THE SCOREBOARD”
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WNBA SCOREBOARD
INDIANA 94 SEATTLE 86
DALLAS 68 ATLANTA 55
CHICAGO 97 LOS ANGELES 86
WASHINGTON 68 MINNESOTA 64
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MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL SCOREBOARD
TEXAS 6 BALTIMORE 5 (10)
TORONTO 10 CLEVELAND 6
DETROIT 11 LAS VEGAS 4
ATLANTA 7 NY METS 4
CINCINNATI 5 NY YANKEES 4 (11)
ARIZONA 4 CHICAGO WHITE SOX 1
TAMPA BAY 5 KANSAS CITY 1
ST. LOUIS 8 CHICAGO CUBS 7
SEATTLE 6 MINNESOTA 5
MILWAUKEE 9 PITTSBURGH 3
HOUSTON 1 PHILADELPHIA 0
LA DODGERS 9 COLORADO 7
LA ANGELS 3 BOSTON 2 (10)
SAN DIEGO 4 WASHINGTON 3
MIAMI 4 SAN FRANCISCO 2
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MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
INDIANAPOLIS 9 OMAHA 1
SOUTH BEND 10 CEDAR RAPIDS 6
FT. WAYNE 8 GREAT LAKES 7
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MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER SCOREBOARD
NO GAMES SCHEDULED
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TOP NATIONAL HEADLINES
NFL NEWS
STEELERS QB AARON RODGERS IS ‘PRETTY SURE’ THE 2025 SEASON WILL BE HIS LAST IN THE NFL
Aaron Rodgers is “pretty sure” the 2025 season, his first with the Pittsburgh Steelers, will be his last in the NFL, the 41-year-old quarterback said Tuesday.
The four-time MVP signed a one-year deal with Pittsburgh earlier this month after two injury-marred seasons with the New York Jets. Rodgers’ base salary is $13.65 million and he could earn up to $19.5 million with incentives, according to Spotrac.
“I’m pretty sure this is it. That’s why we just did a one-year deal. The Steelers didn’t need to put any extra years on that or anything,” Rodgers said on “The Pat McAfee Show.” “This was really about finishing with a lot of love and fun and peace for the career that I’ve had.”
Rodgers agreed to sign with Pittsburgh after regular conversations with coach Mike Tomlin over a few months, characterizing the decision during the Steelers’ recent minicamp as “best for my soul.”
“It’s been a long run and I’ve enjoyed it, and what better place to finish than in one of the cornerstone franchises of the NFL, with Mike Tomlin and a great group of leadership and great guys and a city that expects you to win,” Rodgers said Tuesday.
Rodgers also explained why he has not disclosed more details about his recent marriage to a woman he has identified only by her first name, Brittani.
“I lived in the public eye for 20 years. I had public relationships. How did that work out? I had people leaking my home information and leaking stories that we bought a house together. I had people calling paparazzi,” he said. “Didn’t want any of that, didn’t like any of that, and now I’m with somebody who’s private, who doesn’t want to be in the public eye, didn’t sign up to be a celebrity, doesn’t want to be a part of it.”
Don’t expect that to change when he retires, either.
“When this is all done, it’s Keyser Soze. You won’t see me,” Rodgers said. “I’m not going to be in the public eye.”
On the field, Rodgers hopes to provide stability — at least for one year — for a franchise that has cycled through several quarterbacks since Ben Roethlisberger retired after the 2021 season.
“For this year, I’m going to give the Steelers everything that I got and empty the tank and be super comfortable and satisfied with whatever happens,” he said.
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NBA NEWS
REPORT: CELTICS SEND PORZINGIS TO HAWKS IN 3-TEAM TRADE
The Boston Celtics are trading center Kristaps Porzingis and a second-round pick to the Atlanta Hawks as part of a three-team swap that also includes the Brooklyn Nets, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Atlanta is sending Terance Mann and the 22nd overall pick to Brooklyn, while Boston will receive Georges Niang and a second-round selection.
The Celtics have moved out of the NBA salary cap’s second apron after trading Porzingis on Tuesday, a day after sending guard Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers. Boston saved a projected $180 million in tax penalties after dealing both players, according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks.
The Hawks will take on Porzingis’ $30.7-million salary for the 2025-2026 campaign, and the 29-year-old will become an unrestricted free agent next summer, per Marks. Niang also becomes a free agent at the end of next season, while Mann is owed $15.5 million in each of the next three campaigns.
Brooklyn added to the team’s massive haul of selections ahead of the 2025 NBA Draft on Wednesday. The Nets now own a staggering five first-round picks with the No. 8, 19, 22, 26, and 27th choices.
Porzingis averaged 19.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists last season with the Celtics. The 2015 first-round pick is joining his fifth team after beginning his career with the New York Knicks and making stops with the Dallas Mavericks, Washington Wizards, and Celtics.
The 7-foot-2, 240-pound Porzingis will now be part of a nucleus in Atlanta that features Trae Young, Jalen Johnson, and Zaccharie Risacher.
Niang joins Boston’s frontcourt after posting 12.1 points and three rebounds per contest with the Hawks. Atlanta originally acquired the 32-year-old in a trade alongside Caris LeVert from the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for De’Andre Hunter.
REPORT: KYRIE IRVING WILL DECLINE OPTION, SIGN 3-YEAR, $119M CONTRACT
Nine-time All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving will decline his $43 million player option and instead plans to sign a three-year, $119 million contract to remain with the Dallas Mavericks, ESPN reported on Tuesday night.
Irving, who will have a player option for the 2027-28 season, per the report, is recovering from a torn ACL which ended his season in March. He spoke with ESPN on Tuesday night and said that there is a long-term commitment from himself and the Dallas organization and he wants to build a legacy with the Mavericks, believing the franchise can win a league championship.
Irving, 33, could return from the left knee injury as soon as January, per the report.
He averaged 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.3 steals and 36.1 minutes in 50 games (all starts) last season.
In parts of three seasons with the Mavericks, Irving has averaged 25.5 points, 4.9 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 1.3 steals and 35.9 minutes in 128 regular-season games (all starts).
He averaged 22.1 points, 3.7 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 1.0 steals and 40.0 minutes in starting all 22 playoff games as the Mavs advanced to 2024 NBA Finals, where they lost to Boston Celtics in five games.
For his career, Irving is averaging 23.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 1.3 steals and 34.5 minutes in 779 games (all starts) for the Cleveland Cavaliers (2011-17), Celtics (2017-19), Brooklyn Nets (2019-23) and Mavericks. (2023-present). He won an NBA title with the Cavaliers in 2016.
The Cavaliers selected Irving with the No. 1 pick of the 2011 NBA Draft after his freshman season at Duke. He was the NBA Rookie of the Year with Cleveland. Dallas has the No. 1 pick of the 2025 draft, which starts on Wednesday night, and is expected to pick All-America Cooper Flagg, a freshman out of Duke.
The Mavericks, who could build around Irving, Flagg and 10-time All-Star big man Anthony Davis, 32, will need a point guard while Irving is sidelined. ESPN reported that Irving’s three-year deal could allow Dallas the financial flexibility to open up a $5.7 million taxpayer midlevel exception.
HOW NIL MONEY IS RESHAPING THE NBA DRAFT: FEWER EARLY ENTRANTS, MORE COLLEGE STARS STAYING PUT
Will Wade’s work building N.C. State into an immediate winner included the pursuit of an entrant in the NBA draft, just in case he returned to college.
It wasn’t a huge risk: With all the cash flowing in college, the number of early entrants to the NBA draft has continued to shrink. This year’s draft starts Wednesday night with its lowest total of those prospects in at least 10 years.
“Now you can play the long game a little bit more,” Wade told The Associated Press, referring to how college players can look at their futures. “Look, I can get paid the same I would get paid in the G League, the same I would get paid on a two-way (contract), some guys are getting first-round money.”
And more money is on the way.
It’s been four years since college athletes were permitted to profit off the use of their name, image and likeness (NIL), opening the door for athlete compensation that was once forbidden by NCAA rules. Next week, on July 1, marks the official start of revenue sharing where schools can begin directly paying athletes following the $2.8 billion House antitrust settlement.
For Wade, that led to signing Texas Tech’s Darrion Williams after 247sports’ fifth-ranked transfer withdrew from the draft.
“Basically now if you’re an early entry and you’re not a top-20, top-22 pick — where the money slots — you can pretty much make that in college,” the new Wolfpack coach said.
It’s all part of a seismic change that has rippled through college athletics since the pandemic, its impact touching the NBA. Players willing to “test the waters” in the draft before returning to school now have a lucrative option to consider against uncertain pro prospects.
And it shows in the numbers.
“With all the money that’s being thrown around in NIL, you’re having a lot less players put their names in,” Detroit Pistons president of basketball operations Trajan Langdon said. “You’re having pretty good players pulling their names out.”
Declining number of early entrants
This year’s drop is significant when compared to the years before anyone had heard of COVID-19. There was a spike of college players jumping into the draft in the pandemic’s aftermath, when they were granted a free eligibility year to temporarily make even a fourth-year senior an “early” entrant.
But those numbers had fallen as those five-year players cycled out of college basketball, and they’re now below pre-pandemic levels. That decline coincides with NIL’s July 2021 arrival, from athletes doing paid appearances or social-media endorsements to boosters forming collectives offering NIL packages amounting to de facto salaries.
As a result:
— Eighty-two players appeared on the NBA’s list of early entrants primarily from American colleges with a smattering of other teams, down 49% from 2024 (162) and nearly 47% compared to the four-year average from 2016-19 (153.5);
— Thirty-two remained after withdrawal deadlines, down from 62 last year and 72.0 from 2016-19;
— Adding international prospects, 109 players declared for the draft, down from 201 last year and 205.0 from 2016-19;
— And only 46 remained, down from 77 in 2024 and 83.8 from 2016-19.
More college players weighing options
Duke coach Jon Scheyer understands draft dynamics, both for no-doubt headliners and prospects facing less clarity. He sees college athlete compensation as a “legitimate gamechanger.”
“Hopefully it allows players to decide what’s truly best for their game,” Scheyer told the AP. “It allows them to analyze: ‘Am I actually ready for this or not?’ Where money doesn’t have to be the deciding factor. Because if money’s the deciding factor, that’s why you see kids not stick. The NBA’s cutthroat. It just is.”
