Sports News

Coban Porter, the younger brother of Denver Nuggets star Michael Porter Jr., has been sentenced to six years in prison for a drunken driving crash that killed a woman in Colorado last year. Porter was sentenced Friday for the January 2023 crash in Denver that killed Kathy Limon Rothman and seriously injured her passenger. Porter, who caused the crash after he ran a red light and slammed into the other vehicle, received an additional two-year sentence for the passenger's injuries that he will serve concurrently. According to The Denver Post, prosecutors on Friday said Porter was speeding and had a blood-alcohol level of .19, more than twice the legal limit of .08. Porter had pleaded guilty in February to vehicular homicide and vehicular assault as a part of a plea agreement that had reduced his sentence to a maximum of eight years. "All I can really say is that I'm sorry," Porter told the courtroom Friday, according to the Post. "I know that I'm never going to be...

GREENBURGH, N.Y. -- Ahead of the New York Knicks opening up the playoffs Saturday night at Madison Square Garden against the Philadelphia 76ers, Knicks star Jalen Brunson admitted he spent all summer thinking about his turnover in the closing moments of New York's Game 6 loss to the Miami Heat last spring. "A lot more than you would think," Brunson said, when asked how much he has thought about that turnover, which came with under 20 seconds to go in the game and New York trailing by two. Rather than getting up a potential game-tying -- or go-ahead -- shot, Brunson got stuck in a double-team on the baseline and wound up trying to force a pass to a cutting Julius Randle coming down the lane, which was stolen by Miami. And, instead of New York possibly sending the series back to The World's Most Famous Arena for Game 7 and a chance to make a trip to the Eastern Conference finals, New York's season came to an end. "We are in a position where...

Terence Crawford, ESPN's No. 1 pound-for-pound boxer, will move up to 154 pounds to challenge Israil Madrimov for his WBA junior middleweight title Aug. 3 in Los Angeles, sources told ESPN. The event will be presented by Riyadh Season under His Excellency Turki Alalshikh, the chair of Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority in association with Sela Sport. There will be a news conference Wednesday in New York to announce the bout. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has made a major commitment to boxing since 2019, when it staged the Anthony Joshua-Andy Ruiz heavyweight championship rematch. The kingdom's interest in boxing grew exponentially when Alalshikh entered the fray last year with October's Tyson Fury-Francis Ngannou fight in the capital city of Riyadh. Saudi Arabia went on to stage a December card featuring former heavyweight champions Joshua and Deontay Wilder, then a March fight between Joshua and Ngannou. The kingdom will present its two biggest fights yet over the next...

NEW YORK -- Ryan Garcia weighed 143.2 pounds Friday, 3.2 pounds over the 140-pound limit for his fight against Devin Haney, and afterward didn't attempt to lose the extraneous weight, sources told ESPN. Instead, Garcia immediately asked to cut a deal for the fight to proceed Saturday at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, sources said, and there is a signed agreement. Garcia (24-1, 20 KOs) will forfeit upward of $600,000 of his purse to Haney, sources said, but he will not have to step on the scale Saturday as is customary when fighters miss weight. Garcia, 25, also won't be eligible to win Haney's WBC junior welterweight title. If Haney loses -- he's a -900 favorite at ESPN BET -- the title will become vacant. At Thursday's news conference, and throughout the lead-up to the bout, Haney said Garcia would miss weight. Garcia's December win over Oscar Duarte, an eighth-round knockout, was contested at 143 pounds after it was originally scheduled to take place at 140. Haney (31-0, 15...

The Federal Aviation Administration and United Airlines are investigating an incident involving the Colorado Rockies during a chartered flight from Denver to Toronto. In a since-deleted video posted to social media, Rockies hitting coach Hensley Meulens is seen sitting in a pilot's seat in the cockpit while the plane is in flight. "Had some fun in the cockpit on our flight from Denver to Toronto. Thanks to the captain and the first officer of our United charter that allowed me this great experience," Meulens wrote in a caption for the social media post. "We're deeply disturbed by what we see in that video, which appears to show an unauthorized person in the flight deck at cruise altitude while the autopilot was engaged," United Airlines said in a statement. "As a clear violation of our safety and operational policies, we've reported the incident to the FAA and have withheld the pilots from service while we conduct an investigation." A spokesman for the FAA said it does...

NEW YORK -- Ryan Garcia weighed 143.2 pounds Friday, 3.2 pounds over the 140-pound limit for his fight against Devin Haney, and afterward didn't attempt to lose the extraneous weight, sources told ESPN. Instead, Garcia immediately asked to cut a deal for the fight to proceed Saturday at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, sources said, and there's a signed agreement. Garcia (24-1, 20 KOs) will now forfeit upward of $600,000 of his purse to Haney, per sources, but will not have to step on the scale Saturday as is customary when fighters miss weight. Garcia, 25, also won't be eligible to win Haney's WBC junior welterweight title. If Haney loses -- he's a -900 favorite, per ESPN BET -- the title will become vacant. At Thursday's news conference, and throughout the lead-up to the bout, Haney said that Garcia would miss weight. Garcia's December win over Oscar Duarte, an eighth-round KO, was contested at 143 pounds after it was originally scheduled to take place at 140. Haney (31-0, 15 KOs)...

