THE INDIANA SRN “SPORTSPAGE” THURSDAY JUNE 26, 2025

“THE SCOREBOARD”

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WNBA SCOREBOARD

NEW YORK 81 GOLDEN STATE 78

LAS VEGAS 85 CONNECTICUT 59

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MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL SCOREBOARD

CHICAGO WHITE SOX 7 ARIZONA 3

MILWAUKEE 4 PITTSBURGH 2

LA ANGELS 5 BOSTON 2

SAN DIEGO 1 WASHINGTON 0

TEXAS 7 BALTIMORE 0

LAS VEGAS 3 DETROIT 0

CLEVELAND 5 TORONTO 4 (10)

NY YANKEES 7 CINCINNATI 1

NY METS 7 ATLANTA 3

TAMPA BAY 3 KANSAS CITY 0

MINNESOTA 2 SEATTLE 0

CHICAGO CUBS 8 ST. LOUIS 0

HOUSTON 2 PHILADELPHIA 0

LA DODGERS 8 COLORADO 1

MIAMI 8 SAN FRANCISCO 5 (10)

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MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL

OMAHA 7 INDIANAPOLIS 5

SOUTH BEND 4 CEDAR RAPIDS 1

GREAT LAKES 11 FT. WAYNE 0

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MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER SCOREBOARD

TORONTO 1 NEW YORK RED BULLS 1

NASHVILLE 3 NEW ENGLAND 2

CINCINNATI 3 MONTRÉAL 1

COLUMBUS 3 ATLANTA 1

ORLANDO CITY 4 ST. LOUIS 2

MINNESOTA 3 HOUSTON 1

KANSAS CITY 2 CHARLOTTE 1

PHILADELPHIA 1 CHICAGO 0

SAN JOSE 4 DALLAS 2

SAN DIEGO 5 VANCOUVER 3

COLORADO 2 LOS ANGELES 0

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TOP NATIONAL HEADLINES

NBA NEWS

2025 NBA DRAFT

Mavericks reset franchise with Cooper Flagg

F, Duke – 1st overall

The Mavericks may have been crazy enough to trade Luka Doncic, but not even Nico Harrison would pass on taking Flagg at No. 1. The Duke superstar lived up to the hype and then some in his lone collegiate season, claiming both the Naismith and Wooden Awards for national player of the year. If you’re looking for a weakness in his game, get comfortable, because it’ll take you a while. Flagg has excellent size at 6-foot-8 and possesses top-line basketball IQ to match his freakish athleticism. He does just about everything on the basketball court at an above-average to elite level … and he turned 18 in December. Flagg won’t immediately make Mavericks fans say “Luka who?”, but he projects as the type of franchise player who can single-handedly raise the quality of a roster to championship caliber.

Spurs add explosive scoring with Dylan Harper

G, Rutgers – 2nd overall

Harper, the clear second-best player in the draft, was a no-brainer selection for the Spurs. He’s a lethal scorer who can operate as a lead guard, explode to the rim, and drill tough shots. While Rutgers didn’t have the season it hoped, Harper did his part, averaging 19.4 points per game. He must develop a more consistent 3-point shot, but his 33% mark from long range can be attributed to playing hero for a team that needed one. He’s a seamless fit alongside Wembanyama and Stephon Castle, the last two Rookie of the Year winners. Harper should immediately help San Antonio make its first postseason since 2019.

76ers get electric VJ Edgecombe

G, Baylor – 3rd overall

We don’t know if Edgecombe makes the 76ers significantly better, but he definitely makes them more explosive. The skywalking Baylor freshman was a highlight reel waiting to happen in his lone college season and instantly becomes one of the more athletic players in the NBA. However, the knock on Edgecombe is that he’s well-aware of that advantage and his skill development has suffered as a result. His improved 3-point shooting numbers down the stretch in college provide some hope on that front, and he projects to be a terror on defense with his quickness and leaping ability. If Edgecombe adds more polish to his offensive game, the 76ers might have selected the best player in this draft. If he doesn’t, at least we’ll get some “SportsCenter” highlights.

Hornets take chance on Kon Knueppel

G, Duke – 4th overall

The second Duke freshman is off the board. Knueppel showed flashes as a playmaker when Cooper Flagg sat out multiple games in the ACC Tournament, but he flew up draft boards because of his sharpshooting. Knueppel averaged 14.4 points while hitting 40% from three. The Hornets have plenty of young talent capable of creating shots for Knueppel, who will be relegated to a spot-up role alongside LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, and Miles Bridges. The Hornets haven’t built a winning culture, but they’re getting a winning player in Knueppel.

Jazz grab sliding Ace Bailey

Wing, Rutgers – 5th overall

Perhaps the most talked-about prospect in the buildup to the draft goes to Utah at No. 5. The Rutgers standout failed to meet any teams for predraft workouts – a decision suggesting he had a guarantee from a team at a certain number. It’s unclear if that was the Jazz, but his elite scoring talent is exactly what they need to get back into playoff contention. Bailey has elite size for the wing position with a 7-foot wingspan and made 35% of his triples at the college level. He does most of his work from the mid-range but needs to work on getting to the hoop to make things easier for himself at the next level.

Wizards snag Tre Johnson

G, Texas – 6th overall

The Wizards might have stolen the best pure scorer in the class. Johnson averaged nearly 20 points per game with 39% shooting from three in his lone season at Texas. His combination of strength and speed will make it tough for defenders to stay in front of him. While he must improve his finishing around the rim, his shotmaking ability is exactly what Washington needed. Johnson will have plenty of time to develop in a patient organization committed to rebuilding.

Pelicans gamble on Jeremiah Fears

PG, Oklahoma – 7th overall

The glass-half-full assessment of the Oklahoma star is that he’s one of the best driving guards we’ve seen in recent memory, constantly getting to the hoop in the loaded SEC despite being the focus of every opponent’s defense. The glass-half-empty read on Fears is that he’s currently a liability shooting the basketball – which is tough to overcome when you’re 6-foot-2. Fears was essentially the Sooners’ entire offense, boasting one of the highest usage rates in the nation. That’s daunting for any player, let alone an 18-year-old freshman. Fears gets to the hoop with ease and excels at finding the open man. However, he often struggles to downshift to something less than full-out speed and finish in traffic. That ability – along with improved shooting – will be the deciding factor as to whether this was a boom or bust pick for the Pelicans.

Nets reach for Egor Demin

G, BYU – 8th overall

Our first shocker of the night comes from the Nets. Demin is one of the most polarizing prospects in the draft. He’s a 6-foot-8 guard who’s unquestionably the best passer in the class. Demin has incredible processing ability coming off ball screens and finishes well around the rim. His biggest red flag is his shooting; he connected on just 27% of his threes during his lone season at BYU. He never lost confidence in his three and reportedly shot well during the predraft process. However, his foul shooting was also discouraging – he made 69% of his attempts from the charity stripe. If he ever develops a shot, his upside is tremendous. Brooklyn, which has a total of five first-round picks, had little to lose by reaching for Demin.

Raptors get rugged defender in Collin Murray-Boyles

F, South Carolina – 9th overall

There’s no question that Murray-Boyles has the defensive prowess to be a very strong NBA player. Whether he can do enough to be a threat on the offensive end will set his ceiling as a pro. Murray-Boyles – the first South Carolina player ever selected in the lottery – did most of his work on offense in the low post thanks to his sturdy 239-pound frame. However, at just 6-foot-7, it’s fair to question whether his offensive game will translate to the professional level. He’s garnered plenty of Draymond Green comparisons given how the future Warriors star looked coming out of Michigan State. Green was able to adapt offensively while immediately thriving on defense in the NBA. Raptors fans will likely lean on that potential to justify taking him here.

Suns draft Khaman Maluach

C, Duke – 10th overall

The Suns acquired this pick from the Rockets when they traded Durant days ago. Maluach addresses a position of need for the Suns, who desperately needed a center. After selecting him, they traded for Mark Williams. Size is no longer a concern in Phoenix. Maluach, for his part, is a traditional rim-running and rim-protecting big man – a ferocious finisher and a menace on the offensive glass. Maluach started playing basketball in 2019 and now becomes the third Duke freshman selected in the 2025 draft’s top 10. If Maluach develops ball skills, he can emerge as a multidimensional big.

Grizzlies deal for Cedric Coward

G, Washington State – 11th overall

Don’t be alarmed if you’re unfamiliar with Coward; most people were until about three weeks ago. Coward started his collegiate career in Division III before eventually transferring to Eastern Washington. He played just six games with Washington State, a major program, before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury. Coward looked set to stay in college and head to Duke for his final season before generating draft buzz and opting to turn pro. He possesses elite wing size for the NBA with a 7-foot-2 wingspan on his 6-foot-6 frame and can heat up from deep, having shot 40% from beyond the arc. Will Coward shine at the next level or did he simply feast on lesser competition in college?

Bulls take swing on Noa Essengue

Wing, France – 12th overall

The Bulls take a chance on a young Frenchman who left his international squad in the middle of its championship series to attend the draft. Essengue’s profile rose thanks to his impressive production in the German league. He’s an athletic, long wing who excels in transition, but he must improve as a shooter and develop a better handle. Chicago is in the midst of a rebuild, so he’ll have some time.

Pelicans make bold move for Derik Queen

PF, Maryland – 13th overall

Queen was one of the more enjoyable players to watch this past college season, with a polished throwback game that left you in awe of his brilliant touch for a low-post player. Queen does most of his work in the paint, but he reads the game as an elite passer from the forward position, which frequently allowed Maryland to run the offense through him. His buzzer-beater versus Colorado State in the NCAA Tournament illustrated his deft touch – he somehow made a highly contested fadeaway with his right hand while going hard to his left. The argument against Queen is that his lack of explosive athleticism will make scoring difficult at the next level. However, his touch and high-level basketball IQ should be enough to overcome that issue. That’s obviously what the Pelicans are thinking by moving up to nab him at No. 13.

Spurs continue to build with Carter Bryant

Wing, Arizona – 14th overall

The Spurs reinforce their young core with a prototypical 3-and-D wing. Bryant will immediately help the Spurs’ sixth-worst defense, especially with Victor Wembanyama protecting the rim. Bryant is an exceptional athlete who doesn’t need the ball to flourish offensively, making him the perfect complement to a team with ball-dominant guards. The Arizona freshman shot 37% from three last season. He’ll impact the game on both ends without demanding too many touches. San Antonio looks set to surge up the Western Conference standings soon.

Thunder snap up another defensive ace in Thomas Sorber

C, Georgetown – 15th overall

The rich get richer as the newly minted NBA champs add Sorber to the league’s top defensive unit. The Georgetown big man may be a bit undersized at the five, but he’s a tremendous rim-protector, and he proved capable of defending in space on the perimeter. Sorber averaged two blocks and 1.5 steals during his lone collegiate campaign. He finished seventh in the Big East in blocks (49) despite having his freshman year cut short by a foot injury. Sorber has also shown flashes of playmaking and could be used in a similar role to Isaiah Hartenstein if his passing continues to develop. The Thunder could decline Hartenstein’s $28.5-million team option for 2026-27 and transition to Sorber as their starting center since Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren will need long-term deals.

Trail Blazers shock with Yang Hansen

C, China – 16th overall

Drafting Yang with the 16th pick is a wild reach considering most mocks projected he’d go in the second round. Yang is listed at 7-foot-1. The Chinese big is an effective rebounder and rim-protector, but his slow feet and questionable ball skills make this a head-scratcher. The Blazers traded back from the 11th pick and clearly identified Yang as their guy. Hopefully, their tunnel vision didn’t hurt their ability to land a more surefire prospect.

Timberwolves go for upside with Joan Beringer

C, France – 17th overall

Want to feel old? Beringer was born six months before the first iPhone was released in June 2007. The 6-foot-11 French big only started playing high-level basketball three years ago. He’s as raw a prospect as we’ve seen in recent memory and is likely years away from being a key contributor. However, athletic bigs with 7-foot-4 wingspans aren’t readily available at your local gym, and he’s already an elite shot-blocker that disrupts anybody who comes to the hoop. Add in Rudy Gobert as a potential mentor and Beringer was worth the swing for the Timberwolves.

Jazz snatch national champion Walter Clayton Jr.

G, Florida – 18th overall

Clayton stole America’s hearts with his incredibly difficult clutch shotmaking throughout the NCAA Tournament. He led Florida to a national championship, but we’ve seen impressive March runs fail to translate at the next level. He’s an older prospect at 22 after spending two years at Iona with Rick Pitino and two years in Gainesville. Clayton’s size, playmaking, and defense are concerns in the NBA, but his shooting prowess is undeniable. He averaged 18.3 points on 38% shooting from three in his last season at Florida. He joins Ace Bailey as the Jazz’s two 2025 first-round selections.

Nets double down on Euro backcourt with Nolan Traore

G, France – 19th overall

Brooklyn added another European guard to its backcourt, taking Traore with the No. 19 overall pick. The speedy guard spent the past two seasons with Saint-Quentin in France’s top domestic league, averaging 5.2 assists over 37 appearances. He finished fifth in total assists (153) last season. The Frenchman was also one of the top performers in last year’s Nike Hoop Summit game, tallying 18 points and four assists in a showcase event that also featured Cooper Flagg and top-ranked 2025 recruit AJ Dybantsa. With Egor Demin (No. 8) and Traore aboard, the Nets have beefed up their playmaking and added a pair of potential long-term answers at the point.

Heat capitalize on Kasparas Jakucionis’ slide

G, Illinois – 20th overall

The Heat are constantly praised for their scouting and development, and they just landed one of the steals of the draft. Jakucionis was projected to be a lottery pick, but concerns about his athleticism, turnovers, and shooting led to a slide. He’s an excellent operator out of the pick-and-roll and a daring passer, although that can sometimes get him in turnover trouble. He also has a unique ability to control the pace with his acceleration and deceleration, which should translate to the NBA. However, Jakucionis struggles to beat his defender without a ball screen. While his shooting stats are questionable, a forearm injury in the second half of his freshman season at Illinois caused his numbers to dip. The talent is obvious, and the Heat are the perfect organization to help him work on his weaknesses.

