We’re now just 75 days away from the San Jose Sharks hosting the Florida Panthers to kick off the 2026-27 season on October 1.
The most recent, and likely most relevant, player to wear the number 75 for the Sharks was Ryan Reaves.
A journeyman enforcer, Reaves started his career with the St. Louis Blues after being selected in the fifth round of the 2005 NHL Draft. He spent three seasons at the American Hockey League level, and even had a stint in the ECHL, before making his NHL debut with the Blues during the 2010-11 season. While he split time between the NHL and AHL that season, he became a full-time NHLer, except for a lockout stint in the ECHL, beginning in the 2011-12 season.
Reaves remained in St. Louis through the 2016-17 season, then was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins ahead of the 2017-18 campaign. He only spent 58 games in Pittsburgh before he was on the move again, this time to the Vegas Golden Knights. During this time, he became despised by Sharks fans for his physical, tough style of play as well as his rivalry with then-Shark Evander Kane.
After three seasons with Vegas, Reaves had stints with the New York Rangers, Minnesota Wild and finally the Toronto Maple Leafs. During his time in Toronto, he was sent down to the AHL for the first time in a decade and a half, and his career seemed like it may be coming to an end.
Then, in the summer of 2025, Reaves was traded to the Sharks in exchange for defenseman Henry Thrun. While his reputation from Vegas remained, it didn’t take long for him to move from a hated figure to a fan favorite player for his off-ice contributions to the young team. While his on-ice play was still oft-criticized, his leadership role was massively valuable to a team looking to move out of a rebuild.
Currently, Reaves remains an unrestricted free agent, and it’s unknown if his playing career will continue. The Sharks did have talks to bring him back for a second season, but the signing of Mason Marchment put an end to those discussions.
Whether it’s on the ice, behind a bench, or in a press box as a broadcaster, it seems fair to see that we’ve yet to see the last of Ryan Reaves in the NHL.
Daniil Gushchin, Danil Yuraykin, and Freddie Hamilton also wore the number 75 for the Sharks.
The Knicks were on the verge of adding to their center depth, but the Dallas Mavericks are matching the two-year offer sheet on center Moussa Cisse that he agreed to with New York earlier Saturday.
According to SNY's Ian Begley, the offer sheet to Cisse, who spent last season with the Mavericks, starts at the veteran's minimum of $2.5 million. But since Cisse is a restricted free agent, the Mavericks had 48 hours to match. If Dallas didn't match, the Knicks would have lost the ability to sign their draft picks to contracts via the second-round minimum while also staying under the second apron.
In short, if Summer League standouts Tyler Nickel or Jack Ayil were to play with the Knicks this upcoming season with Cisse on the roster, they would have needed to agree to two-way deals.
ESPN's Shams Charania reports that the offer sheet is half guaranteed in the first year, with the 2027-28 season being non-guaranteed. The total for the two-year deal with Dallas is worth $4.7 million, Charania notes.
Cisse, a Memphis product who went undrafted, played 38 games for the Mavericks in his rookie season. He averaged 19 minutes a game while posting 4.5 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game.
The 23-year-old Cisse would have provided the Knicks with much-needed depth at the center position. With the departure of Mitchell Robinson and Ariel Hukporti, the Knicks entered the offseason with just Karl-Anthony Towns on the roster who could play the position. New York went ahead and added veteran center Andre Drummond in early July.
New York targeted Jonas Valanciunas to bolster the position further, but the veteran center signed with the EuroLeague.
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JUNE 28: Brandon Woodruff #53 of the Milwaukee Brewers walks back to the dugout in the fourth inning against the Chicago Cubs at American Family Field on June 28, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It’s not the end just yet for Brandon Woodruff. But his 2026 season is over.
Woodruff last pitched on the 4th of July, when he had to exit the game in the fourth inning due to renewed shoulder discomfort. He had missed six weeks earlier in the season with a shoulder issue that led to dead arm and diminished velocity. This time, though, the injury felt different. Woodruff got imaging done, which revealed a new injury to his anterior shoulder capsule. He then went to get a second opinion from Dr. Keith Meister, who performed Woodruff’s first shoulder capsule surgery back in 2023.
The opinion from Dr. Meister confirmed the worst: Woodruff would need surgery again.
“Yesterday with the announcement, it seemed like I was having a funeral or I was announcing retirement or something, and that’s not it at all. I gotta have surgery. It’s unfortunate,” Woodruff said.
Woodruff fully intends to return to the mound and pitch again. It’ll be a long process before he can get there, however. While Woodruff did not reveal an exact timeline, based on his previous shoulder capsule surgery, he won’t return until likely the 2028 season, when he will be 35 years old.
