INGLEWOOD, CA - 1972: Jerry Lucas #32 of the New York Knicks goes for a lay-up as Wilt Chamberlain #13 of the Los Angeles Lakers goes for the block as Jerry West #44 looks on during an NBA game circa 1972 at The Forum in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Martin Mills/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Wilt Chamberlain is still all over the NBA record book, with about 72 records, including 68 he holds alone. For a couple of easy examples, in 1961-62, he averaged 48.5 minutes per game, due in part to overtimes. For another, in a career that stretched from 1959-1973, he never fouled out.
That’s 1,205 games. And in those games, he averaged 46 minutes per game. It really is astonishing to think that he played that many minutes and never once fouled out.
He factors in a number of things, including a knee injury that Chamberlain suffered in November, 1969, when his shotblocking fell sharply. He tries to account for both his youth and age.
He cites a number of statistical sources to get a workable number, uses several models to approximate what he did in his peak and later years, and the numbers are truly astounding.
In one newspaper article, the reporter said Chamberlain blocked 23 shots in one game. Alonzo Mourning blocked 28 in high school, but 23? In an NBA game?
Ultimately, his best estimate worked out to 8.7 blocks per game over Chamberlain’s career, and a total of 9,058.
To put that in perspective, the official NBA record is held by Hakeem Olajuwon, with 3,830 over 20 years.
Chamberlain did his damage in 14 years, and he missed 70 games due to his knee injury.
Really, his stats are almost cartoonish, including 55 rebounds in a single game.
Quite simply, he was certainly the most gifted big man in NBA history, and is on a very short list of the finest athletes to ever play in the league. His vertical is estimated to have been between 48-50 inches. Here’s a good example from later in his career.
The Road to the Show is set to begin shortly for the next wave of future MLB prospects.
The 2026 MLB Draft kicks off Day 2 of MLB All-Star Week festivities in Philadelphia at the Pennsylvania Convention Center on Saturday, July 11, with the first round of the draft set to start at 1 p.m. ET.
The draft, similar to last year's in Atlanta, will take place across two days. The first four rounds of selection will take place on Saturday, while rounds four through 20 will take place on Sunday. Interestingly, Saturday's selections will be made while several of the penultimate first-half games before the All-Star break are being played across the country.
The Chicago White Sox own the No. 1 overall pick. The AL Central franchise, which is off to a surprising 47-44 record in Year 2 (WILL NEED UPDATE AFTER TODAY'S 2:10 PM GAME) of the Will Venable era on the South Side, has a plethora of options to go with the pick, including UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky, Georgia Tech catcher Vahn Lackey and Texas high school shortstop Grady Emerson.
Several teams have received a 10-pick penalty for their first pick of the draft for exceeding the second surcharge threshold of the Competitive Balance Tax. Those teams include the New York Yankees, New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies, Toronto Blue Jays and the Los Angeles Dodgers. In fact, the Blue Jays and Dodgers won't be selecting in the first round, as their first picks will be in the second round.
Here's everything to know about the 2026 MLB Draft, including start times and how to watch information:
The 2026 MLB Draft is scheduled to take place across both Saturday, June 11 and Sunday, June 12 in Philadelphia at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Saturday will consist of rounds 1-4 of the draft, with Sunday consisting of rounds 5 through 20.
Day 1 is set to begin at 1 p.m. ET and run through 7:45 p.m. ET. Day 2 is set to resume at 11:30 a.m. ET and is expected to go until 7:30 p.m. ET.
NBC will broadcast the first 10 picks of the 2026 MLB Draft before TV coverage shifts over to MLB Network for picks 11-40 of Day 1 of the draft. The streaming option for the first 10 picks is Peacock, NBC's subscription streaming service. You can stream MLB Network's coverage of Day 1 of the draft either on Fubo, which offers a free trial to new subscribers, or MLB.com.
MLB.com will be the spot to watch most of the draft, including picks 41-135 on Saturday. The entirety of Day 2 of the draft will be on MLB.com.
Norway fans join Mr and Mrs Met in a rendition of their trademark row celebration during a 24 June game at Citi Field.Photograph: Ishika Samant/Getty Images
First they sang for Harry Kane. Then they sang for Michael Harris II.
The Atlanta Braves center-fielder is not someone many Major League Baseball fans would consider a household name. A local kid made good, he has established himself as an above-average, everyday outfielder and at age 25 is enjoying a career-best season, but his face doesn’t dominate billboards and ads in the way of Shohei Ohtani or Aaron Judge.
To a pack of football fans, though, he is a superstar.
Last week, England supporters, in Atlanta for the World Cup and fresh off their team’s dramatic last-32 win over the Democratic Republic of Congo, were offered discounted tickets to the Braves’ home game against the St Louis Cardinals. They filled a pocket of the center-field bleachers, hung their flags and brought the sounds of Wembley to Truist Park.
As the player situated closest to the England fans, Harris caught their attention. His performance in a 5-1 win – one hit, one RBI, four putouts – didn’t quite match the heroics of Kane earlier in the day, but the supporters in red and white sang in spirited verve anyway, from “Walking in a Harris wonderland!” to “Baseball’s coming home – with Michael Harris!”
More than 5 million fans attended home games of the 14 teams in 12 World Cup host cities (including Toronto in Canada) from 11 June to 5 July. The average attendance across those markets (35,326)was higher than in the same stretch of three of the past four seasons.
