Author: NBA Basketball News, Scores, Standings, Rumors, Fantasy Games

The Golden State Warriors are prepared to give Stephen Curry something even more valuable than a maximum contract: maximum control.

Beginning Saturday, Curry can sign a two-year, $136.7 million extension that would keep him with Golden State through the 2028-29 season. Added to the approximately $62.5 million he will earn this season, the deal would represent a commitment of more than $199 million over the next three years and carry Curry through his 41st birthday.

Golden State is apparently willing to let him decide whether that is the right arrangement.

ClutchPoints’ NBA Insider Brett Siegel reported that the Warriors are prepared to offer Curry the full maximum, accept a discounted deal that preserves roster flexibility or let him delay negotiations until he enters unrestricted free agency next summer.

“They’re going to go to Steph and say, ‘What type of deal do you want?’” Siegel said.

That is effectively a blank check, but Curry’s answer will shape far more than his personal earnings.

The Warriors reportedly have no intention of trading Curry. The franchise icon has not requested a move and remains expected to retire with the only NBA team he has known. Paying him is the easy part. Building a contender around that salary is considerably more complicated.

Golden State has explored blockbuster moves for Giannis Antetokounmpo, LeBron James and Jaylen Brown without landing any of them. Its aging roster also lacks a proven young successor capable of carrying the franchise once Curry leaves.

A full extension would reward the greatest player in team history but consume resources that could otherwise help Golden State chase another star. A discount would create additional flexibility, although it would require Curry to trust ownership to turn his financial sacrifice into meaningful help.

Waiting could be the most revealing option. Curry could preserve the Warriors’ spending power next summer, evaluate their roster plan and potentially negotiate a longer contract in 2027. A delay would not necessarily indicate that he wants to leave, but it would invite questions about whether he still believes another championship is possible in Golden State.

Curry’s age and recent health also make the commitment unusual. He played only 43 games last season after a knee issue cost him approximately two months. The Warriors nevertheless appear willing to absorb that risk because Curry’s value extends beyond ordinary roster calculations.

He delivered four championships, transformed the franchise and remains its commercial identity. Golden State is prepared to mortgage part of its future to ensure he never wears another uniform, even as ownership prepares for life after Curry.

The only unresolved question is how large Curry wants that mortgage to be.

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Tonight’s WNBA card is absolute money, giving us the perfect setup to sweep four massive same-game parlays.

Our tickets are built around three unstoppable anchors: Carla Leite orchestrating the offense, Shakira Austin imposing her will down low, and Kia Nurse lighting it up from deep.

Lock in our best WNBA parlay picks &load up the board and smash these odds for Friday, Aug. 28.

WNBA parlay picks today

Game	Picks
vs.	Clark Over 24.5 points Fever -17.5 Over 178.5	2.82x
vs.	Fire +12.5 Over 179.5 Leite Over 16.5 points Leite Over 6.5 assists	4.17x
vs.	Ogwumike Over 25.5 points Austin Over 17.5 points Iriafen Over 15.5 points	3.09x
vs.	Aces -13.5 Young Over 4.5 rebounds Nurse Over 1.5 threes	1.86x

Sun vs Fever parlay

This is a monster spread, but the team disparity warrants it. The Indiana Fever lead the league with 96.6 ppg, while the Connecticut Sun are dead last at 78.8. Connecticut is 3-8 ATS as a double-digit dog, and the Fever won the last meeting 123-88 at home. Play to 19.5.

Indiana sports the league’s best Offensive Rating at home (116.9), and Connecticut’s 10th-ranked defense will have a tough time getting stops. Blowouts offer a clear Under risk, but the Fever’s offense is so potent that it can propel this line to 179+ points. Play to 179.5.

Check out Zak Hanshew's full Sun vs. Fever predictions.

Fire vs Dream parlay

The Atlanta Dream ranks third in team scoring at 91.1 ppg, while the Portland Fire allows 91.4 ppg, third most in the WNBA. That means we can count on points from the Dream, so we only have to worry about the Fire carrying their weight to get to the Over.

Portland has scored 97+ points in five of its last 10 games. After combining for 194 points last time, I expect these teams to hit the Over.

For the Fire to stay in this game, it'll need a big performance from Carla Leite. She's averaging 15.6 points and 6.3 assists per game this season, and has gone Over her total in both categories in four of her eight games in August.

I'm taking her to get to those numbers again in a high-scoring game tonight.

Check out Ed Scimia's full Fire vs. Dream predictions.

Mystics vs Sparks parlay

The Washington Mystics rank second in the WNBA in PITP at 42.8, and their dynamic duo of Shakira Austin and Kiki Iriafen account for 21.2 of them. The Sparks allow the second-most PITP (43) and fifth-most second-chance points (11.6).

Both Austin and Iriafen are averaging 10.6 PITP, good for eighth-most in the W, and both players rank in the Top-11 in second-chance points.

Austin has scored 17+ in 21 of 38 games and finished with 25 and 17 against the Los Angeles Sparks. Iriafen went for 19 and 13 against LA, and she has 19 games with 15+ points.

Check out Zak Hanshew's full Mystics vs. Sparks predictions.

Tempo vs Aces parlay

A’ja Wilson’s status is up in the air, which has slimmed this spread a bit. Even without the MVP, the Las Vegas Aces are rested and ready given a rare extended break to practice this week.

The Toronto Tempo are rolling out a seven-person rotation and travel after a road loss in Seattle Wednesday.

The shorthanded Tempo are back on the court in Phoenix tomorrow. If things get out of hand (which is what this spread says), it wouldn’t surprise me to see Toronto coach Sandy Brondello pull the plug and protect what’s left of her team to fight again on Saturday.

Check out Jason Logan's full Tempo vs. Aces predictions.

How to bet WNBA parlays today

Kalshi users can combine predictions for various markets for every WNBA game! Moneylines, spreads, and totals are fair game, as well as props for a player’s total points, assists, rebounds, 3-pointers made, and combo markets.

