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'The sun always sets': Timberwolves troll Suns after sweep

Brian Windhorst joins "SportsCenter" to explain where the Suns go following a sweep at the hands of the Timberwolves. (1:40)

Windhorst: Suns looking for answers after getting swept (1:40)

As if sweeping the Phoenix Suns on Sunday in the Western Conference first round of the NBA playoffs weren't enough, the Minnesota Timberwolves are throwing more (virtual) punches on social media.

Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves with 40 points -- 31 of which he scored in the second half -- to cap off a 1
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Jalen Williams wears eye-catching look before Game 4 of Thunder-Pelicans

Jalen Williams turned heads with his look Monday night as the Oklahoma City Thunder face the New Orleans Pelicans in Game 4.

Williams arrived in an all-black fit that included leather pants and a shirt. But the real eye-catching element was a black headpiece with three rows across his face. Three stripes also run from his head toward his neck.

The outfit looks similar to one a boss in the video game Escape From Tarkov would wear. It also has branding for Adidas, which Williams signed with in 2
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Tampa Bay Rays unveil City Connect uniforms, a nod to the organization's innovative spirit

The Tampa Bay Rays have always been willing to do things differently.

Though they routinely have one of the lowest payrolls in Major League Baseball, the Rays have reached the playoffs in five straight seasons by getting the most out of their roster.

They introduced the idea of an "opener" in 2018, leading to the best ERA in the American League just a month after the strategy, though that is just one part of a long list of Tampa Bay innovations.

The Rays' latest? The reveal of their City Conn
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'We can't wait': A timeline of the bad blood between Nuggets and Lakers

Nikola Jokic drops 24 points as the Nuggets extend their series lead to 3-0 against the Lakers. (2:10)

There's no love lost between the Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Lakers as their first-round series continues Saturday night with Game 4 (8:30 EST on ABC).

It's been an entirely one-sided matchup in recent years -- the Nuggets are riding an 11-game win streak against the Lakers. Denver's win streak also includes seven straight in the playoffs, though that total is far from the longest playoff
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J.J. McCarthy is latest national champion QB-turned-NFL first-rounder

Multiple quarterbacks were taken in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft.

USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams was picked No. 1 by the Chicago Bears, while LSU's Jayden Daniels and North Carolina's Drake Maye went No. 2 and No. 3, respectively. In the weeks leading up to the draft, a familiar name gained steam in mock drafts: Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy.

McCarthy is coming off a season where he threw for 2,991 yards and 22 touchdowns en route to the Wolverines' first natio
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Marvin Harrison Jr., Joe Alt the latest additions to the NFL's father-son club

The Arizona Cardinals select Ohio State WR Marvin Harrison Jr. with the fourth overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft. (0:18)

There is no shortage of players in the 2024 NFL draft who come from families with football backgrounds.

Whether it's Luke McCaffrey or Brenden Rice, a handful could have their names called in Detroit.

However, only two players whose fathers were also NFL stars were taken in the first round -- Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. and Los Angeles Chargers tack
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Flight connection: Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze land in Chicago together

Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze went from running into each other on the same flight en route to the NFL draft Tuesday to becoming teammates Thursday.

The Chicago Bears selected Williams as the No. 1 pick then drafted Odunze at No. 9, pairing the two together in the Windy City. Odunze joins a wide receiver room that already has Keenan Allen and DJ Moore, while Williams is tasked with leading the Bears back to the postseason.

Moments after being drafted, Odunze shared his excitement about gettin
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'One of one': The inspiration behind Terrion Arnold's 2024 NFL draft suit

Molly McGrath speaks to Terrion Arnold as he shows off his tailor-made suit ahead of the 2024 NFL draft. (0:15)

New Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold arrived at the 2024 NFL draft in style with a salmon skin print suit designed by Tom Marchitelli, also known as "Gentleman's Playbook."

Marchitelli describes the look as "one of one" with special designs on the inside of the jacket, an idea that the former Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back came up with himself.

One side of the jacket has
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Rams unveil 60-yard turf football field on shore of Hermosa Beach

The Los Angeles Rams appear prepared to make a splash during the 2024 NFL draft, literally and figuratively.

In a partnership with the city of Hermosa Beach, the Rams on Thursday revealed the creation of a 60-yard turf football field on Hermosa's shore, just steps from the water. It was placed on an "interlocking sub-base in the sand" between 10th and 11th streets in Hermosa, according to the Rams' website.

