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Tuesday, June 24, 2025

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Joey Porter Sr. wants Steelers coaching job again — but won’t force anything  

Steelers legendary OLB Joey Porter Sr.'s passion for coaching is still red hot.

On a recent episode of the Not Just Football with Cam Heyward podcast, Porter reiterated his desire to return to coaching while discussing what it’s been like watching his son, Joey Porter Jr., from the stands:

“Until they give me a suite, I said I got to sit in the stands, 'cause I want to be the full fan,” Porter said. “I sat in Penn State for four years, sitting in the stands. I ain't about to try and use my Steeler power of being on the sideline — 'cause it's giving mixed emotions. I know how much I really do want to coach. I'm not trying to sit down there looking like I'm trying to ask for my job back — knowing I would take it back — but you don't want to come off like that. And I want [Porter Jr.] to be a man and do his thing.”

Porter Sr. served as the Steelers' defensive assistant in 2014 and the team’s outside linebackers coach from 2015 to 2018 — until HC Mike Tomlin informed him they wouldn’t renew his contract.

While the current Steelers OLB coaching spot is filled by Denzel Martin, offering Porter another defensive assistant role could be the perfect proving ground for the Pittsburgh legend.

For up-to-date Steelers coverage, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like.

This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Steelers legend Joey Porter says he’d return to coaching if asked

 

Alabama football 2025 season preview, predictions: Ivan Taylor  

For the first time since 2019, someone other than Malachi Moore will be wearing the No. 13 jersey for the Alabama Crimson Tide defense.

The player taking over that jersey number for the Crimson Tide will be Ivan Taylor, a fellow defensive back who is a highly-touted prospect in his own right.

Coming to Alabama out of the state of Florida, Taylor is the son of former NFL cornerback Ike Taylor, and is a name that could easily make an impact in the Crimson Tide's defensive backfield in year one.

Here is everything you need to know about Alabama true freshman defensive back Ivan Taylor entering the 2025 season.

Ivan Taylor player information

• Position: Defensive Back
• Jersey Number: No. 13
• Height: 6'0
• Weight: 195
• Class: Freshman
• Hometown: Winter Garden, Florida
• High School: West Orange

Ivan Taylor career stats

As mentioned previously, Taylor is a new face to Alabama this season, as well as college football overall. This will be the first season for Taylor collegiately.

Ivan Taylor 2024 stats

Taylor is new to Alabama this season, but is however coming off a strong high school senior season at West Orange High School in Florida. Playing both ways, Taylor amassed 75 tackles, nine TFL, and five interceptions across nine games defensively.

Ivan Taylor recruiting ranking

Taylor was among the headline defensive names in Alabama's 2025 recruiting class, coming to Tuscaloosa as the nation's No. 62 overall player according to the 247Sports Composite rankings. A four-star prospect who flipped to Alabama from Michigan in November of 2024, Taylor was also considered as the nation's No. 6 safety, as well as the No. 10 player in the state of Florida out of West Orange High School.

Ivan Taylor 2025 season outlook

When looking at Alabama's secondary, there are only two significant names who have moved on in Malachi Moore and DeVonta Smith.

Because of this, the Crimson Tide could have some playing time up for grabs at the safety and husky positions, but those spots however also return some experienced names such as Keon Sabb, Bray Hubbard, and DaShawn Jones as projected starters, meaning that Taylor projects as a backup to start the season. However, that does not mean that the talented freshman will not see playing time either, as Taylor should be one of Alabama's top backups who could potentially see time at both spots.

Expect the freshman to see time on special teams as well, and for Taylor to enjoy a solid first season at Alabama.

Ivan Taylor 2025 season prediction

• 2025 Prediction: 20 tackles, 0.5 TFL, 2 PD

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion.

This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: Alabama football 2025 preview, predictions: Ivan Taylor

 

What to see the Savannah Bananas in Philadelphia or elsewhere? Here are some options  

Did you get the dreaded note that has been breaking hearts this summer?

"There's no easy way to say this ... Your name was not drawn for Banana Ball tickets for ..."

No baseball players on stilts. No funny dances before a pitch is thrown. Summer just got a little sadder.

Fear not, no event is ever sold out. It's really just a matter of how much you want to pay for Savannah Bananas tickets and where you want to go and see them.

Who are the Savannah Bananas?

The Savannah Bananas are an exhibition baseball team based in Savannah, Georgia. They're like the baseball version of the Harlem Globetrotters. Their home games are played in Savannah, but they also travel the country, entertaining fans in their "world tour."

The team plays their version of the game called "Banana Ball," which speeds the game up and adds some crazy antics. Here are just some of the rules of Banana Ball:

• Two-hour time limit: No inning can start after one hour and 50 minutes unless the game is tied.
• Fans can make outs: if a spectator in the crowd catches a foul ball, it's an out.
• Batters can steal first base: If a pitcher throws a wild pitch, a batter can take first base.
• No walks: On ball four, the batter runs to first and can advance to as many bases as possible while the catcher has to throw the ball to every position player before the batter can be tagged out.
• Each inning is worth one point: whichever team wins the inning gets that point, until the final inning.

Buying Banana Ball tickets: The Savannah Bananas are on tour! Here's how to buy Bananas tickets

How to get Savannah Banana tickets in Philadelphia?

If you got the dreaded note from the Bananas, you have options, but, as your note said, you need to be cautious about tickets on the secondary market.

Banana Ball comes to The Bank on July 26th and 27th. The aftermarket tickets are scarce, but here's a look at prices on StubHub.

• July 26th: Prices range from $256 to $783 - Shop tickets.
• July 27th: Prices range from $351 to $867 - Shop tickets.

Shop 2025 Savannah Bananas tickets

Where else can I watch the Savannah Bananas?

The Bananas are a barnstorming team and perform throughout the country. If you're willing to pay for gas and a hotel room, the tickets may be a little cheaper. Here's a look at some options on StubHub:

• June 27 - Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. - Shop tickets
• June 28 - Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. - Shop tickets
• July 5 - Fenway Park in Boston, Mass. - Shop tickets
• July 6 - Fenway Park in Boston, Mass. - Shop tickets
• Aug. 1 - Oriole Park in Baltimore, Md. - Shop tickets
• Aug. 2 - Oriole Park in Baltimore, Md. - Shop tickets
• Aug. 29 - PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pa. - Shop tickets
• Aug. 30 - PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pa. - Shop tickets
• Sept. 13 - Yankee Stadium in Bronx, N.Y. - Shop tickets
• Sept. 14 - Yankee Stadium in Bronx, N.Y. - Shop tickets

David Hoffman contributed to this story

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: How to get Savannah Bananas tickets if you got a rejection note

 

Who were the stats leaders? Final 2025 Marion-area high school softball statistics  

Here are the final Marion-area high school softball statistical leaders for 2025:

Batting Average

PLAYER	BA
Kenzie Delaney, Rid.	.640
Ari Simpson, Card.	.594
Celia Hall, Card.	.578
Abigail Hardwick, Card.	.529
Kate Clements, High.	.500
Morgan Powell, Card.	.493
Alexis Longsdorf, Card.	.486
Myleigh Bishop, Card.	.464
Saylor Squires, High.	.455
Lydia Shaffer, High.	.453
Faith Staley, Ple.	.444
Alexis Burton, Rid.	.418
Ava Davis, Card.	.414
Madison Hill, Elg.	.414
Kailin McElroy, NU	.413
Riley Bierl, Card.	.410
Peyton Simpkins, Ple.	.409
Kallie Wright, N'mor	.406
Maddy Stuckman, High.	.405
Kameron Biederman, MH	.397
Kale Keigley, NU	.393
Jillian Slaughterbeck, Rid.	.388
Shelby Cooper, N'mor	.387
Kylie Eastep, RV	.380
Trinity Schrote, MG	.379
Samantha Woods, RV	.379
Olivia Spires, RV	.372
Delaynie Hernandez, High.	.370
Brooklynn Hohler, Ple.	.368
Savannah Wilt, MG	.368
Quinn Wilson, Ple.	.360
Kennedy Harrah, NU	.359
Brenda Scott, Rid.	.357
Addi Braun, RV	.356
Emilie Bishop, Elg.	.355
Destiny Brown, Ple.	.354
Braylin Romshak, High.	.346
Paytn Smith, MH	.341
Kate Kissling, N'mor	.338
Nevaeh DeWeese, High.	.333
Madi Pendleton, Ple.	.333
Addy Thomas, Rid.	.333
Leah Cox, NU	.329
Aris Creasap, MG	.327
Sydney Smith, Ple.	.327
Sidney Street, RV	.320
Olivia Collins, RV	.318
Raina Smith, MH	.314
Rylee McKinniss, MH	.311
Alexis Williams, RV	.308
Kenzie Patterson, Ple.	.306
Emma McElroy, NU	.303

Home Runs

PLAYER	HR
Lydia Shaffer, High.	11
Kenzie Delaney, Rid.	9
Ari Simpson, Card.	7
Kylie Eastep, RV	6
Kameron Biederman, MH	5
Alexis Burton, Rid.	4
Addi Braun, RV	3
Samantha Woods, RV	3
Myleigh Bishop, Card.	2
Destiny Brown, Ple.	2
Kate Clements, High.	2
Olivia Collins, RV	2
Leah Cox, NU	2
Abigail Hardwick, Card.	2
Delaynie Hernandez, High.	2
Morgan Powell, Card.	2
Lexi See, N'mor	2
Olivia Spires, RV	2
Faith Staley, Ple.	2
Maddy Stuckman, High.	2

RV advanced to the district finals: River Valley defeats Heath to advance to district softball final

Who were the league champs? Who were the league champs? Final 2025 Marion-area high school softball standings

Runs Batted In

PLAYER	RBIs
Ari Simpson, Card.	57
Lydia Shaffer, High.	40
Myleigh Bishop, Card.	32
Kenzie Delaney, Rid.	32
Samantha Woods, RV	32
Celia Hall, Card.	31
Abigail Hardwick, Card.	31
Morgan Powell, Card.	31
Faith Staley, Ple.	27
Kylie Eastep, RV	26
Kennedy Harrah, NU	26
Kate Clements, High.	25
Kallie Wright, N'mor	25
Delaynie Hernandez, High.	24
Kate Kissling, N'mor	24
Reagan See, N'mor	21
Raina Smith, MH	21
Kameron Biederman, MH	20
Addi Braun, RV	20
Alexis Burton, Rid.	20

Runs Scored

PLAYER	RS
Abigail Hardwick, Card.	42
Celia Hall, Card.	41
Shelby Cooper, N'mor	36
Alexis Longsdorf. Card.	35
Morgan Powell, Card.	35
Saylor Squires, High.	34
Addi Braun, RV	33
Samantha Woods, RV	31
Katalina Roseberry, N'mor	28
Kate Kissling, N'mor	26
Rylee McKinniss, MH	26
Aril Simpson, Card.	26
Maddy Stuckman, High.	26
Kate Clements, High.	25
Kennedy Harrah, NU	25
Delaynie Hernandez, High.	25
Kameron Biederman, MH	24
Kylie Eastep, RV	24
Kallie Wright, N'mor	24
Kale Keigley, NU	23
Olivia Collins, RV	22
Braylin Romshak, High.	22
Lydia Shaffer, High.	22
Sidney Street, RV	22
Addyson Myers, MH	21
Faith Staley, Ple.	21
Abbey Hoertz, MH	20
Maycee Muselin, Elg.	20

2025 All-Ohioans: 2025 All-Ohio in softball, baseball; plus track club forming | Sports briefs

Fahey Bank Athlete of the Month: Fahey Bank Athlete of the Month: Ridgedale's Kenzie Delaney pitching out of necessity

Stolen Bases

PLAYER	SB
Shelby Cooper, N'mor	33
Katalina Roseberry, N'mor	23
Kale Keigley, NU	18
Kailin McElroy, NU	18
Trinity Schrote, MG	17
Kallie Wright, N'mor	17
Saylor Squires, High.	16
Kennedy Harrah, NU	14
Briez Adams, N'mor	11
Kate Clements, High.	11
Kate Kissling, N'mor	10
Maycee Muselin, Elg.	10
Abbey Hoertz, MH	9
Taylor Bouahom, Rid.	8
Kamryn Fowler, RV	8

Pitching Wins

PLAYER	W
Ari Simpson, Card.	17
Shelby Cooper, N'mor	11
Kenzie Delaney, Rid.	11
Kylie Eastep, RV	11
Sidney Street, RV	8
Lydia Shaffer, High.	7
Leah Cox, NU	6
Saylor Squires, High.	6
Madison Hill, Elg.	5
Brenna Martino, NU	5
Kennedy Davis, MH	3
Allison Hecker, MH	3
Ava Walters, N'mor	3

Strikeouts

PLAYER	SO
Kenzie Delaney, Rid.	199
Kylie Eastep, RV	181
Ari Simpson, Card.	160
Shelby Cooper, N'mor	120
Madison Hill, Elg.	94
Leah Cox, NU	75
Lydia Shaffer, High.	64
Anavey Jodrey, MG	63
Saylor Squires, High.	52
Sidney Street, RV	42
Brenna Martino, NU	35
Brielle Gilmore, High.	33
Peyton Simpkins, Ple.	22
Allison Hecker, MH	30
Kendall Allen, Elg.	27
Paytn Smith, MH	21

Photos: Highland and Galion meet in an MOAC softball game April 22

More photos: Check out Northmor hosting Loudonville in a KMAC softball game Monday evening

Earned Run Average

PLAYER	ERA
Kenzie Delaney, Rid.	1.28
Ava Walters, N'mor	2.63
Ari Simpson, Card.	2.65
Shelby Cooper, N'mor	2.90
Brenna Martino, NU	3.06
Kylie Eastep, RV	3.26
Saylor Squires, High.	3.71
Leah Cox, NU	3.73
Brielle Gilmore, High.	3.78
Sidney Street, RV	3.95
Lydia Shaffer, High.	4.13
Faith Staley, Ple.	4.14
Madison Hill, Elg.	4.15
Kennedy Davis, MH	5.54
Kendall Allen, Elg.	6.03

rmccurdy@gannett.com

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This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Final 2025 Marion-area high school softball statistical leaders

 

2026 Tennessee football defensive line target sets commitment date  

A target for Tennessee's 2026 football recruiting class set a commitment date, according to Tom Loy of 247Sports.

Four-star defensive lineman Dereon Albert will decide between the Vols and North Carolina on July 1.

The 6-foot-2, 305-pound prospect is from Jackson Academy in Jackson, Mississippi. 247Sports ranks him as the No. 28 defensive lineman in 2026 and the No. 8 player in Mississippi.

Tennessee offered Albert a scholarship on Aug. 23, 2023. He officially visited Tennessee on June 13.

Liberty was the first school to offer him a scholarship. Other SEC schools to offer Albert a scholarship include Auburn, Missouri, Texas A&M, LSU, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Arkansas and Kentucky.

The Vols have nine commitments in their 2026 football recruiting class: quarterback Faizon Brandon, wide receiver Tyreek King, tight end Carson Sneed, offensive lineman Gabriel Osenda, linebacker Braylon Outlaw, defensive lineman C.J. Edwards, defensive lineman Zach Groves, safety K.J. McClain and safety Luke Thompson.

Linebacker JP Peace is Tennessee's first 2027 football commitment.

Follow Vols Wire on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).

This article originally appeared on Vols Wire: Vols' defensive line target announces commitment date

 

Eight La Masia talents Hansi Flick will call up for Barcelona pre-season – an overview  

In just his first season at the club, Hansi Flick made it clear that he seriously counts on the academy and understands the culture La Masia brings to the team’s success.

With the next pre-season just weeks away, the manager has already identified players to bet on for the upcoming season, just as he provided Gerard Martin and Fermin Lopez with his faith last term.

The selected players are expected to travel with the team for the pre-season tour of Asia and eight such youngsters are on the manager’s mind. Here is a breakdown of the talents Flick has his eyes on.

Landry Farre

The 18-year-old Ivory Coast-born star is seen as a massive talent in the academy and a potential future right-back for Barcelona. What makes him special is his physicality which makes him a force to reckon with at the back.

Moreover, Farre has a dominant aerial presence that the first team currently lacks at the back and thus presents a valuable profile to Hansi Flick. 

Jofre Torrents

Jofre Torrents is seen as a top talent. (Photo courtesy: X/FCBMasia)

The academy’s star left-back is seen as one who can make it big and even serve as a backup for Alejandro Balde next season for his versatility, defensive prowess and attacking flair.

He is fast, reliable on the ball and possesses immense quality in his left foot which makes him a pleasure to watch dance down the flank. Regular injuries and some defensive errors, however, present him with areas to reinforce.

Ibrahim Diarra

The 18-year-old Juvenil A player plays as a right-interior midfielder but has great versatility and can operate as a forward.

His ability to progress the ball into attacking areas, make runs into the final third and provide an attacking outlet makes him a valuable bet for pre-season, although he does have areas to work on in terms of ball handling.

Toni Fernandez

Toni Fernandez is admired by Hansi Flick. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)

A 16-year-old sensation, Toni has been seen as La Masia’s next big phenomenon for a few years now. He is primarily a winger by trade but can also operate as a false-nine or an attacking midfielder based on the situation.

His technical quality, dribbling prowess and awareness in the box, along with a great left foot, make him a great bet for the future and one can expect him to have a great chance of showing his skill in pre-season. In many ways, he is seen as La Masia’s greatest upcoming bet.

With Hansi Flick already having shown trust in him, it only appears to be a matter of time before he makes it big.

Guille Fernandez

The cousin of Toni, Guille Fernandez is an equally bright prospect in the academy who is seen as a long-term bet. A breakthrough in pre-season, however, cannot be ruled out.

While he is primarily a midfielder by trade, the youngster has an ability to operate as a right interior or a winger. He is a very powerful and technical midfielder and has a goal in him as well.

Juan Hernandez

Juan Hernandez is one to watch out for. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

The 17-year-old midfielder is one who has also caught Hansi Flick’s eye and could have a chance to prove his worth next month. What makes him special is the ease with which he dances past defenders and his decision-making in front of goal.

Severe competition for a place in the team in the same position may be a bottleneck, but the youngster definitely has the quality to make it big.

Pedro Fernandez ‘Dro’

Another midfield-attacking hybrid, ‘Dro’ is a left-interior who can operate on the wing or in a central position as well.

His technical skill and ability to create imbalances make him an asset on the field. However, there is potential for him to improve on his physicality and his contributions in terms of goals and assists.

Jan Virgili

Jan Virgili has caught the attention of Flick. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

Virgili was most recently in the news for pioneering Spain’s breathtaking win over Germany to progress to the finish of the U-19 Euros and he is, thus, seen as one of the country’s biggest talents.

He is primarily a left-winger but can also operate on the right side on need. His ability to spread the game in terms of width and create threats out wide made him special and a great bet to add depth to the department 

 

Preview: Borussia Dortmund vs Ulsan Hyundai – Prediction, Team News, Line-ups  

Borussia Dortmund will look to qualify for the Club World Cup round of 16 as they take on Ulsan Hyundai on Wednesday at TQL Stadium. 

Niko Kovac’s side edged a seven-goal thriller against Mamelodi Sundowns at the weekend, while Ulsan lost 4-2 to Fluminense in their previous outing. 

