Martin O'Neill is prioritising quality over quantity as Celtic prepare to defend their Scottish Premiership ***** le.
The Parkhead side have made two signings this summer - Camilo Duran and Kasper Hogh - for reported combined fees of around £15m.
However, talismanic forward Daizen Maeda has left to join Ipswich Town and O'Neill is keen to get high-calibre players through the door sooner rather than later.
Celtic have been linked extensively with Real Oviedo and Egypt winger Haissem Hassan as well as Paderborn midfielder Mika Baur.
"I think we're trying to get some quality into the football club," O'Neill told Sky Sports.

#quality #premiership #parkhead #duran

Whenever anyone asked me what my dream job is, I always had the same answer: I want to create content that resonates with people. It is truly an honor and a privilege to step into the site producer position at Pinstripe Alley, and I cannot wait to build connections with fans of my favorite team across all professional sports.
The New York Yankees fandom was first introduced to me by my grandfather, who grew up in the Bronx after immigrating from Germany. Whenever my sister and I visited my grandparents' house, my grandmother would always show off her vast collection of glass animals and trinkets from her travels around the world while my grandfather sat in the same spot on his couch, always with a pipe in hand, and watched his Bronx Bombers perform their magic. As I watched him pay close attention to every pitch and carefully ****** yze every swing, I realized that it wasn't just a sport he was watching. It was a beautiful human expression of finesse, endurance, and patience.
I was quickly enthralled with the art of baseball, despite the games typically lasting over three hours. Whenever my parents took me to a game at one of the most iconic stadiums in the country, I was always asking questions and cheering for Brett Gardner, Nick Swisher, or dancing to Derek Jeter's 2009 walk-up song (Empire State of Mind, for those who don't remember). After watching the Bombers win two World Series during my childhood, I knew I was locked in for life.
I continued to pursue an interest in sports throughout my education, and majored in journalism and mass communication at the University of Wisconsin. During my time as a Badger, I also earned a certificate in sports communication, which was an incredible opportunity to immerse myself in sports media. Instead of relaxing under the sun, my summers were spent writing articles as an intern at the New York Post sports department under fluorescent lights, or at the Yankees clubhouse until 1 a.m.
Since graduation, pursuing my passion for sports media has taken me to many amazing new places. Learning more about the nuances of baseball, however, has been the most rewarding. It has allowed me to develop professionally and form new connections, colleagues, and friends that I'm sure will last a lifetime.

#sports #whenever #always

Cyclist William Salter says he wants to show people what a "small nation like Wales can do" as they aim for a first Commonwealth Games team pursuit medal on the track.
The 19-year-old is part of Wales' five-rider men's endurance squad for the Games and is due to compete in the team pursuit, as well as the individual pursuit and points race.
Wales has never won a Commonwealth medal in the team pursuit but finished fourth in 2018 and 2022.
"We're really driving for being medal competitive, especially for the team pursuit, that's where we're really focussing our energy," Salter told BBC Points West.
"For Wales it's something we've been driving for, especially for the last few Commonwealth Games - they were so close last time.