The field will be used for a weeklong series of community efforts. The team is partneri
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'Don't let us get one:' Butler pokes fun at Boston after Miami evens series

The Heat torch the Celtics from beyond the arc, hitting 23 treys in a road win to even the series. (2:22)

The Miami Heat defeated the Boston Celtics 111-101 to tie the first round of the Eastern Conference series 1-1, and Jimmy Butler is loving it.

The Heat star trolled the Celtics on Instagram after the game, photoshopping his face on top of Jaylen Brown's in a quote graphic from last season. Brown's quote "don't let us get one" came after Boston went down 3-0 in the Eastern Conference finals
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LeBron James meets Jamal Murray at the rim for block, hits ridiculous and-1 in Game 2

LeBron James continues to defy Father Time in his 21st NBA season

The Los Angeles Lakers star stuffed Jamal Murray on a dunk early in the first quarter of Game 2. The Denver Nuggets guard leaped for a one-handed jam but was met at the rim by James, who used his right hand to send the basketball out of bounds.

James proceeded to stare at the Lakers bench after the play as his teammates stared back in disbelief. Lakers great Magic Johnson also reacted to the play.

It wasn't the lone highlight p
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Jason Kelce receives wooden replica of Eagles stadium as retirement gift from wife Kylie

Jason Kelce received a special retirement gift from his wife Kylie -- a wooden replica of Lincoln Financial Field, the Philadelphia Eagles' stadium.

The design includes Jason's accolades and jersey number on the bottom with the field featured in the center. It is also placed on a wooden frame that can hang on a wall.

Kylie wrote on her Instagram story Monday that she messaged the designer, Dana Theobald, two years ago, but waited until the right time for the reveal.

"She came up with this bea
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'This is so exhausting': The Knicks' season as told by Ben Stiller's social media

Ben Stiller's routine is simple. When the New York Knicks are playing, he clears his schedule and tries to be home.

He doesn't make dinner plans on game nights. Stiller guesses that might be the definition of "being maybe a little too into it." When not sitting courtside at Madison Square Garden, his preference is simply watching the team alone.

"I can then ... shout or scream at the screen or whatever," Stiller told ESPN. "And I find when I'm watching the game in public, I start releasing sou
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From 'hydration station' to pizza: Notable home run celebrations of the 2024 season

Elly De La Cruz celebrates in the dugout wearing a viking helmet after hitting a 3-run home run vs. the Angels. (0:32)

Home run celebrations are back in full swing in MLB.

Bat flips and stare-downs are still in style, but home run props are bringing a new spin to the sport.

Some of last season's favorites, like the Seattle Mariners' trident, have returned, while the Baltimore Orioles' "hydration station" is among those that have joined dugouts. Unique celebrations have even gone as far as Dou
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'A city like no other': New York Mets unveil City Connect uniforms

The New York Mets unveiled their City Connect uniforms Friday.

The look will debut April 27 against the St. Louis Cardinals and will then be worn for every Saturday home game except Darryl Strawberry's jersey retirement on June 1.

The inspiration of the uniform relates to the "concrete jungle, the strength and grit" that is the fabric of New York and a "city like no other," according to the team's news release. The color of the uniform is also a nod to the concrete jungle.

Andy Goldberg, Mets
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Tracking MLB's City Connect uniforms

Uniform changes can be polarizing. Some sports fans like tradition. Others welcome innovation. One thing is certain: They get us talking.

Major League Baseball's City Connect uniforms, which launched in 2021, have done exactly that. Nike has worked with MLB teams to create a uniform that reflects each baseball city's culture and community, similar to the NBA's city jersey series that began in 2017.

There were 20 uniforms released prior to this year, with nine more to be added during the 2024 s
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What's on the masks of Stanley Cup playoff goalies? Our guide to all 16 teams

The 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs have arrived, meaning playoff beards, handshake lines and goalie masks with unique designs are in the spotlight.

Throughout the 2023-24 season, goaltenders haven't been shy about sporting special looks.

With the franchise in its 100th season, Boston Bruins goalies Jeremy Swayman and Linus Ullmark have worn masks to commemorate the mark. Toronto Maple Leafs starter Ilya Samsonov similarly paid homage to franchise legends. New York Rangers netminder Jonathan Quick h
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De'Aaron Fox flies in for putback dunk in Warriors-Kings play-in tournament game

With the Sacramento Kings taking on the visiting Golden State Warriors in Tuesday's NBA play-in tournament game, De'Aaron Fox chose a right time to show off his hops.

