John Blackwell could be one of the top scorers in the nation next season. After three years at Wisconsin, Blackwell entered the transfer portal. He averaged 19.1 points per game, while shooting 38.9% from 3-point range, this past season. He's elite at creating his shot off the dribble, or scoring off his teammates' penetration. Here are the three best transfer portal fits for Blackwell, who has one year of NCAA eligibility remaining. Illinois While it would be devastating for Badgers' fans to see their three-year star transfer in-conference, a move to the Illini would make sense for Blackwell. Illinois is losing its top two guards with Keaton Wagler going to the NBA Draft and Kylan Boswell graduating. Their elite team's offensive rebounding ability would compliment Blackwell's game, as he's a high-volume perimeter shooter who hasn't shot above 45.1% in any season of his career, so his misses wouldn't be as detrimental in Illinois. More so, his father, Glynn, played for Illinois from 1984-88. The Badgers were unable to advance out of the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament in any of Blackwell's three seasons, so he's looking to change that this year, and the Illini proved they were winners, making the Final Four this year. Houston Kelvin Sampson's NCAA title drought extended to a 13th season as the Cougars fell in the Sweet Sixteen. Houston was led by its guard trio of Kingston Flemings, Emanuel Sharpe and Milos Uzan, this past season. Each will move on Flemings via draft, Sharpe and Uzan via graduation. Blackwell is a perfect fit, not only because of the departures of those three guards, but because his offensive arsenal is similar to guards who have flourished under Sampson. Blackwell is a tough-shot taker and maker, just like Sharpe and Flemings this season, and Jamal Shead, LJ Cryer and Marcus Sasser before them. Blackwell could still use some fine-tuning on defense, but his effort level gives Sampson a baseline to work with. Sampson has aired complaints about Houston's financial status in the name, image and likeness era of college sports, so the Cougars could struggle to afford Blackwell, but on-court fit-wise, this is a perfect marriage. UCLA The Bruins have failed to advance past the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament for three seasons (and didn't even make The Dance in 2024). Blackwell could help change that. UCLA lost top scorers Tyler Bilodeau and Donovan Dent to graduation, and guard Skyy Clark entered the transfer portal on Tuesday. With over 40 points per game of production to replace, Blackwell would be a necessary addition. He'd fit well alongside guard Trent Perry, and likely be the go-to scorer, but that duo would leave a little bit to be desired defensively. UCLA has gone all out for the top guard transfer before, doing so to land Dent last portal season. With the Bruins having a bevy of needs, they might not be able to match the market opposing suitors will pay for Blackwell, but if they do, the fit is clear.

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Northern Arizona guard Naomi White has committed to Lady Vols basketball, she announced April 9.The 5-foot-9 redshirt freshman led the Lumberjacks in scoring, averaging 20.8 points, making her the top-scoring freshman in the country. White, who was the Big Sky Freshman of the Year, also averaged 5.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.9 steals. She was also a first team All-Conference selection.White is the second addition out of the portal for Tennessee coach Kim Caldwell, who has to rebuild her entire roster going into her third seasons. White joins Liberty transfer Avery Mills, who committed April 8.White is a crucial addition for the Lady Vols with three years of eligibility left. All eight of Tennessee's possible returners entered the transfer portal. Five-star forward Oliviyah Edwards was granted her release from her signing, leaving four-star wing Gabby Minus as the only incoming freshman.White is another strong shooter added out of the portal. She led the Big Sky in scoring, made 3-pointers (92), 3-pointer made per game (2.88), and 3-point percentage (36.5%). Her 61 steals were the most by a freshman in program history.White broke a program record when she hit nine 3-pointers against Weber State, scoring a career-high 37 points. She also holds the program record for points in a single season (667) and 3-pointers made (92).White started her career at Grand Canyon University, but she redshirted and did not play.The Omaha, Nebraska, native played at Bellevue West High School, where she averaged 17.3 points, 8.4 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.8 steals.Cora Hallis the University of Tennessee womens athletics reporter for Knox News. Email: cora.hall@knoxnews.com; X:@corahalll;Bluesky:@corahall.bsky.social.Support strong local journalism and unlock premium perks:knoxnews.com/subscribeThis article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Northern Arizona guard Naomi White commits to Lady Vols out of transfer portal

