistant manager in 2002. However, he left after only a year at the club to become manager of Spanish giants Real Madrid.After being sacked by Madrid, Queiroz returned to Ferguson’s side in June 2004 and remained at the club until July 2008. The former Real Madrid manager helped oversee a remarkably successful period in United’s history, during which the club won two Premier League titles and the Champions League.ControversyThat is not to say Queiroz’s time at United was all smooth sailing. The fiery figure butted heads with Roy Keane, who was captain of the team at that time, and in his autobiography, the Irishman stated that an argument with Queiroz about loyalty was one of the reasons he left the club.Speaking on ITV back in 2018, Keane then went on to say that “one of my big regrets is that I probably should have ripped his head off”.It seems Keane has still not forgiven Queiroz for their spat, either. While appearing as a pundit on ITV’s World Cup coverage, Keane said that his former coach had “the personality of a dead fish when I worked with him”.Rio’s thoughtsFormer England international Ferdinand is clearly more appreciative of Queiroz’s managerial ability. Speaking on his podcast, Rio Ferdinand Presents, he said that he and his former teammate Darren Fletcher were both unsurprised by the performance.“Darren Fletcher was messaging us in the WhatsApp group with United [players] and he said exactly what I was thinking. This is typical Carlos Queiroz: set them up hard to play against, hard to beat, well drilled, tactically very good.”Ferdinand also went on to defend Ghana’s performance from critics, stating: “And they’re maybe ‘boring’ for some to watch, but I think if you think, from a coach’s perspective, he’s got out of his team what he set out to get. So, you have to respect that.”Regardless of people’s opinions on their performance, the point against England all but guarantees Ghana will qualify for the knockout stages of the tournament, which will be seen as a major accomplishment for Queiroz and the country as a whole.Featured image Gareth Copley via Getty Imagesonline pollsThe Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social

Photo by Caleb Bowlin/Getty ImagesDarryn Peterson was selected with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, and the Utah Jazz are banking on him becoming the franchise cornerstone they’ve been chasing for years.The Kansas guard spent just one season in college, but it was more than enough to make it to the NBA. He averaged 20.2 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.4 steals a game and earned All-Big 12 Second Team honors before declaring for the draft.One of the first questions any rookie faces on draft night concerns the number they will wear on the back of their jersey — and for Peterson, it’s already proving an awkward decision.Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty ImagesDarryn Peterson wants No. 22 at Utah — but it’s already takenSpeaking in his introductory press conference, Peterson was asked about the No. 22 he wore at Kansas and in high school. It’s the number his father, Darryl Peterson II, wore during his playing days at Akron.Then came the news that someone else has it in Utah.Told that Kyle Filipowski currently wears 22, Peterson made clear he intends to ask about it, and floated a potential backup.He said: “I’m going to have to see what he’s willing to do to give that up. But if not, can you wear 8 in the NBA?“Sometimes there’s numbers you can’t wear. Might try to rock 8 or see if he’s willing to give it up, but probably like 8. Kobe vibes. I just got Kobe tattooed on my shoulder. So y’all are going to see that soon.”There was a catch with that plan, too.Peterson was soon informed that No. 8 already belongs to Jazz guard Isaiah Collier, who switched to it last season.Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty ImagesHe responded: “So I’m out of luck. I’m going to have to go to the drawing board and figure something out. Hopefully I can get 22. I’m probably going to text Flip right now, like, what do I gotta do?”The math works in Peterson’s favor. Filipowski came to Utah as a second-round pick in 2024, while Peterson is the No. 2 selection and the player the rebuild is being centered around.Collier may not put up much of a fight, either. He only landed on No. 8 after it opened up last summer, and he previously said he chose his rookie number simply because it was available.Franchises want to keep their prized stars happy, and a jersey swap is about the easiest request to grant for that purpose.READ MORE: Yaxel Lendeborg reveals what he won’t do to get number 23 jersey from Draymond Green at the WarriorsAustin Reaves’ new Lakers deal breaks an NBA record that stood for three yearsCameron Boozer states exactly how he’ll prove projections wrong in the NBA