Match Preview

Mamelodi took a shocking lead in the 11th minute, but Dortmund ended the first-half with a 3-1 lead in a stunning comeback, thanks to goals from Felix Nmecha, Serhou Guirassy, and Jobe Bellingham. 

Iqraam Rayners and Lebo Mothiba threatened to rescue a draw, but the Black and Yellow held out to edge the contest. 

The victory means Dortmund are second in Group F, having the same points as leaders Fluminense. 

The Bundesliga club are not yet certain of their place in the knockouts as Memelodi are just a point below them and will play their final group game against Renato Gaucho’s side on Wednesday. 

On the other hand, Ulsan have already been eliminated from the tournament after losing their opening two matches. 

The South Korean outfit were leading 2-1 against Fluminense by half-time but a second-half capitulation saw them losing 4-2 on Saturday. 

Team News

Emre Can and Nico Schlotterbeck haven’t been involved due to injury issues, and the duo are expected to be absent for Wednesday’s clash. New signing Jobe Bellingham will likely continue in attack, with Pascal Gross and Felix Nmecha also keeping their spots in midfield. 

Manager Kim Pan-gon started Won-Sang Um and Erick Farias in the forward line against Fluminense, but the South Korean boss could feature Matias Lacava as Um was forced off early due to injury. 

Borussia Dortmund vs Ulsan Hyundai potential line-ups

Borussia Dortmund: Kobel; Sule, Anton, Bensebaini; Couto, Nmecha, Gross, Svensson; Bellingham, Brandt; Guirassy

Ulsan Hyundai: Jo; Trojak, Kim, Jung; Kang, Ko, Bojanic, Lee, Ludwigson; Lacava, Farias

Borussia Dortmund vs Ulsan Hyundai prediction

Dortmund haven’t been entirely convincing with their performances so far, but they are expected to claim a comfortable victory against Ulsan on Wednesday. The Asian team have nothing but pride to play for after losing their first two matches of the competition. 

Borussia Dortmund 2-0 Ulsan Hyundai 

 

SGA v Jokić, dynasty death and justice for Doris Burke: 20 things we learned from the NBA playoffs  

It ain’t over till it’s over

If a single, overarching lesson can be taken from this year’s NBA postseason, it’s this one: no game is over until the clock hits 00:00. Whether it was the New York Knicks stealing victory from the jaws of defeat against the Celtics in Boston in round two, Aaron Gordon’s buzzer-beating dunk sealing a crucial win for the Nuggets against the Clippers in Los Angeles in round one, or the Indiana Pacers defeating the odds over and over again with their clutch time brilliance throughout the playoffs, a lead has never felt less safe in the NBA.

The depth era is here

Once upon a time in the NBA, it was pretty much agreed upon that a team needed at least a big two, if not a big three, to reach the promised land. But in a post “apron” era, where it’s increasingly difficult to afford to keep more than one top-tier player on your roster, it’s become more important than ever to have a bench that’s not just playable, but excellent. The playoffs are as fast, physical, and exhausting as they’ve ever been. Having the luxury of fresh legs is a superpower.

You can live by the three, but you may die by it

We are indisputably living in the three-point era, much to the chagrin of the internet. But one thing hasn’t changed: you still have to have other options. The Celtics found this out the hard way, as their blind allegiance to chucking ‘em up from beyond the arc, which proved a winning formula last season, came back to bite them against the Knicks in round two.

Related: Does Tom Thibodeau really run his players into the ground? The data says ... not exactly

No job is safe

This trend technically kicked off before the playoffs, when the Memphis Grizzlies and the Denver Nuggets fired their coaches with a handful of games left to play in the regular season. But it was truly crystallized with the abrupt firing of Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau just days after he helped lead the team to their first Eastern Conference Finals in decades, plural. Sure, Thibs had faced (warranted) criticism before. But if upsetting the defending champs and breaking generational playoff curses can’t ensure coaching job security, it’s fair to assume that nothing can.

Justice for Doris Burke

Burke was only added to the “A-team” at ESPN in recent years, a job that includes being a part of the voice of the NBA finals. But Burke put in time on her way to the top of the basketball broadcasting pyramid. In her 12 years at ESPN alone, she worked her way up the ladder from sideline reporter, to color commentary in less high-profile games, to, eventually, her current seat. The way the internet has been discussing her aptitude during these finals was nothing short of disrespectful – if anyone knows ball, it’s Doris Burke.

Oklahoma loves its basketball team

Every team has in-arena chants. Every team, at this point, gives away matching T-shirts to their fans to wear during playoff games in a show of solidarity. But the Oklahoma City Thunder’s fanbase has demonstrated an allegiance to their team in a tier all its own. Everyone in the building knows the chants, no prompts on the jumbotron necessary. And you’d be hard-pressed to find a single soul in Paycom Center not wearing that evening’s T-shirt giveaway: no one is too cool to show their support and fall in line. I’ve been to a lot of NBA arenas; I’ve never heard screaming at that decibel, so consistently. Thunder fans are, as the kids say, built different.

Speed is a superpower

It is, admittedly, a little on the nose that the defining characteristic of the Eastern Conference champion Indiana Pacers is that they play really, really fast – but their speed has proven to be their superpower. The Pacers left a graveyard of drained, hands-on-knees stars in their wake: even MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander looked worn down by the end of the first few games when his Thunder, a fast-paced team in their own right, met Indiana in the NBA finals. It’s hard to make shots in the clutch when you’re dead tired, and the Pacers and their unique stamina capitalized on that beautifully.

Related: The Lakers’ Luka-LeBron era begins with a stumble, not a statement

The changing of the guard

LeBron James suffered a first-round exit, Stephen Curry was sidelined with a hamstring injury before round two even really started, and Kevin Durant’s team didn’t even make the play-in-tournament. While I’m not ready to write off the NBA’s elder statesmen just yet, it was glaringly obvious in this postseason that the young guns, including the eventual champion Thunder (the youngest NBA champions ever) are coming for the crown, not tomorrow, but right now.

Rick Carlisle is a Hall of Famer

Carlisle has long been held in high esteem by basketball fans, especially in light of his stewardship of the Dallas Mavericks squad that upset the three-headed juggernaut Miami Heat to win the title in 2011. But what he’s done with this year’s Pacers, who are without a top five (or, arguably, even a top 10) superstar, is nothing short of remarkable. His group is incredibly poised, confident, and well prepared, and most importantly, they never say die. Carlisle deserves a lot of credit for that identity, and he will be etched into the annals of the highest echelon of coaching because of it.

It’s time for the Heat to set it on fire

It is strange to say that the East is wide open and, at the same time, that the Heat need to blow it up in the same breath, but it feels right. Seeing Miami’s “performance” in round one, if you can even call it that, distilled just how far they are from contention with their bizarre, post-Jimmy-Butler but pre-another-superstar roster. As nice of a contributing piece as Andrew Wiggins can be on a contending team, Butler he is not, and the Heat are sorely lacking in talent and identity. Assuming a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade isn’t on the horizon (and, really, how could it be? What would Miami offer?) blowing it up seems like the shrewd move.

Giannis should stay in the East (but maybe leave Milwaukee)

The East has been the weaker of the two NBA conferences for ages. But it feels more wide open than ever heading into the 2025-2026 season: The Celtics are all but eliminated for next year with the loss of Jayson Tatum to injury, the Knicks are in the middle of a potentially disastrous coaching search, and while the conference champion Pacers are excellent, they certainly don’t feel unbeatable, especially after Tyrese Haliburton’s injury. Milwaukee don’t have a clear path to put a contending team around Antetokounmpo, so it would probably be wise of him to move elsewhere, but he’d be well served to stay in the same timezone or eastward.

The Clippers may truly be cursed

If you buy a plot of land that’s an ancient burial ground, it doesn’t really matter, ultimately, how nice the house is that you build on it. Steve Ballmer is an exemplary NBA owner: deep pockets, smart hires, boundless enthusiasm. The word “ball” is in his name: that’s how much he’s about this life. But he bought a franchise that, for whatever reason, seems to be destined to fail in the most spectacular fashion. This year, it was getting annihilated, with little to no resistance, by the Nuggets in Game 7 of their first-round meeting. This came after the Clippers showed flashes of being a true contender, with one of the best defenses in basketball. Kawhi Leonard was healthy, and the excuses were slim: the Clippers just clipped.

Championship windows can close in a blink

There’s already talk of a budding “dynasty” in Oklahoma City, due to the youth of the team’s core. But if anything came to light in this year’s playoffs, it’s that championship windows are fleeting – and fragile. After their victory last year, many predicted the Celtics were about to start a dynasty, but they were staring down the barrel of a 1-3 deficit against the Knicks in round two even before their best player, perennial MVP candidate Tatum, went down with an achilles tear that will sideline him for most, or even all, of next season. And the Pacers went from being on the doorstep of a championship to facing a year without their star player, Haliburton. Time is of the essence for teams seeking out the Larry O’B: you never know when even the most wide-open windows will slam shut.

Related: A year ago Tyrese Haliburton was a punchline. Now he’s the NBA’s finest punch-out artist

If anything, Tyrese Haliburton is underrated

It’s not hyperbolic to say that no individual player has ever had a clutch run through the playoffs like Haliburton had this year. It was truly heartbreaking to see the guard go down with an achilles rupture in Game 7 of the finals, especially considering that he was having a brilliant first quarter, coming out with all the aggression his detractors have been clamoring for. But the lore from the 2025 playoffs will be one that leads with Haliburton for ever – he (and his underdog Pacers squad) have etched themselves into NBA history, and he’s earned a ton of due respect along the way.

The KAT/Randle trade was a net neutral

We spent much of this season deliberating who “won” the Karl Anthony Towns for Julius Randle trade between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Knicks. The battle took some wild swings, with Towns having a hellacious start to the season (warranting him both an All-NBA and All-Star roster spot), and Randle shaping into form towards the end of the season and into a damned impressive start to the postseason. But both players, too, showed their significant flaws in the postseason, and ultimately, the answer to the question of who “won” the trade is muddy. They are two flawed players with tremendous highs and forehead-slapping lows, and for now, at least, it appears to be a draw.

Related: Thunder’s thrilling nerd juggernaut ushers in NBA’s nice guy era

Nikola Jokić is still the best player on Earth …

To be fair, I knew this before the playoffs. But watching Jokić drag a ramshackle Nuggets team to Game 7 against the eventual champion Thunder, while serving, in many ways, as their honorary interim head coach, was impressive even by the Serb’s impossibly high standards. He’s the kind of spectacular, once in a generation talent who can render context irrelevant, who can make the craziest pass you’ve ever seen appear routine, who is such a ridiculous offensive force that he’s almost an offense unto himself. He may not be the most valuable player this year, but he is the best.

… But SGA deserved his MVP award

If there has been one constant this postseason, it’s Gilgeous-Alexander and his dependable, humming offensive output. You could set a clock to it. That’s been the case since day one of the regular season, and it really didn’t wane in the postseason, either. The Canadian had one of the greatest single statistical seasons ever by a guard, and yes, that includes all those on the NBA’s Mount Rushmore. In this season alone, he won the scoring title, league MVP, Western Conference finals MVP, and NBA finals MVP. That’s a historical run, and makes him a truly generational player by any measure.

Houston were a piece away (and it’s Kevin Durant)

As impressive of a season as the upstart Houston Rockets had this year, it came as no surprise to anyone who’d been paying attention that the Western Conference No 2 were sent packing in round one. The team were on a string defensively, and play hard (kudos to Coach of the Year candidate Ime Udoka), but there was a glaringly apparent hole on the offensive end, especially late in game, when it mattered. Hopes were high for young guard Jalen Green, but he flamed out in a real way in his first postseason. Enter stage right: Kevin Durant, one of the greatest scorers the league has ever seen. It should be exciting for all basketball fans to see how this age-gap marriage turns out come October.

The NBA has an injury problem

The evidence is, at this point, beyond anecdotal. According to Jeff Stotts of InStreetClothes, the eight (eight!) achilles tendon ruptures this season are an NBA record, clearing the previous mark of five easily. What was shaping up to be a fascinating NBA finals Game 7 ended with a depressing whimper as Haliburton went down in a heap in the first quarter, sobbing and yelling “No! No! No!” as he banged his fist on the hardwood in anguish. The rest of us could only watch helplessly, having all become injury experts after watching Damian Lillard and Tatum meet the same fate in this postseason alone. The NBA can no longer afford to ignore the pressing issue: the game is faster and more difficult, the season is far too long, and the injuries are mounting.

Faith is a skill

It’s a rare occasion when the team who ultimately hoists the trophy is not what we, as a collective, will remember about a given season. But this version of the Pacers, who came just two quarters shy of a championship, will live on in the hearts and minds of basketball fans for years to come. In true Hoosiers fashion, this team was all heart, no fear. They taught us perhaps the most valuable lesson of all: unwavering belief may very well be the most powerful skill. Chips down, odds long, down double digits with a minute to go. There was no challenge too big, no order too tall, for the never say die Pacers. Even though their season ended in horrible fashion, with a devastating injury to Haliburton and an everlasting “what if” along with it, their identity as one of the most resilient and joyful teams in recent memory will for ever be the stuff of legend.

 

Hillsborough's Matt Mosko is the Courier News Baseball Coach of the Year  

A 9-6, seventh-inning lead in a Somerset County Tournament quarterfinal had evaporated into a 10-9 walk-off loss to Immaculata. Hillsborough High School’s baseball team found itself with an 8-10 record as playoff time approached.

A six-day break was ahead before Skyland Conference inter-division and final regular season games at Watchung Hills and Phillipsburg, then the first round of the Central Group 4 tournament where Hillsborough held the ninth seed.

More: Baseball: Links to the Courier News and Home News Tribune All-Area honors package

More: VOTE NOW! Who is your choice for Central Jersey Baseball Player of the Year?

Adding to the intrigue was that it was prom weekend with senior “cut” day on Monday.

What kind of Raiders team would return after such a wrenching loss that denied them a trip to play a county semifinal at TD Bank Ballpark?

“We had a meeting the day after the loss and the kids all said they would be back that Monday and they kept their word,” said Hillsborough coach Matt Mosko, 34, a 2009 Hillsborough graduate and former catcher. “It said a lot about the maturity and dedication level of our team.”

Mosko, who finished his fourth season as Raider coach, is the Courier News 2025 Baseball Coach of the Year.

The Monday practice turnout suggested a team united, but then the Raiders showed it.

They won six straight, becoming the lowest seeded team in the state to win a section title. They won at No. 8 Freehold Township, top seed Hunterdon Central and returned home to host neighbor and No. 12 seed Montgomery in the section semifinal.

They capped the run with a 13-6 win at No. 2 Old Bridge in the final. They were beaten 11-0 in the state semifinal by eventual champ Cherokee.

Hillsborough won its third sectional title in the program’s 54-year history and first since 2012. It celebrated its first winning season since 2019, finishing 14-11.

“There was too much bad going around about ‘Boro baseball that was not deserved and it was awesome to prove them wrong and show what we had,” said senior catcher Alex Reiling, a three-year starter. 

The Raiders’ campaign was one of contrasts. They got out to a 5-1 start, lost three consecutive, won a game and then lost four in a row to drop to 6-8.

“After a hot start, the kids sensed we could play with anyone,” Mosko said. “Having that kind of first two weeks lit a fire in them that dimmed a little in the middle part, but we knew it was in there to finish off the season. We stuck with a solid nine in our lineup, relied heavily on three or four pitchers the last three weeks, and it worked.”

The players appreciated how steadfast their coaches were in believing in them.

“Coach kept us levelheaded the whole season, whether we were winning or losing, it kept us locked in the whole time,” Reiling said. “He knew our potential and continued to tell us that and made us believe how special we were and what we could do.”

Mosko, a social studies teacher at Auten Middle School in Hillsborough, has seen and known his players as they have grown. He said several times over the course of the season that this group of players had promise to deliver.

“The kids knew we had a talented roster, and things would work out for us if we played solid baseball, which we did the last three weeks of the season,” Mosko said. “Good teams are led most of the time by solid leaders and we had them in Alex Reiling, Andrew Advani and Jason Williams who stepped up, vocally as the season went along.”

This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: NJ Baseball: CN Coach of the Year is Hillsborough's Matt Mosko

 

Governor Livingston's Zach Geertsma is the Courier News Baseball Player of the Year  

Governor Livingston High School’s baseball team had a perfect season with enough highlights to satisfy most players’ career dreams. Highlanders junior shortstop Zach Geertsma is not just any player.

So, to ask him his biggest moment in a season where his team finished 28-0, repeating as state Group 2 and Union County Tournament champions, can leave him counting for a bit.

More: Baseball: Links to the Courier News and Home News Tribune All-Area honors package

More: VOTE NOW! Who is your choice for Central Jersey Baseball Player of the Year?

The University of Virginia commit had plenty of highlights, enough highlights to make him the 2025 Courier News Baseball Player of the Year. For the second straight season, a Highlander is CN Player of the Year.

Last season, it was GL righty Matty Diskin, who will pitch at Stetson next season. Now, it’s Geertsma’s turn.

He led the team in batting average (.453 up from .330 last season), at bats (95), hits (43 up from 38), runs scored (43 up from 38), home runs (8 matched last year) and tied for the team RBIs lead with Diskin and junior Ryan Pappas with 33. Geertsma hit safely in 24 of 28 games.

“It was a perfect season,” Geertsma said.

Geertsma considers a grand slam that helped beat Delbarton in an Autism Awareness Showcase as a highlight. But he could not forget leading off the bottom of the sixth inning of a Union County Tournament semifinal against Elizabeth ace Alberto Maldonado with an opposite field triple to right. He came home on Mike Basile’s RBI single, and GL escaped 1-0 with Diskin getting the win and Anthony DeNora the save.

“He was up to 96 (mph), Maldonado, and he was owning our team,” Geertsma said. “I hit a first pitch slider and I was very excited about it. There were a lot of different moments that were very cool for me.”

Geertsma drove in the final GL run of the season with an RBI single to left in the fourth inning of the Highlanders’ 6-1 win over West Morris in the state final. He and junior second baseman Reid Bazydlo and junior first baseman Matt Novotny turned a 6-4-3 double play for the first two outs in the top of the seventh in the state final.

“It was awesome, we had great chemistry and trusted each other on every play,” Bazydlo said. “It made turning two feel automatic.”

Geertsma was part of eight double plays during the season.

“Zach is a one-of-a-kind player who displays every single tool at an extremely high level you rarely see,” said Diskin. “He is also a great leader on and off the field. He is the kind of person you can tell him anything and he will be there helping you out.”

Geertsma played soccer and was a goalie through the eighth grade. That’s when he made the switch to baseball. His father, Mike, played soccer for Governor Livingston when the Highlanders beat Freehold Borough for the state title in 1979.

“I was a better soccer player than I was at baseball, but I didn’t enjoy soccer as much, it wasn’t as fun to me, so I preferred to stick to baseball,” Geertsma said.

Good choice.

He has been a big contributor to two state titles and next season will have a chance at three. What can he and the Highlanders do for an encore?

“I love winning, who doesn’t like to win, the motivation is to do better than last year,” said Geertsma.

