The administration has started to repay some of the money, but has signaled it may make it harder for certain businesses to claim the full amount they are owed.

The NBA Finals are here between the Knicks and Spurs, which means 28 other teams across the league are solely focused on their offseasons. Workouts are happening every day across the country right now, as teams are figuring out what their priorities will be come draft night. Based on all the latest intel around the league, here’s my latest two-round mock draft:1. Washington WizardsAJ Dybantsa, 6-9, BYU freshman forwardBYU forward AJ Dybantsa and Kansas guard Darryn Peterson are the favorites to go first, though Duke’s Cam Boozer remains on the radar, per league sources. Wizards president Michael Winger has already said on the record that the front office will consider trading down to accumulate assets. Over the past 46 years, the team holding the No. 1 pick has traded down and stayed in the lottery only three times: in 1980, 1993, and 2017. It is a rarity and would take a lot of guts for Washington to make such a decision. For now, the most likely scenario is staying at the first pick and taking Dybantsa, who could become one of the NBA’s most unstoppable shot-creators. At 6-foot-9, he has a special blend of athletic tools with the way he bends, shifts, and explodes with the ball in his hands. He gets to the rim at will, cooks in the midrange, draws fouls at a high rate, and displays point-forward potential. In Washington, the pressure will be alleviated on him early in his career, now that he's teammates with veterans Trae Young and Anthony Davis. In the longer term, Dybantsa fits: Alex Sarr already looks like an effective two-way big, while guards and wings like Kyshawn George, Tre Johnson, Will Riley, and Bilal Coulibaly have all shown flashes. But none of them project to be a superstar like Dybantsa, whose upside will be determined by whether he can become a knockdown 3-point shooter, as well as a more impactful defender to take full advantage of his physical tools. But even with those areas for improvement, Dybantsa has an MVP ceiling.(Amy Monks/Yahoo Sports Illustration)2. Utah JazzDarryn Peterson, 6-5, Kansas freshman guardEver since the Jazz moved up to the second pick, the talk became about whether the team would try to flip spots with the Wizards so they could draft Dybantsa — who went to Utah Prep then BYU, where Ryan Smith, Danny Ainge, and Austin Ainge all went and still have strong ties to this day. Maybe that is exactly what’s happening. But maybe they’d prefer to stay put and Peterson ends up the best in the class anyway.Peterson is a buttery smooth scorer with a blend of fluid body control and positional size that gives him the ingredients to become an elite NBA player. At the high school level, he was a dynamic playmaker who used his burst to get into the teeth of defenses and generate buckets for himself and his teammates, while also showing off the kind of shot-making that draws comparisons to Hall of Famers. At Kansas, he thrived in an off-ball role, stroking jumpers out of movement actions and showing he can scale up or down depending on what a roster needs. Even when he isn't scoring, he's a high-impact defender who causes chaos off-ball and has the 6-foot-10 wingspan to switch screens. The concern isn't his game. It's his body. He missed 11 of 35 games and pulled himself out of others due to cramping, which he claims was due to taking creatine. Maybe he’ll end up worth the risk for Utah given the deep amount of veteran and young talent already existing on the roster. Much like Ace Bailey last year, Peterson could ease into his NBA routine as a rookie.3. Memphis GrizzliesCameron Boozer, 6-8, Duke freshman forwardBoozer is the most polished player in the class. He scores from the post with both footwork and power, hits 40% of his 3s on high volume, and has enough handle to run offense as a point forward. He shifts between those modes based on what the defense gives him, and that adaptability led to a 35-win season at Duke and the Naismith Player of the Year award.The worry is that he’s not a vertical athlete and the foundation of all that production — overpowering smaller defenders — gets diminished against NBA length. Plus, he’s a modern tweener on defense, lacking the explosiveness and size to protect the rim full-time and the lateral quickness to switch onto guards. But Boozer is at his best defensively when paired with a true center, and in Memphis he’d have one by his side in Zach Edey. With Cedric Coward, Jaylen Wells, and the other young guys in Memphis — plus whatever pieces get dealt for Ja Morant, who remains likely to get traded this summer — the Grizzlies now have one of the league’s best young cores. With the bloodline of two-time All-Star Carlos Boozer, the Grizzlies are betting that skill, adaptability, and a track record of winning at every level all lead to superstardom.4. Chicago BullsCaleb Wilson, 6-9, North Carolina freshman bigLeague sources say the Bulls hosted a workout on Tuesday featuring four potential lottery picks: guards Keaton Wagler and Kingston Flemings, and forwards Nate Ament and Morez Johnson. Chicago also holds the 15th pick, but it’s more likely than not that Wagler, Flemings, and Ament (and possibly Johnson) are all gone by that selection. So it has front office executives curious: Could Chicago be open to trading down from this fourth pick? Or could Chicago be looking to trade up from 15th? Or could Chicago shock everyone with the choice here? Time will tell.But for now, Wilson stays as the choice. Wilson is the most gifted athlete in the draft class. He's 6-9 with springs for legs. When he's flying above the rim, finishing through contact, and chasing down every shot in his area code, he looks like a future franchise cornerstone. That’s exactly what the Bulls need in the frontcourt. But Wilson isn’t a sure thing. He made too many aloof rotations as an off-ball defender at North Carolina, and the speed of NBA offenses will test him even more. He also won’t be sharing the floor with two bigs like he often did in college. On offense, Wilson has never shot jumpers with any consistency at any level, so it’d be a bonus if he can figure that out. And he might have to for Josh Giddey and Matas Buzelis to be optimized. Still, even without the jumper, he has star upside.5. Los Angeles ClippersMikel Brown Jr., 6-4, Louisville freshman guardThe Clippers are widely considered by league sources as the most likely team to trade down in this range. Different teams could be targeting different players. But the most common name mentioned is Brown, who has an unstoppable pull-up jumper, an ambidextrous finishing ability, and the quick reads to rifle passes before the defense has time to react. He had a 45-point breakout performance in February after a back injury dogged him all freshman year and then ended his year later in the month. The absences muddy the evaluation and leave real questions about his consistency that may not get answered until he’s fully healthy. And right now, he is, and all indications are that he is dominating workouts.6. Brooklyn NetsNate Ament, 6-10, Tennessee freshman forwardA few weeks ago I reported that the Nets were drawn to Nate Ament and Aday Mara. That remains true as we enter June, though there are still workouts to be done and there are plenty of teams interested in trading into this spot. For now, Ament gets the nod with this choice given Brooklyn already has so many guards on the roster. Players like Ament who can handle, shoot off the dribble, and stand at 6-foot-10 don’t grow on trees. This physical foundation kept Ament in the lottery consideration even after a dreadful start to his freshman season when he struggled to score efficiently and make an impact defensively. But over the second half of the year for Tennessee, he flipped a switch and shots began to fall. He averaged 23.8 points over a six-game stretch in January and February that reminded everyone why he was a top recruit in the country. Then he dealt with an ankle injury that ruined his momentum entering March and severely struggled during the tournament.7. Sacramento KingsDarius Acuff, 6-2, Arkansas freshman guardWeeks ago I reported that the Kings are widely believed to be targeting Acuff with this pick. That reporting has since been supported by others in the industry, and that belief remains unchanged around the league. That said, the Kings are still working out other players and nothing is locked in. Just consider Acuff the favorite here. Acuff is not the biggest guard or the most explosive athlete, but he reads defenses like someone who's been in the league for a decade. He emerged as a freshman as a skilled, low-turnover playmaker. And that’s not even what he’s best at. Acuff is a wiry scorer who can get a bucket from anywhere on the floor with a quick trigger, slippery handle, and a feel for manipulating defenses. He has a knack for clutch moments too. The question that follows every undersized guard into the draft is whether the brilliance survives contact with bigger, longer, faster defenders.8. Atlanta HawksKeaton Wagler, 6-5, Illinois freshman guardIf draft night unfolds this way with a forward or big going ahead of some of the guards, someone will slip. Maybe it’ll be Wagler, much to the benefit of the guard-needy Hawks. Wagler showed up at Illinois as a four-star recruit with no expectations of becoming a one-and-done. But he quickly became the orchestrator of a high-powered Illinois offense with his high-IQ playmaking and crafty scoring. Then he scored 46 at Purdue against a top-ranked team in the country — the most points by any freshman in Big Ten history. Then he kept rolling, and led the team to an unexpected Final Four appearance. Now he’s a lottery lock, but he’s a quirky player in that he logged zero dunks. To become an NBA star, Wagler needs to overcome a lack of traditional athleticism. But the best case is that his feel for the game is enough for him to continue ascending.9. Dallas MavericksBrayden Burries, 6-4, Arizona freshman guardAdam Finkelstein of CBS Sports reported that Burries hasn’t taken many workouts and there is speculation that he’s trying to angle his way to Dallas. I also have heard that same chatter, which is why he lands here in this mock. To add some more color to that reporting: Burries is represented by Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul, who steered Dereck Lively to the Mavericks with the 12th pick in the 2023 draft, even though some teams picking higher wanted to select Lively. It would make perfect sense for Klutch to want Burries to be the guard paired with Cooper Flagg for many years to come. Burries is a physical, versatile scorer who can beat you from all three levels, rebounds like a forward, and competes hard on defense. But he's a methodical creator rather than an explosive one, and his shooting history before Arizona gives scouts reason to wonder whether the efficiency is real or a blip.10. Milwaukee BucksKingston Flemings, 6-3, Houston freshman guardThe Bucks should take a swing to jump start their new era, whether or not Giannis Antetokounmpo is part of it. Flemings could be that type of bet since he plays with surgical midrange touch, an explosive first step, and the passing vision of a true point guard who can run an offense. But Flemings is also 183 pounds and midrange-heavy in a 3-point league, and he watched his efficiency crater against the stiffest competition late in the season. The question is whether his scoring package translates against NBA length and spacing, or whether opposing scouts figure him out the same way late-season defenses did. Still, he brings incredible effort and passion to the floor and will likely maximize whatever he’s going to become.11. Golden State WarriorsAday Mara, 7-3, Michigan junior bigThe Warriors need a true center. There is no better option in this range than Mara, who stepped on UCLA’s campus as a lottery-projected center from Spain. Then he fell off draft boards during two forgettable seasons there before transferring to Michigan and becoming one of the best true 5s in the country on his way to winning the national championship. He reads the floor like a guard, finishes with both hands, and swats shots with elite timing. The complication is he doesn't shoot from outside, makes below 60% of his free throws, and opponents are going to attack him on the perimeter.12. Oklahoma City ThunderKarim López, 6-8, New Zealand Breakers international forwardIt’s going to be a fascinating next few weeks for the Thunder after a heartbreaking Game 7 loss on their home court to the Spurs. And big changes could be coming with second apron restrictions and heavy luxury tax penalties coming their way. Thunder general manager Sam Presti could end up making moves around the margins to trim money, but don’t rule out a move involving Chet Holmgren or Jalen Williams either. It has also been widely reported that the Thunder could look to move up from this 12th choice. But if they stay put, López checks a lot of boxes with his excellent physical tools, hard-nosed approach, well-rounded ability to defend multiple positions and handle the ball, and blossoming shot. But he’s thus far more of a jack of all trades since his jumper runs hot and cold and he lacks the burst to blow by defenders off the bounce. Regardless, not every player is drafted with stardom in mind. López has all the requisite skills to enhance a star teammate as a key piece on a winning team.13. Miami HeatYaxel Lendeborg, 6-9, Michigan senior forwardThe Heat hosted Lendeborg for a workout in recent days, according to league sources. There is a belief in league circles that Lendeborg could end up being the third Michigan prospect selected on draft night – behind Aday Mara and Morez Johnson, who is rising on draft boards – but for now he holds his slot in the lottery for this mock. Lendeborg has a compelling story. Poor grades kept him off his high school varsity team. He went to a JUCO. Then UAB. Then he entered the draft, went through the combine, pulled his name back, and came back for one more year at Michigan and won a national championship. He just kept getting better every single time the competition got harder. He fills the stat sheet, he can play multiple positions, and he has a 7-foot-4 wingspan at 241 pounds with a genuine handle. But he'll be 24 as a rookie. The arc is a great story. Whether it ends with NBA stardom is still up for debate.14. Charlotte HornetsMorez Johnson Jr., 6-9, Michigan sophomore forwardYou know the guy on a championship team who never gets enough credit nationally? The one who sets the bone-crushing screen that springs the star, then immediately sprints to the rim for the lob, then turns around and blows up the other team's pick-and-roll on the other end all in one sequence? That's Morez Johnson. He transferred from Illinois to Michigan and became the connective tissue of the national champions as a 251-pound wrecking ball with surprisingly soft hands and the defensive IQ to guard 1 through 5 in a switch-heavy scheme. And the Hornets are in need of someone with Johnson’s multi-position versatility since Miles Bridges, Josh Green, and Grant Williams all have just one more season on their contracts. The issue with Johnson is he's not quite big enough to be a true center and not yet proven enough as a shooter to guarantee he spaces the floor. But even without a jumper, Johnson has a long future ahead of him at the next level – and that is why league sources say his stock is on the rise into the mid-late lottery range.15. Chicago BullsCameron Carr, 6-5, Baylor sophomore wingAfter selecting Wilson in the lottery, the Bulls can turn toward finding a wing to support their core. Carr led Baylor in scoring, shot nearly 40% from 3 on high volume, and looked like a 3-and-D role player who also has blossoming skills off the dribble. With NBA genes in his blood, as the son of former player Chris Carr, Cameron has the skills to make it in the NBA. At 184 pounds, he's going to get introduced to the league’s physicality in a way college basketball never did. But he got off to a sensational start by dropping 30 points in the first scrimmage of the Combine, which helped increase his chances of ending up in the lottery.16. Memphis GrizzliesEbuka Okorie, 6-1, Stanford freshman guardWith Ja Morant’s future likely not in Memphis, it’s time to find a point guard after selecting Boozer with the third pick. Okorie is the best driving guard in the class, a 6-1 jitterbug who manipulates defenders with a tight handle, sudden changes of speed, and an advanced feel for the game. He's not an above-the-rim athlete, though, and not long ago he was a kid from New Hampshire who ranked outside the top 100 and committed to Harvard. Then Stanford found him, he flipped his commitment, and he proceeded to lead the ACC in scoring with eight 30-point games and a habit for hitting clutch shots. Maybe Memphis saw the limitations of having a small guard after the Ja experience. But Okorie’s talent could be too hard to pass up.17. Oklahoma City ThunderLuigi Suigo, 7-3, Mega international bigSuigo has until June 13 to decide if he’s going to stay in this year’s draft or commit to a college – likely Villanova. In all likelihood, he’s heading to school. But there’s still some chatter around the league about him sneaking into the first round. To play with that idea in this mock, let’s put Suigo on the Thunder, a team in need of a giant center in his mold. Suigi has said he wants to be the Italian Wemby and, at 7-3 with passing feel and shooting touch, you can see why a teenager might put that out into the universe. Suigo lacks the handle and self-creation chops to ever be the best player on a team, but his dynamic skills as a passer, shooter, and lob threat layer cleanly on top of baseline center duties as a screener, finisher, and rim protector. Becoming the Italian Marc Gasol is a more realistic goal, and would still be an excellent outcome.18. Charlotte HornetsHannes Steinbach, 6-10, Washington freshman bigWith two top-20 picks, it’s a gift of an opportunity for the Hornets to build around their core. Here they get another big to bolster the frontcourt. Steinbach played professionally in Germany before enrolling at Washington, and he’ll enter the NBA with some readymade skills as an interior scorer and rebounder. He has massive hands that he uses to grab every possible rebound and finish effectively around the basket. He also showed legitimate touch on 3-pointers in flashes, which would turn him into a very different player if it becomes real. But he’s not quite a true 7-footer, and there are specific matchups where he gets targeted in space. It’s encouraging, though, that he bulked up from 220 to 248 pounds from the start of his freshman year at Washington until now. He was already strong, and now he’s making the case that he can be a true center for any team.19. Toronto RaptorsLabaron Philon, 6-3, Alabama sophomore guardThe Raptors clearly needed two things after their Game 7 loss to the Cavaliers: A point guard and a center. Here, they get a point guard. Philon is a shifty, score-first point guard who blossomed into one of the best guards in college basketball as a sophomore. He doubled his scoring output with buttery floaters, a deceptive handle, and a feel for running an offense, while also beginning to shore up the shooting questions that once clouded his projection. But Philon is also a below-the-rim athlete and listed under 180 pounds, so his slight frame remains the one thing standing between him and stardom.20. San Antonio SpursAllen Graves, 6-8, Santa Clara freshman forwardThe Spurs are in the NBA Finals and don’t appear to be missing too much on the roster. But adding another forward to grow alongside Carter Bryant could be beneficial. Graves was a point guard before a late growth spurt, and the floor skills carried over when he sprouted to 6-foot-8. He came off the bench at Santa Clara as a redshirt freshman and quietly became one of the most efficient producers in college basketball. While he lacks great athleticism, and had some struggles against the limited top competition that he faced, the analytics love him, and he passes the eye test with his elite feel for the game.21. Detroit PistonsMeleek Thomas, 6-3, Arkansas freshman wingThe Pistons need more shooting and more creation. Thomas checks both boxes as a player who never hesitates to fire. Thomas has the confidence to "run for president," according to Arkansas head coach John Calipari. You could see that on the court the way he stepped right into the lead role when Darius Acuff was sidelined at Missouri to close the regular season, and willed Arkansas to the SEC championship game with 29 points against Ole Miss. He's a legit NBA shooter with deep range, a quick release, and creation juice off the bounce. But he doesn't get to the rim, his shot selection drifts into hero-ball, and there are questions about how he’ll deal with NBA physicality.22. Philadelphia 76ersChris Cenac Jr., 6-10, Houston freshman bigFinding a center to play behind Joel Embiid needs to be prioritized. Embiid simply cannot be trusted to stay on the floor. Cenac checks every box on paper as a superb athlete who moves like a wing, has the length to alter shots, and shoots from the perimeter. Houston handed him a starting role with national title aspirations and trusted him with heavy minutes. But the Cougars fell short again, in part because Cenac struggled to stay out of foul trouble, couldn’t score efficiently, and was overeager to play on the perimeter despite having the body of a bruiser. He arrived in college with lottery expectations, and he still could become that player in the future. But the NBA team drafting him is taking a project.23. Atlanta HawksDailyn Swain, 6-7, Texas junior wingAfter Wagler fell into the laps of the Hawks with their top-10 pick, here they get another potential steal. Swain played two competent seasons at Xavier, transferred to Texas, and somehow became the most efficient isolation scorer in the entire country. He's relentless getting to the rim, creative as a finisher, and active enough defensively to project as a switchable wing. But the reason he lives at the rim is because his jump shot is genuinely terrible. He has stiff mechanics, bad percentages, and a reluctance to even attempt it that goes all the way back to high school. Until the shooting becomes a credible threat, defenses are going to pack the paint and dare him to beat them from the outside.24. New York KnicksJayden Quaintance, 6-9, Kentucky sophomore forwardThe Knicks are in the NBA Finals, but with Mitchell Robinson entering free agency this summer it would make sense for them to bolster the frontcourt. As a freshman at Arizona State, Quaintance was blocking everything in