Anti-trans crusader J.K. Rowling is calling for a boycott of iconic British retailer Marks & Spencer (M&S) following an outcry over a transgender employee who was just doing her job. On Monday, August 4, U.K. outlet The Telegraph reported that M&S apologized to a woman whose teenage daughter was reportedly “distressed” after a transgender woman working in the store’s lingerie section offered her assistance. Related J.K. Rowling is personally funding attacks on trans women’s rights with her Harry Potter money In her complaint to the store, the mother described the employee as a “biological male” and repeatedly misgendered her. According to the Telegraph, the mother said that it was “completely inappropriate” for the trans shop assistant to offer to help her 14-year-old daughter. “My daughter recoiled, so I politely declined the offer and we left immediately. She was visibly upset and said she felt ‘freaked out,’” the woman reportedly wrote in her complaint. Insights for the LGBTQ+ community Subscribe to our briefing for insights into how politics impacts the LGBTQ+ community and more. Subscribe to our Newsletter today The following day, an M&S customer service assistant responded to the complaint. In an email, the assistant said that the retailer was “truly sorry” for the incident and took the mother’s concerns “very seriously.” The retailer said it assured the mother that “a female colleague” would assist her daughter in the future, according to the Telegraph. In an interview with the outlet, the woman claimed that M&S had acknowledged that the employee “is not female,” but she was unsatisfied with the store’s response. The outlet noted that per the U.K. Supreme Court’s recent anti-trans ruling — which found that the legal definition of a woman under the country’s 2010 Equality Act is based on “biological sex” — trans people can be barred from entering sex-segregated spaces, like changing rooms, that do not align with the sex they were assigned at birth. However, the alleged incident took place in March, prior to the U.K. Supreme Court’s ruling. What’s more, the Telegraph later reported that the trans employee does not carry out bra fittings, and nowhere in the published excerpts of the mother’s complaint was it indicated that the trans shop assistant offered or intended to enter a changing room with the teenage girl. That didn’t stop Rowling from insinuating otherwise. “It’s time for women to vote with their wallets. If stores like M&S continue to flout the Supreme Court ruling on women-only spaces, prioritising the wishes of men who want to undress near, or help fit bras on teenage girls, a boycott seems appropriate,” the Harry Potter author wrote in an August 4 X post linking to the Telegraph story. It's time for women to vote with their wallets. If stores like M&S continue to flout the Supreme Court ruling on women-only spaces, prioritising the wishes of men who want to undress near, or help fit bras on teenage girls, a boycott seems appropriate.https://t.co/9RsUetLEVA— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) August 4, 2025 Rowling has seemingly made it her personal mission in recent years to undermine the rights of transgender women in the U.K. The author made headlines in February 2024 when she pledged a £70,000 (about $89,000) donation to For Women Scotland (FWS), the anti-trans organization behind the legal challenge that resulted in April’s Supreme Court ruling. In May, a spokesperson for Rowling confirmed that the author was personally financing a legal defense fund to bankroll cases aimed at diminishing rights and protections for transgender women in the U.K. and Ireland. In an August 4 statement, a spokesperson for Marks & Spencer responded to the Telegraph’s report. “We want our stores to be inclusive and welcoming places for our colleagues and customers,” the statement read. “We have written to this customer and explained that our colleagues typically work across all departments in our stores and customers can always ask to speak to the colleague they feel most comfortable with.” Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

Out rapper Lil Nas X shared with fans that he has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and has been undergoing treatment since his very public arrest last year. In an emotional video on social media, Nas acknowledged that sharing the information felt “really awkward,” but said he wanted to do it anyway. Related Dems slam FCC for considering content warnings on shows with trans characters: “We reject the idea” “I’ve been in rehab for a few months, and since then I’ve been back at home… and trying to ground myself down to earth and get out of my head,” he said. “I have a therapist now and a psychiatrist, which has been really helpful.” He then revealed his bipolar diagnosis and explained he felt like he’d known for a while but “didn’t want to admit it” out of shame. Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today “I didn’t want to have to take medication, and I dont know, have people think different of me. I’m already Black and gay. Damn, God! Black, gay, bipolar. I’m living life on extreme hard mode,” he said. He emphasized, though, that he’s doing and feeling significantly better. “I’m creating freely, and there’s less fear in my heart, and I’m smelling the roses.” He also teased new music on the way. “I’m excited to do that, and I’m excited to go on this journey with you guys… We’ve been through so much together. Thank you guys for holding me down. I love you. All I want to do is continue to try to make you proud and make myself proud.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by MONTERO (@lilnasx) In August 2025, the rapper was arrested for allegedly punching a police officer in the face following a late-night stroll in downtown Los Angeles, wearing only boots and briefs. He spent three days in jail and pleaded not guilty to four felony charges related to the alleged incident with police. “I went to visit him in jail, and as soon as I walked through that door, I couldn’t do anything but cry,” his father, Robert Stafford, told The Times last September. “To see my baby boy on the other side of that glass. We shed tears with each other for a minute. I had to tell him that ‘What you’re going through is normal. We all have breakdowns every now and then, but the difference is, yours get played out in the public eye.’” “For a 26-year-old to have to deal with what he’s dealing with – to be a breadwinner for a lot of people, the inability to change his mother’s situation, and the pressure he puts on himself… That can weigh heavily on your heart,” his father added. (The rapper’s mother has dealt with homelessness, mental health challenges, and addiction issues.) In April 2026, the charges against Nas were dismissed due to his agreement to complete a two-year treatment program, Them reported. In 2020, the Black Entertainment Television (BET) Awards nominated Lil Nas X for Best New Artist, but he didn’t win. He also stole the spotlight at the 2021 BET Awards show by kissing his male dancers while performing his song, “Montero (Call Me by Your Name).” The kiss caused some viewers to complain to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Nas’ work has also been recognized by other awards shows. In 2022, the Grammys nominated the rapper’s aforementioned song for Song of the Year, its video for Video of the Year, and his album for Record of the Year. He has won two Grammy Awards, five Billboard Music Awards, five MTV Video Music Awards, two BET Hip Hop Awards, two iHeartRadio Music Awards, and two American Music Awards. His music has also previously won honors from the MTV Music Awards, Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards, the GLAAD Media Awards, the Billboard Music Awards, and the BET Hip Hop Awards. On June 16, 2022, Nas received the Hal David Starlight Award at the 2022 Songwriters Hall of Fame ceremony. The award recognizes ​​“gifted young songwriters who are making a significant impact in the music industry via their original songs.” Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