#games #team

The EMA GARP Fund, managed by Equity Management ******* ociates, recently released its second-quarter investor letter for 2026. The letter can be downloaded here. The letter emphasizes that capital expenditures in artificial intelligence (AI) are driving growth and earnings, despite extreme valuations in the U.S. market, which resemble a bubble-like situation. It also discusses the impact of passive ETF flows, fiscal deficits, and inflationary policies. For the quarter, the Fund's value decreased by 20.00%, and it is down 21.96% for the first half of the year, even though AI and related growth stocks were prominent during Q2. Additionally, the firm identified precious metals miners as a potentially strong investment, noting that they are significantly undervalued and present substantial asymmetrical opportunities. In addition, please check the Strategy's top five holdings to know its best picks in 2026.
In its Q2 2026 investor letter, EMA GARP Fund highlighted Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd. (NYSEAMERICAN:ASM). Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd. (NYSEAMERICAN:ASM) is a Canadian precious metal mining company that engages in the acquisition, exploration, and advancement of mineral properties. On July 24, 2026, Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd. (NYSEAMERICAN:ASM) closed at $5.63 per share, reflecting a market capitalization of $986.77 million. Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd. (NYSEAMERICAN:ASM) posted a one-month return of -10.21%, while its shares gained 69.07% over the past 52 weeks.
EMA GARP Fund stated the following regarding Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd. (NYSEAMERICAN:ASM) in its Q2 2026 investor update:
"The miners are way, way too cheap at present gold and silver prices. And their earnings outlook is robust at higher bullion prices given the substantial operating leverage. Miner industry profitability is as good as it's been at any point in the last 25 years. Two Miner Case Studies are outlined – Aris and Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd. (NYSEAMERICAN:ASM). Crazy cheap and massive asymmetry.
Avino Silver and Gold is a mid-tier producer of mostly silver with some gold and copper credits. They operate two mines which share one mill in Mexico's Durango Province, a generally safe area free of cartel activity. In calendar 2025, they produced 2.6 million silver equivalent ounces at an average cost (AISC) of $23.75/ounce. With an average silver selling price of $44.70 per ounce during the year their average margin was $20.95/ounce. So, at the mine operating level they had contribution of $54 million. After SG&A, EBITDA for 2025 was $28.5 million. However silver prices today ($60/ounce) are substantially above last year's average price and in Q1 of 2026 they had EBITDA of $20 million. Bloomberg ******* yst's consensus for 2026 EBITDA is $80 million. So, the Company is trading at 12.5x EBITDA…." (Click here to read the full text)

#silver #Gold #fund #letter

The writing has been on the wall at Parkhead for some time. Celtic are ready to listen to offers for Johnny Kenny this summer, with Millwall positioning themselves at the front of the queue. Sky Sports, via The72, confirmed that the Scottish champions won't stand in the striker's way if a decent bid comes in. Alex Neil wants the 23-year-old Republic of Ireland international at The Den, convinced he can hit the ground running straight away in the Championship.
The signing of Colombian attacker Camilo Duran from Qarabag effectively sealed Kenny's fate. Celtic originally paid Sligo Rovers £140,000 for the forward back in January 2022. Alan Nixon reports via his Patreon that a figure around £850,000 should get the deal done now. That represents a tidy profit on a player who never quite nailed down a starting spot.
Millwall aren't alone in their chase. Bolton Wanderers want him back permanently after his impressive loan spell last term. Kenny clicked quickly under Steven Schumacher, bagging six goals in 14 matches to help push Bolton towards promotion from League One before a knee issue cut his campaign short.
Add those figures to his Celtic return, and he managed 12 goals and two ******* ists across 36 total games in 2025/26. Four of those goals came in 22 Scottish Premiership matches for Celtic. Respectable enough for a squad member. Not enough to demand a starting shirt under Martin O'Neill. Publicly, O'Neill has noted that no final decision has been made on the Irishman's long-term future. Behind the scenes, sources suggest breaking into the first team this summer looks like a mountain too steep to climb.
Taking £850,000 for a squad player isn't defeatist. It is basic business. Celtic get a clean exit, pocket a profit, and free up ******* e on the wage bill for O'Neill to reinvest where it matters. Kenny gets the chance to kickstart his career somewhere he will actually play week in, week out.

#o 'neill #Millwall

Kevin Durant has blunt response to LeBron James 'ring chaser' critics originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
After a long wait, LeBron James finally signed a two-year, $8 million deal with the Philadelphia 76ers on July 24. The contract includes a player option and represents a massive pay cut from the nearly $53 million he made with the Los Angeles Lakers last season.
At 41, James is joining a loaded Sixers roster that already features Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and the newly acquired Jaylen Brown. In the process, the shocking figure of his contractv contract is what set off the "ring chasing" talk. Critics online labeled the move as a desperate chase for a fifth ******* le rather than a genuine basketball fit.
James' long-time rival and friend, Kevin Durant, completely disagrees with the critics. Posting on Threads, Durant fired back at the ring-chasing narrative, arguing that fan criticism has turned toxic.
He pointed out that people are quick to judge a player they do not even know personally. His best point came when a fan asked him if joining a stacked team counts as ring chasing.