Wizards go for shooting with Will Riley

Wing, Illinois – 21st overall

Riley’s film is impressive, but it also leaves one very skeptical his frame can last in the NBA. The Illinois wing stands 6-foot-8 and can easily shoot over anybody in his path, making him a great contested shotmaker in this class. He also moves very well without the ball and has shown an ability to get to the hoop despite lacking an explosive first step. A crucial bulking offseason awaits the Canadian, who barely tipped the scales at 185 lbs this past season. If he can add weight without sacrificing his fluid movement, the Wizards got a legit scoring threat at the professional level.

Nets bolster defense with Drake Powell

Wing, North Carolina – 22nd overall

The Nets nabbed one of the best defenders in the draft with their third of five first-round picks. Powell’s an athletic specimen with a 7-foot wingspan who can switch onto multiple positions. He can’t immediately contribute on offense for a winning team, but the Nets won’t be one of those for a few years. Powell has solid cutting instincts and can play without the ball. Plus, he shot nearly 38% from three. This is a low-risk pick with potentially high reward.

Hawks crash glass with Asa Newell pick

F, Georgia – 23rd overall pick

Newell might be the most energetic player in this draft – an absolute monster on the offensive glass and a pogo-stick dunker when given the opportunity. He was part of the star-studded Montverde Academy squad featuring Cooper Flagg, Derik Queen, and Liam McNeeley, so it’s no surprise he learned to thrive on offense without having plays run for him. Newell is a bit of tweener with a lean frame at 6-foot-9, but he’s very active defensively as a disruptor both down low and on the perimeter. His skill set suggests a lengthy NBA career that could reach All-Star levels if he can improve his long-range shooting from his 29% mark in college.

Kings deal for Nique Clifford

Wing, Colorado State – 24th overall

Clifford should find an immediate role with his all-around skill set. The 6-foot-5 guard did it all for Colorado State, leading the Rams in scoring, rebounding, assists, and steals last season. He’s a versatile defender and was among college basketball’s top defensive rebounders over the last two campaigns. Clifford rounded out his offensive game as a fifth-year senior, developing as an isolation scorer and ball-handler. Sacramento’s in win-now mode and couldn’t afford to take on a developmental prospect. That seems to be the Kings’ strategy behind trading with the Thunder to move up for Clifford.

Magic go with versatility of Jase Richardson

G, Michigan State – 25th overall

The son of Jason Richardson is a coach’s dream: a player who impacts the game in a multitude of ways without needing plays called for him on offense. Jase Richardson is a stat-sheet stuffer with an all-around skill set that puts pressure on the defense from the opening tip. No, he doesn’t have his father’s otherworldly athleticism, but he offers more as a 3-point shooter, and he’s an annoying presence defensively for any opposing guard. Richardson can likely contribute immediately in a bench role for the Magic, but his all-around ability gives him the ceiling of a solid NBA starter.

Nets take another guard in Ben Saraf

G, Israel – 26th overall

Are you sick of the Nets and their infinite first-round picks yet? Brooklyn obviously has a thing for guards and international players, and it’s hard to blame the franchise given the success of some recent international prospects. The Nets needed guards to build around, and now they have plenty of options to evaluate over the next few seasons. Although Saraf was a projected second-rounder, it’s not hard to see why he went a little earlier. The Israeli guard is an effective ball-handler and playmaker. He typically looks to pass out of the pick-and-roll, but if he can get to the rim at a higher rate and improve his shot, the Nets will look like geniuses.

Danny Wolf caps historic draft for Nets

C, Michigan – 27th overall

Wolf’s strong play for Yale in the Ivy League translated despite stiffer Big Ten competition during his lone year at Michigan. The 7-footer was an inside-out threat for the Wolverines, demonstrating both a back-to-the-basket game and a 3-point stroke. Wolf’s ability to handle the rock and create out of the pick-and-roll at his size could provide an interesting wrinkle to Brooklyn’s offensive playbook. This pick also made the Nets the first team in NBA history to select five players in the first round of the draft as Wolf joins Demin, Traore, Powell, and Saraf.

Celtics select overseas prospect Hugo Gonzalez

Wing, Spain – 28th overall

Gonzalez was a fringe first-round prospect, but the Celtics saw something in the Spanish wing who played for Real Madrid the last two seasons. It’s hard to properly evaluate him because of his limited role on a notable EuroLeague team. Gonzalez is considered a good defender, but there are concerns about his shot and decision-making. As Boston offloads expensive salaries and deals with injuries, Gonzalez could have an opportunity to see the floor sooner than expected.

Hornets stop Liam McNeeley’s fall after trade

Wing, UConn – 29th overall

McNeeley’s slide ends at No. 29 as the Hornets grab the UConn standout with the pick they acquired in the Mark Williams trade earlier in the night. McNeeley, 19, has a legit claim to be one of the best shooters in the draft despite pedestrian 32% shooting from deep in his lone college season. The Huskies’ offense took a significant step back last year and lacked a creator who could get McNeeley open shots. When he did get uncontested catch-and-shoot looks, McNeeley hit more than 43% of them from 3-point range. That’s how he’s going to make his money in the NBA.

Clippers conclude Round 1 by picking Yanic Konan Niederhauser

C, Penn State – 30th overall

Konan Niederhauser is a 7-foot lob threat who finishes almost everything at the rim. His athleticism alone is worth the final pick of the first round. While he’s a raw prospect with limited fundamentals, his rim-protection and finishing ability should give the Clippers hope he can back up Ivica Zubac productively. Konan Niederhauser is the first Penn State product ever selected in the first round.

BEST NBA DRAFT PROSPECTS AVAILABLE AFTER ROUND 1

With the first round and 30 picks in the 2025 NBA Draft books, teams are resetting their prospect boards to be prepared to make second-round selections on Thursday night.

Minnesota will be active with the 31st pick to kick off the second day of the draft. The Timberwolves also have picks 37, 38 and 39.

Charlotte (33, 34) has a pair of selections but Dallas has none in hand entering the evening.

We’ll also welcome the Detroit Pistons to the draft for the first time. They have No. 37 overall.

Here are the top players left in the 2025 NBA Draft pool, listed by Field Level Media overall prospect ranking:

18. F Rasheer Fleming, Saint Joseph’s
Anything but pure as a jump shooter, Fleming’s staggering Scouting Combine workout, high-energy style of play and measurables — 7-foot-5-inch wingspan at nearly 6-9 — assure he’ll get more than one chance to make it all click in the NBA.

22. F Noah Penda, Le Mans Sarthe Basket (France)
Meaty, 225-pound forward is an all-system fit with tremendous strength and basketball instincts.

30. F Adou Thiero, Arkansas
From 5-foot-8 as a high school sophomore to 6-7, 220, Theiro’s arc remains on the rise. Position versatile and hyper-flexible as a matchup defender, Thiero could be lethal if his offensive game rounds into form.

32. C Bogoljub Markovic, KK Mega Basket (Serbia)
A floor-spacer with some range, the 19-year-old is not fully ready for the NBA’s physicality.

33. C Maxime Raynaud, Stanford
It’s the NBA, where 7-1 is a skill. But if Raynaud gets in the gym, he’ll be shooting well outside the paint.

34. SG Kam Jones, Marquette
Now 23, Jones created skepticism about his outside shot in much the same way Jimmy Butler (30th overall, 2011) did coming out of Marquette as a defense-first bulldog who could finish at the rim.

–Best of the rest
35. C Ryan Kalkbrenner, Creighton
36. G Tyrese Proctor, Duke
37. G Koby Brea, Kentucky
39. C Rocco Zikarsky, Brisbane Bullets (Australia)
40. F Michael Ruzic, Croatia
41. SG Chaz Lanier, Tennessee
42. G Sion James, Duke
43. F Alex Toohey, Sydney Kings (Australia)
46. G John Tonje, Wisconsin
47. F Eric Dixon, Villanova
48. G Hunter Sallis, Wake Forest
49. F Jamir Watkins, Florida State
50. G/F Micah Peavy, Georgia
51. G Ryan Nembhard, Gonzaga
52. G Javon Small, West Virginia
53. C Amari Williams, Kentucky

SUNS ADD 7-FOOTER MARK WILLIAMS, SEND TWO FIRST-ROUND PICKS TO HORNETS, AP SOURCE SAYS

PHOENIX (AP) — The Phoenix Suns have acquired center Mark Williams in a trade that sends two first-round picks to the Charlotte Hornets, a person familiar with the move told The Associated Press on Wednesday.

The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the trade hasn’t officially been announced.

The Hornets received this year’s No. 29 pick — which they used to select UConn guard Liam McNeeley — and a 2029 first-round selection. ESPN first reported the deal.

Williams was one of two 7-footers the Suns added during the first round of the NBA draft. The Suns are also expected to get Duke center Khaman Maluach, who was selected by the Rockets with the No. 10 overall pick but is part of a trade that will send 15-time All-Star Kevin Durant to Houston.

Williams averaged 15.3 points and 10.2 rebounds per game for the Hornets last year, providing plenty of production when healthy. He was the No. 15 overall pick out of Duke in the 2022 draft.

The Hornets attempted to trade Williams last year to the Los Angeles Lakers, but the deal was later rescinded because the center failed his physical.

REPORT: VANVLEET TO SIGN NEW 2-YEAR, $50M DEAL WITH ROCKETS

Fred VanVleet is signing a new two-year, $50-million deal with the Houston Rockets, sources told ESPN’s Shams Charania.

The Rockets are declining the guard’s $44.9-million team option from his previous contract to facilitate the deal, Charania adds. VanVleet’s new pact reportedly includes a player option for the 2026-27 season.

The 31-year-old averaged 14.1 points, 5.6 assists, and 3.7 rebounds in 60 regular-season games in 2024-25. VanVleet helped guide Houston to its first postseason appearance since 2020, as the club secured the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference with a 52-30 record.

VanVleet upped his production in the postseason, tallying 18.7 points, 4.4 assists, and 4.1 rebounds in the Rockets’ seven-game opening-round series loss to the Golden State Warriors.

The eight-year veteran earned an All-Star nod in 2022 with the Toronto Raptors. VanVleet inked a three-year, $128.5-million deal with Houston during the 2023 offseason.

NBA PLAYERS SEEM TO TEAR THEIR ACHILLES MORE FREQUENTLY NOWADAYS. WHY IS THAT?

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Kevin Durant and Tyrese Haliburton entered their respective NBA Finals elimination games with strained right calves.

Each wound up leaving early with torn right Achilles tendons.

Durant, a perennial All-Star and the league’s 2014 MVP, missed the whole next season as he recovered from the injury and now Haliburton, the Indiana Pacers’ two-time All-Star, could face a similar fate. Predictable? Perhaps. Both knew the risks when they opted to chase a championship, and both wound up paying the price when their tendons gave out on pro basketball’s biggest stage.

“There’s no question you’re at a higher risk of worsening an injury or another injury occurring because maybe your gait is off a little bit or the muscle firing isn’t as good,” said Dr. Kevin Farmer, an orthopedic surgeon and chief of sports medicine at the University of Florida. “To Tyrese’s credit, maybe he wasn’t as healthy as he wanted to be, but he was willing to go out there and try to perform to win that championship for the team.

“He made a decision to take that risk, and I think there should be some credit there for trying.”

Haliburton’s injury reflects a new trend, though, one that has seen younger players become more susceptible to Achilles injuries that were traditionally more prevalent in athletes in their mid to late 30s and early 40s.

Haliburton, 25, Boston Celtics All-Star Jayson Tatum, 27, and Milwaukee Bucks All-Star Damian Lillard, 34, all suffered Achilles injuries in the playoffs and each is expected to miss most if not all of next season.

Farmer and Dr. James Borchers, president and CEO of the U.S. Council for Athletes Health and a longtime team physician for Ohio State football, have studied the changes. They attribute the increase in Achilles injuries to many factors from low-cut shoes to longer seasons to Fluoroquinolone, a class of antibiotics both acknowledge has been tied to ruptured tendons.

Neither has examined Haliburton, Tatum or Lillard.

But they believe the biggest factor may be younger athletes shedding the multi-sport label to specialize in a single sport year-round, creating more wear and tear on specific body parts, such as elbows and Achilles tendons, that are prone to break down based on workload.

“Athletes that are doing a a lot impact — so certainly jumping and putting a lot of stress across tendons — and those tendons over time can develop into micro damage and lead to weakening in the tendon,” Borchers said. “I think there’s a lot more activity that increases the risk of these types of injuries and it’s the wear and tear. It’s very rare we’re going to look at an otherwise healthy tendon rupture just rupture because of an acute event.”

It’s not conjecture, either.

Multiple studies from Farmer’s medical team at Florida have researched whether today’s overuse injuries in baseball occur because players are throwing harder for longer periods. Farmer said he considers the Achilles tendon in basketball to be comparable to the elbow in baseball.

“Instead of athletes getting (Achilles injuries) in their 30s or 40s because of wear and tear, we’re seeing it now early on because of the excessive stress they’ve developed their whole lives,” Farmer said. “I really think we’re going to find out at some point that the way we’ve changed (youth sports), the risk, is why we’re seeing these younger athletes injured.”

The image of Haliburton crashing to the ground and agonizingly slapping the court in frustration may wind up as the most indelible image out of this year’s NBA Finals. But he’s already said he doesn’t regret playing, and, like Durant, he doesn’t intend to let that moment become the defining moment of his career.

Instead, he plans to follow the example of Durant and others in the ever-expanding world of players who have overcome serious injuries to continue playing elite ball.

The good news for Haliburton: Medical technology is helping athletes make quicker, more thorough recoveries.

While a standard timetable for a return from Achilles injuries remains about 12 months, some NFL players have made it back in as few as nine and in 2023, former New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers tried to do the unthinkable by returning for a playoff run less than four months after tearing his Achilles. Rodgers might have tried it — had the Jets been in the playoff hunt.

Nobody expects Haliburton, Tatum or Lillard to push it that quickly, especially in a sport where running and jumping are so essential. Even Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle has said he doesn’t expect Haliburton to play next season.