Sentiment is shifting amid frustration in the antiabortion movement that more abortions are happening now than when Roe v. Wade fell.

Pro-Israel leaders in New York expressed alarm at the primary victories of three Democratic candidates backed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Progressive Jewish groups celebrated.

The party secured key victories in New York City, but battles across the state suggest a larger fight awaits in the fall.

Claressa Shields is a five-division world champion [Getty Images]Undisputed heavyweight champion Claressa Shields will drop down to middleweight to fight WBC and WBA champion Kaye Scott on 15 August at State Farm Arena, Atlanta.Multi-weight undisputed champion Shields, 31, is the most decorated woman in boxing history and will become the first female to headline at the 16,888-capacity State Farm Arena.Australia's Scott, a highly decorated amateur, will defend both middleweight world titles that she won over Olivia Curry in December."At this point in my career, every fight is about legacy," said former middleweight world champion Shields."Every fight now is about pushing the boundaries of what's possible - for myself, for women's boxing, and for the next generation coming behind me through Claressa Shields Promotions."Kaye Scott is a champion, and I respect what she's accomplished. But becoming undisputed at 160 pounds again starts with beating the best. That's always been my mindset. I don't chase easy fights, I choose meaningful ones."In April, it was announced fellow Olympic champion Lauren Price, who was born in Newport, signed a two-fight deal to face Shields.Prior to that announcement, the 31-year-old defeated Stephanie Pineiro in Cardiff, where she and Shields exchanged words post fight.Shields said "they could fight at the end of the year" after her then unnamed bout this summer.The American described her next fight against 42-year-old Scott as not just "a championship fight" but an event to continue growing women's boxing."Atlanta represents a huge opportunity. We've shown what women's boxing can do in Detroit," she added."We've sold out arenas and created moments people remember. Now it's time to bring that same energy to Atlanta."Asked when the Price and Shields could face off, Shalom told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast: "Once in the US, and then hopefully once where we can come to either Cardiff City Stadium or (Cardiff) castle and do that in June next year."Boxing schedule and results 2026Watch every Born to Brawl episode More boxing from the BBC Notifications, social media and more with BBC Sport

Time will tell but it looks like the Oklahoma City Thunder got yet another vital piece by drafting Michigan’s Aday Mara with the 13th pick in Tuesday’s NBA draft. The 7-foot-3 center proved his ability on both ends of the court during the Wolverines’ championship run. OKC fell short in its quest to defend its own title this year and will have to solve the riddle of Victor Wembanyama for years to come. On paper, Mara is one of the few athletes out there who can negate some of Wemby’s height advantage. We’ll have to see how he acclimates to the professional game yet Sam Presti and the Thunder front office should congratulate themselves on taking a smart risk.They should also pat themselves on the back, once again, for executing what has the potential to go down as one of the greatest trades in NBA history. Mara’s selection finally closed the book on a 2019 deal between Oklahoma City and the Los Angeles Clippers. Paul George went to L.A. in that swap and the Thunder received, well, they received quite a bit.What’s happened since the tradeGeorge had his moments and the Clippers did succeed in making it to the Western Conference Finals in 2020-21. Gallinari would play only 62 games for OKC before moving on. Mann played two-plus years with the Thunder before leaving for Charlotte and further elevating his game. Topic has only suited up for 12 contests since his selection. So if you stop there, not so bad for the Clippers.But you can’t stop there. Gilgeous-Alexander won both the regular season and Finals MVP in 2024-25, which puts him in historic company. There’s a lot of reason to think he’ll pull off the feat again should Oklahoma City build upon the groundwork of a dynasty. All Williams has done is cement himself as a more-than-capable No. 2 paramount to hoisting a Larry O’Brien. And Wallace has developed into a nice role player. It’s already absurdly lopsided before Mara gets into the mix. Sure, none of this is breaking news and the verdict was in a long time ago. Yet it’s legitimately shocking to see all the devilish details laid out after all of these years. Throw in the possibility of several of these players serving as OKC cornerstones for years to come and there will be more opportunities to check back in on this in the future.

