Alperen Sengun addresses suddenly formed rift with Kevin Durant originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.The rumor mill surrounding Kevin Durant and Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun has been running since February. It started during All-Star weekend when viral screenshots from an alleged burner account showed the two-time NBA champion trashing his teammates in private messages, including a jab at Sengun's shooting and defense.KD previously dismissed those leaks as "Twitter nonsense" and moved on. However, people in the basketball community kept talking. Things went out of hand after Houston's season ended with a first-round playoff loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.Now, Sengun is finally confronting the narrative, claiming the perception came out of nowhere.Alperen Sengun claims he never argued with Kevin DurantSpeaking on the Socrates Dergi podcast, Sengun dismissed the popular narrative that he and Durant have bad blood, confirming the whole story doesn't match reality."A perception suddenly formed out of nowhere," Sengun said. "I've never had an argument with KD, not even once. We've never raised our voices at each other. We always talk, and we always talk after games, too.He added, We especially talked after games we lost. Like, 'What are we doing wrong?' I specifically would ask him, 'What do we need to do? Where do you think we made mistakes today? Why didn't it work out?' I ask him, and he answers. These things always happen, but like I said, because we're people who hate losing, you can see that on our faces during games."The burner posts also criticized Jabari Smith Jr. and referenced former teammates like Devin Booker and Kyrie Irving. This fueled speculation given Durant's social media history dating back to his time with the Golden State Warriors.The irony? No screenshots ever proved the account belonged to Durant. Still, people blamed him anyway. Sengun seemed visibly exhausted by these fabricated narratives following their first-round elimination from the playoffs.However, whether his blunt response quiets the speculation for good remains to be seen once training camp opens.More NBA news:Mavericks begin early extension talks with 7-1 All-Rookie center on $7.2M dealSpurs fans left holding breath after Victor Wembanyamas scary soccer slip-upLeBron James told to free himself from 'ego' before it's too lateIs Bryce James now at Villanova after LeBron James 76ers move?Magic Johnson labels Kevin Durant-led Rockets as West contenders

James Guy now has 15 Commonwealth Games medals [Getty Images]England swimmer James Guy said he can "still push the young guys" after clinching a silver medal in the men's 200m freestyle final at the Commonwealth Games.The 30-year-old finished joint second with his Welsh training partner Matt Richards, 23, with a time of 1:45.72.Guy was just 0.50 seconds behind Australian 22-year-old gold medallist Kai Taylor who produced a remarkable performance to win from lane one."I saw at the halfway mark [Kai Taylor] was out in front. In those situations you want to stick to your plan. Fair play, he got his hand on the wall first," Guy told TNT Sports."I'm really happy with that. My freestyle has been really off for five or six years and to be be individually on the podium... the last time I did that in freestyle was 2014."I'm still pushing those young guys."Guy's silver was his second medal of this year's Commonwealth Games and the 15th of his career, while he has also won six medals at the Olympic Games, three of which are gold.He was one of seven English swimmers to win a medal on Wednesday evening, with Oliver Morgan, 23, also claiming silver in the men's 100m backstroke, finishing second only to South African powerhouse Pieter Coetze, who set a Commonwealth Games record time of 51.77.Bruce Dee, 19, picked up bronze in the men's S7 50m freestyle before the men's 4x100m medley relay team won silver in the final swimming race of the competition.Oliver Morgan, Adam Ramsay-Peaty, Edward Mildred and Jacob Mills fought off South Africa to finish second behind defending champions Australia.Commonwealth Games daily scheduleCommonwealth Games medal table and resultsWhat are the Commonwealth Games?

