Philadelphia 76ers star Tyrese Maxey is set to enter his seventh season in the league in 2026-27. The 2-time All-Star will be looking to take yet another leap in his game. The dynamic scoring guard will likely be playing a lot off the ball with the addition of LeBron James to run things and that means more scoring opportunities for Maxey.After he averaged 28.3 points, 6.6 assists, and 4.1 rebounds in the 2025-26 season, Maxey has an opportunity to score even more with James by his side. The two of them constantly work out together and are always in communication with one another. That will help with chemistry on the floor in the upcoming season.In preparation for year No. 7, Maxey is back in the gym with trainer Chris Johnson to work on his finishing ability at the basket.View this post on Instagram

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 29: Chase Claypool #83 of the Miami Dolphins reacts after a play during the second half of the game against the New England Patriots at Hard Rock Stadium on October 29, 2023 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images) | Getty ImagesAccording to NFL Networks Mike Garafolo, the Indianapolis Colts worked out veteran free agent wideout Chase Claypool, who hasnt appeared in an NFL game since 2023: The #Colts worked out veteran WR Chase Claypool today. Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) July 30, 2026The 28-year-old former 2020 2nd round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers also spent time with the Chicago Bears, Miami Dolphins, and Buffalo Bills organization during his initial 4-year NFL career. His best season came as a rookie for the Steelers back in 2020, when he recorded 62 receptions for 873 receiving yards (14.1 ypr. avg.) and 9 touchdown receptions during 16 games (6 starts)earning PWFA All-Rookie Team honors that same season. Claypool would follow that strong debut pro campaign up with a sophomore season in which he recorded 59 receptions for 860 total receiving yards (14.6 ypr. avg.) and 2 touchdown receptions during 15 games (13 starts). Unfortunately for Claypool, his production would significantly dip after his first two seasons with the Steelers, before eventually and rather infamously being traded to the Chicago Bears for a 2023 2nd round pick, where he would never live up to that higher draft pick that was surrendered. Claypool couldnt regain his prior footing in the Windy City and had a subsequent underwhelming sole season with the Miami Dolphins in 2023, before joining the Buffalo Bills in 2024, but never appearing in an NFL game again because of a significant toe injury. At 6,4, 238 pounds, Claypool during his early career playing peak, was a big, physical possession wideout, who had the ability to separate vertically. In that regard, he was somewhat similar to recently departed veteran Colts wideout Michael Pittman Jr. in sheer stature and big bodied playing style. He was also a RAS darling coming out Notre Dame in 2020 with a 9.98 RAS grade out of a maximum of 10.0, but whether he still has that peak athletic ability remains to be seenespecially having been out of football for two seasons and some quiet receiving seasons to end his initial career. Its worth noting that he previously worked out for the Green Bay Packers in May of this year. Its not as thought the Colts couldnt use a potential wide receiver upgrade along the outside, especially with Alec Pierce still out of training camp commission for the next week or so. The projected starter on the outside opposite of Pierce, when hes fully healthy of course, is currently Ashton Dulin and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine. That being said, it seems like a longshot that Claypool can regain his prior early career form with Pittsburgh. This may be just an instance of the Colts doing an agent a solid or kicking the tires purely for due diligence purposes too see how much gas Claypool realistically has left.