Durant didn’t return from his June 2019 injury until December 2020.

And at least Haliburton and Tatum have one big advantage — age is on their side.

“The intensity and attention to rehabilitation is fantastic and you’re also talking about world-class athletes who sometimes recover differently from average individuals,” Borchers said. “We’ve seen some really amazing individuals come back from these injuries and with the expertise in rehab and recovery and the work they’re putting in, it’s pretty amazing to see them come back sooner than what the textbook might say. And there’s a big difference between (age) 25 and 39 or 40.”

REPORT: UTAH JAZZ F JOHN COLLINS PICKS UP $26.58M PLAYER OPTION

Utah Jazz power forward John Collins has exercised his $26.58 million player option for next season, ESPN reported on Wednesday afternoon.

Collins, 27, had signed a five-year, $125 million contract in August 2021 while with the Atlanta Hawks. In July of 2023, he was traded to Utah in exchange for Rudy Gay and a second-round pick.

He played for the same amount as his upcoming option year in the 2024-25 season.

Over last season, he averaged 19.0 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.0 blocks and 30.5 minutes in 40 games (31 starts) as he dealt with hip and ankle injuries. He shot 52.7 percent from the field and 84.8 percent from the foul line.

For his career, Collins is averaging 16.0 points, 8.1 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.0 blocks and 29.1 minutes in 472 games (410 starts) for the Hawks (2017-23) and Jazz

The Hawks selected Collins with the 19th overall pick of the 2017 NBA Draft out of Wake Forest.

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COLLEGE BASKETBALL NEWS

REPORT: COLLEGE HOOPS EXPANDING TO 32-GAME SEASON

The NCAA is expected to approve an expansion of the college basketball season from 31 to 32 games, CBS Sports reported Wednesday.

The schedule change would go into effect with the 2026-27 season for men and women after the Division I Council passes the measure, per the report.

There has been a 31-game maximum since 2006-07. Teams are permitted to schedule 28 or 29 predetermined games, plus an allowance for multi-team events — such as holiday tournaments — where two or three additional games could be played.

According to the report, programs will not be required to play 32 games but will merely have the option to do so.

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COLLEGE FOOTBALL NEWS

NORTHWESTERN ADDS FORMER OKLAHOMA QB COMMIT GAVIN FRAKES

Quarterback Gavin Frakes is transferring to Northwestern after previously committing to Oklahoma, On3 reported Wednesday.

Frakes, who did not see any action at Virginia last season, made a verbal pledge to his hometown Sooners out of the spring transfer portal on May 22.

The 6-foot-4, 232-pounder from Norman, Okla., entered the portal on April 21.

His only active season was at New Mexico State in 2022, when he went 55-for-110 for 736 yards, four touchdowns and seven interceptions in 11 games (five starts).

Frakes, 23, did not play in 2023 and transferred to Virginia ahead of the 2024 season.

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MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL

MLB ROUNDUP: JACOB DEGROM, RANGERS STYMIE ORIOLES

Jacob deGrom took a no-hitter into the eighth inning while Josh Jung drilled a two-run homer and drove in three runs as the Texas Rangers defeated the host Baltimore Orioles 7-0 on Wednesday.

Colton Cowser’s eighth-inning single marked Baltimore’s only hit.

deGrom (8-2) carried a perfect game into the seventh, but Jackson Holliday worked a leadoff walk on seven pitches. With two outs in the inning, Ryan O’Hearn drew another walk.

Cowser hit deGrom’s third pitch of the eighth to right field for a single, which led to a pitching change. deGrom, who improved to 4-0 in June, finished with seven strikeouts. Jonah Heim homered as the Rangers captured the rubber game of the three-game series to finish a 4-2 road trip.

Brewers 4, Pirates 2

Rookie Jacob Misiorowski threw five shutout innings to outduel 2024 National League Rookie of the Year Paul Skenes and spark Milwaukee to a victory over visiting Pittsburgh.

Misiorowski (3-0) struck out eight while scattering two singles and two walks in his third major league start. Skenes (4-7), who entered the game with a big-league-best 1.85 ERA, allowed four hits and four runs with four strikeouts and two walks over four innings.

The Brewers batted around in the second to score their runs as they strung together Joey Ortiz’s RBI groundout, Eric Haase’s RBI double, Sal Frelick’s run-scoring fielder’s choice and Christian Yelich’s RBI single.

Padres 1, Nationals 0

Nick Pivetta scattered three singles and struck out a season-high-tying 10 over seven innings as San Diego registered its 13th shutout of the season to defeat visiting Washington.

For the fourth time this year, Pivetta (8-2) fired seven shutout innings. Jonathan Estrada and Adrian Morejon closed with perfect innings as the Padres allowed no runners into scoring position.

Luis Arraez’s two-out single in the second drove in Tyler Wade with the game’s only run. Nationals starter MacKenzie Gore (3-8), who was traded from San Diego to Washington in the 2022 Juan Soto deal, gave up one run and five hits over six innings.

Yankees 7, Reds 1

Max Fried allowed one unearned run over seven innings to help New York salvage the finale of a three-game series at Cincinnati.

Fried (10-2) struck out seven as he became the majors’ first 10-game winner. Jazz Chisholm Jr. homered and Trent Grisham and Jasson Dominguez had four hits apiece for the Yankees.

Elly De La Cruz produced two hits for the Reds, who had their three-game win streak snapped. Brady Singer (7-6) yielded four runs on six hits over five innings, fanning nine.

Astros 2, Phillies 0

Jeremy Pena scored following his leadoff double in the first inning and Victor Caratini added a critical insurance run with an eighth-inning homer as Houston topped visiting Philadelphia.

Left-hander Colton Gordon (3-1) threw four innings for the Astros, and four more lefties completed the shutout. Josh Hader recorded his 21st save with a perfect ninth.

Kyle Schwarber and Brandon Marsh had two hits apiece for the Phillies, who were shut out by the Astros for the second straight night. Zack Wheeler (7-3) allowed four hits and one run in six innings.

Athletics 3, Tigers 0

Nick Kurtz hit a three-run homer, Jacob Lopez pitched seven strong innings and the visiting Athletics blanked Detroit.

Kurtz had three of the Athletics’ seven hits. Lopez (2-4) allowed just three hits and walked one while striking out six in seven innings. Mason Miller got the last three outs for his 15th save.

Detroit starter Jack Flaherty (5-9), who gave up the homer, lasted six innings. He allowed five hits and four walks and struck out seven.

Marlins 8, Giants 5 (10 innings)

Rookie Heriberto Hernandez drove in four runs, including two on a double in the four-run 10th, helping visiting Miami defeat San Francisco.

Otto Lopez had three hits and three RBIs for the Marlins, who have won three in a row to match their longest winning streak of the season. Calvin Faucher (3-2) gave up two runs to blow a ninth-inning lead but still got the win.

Mike Yastrzemski led off the first inning with a homer for the Giants. Camilo Doval (3-2) allowed four runs, three earned, while getting two outs in the 10th.

White Sox 7, Diamondbacks 3

Lenyn Sosa went 3-for-4 with two homers and four RBIs and Andrew Benintendi also homered as host Chicago avoided a sweep against Arizona.

Sosa’s two-run homer off Diamondbacks starter Zac Gallen (5-9) snapped a 2-2 tie in the fourth. Gallen allowed eight hits and five runs over 5 1/3 innings. Josh Naylor went 2-for-3 with a two-run homer in the first.

White Sox starter Sean Burke (4-7) posted a season-high-tying seven strikeouts in his five-inning stint while giving up five hits and two runs. Luis Robert Jr. exited due to left hamstring tightness in the first inning.

Angels 5, Red Sox 2

Yusei Kikuchi had a season-high 12 strikeouts and Travis d’Arnaud went 3-for-4 with a home run to help Los Angeles complete a three-game sweep of Boston in Anaheim, Calif.

Kikuchi (3-6) surrendered two runs (none earned) and three hits over seven innings. Jo Adell added a solo shot to open the scoring for the Angels, who won for the fourth time in five games. He and d’Arnaud drove in two runs each, and Ryan Zeferjahn secured his second save.

Trevor Story had two RBIs for the Red Sox, who lost their fifth game in a row. Richard Fitts gave up two runs on four hits while striking out six in four innings. Luis Guerrero (0-1) allowed two runs in the fifth inning.

Guardians 5, Blue Jays 4 (10 innings)

Jose Ramirez singled home the winning run in the 10th inning for his eighth career walk-off hit, giving Cleveland a victory over visiting Toronto.

Blue Jays reliever Mason Fluharty (3-2) allowed Ramirez’s sharp no-out single to left. Rookie and cancer survivor Nic Enright (1-0) worked a scoreless 10th for his first win in the majors, allowing Cleveland to even the three-game series at one victory apiece.

Blue Jays starter Max Scherzer, activated earlier in the day, pitched five innings and allowed three runs on six hits. The 40-year-old struck out four and walked three over 83 pitches in his first appearance since his Toronto debut March 29. Vladimir Guerrero hit a solo home run and George Springer had two hits and two RBIs.

Mets 7, Braves 3

Juan Soto hit two homers for host New York, which ended its drought against Atlanta by cruising to a victory in the third game of a four-game series.

Soto notched the 27th multi-homer game of his career — the most multi-homer games in MLB history for a player before turning 27. Soto broke a record he held with Jimmie Foxx. Ronny Mauricio homered among his three hits for the Mets, who entered the game 0-5 against the Braves since June 17.

Drake Baldwin homered in the fourth and Ronald Acuna Jr. had a two-run single in the ninth for the Braves. Didier Fuentes (0-2), a 20-year-old who is the youngest player in the majors, gave up six runs on eight hits over 3 1/3 innings.

Rays 3, Royals 0

Drew Rasmussen and four Tampa Bay relievers held reeling Kansas City to just three hits and sent the host club to a ninth consecutive home defeat.

Brandon Lowe, Josh Lowe and Chandler Simpson each had two hits for the Rays, whose 11 hits were all singles. Tampa Bay has won five straight road games and 24 of its past 33 contests overall. Rasmussen (7-5) yielded two hits and two walks while striking out five over five innings.

The Royals have managed just one run in the first two games of the current three-game set and have been outscored 39-12 while going 0-9 at home in June. The Royals are on their longest home losing streak since a 10-game slide in 2023.

Twins 2, Mariners 0

Joe Ryan struck out eight batters over six scoreless innings, and Minnesota held on for a win over Seattle in Minneapolis.

Kody Clemens hit a solo home run for Minnesota, which snapped a five-game losing streak and won for only the second time in its past 13 games. Willi Castro also drove in a run. Ryan (8-3) allowed three hits and no walks.

Seattle managed only three singles. Cal Raleigh, who leads the big leagues with 32 home runs, finished 0-for-4 with three strikeouts. Mariners right-hander George Kirby (1-4) limited Twins hitters to one run on three hits in six innings.

Cubs 8, Cardinals 0

Ian Happ hit a homer and drove in three runs as visiting Chicago rolled past St. Louis.

Reese McGuire hit a two-run homer and Kyle Tucker added a solo shot for the Cubs, who won for the second time in their past seven games. Michael Busch (2-for-5, two runs, RBI) and Dansby Swanson (2-for-5, two runs) also had productive games for Chicago.

Cubs starter Matthew Boyd (7-3) blanked St. Louis on three hits over six innings. Cardinals starter Erick Fedde (3-7) allowed seven runs on eight hits in 3 2/3 innings.

Dodgers 8, Rockies 1

Max Muncy hit a grand slam and drove in six runs as Los Angeles earned a rain-delayed win over Colorado in Denver.

Michael Conforto and Muncy each had a homer and a single for Los Angeles, which has won nine straight against Colorado. The Dodgers have a three-game overall winning. Starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto (7-6) tossed five shutout innings, giving up one hit and one walk while striking out six.

Tyler Freeman singled twice to extend his hitting streak to 12 games for the Rockies, who are 1-4 on their six-game homestand. Chase Dollander (2-8) was charged with three runs on three hits in 5 2/3 innings.

FAN BANNED AFTER HECKLING DIAMONDBACKS’ KETEL MARTE TO TEARS WITH COMMENTS ABOUT LATE MOTHER

CHICAGO (AP) — A 22-year-old fan who heckled Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte during a game against the Chicago White Sox at Rate Field on Tuesday night has been banned indefinitely from the South Side ballpark.

Marte was seen in tears on the field after the spectator yelled a derogatory comment about Marte’s late mother during a seventh-inning at-bat in Arizona’s 4-1 win over Chicago.

According to a White Sox spokesperson, the security staff at the ballpark relayed that the fan was “very apologetic and remorseful after the fact, and admitted to being very inappropriate and stupid with his comments.”

Arizona manager Torey Lovullo and bench coach Jeff Banister asked for the fan to be removed from the game. Before Wednesday’s series finale, Lovullo said he “had little bit of an interaction with the fan” as he was yelling at Marte.

“He wasn’t getting it and was very pompous, and it didn’t sit right with me,” Lovullo said. “It was just a gross comment you wouldn’t say about anybody, let alone someone who lost their mom.

“We need better baseball fans. Baseball deserves better.”

Marte’s mother, Elpidia Valdez, died in a car accident in the Dominican Republic in 2017. Marte, who hit a solo home run in the first inning Tuesday night, was seen visibly upset during a pitching change in the bottom of the seventh as Lovullo put his arm around his player and consoled him.

“I just reacted as a dad would when I went out to change pitchers,” Lovullo said, according to the Arizona Republic. “I could see he was sobbing. It hurt.”

“(I told him): ‘I love you and I’m with you, and we’re all together and you’re not alone. No matter what happens, no matter what was said or what you heard, that guy is an idiot. It shouldn’t have an impact on you.’”

Marte declined to comment on the incident through a team official. Diamondbacks shortstop Geraldo Perdomo said the fan “should be banned, for sure” and called for Major League Baseball to intervene.

“That can’t happen,” Perdomo said. “We can’t continue to do that … here in MLB.”

