Brandin Podziemski’s impending extension with the Golden State Warriors represents a critical crossroad for the franchise’s cap management. Eligible for a rookie-scale extension, the 23-year-old guard’s camp seeks a payday in the $22–$25 million range annually, driven by his starting-level production, high-IQ passing, and relentless rebounding.
However, Golden State prefers a conservative $15–$18 million sweet spot to preserve second-apron flexibility around Stephen Curry. Paying premium money to a low-volume creator carries real risk. If negotiations stall, Golden State can let the market dictate his value in restricted free agency next summer.
SB Nation asked Warriors fans which kind of extension should the Warriors give Podziemski. Here’s what they said:
Does Podziemski deserve the reported asking price he and his representation are seeking? Or does his profile as a low-volume creator make that too steep of a price to pay? Head on over to https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nba to test your luck.
ATLANTA — Tarik Skubal knows he will feel emotions when he makes his return to Detroit on Friday night to pitch against the Tigers only four weeks after he was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Skubal says he hopes to focus on representing the Dodgers instead of dwelling on his memories with the Tigers at Comerica Park. He acknowledged it may not be easy to keep his emotions in check.
“We’ll see, right?” Skubal told SI.com on Wednesday. “The whole process was emotional. I have a lot of respect for those guys over there. I’m just going to go play baseball.”
Overall this season, Skubal is 8-7 with a 2.91 ERA. In four starts for the Dodgers since the Aug. 1 trade, Skubal is 1-2 with a 3.38 ERA. He is coming off his first win for the Dodgers. The left-hander had 11 strikeouts in seven innings in a 4-3 win over Pittsburgh in Los Angeles on Saturday night.
Skubal, 29, made his major league debut with Detroit in 2020 and had played for no other team before the trade. The deal sent the two-time defending AL Cy Young winner to the two-time defending World Series champions.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said he believes Skubal has the right temperament to handle the emotions which will come with his Detroit homecoming.
“I think, you know, that whole ‘be where your feet are’ adage, I think that’s just who he is,” Roberts said Wednesday. “Some people have a hard time letting go, but I think that Tarik is a guy that, wherever he’s at, he’s all in.”
Roberts said he expects Skubal “is going to try to engage guys and immerse himself with coaches, with his teammates, the best he can. That’s a good trait. Like I said, I’ve only known him a short time, but I’m really, really fortunate we got him on our club. Not even just for the pitching, just beyond.”
Skubal said he is “sure it will be emotional there just because of the history.” The emotions will be fresh because he has had less than one month to adjust to his new Los Angeles home before making his return to Detroit.
“But at the end of the day, I’ve got to go play baseball,” Skubal said. “I’ve got to compete and do what I do well, what makes me a good pitcher. I’ll probably handle the emotions after.”
The Tigers are expected to have right-hander Drew Anderson (4-5, 4.09 ERA) face Skubal in the opener of the three-game series.
NEW YORK (AP) — Cecilia Zandalasini scored 14 of her 20 points in the first half, Gabby Williams added 16 points and the Golden State Valkyries beat the New York Liberty 79-60 on Thursday night.
Golden State (28-11) improved to 3-0 against New York this season — the only team the Liberty have not beaten this season. The Valkyries held the Liberty to 70, 67 and 60 points in three games, the three lowest-scoring games of the season for New York.
New York (23-16) had scored 80-plus points in 16 straight games — the longest streak in franchise history.
Veronica Burton had a season-high 13 assists to go with eight points for Golden State, which was coming off an 89-64 victory over Connecticut on Wednesday. Tiffany Hayes had 12 points off the bench.
Jonquel Jones scored 18 points for New York, which had a six-game home winning streak halted. Breanna Stewart added 16 points on 4-of-10 shooting.
Zandalasini made four 3-pointers in the first half to help Golden State build a 42-30 lead. The Valkyries started the third quarter on an 11-6 run to go ahead by 17 points, and scored the opening six points of the fourth to go ahead 65-47.
Fernando Mendoza was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, but the expectation is he will begin his career as the backup to veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins.
As a result, the Las Vegas Raiders' preseason Week 3 game against the San Francisco 49ers represented a key opportunity for Mendoza to get playing time before the start of the 2026 NFL season.
Raiders coach Klint Kubiak opted to play Cousins the first two drives of the Thursday, Aug. 27, preseason clash. But after that, Mendoza played until the start of the fourth quarter, when Aidan O'Connell entered.
After a strong preseason debut and a less impressive second effort, Mendoza's outing in the Raiders' preseason finale showed off even more of his limitations at this early stage of his career. If nothing else, it showcased why Las Vegas was wise to bring in a veteran in Cousins to help bridge the gap.