MADISON – The Wisconsin football team set its lineup for Big Ten football media days.The Badgers will be represented by three fifth-year players at the Hilton Hotel in downtown Chicago on July 28: receiver Chris Brooks Jr., outside linebacker Sebastian Cheeks and safety Matt Jung.Badgers coach Luke Fickell also will be on hand for the unofficial kickoff to the 2026 college football season.Wisconsin will be featured on the first day of the three-day event that will be broadcast on Big Ten Network.Each day six programs will be featured. Here is the schedule (the order of appearance hasn't been announced).Tuesday July 28: Illinois, Iowa, Penn State, Rutgers, USC, Wisconsin.Wednesday July 29: Michigan State, Minnesota, Ohio State, Oregon, Purdue, UCLA.Thursday July 30: Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Nebraska, Northwestern, Washington.Here is a quick look at the players who will represent UW.Brooks: He made 10 starts and played in all 12 games last season. He caught 11 passes for 124 yards, both career highs. His 370 snaps are the third-most of any UW offensive player.Cheeks: A former inside linebacker, Cheeks posted career highs for tackles (25), tackles for loss (5½) and sacks (three) in 2025 in his second season as an outside linebacker.Jung: The Neenah native’s 628 snaps last season are the most of any returning defensive player. He finished with 50 tackles, the third-most among returning players behind linebackers Mason Posa and Cooper Catalano.More: These 54 players will be features during Big Ten football media daysThis article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Brooks, Cheeks, Jung will represent Wisconsin at Big Ten media days

A common distress you'll hear comedians talk about is the burden they assume to always be "on," which is shorthand in that profession for "funny." Sometimes Bill Burr just wants to go to the grocery store and conserve his mood, but the need to be funny, whenever he gets recognized, makes that simple task difficult. I thought about this when Josh Hokit showed up to the Lincoln Memorial during the UFC Freedom 250 press conference and played the role of a fidgety, insecure fighter resisting the urge to let out "The Hok." It's not a particularly funny shtick, nor all that clever. In fact, it's the kind of thing that makes you exhausted just thinking about the efforts, this ongoing commitment to turn atmospheres awkward. When he said that night, "I think [Ilia] Topuria's so mad, he's so short he can't see himself in the bathroom mirror … and he married a stripper from Miami," there wasn't as many laughs as there were groans. Dana White himself, unamused by Hokit's stage persona, looked like he'd gotten a bad taco. If Hokit had been at the Apollo, they would have push-broomed him off the stage. Instead, Hokit vomited a little on the scales the next morning, while pretending to be unstable on his feet. Give him this, his dedication to the bit, funny or not, is impressive. Of course, we all know what happened after Hokit beat Derrick Lewis on the White House's South Lawn. He couldn't resist tossing out the "Michelle Obama is a man" line that he used back at LFA, which did away with all "Celebrating America's 250th Birthday" etiquette. If people thought President Donald Trump having a UFC card at the White House on his 80th was in poor taste, Hokit performed a verbal wedgie to pound home the point. "I thought I was giving her a compliment," he said during a 47-minute appearance on "The Ariel Helwani Show"on Tuesday. "Michelle Obama being a man, that's like, she knows how to deal with adversity, she knows how to work hard like a man. When the times get tough, you know, the tough get going." Hokit was not in character during his appearance on the show, but rather speaking as himself. Never mind that he doubled down on what he said at the White House with some subtle misogyny, which is itself some good, down-home vice signaling — he said he saw the moment as a wonderful opportunity to show the world an example of freedom of speech. We've heard that line a lot of late. At some point, somebody might verse him in the noble traditions of restraint, a thing that's been lost since his personal forefathers — Colby Covington, Bryce Mitchell and Sean Strickland — began blowing past all lines of decency in their efforts to stand out. Hokit happily completes that dubious Mt. Rushmore of the UFC's Most Obnoxious, and don't think this is some kind of attack. This is exactly how he wants to be perceived, and this is his way of competing for our elusive attention."Don't hate the player, hate the game, and that's the game we're playing nowadays," he said. "We're playing a numbers game, and I'm going to win it every single time. So, that's how I look at it, and it is what it is." How did all this happen? There are going to be those who like Josh Hokit, just as there are plenty who like baboons. Raphael Assuncao had a tattoo of a baboon on the side of his chest because those bad boys back down to nothing in the animal kingdom, even if they're always showing their ass. When this thing began, Hokit was merely being accused of being a poor man's Chael Sonnen, with his rehearsed poems and rhymes. Then it was pro wrestling, with nods to "Macho Man" Randy Savage and more directly, the late Hulk Hogan. Hogan, of course, played the role of American hero until his heel turn in the 1990s, and even then, he kept his personal life — which had its share of ugly elements — personal. Hokit keeps them all in his identity rolodex and doesn't see the need to distinguish between the bashful character trying to keep the "Hok" in check, or the "Hok" himself, or the real version of himself, who has a fine backstory for the fight game without any of it. As Hokit pointed out to Helwani, he went straight from ending the football season at Fresno State — where he had a fairly exceptional collegiate career as a fullback, scoring 18 overall touchdowns — to cutting weight to compete as a wrestler. That's the kind of dedication that separates him from the pack. The way he fought Curtis Blaydes, through three relentless back-and-forth rounds and perhaps six dozen middle fingers, speaks to his better side, too. But the shtick he has going? Hijacking and getting kicked out of the UFC Freedom 250 press conference in Newark for picking fights with Topuria and Alex Pereira, and turning the whole thing into his own personal Mephisto? This is perhaps what John Updike meant when he said, "Celebrity is a mask that eats into the face.""I'm trying to boost my name in the game," he said, and at all costs of everything that goes into that, he's succeeding. Hokit says he's made seven figures in seven months, which he reckons is the most for a UFC rookie. He says he doesn't regret anything, and in fact is offended by those, like Strickland, who walks back his words in explaining he's only trying to sell a fight. "I like the avenue that I chose," he said, and that's something he's got going for him. The game is wicked in that once you start something, there's a need to upstage yourself each time out. If the UFC books Hokit into a high-profile fight against Alex Pereira next — a fighter he called "lackadaisical" in losing his interim heavyweight title fight with Ciryl Gane — people will be expecting him to be "on" the rest of the way. And to hear him tell it that's what he intends to do, even if it turns so many off.