BLUE JAYS ACQUIRE RHP ROBINSON PINA FROM MARLINS

The Toronto Blue Jays acquired right-hander Robinson Pina from the Miami Marlins on Wednesday.

The Marlins received minor league pitcher Colby Martin in exchange for Pina, who was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo.

Pina, 26, surrendered a solo homer in one inning of work against the Atlanta Braves on Friday in his MLB debut. He was designated for assignment the following day.

He is 4-3 with a 3.47 ERA in 13 appearances (11 starts) with Triple-A Jacksonville this season.

Martin, 24, is 0-1 with a 1.54 ERA and five saves in 21 relief appearances this season between Low-A Dunedin and High-A Vancouver.

CARDINALS PLACE OF JORDAN WALKER ON 10-DAY IL WITH APPENDICITIS RETROACTIVE TO MONDAY

ST. LOUIS (AP) — The St. Louis Cardinals have placed outfielder Jordan Walker on the 10-day injured list retroactive to Monday with appendicitis, the team announced Wednesday.

The team also recalled infielder José Fermín from Triple-A Memphis.

Walker was first examined by the team’s medical staff after feeling discomfort before batting practice on Tuesday, Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said.

“They wanted to rule out appendix,” Marmol said. “They sent him to go get some imaging and it came back as early signs of it. They felt like holding him overnight was important to make sure that they can have a good assessment of if antibiotics treatment over having to go in and get it, and that’s the route that was taken.”

Walker is expected to be able to resume baseball activities in four to five days.

The 23-year-old Walker is hitting .210 with three home runs and 23 RBIs in 55 games in his third major league season.

Fermín has played parts of the last two seasons for the Cardinals and is hitting .308 with five home runs and 34 RBIs with Memphis this season.

FORMER SEATTLE PILOTS AND MARINERS RIGHTHANDER DIEGO SEGUI DIES AT 87

SEATTLE (AP) — Diego Segui, a pitcher who appeared in the first game in franchise history for the Seattle Pilots and was the starter for the Seattle Mariners in their first game, has died. He was 87.

The Mariners said Segui died Wednesday. No additional details were released.

Segui played for the Pilots in their first game on April 8, 1969, against the California Angels. He was the starter for the Mariners in their opener on April 6, 1977, in the Kingdome against the Angels.

“Our thoughts are with the Segui family, including David, Diego’s son, who the Mariners know well from his time with us in 1998 and 1999,” Mariners president of business operations Kevin Martinez said in a statement. “Diego was always generous with his time, visiting us in Seattle to help us celebrate milestones, including his last trip here for Hispanic Heritage Day in 2012.

“I also have fond memories of Diego’s grandson Cory throwing the final pitch in Kingdome history, a fitting finale for the Kingdome after Diego’s historic first pitch.”

Segui pitched in 15 major league seasons with the Kansas City/Oakland Athletics, Washington Senators, St. Louis Cardinals and Boston Red Sox, in addition to both Seattle franchises.

The 6-foot, 190-pound right-hander from Holguin, Cuba, led the American League in ERA in 1970, and finished his career with a 92-111 record and a 3.81 ERA in 639 games.

After wrapping up his major league career, Segui pitched in the Mexican Professional League until 1984. He is a member of both the Venezuelan Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum and the Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum Hall of Fame.

In 2024, he was honored by the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum with its Negro Leagues Beisbol Lifetime Achievement Award.

RED SOX PITCHER KUTTER CRAWFORD’S OFF-FIELD ‘ACCIDENT’ REQUIRES SEASON-ENDING WRIST SURGERY

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Kutter Crawford had an off-field “accident” that requires season-ending surgery on his right throwing wrist, Red Sox manager Alex Cora said on Wednesday, adding that the 29-year-old wasn’t doing anything “irresponsible.”

“It hasn’t been a great year for him,” Cora said. “It (stinks) that it happened this way, but it’s just an accident.”

Crawford has been sidelined all season by a right-knee injury that he initially suffered in his third game of 2024, a season in which he went 9-6 with a 4.36 ERA in 33 starts, tied for the most starts in the American League.

“It (stinks) because we were talking about how deep we were in spring training, and the options that we had in the rotation,” Cora said before the series finale against the Los Angeles Angels. “And now it’s getting thinner and thinner.”

Crawford was one of baseball’s most durable pitchers in 2024 despite pitching most of the season with patellar-tendon discomfort, leading the Red Sox with 183 ⅔ innings pitched and 175 strikeouts, but he also gave up a major league-high 34 homers.

Crawford hoped to recover with a full winter of rest and rehabilitation, but he suffered a setback during the offseason and was unable to pitch in spring training. He was placed on the 60-day injured list in March.

Cora also said that third baseman Alex Bregman, who has been out since May 23 because of a quadriceps injury, probably won’t return until after the All-Star break.

Bregman, who was batting .299 with a .938 OPS, 11 homers, 17 doubles, 35 RBIs and 32 runs in 51 games when he suffered the injury, has been running but has not resumed baseball activities.

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NFL NEWS

SEAHAWKS BRING BACK VETERAN CORNERBACK SHAQUIL GRIFFIN

SEATTLE (AP) — The Seattle Seahawks agreed to terms with veteran cornerback Shaquill Griffin on Wednesday.

His agency, Exclusive Sports Group, announced the deal for the 29-year-old.

Griffin is expected to compete for the third cornerback spot. The ninth-year defensive back played in 17 games last season for the Minnesota Vikings after spending 2023 with both the Houston Texans and Carolina Panthers.

Griffin has also played for the Jacksonville Jaguars. but started his career with the Seahawks, with whom he started 53 games from 2017 to 2020. He was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2019. Griffin’s most productive years as an NFL player came in Seattle, which drafted him in the third round in 2017. He also played alongside his brother, Shaquem, for three seasons with the Seahawks.

In eight seasons, Griffin has 407 tackles and nine interceptions, with two of those coming last season with Minnesota.

JETS ‘RING OF HONOR’ DE GERRY PHILBIN DIES AT 83

Gerry Philbin, a member of the New York Jets’ Super Bowl III championship team and a two-time All-Pro over a 10-year career, has died at the age of 83, the Jets announced Wednesday.

The former defensive end was first-team All-Pro in 1968 and ’69, and also named to the Pro Bowl those two seasons.

With Philbin hunting quarterbacks and Joe Namath making guarantees, the Jets famously upset the Baltimore Colts for a surprise Super Bowl championship at the conclusion of the 1968 season.

“I really believe he should’ve been a Hall of Famer,” teammate and linebacker Ralph Baker said. “He was just a good guy, a regular guy who worked hard and shared his feelings. When teammates needed to be set straight, Gerry was the guy to do it.”

A third-round (19th overall) draft pick out of Buffalo, Philbin termed himself undersized at 6-foot-2 and 245 pounds. Despite his smaller size, over 123 games (112 starts) in New York and Philadelphia, where he played his final year, Philbin record 66 1/2 sacks and seven fumble recoveries.

No. 81 was named to the AFL’s all-decade team for the 1960s and later inducted into New York’s Ring of Honor.

“I got the most out of how hard I worked, because I was a little disadvantaged with size and overcame it,” Philbin told NewYorkJets.com in 2018. “And then just accomplishing most of my goals that I set. I wanted to be an All-Star. I wanted to win the Super Bowl.

“And the personal goals of getting elected to the All-Time AFL Team. And then finally, becoming a Ring of Honor recipient with the Jets. All those things I cherish a lot.”

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COLLEGE FOOTBALL NEWS

The Pac-12 is continuing to rebuild its membership with its newest member expected to be Texas State, according to ESPN.

Per ESPN, Texas State officials have informed the Sun Belt Conference that the university is expecting an offer from the Pac-12 “in the near future.” While a formal offer has yet to be extended, Texas State could join the conference for the 2026-27 school year.

According to Texas open meeting laws, Texas State would need to put in a 72-hour notice to convene the board of regents, meaning that a formal conclusion to the process may not occur until Monday at the earliest.

While Texas State has long been considered a favorite to join the Pac-12, anticipation has ramped up this week as the university’s exit fee to join the conference would double from $5 million to $10 million on July 1. To avoid paying that lofty fee, Texas State’s invitation would need to come this week in time for formal board approval.

If it goes through, Texas State would become the new Pac-12’s eighth football school, which is the minimum for the league to be recognized as an official FBS conference. (Gonzaga will also join the Pac-12 but does not sponsor football.)

As it stands, the Pac-12 consists of holdover members Oregon State and Washington State as well as Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State and Utah State.

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NHL NEWS

REPORTS: NHL’S CBA TALKS MAY RESULT IN 84-GAME SCHEDULE

The NHL’s regular season may see an increase from 82 to 84 games for the 2026-27 season, multiple media outlets reported on Wednesday, as the league and the players’ association negotiate the schedule change during their collective bargaining agreement discussions.

An imbalanced number of division games against rivals, which draw more fans to the games or watching on their TVs at home, has caused some franchises to seek schedule alterations.

Adding a pair of games wouldn’t change the format that has every team visiting all other clubs at least once a season, but it would allow all division rivals to face off four times per season. Other schedule changes reportedly also have been discussed.

Per ESPN, players are concerned about wearing down with two more games in the regular season, but the NHL is expected to reduce the number of preseason games if it switches to an 84-game slate.

This wouldn’t be the first time the league implemented an 84-game schedule. From 1992-94, the NHL and NHLPA agreed that every team would play a pair of games at a neutral site in the expanded slate.

Among the other topics at the CBA talks are addressing how teams use the long-term injured reserve salary cap exemption. Teams have implemented the exemption late in the regular season, then brought back players in time for the start of the playoffs. One solution on the table is requiring playoff teams to comply with the cap for their active players, even if the overall roster has exceeded it.

An agreement on a new CBA, with the current version set to expire on Sept. 15, 2026, appears to be getting closer. NHL commissioner Gary Bettman reportedly reviewed the talks Wednesday at the board of governors meeting, though no vote was held.

“We started a little bit later than we had anticipated for a variety of reasons on both sides, so I don’t have an announcement to make today that we have a deal,” Bettman said before Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final between the Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers. “We have more than a year to go, and I think we’re in a really good place in terms of our relationship.”

NHL’S FIRST DECENTRALIZED DRAFT IS A LOGISTICAL CHALLENGE TO MAKE THE EVENT FIT FOR TV

NHL teams for the first time in a non-pandemic environment will not be gathering in one place for the draft, and the mind-boggling logistics of decentralizing the annual event are right up Steve Mayer’s alley.

The league’s president of content and events has masterminded how to put on outdoor games, All-Star weekends, the Stanley Cup Final in a bubble and last year’s draft at the Sphere. Holding a smaller get-together at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles with similar pageantry and coordination between 32 teams spread across North America has become his department’s next big challenge.

“We thought this would be simpler, and it’s actually become way more complicated,” Mayer said Tuesday from LA. “Everything has to be spot on. It was so much easier when you can look at table No. 6 and they were making their pick and it was easy. I just think this is way more complicated than it had been in the past.”

Commissioner Gary Bettman will be on site, along with nearly 100 of the top prospects, 32 of whom will be selected in the first round Friday night and the others expected to hear their names called Saturday when the draft resumes.

Then there are 90-plus remote cameras for the draft rooms in the various markets — including the Philadelphia Flyers setup down the shore in Atlantic City — and the guest selectors who will be announcing the picks, such as Jeremy Jackson and Marguerite Moreau of “Mighty Ducks” movie fame for the Anaheim Ducks.

There won’t be a crowd of more than 100,000 fans in attendance like the NFL draft, though the NHL is hoping to put on a different kind of spectacle that translates well to TV. That includes a virtual environment a player will walk into and be able to interact with the staff of the team that just picked him.

“They’re going to have a back-and-forth interaction with the kid they just drafted (and) the kid will have an opportunity to say a few words back at this group, which will be captured for television and it will be quite unique,” Mayer said. “That moment in that environment … is what I think will set us apart from the NBA and Major League Baseball and the NFL, to an extent.”

The NHL also gave itself a tough act to follow with the spectacle at the Sphere last year. That was a celebration of the last in-person draft (or so everyone thought) for a while, and the venue on the Las Vegas Strip stood out as the star.

This is nothing like a sequel, but some of the graphics that debuted in the Sphere will be back.

“We’re taking some of those same elements, as you’ll see, to give our environment depth,” Mayer said. “On television, I think it’ll look spectacular. Whether it’s decentralized, centralized, we don’t care. Just tell us what we need to do, and as an event team we’re willing and ready to pull it off.”

Pull it off now. But for how long?

Bettman has repeatedly said teams — not the league office — asked and then voted for the draft to be decentralized. There’s some regret about that, so decentralizing may be a one-off, one-year thing.

“If after this experience the clubs say, ‘You know what, on second thought let’s go back to the old format,’ we’ll do that,” Bettman said in Edmonton at the final. “What we do will be totally in response to what the clubs tell us they want.”

Club officials aren’t quite sure what they want. This will be Washington Capitals assistant general manager Ross Mahoney’s 28th NHL draft, and he compares it to the virtual ones in 2020 and ’21.

“It gives you more freedom to talk,” Mahoney said. “When you’re on the draft floor, the next table’s right here with scouts on other teams and that, so I guess it gives us a lot more freedom to speak freely and talk about things. But yeah we’ll have a better idea after Saturday.”

Mathieu Darche, GM of the New York Islanders who have the No. 1 pick, enjoys being on the draft floor with everyone in the same city. Maybe he’ll get his wish next year, but he’s fine with this as he runs a team for the first time.

“I’m comfortable with both situations,” Darche said. “Whatever the league decides, I’ll be doing my job.”

THE NEW YORK ISLANDERS HAVE THE TOP PICK IN THE NHL DRAFT: WHO WILL THEY CHOOSE?

The two-day NHL draft will be held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles this weekend, with the first round held on Friday night.

The New York Islanders have the No. 1 pick after winning the draft lottery in May. The San Jose Sharks, who finished last in the overall standings, pick second followed by Chicago and Utah. Six of the top prospects:

Matthew Schaefer, defenseman, OHL Erie

Hometown: Hamilton, Ontario.