Prediction markets like Kalshi will set a projected total number for all the traditional markets and player stats, and users can predict whether the team will win/cover, if the total will go Over/Under, or whether players will reach certain statistical thresholds or not.

Combining predictions can increase a potential payday, but it also increases the risk level. If even one prediction in a three-leg combo is wrong, the whole thing is graded as a loss.

What is Kalshi?

Kalshi is a federally regulated platform for trading event outcomes on prediction markets. Traders can buy and sell simple, transparent contracts that settle based on the outcome of real-world events. Markets revolve around a yes/no proposition, with prices adjusting dynamically based on traders’ perceived probability that the event will occur. When the event concludes, if you are correct, the contract “honors” at a predetermined price; if you are incorrect, it expires at $0.

WNBA parlay FAQs

What are the best WNBA parlays today?

• Caitlin Clark Over 24.5 points / Fever -17.5 / Over 178.5
• Fire +12.5 / Over 179.5 / Carla Leite Over 16.5 points / Carla Leite Over 6.5 assists
• Nneka Ogwumike Over 25.5 points / Shakira Austin Over 17.5 points / Kiki Iriafen Over 15.5 points
• Aces -13.5 / Jackie Young Over 4.5 rebounds / Kia Nurse Over 1.5 threes

Where can I trade on WNBA parlays?

Kalshi is a regulated prediction market that is federally legal in all 50 states.

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

Enes Kanter Freedom says ending his campaign against the WNBA would require only a one-word change.

Kanter said that he would abandon his attempted entry into the 2027 WNBA Draft if the league explicitly limited eligibility to “biological” females.

“If they come out tomorrow and say only biological females are eligible to play, I’d drop everything,” Kanter said. “Until then, I am eligible to play.”

Article XIII, Section 1(a) of the WNBA’s collective bargaining agreement says only players who are women are eligible but does not publicly define the term further. Kanter has seized upon that absence, declared himself eligible and challenged the league to tell him otherwise.

Multiple league sources have said Kanter and former NBA player Royce White are not eligible. Kanter dismissed those reports as “fake news,” arguing that neither the league nor its commissioner has contacted him directly.

The dispute escalated during the recent Chicago Sky-Indiana Fever game. Kanter sat along the baseline wearing a shirt defining a woman as an “adult human female” before an exchange with Sky guard Natasha Cloud led security to remove him.

The Sky subsequently banned Kanter from Wintrust Arena. Owner Michael Alter said his appearance appeared designed to provoke a reaction, while Kanter maintained that he had done nothing warranting removal.

Kanter nevertheless says he will continue preparing for the draft and has offered to meet league officials. His stated demand remains simple: Put biological sex expressly into the eligibility rule and he says the campaign ends immediately.

Whether this is sincere activism or an elaborate and desperate bid for relevance is harder to determine. Kanter presents his declaration as an attempt to protect women’s sports, but every new challenge, interview and courtside confrontation also returns the national spotlight to a retired center with no realistic basketball future.

The two motives are not necessarily mutually exclusive. A publicity stunt can still make a political point, and Kanter has designed one that keeps him at the center of the controversy regardless of how the WNBA responds.

The WNBA’s reported position is already that Kanter cannot play. Until it states that position publicly in the language he is demanding, however, he says the campaign will continue.

Kanter insists his exit is only one word away. Whether he truly wants that word—or is exploiting a deeply controversial issue to keep himself in the spotlight—remains the real question.

Welcome to the life of a professional athlete, Darryn Peterson.

The No. 2 overall pick in this year’s NBA draft is off to a great start in his pro career, but immediately before that? Not so much.

In an interview earlier this month with ESPN’s Chiney Ogwumike, Peterson shared his unfortunate wake-up call leading up to the draft.

“Crazy story: my whip, during the pre-draft, got [stolen] out of the driveway at the Airbnb I was staying at,” Peterson revealed when asked what he purchased with his first pro paycheck. “After it got took, I was like, ’I’m about to just get something else.’”

His new ride? A custom matte black Range Rover. And yes, he’s learned to keep it in the garage.

The Jazz rookie erupted onto the pro scene with 28 points in his NBA Summer League debut. Over five games, he averaged 23 points — good enough for sixth best on the summer circuit — with 3.2 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game.

He’ll get his first shot on an NBA court in the Jazz’s preseason opener on Oct. 4 against Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets. Utah opens the regular season on Oct. 21 at Memphis.

Peterson was in the mix for the top pick and ultimately fell to Utah after the Wizards took AJ Dybantsa No. 1 overall.

A standout at Kansas, Peterson averaged 20.2 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists in his sole season with the Jayhawks. He spent much of his college tenure battling cramps — and criticism of his lack of availability — something he attributes to high doses of the supplement creatine.

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Monster boards, sniper range, and rim protection—tonight’s WNBA prop card is loaded with pure cash.

Hammer Angel Reese to own the glass, ride Caitlin Clark to go nuclear from deep, and slam Cameron Brink to lock down the paint on Friday, Aug. 28.

Let's dive in with the best WNBA picks on the board for tonight!

WNBA player props today

Player	Pick
Caitlin Clark	Over 24.5 points	39%
Angel Reese	Over 13.5 rebounds	71%
Cameron Brink	Over 9.5 points	47%
Jackie Young	Over 4.5 rebounds	60%

Sun vs Fever prop: Caitlin Clark Over 24.5 points

Probability: 39%

Caitlin Clark has been more productive at Gainbridge Fieldhouse than any other location this season, averaging 23.9 points, 9.1 assists and 3.6 rebounds at home compared to 20.4 points, 7.6 assists and 4.1 rebounds on the road.

Clark has 12 double-doubles, reaching that milestone in eight of 17 home games but just four of 18 road games.

Clark’s 31 double-doubles are the 9th-most in the WNBA since she joined the league in 2024.

Check out Zak Hanshew's full Sun vs. Fever predictions.