sight, showing defensive instincts and mobility that players his size aren't supposed to have. And he was 17 years old doing it. Then came the ACL, the meniscus, the fractured knee, the transfer to Kentucky, persistent swelling, and a shutdown for the remainder of his sophomore season. Much like Robinson, he’s also a borderline-hackable free-throw shooter. But he brings some intriguing skill as an open floor ball-handler too. The Knicks figured it out with Mitch, and maybe they could with JQ too.25. Los Angeles LakersZuby Ejiofor, 6-8, St. John's senior forwardAfter Ejiofor’s freshman year at Kansas, Bill Self told him he wasn't good enough to play major minutes on any Big 12 team. Three years later, he became the unanimous Big East Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Tournament MVP, and Scholar-Athlete of the Year — the first player in the league's history to sweep all four in a single season — and he helped St. John's bounce his former team in the Round of 32 on the way to the program's first Sweet 16 in 25 years. The Lakers could use a frontcourt player with a winning pedigree like Ejiofor, who found success with foundational skills: motor, length, and defensive versatility. The question with Ejiofor is the fact he’s undersized for a center and his jumper is still a work in progress. But he’s developed enough to deserve a chance to figure it out in the league.26. Denver NuggetsChristian Anderson, 6-1, Texas Tech sophomore guardThe Nuggets need some variety to their half-court offense aside from having Nikola Jokić initiate everything. Well, here’s a guy who could help. Anderson showed up at Texas Tech as the 101st-ranked recruit and has played his way into the first-round conversation behind dynamic pick-and-roll creation and knockdown perimeter shooting. He does a good job of creating easier shots for his teammates, but at his small stature he hasn’t shown a consistent ability to get to the rim with any regularity. And any small guard will always be a target on defense, so there’s a lot of pressure on his shot translating to the next level.27. Boston CelticsSergio De Larrea, 6-5, Valencia international wingThe Celtics had good luck last year taking Hugo Gonzalez in the late first round. Why not go with another Spaniard? De Larrea is a tall playmaking guard with major feel and a knockdown jumper who thrives within team concepts. He suffered a dislocated shoulder that ended his 2024-25 season and removed him from draft boards, but it ended up a blessing in disguise since he returned with a bigger role and stronger production for a great team in the EuroLeague. With size, smarts, and defensive versatility, he could carve out a role in the NBA if his international skill can translate.28. Minnesota TimberwolvesBennett Stirtz, 6-3, Iowa senior guardJust look at how crucial Mike Conley still was to the Timberwolves in these playoffs. But he’s 38. And Ayo Dosunmu and Bones Hyland will both be upcoming free agents. The Wolves might need a guard. Stirtz feels the game at a different frequency than everyone else on the floor, and yet still makes scouts squint because he doesn't look the part athletically. The question isn't whether he can play, though. After transferring from Drake to Iowa, he kept cooking with bullseye passes, pump-fakes, and shooting touch off the dribble from NBA range. If he adjusts to the physicality and speed of the NBA, he could thrive as both a floor general and off-ball connector.29. Cleveland CavaliersKoa Peat, 6-7, Arizona freshman forwardThe Cavaliers need some toughness in the frontcourt. There may not be a better choice in this range than Peat, whose bloodline is so loaded with offensive linemen that it's almost funny he ended up playing basketball. His father played nine NFL seasons. His uncle was a Pro Bowl tackle. Two brothers played college ball on the line. And you can absolutely see it in how he plays: powerful, physical, relentless, and it genuinely takes something special to stop him from getting to where he wants to go. He opened the season with a 30-point game against defending champion Florida and backed it up as one of Arizona's best players all year. The concern is that he doesn't really shoot, doesn't create for himself off the dribble without assistance, and he's not going to wow anyone as a vertical athlete.30. Dallas MavericksJack Kayil, 6-4, Alba Berlin international guardKayil is a combo guard with a strong frame, a feel for the game that exceeds his youth, and the grit to become a high-level defender. He just became one of the youngest players to ever win the German League’s Under-22 Player of the Year, joining Franz Wagner and Dennis Schröder on a list that bodes well for his NBA prospects. He committed to Gonzaga back in October, but has decided to stay in the draft — a decision that surprised some scouts since he has yet to prove he can shoot consistently or run an offense full-time. The speculation around the NBA is that Kayil received a first-round promise. If it’s Dallas, the fit makes perfect sense pairing Kayil next to Flagg given how they can share the ball. And his size would allow him to play next to Kyrie Irving early in his career. Maybe Kayil will end up going much higher, though, because there’s no denying his upside.SECOND ROUND31. New York Knicks: Alex Karaban, 6-7, UConn senior forwardKaraban makes defenses pay the moment they relax on him. He relocates for a 3, cuts when nobody's watching, and does everything efficiently. He’s a similarly high-effort, high-IQ player on the defensive end, which helps him overcome his average athleticism. He’d be a perfect fit in this Knicks offense that leans on the strengths of a diverse set of offensive talents. But he'll be 24 as a rookie, and hasn’t shown much upside. He rarely shoots off the dribble because of his funky mechanics. So if his role-player skills are slow to translate, his margin for error is narrower than for most.32. Memphis Grizzlies: Henri Veesaar, 6-11, North Carolina junior bigVeesaar is an agile big with real shooting touch, connective playmaking, and baseline big skills with the ability to set screens and catch lobs. He also offers rim protection and is a locked-in help defender. In all three of his collegiate seasons, he made a massive leap in production each year. But he's 227 pounds so his lanky frame can get pushed around, plus he still hasn't fully defined his cornerstone skill. That’d be the appeal for Memphis: We could see some three-big lineups with Edey, Boozer, and Veesaar.33. Brooklyn Nets: Tarris Reed, 6-10, UConn senior bigReed is a throwback center who played at his best on the biggest stage on UConn’s way to the national title game. He does all the dirty work inside the paint as a finisher and rebounder and shot-blocker. But beyond his ability to screen and pass, he isn’t all too comfortable on the perimeter as a shooter or defender. So there are questions about his upside, especially since he’ll be 23 as a rookie. For the Nets, though, adding a rock solid center could simply help raise the floor of this team to make them more competent.34. Sacramento Kings: Isaiah Evans, 6-6, Duke sophomore wingEvans is the kind of shooter that defenses guard and think they’ve got him contained, then he uses a screen and catches it off a full sprint, moving away from the rim, and he somehow manages to rise into a perfect 3-pointer. He’s a legitimate sharpshooter with the off-ball chops to thrive without even running any offense for himself, and he also has a developing handle that could unlock more creation chances. But he’s still a perimeter-based player who needs to add more layers to his game to become a complete offensive talent. As the Kings build out this roster, they’re gonna need someone with his shooting prowess.35. San Antonio Spurs: Joshua Jefferson, 6-8, Iowa State senior forwardSome players are drafted for their ceilings. Others for their floor. Jefferson lands in the latter category as a 22-year-old senior who spent four years in college getting better at everything to the point he’s a steady, high-feel forward. He can pass out of the post, make connective reads, and guard multiple positions. He just needs his shooting progress to prove to be real, and right now there's not enough of a sample to be sure it is. If he ends up in San Antonio, there truthfully would not be a better landing spot for him to resolve that shooting concern.36. Los Angeles Clippers: Maliq Brown, 6-8, Duke senior forwardBrown guards all five positions and has both the length and IQ to anchor the defense when he’s on the floor. As a 6-9 senior, he was named ACC Sixth Man of the Year and won the Lefty Driesell Award as the nation's top defender. But he struggles to shoot the ball which will make his offensive fit a difficult one. Regardless though, his defense could be that special that his team can’t help but put him on the floor.37. Oklahoma City Thunder: Ryan Conwell, 6-2, Louisville senior guardConwell's college career took him from South Florida to Indiana State to Xavier, and then to Louisville, and he got better at every stop. By the end of his senior year he was the leading scorer for the Cardinals at 18.8 points per game. He’s a stocky 6-foot-2 lefty with broad shoulders, no real first step, and exactly one dunk in four years of college basketball. But he's a knockdown shooter with deep range and a bruiser at the rim who absorbs contact like a fullback. It’s hard to imagine the Thunder keeping this pick, but if they do it probably means that some existing players on the roster were dealt away and adding another shot creator could end up necessary.38. Chicago Bulls: Jaden Bradley, 6-3, Arizona senior guardThe Bulls have a lot of guards on the roster, but no one with Bradley’s type of hard-nosed style. Bradley is a 6-3 combo guard with a strong frame, a calm demeanor, and a knack for clutch moments. After arriving in college as a McDonald’s All-American, he lost his starting spot as a freshman at Alabama then transferred to Arizona, where he got better every year and became the team’s trusted leader. As a senior, he won Big 12 Player of the Year, Big 12 Tournament MVP, and led the Wildcats to their first Final Four since 2001. There are questions about whether he can be a lead guard at the next level, but his connective passing, improved shooting, and gritty defense all give him the potential to play big minutes.39. Houston Rockets: Braden Smith, 5-10, Purdue senior guardThe Rockets took Reed Sheppard with the third pick in 2024, and while he’s shown some flashes, it’d make sense to hedge here with another guard who can create shots reliably. Smith left Purdue as the NCAA's all-time assists leader, breaking a 33-year-old record. He's arguably the highest-IQ player in the draft who could orchestrate an offense at the college level while also providing scoring off the bounce. But the issue is the one every 5-foot-10 guard faces: he isn't a plus athlete, and bigger guards are going to hunt him the moment he steps on an NBA floor. That’s precisely why he is a projected second-rounder and will need to work his way up.40. Boston Celtics: Ugonna Onyenso, 6-11, Virginia senior bigOnyenso has bounced from Kentucky to Kansas State to Virginia, and finally found a home in Charlottesville where he turned into one of the most feared shot-blockers in college basketball. He had 21 blocks across three ACC tournament games, including nine against Cam Boozer in the championship. He lays a brick wall around the basket, though he has heavy feet when guarding on the perimeter and is still developing his offensive skill set. The Celtics could use an upgrade in the frontcourt, and with Onyenso he has the secret upside of a spot up shooter that could make sense for them to invest in.41. Miami Heat: Richie Saunders, 6-5, BYU senior wingSaunders is a hard-nosed, two-way wing who plays with manic energy, hustling around the floor hunting for steals on defense and jumpers on offense. The team that gets him knows exactly what they’re gonna get out of him. He’s also skilled, though, with a quick-trigger jumper, soft touch on floaters, and a feel for moving the ball. With less than ideal size and athleticism, he more likely projects as a solid role player for the Heat. But he’s not a guarantee to succeed at age 25 after tearing his ACL in February, ending his four-year career at BYU.42. San Antonio Spurs: Felix Okpara, 6-10, Tennessee senior bigIf the Spurs keep all these picks, it might make sense to add even more young big-man depth behind Wemby and Luka Kornet. Okpara knows his role as a player who protects the paint, runs the floor, finishes lobs, sets screens, and doesn’t try to be more than that. He spent two years at Ohio State, transferred to Tennessee, and helped take the Vols to the Elite Eight as their defensive backbone. He had four blocks in the Round of 32 with clutch defense down the stretch, then a 12 and 10 double-double in the Sweet 16.43. Brooklyn Nets: Dillon Mitchell, 6-7, St. John's senior forwardMitchell showed up at Texas as a McDonald’s All-American, and back then it looked like a jump shot was the only thing standing between him and stardom. Four years and three schools later, the jumper is still nonexistent. And yet, he’s played his way onto boards anyway as a left-handed power player who finishes everything around the rim, wrecks games on defense, and blossomed into a high-feel passer as a senior at St. John’s. The non-shooting is a problem, but on the right team his athleticism on offense and defensive versatility could allow him to carve out a long career.44. San Antonio Spurs: Nick Martinelli, 6-7, Northwestern senior forwardMartinelli is a 6-7 lefty who hunts mismatches on the post, uses footwork and physicality to compensate for his average athletic profile, and he plays with a fire in his belly. He arrived at Northwestern as a three-star recruit, got notably better in each season, and proceeded to become the back-to-back Big Ten scoring champion. There are no questions about his work ethic. The real concern is about whether he can adapt at the next level when he can’t feast on smaller players, and when he’ll be targeted on defense. But he’s beaten the odds so far and will receive chances to prove he belongs in the NBA.45. Sacramento Kings: Baba Miller, 6-11, Cincinnati senior forwardMiller is a fluid athlete who grew up playing guard before a late growth spurt. He retained his perimeter skills given the way he can handle in the open floor and make advanced moves. He’s also an equally compelling defensive player who can switch across positions. The big issue, and the main reason why he has spent four years in college, is that he still can’t shoot.46. Orlando Magic: Ja'Kobi Gillespie, 6-0, Tennessee senior guardGillespie spent two seasons at Belmont, transferred to Maryland for a year, then came home to Tennessee as a senior and helped lead the Volunteers to the Elite Eight. In the NBA, he projects as less of a lead guard and more of a spark plug who comes off the bench, fires jumpers and reliably runs the offense. The NBA's track record with guards his size is the obvious concern, but anyone who shoots like Gillespie and processes the game at his level deserves a real chance.47. Phoenix Suns: Izaiyah Nelson, 6-8, South Florida senior bigNelson is a 6-8 athlete with a 7-3 wingspan who feasts on lobs, rebounds in traffic, and disrupts everywhere on defense. He sets a tone any time he’s on the floor. After three years at Arkansas State, he followed his coach to USF and proceeded to put up one of the most decorated mid-major seasons in recent memory by becoming the first player in American Conference history to win Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, and Newcomer of the Year. Even though he lacks creation and shooting abilities, he made jaw-dropping plays at the Portsmouth Invitational, then earned an NBA Draft Combine invite, and now has a chance to go in the second round.48. Dallas Mavericks: Tyler Nickel, 6-6, Vanderbilt senior forwardNickel has a flamethrower jump shot that Vanderbilt used in a wide array of actions to consistent success all season long. The questions about him are the ones every specialist faces: Does he offer enough other than shooting? Will he survive defensively? But anyone who shoots like Nickel and stands at 6-6 will get a shot to make it in the NBA.49. Denver Nuggets: Bryce Hopkins, 6-6, St. John's senior forwardHopkins is a big wing who bullies smaller defenders with hard drives to the rim. But he’s not a one-trick pony. He also passes with feel, rebounds, and offers highly versatility defense. He’s a do-it-all player who could’ve been in the NBA by now if it weren’t for injuries. He was a first-team All-Big East talent at Providence before a torn ACL ended one season and a bone bruise in the same knee wiped out most of the next, limiting him to 17 games over two years. He finally got a full, healthy run at St. John's, regained his explosiveness, and became a pivotal piece on a team that won the Big East title and made a tournament run.50. Toronto Raptors: Otega Oweh, 6-4, Kentucky senior wingAs a 6-4 wing with a strong frame, Oweh became one of the best slashing wings in college basketball and had one of the great games of the season with 35/8/7 against Santa Clara in the opening round of March Madness with a buzzer-beater to force overtime. At the next level, though, he doesn’t project to be a primary creator because of his shaky handle and jumper, so the odds are he’ll need to adapt as a role player. Fortunately, he has a ton of those skills as a cutter, connective passer, and versatile defender.51. Washington Wizards: Emanuel Sharp, 6-3, Houston senior guardSharp’s calling card is his shooting ability. He can catch fire from 3-point range and be utilized as a weapon off screens. He plays with a high IQ even though he isn’t a primary shot creator as well. On defense, he plays extremely hard to help compensate for the fact he’s on the smaller side at only 6-3.52. Los Angeles Clippers: Bruce Thornton, 6-0, Ohio State senior guardThornton is a three-level scorer with playmaking feel and the competitive fire that lifts a locker room. But he’s short and not a bursty athlete, which means he projects as a reserve point guard. Players with his intangibles can prove to be important to winning teams, though. He was a four-year captain at Ohio State, and improved every year on his way to becoming the school’s all-time leading scorer.53. Houston Rockets: Tobe Awaka, 6-8, Arizona senior forwardAwaka was college basketball’s best rebounder and helped energize Arizona’s bully ball style over the past two years. At 6-8 with a brickhouse frame and an unrelenting style of play, he set a tone off the bench and earned Big 12 Sixth Man of the Year. The problem is everything else. He doesn't shoot. He doesn't pass. And he doesn’t have a clearly defined position on defense. The team that drafts him is betting it can find enough of a defensive role to keep that elite rebounding and relentless motor on the floor.54. Golden State Warriors: Darrion Williams, , NC State senior forwardWilliams is a broad-shouldered wing with the versatility to run point or do the dirty work as a power forward. A lack of top-end athleticism puts him in a role player bucket, but he brings winning qualities. During a stretch in which Williams was struggling to score, his college coach Will Wade said: "What'd he have? Six rebounds, four assists, zero turnovers. Everybody needs to shut the hell up about him. He's a damn good player and the shot's going to fall.”55. New York Knicks: Tyler Bilodeau, 6-7, UCLA senior forwardBilodeau was one of the most efficient stretch-4s in college basketball. With his 6-7 frame, he could bring real value with his size and spacing ability at the next level. But no one should mistake Bilodeau for Tyler, The Creator, since he rarely takes shots off the dribble or serves as a playmaker for teammates. He also struggles as a defender, which is truly the big question about his ability to make it in the modern NBA.56. Chicago Bulls: Aaron Nkrumah, 6-5, Tennessee State senior wingNkrumah is a 6-5 wing with a 6-10 wingspan and the motor to cause havoc on defense. His jumper is still developing, but it was quite a journey to even get to this point. He started his college career at Division III Nichols College, transferred to Division III Worcester State and won MASCAC Player of the Year, then jumped to Tennessee State and became the Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year while leading the Tigers to the NCAA tournament as a 15-seed. He got a late invite to the G League Combine, dropped 33 points across two scrimmages to earn a call-up to the NBA Combine, and kept producing once he got there. He still needs to add muscle and tighten up his jumper, but nothing has stopped him yet.57. Atlanta Hawks: Trevon Brazile, 6-10, Arkansas senior bigBrazile was a projected first-rounder before tearing his ACL nine games into his sophomore year at Arkansas, and the next two years were spent rebuilding the explosiveness that made him a prospect in the first place. He finally put it together as a fifth-year senior with a career year by anchoring Arkansas' defense. His long wingspan, explosive vertical, switchability, and perimeter jumper, all give him the potential to have a long NBA career. But at this point, he’s already 23 and still projects only as a role player.58. New Orleans Pelicans: Keyshawn Hall, 6-6, Auburn senior forwardHall has been to UNLV, George Mason, UCF, and Auburn, and at every stop he just keeps scoring as a 6-6, 227-pound lefty wing by knocking down 3s and overpowering smaller defenders inside. But everywhere he’s gone, his defense has been shaky and his decision-making has left a lot to be desired. After bouncing through four programs without seeing those flaws get resolved, he’ll need to figure it out in the NBA. There’s certainly a lot of talent worth betting on.59. Minnesota Timberwolves: Tobi Lawal, 6-7, Virginia Tech senior forwardLawal is a London-born forward with elite athleticism, but he didn’t start playing basketball until age 16 and it shows with his underdeveloped skills. He’s still figuring out his jumper and doesn’t do much off the dribble. But with NBA-ready hops and a strong frame, he has the tools to be a highly versatile defender who serves as a role player on offense.60. Washington Wizards: Milos Uzan, 6-3, Houston senior guardUzan is a high-IQ combo guard who knits teams together with his playmaking skills and defensive hustle. Those are the translatable skills that made him a fixture in Houston’s rotations for back-to-back 30-win seasons. But then there’s the nagging question about what he actually offers as a primary shot-creator and as a shooter. Uzan could’ve answered that question with a big senior season, but he didn’t take the leap that scouts hoped for.