Early in the first quarter, after teammate Harrison Barnes' layup bounced off the rim, Fox skied toward the basket for a putback slam past Draymond Green and Klay Thompson. The dunk put the Kings up three points with just over eight minutes remaining in the quarter. Fox had eight points in the opening 12 minutes.

The winner betwe
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Travis Kelce will host spin-off game show 'Are You Smarter Than a Celebrity?'

Travis Kelce has picked up a new gig this offseason.

The Kansas City Chiefs star will be the host of "Are You Smarter Than a Celebrity?" a 20-episode spin-off of "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?" that will premiere on Amazon Prime. No official air date has been announced.

"I grew up loving game shows, and I'm excited to be following in the footsteps of so many TV icons by hosting my very first one with Are you Smarter than a Celebrity," said Kelce in a news release Tuesday. "The original sh
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'Love seeing that Gronk spike': Brady reacts to Gronkowski's Red Sox first pitch

Rob Gronkowski's first pitch before the Boston Red Sox game Monday might have been better suited in the end zone.

Wearing a Red Sox jersey with "Gronk" on the back, the former New England Patriots star had a short windup before spiking the baseball into the mound and raising his right fist in the air.

It's a similar spike to what Gronkowski used to do after scoring a touchdown in the NFL. His 93 receiving touchdowns are the third most by a tight end.

The first pitch caught the attention of To
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Baltimore Orioles' 'Warehouse Dog' is latest to join new MLB ballpark foods

Major League Baseball is back, marking the beginning of a season that will entertain us for the next seven months.

Fans will once again fill ballparks and consume peanuts and Cracker Jack along with hot dogs sold hot off the grill. However, some teams are heading into the season with food creations that are far bolder than standard ballpark fare.

The Baltimore Orioles debuted an item called the "Warehouse Dog," which is a footlong hot dog that includes horseradish-infused brick sauce, pit beef
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Staley takes Paris: Meets with Serena, A'ja Wilson and Sha'Carri Richardson

After coaching the South Carolina Gamecocks to a national title win Sunday, Dawn Staley said she'd next be headed to Disney World.

Instead, she made a detour trip to Paris, meeting up with Serena Williams and Las Vegas Aces star A'ja Wilson on Wednesday.

Staley posted a photo on X of her next to Williams and Wilson, who played for Staley from 2014 to 2018.

She captioned it "There's a GOAT sighting or (twenty) two #iykyk," followed by three emojis.

Staley attended the UEFA Champions League ma
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Top trends from the last time a men's NCAA national champion won back-to-back titles

The UConn Huskies won the men's NCAA national championship for the second straight season with a 75-60 victory over the Purdue Boilermakers.

Tristen Newton led the Huskies with 20 points, 7 assists and 5 rebounds, becoming the first player to have at least 20 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists in a national championship game since Carmelo Anthony in 2003, according to ESPN Stats & Information. Purdue's Zach Edey had 37 points, 10 rebounds and 2 blocks in his final collegiate game, joining Bill Wa
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Undefeated team, iconic fits: Dawn Staley's notable looks during the 2023-24 season

Raven Johnson picks Caitlin Clark's pocket and makes the layup before the half for South Carolina. (0:26)

Raven Johnson strips Caitlin Clark and gets the layup for South Carolina (0:26)

The No.1 seed South Carolina Gamecocks have dominated opponents en route to an undefeated record -- and coach Dawn Staley has dazzled on the sideline with stylish looks.

Designer brands are the go-to for Staley, who has worn Gucci and Louis Vuitton in multiple games.

That trend continued Sunday against the No
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USA Today

USA TODAY •

What to know about Team USA in the FIBA World Cup: Schedule, format, roster and more

What to know about Team USA in the FIBA World Cup: Schedule, format, roster and more

August is rapidly coming to a close, which means football season is coming back and basketball fans are in hiding until October.

Well, not so fast.

Some of the top basketball players in the country will compete in the FIBA Basketball World Cup, which tips off Aug. 25. The games will take place across the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia, and the tournament will be played through Sept. 10. The top basketball p
USA TODAY •

NFL preseason games Sunday: Times, TV, live stream, matchup analysis

It's the first NFL Sunday since Super Bowl LVII when the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Philadelphia Eagles.

Just over six months later, the Chiefs' journey to repeat begins with their first preseason game of 2023. But, the reigning champs look a little different this year.