This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: NJ Baseball: GL's Zach Geertsma is the Courier News Player of the Year

 

Chelsea set to complete £55m transfer ‘imminently’  

Chelsea are getting closer to finalising a deal for Borussia Dortmund youngster Jamie Gittens in the summer transfer window. 

The Blues have been trying to sign the winger for the past month, but were unable to come to an agreement with the German outfit before the Fifa Club World Cup.

Bayern Munich have also been competing for Gittens‘ signature, but it now appears that Chelsea will get their man in the very near future.

Chelsea set to complete £55m Gittens transfer ‘imminently’

The Athletic report that the transfer “could be resolved imminently” as there is hope they can agree on a deal “swiftly”.

Despite Bayern’s interest, Gittens “favours” a move to Stamford Bridge and is “fully committed” to joining the UEFA Conference League champions.

Gittens has already agreed a seven-year contract with Chelsea, meaning the only thing that remains to be done for the deal to be completed is an agreement between the two clubs.

Negotiations between Chelsea and Dortmund, who are said to value the 20-year-old at £55 million, have been helped by the fact that they are both playing in the United States at the moment.

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Read – Chelsea signing outlines desire to play ‘aggressive’ football

The west London side had also been linked with Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho and Nico Williams of Athletic Club amid uncertainty over the future of Mykhailo Mudryk. The Ukrainian is facing a lengthy ban after testing positive for a banned substance.

Gittens turned down the chance to join Chelsea’s academy as a teenager, instead joining Manchester City’s setup from Reading.

The England U21 international moved to Dortmund in 2020 and made his Bundesliga debut two years later. He appeared as a late substitute in the 2024 Uefa Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid, replacing Sancho.

Gittens enjoyed a breakthrough season for BVB in 2024/25, scoring 12 goals in 48 appearances across all competitions.

Read – Jamie Gittens: Why Chelsea want to sign the Dortmund winger

See Also – The most expensive sales in Bundesliga history

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Latest Liverpool Transfer News  

Liverpool’s Rebuild Gains Momentum as Wirtz Arrival Sparks Transfer Domino Effect

Wirtz Deal Signals Intent at Anfield

Liverpool have rarely started a summer window with such clarity. The £116 million move for Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen is more than just a marquee signing. It’s a signal that the new era under Arne Slot is already shifting gears — tactically and strategically. As reported by The Athletic.

It’s not simply about numbers, either. Wirtz is a player who glides between the lines, disrupts structure and provides imagination. His arrival suggests a move away from the muscular directness that defined much of Jürgen Klopp’s reign, towards something more intricate. His quality demands a supporting cast capable of complementing and covering for his creativity, and that reshaping is already underway.

Jarell Quansah’s expected departure to Leverkusen for a reported £30 million plus add-ons speaks to the shifting priorities in Liverpool’s defensive department. While the inclusion of a buyback clause shows they are not giving up on his potential, it’s also a move that unlocks flexibility, both in terms of finances and squad space.

Photo: IMAGO

Defence and Depth in Transition

With Quansah on the way out, Liverpool are exploring replacements. The emphasis is on youth, growth and versatility — attributes epitomised by Ajax’s 19-year-old defender Jorrel Hato. Able to operate at centre-back or left-back, Hato’s profile fits Liverpool’s long-term thinking.

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Marc Guehi remains on the radar, though Crystal Palace’s valuation could be a stumbling block. Murillo of Nottingham Forest is admired too, albeit again complicated by price. There’s a sense here of Liverpool doing due diligence, scouting players who can slot into the system and develop within it.

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Milos Kerkez’s move from Bournemouth, reportedly finalised at around £40 million, reflects similar principles. Young, intense and tactically flexible, he could become first-choice sooner than expected given interest from Atletico Madrid in Andy Robertson, who is entering the final year of his contract.

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Kostas Tsimikas waits to see how the chips fall, but the Greek international’s future likely hinges on whether Robertson departs.

Photo: IMAGO

Attack Under Scrutiny as Nunez Uncertainty Grows

In attack, the focus is on Darwin Nunez. His raw talent remains, but there’s now a wider acceptance that a different type of forward may be needed. Napoli are keen, and if Liverpool can secure a sizeable fee, it may finally open the door to reshaping the frontline.

Photo: IMAGO

Arne Slot wants a forward who leads the press and sacrifices for the team. That profile narrows the list and makes Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak a logical yet difficult target due to his valuation.

There’s interest in Federico Chiesa, but it’s fading after a disappointing campaign. Meanwhile, Luis Diaz, despite outside interest, is viewed as central to the squad moving forward.

Photo: IMAGO

Academy Progression and Peripheral Exits

Liverpool’s academy continues to be active. Harvey Elliott is flourishing with England Under-21s and could generate interest, though his long-term future remains at Anfield.

Photo: IMAGO

Tyler Morton and Stefan Bajcetic have suitors, while Owen Beck’s loan or sale is under consideration. Nat Phillips has already sealed a £3 million move to West Brom, while goalkeeper Harvey Davies joins Crawley Town on loan after signing a new contract.

Photo: IMAGO

Veteran Joe Gomez, who recently marked a decade at the club, remains part of the plans. His flexibility makes him indispensable in a squad navigating transition.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

For Liverpool fans, the arrival of Florian Wirtz is not just exciting; it feels like a declaration of purpose. This is not a club tiptoeing into a new era, it’s charging into it. Wirtz offers the kind of flair Anfield hasn’t consistently seen since Coutinho’s prime. He’s a bridge between generations and styles.

But the optimism is laced with realism. Quansah leaving is a blow in terms of homegrown development, and while a buyback clause offers comfort, fans will want to see the club spend that £30 million wisely. Names like Hato and Guehi show promise, but Liverpool’s recruitment has to hit.

Up front, Nunez’s situation remains divisive. The raw numbers haven’t matched the chaos he creates, and while some fans are still patient, others are weary. Slot’s preference for tactical discipline over individuality means this summer could spell the end for the Uruguayan’s turbulent Liverpool chapter.

In truth, the rebuild feels smart. There’s a clear plan, players being targeted for system-fit rather than stardust. Fans might not agree with every move, but they can at least see the logic — and that’s a refreshing change.

 

Transfer window challenges continue For Arsenal Despite Landing La Liga Midfielder  

Arsenal’s Transfer Ambitions Begin with Zubimendi, but Tougher Decisions Await

Zubimendi’s Arrival Signals Arsenal’s Midfield Intent

The image of Martin Zubimendi touching down in London may have been expected, but it carried weight. After months of strategic planning behind the scenes, Arsenal have landed the Real Sociedad midfielder in a deal exceeding his €65 million release clause. The excess payment, as revealed, grants Arsenal a more favourable structure for the instalments, a subtle yet shrewd move that speaks volumes about the club’s long-term planning.

“Despite Zubimendi being linked with a switch to Real Madrid, Arsenal have considered this deal done for several months,” reads the original report from The Athletic. For Mikel Arteta, the addition of the 26-year-old Spain international is less about replacing anyone and more about evolution. The midfield pairing of Declan Rice and Zubimendi offers balance, press resistance and vertical passing — essential qualities if Arsenal are to take the final step towards a Premier League title.

But as Arteta looks ahead to a brutal start to the 2025/26 campaign — trips to Old Trafford, Anfield and St James’ Park all before the end of September — there’s a growing urgency. Arsenal’s head coach, ever the tactician, will not want to enter such a gauntlet with a squad still searching for reinforcements.

Photo IMAGO

Setbacks in the Market Narrow Options

Targets are slipping away. Dean Huijsen is now a Real Madrid player. Bryan Mbeumo, long admired for his blend of pace and composure, has made clear his preference for Manchester United. Nico Williams appears bound for Barcelona and Leroy Sané is reportedly set to join Galatasaray.

“A number of potential targets favoured by Arteta appear set to be playing their football elsewhere next season.” The market is moving quickly and Arsenal risk being left behind. They have alternatives, but as the options dwindle, urgency threatens to be replaced by compromise.

Rodrygo, Nico Williams and Anthony Gordon remain in the frame. Each offers something different — Rodrygo with his flair and Champions League experience, Gordon with his directness and Premier League know-how, and Williams with his explosive ability on the break. Whether Arsenal can secure any of them remains to be seen.

Reinforcements Between the Posts and Up Front

Next on the agenda is Kepa Arrizabalaga, expected at London Colney this week to finalise his £5 million move from Chelsea. “Aside from the announcement of Zubimendi, Arsenal’s next significant arrival is likely to be goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.” His role will be as understudy, but a vital one. Arteta knows the importance of strength in every position, and Aaron Ramsdale will benefit from competition.

Further forward, the need for a prolific No 9 is clear. Names like Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyökeres continue to surface, though neither will come cheap. Arsenal know that to bridge the gap to Manchester City, firepower is not optional.

Questions Remain over Departures and Partey’s Future

Gabriel Martinelli’s future remains stable — for now. “Martinelli is happy at Arsenal and has two years remaining on his contract.” But if a significant offer were to arrive, the club may reassess their stance. That’s the nature of this window: fluid and opportunistic.

In contrast, Thomas Partey’s situation feels more precarious. His contract expires in a matter of days and while both sides have held talks, no agreement has been found. Arsenal are reportedly considering Lucien Agoumé of Sevilla as a potential replacement. Whether they can find value in that space, with Partey likely leaving for nothing, remains a delicate issue.

Back-up keeper Karl Hein could also be on his way out. After an impressive loan spell in Spain, La Liga sides have shown interest, and Arsenal are open to offers — permanent or temporary.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

For Arsenal fans, this summer feels like the calm before a storm. The arrival of Zubimendi has been celebrated, especially given his technical quality and football intelligence. It feels like a statement. Arsenal mean business.

But the excitement is tempered by realism. We’ve seen before how long negotiations can drag, and with so many targets moving elsewhere, there’s a worry that Arsenal could fall short in key areas. The links to Rodrygo and Gordon are exciting, but whether either materialises is unclear.

Kepa as a second-choice keeper makes sense, especially given Ramsdale’s patchy form last season. But supporters are watching the No 9 situation closely. Sesko would be a dream, Gyökeres a worthy gamble, but the market is volatile.

What’s encouraging is that Arsenal are clearly planning. The deals are structured smartly. There’s vision here. The worry? The clock is ticking and rivals are strengthening fast. With games at Old Trafford, Anfield and Newcastle looming, Arsenal need to finish their business early and decisively.

 

Tottenham Hotspur consider move for Man United target Eberechi Eze  

Tottenham Hotspur are “weighing up a move” for long-term Manchester United target Eberechi Eze, according to a report.

Eze, 26, enjoyed a brilliant campaign for Crystal Palace last year as he helped propel them to an FA Cup triumph and Europa League football next season.

The England international scored a brilliant goal in the final to secure the 1-0 win over Manchester City at Wembley. In total, he returned 14 goals and 11 assists in all competitions for the Eagles.

United have been linked with a move for Eze on multiple occasions in recent years but the Reds’ interest appeared to ramp up following Ruben Amorim’s arrival at Old Trafford in November.

The former Sporting CP manager’s 3-4-2-1 system relies heavily on two attacking midfielders to act as the creative heartbeat of his side.

Under the 4-2-3-1 set-up favoured by Amorim’s predecessor, Erik ten Hag, Eze would have been in direct competition with talismanic captain Bruno Fernandes for his favoured number ten role.

But Amorim’s system would have placed Eze in one of the two options for the position, enabling him to thrive at the heart of United’s team in the exact manner he has at Selhurst Park. A report in May revealed United were considering the 26-year-old as a target this summer

However, the Red Devils have prioritised moves for two alternative Premier League attackers – Matheus Cunha (Wolverhampton Wanderers) and Bryan Mbeumo (Brentford) – over Eze with a deal agreed for the former and one set to be struck for the latter.

Eze’s release clause with Palace – worth around £68 million – would prove too prohibitive to target in addition to Cunha and Mbeumo as both players will cost United similar amounts.

But this could enable Spurs to steal a march on their North West rival with the Lilywhites considering targeting Eze as a “statement signing” for new manager Thomas Frank, according to The Guardian. 

The North London cub had expressed interest in reuniting Frank with Mbeumo after their successful time at Brentford together. But the Cameroonian winger only has eyes for Old Trafford with United having launched a second bid yesterday after their opening proposal was rejected by the Bees.

Eze appears a better fit for Spurs, however, while Mbeumo is tailor made for the right-hand side of Amorim’s system in a variety of different roles, meaning this could simply be a happy coincidence for the two clubs as they end up the right options for their respective sides.

Feature image Michael Regan via Getty Images

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'Like tug-of-war and rope broke’: Ex-Colts doctor explains Tyrese Haliburton’s torn Achilles  

INDIANAPOLIS -- Dr. Patrick Kersey was watching Sunday night just like the rest of Indiana Pacers nation, watching what coach Rick Carlisle said caused his heart to drop, watching what brought tough NBA players to tears, watching as Tyrese Haliburton collapsed and started pounding his fists on the court.

"You can use whatever symbols you'd like here. My reaction was oh (expletive)," said Kersey, a sports medicine physician with Ascension St. Vincent in Carmel. "I would say I immediately knew what happened. You could see it and you could see the kind of retraction and my heart just fell into my stomach. I was just crushed."

Kersey was watching as a huge Pacers fan, but also as an expert on just how devastating the injury the All-Star point guard suffered in the Pacers' Game 7 NBA Finals loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder Sunday night, a torn right Achilles tendon. Kersey spent nearly 15 years as a team physician for the Indianapolis Colts, part of that during the Peyton Manning era. He is also the medical director of USA Football.

IndyStar talked with Kersey Monday in detail about the injury Haliburton suffered. He has not treated or seen Haliburton as a patient.

What is a torn achilles?

"A torn achilles is the big kind of connective tendon that leads from your heel bone to the back of your knee or your calf muscle. It is the connective tendon that connects the muscle to the bone, and it is very high-end functional and how we push off, our toe pushing off.

“So a tear of that tendon actually disrupts the ability for that mechanism to work and so a torn tendon would be no different than you and I in a tug-of-war and the rope broke."

Before the tear in Game 7, Haliburton suffered a calf strain. What is that?

"The strain is actually some minor degree of fiber tearing. A strain is muscle and tendon. A sprain is ligament. So when you hear the strain word and people are like, 'What does that mean?' Well, some of the fibers in that muscle or tendon have been disrupted. So there's thousands upon millions of those fibers and when you talk about a strain, it's some of those fibers, and I'll use jeans as an example.

“Back when we were growing up, you couldn't really have frayed jeans. That wasn't too cool. Now it's pretty cool. But, fraying fibers of your fabric is a good example of what a minor strain would be, where some of those fibers have disrupted, or they've given way, or they're not as strong as they were before."

Can a calf strain cause an Achilles tear?

"There's a bunch of variable potential answers there, but it's kind of a scenario that makes stress in that area a little to a lot more vulnerable. So, if you strain a muscle like your calf, that actually puts some of the tissue around that a bit vulnerable because it has to do a little extra work. It has to be a little extra strong or flexible and, to an extent, the vulnerability is not actually the injury itself, it is actually the forces around that maybe exceed the body's ability to handle them.

“And so probably Tyrese's scenario was that strain made him a little sensitive or a lot sensitive to higher end forces that potentially stress that Achilles tendon and maybe in its weakened state, it gave way."

For the average patient, what is a recovery time for this? What happens? Is there surgery?

"With an Achilles disruption, if the rope tore, and tore in half, that has to be put back together. And so surgery will definitely be required to re-approximate or put those kind of frayed ends back together so they can heal. Those are generally kind of sewn or tied back together like you would similar (to sewing fabric back together).

“And then that will scar and heal over periods of time. It is a little bit of a vulnerable area and takes a bit of time and so recovery is anywhere between eight to 10, 11 months. So, it'll be a bit of time before he's probably back playing basketball."

What could have caused Haliburton's injury?

"Probably crazy activity and use over the last couple years. He hadn't had a break in a long time. That he had an injury a few days ago, that was definitely a contributor, and then he's trying his tail off. He's given everything he has to give effort to play that game and Mother Nature gave us a graphic demonstration of kind of product failure."

Eight players have suffered Achilles tears this NBA season. Is that high?

"Eight Achilles disruptions I think in this NBA season does seem to sound like a lot. That's quite a few. In the scale of number, I think it does seem a little on the high side. And maybe we're just more drawn to it because of our attention, watching and those kind of things. But that does seem like a higher number."

Thoughts on Haliburton playing with a calf strain ...

"These guys are as high-end competitive athletes and individuals as you can imagine. Telling someone not to play is, that's their livelihood. He would have chewed your arm off to get in that game. No one wants to play more than they do. And you know, it is, it's heartbreaking. I mean, I still have a knot in my stomach feeling bad for him."

Follow IndyStar sports reporter Dana Benbow on X: @DanaBenbow. Reach her via email: dbenbow@indystar.com.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Tyrese Haliburton injury: What to know about Pacers star’s Achilles

 

Tottenham agree deal to sign Japan defender Kota Takai  

Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly agreed a deal worth £5 million to sign Japanese defender Kota Takahi from Kawasaki Frontale this summer, according to Sponichi Soccer.

The 20-year-old centre-back will join the club in July and is expected to be part of Thomas Frank’s first-team squad.

Takai played a key role in helping Kawasaki Frontale win the 2024 Japanese Super Cup and was later named the best young player in the country.

He will compete for a place in the squad alongside Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Kevin Danso and Radu Dragusin.

Takai set for Premier League challenge under Thomas Frank

The defender impressed in the AFC Champions League semi-final, where Kawasaki beat Al-Nassr 3-2. He stood out against Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane.

Takai can play on either side of a centre-back pairing, which adds flexibility to Tottenham’s defensive options.

The signing follows Tottenham’s trend of focusing on young talent following the signings of Lucas Bergvall, Pape Matar Sarr and Destiny Udogie.

Approval for the deal reportedly came from new manager Thomas Frank, who is eager to assess Takai in pre-season.

He is expected to remain with the squad rather than go out on loan, but that decision may change after Frank and his coaches see him in training.

Takai is one of Japan’s brightest defensive prospects, and Tottenham are hoping he will make a smooth transition to English football.

 

Atletico Madrid in talks with Senegalese midfielder Habib Diarra  

Atletico Madrid have made contact with Ligue 1 club Strasbourg to explore a potential move for midfielder Habib Diarra, according to RMC Sport.

The Spanish giants regularly scouted the Senegalese international last season and have contacted his representatives. They are yet to submit a concrete offer.

Some Premier League clubs are also interested in Diarra, whose valuation could exceed €25 million.

After rising through the club’s youth ranks, the 21-year-old has established himself as a key cog in Strasbourg’s midfield.

He registered four goals and five assists last season, accentuated by consistent performances, to help Strasbourg secure a place in Europa Conference League qualifiers.

He switched his allegiance from France to Senegal last season and has earned 11 caps for his new country.

Diarra grabbed the headlines after scoring in Senegal’s shock win over England in a friendly earlier this month.

Atletico are looking to overhaul the squad this summer after finishing trophyless last season.

The recent elimination from the Club World Cup group stage has further highlighted their struggles.

Diarra would be a breath of fresh air to Atletico’s midfield. His ball-progression skills, deadly presence in the box, physicality and work rate make him an ideal fit for manager Diego Simeone.