How did Mendoza perform in his all-important final preseason game? Here's a full breakdown of his outing, as well as a grade for it.
Fernando Mendoza grade for Raiders vs. 49ers preseason game
Mendoza didn't have much to write home about in his final preseason outing.
Throughout two quarters – and a bit of a third – the rookie quarterback leaned heavily on checkdown passes, overthrew his targets multiple times, was late on some throws, took a couple of sacks and threw an interception. In other words, Mendoza looked the part of a rookie quarterback still adjusting to NFL game speed.
At times, the Raiders' lack of good depth on their offensive line made it hard to evaluate Mendoza. Was he taking sacks and facing pressure because he couldn't get the ball out fast, or because the line was letting guys go unblocked? Sometimes the answer was the former, sometimes the latter, occasionally both.
The No. 1 overall pick was late on his throws on multiple occasions, which led to some of the overthrows and incompletions. But there were plenty of blown blocking assignments from the line in front of him as well.
After Mendoza's interception, which he threw on his second snap of the game, it also seemed like he lost a bit of confidence in his ability to push the ball. There appeared to be an extra emphasis on progressing through his reads, and he ended up throwing to his final, checkdown option often – but in the third quarter especially. That meant fewer intermediate and deep targets as the game progressed; Mendoza hesitated to pull the trigger on his earlier reads in his progression. By the end of the night, the most net yards the Raiders got on a single Mendoza-led play was a 19-yard pass interference call that was questionable at best.
A full analysis won't be possible until we see some of the all-22 film from the matchup against the 49ers. Perhaps the 49ers were actually just really good in coverage and checkdowns were really the only available option.
For now, the main takeaway from Mendoza's showing in the Raiders' preseason finale is that he still has a ways to go before he's ready to swipe the starting job from Cousins.
A floppy haired sawed off white boy guard, eh? Intriguing…. | Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images
Right as the school year is about to start, Marquette men’s basketball has adjusted their roster for the 2026-27 season. On Thursday, Marquette and head coach Shaka Smart announced the signing of fifth year transfer guard Colin Porter. The 5’10”, 170 pound guard spent the last four seasons at Liberty.
“We’re thrilled to be adding the person and player that Colin is,” Smart said. “He’s a strong cultural fit who possesses excellent basketball IQ, poise and maturity. Colin’s shooting, ballhandling and passing will bolster our backcourt immediately.”
Colin Porter started every single game he played for Liberty for the past four seasons, and yes, that is all 135 games that the Flames played in that time period. He averaged at least 27 minutes a game in each of his four seasons, and capped off his time there with 11.1 points, 3.0 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.4 steals per game. Porter is a career 38% three-point shooter with his senior year mark of 35.8% going in the books as his worst output. Seeing as that was also his career high in attempts per game, I’m going to guess that if he gets a little bit more choosy, he’ll go back towards the 40% from freshman year or 43% from junior year.
His assist rate trailed off this past year after three straight seasons in the top 400 in the country according to KenPom.com. I don’t think there’s anything to worry about with Porter not even making into the top 500 in 2025-26, as Zach Cleveland was a top 25 assist rate guy for Liberty last season. That’s gonna make a dent in Porter’s ability to be the guy who makes the pass that leads to the bucket, y’know? Elsewhere in Analytics Town, Porter had a slightly questionable turnover rate as a freshman, coming in at 20.4% on KenPom, but he’s been under 18% in each of the last three seasons, including just 13.1% this past year for the Flames.
One thing that’s slightly bothersome? It’s not his shooting in general. As mentioned, his three-point shooting is fine to great. Porter is a career 49.5% shooter on two-point attempts, and he was north of 50% each of the past two seasons as well. It’s his shooting in specific circumstances. In 27 career games against what KenPom.com calls Tier A+B opponents — top 100 teams, adjusted for home/road situations — Porter is shooting 39-for-94 on two-pointers. That’s just 41.5%. Last year, 15 of Marquette’s 20 Big East games were A+B games, and they played five more in non-conference play, and the Big East tournament game against Xavier counted, too. That’s 21, and we can roughly presume that the 2026-27 schedule will land somewhere in that vicinity. 3.5 two-point attempts per game is more than Porter averaged in any of his four seasons at Liberty, so he was shooting more than average in those contests and coming up with more misses than his career or season averages.