Fire vs Dream prop: Angel Reese Over 13.5 rebounds

Probability: 71%

Angel Reese set the single-game and single-season rebounding records on Monday when she collected 26 boards against the Los Angeles Sparks. The number was out of this world, but the performance was nothing new, as Reese is averaging 12.4 rebounds per game this season.

Reese should have a field day against the Portland Fire, who average the fewest rebounds per game (30.3) and the lowest rebounding rate in the WNBA (47.0%). She's collected 14+ rebounds in six of her last eight games, and I love her to go Over 13.5 boards tonight at -110 or better.

Check out Ed Scimia's full Fire vs. Dream predictions.

Mystics vs Sparks prop: Cameron Brink Over 9.5 points

Probability: 47%

Cameron Brink is averaging 9.4 points on 50% shooting — both career-high marks.

Over her last eight games, Brink’s minutes have increased from 18.5 to 20.1. She ranks fourth in usage and second in rebound percentage on her team in that span while averaging 18.7 PRA.

Brink has averaged 20.3 PRA across her last three home games, hitting the Over twice in that span. In a matchup that should be dominated in the paint, I expect her to see plenty of run alongside Nneka Ogwumike to counter the double-big attack from the Washington Mystics.

Check out Zak Hanshew's full Mystics vs. Sparks predictions.

Tempo vs Aces prop: Jackie Young Over 4.5 rebounds

Probability: 60%

The Las Vegas Aces forward NaLyssa Smith is out for the season and star center A’ja Wilson is questionable tonight, taking a potential 16 collective rebounds off the floor.

Jackie Young will be called upon to crash the glass for Vegas against a similarly small Toronto Tempo lineup. 

Toronto runs the risk of playing without its top four rebounders and five of its seven best bodies on the boards. The Tempo have had issues on the glass all year, ranked dead-last in rebound rate.

Young averages 4.4 rebounds but projections sit north of five boards tonight.

Check out Jason Logan's full Tempo vs. Aces predictions.

How to bet WNBA player props today

Player props allow WNBA bettors to wager on a player’s total points, assists, rebounds, 3-pointers made, and a number of individual statistics like combo markets.

Just like standard Over/Under odds, prediction markets like Kalshi will set a projected total number for those stats, and bettors can predict whether the player or team will have Over or Under that total.

What is Kalshi?

Kalshi is a federally regulated platform for trading event outcomes on prediction markets. Traders can buy and sell simple, transparent contracts that settle based on the outcome of real-world events. Markets revolve around a yes/no proposition, with prices adjusting dynamically based on traders’ perceived probability that the event will occur. When the event concludes, if you are correct, the contract “honors” at a predetermined price; if you are incorrect, it expires at $0.

WNBA Player Props FAQ

What are the best WNBA player prop bets today?

• Caitlin Clark Over 24.5 points
• Angel Reese Over 13.5 rebounds
• Cameron Brink Over 9.5 points
• Jackie Young Over 4.5 rebounds

Where can I trade on WNBA player props?

Kalshi is a regulated prediction market that is federally legal in all 50 states.

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

The women’s college basketball season begins in less than 70 days, but additions are still being made to rosters.

On Friday, Aug. 28, South Carolina announced the signing of Brooke Quarles Daniels, a fifth-year transfer.

Daniels, who played four seasons at basketball at Oakland and then Michigan, was granted a fifth year of eligibility thanks to a lawsuit filed in California - one of the several cases this summer where college athletes are suing the NCAA to gain extra eligibility.

Back in June, the NCAA changed its longstanding eligibility structures to an age-based model, commonly referred to as the “five-in-five” rule. Beginning with the day a student-athlete enrolls or their 19th birthday, whichever comes first, current and future college athletes will have five years to play five seasons of their sport. It was designed to simplify the eligibility process.

What happened instead was a new wave of lawsuits, this time brought forth mostly by players who were freshmen in 2022 and believe they were excluded from this new eligibility structure. Courts across the country - federal, state, district and circuit - have weighed in on these lawsuits. They have largely ruled against the NCAA, granting the plaintiffs - the players - more eligibility.

In July, Judge Charlotte Sweeney of the U.S. District Court of Colorado granted a class-wide preliminary injunction that required the NCAA to declare all players from the high school class of 2022 eligible. Last week, the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals granted the NCAA a stay which reversed that decision.

However, on Aug. 18, a Superior Court in Santa Clara County, California granted a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction to make 73 athletes - including Daniels - eligible again. According to online court records viewed by USA TODAY Sports, the next hearings regarding the case, Glancey v. NCAA, are scheduled for Sept. 29 and Dec. 3.

“Brooke’s wealth of experience will help us right away, as will her combination of skill and toughness,” South Carolina coach Dawn Staley said in a statement. “She is a proven winner and a high-level competitor who will bring immediate value to our team.”

More: South Carolina women’s basketball to host Audi Crooks, Oklahoma State in 2026

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The Washington Mystics wrap up a back-to-back set when they face the Los Angeles Sparks for the third and final time this season.

Nneka Ogwumike only has a handful of games left, and my free WNBA picks & Mystics vs. Sparks predictions expect the future Hall of Famer to make the most of her remaining court time in front of the home crowd on Friday, Aug. 28.

Read on to see why I’m backing the Over on combo lines for Ogwumike and Cameron Brink and points lines for Shakira Austin and Kiki Iriafen in a “Battle of the Bigs” at Crypto.com Arena.

Mystics vs Sparks prediction

Mystics vs Sparks best bet: Nneka Ogwumike Over 25.5 points+rebounds+assists -108

Nneka Ogwumike is retiring at the end of the 2026 season, which means she’s got six total games and only three home appearances left in her career.

She’s averaging 29.6 PRA at home and 27.8 on the road, and she’s gone for 26+ in 15 of 19 at Crypto.com Arena.

Ogwumike posted 25 and 33 PRA in two tilts at Washington, and she’ll get the benefit of home court tonight. Playing in LA and looking to end her career on a high note, Ogwumike could be in line for a monster game. Play to 29.5.