Patrick Mahomes and company lost key wide receivers JuJu Smith-Schuster and Mecole Hardman during the offseason. Offensive coordinator Eric Bienemy is now with the Washington Commanders. Kansas City still has Travis Kelce
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Australia-France, England-Colombia head to Saturday's World Cup quarterfinal matchups

The knockout stages of the 2023 World Cup are beginning to heat up with two last quarterfinals taking place on Saturday.

Star forward Sam Kerr's return for Australia has given the host some hope heading into the quarterfinals. After a wild Round of 16 matchup with Nigeria, England enters its match without star Lauren James, suspended because of a red card. James was handed a two-match ban on Thursday for stepping on Nigeria defender Michelle Alozie.

There will be a new World Cup champion for t
USA TODAY •

Nuggets host Lakers, Suns' Kevin Durant returns to Golden State on NBA opening night

The new NBA season will tip off with two marquee matchups on TNT on Tuesday, Oct. 24.

The Denver Nuggets will host the Los Angeles Lakers in a rematch of last season's Western Conference Finals, followed by the Phoenix Suns heading to San Francisco to face the Golden State Warriors, a person with direct knowledge of the opening night TV confirmed to USA TODAY Sports. The person requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly until the schedule is officially announced.

Th
USA TODAY •

Netherlands' Lineth Beerensteyn hopes USWNT's 'big mouths' learn from early World Cup exit

Netherlands forward Lineth Beerensteyn just poured salt in the USWNT's wounds after its shocking World Cup exit.

The U.S. team came into the tournament with a chance at three consecutive World Cup titles, but lost to Sweden in a penalty shootout during the Round of 16. It's the earliest exit the USWNT has had at the World Cup. The U.S. also went winless through its final three games, its worst streak of all time.

Beerensteyn enjoyed the USWNT's early exit, emphasizing that the team had entered
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NFL preseason games Thursday: Times, TV, live stream, matchup analysis

The NFL preseason is finally here, which means football is ramping up to dominate the sports landscape soon.

The Cleveland Browns and New York Jets kicked off the preseason last Thursday during the NFL's Hall of Fame Game. Now, the rest of the league will join them with exactly one month until the start of the regular season.

Preseason games mean there will be no shortage of overreacting to a fourth-string running back or declaring that your team is back. But, for the most part, the preseason
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After seven seasons in the minors, Wes Wilson hit a home run in his first career at-bat

After seven seasons in the minors, Wes Wilson hit a home run in his first career at-bat

Hitting your first career major league home run is surely a memorable one and Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Wes Wilson took that to another level on Wednesday. His first career home run came in his first major league at-bat, leaving his father in tears.

Wilson has more than 2,500 career at-bats in the minor leagues with 97 home runs across seven seasons. He hadn't been called up once by a Major League
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First base umpire Lew Williams has three calls overturned in Phillies-Nationals game

First base umpire Lew Williams has three calls overturned in Phillies-Nationals game

Athletes have off days sometimes and umpires are no different. Fill-in umpire Lew Williams had one of those days during Tuesday's Phillies-Nationals game.

Through three innings, Williams — called up from Triple-A — had three of his calls at first base overturned after review, including two within one pitch.

First, Phillies right fielder Nick Castellanos hit a ball toward Nationals third baseman Ildemaro Varga
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Tampa Bay Rays ace Shane McClanahan likely out for rest of season: 'Surgery is an option'

Tampa Bay Rays ace Shane McClanahan likely out for rest of season: 'Surgery is an option'

Tampa Bay Rays All-Star pitcher Shane McClanahan is likely to miss the rest of the season, manager Kevin Cash said on Tuesday.

The Rays placed McClanahan on the 15-day IL last Thursday because of forearm tightness. He flew to Los Angeles to see forearm specialists, and everything is on the table – including Tommy John Surgery – though Cash said a decision won't be made until a visit with Dr. Keith Meister
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Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz says conference realignment ignores toll on student-athletes

Missouri head football coach Eli Drinkwitz had an important question following the major conference realignment last week in college sports: What about the student-athletes' mental health?

Drinkwitz didn't pull his punches, implying that university leaders didn't pay attention to the toll realignment takes on the young adults actually playing college sports.

The Pac-12 first lost Southern California and UCLA to the Big Ten last year. Then Colorado went to the Big 12. And last Friday, Oregon an
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England advances at World Cup despite Lauren James' red card in Round of 16 versus Nigeria

England advances at World Cup despite Lauren James' red card in Round of 16 versus Nigeria

England is back in the quarterfinals of the World Cup for the fifth consecutive time after defeating Nigeria in a penalty shootout. But, it didn't come without drama.