Atletico are in advanced talks to sign Real Betis defensive midfielder Johnny Cardoso. Villarreal playmaker Alex Baena is also on the verge of moving to the Wanda Metropolitano.

 

Barcelona defensive prospect closing in on Croatia move – report  

Barcelona are set to part ways with another young talent from their academy, with journalist Matteo Moretto confirming that Dinamo Zagreb are on the verge of signing 20-year-old centre-back Sergi Dominguez. 

The promising defender, who featured for Barça Atletic, will leave the club following the reserve team’s relegation, a setback that triggered a wave of exits among its key players.

Dominguez had previously attracted attention from Empoli, who were exploring a loan move to strengthen their defensive options. 

However, Dinamo Zagreb have acted swiftly and are now leading the race to finalise the deal. The Croatian club’s interest in Dominguez is serious, and a move is expected to be confirmed shortly.

No clear path to the first team

For Dominguez, the decision to leave appears well-timed. Despite his talent, breaking into the senior Barcelona squad was always going to be a challenge. 

Sergi Dominguez is set to leave Barcelona. (Photo by SAMUEL CORUM/AFP via Getty Images)

The centre-back hierarchy at Camp Nou is already overloaded, with Pau Cubarsi, Ronald Araujo, Andreas Christensen, Inigo Martinez, and Eric García all ahead of him. 

To make matters more competitive, Barça Atletic teammates Alexis Olmedo and Andres Cuenca are expected to take part in the senior team’s pre-season, pushing Dominguez even further down the list.

While Barcelona are considering trimming the senior squad, most notably exploring options to sell Andreas Christensen, the Danish international has shown no desire to leave. 

With his contract running until 2026, he intends to honour it, making space for players like Dominguez even more limited.

In this context, a move abroad is the right call for Dominguez. At 20, he needs regular game time to continue developing, and Dinamo Zagreb offer him the platform to compete at a high level and gain European experience. 

The transfer represents a logical step forward for both the player and Barcelona, who continue to manage an overloaded backline as they prepare for the new season.

 

Morris County Track Coaches Association spring honors  

Girls team

Caitlyn Adamchuk, Morris Hills

Alexa Amoroso, Montville

Azariah Andrews, Villa Walsh

Juliana Behringer, Hanover Park

Maggie Boler, Villa Walsh

Olivia Capala, Morris Knolls

Kayla Ewing, Morristown

Halye Greene, Roxbury

Sophie Hummer, Montville

Nawel Ibaztene Lefebvre, Morristown

Kelly Kassmann, West Morris

Raidah Karriem, Morristown Beard

Gianna Ledford, Morris Hills

Emma Liberato, West Morris

Gianna Lopez, Morris Hills

Sarah Nacinovich, Chatham

Alanna Parkes, West Morris

Seannah Parsons, Randolph

Ivory Piskula, Morris Hills

Alicia Ramos, Morris Knolls

Carly Renna, Randolph

Jacqueline Reid, Parsippany

Shreya Sathiyan, Morris Hills

Kiley Shatzel, Jefferson

Lahari Thata, Montville

Sierra Turner, Montville

Marie Torode, Roxbury

Maya Van Horn, Madison

Kaylee Vieira, West Morris

More: Records fall, Morris Hills makes history at county track and field championships

Boys team

Anthony Agnoli, Montville

Keenan Byers, Randolph

Zayne Carswell, Randolph

Thomas Damiano, Randolph

Peter Donini, Delbarton

Capp Desheplo, West Morris

Nicholas Falcone, Morris Hills

Andrew Farrell, Whippany Park

Johnathan Flores, Delbarton

Kevin Grundy, Chatham

Shawn Keenan, Roxbury

Joseph Mendy, Kinnelon

Alex Pelov, Montville

Adam Petitjean, Chatham

Cadence Rupprecht, Mount Olive

Stephen Shih, Morris Hills

Shayne Spiteri, Roxbury

Rohan Tucker, Madison

Marcus Valenzuela, Chatham

Christian Velasco, Randolph

Ben Wans, Morris Hills

Cade Zeolla, West Morris

More: Madison junior's gold leads Morris/Sussex on Meet of Champions track

This article originally appeared on Morristown Daily Record: Morris County Track Coaches Association spring honors 2025

 

2025 Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference girls track and field postseason honors  

NJAC-Independence

First team: Claire Sittig, Pequannock; Yzabella Fajardo, Pequannock; Alessia Cerulo, Kinnelon; Mikayla Louwrens, Morris Catholic; Sarah Hoff, Morris Catholic; Ashley Williams, Morris Catholic; Katherine Veivia, Morris Catholic; Amel Hawthorne, Pequannock; Amelia Murphy, Pequannock; Sophia Ingargiola, Kinnelon; Katherine Fritz, Kinnelon; Izza Razza, Kinnelon; Riley Wright-Phillips, Whippany Park; Anastasia Showler, Boonton; Maria Thekkethala, Morris Catholic; Riley Gilligan, Pequannock; Isabel Damini Sabnekar, St. Elizabeth; Angela Winters, Kinnelon

Second team: Olivia Biro, Pequannock; Callie Koldyk, Pequannock; Aubrey Lenz, Pequannock; Megan Cusmano, Whippany Park; Hope Sirinides, Kinnelon; Madison O'Hara, Kinnelon; Janavi Sakpal, Whippany Park; Lily Riordan, St. Elizabeth; Kaylee Delgado, Boonton; Grace Morreale, Boonton; Nicolette Liloia, Whippany Park; Elena Naumoski, Boonton; Sadie Boudreau, Whippany Park; Kloey Mellito, Pequannock; Ciara Caroff, Whippany Park; Nimisha Anand, Whippany Park; Mikaela Calderon, Boonton; Caitlin Wagner, Kinnelon; Jackie Santana, Pequannock

Honorable mention: Miranda Drace, Kinnelon; Olivia Tanis, Boonton; Kaitlyn Hemmer, Whippany Park; Kat Kaminski, Pequannock; Chloe Readlinger, St. Elizabeth

Division champion: Kinnelon

Sportsmanship award: Whippany Park

NJAC-National

First team: Alanna Parkes, West Morris; Alicia Ramos, Morris Knolls; Olivia Capala, Morris Knolls; Carly Renna, Randolph; Lilah Willis, Randolph; Rehanna Syed, Morris Knolls; Wendy Graziani, Morris Knolls; Tatiyana Sewall, Roxbury; Marie Torode, Roxbury; Trisha Patel, Morris Knolls; Yolanda Sabillon, Randolph; Seannah Parsons, Randolph; Marisa Krentz, West Morris; Jordan Sheldon, Roxbury; Juliana DeCongelio, Morris Knolls; Makenzie Adams, Morris Knolls; Elena Ramos, Morris Knolls; Kelly Kaasmann, West Morris; Georgia Hostler, West Morris; Emma Liberato, West Morris; Halye Greene, Roxbury; Amanda Knapp, Roxbury; Leah Johnson, Roxbury; Gianna Benfatti, Roxbury; Kira Chebishev, Parsippany Hills; Ella Mikolay, Morris Knolls; Brianna Ricker, Morris Knolls

Second team: Cassandra Graham, Morris Knolls; Gabby Ball, Randolph; Allison Yiu, Roxbury; Kaitlyn Duras, Roxbury; Meghan Metz, Parsippany Hills; Kaylee Viera, West Morris; Samantha Alley, Randolph; Olivia Murello, West Morris; Hailey Banning, West Morris; Roanna Baun, Randolph; Alexis Saladino, Morris Knolls; Jillian Liebhauser, Randolph; Madeline Drozdowski, West Morris; Kaleigh Howell, Roxbury; Savannah Jacobs, Morris Knolls; Rachel Dilling, West Morris; Adair Para, Morris Knolls; Sara Pietraszewski, Morris Knolls; Monet Dickerson, Morris Knolls; Randolph 4x100; Randolph 4x400

Honorable mention: Cecile Bernard, Morris Knolls; Erin Reade, West Morris; Skyler Lovins, Roxbury; Noelle Crane, Parsippany Hills

Division champion: Morris Knolls

Sportsmanship award: Roxbury

NJAC-Liberty

First team: Manuela Ribeiro, Madison sophomore; Raidah Karriem, Morristown Beard senior; Maya Van Horn, Madison senior; Julia Covey, Morristown Beard freshman; Mahkiya Minors, Hanover Park senior; Ines Lemee, Villa Walsh senior; Jacqueline Reid, Parsippany sophomore; Violet Page, Mountain Lakes freshman; Lyla Wills, Mountain Lakes freshman; Gabriella Bukwich, Parsippany senior; Nicole Driscoll, Madison sophomore; Amalia Hronides, Villa Walsh senior; Azariah Andrews, Villa Walsh sophomore; Juliana Behringer, Hanover Park senior; Sierra Mark, Morristown Beard senior; Madison 4x100 (Ava Fass, Leah Fass, Diara Ricketts, Alana Flynn); Villa Walsh 4x400 (Mary Cafasso, Jillian Paolino, Blythe Dudley, Maggie Boler)

Second team: Clara Frei, Morristown Beard sophomore; Skyler Wyatt, Mountain Lakes freshman; Indiya Weinmann, Morristown Beard senior; Ava Trinity, Hanover Park junior; Sophia Duarte, Hanover Park senior; Selene Ariano, Mountain Lakes sophomore; Sarah D'Mello, Morristown Beard junior; Clotilde Monville, Madison senior; Micaela Leon, Madison junior; Isabelle Behringer, Hanover Park sophomore; Isabella Marotta, Mountain Lakes sophomore; Jessica Tsang, Mountain Lakes junior; Madison Marks, Morristown Beard freshman; Imani Crosby, Morristown Beard junior; Giadda Oppermann, Madison junior; Madison 4x400 (Kate Mack, Alexandra Porio, Grace Porio, Isabella Bolstad)

Honorable mention: Amanda Dean, Parsippany senior; Maddie Bonn, Morristown Beard junior; Erin Lyons, Villa Walsh senior; Katie Molnar, Madison senior; Sophia Gillen, Mountain Lakes senior; Cadence O'Connor, Hanover Park senior

Division champion: Madison

Sportsmanship award: Villa Walsh

NJAC-Freedom

First team: Sophia Haw, Vernon; Monica Curry, Vernon; Abigail DeYoung, Vernon; Brooke Schneider, Vernon; Samantha Janus, Vernon; Blanka Varga, Hackettstown; Claire Sieminski, High Point; Sophia Parzero, Lenape Valley; Isabella Sisto, Hackettstown; Aditi Mukundhan, Jefferson; Jenna Tibak, Hackettstown; Kiley Shatzel, Jefferson; Carsyn Corydon, Hackettstown; Gwen Silipena, Jefferson; Gigi Santana, Lenape Valley; Gina Quarrantey, Lenape Valley; Amelia Hornung, Hackettstown; Gabriella Vega, High Point; Juliette Jalbert, Vernon

Second team: Liliana Grisales, High Point; Alejandrina Roman, Vernon; Naia Deithorn, Hackettstown; Sam Krauklis, Lenape Valley; Gabriella Austin, Vernon; Viola Womack, Lenape Valley; Julianna Caruso, Jefferson; Layla Guarcello, Hackettstown; Molly Perry, Lenape Valley; Krysstal Pineda-Morales, Lenape Valley; Ashlyn Schmeltz, Hackettstown; Julianna Veldran, High Point; Devynn Corydon, Hackettstown; Maureen Lovett, Vernon; Lauren Goolsby, Vernon; Skylar Pandorf, Hackettstown; Mariya Vygnan, Lenape Valley; Gianna Kimkowski, High Point; Kaylee Mahoney, Vernon

Honorable mention: Amanda Witters, Vernon; Emily Hughes, High Point; Jaclyn Burns, Jefferson; Bella Hoffman, Lenape Valley; Haley Buchanan, Hackettstown

Division champion: Hackettstown

Sportsmanship award: Jefferson

More: Meet records shattered at first day of Morris County Track Championships

NJAC-Colonial

First team: Riley Cobb, Hopatcong; Mashara Edwards, Newton; Delana Einreinhofer, Wallkill Valley; Caitlyn Neill, Newton; Iyonna Williams, Dover; Grace Carr, Wallkill Valley; Holly Sajdak, Kittatinny; Jordan Trinkleback, Wallkill Valley; Lore Hicks, Wallkill Valley; Micah Delilo, Sussex Tech; Haidyn Hough, Kittatinny; Haley Murphy, Wallkill Valley; Nancy Narvaez, Newton; Kylie Louissaint, Dover; Samantha Ruitenberg, Kittatinny; Gianna Aragon, Dover; Maria Polania Gomez, Dover; Ava Rodriguez, Dover; Ava L. Rodriguez, Dover

Second team: Sahara Periera, Newton; Paris Germain, Wallkill Valley; Aubrey Kline, Kittatinny; Kendra Deckert; Kittatinny; Nicolette Rock, Wallkill Valley; Zoey Vanderbeck, Wallkill Valley; Lin Mina, Sussex Tech; Luana DeRocah, Sussex Tech; Ashly Hernandez Ramos, Dover; Maggie Daggett, Newton; Reghan Kelly, Hopatcong; Olivia Youngs, Newton; Gianna Santa, Sussex Tech; Kyla Duncan, Kittatinny; Emily Ursin, Sussex Tech; Bailey Cook, Wallkill Valley; Taylor Morales, Wallkill Valley; Alexy Weaver, Wallkill Valley; Reagan Darvalics, Wallkill Valley

Honorable mention: Marissa Bouma, Sussex Tech; Isabella Velasco, Wallkill Valley; Lexi Weber, Hopatcong; Katy Sills, Kittatinny; Lainey Wyczysnki, Newton; Kyara Fajardo, Dover

Division champion: Wallkill Valley

Sportsmanship award: Hopatcong

NJAC-United

First team

100: Sarah Nacinovich, Chatham; 200: Violet Sloan, Mendham; 400: Gretchen Tresselt, Mendham; 800: Julia Suttile, Morristown; 1,600: Amaya Davidson, Morristown; 3,200: Lindsay Portland, Mendham; 100 hurdles: Kayla Ewing, Morristown; 400 hurdles: Lauren Tracey, Chatham; 4x100: Morristown (Tameira Campbell, Jayla Wright, Shylah Janvier, Genica St. Agathe); 4x400: Montville (Sophie Hummer, Lahari Thata, Alexa Amoroso, Sierra Turner); High jump: Nawel Ibazatene Lefebre, Morristown; Long jump: Olivia Brown, Morristown; Triple jump: Alicia Dormevil, Chatham; Pole vault: Daria Skrzypczak, Montville; Shot put: Gisele Scott, Mendham; Discus: Natalia Fragomeni, Montville; Javelin: Samamtha Solitis, Chatham

Second team: Addison Emge, Morristown; Fiona Jackson, Chatham; Kate Shaw, Mendham; Charlotte Moronski, Morristown; Avery Bruzzo, Chatham; Cecelia Marran, Mendham; Jessica Cain, Morristown; Emily Piskadlo, Chatham; Allison Christensen, Mendham; Adriana Hummer, Morristown; Erin Redmond, Chatham; Ella Hecker, Mendham; Lily Smith, Montville; Alaina Henninger, Montville; Savannah Hurtado, Montville; Kaleigh Policano, Morristown; Riley Snarr, Chatham; Maeve Murray, Mendham; Olivia Matter, Chatham; Taryn Marie McCallum, Mendham

Honorable mention: Georgia Young, Chatham; Mary Swarts, Mendham; Keira Eapen, Morristown

Division champion: Chatham

Sportsmanship award: Montville

Penn Relays 2025: Records fall as Morris, Sussex track and field athletes step up

NJAC-American

First team: Gwendolyn O'Hearn, Pope John; Gabrielle Grant, Morris Hills; Olivia Schwartz, Sparta; Ivory Piskula, Morris Hills; Casey Carney, Pope John; Katelyn Nolan, Pope John; Amy Rubenstein, Mount Olive; Gianna Lopez, Morris Hills; Louise Gamamou, Mount Olive; Jazmine Laroche, Mount Olive; Bhavana Chadalavada, Mount Olive; Tatiana Clarke, Mount Olive; Zoey Biddleman, Morris Hills; Julia Ireland, Pope John; Caitlyn Adamchuk, Morris Hills; Gianna Ledford, Morris Hills; Mia Wright, Morris Hills; Tessa Macmillan, Pope John; Jackie Sheldon, Morris Hills; Shreya Sathiyan, Morris Hills; Taylor Salazar, Morris Hills; Kimberly Gambrell, Morris Hills; Isabella Frattura, Sparta

Second team: Azjahnae Muhammad, Mount Olive; Tamara Lelitka, Sparta; Carrie Redwood, Morris Hills; Madeline Cromwell, Morris Hills; Mia Lyon, Mount Olive; Celia Rossettini, Sparta; Lauren Delle, Morris Hills; Isabella Mejia, Morris Hills; Charlotte Kowalsky, Sparta; Brielle Norris, Sparta; Shaina Sackett, Morris Hills; Miliana Dobbs, Sparta; Ava Barone, Sparta; Caroline Krieger, Morris Hills; Madison Tierney, Pope John; Madison Faraher, Morris Hills; Kelsey Colwell, Mount Olive; Lauren Goff, Sparta; Carley Ferrick, Mount Olive; Daniela Hidalgo, Morris Hills; Lauren Wittkowski, Sparta; Tyra Tagoe, Mount Olive; Caitlyn Bogert, Morris Hills

Honorable mention: Abby Crane, Sparta; Tanya Makhija, Pope John; Cristina Reggiani, Mount Olive; Emily Jambour, Morris Hills

Division champion: Morris Hills

Sportsmanship award: Mount Olive

More: Sparta senior defends javelin title, leading Morris/Sussex field at Meet of Champions

This article originally appeared on New Jersey Herald: All-NJAC girls track and field postseason honors for 2025

 

2025 Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference boys track and field postseason honors  

NJAC-Colonial

First team: Kevin Casul Gomez, Kittatinny; Lorenzo Flores-DeBenedictis, Wallkill Valley; Nehemiah Rodriguez, Sussex Tech; Frederick Bansemer, Wallkill Valley; Kyle Dickson, Newton; Christopher McKenzie, Dover; John Porada, Sussex Tech; John Porada, Sussex Tech; Jaden Quiles, Dover; David Cunha, Sussex Tech; Vaughn Holderith, Sussex Tech; Jackson Saltzman, Wallkill Valley; Ethan Corrado, Sussex Tech; Brendan Mitchell, Dover; Emmanuel Oti, Wallkill Valley; Taiwo Akintunde, Sussex Tech; Santiago Ceballos, Dover; Jacob Owen, Dover; Enrique Saquillanda, Dover; Bryan Valdes, Dover

Second team: Francesco Lombardo, Kittatinny; Jordan Ebelle, Wallkill Valley; Derek Fleming, Wallkill Valley; Joey Farina, Hopatcong; Ethan Pacheco, Hopatcong; Ethan Alfonso, Wallkill Valley; Justin Bonaparte, Wallkill Valley; Christopher Delcalzo, Wallkill Valley; Ricardo Garnica, Dover; Kiyon Simpson, Hopatcong; Juan Torres, Dover; Nehemiah Vasquez, Newton; Thomas Morris, Wallkill Valley; Gavin Oldenburg, Kittatinny; Evan Maikisch, Dover; Jaden Roberts, Newton; Sa'Keir Paul, Newton; Colin Decker, Newton; Devan St. Thomas, Newton

