Steven Adams on his future in the NBA: "Whether it's in the league or not, I just like playing basketball, so wherever that is. I've been looking after my body as much as I can because I mainly do it just for after basketball, so I can still be functional and not move around too bad. I'll play as long as I can. I just love it, the competition is so high. You get such a rush, there's nothing like it. You get to really get immediate feedback if you're good enough to beat a team."YouTubeThis article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Steven Adams on his future in the NBA: "Whether it's

Steven Adams on LeBron James' move to Philadelphia: "I don't really care too much. Just because it doesn't necessarily matter in that sense. Just because you have to just see how you are in the year. You have to come together. Even our team, we have to click, come together as a buy-in. New data comes out, do we have to change the play style? There's a lot of other variables. I mean, it's cool, but just for me, I'm just like, whoever's on the other team, cool. I have to worry about our team, how we're going to do."YouTubeThis article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Steven Adams on LeBron James' move to Philadelphia: "I

Steven Adams on mentoring Jabari Smith Jr. and Alperen Sengun: "I just go the old school just bullying tactic. Just bully them. That's just fun. Especially the Turkish people, mate. Got to bully those guys. But no, it's been good, honestly, mentoring them and just seeing the growth. It is still exciting and just again, competing at that level and seeing the growth throughout the year, not just as an individual, but as a team."YouTubeThis article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Steven Adams on mentoring Jabari Smith Jr. and Alperen

Jammu and Kashmir wicketkeeper-batter Kanhaiya Wadhawan was named captain of the North Zone team for the upcoming Duleep Trophy on Monday. The 23-year-old will lead a squad that includes India pacer Arshdeep Singh and Delhi batter Ayush Badoni, who has been appointed vice-captain.The selectors rewarded Jammu and Kashmir's historic Ranji Trophy-winning campaign by including six players from the side. Along with Wadhawan, opener Qamran Iqbal, all-rounder Abdul Samad, left-arm spinner Abid Mushtaq and pacers Sunil Kumar and Yudhvir Singh were picked.Who is Kanhaiya Wadhawan?Born in September 2001 in Jammu, Wadhawan made his first-class debut at the age of 17 against Assam during the 2018-19 Ranji Trophy season. However, he lost his place after the opening match and did not feature in the next game against Jharkhand.He then missed selection for Jammu and Kashmir's Ranji Trophy squads in the 2019-20, 2021-22, 2022-23, 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons.His return came through the 2025 Duleep Trophy, where he was selected for North Zone. Wadhawan scored 99 runs in two matches at an average of 49.50, including one half-century.That performance helped him earn a place in Jammu and Kashmir's squad for the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy season, which turned into a historic campaign as the team won its maiden title.Wadhawan scored 474 runs in 10 Ranji Trophy matches at an average of 36.46, with one century and two half-centuries. His century came against Himachal Pradesh, while his final fifty of the season came in the title clash against Karnataka.He finished as Jammu and Kashmir's third-highest run-scorer in the tournament. Teammate Qamran Iqbal also had a productive season, including an unbeaten 160 in the Ranji Trophy final against Karnataka.So far, Wadhawan has scored 883 runs in 16 first-class matches at an average of 40.13, with one century and six half-centuries.