Measurables: 6-foot-2, 183 pounds. Turns 18 on Sept. 5.

Expected to be selected: No. 1 by the New York Islanders.

Accomplishments/background: Schaefer maintained the top spot in NHL Central Scouting rankings despite missing start of the season with mononucleosis and the final three months after breaking his collarbone. Scouts believe he did enough to show off his offensive flair with 22 points (seven goals, 15 assists) in 17 games. That’s a jump from the his rookie season (seven goals and 17 points in 56 games). Schaefer also had two goals and four assists in captaining Canada to win the Hlinka/Gretzky Cup in August. Schaefer has shown poise and maturity in dealing with tragedy. His mother died of cancer in February 2024. Two months earlier, the mother of his billet family was struck and killed by a train and last December Otters owner and Schaefer’s mentor, Jim Waters, died of a heart attack. Would become first OHL player to go No. 1 since Erie star Connor McDavid went first in 2015.

NHL Central Scouting report: “He does it all on the ice — defends well as an elite skater with good gap control and has the ability and smarts to consistently produce offensively. … A special talent.”

Michael Misa, center, OHL Saginaw

Hometown: Oakville, Ontario.

Measurables: 6-foot-1, 184 pounds. Turned 18 in February.

Expected to be selected: No. 2 to San Jose, and shouldn’t fall any lower than No. 4.

Accomplishments/background: Misa led the CHL in scoring last season with 134 points (62 goals, 72 assists), matching the most by an under-18 OHL player since 2009 No. 1 selection John Tavares in 2006-07. He was the eighth player granted CHL exceptional status, allowing him to play at 15. He was the OHL’s rookie of the year in 2022 and helped Saginaw win the Memorial Cup championship the following year. After playing wing his first two seasons, he seamlessly made the switch to center this season.

NHL Central Scouting report: “He’s bigger, stronger and faster than previous seasons. … A clever play-maker who makes plays at speed and knows how to put the puck in the net. … His quickness, creativity and hockey sense are off the charts.”

Anton Frondell, center, Djurgarden, Sweden (Tier 2)

Hometown: Stockholm, Sweden.

Measurables: 6-feet, 198 pounds. Turned 18 in May.

Expected to be selected: Could go No. 2 to San Jose. Shouldn’t drop lower than No. 5 (Nashville).

Accomplishments/background: Frondell finished the season as central scouting’s top-ranked international skater. He’s a puck-possession forward, with an outgoing personality. He joked about how much his English improved during team interviews at the draft combine. After playing 10 games in Sweden’s junior league, he made the jump to the second division, where he had 11 goals and 25 points in 29 games. In 2023-24, Frondell led his junior team and finished tied for sixth in the league with 39 points (18 goals, 21 assists) in 29 games.

NHL Central Scouting report: “Has perfect balance in his skating and makes it difficult for opponents to catch him. Wins most of the one-on-one battles.”

James Hagens, center, Boston College

Hometown: Hauppauge, New York.

Measurables: 5-foot-11, 177 pounds. Turned 18 in November.

Expected to be selected: A top-10 selection, who could prompt teams to trade up should he fall to No. 9 (Buffalo).

Accomplishments/background: Hagens is the top-ranked American-born player at No. 3 on central scouting’s list. A high-scoring playmaker who grew up an Islanders fan on Long Island. With 11 goals and 26 assists, he finished fourth in points among college freshmen. He scored five goals for America’s gold medal-winning team at the world juniors. A year earlier, Hagens earned world junior tournament MVP honors with nine goals and 22 points. In two years on the U.S. national development team, he finished fifth on the career list with 187 points and 115 assists.

NHL Central Scouting report: “Always a scoring threat off the rush and can set up his teammates from anywhere. … He wants the puck on his stick and has game-changer ability. The complete offensive package.”

Caleb Desnoyers, center, QMJHL Moncton

Hometown: Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec.

Measurables: 6-foot-2, 178 pounds. Turned 18 in April.

Expected to be selected: Chance to go 4th (Utah).

Accomplishments/background: Though ranked seventh on the central scouting list of North American skaters, Desnoyers has risen up the charts after leading Moncton to a Memorial Cup berth. He finished fifth in the Q with 84 points (35 goals, 49 assists) in 56 games. He followed up in earning QMJHL playoff MVP honors with nine goals and 30 points in 19 games. He’s a three-time gold medalist in winning at the Under-17, Under-18 championship and the 2024 Hlinka/Gretzky Cup.

NHL Central Scouting report: “He’s willing to do most of the dirty work to retrieve 50-50 pucks, and will play a physical style when needed. His skating is good and will continue to get more powerful as he matures physically. … Prospect who has lots of transferable pro elements in his game.”

Joshua Ravensbergen, goalie, WHL Prince George

Hometown: North Vancouver, British Columbia.

Measurables: 6-foot-5, 190 pounds. Turned 18 in November.

Expected to be selected: Has opportunity to be the ninth goalie taken in the first round since 2011. Both Philadelphia (No. 6, 22, 31) and Nashville (5, 23, 26) are potential landing spots, with each having three first-round selections.

Accomplishments/background: Ravensbergen is central scouting’s top-ranked North American goalie and went 33-13-4, finishing tied for the WHL’s second-most wins. He went 26-4-1 last year, with a rookie league record-tying six shutouts. In two WHL seasons, he has a 2.78 goals-against average and .904 save percentage.

NHL Central Scouting report: “Has a huge pro presence and plays big even when down in the butterfly with excellent low-net coverage. … A combination of size and ability, he has a good chance to become an NHL starter.”

REPORTS: CANUCKS ACQUIRE VANCOUVER NATIVE EVANDER KANE FROM OILERS

Vancouver native Evander Kane broke news on Wednesday morning, announcing on social media that he is being traded from the Edmonton Oilers to the Canucks.

While the teams have yet to announce the deal, multiple media outlets reported that the Oilers will receive the Canucks’ fourth-round pick in this weekend’s NHL draft.

Also, Edmonton reportedly will not retain Kane’s salary, therefore Vancouver will absorb a $5.125 million cap hit. Kane is entering the final season of a four-year, $20.5 million contract.

“As my time with the Edmonton Oilers has now come to a close, I want to take a moment to sincerely thank the entire organization, my teammates, and the incredible community of Edmonton,” Kane wrote on X. “To the Oilers Ownership, front office, coaching staff, and trainers — thank you for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to be a part of such a respected and passionate franchise. Your support meant everything, and I’ll always be grateful for the chance to compete in the blue and orange. To my teammates — thank you for the battles, the friendships, and the memories.

“I’ll always remember the playoff runs, the highs and lows, and the pride of going to war with a special group of guys. To the fans — thank you for embracing me and showing unwavering support throughout my time in Edmonton. Rogers Place was always electric, and I’m proud to have played in front of such a passionate hockey city. My family and I have built some incredible relationships that will last forever.

“With that said, I’m incredibly excited for the next chapter of my career as I join the Canucks. It’s an honor to become part of an organization and team I grew up watching as a kid. Vancouver is a city that lives and breathes hockey, I’m looking forward to the opportunity to play in front of my hometown as I did many years ago as a Vancouver Giant. With appreciation, Evander Kane.”

Kane, 33, recorded 12 points (six goals, six assists) in 21 playoff games before the Oilers fell to the Florida Panthers in six games in the Stanley Cup Final.

He sat out the entire regular season while recovering from multiple surgeries. He had surgery on Sept. 20 to repair two torn hip adductor muscles, two hernias and two torn lower abdominal muscles. He also had arthroscopic knee surgery on Jan. 9.

Kane has totaled 617 points (326 goals, 291 assists) in 930 career regular-season games with the Atlanta/Winnipeg franchise (2009-15), Buffalo Sabres (2015-18), San Jose Sharks (2018-21) and Oilers. He was selected by the Thrashers with the fourth overall pick of the 2009 NHL Draft.

VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS ARE RE-SIGNING REILLY SMITH, AP SOURCE SAYS

Reilly Smith is re-signing with the Vegas Golden Knights on a one-year contract worth $2 million, according to a person with knowledge of the deal.

The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Wednesday because the team had not announced the extension. It comes with a full no-trade clause, the person said.

Smith was one of the original “Misfits” from the franchise’s inaugural season in 2017-18 after then-general manager George McPhee selected him from Florida in the expansion draft. He helped Vegas win the Stanley Cup in 2023 and was traded to Pittsburgh that summer.

Dealt to the New York Rangers last year, he rejoined the Golden Knights at the trade deadline in March and is now staying around for another season.

Smith, 34, had 40 points last season, including 11 in 21 games with Vegas down the stretch. He has 255 goals and 381 assists for 636 points in 1,036 NHL regular-season and playoff games.

Keeping Smith around at a salary cap-friendly rate could allow GM Kelly McCrimmon to be aggressive in free agency when the market opens on July 1, especially if the chronic issues Alex Pietrangelo has been playing through keep the veteran defenseman off the ice next season and land him on long-term injured reserve. Mitch Marner and Brad Marchand are among the big-name stars available.

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GOLF NEWS

2025 ROCKET CLASSIC: PREVIEW, PROP PICKS, BEST BETS

The 2025 Rocket Classic tees off in Detroit on Thursday, and presents a prime opportunity for players to earn critical FedExCup points as the regular season winds down.

The tournament already featured a relatively soft field following a two-week stretch with the U.S. Open and the final signature event of the year. Then a slew of players withdrew on Monday, including former Rocket winner Tony Finau and solid veterans Eric Cole and Charley Hoffman.

Our golf experts preview the Rocket Classic and provide their favorite prop picks along with best bets to win this week.

ROCKET CLASSIC
Location: Detroit, June 26-29
Course: Detroit Golf Club (Par 72, 7,370 Yards)
Purse: $9.6M (Winner: $1.728M)
Defending Champion: Cam Davis
FedEx Cup leader: Scottie Scheffler

HOW TO FOLLOW
TV: Thursday-Friday: 3-6 p.m. ET (Golf Channel); Saturday-Sunday: 1-3 p.m. (GC), 3-6 p.m. (CBS, Paramount+)
Streaming (ESPN+): Thursday-Friday: 6:45 a.m.-6 p.m. ET; Saturday-Sunday: 7 a.m.-6 p.m.
X: @RocketClassic

PROP PICKS
–Danny Willett to Make Cut (+110 at DraftKings): These are the types of value plays we look for in softer fields. The former Masters champ has turned into a tour grinder, having fallen to 288th in the world rankings. While Willett has missed four of 10 cuts in 2025, he is coming off a T13 in Canada in his most recent start and also posted a top-10 at the Farmers earlier this year.

–Davis Thompson Top 30 Finish (+108 at BetRivers): Thompson should be licking his chops at the opportunity to snap out of his recent slide that has seen him miss three of five cuts. He’s among the higher-ranked players in the field at No. 61, but that’s down from a career-high 38th last year. Thompson tied for second here in 2024, and is coming off a solid T25 at the Travelers last week.

–Matt Fitzpatrick to Beat Rickie Fowler (-120 at DraftKings): Fowler desperately needs a strong week to move further inside the playoff bubble and he did win in Detroit two years ago. He has posted some decent results of late — including a T7 at the Memorial — but Fitzpatrick has also broken out of a lengthy slump. Seven consecutive made cuts includes a T8 at the PGA Championship and a T17 at the Travelers, which both sported elite fields.

2025 Prop Pick Record: 19-21

BEST BETS
–Collin Morikawa (+1200 at DraftKings) is the highest-ranked player in the field (No. 5) but hasn’t won a stroke play event since 2023. He lost in a playoff to Fowler here two years ago.
–Patrick Cantlay (+1600) is seeking to end his own lengthy drought, with his most recent win coming at the 2022 BMW Championship.
–Keegan Bradley (+1800) is a career-best No. 7 in the world rankings following his victory last week.
–Ben Griffin (+2200) has two titles to his credit already this season and is the highest-ranked player in the FedExCup standings at No. 6. Griffin is second in the field with 9 percent of the money backing him this week.
–Cameron Young (+2500) might be holding the unwanted title of best player yet to win a PGA Tour event. Could that come this week? Young tied for fourth in Canada and the U.S. Open before a T52 last week, and he’s second in the field with 8 percent of the total bets backing him.
–Keith Mitchell (+4000) doesn’t make this list often, but the affable tour veteran leads the field with 12 percent of the money and 11 percent of the total bets backing him to win this week. Mitchell tied for second in Mexico earlier this year, but his lone win on tour came six years ago.
–Min Woo Lee (+4500) tied for second last year but has failed to finished better than 49th in seven starts since winning in Houston.
–Cam Davis (+8000) offers longshot odds despite being the event’s only two-time winner (2021, ’24). He has eight missed cuts against one top-10 in 17 starts this year.

NOTES
–Only six weeks remain until the FedExCup Playoffs begin in August at the St. Jude Championship in Memphis, Tenn.
–The top five players within the top 20 in the FedExCup Standings after this week who are not otherwise exempt will earn spots in The Open Championship. The five players in the field with mathematical chances to move inside the top 20 are Michael Kim, Jacob Bridgeman, Ryan Gerard, Joe Highsmith and Si Woo Kim.
–Fowler enters the week No. 69 in the standings. Only the top 70 will qualify for the first leg of the playoffs, and the 2023 winner of the Rocket Classic is playing on the final year of his Tournament Winners exemption.
–Dominic Clanton earned a sponsor exemption by winning the 2024 Folds of Honor Collegiate. He is joined in the field by 2025 NCAA Division I individual champion Michael La Sasso, the No. 3-ranked amateur in the world behind Jackson Koivun and Ben James. Detroit native Joe Hooks earned a spot in the Rocket Classic by winning The John Shippen Men’s Invitational.
–After the tournament, the Detroit Golf Club will undergo a $16.1 million renovation that will include all new greens.
–Finau set the tournament scoring record of 262 with his 2022 victory.

–Field Level Media

PGA TOUR SIGNATURE EVENTS GET HIGH-PROFILE WINNERS AND A LITTLE MORE BALANCE

CROMWELL, Conn. (AP) — The PGA Tour has created more paths to the $20 million signature events, such as 10 leading players in the FedEx Cup standings and the five top players on a special list from the events in between. The elite players are still winning them.