COVERS INTEL:Washington’s defense has been elite this season, but the Mystics are below average against Centers, allowing the seventh-most points+rebounds+assists to the position.

Mystics vs Sparks same-game parlay

The Washington Mystics rank second in the WNBA in PITP at 42.8, and their dynamic duo of Shakira Austin and Kiki Iriafen account for 21.2 of them. The Sparks allow the second-most PITP (43) and fifth-most second-chance points (11.6).

Both Austin and Iriafen are averaging 10.6 PITP, good for eighth-most in the W, and both players rank in the Top-11 in second-chance points.

Austin has scored 17+ in 21 of 38 games and finished with 25 and 17 against the Los Angeles Sparks. Iriafen went for 19 and 13 against LA, and she has 19 games with 15+ points.

Mystics vs Sparks SGP +475

• Nneka Ogwumike Over 25.5 points+rebounds+assists
• Shakira Austin Over 17.5 points
• Kiki Iriafen Over 15.5 points

Want more basketball parlays? Check out our WNBA parlay picks page!

Mystics vs Sparks player prop pick

Cameron Brink Over 16.5 points+rebounds+assists -129

Cameron Brink is averaging 9.4 points on 50% shooting - both career-high marks.

Over her last eight games, Brink’s minutes have increased from 18.5 to 20.1. She ranks fourth in usage and second in rebound percentage on her team in that span while averaging 18.7 PRA.

Brink has averaged 20.3 PRA across her last three home games, hitting the Over twice in that span. In a matchup that should be dominated in the paint, I expect her to see plenty of run alongside Nneka Ogwumike to counter Washington’s double-big attack.

Mystics vs Sparks odds

• Spread: Mystics +5.5 | Sparks -5.5
• Moneyline: Mystics -198 | Sparks +164
• Over/Under: Over 167.5 | Under 167.5

Mystics vs Sparks trend

The Sparks have won four of their last five home games against the Mystics. Find more WNBA betting trends.

How to watch Mystics vs Sparks

Mystics vs Sparks latest injuries

Mystics: No injuries to report.
Sparks:Emma Cannon (Probable).
Find our latest WNBA injury reports.

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If it feels as if the Lakers have had multiple offseasons this summer, it’s because of how eventful the last two months have been.

There’s been LeBron James, one of the greatest players in NBA history and the player who led the Lakers to their last NBA title in 2020, leaving the team in free agency for the 76ers after eight years with the franchise. 

There was a roster retooling around superstar guard Luka Doncic, which as of Friday, includes nine new players.

There will be another majority ownership change after Mark Walter agreed to sell his shares of the Lakers to Josh Kushner and Bob Iger at a historic valuation of $12.5 billion, less than a year after Walter bought the team from the Buss family. All while Walter’s business empire is facing a federal investigation into potential loan fraud and business wrongdoings.

As for the Buss family, it is set for another date in court as current Lakers governor Jeanie Buss attempts to block her five siblings (Jim, Johnny, Janie, Joey and Jesse Buss) from selling the family’s 17.8% share of the Lakers.

Disorienting, to say the least. 

The ramifications of the Lakers’ offseason won’t be immediately known. 

At least not off the court. 

It’ll take at least another few weeks — and possibly months — for Kushner and Iger to officially purchase the Lakers from Walter and become the franchise’s new majority owners.

With the Buss family not having a court hearing until Nov. 5, it’ll probably be a while before its latest family infighting — and its ownership stake of the Lakers — is resolved. 

On the court, it’ll take even longer to know whether the roster changes since the beginning of July were worth it in the form of deep playoff runs, title contention and championships.

But despite the roster turnover and off-the-court turmoil, the Lakers’ offseason has still been successful, earning a B grade with a month before training camp starts in late September. 

Even with the Lakers coming up empty-handed in their pursuit of Jonathan Kuminga, who is signing with the Timberwolves, and still having a role on the roster for a potential starting-level, two-way wing/forward. 

Even with them losing James, along with the entire starting lineup (James, Marcus Smart, Luke Kennard, Rui Hachimura and Deandre Ayton) that essentially led them to a first-round playoff series over the Rockets in the spring. 

Even with many things factoring into the Lakers’ grade still being determined: Once Kushner and Iger get the keys to the franchise, which direction will they take it? Will Jeanie Buss remain the franchise’s governor depending on the result of her litigation with her siblings? Will there be more changes to the organization’s basketball and business structures once the ownership details are finalized? 

The noise around the Lakers doesn’t take away from the fact they accomplished many of the goals they entered the offseason with. 

They brought back 28-year-old homegrown star Austin Reaves on a lucrative long-term contract (four years, $180 million) that’ll keep Reaves signed with the Lakers for what should be the prime of his career. 

The Lakers filled their biggest need by landing Walker Kessler in a sign-and-trade with the Jazz to pair the 7-foot-2, 245-pound big man alongside Doncic and Reaves — ending a multiyear saga of attempting to bring Kessler to Los Angeles and finally giving Doncic the type of big man he typically thrives alongside. 

Quentin Grimes (four years, $60 million), Sandro Mamukelashvili (four years, $52 million), Collin Sexton (two years, $19 million), Kevon Looney (one year, $3.9 million), Ziaire Williams (one year, $2.8 million) and Matisse Thybulle (one year, $3.3 million) were among the complementary signings who have the upside to outperform their deals. 

They also added a high-upside first-round pick in Cameron Carr, who could factor into the Lakers’ rotation for 2026-27.

The Lakers got younger and more athletic. They improved their collective perimeter defense and added more bench scoring. 

Did the moves come at a cost? 

Absolutely. 

It came at the cost of experience. Proven production. And in the case of acquiring Kessler, significant draft capital. 

But the Lakers firmly established themselves in the Doncic era by surrounding him with a better-fitting roster that has room for growth and improvement, rather than year-to-year retooling and rentals. 

Yes, rival teams will continue to monitor the status of Doncic, who could opt out of his contract and become a free agent during the 2028 offseason.