The Federal Aviation Administration and United Airlines are investigating an incident involving the Colorado Rockies during a chartered flight from Denver to Toronto. In a since-deleted video posted to social media, Rockies hitting coach Hensley Meulens is seen sitting in a pilot's seat in the cockpit while the plane is in flight. "Had some fun in the cockpit on our flight from Denver to Toronto. Thanks to the captain and the first officer of our United charter that allowed me this great experience," Meulens wrote in a caption for the social media post. "We're deeply disturbed by what we see in that video, which appears to show an unauthorized person in the flight deck at cruise altitude while the autopilot was engaged," United Airlines said in a statement. "As a clear violation of our safety and operational policies, we've reported the incident to the FAA and have withheld the pilots from service while we conduct an investigation." A spokesman for the FAA said it does...

College football is adding helmet communication for FBS games, two-minute timeouts at the end of each half and other changes approved this week by the NCAA's Playing Rules Oversight Panel. Games featuring FBS teams will give each the option of using coach-to-player communications through the helmet of one player on the field, designated with a green dot on the midline of his helmet. Several teams used helmet communications during the most recent bowl season, but it will now be an option for every game in the sport's top division. Coach-to-player communication will be shut off with 15 seconds left on the play clock or the snap of the ball -- whichever comes first. The NFL and other levels of football, including some high school associations, have long used helmet communication to signal in plays. FBS coaches had discussed implementing the technology for several years, but the NCAA Football Rules Committee didn't propose it until March. Concerns about cost, logistics and the...

Duke forward Sean Stewart, a former top-20 recruit in the 2023 class, announced Friday that he plans to enter the transfer portal, becoming the seventh Blue Devils player to transfer since the end of the season. Stewart's announcement comes less than a day after fellow freshman TJ Power decided to enter the portal. "I am grateful to have fulfilled a dream to play for the Blue Devils! I made some great memories that I will always cherish," Stewart said in a social media post. "I have decided for my continued growth and development of my basketball goals, I will be entering the transfer portal." A 6-foot-9 power forward from Florida, Stewart averaged 2.6 points and 3.2 rebounds in 33 games off the bench as a freshman. He flashed his double-double ability early in the season, with 16 points and 10 rebounds in 18 minutes against La Salle, but never carved out a consistent role in coach Jon Scheyer's rotation. His highlight in ACC play came against NC...

The Boston Celtics, with home-court advantage throughout the playoffs and a perceived easier path to the Finals, are the consensus betting favorite to win the NBA title at sportsbooks around the nation. But oddsmakers say a Finals matchup with the defending champion Denver Nuggets would be nearly a toss-up. The Celtics are the title favorite at +145 at ESPN BET, followed by the Nuggets +275. They are the only two teams with single-digit title odds entering the postseason. The  LA Clippers and Oklahoma City Thunder are next, each at 14-1. The betting action on the NBA title odds has varied at sportsbooks throughout the season. The Celtics have attracted more bets and more money than any other team at Caesars Sportsbook and DraftKings, while the Los Angeles Lakers have received the most support from the betting public at ESPN BET. The Lakers, who face the Nuggets in the first round, are 18-1 to win the championship. The Dallas...

The NCAA announced penalties for Arizona State and four former employees related to recruiting violations that occurred under former football coach Herm Edwards. Arizona State received four years of probation, an undisclosed fine, vacated games in which ineligible players competed, reduced scholarships and recruiting restrictions. The NCAA did not provide further details about any of those punishments. The school also disassociated from a booster for five years. The NCAA acknowledged the school had self-imposed a one-year bowl ban last season. The Sun Devils will be eligible for a bowl in 2024. "Arizona State's cooperation throughout the investigation and processing of this case was exemplary, and the cooperation began with the leadership shown by the university president," said Jason Leonard, executive director of athletics compliance at Oklahoma and chief hearing officer for the NCAA committee on infractions panel. "The school's acceptance of responsibility and decision...

The Boston Celtics, with home-court advantage throughout the playoffs and a perceived easier path to the Finals, are the consensus betting favorites to win the NBA title at sportsbooks around the nation. But oddsmakers say a Finals rematch with the defending champion Denver Nuggets would be nearly a toss-up. The Celtics are the title favorites at +145 at ESPN BET, followed by the Nuggets +275. They are the only two teams with single-digit title odds entering the postseason. The  LA Clippers and Oklahoma City Thunder are next, each at 14-1. The betting action on the NBA title odds has varied at sportsbooks throughout the season. The Celtics have attracted more bets and more money than any other team at Caesars Sportsbook and DraftKings, while the Los Angeles Lakers have received the most support from the betting public at ESPN BET. The Lakers, who face the Nuggets in the first round, are 18-1 to win the championship. The Dallas...

