One last prediction of the top 32 picks as teams finalize plans for the first round

How did silent Juan Soto fare returning to Mets' lineup? originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.The New York Mets needed help.Losers of 12 straight, the Mets entered Wednesday's game against the visiting Minnesota Twinsranked No. 30 in runs scored (75) and wins (seven).With the news of Juan Soto returning -- and presumably speaking to his teammates -- the Mets responded with a 3-2 victory at Citi Field.Sotoadmitted he did not reach out to any of his teammates while he wassidelined with a calf injury. Throughout Soto's injured reserve stint, the Mets' losses compounded. The four-time All-Star remained silent since April 3."They've been on the road most of the time, so I haven't talked to them," he told reporters before his return.Talkative or not, the Mets received the help they needed Wednesday.Healed Juan Soto assists MetsListed as a designated hitter, Soto batted second against Twins starter Connor Prielipp, who made his MLB debut. Soto went 1-for-3 with a walk as the Mets earned their first win since April 7.During their extended skid, the Mets became the first MLB club to ever drop 12 consecutive games after compiling a winning record the previous campaign.With the 27-year-old slugger back in the lineup, the Mets expect to make some noise.During his first at-bat Wednesday, Soto flew out to center field and lined out to right field in the third inning. He walked in the fifth and singled to right in the eighth.Soto ended up getting picked off. Wonder what he said to his teammates after getting back to the dugout?There's a bigger question as the Mets close out the season's first full month.Can Soto continue to provide enough help to turn their season around?

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Former Indian Premier League (IPL) chairman Lalit Modi strongly criticised the BCCI for overworking players and allegedly prioritising money over their well-being.

Looking to make the MLS playoffs for the first time since 2023, San Jose are pushing the right buttons

Madina Okots WNBA journey proves resilience still defines basketballs biggest stage originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.For Madina Okot, draft night wasnt just about hearing her name called. It was about everything that almost stopped that moment from ever happening. Before she became a first-round pick of the Atlanta Dream, before she emerged as one of the most intriguing international prospects in the 2026 class, Okot was fighting a different battle entirely. One that had nothing to do with rebounds, footwork, or defensive positioning.She was trying to get into the United States. And for a long time, it felt like that door would never open.The setbacks that nearly ended everythingOkots story begins far from the bright lights of the WNBA Draft. Growing up in Mumias, Kenya, she didnt even start with basketball. Volleyball was her first sport, and basketball only entered her life around 2020. That timeline alone makes her rise remarkable. But the real challenge came when her talent started attracting attention from U.S. college programs.Her path stalled at the border.Okot was denied a U.S. visa four separate times. Each rejection carried more weight than the last, turning what should have been a breakthrough opportunity into a test of endurance. She admitted the process nearly broke her. The repeated setbacks led to moments of doubt, frustration, and emotional exhaustion. At one point, she seriously considered giving up on the dream altogether.More:Caitlin Clark effect hits new level as Fever land full national TV slateThe moment everything changedThen came the breakthrough. On her fifth attempt, Okot finally secured her visa. Fittingly, it happened on her birthday, turning what had been years of disappointment into a life-changing turning point. From there, everything accelerated.She joined the State Bulldogs where she immediately made an impact, then elevated her game further after transferring to South Carolina. By the 202526 season, she wasnt just contributing. She was dominating the glass, leading her conference in rebounding and helping power South Carolina to a national championship appearance.All of it came less than a decade after she first picked up a basketball.From overlooked prospect to first-round pickThat rapid rise culminated in one of the defining moments of the 2026 draft. Selected 13th overall, Okot became the highest-drafted Kenyan player in WNBA history. At 6-foot-6, she brings size, defensive presence, and a developing offensive game that fits the modern frontcourt.But what makes her stand out goes beyond measurables. Her game is built on effort, physicality, and adaptability, traits forged through a journey that demanded persistence at every step. She now joins a Dream roster that includes established talent like Angel Reese, giving her an immediate opportunity to learn at the highest level.A bigger meaning behind the momentOkots arrival in the WNBA isnt just personal. It carries broader significance. She represents a growing pipeline of African talent entering the global basketball stage, and her story resonates in places where access to resources and visibility remains limited.Her message has been consistent. You dont need perfect conditions to start. You need belief and persistence. That perspective comes from lived experience. From being unsure about trying basketball, to facing repeated rejection, to finally standing on a draft stage holding a WNBA jersey, Okots journey reflects what the sport still promises at its core.The next chapter starts nowThe challenges wont disappear at the professional level. The WNBA presents a different speed, physicality, and expectation. Okot understands that. But if her path to this point is any indication, shes already proven she can handle the difficult parts. Because for Madina Okot, the hardest part wasnt making the league.It was refusing to let the dream end before she ever got the chance.More WNBA news:Caitlin Clark effect hits new level as Fever land full national TV slateSophie Cunningham situation takes turn as Fever GM declines to clarify contract decisionAja Wilsons record contract still feels too small: 5 reasons Aces star remains underpaid