WE HAVE RECRUITING NEWS!The summers always a good time for recruiting news, since the next recruiting class gets to sign their letters of intent coming up in early November and why not get your decision out of the way before your senior year starts? Whatever the reason, Marquette mens basketball has their first Class of 2027 commitment as of Friday morning after top 150 prospect Marlon Martinez announced that hell be attending college in Milwaukee and playing for head coach Shaka Smart.View this post on Instagram247 Sports lists Marlon Martinez as a 64, 200 pound shooting guard out of Florida, where he attends The Academy of Central Florida. I presume that this is not a prep academy connected to UCF even though its a 15 minute drive away in Orlando. In any case, Martinez is ranked at #119 in the country in 247 Sports internal system and #140 in the country in their Composite Rankings. Hes at #117 in the country according to Rivals/On3, but their Industry ranking has him at #135. Why do both combination have him lower? Probably because ESPN doesnt have him in the top 100. ESPN does grade Martinez at 78 and a three-star prospect, and considering that their top 100 ends at 82 in the four-star category, you get why 247 and Rivals have the combo number a bit lower. It doesnt appear that Martinez ever had a cutdown list of options. At the very least, he didnt trim things down after taking an official visit to Marquette right before the Golden Eagles went on their tour of Canada. I think its interesting that Dushawn London from 247 Sports lists Martinez at 65 and 180 pounds in the graphic that he posted to announce that visit, seeing as thats different from what his official 247 Sports page says about him. In any case, Martinez wasnt short on high major attention, as he also had offers from the like of Illinois, Mississippi State, and Ohio State. View this post on InstagramWould you like a scouting report from late May from 247s Adam Finkelstein?Martinez is a gifted offensive player who is not only very skilled, but poses a difficult match-up for opposing perimeter defenders because of his size and length. He has a broader frame with a nearly 6-foot-10 wingspan and natural strength, but plenty of room to keep improving his conditioning and defining his frame. He also has the versatility to play both on and off the ball. He can operate like a jumbo initiator and create offense for himself and his teammates, but also be valuable off the ball with his three-point shooting.Martinez isnt just skilled, but smooth and crafty with the ball. He may not be a naturally explosive athlete, but he has some sneaky burst to the rim and can then elongate his strides through the lane. He has a very fluid release to his pull-up game, and is just as dangerous from long-range as he is in the mid-range area. He shot 48% from behind the arc in FIBA play this year, and while he has more of a set-shot off the catch, he possesses definite gravity spacing the floor and the ability to make movement threes.He averaged 19 points, nearly 6 rebounds, and 4 assists for the Dominican Republic in the FIBA U18 Americas, leading the tournament in scoring while posting shooting splits of 58/48/89. Hes not always quite that efficient in other settings though. His defensive commitment can waiver and there are times when he can dominate the ball. Being consistent in those areas, and simultaneously continuing to develop his body, will help take his game to new levels, but the bottom line is hes a big guard with long arms who can make shots and plays alike.Lets talk about that FIBA U18 AmeriCup mention in that last paragraph. Martinez played for the Dominican Republic in that event, which was back in early June. The DR went 2-1 in group play, losing only to eventual champion Canada. That put them in second place in that group, but unfortunately they took a quarterfinal loss to Brazil in the knockout round. They also lost to Venezuela in the consolation group before beating Mexico to end up with a 7th place finish in the eight team event. Considering that Martinez led the entire tournament in scoring, plus led the Dominican team in rebounding and was second in assists and third in both blocks and steals, I dont think we can really pin any of the difficulties on him very quickly. Is he going to shoot 65% on two-pointers and 48% on three-pointers for the rest of his life? Probably not, but he did all that on a very big stage. Can I interest you in six minutes of highlights from that AmeriCup run? While youre watching, keep in mind that Ben Steele from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has reported that Marquette coaches were present in Mexico for some of these games.And now, the brand new scholarship chart.The intriguing part here is that Marquette only had two scholarships open as of yesterday for the Class of 2027, and if were being honest, 65, 180 pound shooting guard/wing is not exactly a spot of need for Marquette, and not really until 2029 when the Golden Eagles will be projected to lose both Nolan Minessale and Damarius Owens. Now, I would like to