The Blue Devils are expected to have three players selected in the first-round Wednesday, including presumptive No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg alongside top-10 prospects Kon Knueppel and Khaman Maluach. They also had players sorting through draft decisions.
Freshman Isaiah Evans — a slender wing with explosive scoring potential — withdrew instead of chasing first-round status through the draft process. Incoming transfer Cedric Coward from Washington State rapidly rose draft boards after the combine and remained in the draft.
“There’s no substituting the money you’re going to make if you’re a top-15, top-20 pick,” said Scheyer, entering Year 4 as successor to retired Hall of Famer Mike Krzyzewski. “But if you’re not solidified as a first-round pick, why risk it when you can have a solid year and a chance to go up or be in the same position the following season?”
College compensation is re-shaping the draft pool
Langdon, himself a former Duke first-rounder, sees that evolution, too.
His Pistons had their first playoff appearance since 2019, but lack a first-round selection and own a single pick in Thursday’s second round. Fewer candidates could make the already imperfect science of drafting even trickier in this new reality.
According to the NBA’s 2024-25 rookie scale, a player going midway through the first round would make roughly $3.5 million in first-year salary. That figure would drop to about $2.8 million at pick No. 20, $2.3 million at No. 25 and $2.1 million with the 30th and final first-round draftee.
A minimum first-year NBA salary? Roughly $1.2 million.
“These NIL packages are starting to get up to $3 to $4 to $5 to $6 million dollars,” Langdon said. “These guys are not going to put their name in to be the 25th pick, or even the 18th pick. They are going to go back to school in hopes of being a lottery pick next year. With that pool of players decreasing, it kind of decreases the odds of the level of player we get at No. 37, just the pure mathematics.”
Current NBA players offer insight
Indiana Pacers big man Thomas Bryant and Oklahoma City Thunder counterpart Isaiah Hartenstein, who both played in the seven-game NBA Finals that ended Sunday, illustrate Langdon’s point.
They were back-to-back second-rounders in 2017 (Bryant at 42, Hartenstein at 43), pushed down a draft board featuring early-entry college players in 33 of the 41 picks before them.
Bryant played two college seasons at Indiana before stints with five NBA teams, including Denver’s 2023 championship squad. Would the ability to make college money have changed his journey?
“To be honest, I see it from both sides,” Bryant said. “If you’re not going to get drafted, you understand that a kid needs money to live in college and everything. So, I understand where they’re coming from on that end.
“But for me, I took the chance. I bet on myself, and I believed in myself, and I worked to the very end. And the thing about me is that if I went down, I was going down swinging. I hang my hat on that. For some, it might not be the same case.”
The American-born Hartenstein moved to Germany at 11 and played in Lithuania before being drafted. As he put it: “I think everyone’s journey is different.”
“I think you should have the right people around you to kind of guide you,” said Hartenstein, a newly minted NBA champion. “I mean, I was lucky that my dad, who was a professional before, kind of guided me. Depending on your circumstances, it’s hard to turn down guaranteed money. If there’s an opportunity to get in a good situation in the NBA, you do that. But it’s a hard decision.”
College now can be more of an allure
At N.C. State, Wade’s pitch to Williams included a leading role and a shot at boosting his draft stock.
The 6-foot-6 junior averaged 15.1 points with multiple big NCAA Tournament performances as the Red Raiders reached the Elite Eight, nearly beating eventual champion Florida.
“He was most likely going to be a second-round draft pick, and his package here is better than probably he would’ve gotten as a second-round pick,” Wade said, adding: “We certainly talked about that. We went over that. We went over the math of everything. We went over the plan on how to accomplish that.”
That’s not to say it’s easy at the college level in this new landscape. Roster management is tricky, including a balancing act of maintaining financial resources to potentially land one player while risking missing out on others.
“It’s the way life works, it’s the way it should work,” Wade said. “If there’s no risk, there’s no reward. The riskiest players, in terms of waiting on the money and waiting them out, are the best players. That’s why they’re in the draft process. We’re not going to be scared of that.”
Nor should he, not with the allure of campus life these days.
2025 NBA DRAFT MAKES SINGLE-FILE LINE BEHIND NO. 1 COOPER FLAGG
A whirlwind four months for the Dallas Mavericks begins anew Wednesday with the launch of the Cooper Flagg era.
The draft lottery in May turned into an unexpected gift for the Mavericks when they jumped the line of teams with the NBA’s worst records. Against the odds, they went from the playoff play-in tournament to the top of the 2025 draft.
Embattled Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison, and a fan base miffed by the decision to trade Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers midseason, found immediate optimism.
Not only was there a direct path to land Flagg, his arrival would make him a team centerpiece along with center Anthony Davis, who was acquired from the Lakers in the Doncic deal. Point guard and former Duke product Kyrie Irving is on the mend from a torn ACL, giving Dallas three No. 1 overall selections at the core of its roster.
Flagg, a 6-foot-9 forward with franchise-altering skill and qualities, is only 18 but often looked like a man among boys in guiding Duke to the Final Four. A combo-forward with ball skills, positional size and boundless versatility, Flagg slots in to a menacing frontline next to Davis and Dereck Lively II, another Duke product.
Flagg was the Wooden Player of the Year in his only college season, averaging 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.4 blocks per game for the Blue Devils.
“Cooper has the kind of talent that can elevate a franchise,” Duke coach Jon Scheyer said of Flagg’s NBA potential.
Flagg left Davis and other U.S. Olympic team members with a strong impression during scrimmages with the team last summer. One of the players raving about Flagg was LeBron James, who said this week on the “Mind the Game” podcast that Flagg couldn’t have picked a better situation to start his NBA career.
“A guy that can do so many different things out on the floor. Can play with the ball, can play without the ball. His jump shot is going to continue to get better. Super athletic, quick second jump,” James said. “And also, he has the benefit, unlike myself, he gets to join a team that’s established with Hall of Fame guys — Klay Thompson, Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving — right off the bat. Hall of Fame coach, Jason Kidd.
“You know, these guys … can give him the whole blueprint while he continues to learn what his blueprint will be. And I think that will be an incredible thing to have that type of presence, that type of leadership, that type of just basketball IQ and knowledge around him every single day from those pieces. So, I think he’s going to be amazing.”
San Antonio had only a 6.3 percent chance of a top two selection when the draft lottery took place but the Spurs also beat the odds. San Antonio has lived in the draft lottery for several years and have hit more often than they’ve missed with Victor Wembanyama, Stephon Castle and Jeremy Sochan selected in the top 10 since 2022.
Rutgers guard Dylan Harper is a favorite to wind up as the next piece of the puzzle in the San Antonio rebuild over in-state option V.J. Edgecombe, who starred in his only season at Baylor and appears destined to play for the Philadelphia 76ers.
“His length is crazy, and I don’t think you can undervalue how important length and athleticism are in the NBA. He’s strong, really has a great court sense,” ESPN analyst Jay Bilas said of Harper. “In my view, he’s the second-best prospect in this draft. He’s a clear choice after Cooper Flagg for the Spurs.”
Either team could be prepared to pull a surprise and commit to another Rutgers product in Ace Bailey, who has raised criticism and concern by refusing to work out in traditional pre-draft sessions.
76ers forward Paul George said this week Bailey is putting his future on the line and taking a senseless risk in trying to dictate his landing spot in the draft.
“You’re not in a position to be making those commands. Make it to the league first,” George said of Bailey’s decision not to work out for teams.
Flagg’s college teammates and fellow freshmen at Duke, sharpshooter Kon Knueppel and 7-footer Khaman Maluach, are likely to find homes in the lottery with two freshman point guards and Texas wildcard Tre Johnson figuring prominently in the top-10 conversation.
Illinois’ Kasparas Jakucionis and Oklahoma’s Jeremiah Fears are natural scorers with playmaking skills attractive to the Charlotte Hornets, Utah Jazz and Washington Wizards, who select Nos. 4, 5 and 6, respectively .
New Orleans has the seventh pick with the Brooklyn Nets, Toronto Raptors and Phoenix Suns rounding out the top 10.
Portland (11th), the Chicago Bulls, Atlanta Hawks and a second pick for the Spurs complete the lottery (non-playoff) picks.
MOCK DRAFT
Cooper Flagg (Duke)
Position: Forward
Height: 6-foot-8
Age: 18
GP FG% 3PT% FT% REB AST PTS
37 48.1 38.5 84 7.5 4.2 19.2
Thanks to his incredible versatility at both ends, expect the Mavericks to deploy Flagg in several roles as a rookie. His steady ball-handling, self-creation, and playmaking packaged in a 6-foot-8 frame suggest the bulk of his minutes will come at the wing, though he’s more than capable of holding his own at the four when Anthony Davis rests. It would be asinine to call Flagg a better overall player than Luka Doncic today; however, when Kyrie Irving’s back to 100%, the Duke product may end up being the better fit for Dallas’ contention window.
Dylan Harper (Rutgers)
Position: Point guard
Height: 6-foot-4
Age: 19
GP FG% 3PT% FT% REB AST PTS
29 48.4 33.3 75 4.6 4 19.4
Harper may be the most polished scoring guard to enter the league in recent years. He has a massive frame that he uses to great effect, carving out space to create driving angles. Once he gets to the cup, the former five-star recruit can deploy numerous fakes and step-throughs to finish at an elite clip (62%). Pairing Harper with Victor Wembanyama should open up his passing game – the lefty’s playmaking statistics don’t match his ability because Rutgers’ talent was questionable at best. Harper has All-NBA potential if he unlocks his off-the-dribble shooting.
VJ Edgecombe (Baylor)
Position: Shooting guard
Height: 6-foot-4
Age: 19
GP FG% 3PT% FT% REB AST PTS
33 43.6 34 78.2 5.6 3.2 15
In the debate between Edgecombe and Ace Bailey, the 76ers opt for the safer Baylor guard over the volatile Rutgers wing. Philadelphia is reportedly doing its due diligence on Edgecombe and can envision him and Tyrese Maxey in the backcourt together. The 19-year-old could cover for some of Maxey’s defensive limitations while contributing an explosive brand of offense. Adding Edgecombe might be the better decision for the Sixers’ short- and long- term future.