June 24 (Reuters) - U.S. host officials "caused problems" for Iran forward Mehdi Taremi and assistant coach Saeed ‌Alhoei, delaying their delegation as they travelled ‌to Seattle for the World Cup match against Egypt, Iran's football ​federation said on Wednesday. Iran's ISNA news agency, citing the federation, said team members were waiting for Taremi and Alhoei to rejoin the group. The reported incident comes days after ‌U.S. authorities eased ⁠travel restrictions on Iran's World Cup delegation following complaints from Tehran and the team ⁠that strict entry rules were disrupting preparations. It was not immediately clear what caused the latest delay. U.S. authorities did ​not immediately ​comment. U.S. officials had previously ​required Iran, who are ‌based in Tijuana, Mexico during the tournament, to enter the United States only shortly before matches and leave soon afterwards. Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei had criticised the arrangements as unfair and said repeated cross-border travel left his ‌players fatigued. U.S. authorities this ​week allowed the team to ​arrive in Seattle ​two days before their match against Egypt ‌on Friday, granting greater flexibility ​than for their ​earlier games. Relations between Washington and Tehran have added political sensitivity to Iran's participation in the World ​Cup, with the ‌team facing heightened travel and security restrictions throughout ​the tournament. (Reporting by Enas Alashray and Hatem ​Maher, Editing by Ken Ferris)

The Jaxon Smith-Njigba sees it, continuity was the driving force behind the Seattle Seahawks’ Super Bowl-winning season in 2025.On Tuesday’s episode of “Making a Champion,” Smith-Njigba revealed the what made the Seahawks a championship team at their core last season. ”I just think, understanding, just a bunch of guys understanding the mission and wanting to prove ourselves right more than anything,” Smith-Njigba said. “So I would say the togetherness. The 12 is one is really real.”The Seahawks surely played like a team that was together last season. The defense clicked like a cohesive unit, the offense was rolling with Sam Darnold making the right decisions, and their prowess was on full display in the biggest of moments and against the most difficult opponents on their schedule.Smith-Njigba helped foster that with a sensational level of play as a high-volume target that was not an overbearing presence in the passing attack. Coach Mike Macdonald led the Seahawks to a brilliant season that bred about the second Super Bowl win for the team in franchise history.This article originally appeared on Seahawks Wire: Seahawks WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba describes Seattle's approach for 2025