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson, on the trading block since the start of the offseason, is skipping voluntary workouts as he remains in limbo with the NFL draft approaching next week. Wilson, the No. 2 pick in 2021, was granted permission in February to speak to teams about a potential trade. General manager Joe Douglas said Friday he has had discussions with teams but added, "There's just no news to report on that." In his first three seasons, Wilson was always an active participant in the offseason program, so his absence is out of character and seems to indicate a level of frustration. Of course, the landscape has changed, as the organization has publicly declared its willingness to move on from the former starter. The Jets already replaced him on the roster, having signed veteran Tyrod Taylor as Aaron Rodgers' backup. "I think it's each player's choice whether they're going to be here for Phase 1 [of the program],"...

Cole Palmer tried to leave Manchester City "for two seasons" before joining Chelsea, manager Pep Guardiola said Friday. Palmer moved to Stamford Bridge in a £42.5 million ($53m) deal in the summer and has become one of the signings of the season after scoring 23 goals in all competitions, including 20 in the Premier League. - Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.) Guardiola shrugged when asked whether it was a mistake to let Palmer move but said the 21-year-old wanted to leave the Etihad Stadium long before he joined Chelsea. "He's an exceptional player," Guardiola told a news conference. "I said many times, I didn't give the minutes that maybe he deserved and now he has at Chelsea. I understand completely. "He's a shy guy with a lot of potential. It is what it is. He's playing fantastic so what can I say? The decision has been made for many reasons. "He was asking for two seasons to leave and I said stay. He said he...

Cole Palmer tried to leave Manchester City "for two seasons" before joining Chelsea, Pep Guardiola said on Friday. Palmer moved to Stamford Bridge in a £42.5 million ($53m) deal in the summer and has become one of the signings of the season after scoring 23 goals in all competitions, including 20 in the Premier League. - Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.) Guardiola shrugged when asked whether it was a mistake to let Palmer move but said the 21-year-old wanted to leave the Etihad Stadium long before he joined Chelsea. "He's an exceptional player," Guardiola told a news conference. "I said many times, I didn't give the minutes that maybe he deserved and now he has at Chelsea. I understand completely. "He's a shy guy with a lot of potential. It is what it is. He's playing fantastic so what can I say? The decision has been made for many reasons. "He was asking for two seasons to leave and I said stay. He said he...

After playing an immense part in a national championship run, UConn freshman guard Stephon Castle is entering the 2024 NBA draft, he told ESPN on Friday. Castle -- No. 9 on ESPN's list of Top 100 prospects -- is one of the fastest-rising players on NBA draft boards and is expected to push toward the top of the lottery with the momentum of a dominant performance in the Huskies' NCAA title season. Castle has selected agents Joe Smith and Thad Foucher of Wasserman for his player representation, he said. Castle averaged 18 points in the Huskies' Final Four victories over Alabama and Purdue and had a combined 10 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals. For the season, Castle -- a McDonald's All American out of Covington, Georgia -- averaged 11.1 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game. At first glance, Castle's allure to the NBA is readily apparent. He possesses an elite physical profile at 6-foot-6, long arms and a chiseled 215-pound frame. Castle is...

Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann has signed an extension to remain in his post past this summer's Euros, removing any chance that he will return to succeed Thomas Tuchel at Bayern Munich. Some of the biggest coaching jobs in Europe are available this summer, with Bayern, Liverpool and Barcelona looking for their next manager. - Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.) However, Nagelsmann ruled out a return to club football by penning a contract extension that will keep him in charge until after the 2026 World Cup in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, the German FA (DFB) announced on Friday. The DFB said that its supervisory board and shareholders decided unanimously to keep Nagelsmann in charge of the national team after Euro 2024, which Germany will host.  German media reports said Nagelsmann was on Bayern's shortlist to replace Tuchel, who is stepping down at the end of the season. Nagelsmann was replaced by Tuchel...

New federal regulations released Friday will prevent colleges and coaches from suspending athletes accused of sexual misconduct while school officials investigate complaints against them. The due process provision is one of several outlined in the U.S. Department of Education's final version of regulations governing how K-12 schools, colleges and universities respond to complaints of sexual harassment and violence under Title IX. The regulations, a draft version of which the Biden administration proposed in June 2022, are scheduled to go into effect Aug. 1. Friday's release did not include provisions regarding the eligibility of transgender athletes, which had been included in an earlier Department of Education proposal. Officials separated that issue from the broader Title IX rules, and those regulations are not expected until after November's presidential election. Asked during a call with reporters Thursday whether the delay was politically motivated, a senior...