The influx of World Cup visitors may not be the only responsible factor for attendance boosts in certain markets, but the crossover in the calendar has made for a compelling collision of sports cultures: the slow-paced, quiet of midsummer baseball with the raucous, frenzied energy of international soccer.
“We export the game. We play games in other parts of the world. And now the world is coming to us,” said Adam Zimmerman, the senior vice-president of marketing and content for the Braves who oversaw their England promotion. “And what is a more American experience than going to a baseball game?”
The Boston Red Sox were the first out of the gate. With Scotland in town for their World Cup group-stage matches, the Red Sox hosted a Scottish Heritage Celebration Night on 14 June against the Texas Rangers, drawing more than 5,000 members of the Tartan Army among a crowd of 32,006 at Fenway Park.
Never mind that many of them didn’t know much about baseball. “How many innings is it?” one fan asked a local TV reporter. “Oh, you’re having a laugh!” he said upon hearing the answer of nine. (What did excite that fan was the concession offerings: “We’ve been here four days and I’ve not had a hot dog yet. I’m gagging for it.”)
The Tartan Army led a bagpipers’ march down the historic Lansdowne Street that borders the 114-year-old ballpark. The stands were filled with supporters in Scotland tops, kilts and red socks, chanting “We’ve got McGinn, Super John McGinn”. They sang Flower of Scotland after the Star-Spangled Banner, and roared when the team organist played Loch Lomond and I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles).
Such was the Red Sox’s amazement at the scenes – which came amid a slump for one of baseball’s most historic franchises – that the team president wrote a letter thanking Scotland for “genuinely one of the most moving things we have witnessed at Fenway Park in a long time”.
“My bucket list is to be at a European game one day with my kids, and that was probably as close to it as you can get as far as the atmosphere,” said Rangers manager Skip Schumaker, whose own team started playing No Scotland, No Party in their clubhouse after two wins with the Tartan Army in attendance. “That was pretty special.”
The Miami Marlins, hosting Scotland fans eight days later, saw their biggest crowd for a Monday game in nine years. An estimated 8,000 supporters helped give a team that has historically sat at the bottom of MLB’s attendance table one of their best home atmospheres this season, with a crowd of 20,008.
In the heart of Texas, the Rangers hosted Australia fans at their Globe Life Field, which sits across a parking lot from World Cup host Dallas Stadium. One Socceroos fan – perhaps a cricketer back home – earned himself headlines last Thursday for his barehanded catch of a foul ball.
Norway fans took their trademark row celebration to the first game of a New York Mets midweek doubleheader against the Chicago Cubs. One supporter, surely captivated in part by the 18ft (5.5m) Home Run Apple in center field, told MLB.com that Citi Field was the most beautiful sports venue he’d ever visited.
“I’ve never been to a baseball game before, and I think this is part of the American experience, to be at a baseball game,” that fan, a visitor from outside Oslo named Daniel, said. “So this is the United States for me.”
(If the Norwegian support has been a boon for their team, who are in the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time in their history, it didn’t help the fortunes of the last-place Mets: they lost both games of that doubleheader amid a seven-game losing streak.)
The Braves started planning for how to make the most of World Cup opportunities in Atlanta months in advance, but their 1 July England night came together quickly once the knockout draw was released. Team staff worked with the British consulate and the Football Supporters’ Association to arrange discounted game tickets and free bus services from downtown, where many fans spent the afternoon watching the win at Atlanta Stadium. A special allowance was made for just one night to let fans bring flags inside the ballpark, where the brick walls were dotted with emblems of Leeds and London, Birmingham and Brentford. The team hired a cover band called Broasis – yes, they played Wonderwall – decorated a red double-decker bus and made “England is Braves Country” T-shirts that “flew like hotcakes”, Zimmerman said.
No moment had as wide a reach as the one that happened completely spontaneously: the fans’ interaction with Harris. After the game, they tossed hats and jerseys to be signed and called for him to make a speech, serenading him with chants of “There’s only one Michael Harris!” (There are, in fact, at least three: his father and his son share the same name.)
The wholesomeness of the moments has left players charmed and front offices inspired to find ways to carry on that energy at baseball games long after the soccer fans return to their home terraces.
“For our players to experience fandom from a different country and a different perspective was remarkable,” Zimmerman said. “And then the trick for us is, OK, you don’t want to take that and overly engineer it and then take out what was beautiful about it, which was the spontaneity. I think my biggest takeaway was to provide the ingredients and see what people make.”
It’s not just the visiting fans showing baseball the love this summer. The ceremonial first pitch is a staple of baseball games, where a well-known face – sometimes a pop star, sometimes a politician, sometimes a local celebrity – takes the mound to toss the first throw. Several of soccer’s biggest names have done the honors in the last month, from England manager Thomas Tuchel with a looping fastball in Kansas City to Barcelona star Aitana Bonmatí with a wind-up and strike in San Diego.
Before the United States’ last-16 game in Seattle, head coach Mauricio Pochettino threw out the first pitch at T-Mobile Park. The Mariners have had their share of World Cup visitors: their highest home crowds this season coincided with the weekend of the USA v Australia group-stage game, and their game honoring the USMNT on 3 July drew their fifth-largest attendance this year at 45,391.
Pochettino put in his practice at a training session earlier in the day with goalkeeper Matt Turner, a former high school baseball player, and performed admirably.
And baseball is showing the love back. Players and coaches alike have used their off-days – rarities in the 162-game regular season – to cross the World Cup off their bucket lists. Stars Juan Soto, Julio Rodríguez and Salvador Perez appeared at games in their local markets.