The Claressa Shields Show is hitting the road.Shields, the best women's boxer of all-time, has scheduled her next fight, and it won't be in her native Michigan. Shields, a Flint native, will fight Kaye Scott on Aug. 15 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, promoters announced Wednesday afternoon.Shields will return to the middleweight division for the fight for her 19th fight as a professional. She's 18-0 with three knockouts. It could be one of Shields' last fights until she takes a break to start a family, a plan she first mentioned following her last fight."At this point in my career, every fight is about legacy," Shields said in a statement. "Every fight now is about pushing the boundaries of what's possible — for myself, for women's boxing, and for the next generation.“Kaye Scott is a champion, and I respect what she's accomplished. But becoming undisputed at 160 pounds again starts with beating the best. That's always been my mindset. I don't chase easy fights, I choose meaningful ones.”Shields, 31, will fight outside of Michigan for the first time since 2022. Her last five fights have been in Michigan, four of those being at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit. Her last fight was Feb. 22 at LCA, where she beat longtime rival Franchon Crews-Dezurn by unanimous decision in a 10-round slugfest.Scott, 42, of Australia, is 5-1-1. This is her first fight since December, when she beat Olivia Curry at the Fox Theatre in Detroit to win the vacated WBC and WBA middleweight championships. Curry also fought at the Fox in September against Curry. The two battled to a draw.“I believe the bigger the challenge, the bigger the opportunity," Scott said. "I have the chance to show the world exactly what I’m capable of. I’m in the best shape of my life and ready to test myself against the very best. I’m excited, motivated and prepared to step into that ring and prove that I am the best middleweight in the world.”Shields is returning to the middleweight division for the first time since October 2022, when she beat Savannah Marshall by unanimous decision at The O2 Arena in London in a fight that is credited with accelerating the popularity in women's boxing.Shields owns championship belts in five divisions, is a two-time Olympic gold medalist, and was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 2025.tpaul@detroitnews.com@tonypaul1984This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Claressa Shields schedules next fight against Kaye Scott in August

Welcome back to NASCAR, Ryan Newman.After a hiatus of nearly three years, “Rocket Man” will climb back into the cockpit next month as part of Kaulig Racing’s free-agent truck program. He’ll drive the No. 25 Ram on July 18 at North Wilkesboro Speedway.“I’m really excited to get back behind the wheel at North Wilkesboro and to be part of Ram’s free-agent program,” Newman said. “It’s special returning to a brand I had so much success with early in my career, and racing at Wilkesboro is always cool.”Newman won 18 races, including the 2008 Daytona 500, across 23 seasons in the Cup Series. He last competed full-time in 2021 before making eight starts for Rick Ware Racing in 2023.It’s been even longer since he suited up in the Truck Series. The 48-year-old owns only seven lifetime starts on that circuit and none since 2018. He captured one win (2008 at Atlanta).Newman did run at North Wilkesboro in the not-too-distant past. In August 2022, he claimed a 50-lap modified race there and dubbed it one of the most memorable victories of his career.He follows names like Tony Stewart, Colin Braun, Travis Pastrana, Clint Bowyer and Jamie McMurray among those who have sat in Kaulig’s free-agent seat this season.Thirteen of Newman's 18 Cup wins came in a Dodge.This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Ryan Newman returns to NASCAR for Truck Series race with Kaulig

San Antonio Spurs draftee Jayden Quaintance said Tuesday that he will require another procedure to address a lingering knee injury, according to Jared Weiss of The Athletic.Quaintance was limited to just four games last season at Kentucky after dealing with the effects of a torn ACL and meniscus suffered in February 2025 at Arizona State. He said after the Spurs selected him with the 20th pick that he is still managing some pain in his knee.Spurs general manager Brian Wright said the team and his representatives conferred during the predraft process, which left them comfortable about where he is in his rehabilitation. The two sides will determine the best plan for him moving forward once he arrives in San Antonio.Jayden Quaintance says he still has a little pain in his knee and will need another procedure to clean up his meniscus, which has not been scheduled yet.— Jared Weiss (@JaredWeissNBA) June 24, 2026Before his setback during his freshman year, Quaintance averaged 9.4 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.6 blocks and 1.5 assists in 24 games with the Sun Devils. He set freshman program records for blocked shots (63) and rebounds per game.The 6-foot-10 forward was highly touted entering the draft because of his defensive skill set and size at 255 pounds. He also showcased a growing offensive game, but it was his rim protection, physicality and upside that stood out to the Spurs perhaps the most.Quaintance and the Spurs will now use the coming days to project out a rehab plan to ensure the 18-year-old can put the injury behind him and return to full health. He is highly thought of by the team and has the potential to be an impact player.This article originally appeared on Rookie Wire: Spurs news: Jayden Quaintance reveals concerning knee injury update