Aryna Sabalenka suffered her earliest exit at a Grand Slam since the 2024 French Open, when she also lost in the quarter-finals [Getty Images]Aryna Sabalenka would not say it, but there is an inescapable feeling that another golden opportunity to add to her dynasty has slipped through her fingers in Paris.The world number one has been left licking her wounds after a chastening 3-6 7-5 6-0 defeat by Russia's Diana Shnaider in the French Open quarter-finals.The Belarusian has been the dominant force in women's tennis for the past two years, pummelling opponents on the way to 11 WTA titles and a 93-week stint at the top of the rankings.But some would argue Sabalenka's tally of four Grand Slam singles titles is not enough given her superiority - and the strong positions she has found herself in at the majors.In a draw without any other major champions left, Sabalenka was the overwhelming favourite to land her first Roland Garros title, but she threw away a set and a double break advantage against Shnaider."Maybe I'm focusing too much that I've never won a Slam [here]," Sabalenka said."Maybe it makes me overthink and over-emotional."Sabalenka crumbles in French Open quarter-finalsQualifier Chwalinska extends dream French Open runClay is not Sabalenka's strongest surface even though she has won three times in Madrid, where the high altitude makes the conditions similar to a hard court.Nor did she not have a good build-up to Roland Garros. Six match points were squandered in a quarter-final defeat by Hailey Baptiste in Madrid in April, before she let a set and a break lead slip against Romanian veteran Sorana Cirstea in Rome.But, given her quality and pedigree compared to the other Paris quarter-finalists, it is hard not to think another golden opportunity has slipped through Sabalenka's fingers.Sabalenka's four Grand Slam singles titles - two Australian Open and two US Open triumphs, all on hard courts - are more than most people can dream of.But she has also lost four finals and six major semi-finals, despite a consistency on the biggest stages that is unrivalled among her peers.Sabalenka has the proud record of not losing before the quarter-finals of a Grand Slam since the start of the 2023 season.However, she has not always dealt well with the pressure of the latter stages - particularly during the period where she has clearly been the best player in the world.Sabalenka was the heavy favourite to beat underdog Madison Keys in the 2024 Australian Open final, but came unstuck. Twelve months later, she reached another Melbourne final - and a flurry of mistakes saw her squander a break lead in the deciding set against Elena Rybakina.At last year's French Open Sabalenka played what she described as the "worst final" of her life, hitting 70 unforced errors in windy conditions as she lost from a set up.Against Shnaider, Sabalenka looked in control at 6-3 4-1 up before losing 12 of the final 13 games."I just think that there is something in specific moments during the match [where] I lose control," said Sabalenka, whose 57 unforced errors outweighed her 46 winners.Sabalenka's emotions were still raw in an honest post-match news conference which she began by dryly claiming she wanted to quit tennis.It came after she unravelled as increasing winds on Court Philippe Chatrier caused havoc for her - also a factor when she lost to American Coco Gauff last year.Swirling breeze requires sharper footwork and Sabalenka was hindered by her poor court positioning.Sabalenka's preference for first-strike tennis - quickly getting on top of a rally with aggressive shots from the baseline - was not suited to the conditions, and she did not adjust."The one thing you need to do in the wind is increase your margins," said former British player Naomi Broady on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra."When that is not your game style and there is the refusal to have a plan B, every now and then it is going to really hurt."Last year I thought she felt the title was hers. This year she would have thought the title was hers too. "I think these two losses will hurt her a lot."Staying calm in difficult moments will be Sabalenka's challenge over the next few weeks as she switches her attention to Wimbledon, where she has reached the semi-finals on her past three appearances."I really feel great on clay. I feel great on grass," Sabalenka added."This is something that I have to step back [from] and try to find a solution, because I just am so tired of losing some matches - not in the best way, [but] because I was overemotional."Sabalenka's loss means either Shnaider, Polish qualifier Maja Chwalinska, Russian eighth seed Mirra Andreeva or Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk will lift the French Open trophy on Saturday night.Sabalenka, meanwhile, will be left wondering what might have been.Live scores, results and order of playGet tennis news sent straight to your phone

Florida football recruiting remains on a roll under first-year coach Jon Sumrall.The Florida Gators landed their 19th commitment of 2027 class, as three/four-star defensive lineman Zahamar Tookes pledged to the Gators on June 3. Tookes is considered a 3-star by 247Sports and a 4-star by 247Sports composite.Tookes is the fourth defensive line commitment in UF's 2027 class, which is ranked third nationally, per 247Sports.“We can get anybody to come visit the University of Florida in America if we do a good job," Sumrall said following UF's spring game. "This is not a really hard place to recruit to."We’re the fifth-ranked public school in the United States of America academically right now. You come outside today, and it’s beautiful. You come to the stadium, and you know the history and pageantry of what it feels like to play in this place. And you know the stadium renovations that are coming. You know the fan base is hungry for a winner."Sumrall's approach to recruiting is that it needs to be a fit on both sides. He's not going to chase four and five stars just for the sake of chasing four and five stars. Rather, players coming from high school will need to understand what's expected of them when they commit to UF."The energy’s real," Sumrall said. "And there’s authentic relationships. I think we coach every day — we’re not going to change. I tell recruits all the time. If you like us now, you’re gonna love us later. If you don’t like me now, go somewhere else, because I’m not changing. What you see’s what you get. If you want to come improve your craft every day, it’s gonna be a blast. If you’re tough and love football, it’s gonna be a blast. If you’re soft and you like football, don’t come here.”Here's a look at UF's commitments so far for the 2027 class under Sumrall.Florida football recruiting Class of 2027 so farZahmar Tookes DLSchool/Hometown: Brighton HS/Rochester, N.Y.Height/Weight: 6-4, 235 poundsRating: Three-starThe Skinny: Tookes is the 52nd-rated defensive lineman and rated 250th overall in the 2027 class, per 247Sports. He chose Florida over offers from Georgia, Nebraska, Boston College and Kentucky. In 2025, Tookes posted 10 tackles for loss, three sacks and one forced fumble for Brighton HS. Kennedee Jackson OLSchool/Hometown: Lithonia HS/Lithonia, Ga.Height/Weight: 6-6, 297 poundsRating: Four-starThe Skinny: Jackson is the 16th-rated offensive tackle and 122nd rated overall player in the 2027 class, per 247Sports. He chose Florida over offers from Georgia, Georgia Tech, LSU and Auburn.Ja'Bios Smith LBSchool/Hometown: Swainsboro HS/Swainsboro, Ga.Height/Weight: 6-3, 195 poundsRating: Four-starThe Skinny: Smith tallied 72 tackles, 8 tackles for loss. 1 sack and 1 fumble recovery in 9 games for Swainsboro HS in 2025. Per 247Sports, Smith is rated at the 13th-best linebacker and 177th-best player in the 2027 class. He chose Florida over offers from Texas A&M, South Carolina, Georgia and Alabama.Elias Pearl WRSchool/Hometown: Port Charlotte HS/Port CharlotteHeight/Weight: 5-10, 180Rating: Four-starThe Skinny: Pearl is coming off a breakout junior season at Port Charlotte HS that included 69 catches for 1,052 yards and 13 TDs, 40 carries for 253 yards and 11 TDs rushing and two kickoff returns for TDs. He chose Florida over offers from Georgia, Ole Miss, Auburn and Colorado. Per 247, Pearl is the 15th-best receiver in the 2027 class and 114th best player nationally.Cain Van Norden DLSchool/Hometown: Bishop McNamara HS/District Heights, Md.Height/Weight: 6-7, 265Rating: Three-starThe Skinny: Van Norden chose Florida over offers from Virginia Tech, Georgia, Ole Miss and Maryland. He's the 90th rated defensive lineman in the 2027 class, per247Sports, and the 21st rated player from Maryland. Andrew Beard RBSchool/Hometown: Prince Avenue Christian School/Bogart, Ga.Height/Weight: 5-10, 197Rating: Four-starThe Skinny: Beard finished his junior season with 155 carries for 1,260 yards (8.1 yards per carry) and 12 TD while also catching 29 passes for 435 yards and 5 TDs. He's the 8th-rated running back and 165th rated player nationally, per 247 Sports. Beard chose Florida over offers from Georgia, Clemson, Tennessee and Alabama.Stive-Bentley Keumajou DLSchool/Hometown: Coral Gables HS/Coral GablesHeight/Weight: 6-3, 295Rating: Three-starThe Skinny: Born in England, Keumajou moved to the U.S. in 2025 and in his first high school season at Coral Gables played on both lines of scrimmage, Keumajou also kicked and punted at Coral Gables and played soccer and basketball. He's rated as the 37th-best defensive line recruit in the 2027 class and 29th-best player in Florida and chose UF over offers from Miami, Auburn, Georgia and Syracuse.Elijah Hutcheson OLSchool/Hometown: North Cross School/Roanoke, VirginiaHeight/Weight: 6-6, 256Rating: Four-starThe Skinny: Hutcheson is the 15th overall rated offensive tackle in the Class of 2027, per 247Sports, and the 110th ranked player nationally. He chose Florida over Clemson, Virginia Tech and Vanderbilt.Kailib Dillard DBSchool/Hometown: Jenks HS/Jenks, OklahomaHeight/Weight: 6-0, 175Rating: Three-starThe Skinny: Dillard is the 112th overall rated safety in the Class of 2027, per 247Sports, and the 446th ranked player nationally. He chose Florida over Georgia and Oregon.Peyton Miller OLSchool/Hometown: Anna HS/Anna, TexasHeight/Weight: 6-5, 290Rating: Four-starThe Skinny: Miller is the eighth-rated interior offensive lineman in the Class of 2027, per 247Sports, and the 143rd ranked player nationally. He chose Florida over Texas, SMU, Arizona State and Clemson. De'Voun Kendrick DLSchool/Hometown: Carrollwood Day School/TampaHeight/Weight: 6-4, 275Rating: Three-starThe Skinny: Kendrick is coming off a junior season that included 28 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and 1 forced fumble. Per 247Sports, Kendrick is the 58th-rated defensive lineman in the 2027 class and the 41st-rated player in Florida. He chose Florida over offers from Louisville, Arkansas, Auburn and Boston College.Anthony Jennings WRSchool/Hometown: Dillard HS/Fort LauderdaleHeight/Weight: 6-0, 165Rating: Three-starThe Skinny: Jennings is coming off a junior season at Dillard High that included 34 catches for 823 yards and 11 TDs. He's the 55th rated receiver in the 2027 class and the 35th-best player in the state of Florida per 247Sports. He chose Florida over offers from Maryland, Auburn, Florida State and Boston College.Maxwell Hiller OLSchool/Hometown: Coatesville Area HS/Coatesville, Pa.Height/Weight: 6-5, 300Rating: Five-starThe Skinny: Hiller is the top-rated left tackle recruit and fourth-rated player overall in the 2027 class, per 247Sports. He's the first five-star offensive line recruit Florida has landed since Martez Ivey in 2015. Hiller chose Florida over offers from Alabama, Tennessee, Cincinnati and Clemson.Amare Nugent DBSchool/Hometown: American Heritage HS/Plantation, Fla.Height/Weight: 5-11, 178Rating: Four-starThe Skinny: Nugent is rated as the 15th-best cornerback and 117th best player overall in the 2027 class, per 247Sports. He chose UF over offers from LSU, Notre Dame, Boston College and Auburn. As a sophomore, Nugent was part of a 4x100 relay squad that captured a Florida 3A track and field championship.Tramond Collins WRSchool/Hometown: Cottondale HS/Cottondale, Fla.Height/Weight: 6-2, 183Rating: Four-starThe Skinny: Collins is the fourth-rated athlete and 111th overall-rated player in the 2027 class, per 247Sports. He chose Florida over offers from Georgia, Alabama, Florida State and Auburn. As a sophomore at Cottondale HS in 2024, Collins was a dual-threat offensive star, totaling 1,063 yards of offense (661 yards rushing and 402 yards receiving) and 15 TDs (9 TD rushing and 6 TD receiving).Davin Davidson QBSchool/Hometown: Cardinal Mooney HS/Sarasota, Fla.Height/Weight: 6-6, 215Rating: Four-starThe Skinny: Ranked as the 13th-best quarterback and 220th best player nationally, per 247Sports. Chose Florida over offers from Auburn, Arkansas, California and Colorado. Davidson posted a 14-1 record as a first-year starter in 2025, leading Cardinal Mooney to a Florida 2A championship. He finished his junior season completing 137 of 212 passes for 2,360 yards with 23 TDs and 6 interceptions and displayed dual-threat ability, carrying the ball 18 times for 81 yards with 3 TDs.Jackson Ballinger TESchool/Hometown: Centerburg HS/Centerburg, OhioHeight/Weight: 6-4, 225Rating: three-starThe Skinny: Ballinger is rated as the 21st-best tight end and 417th best player nationally in the 2027 class, per 247Sports. He chose Florida over offers from Arizona State, Cincinnati, Auburn and Arkansas.Tommy Douglas TESchool/Hometown: The Hun School/Princeton, N.J.Height/Weight: 6-4, 235Rating: three-starThe Skinny: Douglas is the 17th-rated tight end recruit in the 2027 class and the 413th rated player nationally, per 247Sports and 247Sports composite. He chose Florida over offers from Pittsburgh, Tennessee, South Carolina and UCLA. Douglas finished his junior season at the Hun School in 2025 with 33 catches for 640 yards and 7 TDs.Aamaury Fountain DBSchool/Hometown: Northside HS/Warner Robbins, Ga.Height/Weight: 6-3,190Rating: three-starThe Skinny: Rated as the 26th best cornerback and 195th best overall recruit in the 2027 class, per 247Sports. Flipped commitment from South Carolina and also had offers from Alabama, Auburn and BYU. Recorded 32 tackles, 4 interceptions, 1 tackle for loss, 1 forced fumble and double-digit pass breakups in his junior season at Northside in 2025.Kevin Brockway is The Gainesville Sun’s Florida beat writer. Contact him at kbrockway@gannett.com. Follow him on X @KevinBrockwayG1.This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Florida football recruiting, latest updates for 2027 class under Jon Sumrall