Honorable mention: Matt McQueen, Sussex Tech; Ivan Reyes, Wallkill Valley; Sean Attas, Hopatcong; Joey Holdt, Kittatinny; Shane Bickerton, Newton; Henry Soto, Dover

Division champion: Wallkill Valley

Sportsmanship award: Wallkill Valley

NJAC-National

First team: Shayne Spiteri, Roxbury; Devin Gaglione, Morris Knolls; Thomas Amato, Randolph; Brian Caggiano, Morris Knolls; Gianluca Nese, Morris Knolls; Michael Bemiss, Morris Knolls; Christian Lozanguiez, West Morris; Zachary Richards-Powell, Parsippany Hills; Preston Gumann, Randolph; Thomas Damiano, Randolph; Kennan Byers, Randolph; Zayne Carswell, Randolph; Aaron Sammy, Randolph; Christian Velasco, Randolph; Jaylen Eatman, Roxbury; Capp DeSheplo, West Morris; Aquinas Clancy, Morris Knolls; Daehan Jo, Randolph; Cooper Sunberg, Roxbury; Michael Hackett, Roxbury; Shawn Keenan, Roxbury; Emmanuel Samaniego, Randolph; Sean Wemmlinger, Morris Knolls; Aaryan Pethe, Morris Knolls

Second team: Krishna Singh, Randolph; Terence Richards, Roxbury; Brian Metz, Parsippany Hills; Adam Braccioforte, West Morris; Jaafar Johnson, West Morris; Rhone Armijo, West Morris; Lex Montanez, Morris Knolls; Russell Goldstein, Randolph; Andrew Ulto, West Morris; Alexander Rzemieniecki, Morris Knolls; Theodore Olsen, West Morris; Matthew Donnelly, Roxbury; Douglas Brookes, Morris Knolls; Emerson Jania, West Morris; Nick Wong, Morris Knolls; Justin Swayze, Randolph; Brandon Huang, Parsippany Hills; Ryan Valentine, Roxbury; Aidan Monsanto, Roxbury; Aidan Bresney, West Morris; Maddox Santiago, West Morris; Adam Margenson, Morris Knolls; Anderson Krauss, Randolph; Daniel Albecker, Randolph; Liam Blaskoph, West Morris

Honorable mention: Zachary Barden, Morris Knolls; Lucas Roland, West Morris; Richard Biase, Roxbury; Dustin McFarlane, Randolph; Vansh Patel, Parsippany Hills

Division champion: Randolph

Sportsmanship award: Roxbury

Penn Relays 2025: Records fall as Morris, Sussex track and field athletes step up

NJAC-Liberty

First team: Rohan Tucker, Madison junior; Andrew Carreno, Madison senior; Justen Morales, Madison senior; Niam Jacobs, Madison junior; Nicholas Troiano, Morristown Beard senior; Jack Moore, Morristown Beard sophomore; Jack Elsevier, Morristown Beard senior; Jake Kahm, Morristown Beard junior; Bryson Sacher, Hanover Park senior; Cory Apgar, Hanover Park senior; Max Kahn, Mountain Lakes senior; Willie Buhanan, Parsippany junior; Braden Huang, Hanover Park sophomore; Trevor Anderson, Hanover Park senior; Mouhamed Sarr, Parsippany sophomore; Jacob Nolan, Madison senior; Peter Nemeth, Hanover Park senior; Joseph Nigro, Mountain Lakes sophomore; Isaac Bielinski, Mountain Lakes senior; Kenneth Whetstone, Mountain Lakes sophomore; Frank Iossa, Hanover Park senior; Allan Eldridge, Madison junior

Second team: Hector Lopez, Hanover Park senior; Lucas Kerr, Hanover Park sophomore; Gabriel Garcia-Mulvey, Hanover Park sophomore; Aakar Annamalai, Hanover Park sophomore; Shane Petzinger, Parsippany sophomore; Ryan Zhang, Parsippany junior; Christopher Jackson, Parsippany senior; Nathan Beland, Madison sophomore; Anikait Sota, Mountain Lakes junior; Leo London, Madison senior; Ryan Delaney, Madison senior; Max Bauman, Madison senior; Arya Shah, Mountain Lakes senior; David Ferreira, Parsippany senior; Michelangelo Lepore, Mountain Lakes junior; Sabas Vega, Hanover Park sophomore; Gabriel Prusan, Morristown Beard senior; Alejo Viera Perez, Hanover Park junior; Hunter Rhodes, Madison senior; Kyle Desrivieres, Madison junior; Angelo Chirichiello, Hanover Park junior; Deric Yoon, Parsippany senior

Honorable mention: Paul Rinaldi, Hanover Park; Nolan Flanagan, Madison senior; Robert Magnotta, Morristown Beard; Loren Sund, Mountain Lakes; Antwan Chitty, Parsippany

Division champion: Mountain Lakes

Sportsmanship award: Mountain Lakes

More: Madison junior's gold leads Morris/Sussex on Meet of Champions track

NJAC-Independence

First team: Andrew Farrell, Whippany Park; Milan Lopez-Tassan, Whippany Park; Cristian Pecoraro, Whippany Park; Jason Griffin, Whippany Park; Derek Rider, Whippany Park; Andrew Zuccala, Pequannock; Will Portman, Kinnelon; Ian Rodriguez, Morris Catholic; Jaival Kang, Kinnelon; Henry Struble, Pequannock; Walter Hedblom-Green, Boonton; Ryan Geng, Kinnelon; Noah Billeci, Morris Catholic; Darian Jackson, Whippany Park; John Reitz, Pequannock; Nicholas Rocco, Whippany Park; Metin Ahmedi, Boonton; Sean Gilbert, Whippany Park; Joseph Mendy, Kinnelon

Second team: Tommy Ike, Kinnelon; Jayden Hur, Kinnelon; Henry Manton, Kinnelon; Mohammad Almosbeh, Kinnelon; Xavier Trinidad, Pequannock; Ilario Badalamenti, Kinnelon; Alex Bregman, Whippany Park; Dawood Adeel, Boonton; Harrison Cornett, Kinnelon; Caden Loftus, Boonton; Danny Lambertus, Morris Catholic; Brayden Lo, Whippany Park; Tyler Petty, Whippany Park; Nicholas Petruccelli, Kinnelon; Everett Feinhals, Kinnelon; Michael Bimonte, Whippany Park; Salvatore D'Alessio, Pequannock; Gavin Varner, Kinnelon; Gavin Kelly, Whippany Park

Honorable mention: Ron Feldman, Kinnelon; Phoenix LaCorte, Boonton; Sawyer Smith, Whippany Park. Chase Zalfino, Pequannock

Division champion: Kinnelon

Sportsmanship award: Kinnelon

NJAC-Freedom

First team: Andrew Bermudez Canaveral, Hackettstown; Aidan Murphy, Hackettstown; Joseph Pangallo, Hackettstown; Adrian Valencia, Hackettstown; Sam Silva, Vernon; Jose Rodriguez, Vernon; Wesley Faller, Lenape Valley; Bradley Harris, Hackettstown; Dennis Hoover, Hackettstown; Eli Keegan, Hackettstown; Benjamin Janitz, Jefferson; Noah Scherzer, Jefferson; Matt Cifuentes, Hackettstown; Daniel Musilli, High Point; Isaac Smith Lewis, Lenape Valley; Maxwell Yanagi, Lenape Valley; Thomas Bengyak, Hackettstown; Sean Hall, Hackettstown; Christian Torres, Hackettstown

Second team: Giovoughni Dureny, High Point; Jack Turner, Vernon; Wyatt Piekarz, Vernon; Patrick Licata, High Point; Marques McKenzie, Hackettstown; Matthew Frick, Jefferson; Ruben Ardilla-Ortega, Vernon; Aiden Velez, Vernon; Connor Haggerty, High Point; Lesley Griglak, Hackettstown; Mark Balogh, Jefferson; Cooper Cosenza-Schaming, Lenape Valley; Tyler Ruppert, Lenape Valley; Gary Gailums, High Point; Jerron Martress, High Point; Ethan Beachem, Hackettstown; Jaden Sims, Hackettstown; Daniel Elston, High Point; Logan George, High Point

Honorable mention: Denzell Welling, Vernon; Bryce Lambo, Hackettstown; Loghan Scerbo, High Point; Matthew Lundy, Jefferson; Christian Pak, Lenape Valley

Division champion: Hackettstown

Sportsmanship award: Lenape Valley

NJAC-United

First team

100: Christopher Susnosky, Montville; 200: Colin Daley, Chatham; 400: Brett Kunkel, Montville; 800: Alex Pelov, Montville; 1,600: Adam Petitjean, Chatham; 3,200: Marcus Valenzuela, Chatham; 110 hurdles: Cole Morris, Chatham; 400 hurdles: Gabriel Mikutowicz, Montville; 4x400: Chatham; High jump: Karl Williams, Morristown; Long jump: Jeremiah Moreau, Morristown; Triple jump: Kevin Grundy, Chatham; Pole vault: Alexander Makovsky; Shot put: Ronald Morgan, Morristown; Discus: Peter Donini, Delbarton; Javelin: Christian Drew, Mendham

Second team

100: Zachary McNeil, Delbarton; 200: Kyle Wickham, Chatham; 400: Braeden Tierney, Chatham; 800: Brady Byrne, Chatham; 1,600: Thomas Jendryka, Mendham; 3,200: Dylan DeCicco, Chatham; 110 hurdles: Aidan Ponzio, Montville; 400 hurdles: Christopher Casian, Montville; 4x400: Morristown; High jump: Martin Hindelong, Delbarton; Long jump: Alpha Oduro, Morristown; Triple jump: Caden Blaise, Mendham; Pole vault: William LaFave, Morristown; Shot put: Anthony Agnoli, Montville; Discus: Trevor Wyso, Delbarton; Javelin: Johnathan Flores, Delbarton

Honorable mention: Joseph Roldan, Chatham; Kenny Allaway, Mendham; Rishi Gorai, Montville; Micah Pardue, Morristown; Joshua Akakpo, Delbarton

Division champion: Delbarton

Sportsmanship award: Morristown

NJAC-American

First team: Le-Shem Little, Sparta; Joey Rozynski, Pope John; Daniel Arroyo, Pope John; Ryan Foley, Mount Olive; Nicholas Falcone, Morris Hills; Julian Laznik-Moraghan, Sparta; Joshua Watson, Pope John; Cadence Rupprecht, Mount Olive; Matthew Evans, Mount Olive; Joseph Williams, Mount Olive; Brayden Shanga, Mount Olive; Anthony Collier, Mount Olive; Cristian Cruz, Morris Hills; Sebastian Matos, Morris Hills; Alexander Gimenez, Morris Hills; Alexander Ortiz, Morris Hills; Stephen Shih, Morris Hills; Hunter Iorio, Morris Hills; Vincent Giacci, Pope John; Seamus Corcoran, Pope John; Jabri Joseph, Mount Olive; Jarrod Cofrancesco, Pope John; Nick Vannatta, Pope John

Second team: Ben Wans, Morris Hills; Nolan Ribiero, Morris Hills; Tanmay Naik, Morris Hills; Divyesh Narravula, Mount Olive; Luke O'Callaghan, Morris Hills; Colin O'Connor, Morris Hills; Anish Mahapatra, Morris Hills; David Kinney, Pope John; Jace Baiden, Sparta; Kassim Joseph, Sparta; Daniel Palm, Morris Hills; Eninna Agbo, Morris Hills; Akei Griffin, Pope John; Santosh Yanumuta, Mount Olive; Bryce David, Mount Olive; Bryan Villavicencio, Morris Hills; Duron Rodriguez, Mount Olive; Lajon Alexis, Morris Hills; Ethan Poplawski, Pope John; Evan Kennedy, Pope John; Jordan Perez, Pope John; Legrand Castro, Mount Olive

Honorable mention: Vince Serio, Sparta; Luke Gialanella, Pope John; Jason Papafio-Kesee, Mount Olive; William Haase, Morris Hills

Division champion: Morris Hills

Sportsmanship award: Sparta

More: Morris Hills makes history at NJAC track championships

This article originally appeared on New Jersey Herald: NJAC boys track and field awards for the 2025 outdoor season

 

Caitlin Clark Had No Words for Tyrese Haliburton's Heartbreaking Message  

Caitlin Clark Had No Words for Tyrese Haliburton's Heartbreaking Message originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark was quick to show her support for Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton, who suffered an injury in Game 7 of the NBA Finals on Sunday.

Haliburton sustained an Achilles injury in the first quarter of the do-or-die showdown against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The All-Star guard was seen falling to the floor and wincing in pain after something snapped in his right leg while trying to make a play.

The Pacers confirmed on Monday that Haliburton had a torn right Achilles, which required surgery.

Following his surgery on the same day, the 25-year-old playmaker took to social media to address his injury for the first time. While Haliburton expressed his frustration and admitted that he's in shock over what happened to him, he promised fans that he will do everything to "get right back to being the best version" of himself.

Haliburton also apologized to the Indiana faithful for failing to lead them to the promised land, adding that they don't deserve to receive such unfortunate news.

For her part, Caitlin Clark sent a message to Tyrese Haliburton after seeing his post on Instagram. While the Fever guard didn't write any words, she made sure to show her fellow Indiana sports star that she has his back.

Clark commented a series of black heart emojis as a show of support.

Caitlin Clark's reaction to Tyrese Haliburton's post about his injury and surgery. pic.twitter.com/JXCHlvzrtC

— Kit Espina (@KeithEspino22) June 24, 2025

For what it's worth, Clark was not the only WNBA player to react to Haliburton's post. Fever teammate Lexie Hull shared a series of praying hands emojis, while Aliyah Boston wrote, "Prayers for a smooth recovery!"

Los Angeles Sparks forward Cameron Brink added, "Delayed never denied!!"

Haliburton is expected to miss several months and possibly the whole 2025-26 season as he recovers from the injury. Sure enough, though, he'll have plenty of support as he works his way back.

Related: New Photo Shows Tyrese Haliburton's Pain After NBA Finals Exit

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 24, 2025, where it first appeared.

 

McGill Scholarship winner hopes her perseverance leaves a lasting impact on her city  

The buzzer sounded in Atlantic City, and Solaris Paul found herself back in the same place as her first wrestling match.

Flat on her back. Staring up at the ceiling. Processing all that had transpired.

Except this time, the Kennedy senior wasn't crushed by an opponent after a five-second pin. She was overwhelmed by history after becoming the first state wrestling champion from a Paterson school.

For Paul, her achievements were never singular. She was fueled by the friends who cheered her and the outsiders who misunderstood a city often associated with crime and hardship.

Now, as she prepares to head to college, she hopes her story can inspire the next wave of Paterson wrestlers. She will speak at the North Jersey High School Sports Awards when she is honored as the female recipient of the 2025 Charlie McGill Scholarship Award.

"We can do it," Paul said. "They're young but they definitely know what it means to come from Paterson and how people are going to look at you. I know a lot of younger people look up to me and I just want them to know that we can do it."

Getting started in wrestling

Paul grew up in a family of 10, surrounded by siblings and stories of her father's wrestling days at Passaic High.

But Solaris didn’t grow up dreaming of titles. In fact, she didn't start wrestling until high school.

Her beginnings on the mat were anything but glorious. She was pinned in both varsity matches her freshman year and had few chances to wrestle girls in her first two seasons.

Near the start of her sophomore season, she nearly walked away for good. A bad shoulder injury in practice made her grapple with how much the sport demanded.

Still, she pressed on. She dropped more than 30 pounds over her high school career, logging three-to-five mile runs from her house down Union Boulevard to Route 46 in Totowa. She found a second home at Cordoba Trained, where other club wrestlers could push her.

As a senior, she wrestled aggressively and with newfound confidence. By placing third in the state as a junior, she became Kennedy’s first state medalist (male or female) and showed herself that she belonged near the top.

“Wrestling has definitely changed me as a person,” she said. “I love fitness. Not just wrestling, but running and lifting is a part of me. I was a lot heavier my freshman year, but health and fitness has become a huge part of me now, and I understand it a lot more.”

“I’m going to college in a few months,” she added. “That’s going to be tough, but I wrestled, so I’ve been through worse.”

Overcoming adversity

Over the past year, that resilience was tested time and time again. Another shoulder issue flared up early this season, forcing coaches to limit the strain in practice and avoid certain moves.

At the time, Paul was already dealing with some physical and mental baggage. Before her senior year began, Paul fell on her neck at a tournament in Pennsylvania and missed more than a month with a back issue that still persists to this day. Flashbacks appeared whenever an opponent got her in a front headlock.

"I remember my first tournament of the season. I think it was in Bloomfield. I was terrified," Paul said. "I’ve probably never been that scared for a wrestling match."

Even so, Paul powered through the season with precision and poise, finishing 24-1 and repeating as a North 1 region champion. But when she returned to Boardwalk Hall for a third straight year, she came with a paradox.

Wrestling for Paterson, a city still waiting for its first champion, was both empowering and weighty. That’s why last year’s semifinal loss lingered so painfully − not only because she had regrets, but because she felt like she’d let people down.

"The day before I left for AC, everyone was saying good luck, good luck, all this. Paterson people were cheering me," she said. "That loss in the semis, it hurt a lot. But I got over it quickly because I still had to wrestle back. My coach told me that college scouts are always looking at who takes third because it shows who can bounce back from a loss. That picked me up a little bit."

A year later, she bounced all the way back − pinning her legacy into the record books with a 7-1 win in the 165-pound final. To snatch the gold, Paul had to beat one of her training partners, Paige DeCaro (Newton/Kittatinny).

"It was just dedication and hard work that got her to the top," coach Jason Brandt said. "She was able to pull it off by being consistent, working hard and enjoying the sport."

What comes next?

With a state title under her belt, Paul isn’t slowing down. She's committed to wrestle at Western New England University in Massachusetts, where she'll study political science and possibly get into law.

Besides her work on the mat, she made the National Honor Society at Kennedy and volunteered with Feed the Community, a school-run charity that runs monthly donation events. She’s also on the short list of North Jersey athletes to be given the key to their city.

“She's like a little celebrity now,” assistant coach Anthony Vasquez said on The Dan Cleary Podcast. “She has a great heart. She has a great mindset. She works and coaches the little guys with me on the weekend when she finds time.”

Paul is fiercely proud of her hometown, even though she’s used to getting mixed reactions when she tells other wrestlers where she’s from. What they don't see is the tapestry of food, music and language that make the city so beautiful in her eyes.

And if anyone doubts it, she suggests they try walking a mile in her shoes. Or better yet, three miles down Union Boulevard.

"I'm not going to be the last wrestler from Paterson winning a state championship in Atlantic City," Paul said. "I know it. They can have all those reactions, but Paterson is coming."

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Solaris Paul of Paterson NJ Kennedy wins Charlie McGill Scholarship

 

Madden NFL 26: What ratings did the Commanders' rookie class receive?  

It's that time of year—you know, the time when we await training camp and Madden ratings for every NFL player. The early beta team ratings for Madden NFL 26 completely disrespected the Washington Commanders, giving them a 78 rating. Only two NFL teams earned a lower rating. It's worth noting that ratings will change, and Washington will surely be rated much higher.