refer back to Martinez averaging just under four assists per game in the AmeriCup, and if hes got that kind of distribution skills, perhaps he can earn a few minutes playing behind Nigel James for a couple of years while also filling in at the 2 and the 3 as well. With Sananda Fru possibly being done after this season even with the 5 years/5 seasons rule in place Fru was granted two years of eligibility when he first joined Louisville it would certainly look like Marquette is going to be in the market for a new starting center come next April. With just one scholarship projected as open right now, it would certainly look like that spot has to be reserved for that big man, even if it is Fru being allowed to return for one more year than previously expected.Follow Anonymous Eagle on social mediaFacebook:AnonymousEagleInstagram:AnonymousEagleSBNBluesky:AnonymousEagle

VJ Edgecombe had to control his excitement when talking to new teammate LeBron James originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.Like many young NBA players, VJ Edgecombe grew up watching an NBA that had LeBron James as the best player. In fact, Edgecombe was not even born when James joined the NBA in 2003; he was born in 2005. As he was growing up, Edgecombe kept learning from NBA stars, including James.Now, Edgecombe will be playing alongside James on the Philadelphia 76ers starting lineup. That would have been a wild statement to make last season, but it would have been even more unbelievable for Edgecombe, who had to grind to reach the NBA.VJ Edgecombe knew he had to contain his excitement about teaming up with LeBron JamesAs a kid who grew up in The Bahamas, Edgecombe regularly watched the Miami Heat. He saw Dwyane Wade as one of his idols, which meant he got to watch LeBron all the time back in the Heatles days. Of course, he was quite young from 2010 to 2014, but he still remembers those days.While Edgecombe modeled his game after Wade, he still appreciates what James has done to the NBA. For VJ's entire life, LeBron has been a superstar, so it is easy for him to respect and appreciate him. Now, he can get a closer look at it because he will be playing alongside the four-time Finals MVP.MORE:Jaylen Brown sees a promising VJ Edgecombe shining in his new roleWhen Edgecombe found out that James was joining the 76ers, it was clear that he was giddy about it. In private, he was celebrating James' arrival, but when he spoke to his new teammate, he knew he had to control his excitement a bit."It's amazing. I FaceTimed Bron; I was in disbelief. I had to act cool; I had to act like I've been there before. I'm on the phone, all cool, and stuff. I had headphones on, playing the game, you know what I'm saying? Had to act cool, but it was Bron; I was geeking," Edgecombe said about his FaceTime call with James to Overtime.There is a narrative about Edgecombe potentially being the loser of this new 76ers team. However, it seems VJ is ready to learn and prove that he is one of the league's most promising players who will be learning from the likes of James and Jaylen Brown.More NBA news:Mike Gansey's latest update about Joel Embiid is quite encouraging for the 76ers and their fansAggression in the market benefited the 76ers with Jaylen Brown and LeBron James acquisitionsHow Jaylen Brown spoke about hisdynamic with Jayson Tatum76ers fans are concerned with Joel Embiid after a new viral photoGrant Williams speaks aboutJaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum's relationship

BOSTON (AP) Payton Tolle struck out a career-high 14 in six innings, Wilyer Abreu drove in three runs, and the Boston Red Sox won their ninth game in a row with a 13-1 rout of the Athletics on Friday night.The Red Sox are just the seventh team since 1920 to win 27 or more in a 30-game span, and the only team to begin their run under .500.Tolle (7-6) was the first Red Sox pitcher to fan 14 since Chris Sale on May 8, 2019. He was perfect through four innings, and allowed one run on two hits.Jarren Duran's two-run homer over the Green Monster in left field opened the scoring and sparked Boston's five-run second inning. Jake Rogers had an RBI double, and Abreu added a two-run double.Abreu's 380-foot double to right would have been a homer in every MLB ballpark except for Fenway Park, per Statcast.Three more came across in the fourth off the bats of Andruw Monasterio, Abreu, and Masataka Yoshida. Yoshida and Caleb Durbin each added one more to get the Red Sox into double-digit scoring for the second consecutive game.Jack Perkins (2-8) gave up five runs on five hits in three innings. He struck out three and walked three.Tyler Soderstrom's leadoff homer in the fifth ended Tolle's no-hit bid.Up nextAthletics LHP Gage Jump (4-7, 4.59 ERA) gets the start opposite Red Sox LHP Jake Bennett (7-4, 2.90) in the middle game of the series.___AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Raheem Morris spent three years with Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay. Now, as defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers, he has to help beat his old team and now-rival in the NFC West.Morris was asked after Thursday's practice how often he finds himself trying to get inside the head of the Rams' head coach, including what McVay is thinking about his offense and what McVay is thinking about Morris' defense. The 49ers coordinator admitted that those mental gymnastics never dissipate."That would be every day, coach," Morris said. "That's constantly going through your mind, right? Being a familiar face in that building and kind of knowing what those guys do but knowing they're going to bring their very best every single time they go out there."Morris was careful to note that familiarity only goes so far against a staff that continues to evolve."They get better and better every single year," he said. "You've got to be able to go out there and plan for some of that type of stuff, along with finding out who's going to make your football team."For now, that game-planning work is secondary to the more immediate task of building San Francisco's own roster and scheme through training camp. Morris described the process as constant but not something demanding full attention until later in the year."You have those moments throughout the course of the summer. You have those moments throughout camp," Morris said, describing how situational reps this time of year are designed with future opponents in mind. "You tie it together, create some similarities to what you can do when you play those people so you can have carryover for you guys to make it simple."Morris has a keen advantage given his former proximity to the best offense in the NFL last year. He knows Matthew Stafford's intricacies, Puka Nacua's tendencies, Davante Adams' abilities and Kyren Williams' skills. But they also know Morris. Now, the 49ers coordinator needs to turn his knowledge into strength for a 49ers defense that wasn't very good in 2025 and is still dealing with some injuries. The return of Nick Bosa and the arrival of players like veteran Osa Odighizuwa and rookies Romello Height and Gracen Halton should help, but ultimately it will depend on how Morris can craft a team that can take down the biggest competitors in the division. This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: 49ers coach says he's always trying to read Rams coach's mind

Aug 2, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Detroit Tigers center fielder Max Clark (center) celebrates with teammates after defeating the Athletics at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectDetroit Tigers(56-59) vs.San Francisco Giants(48-67)Time/Place: 10:15 p.m., Pracle ParkSB Nation Site:McCovey ChroniclesMedia: Detroit SportsNet,MLB.TV, Tigers Radio NetworkPitching Matchup: RHP Keider Montero (8-6, 3.17 ERA) vs. RHP JT Brubaker (0-0,3.17 ERA)PlayerGIPK%BB%GB%FIPfWARMontero24116.117.45.441.43.702.2Brubaker3454.016.510.139.64.000.2West coast trip continues in SF 10:15 PM ET @WatchDSN @971theticketxyt Oracle Park pic.twitter.com/JXybYHR189 Detroit Tigers (@tigers) August 7, 2026Back for the start of a nine-game homestand : 7:15 p.m. PT: @OracleParkSF: @NBCSGiants | KNTV: @KNBR | KSFN#SFGiants | @CocaColapic.twitter.com/ogSD8FGvRW SFGiants (@SFGiants) August 7, 2026Join the conversation!Sign up for a user accountand get:Fewer adsCreatecommunity postsComment on articles, community postsRec comments, community postsNew, improved notifications system!

Ian Machado Garry is as confident as he can be entering his matchup with pound-for-pound king and UFC welterweight champion, Islam Makhachev, next weekend at UFC 330, which is probably why the brash Irishman already has an empty frame hanging on his wall at home for the 170-pound belt.Were just one week away from Garrys first official UFC title shot as The Future puts his 10-1 UFC record on the line in a main event showcase against Makhachev. The latter is coming off a successful move up to welterweight to capture the UFC title over Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322 back in Nov. 2025. Most are picking Makhachev to handily defeat Garry and for good reason. Makhachev hasnt lost in over a decade and Garry seems to have some holes in his ground game.All of that said, Garry has been cool, calm, and collected entering the biggest fight of his career. While some of the past comparisons to Conor McGregor have been a bit unwarranted Future is showing the same type of confidence that Notorious did during his rise to stardom. The only question now is whether or not Garry can cash in and shock the MMA world or if hell cough up his UFC 330 title shot and head to the back of the line.Ahead of next weekends matchup, Garry spoke with new manager, Eddie Hearn, and expressed how hes envisioned winning the title. In fact, Garry already has a spot on his wall where hes going to frame and hang the undisputed UFC welterweight title.Check it out below (via Instagram) and let us know if Garrys confidence will lead to a gold belt or wasted trip the cage!View this post on InstagramAs much as I respect Islam, as much as I know how good he is, and I know how talented he is, I know that I can beat him if I go out there and do what I believe I can do,said Garry.