When he has been on the mound this year, Woodruff has still been effective, pitching to a 2.98 ERA across his nine starts, and that’s a point of pride for him.
“I think that’s exciting. I may not have the 98 mph anymore, but I can still pitch at what it was this year, 90-93. There were some 88s and 89s in there, and I know those last couple of batters were like, it was 85-86. But it taught me how you can change speeds and move the ball around, and it’s more about location than stuff per se. So that’s the exciting thing for me… I’ve always prided myself on being a pitcher,” Woodruff said.
“You start thinking about your time with the Brewers and one of your favorite moments — it’s Woody out there throwing 92 like it’s 99. Hard to stomach for our team, what it means for the dugout, what it means for the clubhouse. Yeah, it’s a gut punch, not just from the competitive standpoint, of course, but from the person,” Pat Murphy said.
This injury leaves the Brewers with two of their top three starting pitchers out for the rest of the season. Quinn Priester underwent TOS surgery earlier this year, and now Woodruff, within the next month, will go under the knife as well. Relievers Brian Fitzpatrick and Angel Zerpa are also out for the year with Tommy John surgery.
Woodruff is a free agent at season’s end, so it remains to be seen if he’ll be brought back to rehab once again or if he will have to seek that opportunity elsewhere.
For his career, Brandon Woodruff has a 3.10 ERA, the lowest ERA of any pitcher in Brewers franchise history with a minimum of 500 IP. He has totaled 19.0 bWAR, a 55-30 record, and 151 appearances with 136 starts.
Woodruff is at or near the top of the Brewers franchise leaderboards in several categories, including: bWAR (3rd), Win-Loss % (2nd), ERA (1st), WHIP (1st), H/9 (3rd), BB/9 (7th), K/9 (3rd), Adjusted ERA+ (1st), and FIP (2nd).
ST. PETERSBURG, FL - APRIL 10: New York Yankees Outfielder Aaron Judge (99), Infielder Ben Rice (22) and Outfielder Cody Bellinger (35) watch the action on the field during the regular season game between the New York Yankees and the Tampa Bay Rays on April 10, 2026, at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, FL. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across Major League Baseball. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Yankees fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
During the All-Star break, we polled Yankees fans about how they thought the regular season would end for the ol’ Bronx Bombers. The majority didn’t think they would win the AL East, instead having to settle for a Wild Card—though 35 percent at least thought that they would be the home team in a first-round best-of-three.
The immediate follow-up question must be asked though: How would the 2026 Yankees fare in the playoffs? So we of course obliged with our SB Nation Reacts question this week. Would the Yanks win it all and capture No. 28? Would they at least win their second AL pennant in three seasons after missing out last year at the hands (or talons) of the Blue Jays?
Yeah, optimism isn’t terribly high in the Bronx right now, even after a sweep to end the first half — one largely enabled by the lousy Nationals bullpen. Only a quarter of Yankees fans think that they’ll win the World Series. Although it was the most common answer in this poll, 25 percent is hardly a ringing endorsement. I’m sure that I’ve made this comp before, but it’s most similar to the “Ask the Audience” results on classic “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire” when contestants would use the lifeline on a high-level question where the vast majority was just guessing.
Perhaps more concerning is the fact that the combined 55 percent don’t envision even a return to the Fall Classic. It’s one thing to be extremely worried about the juggernaut Dodgers in a potential World Series matchup. It’s another to not be terribly confident that they’ll win the pennant in an American League that currently looks even more underwhelming than it was in 2024, when the Yankees only had to dispatch the Royals and Guardians—hardly the powerhouse Astros or Red Sox of yesteryear—to secure their first World Series trip since 2009.
Ninety-six percent of fans at least see the Yankees returning to the playoffs. It’s just a matter of where they’ll bow out, though again, a quarter are keeping the faith! I might run this poll again after the Trade Deadline, just to get another pulse check.
Fire and rain impacting Clay Holmes, Luis Robert Jr.
The weather in New York has tossed a bit of a wrench into the plans for some rehab assignments.
Holmes was scheduled to pitch on Saturday night in Brooklyn, but with rain hammering the borough, Green said that, at the time he was speaking, with plans up in the air and “weather dependent,” the plan had now become for the right-hander to “throw a live BP to ensure he gets his pitches in today.”
“He’s completely fine; he’s geared up to throw around 45 pitches either in the game or live BP,” the interim skipper said. “Where we stand right now with where the weather is, it’s most likely going to be a live BP."
(The Cyclones later called off the game due to rain.)