Boasting a national title and a Biletnikoff nod in two seasons, Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith has proven he's one of if not the best pass-catchers in college football. But what if Smith's initial recruiting process didn't even include Ohio State? Smith opened up about his recruiting process during Big Ten Media Days, and revealed his original dream school. "Growing up, my dream school was Alabama when Nick Saban was there. But they wasnt recruiting me," Smith said at Big Ten Media Days, via On3. "That was crazy. I mean, I always dreamed about going to Alabama because a lot of guys at that time from South Florida was going to Bama and having success like Amari Cooper, Jerry Jeudy, Calvin Ridley. I think I committed to Ohio State too early and thats why they stopped. They thought there was no chance." The All-American was recruited by multiple powerhouse programs like Georgia, LSU, Miami (Fla.) and Alabama before committing to the Buckeyes. But why did Smith choose Ohio State over the Crimson Tide? Next to their lack of recruiting efforts for Smith, former head coach Nick Saban had announced his retirement in 2023, leaving the 2024 class one year shy of the opportunity to play for Saban. However, since he arrived in Columbus, Smith has strengthened the talented WRU narrative that the Buckeyes continue to instill. Smith set the bar high as a true freshman in 2024, which set him up as one of college footballs best receivers. He finished with accolades like Big Ten Freshman of the Year, Big Ten receiver of the Year, Freshman All-American Honors, a Big Ten Championship and a national championship. Last season with quarterback Julian Sayins first year starting Smith led the Big Ten in receiving yards with 1,243 receiving yards, earned a second consecutive Big Ten Receiver of the Year award, a Unanimous All-American and a Biletnikoff Award finalist awarded to college footballs best pass-catcher. Now, Smith returns for a third season under coach Ryan Day and will be joined by five-star freshman Chris Henry Jr. and senior Brandon Inniss. After two consecutive College Football Playoff appearances, the Buckeyes' No. 4-ranked recruiting class positions Ohio State for another successful season under Day. The Buckeyes kick off the 2026 season against Ball State on Sept. 5.

The Jacksonville Jaguars 2026 season is underway with the first training camp practice on Wednesday.Coming off a 13-4 season, the expectations are high and the urgency to turn in a consistent winner for the first time in a quarter of a century is evident.>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<That was the entire message to the players last night -- Lets, lets go earn something, second year head coach Liam Coen said. Nothing in this league is given.Every year is a brand new year. Yes, we have a lot of returning -- a lot of coaches returning, a lot of staff members returning, a lot of players returning -- but we have to treat it as new.[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]The Jaguars good news front was plentiful. Travis Hunter is back after having knee surgery halfway through his rookie year. He was playing both sides of the ball on Wednesday and will continue to do so. The Jaguars lost running back Travis Etienne this offseason to free agency, but they signed Chris Rodriguez and he was cleared to practice Wednesday after a foot injury in the offseason.The defense had the edge on day one with an interception by Eric Murray on a pass from quarterback Trevor Lawrence. The secondary deflected several passes in the morning session.[SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] The one bit of bad news was an early injury to second year linebacker Jack Kiser. He went down on a running play and grabbed his knee. Coen said he will have an MRI to see the significance, but the head coach was optimistic.Full coverage daily from Jaguars training camp on all the Action Sports Jax platforms including the Brent & Austen Show right here on actionsportsjax.com 10 a.m.-12 p.m. with instant reaction to daily practices.Find more of this weeks coverage on the Action Sports Jax YouTube channel including an interview with Parker Washington, Liam Coen and Trevor Lawrence in the video below: Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.