#critics #million

Sports car fans in general and Road America fans specifically have been asking for years for an endurance race.
It's finally upon us.
The IMSA WeatherTech Series Motul SportsCar Endurance Grand Prix is scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 2, capping a four-day weekend that begins with testing for support divisions on Thursday.
Road America's IMSA weekend has grown to rival IndyCar as the most popular event at the track outside Elkhart Lake. This year, with the extended length, the sports cars could surpass the single-seaters.
If you want to go to the event – or watch it on TV – here are some important tips for newcomers and updates for veterans:

#sports #weekend

Sports car fans in general and Road America fans specifically have been asking for years for an endurance race.
It's finally upon us.
The IMSA WeatherTech Series Motul SportsCar Endurance Grand Prix is scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 2, capping a four-day weekend that begins with testing for support divisions on Thursday.
Road America's IMSA weekend has grown to rival IndyCar as the most popular event at the track outside Elkhart Lake. This year, with the extended length, the sports cars could surpass the single-seaters.
If you want to go to the event – or watch it on TV – here are some important tips for newcomers and updates for veterans:

#sports #Event

During a conversation with Turkey's Socrates Magazine, the 23-year-old was asked about some of the controversial narratives surrounding last season's team. Regarding his pairing with Durant, Sengun said (via YouTube's English transcript): A perception suddenly formed out of nowhere. 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. 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. You can read it on KD's face. You can read it on my face. You can read it on Ime's face. KD also has a massive fanbase. I think about it like this. My fans will never view me negatively. I notice this. Like, there are areas where I perform poorly, and I see that myself. But, say, I'm talking to someone on the phone — they'll always blame others. I'm not that kind of person, though. I always hold myself accountable. I don't speak like that with anyone — whether it's a friend or family member. When things like that are discussed, I always say, "That's not how the situation actually is." Do you get me? I can't ease my conscience by shifting the blame to someone else. I don't like those kinds of excuses, and you can't get any better that way.
This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Alperen Sengun on Kevin Durant rift rumors: 'I've never had an argument with KD, not even once'

#like #i 've

MIAMI (AP) — Clayton McCullough breathed a sigh of relief. The Marlins finally won a game.
Miami overcame two-run, ninth-inning deficit in the ninth on Monday to beat division-rival Philadelphia 8-7 and snap a 12-game losing streak — the longest such stretch in franchise history.
It was the Marlins' first win since beating Seattle at home on July 9 and ensured they would not suffer their fifth straight sweep.
"Everybody feels good," McCullough said. "It's no lie everyone in the building has been grinding hard now for a couple of weeks and frustrated with things, but certainly it feels great to get a win and I think in the fashion that we did it'd be hard to ever question this group's toughness and willingness to compete."
Griffin Conine singled in the winning run against Philadelphia closer Jhoan Duran, who entered in the ninth with a 7-5 lead before loading the bases with no outs.

#ninth #Monday

Olivia Rodrigo stepped out in a micro minidress from Gimaguas held up by just two strings, making a striking fashion statement. The "drivers license" hitmaker is known for blending chic style with glamorous vibes. This time, she opted for a look that perfectly combined modern allure with laid-back fashion, making heads turn.
Olivia Rodrigo turned heads in a striking micro minidress by Gimaguas, held up by just two delicate strings. The singer-songwriter shared the look in a vibrant photo dump capturing a fun outing with friends. With this bold fit, Rodrigo continues to prove she is the ultimate queen of effortless fashion.
The photos perfectly resonate with her signature aesthetic: relaxed, laid-back fashion that never compromises on glamor. For the occasion, she turned to the Spanish label Gimaguas. Founded by twin sisters Claudia and Sayana Durany, the brand is celebrated for its clean silhouettes and craft-inspired designs — both of which were reflected in Rodrigo's dress.
The dress featured two thin straps and a deep neckline for a bold touch. The upper bodice was a sleek black colour, which then flared into a pink skirt with a pleated design. The dress had a flowing design that lent it a soft and feminine vibe, while the deep back further elevated its daring appeal.
In one of the photos, she paired the look with black sunglasses while posing for the camera. Rodrigo kept her makeup and hair as understated as possible, wearing her hair down with a soft pink lip shade that perfectly complemented the outfit.

