German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier can now imagine the Olympic Games being held in Germany in 2036 after all, broadcaster ARD reported on Sunday.A spokesman for the president said in February that Steinmeier considered 2036 to be “historically problematic” for a German Olympic bid given it would come 100 years after the Berlin Games organized by the Nazis.Sunday's report, citing the president's office, said that his concerns had not disappeared but he was now firmly convinced that all those involved would handle the date responsibly - if Germany makes a successful Olympic bid for that year.Steinmeier told ARD: "We have great sports venues. We have a sports-mad population. I very much wish that after Munich 1972 the Olympic Games finally take place in Germany again."Berlin, Cologne Rhine-Ruhr and Munich are battling to be Germany's bidder for 2036, 2040 or 2044. Hamburg residents voted against in a recent referendum.The German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) will decide in September which city will be the bidder and which year they will target.DOSB chief executive Otto Fricke said he was pleased Steinmeier's change of stance "has now been explicitly clarified."The 2028 Summer Games are in Los Angeles and Brisbane hosts the 2032 edition.India and Qatar are among the favourites for 2036.

Actor Elliott Gould, left, joins Donald Trump, center, and Marla Maples at courtside during an NBA basketball game between the Phoenix Suns and the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden, in New York, March 6, 1991. (AP Photo/Steve Freeman, File)2026-06-07T11:56:30Z NEW YORK (AP) — There was a time when Donald Trump was just another celebrity sitting courtside at New York Knicks games. He was famous, but not yet flanked by Secret Service agents or defined by the politics that have left him deeply unpopular in his hometown.Now, more than a decade after attending his last Knicks game at Madison Square Garden, Trump is making a rare trip back to New York City as president to cheer for them in Game 3 of the NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night. Invited by Knicks owner James Dolan, he will be the first sitting president to attend an NBA Finals game.The Knicks are seeking their first championship since 1973, when Trump was 26 and a relative newcomer to the family real estate business that vaulted him to wealth and fame. Two years after that triumph, the team’s owners at the time hired him as a consultant as they looked to sell the arena. Trump has been to more major sporting events than any of his predecessors, including the Super Bowl and Daytona 500, golf’s Ryder Cup in the New York City suburbs, where he was cheered, and last year’s U.S. Open men’s tennis championship in Queens, where he was booed and blamed for long security lines. On June 14, when he turns 80 while wrestling with myriad crises including the war with Iran, economic unease and court rulingsblunting his agenda, he will host a UFC fight on White House grounds. Trump also has expressed interest in attending soccer’s World Cup, which kicks off this week across the United States, Mexico and Canada. Read More New Yorkers love the Knicks more than they love TrumpTrump is an avid sports fan, but the affinity he professes for the Knicks is different.It speaks to the Republican president’s identity as a New Yorker and harkens to a bygone era where a front-row seat at a Knicks game was a chance for him and other boldface names to see and be seen.In a city whose wealthy gatekeepers largely turned their noses at Trump’s brash personality and playboy image in the 1990s and 2000s, the Garden’s Celebrity Row was one club where he felt at home. “I’ve been a Knick fan for a long time,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office last week, a day after New York rallied to win Game 1. “I watched that end of the game and they were dominant — really amazing.”After another win Friday in San Antonio, the Knicks head home with a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. They have won a remarkable 13 straight playoff games and last lost on April 23, uniting the city in a way unseen since the Knicks went to the NBA Finals twice in the 1990s.Enter Trump. He returns to the Knicks zeitgeist not as the tabloid curiosity who once sat shoulder to shoulder with the late John F. Kennedy Jr. at a game in 1999, but as a president who is disliked by a majority of the city’s Democratic voters.Trump, who gave up his lifelong New York residency for Florida in 2019, is making his first trip to New York City since he spoke at the United Nations in September.Knicks fans, though, do not seem to be concerned so much with his politics, but that his attendance — and the hoopla accompanying it — could mess up the team’s momentum. “Why does Donald Trump always have to ruin a good thing?” U.S. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries of New York, an avid Knicks fan and the House Democratic leader, told CNN. “Like, literally, the Knicks haven’t been in the NBA finals for 27 years. The city is trying to celebrate this. We’ve embraced this team, and this guy has to inject himself.”Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a Democrat who struck up a cordial relationship with Trump after the two met in November, was more inviting.“We’re excited to welcome anyone and everyone who’s rooting for the Knicks in this moment,” said Mamdani, who will also be at the game — albeit, not with Trump.Last week, as Trump began floating the idea of attending a game, New York magazine published an article, “Is Trump Really a Knicks Fan? An Investigation.” The story, filled with pictures of Trump at Knicks games from 1991 to 2014, described him as a “textbook example of a celebrity bandwagon fan.” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver disagrees.“Before he ever ran for office, he was a big Knicks fan,” Silver told reporters last week. “I’ve been with the league for a long time. I was there at many Knicks games with him in the old days.”A courtside regular in the 1990sTrump and the Knicks came into existence the same year, 1946.His affiliation with the team — at least in the public record — dates to 1975 when he acted as a real estate adviser to the then-owners of the Knicks and Madison Square Garden, who were looking to sell the building known in a bit of Trump-style branding as “The World’s Most Famous Arena.”Trump claimed to reporters at the time that two groups of “Arab oil interests” were interested in paying $50 million to $75 million. But the arena’s leadership passed on the idea, saying it was “not conceivable” to make such a deal during the Middle East oil crisis raging at the time. Trump was not much of a known entity when the Knicks won their only championships in 1970 and 1973. By the time they rebounded in the 1990s, Trump was front and center, taking his then-wife Marla Maples to Game 3 of the NBA Finals in 1994 and his current wife, first lady Melania Trump, to Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals in 1999. In between, he added to his Knicks fan bona fides with a cameo in the Knicks-themed Whoopi Goldberg film “Eddie” in 1996.Back then, Trump was a more of a mythic figure than a consequential one, known as much for the women he dated and married as the buildings he built.But just as those Knicks came up short in the NBA Finals against Hakeem Olajuwon and the Houston Rockets and David Robinson and the Spurs, Trump was running into problems of his own. His business empire was in disarray after his casinos fell into financial trouble and his airline, Trump Shuttle, went out of business.Like the Knicks, Trump went into rebuilding mode and charted a new course: reality TV with NBC’s “The Apprentice” and “Celebrity Apprentice,” and then, politics. On a Knicks TV broadcast in 2010, he hinted at a possible presidential run.That same year, as the Knicks struggled to recapture the magic of the 1990s, Trump recorded a video trying to persuade LeBron James to join the team.“The real winners of the world want to be here,” Trump told him. MICHAEL R. SISAK Sisak is an Associated Press reporter covering law enforcement, courts and prisons. He is based in New York. twitter mailto 获取更多RSS：https://feedx.net https://feedx.site

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With the Bears issuing a non-binding announcement on Friday that they will be advancing with the potential construction of a new stadium in Hammond, Indiana, the Bears want their leverage play against Illinois to not be viewed as the leverage play it is.Of course it's a leverage play. If it wasn't, a deal would already be done to build in Hammond.Instead, the Bears keep talking to Illinois even as they supposedly focus on Indiana.It makes sense for the Bears to try to persuade members of the media that Indiana isn't a leverage play. (It doesn't make sense for members of the media to swallow the hook, unless it's a part of a broader quid pro quo for scoops and/or access.) For a leverage play to be effective, it has to be viewed as real. If it's not viewed as real, the leverage won't move the needle in Illinois.The real question isn't whether Indiana is leverage (because it is) but whether Indiana is a bluff. In other words, are the Bears simply using a potential Hammond move as a way to get the best possible deal in Arlington Heights? (Also, did the Bears initially pivot to Arlington Heights to get the best possible deal in Chicago?)It's possible that the Bears, deep down, do not want to leave Chicago, but that the organization concluded at the outset of this process that it's impossible to build a new stadium in Chicago on terms favorable to the franchise unless the city and the state believe the team may build across the border.With a move out of the area an impossibility (the placement of two teams in L.A. took away an ideal "or else" threat for two decades of stadium projects), a potential move within the area carries real value. As leverage, and possibly as a bluff.That's the thing about a bluff. Admitting it's a bluff strips the bluff of any value.Regardless of whether the Bears will actually move to Indiana, the possibility remains leverage for now. If it wasn't, there would be nothing for the Bears and Illinois to discuss. The mere fact that the two sides are still talking proves conclusively that the Bears are playing Indiana against Illinois — in the same way that they've been playing Arlington Heights against Chicago.

With all the offensive positions finished, the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys have been first or second in every ranking. It isn’t surprising with the Cowboys' top-five offense last year and the Eagles' talent across the unit. Philadelphia might have had a down season from the quarterback, but his supporting cast is elite, even with the jettisoning of WR A.J. Brown out of the conference.The New York Giants and Washington Commanders will fare much differently on the defensive side. Dallas was a bottom-three defense, while the Giants have assembled a talented young rotation, and the Commanders have a lot of veteran talent for Dan Quinn to work with. Edge rushers are the first spot to be ranked, and a new team will claim the top spot.4: Dallas CowboysDallas doesn’t have a stellar edge room. They have play-hard guys and players who will get effort sacks, but nobody known to win with speed and bend off the edge. Rashan Gary has had almost 40 sacks over the last five seasons. Eight sacks a year isn't bad, but he doesn’t often get to the QB for quick wins, and he didn’t record a single one after his bookend, Micah Parsons, was injured.Donovan Ezieruaku didn’t have the sack numbers most expected, given how well he got them in college. Still, he posted good pressure numbers, despite playing the back end of the season with a hip injury that required surgery. First-round pick Malachi Lawrence is the speed rusher the Cowboys need, but rookies typically need time to develop, and he wasn’t at a premeire school like Ohio State, so the upswing in competition may be even more severe. Reserve James Houston can be a solid specialist, while Sam Williams, Isaiah Land, Tyrus Wheat, and Marist Liufau haven’t offered much at the NFL level.3: Philadelphia EaglesPhiladelphia had a top-three defense, but edge rushers might’ve been their weak spot even after their trade for Jaelan Phillips. They've now swapped him out for Jonathan Greenard, who is a very good pass rusher coming off a down season. He had back-to-back 12-sack seasons in 2023 and 2024, but only three sacks in 12 games last year.Jalyx Hunt looks to be developing into the starter across from Greenard. He jumped from 1.5 sacks and one tackle for a loss as a rookie to 6.5 sacks and nine tackles for a loss in Year 2, adding 29 pressures and 24 QB hits. Nolan Smith Jr. has been a solid edge rusher, but hasn’t been as good as his draft status would suggest. He has only 22 starts in three seasons with 10.5 sacks, 33 pressures, and 10 tackles for a loss. As a third rusher, he is good, but not great. Joe Tryon-Shoyinka had an excellent start to his career with the Buccaneers, but did little in the last two seasons. He played eight games in 2025 and didn’t get a single sack, adding only one QB hit and a tackle for a loss.2: Washington CommandersThe Commanders signed two free agent pass rushers this offseason, Odafe Oweh and K’Lavon Chaisson. Chaisson has had back-to-back solid seasons after looking like a bust early on in his career. He had 12.5 sacks the last two seasons. Oweh had 17.5 sacks the last two years, including 7.5 in his final 12 games with the Los Angeles Chargers. He hasn’t played 650 snaps in a season yet, but with starter snaps, he might be a consistent double-digit sack edge.Dorance Armstrong has over 30 sacks over his last five seasons and is returning to a rotational role rather than starting. He isn’t a high-end run defender or pressure player, but he plays hard and has plenty of production as a third edge rush option. Behind those three guys, Washington has questions, but the rebuild of the unit's starters has been excellent.1: New York GiantsThe Giants have a loaded edge room, even if Arvell Reese is considered a linebacker. They traded for Brian Burns, who has never had fewer sacks than 7.5 in a season. He finished with 16.5 sacks in 2025. He added double-digit tackles for a loss each of the last five years and 75 pressures in his last two seasons with New York. Abdul Carter was a top-three pick in 2025 and had a good rookie campaign. He had four sacks and seven tackles for a loss with an excellent 34 pressures. He could take an enormous leap in his second season.Kayvon Thibodeaux hasn’t lived up to his top-five draft status, but he is a dangerous third edge rusher. He has had a double-digit sack season and averaged 27 pressures each season. Behind those three guys, there are question marks. Reese likely moves to a pass rusher at times, and that’s an incredible fourth option.You can find Mike Crum on Twitter @cdpiglet or on YouTube at Across the Cowboys podcastThis article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: NFC East Rankings position by position: Edge rushers

Colin Hynek helped power North Carolina to a 4-0 shutout victory over USC, going 2-for-4 with a home run.The Tar Heels are now one victory from returning to the College World Series for the second time under head coach Scott Forbes. USC, seeking its first trip to Omaha in more than a quarter-century, will get the same chance in Sunday’s deciding game.Here’s what Hynek said after his clutch performance.On missed opportunities…“We’ve left quite a few guys on base, but we’re not going to put too much stock into that. We’re not going to let that get in our heads. We know that we’re talented, we know that we’re more than capable of doing that, and we’re a couple swings away from breaking this game open. Might as well save them for tomorrow…On the home run…HYPE EM UP HYNEK 👏Colin Hynek with a solo shot to take the early lead!#RoadToOmaha x 🎥 ESPNU / @DiamondHeelspic.twitter.com/YkICJVfLYm— NCAA Baseball (@NCAABaseball) June 6, 2026“We knew (USC pitcher Grant Govel) threw a lot of strikes, knew that he was going to come right after us, so I was really just trying to be selective in my zone with a heater and get a good swing off on it. Being able to (hit the second inning HR) and being able to break through first after the game yesterday felt good. And anytime you have a lead with Jason on the mound, you feel pretty confident that you’re going to win that game…On USC starting pitcher Grant Govel…“I think the main thing was it felt like almost every count was 0-1. The amount of first pitch strikes he threw today, and as the game went on, he really was executing to the spot that was called. He really, really locked in as the game went on, and at that point you know when J’s on, it’s hard to do anything against him.”Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC Baseball: What Colin Hynek said after shutout win in super regional