But it’s important to remember Doncic has been involved and influential in the Lakers’ roster moves. 

And, at least publicly, has made positive comments of the state of the franchise — even without being prompted. 

Doncic’s seal of approval won’t quiet the noise, a lot of which is out of his control. 

But a content Doncic was an important part of the Lakers’ offseason decision-making, with the franchise looking to steady itself in the coming months. 

Deja Kelly wasn’t sure what to expect when she signed with the Charlotte Crown back in May.

After playing her college ball at Oregon and North Carolina, Kelly spent some time in training camp with the Las Vegas Aces in 2025, played in Athletes Unlimited last winter, and also worked in television for the Big Ten Network. As summer approached, she wanted to keep playing basketball, but knew options were limited - especially if she wanted to play in the U.S. where her friends and family could watch her.

Then the Upshot League started, of which the Crown are one of four teams in its inaugural season. Founded by former WNBA president Donna Orender and backed by Zawyer Sports and Entertainment, the Upshot League sought to fill a gap in the U.S. women’s basketball ecosystem by providing an environment in which the players squeezed out by the WNBA's limited roster sizes could still play team basketball, develop their skills and get paid for it.

While not affiliated with the WNBA, a simple way of thinking about the Upshot League is that it's the women’s basketball equivalent of the NBA’s G League.

“Whenever you're part of something for the first time, it's kind of nerve-wracking because it could be all over the place. It could go either way,” Kelly told USA TODAY Sports. “I think overall, once we ironed out all the wrinkles, this is really high-level basketball. The talent level is there, so it's really good competition every single night. That's something that definitely exceeded my expectations.

“And organizationally, everything has fallen into place. There’s a really good structure. That’s how I know the league is going to continue to grow. I’m just really blessed that this opportunity found me.”

More: Dallas Wings sign former UConn guard from Upshot League to play in WNBA

The Upshot League will wrap up its first season on Saturday, Aug. 29 when Kelly’s Charlotte Crown face the Jacksonville Waves at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida. Tip-off is at 7 p.m. ET and the game can be streamed live, for free, on the league’s YouTube channel.

“I never doubted that we would have fantastic players. I didn't worry about that. I wouldn't say that I'm surprised they're even better than I thought, but they are,” Orender told USA TODAY Sports. “The quality of the competition, of the athletes, all of that is just superior to what I think we had envisioned.”

Coached by Jessica Bogia, the Waves wrapped up a spot in the championship weeks ago and own the league’s best record at 25-9. Jacksonville’s roster features former college stars like Ariel Hearn of Memphis, Shyanne Sellers of Maryland and Tennessee’s Rennia Davis.

Eight of Bogia’s players have previous experience in the WNBA.

“That was the sell: ‘Come be seen right now. Come show the W that you're playing, that you're active. These are games that they can watch,’” Bogia told USA TODAY Sports. “For us, our strength is our depth. They’ve been able to put their egos aside. You know, the W isn't looking for them to go drop 20 (points), right? What else can you do? What else are you bringing to the table? Can you play defense? I think that's been how we've been able to find our most success.”

Delaware — yes, Delaware — made a massive splash on the recruiting trail on Friday afternoon as Amarillo (Texas) Palo Duro four-star quarterback Julian Reese II announced his commitment to the Blue Hens.

The CUSA program was able to beat out UNLV, UTEP, Houston and others for the coveted athlete who’s got his sights set on being a signal-caller at the next level. It’s one of the bigger recruiting victories for the entire Group of Six in the 2027 cycle.

$19.99 gets you a FULL year of On3 | Rivals national coverage

Reese is the No. 399 overall prospect and No. 28 QB in the cycle, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all major recruiting media companies. He’s the third blue-chip senior to commit to a G6 program.

There have been some intriguing recruitments this cycle that have gone the way of the “little guy.” Rivals breaks down the 10 highest-ranked prospects who are currently committed to a G6 school, as of Aug. 28:

ATH Justin Murphy — Georgia State

Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 287 NATL. (No. 8 ATH)
School:North Clayton (Ga.)

About: Murphy is quite the dual-threat playmaker who wants to play quarterback at the college level. As a junior, he rushed for over 1,100 yards and 18 touchdowns and also threw for more than 1,500 yards and 11 scores to just five interceptions. The 6-foot, 200-pounder committed to Georgia State at the end of official visit season. West Virginia and Vanderbilt were among some of the bigger names giving him a look.

OT Rashaun Lavata’i — Washington State

Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 354 NATL. (No. 30 OT)
School:Curtis Senior (Wash.)

About: The 6-foot-6, 270-pounder opted for new head coach Kirby Moore and the Cougars over Washington, Utah and Oregon State. Lavata’i credited his relationships with the staff in Pullman when discussing his commitment with Rivals’ Brandon Huffman. Rivals ranks the four-star higher than other recruiting services; he checks in as the No. 118 recruit and No. 9 OT in the updated Rivals300.

QB Julian Reese II — Delaware

Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 399 NATL. (No. 28 QB)
School:Palo Duro (Texas)

About: Programs like Houston and Wake Forest were after Reese, but Delaware emerged as a finalist as the Blue Hens targeted him as a QB rather than an athlete who would likely slot in elsewhere. Reese accounted for more than 3,000 yards passing with 31 passing touchdowns and 12 more rushing scores in 12 games last fall. He’s dynamic with the football and will begin his senior season on Friday. Reese discussed his commitment with Rivals’ Sam Spiegelman — that can be seen here.

RB Daylon Gordon — Texas State

Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 431 NATL. (No. 32 RB)
School:Wylie (Texas)

About: Gordon is another Swiss-Army knife playmaker in the Lone Star State. He’s coming off a junior season that witnessed 11 rushing touchdowns, four receiving touchdowns and over 1,500 total yards. The likes of Houston and Rice got him in for official visits, but he’s headed for San Marcos in a big-time win for Texas State as it embarks on competing in the new Pac-12.

EDGE Andrew Rogers — East Carolina

Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 500 NATL. (No. 47 EDGE)
School:Grimsley (N.C.)