A late red card by England forward Lauren James meant England had to play the extra time period outnumbered. Nigeria had a whopping 20 shots for the game but only two landed on target. A penalty shootout went in England's favor and they 4-2
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Philadelphia Eagles sign veteran linebackers Myles Jack and Zach Cunningham

The Philadelphia Eagles signed linebackers Myles Jack and Zach Cunningham to one-year deals, the team announced on Sunday.

Jack and Cunningham are two veteran pieces that add depth to a linebacker group that had just five players on the depth chart entering Sunday — Nakobe Dean and Nicholas Morrow are slated to be starters. Eagles general manager said late last month that Philadelphia would be keeping its options open at linebacker, and he stayed true to his word.

Jack spent six seasons with t
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Julie Ertz retires from USWNT after stunning World Cup Round of 16 defeat

Julie Ertz retires from USWNT after stunning World Cup Round of 16 defeat

Julie Ertz has announced her retirement from the U.S. women's national soccer team, moments after the squad's knockout loss against Sweden on Sunday.

Ertz appeared in every match during the USWNT championship runs in the 2015 and 2019 World Cups. The U.S. couldn't replicate that success, falling to Sweden in the Round of 16 to mark their earliest ever exit from a major tournament.

Ertz is a two-time Olympian and a World
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Bryson DeChambeau claims first LIV tournament victory after record final round

Bryson DeChambeau earned his first LIV victory Sunday, shooting a 58 in the final round at the LIV Golf Invitational Greenbrier for a total score of 23-under through three rounds of play. Mito Pereira finished in second at 17-under.

The win is DeChambeau's first worldwide one since March 2021, the Arnold Palmer Invitational. He becomes the first LIV golfer to shoot below 60 in a single round.

All DeChambeau needed for a sub-below 60 score was a par on the final hole. Instead, he shot a birdie
USA TODAY •

Tickets for Lionel Messi's first road MLS match reaching $20,000 on resale market

Tickets for Lionel Messi's first road MLS match reaching $20,000 on resale market

With each game Lionel Messi plays for Inter Miami, we're reminded of his greatness Lionel Messi's journey in the MLS has just begun, but already we're seeing the level of soccer he's bringing to America and that he's embodied his whole career.

Tickets for Lionel Messi's first road game with Inter Miami sold out on Thursday in one-tenth the time it takes to fly from Miami to Dallas — 22 minutes.

The resale market
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Lionel Messi and Inter Miami's upcoming schedule: Everything to know

Lionel Messi and Inter Miami's upcoming schedule: Everything to know

Lionel Messi’s fire start at Inter Miami isn't showing any signs of being extinguished any time soon.

Messi’s scored five goals in three games that all resulted in wins, including a brace in Wednesday night’s League Cup matchup against Orlando City FC.

“It makes sense for him to score five goals in three matches. Can that be done by any player? Of course not,” said Tata Martino, Messi’s coach with FC Barcelona, Argentina and
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Chicago White Sox closer Liam Hendriks undergoes Tommy John surgery

Chicago White Sox closer Liam Hendriks underwent Tommy John surgery on Wednesday to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow, the team announced. Hendriks made a comeback to baseball this season after beating c, but will not be sidelined again.

The procedure was performed by Dr. Keith Meister at TMI Sports Medicine and Orthopedic Surgery in Arlington, Texas, the head team physician of the Texas Rangers. The recovery time is approximately 12 to 14 months, putting Hendriks likel
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Legendary goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon announces retirement after 28-year career

Legendary Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon announced his retirement from soccer on Wednesday, capping off an illustrious 28-year playing career that included a World Cup in 2006.

He shared his retirement on X, formerly Twitter, with the caption: That's all folks! You gave me everything. I gave you everything. We did it together." Buffon surely gave it everything.

He spent the majority of his club career with Juventus, which signed him from Parma for a record fee in 2001. Buffon won 10 Serie
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Jimmie Johnson, Chad Knaus headline NASCAR class of 2024 Hall of Fame inductees

NASCAR announced its Hall of Fame class of 2024 on Wednesday, headlined by seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson.

Chad Knaus and Donnie Allison rounded out the group of three Hall of Fame inductees. Janet Guthrie earned the Landmark Award for Outstanding Contributions to NASCAR.