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have detained an Argentinian professional soccer player while he was traveling with his American club in Florida, team officials said Friday. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPIAug. 7 (UPI) -- Argentinian professional soccer player Matas Pourrain has been detained by U.S. immigration officials in Florida while traveling with his American team, club officials said Friday.Pourrain, a 34-year-old midfielder for Club de Lyon FC of the National Independent Soccer Association, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents at Fort Lauderdale Airport on Thursday while preparing to board a domestic flight to Los Angeles, the team said in a social media post."Matas was not attempting to enter or leave the United States. He was simply traveling from one U.S. city to another," the statement read.Pourrain "is not a criminal," the team said in pleading for help to secure his release."Today, he remains in ICE custody while his attorney is working to secure his release and ensure that all of his rights are respected," Club de Lyon FC said."Right now, we urgently need one thing from everyone who knows Matas, has crossed paths with him, or simply believes his story deserves to be heard."View this post on InstagramA post shared by CLUB DE LYON FC (@clubdelyonfc)The player has been living in the United States for seven years and, according to his team's statement, has a pending asylum case, a Florida state ID, and no criminal record.His brother, Juan Pourrain, told Argentinian broadcaster Todo Noticias that while Matias was indeed in the United States on asylum status, "he also had Social Security, a work permit, all his papers were in order."But he was waiting for his appointment. It seems that now they are arresting those who have pending appointments."Before coming to the United States, the footballer played for Real Pilar, San Martn de Burzaco and Mercedes in Buenos Aires. He was a member of the latter squad when it won promotion to Primera C in 2019 and eliminated top-flight Vlez Sarsfield from the Copa Argentina, Infobae reported.

UNCASVILLE, Conn. (AP) Kennedy Burke scored 15 points, Brittney Griner blocked a 3-point attempt at the buzzer, and the Connecticut Sun rallied to beat the Phoenix Mercury 75-72 on Friday night.Connecticut guard Leila Lacan went 1 of 2 at the free-throw line with 32.2 seconds left for a 73-70 lead, and added two free throws on the Sun's next possession to regain a three-point advantage.Phoenix inbounded with 12.9 seconds left with no timeouts and Kelsey Plums 3-point attempt was blocked by Griner at the top of the key, sealing the win.Aaliyah Edwards added 14 points off the bench for Connecticut (8-23), which did not have a starter score in double figures. Griner finished with five points, seven rebounds and two blocks against her former team.Plum led Phoenix (12-21) with 25 points. Kahleah Copper added 16 and Alyssa Thomas had 10 points, eight rebounds and five assists. Phoenix struggled at the free throw line, going 13 of 23.Connecticut trailed by 16 points in the first half before opening the third quarter on an 11-4 run. Then, the Sun took their first lead at 47-46 with 3:05 left in the third. Phoenix was held to just nine points in the third after shooting just 4 of 16 from the field, including 0 of 6 from 3-point range, with three turnovers.Connecticut honored Thomas before the game, retiring the No. 25 jersey she wore when playing for the Sun for 11 years. The team is moving to Houston next year, so the Sun have been honoring many of their former great players and coaches this season.Up nextMercury: At Washington on Sunday. Sun: Host Atlanta on Thursday. ___AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball

Commanders starters in the secondary appeared to be set after free agency and the NFL draft, with Trey Amos, Mike Sainristil, and Amik Robertson working in a rotation along with safeties Nick Cross, Will Harris, and Quan Martin. New coordinator Daronte Jones specifically mentioned both Sainristil and Martin as players he liked for their versatility in his introductory presser, and there were early predictions of a bounce-back season for both. Headed into the second week of training camp, the early picture has become a lot less clear.The addition of Rasul Douglas coincided with Trey Amos being placed on the active/physically unable to perform list and was written off as merely a depth/insurance signing by some. In contrast, Douglas has looked good in early work, holding his own versus the likes of Terry McLaurin and generating multiple turnovers, including a pick-six. Meanwhile, Sainristils transition to the new scheme has not been as smooth. He has had some nice pass breakups and coverage plays, but also a number of bad plays to start camp, including more than one dropped interception. He has also struggled to cover Washingtons second-string wide receivers.Jayden Daniels tried to throw a deep ball to Antonio Williams in double coverage, and