About: Originally committed to the old staff at Virginia Tech, Rogers flirted with reclassification and putting his name back on the board throughout the fall. He eventually did weigh his options once more and the in-state East Carolina Pirates emerged as a realistic option, leading him to a late-June commitment. The 6-foot-6, 240-pounder plays for one of the top HSFB programs in North Carolina and is coming off a 50-tackle, eight-sack junior year.

WR Jordan Christie — Liberty

Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 528 NATL. (No. 73 WR)
School:Southwest DeKalb (Ga.)

About: Christie is someone who’s impressed many in the Peach State for years and his recruitment was previously down to Arkansas, Florida State, Georgia, Georgia Tech and UCF. Things were quiet over the summer for The Opening Finals invitee, however, and on June 18, Liberty swiped his commitment. As a junior for Southwest DeKalb, he hauled in 48 catches and turned them into 927 yards and 11 touchdowns.

QB Kevin Verpaele — USF

Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 537 NATL. (No. 32 QB)
School:Merritt Island (Fla.)

About: In the middle of his junior year at Merritt Island, Verpaele made an early commitment to the Pitt Panthers. That pledge held strong for over seven months, but after taking some visits and hitting a reset button of sorts, the passer decommitted. It was USF and new head coach Brian Hartline that immediately began to trend and he locked in his commitment to the Bulls one day later on June 10. A Rivals300 four-star, Verpaele threw for over 2,700 yards and had 31 total touchdowns last season.

WR Demaje Riley — Fresno State

Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 599 NATL. (No. 80 WR)
School:Tulare Union (Calif.)

About: Riley has been on the California HSFB radar for a while now. As a freshman, he broke out with 67 catches, over 1,000 yards and 15 touchdowns. He hauled in 12 receiving TDs as a sophomore, then took it up a notch with over 1,500 yards and 13 more scores last fall, averaging over 126 yards per game. He also had four interceptions last fall and doubles as a great basketball player. Fresno State is right down the road and it landed Riley’s commitment on April 9.

RB Victor Scott — North Texas

Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 641 NATL. (No. 48 RB)
School:Lancaster (Texas)

About: Playing for a prominent Texas HSFB program, Scott made the most of his opportunities as a junior last fall, turning less than 50 carries into 275 yards while also hauling in 10 receptions. He’ll get to lead the Lancaster backfield as a senior this fall. The 6-foot, 190-pounder toted his fair share of Power Four scholarship offers — including SMU, Baylor and Georgia Tech — but North Texas prioritized him and he committed on May 12.

WR Sheldon Isaac — USF

Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 646 NATL. (No. 85 WR)
School:McComb (Miss.)

About: Isaac is a top-20 senior prospect in the Magnolia State and he’s also headed for South Florida after committing on June 24. As a junior for McComb, he caught 56 passes and had 1,158 yards and 14 touchdowns. That followed a breakout 50-catch, 11-score sophomore campaign. He’s also got 70 total tackles to his name across the last two seasons. Isaac chose the Bulls despite possessing offers from in-state Ole Miss, Mississippi State and others.

It’s time for our next category of Spurs villains. This time, we’re looking for your votes on “dirty” players. These are the players who committed aggressive plays against the Spurs, injuring (or attempting to injure) a player, or altering a playoff match-up. Readers will vote for the biggest villain in a poll, and the winner of each match-up will advance to the next round, with the eventual winner crowned as the Biggest Spurs Villain of all time. Let’s get to the voting!

1. Zaza Pachulia (The Slide) vs. 8. Lu Dort (West Finals shenanigans, Barnes trip in regular season)

The play so famous the NBA literally had to change its rules. It’s not a stretch to say that Zaza Pachulia taking out Kawhi Leonard on that jump shot completely altered the direction of the Spurs franchise. San Antonio was swept in the series after winning 60+ games that year, and Leonard forced his way out of town very shortly afterwards. The slide is one of the most negatively impactful plays in franchise history and literally changed the league.

Lu Dort, on the other hand, is an annoying, scrappy player who, from time to time, has some egregious moments. The sheer volume of incidents from Dort against the Spurs could make a case for him here. Let’s count them:

1. Sticks out his leg to trip Victor Wembanyama AND Harrison Barnes on separate three-point shots
2. Seemingly dives into De’Aaron Fox’s injured ankle in Game Three of the Western Conference Finals
3. Nearly smacks Wembanyama in the face after he’s already on the ground in Game Two of the WCF
4. Flying knee kick into Barnes’ side jumping on a pump fake (I don’t think this one is dirty per se, but it’s physical

Dort is the 8th seed here because his antics didn’t ultimately add up to anything. San Antonio still defeated the Thunder and advanced to the Finals. His impact on the franchise isn’t anywhere close to Pachulia’s dirty play.

2. Karl Malone (The Elbow) vs. 7. Raja Bell (battles with Manu)

Sometimes a dirty play has some gray area. There is no gray area when a player is knocked unconscious. Karl Malone’s elbow is one of clear frustration that knocked out Robinson. It is somehow not the worst thing that Malone has ever done in his life!

Raja Bell and Manu Ginobili had some battles during their time. The most famous play between the two is probably the double flop. There are a few hard fouls here and there, but nothing that is overtly dirty. Malone is the clear winner here.

3. Eduardo Najera (Mavs enforcer, hurt Rose in 03, Manu in 10) vs. 6. DeJuan Blair (Tiago kick)

Eduardo Najera mentioned in 2026? Only in a Spurs dirty player draft. Najera’s most famous play is probably when he used both of his arms to throw Ginobili to the ground in the 2010 playoffs (this is while Manu had a broken nose). But he also smacked Tony Parker in the face in the playoffs, and collided with Malik Rose in the 2003 playoffs. There is enough volume and severity of dirty plays here to make him a top-three seed.

We also have the rare former-Spur make the list! DeJuan Blair’s full-on donkey kick to Tiago Splitter’s head is an insane play. It’s a move you’d see in the UFC octagon, not on the basketball court. It’s bad enough to potentially upset Najera in the first round.