Ace Bailey (Rutgers)
Position: Small forward
Height: 6-foot-7
Age: 18
GP FG% 3PT% FT% REB AST PTS
30 46 34.6 69.2 7.2 1.3 17.6
Bailey continues to flirt with falling down draft boards following a subpar interview process and smaller measurements than anticipated at the draft combine. After a mercurial freshman season and reports that the Sixers are torn on whether to pick him at No. 3, it appears Bailey will fall one spot to the Hornets and team up with LaMelo Ball. Bailey should get plenty of touches in Charlotte, but that could be to his detriment if it exposes his inefficiency.
Tre Johnson (Texas)
Position: Shooting guard
Height: 6-foot-5
Age: 19
GP FG% 3PT% FT% REB AST PTS
33 42.7 39.7 87.1 3.1 2.7 19.9
Johnson is arguably the best pure scorer in this year’s draft. The Texas standout led the SEC in scoring last season as a freshman and posted the conference’s second-best 3-point clip. He can pull up from downtown in transition, shoot over smaller guards, and create separation from defenders on step-backs. However, Johnson’s lack of explosiveness limits his rim pressure, and he often settled for pull-up jumpers instead of making simple passing reads.
Kon Knueppel (Duke)
Position: Shooting guard
Height: 6-foot-5
Age: 19
GP FG% 3PT% FT% REB AST PTS
39 47.9 40.6 91.4 4 2.7 14.4
NBA teams are always looking for more shooting, so the Wizards use their pick here to take the best marksman in the class. Washington desperately needs an offensive boost as it ranked dead-last in efficiency last season. Knueppel’s ability to find himself in the right spots would help improve the Wizards’ ability to score the ball just with his potential presence from deep. The crafty wing could also see some on-ball creation reps, navigating pick-and-rolls with ease.
Derik Queen (Maryland)
Position: Center
Height: 6-foot-9
Age: 20
GP FG% 3PT% FT% REB AST PTS
36 52.6 20 76.6 9 1.9 16.5
Queen’s funky offensive game relentlessly pressures the rim. He won’t put together a highlight dribble package, but the ball is on a string at all times, much in the way it is for Nikola Jokic. Even though he’s slightly undersized, Queen’s tremendous balance and great strength make him a threat in the post, and he also possesses great passing instincts. If he can improve his pick-and-roll defense, Queen has All-Star upside, and the Pelicans could use all/any help they can get.
Jeremiah Fears (Oklahoma)
Position: Point guard
Height: 6-foot-2
Age: 18
GP FG% 3PT% FT% REB AST PTS
34 43.4 28.4 85.1 4.1 4.1 17.1
Fears’ ability to attack the basket at his size generates instant comparisons to Derrick Rose. He has a very high ceiling and elite ball-handling skills. His ability to create off the dribble makes him a constant threat to get down low, and his quick hands allow him to be a defensive disruptor. If he works on his shot, Fears will be dangerous from everywhere on the court. Plus the Nets could use a point guard with D’Angelo Russell set to enter free agency.
Khaman Maluach (Duke)
Position: Center
Height: 7-foot-1
Age: 18
GP FG% 3PT% FT% REB BLK PTS
39 71.2 25 76.7 6.6 1.3 8.6
The Raptors showcased a great defense in the second half of last season, and they could build on that with Maluach, who’s arguably the best defensive center in the class. The big man boasts a ridiculous 9-foot-6 standing reach coupled with a 7-foot-6 wingspan. He’s an intimidating figure in the paint and an above-average rim-protector at his young age. Maluach does have below-average hands and slow feet, but he can improve in both areas.
Kasparas Jakucionis (Illinois)
Position: Point guard
Height: 6-foot-5
Age: 19
GP FG% 3PT% FT% REB AST PTS
33 44 31.8 84.5 5.7 4.7 15
Jakucionis’ passing makes him an excellent swing for upside. The Lithuanian can throw every imaginable pass with either hand and is capable of deftly tossing lobs or whipping cross-court dimes directly into a shooter’s pocket. His size and outside shooting will allow him to play off the ball, giving him more versatility than other guards in this class. Jakucionis has high-level starter potential if he can tighten up his handle.
Carter Bryant (Arizona)
Position: Small forward
Height: 6-foot-7
Age: 19
GP FG% 3PT% FT% REB AST PTS
37 46 37.1 69.5 4.1 1 6.5
Bryant’s got the shooting range and physical traits to be an effective 3-and-D player. His 215-pound frame, near-7-foot wingspan, and quickness allowed him to guard 2-4 last season. Bryant is only 19 years old, so there may also be some untapped elements of his skill set that didn’t show up on the stats page during his time with Arizona.
Collin Murray-Boyles (South Carolina)
Position: Power forward
Height: 6-foot-6
Age: 20
GP FG% 3PT% FT% REB AST PTS
32 58.6 26.5 70.7 8.3 2.4 16.8
The Bulls have drafted their fair share of forwards since 2020, but Murray-Boyles is a worthy selection to bolster their underwhelming defense. The South Carolina forward used his frame well to defend both along the perimeter and in the paint, playing passing lanes to come away with steals and deflections. He’s also a capable offensive player with room to grow into a consistent threat.
Noa Essengue (Ratiopharm Ulm)
Position: Small forward
Height: 6-foot-9
Age: 18
GP FG% 3PT% FT% REB AST PTS
58 52.1 27.2 70.6 5.1 1.2 10.9
Atlanta’s refreshed Trae Young’s supporting cast to lean younger, with perimeter menace Dyson Daniels expected to feature alongside two-way talents like Jalen Johnson and Zaccharie Risacher for years to come. What the team’s missing is depth. Essengue, a 6-foot-10 French forward who played professionally in Germany, boasts tremendous defensive upside and off-ball awareness. The Hawks would be spoiled having him support Johnson and Risacher off the bench.
Egor Demin (BYU)
Position: Guard
Height: 6-foot-8
Age: 19
GP FG% 3PT% FT% REB AST PTS
33 41.2 27.3 69.5 3.9 5.5 10.6
Demin brings elite size at the point and tremendous court vision. He’s got all sorts of passes in his arsenal and set a new BYU single-season freshman record with 180 assists last season. The big knock on Demin is his jumper, which could limit his ceiling at the next level.
Danny Wolf (Michigan)
Position: Center
Height: 6-foot-10
Age: 21
GP FG% 3PT% FT% REB AST PTS
37 49.7 33.6 59.4 9.7 3.6 13.2
While the Thunder don’t necessarily need another big man with Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein, and Jaylin Williams playing consistent minutes, teams don’t want to find themselves without one if a worst-case injury scenario strikes. Wolf’s ball-handling and creation skills would be perfect additions to Oklahoma City’s unique offensive scheme.
Asa Newell (Georgia)
Position: Power forward
Height: 6-foot-9
Age: 19
GP FG% 3PT% FT% REB BLK PTS
33 54.3 29.2 74.8 6.9 1 15.4
Newell’s high motor became his identity in his lone collegiate season. The big man ran the floor in transition, consistently crashed the offensive glass, and used his lateral quickness to cut off drives when switched onto a guard or wing. Newell wasn’t a consistent 3-point threat, but his good touch provides reason for optimism.
Jase Richardson (Michigan State)
Position: Guard
Height: 6-feet
Age: 19
GP FG% 3PT% FT% REB AST PTS
36 49.3 41.2 83.6 3.3 1.9 12.1
The T-Wolves need to freshen up their backcourt with Mike Conley turning 38 this offseason, and Richardson is the perfect choice for that. The guard has a great offensive game and is an elite shooter from all over the court. Getting to learn from Conley would be an ideal start to Richardson’s career.
Liam McNeeley (UConn)
Position: Small forward
Height: 6-foot-7
Age: 19
GP FG% 3PT% FT% REB AST PTS
27 38.1 31.7 86.6 6 2.3 14.5
McNeeley is a better 3-point shooter than his numbers indicate. He’s got clean mechanics and can knock down jumpers coming off screens. He flashed his shot-making prowess in a 38-point road win over Creighton. McNeeley also has good size at the wing position and showed great feel for the game during his lone year at UConn.
Nolan Traore (Saint-Quentin)
Position: Point guard
Height: 6-foot-3
Age: 19
GP FG% 3PT% FT% REB AST PTS
44 41 31.4 71.1 1.9 4.7 12.2
Due to his lackluster efficiency playing overseas coupled with the recent track record of guards from France, Traore’s stock seems to be sliding. He possesses good qualities for a lead guard, but the right team will need to give him the chance to develop at the NBA level. Could it be the Nets?
Thomas Sorber (Georgetown)
Position: Center
Height: 6-foot-9
Age: 19
GP FG% 3PT% FT% REB BLK PTS
24 53.2 16.2 72.4 8.5 2 14.5
Sorber is undersized for the center position, but he makes up for his height with a 9-foot-1 standing reach and terrific strength. A true play-finishing big, Sorber is elite around the rim while also possessing strong passing instincts. His shot creation is lacking, though, and he’s unlikely to develop into a consistent shooter.
Walter Clayton Jr. (Florida)
Position: Point guard
Height: 6-foot-2
Age: 22
GP FG% 3PT% FT% REB AST PTS
39 44.8 38.6 87.5 3.7 4.2 18.3
An elite shot-creator, Clayton was outstanding in leading Florida to a national championship. He has the ability to score from all over the court, and once he catches from fire from three, it’s hard to make him miss. Clayton could be an immediate solution to the backcourt issues Utah had last season.
Nique Clifford (Colorado State)
Position: Shooting guard
Height: 6-foot-5
Age: 23
GP FG% 3PT% FT% REB AST PTS
36 49.6 37.7 77.7 9.6 4.4 18.9
Clifford’s versatile skill set and age make him an ideal plug-and-play candidate. The 23-year-old defends multiple positions, creates turnovers at a high rate, and is an elite defensive rebounder. He took the next step offensively as a fifth-year senior, flashing promise as a pick-and-roll scorer, isolation scorer, and post-up threat.
Ben Saraf (Ratiopharm Ulm)
Position: Shooting guard
Height: 6-foot-5
Age: 19
GP FG% 3PT% FT% REB AST PTS
56 44.8 29.2 76 2.8 4.2 12.2
Saraf would be well-suited as a late first-round find for New Orleans, which doesn’t have many dependable ball-handlers on its second unit. The Israeli combo guard’s size makes him an intriguing option to play next to the 6-foot Jose Alvarado, though their mutual lack of outside shooting may create another issue that needs addressed in the offseason.