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - NOVEMBER 22: Penn State Nittany Lions forward Luke Misa (11) looks on during the second period of a college hockey game between the Minnesota Golden Gophers and Penn State Nittany Lions on November 22, 2025, at 3M Arena at Mariucci in Minneapolis, MN. (Photo by Nick Wosika/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty ImagesThere are just 67 days until Penn State hockeys season opener against UConn. The roster has taken shape, and after experiencing heavy turnover at forward in the offseason, Penn State will have a blend of veteran pieces and fresh faces.First LineDane Dowiak-Reese Laubach-Justin PoirierReese Laubach has been one of the more underappreciated players in this era of Penn State hockey. He should be the top line center this season. He was forced into the role last year when Charlie Cerrato missed the back half of the regular season with an injury. Laubach had 16 points in those 16 games, including a four-point weekend against Michigan on the road. Dane Dowiak will return for his final season after missing the final 10 games- including all of the postseason- with an upper-body injury. He has developed into one of Penn States top offensive players over the last two seasons, and he should be a good fit with Laubach on the top line.Justin Poirier was the best pickup Penn State took at forward from the transfer portal. He scored 18 goals at Maine last season while getting just 16:30 of ice time per game. His shooting percentage of 18.7% is not likely to continue at Penn State, but he is a major offensive threat and a strong right-hand shot for the first line. Second LineShea Van Olm-Luke Misa-Marco MignosaShea Van Olm and Luke Misa struggled to find their offensive game until the second half of last season, but they finished the year strong and have high aspirations on the second line. Misa is fully capable of stepping up as the second line center role largely held by Laubach the last two seasons. Marco Mignosa had a solid scoring touch in the OHL, scoring 35 goals in each of his final two seasons with the Soo Greyhounds. He will be green to start the season as he adjusts to NCAA hockey, but putting him on a line with two more experienced players should help him out.Third LineKaden Pitre-Kale Dach-Shea BuschThe third line will likely be relying on Kale Dach to generate goals and scoring chances, as Busch and Pitre did not light the world on fire offensively in juniors. Dach had 34 goals and41 assists last year for the Calgary Hitmen. Luke Misa put up similar scoring numbers in his final season in the OHL and started his Penn State career playing third line center. I envision a similar path for Dach as he moves from juniors to the NCAA.Fourth LineLev KatzinKeaton Peters-Braedon FordLooking back to last summer, one of the first signs of potential trouble that the hockey team was not going to repeat the success of 2024-25 was when Keaton Peters announced he would be out for the season. Peters did not score much in his freshman season but was excellent in the faceoff circle, a strength that Penn State missed badly last season. With him, the bottom six should be able to win faceoffs at a healthy clip and avoid getting hemmed in the defensive zone. Lev Katzin and Braedon Ford combined for just three goals and three assists last year. They will not be counted on to score, but their physical play and defensive work will be key.

BATON ROUGE, LA - JUNE 17: Sam Leavitt of the LSU Tigers poses for a portrait on June 17, 2026 at the LSU Football Practice Facility in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Gus Stark/LSU/University Images via Getty Images)Two days before fall camp begins, LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt has already landed on the watch list for one of the most prestigious awards in all of college football: the Maxwell Award.QB Sam Leavitt is on the Maxwell Award Preseason Watch List @S_leav10pic.twitter.com/qlDdFJGfd9 LSU Football (@LSUfootball) August 3, 2026Leavitt was rated as the highest-ranked player in the transfer portal during the offseason. Since joining LSU under Lane Kiffin and Charlie Weis Jr., the buzz surrounding him has only continued to grow. Last month, we reported that Leavitt has the 10th-best odds to win the Heisman Trophy, ranking third among SEC quarterbacks.Leavitt possesses a tremendous amount of physical talent and is now paired with what many believe are the best play designers and play callers in college football. Put that kind of talent in an offense like this, combine it with the LSU brand, and the sky is literally the limit.Weve seen something similar before with another former Arizona State quarterback, Jayden Daniels. Didnt I say in January if this season goes well.Book the tickets to New YorkWeve seen it before ASU LSU = #justdifferenthttps://t.co/4vshODzZsGpic.twitter.com/Df5NIf1m4U AP (@AJP413) August 3, 2026The difference is that when Daniels arrived at LSU, there were questions about the type of player he was, and he was coming off a disappointing season. Leavitt, on the other hand, was coming off an outstanding year that was unfortunately cut short by injury.Daniels went on to put together one of the most dominant seasons ever by an LSU quarterback and finished it by hoisting the Heisman Trophy.Can Leavitt replicate the success Daniels had? Or can he take it a step further and do something no LSU quarterback has done since Joe Burrowlead the Tigers back to the College Football Playoff?The season is right around the corner, and the hype surrounding Lane Kiffin and this LSU roster is only going to continue building as Week 1 approaches.Do you think Sam Leavitt will still be in the conversation for the Maxwell Award at the end of the season? Could he even become a Heisman finalist?Share your thoughts on what you think the ceiling is for Leavitt and this LSU offense.