John Stones has touched down in Italy as he prepares to finalize a high-profile move to Serie A champions Inter. The veteran England international, who recently departed Manchester City following the expiration of his contract, was greeted by reporters upon his arrival in Milan. Nerazzurri Landing For England Star The wait is almost over for Inter fans as Stones has arrived in Milan to put the finishing touches on his move to San Siro. After a decade of dominance at the Etihad Stadium, the 32-year-old is set to embark on a new chapter in Italy, bringing a wealth of elite European experience to Christian Chivus defensive line. Upon his arrival, Stones made his excitement clear regarding the upcoming challenge in a new league. "I'm excited to be here, thank you so much. I'll see you soon, ciao," the defender said. According to Sky Italia, the centerback is scheduled to undergo his medical examinations and obtain his sports fitness certification from CONI Thursday. Once these formalities are completed, he is expected to put pen to paper on atwo-year contract worth 4 million per season. Chivus Defensive Rebuild Takes Shape The arrival of Stones is regarded as a major coup for Inter as they look to defend their Scudetto. Chivu has been vocal about wanting to add proven winning experience to his backline, and Stones fits that profile perfectly. During his time atManchester City, the defender amassed 20 major honors, including six Premier League titles and a Champions League trophy. However, the signing of Stones may not be the end of Inter's defensive recruitment this summer. The club's sporting director, Piero Ausilio, recently confirmed that active discussions are underwayfor Tottenham captain Cristian Romero. The Argentinian 2022 World Cup winner remains a primary target, and there is a possibility that both Stones and Romero could arrive if Benjamin Pavard departs the San Siro during the current transfer window. Beyond the central defensive positions, Inter have reportedly identified Djed Spence as their priority targetto bolster the wing-back slots. Fitness Concerns And World Cup Form Despite his undeniable pedigree, the 2025-26 campaign was a challenging one for Stones due to persistent fitness issues. Thigh and calf problems restricted him to just 18 appearances across all competitions, raising questions about his long-term durability. However, he silenced some of those doubts with his performances for England at the World Cup, where he played five games and helped the Three Lions secure a third-place finish. Inters medical staff will be paying close attention to these injury concerns as they conduct his physical assessments today. The Nerazzurri are banking on the fact that a fresh start in a new environment will help the defender put his recent fitness woes behind him. Final Details Before Official Announcement All signs point towards an official announcement in the next 24 to 48 hours, provided there are no late hitches during the medical process. The deal represents a massive blow to the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea, who were both heavily linked with the defender following his exit from Manchester. The veteran defender leaves Manchester City as one of the most decorated figures in the club's 132-year history. His time under Pep Guardiola transformed him into one of the most unique ball-playing defenders in the world, a skillset that Chivu is eager to integrate into the Inter setup.

Josh Richardson, who played for six teams, including the Heat twice, announced his retirement via an Instagram post. I always gave my best, thats why i can say this with no regret, he wrote Wednesday night. I am grateful to have been able to love this game and it love me back as much as it did. It wasnt set up for me at any point in my career, and from high school, college, and the pros i humbly worked my butt off every day be the best that i could be. All my fans, coaches and teammates, i hope i left a good impression and a positive view of me. Love, JRICH.New York PostThis article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Josh Richardson announces retirement

Charlotte Hornets PR: OFFICIAL: @hornets have waived forward Mouhamadou Gueye. Gueye was originally acquired by Charlotte in a four-team trade on July 10, 2026.x.comThis article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: @hornets have waived forward Mouhamadou Gueye

Looney has spent many years trying to contain Doncic as a defender and it is something he is happy to not have to do this season. The Lakers center made it clear that he is very excited to be able to team with the superstar guard as opposed to trying to defend him. Playing against him sucks, especially being a big man, Looney said on Mason & Ireland on ESPN LA Radio. Youre in a lot of pick-and-rolls, youre getting isod, he picks on people and you gotta guard him 1-on-1 and hes probably the toughest guy to guard 1-on-1 in the league. Got to compete against him on the Lakers and in the playoffs when he was in Dallas. Im excited to be on his team, be able to learn from him, be able to play pick-and-roll with him. Hes probably the best pick-and-roll player in the league so being able to learn how he wants me to set screens and different things like that Im excited about it. Hes one of the best guys in the league and it makes my life a lot easier playing with him so Im super excited.Lakers NationThis article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Playing against him sucks, especially being a big