If Marquette’s offensive system is still going to be predicated on getting open layups — offensive guru Nevada Smith is the head coach at Siena now, after all — and that’s going to lead to Porter taking more shots near the rim, then maybe this is all okay. It all comes down to how he’s going to be used, and to be very clear: There is zero reason that Shaka Smart is taking a transfer under these circumstances if Porter isn’t going to play some kind of a role on the 2026-27 team.
The circumstances in question? Colin Porter is only technically legally eligible right now. He just finished four years at Liberty, and if this was a year ago, that would be that. However, the NCAA approved five years/five seasons rules over the summer, and Porter is part of a lawsuit in North Carolina that contests the NCAA’s rule that the seniors from 2025-26 don’t get the fifth year. I want to be 100% clear about this: I think Porter should be eligible, because I am shocked that the NCAA was stupid enough to not anticipate the mountain of lawsuits like this that they are facing and thus just grandfather the Class of 2026 in for a fifth year. However, the lawsuits on this topic are far from being completely settled. As such, there remains a chance that Colin Porter will never suit up for Marquette. Early indications from all the courts involved seem to point towards the players seeking a fifth year will end up victorious, but Billable Hours remains undefeated, so who can say for certain?
I can say for certain that we didn’t see Nash Walker at all when Marquette went on their Canadian trip as he continues to rehab from shoulder surgery in the spring. I can also say that Colton Crowdis played a total of 2:34 in the entire three game trip, and that was also the final 2:34 of a 102-65 victory. There’s a need for a point guard option behind Nigel James on this roster. Porter being available means that maybe Nolan Minessale doesn’t have to slide over to point guard duties here and there, and maybe that means that Shaka Smart is 1) making sure he has point guard options and/or 2) sending a message to everyone on the roster that playing time is precious. If he’d rather bring Porter in during August when that could mean Minessale absorbing minutes that maybe we thought would go to Damarius Owens or Michael Porter? You see the message being sent here.
There’s another slightly more interesting message here. Shaka Smart has gone from “nah, we’ll just improve the guys we have here” to “well, this has gone poorly” to “I have added two of the best transfer fits in the country” to “hey, I can make my roster better in November thanks to legal goofiness that has opened a loophole? Cool, let’s do it.” I know what I said about Smart’s future as the Marquette head coach back in mid-March, and I stand by it. The fact of the matter is that Smart has acted like he believes it ever since then. We’ll have to wait to see what the results look like, but the process, the path taken? These are the actions of a coach who is driven to not just win, but put the horrors of last season very far in the rear view mirror.
Let’s get you a brand new scholarship chart and get out of here, eh?
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The Illinois men’s basketball team is adding a new face to the fold, as transfer guard Quentin McCoy joins the roster as a late addition.
McCoy’s an in-state add, as he grew up in Chicago and played his high school basketball at Lindblom Math and Science Academy.
The latest in Illinois head coach Brad Underwood’s group of “Everyday Guys,” McCoy spent his first two seasons of college hoops with the Arizona State Sun Devils, yet only played in nine total games for the team.
In his college career, the young guard only attempted one shot, so he’s coming to Champaign as a bit of a fresh canvas.
As for his measurables, he comes in at 6’3” and 175 pounds according to Illinois men’s basketball’s announcement.
McCoy joins a pretty stacked group of guards on the Illini’s roster, including Andrej Stojakovic, Quentin Coleman, Stefan Vaaks, Lincoln Williams, Blake Fagbemi, Lucas Morillo and Ethan Brown.
Based on the social media graphic put out by the team, it appears as though McCoy will wear No. 5, last worn by guard AJ Redd last season.
More than a month after former Cowboys quarterback and CBS broadcaster Tony Romo was arrested for suspicion of operating while intoxicated in Milwaukee, the authorities have filed three new citations against him.
Via TMZ, the district attorney has charged Romo with first-offense operating while intoxicated, unsafe passing on the right side, and possessing open intoxicants in his vehicle.
Romo was placed on leave by CBS eight days after the arrest, which created multiple bodycam videos that created a general bad look for Romo. CBS has elevated J.J. Watt to replace Romo on the network's top broadcast team, and it seems to be a move that will cover the entire season.
Romo has four years left on his CBS contract, at a total payout of $72 million. CBS could try to terminate the deal for cause, owing him nothing. Romo would surely fight such a move. A settlement for something less than the full amount is always possible.