#gimaguas #perfectly #dress #micro

Celtic player Camilo Duran poses for pictures at Celtic Park, Glasgow on Thursday 23rd July 2026. Photo Andy Buchanan/Shutterstock
That game will be packed but today's friendly against a lightweight AC Milan side that will be missing multiple top performers, will not be well attended due to the Celtic support once again being frustrated and angry with the club for creating another summer of discontent through their inactivity in transfer market, so far only getting one deal over the line with the £5m signing of Camilo Duran from Qarabag.
That transfer fee has been more than covered by the sale of Luis Palma to Lech Poznan for £3.5m and Maik Nawrocki to RC Lens for £2m. And with Celtic CEO Michael Nicholson in discussions to sign four new players, it looks like the delay could be caused by an instruction to wait for sales of key players like Daizen Maeda and Arne Engels before proceeding with the purchases Martin O'Neill needs this week.
Maeda should compete his move to Ipswich Town today and that could result in Kasper Hogh from Bodo Glimt coming to Celtic early next week, fingers crossed anyway.
Meanwhile Celtic are haggling over a few hundred grand which is frustrating the move for German midfielder Mika Baur with SC Paderborn resisting the latest Celtic lowballing attempt for their player who has already agreed personal terms with the Scottish Champions and wants the move to happen.

#week

Some of football's most celebrated players stayed loyal to a single club for their entire career.
The Premier League's most-decorated player, Ryan Giggs, is one, so too AC Milan legend Paolo Maldini, Roma's Francesco Totti and ****** nal defender Tony Adams.
Perhaps some current players such as Bukayo Saka and Phil Foden might join them too.
But there are players at the other end of the spectrum, those who can look back on a lengthy list of employers, and sometimes while their career is still in its infancy.
The most famous current example is Jhon Duran, the former Aston Villa striker joining the seventh club of his career at the age of just 22 last week.

#ryan #giggs #Maldini

Archer Aviation Inc. (NYSE:ACHR) shares are ripping higher, with roughly 19.6% gains in a single session. As of July 21, ACHR trades at $5.29. The market move comes after Archer, with Anduril, unveiled its Thunder autonomous vertical takeoff and landing defense craft, which is designed to accompany crewed aircraft and helicopters.
While the market move is tied to a concrete product launch, there is another catalyst on the calendar this week.
The catalyst that sent the company higher was the launch of an autonomous VTOL aircraft platform with a defense variant called Thunder, jointly developed with the defense company Anduril. At the Farnborough Airshow on July 20, Archer Aviation Inc. (NYSE:ACHR) and Anduril unveiled a jointly developed, series hybrid-electric VTOL platform built for both defense and commercial missions.
The defense variant "Thunder" was of particular focus. It is a Group 5 autonomous attack rotorcraft designed to multiply the combat power of crewed attack and ***** ault aircraft. This marks a real pivot from Archer's original air-taxi pitch into dual-use defense revenue. CEO Adam Goldstein noted defense to be a "huge market" and said, "the applications we can bring in the defense world are quite impressive and very much needed for the warfighter."
Management noted that what sets Thunder apart is "a hybrid-electric powertrain enables the aircraft to achieve significant range and endurance, while still maintaining the necessary precision to closely optimize power through the full range of flight conditions."