While the ratings for all players have yet to be revealed, the ratings for most rookies were revealed on Monday. Which member of the Washington Commanders' five-man draft class was the highest-rated?

Courtesy of X user MUTLeaks, here are the Madden ratings for Washington's rookie class:

OT Josh Conerly Jr: 74

It's no surprise that Washington's first-round pick is the highest-rated rookie. Conerly played left tackle at Oregon, but is slated to play right tackle for the Commanders in 2025.

CB Trey Amos: 73

Washington's second-round pick is right behind Conerly. Many analysts and the Commanders projected Amos to go in the first round. Amos will likely start for Washington at some point in 2025, perhaps in Week 1.

WR Jaylin Lane: 72

Will Jaylin Lane contribute at wide receiver in 2025? The Commanders are clearly excited about Lane's potential, particularly in the deep passing game. However, he will serve as the team's punt returner on Day 1.

LB Kain Medrano: 61

Washington's sixth-round pick is based on projection. Late-round picks are not guaranteed to make the roster, but the Commanders are invested in Medrano. Linebackers coach Ken Norton Jr. coached him at UCLA, and the coaches are intrigued by his combination of size and speed and ability to play linebacker or potentially safety. Medrano has a chance to be a special-teams standout beginning in training camp.

RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt: 67

Yes, Washington's seventh-round pick earned a higher rating than the sixth-round pick. Almost everyone agrees that Croskey-Merritt would go much higher than the seventh round if he had played last season. Croskey-Merritt is a balanced back and can give the Commanders something different in 2025 outside of Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler. He will play.

M26 Rookie OVRs (Current) pic.twitter.com/l5kqNDc8aR

— MUTLeaks (@MUTLeaksXXVI) June 23, 2025

Jacksonville's Travis Hunter was Madden's highest-rated rookie, earning an 84 rating.

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Commanders' rookie ratings for Madden NFL 26 revealed

 

PFF fixes huge Steelers mistake in redraft  

If you were making a list of the worst Pittsburgh SteelersNFL draft picks in the last 15 years, you won't get very far down the list before you get to edge rusher Jarvis Jones. Jones had bust written all over him from the moment he was drafted and it didn't take long for everyone to realize this guy just wasn't an NFL player.

Jones appeared in 50 games with 35 starts over his four NFL seasons. Why the Steelers kept trotting him out there is beyond us but he was only able to muster six career sacks in four seasons.

Pro Football Focus went all the way back to 2013 and, using their grades, re-drafted the first round of the NFL draft. This means for the Steelers, instead of landing Jones, they got defensive tackle Kawann Short. Short played in 99 games with 76 starts. He established himself as one of the best interior defensive linemen in the league during his eight seasons and while he only had 32.5 sacks was one of the best run defenders during that stretch.

Interestingly, if you did this re-draft and selected only the same position as the original pick, the Steelers would have taken Ziggy Ansah. Ansah tumbles in this scenario, having gone No. 5 overall in 2013. Ansah never became an elite pass rusher but in eight seasons had 50.5 sacks and had double-digit sacks just twice. The injury bug hit Ansah hard in his final few seasons, limiting his overall production.

This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: PFF fixes huge Steelers mistake in 2013 NFL redraft

 

Official | PSG’s Yoram Zague joins Copenhagen on loan  

Paris Saint-Germain have officially confirmed that Yoram Zague (19) has been sent on loan to FC Copenhagen for the 2025/26 season. The Danish club will have the option to make the deal permanent for an undisclosed fee. 

The fullback first arrived at PSG when he was 13, joining the club’s pre-youth academy. He was able to progress through their academy system, making appearances for the U17s and the U19s before making his full debut in April 2024 against Clermont Foot. 

Zague struggled to kick on this season in a competitive squad where chances were limited. He made only six appearances across all competitions, and only two of these he started. However, during his time in the professional squad, Zague has won Ligue 1 and the Coupe de France twice each. His performances have also earned him a spot as a France youth international for the U17s, U18s, and U19s. 

GFFN | Nick Hartland

 

Liverpool deal is even MORE incredible than first thought  

Liverpool have reportedly struck a deal that is even more incredible than first thought. It's remarkable from Richard Hughes and company.

Liverpool have struck several deals already this summer. It's not even July.

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But the Reds have already smashed their transfer record by signing Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen. Jeremie Frimpong joins him from the Bundesliga side, too, as Liverpool's new right-back.

Armin Pecsi is a new arrival - he's one for the future but an enormously highly-rated goalkeeper. Certainly a player Liverpool hope can force his way into the first-team one day.

There have been exits, of course. Trent Alexander-Arnold is the most notable, joining Real Madrid for £10m.

That was quite an incredible deal, too, as the club essentially sold one month of his contract.

Caoimhin Kelleher is another departing the club. He's joined Brentford in a fully deserved move.

Liverpool, though, have another exit on the way - and it's a truly brilliant deal.

Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen

Jarell Quansah is expected to leave Liverpool for Bayer Leverkusen. We're really only waiting on England Under 21s to finish their UEFA European Championships campaign.

The deal is, per Sky Germany, for around €30m as a fixed fee plus add-ons. It's a lot of money for a player who didn't feature much for Liverpool last season.

But it's also a sign of his incredible potential. Rewind one year and Quansah was one of the most exciting young defenders around.

The truly remarkable thing about all of this, though, is the buy back clause. Now, we thought that buyback clause looked like genius when Bild claimed it was at around €60m.

After all, it meant that if Quansah does fulfill his potential, Liverpool can buy him back. The deal simply becomes paying Leverkusen €30m to develop him into a top-class player.

If he doesn't work out, it's €30m for a player who wasn't going to make it. Liverpool can't lose all that much - save for €30m.

But Sky Germany's claim is that the buyback is around €40m. Now, that seems too good to be true.

Liverpool essentially can't lose there. If Quansah makes it, they just buy him back for what it roughly the same price. We're honestly not sure why Leverkusen would agree to that as they'd take on literally all the risk with no obvious reward.

 

Football transfer rumours: Garnacho and Nkunku set for blockbuster swap?  

Despite a breakthrough season at Paris Saint-Germain, where he registered double digits for both goals and assists in Ligue 1 and made a sizeable contribution to the club’s maiden Champions League triumph, Bradley Barcola finds himself as the odd one out in Luis Enrique’s forward line. Ousmane Dembélé, Désiré Doué and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia appear to be in the box seats for PSG’s starting XI, the latter signing in January from Napoli, which has meant the absurdly talented Barcola could move on this summer. Europe’s elite are lining up, fluttering their eyelashes at the 22-year-old, with Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Liverpool all seen as frontrunners, should Barcola (and PSG) decide to move on.

Nothing stirs the heart quite like the words “Japanese wonderkid” and the latest J1 League star to make his way to England is Kōta Takai, who is on the verge of a £5m move to Tottenham from Kawasaki Frontale – which would constitute a record sale from the Japanese league. The 20-year-old centre-back is already a senior international and, standing at 6ft4in, is expected to slot straight into Thomas Frank’s first team, competing for a place alongside Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero, Kevin Danso and Radu Dragusin.

Related: Men’s transfer window summer 2025: all deals from Europe’s top five leagues

After sulking through Manchester United’s post-season tour of Asia and recently posing and posting a picture of himself in Ibiza wearing an Aston Villa shirt (with Marcus Rashford’s name on the back), it’s fair to say Alejandro Garnacho isn’t exactly flavour of the month among Old Trafford bigwigs (or even United’s fanbase). A summer exit looks likely, and an old-fashioned swap deal has even been suggested, with Chelsea reportedly keen to take the Argentinian in exchange for Christopher Nkunku. The Frenchman has been a disappointment since his £52m move from Leipzig two years ago, with fitness and form deserting the now 27-year-old. United want a striker, and Chelsea want another left winger (after sending Jadon Sancho packing back to United), so this seems like a sensible bit of business for once, and would potentially mean Chelsea don’t have to spent the best part of £50m on either Dortmund’s Jamie Gittens or Lyon’s Malick Fofana, two other expensive transfer targets that operate on the left wing.

Regarding a potential exit from Manchester City, John Stonesmade his feelings clear on Sunday, saying: “I’m here, I want to stay here, I love it. I’m here to help the team, and I don’t know what’s been said or speculated, but I hope that kind of shuts it down.” So, naturally, the injury-prone defender is now being linked with a return to his former side Everton. Stones is out of contract next summer, so any fee would be affordable for David Moyes and co, should City be open to a sale and the 31-year-old change his mind.

Luka Modric is a part-owner of Swansea and now his former teammate Gareth Bale is aiming to become a part-owner of Cardiff, who have just been relegated to League One. “It’s my home club, it’s where I grew up and my uncle [Chris Pike] used to play for them,” said Bale on Monday night, while attending the premiere of F1 The Movie. “To be involved with an ownership group would be a dream come true. It’s a club close to my heart. It’s where I grew up and I would love to be able to be a part of growing Cardiff and taking it to the Premier League where it belongs.”

Jordan Henderson can leave Ajax for free this summer, owing to a clause in his contract, and Nottingham Forest and Marseille are interested. Having lived in Nottingham and visited Marseille, the Mill knows which of those two suitors it would choose (clue: said city doesn’t claim to have the oldest pub in England).

And the Wrexham legend Paul Mullin has completed a loan move to Wigan, with the now Championship club’s celebrity owner Ryan Reynolds posting a heartfelt farewell message to the striker: “I can’t imagine seeing Mulls on loan and in another kit,” wrote the American actor. “We wouldn’t be where we are without his heart, skill and work ethic. We love you, Paul Mullin. SPM.”

 

Chelsea and Man Utd Join Race for PSG Target Amid Uncertain Future at Barcelona  

PSG have a major decision looming—and clubs like Inter Milan and Manchester United are watching closely. Is Gianluigi Donnarumma still their long-term answer in goal?

The Italian shot-stopper is under contract until 2026, but interest from top European sides is growing. Since joining from AC Milan in 2021, Donnarumma has come through in crucial moments, especially in penalty shootouts and high-pressure matches. Still, his stint in Paris has had its ups and downs.

One moment that continues to follow him is his costly error against Real Madrid in the 2022 Champions League, which cast doubt on his ability to deliver on the biggest stage.

Now that PSG have finally lifted a European trophy, the focus is on the future. With no extension in place, the club is being linked to several potential replacements—suggesting Donnarumma’s role may no longer be secure.

PSG face crowded race for Barcelona veteran

Alex Caparros/Getty Images

If an extension doesn’t come together soon, PSG may have to consider a summer sale to avoid losing him for free.

As for replacements, BILD has linked PSG to Marc-André ter Stegen if he ends up leaving Barcelona. Other clubs reportedly interested in Donnarumma include AC Milan, Manchester City, Juventus, and Newcastle United.

Fichajes reports that Chelsea and Manchester United have ramped up their interest in Marc-André ter Stegen after a notable move from Barcelona, who just signed Joan García for €25 million.

At Old Trafford, concerns over André Onana’s performances have reportedly led the club’s leadership to explore other goalkeeping options. Ter Stegen, with his experience on the big stage and strong distribution skills, fits the mold of what United are looking for in their next No. 1.

Chelsea are also weighing a change in goal. New manager Enzo Maresca wants a goalkeeper who brings leadership and top-level experience as the club prepares for a return to the Champions League, per the report.

 

ASU QB Sam Leavitt Receives High Praise from Former ESPN Analyst  

ASU QB Sam Leavitt Receives High Praise from Former ESPN Analyst originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

Talented quarterback Sam Leavitt of Arizona State continues to enjoy positive recognition from the national media. The most recent example came from former ESPN draft analyst and current podcaster Todd McShay.

In a story by Logan Stanley of The Arizona Republic, McShay, during an episode of the McShay Show earlier this month, graded Leavitt very highly on four key criteria: mental makeup, accuracy, ball release/arm strength, and mobility in the pocket.

On a scale of 1 to 5, with the lower number being good, Leavitt graded out like this:

• Mental= 2

• Accuracy= 2.5

• Release/Arm Strength = 1.5

• Pocket Mobility= 2

As a teenager (19), Leavitt led the Sun Devils to the top of the Big 12 mountain in 2024 and 11 wins. Then they went toe-to-toe with the Texas Longhorns for four quarters in the College Football Playoff before bowing out in the second overtime period.

New episode is out! https://t.co/gFVJ31885n More Summer Scouting: Diving into the tape of Arizona State QB Sam Leavitt
-NFL Comps
-Breaking down his tape
-2025 Expectations

— Todd McShay (@McShay13) June 19, 2025

McShay went on to compare Leavitt to Arizona native Brock Purdy, who went from the last player selected at the NFL Draft to a Super Bowl QB. McShay labeled Leavitt as a more athletic version of Purdy.

Continuing with his glowing assessment of Leavitt, McShay went on to say, 

“I think we’re seeing just the beginning of this guy. I think his future is really, really bright. Tough, competitive.”--Todd McShay

McShay thinks Leavitt will be a first-round pick in next year’s draft and will be a starter in the NFL.

Sam Leavitt looks like he might have the DEADLIEST arm in college football after his recent training footage released.

Leavitt is seen throwing 50+ yards FLAT-FOOTED and 40+ yard missiles while on the run.

Several NFL scouts reportedly believe Leavitt is the “most prolific” QB… pic.twitter.com/JPnxLwXNAR

— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) May 31, 2025

But for now, Leavitt will concentrate on the 2025 season, one that will see Leavitt and the passing game become the focus of the Sun Devils offense. 

Related: National CFB Analyst Touts QB Sam Leavitt as a Favorite to Win the Heisman

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 24, 2025, where it first appeared.

 

Nottingham Forest target Juventus duo Weah and Mbangula  

Nottingham Forest are reportedly interested in signing Juventus pair Timothy Weah and Samuel Mbangula, according to journalist Gianluca Di Marzio.

Forest finished seventh in the Premier League last season and secured a place in the Europa Conference League.

With more games to play next season, manager Nuno Espirito Santo wants to strengthen the squad to compete on all fronts.

Weah and Mbangula are currently with Juventus at the FIFA Club World Cup.

Forest eyeing double swoop on Juventus

While they await a decision from the players, talks are ongoing between Forest and Juventus to reach a financial agreement.

Weah, who featured across several positions last season, ended the campaign with five goals and one assist in all competitions.

The 24-year-old is a flexible player who can operate as a winger, striker or full-back. His favoured role is on the flanks.

He is fast, good at linking play, and can create chances from wide positions. However, his defensive play still needs improvement.

Mbangula finished last season with four goals and five assists for Juventus in all competitions.

The right-footed winger usually plays on the left side, where he uses his pace and trickery to beat defenders.

He is known for stretching the play, delivering accurate crosses, and dribbling past markers in tight spaces.

Mbangula can also play behind the striker or as a second forward when needed. His ability to move into good areas makes him a constant threat.

Forest are also working on new deals for Ola Aina and Neco Williams to secure both players’ futures at the club.

 

Fabrizio Romano plays down prospects of a swap deal between Man United and Chelsea for Alejandro Garnacho and Christopher Nkunku  

There are “no club-to-club” talks taking place between Manchester United and Chelsea over a blockbuster swap deal involving Alejandro Garnacho and Christopher Nkunku, Fabrizio Romano contends.

A report emerged yesterday revealing the two Premier League rivals were weighing up the move which would see Garnacho and Nkunku head in opposite directions as neither attacker expected to remain at their current club beyond the summer.

United are actively pushing to sell Garnacho after the 20-year-old winger’s public fallout with Ruben Amorim after a war of words at the Europa League final in May.

The Argentina international then stoked the flames of the dispute by posting a picture of him wearing an Aston Villa shirt with Marcus Rashford – another player who clashed with Amorim and exited Old Trafford as a result – on the back.

Amorim has told Garnacho to find a new club this summer with the winger’s academy status meaning his potential sale would constitute ‘pure profit’ from a PSR perspective.

And with United seeking an extensive overhaul of their first-team squad, Garnacho’s exit is likely to be the most profitable one on offer this summer.

Which is why the prospect of a swap deal for a 27-year-old attacker who has failed to settle in England since his £52 million over from RB Leipzig two years ago was a difficult one to understand.

United hold a long-standing interest in Nkunku, having made advances to sign the Frenchman in January on loan.

Similarly, Chelsea are on the hunt for a right-footed left-winger this summer after reneging on a deal to sign Jadon Sancho – with Garnacho on their list of targets.

But Romano has poured cold water on the progress of a swap deal which appeared to heavily favour Chelsea at United’s expense.

“As of tonight, guys, I can tell you that concrete negotiations between Chelsea and Man United for Alejandro Garnacho and Christopher Nkunku are still not taking place.

“My understanding is that the two clubs are fully aware of the situation, yes, but they’re not negotiating a swap deal at the moment. No club-to-club contact, also no personal terms agreed between any of the parties involved.”

Featured image Michael Regan via Getty Images

---

Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social

 

Barcelona forward’s Ligue 1 move nearly done pending agreement on wage share  

Barcelona and AS Monaco are now on the verge of finalising a deal for Ansu Fati, with just one issue standing in the way, which is the percentage of the player’s salary that the French side will take on. 

According to ESport3, both clubs have made significant progress in recent days, and an agreement is now considered imminent. A medical has already been scheduled for this week, signalling that the transfer could be wrapped up very soon.

Unlike last summer, when Ansu was reluctant to leave, the winger is now open to a fresh challenge. Back then, he was still hopeful of reclaiming his place at Barcelona. But things have changed. 

With limited opportunities under Hansi Flick and no major offers from other clubs, both the player and Barça have accepted that a move to Monaco is the best option for all involved.

Barcelona willing to settle

Ansu Fati is certain to leave Barcelona. (Photo by Pedro Salado/Getty Images)

Barcelona initially preferred a permanent transfer but had to soften their stance. Monaco’s consistent interest, combined with the lack of strong competition for Ansu’s signature, gave the French club a stronger hand in negotiations. 

Now, a loan deal is being finalised, with only the financial details of the salary distribution left to resolve.

From Barça’s perspective, the priority is clear that they need to ease the wage bill. By allowing Monaco to take on a portion of Ansu’s salary, the Catalan side can move one step closer to financial stability ahead of the new season. 

Once the salary issue is sorted, the deal will be made official. The 22-year-old is expected to complete his medical in the coming days, and unless there is a last-minute setback, he will soon be presented as a new Monaco player.

 

Bundesliga to Chelsea nearing completion while Liverpool consider Napoli bid  

Chelsea Chase Jamie Gittens, Liverpool Plot Nunez Exit: Summer Transfer Strategy in Focus

Chelsea’s Gittens Gambit Signals Serious Summer Intent

Chelsea’s pursuit of Borussia Dortmund winger Jamie Gittens offers a fascinating subplot to this summer’s transfer window. A deal for the 20-year-old English forward stalled before the pre-Club World Cup deadline, but as David Ornstein reported in The Athletic, negotiations are progressing steadily and a resolution could be imminent.

“Chelsea were unable to finalise a deal with the Bundesliga club for the 20-year-old before the closing of the pre-Club World Cup transfer window earlier this month.”