American musician Dolly Parton peforms on the Oprah Winfrey television show, Chicago, Illinois, February 11, 1992. (Photo by Paul Natkin/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Today’s Lineups
DIAMONDBACKS
GIANTS
Lars Nootbaar – DH
Drew Gilbert – RF
Corbin Carroll – RF
Rafael Devers – 1B
Gabriel Moreno – C
Bryce Eldridge – DH
Geraldo Perdomo – SS
Jonah Cox – CF
Max Kepler – LF
Turner Hill – LF
Nolan Arenado – 3B
Shay Whitcomb – 3B
Tim Tawa – 1B
Drew Cavanaugh – C
Ildemaro Vargas – 2B
Christian Koss – SS
Ryan Waldschmidt – CF
Nate Furman – 2B
Jose Cabrera – RHP
Landen Roupp – RHP
Roster moves
The Arizona Diamondbacks made the following roster moves. The D-backs’ 40-man roster is at 39.
Recalled from Triple-A Reno: RHP José Cabrera
Optioned to Triple-A Reno following yesterday’s game: RHP Drey Jameson
The first of an expected flurry of moves for this series, what with the sudden double-header on Saturday, and the need for further starting pitchers. First up is Cabrera, who made four starts for Arizona leading up to the All-Star break. They were… just about okay, I suppose. A 5.60 ERA, but that was suppressed by throwing five shutout innings in his major-league debut. Once word got around, the three which followed were considerably less effective, allowing 11 ER over 12.2 innings. A big factor was a K:BB there of just 9:7, as major-league hitters simply laid off his pitches. Doing a better job there will be key tonight in San Francisco.
The series with the Cubs is in the books, and it went well for the D-backs in their wild-card race, combined with results elsewhere. Both the Phillies and Padres lost their series to teams below them in the standings, while Arizona beat a team above them. That closed the gaps to three and one games respectively, and also put a significant dent in the strength of schedule remaining. Now, the Phillies have far and away the toughest stretch run: ranked #3 with a .525 average opponent’s record. The Padres are about even, #16 at .499. But with the Cubs now crossed off, the D-backs have dropped to 24th, at just .485.
Of Arizona’s 28 remaining games, only 9 are against teams above them in the standings (series against the Yankees, Phillies and Padres). They also face the Marlins, who are above .500, at 68-66. But the remaining sixteen games are against sides with losing records. Those start with the four-game series here against San Francisco, while they won’t get to start Eduardo Rodriguez, I’d love for Arizona to take three of the four contests. Meanwhile, the Phillies have today off, before starting a series on the road against the Angeles tomorrow. And the Padres are similarly traveling, but face a tough set against the AL best Rays in Tampa. It’s a good chance for the D-backs to close ground there.
[Dollywood Day #3, for as long as the D-backs keep winning. Dolly Parton peforms on the Oprah Winfrey television show, Chicago, Illinois, February 11, 1992.]
Mar 14, 2026; Charlotte, NC, USA; The ACC championship game logo is seen on a basketball prior to the men's ACC Conference Tournament Championship between the Virginia Cavaliers and the Duke Blue Devils at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
After the Big Ten, the SEC, and the Big 12 acted earlier this week, the ACC has joined the movement to ban pro athletes from returning to college.
In the ACC’s case, this applies to the NFL, the NBA, and the WNBA. The Big Ten applied its rule strictly to the NFL, while the SEC moved to ban people from the NBA, WNBA, and NFL, and the Big 12 just banned it all. You professional rowers who thought you were coming back to Oklahoma State? You can suck it!
It would probably be good if the Power 4 coordinated and got the same rule across the board, but at least everyone is mostly on the same page: there is a difference between professional and collegiate athletics.
Here’s what Duke football coach Manny Diaz had to say about Thursday’s move by the ACC:
“I don’t blame the players. I don’t blame the individual schools because no one’s breaking a rule. But if something doesn’t pass the smell test, then why don’t the grown-ups in the room be the grown-ups in the room and let’s just say that’s not something that we stand for.
“They’re kicking somebody off who has gone through summer conditioning and an offseason program, and I think there’s morale issues. There’s real-life consequence. This is not pro sports where we check the waiver wire and we just cut a dude and bring a dude in. I’d be curious to see what’s actually happening at all these schools. Not just the NFL guys, all the other eligibility cases. Did that take somebody’s spot or not?”
Well put. Now we sit back and await the next wave of lawsuits.
Update – the Big East will monitor the situation, but has not followed the Power Four and moved against pro athletes returning to college competition.
Last month, Pasadena (Calif.) John Muir got a late jolt to its 2026 football roster as quarterback Kaiden Agbunag transferred in from Tempe (Ariz.) McClintock. The signal-caller was not available for the Mustangs in their season-opener, however.