Quarterback Brendan Sorsby's lawyer is ready to fight the NFL. Sorsby has to decide whether that's what he wants to do.The NFL didn't want Sorsby in the league this year. In lieu of suspending him after the supplemental draft (like the NFL did to Terrelle Pryor in 2011), the league refused to conduct a supplemental draft. It's the same result as a full-season suspension; Sorsby is frozen out until 2027.Sorsby could activate the Jeffrey Kessler option. Kessler has already declared that the NFL's action "violates the CBA and the law." Moreover, Kessler issued a statement that sharply contradicts the narrative the NFL spun in its Tuesday letter to Sorsby.Still, even if the arguments against the NFL refusing to conduct a supplemental draft have merit, Sorsby has to want to keep fighting. He surely incurred a mountain of legal fees in the lawsuit against the NCAA — which he won before Texas Tech nudged him to drop the case and go to the NFL. How much more will it cost to challenge the NFL in court? Then there's the reality that the NFL has been known to hold a grudge. They don't want him in the league this season. If he fights and wins, there could be ramifications. Even if ordering Code Red as to the erstwhile Red Raider would amount to collusion, who's to stop the NFL from putting out the word that whoever drafts Sorsby will be viewed dimly by 345 Park Avenue?The NFL wants a pound of flesh. If Sorsby keeps the league from getting it, the NFL will still want it. Despite the very real possibility that the refusal to conduct a supplemental draft violates the CBA, Sorsby's best move could be to accept the outcome and to prepare for April.He has become a pincushion in many circles, with folks viewing his gambling history as a Paul Crewe-level affront to the integrity of sport. Those who have decided to view Sorsby as a pariah don't want to broaden the lens when it comes to the current culture, with Sorsby nothing more than a finite example of one of the many young men who have been bombarded by sportsbook ads and sports-media figures urging them to "bet! bet! bet!"Sorsby can use the next year to devise a P.R. plan aimed at humanizing himself. He can embrace the cautionary tale his story has created, visiting high schools and colleges to explain that, even if everyone else is betting, athletes need to steer clear.He also can sit for an interview in which he explains what happened. What he did, how he did it, why he did it. And, more importantly, what he didn't do. Earlier this week, agent Ron Slavin said Sorsby never bet on college football once he started playing. That would be something useful for Sorsby to say, directly. Along with everything else about the extent of his gambling.Is it fair that the NFL is keeping him out of the supplemental draft? No. Could the NFL be violating the CBA and/or Sorsby's legal rights? Yes. Still, if he hopes to have a career in the NFL that spans 10 to 15 years, there's a point at which the best play could be to hold his nose and swallow the bitter pill.

FBI director Kash Patel reportedly spent $75,000 in taxpayer money to fly to Milan, Italy, and drink beer with the U.S. men’s hockey team (under the guise of providing security at the Winter Olympics). When asked about it, his girlfriend Alexis Wilkins tried to change the subject to … transgender mice. “I think that we should be probably more concerned with the fact that, you know, the Democrats were trying to spend millions of dollars to see if mice can be transgender,” she said, clinging to misleading claims about scientific research. “And the fact that that has stopped, you know, I think that people run things in the media in order to cause an outrage. And I’ve never seen so many conservatives fall victim to the fake news.” Related Who is Kash Patel, and where does he stand on LGBTQ+ rights? Trump and other Republicans have repeated claims about the federal government spending “$8 million for making mice transgender.” The dollar figure was made by the White Coat Waste (WCW) Project, a group reportedly founded by a Republican operative. CNN reporter Deidre McPhillips called the claim false and noted that between 2021 and 2022, the National Institutes of Health awarded a total of $477,121 to three projects that administered feminizing hormone therapy to animals to research its effects on their immune systems.

Kimberly Prost, a Canadian judge at the International Criminal Court, and two colleagues are suing the administration, saying the sanctions were a form of retaliation.

The Cuban government announced a major economic restructuring, but experts say most changes would depend on buy-in from the Trump administration.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Los Angeles Sparks guard Kelsey Plum is out indefinitely with a lower left leg injury.The team said Wednesday that she'll be re-evaluated in four weeks, in which she'll miss at least the next 10 games.Plum missed three games with a right ankle sprain she sustained in practice earlier this season.She is second in the WNBA in scoring with 23.9 points per game and sixth in the league in assists with 6.4 per game.The Sparks (8-8) are 1-3 without Plum in the lineup.___AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball

Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-CastApple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTubeThe latest round of voting for the 2026 MLB All-Star Game was recently released, and while Shohei Ohtani unsurprisingly leads all players in votes, there is someone on the American League side who is just 300,000 votes away from matching the Los Angeles Dodgers superstar. The shocking part is that it's not Aaron Judge or Yordan Alvarez, but rather Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Ernie Clement.On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman discuss the sudden surge in support for the standout player from the Blue Jays' World Series run last season and why Ernie Clement is garnering so much fan support. They then take a look at another second baseman making waves: Jazz Chisholm Jr., who was caught playing the field with a lollipop in his mouth, drawing the ire of manager Aaron Boone.Later, Jake and Jordan are joined by Miami Marlins play-by-play broadcaster Jack McMullen to discuss the Tartan Army's invasion of Miami, what the experience was like during games and a couple of players who should be headed to the Midsummer Classic in Philadelphia. The guys then wrap up the show by discussing the disappointing press conference held by San Francisco Giants President of Baseball Operations Buster Posey, recapping the College World Series championship game and highlighting a wild matchup between the Philadelphia Phillies and Washington Nationals.1:35 - The Opener: Surprising All-Star Game voting update 9:56 - Jazz Chisholm Jr. & the lollipop 19:35 - Jack McMullen joins the show 45:05 - We Need To Talk About: Buster Posey press conference 1:01:02 - College World Series recap 1:06:36 - Wild game in WashingtonPhoto by Jon Blacker/MLB Photos via Getty ImagesPhoto by Jon Blacker/MLB Photos via Getty Images🖥️ Watch this full episode on YouTubeCheck out all episodes of Baseball Bar-B-Cast and the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at yahoosports.tv