As far as a timeline, speaking even before Holmes had thrown a single inning in his rehab, Green said that once he is built up to around a five-inning mark, the conversation can begin on when he will be set to re-join the big league outfit.
Robert, who had a double and two walks in five times up in his first game with Triple-A Syracuse after the All-Star break, came out of the game “really good,” Green said.
“He’s also in this weird weather world right now; I guess we’re trying to dodge fire and water right now,” the interim manager said. “I think it is just water up there in Syracuse, so for him we’re hoping he plays today, but not sure what that day is gonna be.
“If he doesn’t, we gotta determine if he plays tomorrow or when he does come back to us because he’s looking better and better.”
For a return, Green said that when the Mets head to Milwaukee for a three-game set on Monday, it is possible Robert could be activated. “Hope so, certainly hope he’s back in the mix by then,” he said.
Carson Benge, A.J. Ewing see more LHPs
Both of the Mets' highly-touted rookie left-handed batters were in the lineup against Phillies lefty Jesus Luzardo, which continues a trend of Benge and Ewing getting more chances left-on-left.
“I think they stay in and there’s no fear,” Green said when asked about why they’ve been successful against LHP. “I think you see it, especially with Carson, just whatever the pitch shape is just a comfort in the batter’s box. He’s not rattled by anything.
“A.J. has just such a short, compact swing that I think that plays incredibly well for him.”
Green added that they “both kinda do it a little bit differently,” but there is “reason to believe that they handle left-handed pitching.”
Through his first 95 plate appearances against lefties, Benge has a bit less power than against right-handers, but still posted an impressive .267/.337/.384 slash line for a .721 OPS.
Ewing has a bit less time against southpaws, with a slightly bigger drop in his average, but still a decent .231/.305/.442 slash for a .747 OPS in 60 plate appearances.
Crowded outfield
When Robert does return, what does that mean for all the above?
“All of them are going to play,” Green said. “That’s right for us from a matchup perspective; that’s right from a talent-level perspective. When it comes to the two kids that we feel strongly about, it’s their first full professional season; taking a day off a week as we get into kinda the dog days of July, August, and September isn’t going to hurt them; it will help them.
“We welcome really good baseball players back to the team and we’ll be excited to get [Robert’s] bat back into the lineup, and he’ll get some days off as well.”
Could Robert also get some time at DH? Well, that’s a bit more complicated with Jorge Polanco “getting a lot of those” and Juan Soto also getting some time as a hitter only.
“DH at-bats are tougher to come by than usual,” the skipper said. “But yes, that is a possibility as well.
That could also see Polanco get some time again at first base.
“I think so in time,” Green said when asked about that possibility. “Right now we got him back to get his bat back in the mix. So we’ve thought of him primarily as a DH in the short term. As we get into August, if he continues to feel good, I would expect us to start to explore that, get him so more ground balls, get him going again.
“That obviously was the intent when we signed him. Right now we just want his bat viable for us and we’ll cross that bridge when we get there in August.
AI in the dugout
Asked for his opinion on MLB changing what is allowed on iPads in the dugouts, the interim manager said he “cares about that as much as I care about game times changing an hour,” referencing the past two Mets games’ start time moving up one hour.
“I don’t care about it at all,” Green said. “Whatever the rules are, we remain fully compliant. And Major League Baseball makes those determinations. And we go out and play a game.”
After the news of MLB’s change was reported, former Mets reliever Adam Ottavino said the Mets were "the main team" that got cracked down on by MLB for using an AI program on iPads in the dugout that would help them "pick pitches.”
Asked if he or the organization had any reaction to Ottavino’s comments, the interim skipper said, “I certainly don’t.”
“I don’t think it does us any good to talk about what everybody says publicly,” he continued. “From my perspective, what I just said remains true: We remain compliant with everything MLB’s asked us to do, and we’ll continue to do that.”
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 16: Allen Graves #22 of the Toronto Raptors shoots a three point basket during the game against the Miami Heat on July 16, 2026 at the Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Mike Kirschbaum/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Despite the Toronto Raptors’ proven track record in the first round of the draft, the selection of Allen Graves at No. 19 in the 2026 NBA Draft was met with confusion, annoyance, and uncertainty.
Several analysts, fans, and personal group chats had already convinced themselves of what ‘type’ of player the Raptors should target. Instead, General Manager and Vice-President Bobby Webster doubled down on his front-office believed translates to a playoff environment.
Graves’ early returns after Summer League are sparkling and have caused a handful of critics to look back on their own scouting reports to unearth what they could’ve missed.
After four Summer League games, the fascinating jumbo-wing is averaging 16.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.0 assists. Graves also chipped in 3.3 stocks (steals and blocks) while shooting 50 per cent from three.