Keegan Bradley became the eighth different winner of the eight signature events when he won the Travelers Championship. He also had the worst world ranking (No. 21) of any of this year’s winners.

The only other signature event winners outside the top 10 in the world were Russell Henley (14) at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and Sepp Straka (17) at the Truist Championship.

As far as current ranking, now all eight signature event winners are among the top 12.

Scottie Scheffler at least gave everyone a chance this year. Scheffler won four of the eight among his seven official PGA Tour titles a year ago. The only one where he repeated was at the Memorial. Scheffler, Rory McIlroy and Hideki Matsuyama are the only players to win at least one signature event in each of the last two years.

“I think the signature events have gone great,” said McIlroy, who won at Quail Hollow last year and Pebble Beach this year. “If you look at the list of winners … I think they work. They get all the top players together. I think they’ve produced exciting finishes with the best players in the world battling one another, played on some of the most iconic venues that we have.”

The difficulty is the short season. All eight signature events were held over six months, and that doesn’t include three majors and The Players Championship.

“This is the last signature event of the year, and it feels like we’ve only got started,” McIlroy said. “We’re only into June, and we’re not even halfway through the year.”

Still to come, of course, is the British Open and two $20 million FedEx Cup playoff events, along with the bonus payout — $25 million to the winner — from the FedEx Cup finale in the Tour Championship at East Lake.

Scheffler’s run

Even when Scottie Scheffler is not winning, he’s rarely too far behind.

He was part of the 36-hole lead at the Travelers Championship when he opened with a triple bogey and shot 72 to fall nine shots behind. He closed with a 65 and tied for sixth.

Dating to the Houston Open, the world’s No. 1 player now has nine consecutive tournaments finishing in the top 10. He had three wins during a four-tournament stretch, including the PGA Championship for his third major.

His actual scoring average during that stretch is 67.8, and he has earned just over $13 million. Scheffler twice finished five shots behind since late March, at Hilton Head and the U.S. Open.

One last chance

The British Open typically has an exemption based on the FedEx Cup that ends after the Travelers Championship. At the request of the PGA Tour, that spot has been moved back one week to end after the Rocket Mortgage Classic.

It’s still a long shot.

The category is the leading five players, not already exempt, from the top 20 in the FedEx Cup. Trouble is, the top 30 going into the Rocket Mortgage already are exempt for Royal Portrush.

Michael Kim is at No. 31, and he would require no less than a two-way tie for second (245 points) to reach the points where Robert MacIntyre is at No. 20. Jacob Bridgeman at No. 34 in the FedEx Cup needs outright second place.

One other from the top 40, Ryan Gerard, would have to win this week.

The Open previously offered a spot to the leading finisher in the John Deere Classic. That spot no longer exists. The tour asked for the cutoff to move back one week because the Travelers Championship is a signature event, and some players might not have been in the field.

Open qualifying

The British Open is offering 20 spots from four golf courses on July 1 in the regional final qualifying to see who gets to Royal Portrush on July 17-20.

This is viewed as a significant pathway for players from Saudi-funded LIV Golf, and 16 players are entered in the 36-hole qualifier. That includes 52-year-old Lee Westwood, who has not played in a major since the 2022 British Open, a month after he joined LIV. He will be an Dundonald Links just north of Troon.

There’s also a father-son outing at Royal Cinque Ports on the east coast of England, where Ian and Luke Poulter are playing. Luke Poulter nearly qualified for the U.S. Open, instead getting an alternate spot but not getting into the field at Oakmont.

The four regional qualifiers start two days after LIV concludes its event in the Dallas area. Among those signed to play are Graeme McDowell, Peter Uihlein, Paul Casey and David Puig.

LIV’s next event is July 11-13 in Spain, a week before the British Open.

Long sponsorships

The PGA Tour has extended the contracts of two of its longest-running title sponsors.

The most recent was AT&T, which began as title sponsor of the Pebble Beach Pro-Am in 1986. Next year will mark its 41st consecutive year of what now is a signature event. Rory McIlroy won earlier this year at Pebble Beach.

Previously it was John Deere, a longtime partner with the PGA Tour and title sponsor of the John Deere Classic since 1999.

Divots

The Broadmoor will get two more U.S. Senior Opens, in 2031 and 2037. The U.S. Senior Open is being held on the Colorado course this week for the third time. … Joe Hooks, who grew up playing at Detroit Golf Club, shot 68-66 to win the John Shippen Men’s Invitational and earn a spot in the Rocket Mortgage Classic this week. … Minjee Lee became the first player to win three LPGA majors this decade with her victory in the KPMG Women’s PGA. Nelly Korda, Lilia Vu and Yuka Saso have each won two. … Tommy Fleetwood surpassed $31 million in career PGA Tour earnings with his tie for second in the Travelers Championship. No one has earned more without a PGA Tour victory.

Stat of the week

Minjee Lee was the 16th different winner in 16 tournaments on the LPGA this year.

Final word

“Can’t be perfect every day. Just trying to do my best.” — Scottie Scheffler on his 2-over 72 in the third round of the Travelers Championship, the fifth time in 55 rounds this year he has been over par.

RICHARD BLAND CHOOSES LIV OVER CHANCE TO DEFEND TITLE AT US SENIOR OPEN

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) — Richard Bland will not defend his title this week at the U.S. Senior Open, choosing instead to play at LIV Golf’s stop in Dallas while the seniors tee it up at the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs.

The 52-year-old defending champ said on social media that he was committed to playing LIV’s 14-event schedule with a goal of finishing among the top 24 to guarantee his spot on the Cleeks team captained by Martin Kaymer.

Action starts Thursday at the Broadmoor, which is hosting its ninth USGA championship. Among them: Jack Nicklaus’ victory in the 1959 U.S. Amateur and Annika Sorenstam’s 1995 win in the U.S. Women’s Open.

Bland, a longtime fixture on the European (now DP World) Tour, won the British Masters in 2021 at age 48 to become that tour’s oldest first-time winner. Also that year, he shared the lead at the U.S. Open at Torrey Pines after two rounds before finishing 50th.

Bland was denied entry into the 2023 Senior British Open because of outstanding fines he owed to the European Tour after his move to LIV. But his win at the Senior PGA Championship in 2024 qualified him for the Senior U.S. Open later last summer, and he beat Hiroyuki Fujita in a playoff at Newport Country Club for the title.

Without Bland in the mix, the betting favorites this week are Stewart Cink, Miguel Angel Jimenez and Steven Alker. Jimenez beat Alker in a playoff at last week’s senior tour stop.

Also in the field are two-time Senior U.S. Open champion Bernhard Langer and Angel Cabrera, who has already won two majors — the Tradition and Senior PGA — this year. David Toms won the last Senior Open held at the Broadmoor, back in 2018.

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AUTO RACING NEWS

JUDGE ORDERS NASCAR TEAMS TO TURN OVER FINANCIAL DATA TO STOCK CAR SERIES, LIMITS DETAILS

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — A federal judge on Wednesday ordered a dozen NASCAR teams to provide 11 years of financial data to the stock car series as part of an ongoing legal fight but sharply limited what they need to share.

A day after hearing arguments from both sides, U.S. District Judge Kenneth Bell of the Western District of North Carolina said the information will “allow NASCAR to have much of the arguably relevant substance of the requested information, while protecting the legitimate interests” of the 12 teams. They had raised concerns that the private financial details could end up being made public and would hurt competitive balance.

Under the decision, the teams must provide top-line data — total revenue, total costs, and net profits and losses — dating to 2014. The teams and NASCAR were ordered to settle on an independent accounting firm to handle the details by Friday, with that work paid for by NASCAR.

Earlier this week, attorneys for 12 of the 15 overall race teams argued against disclosing their financial records to become part of NASCAR’s antitrust lawsuit. They are not parties in the ongoing suit filed by 23XI Racing, which is owned by the NBA Hall Jordan and three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin, and Front Row Motorsports, owned by entrepreneur Bob Jenkins.

23XI and Front Row are the only two organizations of the 15 that refused last September to sign take-it-or-leave offers on a new charter agreement. Charters are NASCAR’s version of a franchise model, with each charter guaranteeing entry to the lucrative Cup Series races and a stable revenue stream. Of the 13 teams that signed, only Kaulig Racing has submitted the financial documents NASCAR subpoenaed as part of discovery.

Teams have long argued that NASCAR is not financially viable and they need a greater revenue stream and a more permanent length on the charter agreements, which presently have expiration dates and can be revoked by NASCAR. Two years of negotiations ended last fall with 13 teams signing on and 23IX and FRM instead heading to court.

FORMULA 1: HOW TO WATCH THE AUSTRIAN GRAND PRIX ON TV AND WHAT TO KNOW

SPIELBERG, Austria (AP) — Here’s a guide that tells you what you need to know about Sunday’s Austrian Grand Prix. It’s the 11th round of the 2025 Formula 1 season.

How to watch the Austrian Grand Prix on TV

— In the U.S., on ESPN.

— Other countries are listed here.

What is the Austrian Grand Prix schedule?

— Friday: First and second practice sessions.

— Saturday: Third practice and qualifying.

— Sunday: Austrian Grand Prix, 71 laps of the 4.32-kilometer (2.68-mile) Red Bull Ring. It starts at 3 p.m. local time (9 a.m. ET / 1400 GMT).

Where is the Austrian Grand Prix taking place?

Up in the mountains near the town of Spielberg, it’s the home race for the Red Bull team, which competes under the Austrian flag and often ups its game at the Red Bull Ring. Max Verstappen is the most successful driver in the history of the Austrian Grand Prix, but George Russell won last year’s race for Mercedes after Verstappen and Lando Norris collided while fighting for the lead.

What happened in the last race?

Russell took the win ahead of Verstappen at the Canadian Grand Prix but all the focus was on the two McLarens colliding. Norris clipped Oscar Piastri while trying to pass his teammate and then hit the wall. Piastri recovered to finish fourth, extending his standings lead to 22 points over Norris, who failed to finish a race for the first time in almost a year.

What do I need to know about F1

so far?

Get caught up:

— George Russell holds off Max Verstappen for Canadian GP win as McLarens collide

— Lando Norris says the ‘F1’ movie mirrors his rivalry with Oscar Piastri after Canada collision

— F1 rookie Kimi Antonelli passes his final exams to graduate from high school

— South Africa’s Kyalami circuit says the FIA has approved upgrades which would let it host Formula 1

— Movie Review: From bumper to bumper, ‘F1’ is Formula 1 spectacle

Key stats

5 — Max Verstappen took pole position for the five previous races at the Austrian circuit, winning three of them. That includes one at the track in 2021 for the Styrian Grand Prix.

4 — Oscar Piastri’s fourth-place finish in Canada ended a run of eight podium finishes in a row, underlining the consistency which has powered his title challenge.

155 — All but seven of Red Bull’s 162 points this season have been earned by Verstappen. Teammate Yuki Tsunoda was out of the points in Canada for the third race in a row.

What they’re saying

“Of course there’s always going to be some little roadblocks and chicanes and things to navigate through, but in the end of the day, I think, as long as we pull through the other day together, that’s the most important.” — Lando Norris reflects on his collision with Oscar Piastri in Canada.

“Of course the last race was great, winning in Canada, but we’re striving for more. We want to be in that championship fight.” — George Russell.

“Promosso” — Mercedes’ 18-year-old rookie Kimi Antonelli celebrates with a simple message, “passed” in Italian, after completing his high school exams.

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TOP INDIANA HEADLINES

INDIANA PACERS

PACERS ACQUIRE SECOND-ROUND PICK FROM SPURS

A week after trading away their first-round pick, the Indiana Pacers acquired a second-round selection shortly before the NBA Draft began on Wednesday evening.

The Pacers landed the 38th overall pick from the San Antonio Spurs in exchange for the Sacramento Kings’ second-round selection in 2030 plus cash considerations. Indiana acquired the 2030 pick in a deal for shooting guard Chris Duarte in 2023.

After trading the 23rd selection to the New Orleans Pelicans last week to reacquire their 2026 first-rounder, the Pacers now have picks No. 38 and 54 in this year’s draft. The 2026 pick initially was included in the deal to acquire Pascal Siakam from the Toronto Raptors. Toronto then shipped it to New Orleans as part of a package for Brandon Ingram.

Coming off a devastating Game 7 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Finals, the Pacers may look to add depth with the extra pick. All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton tore his Achilles tendon on a non-contact play seven minutes into Game 7 and is expected to miss most or all of the 2025-26 season.

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INDIANA FEVER

DEWANNA BONNER SAYS ‘THE FIT DID NOT WORK’ WITH FEVER, WHO HAVE WAIVED THE 6-TIME ALL-STAR

The Indiana Fever waived DeWanna Bonner on Wednesday, giving the 16-year veteran her unconditional release.

Bonner had been away from the team since June 12, missing five games for personal reasons. She averaged 7.1 points and 3.8 rebounds a game for the Fever since coming to the franchise as a free agent in February.

“I want to sincerely thank the Indiana Fever for the opportunity to be part of the Fever franchise,” Bonner said in a news release. “Despite our shared goals and excitement heading into the season, I felt the fit did not work out and I appreciate the organization’s willingness to grant my request to move on, particularly at this point in my career. I wish the Fever great success as they continue to build around this dynamic group of young players.”

Bonner averaged double-figures scoring in each of her seasons in the WNBA and has been a full-time starter since 2012 when she played in Phoenix and Connecticut. She only started in three of the nine Indiana games she played in. She moved into third place on the league’s all-time scoring list in the season opener.

The 37-year-old Bonner will be on waivers for 48 hours which allows teams to pick her up and assume the remainder of her $200,000 contract. If no one signs her she’ll become an unrestricted free agent and can sign with any team for the prorated veteran minimum.

Indiana re-signed guard Aari McDonald, who had been stellar for the franchise when she was picked up on a hardship contract earlier this month. She averaged 11 points, 3.0 assists and 2.0 steals in her time with the team.