The sophomore had not yet cleared the California Interscholastic Federation Southern Section (CIF-SS) transfer portal, keeping him on the sidelines as Muir lost 20-6 to Bonita to begin the campaign 0-1. Agbunag now looks to be in line to make his debut this week.
A season-ending knee injury held Agbunag to just one game as a freshman for McClintock last fall. In that game, he completed 15 of 21 passes for 127 yards and three touchdowns against Camelback. Finally, he’s set to get back on the field.
Agbunag has already stacked offers from Colorado, Sacramento State, Abilene Christian, Georgia State, Hawaii and Tulane. He’ll now look to bolster his stock as a sophomore. Entering this week, Muir is the No. 220 team in California, per the Rivals Composite Rankings.
John Muir brings back a talented wide receiver room this upcoming season with 2027 wideout Deveon Blaylock (570 yards, 11 touchdowns) and 2028 Noah Bozeman (580 yards, seven touchdowns). Last fall, the Mustangs went 9-2.
More about John Muir High School
“John Muir High School is a diverse educational institution in Pasadena, California, serving around 936 students. Known for its Early College Magnet program, it offers students opportunities to earn college credit while completing their high school education. The school emphasizes academic achievement, creativity, and athletic participation. With a supportive community and a range of extracurricular activities, John Muir fosters a positive environment that encourages student engagement and development in various fields, including sports.”
How to Follow California High School Football
For California high school football fans looking to keep up with scores around the nation, staying updated on the action is now easier than ever with the Rivals High School Scoreboard. This comprehensive resource provides real-time updates and final scores from across the Golden State, ensuring you never miss a moment of the Friday night frenzy. From nail-biting finishes to dominant performances, the Rivals High School Scoreboard is your one-stop destination for tracking all the high school football excitement across California.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 11: Head coach JJ Redick of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Four of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on May 11, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Typically, August is considered the real dog days of summer in the NBA with news and rumors at a premium while everyone resets for a new season.
That led to plenty of questions in our latest mailbag as well. So, let’s dive into it!
Is a trade still in the pipeline? Bronny? Hardy? Knecht? If so, what type of player should they look for and which ones are realistic to get.
Or is this it, and who is going to be cut? — Walter Burns
I don’t expect a signing, but I still think there’s going to be a trade. At the very least, the Lakers are going to look hard for one.
The problem is, when you look around the league, it’s tough to find a deal. The list of teams with an open roster spot is small and there are multiple teams in the same position as the Lakers in needing to trim their roster.
If it comes down to cutting someone, I imagine Dalton Knecht or Jaden Hardy are at the front of the line, and more likely the former considering he isn’t under contract for next season.
If it’s a trade, it’s going to be hard to find a starting-caliber forward with the relatively limited assets available to LA. Saddiq Bey, for example, is a popular name, but is he a nailed-on starter for the Lakers? If anything, I think we could see a trade for a backup center and the team making due for that fifth starter.
I’d expect Knecht and Hardy to be the package shipped around. That gets you into a salary range that you can find a useful player and, if any team is willing, gives them a lottery ticket with Knecht.
Although the signings of Mamu, Grimes, and Walker (and the extension for Austin) raised valid concerns about contract length, did Pelinka also give JJ some needed continuity and buy-in the team has lacked for a while? — Plain Fiction
I think this was an important and deliberate move this offseason. Remember last year that Redick made a point to talk about how many players were in contract years and the struggles of getting them to buy in when they’re thinking about their next deal.
Now, the team’s core is under contract for multiple years and can grow together alongside Redick. It doesn’t change some of the concerns about that core, but it should be a lot easier to get buy-in when everyone knows they’ll be around for multiple seasons.
What do you think will be JJ’s biggest challenge this season? — OldSchoolBaller
That’s a great question because I think there will be plenty of legitimate answers. For me, it’ll be building a defense that makes this team a contender.
Offensively, the team will always have a high floor so long as Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves are on the floor, and presumably one of them always will be. Defensively, it’s going to take more scheming and work to get this roster to even an average level.
It took quite a bit of time last year, but they eventually got to something decent defensively. With a rim protector like Walker Kessler, it should be more straightforward and, perhaps, easier. But it’ll also unquestionably be a necessity.
What’s the status of JJ’s coaching staff? Are they all returning? Do any of them have new and/or different responsibilities? Any new additions? — Coops Knee Highs
There were no notable changes. Perhaps the benefit of having two veterans as the lead assistants in Scott Brooks and Nate McMillan is that few teams are going to be looking to poach them to be a head coach.
I would say to keep an eye on Lindsey Harding, though, specifically for a WNBA job in their offseason this winter. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Sparks parted ways with Lynne Roberts once their season ends and Harding would make lots of sense.