With one matchup remaining against the Denver Nuggets on July 19, expect Graves to continue building on his momentum leading into his first pre-season with the organization. Raptors fans can continue to voice their opinions ahead of the upcoming season on FanDuel.
Apr 11, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves city connect hat in the dugout against the Cleveland Guardians in the second inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | Brett Davis-Imagn Images
It was a messy day down on the farm as multiple games were rained out in what was supposed to be a day full of action with nine total games slated for play. Still, there was plenty of action to go around, so let’s dive into it.
Mother Nature got in the way of this one, as the Stripers’ matchup against Toledo was postponed due to weather. Unfortunately, this means AJ Smith-Shawver did not make his anticipated start.
It’s a shame this one was suspended in the home half of the first inning due to rain, because through both team’s first trip to the plate, they combined for six runs on seven hits in what looked like it was going to be an offensive explosion.
Newly signed free agent Carson Taylor, Jordan Groshans and Will Verdung each tallied an RBI in the shortened outing, while Taylor also laced a double in the process as well.
— Columbus Clingstones (@GoClingstones) July 17, 2026
The one person who was the happiest the game was rained out was Columbus starter Julio Robaina, who gave up three runs in just 0.2 innings of work before the contest was called.
The Clingstones will resume Friday’s game on Saturday as part of a doubleheader.
While Rome’s game wasn’t rained out, they probably wish it would have been, as there was clearly some break hangover left as the Emperors were shutout in the 4-0 loss.
As the final score might suggest, Rome was limited at the plate to just four hits — all singles — as Tate Southisene, Colby Jones, Mason Guerra and Dallas Macias tallied the lone knocks for the Emperors.
Meanwhile starter Ethan Bagwell didn’t have his best stuff in his first start post-break, but was still somewhat solid for Rome. Across 4.2 innings, Bagwell held Asheville to two runs on six hits while only walking one and striking out three on the night.
The biggest detriment in his outing was the long ball, as Bagwell gave up a pair of homers in those 4.2 innings. The somewhat good news is that both of those home runs were only solo shots.
(48-40) Augusta GreenJackets 2, (43-43) Fayetteville Woodpeckers 3
Michael Martinez, LF-RF: 1-4, R
Cooper McMurray, 1B: 1-3, R
Junior Garcia, RF-CF: 0-2, 2 BB
Landon Beidelschies, SP: 3.2 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 3 K
The GreenJackets found themselves in an early hole in this one and were unfortunately unable to climb their way out of it, losing a tight one by a 3-2 final.
On the one hand, Augusta was held to just two hits, a pair of singles courtesy of Michael Martinez and Cooper McMurray — who also happened to score both of the team’s only runs.
However, the GreenJackets did manage to work a solid seven walks on the night as well, but they also went a combined 0-5 with runners in scoring position on the night as well.
Landon Beidelschies got the start in this one and allowed two runs on three hits across 3.2 innings of work. The lefty also walked three and struck out three in the process.
While things didn’t exactly go according to plan for any of the teams in the upper minors on Friday, the FCL came away with at least one win in their doubleheader.
Wuilinyer Tovar got the start in game one for the Braves and tossed 4.2 innings of five-hit, three-run ball while walking a pair.
Offensively, things got off to a solid start as Manuel Campos singled home Caden Merritt in the top of the first to give the Braves an early 1-0 lead. However, the Rays managed to plate three runs of their own in the home half to put the Braves in a 3-1 deficit.
In the top of the fifth, Campos would once again come through, this time with a two-RBI single, to score Juan Espinal and Cardell Thibodeaux to tie things up at 3-3.
The Braves retook the lead in the top of the sixth as Elias Reyno scampered home on a wild pitch to make it a 4-3 game, while Johan Rodriguez singled home Espinal and Merritt later in the inning to tack on and extend the lead to 6-3.
Edward Cedano came on in relief of Tovar in the fifth inning, but proceeded to give up two runs in 2.1 innings of work as the Rays closed the gap in the bottom of the seventh to make it a 6-5. However, Cedano managed to stop the bleeding there and preserve the lead for the Braves.
Game one might have went the Braves’ way, but game two was a much different story as the club ended up splitting their doubleheader following the 7-3 loss in this one.
At the plate, Merritt had yet another strong game by going 2-4 with a triple — his second of the day — and a run scored. Espinal also came through with a solo homer, while Yoelvis Betancourt drove in two of the team’s three runs in the game, going 2-3 in the process.
On the mound, 2025 17th rounder Brody Fowler, who joined the FCL club again after a brief stint at high-A Rome in which he tossed four innings of one-run ball, striking out nine batters in that span. Perhaps it’s just a tune-up for Fowler, as he doesn’t figure to spend much more time with the FCL squad.