That window may have closed, but Gittens’ preference for a move to Stamford Bridge remains firmly intact. Despite rival interest from Bayern Munich, “the former Manchester City player favours a move to Stamford Bridge and has remained fully committed to the idea of joining Enzo Maresca’s side.” The Blues already have a seven-year deal agreed with Gittens, and only the final club-to-club arrangement remains.

Photo IMAGO

Chelsea’s proactive transfer business underlines a clear strategy since Maresca’s appointment — blending youthful potential with tactical compatibility. The fact that both Dortmund and Chelsea are in the United States for the Club World Cup has made negotiations smoother, too, adding momentum to what could be one of the more intriguing intra-window deals.

This level of long-term planning — signing a young English talent who has Bundesliga pedigree — echoes Chelsea’s shift away from short-term fixes. It’s a sharp contrast to the scattergun approach seen in previous regimes. Whether Gittens becomes the next Cole Palmer or struggles with the weight of expectation remains to be seen, but Chelsea’s intent is beyond doubt.

Liverpool’s Nunez Conundrum Gathers Pace

Meanwhile, across the divide in Merseyside, Liverpool appear prepared to part ways with Darwin Nunez. The Uruguayan forward’s future has felt uncertain for months, and Ornstein’s update adds clarity to the situation: “The Premier League champions are looking to sell and the Uruguayan is keen to move.”

Napoli are the most serious contenders. An offer is expected soon, though no fee has been confirmed. What is certain is Liverpool’s valuation. “The English club rejected an approach from Saudi side Al Nassr in January worth around €70million (£60m, $81m), demonstrating the level of fee they are seeking.”

That January rejection now looks more like a calculated play than a firm commitment to keeping Nunez. With Napoli showing intent and the player open to Naples, a deal could move quickly.

For Arne Slot, Nunez’s departure raises questions but not necessarily concerns. “Liverpool have conducted impressive early work this summer, recruiting Jeremie Frimpong, Florian Wirtz and agreeing a deal for Milos Kerkez.” The club may now pause further business to observe how the market unfolds, but Slot already has attacking combinations that could absorb Nunez’s exit.

And even if no direct replacement arrives, the report suggests Liverpool’s options are plentiful: “Buying Wirtz has already changed the attacking dynamic available to head coach Arne Slot, with multiple options and combinations at his disposal.”

Targets Tracked but No Clear Movements Yet

With Nunez’s future pointing to Italy, Liverpool fans are scanning for clues about replacements. Names like Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike are often linked, but no tangible progress has been made. “Their admiration for forwards such as Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak and Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike is well documented but there is nothing significant in motion at present.”

Given the fee Liverpool expect for Nunez, their patience is strategic. Slot is unlikely to rush into decisions, especially when Wirtz’s arrival has already added versatility. The club are operating from a position of strength, and the sense is that they’re willing to wait for value.

Elsewhere, Leeds United are circling Union Saint-Gilloise midfielder Noah Sadiki, while Bayer Leverkusen have eyes on Malik Tillman at PSV. These deals carry broader implications for the Premier League ecosystem as clubs look to finalise their summer business before the June 30 PSR deadline.

Financial Pressures and Market Timing

With Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) looming large, many clubs are making their moves early. As The Athletic notes, “as the end of June approaches, so does the 2024-25 accounting deadline for plenty of clubs.” Villa Park, in particular, could be busy over the coming days.

The requirements are exacting. To finalise a transfer before the fiscal cut-off, clubs must complete all registration paperwork, international clearances, and pay applicable fees and taxes. Failure to meet any of those conditions means a deal cannot be booked for the current accounting year.

For Chelsea and Liverpool, however, the luxury of big budgets and strategic planning affords more breathing room. Both clubs are thinking long-term, balancing ambition with sustainability. That makes them outliers in a market that may become frenetic in the final week of June.

Our View – EPL Index

There’s a sense of cautious optimism on Merseyside. Darwin Nunez has been a divisive figure among supporters. His raw talent was never in question, but erratic finishing and limited tactical discipline often frustrated fans. If he does move to Napoli, many would wish him well — but few would be heartbroken.

The recruitment of Florian Wirtz is where the excitement really lies. It shows Liverpool are planning for the future with smart, high-impact signings. Under Arne Slot, who already seems comfortable in his role, the front line is beginning to look like one that can evolve rather than rebuild. Some fans are crying out for a more traditional No. 9, but others are embracing the idea of fluid, interchangeable attackers.

As for Gittens to Chelsea, there’s a tinge of envy. Liverpool have scouted him previously and he would fit the new high-press model well. But seven-year deals and major early outlays aren’t typically FSG’s style. If Chelsea pull it off, they’ll have secured a potential England international before his stock explodes.

For now, though, most Kopites will be glued to news out of Naples, hoping that if Darwin goes, it sparks the next chapter of Slot’s reshaped front line.

 

Xabi Alonso draws up three-man centre-back shortlist as Real Madrid plan defensive reinforcement  

Despite the recent signing of Dean Huijsen and the anticipated return of Antonio Rudiger and Eder Militao from injury, Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso is pushing for further reinforcements at the heart of defence. 

According to an update from Fichajes, Alonso has personally drawn up a three-man shortlist of defenders who fit his tactical demands and vision for the future.

The three targets currently under consideration are Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool), Piero Hincapie (Bayer Leverkusen), and Cristian Romero (Tottenham Hotspur). 

Each offers a unique profile, but all share the qualities Alonso is seeking, versatility, strength, and tactical intelligence.

Hincapie: A familiar face

Among the trio, Piero Hincapie holds a special place on Alonso’s list. The Ecuadorian defender worked under the Spanish coach at Bayer Leverkusen, and his adaptability across the back line makes him an ideal candidate. 

Hincapie is comfortable playing in a back three or four, and can also fill in at left-back when needed, an asset that fits Alonso’s dynamic defensive approach. 

His understanding of positional play and ball progression stands out, especially within a team that thrives on building from the back.

Konate: A powerful option

Ibrahima Konate is on Real Madrid’s radar. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Konate’s situation at Liverpool is also drawing interest. The French international has reportedly rejected Liverpool’s first renewal offer, with negotiations now on hold. 

His camp is believed to be demanding a higher fixed salary, citing his increasing responsibility within the team. Liverpool, on the other hand, are reluctant to break their wage structure. 

This impasse has alerted top clubs, including Real Madrid, who are monitoring the situation closely. Konate’s blend of athleticism and experience makes him a natural fit for a team competing on all fronts.

Romero: A market opportunity

Romero, meanwhile, has expressed a clear desire to leave Tottenham this summer. The Argentine World Cup winner is viewed by Madrid as a potential market opportunity. 

Known for his aggression, aerial dominance, and leadership, Romero would bring immediate grit and edge to Real Madrid’s defence. 

His availability adds intrigue, especially with Spurs expected to reshape their squad under new manager Thomas Frank.

 

Chelsea near winger deal as Liverpool striker looks likely to leave  

Welcome to Tuesday's round-up of all of the latest transfer news, rumours and done deals which can be found below.

2025-06-24T08:07:51Z

Burnley are strengthening smartly ahead of their return to the Premier League.

Feyenoord left-back Quilindschy Hartman undergoing medical at #BurnleyFC ahead of permanent transfer to Turf Moor.

Deal worth £10.25m, £7.7m initial fee plus £2.55m in add-ons (€9m + €3m), as reported in Sunday Mirror.https://t.co/vbNugxIC0X

— Ryan Taylor (@RyanTaylorSport) June 24, 2025

2025-06-24T08:07:11Z

Bayern Munich winger Bryan Zaragoza's time at the club already appears to be over, with a return to Spain on the cards.

🚨🔄 Advanced talks are ongoing over a transfer of Bryan #Zaragoza to Celta Vigo.

The 23-year-old winger has already given the green light for a move. Max Eberl prefers a sale.

Other interested clubs include Real Betis and Villarreal.@kerry_hau | @SkySportDE 🇪🇸 pic.twitter.com/GnQ9AewYs3

— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) June 24, 2025

2025-06-24T08:05:46Z

Manchester United have named their asking price for winger Alejandro Garnacho, who continues to be closely linked with a move away from Old Trafford.

🚨 Manchester United have informed interested clubs that Alejandro Garnacho's fee would be £70m.

(Source: @lauriewhitwell) pic.twitter.com/irsEAsCFBc

— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) June 24, 2025

2025-06-24T08:05:03Z

The Athletic suggest that Chelsea's move for Dortmund starlet Jamie Gittens could be completed 'imminently', with Bayern Munich set to lose out.

Jamie Gittens' proposed move from Borussia Dortmund to Chelsea could be done imminently, reports @David_Ornstein in today's DealSheet.

Chelsea were unable to finalise a deal with the Bundesliga club for the 20-year-old before the closing of the pre-Club World Cup transfer window… pic.twitter.com/SeRJfAbMkX

— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) June 24, 2025

2025-06-24T08:04:14Z

Welcome to Tuesday's round-up of all of the important updates from across the world of transfers, from completed moves to rumours.

 

Keegan Bradley created USA’s Ryder Cup captaincy problem – there’s only one way to fix it  

From the crushing disappointment of Tommy Fleetwood to the euphoria spilling out from Keegan Bradley’s winning putt on the 18th green at TPC River Highlands. The Travelers Championship provided a glimpse of the bedlam that awaits at Bethpage Black in September’s Ryder Cup.

As Fleetwood stumbled, Bradley, Team USA’s captain, ruthlessly seized glory and ripped up the initial plans for this year’s hosts in the process.

Bradley was a shock pick to lead the United States last year in pursuit of revenge in New York this fall, following an emphatic defeat at the hands of Europe in Rome two years ago.

The subject of one of the most iconic scenes in Netflix series Full Swing, Bradley was gently told over the phone he would not be joining the stars and stripes as one of skipper Zach Johnson’s wildcard picks in Italy.

“There's no easy way to say this, my friend,” Bradley was told by a clearly uncomfortable Johnson, who would eventually oversee one of the more farcical defeats in the event’s history, with the star-studded Americans imploding amid rumours swirling around pay demands and a bizarre hat protest.

The raw footage in the show showed a “devastated” Bradley, then No 18 in the world, consoled by his wife and son. By that point, the documentary had made clear his desperation to play in another Ryder Cup nine years after his last, revealing that he still hadn’t unpacked his suitcase from that 2014 contest due to the agony of defeat in Scotland and the sense of unfinished business,

Luke Donald would go on to mastermind a 16.5-11.5 beatdown of a Bradley-less US team, which included the game’s most dominant player, Scottie Scheffler, left in tears after the Texan and five-time major winner Brooks Koepka suffered a record 9 and 7 thrashing to Viktor Hovland and Ludvig Aberg.

Candidates for the 2025 US captaincy were sparse, while the timing was not quite right for Tiger Woods to seize the throne. It all led to CEO of PGA of America Seth Waugh offering Bradley, at just 38 years of age at the time, one of the most prestigious roles in American golf.

Bradley was still playing at a high level in 2024, though qualifying automatically for the team and securing a top-six finish in the points list appeared unlikely, which remains the case. And given that prior phone call with Johnson, a wildcard pick looked improbable too, with the notorious ‘boys’ club’ thought to still influence Team USA.

A peculiar role, with the last playing captain Arnold Palmer in 1963, Bradley expressed his desire to qualify automatically but vowed not to select himself as a wildcard.

“I want to play on the team. I feel as though I’m still in the prime of my career,” Bradley said at the time. “I’m not going to pick myself. The only way that would happen is if the team was insisting on it. But even if they did, I don’t see that happening. I want to make the team on points, otherwise I’m going to be the captain.”

But Bradley’s position has shifted through impressive play and the core of the previous USA Ryder Cup team somewhat unravelling since: Max Homa, a stalwart and shining light amid chaos at Marco Simone, has suffered a drastic decline, Wyndham Clark is battling demons after destroying an Oakmont locker this month, Rickie Fowler failed to qualify for the Masters and US Open this year and Patrick Cantlay has been cut twice in 2025 majors.

"It's still June, so we have got a long way to go [but] this definitely changes things a little bit," Bradley admitted, while walking back his intention from a year ago, despite a top-six finish still unlikely – with sixth-placed Justin Thomas more than 2,100 points ahead and Collin Morikawa, the first man outside the top six, more than 1,600 points ahead.

Bradley was coy initially after claiming victory on Sunday, simply responding with “Go USA!” when asked during his broadcast interview on the 18th green, but when pushed in the subsequent winner’s press conference about his involvement as a player, he conceded his mindset had shifted.

"This definitely opens the door to play,” Bradley said. “I don't know if I'm going to do it or not but I certainly have to take a pretty hard look at what's best for the team. I have to take a pretty hard look at what’s best for the team.

"Every year I was out here, I wanted to play on the Ryder Cup team, and then this would be the first year where maybe I didn't want to. I just wanted to be the captain and, of course, this is what happens."

With Donald’s strategy alongside analytics guru and vice-captain Edoardo Molinari instilling harmony inside Team Europe, Bradley’s vital mistake was ruling out the possibility of earning a wildcard selection in the first place. Had he left his options open, he could have planned for that eventuality, placing further faith in his vice-captains – currently Jim Furyk, Webb Simpson, Brandt Snedeker and Kevin Kisner – while publicly illustrating how his role might evolve if his own play soared.

But now his prowess on the course only serves as a distraction, with a referendum on his involvement set for each Monday after he performs until the six captain’s picks are announced following the Tour Championship on 24 August.

Some might argue the captain’s role, particularly on home soil, matters little, with only one improbable away victory in the biennial event since 2006: ‘The Miracle of Medinah’ in 2012, no less.

Yet Donald’s forensic preparation is a strong counter to that, with Europe’s quality likely underlining the importance of strategy further. If Bradley’s influence is diminished by playing even one session on Friday or Saturday, is it worth selecting the ninth-ranked player in the standings over, say, the 10th (Harris English) or 17th (Cameron Young, who finished tied-fourth at the US Open) player on the list?

Bradley is therefore left in a bind; should he allow this to drag on to extend his opportunity to climb the rankings, he risks creating more uncertainty in the build-up as Europe finetunes its preparations.

Commentator Jim Nantz concluded Bradley “considers this [The Travelers Championship] a major” in his closing call on Sunday. “Can he deliver one at the final hole… Did he ever!”

Those words might point to what Bradley must do in the coming weeks. He could settle the argument once and for all with a win in Portrush at The Open. Even contending for the Claret Jug would further legitimise his status as a playing captain. However, a record of missing the cut in each of the last five Opens does not suggest he is about to rip through the field in Northern Ireland.

“I just wanted to be the captain,” Bradley concluded on Sunday. “I felt strongly about [not selecting myself to play], they asked me to do a job, I want to do that to the best of my ability.

“But with my amazing vice-captains I have, I feel more comfortable, if I went that route.”

 

Steelers LB Patrick Queen stirs up internet with cryptic post  

Last season, the Pittsburgh Steelers big defensive addition was inside linebacker Patrick Queen. Queen came over from the Baltimore Ravens and hoped to establish himself as one of the top inside linebackers in the AFC. Things didn't go exactly according to plan and the Steelers actually signed Malik Harrison in free agency this offseason.

This is in addition to the healthy return of Cole Holcomb and the continued growth of Payton Wilson. This puts Queen in the mix for shared reps with this foursome of talented players. Could this be something Queen isn't happy about? This is what the internet is wondering after Queen sent out the post below on X of an hourglass.

⏳

— 🦈 (@Patrickqueen_) June 24, 2025

We will choose to give Queen the benefit of the doubt here and say that the point is in reference to Queen getting anxious for training camp and the season and he is just playing the waiting game. Not that he's waiting to be traded to another team.

This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Steelers LB Patrick Queen stirs up internet with cryptic post

 

Dortmund set to sign goalkeeper  

Borussia Dortmund are reportedly set to complete the signing of Patrick Drewes from VfL Bochum.

According to Ruhr Nachrichten, the two clubs have already agreed on a transfer fee, with Drewes expected to sign a contract running until 2027.

Drewes began the 2024/25 season as Bochum’s first-choice goalkeeper, but eventually lost his spot to Timo Horn.

The 32-year-old is expected to serve as Dortmund’s third-choice goalkeeper behind Gregor Kobel and Alexander Meyer.

Meanwhile, Diant Ramaj, who spent the second half of last season on loan at FC Copenhagen, is likely to be loaned out again.

 

NBA mock draft: Illinois basketball players projections for 2025 NBA Draft  

The Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball program is expected to have two first-round draft picks this week in the 2025 NBA Draft.

The Fighting Illini and coach Brad Underwood are expected to see international guards Kasparas Jakucionis and Will Riley selected into the NBA. If both are picked in the first round, it will be the third time two Illini have done so — joining Deron Williams and Luther Head in 2005, and Nick Anderson and Kenny Battle in 1989.

The NBA Draft will consist of two rounds with 59 total selections. Duke guard Cooper Flagg is the runaway favorite to be the No. 1 overall pick. The draft will begin 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 25 from Barclays Center in Brooklyn and will be televised on ABC and ESPN.

Here's where the national media outlets have Jakucionis and Riley ranked among the top 100 draft-eligible prospects, as well as any mock drafts, on the final days before the 2025 NBA Draft.

USA TODAY Sports analyst projects two Illinois players will be taken in 2025 NBA Draft

In terms of an actual mock draft, For The Win's Bryan Kalbrosky lists Jakucionis and Riley as first-round picks in his latest projections. Kalbrosky sees Jakucionis going 11th overall to the Portland Trailblazers, with Riley being the final player taken at No. 20 by the Miami Heat.

Yahoo Sports NBA Draft analyst has Illini headed out west

Yahoo Sports' Kevin O'Connor has both Illini players in the top 30 of his NBA Draft big board. O'Connor's latest mock draft has Jakucionis being selected 10th overall by the Houston Rockets and Riley No. 24 overall by the NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder.

O'Connor describes Jakucionis as a play-making guard and a "slick shot-creator with a creative passing gene and a fearless scoring ability." He like Houston has a landing spot since the team likes offense from every spot on the floor. O'Connor says Riley has "dynamic driving ability and playmaking instincts that scream upside as a jumbo-sized, shot-creating wing." He likes OKC as a landing spot, because the talented team can give Riley time to develop.

• Jakucionis: No. 15 overall
• Riley: No. 26 overall

ESPN ranking of Illinois players eligible for NBA Draft

ESPN unveiled its final big board rankings of the top 100 draft prospects on Saturday. NBA Draft analyst Jonathan Givony ranks the Illinois players in this order:

• Jakucionis: No. 10 overall
• Riley: No. 24 overall

CBS Sports ranks Illinois' NBA draft prospect in 2025

CBS Sports' full draft prospect rankings is the highest on Jakucionis among national analysts — but CBS is on the lower end when it comes to ranking Riley.

• Jakucionis: No. 7 overall
• Riley: No. 32 overall

The Athletic ranks Illini NBA prospects into tiers

The Athletic's Sam Vecente (subscription required) breaks down the top 100 draft prospects into eight tiers. Jakucionis leads Tier 4, which is considered a starter with "all-star tool swings." Riley is listed as a solid Tier 5 player, considered a "rotation player" with "upside swings."