Of anyone, Harris may best epitomize this sporting love affair. After his interaction with the fans, he posted a video from his vantage point captioned “England Lit!” In an interview with Men in Blazers, he correctly predicted a 3-2 win for the Three Lions over Mexico in the last 16. He showed up to the ballpark the next day in an England jersey, saying he watched the game “biting his nails at the end”.
Should England beat Norway on Saturday and return to Atlanta next week for a semi-final, there could be an even sweeter reunion.
“England,” Harris posted last week, “I’m forever with you!”
This week’s Mavericks-centric poll was about the NBA Summer League, which kicked off last night with a Dallas loss to the Golden State Warriors. We asked what player Dallas fans would be following the most closely.
Nearly six in ten fans will be keeping the closest eye on point guard Sergio De Larrea. This surprised me a little but given how Dallas needs guards who can actualy play at an NBA level. If you read my review, you see he played okay at best, but I feel confident in his game. If you’re a true sicko like me and you’re watching all this Summer League mess, there are things you can bet on with our partner at FanDuel.
The national poll also had some fun questions and responses.
Jaylen Brown is an obvious answer since the Sixers, at least on paper, look really interesting. Giannis being second makes sense but I think the Miami Heat are going to be bleak.
The next question was about the NBA Finals.
The top two teams being the Western Conference Finals teams makes some sense, but I think the Spurs are not the gamble to repeat the path that this poll would suggest. Injury luck plays a big part in all this and they had it good this last time around.
The last two questions were LeBron James centric.
I wonder how people would define an “early playoff exit”? I suppose it depends which team he’s on.
Folks are over the LeBron James experience. It’s been going on for a very, very long time.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 10: Lebron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers warms up prior to the Emirates NBA Cup quarterfinal game against the San Antonio Spurs at Crypto.com Arena on December 10, 2025 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 Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) | Getty Images
You hear weird rumors when you work in basketball. That seems to be especially true if you cover the Cleveland Cavaliers and the subject of those rumors is LeBron James.
Back in March, I had a friend tell me that LeBron was coming back because he heard from someone, who knows a dentist, and that dentist said the James family booked appointments for later that winter. That friend swears on the story, but there’s obviously no way to actually back that up.
I’ve also heard from someone that is supposedly four people removed from LeBron that he is returning to Cleveland, but is waiting until the end of the month for the right moon phase to announce it.
These rumors certainly aren’t ones to put any stock in. Yet, it’s the type of thing you hear repeated around Northeast Ohio. LeBron has just been in the community for too long to avoid things like this. Everyone seems to know someone who knows someone else who claims to know what’s actually happening. None of it is worth reporting or believing from serious basketball insiders. But maybe there is a kernel of truth in some of them.
Let’s get into some of what people on the streets are saying in this massive game of telephone.
First, we have the baker from Cleveland’s Little Italy who told everyone back in May that LeBron was coming back because Charles Oakley told him that’s what Maverick Carter told him.
WE HAVE FAN SOURCES SAYING LEBRON IS 95% COMING BACK!!!!
The next one isn’t from Northeast Ohio. A New York Jets podcaster, Tony Vegas, said that his brother-in-law golfed with Bronny and told him LeBron was coming back to Cleveland. Vegas has since taken the tweets down due to being “yelled at.”
Returning to Northeast Ohio, someone told Emmett Golden of ESPN Cleveland that James was coming back. This person also told Golden of LeBron’s broken hand in the 2018 Finals, so maybe they actually are connected.
🚨🚨🚨The streets are talking and they're telling @egoldie80 that LeBron and Bronny are coming home 👀👀👀
"Someone who reached out to me in the past and was right… reached out to me yesterday, late last night… Bron and Bronny back to Cleveland" 😯😯😯 pic.twitter.com/7ZF0W3Dnlc
Then there was the infamous Cupcake Lady from 2014. Now they run Poke Fresh Ohio in Canton. They said LeBron was coming back, but with Bronny and Draymond Green as well. However, they then walked it back, saying they were just joking.
These aren’t the only ones that are floating around out there. I’ve heard stuff about local golf club pros confirming the return, rumblings from the local youth sports scene, and rumors from other local media members.
The main thread in these rumors is that they’re unreliable and probably shouldn’t be believed. Yet, here they are circulating and being published once again on the internet.
The lack of concrete noise, due to the tight operation LeBron and Rich Paul are running in free agency, has left a vacuum. Almost by design, fans are left to track Instagram photos, planes, and who’s playing golf with who. If the reporters aren’t able to get any actual updates, people are left to try to find out for themselves or create their own narratives.
We’ll find out soon enough what James is planning. All we can say now is either LeBron’s potential second return to Cleveland is the worst-kept secret in the world, or everyone is lying.
Jul 8, 2026; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; umpire Doug Eddings (88) ejects New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone (17) during a game against the Tampa Bay Rays in the sixth inning at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images | Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Well, you have to start somewhere. A split with the Rays in St. Petersburg won’t turn the Yankees’ season around on its own, but it’s a step in the right direction after three weeks of putrid baseball. Yesterday, New York’s offense finally showed up, putting in a cathartic 12-run effort against Tampa Bay, led by Ben Rice’s two home runs. It’s just one game, but if the lineup starts to produce again, it could be remembered as a turning point for this summer.