Mikel Brown Jr. established himself as a lottery pick last season at Louisville, and the Brooklyn Nets rookie credited former 16-year veteran Rajon Rondo for assisting him along the way.Brown was named to the All-ACC third team, averaging 18.2 points, 4.7 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 1.2 steals while shooting 34.4% from 3-point range.He dropped a career-high 45 points on Feb. 9, tying the single-game program scoring record (Wes Unseld).Speaking on "Cousins" with Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady, Brown said Rondo was among the players he studied growing up. He recalled a conversation with the Louisville native that helped ignite that historic performance with the Cardinals."I don't think he gets enough credit," Brown said. "I was fortunate enough to have him as a mentor this year. He was in Louisville. He invited me to his crib, and we watched some film together; played a little bit of chess. I got to pick his brain a lot this year, watch film with him. ... He broke the game down in just such a simple way. He just kept telling me, 'You don't need to overcomplicate it. You're extremely talented. Just keep it simple, and I promise you, you're going to make the right play every single time.'"Brown debuted with the Nets in summer league, averaging 15 points, four assists, 1.5 rebounds and 1.2 steals while shooting 34.6% from 3-point range in four games. He finished in double figures in each appearance, including a 20-point performance on July 10.The 6-foot-4 Brown had the opportunity to play with several other teammates, including Egor Demin, Drake Powell and Ben Saraf. He showcased his scoring ability and potential as a facilitator with the group, which were a few of the traits that attracted the Nets to him in the draft.Brown is eager to get started with the group and prove himself to the front office and fans. He wants to impact winning above all else and help the Nets turn things around on the court."At the end of the day, it is about plus-minus with me," Brown said. "If I'm on the court, are we in a plus? Are we winning the margins? I feel like that is the biggest thing that kind of separates me from everybody else, and some things that I want Nets fans to know are that I'm all about winning. Whether that is me scoring it, me playmaking, me being a leader, or if I have to be all of them. I've taken on that burden."This article originally appeared on Rookie Wire: Nets' Mikel Brown Jr. credits Rajon Rondo as a mentor at Louisville

SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) Vozinha is cashing in on his newfound fame by promoting the new Spider-Man film. The 40-year-old World Cup star's arrival to his new club in Chile, however, was caught up in old-fashioned paperwork.The Cape Verde goalkeeper was scheduled to be with Colo Colo by Wednesday, but Chiles biggest and most successful club says Vozinha's trip has been delayed because of paperwork. They're hopeful of a Thursday arrival.Vozinha was still able to wear a jersey Wednesday though by donning Spider-Man gear as part of a Sony Pictures Brazil campaign promoting Spider-Man: Brand New Day. On Instagram, Vozinha encouraged his 29.6 million followers up from under 50,000 before the World Cup to go see the film.Meanwhile, Colo Colo is also racing to resolve some issues regarding Vozinha.The most pressing concern is the name that will appear on the goalkeepers jersey. Regulations from the Chilean National Association of Professional Football (ANFP) require players to use their surname. This means that Vozinha whose real name is Josimar Jos vora Dias would not be allowed to use the nickname that made him famous around the world.That would be a setback not only for the player whose moniker means grandma in Portuguese, a tribute to the woman who raised him but also to the personal brand he has built worldwide.According to ANFP regulations, nicknames, appellations, or sobriquets will not be permitted in the domestic competition. Players who fail to comply face an administrative yellow card, while their clubs can be fined up to $875.Colo Colo has requested an exemption from the Council of Presidents, the body comprised of the top executives of Chilean clubs. The board is expected to vote on the matter Friday, and the decision must be unanimous for Vozinha to wear his nickname.Another challenge will be deciding which jersey number the Cape Verdean will wear, as the traditional goalkeeper numbers are already assigned, with Argentine goalkeeper Fernando de Paul wearing No. 1.World Cup star energizes ChileVozinha emerged as one of the breakout stars of the World Cup by leading debutant Cape Verde on a remarkable run. He kept a clean sheet against eventual champion Spain in the teams opening match before producing a series of spectacular saves against Argentina in the round of 32, where Cape Verde lost 3-2.His move to South America has generated enormous interest in Chile, where the national team failed to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup after finishing last in the qualifiers.Vozinhas signing is also expected to boost the profile of both Colo Colo and Chilean football while creating significant commercial opportunities.As his social media following soared, Vozinha has become the face of several advertising campaigns.Across Chile, meanwhile, the Vozinha effect is already being felt. Since announcing the signing, Colo Colo has gained nearly 70,000 followers across its social media platforms, many of them from overseas.The whole world is getting to know Colo Colo better, supporter Hctor Hermosilla said. The worlds cameras will be on Vozinha and thats going to be good for the club."___AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

AMHERST A documentary more than two decades in the making is coming home to Amherst. I Was a Hurricane, a three-part series following the 2003 Amherst Regional High School varsity boys ultimate season, will have its world premiere Aug. 8 on the Town Common.The 2003 varsity team was coached by Tiina Booth and Woody Clift. The Hurricanes that year fought their way to the ultimate national championship, where a controversial self-officiated foul call threatened to derail their season. Thats where our story begins, said Lexi Jamieson Marsh, an independent filmmaker who has been working to bring I Was a Hurricane to the big screen.The game of ultimate has a rich history in Amherst. Here, Amherst Regional High School's Evan Carson, right, tries to stop Radnor High School's Jake Belitsky during the semifinal game of the Amherst Ultimate Invitational at Amherst Regional High School in 2015. (DAVID MOLNAR / THE REPUBLICAN)DAVID MOLNAR / THE REPUBLICANThe documentary comprises video footage from 2003 and present-day interviews with former team members and coaches. Marsh credits Amherst community members and filmmakers Bob Pollak and Nate McGarigal with capturing more than 200 hours of team footage and preserving it for two decades. Former Amherst Hurricane Draper White, who worked with Marsh on a previous project, digitized the footage and brought it to Marshs attention. I think I had assumed, Oh, this is game footage, were just going to be watching games, Marsh told The Republican. But I was immediately hooked as soon as I started looking at it. I was popping in and out of all these different files that were named whatever had been handwritten on the tape. What really amazed her when going over the footage, Marsh said, was that it was a time she didnt recognize anymore.The lack of technology really hit me hard, Marsh said. You dont have anyone holding smartphones. Everybodys very present, you see people communicating with each other, and the second thing was just how unaware of the camera people were. In this day and age, were all so aware of being recorded at any moment.Members of the 2003 Amherst Regional High School ultimate team hug each other, in archival footage that's part of Lexi Jamieson Marsh's documentary "I Was a Hurricane." (Photo courtesy of Lexi Jamieson Marsh)SubmittedMarsh added there is an authenticity to the footage that she thinks people will find captivating, whether or not theyre fans of the sport of ultimate. Frisbee, by the way, is a proprietary name brand for throwable flying discs.You can substitute ultimate for whatever you were passionate about in high school. The nostalgia element brings out a moment in time where your whole life could have been dedicated to the thing you cared most about, the people who understood you, and the place you found belonging in, Marsh said.In addition to the archival footage, Marsh set out to interview as many of the teams former players as possible. The goal, she said, was to understand the individual impacts that 2003 season had on each player. A Frisbee collection. It's a brand name. The sport that emerged from it is called ultimate. (Joe Proudman/The Star-Ledger, File)Joe ProudmanOne of the people interviewed was Luke Zimmerman, a captain of the 2003 Hurricanes team who, in the trailer for the documentary, said: Ultimate became my life. Saying it was important honestly understates it.Marsh also interviewed Booth, the coach of the 2003 Hurricanes ultimate frisbee team, who told her: We were always trying out in horrible weather, and we were always last to get any kind of fields, but I do know, they were all in.Marsh was able to talk with members of the Hurricanes championship rivals Paideia High School from Atlanta, Georgia and that teams coach, which she said added an important holistic experience to the documentary.We live in a world where all of our interactions have some sort of ripple effect, and you cant be competitive if you dont have someone to compete against, so what was their experience like? Marsh told The Republican.Lexi Jamieson Marsh is the independent filmmaker behind "I Was a Hurricane," premiering on the Amherst Town Common in August. (Provided