Members of the NASCAR Hall of Fame voting panel met on Wednesday to finalize the inductees from a list of 15 drivers and five drivers for the landmark award. The class of 2024 was determined through vote
USA TODAY •

Vince McMahon subpoenaed by federal agents, on medical leave due to surgery

Vince McMahon subpoenaed by federal agents, on medical leave due to surgery

WWE executive chairman Vince McMahon was served a federal grand jury subpoena last month after a search warrant by federal law enforcement agents, according to a regulatory filing.

Government investigations are still ongoing, but there are no charges filed yet against McMahon, the WWE said in its filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. McMahon is currently on medical leave after having spinal surgery last w
USA TODAY •

Watch: Serena Williams learns she will be having baby girl in epic gender reveal video

Watch: Serena Williams learns she will be having baby girl in epic gender reveal video

Serena Williams just called game, set, match on the gender reveal.

Gathered around with her family, a drone display in the sky revealed that Williams and husband Alexis Ohanian will be having a baby girl.

The drones first brightly spelled out "It's a...," prompting Williams' daughter Olympia to ask: "It's a what?" Roughly 14 seconds later, the sky lit up with "Girl."

Williams threw her hands up in the air
USA TODAY •

Former USMNT and current Revolution head coach Bruce Arena put on administrative leave

Former USMNT and current Revolution head coach Bruce Arena put on administrative leave

New England Revolution sporting director and head coach Bruce Arena has been put on administrative leave due to allegations he made "insensitive and inappropriate remarks," Major League Soccer announced on Tuesday.

Arena has been away from the team since Sunday, according to The Athletic. Players were told that the head coach would not be at team activities for an unspecified time.

"The New England Revoluti
USA TODAY •

ESPN to name Doris Burke, Doc Rivers to NBA Finals coverage; Mark Jackson let go, per reports

ESPN to name Doris Burke, Doc Rivers to NBA Finals coverage; Mark Jackson let go, per reports

ESPN is close to promoting Doris Burke to the NBA Finals crew and hiring Doc Rivers to replace Mark Jackson, according to the New York Post.

Burke would become the first woman TV analyst on NBA Finals coverage.

While there were discussions that Jackson might be relegated to the second team with Mark Jones, he has instead been let go by ESPN, according to Peter Vecsey. He had two years remaining on hi
USA TODAY •

Pitt coach Randy Waldrum directs Nigeria to World Cup Round of 16 amid pay scandal

After an ongoing pay scandal hovered over the squad before the tournament, Nigeria has qualified for the Round of 16 at the World Cup.

Nigeria advanced with a scoreless draw against the Republic of Ireland on Monday to finish second in Group B with 5 points, ahead of Canada and one point behind Australia.

The person at the helm of Nigeria's underdog run has been University of Pittsburgh women's soccer head coach Randy Waldrum, who shed light on the controversial pay dispute earlier this month.
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Lakers Nation

Lakers Nation •

2022-23 Los Angeles Lakers Player Review: Cole Swider

The Los Angeles Lakers spent one of their two-way contract slots on Syracuse senior Cole Swider last offseason. Swider spent four years in college developing into a 41% 3-point shooter with Syracuse his final season. At 6-foot-9, he could have been someone the Lakers used earlier in the year.

Unfortunately for Swider, he saw limited minutes throughout the season. He only appeared in seven games with the Lakers, often when the game was out of reach. Much of that can be attributed to a navicular
Lakers Nation •

Lakers Draft Workouts: Oscar Tshiebwe, Jalen Wilson Headline Latest Group Of Prospects

The Los Angeles Lakers held another pre-draft workout on Friday ahead of the 2023 NBA Draft where they hold the No. 17 and No. 47 picks. Similar to their workout held on Tuesday, this group included a majority of upperclassmen. Kentucky’s Oscar Tshiebwe, Kansas’ Jalen Wilson, North Carolina State’s Terquavion Smith, Loyola Marymount’s Cam Shelton, New Mexico’s Morris Udeze and France’s Nadir Hifi rounded out the group.

Tshiebwe is the most notable name, a 6-foot-9 forward who averaged 16 points
Lakers Nation •

Lakers News: Robert Horry Calls Hakeem Olajuwon Best Big Man He's Ever Played With Over Shaquille O'Neal & Tim Duncan

One of the more famous Los Angeles Lakers playoff moments revolves around the big shot-making of Robert Horry. His game-winning 3-pointer against the Sacramento Kings in the 2002 NBA Playoffs is an iconic memory. The shot came during a playoff run that ended in Horry’s fifth championship ring.