It’ll be a packed day on the site ahead of a matchup in D.C. In the morning, Matt will preview the three games with the Nationals, and recap Thursday’s American League action. Later, Dan Kelly will continue our MLB Draft coverage with an analysis of the Yankees’ possible strategy, and Maximo will continue our Trade Deadline preview with a look at the Royals as a possible trade partner. Also, Sam remembers reliever Buddy Groom for the Yankees Birthday series, and Madison delivers the answers to this week’s mailbag.
Today’s Matchup:
New York Yankees at Washington Nationals
Time: 6:45 p.m. EST
TV: YES Network, Nationals.TV
Venue: Nationals Park, Washington, D.C.
Questions/Prompts:
1. Was yesterday a definitive sign that the Yankee offense has re-awakened?
2. After hearing Brian Cashman discuss Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton’s injuries yesterday, when do you expect each slugger to return?
Jul 4, 2026; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves right fielder Eli White (36) reacts after hitting a solo home run against the New York Mets in the second inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Colin Hubbard-Imagn Images | Colin Hubbard-Imagn Images
The Atlanta Braves announced a roster move that reinstated OF Eli White from the paternity list and designated fellow outfielder José Azócar for assignment. The move came ahead of Thursday’s series finale in Pittsburgh.
The #Braves today reinstated OF Eli White from the paternity list and designated OF José Azócar for assignment.
White returns to the active roster after missing the last series while on paternity leave. During his absence, Azócar filled the open roster spot and appeared in two games, where he recorded one hit and scored a run.
White gives Atlanta another versatile option as the Braves travel to St. Louis for a weekend series against the Cardinals.
More Braves News:
The Braves took the series and defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates 10-5.
AJ Smith-Shawver is nearing a return to Atlanta and will rehab with the Gwinnett Stripers this weekend.
Lucas Braun had a 12-strikeout game, setting a Columbus Clingstones record. More in the minor league recap.
Trade rumors are ramping up, and Sonny Gray has been connected to Atlanta.
MLB News:
The New York Mets will place infielder Mark Vientos on the injured list with a hand fracture after he was hit by a pitch. No timeline has been provided for his return, but he will likely miss several weeks.
The Miami Marlins have placed OF Owen Caissie on the 10-day injured list with a right calf strain. The club also placed left-hander John King on the 15-day injured list with a left lateral ankle sprain.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 25: Arturs Silovs #37 of the Pittsburgh Penguins tends goal against the Philadelphia Flyers in Game Four of the First Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Xfinity Mobile Arena on April 25, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Len Redkoles/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images
Last weekend the Penguins re-signed two restricted free agent goalies at the same time. Arturs Silovs got a one-year extension for $2.8 million, Joel Blomqvist got a two-year deal.
The details within Blomqvist’s salary are very interesting. It is a two-way contract in 2026-27 that has a $300k downside guaranteed salary, worth up to $850k if he spends the full season in the NHL. The contract suggests what many expect: that Blomqvist will be the organization’s third string goalie next season and likely spend a lot of time in the AHL.
It’s the second year of the deal that’s interesting, it switches to a one-way contract that pays Blomqvist a $900k salary, regardless of whether or not he plays in the NHL or AHL level.
The #LetsGoPens signed 24 y/o G Joel Blomqvist to a two year two-way contract
$875K Cap Hit
Yr 1: $$850K NHL, $225K Minors, $300K Guaranteed Yr 2: $900K 1-way
The other interesting element is that Blomqvist loses waiver status at the start of the 2027-28 season. This deal could serve to make other teams less likely to claim Blomqvist, given the one-way contract. It also was likely a necessary carrot to dangle, lest the goalie return back to Sweden to play given that his NHL future has been delayed, which figures to only continue next season. Giving the money makes for incentive to stay in the organization instead of leaving.
At this time, let’s pivot back to Silovs. He’ll be making $2.8 million in 2026-27 and is set to be a restricted free agent in the summer of 2027. Sergei Murashov is also set to become a RFA next summer, leaving Blomqvist (at his affordable $875k cap hit that is little above the minimum amount of $850k) as the only NHL caliber goalie in the organization currently under contract in 2027-28.
The future of the Pens’ goalie situation is dependent on next season, naturally enough, but there will be some decisions to make next summer where Silovs will be only one year out from UFA approaching for him in 2028 and seeing what kind of salary Murashov might prove he deserves coming off his entry level contract.
It’s not difficult to see a path where if Silovs doesn’t improve some metrics from last season – where his 5v5 save percentage ranked 43rd out of 52 goalies with 1200+ minutes and his GSAA was 44/52- that perhaps Pittsburgh doesn’t qualify Silovs for 2027-28 and instead looks to elevate Blomqvist from No. 3 up to a full-time spot in the NHL as a cheaper option if it doesn’t look like they are interested in making a market rate type of commitment for Silovs.
The situation could flip the other way, though few expect Murashov not to be impressive, if next season plays out to the point where he isn’t an NHL option for 2027-28, the Pens are in perfect position to retain Silovs for 2027-28 and have Blomqvist right there should Murashov sputter through his rookie NHL season. Goalie paths can be volatile at best, no one really thought highly-regarded goalie prospects like Spencer Knight and Yaroslav Askarov would need AHL time a few years into their careers, but sometimes it happens that way. There’s a lot of hope, and for valid reason, that Murashov will be a long-term factor in net for the Pens, but at this point that is still a path he is going to have to travel and prove.
Or, in the best of all worlds where Silovs AND Murashov both have strong seasons in 2026-27, the Pens would find themselves with quality depth and could be paying Blomqvist an NHL salary to play in the AHL as an insurance policy against injury in 2027-28.