FORT WORTH, Texas -- For the first time since 2012, the Oklahoma women's gymnastics team will not be competing in the NCAA championship meet. The two-time defending champion Sooners, who spent the entirety of the season ranked No. 1, did not advance to Saturday's final after finishing third during Thursday's second semifinal session at Dickies Arena. The Sooners finished with a final score of 196.6625. Utah won the session with a score of 197.9375 followed by Florida (197.8750). They will be joined in Saturday's championship by LSU (198.1125) and California (197.7125), who were victorious in the first semifinal Thursday. The favorites to win their seventh NCAA championship, the Sooners got off to an uncharacteristic nervy start during their first rotation on vault as three gymnasts had major landing errors. Needing to count two of those scores (the lowest score is dropped), Oklahoma recorded a 48.3250 -- more than a full point below its average on the event this season and its...

After their successful stint together at Kentucky, new Arkansas coach John Calipari has reunited with Kenny Payne, the former Louisville head coach. Payne, who was fired by Louisville last month, will serve as associate head coach on Calipari's staff in Fayetteville, it was announced Thursday. From 2010 to 2020, Payne was an assistant and associate head coach during Calipari's most successful years at Kentucky. Payne was noted for his work with some of the notable big men who anchored the program, including NBA All-Stars Anthony Davis, Karl-Anthony Towns and Bam Adebayo. With Payne on staff, Calipari won his lone national championship in 2012 and participated in a streak of four Final Four appearances in five seasons. Former players would sometimes return to Lexington during the NBA offseason to work with Payne, who left Kentucky in 2020 for a role as an assistant with the New York Knicks. Calipari had his worst...

Arizona State freshman quarterback Jaden Rashada is set to enter the transfer portal, his agent Henry Organ of Disruptive Sports told ESPN on Thursday. Rashada appeared in three games for the Sun Devils last fall, passing for 485 yards with four touchdowns and three interceptions. ESPN's No. 31 overall recruit in the 2023 class initially signed with Florida but was released from his national letter of intent after a $13 million name, image and likeness agreement fell through with Florida's Gator Collective. The Pittsburg, California, native eventually signed with Arizona State, where his father, Harlen, played defensive back from 1992 to 1994. Jaden Rashada posted a message to social media thanking his Arizona State teammates and coaches and saying he is "seeking the best fit for my career." Rashada has four years of eligibility left and will become one of the top players available in the spring transfer cycle, which opened Tuesday and lasts through the...

SAN FRANCISCO -- For the past several years, the Golden State Warriors have consistently been asked how much longer they can keep their dynasty together. Their title in 2022 bought them a year. But, following last season's second-round exit and Draymond Green's free agency, the question resurfaced. And now, after getting run off the floor and out of the postseason by the Sacramento Kings and with  Klay Thompson heading into unrestricted free agency, the question is even louder. The hope within the organization is that the core of Thompson, Green and Stephen Curry can remain intact. But there's no hiding from the fact that it's easier said than done. "It's rarely a storybook," Warriors coach Steve Kerr said at his exit interview Thursday. "Even the '96 or '98 Bulls, you know, the team was broken up and we won the championship in our last year but there was a documentary about what a disaster the whole thing was. It's impossible for this...

SAN FRANCISCO -- For the past several years, the Golden State Warriors have consistently been asked how much longer they can keep their dynasty together. Their title in 2022 bought them a year. But, following last year's second-round exit and Draymond Green's free agency, the question resurfaced. And now, after getting run off the floor and out of the postseason by the Sacramento Kings and Klay Thompson heading into unrestricted free agency, the question is even louder. The hope within the organization is that the core of Thompson, Green and Stephen Curry can remain intact. But there's no hiding from the fact that's easier said than done. "It's rarely a storybook," Warriors coach Steve Kerr said at his exit interview on Thursday. "Even the '96 or '98 Bulls, you know, the team was broken up and we won the championship in our last year, but there was a documentary about what a disaster the whole thing was. It's impossible for this stuff to...

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- While history shows that the Denver Nuggets swept the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference finals en route to the championship in 2023 and the Lakers beat the Nuggets in the conference finals on their way to the title in 2020, LeBron James says whatever happened in the past has no bearing on the present playoff series about to begin. "I think you're putting a little bit too much emphasis on it," James said after practice Thursday when asked about the rematch factor for the two teams. "This is our first-round matchup. I mean, we're looking forward to the postseason. But I haven't been, like, looking forward to the rematch. The game is played how it's being played, and this is the matchup. So we're looking forward to that challenge." It doesn't serve the Lakers any good to reflect on how their recent performances have gone against Denver. The Nuggets have won the past eight straight, including last year's playoffs. "It shouldn't...

Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Aroldis Chapman has been suspended two games and fined an undisclosed amount for "inappropriate actions" during Monday's game against the New York Mets, MLB announced Thursday. Unless he appeals, Chapman is scheduled to start the suspension Friday, when the Pirates host the Boston Red Sox. Chapman was ejected by plate umpire Edwin Moscoso after giving up a two-run double in the eighth inning of Monday's loss to the Mets. "He evidently said something that the umpire did not like," Pirates manager Derek Shelton said after Monday's game.

OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers will not be disciplined by the NFL after being involved in a domestic violence investigation earlier this year, the league said in a statement Thursday. "Following a review, the NFL concluded there was insufficient evidence to support a finding that Zay Flowers engaged in any activity that violated the NFL's personal conduct policy," the NFL said. "There will be no action taken by the league and Flowers remains eligible to participate in all team activities." This decision comes two months after Baltimore County Police suspended a domestic violence investigation involving Flowers, who was never charged. The alleged incident occurred Jan. 16 in Owings Mills, Maryland. According to a police report, a woman said she was involved in a "violent" domestic incident with an NFL player. She told police the player's brother pulled a gun on her. Flowers, 23, set Ravens rookie records last season with 77...

The Texas Rangers overcame a rough major league debut from Jack Leiter to hold off the Detroit Tigers in the finale of their four-game series Thursday. Leiter, the No. 2 overall draft selection in 2021 and the son of former big-league-left-hander Al Leiter, struck out two in a scoreless first inning but struggled after that. The hard-throwing right-hander lasted just 3⅔ innings, allowing seven runs and eight hits with three walks and three strikeouts. "He was all right," Texas manager Bruce Bochy said. "He had a little trouble hitting his spots in the second inning but he came right back in the third and got two quick outs in the fourth before he ran into trouble." Leiter said it was "a surreal experience" to make his major league debut. "It's something you dream about since you were a little kid. Being around the game always, it's a special day. I know I'm better and I need to be better, and I will be better. And that's kind of the frustration is some...

The Department of Justice is in the final stages of settlement negotiations with victims of sex offender Larry Nassar. The FBI allegedly mishandled abuse allegations made by dozens of U.S. gymnasts.

Kentucky freshman guard Reed Sheppard will enter the 2024 NBA draft and forgo his remaining college eligibility, he told ESPN on Thursday. "I'm going all-in," Sheppard said. "The opportunity I have is great. I've gotten really good feedback showing where I can be in the draft. I had an unbelievable year at Kentucky. It was such a fun year. It's not easy leaving the fans and the school I dreamed of playing at. I need to do what's best for me, and that's heading to the NBA." Sheppard, the No. 7 prospect in ESPN's NBA draft projections, was named the SEC freshman of the year and second-team all-conference after averaging 12.5 points, 4.5 assists, 4.1 rebounds and 2.5 steals per game and shooting 52.1% from 3. No first-round pick from college has shot over 50% from 3 on similar volume since Glen Rice at Michigan in 1988-89. "My teammates and coaches put confidence in me, telling me you need to shoot," Sheppard said. "I was fortunate to be able to get in the gym...

The NFL has reinstated five players who were suspended for the 2023 season for violating the NFL's gambling policy. Washington Commanders defensive end Shaka Toney and four free agents -- defensive end Rashod Berry, wide receiver Quintez Cephus, safety C.J. Moore, and defensive end Demetrius Taylor -- were reinstated. Defensive back Isaiah Rodgers, who also was suspended last year for at least the 2023 season, wasn't reinstated Thursday. His situation remains under review, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Thursday. Both Rodgers and Berry were with the Indianapolis Colts at the time of their suspensions, and both were released by the team last year. Rodgers later signed with the Philadelphia Eagles, who hold his rights if he gets reinstated. Cephus and Moore were with the Detroit Lions at the time of their suspensions and both were released by the team. Cephus had 60 catches for 568 yards and four touchdowns...

The NHL is moving the team now formerly known as the  Arizona Coyotes to Utah to begin play as a new franchise next season, the league announced Thursday. Ryan and Ashley Smith of Smith Entertainment Group bought the team and its existing hockey assets for $1.2 billion from Alex Meruelo, sources told ESPN. Meruelo had owned the Coyotes since buying the franchise for $300 million in 2019, but the league lost patience in his ability to find a long-term arena solution in Arizona and facilitated a sale. The Smiths, who also own the NBA's Utah Jazz, initially built a relationship with commissioner Gary Bettman because they wanted an expansion franchise. However, over the past several months, the conversation changed and Bettman approached the Smiths about becoming a solution for the Coyotes instead. According to Ryan Smith, things pivoted fast. "I mean, if you would've told me at the beginning of the year that this is where we'd be, I'd say you were crazy," he told...

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. --  Josh Allen said Thursday that he can't thank Stefon Diggs enough for "for when he came in and how hard he worked and what he taught me along the years." Allen said Diggs "meant a lot" to him since the Bills traded for the star wide receiver in 2020. The quarterback also noted multiple times that the trade opens opportunities for other players to step up. "It's definitely hard to part ways with a guy that's been very instrumental in our success here over the last four years," Allen said. "... Obviously, I wish we can keep everybody. You know, we've made a lot of changes this offseason, lost a lot of veteran leadership, Stef being one of them. I guess that's the nature of the business. And going into Year 7 now, it's just kind of is what it is. I don't get paid to make changes on the team. I get paid to be the best quarterback that I can be and try to lead the guys on this team." Allen also said his lasting memory of Diggs will "be the...