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 28: San Francisco Giants infielder Luis Arraez #1 hits the ball during the game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the San Francisco Giants on April 28th, 2026 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Terence Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty ImagesThere were several moves made by the Phillies today, helping us end our long suffering discussion about what they should do and what they shouldnt do. Lets grade them all.Phillies acquire Luis Arraez, Caleb Kilian from the Giants for Ramon Marquez, Marty GairObviously the doozy of the deals that were completed, there are several layers to this one. First off, addressing their gaping offensive need with a player like Arraez is a solid fit for them. Currently running a 120 wRC+ in San Francisco, hell be added to a lineup that truly needs what he does at the plate. Arraezs knack for contact hitting and not striking out (a 4.5 K%!!!) is an antithesis to a lineup that is 24th in baseball with a 23.6% strikeout rate. Thats probably the greatest asset that he can provide the lineup as he doesnt really walk much, something that would be preferable considering that he will likely be batting at or near the top of the lineup. His Savant page has several blue shades in categories one wouldnt really want to be blue in, but there is also the preternatural ability Arraez has at the plate that simply cannot be quantified. He is a player with the skillset of a bygone era, but has made it work all these years hes been in the majors. You know about the offense. Its the defense.Some how, some way, Arraez has vaulted himself to the top of the league as a defensive second baseman, a year after he was forced to move his way down the defensive spectrum in San Diego to first base. His work with legendary infield coach Ron Washington with Giants has to be considered the sole reason for this turnaround as Washington has done this with many, many players wherever he has coached. The question is: do you believe in it? With the reports that Arraez will be playing second base with the Phillies, that will force the team into making decisions that will shift at least two players to a new position, creating the chance that the defense will go from an absolute liability to something close to a natural disaster.That is, unless they can somehow be near average. Its in the realm of possibility, but its probably foolish to assume that it will improve.In Kilian, the Phillies are adding another arm to the bullpen that is something they value: the ability to strike hitters out. A fastball that averages near 97 miles per hour, weve seen the team target this kind of velocity in deals, both trades and free agency signings. Kilian also has two pitches a knucklecurve and a slider that are generating whiffs over 40% each. Having two swing and miss pitches from the right handed side is something they do not have right now outside of Jhoan Duran. Hes an asset to a bullpen that has been running on fumes for a bit. His five more years of team control is likely the reason the prospect return was so high.In return for these two, the Phillies did surrender quite a bit. In Marquez, they had to give up the prospect in their system with probably the most helium this season of anyone. Marquez has dominated across two levels this year, striking out over 40% of hitters while walking just under 9% of them. Hes used a fastball/changeup combination to simply overwhelm the opposition, having a slider still in the nascent stages, but showing at least some promise of being average. Hes going to be sorely missed, but its the cost of doing business. Marty Gair is a pitcher in Clearwater that has been up to 100+ with his fastball, dominating those levels with the pitch, but is reliever only in profile. These are the types of pitchers one can draft and develop each season, so his inclusion is just fine.Parting ways with Marquez in order to fix the offense with a hitter like Arraez is tough to swallow. In a few years, unless there is a banner flying over Citizens Bank Park, this trade will probably look like one the Phillies clearly lost. However, with time running out over the roster as is, it was the right player and right step to take to make sure they have a roster that can compete in October. Well just have to wait and see if the defense will be able to get enough outs to make sure the elite pitching trio they will be depending on in crucial games can withstand the moves that are being made.Final grade: B-Phillies acquire Brooks Raley from the Mets for John Spikerman, Luke GabryshAddressing the bullpen yet again, grabbing the 38 year old Raley from the Mets is a way of upgrading someone like Tim Mayza or Kyle Backhus. Whether or not you believe he is an actual upgrade from those two, one can also look at it this way.Raley, vs. RHB: .216/.307/.330, 26.2 K%Mayza, vs. RHB: .243/.291/.408, 28.8 K%Backhus, vs. RHB: .292/.340/.500, 20.8 K%Hes an upgrade when it comes to losing the platoon advantage in the game. Thats something that can be useful for the Phillies, particularly as they continue to try and get back to the top of the wild card standings.Also, this might be something, it might be nothing: facing Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts and Max Muncy, they are a combined 3 for 18 against him.In moving John Spikerman and Luke Gabrysh, the team is simply moving some depth pieces. Neither projected to be much more than bench/role players with the team, if they even made it that far at all. At best, Spikerman might be a fourth/fifth outfielder while Gabrysh could be a middle reliever. A perfectly reasonable move to get someone that can help the bullpen right now.Final grade: BPhillies acquire Manuel Colon and cash from the Royals for Nolan HoffmanA trade barely worth mentioning, it is a trade the Phillies made nonetheless. Hoffman was designated for assignment once the earlier moves were made in the day, so getting anything of value for him is a win. In Colon, they are getting a low minors lottery ticket that looks like he strike some guys out, but is too far away to really get attached to just yet.Final grade: A (hey, getting anything for a DFAed player is a win)Does this move the needle much for the playoffs? Maybe. There were some needs the team had and those needs have been addressed. They might be closer to the actually making the playoffs, but the odds of them winning the World Series? Not so sure about that.This post brought to you by FanDuel.