Two words: Tim Payne.All eyes of the 2026 World Cup will be on New Zealand's social media star who skyrocketed from 4 thousand to 5 million Instagram followers in the weeks before kickoff. The All Whites are back in the tournament for the first time since 2010.But there are lots of other storylines in Group G, which also includes Belgium, Egypt and Iran.Belgium will be seeking redemption after its underwhelming performance in the 2022 World Cup. The Red Devils, led by leading scorer Romelu Lukaku, have finished as high as third in the 2018 tournament and are now fueled in part by some new energy on the team.Liverpool great Mohamed Salah will be in his second tournament with Egypt. The Pharaohs have gone a homegrown route with their leadership and are hoping a mix of veteran experience and their own rising star will boost them out of the group stage.There is controversy surrounding Iran due to an ongoing conflict with the United States, one of the three host countries for the tournament. Team Melli has a strong football history, but it has yet to translate to World Cup success and they also hope to make it out of the group stage for the first time.With at least two teams making it to the Round of 32 from each group in the expanded field of 48 teams, history will be made one way or another out of Group G.Here is USA TODAY's Group G World Cup preview:World Cup Group G teamsNew ZealandThe internet is buzzing about Tim Payne, who will be making his World Cup debut as New Zealand plays in only their third World Cup ever and first since 2010. Even though the All Whites finished with three draws in their last tournament, they have yet to get a win on the global stage. Striker Chris Wood set the record for most caps for New Zealand just a week before the World Cup kickoff after previously playing in all three matches in the 2010 tournament. The Nottingham Forest forward is also the team's leading scorer with 45 goals. Manager Darren Bazeley brings extensive knowledge from his playing days in England, where he is from, and he has already had success making it to the knockout stage in three U-20 World Cups with New Zealand.Key players: Chris Wood, Tommy Smith, Tim PayneEgyptEgypt went undefeated in World Cup qualifying even while switching managers to Hossam Hassan. Liverpool's Mohamed Salah, who is Egypt's all-time leading scorer, scored nine of their 20 goals to boost the Pharaohs back to the tournament after missing the 2022 competition. Egypt has lots of experience on its roster from across the Premier League, Ligue 1 and La Liga as they hope to get out of the group stage for the first time. Manchester City's Omar Marmoush will be a player to watch and, while there is a lot of excitement around Lamine Yamal making his World Cup debut for Spain, Barcelona U19's Hamza Abdelkarim has made an impact at the club and is reportedly being mentored by Salah. There is clearly camaraderie on this side.Key players: Mohamed Salah, Omar Marmoush, Trézéguet, Mohamed Abdelmonem, Hamza AbdelkarimIranIran has yet to make it out of the group stage of the World Cup in six appearances. Team Melli has a strong football history. They won three straight AFC Asian Cups in 1968, 1972 and 1976 and finished third in the 1996 tournament. They have yet to translate that success onto the larger platform of the World Cup. Mehdi Taremi, who is the only Iranian player to score more than one goal in the World Cup, returns for his third tournament. Ali Gholizadeh, who played in all three matches of the 2022 World Cup and got an assist, will miss this competition after injuring his knee just a month ahead of kickoff. Iran will be playing amid controversy as there are ongoing tensions between the country and the United States, which is one of three host nations for the tournament.Key players: Mehdi Taremi, Mohammad Mohebbi, Mehdi GhayediBelgiumBelgium will be playing in their fourth straight World Cup and 15th competition overall. The Red Devils will be seeking redemption after not making it out of the group stage at the 2022 World Cup. This came after a third-place finish at the 2018 tournament. Manager Rudi Garcia was introduced in January of 2025 to bring some fresh leadership and the team seems to be responding well. The squad is stacked with veterans. Napoli teammates Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku, the side's all-time leading scorer, along with Axel Witsel and Thibaut Courtois, who some consider the best goalkeeper in the tournament, were teammates in the past three World Cups. While some might say this group is aging past their prime, Manchester City forward Jérémy Doku, 24, will offer youth and a winning mentality as well.Key players: Romelu Lukaku, Thibaut Courtois, Kevin De Bruyne, Jérémy DokuWorld Cup Group G scheduleJune 15Belgium vs. Egypt - Seattle, 3 p.m. ET - FOXNew Zealand vs. Iran - Los Angeles, 9 p.m. ET - FS1June 21Belgium vs. Iran - Los Angeles, 3 p.m. ET - FS1New Zealand vs. Egypt - Vancouver, 9 p.m. ET - FS1June 26Belgium vs. New Zealand - Vancouver, 11 p.m. ET - FOXEgypt vs. Iran - Seattle, 11 p.m. ET - FS1World Cup Group G predictionPredicted order of finish:BelgiumEgyptIranNew ZealandThis article originally appeared on USA TODAY: World Cup Group G predictions: Belgium, New Zealand, Egypt, Iran schedule

Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty ImagesNelly Korda is on pole position to secure a fourth major championship title of her career on Sunday, with the world number one tied for the lead at the US Women’s Open.Korda opened up with a round of 73 at Riviera. However, two rounds of 67 have seen the American move to the top of the leaderboard with 18 holes to play.It is incredibly difficult to back anyone else to get across the line on Sunday in the Pacific Palisades.Nelly Korda keen to avoid one mistake from last year’s US Women’s OpenKorda has already won three times this year, including at the first major of the season as she lifted the Chevron Championship for a second time with victory at Memorial Park.Crucially, just one other player has broken 70 in both the second and third rounds at Riviera this week.Korda is yet to win the US Women’s Open. However, she did finish in a tie for second at Erin Hills last year, proving to be the last person realistically standing between Maja Stark and the trophy.Photo by Harry How/Getty ImagesAnd after her third round on Saturday, Korda suggested that she had learned plenty from that experience that will benefit her this time around.“That I want to put myself into that position more and more,” she said, after being asked what she took from last year. “Yeah, I mean, I would definitely say that I’m not going to get too frustrated. I think last year I really, really wanted it, and the more you want it sometimes the more you stiffen up and you get a little bit more nervous.“So I play my best golf when I’m happy, free Nelly, and I’m kind of joking around out there. So that’s kind of the attitude that I’m going to have tomorrow.”What has changed for Nelly Korda after the 2025 seasonIt is one of the most incredible statistics in sport that the LPGA saw 29 different winners during the 2025 season, and none of them were called Nelly Korda.The 27-year-old is the game’s biggest superstar as she rapidly approaches 20 wins on the LPGA.Korda has got back to her ruthless best in 2026. She has finished outside the top two on just one occasion so far.And that disastrous result that ruined her record was tied for eighth at the Kroger Queen City Championship.Korda went on to explain what has changed for her this season.“I’ve tried to have a mindset shift. One week it’s a lot easier than others, but I’ve tried to have the attitude of instead of saying, you know, I’m screwed in this position, oh, here we go again, I’m just going to embrace the challenges and I’m not going to walk off the golf course, I’m just going to figure it out,” she said.“That’s kind of been my attitude this year is like no matter what it throws at me, if I’m just going to get a silly bounce here or there I’ll end up in a divot like I’ll figure it out.“And that’s kind of been the attitude I’ve tried to change to, because I think the worst thing that you can be, but which I am still, is a perfectionist in this sport. It does drive you nuts when you constantly miss a divot or you’re in a divot by a centimeter here and there, or you hit a great putt and it just lips out.“Like those frustrations throughout the round can really build when it’s all kind of not going your way. So I’m just going to take on the challenges head on and know that I’m doing my best out there, I’ve prepared the best that I possibly can and I’m just going to try and play free golf.”Korda would move inside the top 20 for all-time major victories should she triumph on Sunday at Riviera.On current evidence, it is difficult to see how she can be stopped.

Rajasthan Royals sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has opened up on his memorable interaction with Virat Kohli after the IPL 2026 final, admitting that speaking to his childhood idol felt "like a dream'' and how he admired the cap signed by him.The 15-year-old batting prodigy, who enjoyed a record-breaking season and finished as the tournament's highest run-scorer, was among the players who met Kohli after Royal Challengers Bengaluru clinched their second successive IPL title in Ahmedabad. The heartwarming interaction between the two quickly went viral after videos surfaced on social media, showing Kohli sharing words of encouragement with the young opener.However, for Sooryavanshi, the moment meant much more than a simple conversation.'I was a huge Virat Kohli fan'Speaking in a video shared by Rajasthan Royals, Sooryavanshi revealed that he had long admired Kohli and even supported RCB because of the former India captain."Sir, main aapko sach bataun. Jab Virat bhaiya ne aisa kandhe par haath rakha to main pehle RCB ka bhi fan tha. Actually main Virat Kohli ka bahut hi bada fan tha," Vaibhav said. The youngster further revealed that before winning the Orange Cap this season, he often wore a cap signed by Kohli."Haan maine jab Orange Cap nahi rehta tha mere paas, to main wahi cap pehenta tha. Jab unhone mere kandhe par haath dala, mujhe wo baat kar rahe the to mujhe matlab actually mujhe lag raha tha jaise dream sa hai " he added. "Jis tareeke se unhone baat kiya, laga hi nahi ki wo actually Virat Kohli hain," Vaibhav stated.— rajasthanroyals (@rajasthanroyals) According to Sooryavanshi, Kohli interacted with him like an elder brother rather than one of the biggest stars in world cricket."Ek bade bhai ke taur par unhone mujhe samjhaya ki main kya achha kar raha hoon, mujhe aur kya achha karna chahiye, kis cheez par focus karna chahiye aur future mein kya karna chahiye," Vaibhav concluded. Kohli's advice for the rising starDuring their conversation, Kohli encouraged the teenager to stay focused and continue believing in himself despite the growing attention around him. "Yahan se upar jana hai. Jo hua hai, achhi mehnat aur achhe belief ki wajah se hua hai, Kaun kya bol raha hai, kaise bol raha hai, keep all of that out of your mind. Just focus on your batting and yourself, " Virat said to Sooryvanshi after winning trophy in Ahmedabad. Kohli then ended the conversation with a smile and a memorable line that quickly became popular among fans:"Ek Bihari, sab pe bhari... aur khatam game!"

Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty ImagesMike Brown and Karl-Anthony Towns spent much of the season looking like an uneasy Knicks partnership, but the NBA Finals have changed the conversation.New York now leads San Antonio 2-0, and Towns has gone from an awkward fit to the most efficient star in the series.Brown’s willingness to bend, rather than force Towns into one rigid role, may be one of the biggest reasons the Knicks are two wins from a title.Mike Brown made the Karl-Anthony Towns adjustment the Knicks neededBrown admitted in an interview after their Game 2 win that coaching Towns required repeated compromise, not just a preseason blueprint.“I come in with a great plan. Maybe the plan doesn’t work. Who adjusts, [KAT] or me? Me. I adjust. Sometimes the adjustment’s not enough. Every once in a while, we’re not on the same page. We talk about it. I adjust again. It’s my job as a coach to fit whatever scheme we have on both sides of the floor to all of our players, and if you’re a great player, I’ve got to make a little bit more adjustments or I’ve got to give a little bit more than you do.”That maturity was not always obvious. Towns had fourth-quarter benchings, cold media answers, and shrinking usage as Brown leaned on different closing groups during the season.The Hawks series changed the tone. Brown used Towns more as a de facto playmaking hub, letting him pass, screen, and attack mismatches instead of waiting for scraps behind Jalen Brunson.Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty ImagesThat unlocked a cleaner version of the Knicks. Towns became one of the playoffs’ most efficient offensive bigs while still rebounding and defending enough to stay trusted late.Karl-Anthony Towns turns Giannis rumors into Finals MVP caseThe turnaround is dramatic because Towns was recently mentioned as the salary-matching centerpiece in possible Giannis Antetokounmpo trade speculation.Now, he may be leading the Finals MVP race. Towns has 39 points and 25 rebounds through two games, while Brunson has made the biggest clutch plays but has shot inefficiently.Brunson still has the captain’s case, especially after deciding both games late. But Towns has been steadier, more efficient, and more important to New York’s frontcourt control against Victor Wembanyama.That says plenty about both player and coach. Brown adjusted. Towns accepted a different version of stardom. Together, they turned early tension into the kind of partnership that could deliver New York’s first championship since 1973.Read more:Cavaliers’ stance on Evan Mobley trade emerges ahead of major offseason in ClevelandDaniel Gafford shares details on first talks with new Mavericks President amid growing trade rumorsChanning Frye reveals real reason behind a key missing element in Cavaliers’ 2016 title parade

For most NFL players, an Achilles injury can take close to 12 months to fully heal. George Kittle isn't like most NFL players.Kittle went down with an Achilles tear in the San Francisco 49ers' Wild Card win over the Philadelphia Eagles on Jan. 11. It was a devastating injury for him and the 49ers, who saw their season end the very next week. It derailed a potential postseason run and looked like it would keep Kittle out for the majority of the 2026 season. That doesn't seem to be the case anymore.Speaking to the media last week, Kittle detailed how the rehab process is going and shared that he's on track to return for the 49ers' season opener in September. "When I had the surgery and [Dr. Neal] ElAttrache told me, he said, 'Hey, I think if you do everything the right way, you have a chance,' it definitely ignites something and makes you push for it," Kittle said. "We're on track. We're ahead of schedule."#49ers TE George Kittle is still aiming to return from his Achilles injury in Week 1 against the Rams. He discussed the possibility on Wednesday, noting he is "ahead of schedule"...https://t.co/5YfdGoqN9B— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) June 4, 2026Kittle would later share that there's still a lot he has to do before that dream becomes a reality. Things like run blocking, pass protection, and running routes are on his to-do list over the next few months. If everything goes according to plan, the former Iowa tight end could return to action much earlier than someone with an Achilles injury normally would.In 124 NFL games, Kittle has 595 receptions, 8,008 receiving yards, and 52 receiving touchdowns. He also has 461 career postseason receiving yards. The 32-year-old has been one of the best tight ends in the league over the last decade, and maybe the best tight end to ever come out of Iowa's storied program.The 49ers open their season on Thursday, Sept. 10 against the Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne, Australia. Kickoff is set for 7:35 p.m. CT on Netflix.Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes and opinions. Follow Zach on X: @zach_hineyThis article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: 49ers injury update: George Kittle 'on track' for possible Week 1 return

Michigan State basketball will boast the top returning player in college basketball next season, according to one popular social media account.College Basketball Report -- a social media X account with more than 100,000 followers -- released a list of their top returning players for next season and a Spartan is listed right at the top. According to College Basketball Report, Jeremy Fears Jr. was No. 1 of a list of top 60 returning players.Fears was the lone Spartan included in College Basketball Report's list, with Coen Carr surprisingly not making the cut of top 60 players.Fears announced late last month that he would return for another season at Michigan State, and has instantly became one of the top players in college basketball. He is coming off an All-American season where he averaged 15.2 points and 9.4 assists per game. With Fears back, Michigan State is considered a preseason top 10 team and a national championship contender. Click on the post below to see the complete top 60 players list from College Basketball Report:The top 60 returning players in college basketball for the 2026-27 season 🔥 pic.twitter.com/sJtkopgFcO— College Basketball Report (@CBKReport) June 4, 2026Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Robert Bondy on X @RobertBondy5.This article originally appeared on Spartans Wire: MSU's Jeremy Fears Jr. ranked as top returning player in college basketball

Portugal NT manager confident that Barcelona target will fare well at the club: ‘No doubt’It is not often that a player of Bernardo Silva’s quality is available on the transfer market as a free agent, and it is unsurprising that multiple clubs are lining up to sign him.The player’s desire, as rumours have widely confirmed, is to play for Barcelona and even the club are interested in making the move happen.Hansi Flick’s approval was the one pending box to be checked, and with that out of the way as well, everything is on track for Barcelona to land the veteran. Word has it that they are just waiting for a player sale to announce his signing.Portugal manager speaks on SilvaSpeaking to the media via Mundo Deportivo in a recent interview, Portugal national team manager Roberto Martinez was asked about Bernardo Silva’s quality and future, especially the links with Barcelona.Martinez spoke highly of the veteran midfielder. (Photo by PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA/AFP via Getty Images)When specifically quizzed on the option of Silva moving to Barcelona and whether he saw it as a good move for both parties involved, Martinez had no doubts that the player would fit right in.“It seems to me that Bernardo Silva is such a spectacular player that he can enter any dressing room in world football,” he began.“It think that a player like that does not come often for free, but he is a player who can adjust to any system and any style, and improve to what he has around him,” he added on his adaptability.Finally, the coach praised his in-game awareness and understanding of positioning, passing, and timing.“It’s not the position, it’s the football intelligence he has, and then the technical level that allows him to dominate all the actions in which he participates. I have no doubt,” he concluded.A three-way raceWhile Barcelona initially seemed the only solid option Silva was considering for his future, it now appears that other parties have entered the race and his future is no longer as clear.Real Madrid have entered the race for Silva. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)The Catalans are indeed still the favourites, but Jose Mourinho is said to have specifically asked for Silva’s signing which adds a major competitor to Barcelona’s bid to sign the player.Further, Atletico Madrid are also in the race and pushing hard to convince the player of Diego Simeone. At this point, however, they stand the furthest away from making anything happen.