Is there any reporting on progress on beefing up the scouting and analytics departments? Why would new owners impact that with a different vision or is it just a minor bump? — scooter
Pelinka made it known during his exit interview that they had beefed up these areas, but they weren’t announcing every hire. At the same time, it was also reported that there would be a hiring freeze as they transition from the Mark Walter era to the Bob Iger and Josh Kushner era.
My assumption would be that any other buffing up they had planned is on hold.
What is the impact on the fan experience, if any, from the ownership changes? — Crap
That is one of the complete uncertainties that comes with owners who have never been majority sports owners before. It’s just a guessing game.
But I hope that they lower ticket prices and turn the lights back on during games.
When an owner can make $2 billion on buying and selling a franchise in only 12 months–plus the profits from the year, too, why are we suffering under this wretched hard second apron? — Johnny Tuttle
A bit further down the line but this current CBA runs through the 29-30 season. With the onerous provisions that punished talent retention and team building (2nd Apron), would there/could there/should there be a shift back ? Teams like Denver, Lakers, Boston, Golden State and (soon be teams like OKC, San Antonio) have lost talent due to how punitive it is. — LooseLikeSleeveOfWizard
Won’t someone think of the billionaire owners? They might have to face a big luxury tax bill at the end of the season! Do you even care!?
Those aprons are getting nuked in the next CBA, though. Owners in small markets may like them because they limit owners willing to spend big, but they’re having pretty drastic consequences. Players and agents, meanwhile, really dislike them.
If the union has good leadership heading into the next negotiations, then they’ll take a firm stance against the aprons, at least as presently constructed.
I wish Enes Kanter Freedom did not take the bait from Chicago Sky’s Natasha Cloud.
During a game last week against the Indiana Fever, she shouted vulgar comments at the former NBA player, who was sitting in the crowd behind the basket.
Chicago Sky guard Natasha Cloud (9) yells at Turkish-American former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom during the second half against the Indiana Fever at Wintrust Arena in Chicago. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
He chirped back and showed off his massive wingspan and his T-shirt, emblazoned with the definition of the word “woman” (“adult human. female”).
Kanter Freedom was booted — and promptly became the story.
Critics have said that he’s using the protect women’s sportsmovement for clout. But some are using him to rewrite history.
Former basketball player Enes Kanter Freedom and Natasha Cloud of the Chicago Sky yelled at one another during a Fever Sky matchup. Though Cloud started the interaction, Kanter Freedom was booted. Getty Images
That’s ironic because, just a few sentences later, Brewer excluded all the women who are fighting this very battle.
“If the trans athlete debate were an organic, fully woman-led controversy, it could have prompted meaningful conversation, empathy in the pursuit of solutions and thoughtful measures taken after an extended process,” he wrote.
Either he been living under a rock or he’s willfully ignorant. My money is on the latter.
From the start, this has been an “organic, fully women-led” movement. Unfortunately, the ladies who have stuck their necks out haven’t been met with “empathy” or “meaningful conversation.”
In his column for The Athletic, Jerry Brewer ridiculously argues that if only the “trans athlete debate were an organic, fully women-led controversy” it would be treated thoughtfully.
They’ve been berated, dismissed and called transphobic.
It’s easier for the hypocritical be-kind brigade to call these women names instead of dealing with biological reality that shatters their bizarre progressive ideology.
Just ask the four high-school girls from Connecticut who, in 2020, after suddenly being smoked on the track by two boys identifying as girls, filed a lawsuit saying the boys’ participation was a Title IX violation.
It was tossed before being revived on appeals three years later.
Washington teen Ahnaleigh Wilson (left), who was bested in track by a male athlete, was berated by Seattle Storm co-owner Celeste Keaton for holding a sign thanking Sophie Cunningham for standing up for girls. Arwen Becker/ Instagram
Then came Riley Gaines, who was forced to compete against and change in a locker room with UPenn’s Lia Thomas. She came out against the obvious farce and was immediately slammed as a bigot and harassed by a mob of activists at San Francisco University.
On an episode of “Real Time with Bill Maher,” then-Congresswoman Katie Porter said Gaines was doing it for the “likes and clicks.”
To this day, the 12-time All-American is mocked by critics as a bitter loser.
Jennifer Sey, a former Levi’s executive and US gymnast who founded the activewear company XX XY, has also been called a right-wing grifter for speaking up for girls.