• Jakucionis: No. 7 overall
• Riley: No. 23 overall

2025 NBA Draft order

Here's the full draft order for the first round of the NBA draft:

1. Dallas Mavericks
2. San Antonio Spurs
3. Philadelphia 76ers
4. Charlotte Hornets
5. Utah Jazz
6. Washington Wizards
7. New Orleans Pelicans
8. Brooklyn Nets
9. Toronto Raptors
10. Phoenix Suns (via Houston)
11. Portland Trail Blazers
12. Chicago Bulls
13. Atlanta Hawks (via Sacramento)
14. San Antonio Spurs (via Atlanta)
15. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Miami)
16. Memphis Grizzlies (via Orlando)
17. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Detroit)
18. Washington Wizards (via Memphis)
19. Brooklyn Nets (via Milwaukee)
20. Miami Heat (via Golden State)
21. Utah Jazz (via Minnesota)
22. Atlanta Hawks (via Los Angeles Lakers)
23. New Orleans Pelicans (via Indiana)
24. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Los Angeles Clippers)
25. Orlando Magic (via Denver)
26. Brooklyn Nets (via New York)
27. Brooklyn Nets (via Houston)
28. Boston Celtics
29. Phoenix Suns (via Cleveland)
30. Los Angeles Clippers (via Oklahoma City)

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: NBA Draft 2025: Latest projections for Illinois basketball

 

Are fans 'harsh' on Jackson or is he 'becoming a liability'?  

After his latest red card, we asked you for your opinions on Nicolas Jackson and whether he needs to change how he plays.

Here are some of your comments:

Tony: Jackson has talent but he needs to sort two things out quickly. First, he must start to put away the number of chances he misses. Secondly, he needs to channel his discipline better and not leave his team short. Whether he can do those things I'm not sure, because Liam Delap is going to put pressure on him. Right now, I'd choose Delap over Jackson.

Barry: We've stuck with Jackson hoping he would develop into the player Chelsea so desperately need up front. He hasn't and, more to the point, he is becoming a liability, letting his team-mates down when he is most needed to step up to the plate. It's time for him and Chelsea to part.

Carol: I am concerned by Jackson's frequent indiscipline. With Diego Costa it was different. I sit very close to the pitch at Chelsea and you could always tell when Diego's red mist was about to descend. But he scored and set up a lot of goals, so it balanced out and we accepted the risks. With Diego, we knew he was giving his all for the team and sometimes it resulted in impetuous behaviour and bookings. I'm unconvinced Nicolas feels as passionate about the team. Would he say: 'I go into battle, you come with me?' Doubt it. Yes, he's still young, but at 24 he should have learned - he's had two seasons in the Premier League.

Osman: Let's say Jackson was scoring goals frequently like Costa and once in a while he's shown a red card, that would not have drawn too much of criticism. But, in Jackson's case, he's not been doing that. Jackson must be sold or becomes second to Delap. Simple.

Dan: Chelsea fans are a bit to harsh on Jackson because he, at least for the 2024-25 season, was expected to lead our attack. However, doing stupid tackles like against Flamengo doesn't work in his favour. He isn't a particularly dirty or hot-headed person like Costa was, and I think his underperformance on goalscoring does bring up more scrutiny on his weaker moments than other players. He just needs to mature a bit and not get silly bookings which negatively impact Chelsea's performances.

Colin: His behaviour unbalanced the whole team and left them one man down. Not easy in the heat of the game but he needs to change.

• Fan of another Premier League side? Find and follow your team here

 

Bayer Leverkusen monitoring Monaco winger Maghnes Akliouche  

Bayern Leverkusen have held talks regarding the signing of AS Monaco winger Maghnes Akliouche this summer (h/t journalist Florian Plettenberg).

The Ligue 1 giants are open to selling the Frenchman for a suitable offer. They value Akliouche at around €60 million.

Leverkusen have identified Akliouche as their top target to bolster the attack, but the deal is still in its early stages.

Nottingham Forest, Tottenham Hotspur and Barcelona are also interested in the 23-year-old.

A standout youth product of Monaco, Akliouche is one of the top young talents in the French top flight.

He had a productive 2024/25 campaign, registering seven goals and 12 assists in all competitions.

Akliouche also bagged a silver medal with France in the Paris Olympics last year.

He ranks among the prominent wingers in Europe, excelling in ball progression, dribbling and playmaking.

Leverkusen are looking to strengthen their squad as they aim to compete for silverware under new manager Erik ten Hag.

They will have significant spending power, having sold Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong to Liverpool for around €170m.

Leverkusen could be a great destination for Akliouche to reach new heights in his career. He would bring more dynamism to their attack.

Die Werkself have identified PSV Eindhoven attacking midfielder Malik Tillman as a potential replacement for Wirtz.

The German giants have secured a deal worth £35m for the signing of Liverpool centre-back Jarell Quansah.

 

Manchester United and Manchester City battle for FC Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa  

Diogo Costa is ready to leave FC Porto this summer as he looks to take the next step in his career, with the Premier League his preferred destination. Manchester United are reportedly keen on landing the Porto star.

According to Portuguese outlet A Bola, he has expressed a desire to embrace a new challenge after six seasons as Porto’s first-choice goalkeeper.

Costa missed the Club World Cup due to a thigh injury but remains highly rated across Europe.

Ruben Amorim knows Costa well from the national team set-up and is believed to have identified him as a key signing.

Concerns remain over André Onana’s form and fit under Amorim’s style of play.

Costa, who is known for his calm distribution and command of the penalty area, is seen as a strong upgrade.

United are not alone in their admiration.

Manchester City are also tracking Costa, with Ederson expected to leave for the Saudi Pro League. However, the player is understood to favour a move where he can be first choice from day one.

Costa has a release clause of €75 million, but Porto may accept offers in the region of €60 million due to market realities.

Talks have not yet begun, but interest is expected to accelerate after the European Championship.

The goalkeeper has spent six seasons as Porto’s number one, winning multiple domestic trophies and becoming one of the standout performers in Liga Portugal.

Despite his strong emotional ties to the club, Costa is ready to follow in the footsteps of other Porto stars who left in their prime for a bigger platform. A move to Old Trafford would fulfil a long-standing ambition.

Porto president André Villas-Boas will have a major role in any negotiations. The club has already started planning for Costa’s potential departure, with Claudio Ramos waiting in the wings.

United’s goalkeeping situation is one of several areas being addressed by Amorim as he looks to reshape the squad. Costa’s signing would represent a significant statement early in the new manager’s tenure.

With the player open to the move and Amorim pushing internally, United are now firmly in the frame as the Diogo Costa transfer saga gathers pace.

---

Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social

 

Preview: Inter Milan vs River Plate – Prediction, Team News, Line-ups  

Inter Milan will look to top Group E at the Club World Cup when they face River Plate at Lumen Field on Wednesday. 

They recorded a 2-1 success over Urawa Red Diamonds in their last game, while the Argentinian side drew 0-0 with Monterrey in their previous outing. 

Match Preview

Inter suffered a humiliating 5-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final last month.

The result ended Simone Inzaghi’s time as manager, and he has been replaced by Cristian Chivu.

Chivu’s side was held to a 1-1 draw by Monterrey in their Club World Cup opener, but they staged a comeback against Urawa to pick up three points.

River Plate are in control of their knockout destiny. They are at the top of the group, ahead of Inter, due to a marginally superior goal difference. 

Marcelo Gallardo’s side eased past Urawa in their opening match after goals from Facundo Colidio, Sebastian Driussi and Maximiliano Meza. 

They dominated against Monterrey, but were unable to break the deadlock.

Team News

Denzel Dumfries, Hakan Calhanoglu, Marcus Thuram, Davide Frattesi, Yann Bisseck, Benjamin Pavard and Piotr Zielinski are all sidelined for Inter.

Three River Plate players are suspended for the game. Kevin Castano picked up a red card against Monterrey, while Enzo Perez and Giuliano Galoppo received their second bookings of the competition.

Inter Milan vs River Plate potential line-ups

Inter Milan: Sommer; De Vrij, Acerbi, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Esposito, Martinez.

River Plate: Armani; Montiel, Martinez Quarta, Diaz; Acuna; Fernandez, Kranevitter, Aliendro; Mastantuono, Colidio, Meza.

Inter Milan vs River Plate prediction

Inter have been unconvincing in the tournament, but they look equally matched with River. A draw is the most likely outcome.

Inter Milan 1-1 River Plate.

 

It's the NJ Devils 30th anniversary of their 1995 Stanley Cup win: See our archive photos  

June 24 marks a special anniversary in the history of the New Jersey Devils and for sports in the Garden State.

The date marks the 30th anniversary of the first Stanley Cup championship in franchise history for the Devils in 1995.

New Jersey, despite being a heavy underdog, swept the juggernaut Detroit Red Wings in a landmark moment for hockey throughout the state. It would start a dynastic run for the Devils, who would go on to win Cups in 2000 and 2003.

Want to take a trip down memory lane? Take a look at the photo gallery above for the sights and sounds of our coverage in 1995.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NJ Devils 30th anniversary of 1995 Stanley Cup win: See archive photos

 

Mike Dunleavy Jr. reveals it's unlikely Warriors trade into first round of NBA Draft  

With the Oklahoma City Thunder officially crowned champions of the association, the NBA has officially turned the page to the upcoming NBA draft.

While the Golden State Warriors won't have a pick in the opening round of the draft on Wednesday, Mike Dunleavy Jr. and Steve Kerr are set to be on the clock on Thursday in the second round. Although there's always a chance the Warriors could make a move to jump back into the first round, it could be unlikely, according to Dunleavy Jr.

Before the 2025 edition of the draft gets underway, Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. spoke to members of the media in the Bay Area on Monday. When speaking about the idea of a potential trade into the first round, Dunleavy Jr. said he "wouldn't put it highly likely."

We'll look at stuff. I think most likely when you're in the second round, it's probably looking up or back within that round. Is there a possibility we could move into the first round? Sure. I wouldn't put it at highly likely. You never know. On draft night, you get calls. You explore things. We'll continue to do that.

Listen to Dunleavy's full pre-draft press conference via Warriors SoundCloud.

The first round of the draft is headlined by Duke's Cooper Flagg, Rutgers' Dylan Harper, Baylor's VJ Edgecombe and Texas's Tre Johnson.

Although the Warriors don't have a pick on Wednesday, Dunleavy Jr. and the Warriors have been busy doing homework on the upcoming draft class. The Warriors have worked out a flurry of prospects at Chase Center in San Francisco. The last trio of prospects to make their way to Chase Center was headlined by NCAA Scoring Champ Eric Dixon.

The NBA draft is set to begin on Wednesday, June 25 at Brooklyn's Barclays Center.

This post originally appeared on Warriors Wire! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

This article originally appeared on Warriors Wire: Mike Dunleavy Jr. says it's unlikely Warriors trade into first round

 

What channel is Philadelphia Phillies game on Tuesday? How to watch, stream  

The Philadelphia Phillies open a three-game series against the Houston Astros on June 24 at Daikin Park in Houston.

What time do the Phillies play today?

The Phillies face the Astros at 8:10 p.m. on June 24. Left-hander Ranger Suarez (6-1, 2.20 ERA) will pitch for the Phillies. Left-hander Framber Valdez (8-4, 3.09 ERA) will pitch for the Astros.

Bryce Harper update: An ominous sign as Phillies star takes 1st step with wrist injury

What channel is the Phillies game on tonight?

The game will be broadcast on NBCSP. The radio broadcast will be on 94WIP and WDEL 101.7 FM/1150 AM.

How can I livestream the Phillies' game?

If you live in the Philadelphia television market, NBCSP will stream the game on nbcsportsphiladelphia.com and the NBCSP app. NBCSP is also available on  FuboTV, Hulu, Peacock and YouTube TV.

The game will also be available on MLB.TV to those with streaming packages. You can also stream the radio broadcasts with MLB Audio.

How can I watch the Phillies on Apple TV+?

The Phillies will be on Apple TV+ this season, but you'll need a subscription if you want to watch it.  A monthly subscription to Apple TV+ is $9.99. However, Apple TV+ offers a free trial with the requirement of an email or Apple ID.

Here are the dates the Phillies will be on Apple TV+. More dates will be added later in the season.

• July 25:Philadelphia Phillies at New York Yankees.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: How to watch, stream the Phillies-Astros game

 

How to buy tickets for the MLB All-Star Game at Atlanta's Truist Park in July  

Atlanta will play host to the Major League All-Star Game for the third time, and the first time at Truist Park, when the best players in the world gather to play in the "Midsummer Classic" on July 15.

The All-Star Game was held in Atlanta in 1972 and 2000 and is coming back for an event that runs from Saturday, July 12 through the game day on Tuesday, July 15.

The All-Star Futures Game, featuring top minor league players, is set for Saturday, July 12, at Truist, followed by a the Celebrity Softball Game as stars from the entertainment world take the field in a fun-filled exhibition.

This year, the All-Star festivities will incorporate the MLB Draft, which is set for Sunday and Monday, July 13 and 14 at the Coca-Cola Roxy, a concert venue in the Battery Atlanta.

The All-Star Workout Day is set for Monday, July 14 as fans can attend batting practice, followed by the 2025 Home Run Derby.

The MLB All-Star Game will be held on Tuesday, July 15, with the first pitch set for 8 p.m. in a game that will be televised nationally by FOX.

To purchase tickets for the 2025 MLB All-Star Game in Atlanta, and its associated events, visit the MLB website (MLB.com), which lists tickets starting at $289 for Tuesday's game, or its official partners like SeatGeek.com and Vivid Seats. Tickets for All-Star Week events, including the Home Run Derby and All-Star Game, are also available through these platforms.

Dennis Knight covers sports for the Savannah Morning News. Contact him at Dknight@savannahnow.com. Twitter: @DennisKnightSMN

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: MLB All-Star Game in Atlanta: See the prices for the Midsummer Classic

 

Three common threads persist amid Mets' season-worst rut, latest loss to Braves  

NEW YORK — The Mets returned home on Monday night searching for an inflection point in their weekslong struggles, but the same issues followed them back north.

Citi Field was supposed to provide refuge as the Mets looked for an edge against the Braves following last week's series sweep. After all, the Mets entered 27-10 at home, compared to three games under .500 on the road.

But in the midst of their most torturous stretch of the 2025 season, the Mets' struggles know no bounds.

The Mets received another abbreviated start from Paul Blackburn and Juan Soto provided the only solid blow in a 3-2 loss to the Braves in front of 38,593 fans on a sizzling Monday night at Citi Field.

For Carlos Mendoza, Monday's strife was a bit of a domino effect. The Mets offense went down quietly against the Braves' Spencer Schwellenbach and the pressure mounted on Blackburn and the defense.

"I think it's a combination of a lot of things, especially when you're chasing a lot, and it feels like we're getting down early in games and then the at-bats are pretty much completely different," Mendoza said. "Whether you're spending a lot of time on defense and then you want to give your starter a little bit of a break and then they're getting ahead of you and we're obviously not creating a lot of traffic."

With the defeat, the Mets have now dropped nine of their last 10 games as their record moved to 46-33.

Mets offense gets limited production again

Over the last three series against the Braves and Phillies, the Mets have only scored more than two runs on two separate occasions — a 5-4 extra-inning loss in Atlanta and Saturday's 11-4 win over the Phillies.

Mendoza believes the source of that drought could be seen in Monday night's loss. The top three players in the Mets' lineup — Francisco Lindor, Brandon Nimmo and Soto — were 4-for-11. Soto provided the lone breakthrough on a sixth-inning two-run home run, scoring Nimmo.

The Mets' Nos. 4 through 8 hitters (Pete Alonso, Jeff McNeil, Tyrone Taylor, Jared Young and Luis Torrens) were a combined 0-for-18 with five strikeouts. In the nine hole, Brett Baty collected a pair of hits.

"I think because we're relying so much on our top guys and we have a lot of guys in the bottom of the lineup that are going through it right now," Mendoza said of the lack of production. "And when that happens, once you get past the fourth or fifth batter, we're having a hard time creating opportunities and creating chances for us. It's hard to score like that."

Throughout the month of June, Soto has provided the biggest boost for the Mets offense, but he could not come through again in the eighth inning after Lindor and Nimmo singled with two outs. Soto battled through an eight-pitch at-bat against Braves lefty Dylan Lee but struck out on a low slider to extinguish the Mets' best chance to get ahead.

The Mets' six hits on the night were confined to the third, sixth and eighth innings, otherwise they were completely quiet.

"It just happens. The season's going to be up and down and things happen," Soto said. "I think these guys are trying their best to come through and as a team, we're all trying to come through in big situations and try to put some runs up for the bullpen and the starters, and it's not happening right now."

Paul Blackburn continues troubling trend for starting pitchers

After the Mets' eighth loss in nine games against the Phillies on Sunday night, Mendoza voiced concern over the state of his bullpen following a rare abbreviated outing by David Peterson, who could only get through four innings in a 7-1 result.

Blackburn could not solve the Mets' rotation's recent stretch without much length.

The Mets right-hander finished with three earned runs allowed on six hits and three walks in 4⅔ innings. He was pulled with two outs in the fourth inning after surrendering a walk to Sean Murphy and a one-out triple to Austin Riley.

In the last 10 games, the Mets have only had one start go beyond five innings — a seven-inning start from Peterson on June 17 against the Braves.

"I feel like everything is kind of magnified when you're struggling, right? No one's unaware of it, for sure, but every night everyone's going out there and giving their best shot," Blackburn said. "Obviously guys don't want to go four innings, five innings. Guys would love to do what (Peterson's) doing for us. Just come in day by day and continue to work and sooner or later, tide's going to turn."

The Braves' major damage came in the top of the third inning when Ronald Acuña Jr. cracked a solo home run. Olson doubled and Blackburn issued back-to-back walks.

With the bases-loaded, Blackburn managed to only allow one more run on a sacrifice fly and recorded a hard-hit out to escape further damage. But he threw 26 pitches in the frame and ended up exiting with 96 pitches after 14 outs.

"It was a struggle for him the first two innings, three innings, getting behind, a couple of walks, hit by pitch, a few balls were hit hard," Mendoza said. "As the game went on, I feel like he got a little bit better. But again, they made him work. He had traffic. They put together some really good at-bats there, especially early on."

Carlos Mendoza deploys high-leverage relievers

With the Mets trailing by one run with three innings to play, Mendoza deployed his best arms to try and score the win.

The Mets' bullpen held up its end of the bargain but now they head into the second game of the series having used the likes of Ryne Stanek, Reed Garrett and Edwin Diaz.

"Those are tough games to lose when you use your high-leverage and you're not able to close the deal," Mendoza said. "Again, we've got to turn the page. I thought they did a hell of a job keeping us in the game."

Jose Butto replaced Blackburn with runners on the corners in the fifth inning and picked up a ground ball from Michael Harris II before tossing a perfect sixth inning, including a strikeout of Acuña.

Stanek worked around a one-out walk to Ozuna and a two-out single to Ozzie Albies with three strikeouts in the seventh, and Garrett tossed a perfect eighth inning with two strikeouts. Edwin Diaz allowed a pair of singles but struck out Ozuna and Albies to maintain the one-run deficit heading into the bottom half of the ninth.

The Mets brought in lefty reliever Richard Lovelady on a one-year deal on Monday night to alleviate some of that strain.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NY Mets: Three common threads rise to the surface as losses mount

 

Coach Talk: Giles has all the intangibles  

 

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