FORT MYERS, FL- MARCH 09: Jeff Hoffman #57 of the Minnesota Twins pitches during a spring training game against Team Dominican Republic on March 9, 2023 at the Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images) | Getty ImagesAfter sending one of their best relievers to Toronto at last years trade deadline, the Blue Jays have returned the favor in 2026. Former All-Star closer Jeff Hoffman is heading to the Twins in exchange for prospects Dasan Hill, John Klein, and Dameury Pena according to The Athletic. Hoffman is under contract for next year as well at $12.67 million, a portion of which will be covered by Toronto.Hoffman, 33, has a high ERA but everything else about him still looks like the elite reliever he was over in Philadelphia. He has a 3.94 ERA that is artificially inflated thankto a .389 BABIP, but a 2.49 FIP provides a better insight into the type of pitcher hes been. His 1.2 fWAR is 13th among relievers in baseball, while his 14.06 K/9 is second to only the Padres Mason Miller. Most importantly, Hoffman brings elite strikeout stuff to a bullpen that, while improved, has really needed some swing-and-miss on the backend. His pitch mix is very Griffin Jax-esque, relying heavily on a slider thats among the best pitches in baseball and a fastball with enough velocity to be dangerous. Hell also mix in a splitter, primarily against lefties, that is also quietly pretty strong.In return, the Blue Jays will receive pitching prospects Dasan Hill and John Klein, along with infielder Dameury Pena. Hill, 20, is the clear headliner of this group. He was the Twins second round pick in 2024 and had an excellent debut season in 2025, appearing on the back end of some Top 100s. The Twins moved him up to High A to start this season, but has struggled mightily to throw strikes. The stuff is there, but the lanky lefty has a very long way to go before hes ready to face big leaguers. Hill was the Twins 12th-ranked prospect according to FanGraphs, while Klein slotted in at 35 and Pena at 49. Manager Derek Shelton has a lot more tools to work with than he did this time last week. Hoffman should slot in as the teams primary closer immediately, but I would still expect Yoendrys Gomez and Andrew Morris to have opportunities down the stretch. Those two have both been heavily used the past two months and, as we saw with both walk-off losses last weekend, have probably been a bit overexposed. Having Minter and now Hoffman solidifies what has quietly become a very solid group of relievers.

The San Diego Padres are going for it. Hours after agreeing to a trade for Robbie Ray, the Padres secured right-handed pitcher Casey Mize in a trade with the Detroit Tigers, according to multiple reports. The Tigers will get prospects Kash Mayfield and Jackson Wolf, while the Padres will also acquire third baseman Gage Workman, FOX Sports and The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reported earlier. Mize, 29, was one of the top pitchers available ahead of Monday's trade deadline. He's 4-6 with a 2.70 ERA, 85 strikeouts and a 0.992 WHIP in 86 innings pitched over 16 starts. The Padres' pitching staff has been relatively mediocre this season. They're 16th in ERA (4.14) and 18th in WHIP (1.32). San Diego entered Monday with a 58-54 record. While the Padres are 11 games back of the Los Angeles Dodgers for first place in the NL West, they're only one game out of the final NL wild-card spot.