The remarks from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reflect many of the Trump administration’s previous assertions on immigrants in Europe, which overlap with the language of European far-right political parties.

colin mochrie to star in three tv series at same time (Photo by Tannis Toohey/Toronto Star via Getty Images) | Toronto Star via Getty Images Hey all, here’s your open thread for Sunday.MMA ADJACENTKarate Kid was a documentary.TOTALLY OFF TOPICI’m a sucker for ‘Japanese artisan’ content.An hour of Colin Mockerie, yes please.GAME TIMEMaybe Sunday should be the day for tough quizzes?IN CASE YOU MISSED ITThis isn’t going to end well, is it?: White vs. Aspinall feud heating up — FULL STORYWowzers: Rogan impressed by arm wrestle pro — FULL STORYMoney match: Bisping offered Tito — FULL STORYEnjoy!

Providence has dipped into the Class of 2027 for its next men’s basketball addition, and he’ll join the program a year in advance. Clyde Walters announced a commitment to the Friars on his Instagram page late Saturday, a small forward/wing from Alabama who will enroll in time for the 2026-27 season. Walters was a four-star prospect and a top-100 talent in his class according to 247Sports. He also claimed offers from the likes of Syracuse, Ole Miss, Alabama and more. Walters took an official visit with the Orange in December prior to their coaching change, with Gerry McNamara replacing fellow alum Red Autry after his dismissal. Walters spent previous prep time in the region with Brewster Academy and most recently ran with Overtime Elite in Georgia. He played in 18 games last season, averaging 6.8 points and 4.2 rebounds while shooting 37.5% from 3-point range. Walters played in the Chipotle Nationals as a sophomore, leaving New Hampshire after his team posted a 28-5 record. Walters has starred this spring on the Nike grassroots circuit with Alabama Fusion, averaging a team-high 19.9 points, 8.0 rebounds and 1.8 steals over 12 games. He’s hit for at least 20 points six times and posted three double-doubles, including a pair during Session II in Memphis. Walters is part of a group that’s out to a 10-2 record and on pace to qualify for the signature Peach Jam event in July.View this post on Instagram

The Boston Celtics have built their teams in a number of ways over the decades, but few if any methods have born more fruit than through the NBA draft. The best players to suit up for the Celtics have, by and large, come to Boston either through being taken directly in the annual event, or via trades made that night.And it is not just the top stars who have been picked up by the Celtics via the draft. Countless members of the storied ball club's alumni have been taken by the team via that annual event, and some schools are better represented than others. We can see blue blood programs and some very small schools both delivering top talent to Boston's rosters over the years, so we decided to take a look at which players came from which schools overall.So without further ado, let's take a look at every player who has been drafted by the Celtics out of Maryland.Theophilus Lloyd - forwardDraft year and position: 10th round (6th pick, 76th overall), 1956 NBA DraftSeasons at Maryland: unknownSeasons played with Celtics: did not make the teamGary Ward - forwardDraft year and position: 7th round (8th pick, 67th overall), 1966 NBA DraftSeasons at Maryland: 3Seasons played with Celtics: did not make the teamJoe Harrington - forward Draft year and position: 11th round (7th pick, 120th overall), 1967 NBA DraftSeasons at Maryland: 3Seasons played with Celtics: did not make the teamLen Bias - forwardDraft year and position: 1st round (2nd pick, 2nd overall), 1986 NBA DraftSeasons at Maryland: 4Seasons played with Celtics: did not make the team, tragicallyAll stats and data courtesy of Basketball Reference.Listen to "Havlicek Stole the Pod" on:Blue Wire: https://tiny.ee/CdKpiTunes: https://tiny.ee/RK47YouTube: https://tiny.ee/cOW3This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Every Maryland player drafted by the Celtics

The Boston Celtics have built their teams in a number of ways over the decades, but few if any methods have born more fruit than through the NBA draft. The best players to suit up for the Celtics have, by and large, come to Boston either through being taken directly in the annual event, or via trades made that night.And it is not just the top stars who have been picked up by the Celtics via the draft. Countless members of the storied ball club's alumni have been taken by the team via that annual event, and some schools are better represented than others. We can see blue blood programs and some very small schools both delivering top talent to Boston's rosters over the years, so we decided to take a look at which players came from which schools overall.So without further ado, let's take a look at every player who has been drafted by the Celtics out of Marietta College.Mark Davis - guardDraft year and position: 12th round (3rd pick, 90th overall), 1955 NBA DraftSeasons at Marietta College: unknownSeasons played with Celtics: did not make the teamAll stats and data courtesy of Basketball Reference.Listen to "Havlicek Stole the Pod" on:Blue Wire: https://tiny.ee/CdKpiTunes: https://tiny.ee/RK47YouTube: https://tiny.ee/cOW3This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Every Marietta College player drafted by the Celtics

Credit: NBC Sports PhiladelphiaA sequence during Saturday’s Philadelphia Phillies game against the Chicago White Sox resulted in hilarious timing on the NBC Sports Philadelphia broadcast, but Phillies fans likely didn’t find it very funny.The NBC Sports Philadelphia broadcast showed White Sox pitcher Mike Vasil waving a wand in Chicago’s dugout.“What is that thing?” NBC Sports Philadelphia play-by-play announcer Tom McCarthy asked.“I have no idea,” color commentator John Kruk responded.“Is that a Harry Potter wand?” McCarthy continued.“I’ve never seen Harry Potter,” Kruk said. “Maybe he’s like a conductor. Orchestra. Don’t they have that little wand thing they twirl around?”“It takes dedication to keep doing it,” McCarthy added, as Vasil continued to wave the wand.On the next pitch, Chicago’s Jacob Gonzalez blasted a pitch 428 feet for the first home run of his major-league career.Really couldn’t have asked for a better sequence of events over on NBC Sports Philly pic.twitter.com/NrwHYfT5Cs— Joe Binder (@JoeBinder) June 6, 2026“Oh, man,” McCarthy said. “That ball is crushed! That is a long home run! Wow! Into the second deck! That is the first major-league home run for Jacob Gonzalez. Wow!”“Wow”! Kruk said.“Well, the wand was working,” McCarthy added.Vasil, who is currently out for the season due to Tommy John surgery, has spent the last several weeks using the wand in an effort to help the upstart White Sox.“I guess I’m some sort of a wizard now in my free time, Vasil said on May 2, via MLB.Com’s Scott Merkin. “I might be some kind of witch. I might have some witchcraft in there. I might have some magic, I don’t know.”He now has believers in the NBC Sports Philadelphia broadcast booth.The White Sox won the game 6-3 and are one of Major League Baseball’s biggest surprises this season after putting together a 34-31 record.The post Phillies announcers question magic wand right before White Sox player crushes first career homer appeared first on Awful Announcing.

GOP’s first attack on James Talarico in Texas Senate campaign is to call him “too low-T” for Texas Is he really a man? That’s the question the GOP has been focusing on in this race, with GOP state Attorney General Ken Paxton mocking Talarico for supporting LGBTQ+ rights, being vegan (he’s not), and calling him a “freak.” Meanwhile, right-wing media found Talarico’s girlfriend, who they had said he had made up to cover for him being gay. Why it matters: Making gender expression and sexuality the center of one of the more competitive U.S. Senate races in the country harms all LGBTQ+ and gender non-conforming people. Ken Paxton’s first campaign ad calls James Talarico “too low-T” while avoiding policy issues Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today Federal appeals court panel rules that Trump illegally excluded trans people from the military What the ruling said: The trans military ban “appears to be driven by the bare desire to harm a politically unpopular group: persons who identify as transgender,” Judge Robert Wilkins of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia said for the majority in the 2-1 ruling. Why it matters: The administration’s legal defense in court challenges to the trans military ban is that they didn’t ban trans people, per se, they banned people with gender dysphoria under the military’s broad powers to exclude people for health concerns. But the judges here weren’t buying it. Federal court rules Trump illegally banned trans people from the military Patagonia (the company) and Pattie Gonia (the drag queen) speak out about their ongoing legal dispute What the case is about: Pattie Gonia (the drag queen) wanted to sell clothing under her drag name and with a logo that draws a lot of inspiration from Patagonia’s (the company’s) own branding. The company sued her for $1 (plus legal fees), claiming trademark infringement. Why it matters: While the dispute touches on issues related to artistic expression and identity, it appears to be mainly about trademark law. Patagonia sues drag environmentalist Pattie Gonia over trademark dispute. She’s not giving up. Red states try to turn June into an anti-LGBTQ+ month as Democrats celebrate Pride What’s happening: Several red states and their governors approved declarations calling June things like “Nuclear Family Month” or “Fidelity Month,” pointedly saying that LGBTQ+ families are not “God’s design.” This is an intentional rebuke to LGBTQ+ people and Pride Month. Meanwhile, Democrats across the country celebrated Pride Month. Why it matters: In case anyone needs any more evidence, the two parties are not the same. Red states are declaring June something other than Pride Month in latest anti-LGBTQ+ trend Pride celebrations across the country face financial struggles as corporate sponsors pull out. Meanwhile, Americans don’t want corporations to pull out of Pride. What’s going on: Phoenix Pride filed for bankruptcy while several other major U.S. cities’ Prides face large budget shortfalls this year, since corporate donations have declined as a result of attacks on DEI. Meanwhile, a GLAAD poll found that Americans largely support corporations that stand up for LGBTQ+ people’s rights. Why it matters: People have become used to Pride celebrations that are huge, pricey productions. Meanwhile, many community institutions are funded through corporate sponsorships. As these funds dry up, life will get noticeably less queer in the U.S. Phoenix Pride files for bankruptcy as corporate sponsors abandon Prides across the country Picture of the week The LGBTQ+ community of Asbury Park, New Jersey, gathered for a Pride rally on June 1 this week. One person waiting for the event to start had an interesting flag. Audience members wait for the start of the annual LGBTQ+ Pride Celebration, a festival, parade and rally presented by Jersey Pride, in Asbury Park on June 1, 2025. | Peter Ackerman/Asbury Park Press / USA TODAY NETWORK Some more great queer and trans reads Deputy Editor Molly Sprayregen talked to entrepreneur Nour Tayara about being an out and proud gay man in Islam. Islam is seen as hostile to LGBTQ+ people. This gay Muslim says it’s queerer than you think. Contributor Greg Owen talked to a queer woman who thanks her queer chicken for helping her come out. “Not your typical chicken”: How a rooster helped a queer woman embrace her identity Columnist Faefyx Collington discussed the negative feedback loop between anti-trans laws and their effect on trans activism. Anti-trans laws are killing us & making it even harder to fight back against them Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

NEW DELHI: What does Vaibhav Sooryavanshi do before a match? How does the teenage batting sensation prepare himself mentally? Does he practise meditation or follow a special routine before stepping onto the field?These are some of the questions fans have repeatedly asked on social media ever since Sooryavanshi took the cricketing world by storm with his fearless strokeplay and record-shattering performances.The 15-year-old, who recently became the youngest player ever to earn a call-up to India's men's team, has now revealed the secret behind his preparation and the role manifestation plays in his success.During a conversation with Rajasthan Royals team manager Romi Bhinder in a video shared by the franchise, Sooryavanshi spoke about visualisation, mental preparation and staying strong under pressure.When asked about the power of manifestation and how he keeps ticking off the goals he sets for himself, Sooryavanshi explained that he often visualises match situations long before stepping onto the field."Main pehle se hi is cheez ko try karta hoon. Main apne room mein bhi sochta hoon ki main match khel raha hoon, kisi bowler ke khilaaf kaise batting karunga aur kya karunga. Agar pressure wali situation hogi to usmein main kya karunga, yeh sab pehle se imagine karta hoon. Isse kaafi madad milti hai aur aap mentally kaafi strong ho jaate ho, kyunki aap pehle se hi apne mind aur body ko prepare kar rahe hote ho. [I have been trying this for a long time. Even when I am in my room, I imagine myself playing a match, thinking about how I would bat against a particular bowler and what I would do in different situations. If there is a pressure situation, I visualise how I would handle it. It helps a lot and makes you mentally stronger because you are already preparing both your mind and body]," Sooryavanshi said.The Rajasthan Royals opener stressed that mental strength is just as important as skill, especially in high-pressure games."Mind ko bahut strong rakhna bahut zaroori hai. Agar aap IPL final khel rahe ho, akele batting kar rahe ho, 50 ya 60 runs chahiye aur sirf 20-30 balls bachi hain, to wahan aapko mentally bahut strong rehna padega. Yeh cheez bahut important hai. [It is very important to keep your mind strong. If you are playing an IPL final, batting alone and your team needs 50 or 60 runs from 20-30 balls, you have to remain mentally very strong. That is extremely important]," he added.— rajasthanroyals (@rajasthanroyals) His comments come just a day after Sooryavanshi received his maiden call-up to India's T20I squad for the tours of Ireland and England, as well as the Asian Games. India will play two T20Is in Belfast on June 26 and 28 before travelling to England for a five-match T20I series from July 1 to 11. The Men in Blue will also participate in the men's T20 competition at the Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, in September.Sooryavanshi earned his maiden India call-up on the back of a sensational IPL 2026 campaign. The Bihar youngster finished as the tournament's highest run-scorer with 776 runs at a staggering strike rate of 237.30. His remarkable season included a record-breaking 72 sixes.He also won the Most Valuable Player (MVP), Emerging Player of the Season, Super Striker, Orange Cap and Super Sixes of the Season awards.

AJ Ferrari could have his new and final collegiate home in the next couple of weeks, he said this week. The 2021 NCAA champion needs a waiver, that has a good chance of getting approved, from the NCAA to wrestle in the 2026-27 season, but seems set to commit to a new institution.Having wrestled at 197 at Oklahoma State and Cal State Bakersfield, Ferrari went up to heavyweight last year at Nebraska en route to All-American honors. Now, it seems like he’s dropping back down and wherever he wrestles next, he wants it to be with his middle brother Anthony.$19.99 gets you a FULL year of On3 | Rivals national coverageAnthony Ferrari wrestled for Campbell last season at 165 pounds, but teased he’s looking to get back down to 149 and his next stop. So if you’re wondering why AJ Ferrari hasn’t committed yet, he and his brother are trying to get things lined up.“I’m coming off surgery, so I’m light right now, I haven’t fully made a decision,” AJ Ferrari told Jack Bartlett of NTV News. “I’d probably say 60%, 70% chance I go 197. 30% chance I go heavyweight, but it just depends, man. How I’m feeling, how my weight it is. I feel good getting lean, my cardio feels great. I went up to 245 but my cardio wasn’t where I needed to be, so I was doing so much lifting, it kind of (took) away from my wrestling. I enjoy wrestling, I enjoy MMA, I enjoy jiu jitsu, I enjoy the conditioning aspect, so most likely 197 if I had to say.”AJ Ferrari said upwards of 20 schools were in contact or vice versa as he scoured what was next. He won a title as a true freshman for the Cowboys in 2021 and then wrestled to a 10-0 record the next year before a car accident ended his season. Ferrari was subsequently dismissed from the team due to misconduct allegations.After potentially going to Iowa with his youngest brother Angelo, who’s coming off an All-American finish this year (184 pounds), AJ Ferrari and the Hawkeyes could not come together. He ended up at Cal State Bakersfield, where he finished 3rd at 197 in 2025 and then ended up at Nebraska, following an initial commitment to North Carolina.Where does the three-time All-American end up? It’s anyone’s guess at this point.“There were a lot of schools that reached out, but I’ll be committing in the next couple weeks,” Ferrari said. “Me and my brother, we’re trying to go to the same school. It’s very hard, but I really do want to go wrestle with my brothers, so we’ll see what happens. Too early to say, but definitely in the next couple weeks we’ll definitely commit.”