#aviation #NYSE

CARROLL — Brayden Kennedy was not going to let his team be denied another Class 2A Iowa high school state baseball championship.
Kennedy threw a masterful game and also drove in three runs to lead Pleasantville to an 8-1 rout of Durant in the state ***** le game on Friday, July 24, at Merchants Park.
The Pleasantville ace went the full seven innings and only allowed one run on six hits. He struck out eight batters and walked only two to help the Trojans cruise to the ***** le.
"I had my stuff working pretty well tonight," Kennedy said. "Throwing the sliders and then working in some fastballs. Catcher (Logan Roff) called a great game. I just had to fill the zone up for my guys and they're going to have the bats behind me."
The only time Kennedy got into trouble was in the top of the third inning.

#game #working

Well that is what we as Celtic supporters are currently experiencing with our tightfisted and incompetent board, and if history repeats itself, then those in charge at Celtic Football Club will have to face the music from a support that has already had enough of their extreme financial prudence and **** ding of cash that’s by and large put into the club by the fans.
Camilo Duran of Celtic Celtic v Middlesbrough, Pre Season Friendly, Football, Celtic Park, – 18 Jul y2026. Photo Phil Oldham IMAGO/Shutterstock
We’ve so far failed to add to the addition of Camilo Duran, although talks are ongoing with German side Paderborn over the transfer of midfielder Mika Baur, and a move has been made to snap up Bodo/Glimt striker Kasper Hogh.
Mika Baur of SC Paderborn reacts during the 2. Bundesliga match between SV 07 Elversberg and SC Paderborn 07 at Ursapharm-Arena on May 03, 2026 in Spiesen-Elversberg, Germany. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
Worryingly though, it appears that a snag has hit the Baur deal, with claims from Germany that Celtic and Paderborn are at loggerheads over the fee, with a mere £300,000 the sum the Celtic representatives are haggling over as they can’t resist a lowball attempt to shave something off the asking price at the eleventh hour.

#germany

Celtic striker Camilo Duran is hoping to see more supporters inside Parkhead when their Scottish Premiership defence begins next week.
Martin O'Neill's side kick off the new Premiership campaign at home to Dundee on Monday 3 August and Duran is hoping the fans will get behind the team for their season opener.
The striker was on the scoresheet in his first outing in Glasgow's East End as Celtic drew 1-1 with Middlesbrough in a pre-season friendly in front of a fraction of Parkhead's usual crowd.
But Duran seemed to enjoy his first taste of Parkhead.
"It was a great experience," he said.

#hoping #scottish

Celtic’s new signing Camilo Duran poses for pictures at Celtic Park, Glasgow on Thursday 23rd July 2026. Photo Andy Buchanan IMAGO/ Shutterstock
That review of course will never happen, until perhaps there is structural changes at Celtic but it is the least of our worries as we are just ten more sleeps away from Flag Day against Dundee with just Camilo Duran added to the squad.
And today we are likely to officially lose the services of talisman Daizen Maeda will is set to complete his £10m move to Premier League newcomers Ipswich Town.
Camilo Duran scored in his two pre-season matches against Sporting CP and Middlesbrough and looks like the better late than never replacement for Kyogo who has played for both Rennes and Birmingham and then moved to Los Angeles Galaxy in the time that it took Celtic to officially unveil his replacement to the mainstream hacks.
Celtic’s new signing Camilo Duran speaks at a mainstream media press conference at Celtic Park, Glasgow on Thursday 23rd July 2026. Photo Andy Buchanan IMAGO/ Shutterstock

#thursday #buchanan

The Gran Fondo Isle of Man returns this weekend with a new off-road format, marking the biggest change in the event's 10-year history.
Taking place on Saturday and Sunday, the cycling festival has moved away from its traditional road route in favour of a multi-surface challenge featuring gravel tracks, green lanes, forest trails and historical railway lines.
Organisers said the redesigned course had been created to reflect the Island's landscape and the growing popularity of gravel cycling, while remaining true to the event's focus on endurance and participation.
The flagship Gran Fondo Gravel and Gran Fondo XC MTB races take place on Sunday, with riders setting off from Ramsey at 09:30 BST before finishing about 60 miles (100km) later in Port Erin.
The point-to-point route takes competitors to the island's northern tip before heading south through farmland, wetlands, moorland, forests and coastal scenery.