photo)Courtesy photoCommunity helps push film to finish lineMaking I Was a Hurricane did not come without its hurdles, and Marsh noted the financial difficulties of being an independent filmmaker as one of the biggest. To get I Was a Hurricane past the finish line, Marsh and her team turned to crowdfunding. A GoFundMe was set up and raised nearly $12,000 enough to get it on the big screen. The fact that we are existing as a documentary is a direct result of those donations, Marsh said.To honor the community behind the documentary, it only felt right to stage the world premiere of the film in the place where it all began Amherst.Action from the 25th Amherst Invitational Ultimate Tournament on May 7, 2016, at Amherst high school. Here is a matchup between Amherst girls varsity and Longmeadow. (KEVIN DILLON / MASSLIVE)KEVIN DILLON / MASSLIVEThe story of the documentary is very community-focused, the making of the documentary is also a community effort, and the Amherst premiere is going to be the ultimate community event, Marsh said. Its going to be free. Its going to be open to the public. Marsh has been busy working behind the scenes to stage a reunion, and members of the 2003 Hurricanes team, as well as their rival team, are expected to be in attendance, as are current Amherst coaches and athletes. Tiina Booth, coach of the 2003 Amherst Regional High School ultimate team, is interviewed by filmmaker Lexi Jamieson Marsh for the documentary "I Was a Hurricane." (Photo courtesy of Lexi Jamieson Marsh)SubmittedThe premiere on the Town Common also will serve a second purpose filming a fitting epilogue for the documentary. We want to see the completion of this project that is about this community and for this community, and really celebrate not only in the moment, but to put it into the final part of the film, Marsh told The Republican.I Was a Hurricane will be screened in its entirety on Aug. 8 starting at 7:30 p.m. on the Town Common at Boltwood Avenue. It is free and open to the public. Reservations, which are suggested but not required, can be made online on Eventbrite.As the trailer on Marshs website fades to black, a member of the Amherst Hurricanes addresses his team and perhaps, the audience: Absorb this moment. Itll never happen again. This team, this time, this place will never happen again.Draper White, left, and Lexie Jamieson Marsh on the set of the documentary "I Was a Hurricane." (Photo courtesy Lexie Jamieson Marsh)SubmittedRead the original article on MassLive. Add MassLive as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Green Bay Packers are asking fans to wear their throwback gear and vintage favorites to training camp on Throwback Thursday, July 30.The Thursday training camp will be the second free practice of three in a row.Packers alumni Tramon Williams and Charlie Peprah also will be on hand July 30.When are the Packers' practices open to the public?Twelve of this year's 13 free public practices will be at Ray Nitschke Field, on the east side of the Don Hutson Center.All public training camp practices start at 10:30 a.m., but the time is subject to change and weather conditions.The 13th practice, Family Night, is at Lambeau Field and requires tickets.Six of the 12 public practices take place in the first seven days.What is the forecast for Packers training camp on July 31?Wildfire smoke returns to the forecast, according to the National Weather Service Green Bay, but likely after noon July 31. It will be mostly sun with a high near 90; heat index value of 93 is expected.Do kids stills how up with bicycles for players to ride?Yes, the tradition continues. Arrive early, like 9 a.m., with your bicycles if you would like a player to ride it from Lambeau Field to Ray Nitschke Field for practice.What is the nonprofit group featured at practice?Aaea nonprofit groups will be featured at each training camp practice, either at Ray Nitschke Field or in the Lambeau Field east parking lot.For day 2 of training camp, Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Northeast Wisconsin,Family and Childcare Resources of Northeast WisconsinandLovin' the Skin I'm In will be the featured nonprofits.Here is the nonprofits schedule for the rest of training camp:July 31:Brown County United WayandWisconsin Humane Society.Aug. 2:No nonprofits scheduledAug. 3:Casa ALBA Melanie Hispanic Resource CenterandPillars Inc.Aug. 4:Golden House Inc.andHER Alliance.Aug. 7:7 p.m. at Family Night at Lambeau FieldAug. 