On Friday, Fowler got roughed up a bit, allowing five runs (three earned) while also striking out seven in 4.1 innings of work.
In what was easily the most exciting game of the day down on the farm, the DSL Braves won game one of their doubleheader in dramatic fashion by beating the DSL Rays in extra innings.
Serving as the opener, Ernesto Meza tossed one inning, giving up one run. However, a bulk of the pitching workload came courtesy of reliever Charlis Medina, who spun 5.1 innings of scoreless ball, scattering four hits and striking out four in the process.
Medina’s performance is a huge reason why the Braves were able to remain in this game.
At the plate, the Braves jumped out to a dominant early lead, plating five runs in the top of the first.
Yassell Pena got things started with a two-RBI single to plate Edelson Cabral and Sherrintley Da Costa Gomez to give the Braves a 2-0 lead. Durban Arnedo later singled Pena home, before Luis Consoro tripled Arnedo and Osmar Torrealba home to extend the lead to 5-0.
The Rays took a 6-5 lead in the second inning, but the Braves tied things up in the top of the third, courtesy of Cabral RBI-single.
Both team’s respective offenses shut down from that point forward, sending the game into extras.
In the top of the eighth, Consoro came through once again with an extra base hit, this time an RBI-double to score Luis Fortunato to give the Braves a 7-6 lead.
In the home half, Yostin Pinales tossed a scoreless frame to put the Rays down and seal off the win for the Braves.
The Knicks lost their backup center, but took a low-risk flier in search of a replacement, signing restricted free agent Moussa Cisse to an offer sheet.
In a move first reported by The Stein Line and confirmed by The Post, the Knicks signed local product Cisse to a two-year offer sheet Saturday. Dallas will have 48 hours to match it, until 11:59 p.m. Monday.
Cisse’s salary will be half guaranteed this season, and nonguaranteed in 2027-28.
Moussa Cisse of the Dallas Mavericks shoots against Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks during their game at Madison Square Garden on January 19, 2026. Getty Images
It would become fully guaranteed Oct. 1, according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks.
The Knicks had let backup center Mitchell Robinson walk to the rival Boston Celtics in an effort to duck the punitive second apron.
They signed hulking veteran Andre Drummond, but the reigning champions have still been searching for ways to improve around the margins, targeting for an athletic young big.
After sniffing around Charlotte’s Moussa Diabaté and New Orleans shot-blocker Yves Missi on the trade market, they turned to the 23-year-old Cisse, who had eight games last season of at least five rebounds.
After growing up playing soccer in Conakry, Guinea, Cisse moved to New York when he was 14.
Moussa Cisse during an April 2026 game. Getty Images
He started playing his high school basketball at St. Benedict’s Prep in Newark (N.J.) alongside former Knick Precious Achiuwa.
He then moved on to Christ the King in Queens, leading them to the Class AA state title game.
Cisse impressed in his lone outing against the Knicks last season, with 15 points, nine rebounds and four blocks in just 20 minutes.
Now he’s signed an offer sheet with the Knicks, and could be on the brink of a homecoming of sorts, if the Mavericks don’t match the offer.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - JUNE 26: Tomoyuki Sugano #11 of the Colorado Rockies prepares to pitch against the Minnesota Twins in the first inning at Target Field on June 26, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Despite a hot start to July, the Colorado Rockies dropped under .500 on the month with a loss to the Cincinnati Reds last night. In the first game back after the All-Star festivities, the bats were cold and the Rockies started the back half of the season off on the wrong foot. The Rox managed just two runs on six hits alongside eight strikeouts, surrendering a taco special worth of runs in a 7-2 loss.
Gabriel Hughes looked solid and kept the Rockies in contention for most of the game, but Colorado’s offense couldn’t get things finished, going 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position. Hunter Goodman had a bit of an All-Star hangover, going 0-for-4 with three strikeouts. The bullpen let things get further out of reach with Jimmy Herget giving up two runs, Victor Vodnik another, and Jeff Criswell capping the night off allowing two more.
Looking to right the course, Colorado hopes the return of a key piece of the starting rotation could get them back in the win column. After a stint on the injured list, Tomoyuki Sugano (菅野 智之) is set to start for the Rockies. He brings an 8-4 record across 16 starts into the weekend matchup, tossing 48 strikeouts across 84.1 innings with a 4.80 ERA. Before his injury, Sugano had one of his roughest outings of the year in a 9-8 loss to the Minnesota Twins, giving up seven earned runs on eight hits with two home runs and just two strikeouts.