4. Juwan Howard (Derek Anderson karate chop) vs. 5. Kevin Garnett (trash talker)

I was initially surprised to see Kevin Garnett on this list. Yes, I know he has the reputation as one of the NBA’s finest trash talkers, but I never considered him to be overly dirty toward the Spurs. That was until I read this alleged story about Garnett telling Tim Duncan “happy Mother’s Day” during a game on the holiday, nine years after Duncan’s mother had passed away from breast cancer. There is no way to corroborate if that story is true, but if it is, he more than deserves the five seed on this list.

The Juwan Howard play does not look good 25 years later, but in this interview he seems genuinely remorseful, and even went as far as to visit the Spurs’ locker room to apologize for the play. Plus, San Antonio did go on to win the series against the Mavericks 4-1. Would Anderson have helped San Antonio defeat the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference Finals? He was only averaging 7.7 points in the playoffs prior to the injury, and the Spurs did get swept. We will never know.

The Garnett story is a legitimate low blow, vs. a seemingly innocent, but overaggressive play from Howard. I know which way I would lean here.

With the addition of Missouri transfer forward Mark Mitchell (pending his eligibility case), Kentucky Basketball’s 2026-27 roster is now finalized.

After an offseason filled with roster movement, Mark Pope and his staff have assembled a team that combines proven college production, size, shooting, and versatility.

With the roster set, here is a look at Kentucky’s projected starting five and several key players who could play important roles off the bench.

Kentucky Basketball Projected Starting Five

PG: Zoom Diallo

Diallo enters his third collegiate season after taking a significant step forward at Washington in 2025-26.

He started 29 of 33 games and averaged 15.7 points and 4.5 assists per game while shooting 48.9% from the field. He scored in double figures 23 times and recorded three double-doubles.

Diallo showed he can take over games, including a 26-point performance against USC and a 22-point, 11-assist effort against the Trojans in an overtime victory. He also recorded a career-high 12 assists against Iowa.

After averaging 11.1 points and 2.7 assists as a sophomore, Diallo appears ready to take on an even larger role at Kentucky.

One interesting storyline will be whether Diallo can help Kentucky reverse his college winning fortunes. Despite his individual production, he has yet to play on a winning college team. With this roster around him, that could change in Lexington.

SG: Alex Wilkins

Wilkins comes to Kentucky after an outstanding freshman season at Furman.

The 6-foot-6 guard started all 35 games he played and averaged 17.8 points and 4.7 assists per game. He earned second-team All-Southern Conference honors, NABC All-South Atlantic District First Team recognition and SoCon Tournament Most Outstanding Player honors.

Wilkins averaged 21.7 points per game during the SoCon Tournament, including a career-high 34 points against UNC Greensboro.

He finished the season with 622 points, the most ever by a Furman freshman, while shooting 45.8% from the field, 32.1% from 3 and 83.5% from the free-throw line.

Wilkins also came close to helping Furman pull off a massive NCAA Tournament upset. As a No. 15 seed, Furman led No. 2 seed UConn at one point before eventually falling 82-71. Wilkins scored 21 points and knocked down four 3-pointers.

His combination of size, scoring ability, and playmaking should give Pope another versatile option in the backcourt.

SF: Milan Momcilovic

Momcilovic is arguably one of the most dangerous shooters on Kentucky’s roster.

The 6-foot-9 forward averaged 16.9 points and 3.1 rebounds per game at Iowa State, while shooting an incredible 50.6% from the field, 48.7% from 3 and 87.8% from the free-throw line.

He started all 37 games and set an Iowa State single-season record with 136 made 3-pointers.

Momcilovic also showed that he can perform against elite competition. He scored 20 points and knocked down four 3-pointers against Kentucky in the NCAA Tournament.

His ability to stretch the floor from the forward position could be extremely valuable alongside Kentucky’s bigger players.

PF: Mark Mitchell

Mitchell is the newest addition to Kentucky’s roster and arguably the most intriguing.

The 6-foot-9, 230-pound forward was a five-star recruit in the 2022 class and originally chose Duke over Kansas, UCLA, and Missouri.

After two seasons at Duke, Mitchell transferred to Missouri, where his production continued to rise.

As a senior, he averaged 18.3 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game, while shooting 55% from the field and 38.8% from 3. He led Missouri in scoring, rebounding and assists while earning second-team All-SEC honors.

Kentucky has already seen firsthand what Mitchell can do.

He scored 21 points in Missouri’s 73-68 upset of Kentucky at Rupp Arena during the regular season. Kentucky eventually got revenge in the SEC Tournament with a 78-72 victory, but Mitchell exploded for 32 points and seven rebounds while shooting 13-of-21 from the field and 2-of-2 from 3.

Mitchell brings size, physicality, scoring, passing, and improved shooting to the Kentucky frontcourt. His ability to attack the basket while also spacing the floor makes him a fascinating fit alongside Momcilovic and Moreno.

C: Malachi Moreno

Moreno enters his sophomore season as the anchor of Kentucky’s frontcourt.

The 7-foot, 245-pound Georgetown native appeared in all 36 games as a freshman and started 30. He averaged 7.8 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.47 blocks per game, while shooting 58.2% from the field.

Moreno recorded three double-doubles and led Kentucky in rebounding 18 times and blocks 17 times.

With another year of experience and an offseason to develop, Moreno could take a significant step forward.

Key Bench Players

Kam Williams

Williams could be one of Kentucky’s most important reserves if he can enter the season fully healthy.

The 6-foot-7 guard averaged 6.0 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.0 assist in 24 games last season, missing 12 games because of a broken foot.

Before his injury, Williams showed plenty of potential, including a career-high 26 points and eight 3-pointers against Bellarmine.

He also returned in time to contribute during the NCAA Tournament, but now he is coming off another foot surgery; his health will be something to monitor heading into the season.