There are as many variables in play as one’s imagination allows, no one can predict the future when is comes to NHL goaltending performance from year-to-year so it’s a curious detail that Blomqvist secured one-way money in 2027-28. Whether or not that portends to him drawing that salary as a full-time NHL goaltender in a couple years still is obviously way up in the air and almost entirely dependent on how he and the other two goalies play in 2026-27 with a wide array of extremely possible outcomes for all parties. Blomqvist’s contract structure, especially seeing Silovs only sign for one year, serves to open up multiple possibilities for the mid-range outlook for how the Penguins might go about building their goaltending options, which at this point is a good position to be in and give ample ability to adjust based on how the future unfolds.
Boston, MA - July 1: Boston Celtics draft picks Amari Williams, Hugo González, and Max Shulga leave the Huntington Avenue YMCA on July 1, 2025. (Photo by Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) | Boston Globe via Getty Images
Forget about last year’s playoff exit. Forget about the New York Knicks winning the Finals. Forget about all the Jaylen Brown trade drama.
Boston Celtics basketball is almost back, baby!
The 2026 NBA Summer League is set to kickoff on Thursday, July 9, in Las Vegas, and the Celtics’ last two draft classes are expected to play under assistant coach Amile Jefferson. That includes 2025 draftees Hugo Gonzalez and Amari Williams, as well as rookies Chris Cenac Jr. and Dillon Mitchell.
While Summer League is never the most meaningful stage for young prospects, it gives rooks a chance to show their stuff for the first time on the professional level, recent draftees an opportunity to show growth, and fringe NBA players a shot at proving their worth to the league.
Sometimes Summer League performances clearly exemplify a young player’s potential on the NBA level. Think Damian Lillard in 2012. Over four games, Lillard displayed immediate signs of superstardom, as he posted 26.5 points per game on solid shooting efficiency while creating for himself and his team at a dominant level. He won the Las Vegas Summer League’s co-MVP award for his play.
Most of the time, the opposite is true. Going back to 2012, does anyone remember who the other co-MVP was? It was the Memphis Grizzlies’ second-round draft pick from the year before, Josh Selby. He put up 24.2 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.4 steals per game that summer. Selby ended up playing 38 total games in the NBA and averaged 2.2 points per game.
So, regardless of how the young Celtics play this summer, don’t put too much stock into anything, good or bad.
Nevertheless, what can we reasonably hope to see out of the young guns this summer?
Hugo Gonzalez: all-around excellence
BOSTON, MA – MAY 2: Hugo Gonzalez #28 of the Boston Celtics celebrates during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers during Round One Game Seven of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 2, 2026 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Now you might be saying, Ryan, how can you ask what can we “reasonably” hope for, then say “all-around excellence” for Hugo Gonzalez?
Well, if you know, you know.
Despite averaging less than 15 minutes and 4 points per game over his rookie season, Gonzalez displayed starter-level potential for the Celtics last year and should be the best player on this year’s Summer League squad.
The 20-year-old, 6’6″ wing has an endless motor, the athleticism to match it, excellent defensive versatility, a solid understanding of the game, and a decent shot to top it all off.
While Gonzalez didn’t get a chance to shine in the playoffs, he should get plenty of opportunities in the Summer League. Last year, he averaged 10.8 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists over four games, but shot about 30% from both the field and three-point range.
This year, I wouldn’t be shocked to see him average 15+ points per game as he assumes a larger role as a second-year player, all while maintaining his overwhelming, energetic presence on the defensive end. Gonzalez will likely be asked to serve as more of an offensive creator than ever, given his “veteran” role on the squad, so it will be interesting to see if that aspect of his game developed over his rookie season. Young players often struggle with maintaining efficiency in an expanded offensive role, but I think Gonzalez’s shooting numbers will land closer to last season’s (47.6% from the field and 36.2% from three) than last Summer League’s.
All in all, Gonzalez should be Boston’s best player on the court this summer, serve as a major contributor on offense and defense, and have a chance to show off more of the tantalizing potential he displayed as a rookie.
Amari Williams: recreate his G-League success
ATLANTA, GA – MARCH 30: Amari Williams #77 of the Boston Celtics shoots a free throw during the game against the Atlanta Hawks on March 30, 2026 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 Adam Hagy/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Williams, a 6’11” big drafted in the second round last year, didn’t get nearly as much run as Gonzalez in his rookie season. He played in only 22 games at the NBA level (compared to 74 for Gonzalez) and averaged 6.6 minutes per game when he did.
Nevertheless, Williams displayed promising upside during his time in Maine. Over 18 games played in the G-League, he averaged 17.9 points, 10.9 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.8 blocks per game. With impressive size and length (including a freaky 7’6″ wingspan), as well as strong court vision and passing from the post, Williams could be the next solid big man to come out of Maine.
This summer, I want to see Williams bring some of that G-League production to Las Vegas. Last year, he averaged only 6.3 points, 5 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game, and was overshadowed by Charles Bassey. While he is likely to start alongside rookie big man Chris Cenac Jr., Williams will be in a prime position to play major minutes in Boston’s frontcourt and serve as an offensive lynchpin in the post due to his playmaking talent.
Williams will have a chance to show that he deserves a bigger role in the Celtics’ frontcourt in 2026-27 but, realistically, he may still be a year or two away from earning one — especially if the Celtics do acquire an additional big in the offseason. However, if he finishes Summer League averaging a double-double in points and rebounds while dishing out 3-4 assists per game, his growth as a player may be difficult for Coach Joe Mazzulla to ignore.