Move over, A’ja Wilson, because Indiana Fever fans are looking to knock you off your pedestal. Fever fans showed up in a big way in the second round of All-Star voting results, pushing two members of the team ahead of Wilson in the voting.That would be Aliyah Boston and Caitlin Clark, who now sit No. 1 and No. 2 — respectively — in All-Star voting, the league revealed Wednesday. Top 40 Leaders in the Second Fan Returns in WNBA All-Star Voting 2026 presented by Ally pic.twitter.com/1dk1QswBVA— WNBA Communications (@WNBAComms) June 24, 2026Boston now has 683,996 votes, giving her the top spot. Clark, Boston’s teammate, sits second with 670,510 votes. Both players are more than deserving of an All-Star nod this season. Boston — who has made the All-Star team in each of her first three seasons in the WNBA — is off to a strong start, and is averaging a career-best 16.6 points per game so far. Clark may have gotten off to a tepid start, but she’s now averaging a career-high 21.3 points and game and has a carer-high .426 field-goal percentage. Wilson may have fallen out of the top spot — where she sat after the first round of fan voting — but she’s not too far behind. With 659,057 votes, Wilson sits third after the second round of voting. The four-time MVP doesn’t need anyone to make her All-Star Game case. She’s been as strong as ever this season. The only other player to receive over 600,000 votes is Paige Bueckers. Behind her, Breanna Stewart is the only player to have 500,000 votes.After Stewart, a number of players sit in the 400,000 vote range. They include Jessica Shepard, Angel Reese, Gabby Williams and Kelsey Mitchell. Rounding out the top-10 is Olivia Miles, who has 397,080 votes. Fan voting will count for 50 percent of the voting breakdown for the actual game. Players and a media panel will each have 25 percent of the voting breakdown.As a way to incentivize voting, the WNBA will make Wednesday, June 24 a “2-for-1 day,” meaning any fan vote submitted will count twice. June 24 is the last date the WNBA will hold a “2-for-1 day” in the voting process. The fan-voting portion for the All-Star Game ends June 27, so there isn’t much time left for fans to make their voices heard. The 2026 WNBA All-Star Game will be played in Chicago on July 25 at the United Center.

Less than 24 hours after the NCAA Division I Cabinet approved a monumental change in eligibility rules, a group of 15 college basketball players filed a lawsuit in an Ohio state court claiming the new age-based model unfairly shuts them out of further competition.The NCAA will now allow athletes five seasons of competition over a five-year period that begins with their full-time enrollment or the academic year following their 19th birthday, whichever occurs first. The move will all but eliminate waivers or redshirt years for extended eligibility except for religious missions, pregnancy or active-duty military service. No longer will extensions be considered for athletes who are injured.Athletes whose eligibility expired by spring 2026 under the traditional model — four years of competition over five years — will not be allowed a fifth year of competition under the new rules that go into effect this fall. The lawsuit filed Wednesday in Cincinnati (Hamilton County) seeks temporary and permanent injunctive relief that would allow a fifth year of competition for athletes who graduated from high school in 2022 and began their college sports careers that fall and never redshirted. The new eligibility rule “unjustifiably restrains their ability to earn money through use of their name, image, and likeness (‘NIL’) connected to their work as Division I athletes,” attorneys Ryan Downton and Charles Rittgers wrote in the complaint.Similar lawsuits are expected to be filed in other states. A message seeking comment was left with an NCAA spokesperson.Nine of the plaintiffs have played or planned to play next season at Ohio schools. The rest, according to the complaint, have played multiple games in the state.The complaint said class of 2022 athletes competed for playing time against older athletes who had eligibility extended because of the COVID-19 pandemic. It also noted the NCAA allowed 2022 high school graduates to play a full professional season before enrolling in 2023 and that they are not excluded from playing in 2026-27.“NCAA athletes have a reasonable expectation that they will be treated fairly by the NCAA and that NCAA rules will be applied consistently, regardless of the athlete’s background before they attend an NCAA school and regardless of the year in which they graduated from high school,” the complaint said. The lawsuit points out that the plaintiffs don't challenge the concept of a defined eligibility period or the five-for-five rule itself.“Rather, they challenge the NCAA’s application of the rule” that allows players they competed against from the high school class of 2017-20 and 2023-25 an additional year of competition while denying plaintiffs the same opportunity," the attorneys wrote. “The NCAA then compounded the problem by allowing former professional players to compete in their fifth year following high school graduation regardless of the number of professional games they had played, while denying plaintiffs the same opportunity for a fifth year of competition.”___AP college sports: https://apnews.com/hub/college-sports