Fabrizio Romano confirms Real Madrid swoop to steal star from under Liverpool nosesReal Madrid have swooped in to grab a Liverpool transfer target. The Reds may need a new plan.Real Madrid aren't wasting much time with their transfer business, it seems. Though, that all relies on the outcome of their presidential election.Florentino Perez is busy getting verbal agreements, though. He's got one with Ibrahima Konate for starters and the Frenchman is expected to join Real Madrid on a free transfer when his Liverpool contract expires.They haven't stopped there, either. Fabrizio Romano confirms that Denzel Dumfries now has an agreement with Real Madrid after they agreed to trigger his €20m release clause at Inter.He'll replace Dani Carvajal for next season and compete with Trent Alexander-Arnold for a spot. But it's also a blow for Liverpool.The Reds have consistently been linked with Dumfries since January. They looked into a deal for him post-Conor Bradley getting injured and reports have stuck around since.Bradley is expected to be out for a long time and Liverpool are back in the market for a right-back just one year after signing Jeremie Frimpong. Dumfries looked like one of the more sensible targets, particularly before Arne Slot was let go.But that now won't be happening. Liverpool will need to find other options if they want a new right-back - but perhaps they were happy to do so anyway after the head coach change.Denzel Dumfries: Situation SummaryInter Milan Campaign and StatsAs of 3 June 2026, Denzel Dumfries has concluded a highly successful domestic campaign with Inter Milan under Simone Inzaghi. The 30-year-old Dutch right-back enjoyed a productive season, making 34 Serie A appearances as the Nerazzurri successfully defended their league title. Dumfries contributed four goals and six assists, providing immense tactical width and athleticism along the right flank. He wrapped up his stellar club campaign in a 2–1 victory against Verona on 24 May before shifting his focus to international duty.Contract Standoff and Premier League InterestWith his contract at the San Siro rapidly ticking down toward its final year, a fierce summer transfer battle is brewing for the dynamic wing-back. Negotiations over a contract extension have hit a complete standstill due to wage disagreements, alerting several elite clubs across Europe. Manchester United and Aston Villa are both monitoring his situation closely, looking to exploit the deadlock. Inter Milan may be forced to cash in for a cut-price fee of £25 million to avoid losing him for free.

Image Credit: lev radin / Shutterstock.Marcello Hernández is getting a new live stage, and this one comes with athletes, celebrities, and a return to New York.The Saturday Night Live cast member will host the 2026 ESPYS, ESPN announced Wednesday, June 3. The ceremony will air live from the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center on Wednesday, July 15, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.ESPN said Hernández will host the awards show as it honors the year’s biggest achievements and moments in sports.The ESPYS Will Air From Lincoln CenterThe 2026 ESPYS will air live on ABC and stream on ESPN+ through the ESPN app in pattern with ABC airings across time zones.ESPN said the show will be available the next day on Hulu, Disney+, the ESPN app, and ABC Video on Demand.The location is part of the announcement. Good Morning America reported that the ESPYS are returning to New York City after last year’s Los Angeles ceremony.Hernández Called the New York Gig “Crazy”Hernández tied the hosting job to his early comedy years.“I started doing comedy 10 years ago, in Cleveland, Ohio, and I would take the train 12 hours to New York to sell comedy tickets on the street in Greenwich Village in exchange for stage time,” Hernández said in ESPN’s announcement.He added, “It is an honor, and frankly feels crazy to be hosting the ESPYS this year in New York. I’m sure the energy is going to be great.”ESPN Pointed to His Comedy and Sports BackgroundCraig Lazarus, ESPN vice president and executive producer of the ESPYS, called Hernández “one of the most electric young comedians” working today.Lazarus also said Hernández’s sports interest and New York ties made him a natural fit for this year’s show.ESPN noted that Hernández played college soccer at John Carroll University. That gives the choice a sports connection beyond his comedy work.The Job Comes After a Bigger SNL RunHernández joined Saturday Night Live in 2022 and has become one of the show’s most visible younger cast members.ESPN pointed to his SNL work in sketches including “Protective Mom,” “Immigrant Dad Talk Show,” the “Domingo” series, and appearances on “Weekend Update.”The announcement also noted that his Netflix special, Marcello Hernández: American Boy, premiered in January 2026 and reached the platform’s global Top 10.The ESPYS Still Support the V FoundationThe ESPYS began in 1993 and have long been tied to the V Foundation for Cancer Research, which ESPN founded with the late Jim Valvano.ESPN said the show has helped raise more than $292 million for the foundation over more than 30 years.Hernández follows Shane Gillis, who hosted the 2025 ESPYS from Los Angeles. This year, the show moves back to New York with Hernández leading the July 15 broadcast from Lincoln Center.

With Pride organizations facing corporate retreat in the wake of President Trump’s assault on the LGBTQ+ community and DEI efforts, Phoenix Pride announced on Thursday that it was filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The group cited “rising operational costs, economic uncertainty, shifts in sponsorship and fundraising partly due to the current political climate and administration.” Related Drag queen devastated after city’s 11th hour cancellation of story time event: “It hurts really bad” Phoenix Pride owes $432,000 to creditors, according to Axios. The Pride organization is not shutting down, however, organizers said. Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today “This process allows Phoenix Pride to continue operating while reorganizing its finances under the guidance and oversight of a court-appointed trustee,” the group wrote. “Our events, programs, partnerships, and community work will continue as we move through this process.” Phoenix Pride remains scheduled for October. News of the group’s reorganization follows Tucson Pride’s announcement in January that it was shutting down for good, after a reduction in corporate donations pushed the 50-year-old organization, already suffering accusations of financial mismanagement, over the edge. “With all those DEI cuts and those funding cuts, it’s a trickle-down effect, right?” Phoenix Pride executive director Mike Fornelli told Arizona’s Family. Demonstrators take part in an LGBTQ+ rights march while holding signs in Phoenix, Arizona. Summer 2018. | Shutterstock That effect is being felt at Pride organizations nationwide this year as they struggle to fill funding gaps that opened last year. San Francisco, New York, Pittsburgh, Washington D.C., and Seattle are just a few of the Pride organizations facing big operating deficits this year. Anheuser-Busch, Comcast, and Nissan all pulled sponsorships from San Francisco Pride in 2025, costing the organization hundreds of thousands of dollars. NYC Pride announced a $750,000 budget shortfall last summer after corporate sponsorships declined. Those companies are not coming back in 2026, let alone providing the level of support they have in past years. “We’re not going to return to 2019, where we had much bigger levels of sponsorship prepandemic,” Patti Hearn, executive director of Seattle Pride, told The Wall Street Journal. Companies that have dialed back support or pulled out completely cite a range of reasons, said Ryan Bos, executive director of Capital Pride Alliance in Washington D.C., including Trump’s crusade against DEI and an uncertain business climate. “There were those that said, ‘We don’t know what we can do because of federal contracts or DEI,’” he said. Washington, DC: June 7, 2025 – Capital Pride 17th Street Block Party | Shutterstock While some companies are dropping Pride altogether, others are scaling back to put their businesses at a politically safe remove. Mastercard won’t sponsor NYC Pride this year, but did pay fees for about 100 employees and executives to walk with the company’s banner, according to a spokesperson. In San Francisco, Starbucks will hand out coffee to Pride marchers, but is skipping a corporate donation, the coffee maker said. In Tampa, Pride is on an official one-year “hiatus” this year after multiple corporations dropped their sponsorships, under twin political pressure from both the Trump administration and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R). The board running Tampa Pride said in a statement last August that the “current political and economic climate,” “challenges with corporate sponsorships,” and “the discontinuation of DEI programs under Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis,” forced the temporary shutdown. Corporations are weighing the benefits and liabilities of Pride sponsorship, which could expose them to litigation, political retaliation, or consumer boycotts, said E. Ciszek, who studies advertising and public relations at The University of Texas at Austin. “What once was [an] organizational asset, has now become an organizational risk,” Ciszek told WNYC. The moment is testing “the limits of corporate allyship, particularly when LGBTQ visibility has become really politically costly.” In Phoenix, reorganization is forcing organizers to rethink their financial strategy, with a new focus on community support. The sponsorship of one longtime local supporter, Phoenix gay bar Stacy’s at Melrose, “helps build trust” with the community, says co-owner Brandon Slayton. Slayton said a move away from corporate reliance for Pride is a good thing. “I’m kind of excited to see what those changes might be. I think that there’s an opportunity for the community to come together,” he said. Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

Shedeur Sanders is starting to make his case in Cleveland.Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy said the second-year quarterback looks more comfortable and more confident this summer, a sign that Sanders is settling in as the competition for the starting job heats up.That growth showed up in practice today, where Sanders hit Jeudy for a touchdown in the corner of the end zone as Jeudy made a tough sideline grab over defensive back D'Angelo Ross. For Sanders, this kind of rep matters in a quarterback battle, especially for a player attempting to show command and consistency."Just being more comfortable, being more confident and that comes with repetition," Jeudy said about Sanders last week. "Having that first year to that second year jump, you can see him out here on the field just being a lot more comfortable, confident and in command."#Browns Shedeur Sanders with a TD to Jerry Jeudy who makes an acrobatic catch towards the sideline. pic.twitter.com/F6e1GTzcPI— Coop (The Real Justin Cooper) (@JJCoop25) June 3, 2026Sanders is battling Deshaun Watson and Dillon Gabriel for Cleveland's starting job in 2026 after a rookie season that included 1,400 passing yards, seven touchdowns, but also 10 interceptions. His completion rate was 56.6 percent in 2025, so the next step is clear for him to make cleaner decisions and have a stronger grip on the offense.For now, Sanders is giving the Browns something important. He is giving them a real competition.Follow James Carnes on Facebook, Instagram, and X.Contact/Follow us @BuffaloesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Colorado news, notes and opinions.This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Shedeur Sanders draws praise from Jerry Jeudy after impressive play

WEST LAFAYETTE — As Purdue University seeks a new President, it will also begin the search for a new leader for its athletics department.Mike Bobinski plans to retire on Dec. 31, IndyStar has confirmed. ESPN's Pete Thamel first reported the development.Bobinski is one of the longest-tenured athletic directors in the Big Ten. He has overseen Purdue's transition into the revenue share era of college sports while also helping guide it to new heights in men's basketball.Purdue has not yet announced plans or a timeline for the search to replace Bobinski.Men's basketball continued its ascent to a national power under Bobinski, reaching the Final Four in 2024. However, a major part of his legacy revolves around football.Purdue hired Bobinski from Georgia Tech 2016 to succeed longtime AD Morgan Burke. Also the former athletic director at Xavier, he was hired with a primary mission of returning the football program to a level of competitiveness within the Big Ten. He fired Darrell Hazel midway through the fourth year of a tenure which included only eight or nine wins.Bobinski had to work to keep Jeff Brohm after each of his first two seasons. But that tenure ultimately goes down as one of the more successful in recent Purdue history. The Boilermakers went to bowl games after all but one of his non-pandemic seasons. They also advanced to the 2022 Big Ten championship game, the only such appearance in program history.Brohm's eventual departure to his alma mater, Louisville, was considered to be an inevitability. The search Bobinsky conducted in the winter of 2023 led him to Ryan Walters, a young, first-time head coach who had risen in the industry due to his work as a defensive coordinator at Missouri and Illinois. It was a somewhat bold move, especially considering Walters did not have an offensive background for a program who's most successful years had come under Brohm and Joe Tiller's offenses. Bobisnki fired Walters after two seasons and hired Barry Odom from UNLV. He went 2-10 in his first season.While football will ultimately be the sport for which Bobinski's tenure is judged, there have been successes in other sports. Men's basketball reached the Final four for the first time since 1980 in 2024, one year after being a No. 1 seed. Women's volleyball continues to compete at a top 10 national level. The other defining hire of Bobinsky's era remains at work in progress. Purdue parted ways with women's basketball coach Sharon Versyp amid an investigation into treatment of players. For her successor, Bobinsky chose former Boilermaker star Katie Geralds, who had achieved NAIA success with Marian University. The women's program has not yet returned to place of prominence within the Big Ten. Purdue President Mung Chiang resigned earlier this month to take the same position at Northwestern. Former President and Indiana governorm Mitch Daniels was named the interim president in his place.Nathan Baird and Sam King have the best Purdue sports coverage, and sign up for IndyStar's Boilermakers newsletter.This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Purdue athletic director Mike Bobinski to retire at year's end

PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 17: Dan Muse of the Pittsburgh Penguins looks on against the Columbus Blue Jackets at PPG PAINTS Arena on January 17, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images Dan Muse was a finalist for the Jack Adams award as coach of the year, but it was Tampa’s Jon Cooper who took first place in the voting.IT’S ABOUT TIME 👏Jon Cooper is your 2026 Jack Adams Award Winner! pic.twitter.com/YucF9LmCfv— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) June 3, 2026It’s the first Adams award for Cooper, who has long been considered one of the very best coaches in the NHL since taking over the Lightning way back in 2013. Despite that, Tampa lost their hold in first place of the Atlantic Division to fellow Adams award finalist Lindy Ruff and the Buffalo Sabres.The Lightning did deal with a myriad of injuries this year, particularly on defense and that plus the career achievement looks like it tipped the scales for the voters.Muse, in his first season, took a Penguin team with a 75 point over/under in Vegas all the way to 98 and a playoff berth.Like no other award, the Jack Adams results don’t tend to linger very long in the fast-changing world of the NHL. Just take a look back at the 2024 voting where the majority have already left their respective teams after just a few years.Two years ago today, 2024 Jack Adams Award voting tabulation was released.Only five of the 13 vote getters remain with their team. pic.twitter.com/NrX9UsY69K— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) May 22, 2026

Could the UFC’s White House event be more than a one-off?As construction continues on the UFC’s makeshift arena on the White House’s South Lawn, U.S. President Donald Trump remains all-in on the June 14 event. Trump proposed Wednesday on TikTok making the towering lighting grid and cage setup for the show — known colloquially as “The Claw” — a fixture on the South Lawn well beyond the first-of-its-kind fight night later this month.Trump even compared the structure to France’s famed Eiffel Tower.Said the U.S. President:"Many don't know that in Paris, France, the Eiffel Tower, 1889, it was built. It was supposed to be taken down immediately after the World's Fair, and then they said, 'You know, we sort of like it. Let's leave it up a little bit longer.' And then they said, 'Let's leave it up longer and longer and longer.' Well, they never took it down."And, you know, we're building something in front of the White House that's quite attractive to a lot of people. It's gonna have the big UFC fight on June 14, and I'm looking at it, and maybe we'll never, ever take it down."It remains unclear whether Trump is serious or simply trolling critics of the event.The UFC’s White House showcase — officially named UFC Freedom 250 — takes place on Trump’s 80th birthday, as well as Flag Day in the United States. The show features a seven-fight card headlined by a title unification match between UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria and interim champion Justin Gaethje.Also highlighted on the card is former two-division champion Alex Pereira’s pursuit of history against Ciryl Gane in the co-main event. Already a former UFC middleweight and light heavyweight champion, “Poatan” challenges Gane for the UFC interim heavyweight title, seeking the claim of becoming the first-ever three-division UFC champion.

Broadcaster Roasts Yankees Star After World Series Prediction originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.Boston Red Sox fans may get a kick out of hearing a Cleveland Guardians broadcaster mock a New York Yankees player.Jazz Chisholm Jr. appeared Monday on NBC's "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon." During the late-night interview, the All-Star second baseman declared that the Yankees will "for sure" win this year's World Series.Tom Hamilton mentioned Chisholm's bold prediction while calling Tuesday's 9-4 Guardians win over the Yankees. A social media user shared a clip of the Hall of Fame radio announcer taking a shot at the 28-year-old."He predicted the Yankees will win the World Series. He did that on the Jimmy Fallon show," Hamilton said of Chisholm. "Pretty amazing he got on the Jimmy Fallon show batting .239."Tom Hamilton on Jazz Chisholm:“He predicted the Yankees will win the World Series. He did that on the Jimmy Fallon show. Pretty amazing he got on the Jimmy Fallon show batting .239.” pic.twitter.com/JsxYx2McUz— Jose (@GuardsBurner_) June 2, 2026Chisholm is indeed batting a pedestrian .239/.313/.383 with six home runs and a below-average 98 weighted runs created plus (wRC+), his lowest rate since 2021. That production seemingly doesn't warrant a TV spotlight, especially since the Yankees have several other flourishing stars such as Aaron Judge, Ben Rice, Cody Bellinger and Cam Schlittler. There's also the matter of Fallon promoting Boston's arch-nemesis after portraying a die-hard Red Sox in "Fever Pitch."In Chisholm's defense, he's coming off a Silver Slugger season with 31 home runs and 31 stolen bases. He posted an .813 OPS despite batting .242, so batting average is only one piece of the puzzle.Still, Chisholm had to prepare for such pushback after making a boisterous proclamation. The Yankees have the American League's best run differential (+93) but trail the Tampa Bay Rays by one game for the AL East lead.More MLB: Buster Olney Reveals What Red Sox Are 'Aggressively' Seeking At Trade Deadline

Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia has long said he would willingly go to Costa Rica. His lawyers sent the new homeland security secretary’s comments to the judge handling his deportation case.

The immigration agency had apparently cut training requirements as a part of its enforcement push over the past year.

They're totally "chill." READ MORE...

And everyday commutes! READ MORE...

For better or for worse, the NBA Draft won't be the same. The NBA has approved a revolutionary new draft lottery that aims to curb the influence of tanking on front offices, expanding the lottery from 14 to 16 teams and flattening the odds among teams that don't qualify for the playoffs. To test how upcoming drafts might look under the new rules, we've crafted this simulator for you to play with.This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Lottery Simulator: How will future NBA drafts look like?

The Chicago Bears conducted their fifth voluntary practice of OTAs on Wednesday, which was the second one open to the media.With the media in attendance at Wednesday's session, there were some observations from the second week of OTAs. That included some notable absences as well as quarterback Caleb Williams showing off his arm talent, as well as his young cast of weapons, including receivers Luther Burden III and Zavion Thomas, as well as tight end Colston Loveland, having big days.Here's a collection of observations and takeaways from the fifth practice of OTAs:Observations from Day 5 of Bears OTA practiceChicago Bears OTA practice is in the books today. I did not see Montez Sweat, Kyler Gordon. Dayo Odeyingbo and TJ Edwards were back for portions. pic.twitter.com/T57qFUNope— Michal Dwojak (@mdwojak94) June 3, 2026#Bears OTA practice in the books today. I did not see Montez Sweat or Kyler Gordon out there in addition to the previously injured guys. I did see Dayo Odeyingbo, TJ Edwards and Jedrick Wills. pic.twitter.com/SVTDCmaQhZ— Zack Pearson (@Zack_Pearson) June 3, 2026Chicago Bears OTA Practice Takeaways▪️ Luther Burden looked good. Made a couple plays in tight coverage and continues to show up when he gets opportunities.▪️ Colston Loveland looked smooth. Had a couple nice plays and looks noticeably bigger. Easy movement for his size.▪️…— Clay Harbor (@clayharbs82) June 3, 20263 Takeaways from June 3 OTA:1- Rome Odunze ton of targets. Ball was flying all over the place. 2- Dan Roushar worked diligently on specific hand placements with the O-line, Darnell Wright. 3- Zavion Thomas catch of the day from Tyson Bagent. Impressive hands on out route…— Mark Carman (@thecarm) June 3, 2026Two takeaways from today’s #Bears OTA Practice:1. Kalif Raymond is very short! I knew he was a smaller Receiver, and he’s listed at 5’8, but I’m taking the under on that. He’s really fast though.2. Caleb’s best throw was an absolute dart across the middle to Luther Burden.…— Herb Howard (@HerbHoward411) June 3, 2026When will the Bears conduct OTAs?The Bears will hold seven voluntary OTA practices from May 27-29 and June 2-4. That will be followed by veteran minicamp from June 9-11 before breaking for the summer.Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and InstagramThis article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears OTAs observations: Caleb Williams, young playmakers impress

Before Chris MacFarland moved forward with his new duties and his task of turning around a franchise, he took a moment to look back. The president of hockey operations/general manager of the Nashville Predators thanked his old boss, Joe Sakic, on Wednesday at his introductory news conference and his old team, the Colorado Avalanche, for giving him a chance.Then, on to his next assignment: Building the Predators, a team that's missed the postseason in three of the past four seasons, into a perennial Cup contender, much like his old team. Nashville just might be caught at the moment in the precarious spot MacFarland referred to as the “mushy middle" — a place that's not bad enough for a top draft pick but not quite elite enough to challenge for a title.The answer that Predators chairman and majority owner Bill Haslam gave MacFarland, though, about their commitment to winning is precisely the reason MacFarland jumped at the chance to join the organization.“Because it was going to take a hell of an opportunity and situation to get me to think about leaving Colorado,” said MacFarland, who spent 11 seasons with the Avalanche, including the past four as the GM. "I said, ‘Mr. Haslam, is the goal here to make the playoffs, make the wild card, feel good about that and high-five each other? Or is the goal here to build a team that can compete and try to bring a Stanley Cup to Broadway?’ “He didn’t hesitate. The goal here is to try and win. That’s really, quite honestly, all I needed to hear.”MacFarland steps into a role that belonged to Barry Trotz, who will take an advisory role with the organization after announcing earlier this season that he was retiring from the GM role. The 56-year-old MacFarland was a hot commodity after helping assemble a team in Colorado that turned in the NHL’s best record before being swept by the Vegas Golden Knights in the Western Conference Final. He's a finalist for general manager of the year.So, how quick can he transform the Predators?“It's a fair question,” MacFarland said. “I’m going to need time to poke around under the hood here and to truly get a feel for that.”His immediate plan is to meet with his coaching staff, including head coach Andrew Brunette, and the scouts. The Predators have the No. 10 pick. And while all options remain on the table, MacFarland pointed out that when he was with the Avalanche the team used their 10th pick in 2015 on Mikko Rantanen.“We all know how good he is,” said MacFarland, who also dealt Rantanen to Carolina in January 2025 as part of a deal for Martin Necas, while Rantanen was later traded again to Dallas. “You've just got to keep building good player upon good player and putting them in good situations."MacFarland pumped the brakes on thoughts of acquiring a franchise forward.“Those guys usually aren’t traded, right?” said MacFarland, who was with Columbus before helping turn around the Avalanche and going on to win the Stanley Cup in 2022. “You usually have to go through some pain to get those guys in the draft and the acquisition cost on those types of guys in the marketplace is astronomical.”Although, a Nathan MacKinnon-type scorer would sure come in handy.“We will leave no stone unturned," said MacFarland, who had Nashville players such as Filip Forsberg and Nicolas Hague in attendance Wednesday. “We will be ready that if there is an opportunity to strike from the outside, we’ll have done the work. ... But those guys (a MacKinnon type) are hard to get and hard to acquire.”College Football Hall of Fame coach and Predators minority owner Nick Saban played a role in recruiting MacFarland to Nashville. Both Haslam and CEO Sean Henry praised Saban as a valuable part of the interview process.“The way he evaluates things, it changes the entire interview process for us," Henry said. “There are times where we’re looking at him saying, ‘Oh I wish I asked that.’ Or, ‘I wish I saw it that way.’ ... It was incredible.”The one thing MacFarland will need to get used to at the arena is the “Fang Fingers,” a gesture by Predators faithful during games.“When I came in here with the Avs or the Blue Jackets, that thing drove me nuts,” MacFarland cracked. “Because it usually meant something bad might be happening with the likes of Shea Weber and P.K. Subban and some of those guys."No matter what the record is, we are going to do things first class and we are going to build something special incrementally — small step by small step. Sometimes that takes time.”___AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/stanley-cup and https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

Micah Parsons knows that rivalries are what butter the NFL's bread. In 2025, the league's oldest rivalry between the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers, which ended with Chicago winning two straight games over its neighbor up north, including a dramatic playoff comeback led by Madden 27 cover star Caleb Williams, was probably the best pro football had to offer. Parsons, of course, didn't play in either of those two Bears wins because he was recovering from knee injuries. Parsons seems prepared to rectify that. That's at least based on what the pass-rushing superstar said on Wednesday about his return timeline. Parsons claimed that he and the Packers have a minimum nine-month timeline for his recovery because he tore both his ACL and meniscus. That would line up with late September. However, Parsons is Green Bay's franchise player, and they're not going to just throw him into the fire after a serious lower-body injury without a ramp-up process. That would be silly:Five months into his ACL rehab, Micah Parsons said he has four more months to go, saying that they have a strict nine-month rule especially for players who had more than just the ACL tear, revealing that he also had a meniscus procedure.— Rob Demovsky (@RobDemovsky) June 3, 2026That means the absolute earliest we'll likely see Parsons is mid-October, so he has time to ramp up. Lo and behold, Williams and the Bears come to Lambeau Field on October 11th, roughly two weeks after Parsons will probably be cleared for action. There's no way that's a coincidence:In addition to repairing his ACL, Micah Parsons said he also had a procedure to “clean up” his meniscus. He says it’s a hard 9-month rule before he even considers coming back, prioritizing longevity of his career. So mid-October circled on the calendar.— Ryan Wood (@ByRyanWood) June 3, 2026Whenever Parsons does come back for the Packers, it's important to remember that he suffered a serious injury affecting his movement. He may be on a strict snap count and might not look entirely like himself in his first real football game since last December. Even still, it would be really cool if Parsons does actually return against the Bears, where you can bet he'll be plenty motivated to make an impact after how the Bears embarrassed his team late last season. Put another way, dearest readers: We're living in a world where Bears-Packers might become the NFL's true marquee rivalry again. What a glorious time to be alive. This article originally appeared on For The Win: Micah Parsons is telegraphing his injury return to come vs. the Bears

Guardians receive unexpected trade link with Astros' 19.6 bWAR infielder originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.The Cleveland Guardians are the current American League Central leaders, and they're very much expected to be deadline buyers this season.But, with the team's lower payroll and inclination not to spend big, some of the top names on the market might not be the Guardians cup of tea.However, CBS Sports' Mike Axisa unexpectedly linked the Guardians to a wild trade with the Houston Astros for 19.6 bWAR infielder, All-Star, and World Series MVP Jeremy Pena.Guardians unexpectedly linked to Jeremy Pena in trade"Possible landing spots: The Guardians, for sure, and there's the Padres, Rays, Tigers, and Yankees," Axisa writes. ".... Again, I'm not saying a Pena trade will happen or is likely to happen. I'm just saying I can see how it would happen at the deadline."The Astros acting as sellers would not be a surprise, and it also wouldn't be too shocking if they did wind up trading more than simply expiring veterans or players like Christian Walker and Isaac Paredes.But Pena is a bit different. He's a World Series MVP for the Astros, is 28 years old, and has 19.6 bWAR in his five seasons in the Major Leagues so far.This season, in just 24 games, he has 1.2 bWAR with three homers, a .278 batting average, and a .737 OPS. Add in good defense and base running, and Pena is an all-around solid player.MORE: Yankees’ Ryan McMahon problem has a $25 million release solution The Guardians would be getting better, but not because they're significantly improving at shortstop. Bryan Rocchio is the current starting shortstop, posting a .295 batting average with four homers and 28 RBIs to go with a .792 OPS in 59 games this season.As good as Pena is, the Guardians don't necessarily need to trade for the Astros World Series MVP. Sure, he'd be a nice pickup, simply from the standpoint of Pena being a good player, and his addition would give the Guardians more flexibility.But, they might be better off targeting Walker or Paredes, two Astros hitters who are much more likely to be traded than Pena this season.Axisa saying that the Guardians are "for sure" a landing spot for Pena is a bit odd. He'd be a fun addition, but he's not such a clear fit that the Guardians should be listed as his top landing spot.More MLB news:5 reasons to believe in Jordan Walker's breakout for CardinalsEx-MLB GM projects White Sox to sell at trade deadline despite 2026 successTarik Skubal being traded by Tigers would help him in free agencyCubs’ cost to trade for Tarik Skubal from Tigers revealed by ex-MLB GMPhillies extending Cristopher Sanchez to his $107 million deal was genius

Despite long-established procedures for bringing Americans home for monitoring and treatment, the Trump administration has not said that it will allow those at risk of Ebola back into the country.

The Trump administration says it is investigating off-label medication use and fraudulent billing. Families say the inquiry is a new way to press hospitals to end the care.