10:American Red Cross,The Children's Museum of Green BayandInnovative Care Services.Aug. 11:Ecumenical Partnership for HousingandGreater Green Bay Habitat for Humanity.Aug. 16:No nonprofit scheduled.Aug. 18:Brain Center of Green BayandThe Salvation Army of Greater Green Bay.Aug. 24:AspiroandThird Space Green Bay.Aug. 26 (joint practice with theArizona Cardinals):Laundry Love Brown CountyandVince Lombardi Cancer Foundation.How long are the Packers training camp practices?The practices generally last 1 to two hours. The first practice, on July 29, was 90 minutes.Are there seats at Ray Nitschke Field?Ray Nitschke Field has bleachers with a capacity of 1,500. Fans also gather outside the fences in the north and south end zones. There are bleachers along the north fence.Will food trucks will be at Packers' practices?Food trucks will be available at Ray Nitschke Field's parking lot for most public practices.Lambeau Field has food, tours, merchandise and air conditioningThe Lambeau Field Atrium opens at 8 a.m. weekdays, 9 a.m. Saturdays and 10 a.m. Sundays. TheAtrium is home tothePackers Pro Shop, thePackers Hall of Fame museumand1919 Kitchen & Tap restaurant. Stadium tours are available through the hall of fame ortickets can be purchased online.Also open to fans is Titletown, immediately west of Lambeau Field, which offersa variety of family-themed activities, such as tai chi, kids art, robotics, adaptive art and ballroom dancing lessons.Is the Johnsonville Tailgate Village open during training camp?Yes. Located on the east side of the stadium, the Johnsonville Tailgate Village is open from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. on most practices and offers food and drink. A reminder that all Packers businesses are cashless.Packers, Ticketmaster offer sensory activation vehicleThe new sensory activation vehicle offers a quiet and sensory-inclusive environment during training camp, gamedays and other large-scale stadium event days. The SAV will be available at each open practice day adjacent to Ray Nitschke Field.Where can I cool off after practice?If you may want to cool off after practice,here is a list ofsplash pads, pools and swimming areasin the Green Bay area.When are the Packers' preseason games?6 p.m. Aug. 13 at Pittsburgh Steelers8 p.m. Aug. 21 atDenver Broncos7 p.m. Aug. 27 vs. Arizona Cardinals at Lambeau Field/When do the Packers open the season?The first regular-season game is at 3:25 p.m. Sept. 13 versus the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.When is the Packers' first home game?The Packers first home game in the 2026 season will be at 7:15 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24, against the Atlanta Falcons.This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Day 2 of Packers training camp features Throwback Thursday on July 30

The Seattle Seahawks had a year to remember in 2025. The reigning Super Bowl champions won a franchise-record 14 games, emerged from the NFL's toughest division by winning the NFC West title, and capped their dream season off by hoisting the Lombardi Trophy. So what will Seattle do as an encore this season? Let's check out the Seahawks' Over/Under win total odds for the 2026 season. This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports. Seattle Seahawks Over 10.5: -115 (bet $10 to win $18.70 total)Under 10.5: -105 (bet $10 to win $19.52 total) What to know: Seattle defeated the New England Patriots 29-13 in Super Bowl LX, capturing its second Super Bowl in franchise history. The Hawks were excellent on both sides of the ball, finishing third in the NFL in points per game (28.4) and first in the league in points allowed per game (17.2). However, a lot has changed since February. Kenneth Walker III signed a big contract with the Kansas City Chiefs. Walker III was a huge part of Seattle's Super Bowl run, rushing for 313 yards in three playoff games. On the defensive side of the ball, the Seahawks lost Boye Mafe, Coby Bryant and Riq Woolen, three key contributors last season. Odds: This upcoming season, Seattle is the +205 second choice to win the NFC West, the +600 second choice to win the NFC and the +1100 fourth choice to win the Super Bowl.

Futility has been the Jets' calling card over the last decade. And with Buffalo and New England in the AFC East, it appears unlikely New York will end its streak of 23 seasons without a division title. Let's check out the Jets' Over/Under win total odds for the 2026 season. This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports. New York Jets Over 5.5: -120 (bet $10 to win $18.33 total)Under 5.5: +100 (bet $10 to win $20 total) What to know: The first year of the Aaron Glenn era in New York did not go as planned, as the Jets won just three games. However, after signing Geno Smith, adding several key defensive free agents and bringing in a solid draft class featuring offensive weapons Kenyon Sadiq and Omar Cooper Jr., Vegas expects at least some improvement in 2026. It has been a decade since the Jets won 10 games in a season, and 15 years since they made the playoffs. In that decade of single-digit wins, New York won seven games three times, five games three times, four games twice, three games once and two games once. So, 5.5 feels like a sweet spot. Odds: This upcoming season, New York is the +1900 third choice to win the AFC East, the +8600 14th choice to win the AFC and the +20000 29th choice to win the Super Bowl.