For the Reds, Rhett Lowder is projected to take the mound. Lowder is also rejoining Cincinnati’s starting rotation. He shifted to the bullpen following Hunter Greene’s return from the IL, but a recent injury to Nick Lodolo warrants Lowder’s return. He carries a 3-6 record and a 4.91 ERA across 13 starts and 16 games played. In his last appearance, Lowder posted a clean two innings in relief, notching one strikeout and two walks with no hits at the end of an 8-4 loss to the Chicago Cubs.
The Saturday matinee presents two teams at the bottom of their respective divisions shuffling their rotations and battling it out in the hopes of stringing together some wins during the dog days of summer.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 13: Kaodirichi Akobundu-Ehiogu #42 of the Dallas Mavericks converts an alley-oop dunk over Olivier-Maxence Prosper #18 of the Memphis Grizzlies during the first half of a 2026 NBA Summer League game at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 13, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images) | Getty Images
We had overused the basketball witticism, “He can jump out of the gym” to the point that it had lost all meaning.
Then Kaodirichi Akobundu-Ehiogu materialized before us, as if from thin air, on the Dallas Mavericks Summer League roster, to remind us what jumping out of the gym really looks like.
You can’t overthrow this guy on a lob. Believe me, Sergio de Larrea and Vsevolod Ishchenko have tried on several occasions over the course of the four games Akobundu-Ehiogu has played with the Summer Mavs.
His standing vertical is said to be better than 41 inches, and his maximum vertical has been measured at 48 inches. Already standing 6’10”, that makes him one of the highest flyers the basketball-watching audience has ever seen.
“My mom was 5’8” and my dad was short,“ Akobundu-Ehiogu said in a video for something called Whistle Sports back in 2022. ”It doesn’t make any sense.“
Dallas has been a big part of his sidewinding journey in and out of the game of basketball, and not just because he’s become a Summer League sideshow this year while wearing a Mavericks uniform. He was born in Imo, Nigeria, near Lagos, where he spent his early childhood, before his parents both passed within the span of 11 months, according to a report from WATN-TV.
Akobundu-Ehiogu was just six years old at the time. An aunt who was living in Mesquite brought him and his siblings over to live with her and began the years-long process of officially adopting them.
He didn’t start playing basketball until less than three weeks before tryouts for the seventh-grade team. He was just 5’4” at the time, but would grow more than 14 inches over the next five years, until he stood 6’6” entering his senior year of high school at Mesquite Poteet.
His only offer after high school was to play for a tiny private Christian school just south of Dallas in Waxahachie. It was then called Southwestern Assembly of God University (SAGU), but it now called Nelson University. He played for one season there before telling his coach he wouldn’t return for a second year, because his dream was to play for a Division 1 program. He suffered a Jones fracture in his foot toward the end of the year. He said in the video above that he broke his foot while playing ball in the rec center at SAGU after informing his coach he wouldn’t be back.
It’s important to note here just how sparingly he was used in 2018-19, his freshman season at SAGU. His season-high point total was just seven points. He appeared in 25 games.
His name means “patience” — though that virtue seemed to elude Akobundu-Ehiogu as he kicked and scratched for his place in the game of basketball. The D1 offers were not piling in. He was going to go find one.
This part is somewhat murky, but here or soon after enters one Mike Schmitz. Then a mere NBA Draft analyst, Schmitz would receive his own big break in the game years later when he grappled his way into a front office position with the Portland Trail Blazers. He’s now, of course, the Mavericks’ general manager under Masai Ujiri.
Somehow, after that stint at SAGU, Akobundu-Ehiogu ended up at UT Arlington for the 2020-21 season. He did not play anywhere the prior year, instead working with a trainer with a focus on coming back from the broken foot. He reportedly worked at Home Depot while taking a couple of classes at Collin College to improve his academic transcript before he could transfer in. Can you imagine the value he must have held to his Home Depot coworkers, standing 6’10” with a 7’4” wingspan?
Akobundu-Ehiogu would average 3.4 points, 5.7 rebounds and a jaw-dropping 3.3 blocks per game in the Sun Belt Conference in his redshirt sophomore season at UTA.
Word has it that Schmitz was already onto Akobundu-Ehiogu at the time. Word is that Schmitz knew someone at UT Arlington, and word is that connections were made. Whatever the case may be, Schmitz was interested enough in Akobundu-Ehiogu a year later to descend upon the basketball mecca of Arlington a year later to see the athletic specimen in person.