Rasheer Fleming (St. Joseph’s)
Position: Power forward
Height: 6-foot-8
Age: 20
GP FG% 3PT% FT% REB BLK PTS
35 53.1 39 74.3 8.5 1.5 14.7
The Thunder land another versatile big man in Fleming to pair with their previous selection, Danny Wolf. The Saint Joseph’s forward projects to be a high-level role player who brings bursts of energy, specifically on defense. Oklahoma City can also give the 20-year-old ample time to develop his offensive feel.
Joan Beringer (KK Cedevita Olimpija)
Position: Small forward
Height: 6-foot-8
Age: 18
GP FG% 3PT% FT% REB BLK PTS
64 64.4 NA 56.6 4.9 1.4 5.4
Beringer’s soccer background stands out, as the forward’s fluidity and movement are elite. A solid screener and terrific lob threat, Beringer projects as a low-usage backup big man but with upside. The Frenchman only began playing basketball at 14, so he’s got lots of room for growth.
Noah Penda (Le Mans Sarthe)
Position: Small forward
Height: 6-foot-8
Age: 20
GP FG% 3PT% FT% REB AST PTS
37 44.7 32.2 66.7 5.5 2.7 10.2
Penda will be a defensive asset no matter where he ends up. The Frenchman averaged 1.4 steals per game last season and boasts great size for his position. His absurd 7-foot wingspan and heavier frame will make him a tough matchup for most wings.
Will Riley (Illinois)
Position: Small forward
Height: 6-foot-8
Age: 19
GP FG% 3PT% FT% REB AST PTS
35 43.2 32.6 72.4 4.1 2.2 12.6
Landing with the rebuilding Nets would be best for Riley’s professional development. His measurables lead scouts to believe that the 19-year-old could be a big scoring forward, but he needs time to develop a consistent jumper and add muscle.
Hugo Gonzalez (Real Madrid)
Position: Small forward
Height: 6-foot-6
Age: 19
GP FG% 3PT% FT% REB AST PTS
67 41 28.7 75.8 1.8 0.6 3.5
With Jayson Tatum out long term and a mammoth tax bill looming, Gonzalez could be the Celtics’ answer at No. 28. The Spanish wing may need time to adjust after averaging the fourth-fewest minutes for Real Madrid in 2024-25, but he’s flashed promise across multiple youth levels, including back-to-back Euroleague Next Generation Tournament titles (and MVP honors in the second one). That suggests he’s a worthwhile project for Boston.
Ryan Kalkbrenner (Creighton)
Position: Center
Height: 7-foot-1
Age: 23
GP FG% 3PT% FT% REB BLK PTS
35 65.3 34.4 68.1 8.7 2.7 19.2
Kalkbrenner enters the NBA with an immediate role: defense. The 23-year-old won four defensive player of the year awards at Creighton and can slot into any roster as a drop-coverage big, similar to Brook Lopez. A solid rim-runner who lacks elite burst, Kalkbrenner improved his outside shooting every year in college.
Cedric Coward (Washington State)
Position: Shooting guard
Height: 6-foot-6
Age: 21
GP FG% 3PT% FT% REB AST PTS
6 55.7 40 83.9 7 3.7 17.7
Coward flew up draft boards after posting outrageous measurements at the combine – a 7-foot-2 wingspan and 8-foot-10 standing reach – prompting the shooting guard to decommit from Duke. The Washington State standout was made in a lab to be a 3-and-D wing; he shot nearly 40% from deep across four seasons (including a stint in D-III).
2025 NBA DRAFT: SLEEPERS TO KNOW
As the NBA draft kicks off Wednesday, the names of several fringe prospects will begin percolating by the end of the night and fully simmer to the surface before the final selection is made Thursday.
Here are five players well below the radar we’d classify as “sleepers” to keep your eye on.
Bogoljub Markovic, Mega Basket (Serbia)
A Serbian big man who donned the same bright pink jersey as a young Nikola Jokic once did, Markovic is flirting with late first-round consideration. Déjà vu aside, the 6-11, 190-pound featherweight power forward posted 13.9 points and 6.9 rebounds per game on 38.8 percent 3-point shooting in Serbia’s Liga ABA. Bogoljub exhibits great post footwork, connects dots as a passer in the halfcourt, and is comfortable putting the ball on the deck to ignite fast breaks. Defensively, he is spatially astute and slides his feet nimbly for his size. Nevertheless, bulking up and filling out his frame will be priority number one.
Rocco Zikarsky, Brisbane Bullets (Australia)
Zikarsky’s measurables turned heads at the NBA Draft Combine, clocking in at 7-foot-3 barefoot with a nearly 10-foot standing reach. Both marks topped all other participants. Rocco has spent the past two seasons off the bench for the NBL’s Brisbane Bullets. He was a mountain in the middle in a league littered with both blisteringly quick guards and physically inclined bigs. Despite his wiry frame, Zikarsky is an all-purpose pick and roll defender with immense defensive upside as a colossus who can execute coverages and guard in space. With little shooting or playmaking glimpses to speak of, Rocco has the makings of a defensive anchor who can relieve pressure in the halfcourt offensively with vertical spacing.
Yanic Konan Niederhauser, Penn State
The Draft Combine worked wonders for Swiss-born Konan Niederhauser, who ultimately forewent his Senior year at Penn State. He dominated on the interior to the tune of 12.9 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.3 blocks as a junior. Yanic is an explosive leaper with soft hands and a well-proportioned frame. He typecasts as a reliable rim reader and play finisher in the painted area who leverages an array of touch finishes or rim-rattling dunks. Defensively, Konan Niederhauser is a swat machine who is able to close in on drivers with timely rotations. He projects as a mainstay in the mid to late second round.
Hunter Sallis, Wake Forest
A 6-5 combo-guard with a 6-foot-10 wingspan, Sallis’ tools are undeniable. There are few in the class as crafty with the ball in their hands. Hunter is a herky-jerky dribble driver who can get by his man with either hand. A plethora of counters, from hesitations to crab dribbles, allow him to get to his spots inside the arc with aplomb. A slithery finisher and lethal pull-up shooter, the long ball remains his biggest question. Sallis’ 3-point percentage dropped from 40.5 percent as a junior to 27.7 percent as a senior, the former of which appears to be the aberration. Hunter’s on-ball poise and point of attack defense measure up, but the iffy jump shot may relegate his draft stock to the second round.
Micah Peavy, Georgetown
Peavy vaulted himself into NBA Draft discourse by way of a breakout fifth year in college. He parlayed his newfound primacy at Georgetown into career bests in every major statistical category. A 6-foot-7, two-way wing who is a weapon in transition and isolation, Peavy can be a scoring threat from all three levels.
Much of Peavy’s allure stems from his defense, equipped with the base strength, quick feet, and rapturous energy to magnetize and shut down opposing wings. Micah displayed shooting upside for the first time as a super senior, drilling 40.8 percent of his 4.1 3-point attempts per game. His robotic shooting form begs the question of whether that mark was a flash in the pan.
ACE BAILEY ‘FOCUSED ON BASKETBALL’ NOT REPORTS OF DRAFT NIGHT FALL
Labels from prima donna to pariah are pushing doubt to the forefront and raising the likelihood teams could pass on Ace Bailey, the Rutgers small forward who had been considered a virtual lock to be selected with one of the top three picks in the 2025 NBA Draft on Wednesday.
There is also a chance Bailey, under the direction of agent Omar Cooper, already has a guaranteed ticket to the NBA in the form of a promise from one of the NBA teams with an early selection in the draft.
“I’m just working on basketball, that’s all I’m focused on,” Bailey said during pre-draft media availability in New York on Tuesday. “I can only control what I can control, you can think what you think… I’m focused on basketball.”
The San Antonio Spurs pick second after Cooper Flagg, all but official as the top pick to the Dallas Mavericks, takes the stage. Only Flagg was ranked ahead of Bailey in the Class of 2024 recruiting rankings.
But after the No. 1 pick is made, the chances Bailey is chosen close behind Flagg are open to debate.
From there, the clock is ticking on Bailey and his unconventional approach to the draft. A freshman 18-year-old with one season at Rutgers and a Mcdonald’s All-American resume before that, multiple NBA teams attempted to get to know Bailey the player, person and prospect a little bit better in the past five weeks. But Bailey canceled all public workouts with teams, a stance that surprised established NBA players such as Paul George. George plays for the Philadelphia 76ers, who have the No. 3 pick in the draft, and doesn’t seem to believe the cards are aligned for them to become teammates.
“I mean, I think if I’m Ace Bailey I can’t get mad if my stock drops,” George said on his podcast this week, pointing directly at “people around him” enticing Bailey to call off workouts.
“He’s canceled all workouts. Like he hasn’t worked out for any team. So, I think they made a big deal because we were scheduled to work him out and he canceled the day of,” George said in reference to Bailey’s canceled workout with the 76ers. “But he hasn’t worked out for any team. But you’re not in a position to be making those demands. Make it to the league first.”
Bailey averaged 17.6 points and 7.2 rebounds in 2024-25. Of course, Bailey will “make it to the league,” but general managers are capable of setting the terms on Wednesday.
College teammate Dylan Harper, a combo guard and the son of former NBA player Ron Harper, is projected as the likely No. 2 pick by most pundits. Harper said the so-called red flags around Bailey can be lowered and are overblown.
“If the energy is down, he’s going to bring the energy up. Him in the locker room is probably the best thing that’s probably going for him,” Harper said. “His energy is contagious and you’re going to feel it whether you want to feel it or not.”
REPORT: PELS, WIZARDS SWAP MCCOLLUM, POOLE IN 4-PLAYER DEAL
The New Orleans Pelicans are trading sharpshooter CJ McCollum to the Washington Wizards as part of a four-player trade, sources told ESPN’s Shams Charania.
New Orleans is reportedly sending McCollum, big man Kelly Olynyk, and a future second-round pick to the Wizards in exchange for guard Jordan Poole, forward Saddiq Bey, and the 40th overall pick in Wednesday’s draft.
The trade won’t be made official until July 6 because Washington is $907,000 below the first apron, according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks.
McCollum, 33, will earn a little over $30 million in 2025-26, the final season of his contract.