“From the moment she arrived in Indy, Aari was a clear fit with the style and mentality we are building here with the Fever,” Fever COO and GM Amber Cox said. “Though only here a few games, her impact as a playmaker and a defender was evident. We are very excited to welcome her back for the remainder of the season.”

GAME PREVIEW: FEVER RETURN HOME TO HOST SPARKS ON THURSDAY

Indiana Fever vs Los Angeles Sparks
Thursday, June 26
Gainbridge Fieldhouse | 7:00 p.m. ET
Find Tickets »

Broadcast Information
TV: Amazon/FanDuel Sports Network
Radio: 93.5/107.5 The Fan

Probable Starters

Indiana Fever (7-7)

Guard – Caitlin Clark
Guard – Kelsey Mitchell
Forward – Lexie Hull
Forward – Natasha Howard
Center – Aliyah Boston

Los Angeles Sparks (4-11)

Guard – Shey Peddy
Guard – Kelsey Plum
Forward – Rickea Jackson
Forward – Azura Stevens
Center – Dearica Hamby

GAME PREVIEW:

After a three-game West Coast trip, the Fever are back in action on Thursday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, hosting the Los Angelese Sparks for their first of two visits to Indianapolis this season.

It is a busy week for the Fever, who traveled back from Seattle on Wednesday morning, host the Sparks on Thursday, then will fly to Dallas after the game to face the Wings on Friday on the second night of a back-to-back.

Third-year center Aliyah Boston had a tremendous road trip for the Fever, averaging 24.7 points on 66.7 percent shooting 10 rebounds over Indiana’s three games out West. Boston scored a career-high 31 points on 13-of-18 shooting in the Fever’s 94-86 win over the Storm on Tuesday night. She continues to lead the league in field goal percentage, now shooting 61.2 percent from the field.

The Sparks have dropped four straight games entering Thursday’s matchup with the Fever. They are wrapping up a difficult stretch of their schedule with five of six games on the road.

After winning two WNBA titles and making three All-Star teams in Las Vegas, Kelsey Plum was traded to the Sparks over the offseason. Plum is averaging 20.4 points per game so far in her first season in Los Angeles, the fourth-leading scorer in the WNBA. She also averages a team-high 5.4 assists.

Dearica Hamby averages 16.4 points and 7.7 rebounds for the Sparks, while Azura Stevens contributes 13.9 points and 8.7 boards.

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INDIANAPOLIS INDIANS

INDIANS FALL TO STORM CHASERS IN RAINY 10 INNINGS

INDIANAPOLIS – Ronny Simon launched a grand slam to put the Indianapolis Indians up 5-0 after three innings, but they could not stave off a comeback in a 7-5 loss to the Omaha Storm Chasers in 10 innings on Wednesday afternoon at Victory Field.

After Omaha (32-44) tied the game in the top of the eighth, the teams went scoreless through the ninth to send the game to extras. MJ Melendez, on the third pitch of the 10th by Cam Sanders (L, 1-1), roped a triple down the left-field line. He was then immediately driven in on a sacrifice fly.

The scoring began for the Indians (43-33) with a bases-loaded walk in the bottom of the second. Following three consecutive one-out singles, Simon launched the Indians third grand slam of the season in the fourth to break the game open. It was Simon’s second career grand slam after launching his first on Aug. 17, 2024, with Triple-A Durham vs. Nashville.

A pair of two-run homers by Joey Wiemer in the sixth and Harold Castro in the eighth sandwiched an RBI double to tie the game for Omaha. The Storm Chasers bullpen combined for 5.0 shutout innings as the offense rallied, capped by Andrew Hoffman (W, 3-3) and Evan Sisk (S, 4).

Liover Peguero led the Indians offense with a 3-for-4 performance. Simon’s four-RBI day was one shy of his career high and was his first game with at least four RBI since Aug. 21, 2024, with Durham at Syracuse.

The Indians and Storm Chasers continue their six-game set at 7:05 PM on Thursday night. RHP Thomas Harrington (4-7, 5.58) will take the mound for the Indians against LHP Rich Hill (3-1, 4.29)

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PURDUE FOOTBALL

CHERRY HEADED TO PURDUE

6-5 275-pound DL Kobe Cherry from Center Grove will take his talents to West Lafayette to play with the Boilermakers. Indian and Wisconsin were also in the running for his services. Cherry missed his entire junior season with an injury. As a sophomore, he had 70 tackles and three sacks.                             

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BALL STATE TENNIS

BILL RICHARDS ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT AFTER 53 SEASONS AT THE HELM OF THE BALL STATE MEN’S TENNIS TEAM

MUNCIE, Ind. – After more than five decades of shaping one of the most respected programs in collegiate tennis, Ball State University head men’s tennis coach Bill Richards has announced he will retire June 30, 2025. Richards’ remarkable 53-year career has left an enduring mark on Ball State Athletics, the Mid-American Conference (MAC) and college tennis.

Richards, the winningest coach in Ball State and MAC men’s tennis history, took over the reins for the Cardinals in 1972. Since then, he has amassed an extraordinary 769-482 (.614) overall record and a 243-88 (.734) league ledger. Under his leadership, the Cardinals captured 38 MAC regular season and/or tournament titles, made eight NCAA Tournament appearances and had 17 undefeated regular seasons.

“Ball State University has been immeasurably enriched by the talents of Bill Richards for more than five decades,” Ball State Director of Athletics Jeff Mitchell said. “His remarkable career exemplifies the model of excellence for which Ball State is known, and his leadership has made a positive impact on generations of student-athletes. I am grateful to Coach Richards for his devotion to our men’s tennis program and his commitment to making Ball State athletics a valuable asset in our community.”

A 15-time MAC Coach of the Year, Richards has coached numerous players to national acclaim. Standouts include Matt Baccarani and Patrick Thompson, ranked as high as No. 4 in NCAA doubles during the 2005–06 season, and John Amos, who won a first-round singles match at the 1994 NCAA Championships. In 1991, Dan Kronauge and Paul Krusecaptured the Volvo Collegiate Fall Championship and earned the No. 1 doubles ranking in the nation. In 1987 the doubles teams of Todd Hershey and Eric Nixon along with Gene Orlando and Marty Reist met in the finals if the Mid-west regional championship and were the only two teams from the Midwest NCAA Region to be selected to play in the NCAA tournament.

The MAC Player of the Year award began in 1997 where Richards saw eight of his student-athletes earn the accolade while 75 received First Team All-MAC honors. In addition, he coached 12 individuals who have been inducted into the Ball State Athletics Hall of Fame, along with the 1989-90 men’s tennis team.

For his outstanding achievements on and off the court, Richards was inducted into the Ball State Athletics Hall of Fame in 1993 and received the Benny Award, the highest honor for services from the Ball State Alumni Association, in 2006.

Richards also became the only coach in Ball State history to receive the President’s Medal of Distinction, at the 2012 spring commencement ceremony. In addition, Richards received the 2014-15 NCAA Bob Frederick Sportsmanship Award and was recognized by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) with the 2018 ITA Meritorious Service Award.

Along with his work at Ball State, Richards served on the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Board of Directors and worked with the U.S. National Team, accompanying top junior players to major international tournaments including Wimbledon, the French Open and the U.S. Open.

A native of Sturgis, Michigan, Richards earned his bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University and a master’s degree from Bowling Green State University. He played collegiate tennis at Western Michigan, where he was a MAC champion in both singles and doubles.

Richards started his collegiate coaching career as a graduate assistant coach at Bowling Green. He then served as the head tennis coach at Portage Central High School for one season before his appointment at Ball State.

Richards and his wife, Sue, have two children, Rob (wife Wendy) and Kristi, and two grandchildren, Leah and Ryan.

Ball State will announce Richards’ successor at a later date following his official retirement.                                                                 

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INDIANA STATE VOLLEYBALL

SYCAMORE VOLLEYBALL ANNOUNCES 2025 SCHEDULE

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana State volleyball head coach Ashlee Pritchard announced the schedule for the upcoming 2025 season. The 28-game slate features four tournaments, including a home tournament with three teams coming to Terre Haute.

The Sycamores kick off the year playing in the Bellarmine Tournament in Louisville, Ky. on August 29-30. The following weekend on September 5-6, the Trees will head to DeKalb, Ill. to play in the Northern Illinois Tournament, squaring off against NIU, SIUE, and Merrimack.

On the third weekend, Indiana State is set to host the Refreshment Services Pepsi Sycamores Volleyball Invite inside Hulman Center, the first time fans will get to see the squad in Terre Haute in 2025, taking place from September 12-13. That tournament will feature visiting Montana, Eastern Illinois, and Butler.

The final tournament on the slate takes the Trees to Nashville, Tenn. to play in the Tennessee State Tournament, where the host TSU will bring in the Sycamores, the University of Idaho, and UT-Chattanooga.

Indiana State dives into Missouri Valley action on September 26-27, facing Illinois State and Belmont at home, respectively. The Sycamores then hit the road for four straight matches, starting first at Southern Illinois on October 3 then at Evansville on October 4. The following weekend, Indiana State travels to Murray State on October 10 and to Belmont on October 11.

Indiana Stare returns home on October 14 to host Evansville and stay in Terredise to host the reigning MVC Tournament champions Northern Iowa on October 17 before heading northwest to Iowa to battle the Bulldogs of Drake on October 24 and Northern Iowa on October 25. UNI finished last season undefeated in conference play, winning the opening round of the NCAA Tournament against Illinois 3-1 before falling to Louisville 3-2.

The following weekend, the Sycamores host the Beacons of Valparaiso on Halloween and UIC on November 1. The Trees get back on the road to face Bradley on November 7 and Illinois State on November 8. To wrap up the regular season, Indiana State hosts Southern Illinois on November 14 and Drake on November 15 for Senior Weekend inside Hulman Center.

The 2025 Missouri Valley Tournament takes place the following week from November 19-25 with the location TBD.

The Sycamores’ roster features nine upperclassmen on their squad of 19. Seniors Emily Weber and Cadence Gilley are joined by transfer (Kansas City) middle blocker Kimora Whetstone. Weber finished seventh in the MVC last season in assists Gilley 17th in service aces.

Junior middle blocker Ella Scott, middle blocker Lily Mueller, DS/libero Macy Lengacher, outside hitter Kira Holland, and setter Avery Hales are joined by transfer (Harper College) middle blocker Taylor Knuth. Scott finished 5th in the league in blocks and 21st in hitting percentage a season ago. Lengacher finished 14th in digs.

Outside hitter Curry Kendall, DS/libero Emmy Sher, middle blocker Anna Ptacin, DS/libero Chloe Gilley are the sophomore of the group. Kendall landed in 21st last season in the league in kills, and Gilley finished 20th in digs.

Weber and Scott each played in every set one season ago (107), while Lengacher (95), and Cadence Gilley (84), and Chloe Gilley (81) all played at least in 80% sets. Scott is the lone return to start each match last season.

Six freshmen join fourth-year head coach Ashlee Pritchard’s team in 2025: Sophia Mayo (outside hitter; Indianapolis/FIU), Corinne Knapp (outside hitter; Lithipolis, Ohio), Hadley Hardersen (setter; Urbandale, Iowa), Ava Robart (outside hitter; Potosi, Mo.), Sydney King (middle blocker; Lebanon, Tenn.), and Sydni Weber (DS/libero; Terre Haute).

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SOUTHERN INDIANA WOMEN’S SOCCER

USI WOMEN’S SOCCER ANNOUNCES 2025 SCHEDULE

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Women’s Soccer has released its schedule for the 2025 championship season.

The 2025 season officially kicks off Thursday, August 14, when the Screaming Eagles travel to face their first power-conference opponent in regular-season action at the University of Nebraska of the Big Ten Conference.

The road matchup at Nebraska will also be USI’s first official contest as a full-fledged NCAA Division I program after completing the reclassification process the previous three years, making the 2025 campaign the first season in which the Screaming Eagles are eligible for the NCAA postseason.

Southern Indiana will tune up for the regular season with a pair of preseason exhibitions in early August. On August 3, USI will meet the University of Nebraska Omaha in St. Louis, Missouri, and on August 9, the Eagles will host Illinois State University from Strassweg Field.

After the season-opening match at Nebraska, USI kicks off its home schedule on August 17 against Cleveland State University. The Screaming Eagles will also host Eastern Michigan University (August 28), Southern Illinois University (August 31), Valparaiso University (September 4), and Purdue University Fort Wayne (September 14) during the non-conference season.

Other non-conference road stops include a back-to-back trip to Robert Morris University (August 21) and the University of Akron (August 24), and a visit to Bellarmine University on September 7.

Southern Indiana’s fourth season in the Ohio Valley Conference opens September 20 at the University of Tennessee at Martin. The nine-match conference schedule includes consecutive home dates at Strassweg Field against Morehead State University on September 25, which is a rematch of last season’s OVC tournament quarterfinal for USI, and against Southeast Missouri State University on September 28. Then the Screaming Eagles will hit the road for back-to-back contests at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock (October 5) and Eastern Illinois University (October 9). USI returns home October 12 for a tilt against Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Southern Indiana will travel to face Tennessee Tech University, the 2024 OVC regular-season champions, on October 16 before hosting Lindenwood University, the reigning OVC tournament champions, on October 19 in the home finale. USI concludes the regular season with a trip to Western Illinois University (October 26).

The OVC Championship Tournament runs from October 30 through November 9.

“We are extremely excited to announce our 2025 schedule,” USI Women’s Soccer Head Coach Eric Schoenstein said. “We face our toughest schedule in program history, starting with a power-four team at Nebraska, and the following matches are just as challenging. We scheduled a difficult non-conference season to prepare us for a tough Ohio Valley Conference schedule. Our experienced and talented roster is looking forward to the upcoming season.”

The Screaming Eagles went 5-9-5 overall last season and 4-2-3 in conference play. USI is coming off its second consecutive appearance in the OVC tournament quarterfinals last year.

The full schedule with match times and gameday promotions can be found on the USI Women’s Soccer schedule page on usiscreamingeagles.com.