Summer is here, sort of, and it is everyone’s favorite time of the year, scouting time. Every year, we do Summer Scouting to preview college football for Vikings fans, but also give them an idea of names to follow and watch in the fall as needs pop up for Minnesota. Are we going to write about quarterbacks? Offensive tackles? Edge rushers? You know it, but why? Because other NFL teams will draft them, just as they will draft every other position. It all matters whether these players end up on the Vikings, the Bears, or the Steelers. We write these so Vikings fans can be the most informed fans. So if you are still with us, enjoy our latest Summer Scouting report as we prepare you for the Fall.FilmArkansas Miss State Background InfoListed at 5-10/206lbs.3-Star prospect according to 247 SportsTransferred to Missouri from Louisiana-MonroeAll-State selection in High SchoolSun Belt Freshman of the Year in 2024First-Team All-Sun Belt in 2024SEC Newcomer of the Year in 2025First-Team All-SEC in 2025Consensus All-American in 2025Notable career stats heading into 2026493 Carries3,000 Rushing yards6.1 Yards per carry14 Receptions94 Receiving yardsReceived 60% of the carries out of the backfield in 2025Notable numbers from PFF heading into 20264.43 Yards per carry after contact190 Missed tackles forcedStrengthsHomerun ability as a runnerFootwork is smoothVery elusive in space and between tacklesPotential is there for pass work in the right offenseDeadly duo of vision and patiencePlayer SummaryAhmad Hardy is easily one of the more talented running backs in the 2026 college football season and the 2027 NFL Draft if he declares. He is a home run threat waiting to happen due to his vision and patience as a runner. He fits between the tackles very well, and once he gets to that second level, he shows the ability to make defenders miss in space. He is a lot of fun to watch in that last aspect, especially because his footwork and body control also get time to shine. This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: 2027 NFL Draft Summer Scouting Report on Missouri's Ahmad Hardy

Cannarella is at last being promoted to Double-A Pensacola after a huge start in High-A. The former Clemson star had been slashing .394/.439/.577 through 19 games, which is a loud, obvious statement that he deserved the promotion. For Clemson fans, this should not be a shock by any means. Cannarella was one of the most decorated players to come through the program in recent years, finishing his three-year Clemson career as a .360 hitter with 54 doubles, eight triples, 23 home runs, 159 RBIs, 192 runs, and 30 stolen bases. He was a two-time All-American, a three-time All-ACC selection, and one of the best defensive outfielders Clemson has had.From a source, outfielder Cam Cannarella is being promoted to Double-A Pensacola.Cannarella, Miami’s competitive balance round pick this past year, has been hitting extremely well in High-A, slashing .394/.439/.577 in 19 games.#Marlins— Fish On First Prospects (@FOFProspects) June 1, 2026Miami selected Cannarella in the Competitive Balance Round A with the No. 43 overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft, and his early professional production has already backed up the investment.Clemson Baseball Transfer Portal Tracker: The good, the bad, and the ugly📸 Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina, Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images https://t.co/BeQpMZciPepic.twitter.com/EEL6JGwKFD— Clemson Wire (@Clemson_Wire) June 3, 2026Now, Cannarella gets his next test. Double-A is usually where prospects start to feel the real jump, but based on how quickly he handled High-A pitching, the former Tiger looks ready for it.Contact us @Clemson_Wire on X, and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Clemson Tigers news and notes, plus opinions. This article originally appeared on Clemson Wire: Cam Cannarella earns Double-A promotion by Miami Marlins amid hot run

Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs came to the defense of Tennessee fans on a popular Barstool Sports show, disagreeing with the notion that Vols fans are unpleasant to deal with.A WWE hall-of-famer known by his ring name Kane, most of Jacobs' conversation with "Mostly Sports" hosts Brandon Walker and Mark Titus focused on his wrestling career. But when Walker turned the conversation to his opinion of Tennessee fans, calling them “overtly obnoxious," Jacobs disagreed.“No we’re not,” Jacobs said. “We’re very nice. Have you ever been to Alabama or Gainesville?”“Tennessee fans are overtly obnoxious” -@BFW“No we’re not. We’re very nice” -@KaneWWE“Online, Tennessee fans are the most obnoxious fans. And they want to be. They want the title of ‘we’re the most obnoxious fans” -@BFW“I don’t think so” -@KaneWWEpic.twitter.com/wbaofX5JR1— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) June 3, 2026Walker called back on his experience at Tennessee’s home football game against Ole Miss in 2021, when Lane Kiffin returned to Neyland Stadium as the Rebels’ coach after spurning Tennessee for Southern Cal in 2010 after just one with the Vols. Kiffin was infamously pelted in the leg by a yellow golf ball.“And these are the fans you’re telling me aren’t obnoxious. The ones that were throwing golf balls,” Walker said.“Well, it was Lane Kiffin,” Jacobs responded. “I’ve got to make an exception.”Walker, a Mississippi State fan, agreed but said that Tennessee fans are the worst online. “They want the title of we’re the most obnoxious fans,” Walker said.Jacobs again dissented, and after a brief discussion about Vols coach Josh Heupel – Jacobs was optimistic about Heupel’s program – the conversation steered back to wrestling.Jacobs, who stands at 7-foot and over 300 pounds, first moved to East Tennessee in 1995 and briefly wrestled for Smoky Mountain Wrestling with the nickname Unabomb. He then began his career with WWF – later renamed WWE – in 1995, evolving into the character of Kane. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2021.Jacobs has been Knox County’s mayor since 2018, succeeding current U.S. representative Tim Burchett. Jacobs won a second term, which ends in 2026.This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs defends Tennessee fans on Barstool Sports

Aquilani and Abate torn between Sassuolo and TorinoIn a curious situation, Sassuolo and Torino are both in negotiations with the same two coaches, but we’re not sure where Alberto Aquilani and Ignazio Abate will end up.There are going to be numerous changes in Serie A this summer, as so many clubs are swapping around their tacticians.Aquilani and Abate up for same jobsEMPOLI, ITALY – APRIL 30: Alberto Aquilani of US Sassuolo in action during the Serie A match between Empoli FC and US Sassuolo at Stadio Carlo Castellani on April 30, 2017 in Empoli, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)Fabio Grosso is leaving Sassuolo and widely expected to take over at Fiorentina, while Torino are not going to continue with Roberto D’Aversa, who replaced Marco Baroni mid-season.According to Sky Sport Italia, both clubs have narrowed their short list down to the same two names.Aquilani impressed at the Fiorentina youth academy, then had a brief spell at Pisa, and this season took little Catanzaro to the verge of promotion with a narrow defeat to Monza in the Serie B play-offs.Another candidate for both Torino and Sassuolo is Abate, the former Milan defender and Rossoneri youth team coach, who spent this season in Serie B with Juve Stabia.

Dumfries has Real Madrid medical, Inter officially informedFabrizio Romano reports that Real Madrid have informed Inter that they’ll activate Denzel Dumfries’ €20m clause, with the 30-year-old undergoing medical tests in the Netherlands today.Real Madrid have taken all the necessary steps to sign Dutch right-back Dumfries from Inter.ROTTERDAM, NETHERLANDS – SEPTEMBER 04: Denzel Dumfries of the Netherlands holds his wrist as he appears injured after scoring his team’s first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Netherlands and Poland at De Kuip on September 04, 2025 in Rotterdam, Netherlands. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the 30-year-old underwent medical tests with the La Liga giants in the Netherlands today.Dumfries is suspended for tonight’s Netherlands friendly against Algeria after being sent off in their last game, so he’s not even on the bench.MILAN, ITALY – OCTOBER 04: Denzel Dumfries of Internazionale looks on during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and US Cremonese at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on October 04, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)According to Romano, Real Madrid directors have already informed their Inter counterparts that they’ll activate the defender’s €20m clause, signing him at the beginning of July.Technically, Dumfries’ release clause activates in July, and Real Madrid have everything in place to formally welcome him next month.Dumfries, 30, joined Inter from PSV in a €14m deal in the summer of 2021.He scored 27 goals and provided 28 assists in 207 games with Inter, winning two Serie A titles, three Coppa Italia titles, three Supercoppa titles, and reaching the Champions League Final twice.

Real Madrid ‘will try’ to sign Man City star this summerLa Liga giants Real Madrid are readying a move for a member of the defensive ranks at Manchester City.This comes after incoming manager José Mourinho made known his desire to have Joško Gvardiol at his disposal for next season.Real Madrid have of course identified the club’s backline as a priority area of reinforcement with a view to the summer. Over the last 48 hours alone, the Bernabéu brass have tied up deals for both Ibrahima Konaté, and Denzel Dumfries.The aforementioned José Mourinho, though, still does not appear to be satisfied with the quality and depth of options set to be under his watch in Spain’s capital.As a result, the Portuguese is now eyeing fresh blood on the left.As per a report from transfer journalist Alberto Pereiro:‘Mourinho asks for Gvardiol! Florentino thinks he’s the best of all the defender names they’ve shown him, even the two he’s already closed on! They’re gonna try for him, come hell or high water!’Conor Laird – GSFN

2026 NHL draft profile: Texas prospect J.P. Hurlbert originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.As the calendar turns to June, the month of the annual 2026 NHL Scouting Combine and the 2026 NHL Draft are upon hockey fans; and for those Texas fans, a lot of focus and talk surrounds top prospect J.P. Hurlbert.Hurlbert is the reigning WHL Rookie of the Year and is committed to the University of Michigan. Ahead of the coveted prospect events in June, the dual-threat offensive winger is coming off time with both the U.S. National Team Development Program and the Kamloops Blazers. A right-handed shot and Allen, Texas native, Hurlbert recently finished fourth in the entire WHL scoring race in the regular season — scoring 42 goals and 55 assists for 97 points in 68 games which firmly established himself as a first-round pick.In an exclusive with The Sporting News, Hurlbert said he has been preparing for the NHL level of play by focusing on a combination of his strengths and weaknesses."There's so much that goes into the game and trying to develop. I think working on my strengths and working at working on my weaknesses at the same time is kind of a big priority. I'm just super grateful to kind of be in the opportunity that I'm at," Hurlbert said. The Texas-born forward is also known for possessing a high-end ability to read defensive layers paired with a spatial awareness that assists in his goal scoring efforts.J.P. Hurlbert projected to be selected in first round of 2026 NHL DraftEric Silverman is the Director of Hockey Operations for Dallas Stars Elite in addition to being the organization's 16U Head Coach. He has known Hurlbert for practically the player's entire career and said he has no doubt Hurlbert will work hard to make it in the NHL."If you look at J.P.'s history, he'll bring offense. He's a very competitive kid. He's probably as good a pure goal scorer as there is in the age group," Silverman said to The Sporting News. "One thing I know about J.P. is his best quality is how driven he is to be great, and I know he'll put the work in and do whatever to takes to find his way to be successful."He's a goal scorer. He has scored in every level he's been at, and I expect that to continue."Hurlbert was one of the Dallas Stars Elite's top goal-scorers throughout his youth hockey career. His 2023-24 year with the Dallas Stars Elite 16U team saw him score 48 goals and log 40 assists. Courtesy: Hurlbert Family Hurlbert's previously mentioned commitment to Michigan will make him a fourth generation Wolverine and the sixth member of his family to go to school in Ann Arbor, Mich. The prospect's main standout is a league-caliber shot, which he said he has been working to set himself apart from other players since he was as young as six."For me, I think it's my shot," Hurlbert said of what he feels makes himself stand out from other prospects. "I've had a net, some pucks in my backyard since I was six years old, making targets with my dad. It's just something that [has] created muscle memory. It's a habit, and it's just an area of my game where I feel very confident."Matthew Zator of The Hockey Writers has also noted that Hurlbert's shot features a “catch-and-release” mechanic that allows him to whip the puck toward the net at an extremely fast rate upon receiving a pass, which makes him an even bigger threat to goaltenders.Hurlbert is currently projected to be selected within the first 32 selections of the upcoming draft. Smaht Scouting has him ranked as No. 10, with Daily Faceoff ranking him at No. 21; also, the Dallas Stars Elite alum is the No. 12 ranked North American skater by NHL Central Scouting.Dallas Stars Elite alum ready for next level of playIn addition to possessing a high-level of competitive nature and Texas pride, Hurlbert said he is looking forward to representing the continued growth of young, skill-based players in the league."To kind of be a part of that next wave of generation [of young, NHL players] and hopefully to make my debut one day here in the near future, it's really cool to be a part of and it's just crazy to think about," Hurlbert said of his dreams of having his name called in the first round of the 2026 NHL Draft. "It'd be a dream come true. It's something that not many people in the world get to say — that they've been a first round pick and it's something I've strived for since I was 10 years old."To finally be here today and knowing it's so close, it's super, super exciting, super emotional to think about."The 2026 NHL Entry Draft will be held at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, N.Y. on June 26 and 27. The first round will be held on Friday, June 26 and air on ESPN and ESPN+ in the United States along with Sportsnet and TVA Sports in Canada.MORE: NHL Draft Lottery reveals No. 1 pick goes to Maple Leafs

The Boston Celtics have a lot of hard decisions to make as Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens and the rest of the front office begin their retooling of Boston's roster this offseason. It is clear that changes are needed after losing to the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round of the 2026 NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs, and Boston will likely try to stay under the luxury tax at the same time to reset the repeater tax and free up future spending.Core players may be dealt, and others traded, cut, or sent back to a two way status with the team. Signings could happen as well, with the team able to use their full Midlevel Exception and possessing several others that can be used for sign-and-trades.With that said, let's take a look at each member of Boston's roster, and whether we expect them to be on it for Opening Night 2026.Jayson TatumIf there is a player on this roster who is untouchable, it is Tatum. The St. Louis native might be had for the right offer, but it seems very unlikely such a scenario actually unfolds.Verdict: On the team to start the seasonJaylen BrownWhile the Georgia native is in seemingly every trade rumor connected to Boston and several that seemed to have been cooked up out of thin air, we have yet to see anything concretely connecting Brown to a realistic trade rumor to date. His extension eligibility is interesting, but we aren't expecting him to be moved at least THIS offseason.Verdict: On the team to start the seasonDerrick WhiteThere is a very real case to be made to move on from White while hes still has considerable trade value even in the wake of one of the worst recent seasons in his career. But replacing the connectivity he provides Boston would likely negate anything coming back even if the shooting stays off from deep, so we think the Celtics may take the risk.Verdict: On the team to start the seasonPayton PritchardPritchard is on one of th ebest-value deals in the NBA, but is also up for a potential extension. The Cs could lock him up on a better contract for the Oregon alum, but would not likely offer money Pritchard would accept, both sides more likely to wait for him to get to free agency.Verdict: On the team to start the season, not extendedNeemias QuetaAnother player up for an extension who significantly blunted his value with a lackluster playoff performance, Queta is too valuable a player to trade away for anything but an upgrade at 5. We think he ends up playing out his current deal, then signed to a better one after next season.Verdict: On the team to start the season, not extendedNikola VucevicIt must be kept in mind that the main reason Boston dealt for Vooch was to get the team out of th eluxury tax, his potential at the 5 a strong second rationale. With the latter aspect shown to be fool's gold, it seems all but certain the Montengrin big man will leave the team in free agencyVerdict: Leaves the team in free agencySam HauserArguably the largest contract on the books for Boston that could be moved without shaking up the team's identity, Hauser could well be moved in whatever the Celtics do this offseason. With several younger forwards on the team behind him, there is a solid chance Hauser plays elsewhere next season.Verdict: traded to another teamHugo GonzalezAfter an eye-opening rookie campaign, the Spaniard has likely cemented a future for himself in green and white, barring a blockbuster trade going down. We do not expect that to happen this offseason, so Gonzalez may be playing a bigger role with the Celtics moving forward.Verdict: On the team to start the seasonLuka GarzaGarza was one of last season's success stories, and while he is never likely to grow into a starting big man, he also hinted he is capable of taking on a bigger role for Boston. We expect the team to keep him around on his current, team-friendly contract.Verdict: Verdict: On the team to start the seasonBaylor ScheiermanEven if Hauser is not dealt, we expect Scheierman to see more floor time with Boston this coming campaign after a solid showing with the Celtics last season. And if Hauser IS dealt, he could very well end next season a starter.Verdict: On the team to start the seasonJordan WalshWalsh had a decent if not especially impactful season with Boston in 2025-26. He may end up playing his way into a larger role if moves open up some playing time, but he is also one of the team's more promising, young, cheap players.Verdict: Traded to a new teamRon Harper Jr.Another of Boston's success stories for last season, there is a chance Harper is dealt or demoted back to two way status. But he also showed flashes on both ends of the court vs. some of the best players in the NBA, so we think iut more likely he sticks with the team.Verdict: On the team to start the seasonAmari WilliamsA two way player who was converted to a full deal, there is a case to keep him in that role next season. But he is still very raw and could likely benefit from more time in the G League while opening up roster spots for more experienced players.Verdict: Reverts back to two way statusMax ShulgaAlso a very raw prospect not ready for NBA playing time in meaningful minutes, it seems all but certain that the Ukraining floor general wil be headed back to the Maine Celtics next season.Verdict: Reverts back to two way statusDalano BantonA potentially helpful player who still needs to grow his game a bit to stick at the NBA level, we expect the Canadian guard to head to Europe for a season or three to earn a better paycheck while growing his game.Verdict: Leaves the team and the leagueListen 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: Predicting whether every player on the Celtics stays or goes this offseason