The former first-round pick brings some veteran shooting to the rebuilding Wizards. McCollum, who spent most of the last four campaigns in New Orleans, shot 37.3% from behind the arc in 56 games for the Pels last season while averaging a little over 21 points and four assists per game.
Olynyk averaged 8.7 points and 4.7 rebounds over 44 games last season split between the Pelicans and Toronto Raptors. The 34-year-old Canadian is also on an expiring contract that will pay him around $13.4 million next season.
Washington will be Olynyk’s eighth stop in his 12-year career.
Poole spent the last two seasons in Washington after the Wizards acquired him from the Golden State Warriors as part of the return for Chris Paul. The 26-year-old averaged 18.8 points per game over 146 contests with the Wizards.
The Milwaukee native is owed $65.8 million over the next two seasons.
Bey, 26, didn’t play a game for the Wizards after joining them on a three-year, $20-million deal last July. He spent the year rehabbing the torn ACL he sustained in March 2024 while with the Atlanta Hawks.
REPORT: KNICKS INTERVIEW WOLVES ASSISTANT MICAH NORI
Minnesota Timberwolves assistant Micah Nori is the third candidate to formally interview for the New York Knicks’ vacant head coaching position, ESPN reported Tuesday.
Former NBA head coaches Mike Brown and Taylor Jenkins previously met with the team about replacing fired head coach Tom Thibodeau, dismissed earlier this month after the Knicks’ first Eastern Conference finals appearance in a quarter-century.
Nori, 51, has been on Chris Finch’s staff in Minnesota since 2021. The Timberwolves denied the Knicks’ request for an interview with Finch.
Nori previously worked as an assistant with the Detroit Pistons (2018-21), Denver Nuggets (2015-18), Sacramento Kings (2013-15) and Toronto Raptors (2009-13).
Brown, 55, was fired 31 games into his third season as the head coach in Sacramento, where he posted a 107-88 overall record. The two-time NBA Coach of the Year also led the Cleveland Cavaliers (2005-10, 2013-14) and Los Angeles Lakers (2011-12) and has a career record of 454-304 in the regular season.
The Memphis Grizzlies fired Jenkins, 40, in March with nine games left in the regular season and a 44-29 record. He compiled a 250-214 record in nearly six full seasons with the Grizzlies. They qualified for the playoffs three times.
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MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL
MICHIGAN-DUKE SET FOR FEB. 21 IN WASHINGTON, D.C.
Michigan and Duke will meet on the basketball court for the Duel in The District on Feb. 21 at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., the schools announced Tuesday.
It will be the first meeting of the Wolverines and Blue Devils since the 2013 ACC/Big Ten Challenge in Durham, N.C., when Duke prevailed 79-69 on Dec. 4.
The Blue Devils hold a 22-8 record in the all-time series.
This will be their seventh meeting at a neutral site, including the 1992 national championship game and the 1964 Final Four.
Michigan finished 27-10 (14-6 Big Ten) in its first season under head coach Dusty May in 2024-25, advancing to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament.
Coach Jon Scheyer guided Duke (35-4, 19-1 ACC) to the Final Four last season before falling 70-67 against Houston in San Antonio.
4-STAR G KOHL ROSARIO RECLASSIFIES, COMMITS TO KANSAS
Four-star guard Kohl Rosario committed to Kansas on Tuesday and will reclassify to 2025 to join the Jayhawks for the upcoming season.
The 6-foot-5 Miami native ranks as the No. 72 overall recruit and the No. 13 shooting guard in the Class of 2026, per the 247Sports composite.
Rosario chose coach Bill Self and the Jayhawks over offers from Oregon, Miami, Duke, Florida State and others.
“We’re very excited to add Kohl this year’s team,” Self said. “It’s not often there’s a player of his potential to become available at this point. We feel that what Kohl brings from a perimeter athletic shooting standpoint is something that we’ve needed to add to this year’s roster. He is one of the hardest-working youngsters that we’ve ever recruited and feel the transition to college ball will be more seamless due to this.
“He’s been very well drilled, and I think his competitiveness will add of piece to our culture.”
Rosario played for Overtime Elite in Atlanta in 2024-25, averaging 15.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.8 steals per game. Before that, he played two seasons at Moravian Prep in Hudson, N.C.
He joins an incoming class at Kansas that includes five-star guard Darryn Peterson, the nation’s No. 1 player, and four-star forward Samis Calderon.
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COLLEGE FOOTBALL
5-STAR QB RYDER LYONS COMMITS TO BYU OVER OREGON
Five-star quarterback Ryder Lyons committed to BYU on Tuesday, choosing the Cougars over his other finalist, Oregon.
The 247Sports composite ranks him as the No. 5 quarterback in the 2026 class and No. 19 overall in the nation.
For Oregon, landing a 5-star prospect isn’t unusual, but it is for the Cougars. Per 247Sports, he is the highest-ranked commitment for BYU since offensive lineman Ofa Mohetau pledged in 2003 and also the third-highest recruit of the rankings era.
He made official visits to both BYU and Oregon this month.
Lyons, who plays at Folsom High School in Northern California, made his announcement Tuesday on “The Pat McAfee Show.”
“To be honest, I’m just so blessed,” he told McAfee. “I’m so blessed, but I’m just appreciative. It’s been incredible. It’s been a long journey. I got my first scholarship in eighth grade, so we’ve been at this for a while.”
That offer came from BYU, he told McAfee.
BYU will not have him available until the 2027 season, however. A member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Lyons plans to take a one-year Mormon mission after graduation next spring.
In his junior season, Lyons tallied 3,011 yards, 46 touchdowns and six interceptions. He gained 585 on 118 carries and scored 14 more touchdowns.
He was the top uncommitted quarterback in the 2026 class.
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MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL NEWS
MLB ROUNDUP: ROOKIE’S BIG NIGHT BOOSTS ANGELS IN EXTRAS
Rookie Christian Moore hit two home runs, including a two-run shot in the bottom of the 10th inning, to lead the Los Angeles Angels to a 3-2 victory over the visiting Boston Red Sox on Tuesday night.
Moore’s second home run of the game came against Justin Wilson (2-1) with one out and drove in automatic runner Scott Kingery. It was the third home run of the season for Moore, who hit a game-tying solo homer in the eighth. Although he gave up one run and two hits in the 10th, Reid Detmers (3-2) was credited with the win.
Boston’s Marcelo Mayer collected three hits. His RBI single in the 10th inning drove in automatic runner Ceddanne Rafaela and gave the Red Sox a 2-1 lead. Red Sox starter Garrett Crochet pitched seven scoreless innings. He gave up three hits, walked three and struck out 10. He lowered his ERA to 2.06.
Los Angeles shortstop Zach Neto came out of the game with an apparent injury after he made a fielding error that allowed Romy Gonzalez to reach base in the ninth. Angels starter Tyler Anderson exited with two outs in the fifth. He gave up a run on two hits, walked two and struck out five.
Reds 5, Yankees 4 (11 innings)
Christian Encarnacion-Strand tied the game with a three-run double in the seventh inning and Gavin Lux singled home Elly De La Cruz with the winning run in the 11th as host Cincinnati rallied for a wild walk-off win over New York.
Spencer Steer tied the game with a single in the 11th. Right-hander Connor Phillips (1-0) earned his second career win despite allowing the Yankees to take a 4-3 lead on a wild pitch with one out in the 11th that allowed Aaron Judge to easily score. Mark Leiter Jr. (4-4) pitched a scoreless 10th but surrendered the lead in the 11th to take the loss.
Chase Burns, Cincinnati’s top pitching prospect and the second overall pick of the 2024 draft, opened his career in blazing fashion. Burns struck out the side swinging in the first inning, including Judge to end the inning. The right-hander then became just the third pitcher since 1961 to strike out each of the first five batters he faced while making his debut. Burns allowed three runs on six hits in his five innings, striking out eight and walking none on 81 pitches.
Rangers 6, Orioles 5 (10 innings)
Texas got a sterling performance from starting pitcher Jacob Latz and benefitted from a 10th-inning reversal of a call at the plate after replay review to beat host Baltimore.
Latz took a no-hitter into the seventh inning and was charged with two runs on one hit and three walks in 6-plus innings. Luke Jackson was the winning pitcher and Robert Garcia worked around a baserunner reaching third base with one out in the 10th to notch his sixth save. Evan Carter, Corey Seager and Josh Jung all had two hits for the Rangers.
Gary Sanchez, Ramon Urias and Ryan O’Hearn hit consecutive home runs in the seventh inning to give the Orioles a short-lived 5-4 lead. Seranthony Dominguez took the loss, and starter Charlie Morton gave up three runs on four hits in five innings.
Tigers 11, Athletics 4
Dillon Dingler hit a go-ahead, three-run homer during a five-run third inning and Tarik Skubal overcame a slow start to win his ninth straight decision as host Detroit rolled past the Athletics.
Skubal (9-2) gave up two-run homers to Brent Rooker and Denzel Clarke in the first two innings. He lasted six innings, scattering six hits and striking outeight. Kerry Carpenter had a two-run homer, Wenceel Perez supplied a two-run double and Riley Greene contributed four hits, scored twice and drove in two runs for the Tigers.
After Skubal issued just his 13th walk this season to Jacob Wilson to start the game, Rooker ambushed a Skubal fastball, blasting it over the left field wall. In the second, Clarke blasted a Skubal offering over the center field fence for his second career homer. A’s starter Luis Severino (2-8) gave up seven runs on seven hits in five innings.
Blue Jays 10, Guardians 6
George Springer belted his eighth career grand slam and Northeast Ohio native Eric Lauer pitched a season-high 5 1/3 innings as visiting Toronto beat Cleveland.
Lauer (4-1) won his third straight decision, allowing one run on a Carlos Santana homer in the sixth, continuing his surprising comeback season at age 30. Kirk had a pair of RBI singles and Jonatan Clase added a two-run single for Toronto.
Lane Thomas belted a three-run homer, Kyle Manzardo hit a solo homer, Nolan Jones had a sacrifice fly and Santana scored twice for the Guardians, who returned home after going 4-5 on an 11-day West Coast trip.
Braves 7, Mets 4
Matt Olson laced a tiebreaking two-run single to cap a five-run sixth inning as visiting Atlanta topped host New York in the second game of a four-game series between the NL East rivals.