In Arlington tonight to check out UT Arlington big man Kaodirichi Akobundu-Ehiogu. The 6-9 Nigeria native blocked 5.5 shots per 40 min last season. Long and rangy athlete with elite bounce. Vertical spacer with Sun Belt DPOY potential. Incredible trajectory as a former walk-on. pic.twitter.com/XkB4fBQpSE
The timestamp on that post reads Nov. 1, 2021. If you cross-reference the UTA men’s basketball schedule for the 2021-22 season, you’ll see there was no game that night. That means that Schmitz was in the College Park Center, where the Dallas Wings now play, likely for a preseason scrimmage. That’s an incredibly high level of interest in an extreme far-fringe prospect, but it would come back around less than five years later, when Akobundu-Ehiogu was selected as a member of the Summer Mavs.
But first, he played two years at UTA, then another at Memphis, under Penny Hardaway. In those three seasons combined, he had a block rate of close to 17%. After that, he played in Europe for four seasons, with a Summer League stint for the Denver Nuggets squoze in last year.
If you find yourself asking whether Akobundu-Ehiogu is simply benefiting from the passing genius of the young Spaniard de Larrea or if there is some there there with his game, I’d bet on Akobundu-Ehiogu at least breaking through this year into a roster spot with the Mavericks’ G-League Affiliate the Texas Legends.
Schmitz’s whole energy as an analyst, a scout and now a prominent member of the Mavs’ front office has screamed, “I know something you don’t know” at every turn. He clearly believes in this guy, even though his offensive game clearly still needs a couple of levels of graduation. Add in the fact that the Mavericks are being put to a decision on whether or not to match the offer sheet restricted free agent center Moussa Cisse signed with the New York Knicks on Saturday, and there might be room for Akobundu-Ehiogu in the organization.
Restricted free agent Moussa Cisse has agreed to a two-year contract offer sheet with the New York Knicks, sources tell ESPN. His salary is half guaranteed in the first year and 2027-28 is non-guaranteed. The Dallas Mavericks have 48 hours to match or not. pic.twitter.com/pxo45v0Bw2
The Mavs have until Monday to decide whether to match New York’s offer to Cisse, but even if they do bring Cisse back, giving Akobundu-Ehiogu an opportunity to develop for one more year in the G League may be just what Schmitz was after all along.
Do not be surprised if the highlight dunks we’ve become acquainted with during Summer League play become old hat if Akobundu-Ehiogu spends a year in Dallas with the Legends.
If he can pull it off, it will be a remarkable full-circle moment for a kid from Nigeria whose world travels in the game of basketball have always been routed through Dallas.
Perhaps it’s kismet. Maybe Kao is meant to be here. Maybe Schmitz knew it all along.
MIAMI, FLORIDA - JUNE 22: Jakob Junis #16 of the Texas Rangers celebrates with teammates against the Miami Marlins at loanDepot park on June 22, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Sam Navarro/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Texas Rangers have activated relief pitcher Jakob Junis from the injured list, the team announced today. In addition, the Rangers have recalled righthanded pitcher Jose Corniell from AAA Round Rock. To make room for the pair on the active roster, the Rangers optioned relievers Emiliano Teodo and Gavin Collyer to AAA Round Rock.
The return of Junis is a big deal, as he and Jacob Latz have been, for much of the season, the only two really reliable relievers the Rangers have had. Junis will, I imagine, resume his role as the primary eighth inning guy now that he is back.
The other moves are just the rotation of guys in the bullpen to provide for fresh arms. Teodo came up because the Rangers needed an arm in the pen and he was available. He and Collyer both pitched yesterday in the 15-1 blowout. Neither was effective, and neither would be available for the weekend, most likely, so Corniell comes up to provide an arm in the pen for length.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - JULY 17: Tim Tawa #13 of the Arizona Diamondbacks scores after hitting a solo home run against the St Louis Cardinals during the third inning at Chase Field on July 17, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Ketel Marte’s Decision Stuns Fans Just when it ooked like the team might get through the upcoming trade deadline without weeks of Ketel Marte rumblings, the pitchforks are out once again, calling for Marte to be moved, largely due to his decision to not use his challenge on the last pitch of the game.
Injury Update News Zac Gallen will be making the worrisome trip to see Dr. Neal ElAttrache on Monday. Michael Soroka could be back in the first week of August. Tommy Troy just cannot catch a break and will likely be out until at least mid-August.
MLB Restricts Use of AI on Dugout Tech Oh no, managers aren’t able to quickly ask Claude what to do with a runner on second, no one out and the game tied in the 14th.
Former Mets RP Adam Ottavino reveals the Mets used an AI program to pick their pitches 😳
"The Mets were the main team that got cracked down on it. They had an AI program helping them pick pitches but MLB got wind of it and shut that down."