On a tough night at the very start of a new season, against a dogged Dundee, it was a familiar name that helped Celtic usher in victory.No, not Benjamin Nygren - last season's top scorer and the man who nodded in the winner to kickstar the Scottish Premiership defence - but Kieran Tierney, the man who crossed the ball for the Swede to head in.The left-back has arguably been Celtic's best player since the return of Martin O'Neill in January, but his renaissance has gone a little under the radar.Perhaps that's because we expect so much from the man who once fetched Celtic a reported 25m in a move to Arsenal.Regardless, he still registered 12 assists last season, the most of any Celtic player, and scored six goals from defence.One of O'Neill's most trusted lieutenants, he's contracted until 2030 but reports have suggested a potential return to Spain, so just how important is he to Celtic?Sportsound: Reaction as Celtic kick-off their title defence with a narrow win over Dundee'He looked like old Kieran Tierney'Despite Kasper Hogh's 0.88expected goals (xG), it was actually Tierney who had the most shots on target for Celtic against Dundee - albeit only two.He created more chances than any of his teammates (four) and sent in eight crosses, the most of any Celtic player."He looked like old Kieran Tierney, he was bombing forward, getting in the box, had a couple shots on goal, doing all his defensive stuff, he was excellent," said chief sports writer Tom English.Excellent was the word to describe the left-back's cross to Nygren, and it was just what Celtic needed.In the first half, the reigning champions were pushed hard by a Dundee side that set out to be aggressive and frustrate the hosts, and that's just what they did.But the chances started to become more frequent, and soon it was the trusty left boot of Tierney that unlocked the door, allowing Nygren to head home from six yards out with a pinpoint cross.However, his impact on this Celtic team is nothing new.Only Falkirk's Calvin Miller, now at Hearts, registered more assists last season. At Celtic, only Daizen Maeda created more big chances - 14 to Tierney's 12.Defensively, he consistently shows up as one of the best defenders in the league for his contributions, his tackling, clearances, blocking shots.And for all the talk of managing his minutes, only three full-backs across the league played more than Tierney. That said, he played the full game on only 10 occasions in the league."Those players are the football club," manager Martin O'Neill said of Tierney and captain Callum McGregor. "They are the backbone of Celtic, and I'm delighted to have them."With last season's on-loan left-back Marcelo Sarrachi having returned to his parent club Boca Juniors, there's currently no other senior left-backs on Celtic's books."Of course [it's important to bring in cover for Tierney], that's something we're looking at," O'Neill told BBC Scotland."Kieran, with the best will in the world, will not get through every single game. Last year, he was recovering and didn't see some games out because he puts so much into it. We're looking that way."Spanish interest but Tierney 'going nowhere' - BrownIt was reported today that Osasuna have enquired about Tierney, although that same article suggested Celtic chiefs will knock back any offers for the 29-year-old.Given the lack of options in that position, and also Tierney's importance to the league champions, that is hardly a surprise."Kieran's going nowhere, he loves the football club," said his former captain Scott Brown on Sportsound. "You never know what can happen, but I love watching the wee man play, I love his passion. When there's a 50-50 he wins it, when a ball goes into the box he puts his head on it."It's the quality on the other side as well. You can see why he went down to Arsenal. Other teams will want that, and Celtic are lucky to have these three [Tierney, McGregor and James Forrest] for that long a period."Club captain McGregor is another who was impressed in the league opener, but there's also been whispers that he might be on the way out. Those rumours seem to have died down in recent weeks."Callum has retired from Scotland so he's had the time off, and he looks really fresh," said Brown. "He is the brains of this time, he's got the understanding and leadership."If any young kids are watching, watch Callum McGregor, watch Kieran Tierney, watch James Forrest. You're not at a football club like this for that long if you can't understand the other side of the game."