#Cycling #route

Dillon Brooks admits he loves playing the bigger role with the Phoenix Suns originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Dillon Brooks has only been with the Phoenix Suns for a year, but it seems he is loving his life in the desert. He went from being a role player with the Houston Rockets to being a featured player for the Suns, as he played borderline All-Star basketball for almost the entire 2025-26 season.
It was surprising because most people were familiar with Brooks as the 3-and-D player for the Memphis Grizzlies. Now, he still has the pesky defense and the antics, but he is playing higher-level basketball. It could be because of the environment, as it feels like Brooks is loving his life playing for the Suns.
Brooks averaged 20.2 points for the Suns last season, as he filled in for both Booker and Green for most of the season. While those are the most talented players on the roster, they did have struggles with injuries, but the Suns continued to impress during the regular season.
At the end of the day, they reached the Playoffs, where they played against the defending champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder. They might have gotten swept, but it was a massive turnaround from pulling off the Kevin Durant trade for Brooks and Green to reaching the Playoffs, which they could not do with Durant in the previous campaign.

#playing #phoenix #playoffs

Miles Bridges was impressed by Phoenix's surprise postseason appearance in 2026 originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
After trading Kevin Durant in the 2025 offseason, most people thought the Phoenix Suns would struggle. Many fans and **** ysts thought the Suns would not even make the Playoffs, but they did, playing the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round.
Of course, they were swept by the then-defending champions, but that was not something people expected. With Devin Booker playing as the superstar, his supporting cast was quite impressive, as Dillon Brooks played borderline All-Star hoops and Jalen Green showed out when he was healthy.
Now that Miles Bridges is on the Suns, he has an interesting outside perspective. Like most people before the 2025-26 season, he also thought the Suns would struggle after making the Durant trade for both Brooks and Green.
However, that panned out well for the Suns because it showed that having a more cohesive team alongside Booker was a good decision. Head coach Jordan Ott was also a big deal for Phoenix because he was an upgrade from Mike Budenholzer.

#bridges

The Orioles jumped on Boston’s starter Eduardo Rivera early and used that early offensive explosion to propel them to victory. After Taylor Ward barely missed a leadoff double into the right field corner, Pete Alonso started the rally with a ground rule double over the low wall in right. Gunnar Henderson then worked a four-pitch walk to bring former Red Sox Tyler O’Neill to the plate. TON hit a hard grounder to third, but Caleb Durbin’s throw to second was bobbled by Anthony Seigler, leaving everyone safe and the bases loaded.
After Christian Encarnacion-Strand struck out, Dylan Beavers stepped into the box looking to make sure the early opportunity wouldn’t go to waste. Rivera’s first-pitched slider bounced well in front of home plate, skipping past catcher Carlos Narváez and allowing Alonso to score from first.
Rivera went back to slider 2-2, but the breaking ball caught too much of the plate, and Beavers flipped it into center field for a two-run single. Johnathan Rodríguez then capped off the rally, lining a ball just over the head of Jaren Durran in left and off the Green Monster. The double scored Beavers from first, gave Baltimore a 4-0 lead and chased Rivera after just 41 pitches and two outs.
The early four-run lead was more than enough for Kyle Bradish, as he continued his recent run of good form. The newly minted $90M man, in his first start since his extension, breezed through the 1st inning on nine pitches. He got Seigler to ground out to second on two pitches, got Ceddane Rafaela to fly out to right on three pitches and punctuated the inning with a punch out of Wilyer Abreu.
The Red Sox made Bradish work a little harder in the 2nd, making him throw nine pitches to get the first two outs before getting their first base runner via a Durbin walk. Duran then sent his own hard liner to left, but it was hit right at Ward to end the inning.