CLEVELAND, OH - MAY 30: Connor Wong #12 of the Boston Red Sox runs to first base after hitting an RBI double in the sixth inning during the game between the Boston Red Sox and the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field on Saturday, May 30, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Sean Finucane/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images Let’s hope that Garrett Whitlock is able to return to action when he’s eligible on June 9, because the Red Sox bullpen is dealing with a few injury issues. Jovani Moran has been placed on the IL with “a little inflammation on the elbow.” He’s been replaced on the roster by Alec Gamboa, who has a 3.66 ERA with Worcester so far this year. In more concerning news, Aroldis Chapman is dealing with a sore hamstring. “We think he should be good right now,” said Chad Tracy. “Obviously, you saw he was (moving gingerly Friday). We know that. If it got to a point where we feel like we can’t do it, we won’t do it. We’re always talking with Aroldis on that, too.” (Sean McAdam, MassLive)Moran was recently seen as Brayan Bello’s opener, but that’s not a role the Sox need right now, with Bello having been demoted to AAA. And it’s not just flawed mechanics or pitch shapes that the Sox want Bello working on down there. “When I first got here, he was a guy that had this big personality, and always had a smile on his face, interacting with teammates,” said Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow. “You could tell just how he loved to compete and loved to pitch, and I think we lost that a little bit where he was putting a ton of pressure on himself to go out and perform.” (Ian Browne, MLB.com)Let’s be thankful that Willson Contreras hasn’t had any big injury issues, or else this team would really be in rough shape. Contreras isn’t just someone who’s been performing on the field, either, but leading through the example of his fiery attitude. “He wants the game played the right way.” said Wilyer Abreu. “He brings that kind of energy to the field every day.” (Peter Abraham, Boston Globe)It’s no secret that, should the Red Sox decide to sell at the trade deadline this year, both Contreras and Chapman will be likely candidates to head out the door. But they aren’t the only names being discussed right now. “With three catchers on the big-league roster — Carlos Narváez, Connor Wong and Mickey Gasper — Boston’s surplus is drawing interest. The Red Sox are shopping Wong in particular, according to a league source, and have also fielded calls on relievers Aroldis Chapman, Justin Slaten and Garrett Whitlock.” Now, I’m no big city CBO, but it’s hard for me to see a 30-year-old backup catcher with 4.4 career bWAR bringing much back, but sure, why not, go for it, Craig. (Jen McCaffrey, The Athletic)

College football's scheduling debate seems to be an issue that won't go away, no matter how hard conferences try to control the teams their members play. How many in-conference games? How many Power Four opponents should be required on each team's schedule? After Indiana rolled to a 16-0 record and a national championship this past season, the Hoosiers' path − which began with home games against Old Dominion, Indiana State and Western Illinois − became a flashpoint in the discussion.Texas coach Steve Sarkisian seemed to give a begrudging hat tip to Hoosiers coach Curt Cignetti in a recent podcast."There’s a lot of ways to find the path to make it," Sarkisian told ESPN's Greg McElroy on Always College Football. "Curt Cignetti, an amazing job at Indiana. What he’s done the last two years, there’s not a guy in our profession that can’t say, 'What an unbelievable job.'"The way he did it has been somewhat unconventional with the sixth-year seniors, the transfers, the veteran group, the way they practice. All those things. But one thing in there, he adjusted their schedule, too. They’ve got a fresh team, they’re playing a lot of players early in the year, they’re a happy team."On the heels of the SEC struggling the past three years in the College Football Playoff, the conference restructured its scheduling requirements this year to play nine conference games. But coaches don't seem to be happy about the additional SEC clash replacing a late-season (easily winnable) nonconference game."We can’t want to adopt the 'Indiana Way' but then, not adopt all of the 'Indiana Way.' But other people now are starting to follow suit," Sarkisian said."So to Coach Cignetti’s credit, everybody wants to impact our sport in some way, shape or form in a positive way. He’s impacting people because people now are starting to adjust their nonconference schedules because they’re seeing the value of another win as opposed to the value of the strength of your schedule."This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Curt Cignetti gets begrudging hat tip from Steve Sarkisian on scheduling

Roma finalizing agreement with Dybala’s entourageOn Gian Piero Gasperini’s orders, Roma is working to renew the contracts of its expiring players. Currently, the extensions for Zeki Celik and Lorenzo Pellegrini are stalled. Paulo Dybala’s, however, is in the final stages. As reported by Matteo Moretto, the agreement between the club and his entourage regarding the “Joya”‘s continued existence is practically complete. Negotiations are at a very advanced stage and agreements have almost been reached. The bureaucratic details for the signing are still missing, but the deal is considered closed.Dybala’s contract renewal was in the balance not so much because of his on-field qualities, but rather because of his fragility, which often led him to miss key moments of the season. This season, the Argentine, who was not called up by Lionel Scaloni for the World Cup, has made just 27 appearances and played 1,593 minutes in total. Having a player with a top-tier salary but such physical shortcomings on the roster was certainly unsustainable for Roma, but the renewal is expected to come at a significantly lower price.

Daniel Cormier still doesn’t like Jon Jones, but ‘hate’ may be a strong word to use after the two spent a month in Thailand together filming a season of the ALF Reality Ultimate Fighter clone.Cormier and Jones are back in the headlines because ALF Reality creator Alfredo Auditore has been talking up a wrestling match between the two for a seven figure purse. According to Cormier, that’s not going to happen because Jones would get blanked 10-0 on the wrestling mat. “Bones” reportedly wants the bout to be a submission-only grappling match, which “DC” said no to … because he knows he couldn’t win.“If you’re gonna pay me seven figures to wrestle against Jon Jones, I’m in,” Cormier said in a new YouTube video. But if you’re gonna tell me that you want to compete against me but only in something where you don’t run the risk of losing? Because I’ll tell you this right now: I probably will not submit Jon Jones. I don’t believe I can.”“I know his body style, and he’s a good grappler. He’s a world champion. He’s tremendous. But I do know that if I get him on the ground and I have to ride him and control him, I can do that. But if I take him down and I ride him and control him for ten minutes, and then we get up and lift both of our hands [in a draw], then what’s the point?”That’s big of “DC” to admit, and Cormier also revealed he doesn’t have the same overwhelming disdain for Jones now.“After spending that time with Jones over there in Thailand, honestly, he annoys me still, but he’s not as bad as I originally thought,” Cormier said. “Because when you’re around someone with that amount of time, obviously, you grow and you learn more about them. I saw the video of him saying how stuffy I was and how horrible I treat the people around me, which isn’t true. But even me, with all the history, I still can tell you straight up that he ain’t what I thought he was before, to me. I don’t have the level of dislike for him that I had maybe in the past.”Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier got into it over a $5,000 bet 😭🗣️ Jones: “I got cash.”🗣️ DC: “No, that might be cash you got here. I want a check and I want you to sign it.” pic.twitter.com/4GK4n5Xkgv— Happy Punch (@HappyPunch) June 1, 2026With negotiations for a wrestling match in a stalemate, Cormier is taking the results of the ALF Reality show as enough of a victory (spoilers ahead).“Jon Jones and I went to Thailand and did a show,” he said. “We were able to work alongside each other cordially and get the show done, which just wrapped very recently, which the result was I had both guys in the finals, and my guy beat Jones’s guys. And then I coached the guy to win the whole competition. So reality is, in that area, I already won. Okay?”“When you see two guys that have been at each other’s throats for so long, you start to wonder [what] other ways they can compete. But remember: Jones beat me in the fight. Everything we have done since, I have beaten him in.”

Defensive end Qua Russaw (4) lines up during the Ohio State football spring game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on April 18, 2026. | Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images When Ohio State rebuilt its defense this offseason, the Buckeyes were not simply looking for depth in the portal. They were looking for players capable of changing games and maybe even seasons. That is why Qua Russaw’s arrival from Alabama has become one of the most fascinating storylines on the roster.Russaw enters Columbus carrying one of the most unique resumes on the team. He was a consensus five-star recruit, a top-20 national prospect, and one of the crown jewels of Alabama’s 2024 recruiting class. He was also a player whose college career never quite unfolded the way many expected in Tuscaloosa. Between injuries, coaching changes, and a crowded depth chart filled to the brim with NFL talent, Russaw flashed his immense upside but never fully established himself as a featured player.Now he arrives at Ohio State at exactly the right time for him and the Buckeyes. Ohio State does not need him to be a savior. They need him to become a weapon. If spring practice was any indication, that may be exactly how Matt Patricia plans to use him.There’s something there with Qua RussawNow that Larry Johnson has his hands on him… look out pic.twitter.com/8rrvHx5nyChttps://t.co/U2aNKfGwKE— Ohio Divided (@BuckeyeNatty) March 31, 2026The role fits his skill set perfectlyThe most important thing to understand about Russaw is that he is not a traditional defensive end. At roughly 6-foot-3 and 245 pounds, he possesses the size to play on the edge, but his athletic profile is much closer to a hybrid defender than a strictly hand in the dirt pass rusher. His burst, pursuit speed, change of direction, and ability to impact plays all over the field. Those traits showed up throughout his time at Alabama, and through spring practies at Ohio State.While his statistical production never exploded, Russaw demonstrated the ability to rush off the edge, set the edge against the run, chase plays from the backside, and even drop into coverage when asked. During his Alabama career he appeared in over 25 games, recording tackles across multiple defensive roles while showcasing the versatility that made him such a coveted recruit.That versatility is exactly why Ohio State pursued him. Matt Patricia’s defenses have historically valued players who can create uncertainty. Defenders who force offenses to identify where pressure is coming from before the snap, and players who can align in multiple locations without substituting personnel.Russaw checks every box.He can rush standing up. He can play as an outside linebacker. He can attack from wider alignments. He can stunt inside, and he can even drop into coverage occasionally. Few edge defenders on Ohio State’s roster bring that combination of athleticism and flexibility. Russaw’s role may ultimately be larger than his actual snap count.The third down package could be where he becomes dangerousThe biggest reason Buckeye fans should be excited is what Russaw potentially allows Ohio State to do on passing downs. Last season, the Buckeyes were at their best when they could generate pressure without blitzing. Elite defenses rarely want to send extra rushers consistently. They want four-man pressure because it allows seven defenders to remain in coverage.The challenge entering 2026 is replacing some of the pass rush production that departed for the NFL. Kenyatta Jackson Jr. appears poised for a breakout season. Beau Atkinson brings proven ACC production. Zion Grady and Khary Wilder offer significant upside. But Russaw may possess the highest pure athletic ceiling of the entire group.On obvious passing downs, Ohio State could deploy packages featuring Jackson, Atkinson or Grady, Eddrick Houston, and Russaw all on the field simultaneously, and that is where things become really interesting. Because unlike many edge rushers, Russaw’s presence creates uncertainty before the snap. He might rush. He might drop. He might loop inside. He might attack from a wide-nine alignment. Offenses cannot simply identify him and assume where he will be coming from. Those players tend to become coordinators’ favorites.Spring reports repeatedly highlighted Russaw’s ability to generate pressure, and Ryan Day specifically mentioned seeing flashes from the former Alabama defender throughout camp. While spring practice should never be overvalued, it reinforced what evaluators have believed for years, the physical tools are still there. The question has never been talent. The question has been putting it all together.Why his role could grow throughout the seasonPerhaps the most realistic projection for Russaw is not immediate stardom but gradual expansion. Early in the season, he may operate as part of a larger edge rotation alongside Jackson, Atkinson, Grady, and Wilder. Ohio State has consistently preferred rotating defensive linemen to keep players fresh, and there is little reason to expect that philosophy to change.But rotational players often become much more important by November. As the season progresses, defensive coordinators begin trusting players who consistently execute assignments. Snap counts grow. Specialized packages expand, and roles evolve. Russaw feels like the type of player whose responsibilities could increase significantly over the course of the season. His experience matters. His athleticism matters, and his versatility matters.The Ohio State Buckeyes do not play football today.But Qua Russaw will be wearing Scarlet & Gray in 2026! pic.twitter.com/mciqDTfGEX— Does Ohio State Play Football Today? (@DoBucksPlay2Day) January 22, 2026Most importantly, his skill set fills a specific need on this defense. Ohio State already has several players capable of being solid edge defenders and setting a consistent edge in the run game. What it does not have many of, are defenders capable of creating matchup problems simply because offenses are unsure of how they will be deployed, and that is where Russaw becomes different.The ceiling could be much higher than most people realizeWhen people discuss Ohio State’s defense entering 2026, the conversation typically starts with names like Devin Sanchez, Kenyatta Jackson Jr, Jaylen McClain, Eddrick Houston, Terry Moore, or Earl Little. Russaw is rarely mentioned in that first group, but that may not last long.Former five-star recruits who transfer programs often fall into two categories. Some simply need a fresh opportunity. Others eventually, or very quickly, remind everyone why they were five-star recruits in the first place. Ohio State believes Russaw belongs in the second category.The Buckeyes are not asking him to become a 12 sack superstar overnight. They are asking him to become a versatile chess piece capable of affecting games from multiple alignments. If Russaw can do that consistently, his role could become one of the most important on the entire defense.Because championship defenses are not built solely around stars. They are built around players who create problems and wreak havoc. Few players on Ohio State’s roster have a better chance of becoming that type of player than the Alabama native, Qua Russaw.