The Braves continued tormenting the Mets, improving to 5-0 against them this season and 28-10 since the start of the 2022 season. Winning pitcher Spencer Strider (3-5) didn’t allow a hit until the fourth, when the Mets scored all three runs while sending eight batters to the plate. Raisel Iglesias earned his ninth save.
New York starter Frankie Montas threw five scoreless innings in his Mets debut before Atlanta rallied in the sixth, sending 11 batters to the plate against a trio of pitchers. The Mets have lost 10 of 11 overall — their worst 11-game stretch since they also went 1-10 from Sept. 13-26, 2021.
Diamondbacks 4, White Sox 1
Alek Thomas hit a tiebreaking RBI single in the seventh inning, Ketel Marte homered and six pitchers combined on a three-hitter to lift Arizona past host Chicago.
In the second game of a three-game set, the Diamondbacks secured a series victory while winning for the fifth time in six games. The White Sox have lost 11 of 13.
Chicago brought the tying run to the plate in the eighth, but Arizona reliever Juan Morillo induced an inning-ending double-play grounder off the bat of Miguel Vargas.
Rays 5, Royals 1
Taj Bradley retired the first 16 batters he faced and yielded two hits over 6 2/3 scoreless innings, while Danny Jansen clubbed a two-run homer and had three RBIs as Tampa Bay Rays kept Kansas City winless at home in June.
Bradley (5-5), who exited after giving up a two-out single in the seventh, had allowed 19 runs (13 earned) in his previous three starts. Jansen provided the punch, and Yandy Diaz and Jonathan Aranda each had three hits for the Rays, who are amid a 23-9 stretch.
Kansas City’s Kris Bubic (6-5) allowed four runs (two earned) on eight hits and didn’t yield a walk while striking out eight through six innings. Vinnie Pasquantino hit an RBI single in the ninth.
Brewers 9, Pirates 3
Joey Ortiz hit two home runs and drove in four runs and Caleb Durbin added a home run, three RBIs and two runs to lead Milwaukee past visiting Pittsburgh.
Brice Turang extended his hit streak to nine games with a pair of hits and also scored a run, and Sal Frelick also had two hits and an RBI for the Brewers, who won for the fifth time in their last six games. Freddy Peralta picked up the win, allowing three runs on seven hits while striking out eight over five-plus innings.
Nick Gonzales, coming off the first five-hit game of his career in Monday night’s series opener, hit a three-run homer for the Pirates. Bryan Reynolds doubled among his two hits for Pittsburgh, which had a two-game win streak snapped. Andrew Heaney (3-7) suffered the loss, allowing seven runs on seven hits over four-plus innings.
Mariners 6, Twins 5
Julio Rodriguez drove in a pair of runs, including a tiebreaking sacrifice fly in the top of the ninth inning, and Seattle edged Minnesota in Minneapolis.
Donovan Solano also drove in two runs for the Mariners. Cal Raleigh went 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI but did not homer for the first time in five games. Right-hander Andres Munoz (3-0) earned the win with one scoreless inning of relief. Right-hander Matt Brash pitched a scoreless ninth to earn his first save of the season.
Twins right-hander Jhoan Duran (4-3) gave up one run on one hit in one inning. Ryan Jeffers doubled and had two RBIs to lead Minnesota at the plate. Kody Clemens homered for the Twins, who lost for the 11th time in their past 12 games.
Astros 1, Phillies 0
Cooper Hummel slugged an opposite-field home run in the bottom of the eighth inning, and host Houston claimed a victory over Philadelphia in the opener of a three-game interleague series.
Hummel drilled a 3-2 cutter 390 feet into the home bullpen in right-center field to break the scoreless tie. Closer Josh Hader recorded his 20th save in the ninth. Bryan Abreu (2-3) earned the win with a perfect eighth. Starter Framber Valdez allowed four hits and four walks with three strikeouts over seven scoreless innings.
Phillies starter Ranger Suarez (6-2), who was tossing a gem until the Hummel homer, allowed the game’s lone run on four hits and two walks with seven strikeouts over 7 2/3 innings.
Cardinals 8, Cubs 7
Masyn Winn hit a two-run homer and a two-run double to power St. Louis past visiting Chicago.
Lars Nootbaar belted a two-run homer and Nolan Gorman added a solo shot for the Cardinals, who won for the seventh time in eight games while closing within 2 1/2 games of the NL Central-leading Cubs. St. Louis starter Michael McGreevy allowed five runs on seven hits in 4 2/3 innings, Steven Matz earned the victory and Ryan Helsley closed out the ninth for his 15th save.
Seiya Suzuki hit a three-run homer, Nico Hoerner hit a two-run blast and Kyle Tucker drove in two for Chicago, which lost for the fifth time in their last six games. Starter Jameson Taillon allowed eight runs on eight hits and two walks in four innings.
Dodgers 9, Rockies 7
Michael Conforto homered and doubled, Shohei Ohtani also went deep and Los Angeles beat scuffling Colorado in Denver.
Mookie Betts, Max Muncy, Teoscar Hernandez, Will Smith and Andy Pages also had two hits apiece for the Dodgers. Winning pitcher Justin Wrobleski (3-2) tossed five solid innings and Tanner Scott earned his 16th save.
Michael Toglia hit a career-high three doubles and Jordan Beck also had three hits for the Rockies, who matched Los Angeles with 14 hits. Starter German Marquez (3-9) allowed six runs (none earned) and fanned six in four innings before leaving. Marquez rolled his ankle in the fourth but stayed in to get the final out.
Padres 4, Nationals 3
Martin Maldonado homered and San Diego’s bullpen pitched six scoreless innings in a comeback win over visiting Washington.
Jason Adam (6-3) got the win with 1 2/3 innings of scoreless work and Robert Suarez tied Kansas City’s Carlos Estevez for the MLB lead with his 22nd save by pitching a scoreless ninth. Starter Ryan Bergert left in the fourth after getting hit on his pitching elbow with a 103 mph line drive off the bat of Jacob Young.
Trevor Williams (3-9) absorbed the loss for Washington, yielding four runs on seven hits over five innings with two walks and three strikeouts. The walks contributed to San Diego’s go-ahead run in the sixth. James Wood had a pair of RBIs for the Nationals.
Marlins 4, Giants 2
Eric Wagaman doubled in a run and later scored in a two-run second inning that gave Miami the lead for good as the visiting Marlins extended Justin Verlander’s season-opening winless streak to 12 games with a triumph over host San Francisco.
Cal Quantrill combined with four relievers on a five-hitter. Miami’s third pitcher, Cade Gibson (2-3), was credited with the win after retiring all four batters he faced in the sixth and seventh innings.
Returning from a stint on the injured list due to a strained right pectoral, Verlander (0-5) left with the Giants behind 3-2, having allowed three runs on five hits in five innings. He walked one and struck out five. Christian Koss hit a two-run homer in the fifth to account for San Francisco’s offense.
–Field Level Media
ARIZONA TO PROVIDE $500M FOR UPGRADES TO CHASE FIELD
The Arizona Diamondbacks are closer to receiving as much as $500 million for renovations to their downtown Phoenix ballpark, now that state legislators have approved a financing bill.
The bill awaits a signature from Gov. Katie Hobbs, which is considered to be a mere formality since she was in full support of the measure.
The funds will be raised over a 30-year period and come from sales tax revenue that comes directly from Chase Field, which is publicly owned. Funds also will come from sales-tax revenue of business in the area around the stadium.
The Diamondbacks reportedly will fund an additional $250 million for renovations.
According to reports, a major need is an upgrade to the air-conditioner system in the retractable roof ballpark. Other areas targeted for renovation are the scoreboard and the ballpark’s cement foundation.
Up next is for the club to extend its lease at the stadium, which expires in 2027.
“This will be a monumental victory for baseball and Diamondbacks fans when signed by Governor Katie Hobbs,” Diamondbacks president and CEO Derrick Hall said in a statement. “We could then shift our focus to a proper lease extension negotiation with the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors in hopes of modernizing and renovating this public asset to a level those fans deserve.”
The Diamondbacks have played at the venue since their inception in 1998. The club made the playoffs for the first time the following season and won the World Series in 2001, which remains their only title.
Arizona has made the playoffs seven times in 27 seasons and advanced to the World Series as recently as 2023, when they lost to the Texas Rangers.
REPORTS: WHITE SOX SIGN NOAH SYNDERGAARD TO MINORS DEAL
The Chicago White Sox signed former All-Star pitcher Noah Syndergaard to a minor league deal, multiple outlets reported Tuesday.
The 32-year-old right-hander last pitched in the majors with the Cleveland Guardians in 2023.
The Chicago Sun-Times reported that Syndergaard is at Chicago’s spring training complex in Arizona.
Syndergaard was a combined 2-6 with a 6.50 ERA in 18 starts for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Guardians in 2023.
An All-Star with the New York Mets in 2016, he is 59-47 with a 3.71 ERA in 164 games (162 starts) for five teams.
He had Tommy John surgery in March 2020 and did not return to the mound for the Mets until September 2021.
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NHL NEWS
REPORT: PENGUINS END UP WITH NO. 12 OVERALL DRAFT PICK
The Pittsburgh Penguins will now have the No. 12 overall selection in Friday’s NHL Draft after they received the New York Rangers’ selection to complete a Jan. 31 trade that didn’t even involve them, ESPN reported Tuesday.
The Vancouver Canucks received the pick in a trade that sent J.T. Miller to the Rangers. The Canucks then sent that pick to the Penguins in a package to land defenseman Marcus Pettersson.
The Rangers’ first-round pick in the Miller trade was conditional. It would be either their first-round pick in Friday’s draft if it was in the top 13, or they could wait and send away their first-round pick in 2026. The Rangers chose the former.
By landing the No. 12 overall selection, the Penguins now have consecutive picks since they also will select at No. 11 overall. Their own selection came after they finished 13th in the Eastern Conference at 34-36-12 (82 points) and missed out on the playoffs by finishing seventh in the wild-card chase.
BLUE JACKETS’ NATIONWIDE ARENA SEEKING $400M OVERHAUL
The owner of Nationwide Arena, home to the NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets, is seeking $400 million in upgrades.
In addition to repairs and renovations to the roof and HVAC system, the improvements sought by the Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority include a new entrance, team store, concessions, bar and rooftop terrace.