The MMA landscape is changing, and PFL CEO John Martin is at the helm of what appears to soon be the de facto second-biggest player in the field.The argument was already there for PFL, but now that an MVP merger has been announced, it seems the promotion has accelerated its momentum and is entering 2027 with its foot on the gas. Martin revealed Thursday that when the calendar flips at the end of this year, the promotion's branding will, too."We're going to work to start to integrate the organizations now," Martin told Home of Fight on Thursday. "Our goal is we're going to be fully integrated, and we're going to see the brand change over for the product January 2027. For the rest of this year, we'll be crowning PFL champions. But obviously, we're already thinking like one company. Things will officially cross over with MVP on Jan. 1."A lot of questions remain coming out of Thursday's announcement, but perhaps none bigger than that of where fight fans will be able to watch the events. MVP MMA held one event on Netflix in 2026, while PFL's deal with ESPN concludes at the end of the year, and renewal seems unlikely."I hope so," Martin said of Netflix. "There's not much I can say on that other than I think, whether it's Netflix or other broadcasters, I think this merger is going to catch a lot of attention. I think for anybody who wants to partner with us, to think through it with us about what are the real opportunities and the type of events we can put on now with the strength of the PFL roster, with the strength of the women's boxing MVP has, with the blockbuster live events that it's been successfully able to put on now not once, twice, three times but many times. I'm looking forward to those conversations. I'm really excited."As for how and why this merger came together, Martin described a situation where he thinks each promotion brings something different to the table. PFL has held events all over the world and has an established roster. Meanwhile, MVP has garnered mass visibility and promotion with Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian leading the charge."This is a global business," Martin said. "At the PFL, we've successfully put on shows in 14 countries across four continents. This year alone, we'll do 11 different countries. We've actually held events in more international locations than MVP. But of course, they've been on Netflix, so it gets piped globally. So they're global in that perspective. We're global in another perspective. So to bring together those capabilities, I think is a powerful combination."In terms of what will happen to current PFL champions and their titleholder status, Martin said the details are still being hashed out, but he has a hunch fighters will keep their status from PFL into MVP."We'll likely take the rest of this year to fully integrate the companies," Martin said. "My suspicion, although we haven't officially decided or announced, will probably come out Jan. 1 with everything rebranded. Again, we haven't fully decided. But if you're a PFL champion, you'll be an initial champion for MVP, and we'll just keep it going."This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: John Martin reacts to PFL-MVP merger, trickles out more details

It's a special edition of the Coloradoan's Athlete of the Week series, partnering with Blue Federal Credit Union to honor our top local sports stars.This week's version isn't about current athletes, but former local stars who could have a noticeable impact on the gridiron this fall.Which Fort Collins-area product will have the biggest impact on a college football team for the 2026 season? There are many great options, from the Division I FBS level to FCS and even Division II.You can find the poll at the bottom of the page.Voting runs through Aug. 4 at 11:59 a.m., with the winner announced at coloradoan.com/sports soon after the poll's conclusion.Football fans, here are 10 former Fort Collins-area football standouts to choose from:Meet the top impact player nominees:Tanner Gray, Nevada EDGE rusher (Wellington): The lone true freshman on this list and with good reason. The Eagles state champion and three-star recruit already has a college-ready frame at 6-foot-2 and 240 pounds. Don't be surprised if Gray gets an early look at a position of need for the Wolfpack.Dontay Johnson, South Dakota State defensive back (Fort Collins): The former Lambkins star and Jackrabbits fifth-year senior is an expected defensive contributor for one of FCS' top programs. Johnson broke out in 2025, tallying two pass break ups and 37 total tackles, including a career-high seven vs. Montana in the FCS playoffs.Trek Keyworth, Colorado Mesa receiver (Fossil Ridge): The ex-SaberCat wideout has steadily become one of the RMAC's top targets, earning all-conference honorable mention last season with 38 catches for 645 yards and five touchdowns. Keyworth could be featured even more in CMU's balanced attack this fall.Tyler Kubat, William Jewell quarterback (Fossil Ridge): It was a breakout fall for the former SaberCat gunslinger last fall. After assuming the starting role three games into the season, Kubat threw for over 2,150 yards at a 66.9& completion clip with 19 TDs. Will Kubat follow that up with another big year?Marcus Mozer, Northern Colorado receiver (Fossil Ridge): There's some unknown here, as Mozer transferred closer to home after one season without seeing the field at San Diego State. But the former three-star SaberCat record setter has the talent, pedigree and build (6-foot-3, 200-plus pounds) to make an instant impact in Greeley.Mikey Munn, Rutgers defensive back (Windsor): The 2024 Windsor alumnus was one of FCS' best players last season at South Dakota, earning 2nd team FCS All-American honors at cornerback with five interceptions (two for TDs) and 59 tackles. Now at Rutgers, Munn will get a chance to make his mark in the rugged Big 10.Blake Smotherman, Colorado School of Mines tight end (Fort Collins): The super senior is back for one last ride at tight end for a bruising Mines offense. Smotherman was already a 2nd team All-RMAC pick last year with a career-high 21 passes for 218 yards and 3 TDs and serving as a key blocker. Expect the ex-Lambkin to be a key offensive piece again.Chase Thomas, Briar Cliff running back (Windsor): Thomas is an entrenched featured back for the Chargers, starting 11 games last season and going for over 700 total yards with five touchdowns. That helped Briar Cliff have its first winning record (6-5) in seven years. A big year for the former Wizard could be in store again.Jones Thomas, Wyoming defensive back (Poudre): The former Impala standout has steadily become a reliable defensive starter up in Laramie. Thomas is the Cowboys' top returning tackler after posting 57 stops with two interceptions and four pass break-ups in 11 starts last year. He'll get a homecoming to open his redshirt junior season when Wyoming visits CSU on Sept. 5.Ethan Thomason, BYU offensive line (Rocky Mountain): This is a wild card, but a talented one. Like many BYU players, Thomason spent his first two seasons on LDS missions. Now, the former four-star recruit from Rocky could contribute on the offensive line for a likely preseason top-20 Cougars sqaud.Vote here:

Photo by Joe Hrycych/Getty ImagesThe Buffalo Bills have an exciting duo for the 2026-27 season, with Josh Allen having a new wide receiver to target.The Bills traded a second-round pick to the Chicago Bears for DJ Moore and a fifth-rounder earlier this offseason.The two have already linked up several times in training camp, and one particular play has drawn attention on social media.NFL fans are all saying the same thing about Allens amazing pass to Moore.Photo by Joe Hrycych/Getty ImagesFans are calling Josh Allen and DJ Moore the NFLs scariest duoTraining camp footage often leads to overreactions, for better and worse, and the Buffalo Bills are no different.After the Bills posted a clip of Josh Allens impressive pass to DJ Moore, NFL fans are already convinced they will succeed.If they keep this up, Im buying a ticket to the horror show and bringing popcorn, one viewer wrote.Another added: Practice highlights dont win games, but that connection could be a nightmare for defenses if it carries over to Sundays.Several fans focused on the impact Moore will have on the Bills, since Allen lacked a true first option last season.Two responses read: Moore is going to be great with a pure passer like Josh, for sure and If I could buy stock, I would put my whole portfolio on DJ Moore this year.Meanwhile, a fan predicted they will be the scariest duo in the NFL, even ahead of Matthew Stafford and Puka Nacua.Read more:So in love Madison Beer and Justin Herbert spotted at LA Chargers training camp after engagement announcementWe are all in Dallas Cowboys fans are growing in excitement as Jerry Jones drops trade hintIts over NFL fans cant contain their concerns for Patrick Mahomes in Chiefs training footage

While Ohio State head coach Ryan Day and the trio of players he took with him to Big Ten media days had their day in front of the media on Wednesday, Thursday was new Michigan head coach Kyle Whittingham's turn. You knew it was coming, and that's exactly what happened when Whittingham was asked about what he's learned about the rivalry with Ohio State and how he's going to approach it.For his part, Whittingham seems ready to lower the temperature a bit and was nothing more than respectful and matter-of-fact about the rivalry with the Buckeyes being a huge one, but one taken into perspective."I haven't learned much more than what I already knew. I mean, it's a national game; everybody knows about it. It's "The Game" as we call it, and it's of great importance, obviously, to both sides," Whittingham said. "But I'm an old-school coach; we've got 11 games we play before that, so we're not going to get ahead of ourselves. But make no mistake, I understand the implications that it has."And it's true it's not like Whittingham is coming into arguably the greatest rivalry in sports blindly. After all, he is good friends with Urban Meyer, former Ohio State head coach who went 7-0 against the maize and blue. Whittingham pointed to his affiliation with Meyer and how it helped him understand more about the massive, annual tilt. "A friend of mine, Urban Meyer, he was at the other place for a few years, and we'd talk about the game over the course of that time span, so very well-versed in what it means and the intensity of it, the national allure that it has, and our players are the same," Whittingham continued. "Everybody knows that that game is looming out there, and I think the best-case scenario is it comes down to that game and it's for all the marbles in the Big Ten. I think that would be ideal, so hopefully that happens."Kyle Whittingham hopes Michigan's regular-season finale against Ohio State has the Big Ten on the line pic.twitter.com/U9NpbzR6FL Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) July 30, 2026The beginning of Whittingham's tenure will usher in a new era of The Game between Ohio State and Michigan, and one can only hope that it's still at the fever pitch it has been, but with a more respectable tone than the last few years. It pains me to say it a little, but with Whittingham there and the human being he appears to be, I think that will be the case. It's still going to be one whale of a rivalry, though, and it's going to be a lot of fun, and yes, still heated.Contact/Follow us@BuckeyesWireon X (formerly Twitter) and like our page onFacebookto follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes, and opinion. FollowPhil Harrison on X.This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: Michigan coach Kyle Whittingham on learning about Ohio State rivalry