Players Who Could Gain the Most from Deadline Trades These players cold benefit from a change of scenery and some could see themselves in line for a better free agent contract this winter with the qualifying offer not being able to be applied.
Jun 18, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Mets pitcher Sean Manaea (59) throws a pitch against the Philadelphia Phillies during the second inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images | Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
Mets Lineup
Francisco Lindor – SS
Juan Soto – DH
Bo Bichette – 3B
Francisco Alvarez – C
Carson Benge – RF
Marcus Semien – 2B
Tyrone Taylor – LF
A.J. Ewing – CF
Eric Wagaman – 1B
Sean Manaea – LHP
Phillies Lineup
Trea Turner – SS
Kyle Schwarber – DH
Bryce Harper – 1B
Alec Bohm – 3B
Edmundo Sosa – LF
Brandon Marsh – RF
J.T. Realmuto – C
Derek Hill – CF
Bryson Stott – 2B
Jesús Luzardo – LHP
Broadcast Info
First pitch: 3:05 PM EDT TV: SNY Radio: Audacy Mets Radio WHSQ 880AM, Audacy App, 92.3 HD2
One of the most surprising storylines heading into last season was the trio of rookies who made the Detroit Red Wings' roster out of training camp, and Michael Brandsegg-Nygård was one of them.
The 20-year-old Norwegian power forward wasted little time trying to make his mark. Through his first nine games with Detroit, he recorded an assist and tied for the team lead in hits with 28, while averaging roughly 12 and a half minutes of ice time per night.
He would go on to play five more games with the Red Wings to close out the season, but the bulk of his year was spent in the AHL with the record-breaking Grand Rapids Griffins.
Brandsegg-Nygård experienced his share of highs and lows in his first full North American professional season, but he found his footing as the year went on. He finished with 20 goals and 24 assists for 44 points in 60 games with Grand Rapids, and carried that momentum into the postseason, posting four goals and four assists for a point-per-game pace during the Griffins' disappointing eight-game playoff run.
Elite Prospects currently projects Brandsegg-Nygård to make the Red Wings roster again next season. After spending this past year learning alongside fellow power forward James van Riemsdyk, the hope is that he can put it all together, arrive at training camp and preseason with solid work behind him, and crack the lineup on a full-time basis, finally making his impact felt at the NHL level.
A bottom-six role with similar minutes to what he saw in his brief NHL stint, somewhere around 12 minutes a night, could suit him well, with the goal of producing a campaign in the neighborhood of the roughly 30-point season van Riemsdyk had in Detroit this past year. If he can get there, he'd represent a valuable, cost-controlled option for the Red Wings.
— Red Wings Prospects (@LGRWProspects) May 9, 2026
Time will tell what role awaits the former 15th-overall pick from the 2024 NHL Draft. But after making the team out of camp once already, there's a good chance Brandsegg-Nygård can do it again heading into next season.
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Jun 18, 2026; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson screams during the New York Knicks Championship Parade through the Canyon of Heroes. Mandatory Credit: Brenden Willsch-Imagn Images | Brenden Willsch-Imagn Images
The New York Knicks are bringing back most of their championship roster to the team next season, with one glaring exception.
Mitchell Robinson, the longest-tenured member of the team, left New York after eight seasons to sign with the rival Boston Celtics in free agency. Bleacher Report contributor Grant Hughes believes losing Robinson is a downgrade for New York.
“Mitchell Robinson, a more prominent rotation piece than any of the Knicks’ retentions, was the one that got away,” Hughes wrote.
“He’ll play for the Celtics next season in the first year of a three-year deal worth $47.4 million.
“The Knicks didn’t have to let him go, and there’s a good chance they’ll miss his elite offensive rebounding and defensive force. Sure, health concerns and the foul-shooting struggles that rendered Robinson occasionally unplayable during the title run loom large. But it’s nonetheless disappointing to watch a defending champion lose a critical piece over money.”
Robinson was offered far more than the Knicks were willing to spend, which ultimately led him to leave the team. In his place, Andre Drummond steps in for his 15th NBA season. Drummond was a two-time All-Star with the Detroit Pistons back in 2016 and 2018, but he has been primarily a backup since leaving the Pistons in 2020.
Drummond will be asked to step up to the plate with Robinson no longer on the roster, but it’s clear that the team is not getting the same amount of value.
We’re about to find out exactly how valuable Robinson was to the Knicks. It showed a lot in this past season when he was healthy and the team’s best rim protector, but replacing him with Drummond could have long-term effects that could prevent the Knicks from repeating as champions.
P&T community, how do you feel about swapping out Robinson for Drummond? Let us know in the comments section below.