Mike Sainristil dropped the interception. #Commanders Josh Taylor (@JoshTaylorFB) August 7, 2026Im sorry, but Mike Sainristil hasnt moved me at all this camp. Hopefully it picks up at the joint practice. Josh Taylor (@JoshTaylorFB) August 7, 2026Last year the yellow caution flag was raised watching Mike Sainristil, so far in camp that yellow is turning closer to red. Hes getting cooked on the daily. DC Sports (@DCSportsInSD) August 7, 2026It is still very early in camp, and there is plenty of time to develop in Jones scheme. At the moment, it appears to be Robertson and Douglas as the favorites to line up opposite Amos down the line. While the inside may be a better fit for Sainristil, with Jones supposed preference for three-safety looks, it is yet to be determined how much playing time Mike would see in the slot, but he needs to improve in practice to claim it.LOT of talk about #Commanders CB Mike Sainristil on the timeline.It's been tough recently, but CB is the ultimate confidence position. It comes and goes.He'll get his swagger back and, like Jayden Daniels, get back closer to his rookie form.Go get it done, 0. #RaiseHailpic.twitter.com/iOwhhLyLw6 District Divided (@DistrictDivided) August 7, 2026Speaking of the safeties, free agent addition Nick Cross has lived up to his hype so far, and he looks like a force. However, instead of Harris or Martin, so far it has been Jeremy Reaves given the first chance to start next to Cross in two-high safety looks. Given his lack of high-end athleticism, Reaves may seem like a questionable fit, but head coach Dan Quinn has praised his football IQ and communication skills, two things Jones covets in his defense.His communication skills are elite as a ball player is, as a teammate on the field and off, Quinn said his Wednesday presser. So much of what were doing goes through out communication hub at linebacker and safety, so seeing him and Frankie (Luvu) and othershes an initiator of so many good things that we talk through. He sets incredible standards for effort and speed.While Harris may prove to be the more natural fit, Reaves is getting a well-deserved chance to prove he belongs. Martin was projected to bounce back with a move to a slot/hybrid role in Jones scheme but so far has failed to distinguish himself. In his place, third-year safety Tyler Owens is getting more looks.At yesterday's practice, Tyler Owens lined up as an off ball LB, BIGN/Slot, ILB, & FS in different looks. Daronte Jones is giving these dudes opportunities. No more excuses. #RaiseHail#Commanders Deuce_Redzone (@redzoneinthelab) August 5, 2026Pains me to say this but after every camp day Ive attended I get more and more convinced that Quan Martin is a prime cut candidate Bleeding Burgundy & Gold (@BleedinBnG) August 7, 2026The narrative that some of these players may be cut after less than two weeks of camp work is extreme to say the least, but it does demonstrate the early impressions of their performance from a fans view at training camp. There is still plenty of time to claim more playing time, but both Martin and Sainristil have something to prove next week in the Commanders joint practice session with Miami. Both players may be struggling some as they are asked to play in a new role within a different scheme. But, for Sainristil in particular, his success is tied to finding the right fit. So far, the Washington Commanders have yet to find it.Always enjoy catching up with @FelixDTrammell on @DougMcCrayNFL and my show!We covered a lot of ground, but this was my favorite clip. Felix gave some great insight into the CB room, Rasul Douglas, and Mike Sainristil. #RaiseHailpic.twitter.com/sQLynsL1Mm George Carmi (@Gcarmi21) August 7, 2026

After firing up the month with a pair of explosive shows, ONE Championship heads over to The Land of the Rising Sun to cap off its triple-header weekend with the second chapter of the ONE SAMURAI event series.The worlds largest martial arts organization will broadcast ONE SAMURAI 2 live from the EBARA WAVE Arena Ota in Tokyo, Japan, on Saturday, August 8.This event is highlighted by the continuation of the ONE SAMURAI Featherweight Kickboxing Tournament quarterfinals, with the eventual winner securing a crack at Superbons ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Title.View this post on InstagramIn the headline attraction, former ONE Interim Featherweight Kickboxing World Champion Masaaki Noiri starts the journey back to the gold, and he will have a chance to get revenge on Chinese rival Spirit Dragon Liu Mengyang in a quarterfinal matchup.Redemption is also on the mind of former SHOOT BOXING, RISE, and KNOCK OUT Champion Kaito Ono, who will rematch Mohammad Siasarani in the tournament quarterfinals.And finally, the last bout in the quarterfinal round will feature a second Japan vs. China showdown between promotional newcomer Kosuke Unstoppable Phoenix Takagi and veteran striker The Handsome White Dragon Luo Chao.For up-to-the-minute results and video highlights from every MMA and kickboxing match at ONE SAMURAI 2, check below.View this post on InstagramSource