“This will essentially position us for the next 25 years,” said Ken Paul, the authority’s executive director, per The Columbus Dispatch. “In essence, it will be a new arena for the next 25 years.”
Nationwide Arena opened in 2000 at a cost of $175 million. The facility holds 18,500 spectators for hockey and up to 20,000 for concerts.
Part of the cost estimate involves the purchase of an adjacent four-story building, which would house the offices of the Blue Jackets and therefore free up space in the arena.
“That space is the first domino,” Paul said.
Paul said the financing plans are still being worked out, although the authority has had preliminary talks with the team, its private partners and city, Franklin County and state officials.
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GOLF NEWS
FORMER LIV GOLFER JAMES PIOT MAKING PGA TOUR RETURN
Former LIV Golf competitor James Piot will make PGA Tour history this week at the Rocket Classic.
A late addition Monday to the field at Michigan’s Detroit Golf Club, he is the first former LIV player to receive a sponsor’s exemption on the PGA Tour, according to Golf Digest.
Piot, 26, a native of Farmington Hills, Mich., last competed on the PGA Tour in 2022 when the 2021 U.S. Amateur champion missed the cut at the Masters and the U.S. Open.
“There was a lot of support, and it was one or the happiest calls I’ve made,” tournament official Mark Hollis told the Detroit News. “He’s somebody we wanted in from the get-go as we were going through the process. It had to play out the way it played out.”
Piot is not the first LIV player to return to the PGA Tour. England’s Laurie Canter has competed in five events so far in 2025.
“For it to actually happen is the coolest thing in the world,” Piot told the Detroit News. “It’s awesome. Just the fact I finally get to play in the Rocket Classic, it’s a dream come true. Ever since the event was created on the schedule, I wanted to be a part of it.”
Piot became part of the first wave of players to sign with the breakaway, Saudi-backed LIV Golf circuit during the summer of 2022, reportedly receiving a guaranteed two-year, $6 million deal.
Competing with LIV Golf from 2022-23, he recorded only one top-10 finish with a T6 in Bangkok in October 2022. Part of captain Phil Mickelson’s HyFlyers GC team, he finished 47th in individual points in 2023 and was relegated to the Asian Tour.
PGA Tour rules require a one-year ban for players who compete in unauthorized events like LIV Golf. Piot became eligible again last October.
CAM DAVIS HOPES TO REGAIN CHAMPIONSHIP FORM AT ROCKET CLASSIC
After a strong start to the season, Cam Davis has cooled considerably with seven missed cuts since February.
The two-time Rocket Classic champion hopes a return to the Motor City can restart his engines when the action begins Thursday at the Detroit Golf Club.
“I would say an event like this definitely seems like a bright spot on the calendar,” Davis told reporters Tuesday. “Yeah, when things are a little rough and I’m finding it hard to get the best out of myself, going somewhere that you feel good just being there always is going to look really appetizing as it comes up.”
The 30-year-old Australian has two career PGA Tour titles, both in this event. He survived a three-man playoff to win in 2021 and held off four players to claim victory by one stroke last year, finishing 18 under in both events.
“A place like this (can) bring back some good memories and good vibes,” he said. “I’ve played this place really well before and I know a game plan that has worked multiple times now, so if there’s any way that I’m going to draw some confidence just by being in a physical location, it’s this place.”
Davis began the 2025 campaign with top-20 finishes at three of his first four events, including a T5 at Pebble Beach.
He has only two top-20 finishes since then, including a T19 at the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow last month. He missed the cut at the Masters and finished T64 at the U.S. Open at Oakmont in this season’s other majors.
Last week, Davis tied for 57th place at the Travelers Championship in Connecticut.
“Season got off to I think the best start I’ve ever had on the PGA Tour,” he said. “I’ve been out here for a while now, but I played some really good golf for the first month and a half. Then I would say since then it’s been pretty rough going. I haven’t really seen myself play much good golf as of late. The PGA Championship was a nice little change, I had a couple of solid rounds there, but for the most part it’s been a little bit of searching, trying to get some magic back.”
Davis said he is looking forward to reversing his fortunes this week in Detroit, where a $9.6 million purse awaits the field at the 7,370-yard, par-72 track.
“I’ve been playing as hard as I can. There’s been a lot of great tournaments that we’ve just gone through and I’ve been through them all and not found, you know, the spark that I really wanted to find,” he said.
“Yeah, this one in particular, I’m really glad it’s turned up now because there’s no better time to turn things around than getting right back here again.”
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AUTO RACING NEWS
AUTO RACING: BRISCOE EARNS FIRST WIN WITH JOE GIBBS AND F1’S MCLAREN LOOKS TO BOUNCE BACK IN AUSTRIA
All Times Eastern
NASCAR CUP SERIES
Challenge Round 1 – Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart
Site: Hampton, Georgia.
Track: EchoPark Speedway.
Race distance: 260 laps, 400.4 miles.
Schedule: Friday, qualifying, 5:05 p.m.; Saturday, race, 7 p.m. (TNT and MAX).
Last year: Joey Logano earned an overtime victory and his second win of the season after a push from teammate Ryan Blaney vaulted him into the lead.
Last race: Leading the last 34 laps while utilizing a fuel-saving strategy, Chase Briscoe held off teammate Denny Hamlin at Pocono to earn his first win with Joe Gibbs Racing.
Next race: July 6, Chicago.
Online: http://www.nascar.com
NASCAR XFINITY SERIES
Focused Health 250
Site: Hampton, Georgia.
Track: EchoPark Speedway.
Race distance: 163 laps, 251.02 miles.
Schedule: Friday, qualifying, 3 p.m., race, 7:30 p.m. (CW).
Last year: Austin Hill claimed the victory while holding off Parker Kligerman on a late-race restart.
Last race: Connor Zilisch secured his second win of the year in Pennsylvania after a late pass of Jesse Love with four laps to go.
Next race: July 5, Chicago.
Online: http://www.nascar.com
NASCAR CRAFTSMAN TRUCK SERIES
LIUNA 150
Site: Lakeville, Connecticut.
Track: Lime Rock Park.
Race distance: 100 laps, 147.8 miles.
Schedule: Friday, practice, 1:05 p.m.; Saturday, qualifying, 9:30 a.m., race, 1 p.m. (FOX).
Last year: Nascar will make its debut at Lime Rock Park after last years race in Milwaukee saw victor Layen Riggs take the lead from Ty Majeski with 53 laps to go.
Last race: Pole-sitter Layne Riggs snagged his first win of the season at Pocono while leading the last 20 laps and finishing nearly four seconds ahead of second-place Tanner Gray.
Next race: July 25, Indianapolis.
Online: http://www.nascar.com
FORMULA ONE
MSC Cruises Austrian Grand Prix
Site: Spielberg, Austria.
Track: Red Bull Ring.
Race distance: 71 laps, 190.4 miles.
Schedule: Friday, practice, 7:25 a.m., practice, 10:55 a.m.; Saturday, practice, 6:25 a.m., qualifying, 9:55 a.m.; Sunday, race 8:55 a.m. (ESPN).
Last year: George Russell took his first win since 2022 after capitalizing on a dramatic crash between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris late in the race.
Last race: Russell held off Verstappen and took hist first win of the season in Canada in a dramatic race that saw McLaren teammates Norris and Piastri collide.
Next race: July 6, Towcester, United Kingdom.
Online: http://www.formula1.com
INDYCAR
Last race: Alex Palou took advantage of leader Scott Dixon’s late pit stop to secure the victory, giving him the win in six out of nine races so far this season.
Next race: July 6, Lexington, Ohio.
Online: http://www.indycar.com
NHRA DRAG RACING
Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals
Site: Norwalk, Ohio.
Track: Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park.
Race distance: 1/4 mile.
Schedule: Friday, qualifying, 6 p.m., qualifying, 8:30 p.m.; Saturday, qualifying, noon, qualifying, 2:30 p.m.; Sunday, race, 2 p.m. (FOX).
Next race: July 20, Kent, Washington.
Online: http://www.nhra.com
WORLD OF OUTLAWS
Fergus Falls Showdown
Independence Spectacular
Grand Forks Showdown
Independence Spectacular
Norman County Showdown
Minot Mayhem
Next events: July 3 – 5, Spring Valley, Minnesota.
Online: http://worldofoutlaws.com
TOP INDIANA HEADLINES
INDIANA FEVER
GAME RECAP: INDIANA FEVER BOUNCE BACK WITH ROAD WIN OVER SEATTLE STORM
SEATTLE (June 24, 2025) — The Indiana Fever (7-7) closed out a three-game road trip with a 94-86 win over the Seattle Storm, during which Aliyah Boston scored a career-high 31 points and Lexie Hull’s first career double-double.
The Fever and Storm traded buckets throughout much of the first quarter, with Indiana taking the 27-24 lead thanks to an 8-0 run in the final 1:05 and eight-point quarters from Boston and Damiris Dantas. The Fever continued their lead through the second quarter with eight points scored from Kelsey Mitchell and six points from Boston to put Indiana up 45-39 at halftime.
The visitors controlled the third quarter, establishing a 17-point lead after 30 points scored, including a 10-point quarter from Hull and eight additional points from Boston and Mitchell. Boston’s nine points in the fourth quarter helped to seal victory, while setting a new career-high for points scored in a single game, recording her 31st point off a free throw with 42 seconds remaining.
Indiana Fever Notes:
- Aliyah Boston recorded her 800th career rebound in the first quarter, becoming the ninth fastest player in WNBA history to do so.
- Aliyah Boston scored a career-high points with 31 points.
- In her home state of Washington, Lexie Hull earned her first career double-double, scoring 15 points and grabbing 11 rebounds, the latter surpassing her previous high of nine rebounds set against the Minnesota Lynx on September 6, 2024.
- Kelsey Mitchell finished the night with 26 points, extending her double-digit scoring streak to 14 games, posting 10+ points in every game so far this season.
- Kelsey Mitchell scored a season high 26 points, also totaling a season high five three-pointers made.
Up Next: Following a three-game road trip, the Indiana Fever return to Gainbridge Fieldhouse to host the LA Sparks on Thursday, June 26 at 7 p.m. ET, broadcast nationally on Prime Video and locally on FanDuel Sports Network.
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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 25
1934 — Pitcher John Broaca tied a major league record by striking out five consecutive times but pitched the Yankees to an 11-2 victory over the Chicago White Sox. Lou Gehrig had better luck at the plate, hitting for the cycle.