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“SPORTS COMMENTARY”

(MATT BROWN, EXTRA POINTS)

Good morning, and thanks for spending part of your day with Extra Points.

July 1 is typically an important date on the college athletics calendar. That’s usually the start of the new academic and fiscal year. That means it’s often a date that comes up in all sorts of contracts…like conference affiliation.

If you want to make a move while paying the smallest amount of exit fees you can, well, you’re going to try to make a conference realignment announcement before July 1. Leaving in July, unless you’re willing to wait an extra year, will typically become more expensive.

In that spirit, two industry sources with direct knowledge told me on Tuesday evening that Sacramento State is expected to announce on Wednesday that they will be leaving the Big Sky Conference, effective July 1, 2026. The Hornets, I’m told, are expected to affiliate with the Big West Conference. This will give the Big West 12 conference members, as Utah Valley and Cal Baptist joined the league earlier in 2025.

But the Big West does not sponsor football. I’m told that Sacramento State’s preference and top priority remains to find a way to compete in the FBS. Since earlier attempts to secure FBS conference affiliation were not successful, Sacramento State applied for a waiver to join FBS as an independent.

Many fans and analysts assumed that because Liberty was awarded a waiver back in 2017, Sacramento State’s application would assuredly get approved. I had been repeatedly told throughout the process that Sacramento State was no guaranteed bet to secure such a waiver. Earlier this week, the FBS Oversight Committee recommended that the NCAA Division 1 Council deny that waiver.

Absent an FBS home by 2026, industry sources told me that Sacramento State is preparing to participate as an FCS Independent until they can secure a stable FBS home.

Why is it looking like their waiver won’t be approved? What does this move mean for the Big Sky? What about potential realignment with the Pac-12, Sun Belt, and others?

https://www.extrapointsmb.com

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SMALL COLLEGE WEB SITES

UINDY ATHLETICS: https://athletics.uindy.edu/

MARIAN ATHLETICS: https://muknights.com/

INDIANA WESLEYAN ATHLETICS: https://iwuwildcats.com/

EARLHAM ATHLETICS: https://goearlham.com/

WABASH ATHLETICS: https://sports.wabash.edu/

FRANKLIN ATHLETICS: https://franklingrizzlies.com/

ROSE-HULMAN ATHLETICS: https://athletics.rose-hulman.edu/

ANDERSON ATHLETICS: https://athletics.anderson.edu/landing/index

TRINE ATHLETICS: https://trinethunder.com/landing/index

BETHEL ATHLETICS: https://bupilots.com/

DEPAUW ATHLETICS: https://depauwtigers.com/

HANOVER ATHLETICS: https://athletics.hanover.edu/

MANCHESTER ATHLETICS: https://muspartans.com/

HUNTINGTON ATHLETICS: https://www.huathletics.com/

OAKLAND CITY ATHLETICS: https://gomightyoaks.com/index.aspx

ST. FRANCIS ATHLETICS: https://www.saintfranciscougars.com/landing/index

IU KOKOMO ATHLETICS: https://iukcougars.com/

IU EAST ATHLETICS: https://www.iueredwolves.com/

IU SOUTH BEND ATHLETICS: https://iusbtitans.com/

PURDUE NORTHWEST ATHLETICS: https://pnwathletics.com/

INDIANA TECH ATHLETICS: https://indianatechwarriors.com/index.aspx

GRACE COLLEGE ATHLETICS: https://gclancers.com/

ST. MARY OF THE WOODS ATHLETICS: https://smwcathletics.com/

GOSHEN COLLEGE ATHLETICS: https://goleafs.net/

HOLY CROSS ATHLETICS: https://www.hcsaints.com/index.php

TAYLOR ATHLETICS: https://www.taylortrojans.com/

VINCENNES ATHLETICS: https://govutrailblazers.com/landing/index

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TODAY IN BASEBALL HISTORY

June 26

1916 — The Cleveland Indians wore numbers on their sleeves in a game against the Chicago White Sox. It marked the first time players were identified by numbers corresponding to the scorecard.

1924 — New York right-hander Virgil Barnes faced his older sibling, Jesse, marking the first time brothers started against one another in major league history. Jesse got the loss when the Giants beat the Boston Braves 11-7.

1938 — Lonny Frey of the Cincinnati Reds had eight hits in a doubleheader split with the Philadelphia Phillies. Frey had three hits in a 10-3 opening-game loss and collected five in the nightcap, which the Reds won 8-5.

1944 — In an effort to raise funds for war bonds, the New York Giants, Brooklyn Dodgers and New York Yankees played each other in a six-inning game at the Polo Grounds. More than 50,000 fans turned out. Each team played successive innings against the other two teams then would sit out an inning. The final score was Dodgers 5, Yankees 1, Giants 0.

1962 — Earl Wilson of the Boston Red Sox pitched a 2-0 no-hitter against the Los Angeles Angels at Fenway Park. Wilson, the Red Sox’s first black pitcher, also homered in the game.

1968 — St. Louis’ Bob Gibson pitched his fifth consecutive shutout as he blanked Pittsburgh, 3-0, in the first game of a doubleheader at Busch Stadium.

1970 — Frank Robinson hit two grand slams to power the Baltimore Orioles to a 12-2 victory over the Washington Senators.

1976 — Shortstop Toby Harrah played an entire doubleheader for the Texas Rangers without handling a batted ball by the Chicago White Sox.

1983 — New York’s Rusty Staub tied a season record with his eighth consecutive pinch hit. Staub equaled the 1958 mark established by Dave Philley of the Phillies when he singled in the ninth inning off reliever Ron Reed in the Mets’ 8-4 loss to Philadelphia at Shea Stadium.

2000 — Minor league sensation Alex Cabrera hit a two-run homer in his first major league at-bat for Arizona as the Diamondbacks beat the Houston Astros 6-1.

2003 — Edgar Martinez, who already holds the Mariners’ all-time records for games played, at-bats, hits, doubles, total bases, extra-base hits, walks and runs scored, passes Ken Griffey Jr.’s mark for team career RBIs. His two-run homer in the Mariners’ 10 – 6 victory over the Angels gives the All-Star designated hitter 1,153 RBIs – one more than Junior.

2006 — Oregon State beats North Carolina 3-2 for its first College World Series title.

2015 — Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg resigns in his third season with his team in last place.

2019 — Vanderbilt University defeats Michigan 8-2 to win the College World Series.

2021— The Arizona Diamondbacks end their record streak of consecutive road losses by defeating the San Diego Padres 10-1.

2023 — Louisiana State University wins the 2023 College World Series with an 18 – 4 win over the University of Florida in the final game, one day after losing 24 – 4 to the Gators. Paul Skenes is named the recipient of the College World Series Most Outstanding Player award. It is the Tigers’ seventh title overall, and first since 2009.

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TODAY IN SPORTS HISTORY

June 26

1910 — For the second consecutive year, Hazel Hotchkiss wins the singles, doubles and mixed doubles titles at the U.S. Lawn Tennis Association championships. Hotchkiss beats Louise Hammond 6-4, 6-2 for the singles title.

1925 — Jim Barnes wins the British Open with a one-stroke win over Ted Ray and Archie Compston at Prestwick Golf Club in South Ayrshire, Scotland.

1959 — Ingemar Johansson knocks out Floyd Patterson in the third round at Yankee Stadium to win the world heavyweight title.

1976 — Japanese professional wrestler Antonio Inoki fights American boxer Muhammad Ali, at the Nippon Budokan in Tokyo, Japan.

1990 — Jennifer Capriati, 14, defeats Helen Kelesi 6-3, 6-1 in the first round to become the youngest winner of a match in Wimbledon history.

1991 — NBA Draft: UNLV power forward Larry Johnson first pick by Charlotte Hornets.

1992 — UEFA European Championship Final, Ullevi, Gothenburg, Sweden: In a huge upset Denmark beats Germany, 2-0.

1993 — NHL Draft: Victoriaville Tigres (QMJHL) center Alexandre Daigle first pick by Ottawa Senators.

1995 — The U.S. Supreme Court upholds a random drug-testing program in Vernonia, Ore. The 6-to-3 decision allows public high school officials to require student-athletes to submit to random urinalysis as a condition of being allowed to play interscholastic sports.

1996 — NBA Draft: Georgetown guard Allen Iverson first pick by Philadelphia 76ers.

1999 — NHL Draft: Long Beach Ice Dogs (IHL) center Patrik Stefan first pick by Atlanta Thrashers.

1998 — Jamaica becomes the first Caribbean nation to win a World Cup soccer match since Cuba beat Romania in 1938. Theodore Whitmore scores in the 40th and 54th minutes as the Jamaicans beat Japan 2-1.

2002 — In one of the most extraordinary days at the All England Club, seven-time champion Pete Sampras, 1992 winner Andre Agassi and No. 2-seeded Marat Safin all lose — throwing the Wimbledon tournament wide open. For the first time in the Open era, five of the top-eight seeded men’s players are eliminated before the third round.

2002 — NBA Draft: Shanghai Sharks (China) center Yao Ming first pick by Houston Rockets.

2003 — NBA Draft: St. Vincent–St. Mary HS (Akron, Ohio) small forward LeBron James first pick by Cleveland Cavaliers.

2005 — Justin Gatlin cements his status as America’s fastest human by winning the 200 meters, becoming the first man in 20 years to sweep the sprints at the U.S. track and field championships. A day after winning the 100, Gatlin wins the 200 in 20.04 seconds. The last man to win both races at the U.S. meet was Kirk Baptiste in 1985.

2008 — Two stunning second-round upsets happen at Wimbledon as former champion Maria Sharapova and two-time runner-up Andy Roddick are ousted.

2008 — NBA Draft: Memphis point guard Derrick Rose first pick by Chicago Bulls.

2011 — Top-ranked Yani Tseng wins the LPGA Championship by 10 strokes and, at 22, becomes the youngest player to win four LPGA Tour majors.

2012 — Major college football finally gets a playoff. A committee of university presidents approve the BCS commissioners’ plan for a four-team playoff to start in the 2014 season.

2013 — Seven-time champion Roger Federer is stunned by 116th-ranked Sergiy Stakhovsky in the second round of Wimbledon, his earliest loss in a Grand Slam tournament in 10 years.

2014 — The United States reaches the knockout stage of consecutive World Cups for the first time. Germany beat the U.S. 1-0 to win Group G, but the Americans held onto second place when Portugal defeats Ghana 2-1 in a game played simultaneously.

2014 — NBA Draft: Kansas small forward Andrew Wiggins first pick by Cleveland Cavaliers.

2015 — NHL Draft: Erie Otters (OHL) center Connor McDavid #1 pick by the Edmonton Oilers.

2017 — Helmsman Peter Burling and Emirates Team New Zealand wins the America’s Cup with a resounding romp against software tycoon Larry Ellison’s two-time defending champion Oracle Team USA. They win Race 9 to clinch the 35th America’s Cup match at 7-1. Burling, at 26, is the youngest helmsman to win sailing’s greatest prize in a competition that dates to 1851.

2021 — Tour de France: The largest pile up in Tour history is caused by a spectator with a sign during Stage 1. The spectator is apprehended and arrested.

2012 — Stanley Cup Final, Amalie Arena, Tampa, FL: Colorado Avalanche beats two-time defending champions Tampa Bay Lightning, 2-1 for a 4-2 series win; Avs 3rd championship in franchise history.

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TV SPORTS

By The Associated Press

(All times Eastern)
Schedule subject to change and/or blackouts
Thursday, June 26
AUSTRALIAN RULES FOOTBALL (MEN’S)

5:30 a.m. (Friday)

FS2 — AFL: Western at Sydney

CFL FOOTBLL

8:30 p.m.

CBSSN — Edmonton at Winnipeg

GOLF

7:30 a.m.

GOLF — DP World Tour: The Italian Open, First Round, Argentario GC, Monte Argentario, Italy

11 a.m.

GOLF — LPGA Tour: The Dow Championship, First Round, Midland Country Club, Midland, Mich.

3 p.m.

GOLF — PGA Tour: The Rocket Classic, First Round, Detroit Golf Club, Detroit

6 p.m.

GOLF — PGA Tour Champions: The U.S. Senior Open Championship, First Round, Broadmoor Golf Club (East Course), Colorado Springs, Colo.

HORSE RACING

1 p.m.

FS2 — NYRA: America’s Day at the Races

MLB BASEBALL

1 p.m.

MLBN — Regional Coverage: Seattle at Minnesota (1:10 p.m.) OR Toronto at Cleveland (1:10 p.m.)

7 p.m.

MLBN — Atlanta at N.Y. Mets (7:10 p.m.)

NBA BASKETBALL

8 p.m.

ESPN — 2025 NBA Draft: Second Round, New York

RUGBY (MEN’S)

5:45 a.m.

FS2 — NRL: Canterbury-Bankstown at Penrith

SOCCER (MEN’S)

3 p.m.

TNT — FIFA Club World Cup Group Stage: Juventus vs. Manchester City, Group G, Orlando, Fla.

TRUTV — FIFA Club World Cup Group Stage: Juventus vs. Manchester City, Group G, Orlando, Fla.

SOCCER (WOMEN’S)

9 p.m.

TBS — International Friendly: U.S. vs. Ireland, Commerce City, Colo.

TRUTV — International Friendly: U.S. vs. Ireland, Commerce City, Colo.

TENNIS

5:30 a.m.

TENNIS — Eastbourne-ATP/WTA, Mallorca-ATP, Bad Homburg-WTA Quarterfinals

6 a.m.

TENNIS — Eastbourne-ATP/WTA, Mallorca-ATP, Bad Homburg-WTA Quarterfinals

5:30 a.m. (Friday)

TENNIS — Eastbourne-ATP/WTA, Mallorca-ATP, Bad Homburg-WTA Semifinals

6 a.m. (Friday)

TENNIS — Eastbourne-ATP/WTA, Mallorca-ATP, Bad Homburg-WTA Semifinals

WNBA BASKETBALL

7 p.m.

PRIME VIDEO — Los Angeles at Indiana

10 p.m.

PRIME VIDEO — Washington at Las Vegas