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow isn’t the cover star of the new Madden. But the upcoming video game is doing something cool for the Bengals anyway. Onlookers noticed something fun in new footage from the latest Madden trailer: It appeared that the Bengals’ Ruler of the Jungle ceremony made it in the final product. Some even wondered if Chad Johnson was the “ruler” in the footage. Chad Johnson himself seemed to confirm:I know that guy. https://t.co/W7jFJPZ1Ok— Chad Johnson (@ochocinco) June 5, 2026It’s a little thing, but nice to see. The Bengals brand is going international as Joe Burrow becomes an ambassador for the NFL, so little touches like this that really show the world what the Bengals are about are solid.This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: Bengals get a special moment in the new Madden

May 23, 2026; Miami, Florida, USA; New York Mets shortstop Bo Bichette (19) speaks to first baseman Mark Vientos (27) after this at bat against the Miami Marlins during the sixth inning at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images Meet the MetsThe Mets fell to the Padres 3-2 at Petco Park. The Mets led in a tight contest for much of the night and Nolan McLean delivered a quality start, issuing just one run over six strong innings of work. But Austin Warren gave up a go-ahead, two-run homer to Freddy Fermin in the seventh and an unfortunate Juan Soto double play line out quashed a potential eighth inning rally for the Mets. Choose your recap: Amazin’ Avenue, MLB.com, Newsday, New York PostIn a big blow to the Mets, Jorge Polanco’s rehab assignment was shut down when he experienced renewed soreness in his ankle. He will receive more imaging and be further evaluated as the Mets determine the best path forward for him. Huascar Brazobán will start for the Mets today as an opener with Sean Manaea pitching behind him in bulk relief. Johan Santana remains the only Mets pitcher to ever throw a complete game no-hitter. Will that ever change?The Mets granted lefty reliever Anderson Severino his release so he could pursue an opportunity in Japan.Kodai Senga will pitch another rehab outing in Double-A to help address his control issues, per Carlos Mendoza. Mark Vientos will have to “compete for at bats,” Carlos Mendoza said in his pregame presser yesterday, citing a “healthy competition” between him, Jared Young, and MJ Melendez. The struggling Vientos started last night against the righty Griffin Canning and went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts, including one at the hands of Padres closer Mason Miller (also right-handed) to end the game with the tying run on base. Young has been an unexpected spark for the Mets, especially given his recent power surge, writes Mike Puma of the New York Post.Around the National League EastDominic Smith continued his remarkable 2026 season with a home run to help lead the Braves to a 6-3 win over the Pirates.Andrew Painter continued to struggle, surrendering six runs in 4.2 innings to doom the Phillies to a 6-3 loss to the White Sox. Zach Pop, who the Phillies designated for assignment on May 30, cleared waivers and elected free agency rather than accept his outright assignment to Triple-A. Home runs from Curtis Mead and Dylan Crews and a solid start from Zack Littell propelled the Nationals to a 6-1 victory over the Diamondbacks.Former Met Tyler Zuber got his first career save as he ended a late threat from the Rays to secure the 4-3 win for the Marlins.Around Major League BaseballAnother injury has struck the Yankees, as Austin Wells has been placed on the injured list due to cervical headaches.Tyler Glasnow has been out for almost a month and will miss even more time after being transferred to the 60-day injured list.The current AL playoff picture means that almost nobody is truly out of it, but the Red Sox have good enough pieces to make selling at the deadline an attractive option, writes Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic.On Friday the Dodgers unveiled a permanent display honoring LGBTQ+ trailblazers and former players Glenn Burke and Billy Bean in a pregame ceremony as part of the team’s Pride Night.This Date in Mets HistoryThe Mets have drafted several notable players on this date in history.

Baltimore Ravens first-round pick offensive lineman Vega Ioane was introduced at the team's Owings Mills, Maryland, facility on April 24, 2026. (Kevin Richardson/Baltimore Sun/Tribune News Service via Getty Images) The Baltimore Ravens will be under new leadership in 2026 after hiring Jesse Minter as just the fourth head coach in franchise history.The club decided to part ways with head coach John Harbaugh after 18 seasons and just three playoff wins since 2024. Minter will not be the only new face in Charm City, of course, as the Ravens added 11 players in the 2026 NFL Draft:Guard Olaivavega Ioane (Round 1)Defensive end Zion Young (Round 2)Wide receiver Ja’Kobi Lane (Round 3)Wide receiver Elijah Sarratt (Round 4)Tight end Matthew Hibner (Round 4)Cornerback Chandler Rivers (Round 5)Tight end Josh Cuevas (Round 5)Running back Adam Randall (Round 5)Punter Ryan Eckley (Round 6)Defensive tackle Rayshaun Benny (Round 7)Guard Evan Beerntsen (Round 7)To get an idea of where the Ravens stand with their rookie class, we turned to Nikhil Mehta at Baltimore Beatdown for a Q&A.Q: Overall, what is the general feeling about the rookie class? Nikhil: When looking at the Ravens’ 2026 draft class, several common themes emerge. They shored up their biggest weakness right away with first-round pick and Penn State guard Vega Ioane. The team continued to prioritize size and physicality with their next three picks – powerful edge rusher Zion Young and big-body wideouts Ja’Kobi Lane and Elijah Sarratt – who will bring complementary skillsets to their new position rooms in Baltimore. “@vegaioane17 feels like a veteran.” Offensive Coordinator Declan Doyle pic.twitter.com/Jb2SxYn0rU— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) June 2, 2026In the fifth round, the Ravens also found potential long-term successors to top veterans in cornerback Chandler Rivers, who offers inside-outside versatility that has been one of Marlon Humphrey’s trademarks in Baltimore, and 6-foot-3 running back Adam Randall, who will hone his craft under the best jumbo-sized ballcarrier in NFL history in Derrick Henry. Replacing key free agency departures was also a focal point on Day 3. The Ravens double-dipped on tight ends Matthew Hibner and Josh Cuevas to replace Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar, and Ryan Eckley will succeed Jordan Stout as the team’s punter. And for extra depth in the trenches, Baltimore spent their late seventh-rounders on offensive lineman Evan Beerntsen and defensive tackle Rayshaun Benny. Overall, this group of players aligns with the Ravens’ new culture and schemes on both sides of the ball. Ioane and Young are expected to make an impact early on, and the team is hoping for the same from their new quartet of pass-catchers. Prioritizing size and athleticism, especially with Lane and Randall, who are both just 21 years old, underscores the long-term developmental potential of this class.Q: Which rookie are you most excited to see in action?Nikhil: The Ravens had a first-round grade on Zion Young (as did Baltimore Beatdown), making him an absolute steal with the No. 45 pick. His ferocious attitude and physical play style are excellent fits for a Baltimore defense looking to get back to its bullying roots. The Missouri edge rusher profiles as an instant-impact run defender with potential as a power rusher, though he will need to refine his craft to consistently generate pressure in the NFL. Young is relentless when pursuing opposing quarterbacks and ballcarriers alike, which should result in some highlight plays as a rookie, and fans won’t need field mics to hear him celebrate with his teammates.Q: Who is one rookie that may surprise people?Nikhil: Ja’Kobi Lane is the Ravens’ higher-drafted receiver, but Elijah Sarratt, who was taken one round later, could have a bigger impact right away. At OTAs, he demonstrated proficiency against zone coverage, consistently finding soft spots, uncovering, and making himself a big target. His skills as a possession receiver at the catch point could also be a factor early on as a chain-mover and red-zone threat. (Lane is no slouch, either. He has used his size to pluck a number of intermediate passes out of the air in spring practices, but his thin frame might be a bigger issue when the pads come on.)Q: Is there one area that you wish the team had focused on more in the draft? Nikhil: This one is easy: center. After losing Tyler Linderbaum (to the Raiders’ ridiculous contract offer) in free agency, the Ravens entered the draft without a clear starter at the position. They had interest in Jake Slaughter and Logan Jones, who were drafted in the second round by the Chargers and the Bears, respectively, but did not have high grades on any other players at the position, certainly not high enough to profile as an instant starter.However, there were several centers available on Day 3 that could have at least competed for the starting gig right away. Even if they did not earn the job, the Ravens still need to plan for their long-term future at the position, but they declined to add a rookie to develop under new offensive line coach Dwayne Ledford.Dabo Swinney called him a steal. EDC called him a jackknife. Get to know Adam Randall.https://t.co/FtfeafPSpe— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) April 26, 2026Q: Who is the one rookie that had you scratching your head when the team selected him?Nikhil: Neither Matthew Hibner nor Adam Randall was on my radar heading into the draft, so they were head-scratchers in the sense of ‘who?’ rather than ‘why?’ Once the first question was answered, though, the second was, too. Hibner primarily operated out of the slot at SMU, but the Ravens have historically been successful in forming pass-catching tight ends into strong inline blockers. A similar trajectory for Hibner will allow offensive coordinator Declan Doyle to remain versatile when using heavy personnel, which is a hallmark of Ben Johnson’s scheme. Randall, who was handpicked by owner Steve Bisciotti on the recommendation of Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney, has rare athleticism in his 6-foot-3, 232-pound frame. He ran a 4.5-second 40-yard dash at the Combine with elite vertical and broad jumps, and his past as a wide receiver gives him immediate third-down potential in the pros.Thanks to Nikhil for taking the time to share his thoughts on Baltimore’s draft class.

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Milwaukee Brewers ace Jacob Misiorowski continues to top himself in his second major-league season.Facing the Colorado Rockies on Saturday, the rocket-throwing right-hander hit 103.7 mph on the radar gun on a third-inning pitch to Kyle Karros. That four-seam fastball was the fastest recorded since Statcast began tracking pitches in 2008. The 103.7 mph heater was one of 45 pitches Misiorowski threw that were clocked at 101 mph or more, setting an MLB record. Altogether, 52 of the right-hander’s 98 pitches were thrown at 100 mph or higher. Misiorowski finished with one unearned run and four hits allowed with eight strikeouts and three walks in the Brewers’ 7-1 win over the Rockies. Misirowski has pitched seven innings in four of his past five starts and has allowed only one earned run over his last seven appearances. That has lowered his ERA for the season thus far to 1.50. (Amazingly, that is second in MLB to Cristopher Sánchez, indicating what a spectacular season the Philadelphia Phillies’ left-hander is having.)Brewers manager Pat Murphy nearly prevented his ace from finishing the seventh. Going through the Rockies’ lineup for a fourth time, Misiorowski walked Karros and gave up a single to Brett Sullivan. That had Murphy ready to make a change, but Misirowski made eye contact with his manager and made it clear that he didn’t want to be pulled from the game. The All-Star pitcher then recovered to strike out Jake McCarthy and Sterlin Thompson with seven combined pitches to get out of the inning. He [was saying], ‘I want this, I want to stay,’” Murphy said, via MLB.com’s Manny Randhawa. “The middle of the order was up, and he wanted to finish what he started.”Misiorowski said after the game that it was also important for him to lessen the burden on a Brewers’ bullpen that has been worked hard and thinned out due to injuries. “I thought it was my job to get it to a point where [two relievers] could throw one inning each and make it through the game without a lot of tax on those arms,” he told MLB.com. “I want to get out of this inning for the boys.”Misiorowski also overcame an upsetting moment in the sixth inning when he hit Tyler Freeman in the head with a 98 mph cutter, following a leadoff single by McCarthy. Freeman left the game, though walked off the field without assistance. But Misiorowski was clearly troubled by what happened.With the win, Milwaukee improved its record to 39-23 and maintained a five-game lead over the St. Louis Cardinals for first place in the NL Central. Misirowski is now 7-2 with 116 strikeouts in 78 innings, a rate of 13.4 strikeouts per nine innings.

Green Bay Notre Dame senior Alex Thomas knows what it’s like to come close to winning a WIAA state tennis title only to fall painfully short.He was two points away from the D2 singles championship as a sophomore. He was two points away from reaching the D1 title match as a junior.Finally, after three years, he also knows what it’s like to win one.Thomas showed why he was the top seed entering the D1 tournament, dominating the bracket and beating Middleton senior Alexander Bo 6-2, 6-4 in the championship match June 6 at Nielsen Tennis Stadium in Madison.He is just the second local boys player to win a D1 singles championship since the tournament was split into two divisions in 1995 and the first since Green Bay Southwest’s Johnny Zakowski in 2019.Thomas is the second Notre Dame boy to win a state title after former standout Michael Koval won a D2 championship in 2007.“I mean, it was everything to me,” Thomas said. “I put all my effort into this, and this was kind of the culmination at the end of the line for me. I’ve been working four years to get this moment, and I worked hard and got to where I am. It’s awesome.”Sure, he felt some pressure. He had a big target on his back as the top seed. That burden felt heavier in his early matches, but by the time he reached the title round, he simply let his ability take over.It didn’t look like Thomas had any nerves, at least while watching him play throughout the three days of the tournament.He didn’t drop a set in five matches, which included beating No. 16 seed Reid Hirn of Badger 6-2, 6-1 in the second round, No. 8 Ethan Hoffmann of Hartford 6-3, 6-1 in the quarterfinals and No. 5 seed Colin Meixl of Kimberly 6-1, 7-5 in the semifinals before his straight-set win over Bo, who was the No. 2 seed.It wasn’t always easy – Meixl put up a good fight in the second set – but Thomas was on another level throughout the run.It was fitting Thomas met Bo in the title match. The two faced each other in the second round at state when both were freshmen in 2023. Bo sent Thomas packing that day by beating him 6-2, 6-0. They have grown up together on the high school stage and have played quite often during the regular season during their careers, including a great match earlier this year when Thomas beat Bo 2-6, 7-6, (10-3) in a super-tiebreaker thriller.It was just like playing an old friend in the biggest match of their prep careers.“Alex just jumped out to a great start, he was solid right from the beginning,” Notre Dame coach Paul Miller said. “I think Bo had a little bit of pressure on him or felt the pressure a little bit in the beginning, and you just can’t at that level with a player of Alex’s caliber. The people who were watching were really treated in the second set to outstanding athleticism.“Pulling off the 6-4 second set was amazing. It was fantastic.”Alex Thomas goes from early exit to state championMiller has watched his pupil grow during his career.If it was difficult for anyone to believe three years ago that Thomas would win a state title by the time he was done, Miller wasn’t one of them.He saw up close the drive Thomas had to be the best. Win or lose, he wouldn’t be outworked. “He made a commitment after his freshman year that he was going to be a state champion,” Miller said. “I remember after he lost to Alexander Bo, ‘I am going to work and I’m going to be a state champion before I’m done.’“His dedication, his work ethic, his discipline, it’s all absolutely second to none at the high school level. The results speak for themselves. I think he could be rest assured, no matter the outcome, that he had put in everything he possibly could in order to be a state champion.”While his two previous state tournaments ended in agony, it also led Thomas to this moment.“That heartbreak that I felt in those matches, I used it to propel me in my practice,” Thomas said. “I used it as motivation to keep pushing forward. That was really helpful.“I don’t know, without those experiences, I might not have been as motivated to win today. That’s why today felt so good.”Thomas has at least one more match left in his prep career, and it again will be against his good friend Bo.Notre Dame and Middleton face each other in a D1 team state quarterfinal June 12 at Nielsen Stadium.Middleton is the No. 2 seed and Notre Dame the No. 7, but the Tritons always have a chance with the best high school player in the state on their side.Thomas will join his new team at Marquette University in August after signing a letter of intent with the NCAA Division I school last fall.“I’m really excited, I’m very grateful for the opportunity to go play DI,” Thomas said. “It was kind of my dream since I was a freshman. I wanted to win state, and I wanted to go play DI tennis.“It’s awesome. I got to do both. I’m very fortunate.”This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Green Bay Notre Dame's Alex Thomas wins WIAA D1 state tennis title