Horry went on to win two more championships with the San Antonio Spurs, but arguably never had a shot greater than the one against the Kings. Horry’s remarkable career finished with seven championships, t
Lakers Nation •

Lakers Will Face Heat & Victor Wembanyama Led Spurs In July's California Classic Summer League

The Los Angeles Lakers announced their schedule for the fifth annual California Classic Summer League this year. The Lakers will face the Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento.

By matching up against the Spurs, it means the Lakers will likely face off against likely No. 1 pick Victor Wembanyama. The 7-foot-4 center is one of the more hyped-up prospects in NBA history and will surely be headed to San Antonio after the draft. The Lakers will first play against the
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Lakers Rumors: Front Office Approaching Offseason As If LeBron James Will Be Part Of Team

Mere moments after the Los Angeles Lakers season ended, LeBron James dropped a bombshell. In a press conference after Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals, James made cryptic comments about having a lot to think about going forward with basketball. Soon after, it was reported that James is contemplating retirement.

If LeBron were to retire, the Lakers’ initial offseason plans would be thrown out of the window. General manager Rob Pelinka is offering support and communication for whatever Jam
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Lakers Rumors: Some Within Organization Are Skeptical Of Myles Turner’s Fit Next To Anthony Davis

It’s another offseason without celebrating a championship for the Los Angeles Lakers, although the front office has a lot to work with.

There are only three players with guaranteed contracts next season — LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Max Christie. Malik Beasley has a $16 million contract that is a team option and the Lakers can guarantee Mo Bamba’s $10 million salary and Jarred Vanderbilt’s $4.6 million salary.

Bringing back Bamba is a possibility if L.A. prefers to keep a homegrown version
Lakers Nation •

Rob Pelinka: 2022-23 Was 'Season Of Advancement & Growth' For Lakers

General manager Rob Pelinka turned around the Los Angeles Lakers season with moves made near the trade deadline. Pelinka dealt away Russell Westbrook to acquire D’Angelo Russell, Jarred Vanderbilt and Malik Beasley. Pelinka also swung trades to bring Rui Hachimura and Mo Bamba to L.A.

The Lakers playoff push began to heat up soon after, slipping into the No. 7 spot after a Play-In game victory then making a Western Conference Finals run. Pelinka described the season positively, even though the
Lakers Nation •

Tristan Thompson Appreciates Opportunity With Lakers & Expresses Desire To Return Next Season

A major rotation change in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals was the insertion of Los Angeles Lakers center Tristan Thompson. The big man signed with the Lakers in early April, though only appeared when games were out of reach in the playoffs.

Thompson was subbed in to start the second quarter of Game 4 and played in 10 minutes and scored four points while grabbing one rebound. He had an even plus-minus and matched up with Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic. Thompson held Jokic to just two
Lakers Nation •

Kyrie Irving & Fred VanVleet Viewed As Names To Watch For In Free Agency For Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers have important decisions to make in free agency with the offseason now underway. Ten players from last season’s roster will be free agents, including playoff rotation guys Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, Dennis Schroder, D’Angelo Russell and Lonnie Walker IV.

General manager Rob Pelinka expressed a desire to prioritize roster continuity and keeping the core together this offseason. Whether that actually comes to fruition is one thing, but it’s clear the Lakers have a bigger
Lakers Nation •

Lakers News: Artist Jonas Never Shares Sneak Peek Of New Purple and Gold 75th Anniversary Team Mural

The NBA released its 75th-year anniversary team last season with current and former Los Angeles Lakers dominating the list. The Lakers had 18 representatives, second-most behind the Boston Celtics, including at the time four current Lakers — LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Russell Westbrook and Carmelo Anthony.

The list could have included more Lakers. Pau Gasol and Dwight Howard each missed out, joining a group of non-Lakers such as Vince Carter, Klay Thompson and Kyrie Irving that didn’t receive
Lakers Nation •

Rob Pelinka: Lakers Will Support & Communicate With LeBron James Regarding Possible Retirement

Moments after the Los Angeles Lakers season-ending loss against the Denver Nuggets Monday night, LeBron James hinted at contemplating retirement. He ended his post-game press conference in a cryptic fashion, saying he has “a lot to think about” regarding playing basketball.

The comments from LeBron came out of nowhere and will dominate the off-season headlines. It also doesn’t add up when looking at recent retirement thoughts from James.