Justin McBride

McBride arrives at Kentucky after an impressive season at James Madison.

The 6-foot-8, 250-pound forward averaged 15.3 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game, while shooting 49.4% from the field, 40% from 3 and 78.2% from the free-throw line.

He scored at least 20 points in 10 games and recorded two 30-point performances, including a 33-point outing against Norfolk State.

McBride’s combination of size and shooting ability gives Kentucky another experienced forward who can provide offense off the bench.

Ousmane N’Diaye

Before Kentucky added Mitchell, N’Diaye was viewed by many as a potential starting option.

The 7-foot forward brings international experience after playing in Germany, Spain and Italy. Most recently, he averaged 9.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and 0.9 steals for Vanoli Cremona in Italy’s top division.

N’Diaye also recorded four double-doubles and posted a season-high 24 points and 11 rebounds in one game.

His size, experience, and ability to stretch the floor could make him an important piece of Kentucky’s frontcourt rotation, even if he does not ultimately start.

Franck Kepnang

While Malachi Moreno will be getting most of the minutes at the 5 spot, Kepnang will be a quality backup if he can stay healthy. Durability has been an issue throughout his career, but he’ll have more limited minutes in Lexington so long as Moreno is healthy.

You won’t find many backup centers with the talent Kepnang possesses. If he can stay healthy and give Kentucky a good 10-15 minutes per game, that would be a massive boost for a roster that doesn’t really have another true center after Moreno and Kepnang.

Mason Williams

Williams was the first commitment of Kentucky’s 2026 recruiting class under Pope.

The 6-foot-3, 210-pound guard averaged 15.1 points, 5.3 assists, 4.5 rebounds, and 3.5 steals as a high school senior while shooting 60% from the field, 41% from 3 and 89% from the free-throw line.

He also helped Tennessee Collegiate Academy pull off an upset of No. 1-ranked Prolific Prep.

Williams has already drawn attention for his college-ready frame. Now, the next step is translating that physical development into production against Division I competition.

Braydon Hawthorne

Hawthorne redshirted the 2025-26 season, giving him four seasons of eligibility remaining.

The 6-foot-8 forward was a consensus four-star prospect and ranked No. 33 nationally in the final 2025 247Sports rankings.

At Huntington Prep, he averaged 23.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game.

Hawthorne enters the season having had additional time to develop physically and adjust to the college level. His size and skill set could make him an interesting option in Kentucky’s frontcourt rotation.

Plenty of Depth Behind Them

Kentucky’s depth does not stop there, as they have transfer guard Jerone Morton and returning forward Trent Noah, aka Mountain Mamba, which will give Pope additional options as he determines how deep he wants to go into his rotation.

The biggest question may not be whether Kentucky has enough talent, but how Pope distributes the minutes among a roster with so many players capable of contributing.

Now, the focus shifts from building the roster to figuring out how all those pieces fit together and how to advance deep in both the SEC and NCAA Tournaments.

What if there’s no Mark Mitchell?

With Mitchell facing eligibility scrutiny from the SEC and the NCAA, there’s still a chance we won’t see him suit up for the entire 2026-27 season, if at all.

If Mitchell ends up sidelined, here’s what the starting lineup could look like:

PG: Zoom Diallo

SG: Alex Wilkins

SF: Milan Momcilovic

PF: Justin McBride

C: Malachi Moreno

Key bench rotation: Kam Williams, Ousmane N’Diaye, Franck Kepnang, Mason Williams, Braydon Hawthorne, Trent Noah

What do you think the starting lineup and primary bench rotation should look like? Let us know in the comments section!

The most consequential outcome of the NBA’s Kawhi Leonard investigation may not be the punishment. It may be the road map the league leaves behind.

After nearly a year examining whether the Clippers circumvented the salary cap through Leonard’s endorsement relationships with team sponsors, the investigation reportedly appears to be moving away from its most serious possibility.

ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne said discussions between the league and Steve Ballmer’s lawyers have focused more on a potential “failure to supervise” and the Clippers’ introductions of Leonard’s representatives to sponsors than on direct evidence that Ballmer funneled money to his star.

Shelburne called direct cap circumvention the investigation’s “murder charge”—the most serious allegation and the hardest to prove.

The NBA has cautioned that the investigation remains unfinished and accused ESPN’s previous account of containing “numerous and significant inaccuracies.” Ballmer, Leonard and the Clippers have denied circumventing the cap.

That uncertainty matters. So does the direction of the reported investigation.

If the league concludes that an owner can introduce a player to team business partners, benefit from the resulting arrangement and avoid the harshest accountability unless investigators uncover a direct order or payment, it will create a dangerous blueprint.

Future teams would not need a secret contract. They would only need some distance.

An owner could connect a superstar with a sponsor, allow intermediaries to handle the terms and later claim no knowledge of what occurred. Plausible deniability would become a roster-building strategy.

That would undermine the salary cap’s purpose. Competitive balance becomes impossible if the wealthiest owners can use their commercial networks to arrange outside compensation that smaller-market or less-connected rivals cannot match.

The scrutiny has already expanded beyond Leonard’s deal with Aspiration to another sponsorship involving Clippers partner Daktronics.

Draymond Green identified the incentive created by weak enforcement.

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“If the punishments aren’t steep, everybody should do it,” Green said while discussing the Leonard allegations.

The NBA’s collective bargaining agreement permits fines, lost draft picks, contract voidance and suspensions for proven circumvention. Those deterrents mean little, however, if the evidentiary standard effectively requires a billionaire owner to leave written instructions explaining the scheme.

None of this means the NBA should punish Ballmer without sufficient evidence. It means “failure to supervise” cannot become a convenient safe harbor for owners who benefit from arrangements they claim not to understand.

If the league cannot prove this so-called murder charge, it must still establish clear disclosure rules for sponsor introductions, owner investments and endorsement agreements—and impose meaningful consequences when those safeguards are ignored.

Otherwise, the lesson will not be that cap circumvention is forbidden.

It will be that it is permissible when structured carefully enough.