Following the main event announcement for ONE Fight Night 45: Lessei vs. Rabah on Prime Video, the U.S. primetime spectacle has just received another heavy injection of MMA firepower.ONE Championship has officially added two pivotal mixed martial arts clashes to the stacked card, which broadcasts live in U.S. primetime on Friday, July 17, from Bangkok’s iconic Lumpinee Stadium.View this post on InstagramIn the flyweight MMA division, undefeated Uzbekistani phenom Sanzhar “Tornado” Zakirov will lock horns with fellow unbeaten standout Ruslan Satiev.Meanwhile, in a crucial strawweight MMA showdown, South African veteran Bokang “Little Giant” Masunyane will square off against South Korean finisher Lee “The Flash” Seung Cheol.An Undefeated Flyweight CollisionView this post on InstagramThe 23-year-old Zakirov enters this matchup riding a pristine 16-0 professional record, boasting seven impressive victories under the ONE Championship banner.After stringing together three impressive wins at strawweight, the Khaturaev Team representative moved up to flyweight and didn’t miss a single beat. Armed with suffocating grappling and heavily developing knockout power, he tore through a gauntlet of established contenders, including Tatsumitsu “The Sweeper” Wada, Eko Roni Saputra, and the aforementioned Masunyane.Most recently, Zakirov completely neutralized the dangerous striking of Chinese sensation “Wolf Warrior” Hu Yong to secure a unanimous decision win at ONE Fight Night 36 last December. Now, he faces another flawless record in Satiev.View this post on InstagramSatiev arrives with a perfect 6-0 professional slate and five highlight-reel finishes, possessing serious danger both on the feet and on the canvas.Representing KHK Dagestan and Dobrynya, the 27-year-old Russian made his promotional debut at ONE Friday Fights 41 in 2023. Since then, he has stayed extremely busy, racking up two more stoppage victories outside the promotion to earn this main-roster opportunity.A definitive win over Zakirov could instantly catapult Satiev into the World Title conversation, potentially putting him on a collision course with Zakirov’s countryman, reigning ONE Flyweight MMA World Champion Avazbek “Ninzya” Kholmirzaev.A High-Stakes Strawweight ClashView this post on InstagramMoving to the lighter weight class, Masunyane is on a mission to cement his status among the strawweight MMA elite when he meets the incredibly well-rounded Lee.Both athletes enter this contest riding immense momentum.The “Little Giant” emphatically snapped a tough skid earlier this year, earning a commanding unanimous decision victory over Japanese star Ryohei Kurosawa at ONE Fight Night 39 in January. The South African utilized his trademark wrestling prowess across three grueling rounds, reminding the entire division exactly why he is such a respected contender.View this post on InstagramThis time, however, Masunyane’s elite grappling will be pushed to the absolute limit by one of the strawweight division’s most dangerous finishers.Lee brings a spectacular 12-1 professional record to the ring, with 10 of those victories coming by way of finish. The South Korean has been completely unstoppable since his promotional debut at ONE Friday Fights 74 in August 2024.He has rattled off four straight wins, including a breathtaking first-round submission over Cueng Naibaho that earned him a US$100,000 contract and a permanent spot on the main roster.View this post on InstagramMost recently, Lee extended his hot streak with a dominant performance against Fabio “The Giant” Henrique at ONE Fight Night 41 this past March.With both men aggressively chasing a spot at the top of the mountain, the winner of this clash will take a massive step toward future World Title contention in the fiercely competitive strawweight MMA ranks.View this post on InstagramStay tuned to onefc.com for more news and announcements surrounding ONE Fight Night 45 on Prime Video.Source

Mar 4, 2026; Glendale, AZ, USA; Detailed view of the jersey of Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Josue De Paula (95) against Team Mexico during a spring training game at Camelback Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Catching up on some minor league news on a Sunday morning, earlier this week a pair of Dodgers minor leaguers won player of the month awards for May. Josue De Paula took home Texas League honors after the best month of his career, while Class-A third baseman Chase Harlan won California League honors for Ontario.De Paula is the Dodgers’ top prospect, moving up to the fifth-best prospect in baseball this week in the latest Baseball America update to its top-100 rankings.“As one of the youngest players in the Texas League, the lefthanded hitter is showing the same outstanding hittability and plate discipline, but now he’s turning on balls with more authority and showing that his prodigious raw juice will show up in games,” Josh Norris wrote at BA on Wednesday. ”He’s about as complete a hitter as you’ll find in the minor leagues.”The 21-year-old De Paula in May hit .340/.410/.650 with a 173wRC+, 14 doubles, six home runs, 29 runs batted in, and 27 runs scored in 25 games for Double-A Tulsa, and also stole seven bases in eight tries. Twenty extra-base hits were eight more than his previous monthly best (May 2024), and his other previous best months were 28 hits (May 2025), 12 extra-base hits (May 2024), five home runs (May 2024), 20 runs scored (April 2025), and 16 RBI (May 2024).😳@Dodgers No. 1 prospect Josue De Paula sends that ball to a galaxy far far away🔥 pic.twitter.com/GBftUbMqWN— Tulsa Drillers (@TulsaDrillers) May 3, 2026Harlan in May hit .388/.481/.694 with a 185 wRC+ for Ontario, leading the California League in batting average and slugging percentage, with five home runs, seven doubles, two triples, 22 RBI, 16 runs scored, and 16 walks in 22 games.He had a four-hit game on May 16 against San Jose, and homered in four straight games from May 24-28 against Inland Empire and Visalia.The Dodgers’ third-round pick out of high school in 2024, Harlan is hitting .335/.455/.571 with a 157 wRC+ with 21 extra-base hits in 45 games for Ontario, and nearly as many walks (35) as strikeouts (39). He turns 20 on July 9.

The first Test of the summer is complete and England are back to winning ways as they try move on from their Ashes hammering.A rain-affected game on a Lord's pitch that came in for heavy criticism makes it hard to know whether this is a new, refined and more mature Bazball but victory is a timely boost at the start of an important summer for the Stokes-McCullum regime.How did the players do individually? Well, while the bowlers had a fine time, the batters can take a crumb of comfort from the fact that if we were rating the surface, it would have scored even lower than the majority of them...EnglandBen Duckett - 5Made starts in both innings and while he got a good ball in the first innings, will have been frustrated to fall playing a loose shot having reached 33 in the second.Emilio Gay - 7A very encouraging debut. Given a freebie to get of the mark in Test cricket, the left-hander fell to a beauty first time round before showing a good mix of skill and grit to make a game-high 57 and put England in a strong position.Jacob Bethell - 4After a poor dismissal on day one, there was better application from Bethell in the second and there was nothing he could do after a short-ish ball from Matt Henry scooted along the ground to hit his off stump.Joe Root - 3Something of a rarity: two single-figure scores in the same Test for England's premier batter. Got two good balls but then most could say the same in this match.Harry Brook - 7Brook stayed true to Bazball with a counter-attacking half-century to drag England past 100 in the first innings, making the most of his luck after being dropped twice. Jamie Smith - 6Recovered from a poor leave that resulted in his off stump being flattened to help steady things after England had lost 4-1 in the second innings with a fluent, by the standards of the match, knock of 39. Tidy behind the stumps.Ben Stokes - 4A quiet Test for the skipper. It took a blinding catch from Kane Williamson to dismiss him first time around but he played around a straight one in the second innings. Bowled just seven overs in the match but did make a timely breakthrough to end New Zealand's brief resistance on the last day.Gus Atkinson - 8England's Lord's expert. The seamer took a tidy 2-9 in the first innings and followed up with 5-30 in the second - his fourth five-wicket haul in three Tests at the home of cricket. A total of 26 wickets at 9.5 at this ground is quite remarkable.Ollie Robinson - 8A triple-wicket maiden in his first over after more than two years out of the side. Comebacks do not get much better. Robinson could not have asked for a pitch more suited to him and tougher challenges will come, but, with seven wickets in the Test, he couldn't have done much more to show he is ready to lead the England attack.Josh Tongue - 7The third of three frontline seamers this week, perhaps, but another good showing from Tongue. He continues to uproot stumps at an impressive rate and of all the bowlers, his place in the side looks the most secure in the medium-to-long term.Shoaib Bashir - 5Back in the XI but Bashir bowled as many balls in this match as he did in the Ashes - zero. However, he made a Test-best 14 with the bat in a useful last-wicket stand in the first innings.England begin Ashes rebuild with win over NZEngland beat New Zealand by 115 runs in first Test - reactionNew ZealandTom Latham - 3Three runs in the match but it is the manner of his dismissal in the second innings that stands out. The loosest of loose drives to gift England a wicket on a pitch where bowlers really did not need any favours.Devon Conway - 4Umpire's call went against him as Robinson got on a roll first time round but battled hard to make 41 in the second to give the Black Caps a flicker of hope. Two costly drops, one in each innings, knock a mark or two off his score.Kane Williamson - 3A Test great but his record in England is iffy and this game did not help his numbers. A duck in his first dig followed by 18 in the second. Two matches left in what is likely his final Test tour of England so he will hope for better before he's done.Rachin Ravindra - 2A shocker of a Test for the left-hander. A golden duck in the first innings, he dropped two dollies and had his off stump pegged back as he went cheaply second time round.Daryl Mitchell - 4England's kryptonite in previous series, Mitchell gave the hosts a helping hand with a misjudged leave on day one before Robinson got him lbw without scoring between rain delays two days later.Tom Blundell - 3Steady with the gloves but with the bat he scored eight runs across two innings and was twice undone by Tongue, albeit there was little he could do either time.Glenn Phillips - 7Scores of 34 and 44 not out are big numbers in the context of this game. Tried to put the pressure back on England's bowlers, particularly in the chase, but with wickets falling around him, there was far too much to do.Nathan Smith - 8The least heralded of the New Zealand seamers coming into this match, Smith ended it with nine wickets, including 6-70 in England's second innings, as he showed his ability to consistently hit a good area and move the ball both ways.Kyle Jamieson - 8Back in the team after finally putting his injuries troubles behind him, the big seamer was excellent in getting himself on the honours board with a five-for in the first innings and a few lusty blows with the bat got the Kiwis close to parity on first innings.Will O'Rourke - 7A similarly towering stature as Jamieson but around 10mph quicker, O'Rourke is a real handful and will feel he deserved more than his four wickets in the match after a couple of particularly fiery spells.Matt Henry - 5Back spasms limited Henry to only four overs in the first innings and meant he was far from 100% as he valiantly bowled 11 overs in the second. Getting him fully fit for the second Test will be a priority for the Black Caps.Here's to you, Ollie Robinson - England need you more than you will knowVaughan feels sorry for batters on poor Lord's pitchGet cricket news sent straight to your phone

The Agnes Reynolds Jackson Arboretum is shown where multiple people were shot at a community festival Saturday, June 6, 2026, in Toledo, Ohio. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)2026-06-07T12:24:26Z Police were searching for suspects on Sunday after at least a dozen people were shot near a busy street festival in Ohio. Some people at the event in Toledo scrambled for cover while others rushed to help the victims.Toledo Deputy Police Chief Joe Heffernan said it appeared that at least two people fired weapons on Saturday near the Old West End Festival and were “probably shooting at each other.” Hundreds of people were at the festival, an annual two-day celebration in Toledo’s historic district that includes live music, food vendors, home tours and shopping. The remainder of the festival was canceled Sunday. Organizers said “it would not be compassionate, responsible or possible to continue.” “We are heartbroken about those that were injured at the Old West End Festival,” the festival said in a statement.Two of the victims were in critical condition, Heffernan said. The ages of the victims ranged from 14 to 61, with most of them in their early 20s. “I am deeply concerned about the situation in Toledo tonight,” Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said in a statement. “Summer festivals should be safe spaces for families to spend time together without fear of violence.” Officials urged people who were at the festival to come forward with any photos or videos.Multiple videos posted to social media showed people running amid the sound of gunshots and emergency officials tending to others who appeared wounded. Read More Fire Chief Allison Armstrong said it was difficult to get to the hospital due to closed roads and traffic from people leaving the festival, but emergency responders were able to transport all patients from the scene within an hour.Kevin Berry was sitting in the neighborhood arboretum listening to live music with friends when he heard a handful of gunshots ring out.“Everybody hit the deck,” he said.When Berry looked back up, he saw a gun being tossed to the ground less than 50 feet (15 meters) away from him. Officers who were already on site for the festival responded immediately. Berry, who has medical training and served in the Navy, walked around looking for anyone who might need help and saw at least five people with gunshot wounds.“The folks who were hit were spread out around the arboretum area,” he said.George Kral, the city’s safety director, said the Old West End Festival is one of the most iconic festivals in Toledo.“And it’s a shame that something like this had to ruin it,” Kral said. JAIMIE DING Ding covers California breaking news for The Associated Press. She focuses on law enforcement and the courts, and is based in Los Angeles. twitter mailto

MLB insider pours cold water on White Sox trade deadline hype originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.The Chicago White Sox are having a much better season than anyone could've expected. They're very much in the playoff race, and currently reside in one of the Wild Card spots.With the August 3 trade deadline less than two months away, what the White Sox decide to do is a very interesting question. It's reasonable for fans to be hyped about a potential addition or two based on how good the team is right now.However, MLB insider Bob Nightengale of USA Today poured some cold water on fans hoping to see the White Sox acquire talent, as the expectation is that Chicago doesn't actually use its prospects this season to add talent.White Sox trade deadline update reveals expected prospect-holding plan"The Chicago White Sox and St. Louis Cardinals have been two of the biggest surprises in baseball the first half, but please, they're not about to trade prospects at the deadline to go all-in," Nightengale writes.Even though the White Sox are sporting an impressive 34-30 record, there is seemingly no indication that they're going to be spending at this year's deadline to acquire talent.While they might not sell some of their players who could be on the move if the season were a disaster, they are still not likely to act as serious all-in buyers.MORE: Ex-MLB GM projects White Sox to sell at trade deadline despite 2026 successThis isn't too much of a surprise, and it's actually the right decision from the front office. Going all-in this season could hurt the team in the long-run.For as good as this year's White Sox have been, it's hard to imagine them going on a World Series run, considering all of the issues on the roster they have at the moment.They're better off keeping their prospects close to their chest, or if they do make a trade, landing someone who is going to be around for more than just the next year or two.The White Sox are a legitimate postseason contender, but a World Series is still one level above them at the moment. Keeping hold of their prospects would be the right decision.More MLB news:5 reasons to believe in Jordan Walker's breakout for CardinalsTarik Skubal being traded by Tigers would help him in free agencyCubs’ 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

ST. LOUIS – Maybe $15 million doesn’t buy what it used to in free agency.Or maybe it does eventually?The Cincinnati Reds are still waiting to find out. Reds Hunter Greene Elly De La Cruz Hunter Greene, Elly De La Cruz appear ahead of schedule in rehab for RedsAnd early is starting to get late when it comes to the wait for $15 million free agent Eugenio Suárez to pay off for the little-market club with the big-time playoff hopes.“I’ve just got to continue to believe in myself, keep doing what I’ve been doing, what I’ve been doing for a long time,” said Suárez, who was hitting barely .200 with just four home runs for the Reds through 38 games this season after matching his career high with 49 for Arizona and Seattle last season.“I don’t have to change anything,” said the notoriously streaky veteran slugger. “Just go out there and have fun and see what happens.”It has worked for 12-plus seasons and 329 career home runs.But there’s nothing fun for Suárez or the Reds about the way his return engagement with the team and city have gone.And his prolonged slump, which was exacerbated by a monthlong oblique injury, has underscored all that has gone wrong so far for a club that believes it has the talent to end a 31-year drought of playoff success – a club that has struggled so mightily since the end of April that it dropped under .500 for the first time since March when it lost it's series against the Cardinals over the weekend.“The best thing we can do is let him get hot. Because he will,” manager Terry Francona said, evoking the back-of-the-baseball-card theory for a veteran. “And hopefully, he puts us on his back a little bit.”In 25 games before going on the IL, Suárez hit .231 with three homers, 30 strikeouts and a .663 OPS, providing just enough reputation-based presence to help protect Elly De La Cruz and Sal Stewart in the lineup as the Reds won a bunch of close, often low-scoring games to end April in first place.The team tailspin began soon after he suffered the injury, and in 13 games since his return, Suárez is just 7-for-43 (.163) with one home run, 17 Ks and a .539 OPS.Francona suggested that Suárez’s extended run in the World Baseball Classic with champion Venezuela in March might have contributed to his early struggles this season.“He didn’t get very many at-bats (in the tournament),” Francona said. “He did everything he could. When he got back he went down to the minor-league (side for more at-bats). So I’m not being remotely critical. But it was disjointed.“If you look at a lot of the WBC guys, there’s been a lot of injuries, a lot of guys are struggling. Because it’s different,” Francona added. “I know a lot of people poo-poo spring training, but when you do it right, there’s a reason (for having it). And then he got hurt and he missed time again.”That’s where Francona’s trust in the career track record comes into play. And Suárez’s trust in his ability, even with his 35th birthday fast approaching next month.“I just lost my timing when I got (to the regular season),” said Suárez, who disagrees with Francona’s WBC assessment. “The WBC had nothing to do with that. After the WBC everything was good for me.”So what does Suárez point to as the cause for his struggles?“I’m not going to point at anything,” he said. “I’ve just got to continue doing my thing.”If it’s any consolation to the Reds and their fans, Suarez said he thinks one of his patented streaks is coming soon to a ballpark near you:“I feel very close.”This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Eugenio Suárez says WBC hasn't played role in prolonged slump