#right

At this point, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder have become synonymous with each other. The NBA superstar and NBA franchise have been tied to the hip over the last seven years. His improbable ascension into all-time greatness helped bring home their first Larry O'Brien trophy.
Like Michael Jordan with the Chicago Bulls, Kobe Bryant with the Los Angeles Lakers and Stephen Curry with the Golden State Warriors, the NBA's best guards ever usually stick with one team. That's part of their basketball lore. Gilgeous-Alexander is next up in line to join that lineage as one of the faces of the NBA in the 2020s.
After the Thunder acquired Gilgeous-Alexander in the 2019 Paul George blockbuster deal, he slowly worked his way up the basketball hierarchy. It didn't take long for him to go from an intriguing lottery prospect to a walking 30-point machine. The two-time MVP winner and one-time NBA champion already has a Hall-of-Fame career.
If Gilgeous-Alexander wins more rings and trophies, he'll further strengthen his case as an all-time great. The best spot to do that in? OKC. There's a reason why he took little time to re-up with them after their NBA championship celebration last summer. He's set to soon start a four-year, $285 million supermax extension that keeps him on the Thunder through the 2030-31 season — when he'll be 32 years old.
According to Gilgeous-Alexander's father — Vaughn Alexander — expect him to remain in OKC for the rest of his playing days. Further cementing his spot as the best and greatest player in Thunder history. Sorry, Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.

#alexander #best #last #Basketball

Rockets star Fred VanVleet thinks Rockets can repeat what shocked the NBA last season originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Despite being without their starting point guard Fred VanVleet for the entire last season, the Houston Rockets put together a stellar regular season under head coach Ime Udoka.
The team's success came despite also dealing with injuries to superstar Kevin Durant. However, Houston's promising season ultimately came to an end when they were eliminated by the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the playoffs.
Even with that disappointing finish, VanVleet is entering the upcoming season with plenty of optimism. In a recent interview, the veteran guard expressed complete confidence in Houston's ability to compete for the NBA championship next season, like the New York Knicks did last season.
"I believe we can win a championship next year, but that's down the road. The journey leading up doesn't really matter. We just saw the Knicks pull it off… ***** ody expected them to do it," VanVleet said.

#vanvleet #last #fred #guard

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has introduced padel as a compulsory part of training at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Lahore.

Players attending long training camps will now have to play the racket sport for 40 minutes every alternate day as part of their fitness routine. The move is aimed at improving agility, reflexes, stamina and fielding skills.

The decision was made by senior selector and director of high performance Aqib Javed, who believes padel can help players become fitter while making training more enjoyable.

"Many of our players are already playing padel sports regularly but had to travel long distances to the limited courts in their home towns. We have now built a padel court facility at the NCA for the players," Aqib said, as quoted by news agency PTI.

He explained that padel, a sport combining elements of tennis and squash, is physically demanding despite being played on a smaller court. According to him, it helps improve movement, endurance and overall fitness, making it a useful addition to cricket training.

Aqib said the PCB wants the National Cricket Academy to become a place where players can develop all aspects of their game. Along with mandatory padel sessions every second day, the board is planning to add more sports and recreational facilities.

The PCB intends to build basketball courts as well as an indoor hall featuring snooker and other games. Aqib also revealed that the academy has already installed an AI-powered bowling machine as part of efforts to modernise training.

With these additions, the PCB hopes to create a better environment for cricketers to improve their fitness, sharpen their skills and prepare more effectively for international cricket.
132556103

#Cricket

The 2026 MLB season has reached the All-Star Game. This season has shown many players and teams having sensational seasons. Following the All-Star Game, the second half of the season will be in full swing. Here are the top 10 shortstops at the midway point of the season.
MORE: MLB Rankings: Top 10 catchers at the All-Star break
Jun 24, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; Chicago Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson (7) hits an RBI triple during the sixth inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Swanson has tapped into his potential thus far in 2026. His average has struggled, but he's seeing many ****** leave the ballpark. He must continue producing as the season progresses.
Duran is having the best season of his career. A veteran utility player, Duran has put together a strong season. By the end of the season, he will have career highs across the board.