Chris Cenac Jr.: display elite athletic tools, offensive versatility
BROOKLYN, NY – JUNE 23: Chris Cenac Jr. smiles during the 2026 NBA Draft – Round One on June 23, 2026 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. 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 Laura June Kirsch/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Celtics’ latest first-round draft pick is a 19-year-old, 6’10” big man out of the University of Houston, where he averaged 9.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, 0.7 assists, and 1.3 stocks over 24.8 minutes per game.
Like Williams, Cenac is an athletic big who sports an impressive wingspan (7’5″) but, unlike the 24-year-old Williams, he slots in as more of a power forward than a center. That’s due to his ability to shoot from the perimeter (even though he only shot 33% on 3 attempts per game in college), blow by slower big men with a quick first step, and pull up for jumpers in the mid-range. At the same time, he’s a lob and putback threat who demands attention beneath the basket.
With that kind of offensive versatility, one of the most interesting things to keep track of this summer will be how Jefferson utilizes Cenac on the offensive end. Will he be seated in the dunker spot and asked to clean up offensive boards, or be stationed on the perimeter or at the elbow to stretch opposing defenses?
On defense, Cenac has the athletic tools to become a plus defender in the NBA despite an unimpressive 2.6% block percentage during his time in college. He’s got the length and bounciness to deter shots down low, as well as the lateral agility to stick with many perimeter players, resulting in exciting switchability. While he’s still got a ways to go in learning how to best utilize his athleticism defensively, the tools he displayed in college should translate well to the NBA.
Overall, Cenac is still very raw as a prospect, so I don’t expect him to excel in his first go at Summer League. But if he can show A) that he can operate outside of the dunker’s spot, and B) that his athletic tools remain high-quality even amongst NBA talent, I think that’d count as a successful showing.
Dillon Mitchell: cause CHAOS
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 22: Dillon Mitchell #1 of the St. John's Red Storm dribbles during the first half against the Kansas Jayhawks in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Viejas Arena at San Diego State University on March 22, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Mitchell, the 40th overall pick in this year’s NBA draft, is an athletic wrecking ball of a 22-year-old.
The 6’7″ wing has absolutely zero shooting touch, as he shot only 6.7% on 0.4 attempts per game from three-point range and 49.4% on free throws during his time at St. Johns. Regardless, Mitchell is an explosive athlete with outstanding speed, strength, and leaping ability, which he leveraged to score 8.3 points per game on 55.9% shooting from the field, as well as tally an solid 7 rebounds per game as a wing.
The vast majority of his points at St. Johns came in the paint as a result of backdoor cuts and athletic slashes to the basket, as well as in transition. He also displayed a respectable passing game, averaging 3 assists during his final year in college, with many coming off of kickouts to perimeter players after breaking into the paint.
However, his athleticism is best displayed in his defense. Lauded by Celtics’ Vice President of Basketball Operations Mike Zarren as “one of the best perimeter defenders in college basketball”, Mitchell should be able to make an immediate impact on the defensive end of the court in Summer League.
So, Mitchell’s numbers may not be pretty this summer, but if he can use his athleticism to cause chaos defensively and drive into the heart of opposing defenses to generate rim looks and kickouts on offense, he could be a positive contributor despite his lack of shooting.
MOSCOW, RUSSIA â" JULY 09: A Diana monkey (Cercopithecus diana), a medium-sized primate belonging to the family Cercopithecidae, is seen inside its enclosure at the Moscow Zoo in Moscow, Russia on July 09, 2026. Characterized by their striking white beard, crescent-shaped brow, and elegant deep-chestnut back, these highly active and vocal arboreal animals are among the popular exotic attractions for visitors during the summer season. (Photo by Sefa Karacan/Anadolu via Getty Images) | Anadolu via Getty Images
The Knicks last played a game in mid-June. The Knicks are back in action later today. Well, at least part of them. In any case, you better be there. Here are today’s links and notes.
T.J. Saint will coach the SummerKnicks in Las Vegas, starting on Friday at 6 p.m. EST, and the New York Post’s Jared Schwartz made the case that this could be a real gateway opportunity for the former Mercer University standout. Saint is entering his second season with the Knicks after joining under Mike Brown, specializes in offensive strategy, and is replacing Jordan Brink at the Summer League.
Germany’s außergewöhnlich Jack Kayil is officially (h/t NYP’s Stefan Bondy) on the Knicks’ Summer League roster after a few days of paperwork weirdness. However, he’s still likely bound for his native country once the Sin City festivities are over. Kayil will wear No. 77 in Vegas.
While researching Kayil’s situation, I found that Knicks legend Rokas Jokubaitis was such a Summer League addict that he wore two different numbers (No. 0 and No. 32) for the organization.
Jeremy Sochan got a baby for winning the championship (h/t The Strickland)
Jonas Valanciunas is officially out there after Denver waived him on Wednesday, and the Knicks are among the teams monitoring him, per SNY’s Ian Begley. Emphasis mine:
“NYK was interested in Jonas Valanciunas in ‘24 offseason. ‘We had a lot of talks with different teams. New York (was) one of them,’ (Valanciunas) said then. NYK will have solid depth at center if Valanciunas, a former client of Leon Rose, chooses Knicks in his current free agency. He is among centers on their radar.“
If Valanciunas chooses another path, one of them goes through Lithuania.