Shubman Gill is enjoying the finest phase of his Test career since taking over the captaincy of the Indian team. The right-hander has transformed into a run-scoring machine in red-ball cricket, producing one remarkable performance after another while leading from the front.Gill's latest century against Afghanistan further strengthened his incredible record as Test captain. The Indian skipper now has 1,076 runs in just 15 innings as captain, averaging a staggering 82.76, a figure that places him among the greatest leaders in the history of the format.After succeeding Rohit Sharma as India's 37th Test captain, Gill has made a dream start to his leadership tenure. He became only the 11th Indian captain to score 1,000 Test runs, reaching the milestone in just 15 innings, the second-fastest among Indian captains behind Sunil Gavaskar, who achieved the feat in 14 innings. Gill also became the fastest Indian captain by time taken, needing only 351 days to cross the 1,000-run mark.The defining moment of his captaincy so far came during India's demanding five-Test tour of England. Leading the side in his maiden assignment, Gill amassed a phenomenal 754 runs across the series as India fought back to secure a 2-2 draw. He also etched his name into the history books by becoming the first Indian captain to win a Test match at Edgbaston.His prolific run has now elevated him into elite company. Among captains with a minimum of 1,000 Test runs, Gill currently owns the second-highest batting average in Test history, trailing only the legendary Don Bradman.PlayerAverageDon Bradman101.5Shubman Gill82.8Kumar Sangakkara69.6Steven Smith68.1Mahela Jayawardene59.1India vs Afghanistan: First Innings SummaryGill's remarkable form continued in the one-off Test against Afghanistan at New Chandigarh, where he once again led from the front with a captain's knock. India declared their first innings at a commanding 564/8 in 127 overs during the second session of Day 2 after a dominant batting display.Top PerformersShubman Gill (c): 126 (177 balls, 15 fours, 1 six)KL Rahul: 100 (165 balls, 11 fours)Sai Sudharsan: 81 (104 balls, 13 fours)Rishabh Pant: 81 (121 balls, 6 fours, 3 sixes)Washington Sundar: 52 (62 balls, 6 fours)* 131564576

When the Dallas Cowboys decided to trade away Micah Parsons last summer, they didn't admit it publicly, but they were punting on the season for the future. The team waited until August to move the centerpiece of their defensive attack, cutting off new defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus at the knees. In return, they gained two first-round picks from the Green Bay Packers, along with stalwart defensive tackle Kenny Clark. Clark, 30, has likely seen his best days statistically, but he's set to be a central figure in the renewed attack of first-time defensive coordinator Christian Parker. The two crossed paths early in both's careers in Green Bay, and Parker is enthusiastic about getting the chance to work around Clark's skillset as a space-eating pass-rusher.RundownPosition: Defensive TackleAge: 30Height: 6-foot-3Weight: 314 poundsHometown: San Bernadino, CAHigh School: Carter (Rialto, CA)College: UCLA (Film Study Video)Draft: 2016 First-Round PIck (No. 27), Green Bay PackersAcquired: 2025 Trade (Parsons for Clark, 2025 1st, 2026 1st)Contract: Three-year contract (2025) with Packers, $64 million2026 Salary: $21.5 million cash; $8.8M base, $11M restructure bonus + $1.7M other bonuses, $12.7M cap hitCareer Earnings: $104.7 million (per Over The Cap)ProfileClark finished with three sacks last season, and with just four total in his last two 17-game seasons, he may have hit his peak in 2023 with his career high 7.5 QB takedowns. Then again, what can really be gleaned from the way the talent was deployed under the quickly removed Eberflus?Clark had a high missed tackle percentage in 2025, 16.7%, but that should see a huge decrease as he's asked to anchor more in Parker's gap-and-a-half philosophy. Parker's mentioned returning Clark to the NT role in the 30 front, which is where he earned two of his three Pro Bowl nods (2019, 2021) with the Packers. If he does move to nose in this defense, his statistics might not reflect any increased effectiveness. The team will know, even if box-score scouts don't.Acquiring Clark was the beginning of the organization's new commitment to the interior defensive line, as they sent one of the Green Bay picks as part of a package to add Quinnen Williams. The team has signed a mammoth backup NT in Otito Ogbonnia, another big-body in Jonathan Bullard and then drafted LT Overton. Clark and Williams are going to be the engine that drives this vehicle to an improved 2026.Follow Cowboys Wire on Facebook to join in on the conversation with fellow fans!This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Dallas Cowboys player profile: No. 97 DT Kenny Clark

An NFL insider revealed when not to expect a contract extension for Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young.ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, on Saturday's episode of SportsCenter, provided the latest details on the future between the reigning NFC South champions and their starting passer. And according to Fowler, there probably won't be any movement on a long-term pact any time soon."The feeling league-wide is that he will play out his fourth year and not get a new deal this summer, but everybody seems to be okay with that," Fowler reported, per Julia Stumbaugh of Bleacher Report. "The Panthers love Young, but they are in a little bit of a wait-and-see mode with him. They just want to see him put it all together."Young put a little of it together in 2025, where he passed for career-highs in yards (3,011), touchdowns (23), completion percentage (63.6) and passer rating (87.8). The former No. 1 overall pick also helped lead the Panthers to their first NFC South title since 2015.He has not, however, played consistently great football throughout the course of his three-year career—as he's thrown for at least 250 yards in just seven of his 44 starts.Carolina exercised the fifth-year option on Young's rookie deal this past spring, which will take him through the 2027 campaign. But if Young wants to stay around beyond that, and get paid handsomely for it, then he'll have to take another step forward in 2026."He's been erratic at times. He's been really good at times," Fowler also noted. "He's been a closer late in games helping them get to the playoffs. If he can do that again and put together some more consistent passing performances, he's in line for a big-time payday."Follow @ThePanthersWire on Twitter/X for more Panthers content.This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Insider reveals latest on possible extension for Panthers' Bryce Young

Islamic authorities in Indonesia’s Aceh province will hit a 20-year-old man and a 21-year-old man 80 times with a cane for kissing and hugging each other in a public toilet. Witnesses in the Taman Sari city park informed police after seeing the men enter the same restroom in April, leading to the men’s immediate arrest and imprisonment. Judge Rokhmadi M. Hum decided the brutal sentence in a recent closed-door session of the Islamic Shariah District Court, ABC News reported. The judge decided the two college students had “legally and convincingly” violated Islamic law by their actions. Related Four men were caned in Malaysia as part of a crackdown on homosexuality Prosecutors had sought to punish the men with 85 cane strokes each, but Hum reduced the punishment because the accused men were polite in court, cooperated with authorities, had no previous convictions, and had already served four months in prison. The cane used to punish them will be 0.5 inches wide, 3.9 feet long, and soaked overnight in water to prevent breaking or splinters, according to World Corporal Punishment Research. Caning victims are stripped naked, tied to a wooden frame, and bent over at a 90-degree angle with their buttocks exposed to receive each stroke (which occurs every 30 seconds at the caning officer’s maximum strength). The blows often break the skin and damage muscle, causing bleeding and permanent scarring. Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today A medical officer and the superintendent of prisons are required to be present for the caning to ensure that the victim doesn’t pass out and that the punishment is inflicted correctly. Victims have described the pain as worse than excruciating. After the caning, the victim is given antiseptic lotion, painkillers, and antibiotics to heal the wounds. Victims cannot sit or lie on their backs for about a week or more afterwards due to lingering pain. Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have both condemned caning as “cruel,” “inhuman,” and “degrading.” Critics argue that the practice violates international treaties against torture. This caning follows another for similar offenses, carried out in the region last February. Caning is used to punish for a variety of “morality offenses” in Aceh, including gay sex, sex between unmarried people, gambling, alcohol consumption, women who wear tight-fitting clothes, and men who skip Friday prayers. Indonesia allowed the Aceh province to implement Islamic law in 2006 as part of a peace deal to end a separatist war, ABC News reported. In 2015, Aceh expanded the enforcement of its Islamic laws to non-Muslims (an estimated 1% of its population). Human Rights Watch reported that authorities in Aceh publicly flogged two gay men 77 times each in 2021 after a mob raided their apartment in November and caught the men having sex before turning them over to police. While Aceh province’s Shariah Law is extreme in its treatment of LGBTQ+ “offenders,” Indonesia’s laws addressing LGBTQ+ people in general were described as a “human rights disaster” by the Centre for Indonesian Law, Islam and Society in Melbourne. Indonesia’s government crackdown on its LGBTQ+ citizens has been going on for years now. After publicly humiliating 141 men arrested in a gay sauna, the country’s capitol city founded an anti-LGBTQ+ police force, the government proposed a law to ban all LGBTQ TV content, the Air Force called LGBTQ identity “a mental disorder,” the country tried to shut down an international gay sporting event and one region arrested 12 transgender women and shaved their heads to “make them men.” In 2022, two Indonesian soldiers were kicked out of the army and were sentenced to seven months in jail for having gay sex. In 2020, nine men were arrested at a “gay party” in a Jakarta hotel raid and charged under anti-pornography laws, which can carry a 15-year sentence. Economists estimate that Indonesia’s anti-LGBTQ+ policies have cost the country anywhere from $900 million to $12 billion in lost revenue. Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

Gabriel Bonfim has officially arrived as a contender in the UFC’s welterweight division. Using a beautiful jab and a damage-inducing right hand to great effect, the Brazilian fighter outpointed former champion Belal Muhammad in Saturday night’s main event at the Meta Apex. In his first ever five-round fight, Bonfim swept the scorecards, 50-45, 50-45, 50-45. Ever gracious in victory, Bonfim paid his respect to the ex-champion, Muhammad, for blazing a trail at 170 pounds directly afterward.“This a former champion as I said, that trailed a path that few have had, there’s a reason why he’s there,” he said. “I know I didn’t finish, but I would like to say, our game plan worked. I was able to actually neutralize his game, and our game plan, we put it to perfection.”The 28-year-old Bonfim entered the contest on a white-hot four-fight win streak, having come off an impressive finish of Randy Brown last November. Yet Saturday was the true litmus test, as none of Bonfim’s previous opponents held the kind of credentials that Muhammad did.Bonfim, who had a noticeable size advantage over the 37-year-old Muhammad, not only found the range to get off his shots, but he also mastered that range in keeping out of harm’s way from anything Muhammad wanted to do. At one point, midway through the third round, he knocked Muhammad’s mouthpiece out of his mouth with a clean right hand, before letting out a laugh at his own handiwork.For his next act, Bonfim proceeded to lay down the gauntlet for another former champion.“Jack Della Maddalena, stay ready,” he said. “You’re my next opponent. I just got to the top five, and I want to be active. That’s it. You’re next.” Muhammad, who was ranked No. 5 despite having lost back-to-back bouts against Ian Machado Garry and Jack Della Maddalena coming in, never found a rhythm in a fight that took place entirely on the feet. It’s the first time in Muhammad’s 31-fight pro career that he has lost three consecutive fights.Meanwhile Bonfim, who was ranked No. 11, will now make the leap into contention at 170 pounds, a division that has never had a Brazilian champion. In the co-main event, Brendan Allen made it three wins in a row by scoring a unanimous decision victory in his middleweight clash with Edmen Shahbazyan. In what was a closely contested fight that took place primarily on the feet, the 30-year-old Allen showcased his boxing skills in edging out all three rounds on two of the judge’s scorecards.The loss snapped a three-fight win streak for Shahbazyan.Allen, who stopped Reinier de Ridder in his last fight, called for a rematch with Nassourdine Imavov in his post-fight interview. Check out complete UFC Fight Night: Muhammad vs. Bonfim results and highlights below.Main cardWelterweight: Gabriel Bonfim def. Belal Muhammad via unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45)Middleweight: Brendan Allen def. Edmen Shahbazyan via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)Lightweight: Tom Nolan def. Fares Ziam via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)Bantamweight: Bryce Mitchell def. Santiago Luna via submission (arm-triangle choke) at 4:52 of R3) | Watch finishLight Heavyweight: Iwo Baraniewski def. Junior Tafa via TKO (punches) at 1:25 of R1PrelimsCatchweight (130 pounds): Alessandro Costa def. Matt Schnell via TKO (punches) at 2:32 of R2Bantamweight: Marcus McGhee def. John Yannis via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)Flyweight: Edgar Chairez def Bruno Gustavo da Silva via submission (neck crank) at 4:43 of R1Women’s Bantamweight: Chelsea Chandler def. Priscilla Cachoeira via submission (armbar) at 3:42 of R1Featherweight: Joanderson Brito def. Jordan Leavitt via submission (ninja choke) at 4:19 of R1Women’s Flyweight: Jeisla Chaves def. Yuneisy Duben via split decision (29-27, 28-29, 29-28)Women’s Strawweight: Ketlen Souza def Ariane Carnelossi via KO (punches and head kick) at 1:34 of R1

Cardinals expected to trade two pitchers by August 3 deadline originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.The St. Louis Cardinals are 34-28, very much in contention for a postseason spot in the strong National League Central, as they've got a firm hold of a Wild Card spot.But, since this is a bit of a surprise for the Cardinals, the 2026 season is not one where Chaim Bloom is going to go all-in. This was meant to be a rebuilding year. And yet, the Cardinals are actually quite good.So, what will they do at the trade deadline on August 3? USA Today's Bob Nightengale shared that the Cardinals are expected to trade away two pitchers by the deadline later this year, one a reliever and the other a starting pitcher.Cardinals expected to trade two pitchers"The Cardinals, in fact, are expected to trade reliever JoJo Romero and starter Dustin May at the trade deadline, providing they slip further back in the wild-card race," Nightengale writes.While the Cardinals might not be trading either May or Romero right this second, if they slip a bit in the Wild Card hunt, then both might be on the move.Both pitchers are going to be free agents after the 2026 season, and if the Cardinals do fall a bit in the postseason hunt, then it only makes sense to trade both pitchers.MORE: 5 reasons to believe in Jordan Walker's breakout for CardinalsMay has a 4.59 ERA this season, and took a no-hitter into the seventh-inning against the Milwaukee Brewers earlier this season.He might not be as great a starter as some others available for trade, like Tarik Skubal or Freddy Peralta, but he'd still garner some interest.Romero is a reliever, and a lefty too. Such pitchers always draw interest at the deadline. He has a 3.54 ERA this season, and would surely have plenty of suitors willing to swing a deal.Both May and Romero are expected to be traded, assuming the Cardinals slip a bit in the postseason hunt. Shipping both out would make sense, and is something worth keeping tabs on as the August 3 deadline nears.More MLB news:Ex-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 GMYankees’ Ryan McMahon problem has a $25 million release solution Phillies extending Cristopher Sanchez to his $107 million deal was genius