In the wake of 14 Colorado players entering the transfer portal this week, Buffaloes coach Deion Sanders downplayed the notion that their departures will have a significant impact on the team. "We're good. I trust the recruiting team. I trust our coaches, and please have some faith in me," Sanders said Thursday. "We good. We all right. We all right." Sanders said most of the movement in the transfer portal consisted of backups and that he believes it's rare for starters to enter the portal at this stage. "I think we got some [starting-caliber players] coming in from visits pretty soon, maybe even this weekend, but we can attract those type of players," Sanders said. "I don't think we're losing those type of players, and if we do, we're good. We're good. We're making a big deal out of nothing." Former five-star cornerback Cormani McClain, who had a tumultuous first season at Colorado, and running back Alton McCaskill, who was the AAC Rookie of the Year in...

Haley and Hanna Cavinder are returning to Miami for their fifth and final season of collegiate eligibility, they announced on social media this week. The twins helped Miami in 2023 reach its first-ever Elite Eight in their first season there after spending three years at Fresno State. They are among the biggest beneficiaries of name, image and likeness policies, capitalizing on their pandemic-era explosion in fame on TikTok to build an extensive NIL portfolio. Both Cavinders originally intended to step away from basketball following their senior year and pursue a new chapter of their lives, including opportunities with WWE, but Haley announced in Nov. 2023 she had committed to play at TCU beginning in the 2024-25 season. On Wednesday, Hanna posted that she would be returning to basketball and finish her career at Miami, and then on Thursday Haley announced she'd be joining forces with her twin. "My last season of basketball was one of the most successful &...

Former LSU star Hailey Van Lith will transfer to TCU for the 2024-25 season, according to multiple reports. Van Lith is joining the Horned Frogs for her final season of college eligibility after averaging 11.6 points and 3.6 assists per game in her only season with the Tigers. The 5-foot-7 guard -- a two-time first-team All-ACC selection during her three years at Louisville -- was one of LSU's big-name transfers that catapulted the defending champion Tigers into the conversation as the No. 1 preseason team in the country and helped them reach another Elite Eight. After guiding the Cardinals to the Final Four in 2022, Van Lith went to Baton Rouge and took on a less prominent role offensively, averaging 9.9 field goal attempts per game, the second-lowest mark of her career. As the primary scorer playing off the ball at Louisville, she posted a career-best 19.7 points per game as a junior. "A lot of people have a lot to say about how this year went...

The Boston Red Sox continue to battle injury woes, with third baseman Rafael Devers scheduled to have an MRI on his left knee and outfielder Tyler O'Neill going on the injury list after the two collided during Monday's game. Devers, a two-time All-Star, left Tuesday's game against the Cleveland Guardians with knee discomfort and served as designated hitter during Wednesday's game, going hitless in four at-bats with three strikeouts. O'Neill suffered a cut on his forehead that required eight stitches to close after his collision with Devers on Monday. He cleared concussion protocol but hadn't played since. The move to the seven-day IL is retroactive to Tuesday. Devers is batting just .188 with 2 homers and 5 RBIs through 13 games this season. Pablo Reyes started at third base and batted seventh in Thursday's matinee vs. the Guardians at Fenway Park. In a related move, the Red Sox activated outfielder Rob Refsnyder...

A potential one-and-done rule in women's college basketball could "ruin the game," according to UConn coach Geno Auriemma. "It depends whether you want the game to grow or you want to kill it," Auriemma said Thursday during an interview on ESPN Radio's "UnSportsmanLike." "If you want to kill it, then let the kids leave after freshman year," Auriemma said. "On the men's side, it's become transactional. Everybody's a free agent. Everybody's a mercenary. It's not the kids' fault. ... To me, what helped the women's game grow is the people in Iowa got to grow up with Caitlin Clark. The people of Connecticut got to grow up with all of my great players. There's something to be said for that." Current WNBA rules stipulate that players are eligible to be selected in the WNBA draft upon graduating from college -- or being within three months of doing so -- or in the calendar year that they turn 22. For example, 2021 national player of the year Paige Bueckers,...

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- New England Patriots director of scouting Eliot Wolf said Thursday that the team is "open for business" to trade the No. 3 pick in next week's 2024 NFL draft but would be comfortable staying put and selecting a quarterback from what he called a "unique" class. Wolf described trade discussions with other teams as "ongoing" while adding: "We have some holes we feel like we need to fill in the draft. We're a draft-and-develop team; the more picks we have, the better." Wolf, who has final personnel say in his first year of an increased role with the franchise, acknowledged that the Patriots have yet to receive a trade offer that would motivate them to deal the No. 3 pick. The Patriots enter next week's draft with eight total selections, headlined by the No. 3 pick and selections at the top of the second (No. 34) and third (68) rounds. They have single picks in Rounds 4, 5 and 7 and two picks in Round 6. Wolf, first-year head coach Jerod Mayo and the...