If the Knicks choose another player to fill one of their two open roster spots, perhaps Nick Richards is the man. A awful lot of y’all in the comments section have mentioned him, and Sports Illustrated’s Joseph Randazzo made a case for it yesterday.
Josh Hart is all jokes and/but he is already over the Mitchell Robinson Celtics era.
Mitch, meanwhile, responded in a way that I’m not sure if it’s a joke or not… but at least I’m glad he hasn’t lost the little Knick inside of him.
Mitchell Robinson and a Celtics fan interact on Instagram
Fan: "He better be great…"
Mitch: "That's cool still sent that ass home remember that"
The Kawhi Leonard-to-Toronto trade is on hold until the NBA finishes investigating the Clippers’ alleged salary-cap circumvention tied to Aspiration. It’s gonna happen.
Jaylen Brown is literally still “processing” being shipped to Philadelphia, telling IShowSpeed during yesterday’s World Cup watch that Boston “packed me up” and that there is “no loyalty” and “no love.”
Charles Barkley joined Unfiltered on Wednesday and had a hilarious yet very real take on the Sixers-Celtics trade. He said Philadelphia. Part of it:
“I was like, ‘This can’t be a true story.’ There’s so much fake stuff on the internet now, I’m like, ‘Nah, they didn’t trade him to the Sixers,’” Barkley said. “Number one, you’re like ‘Wow.’ Secondly, you’re like, ‘Well, what’d they give up?’ They gave up Paul George and some draft picks. I says, ‘Man, the Sixers just got away with murder, man.’”
Boston Sports Guy Bill Simmons wants you to believe he knows more than he actually does.
In reality, nobody knows anything about what’s next for LeBron James. ESPN’s very own Shams Charania revealed that franchises in the race have only been allowed to send LBJ voice memos through Rich Paul.
OAKAAK Landry Fields has joined Project B, not to be confused with Project X.
Cam Reddish (yes, another member of the OAKAAK fraternity!) is back in Summer League with Orlando, seven years after being drafted No. 10 overall and hooping in Vegas at age 26.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JULY 05: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees looks on from the dugout during the game against the Minnesota Twins at Yankee Stadium on July 05, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) | Getty Images
ESPN | Associated Press: Speaking to reporters yesterday, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman informed the press that Aaron Judge, out since June 5th with a stress fracture in his rib cage, will undergo more imaging during the All-Star Break. Unfortunately, while the imaging will give the team a better idea on when Judge can start ramping back up, the team knows that the images will not be clean, and that he won’t return to the field until he is fully healed.
New York Post | Greg Joyce: As it turns out, Giancarlo Stanton’s setback from a right calf strain last month was not a setback at all, but rather, another right calf strain — just in a different part of his calf. He has finally been cleared to begin running, although there is currently no timetable for his return. At this point, he’s not expected back until August at the minimum.
The Athletic | Chris Kirschner: (subscription required) It wasn’t all injury updates, though. Cashman also discussed the current state of the roster, noting, of course, that the team’s catching has been a major black hole in the lineup. Of more interest to Yankees fans, though, might be his report that George Lombard Jr., who is expected to return to action around the All-Star Break after missing some time with sprained fingers, may make his Major League debut later this season: his defense was described as plug-and-play, and his offense as catching up to the level.
The Athletic | Tyler Kepner: This is not, strictly speaking, Yankees news, although it does come with some interesting tidbits from Yankees starter Gerrit Cole. As you probably know by now, Justin Verlander announced this week his intent to retire after the season, prompting some to wonder whether we have seen the last 300-win pitcher (Verlander’s 266 is currently the closest, followed by Max Scherzer’s 222 and Gerrit Cole’s 156). Injuries robbed Verlander, who, as Cole rightly points out, is one of the last pitchers who pitched extensively in both the pre-analytics and post-analytics worlds, and is the last pitcher to throw 250 innings in a season (a feat he accomplished in 2011).
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 09: Bryce Eldridge #8 of the San Francisco Giants reacts as he rounds the bases after he hit a home run against the Colorado Rockies in the fourth inning at Oracle Park on July 09, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) | Getty Images
A Giant has finally splashed down into McCovey Cove. The 109th baseball to be baptized in the icy Bay waters was the first by a San Francisco Giant in 2026, and the first of Bryce Eldridge’s career.
It was a doozy too. Well…a doozy compared to recent Splash Hits. Measured on the Bondsian Scale, Eldridge’s would qualify as roughly a “routine fly.” It didn’t do a fifth or sixth archway flyover, nor burst into flames as it broke through the atmosphere on its descent — but it wasn’t cheap either. The game-tying shot in the 4th took a direct route down the right-field line and cleared the boardwalk railing below by plenty. Considering the pitch he hit, a hung slider off the inside of the plate, didn’t veer off foul is a testament to the quality of Eldridge’s contact. The ball hissed off his bat at 106 MPH, traveling 394 feet before it got soaked.
Eldridge is the 33rd Giant, and at 21 years of age, the youngest to launch a Splash Hit in their career, and first since Rafael Devers in September of last year. While we’re already on the doorstep of the All-Star Break, this was not the latest fans have had to wait for a ball to go spelunking into the Cove. Stephen Vogt’s off Philly’s Drew Smyly ended the drought in 2019 on August 9th. Brandon Belt hit one on September 25th, 2014, and he hit one again 20 months later, off Boston’s David Price, in June of 2016 — no other ball got wet off a Giants bat in the meantime. 2015 remains the only dry season in the 27 year history of the park at 3rd and King.