Paula Scanlan, a former teammate of Lia Thomas at the University of Pennsylvania, accused the university of silencing student athletes who had concerns about Thomas’ presence on the women’s swim team. Twitter / Matt Walsh
In February, Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham was asked about males in women’s sports by an ESPN reporter. Her very compassionate and common-sense comments about protecting women’s sports led to her being called — say it with me now — a transphobe.
When this all started, many of these women tied themselves into knots to explain that they love trans people but biological differences are real. And in sports, that matters.
But no amount of throat-clearing saved them from being attacked by activists screaming that “trans women are women” and, therefore, entitled to women’s spaces.
Many, many people quietly agree with Cunningham and Scanlan and Gaines. But they see what happens to people who raise their voice.
Does Brewer know about the middle-school girls in West Virginia who were banned from competition after protesting a male participant? Has he heard about the Vermont high-school basketball team punished for forfeiting a game against a school with a male on the team? How about marathoner Natalie Daniels, who was harassed and kicked out of her running club after criticizing the Boston Marathon for allowing males who identify as women to compete in the female category?
Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham spoke out for fairness — saying she is against males in women’s sports. Getty Images
He should read up on Washington high schoolers Francis Staudt and Ahnaleigh Wilson.
Staudt faced harassment for sitting out a hoops match against a team with a male player. Wilson, who was beaten in track by a biological male, found herself berated at a Seattle Storm game by co-owner Celeste Keaton after she dared to hold up a sign thanking Cunningham.
“Our decision to speak up has been costly,” they wrote for The Hill this week. “We have been called hateful, transphobic, bigots and bullies. We have both been harassed online and in person.”
There are far too many brave chicks to count. In fact, at many points in this debate, I have asked: Where are the dudes? Why won’t they help?
This has always been an organic fight from women. Brewer, like many in sports media, just didn’t want to listen.
On Thursday, Aug. 27, the Dream announced that they signed the two-time WNBA champion and six-time All-Star to a rest-of-season contract. ESPN and The Athletic reported that Bonner's deal is worth the prorated max of $116,000. Atlanta waived guards Aaliyah Nye and Jaylyn Sherrod in corresponding moves. Sherrod, who joined the team on June 29, was signed to a developmental contract.
The new Atlanta forward joins the team in her 17th season. Her arrival comes on the heels of a buyout after 37 games (including 26 starts) with the Phoenix Mercury, where she averaged 10.6 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game. During her career, Bonner has spent time with the Mercury, Connecticut Sun and Indiana Fever, averaging 14.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.2 steals per game for her career.
She won championships with Phoenix in 2009 and 2014 and is the only player in league history to win Sixth Player of the Year three times. The 39-year-old is currently third on the WNBA’s all-time scoring list (8,200) and is just one of three players in league history to reach at least 7,000 points, 3,000 rebounds and 1,000 assists.
"It's been super exciting. I was really excited to have her here. She's probably been trying to get here for a couple of years now, and finally (her) being here when I'm here is really cool. She's kinda been like a big sister to me while I've been in this league, always checking in," Dream forward Angel Reese said.
Reese gleefully told media on-site Thursday that Bonner is a "fashion girlie" and into a lot of things that she is, and she looks forward to the fun relationship the pair will build in Atlanta. However, the Dream star also mentioned that Bonner will only make the team, which hopes to win a title this season, better.
"I think (she brings) the veteran leadership first. She's a two-time champion. So, that also helps as well. Knowing what it takes to be a champion. Me, also, for my first time going into the playoffs, understanding what it's gonna look like for me," Reese said. "But also just being able to see her versatility on the court. She's played three, played the four, played the two. She can do it all. She also plays well defensively, too. So I just think (she) brings more size, more length, and I'm sure she's excited to come here and be here, too."
Bonner was not on-site Thursday, but Atlanta general manager Dan Padover said she is expected to join the team on Friday, Aug. 28 following a physical and more logistical items she needs to complete. She will then likely attend Atlanta's Friday evening matchup at Gateway Center Arena in College Park, Georgia, as a spectator against the Portland Fire. Atlanta, which has already secured a spot in the playoffs, will let Bonner practice first and then determine when she will make her Dream debut.
The team only has two matchups (Friday vs. the Fire and Sunday, Aug. 30 against the Minnesota Lynx) before the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup break. When the World Cup ends, the Dream will only have four regular-season games remaining, beginning Sept. 17, before the postseason begins. Padover noted that the break comes at a good time because it will give Bonner a chance to get up to speed and then begin the postseason push.
"(We're) really just fortunate that (Bonner) even became available, and we think we're in a spot where, adding a player of (Bonner's) caliber, experience, and obviously, the way she plays the game, is really complementary to our group right now," Padover said.