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With Iran qualifying for the World Cup, Arad Ershad had visions of splurging on flights and tickets to attend one of the teams upcoming first-round matches in Los Angeles.That changed when Ershad, a New York graduate student who grew up in Tehran, saw how many of the players he had adored since childhood failed to speak out following its theocratic leaderships deadly crackdown on protesters in January.It feels so bad that I do not want them to succeed. They were like my icons, my legends," he lamented during a recent pickup soccer game on Long Island. I know playing a World Cup is the biggest thing a soccer player can achieve in his life, but how can you just be silent?Ershad is one of many diehard soccer fans in the Iranian diaspora with conflicting emotions as Team Melli the Persian nickname for Iran's national squad prepares for its seventh World Cup. Iran is set to begin its campaign against New Zealand on June 15 near Los Angeles, a region that's home to the largest Iranian community outside of Iran, including many who fled the 1979 Islamic Revolution.Some view the men's team as complicit in whitewashing the Iranian government's repression and cant bear to watch the competition. Others plan to attend Iran's games to show their love for the country and sport, but bearing signs of protest. Still others say theyll set politics aside and just enjoy seeing Iran compete on soccer's biggest stage.All of this is assuming the team actually takes part, which Iranian officials called into question because of the country's war with the United States and Israel. Iranian soccer officials recently met with the head of FIFA, international soccer's governing body, who has insisted that Iran stick to the schedule.The Iranian team often finds itself unable to avoid political issues. Before a recent match in Turkey, players held small backpacks honoring the Iranian children who were killed in a U.S. missile strike on an elementary school a move Iranian American fans said showed their allegiance to the government and the political pressure it places on them. Iranian athletes have faced serious consequences for speaking out. In 2022, a prominent former member of the national team was arrested for allegedly protesting against the country's leadership. This year, star striker Sardar Azmoun wasn't selected for World Cup warmup games, reportedly because of a social media post that angered the authorities.Worries that Iran won't take partNader Adeli, who manages Iranian American club team Arya FC's over-60 squad in Los Angeles, is worried the war might keep Iran from attending the World Cup. Last month, U.S. President Donald Trump discouraged the Iranian team from taking part, citing safety concerns. In response, Iran asked to move its matches to Mexico, which is co-hosting the event along with the U.S. and Canada, though the head of FIFA has repeatedly rejected such a move.Adeli, who didnt win the ticket lottery to attend one of Iran's two Los Angeles-area matches, said the World Cup should be a moment to enjoy the sport without outside distractions. But with war raging, he doesn't think the team will travel. And if it does, he doubts the players would be able to fully focus on competing.Sports should never become a political issue, he said. As people, we have nothing against any Americans, we have nothing against any Iranians. It is just the governments.Former women's team player says Iran shouldn't playIran's women's team made headlines last month when several members didn't sing along to the country's national anthem before their opening match at the Womens Asian Cup in Australia. Although they sang it before Iran's next two fixtures, some commenters saw their initial silence as a protest against their government though others saw it as a display of mourning about the war. The team and players two of whom accepted asylum offers to remain in Australia didn't comment on the matter.Shiva Amini, who used to play for the national team but now lives in New York City, is among the Iranian ex-pats calling on the Trump administration not to grant visas to the men's team to play in the World Cup.The 36-year-old player, who left Iran in 2017 after being photographed not wearing a headscarf while in Europe, said many Iranians soured on the mens squad during the 2022 World Cup, when players stayed silent as Iran was roiled by street demonstrations over the country's mandatory headscarf laws following the death of Mahsa Amini.They had a big platform, and instead of talking about that, they were laughing, they were so happy, and it was honestly a slap on the face, she said. So those are not the Iranian national soccer team. Those are the regimes national soccer team.The few players who have spoken out paid dearly, Amini acknowledged, including Amir Nasr-Azadani, who faces years behind bars for his involvement in the 2022 protests. Azmoun, the Dubai-based star striker who played for Iran's past two World Cup teams, wasn't picked to play in the team's warmups for this year's tournament, reportedly because he posted a photo on social media of himself greeting United Arab Emirates political leaders.Plans to cheer on and protest IranMasoud Ahmadi, a 62-year-old interior designer who plays for another largely Iranian American over-60 club team, Sina FC, said he's trying to get a ticket to see Iran play. If he does, he said he'll take a stand against the Iranian leadership by carrying the country's lion-and-sun flag, which predates the Islamic Revolution.Ahmadi said he was detained in Iran as a teenager before he fled to Turkey on foot. The U.S. granted him political asylum.Were going to definitely raise our voice, said Ahmadi, who is proud of his Iranian heritage but critical of the men's squad. This team is not an Iranian peoples team. This is a government team."Sasan Sadri, who manages the team, said if he scores a ticket, he'll try to wear a shirt calling for leadership change in Iran. As my countrymen, I like them to achieve, he said. I dont support the regime, but soccer is soccer.As for Ershad, the New York grad student, he plans to support the Iranian team if the government is overthrown before the tournament starts. If not, he'll back soccer great Cristiano Ronaldo's side to win it all. It's so hard to not cheer for your national team, but lets go Portugal," he said.___Taxin reported from Irvine, California.