Manchester United Are Keeping A Keen Eye On This Newcastle United Left-Back: Good Fit For Carrick?In a recent report, The Athletic claimed that Manchester United are keeping a keen eye on Newcastle United left-back Lewis Hall. It has been stated that the Red Devils have identified the English talent as a target for this summer transfer window.Hall’s Important Role At Newcastle Last SeasonHall served as a key piece in Newcastle boss Eddie Howe’s squad in the previous campaign when he produced a run of solid performances in the Premier League. The 21-year-old scored one goal and grabbed a couple of assists in 47 matches for the Magpies last season across all fronts.The English defender is currently among the most promising young full-backs in the Premier League. Thus, it is no surprise that the Red Devils are eager to snap him up this off-season.His current contract at St. James’ Park will run out in the summer of 2029, which could make it tough for Man United to sign him on the cheap this summer.NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – MAY 02: Lewis Hall of Newcastle United controls the ball during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Brighton & Hove Albion at St James’ Park on May 02, 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)Will Hall Be A Good Fit For Manchester United?Hall loves a tackle and can scan the danger well to earn possession back for his side inside his half. He usually clears the danger when needed and can create the odd chance for his teammates from the left flank.However, the English sensation needs to add more goals and assists to his game. Hall is primarily a left-back but can also operate as a left-winger or play as a box-to-box midfielder if told to do so by his manager. He is already quite used to the Premier League and won’t take much time to adjust to life at the Mancunian club.We can expect Hall to add more quality to Man United head coach Michael Carrick’s backline in the long run. He has what it takes to compete for a regular starting spot at Old Trafford next season.At 21, the future looks quite promising for Hall as long as he continues to improve with each year. All in all, he would be a great fit for Man United’s needs in the long run. Hence, Carrick should focus on going all out to get a deal done for him this summer.

Roma ready to complete new back sponsor agreementWhile the Friedkins and Gian Piero Gasperini, awaiting the arrival of Tony D’Amico, are finalizing their transfer strategies, there is someone behind the scenes who is tirelessly working to generate revenue for Roma. This person is Michael Gandler, who, after leading the Roman club to major deals with WizzAir and Eurobet.live, is ready to sign another sponsorship deal. According to Radio Manà Manà, the Roman club is close to reaching an agreement with Orodei as its new backing partner. The company is expected to appear on the back of Gian Piero Gasperini’s men’s training kits.Orodei is a well-known Italian company specializing in the precious metals sector. The Orodei Group is part of the group of professional operators registered with the Bank of Italy.For this reason, it must comply with constant supervision and all Italian laws governing the sale, management, and return of precious metals, regardless of their form or use. The Italian company is aiming high. By combining tradition and innovation, the Italians aim to become a benchmark in the sector. The partnership with Roma would certainly be an important step in this direction; now all that remains is to await the possible official press release from the brand, which is expected to bring in

Todd Starnes, a pundit who has previously appeared on Fox News and Newsmax, said he wants to ask Texas Democratic U.S. Senate candidate and state Rep. James Talarico a bizarre question about his underwear. While speaking on The Todd Starnes Show, Starnes played a clip of Talarico telling a church audience that he continually reckons with his own whiteness, masculinity, certainty, and ego, a process which he calls “never-ending” and “painful.” Related Ken Paxton’s first campaign ad calls James Talarico “too low-T” while avoiding policy issues Starnes sarcastically commented, “Yeah, my heart weeps for you,” before adding, “I’m not sure who’s going to be anchoring the first debate between those two [Talarico and his opponent, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R)], but my first question [to Talarico] if I was invited would be, ‘Have you now, as a 37-year-old man, finally come to terms with your manhood? Or, do you sir, perhaps have an affinity for frilly underpants? What’s up with that?’” The Republican strategy against Talarico has involved repeatedly insinuating that he is queer.

Democrats cheer there is a way, even as new worries emerge over whether Graham Platner can flip a Maine seat. Republicans remain confident they will prevail in Texas, Iowa and Alaska.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Max Meyer allowed two hits in seven innings, and Joe Mack hit a tiebreaking two-run single in the eighth to lift the Miami Marlins to a 4-1 win over Washington on Wednesday and a three-game sweep of the Nationals.Meyer (6-0) is unbeaten in 13 starts this year, tying the franchise record to start a season set by Livan Hernandez in 1997. He allowed a run and two walks with seven strikeouts.With the bases loaded and two outs in the eighth, Mack lined a single to right-center field off Clayton Beeter (1-1) to put Miami up 3-1. Calvin Faucher worked the bottom of the eighth for the Marlins, and Pete Fairbanks finished for his seventh save in nine chances.It's been a streaky stretch for the Marlins, who lost three in a row, won four and lost five before their current run of three straight wins.Esteury Ruiz homered in the second to give the Marlins a 1-0 lead, but the Nationals tied it in the third. With the bases loaded and one out, shortstop Otto Lopez — playing in a bit — wasn't able to handle a grounder up the middle by Dylan Crews. Everyone was safe and Lopez was charged with an error.Curtis Mead followed with another grounder to Lopez, who this time started a double play to end the inning.After a walk and a wild pitch to start the fifth, Washington second baseman Nasim Nuñez pulled off a risky move when he threw to third on a grounder up the middle. It was in time to retire Connor Norby, and the call was upheld after a review.In the eighth, Beeter allowed a single to Xavier Edwards and a walk to Liam Hicks. Then the right-hander wasn't able to get to a bunt by Jakob Marsee that went for an infield single. With the bases full, Beeter struck out Owen Caissie. Then Nuñez made another big defensive play, fielding a grounder up the middle and throwing home for the second out.That became moot when Mack delivered the game's biggest hit, putting Miami up by two.Kyle Stowers tripled home a run in the ninth.Up nextBoth teams are off Thursday.Miami sends Tyler Phillips (0-1) to the mound at home Friday night against Tampa Bay. The Nationals are at Arizona, with Foster Griffin (6-2) starting.___AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

If he were a rapper, he’d be Fedde Wap. | Bruce Kluckhohn / Imagn Images A desk in a classroom, 2 p.m.,Watching the shouts of the students,A check of a window (can’t watch early game)…It’s already gone.Bases are loaded, four come across, whileTwins at the plate cannot hit ‘em.Came in today with a streak in playThen three more errors, all from Gray,Nay, sweeper:Nay, sweeper:Nay, sweeper.The brilliance of Erick Fedde should be the story:He toyed with the Twins at bat like a predator’s quarry.Blew through the team who cannot hit,To the team, he would not quit:Came in today with a streak in play,Then early innings sent it stray;Don’t thank them — it still sucks,Nay, sweeper.The later innings fly,It’s no question to why.To get a laugh, Comments might:Goose, minimal fielding.Knew with this team they’d only split,To the team, feeling like shit.Came in today with a streak in playWhich Pale Chicago put away;Don’t thank them — it still sucks.Get up on the plane to old Mizzou,Determine there’s anything you can do;Why this antagony, agony?Nay, sweeper:Nay, sweeper:Nay, sweeper:Nay, sweeper:Nay, sweeper.

Patriots Players Overwhelmingly Pick This Team To Win NBA Finals originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.The NBA Finals begin Wednesday night. While the Boston Celtics couldn't follow the New England Patriots' path to a conference title, the NFL squad wouldn't back a Boston rival.Patriots players made their NBA Finals predictions ahead of Game 1. Out of 53 participants, a whopping 42 picked the San Antonio Spurs to defeat the New York Knicks.Drake Maye, Milton Williams and Hunter Henry were among those to put a toy basketball in the box with a Spurs logo. All-Pro defensive back Marcus Jones chastized any teammates who chose the Eastern Conference champions."Whoever picked the Knicks, they're down bad," Jones said. "Anything but the Knicks."Multiple players gave the same one-word explanation for their Spurs prediction: Wemby. Wembyyy 👽... but we still bleed green ☘️@DraftKings | #NEPatspic.twitter.com/wu79eJX5h3— New England Patriots (@Patriots) June 3, 2026Victor Wembanyama has cemented his status as a superstar by averaging 23.2 points, 10.8 rebounds and 3.5 blocks per game during a dominant postseason. The 22-year-old opened the Western Conference Finals with 41 points and 24 boards in a thrilling double-overtime win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.That said, the Knicks enter the NBA Finals on an otherworldly tear. They've won 11 straight games by an average victory margin of 24.4 points since falling behind 2-1 to the Atlanta Hawks in the opening round.The Knicks may have lucked out by avoiding the Celtics, who were surprisingly eliminated in the first round by the Philadelphia 76ers. Patriots players probably knew better than to side with a New York team, but the Spurs are betting favorites to capture their first championship since 2014.Game 1 starts Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC.More NFL: Patriots Urged To Trade Away This Pass Catcher After A.J. Brown Addition

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MAY 28: Payton Tolle #70 of the Boston Red Sox takes the mound for the first inning of a game against the Atlanta Braves on May 28, 2026 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) | Getty Images TV: NESNFirst Pitch: 6:45 p.m. ETThe Red Sox still cannot figure out ways to win at Fenway Park. Boston dropped the series opener against the Baltimore Orioles and remains the only club in baseball to not win 10 games at home so far.Payton Tolle looks to get the Red Sox there after a short but solid outing last time out against the Atlanta Braves. Here’s who the Red Sox will send to the plate Wednesday night.Wednesday at Fenway. pic.twitter.com/l5hdW93z2i— Red Sox (@RedSox) June 3, 2026The Orioles counter with Chris Bassitt. The right-hander has given the Red Sox problems for years to the tune of a 3.59 ERA in his career against them. With that said, Boston chased him after allowing eight runs in two innings last June for the Toronto Blue Jays.Round 2 at Fenway. pic.twitter.com/yG9HRWB07P— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) June 3, 2026

Surrey opener Jason Roy has scored almost 11,000 runs in T20 cricket [Getty Images]Vitality Blast, The Kia OvalMiddlesex 130-7 (20 overs): Hollman 31*; Abbott 2-16Surrey 134-2 (14.1 overs): Pope 51*; Helm 1-25Surrey beat Middlesex by eight wicketsMatch scorecardOllie Pope struck his first half-century of this year's T20 Blast as Surrey coasted past Middlesex in a one-sided South Group derby at The Oval.Pope, who finished unbeaten on 51 from 33 balls, shared a second-wicket stand of 74 from 44 with Jason Roy (46) as they made short work of their chase to get Surrey's T20 campaign back on track following successive defeats.Earlier, Surrey's seamers always looked on top and restricted their city rivals to a modest 130-7, with Reece Topley (1-21) and Sean Abbott (2-16) the pick of the bunch.Middlesex all-rounder Luke Hollman, with an unbeaten 31 from 29 balls, top-scored in a losing cause for the second successive game as Surrey triumphed for the 12th time in 14 Blast meetings between the sides.Although the forecast rain never actually materialised, Sam Curran put the visitors in after winning the toss and was rewarded as his bowlers gave little away, reducing Middlesex to 54-5.Max Holden was bowled by Jordan Clark as four wickets fell in 25 balls, although Adam Rossington (20) managed to clear the fence twice in the powerplay before miscuing Topley to mid-on.Former Surrey batter Ben Geddes - having made a duck on his return to the ground in last year's Blast - was run out for one this time, while Josh de Caires was unlucky to drag a pull off Abbott on to his stumps.With Leus du Plooy skying Clark (2-31) to mid-on, Middlesex's prospects of posting a competitive score looked forlorn, despite a valiant partnership of 47 from 39 by Hollman and Ryan Higgins (27).Riding his luck at times, Hollman landed some valuable blows and, although Sebastian Morgan thumped Tom Curran's final ball over cover for four, the visitors' total never looked remotely adequate.Will Jacks, having survived a low caught and bowled chance to Noah Cornwell in the first over, provided a solid base with 24 from 17 before Tom Helm (1-25) nipped one back to hit the top of the stumps.But Roy dabbed Eathan Bosch to the third man boundary to take Surrey past 50 at the end of the powerplay and, with an absence of scoreboard pressure, he and Pope were able to be selective with their shots.Roy missed out on a first fifty of the tournament, spearing Cornwell to mid-on, but Pope stepped up a gear as he dispatched Morgan for two leg-side sixes before slamming a four to reach his half-century and clinch the win.Report supplied by ECB Reporters' Network supported by Rothesay.Notifications, social media and more with BBC Sport

We are counting down the days until the start of the 2026 Kentucky Wildcats football season, and there are now 94 days to go. Along with the countdown, we're looking at the players who make up this year's squad. No. 94 is defensive lineman Tavion Gadson.Gadson came to Kentucky as a part of their 2023 recruiting class under Mark Stoops. He was a three-star member of the class, and ranked as the No. 596 player overall. He had originally committed to Florida State, but ultimately flipped to the Wildcats.As a freshman, Gadson would play in four games before redshirting. Then, an injury all but wiped out his 2024 season. He finally got his chance last year, and started to show the promise he had as a recruit. He played in 11 games, and was credited with 28 tackles, 4 tackles for a loss, and 2.5 sacks.The coaching staff is counting on even more in 2026. He's likely the starter at defensive tackle, and the 6'5", 305 lb junior has the potential to be a difference maker. He stuck around through the coaching change, and brings some pass rush juice to the defensive interior. Fans will want to pay attention when he's on the field.This article originally appeared on UK Wildcats Wire: Kentucky football 2026 player profile: No. 96 Tavion Gadson

Waukee Northwest and Cedar Rapids Xavier won championships at the Iowa high school boys state team tournament on Wednesday, June 3.The Wolves defeated Iowa City West in the championship, 5-0, on June 3 after also blanking Dowling Catholic in the quarterfinals and Pleasant Valley in the semifinals on June 2 by identical 5-0 scores.The Wolves swept doubles play against West. Northwest's No. 1 team of Maarten Beekhuis and Vincent Flynn downed West's Ary Harwani and Pierce Hribar in straight sets, 6-1 and 6-0, and the Wolves' No. 2 team of Vivek Kothari and Thomas Wang swept the Trojans' Aaron Kang and Jensen Lin by 6-2 and 6-4 scores. West's No. 3 team of Matthew Dockery-Jackson and Prabhas Gupta put up a good fight in the No. 3 doubles match, but they fell to Northwest's Noah Tingley and Miles Steffensmeier in three sets — 6-2, 6-7 (7-4), 10-5.In singles play, Tingley defeated Dockery-Jackson in the No. 4 match, 6-2 and 6-3, and the Wolves took the No. 1 match by forfeit to claim its second-consecutive championship.Johnston defeated Pleasant Valley in the 2A third-place match, 5-1.The 1A competition saw Cedar Rapids Xavier bring home another title with a tight 5-4 win over Wahlert Catholic.Xavier took two of three doubles matches in the 1A title matchup. The Saints' Jacob Schmit and Bennett Link swept Wahlert's Cal Martineau and Nick Smith by 6-0 and 6-4 scores in the No. 1 match, and Xavier's Charlie LeGrand and Grant Golding took the No. 2 match, 6-4, 6-7(3-7) 1-0 (10-4).Wahlert's Jensen Hill and Anders Hill claimed the No. 3 match over Xavier's Carson Sorg and Brady Hoover, 6-0 and 6-2.In 1A singles competition, LeGrand defeated Martineau in the No. 1 match, 6-2 and 6-2; Schmit downed Evan Anderson in the No. 2 match, 6-2 and 6-0, and Golding won the No. 5 match. Wahlert got victories from Jensen Hill, Miller and Anders Hill in the Nos. 3, 4 and 6 matches, respectively.Sergeant Bluff-Luton edged Central DeWitt for third place in 1A, 5-4.Joe Randleman covers high school sports for the Ames Tribune. Contact him at jrandleman@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JoeRandlemanThis article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: Waukee Northwest, Xavier earn Iowa boys team tennis state titles