1937 — Augie Galan of Chicago became the first National League switch-hitter to homer from both sides of the plate in the Cubs’ 11-2 victory over the Brooklyn Dodgers.
1950 — Chicago’s Hank Sauer hit two home runs and two doubles to send the Cubs past the Philadelphia Phillies 11-8.
1961 — Baltimore and California used a major league record 16 pitchers, eight by each side, as the Orioles edged the Angels 9-8 on Ron Hansen’s 14th-inning homer.
1968 — Bobby Bonds, in his first major league game, hit a grand slam off John Purdin to help San Francisco to a 9-0 win over Los Angeles.
1988 — Cal Ripken Jr. plays in his 1,000th consecutive game.
1998 — Sammy Sosa broke the major league record for homers in a month, hitting his 19th of June leading off the seventh inning of the Cubs’ 6-4 loss to Detroit. Sosa passed the mark set by Detroit’s Rudy York in August 1937.
1999 — Jose Jimenez, a rookie right-hander having one of the worst seasons than any other NL pitcher, threw St. Louis’ first no-hitter in 16 seasons, outdueling Randy Johnson in a 1-0 victory over Arizona.
2002 — Luis Pujols of the Detroit Tigers and Tony Pena of the Kansas City Royals became the first Dominican-born managers to oppose each other in a major league game.
2007 — A fan charged at Bob Howry during the Cubs’ 10-9 win over Colorado after the reliever helped blow an 8-3 lead in the ninth inning. Howry gave up back-to-back RBI singles to Garrett Atkins and Brad Hawpe and a three-run homer to Troy Tulowitzki. The fan then jumped onto the field from the roof of the Rockies’ dugout and made it a few feet from the mound before security guards tackled him. Howry earned the victory when Alfonso Soriano hit a game-ending two-run single in the bottom of the inning.
2010 — Arizona’s Edwin Jackson pitched a 1-0 no-hitter against Tampa Bay at Tropicana Field.
2010 — The Cubs suspend pitcher Carlos Zambrano indefinitely after he throws a tantrum in the dugout after giving up 4 runs in the 1st inning of a 6 – 0 loss to the White Sox. “Big Z” blames first baseman Derrek Lee for letting a Juan Pierreground ball past him for a double that starts the rally, although the hard-hit ball was hardly catchable. Tom Gorzelanny replaces Zambrano who is removed from the game by manager Lou Piniella.
2011 — Cleveland’s Tony Sipp balked home the only run with the bases loaded in the seventh inning of a 1-0 loss to San Francisco. Sipp slightly flinched his left arm before throwing a pitch to Emmanuel Burriss, allowing Miguel Tejada to score and sending San Francisco to its fourth straight win. There also were two errors in the inning by second baseman Cord Phelps that spoiled a strong start by Justin Masterson.
2013 — Eric Filia drove in a career-high five runs, Nick Vander Tuig limited Mississippi State to five hits in eight innings, and UCLA won 8-0 for its first national baseball championship.
2014 — Tim Lincecum pitched his second no-hitter against the San Diego Padres in less than a year, allowing only one runner and leading the San Francisco Giants to a 4-0 win.
2015 — The San Francisco Giants hit four triples in a game for the first time in 55 years, including a pair by Brandon Belt in a 13-8 win over the San Diego Padres. Brandon Crawford and Matt Duffy also tripled for San Francisco, which had not tripled four times in a game since Sept. 15, 1960, when Willie Mays hit three and Eddie Bressoud one at Philadelphia.
2018 — The St. Louis Cardinals record the 10,000th win in team history with a 4-0 defeat of the Cleveland Indians.. They are the sixth major league team to do so.
2019 — The New York Yankees set a new major league record by homering in their 28th consecutive game.
2021 — Philadelphia Philles pitcher Aaron Nola ties Tom Seaver’s 51-Year old MLB record of ten consecutive strike outs in a 2-1 loss to the Mew York Mets.
2022 — Three Astros pitchers combine to no-hit the Yankees, 3 – 0.
2023 — George Springer leads off the bottom of the 1st for the Blue Jays against the Athletics with a homer off Luis Medina. The 55th leadoff home run of his career gives him sole possession of second place on the all-time list, behind only Rickey Henderson. The Blue Jays win handily, 12 – 1.
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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 25
1921 — Jock Hutchinson is the first American to win the British Open, a nine-stroke victory over Roger Wethered in a playoff.
1926 — Bobby Jones becomes the first amateur in 29 years to win the British Open. Jones finishes with a 291 total for a two-stroke over Al Watrous at Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club in Lytham St Annes, England.
1932 — Gene Sarazen wins the U.S. Open by shooting a 286, the lowest in 20 years.
1935 — Future world heavyweight boxing champion Joe Louis moves to 20-0 with 6th round KO of former champion Primo Carnera of Italy at Yankee Stadium, NYC.
1948 — Joe Louis knocks out Jersey Joe Walcott in the 11th round in New York to defend his world heavyweight title. Louis announces his retirement after the fight.
1952 — Jim Turnesa wins the PGA Championship with a 1-up victory over Chick Harbert in the final round.
1966 — Buckpasser sets a world record in the 1-mile Arlington Classic in 1:32 3-5 and becomes the first 3-year-old to win more than $1 million.
1969 — Pancho Gonzalez, 41, wins the longest tennis match in Wimbledon history by beating Charles Pasarell in a 112-game match, 22-24, 1-6, 16-14, 6-3, 11-9. The match is played over two days and lasts 5 hours, 12 minutes.
1978 — In Buenos Aires, Argentina wins the World Cup beating Netherlands 3-1 after extra time.
1981 — Sugar Ray Leonard wins the WBA junior middleweight title with a ninth-round knockout of Ayub Kalule in Houston.
1988 — MLB player Cal Ripken Jr. plays in his 1,000th consecutive game.
1988 — UEFA European Championship Final, Olympiastadion, Munich, Germany: Ruud Gullet & Marco van Basten score as the Netherlands beats Soviet Union, 2-0.
1991 — Nine-time champion Martina Navratilova survives a first-round scare from Elna Reinach to win her record 100th singles match at Wimbledon.
1994 — FIFA World Cup: 1,500th goal in Cup’d history scored by Caceres of Argentina.
1997 — NBA Draft: Wake Forest power forward Tim Duncan first pick by San Antonio Spurs.
1997 — NHL approves franchises in Nashville, Atlanta, Columbus, and Minnesota-St Paul.
1999 — San Antonio wins its first NBA championship, defeating the New York Knicks 78-77 in Game 5 of the Finals. The Spurs, keyed by finals MVP Tim Duncan’s 31 points, becomes the first former ABA team to win the championship.
2006 — Asafa Powell matches Wallace Spearmon’s world best in the 200 meters, winning the Jamaican national championships in 19.90 seconds.
2006 — Bernard Lagat becomes the first runner in the history of the U.S. track and field championships to sweep the 1,500 and 5,000 meters, after winning the shorter race.
2008 — NBA Draft: Oklahoma power forward Blake Griffin first pick by Los Angeles Clippers.
2013 — UCLA wins its first national championship in baseball with an 8-0 win over Mississippi State.
2014 — John Norwood’s home run in the top of the eighth inning gives Vanderbilt the lead, and the Commodores beat Virginia 3-2 for their first national championship.
2015 — NBA Draft: Kentucky center Karl-Anthony Towns first pick by Minnesota Timberwolves.
2017 — Jordan Spieth needs an extra hole and an amazing final shot to finish off a wire-to-wire victory in the Travelers Championship. The two-time major champion holes out from 60 feet for birdie from a greenside bunker on the first hole of a playoff with Daniel Berger at TPC River Highlands. The 23-year-old Texan joins Tiger Woods as the only PGA Tour players with 10 victories in the era since World War II.
2019 — NHL Draft: Barrie Colts (OHL) defenseman Aaron Ekblad first pick by Florida Panthers.
2020 — Liverpool FC clinches first EPL soccer title in 30 years with 7 games to spare as Chelsea beats second-placed Manchester City, 2-1 at Stamford Bridge.
2021 — Philadelphia Philles pitcher Aaron Nola ties Tom Seaver’s 51-Year old MLB record of ten consecutive strike outs in a 2-1 loss to the Mew York Mets.
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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
Wednesday, June 25
MLB BASEBALL
2 p.m.
MLBN — Regional Coverage: Pittsburgh at Milwaukee (2:10 p.m.) OR Arizona at Chicago White Sox (2:10 p.m.)
7 p.m.
MLBN — Regional Coverage: N.Y. Yankees at Cincinnati (7:10 p.m.) OR Tampa Bay at Kansas City (7:40 p.m.)
7:10 p.m.
PRIME VIDEO — N.Y. Yankees at Cincinnati
11:30 p.m.
MLBN — Miami at San Francisco (9:45 p.m.)
NBA BASKETBALL
8 p.m.
ABC — 2025 NBA Draft: First Round, New York
ESPN — 2025 NBA Draft: First Round, New York
RUGBY (MEN’S)
5:45 a.m. (Thursday)
FS2 — NRL: Canterbury-Bankstown at Penrith
SOCCER (MEN’S)
7 p.m.
ESPN2 — USL Championship: Indy at Tampa Bay
9 p.m.
TNT — FIFA Club World Cup Group Stage: Inter Milan vs. River Plate, Group E, Seattle
TRUTV — FIFA Club World Cup Group Stage: Inter Milan vs. River Plate, Group E, Seattle
TENNIS
5:30 a.m.
TENNIS — Eastbourne-ATP/WTA, Mallorca-ATP, Bad Homburg-WTA Early Rounds
6 a.m.
TENNIS — Eastbourne-ATP/WTA, Mallorca-ATP, Bad Homburg-WTA Early Rounds
5:30 a.m. (Thursday)
TENNIS — Eastbourne-ATP/WTA, Mallorca-ATP, Bad Homburg-WTA Quarterfinals
6 a.m. (Thursday)
TENNIS — London-ATP, Halle-ATP, Berlin-WTA, Nottingham-WTA Early Rounds
VOLLEYBALL (MEN’S)
8:30 p.m.
CBSSN — FIVB Nations League Pool Play: China vs. U.S., Pool 5, Chicago
WNBA BASKETBALL
10 p.m.NBATV — Connecticut at Las Vegas