With Iran qualifying for the World Cup, Arad Ershad had visions of splurging on flights and tickets to attend one of the teams upcoming first-round matches in Los Angeles.That changed when Ershad, a New York graduate student who grew up in Tehran, saw how many of the players he had adored since childhood failed to speak out following its theocratic leaderships deadly crackdown on protesters in January.It feels so bad that I do not want them to succeed. They were like my icons, my legends," he lamented during a recent pickup soccer game on Long Island. I know playing a World Cup is the biggest thing a soccer player can achieve in his life, but how can you just be silent?Ershad is one of many diehard soccer fans in the Iranian diaspora with conflicting emotions as Team Melli the Persian nickname for Iran's national squad prepares for its seventh World Cup. Iran is set to begin its campaign against New Zealand on June 15 near Los Angeles, a region that's home to the largest Iranian community outside of Iran, including many who fled the 1979 Islamic Revolution.Some view the men's team as complicit in whitewashing the Iranian government's repression and cant bear to watch the competition. Others plan to attend Iran's games to show their love for the country and sport, but bearing signs of protest. Still others say theyll set politics aside and just enjoy seeing Iran compete on soccer's biggest stage.All of this is assuming the team actually takes part, which Iranian officials called into question because of the country's war with the United States and Israel. Iranian soccer officials recently met with the head of FIFA, international soccer's governing body, who has insisted that Iran stick to the schedule.The Iranian team often finds itself unable to avoid political issues. Before a recent match in Turkey, players held small backpacks honoring the Iranian children who were killed in a U.S. missile strike on an elementary school a move Iranian American fans said showed their allegiance to the government and the political pressure it places on them. Iranian athletes have faced serious consequences for speaking out. In 2022, a prominent former member of the national team was arrested for allegedly protesting against the country's leadership. This year, star striker Sardar Azmoun wasn't selected for World Cup warmup games, reportedly because of a social media post that angered the authorities.Worries that Iran won't take partNader Adeli, who manages Iranian American club team Arya FC's over-60 squad in Los Angeles, is worried the war might keep Iran from attending the World Cup. Last month, U.S. President Donald Trump discouraged the Iranian team from taking part, citing safety concerns. In response, Iran asked to move its matches to Mexico, which is co-hosting the event along with the U.S. and Canada, though the head of FIFA has repeatedly rejected such a move.Adeli, who didnt win the ticket lottery to attend one of Iran's two Los Angeles-area matches, said the World Cup should be a moment to enjoy the sport without outside distractions. But with war raging, he doesn't think the team will travel. And if it does, he doubts the players would be able to fully focus on competing.Sports should never become a political issue, he said. As people, we have nothing against any Americans, we have nothing against any Iranians. It is just the governments.Former women's team player says Iran shouldn't playIran's women's team made headlines last month when several members didn't sing along to the country's national anthem before their opening match at the Womens Asian Cup in Australia. Although they sang it before Iran's next two fixtures, some commenters saw their initial silence as a protest against their government though others saw it as a display of mourning about the war. The team and players two of whom accepted asylum offers to remain in Australia didn't comment on the matter.Shiva Amini, who used to play for the national team but now lives in New York City, is among the Iranian ex-pats calling on the Trump administration not to grant visas to the men's team to play in the World Cup.The 36-year-old player, who left Iran in 2017 after being photographed not wearing a headscarf while in Europe, said many Iranians soured on the mens squad during the 2022 World Cup, when players stayed silent as Iran was roiled by street demonstrations over the country's mandatory headscarf laws following the death of Mahsa Amini.They had a big platform, and instead of talking about that, they were laughing, they were so happy, and it was honestly a slap on the face, she said. So those are not the Iranian national soccer team. Those are the regimes national soccer team.The few players who have spoken out paid dearly, Amini acknowledged, including Amir Nasr-Azadani, who faces years behind bars for his involvement in the 2022 protests. Azmoun, the Dubai-based star striker who played for Iran's past two World Cup teams, wasn't picked to play in the team's warmups for this year's tournament, reportedly because he posted a photo on social media of himself greeting United Arab Emirates political leaders.Plans to cheer on and protest IranMasoud Ahmadi, a 62-year-old interior designer who plays for another largely Iranian American over-60 club team, Sina FC, said he's trying to get a ticket to see Iran play. If he does, he said he'll take a stand against the Iranian leadership by carrying the country's lion-and-sun flag, which predates the Islamic Revolution.Ahmadi said he was detained in Iran as a teenager before he fled to Turkey on foot. The U.S. granted him political asylum.Were going to definitely raise our voice, said Ahmadi, who is proud of his Iranian heritage but critical of the men's squad. This team is not an Iranian peoples team. This is a government team."Sasan Sadri, who manages the team, said if he scores a ticket, he'll try to wear a shirt calling for leadership change in Iran. As my countrymen, I like them to achieve, he said. I dont support the regime, but soccer is soccer.As for Ershad, the New York grad student, he plans to support the Iranian team if the government is overthrown before the tournament starts. If not, he'll back soccer great Cristiano Ronaldo's side to win it all. It's so hard to not cheer for your national team, but lets go Portugal," he said.___Taxin reported from Irvine, California.

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Paris-Roubaix ist fr die Radprofis ein besonders hartes Rennen. Der Kopfsteinpflaster-Parcours ist eine archaische Prfung und wird geradezu liebevoll gepflegt, wie die Sportschau bei der Streckenbesichtigung erfuhr.[mehr]