Schools in Virginia will be able to directly pay athletes via name, image and likeness deals thanks to a state law signed Thursday morning, marking another significant step in the professionalization of college sports. The new law, which is scheduled to take effect July 1, is the first in any state to make it illegal for the NCAA to punish a school for compensating athletes for their NIL rights. Current NCAA rules prohibit schools from signing NIL deals with their own players. The law could either give Virginia schools a significant recruiting advantage or provide a catalyst for similar changes elsewhere. "If this law gets us closer to a federal or a national solution for college athletics then it will be more than worthwhile," University of Virginia athletic director Carla Williams said. "Until then, we have an obligation to ensure we maintain an elite athletics program at UVA." Administrators from the University of Virginia took a leading role in crafting the legislation with...

Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler is expected to be sidelined for several weeks with a right MCL injury suffered in Wednesday's loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, sources tell ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. Butler was hurt on the final play of the first quarter in Philadelphia. He remained in the game but scored a total of 12 points the rest of the way on 3-for-14 shooting, as Miami's offense dried up after taking a 12-point halftime lead, allowing Philadelphia to come from behind and close a 105-104 victory. The Heat will host the Chicago Bulls on Friday night, with the winner securing the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference and a first-round playoff series matchup against the Boston Celtics. The Heat officially ruled Butler out for the Bulls game Thursday afternoon. Also ruled out was point guard Terry Rozier, who continues to deal with a strained neck.  After leaking out for a potential fast-break layup in the first quarter, Butler tried to fake...

NFL officiating chief Walt Anderson is stepping aside amid a larger reorganization of the league's officiating department, sources confirmed to ESPN on Thursday. Anderson, who retired as a referee in 2019, initially joined the officiating department as its senior vice president of training and development. Under the initial vision, he was to work alongside two other executives -- Perry Fewell and Al Riveron -- to lead certain segments of the department. Ultimately, however, Anderson unofficially ascended to the top leadership position. Riveron left his full-time role in 2021, while Fewell is expected to continue in his role. Anderson is expected to remain with the league in some capacity, and his job shift will eliminate the nepotism rules that prevented the NFL from hiring his son, Derek, as an official last year. The NFL has not confirmed Anderson's decision or named a replacement. Sources have said over the past year that the league favors having former coaches, such as Fewell,...

PHILADELPHIA -- Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers have dealt with their fair share of postseason disappointments. And for much of Wednesday night's Eastern Conference play-in tournament game against the Miami Heat, it looked like they would have another one on their hands. This time, however, things were different. Nicolas Batum hit six 3-pointers, including five in the second half, and scored 20 points, and Embiid, after struggling for most of the game, scored 11 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter to help the Sixers overcome a double-digit halftime deficit and win 105-104. Philadelphia secured the seventh seed and a date with the  New York Knicks on Saturday night, while the Heat will face the Chicago Bulls on Friday for the eighth seed and a first-round meeting with the East-leading  Boston Celtics. "It means a lot," Embiid said after the game. "Being down a lot ... we stuck together. It shows you that. I don't...

CHICAGO -- After Coby White knocked down a deep 3-pointer to give the Chicago Bulls a 21-point lead in the fourth quarter Wednesday night, a sold-out United Center erupted in a booming cheer. CO-BY! CO-BY! CO-BY! White finished with a career-high 42 points, the second-most by a player in a play-in game ( Jayson Tatum had 50 in 2021) and his first career 40-point game, to lead the Bulls to a 131-116 win over the  Atlanta Hawks in the Eastern Conference play-in tournament. The game will not officially count toward White's career regular-season or career playoff stats, but he didn't want to hear it. "It's on the stat sheet right here," White said with a smile as he pointed to the paper in his hand at a postgame news conference. White's performance helped the Bulls roll past the Hawks in Wednesday's elimination game and into a rematch with the Miami Heat on Friday night for the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs and a first-round...

TAMPA, Fla. --  Auston Matthews came up empty in his bid to become the ninth player in NHL history to score 70 goals in a season Wednesday night in the Toronto Maple Leafs' 6-4 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning in the regular-season finale. Matthews was denied on all seven first-period shots by 29-year-old rookie goalie Matt Tomkins, then rocketed a shot off the post midway through the second period. Tomkins finished with 34 saves, including 12 on Matthews, in his sixth NHL start. Matthews' 12 shots on goal were tied for his second-most in a game this season. "I wanted it, for sure, but it just wasn't meant to be," said Matthews, who went scoreless on back-to-back nights against the Florida Panthers and Lightning. "The most important thing is the team and the team's success, making sure I'm pulling my weight as a leader on this team and help the team win. That's where my focus is at." Toronto coach Sheldon Keefe said there's more to...