What time are the ESPY Awards tonight? TV schedule, channel, live streams to watch 2026 sports honors show originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Back for another year, the best and brightest across sports will gather in New York City this Wednesday for the 2026 ESPY Awards.
Created by ESPN, the ESPYS commemorate the best athletes, moments and plays from the previous year of sports. This week's show will be as star-studded as ever, featuring appearances and performances from many of the biggest names in the industry.
Comedian Marcello Hernández will host this year's show, and fans can also expect to see many legends throughout the event, from Billie Jean King and Simone Biles to Steph Curry and Kevin Durant.
Be sure to tune in for one of the biggest nights across sports.

Every racing fan has that one event.
The one that reminds them why they fell in love with motorsports in the first place.
For me, it’s the Slinger Nationals.
I love racing in almost every form. Give me NASCAR, IndyCar, endurance racing, Formula 1, sprint cars, late models or your local Saturday night short track, and I’ll happily spend my weekend watching. If it has an engine and four wheels, I’m interested.
But there’s something different about a proper short track.

Jul. 14—There could be another Olympic medal in Mark Few's future after the Gonzaga coach was selected as one of three coaches who will work on Erik Spoelstra's staff as the United States men's national team prepares for the 2027 FIBA World Cup and 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Few was selected as one of the three ***** istants that will serve under Spoelstra, the longtime Miami Heat coach who's replacing Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr ahead of the forthcoming FIBA World Cup and Olympics cycle.
Oklahoma City Thunder coach Mark Daigneault and Detroit Pistons coach JB Bickerstaff will round out Spoelstra's USA staff.
Few spent more than a decade working with USA Basketball in different capacities before Gonzaga's coach was hired as an ***** istant on Kerr's men's national team staff ahead of the 2023 FIBA World Cup and 2024 Paris Olympics.
A USA roster headlined by future NBA Hall of Famers LeBron James, Steph Curry and Kevin Durant captured the gold medal in Paris, overcoming a 17-point deficit to bet former Gonzaga forward Filip Petrusev and Serbia in the semifinals before topping host France in the gold medal game.

If a recent transfer update from Sky Sports journalist Anthony Joseph is accurate, Celtic have offered Kelechi Iheanacho a new contract, with the Nigerian now training on his own after his Parkhead deal expired a couple of weeks ago. However, the in-demand centre-forward has yet to accept the offer, as he is ***** sing all the proposals before committing his future.
The 29-year-old Nigerian international completed a Bosman switch, reuniting with Brendan Rodgers back in September. But the Northern Irishman stepped down from his role in less than two months following a series of disappointing outcomes. Iheanacho, who was supposed to spearhead the attack, had a stop-start season due to persistent injury problems. Nevertheless, he shook it off late in the campaign and netted some decisive goals as a ‘super sub’ en route to conquering the ‘domestic double’.
MOTHERWELL, SCOTLAND – MAY 13: Stephen O’Donnell of Motherwell passes the ball while under pressure from Kelechi Iheanacho of Celtic during the William Hill Premiership match between Motherwell and Celtic at Fir Park on May 13, 2026 in Motherwell, Scotland. (Photo by Zak Mauger/Getty Images)
Although the deadline for triggering the one-year extension of his previous contract had already expired, Martin O’Neill has confirmed that a concrete offer has been made for the hitman. The veteran Northern Irish boss reiterated his desire to keep hold of the ‘number 9’, and it is now up to Iheanacho whether he prefers a return or a fresh challenge elsewhere.
Despite a slow start to the window, Celtic have lately stepped up their transfer business. O’Neill has convinced Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to stay for at least one more season. Also, a fee of around £6m has been splashed to secure Camilo Duran’s services from Qarabağ. Meanwhile, Daizen Maeda is seeking an exit to pursue his Premier League dreams, and Duran, known for his high work ethic and flexibility up top, could emerge as a like-for-like replacement for the ***** anese striker.