After England’s winter of discontent, under gloomy London skies, this was about as glorious a start to the Test match summer as Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes could have dreamt up. Their recall of Ollie Robinson paid off spectacularly. The decision to blood Emilio Gay brought a decisive half-century on a pitch where 50 runs were worth 100. Ultimately, an Ashes defeat can only be absolved by an Ashes victory. But this 115-run win over a capable New Zealand side went some way to soothing those sores.The deed was done shortly before lunch on day four. Josh Tongue has tended to be their man for the job of mopping up the tail, but Gus Atkinson took charge here, taking three wickets in four overs to complete his five-wicket haul. His name will be etched on the honours’ board for the fourth time here at Lord’s, where his 26 wickets have come at a miserly average of 9.5 runs. Don’t quote me on this, but “Gus Atkinson at Lord’s” is probably the best bowler in the world.The final ball neatly summed up the match, as Atkinson sent a delivery spearing towards fourth stump only for it to jag off the pitch, stay low and clatter middle with a satisfying clunk. It was a brilliant bit of skill aided by a disastrous pitch which will inevitably be dissected as much as England’s performance over the coming days.England will point out that the challenge was the same for both teams. They were more ruthless and relentless with the ball, and – perhaps surprisingly given their Ashes display – were intelligent in how they applied themselves with the bat, particularly in the second innings. It helped that New Zealand fielded with uncharacteristic generosity.McCullum will savour a much-needed victory against his homeland. Robinson, Atkinson and Tongue were all excellent and complemented one another beautifully. Most of the batting unit made useful contributions. Perhaps the strangest part of this Test match for England was that their captain, Stokes, was barely involved.Relegated beneath Jamie Smith to No 7, Stokes offered little resistance with the bat, and while some of his teammates could point to unplayable deliveries as an excuse for their dismissals, those which removed Stokes appeared eminently playable. He picked up one wicket with the ball, removing Devon Conway after an excellent low catch by Jacob Bethell here on day four, but he was barely required in such a short game, on a pitch which lacked any bounce for him to exploit.The captain praised his fellow bowlers who did most of the heavy lifting. “It was a challenging wicket for batters but sometimes for bowling, because you’re massively in the game and we knew what we needed to do with our plans to the New Zealand batters this week,” he said. “We executed them probably as well as I’ve seen an England bowling group do that since I’ve been captain.”Stokes may be more influential in the remaining two Tests at Trent Bridge and The Oval, and the task for England now is to close out the series. One criticism of this modern England side is that some series-winning platforms have been squandered for draws, and that cannot be allowed to happen this summer. There was no great sense of a new post-Ashes era beginning here at Lord’s. Once everyone decided they should keep their jobs after the winter debacle, the decision was effectively made that this would be a moment for evolution, not revolution. England invested in a highly distinctive approach when they first appointed McCullum, and they will live by that approach so long as he is the head coach. The fact he has since expanded his role to the white-ball sides underlines England’s all-in commitment, and no one should expect him to abandon the principles that make him who he is and which brought about some success, initially at least. Yet there was widespread expectation of a tweaking of the dials from brainless bludgeoning during the Ashes to batting that fits the moment, that suits the conditions and scenario and sway of the game. There is a perceptiveness that comes with great batting that England have been guilty of abandoning, but over the past few days there have been signs of an adjustment of sorts. The combination of gloomy conditions and a wretched pitch – which served several impossible grubbers per session – demanded a wariness and steely concentration which England generally applied, particularly on day two when their second innings tally of 226 effectively won the game. Ben Duckett’s measured 33 from 46 balls complemented Gay’s calm half-century. Robinson sensed the moment to change the tempo as wickets fell, and his late 29 sucked the remaining life out of New Zealand. After rain scuppered most of day three’s play, and an absurdly timed lunch break meant the teams were eating rather than playing during the sunniest part of the day, England jogged out to a nearly full Lord’s on day four needing five more wickets to clinch the game, while New Zealand chased 199 runs, a lofty fourth-innings tally on any pitch but a near impossible target on this one. It has received much scrutiny and some stinging criticism from various former England captains on the airwaves. Michael Vaughan may be contracted to find three things per week “unacceptable”, but he was right about a surface that has not been fit for Test cricket.Sure enough, a low trajectory off the surface helped Tongue trap Tom Blundell LBW to get England on their way. Conway and Glenn Phillips fought gamely, but when Bethell dived low at gully to grab a Stokes delivery that raced off the leading edge, the game was up. “The beauty of Test cricket is that you have contrasting conditions and challenges and you have to find ways to adapt and be successful on them,” McCullum said. “The good thing from our point of view is that when you’re involved in a low-scoring shootout, your execution has to be bang on. Our execution with the ball was outstanding, our plans were great. With the bat, I thought we were brave at times and calculated at other times.”Atkinson finished off New Zealand to cap a healthy victory that will restore some confidence in what England are building. Two Tests to go. Now they must finish the job.

Queen’s Club, LONDON — Nearly four years after playing what appeared to be the final match of her career, Serena Williams is back on a professional tennis court.Williams, 44, stepped onto the grass at Queen’s in west London last week and over the weekend, before a wild card appearance in the women’s doubles alongside 19-year-old Canadian Victoria Mboko.Her return follows months of waiting, after she re-entered tennis’ anti-doping testing program late last year and became eligible to compete in February.The attention surrounding Williams’ return at the prestigious tournament was evident long before she stepped onto the match court. During practice sessions at Queen’s, spectators packed the viewing areas several rows deep, lining the railings and spilling down the walkways to watch Williams and Mboko train, with phones raised throughout.After Williams’ first appearance on the practice courts Thursday, the 23-time singles Grand Slam champion’s next run-out arrived Sunday.Williams and Mboko were scheduled to practice on Court 7 Saturday morning, but a day of rain, which eventually saw all qualifying matches abandoned, prevented that. Williams instead practiced off-site, and posted a clip on TikTok from a nearby indoor court at a separate club. “When it rains, we adjust,” she wrote.With Sunday’s practice set for 10 a.m. on Court 7, the closest court to the private members’ clubhouse, Williams emerged with a quick change into white tennis shoes with a black Nike tick, along with some custom ankle straps and the black face patches she wears to relieve sinus pressure. She started the one-and-a-half-hour slot by hitting some rallies with Mboko from behind the baseline, under the guidance of Australian coach Rennae Stubbs.Media cameras pointed down from the hospitality balcony on Williams like a spotlight, following her every move of the session. It ended in a 30-minute practice set with Mboko, against two male training partners.When Williams began to practice those familiar serves, there was an audible gasp of excitement from fans who missed her and some who had never seen her play at all. A young girl shouted, “Serena, Serena,” which slightly, and quite sweetly, broke her concentration.When Williams and Mboko practiced on the same side of the net at the end of their slot, there were a couple of moments when Stubbs told Mboko where best to position herself during Williams’ serve. The pair high-fived, whispered and giggled to one another whether a point was won or lost. At the end of the session, they held their hands together to measure them, before studying each other’s rackets.Williams then changed out of her shoes, untied the straps from her ankles, picked up her bag and followed Mboko off court. With their respective entourages in tow, they left through a security-patrolled door beneath the Sir Andy Murray Arena. Giant lettering above them read, “Grass court season.”That is back this week, and so is Williams.When one of the GOATs of tennis first left the sport in 2022, she famously described the decision as “evolving away” rather than retiring, leaving open the possibility of a return. Few expected it to come nearly four years later.Her comeback will begin at a tournament that is still finding its place in the modern women’s game. Elite women’s tennis returned to Queen’s Club in 2025 for the first time since 1973, ending a 52-year absence and restoring a historic stop on the grass-court calendar just three weeks before Wimbledon.The choice of venue is a fitting one, as grass provided some of the defining moments of Williams’ career, including seven Wimbledon singles titles, and Queen’s has long been one of the most significant tournaments in the build-up to the third Grand Slam of the year.For Mboko, one of the fastest-rising young players on the WTA Tour, the opportunity arrived unexpectedly. In her pre-tournament news conference, the Canadian said that Williams contacted her while she was competing at the Strasbourg International, a clay event before the French Open, to ask whether she wanted to play doubles at Queen’s.The partnership brings together two players at vastly different stages of their careers. Williams’ place in tennis history is secure, while Mboko is starting her journey at the highest level.“Growing up, Serena has always been my idol in a way,” the 19-year-old said. “I just remember watching her on TV and her matches so many times.”“When the news came out a lot of people were asking me about it and stuff like that,” she said. “But I’m just playing doubles. I still want to be competitive and want to do very well.”Williams and Mboko will start their Queen’s campaign against the third-seeded pairing of New Zealand’s Erin Routliffe and American Nicole Melichar-Martinez in the middle of next week, providing an immediate test for the new partnership. Routliffe was world No. 1 in doubles two years ago, and has established herself as one of the leading doubles players during Williams’ absence.Mboko provided the most revealing assessment of Williams’ level. After practicing alongside the American this week, Mboko suggested the years away from competition had done little to diminish the qualities that made Williams one of the greatest players of her generation. The question is whether she can produce them under match pressure, over and over.“She has such clean ball striking,” Mboko said. “She could take years off and when she steps on the court, she could probably find that rhythm again in no time.”Mboko added that Williams was “hitting pretty big” and looked “really fit” during practice sessions.What kind of comeback Queen’s will prompt remains unclear. Williams has taken a doubles wild card into the Berlin Open, before a possible appearance at Wimbledon, where she won six women’s doubles titles.What is already clear is the level of interest surrounding her comeback, which will only grow as it develops.This article originally appeared in The Athletic.Sports Business, Culture, Olympics, Tennis, Women's Tennis2026 The Athletic Media Company

TIJUANA, México (AP) — Iran’s soccer team arrived in Mexico on Sunday morning for training ahead of the World Cup, before three group matches in the United States later this month.Ehsan Hajsafi was the first player to exit the plane with the markings www.usc.aero, which arrived at about 5:05 a.m. He led the team through a brief security check with Mexican officials and dogs before boarding a bus.The bus stopped briefly at the entrance to the Tijuana airport, where around 20 or so Iran fans waved flags.The team’s participation in the World Cup has been complicated by the Iran war. Problems with processing visas had earlier led Iran to move its training base from Tucson, Arizona, to Tijuana, Mexico, which is on the border with California.The team has been training in the Turkish city of Antalya.___AP World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup

TimesofIndia.com in Mullanpur: Three years ago, when Rana Naved-ul-Hasan arrived at Afghanistan's high-performance centre in Kabul as bowling coach, one young fast bowler immediately grabbed his attention. Mohammad Saleem Safi, a lanky pacer from Baghlan province, was bowling with genuine pace and troubling some of Afghanistan's accomplished batters in the nets."He was touching 145 kph. It excited me. I was in awe because you don't often find genuine fast bowlers in Afghanistan. Yes, there have been several medium pacers, but an out-and-out quick is a rarity. Last evening my daughter got married, so I was not able to watch the match, but I followed the live commentary and felt he bowled well. Today, he has been exceptional. He bowled hard lengths and it was good to see him operating in the high 130s," Rana Naved-ul-Hasan tells TimesofIndia.com from Sheikhupura in Pakistan."Saleem saab ki engine garm hone mein thoda waqt lag gaya (It took a while for Saleem to get into the groove)," laughs Naved-ul-Hasan.The former Pakistan bowler is right in his assessment of the 23-year-old Afghanistan pacer. He bowled well on Day 1, but only in patches. He was wayward and failed to sustain pressure over an entire over after bowling a couple of good deliveries. But whenever he hit the right areas, he troubled the batters.Before this one-off Test against India, Safi had failed to take a single wicket in his previous four international appearances. He had played one Test, two ODIs and one T20I, but ended up bagging six against India.On the opening day, he claimed the prized wickets of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sai Sudharsan. With the new ball, he bowled probing lengths and kept the Indian batters on their toes. Jaiswal was strangled down the leg side, while Sudharsan chased a 142 kph delivery on the fifth-stump line, edged it behind, and broke the 139-run stand for the second wicket.On the second day, with the second new ball, Mohammad Saleem Safi made the ball talk at pace. He dismissed centurion Shubman Gill. The Indian captain, who had played a chanceless knock on the first day, looked a tad rusty. In the over before he got out, Gill had drilled Saleem for a couple of delectable boundaries. But the bowler had the last laugh. He hit the deck hard and extracted bounce, inducing a thick outside edge that Afsar Zazai safely caught behind the stumps.Then he forced an error in judgment from Dhruv Jurel. The Indian batter thought the ball was outside the line of the stumps and would bounce over. But to Jurel's horror, it nipped back just enough to crash into the top of off stump.Safi had been relentless all morning and was finally rewarded with wickets. Then came the biggest moment of his cricketing career when he found the outside edge of debutant Manav Suthar to complete his maiden five-wicket haul. He was pumped. He did a small lap with his hands raised, touched his forehead to the ground in celebration, and was then mobbed by teammates. He added another wicket to his column by cleaning up Mohammed Siraj and finished with career-best figures of 6 for 140."Last year he got injured. He is coming back after a long injury lay-off. He looked in good rhythm. The inexperience was quite visible, but the more he plays, the better he will become," said a proud Naved-ul-Hasan.Naved-ul-Hasan says there is a tectonic shift towards fast bowling in Afghanistan and credits the robust domestic structure and ever-improving infrastructure."The world has only seen mystery spinners coming out of Afghanistan, but now there is a massive shift. An annual fast-bowling talent hunt is being organised, and at the U-19 and A-team levels, there are many players in the pipeline," he said.Between February and November, Afghanistan hosts seven domestic tournaments spanning all three formats, with Rana Naved-ul-Hasan actively participating in talent identification for the development programme. Responsibility then falls on the national high-performance centre to scout standout players from the domestic circuit, creating a structured pathway to prepare them for national-team selection."They have four teams in first-class cricket. Then there is Division Two, where teams play three-day cricket. They are very good in white-ball cricket, but in the longer format they are still learning. However, they are on the right path," said Naved, who enjoyed a prominent career for Pakistan between 2003 and 2010, particularly in ODIs."Take the example of Saleem. He has this hunger. I have travelled across Afghanistan and the fire in the belly among these kids is unmatched," he said.Naved-ul-Hasan and former Pakistan opener Imran Farhat's job at the performance centre is to build separate teams for all three formats."The culture of T20 cricket is stronger. Obviously, it is the format that has given them stars. But the main goal is to prepare quality fast bowlers for Test cricket. I have selected eight to ten fast bowlers. Saleem and Ziaur Rahman Sharifi are playing in this Test. The target is to create a pool of fast bowlers who can serve Afghanistan across all three formats," he said.But there are challenges for the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) as well. Many promising cricketers have left the game because of financial difficulties.In an interview with the ACB in 2020, Mohammad Saleem Safi admitted that financial issues had once pushed him away from cricket."I started playing cricket about a year ago (2019), but due to severe economic and financial difficulties, I am struggling to move forward. However, I am still putting a lot of effort into my cricket. Cricket is very special to me," he had said.All these years later, Saleem Safi's hard work has paid off. Afghanistan's open-chested predator was the destroyer-in-chief on a flat Mullanpur wicket under the harsh sun. His effort has also put a smile on Rana Naved-ul-Hasan's face, giving him another reason to celebrate the work being done in Kabul."It was so satisfying. An Afghanistan pacer clocking 140 kph and taking six wickets against India. A perfect day for me," he said. 131564562