"As you're gearing up for the postseason, anything to help you get that final push can really go a long way, and we felt (Bonner would) be a good addition this time of year."
Bonner brings a wealth of knowledge and postseason experience to Atlanta. She has appeared in 98 career playoff games, averaging 13.2 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.2 steals per matchup. The 6-foot-4 forward is also the league's all-time postseason rebounds leader (668) and ranks second in WNBA playoff history in points (1,291) and steals (116).
"We've had a strong nucleus here (in Atlanta). A lot of players have that have been here for a little while, and we've had an ability to sprinkle some pieces in throughout. And a lot of our group is young, so when you have an opportunity here to bring in some veteran presence, I think you can really help these players grow and help our team get more competitive," Padover said.
STARKVILLE, MISSISSIPPI - FEBRUARY 28: Mark Mitchell #25 of the Missouri Tigers posts up during the first half against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Humphrey Coliseum on February 28, 2026 in Starkville, Mississippi. (Photo by Jason Clark/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Kentucky Basketball appears to be gearing up for a battle with the SEC and NCAA to get Mark Mitchell eligible.
According to Yahoo Sports reporter Ross Dellenger, Mitchell’s attorneys have amended their lawsuit in Kentucky, challenging both the NCAA and SEC to keep Mitchell eligible this coming season.
“Attorneys amended their complaint in the Kentucky eligibility lawsuit against the NCAA, requesting a judge hold the NCAA in contempt of court for allowing the SEC to issue a new policy that impacts the eligibility of 13 athletes, including Missouri-to-UK transfer Mark Mitchell,” Dellenger wrote on Twitter.
“Attorney Ryan Downton tells @YahooSports that the players believe the SEC’s new policy and “draconian penalties” interfere with their “constitutional right to have access to the court system,” as the sanctions may prevent schools from accepting the players onto rosters.”
It’s unclear whether this will directly address the SEC’s intraconference transfer rule, which would bar Mitchell from transferring from Missouri to another SEC program unless he entered the spring transfer portal window, or whether this is more about the new rules on pros returning to school. Either way, it’s clear that Mitchell isn’t throwing in the towel on getting to play next season.
We’ve thankfully got over two months until the college basketball season tips off, because at this rate, it’s going to take that long to figure out if Mitchell will be eligible this season for the Wildcats.
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 14: The ACC logo is seen before the finals between the Duke Blue Devils and the Virginia Cavaliers of the men's ACC Tournament at Spectrum Center on March 14, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) | Getty Images
As expected, the Atlantic Coast Conference’s Board of Directors held a vote to decide the fate of professional athletes that have aspired to return to the college ranks. The board unanimously adopted a resolution to enforce eligibility requirements that effectively prevent many professional athletes from returning to college athletics.
The verbiage in the ACC’s decision isn’t quite as ambiguous as the language from the Big 12 decision, but here is what we know for sure:
Players that previously declared for the NFL, NBA, or WNBA draft and did not properly withdraw from said draft will no longer be eligible.
Such cases include any player that signed with the NFL (or other professional football league), NBA/G-League, or WNBA (or affiliate). As it pertains to the NBA Summer League, a contract includes any Exhibit 10 or two-way contract, as well as any agreement to compensation that exceeded any type of per diem.
Finally, players that were listed on any roster for the leagues mentioned above are ineligible.
With these regulations in mind, it seems as though Carolina Basketball may be safe from any additional roster attrition. The ACC didn’t allude to an issue with international pros joining college, so Sayon Keita and Alexandros Samodurov are presumably still eligible. Things can change overnight, and more clarification from the league may be provided in the near future, so take this declaration with a grain of salt. But the only other player that falls in the gray area of this decision is Neoklis Avdalas, but since he played for Virginia Tech last season I have a hard time thinking he is anywhere near a chopping block no matter what future rulings may transpire.
The other UNC-relevant part of this is that because former Tar Heel Seth Trimble never withdrew from the NBA Draft, participated in the Summer League, and agreed to an Exhibit 10 contract, his dream of becoming eligible to play for Louisville is essentially over. It’s obviously bad news for a guy who deserves one more crack at a national title, but something tells me that he could find his way on a NBA roster one day if he puts in the work. His athleticism, basketball IQ, and overall competitiveness is enough to keep NBA teams intrigued, but also the G-League is a tough league to exit. Hopefully everything works out for him moving forward.
Now we will wait and see if the ACC elaborates on anything announced today, and we will provide any additional information that may be particularly relevant to the Tar Heels. But what do you think about the ACC’s decision? Let us know in the comments below.