The best part of Eldridge’s Splash Hit: it helped the Giants win. The solo homer evened the score and kicked off a string of seven unanswered runs for the San Francisco offense, culminating in a 4-run outburst in the 8th that secured an 8-2 victory over the Rockies.
While this was the two teams’ first meeting at sea-level, the park played like its Rocky Mountain high counterpart. The Giants line-up knocked four doubles and three homers, including Casey Schmitt’s 18th in the 1st inning and Willy Adames’s 15th in the 8th.
Drew Cavanaugh, who is still searching for his first extra base hit, nearly had a fourth home run in the 5th when he smoked a first-pitch fastball to right. At 102 MPH off the bat, it sounded like the ball was destined for the water, but with a wicked topspin, it dove into the bricks, hitting the Splash Hit counter instead before ricocheting back into the field of play, holding the back-up catcher to another single. A tough break that worked out in the end when Heliot Ramos and Luis Arraez singled and doubled to score Cavanaugh and break the 2-2 tie. Devers immediately plated the fourth run with a bases-loaded single.
In the 8th, they’d stretch their two-run lead to six with two-out thunder from the heart of their line-up. Schmitt and Devers doubled-up on doubles, both collecting their second hit and second RBI of the night, before Adames ended the evening with a 2-run tater to deep left.
It was the offense’s night, all in support of a serviceable Carson Whisenhunt, making his second start of the year. The southpaw, called up to give Landen Roupp an extended rest through the All Star break, pitched into the 6th and picked up the win. He retired the first 8 batters he faced, but things got more dicey on the second go-round. A 2-out double turned into bases-loaded stress after back-to-back walks, with the third out being recorded 390 feet from home plate. Willi Castro’s 2-run homer in the 4th was the biggest blow landed. Whisenhunt weathered it — considering the fact that he walked four batters over 5.2 innings, he may have gotten a little lucky.
Luck — and definitely some help from key actors. Arraez, Schmitt, Devers, Adames, and Eldridge — the #2 thru #6 hitters — all punched in at least one runner. Arraez, Devers, Schmitt, Eldridge, and Cavanaugh logged multiple hits. Schmitt worked a walk for the first time since May 24th — the longest span by a Giants player since Hal Lanier in 1964. Schmitt and Victor Bericoto, before he left the game after his at-bat in the 5th, made some excellent defensive plays on the left-side of the field. The bullpen got in on the action too, allowing just 2 hits over 3.1 scoreless innings. J.T. Brubaker and Erik Miller retired seven Rockies in a row while Caleb Kilian closed the door in the 9th .
LAS VEGAS — Fans filled the Thomas & Mack Center wanting a show. No. 1 vs. No. 2 — AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson — from the most heralded draft class in a decade (at least), going head to head. Fans wanted to see if these two were worth the hype.
The fans got what they wanted.
The No. 1 and No. 2 picks battled in Las Vegas tonight...
It wasn't always efficient — they shot a combined 13-of-36 — and both showed things they needed to work on (Peterson had eight turnovers, Dybantsa was 0-of-5 from 3-point range). However, fans who came to see if these guys could live up to the hype were not disappointed.
Dybantsa was the best player on the floor and finished with a game-high 27 points. However, what stood out — what will translate to the NBA and make him a force — is his fluid athleticism. He's graceful, but he was blowing past guys, and his ability to get downhill at his size is impressive — he just glides. It's not to say he can't be physical, but this isn't like watching a Jalen Brunson drive. This feels effortless.
He also had some impressive finishes at the rim — he is a tough shot maker, and it showed.
What was new, the part of his game that was not there a year ago, was Dybants's passing skills.
Dybantsa was comfortable with the ball in his hands, and for large parts of the game he was bringing the ball up and initiating the offense. It was effective; however, how much he will get to do that during the regular season is a question when they have Trae Young running the point.
Peterson had a rougher night. In the Salt Lake Summer League, he was completely under control when Memphis blitzed him and upped its ball pressure, but the Wizards' ball pressure threw Peterson off his game.
“We lost (92-88 Washington win), so it probably worked a little bit, but I'm expecting it," Peterson said. "Good to get used to it now, play against it now, and just growth."
Peterson seemed to be pressing a little in a showdown game, which led to a slow start, but he eventually found his rhythm. Ultimately, he showed his potential.
No. 2 overall pick Darryn Peterson's first NBA Summer League bucket comes via the sidestep triple
Peterson's young Sacramento running mate Ace Bailey remained out with a slight calf strain suffered in the first game of the Salt Lake City Summer League.
Dybantsa's young Washington running mate was there, last season's No. 6 pick Tre Johnson. He lived up to his reputation as a player who never saw a shot he didn't like, scoring 26 points on 11-of-20 shooting and taking very few passes. When Johnson got the ball he was looking to go up.
Never read too much into a Summer League game, but in the end Dybantsa and Peterson gave the fans what they wanted — a show. And flashes of the players they can be in a few years.
Now based in London and gaining respite from relentless attention at home, Indian legend still has the form and aura that make him the main attraction
In a sporting summer that is challenging even the most voracious appetites, the one-day international series between England and India that gets under way next Tuesday could be viewed as the wafer-thin mint that tips people over the edge.
But for all that 50-over cricket is on the retreat, and its World Cup is still 15 months away, it is worth loosening the belt a further notch or two for this one. Virat Kohli will be back smouldering in blue for the tourists, in what will probably be the last chance to watch one of the all-time greats bat in this country.