Padres get exciting trade prediction for 2.70 ERA ace amid 'aggressive' deadline plan originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.The San Diego Padres, as long as A.J. Preller is in charge of team-building, can never be counted out of any kind of move.He's got a knack for the blockbuster trade, and last season, he acquired superstar closer Mason Miller in a stunning move. This year might bring about another huge trade.On the Just Baseball podcast, ESPN insider Buster Olney shared his prediction that the Padres would be the trade deadline winners, thanks to an "aggressive" plan, in the sweepstakes for 2.70 ERA ace of the Detroit Tigers, Tarik Skubal.Padres predicted to win Tarik Skubal sweepstakes amid 'aggressive' trade plan"I think San Diego," Olney said. "What the Padres are communicating to other teams is, 'We're gonna be aggressive at the deadline.' They have new ownership this week, they've got money to spend."The Padres being big spenders and adding Skubal this season in a trade would be very exciting. While the offense is a huge issue for the Padres, the team does lack a true ace.For as good as Michael King is, and injured starters Joe Musgrove and Nick Pivetta have been, adding Skubal, the back-to-back Cy Young winner, is something that would be incredibly exciting.Such a massive trade wouldn't be a surprise from Preller and the Padres, especially since it makes a ton of sense for San Diego to acquire Skubal this season.MORE: Tarik Skubal being traded by Tigers would help him in free agencyThey're a good team and have the potential to beat the Los Angeles Dodgers and win the World Series this season. That is, if they add some help by the trade deadline.Skubal would be about the best the Padres could do in the trade market. Even though he's currently rehabbing from surgery and set to be a free agent after the season is over, he's the exact kind of player who would significantly improve the Padres' chances this season.Olney is predicting the Padres will win the Skubal sweepstakes, which would be a very fun outcome for the Padres fans hoping to see their team beat the Dodgers and win a title this season.More MLB news:5 reasons to believe in Jordan Walker's breakout for CardinalsEx-MLB GM projects White Sox to sell at trade deadline despite 2026 successCubs’ cost to trade for Tarik Skubal from Tigers revealed by ex-MLB GMYankees’ Ryan McMahon problem has a $25 million release solution Phillies extending Cristopher Sanchez to his $107 million deal was genius

Janelle Salaün is no longer with Project B.A Project B spokesperson told Front Office Sports that the French forward will not be a part of the global basketball league’s inaugural season after she signed with Turkish club Galatasaray last month. Salaün currently plays for the Golden State Valkyries in the WNBA and is an early-season candidate for Sixth Woman of the Year. “We’re supportive of Janelle Salaun’s personal decision to compete in the EuroLeague this season. She is an exceptional talent with a bright future,” Project B told FOS in a statement.Salaün was announced as a part of Project B in late November. FOS reported last year that Project B, which starts in January, was luring players with salaries worth more than $2 million. The league did not reveal the financial implications of Salaün’s decision, including whether she or Galatasaray needed to pay a buyout for her services.Galatasaray and representatives for Salaün did not immediately respond to a request for comment.A week after Galatasaray announced its agreement with Salaün, Project B announced the signing of another French player: Leïla Lacan, who currently plays for the Connecticut Sun. Asked by FOS whether Lacan was a replacement for Salaün, a Project B spokesperson just said, “Leïla is one of the most exciting rising stars in the game right now. She is a fantastic addition as we continue to grow our roster for the 2027 season.”Prior to Salaün’s departure, Project B had announced 13 other players—all of whom remain signed. Its most prominent names are former WNBA MVP and WNBPA president Nneka Ogwumike, Alyssa Thomas, Kelsey Mitchell, and Jonquel Jones.The announced roster also includes several international WNBA players including Alanna Smith (Australia), Kamilla Cardoso (Brazil), Leonie Fiebich (Germany), and Awa Fam (Spain). Project B’s inaugural season is planned for December 2026 to April 2027 and will make seven stops across Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Two stops have already been announced: Valencia, Spain, and Tokyo, Japan.WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert has stressed that the next step to grow the league is by homing in on the international market.“We know there’s so much low-hanging fruit for us and remarkable demand for our game globally, but we just haven’t been very global,” Engelbert said on The Pat McAfee Show last week. “I’ve admired what the NBA has done with their global game strategy, so you’ll see us do something like that over the next few years and invest in globalizing our game as well.” WNBA legend Swin Cash, who is also a WNBA investor, was complimentary of Project B in an interview with Front Office Sports last month.“I think they’re ahead of the curve of understanding the international play because then you have the ability to play in these different countries at a very high level,” Cash said. The post WNBA Player Drops Out of Project B to Play in Turkey appeared first on Front Office Sports.

Florentino Pérez confirms new Real boss if he wins the electionThe "Special One" will be Real Madrid's new coach.But there is one "detail" before he can actually sign a contract.Florentino Pérez needs to win the presidential election to be held on the 7th for José Mourinho to return after 13 years.The current Real president, 79, confirmed the Portuguese coach if he succeeds against Enrique Riquelme, a 37-year-old magnate in the renewable energy sector.It will be the first election at Real since 2000, when Florentino was elected.He was away from the presidency for only three years after resigning in 2006.And he was elected by acclamation in 2009, 2013, 2017, 2021, and 2025. Now 63, Mourinho managed Real between 2010 and 2013. Including, for example, epic clashes with Barcelona.📸 DANI POZO - 2012 AFPHe left the club with three titles: La Liga (2011/12), Copa del Rey (2011), and the Spanish Super Cup (2012). And three Champions League campaigns that ended in the semifinals against Barcelona (10/11), Bayern (11/12), and Dortmund (12/13). Mourinho was at Benfica, which ended the season without trophies and without a place in the 2026/2027 Champions League. They will play in the Europa League, starting from the playoffs.This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.

The Cleveland Guardians, ranked first in the AL Central with a 35-27 record, face the New York Yankees, who are second in the AL East with a 36-24 record. The New York Yankees are favored with a -160 moneyline compared to the Cleveland Guardians' +134. Starting pitchers are Gavin Williams for Cleveland, with a 3.07 ERA, and Gerrit Cole for New York, with a 0.00 ERA.How to watch Cleveland Guardians vs. New York YankeesDate: Wednesday, June 3Time: 7:05 p.m. ET / 4:05 p.m. PTWhere: Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NYTV Channels: Amazon Prime Video, Guardians.TV Presented by ProgressiveLive Stream:ESPN+, MLB.TV | Follow on Yahoo SportsTeam recordsCleveland Guardians: 35-27 (No. 1 in AL Central)New York Yankees: 36-24 (No. 2 in AL East)OddsSpread: New York Yankees -1.5Moneyline: New York Yankees -160 (59.0%) / Cleveland Guardians +134 (41.0%)Over/Under: 7.5Starting pitchersCleveland Guardians: Gavin Williams (8-3, ERA: 3.07, K: 88, WHIP: 1.09)New York Yankees: Gerrit Cole (1-0, ERA: 0.00, K: 12, WHIP: 0.71)Weather: 78°F at first pitchBallpark: Capacity: 47,309 | Roof: Open | Surface: Grass

BYU golfer Kihei Akina watches a shot during BYU photo day Sept. 2, 2025. | Jaren Wilkey, BYU Photo Kihei Akina continues to stack accolades from his stellar freshman season.BYU’s freshman golf phenom has been named a First Team All-American by the Golf Coaches Association of America, becoming the 16th such selection in school history.Akina ranks No. 7 nationally among collegiate golfers, and as the highest-rated freshman, he has earned the Phil Mickelson Outstanding Freshman Award as well. Of the 10 total First Team All-Americans, Akina was one of three from the Big 12 and the lone freshman.“I think, in all sports, consistency is a true testament to greatness,” BYU director of golf Todd Miller said in a statement. “If you look at Kihei’s season from the outside, it’s easy to recognize that he’s one of the top players in the country. What we get to see as coaches is his ability to manage the course and his game when things aren’t going perfectly. That ability usually comes with experience and maturity, especially in golf. That is why it is so unique in our sport for a freshman to be named as a first team (All-American).”Akina’s 69.05 scoring average is the best mark ever at BYU, and he captured two event crowns at the R.E. Lamkin and Bridgestone Invitationals.Additionally, Akina was named to the All-Big 12 First Team and took home the conference Freshman of the Year hardware.Prior to Akina, the only BYU golfer to achieve First Team All-America status as a freshman was Cougars Hall of Famer Bobby Clampett in 1978. Kihei Akina hits his tee shot on the 18th hole of the final round of the 2025 Utah Open at Riverside Country Club in Provo on Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News

To mark the occasion of CMA Fest 2026, the Tennessee Titans hosted a tour of the new Nissan Stadium construction site, showing the progress being made on the future home of the Titans while emphasizing some of the features the new stadium will be able to boast when hosting concerts.Not much has changed from a timeline perspective. The expectation is that the structure will be enclosed October 2026 and completed February 2027. Progress continues on the roof; the first level of cables are in place and more cables are being raised by the day. Objects shaped like long candlesticks are dangling mid-air about 30 feet below their eventual position in the roof, and they'll slowly be pulled across along with ETFE cables to make up the structure.Once the roof is completed, construction will be able to begin on internal structures and fixtures such as seats that require weather-locking to be installed.Football fans accustomed to reading about the perks of the new Nissan Stadium will be familiar with several of the selling points for concerts. Seats will be about 30% closer to the action. The outdoor terraces are expected to be open on performance days, giving spectators the options for fresh air congregation and great views of the city. There's a stage built into the lower bowl where performances can take place during Titans games, but there also will be 13 rows of retractable seats in front of that stage to create roughly 40 feet of extra space for staging during concerts.Then there are the concert-specific perks: Fans with on-field tickets will be able to enter directly at field level instead of having to walk through the concourse. There'll be contactless payment systems at bars and the concession areas on field level to expedite purchase speed and limit lines. Performers will benefit from a back-of-house staging area that's more than twice as large as the one at the existing Nissan Stadium, and there'll be additional green rooms. There'll be more points of entry for buses and trucks to load and unload before concerts, allowing for more elaborate structures to be brought in and quicker entry/exit for performers and their crews.The Titans have confirmed that the first event at the new stadium will be a concert of some kind, likely in spring 2027. It's being built to be the home of the Titans, but it'll also be home base for CMA Fest and other showcase events.Performers who'll play on the main stage at the existing Nissan Stadium during CMA Fest 2026 include Blake Shelton, Tim McGraw, Lainey Wilson, Ella Langley, Keith Urban and Luke Bryan.Nick Suss is the Titans beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Nick at nsuss@gannett.com. Follow Nick on X @nicksuss. Subscribe to the Talkin’ Titans newsletter for updates sent directly to your inbox.This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nissan Stadium update on building progress, event setup plan for concerts, CMA Fest

Rajat Patidar's rise as one of the most influential figures in the IPL continued in 2026 as he guided Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a second successive title. The RCB captain not only led the franchise from the front but also played a vital role with the bat, helping his side successfully defend the crown they won a year earlier.Patidar enjoyed another outstanding season in the middle order, scoring 501 runs at a remarkable strike rate of 192.69. Time and again, he delivered in pressure situations, whether stabilising the innings after early wickets or launching counterattacks when RCB needed quick runs.Despite those contributions, former Australia captain Michael Clarke feels Patidar's performances have not received the recognition they deserve.Speaking on the Beyond23 Cricket Podcast, Clarke named the RCB skipper as one of the most underrated performers of IPL 2026, arguing that the presence of Virat Kohli often means other key contributors receive less attention."Patidar had a stellar tournament again and is my player under the radar. Virat Kohli being in the team will always be the most spoken about player. But Patidar has done an exceptional job with the way he leads and gets the best out of all of his players. His own performance, batting in the tough middle order, has been fantastic," Clarke said.Patidar's leadership credentials have grown significantly over the last two seasons. Under his captaincy, RCB transformed from a team that spent years chasing a maiden title into one that has now won back-to-back championships.For Clarke, those achievements should place the 31-year-old firmly in discussions surrounding India's T20 side."Though he's 31, there has to be a talk about him in the Indian T20 team. I don't know if he will captain India, but he has leadership qualities. His middle-order batting has been phenomenal. Batting at No.4 is the hardest in T20s, and he comes in at the position and just explodes," he added.The former Australian skipper believes Patidar's value extends beyond his batting. According to Clarke, captaining a side to consecutive IPL titles is an achievement that selectors simply cannot overlook.While competition for places remains intense in Indian cricket, Clarke feels Patidar has done enough to push himself to the front of the queue for white-ball opportunities."India has a lot of talent at the moment, and a number of them are fighting to get into the Indian team from this IPL. But if you captain a team that goes on to win back-to-back IPL tournaments, the BCCI and the Indian selectors must be talking about him. His name must be in front of the queue in T20s, and he could even be looked at in ODI cricket," said Clarke.With 501 runs, a strike rate approaching 200 and another IPL trophy as captain, Patidar's case has certainly become difficult to ignore. Whether it translates into an India recall remains to be seen, but Clarke believes the RCB skipper has earned the right to be part of that conversation.

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MAY 20: Head coach Alex Sarama of the Portland Fire looks on during the second half against the Indiana Fever at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on May 20, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) | Getty Images Alex Sarama was relatively unknown when the Portland Fire announced he’d be their first-ever head coach. But, on Wednesday, when the WNBA announced that Sarama was named Coach of the Month, it came as no surprise. Sarama led the Fire to a 6-4 record in May and several improbable victories, while making a name for himself in broad basketball circles. How did he get here? At just 30 years old, Sarama was an assistant coach for the Cleveland Cavaliers and became the director of player development.He joined NBA Europe in 2020, became a Paris Basketball player improvement specialist in 2022, and was the director of methodology for the British Basketball League’s London Lions in 2023. In the 2023-2024 season, Sarama was an assistant coach for the Rip City Remix, the Portland Trail Blazers’ G League affiliate. Then, in 2024, he became an assistant for the Cavaliers. STAFF OF THE MONTH 🙌Behind-the-scenes when Head Coach Alex Sarama found out he was named @wnba Coach of the Month for May!Shoutout to all of our amazing coaches and staff! pic.twitter.com/zzdOXR6dAd— Portland Fire (@theportlandfire) June 3, 2026Sarama is unique in that he is an advocate of the Constraints-Led Approach (CLA) to skill acquisition and practice design, a methodology that emphasises decision-making, adaptability, and game-representative learning environments rather than isolated and repetitive drills.Sarama has cancelled morning shootarounds, had Fire players practice with just socks, and simulated specific drills with different constraints to emulate late-game scenarios. Today at practice the Fire did shooting and dribbling drills in socks as a way to create more variables. Alex Sarama says he read about the concept of “differential learning” in a paper 6 years ago and incorporated it into his CLA principles. pic.twitter.com/7teZRtsDuu— Sean Highkin (@highkin) May 13, 2026The result? The Fire are 6-5 and owners of the league’s 8th-best record, despite being one of two WNBA expansion teams. In May, they went 6-4, accruing two wins over the New York Liberty and a win over the Indiana Fever, among other star-studded squads. On the court, Portland has been led by Carla Leite, who is averaging 15.2 points and 5.2 assists per game, both team-highs. Bridget Carleton, selected No. 1 overall in the WNBA’s expansion draft, is averaging 14.7 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.1 steals per game, while Emily Englster has been the top shot blocker in the league, averaging 2.3 blocks per game. Engstler is also averaging 9.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.5 steals, and 1.3 assists per game. And, Sarah Ashlee Barker has been huge off the bench, averaging 10 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. In a video shared by the Fire, Sarama credited the players and his staff for his first-ever Coach of the Month honor. “This isn’t possible without incredible players. This is really because of you guys, number one,” he said. “Everything we’ve asked you to do, you guys have done times a thousand. I couldn’t be more proud to coach you guys. This is going to be such a fun ride.”“Secondly, it’s staff of the month. Not coach of the month. That’s everyone. Front office, performance, the incredible coaching staff we have. It’s every single one of us here.”