PHILADELPHIA -- The  Heat fear guard Jimmy Butler sustained a possible MCL injury to his right knee during Miami's 105-104 play-in tournament loss to the  76ers on Wednesday night, sources confirmed to ESPN. Butler was hurt on the final play of the first quarter in Philadelphia, when after leaking out for a potential fast-break layup, he tried to fake out Kelly Oubre Jr. to attempt to make a layup, only to have his knee buckle after it appeared Oubre landed on it, causing Butler to fall to the floor in pain. "I fell, he landed and my knee just didn't do well, I guess," said Butler, who said he'll be getting an MRI on his knee Thursday. "I don't know. It's not a good feeling, I can tell you that." After spending an extended period of time on the ground, Butler eventually got to his feet and split the two free throws. Butler remained in the game but scored a total of 12 points the rest of the way on 3-for-14 shooting, as Miami's offense...

Tampa Bay's Nikita Kucherov became the fifth player to have a 100-assist season as the Lightning beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 6-4 on Wednesday night. Kucherov, the NHL's scoring leader with 144 points, scored a first-period goal, then set up Brayden Point's power-play tally with 2:55 left in the second for the historic assist.  "It's a special moment," Kucherov said. "Thanks to my teammates and coaching staff for putting me in position to have success. I'm fortunate to play with great players." The NHL ended up with two players breaking the 100-assist mark in the same season after going 32 seasons without one.  Edmonton Oilers star Connor McDavid notched his 100th assist this season against the  San Jose Sharks on Monday night, becoming just the fourth player in NHL history to hit triple digits for assists. "It's incredible ... the fifth time and two are this year. It's remarkable," Point said. "Just watching Kuch every day and...

Juventus are reviewing a decision made by an arbitration court which ordered the club to pay former striker Cristiano Ronaldo around €9.8 million ($10.46m) in owed wages, the Serie A side said on Wednesday. Ronaldo, who now plays for Saudi side Al Nassr, had claimed he was owed around €19.5m ($20.81m) of outstanding wages by his former club relating to a pay cut agreed during the COVID-19 pandemic. - Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, NWSL more (U.S.) "The arbitration board ... ascertained the validity of [Ronaldo's] compensation reduction agreement in relation to the 2020/21 sporting season," Juventus said in a statement sent to Reuters. The arbitration tribunal ruled Juve had to pay half of the sum requested by the 39-year-old Portugal striker. "They partially granted the request made by [Ronaldo] ..., ascertaining Juventus' pre-contractual liability resulting from the failure of negotiations and ordered the defendant to pay an...

AUSTIN, Texas -- Steve Sarkisian was still unwrapping Texas' breakthrough 2023 season and at the same time casting an optimistic eye toward the future when he heard the news Jan. 10. Nick Saban, his former boss at Alabama, was retiring after a legendary career that saw him win six national championships in Tuscaloosa, the last one in 2020 with Sarkisian as his offensive coordinator. And, yes, Sarkisian acknowledged Wednesday, the possibility of replacing Saban entered his mind. "Naturally, I'd be lying if I said I didn't think about it," Sarkisian told ESPN. "But it took me all of about 60 seconds to say, 'Yeah, I'm not doing that.' I had an awesome two years at Alabama and loved my time under Coach Saban, but ultimately you want to reap what you sow. "We've poured a ton into this program for three years, and we're on the cusp, I think, of going on a run that will be epic. I believe that. Our staff does, and our players do, too, just the support we have and the...

SAN FRANCISCO -- Golden State guard Klay Thompson didn't want to spend too much time thinking about his future during his exit interview on Wednesday, just one day after the Warriors' season came to an abrupt end -- and just one day after he possibly played his final game for the team as he heads into free agency this summer. "Considering it's April 17th, I don't think I have to pivot that quickly," Thompson said. "When is free agency? July 1st? Yeah, I got some time. I got some time." Perhaps Thompson hasn't thought much about who he will be playing for next season, but his teammates Stephen Curry and Draymond Green have thought about what it would be like if Thompson wasn't to return. Following their loss to the Sacramento Kings in the play-in tournament, Curry said he couldn't imagine not playing alongside Thompson, while Green said there isn't "any scenario where Klay leaves and that's the best decision for this team and...

Lucy Olsen, the No. 3 scorer in Division I women's basketball this past season at Villanova behind Iowa's Caitlin Clark and USC's JuJu Watkins, is transferring to Iowa. Olsen, a 5-foot-9 guard, confirmed her commitment on social media Wednesday. The senior-to-be has one season of eligibility left. Olsen averaged 23.3 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists this past season for the 22-13 Wildcats, who fell in the championship game of the WBIT to Illinois. Olsen led Villanova in scoring in all but seven games this season. She won the Big East's most improved player award and was a unanimous All-Big East first-team honoree. A Pennsylvania native, Olsen started all 105 games of her Villanova career. The Wildcats lost in the NCAA tournament Sweet 16 her sophomore year in 2023 and in the NCAA second round when she was a freshman. Olsen made 134 3-pointers at Villanova, including 55 this past season. Olsen is a good fit for Iowa. The Hawkeyes, who fell in...