In December, Dennis Schroder said LeBron told him he wan
Lakers Nation •

Lakers Video: Warriors' Stephen Curry Wins 2023 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Award

It’s impossible to speak about the NBA’s history and not mention Los Angeles Lakers icon Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Through 20 seasons in the league, Abdul-Jabbar etched himself as one of the greatest basketball players ever. He also has an argument for the most decorated basketball player — he won three consecutive national championships at UCLA and three straight New York City Catholic Championships.

The center held the NBA’s all-time scoring record for almost 40 seasons before LeBron James passed
Lakers Nation •

Darvin Ham Reflects On Emotions Of First Season As Head Coach & Reveals Message To Lakers Players

Los Angeles Lakers head coach Darvin Ham saw it all in his first year as the lead man. From a 2-10 start to a deep run in the Western Conference Finals, his rookie season as head coach came to an end with a loss against the Denver Nuggets on Monday night.

It was a rollercoaster year that didn’t end in the way many in the organization hoped for — new space being made for another championship banner in the Crypto.com Arena rafters. Ham, though, reflected with a positive outlook when summarizing t
Lakers Nation •

Lakers News: Rob Pelinka To Prioritize Roster Continuity & Keeping Core Together This Offseason

The Los Angeles Lakers’ whirlwind season concluded with a loss in the Western Conference Finals against the Denver Nuggets on Monday night. A last-second effort from LeBron James wasn’t enough to push the series to a fifth game with the Lakers ultimately being swept for the ninth time ever.

General manager Rob Pelinka and the Lakers front office have an important summer ahead. The sudden news of LeBron contemplating retirement creates a heavy cloud over any plans. But, regardless, Pelinka will
Lakers Nation •

Lakers News: Austin Reaves Doesn't Mind LeBron James Shooting 3-Pointers Despite Struggles

The Los Angeles Lakers came up short in Game 2 against the Denver Nuggets, falling into a 2-0 hole in the Western Conference Finals. It was another quiet offensive night for Lakers star LeBron James, who tied Austin Reaves with a team-high 22 points.

LeBron has only scored 30 points once during the playoffs, an uncharacteristic run that may be a result of the foot injury he suffered late in the season. He’s had to pace himself at times too, only shooting more than 20 times in three games this p
Lakers Nation •

LeBron James: Lakers Still Have Opportunity Against Nuggets But Must Come Out With 'Desperation' In Game 3

The Los Angeles Lakers dropped their second straight game for the first time in these NBA Playoffs on Thursday. The Lakers were in prime position to steal a road game until Nuggets’ guard Jamal Murray exploded for 23 points in the fourth quarter of Game 2.

It’s a rare position for the Lakers, who haven’t been down 2-0 in a series since 2013. As a franchise, the Lakers have only come back from a 2-0 deficit to win a series once — the 1969 Conference Semi-Finals when they reeled off four straight
Lakers Nation •

Lakers News: Rui Hachimura Focused On Being Aggressive On Both Ends Against Nuggets

Even in their Game 2 loss to the Denver Nuggets, the Los Angeles Lakers received strong play from forward Rui Hachimura. He had 21 points on 8-of-10 shooting in 30 minutes, including solid defense on Nuggets star Nikola Jokic.

Hachimura shot 7-for-7 in the first half, the first time a player shot 7-for-7 or better in a half of a Conference Finals game since LeBron James did the same in Game 1 of the 2016 Conference Finals.

So far in two games, Hachimura’s averaging 19 points per game while sho
Lakers Nation •

Lakers News: Spurs Forward Jeremy Sochan Calls Out LeBron James' Flopping

While the Los Angeles Lakers and LeBron James were fighting for a win in Game 2 against the Denver Nuggets, San Antonio Spurs forward Jeremy Sochan wanted to join in on the fun.

The 19-year-old is coming off a rookie season where he averaged 11 points and five rebounds per game. He scored in double digits in three of the four games against the Lakers this season, though San Antonio lost all of those matchups. Sochan ended up making the All-Rookie Second Team.

The Spurs tanked the season, losin
Lakers Nation •

Lakers News: LeBron James Acknowledges Challenges Of Denver Altitude & Differences In Current Nuggets Team

The Los Angeles Lakers have two opponents in the Western Conference Finals — the Denver Nuggets and the altitude of the Ball Arena. The Nuggets’ home stadium is 5,280 feet, or one mile, above sea level, earning the “Mile High City” moniker.

It creates a unique home-court advantage with players having to catch their breath more often. LeBron James has spoken about the altitude in recent matchups, specifically in 2021 when he said it wasn’t that much of a factor for him.

However, it still is a m
Lakers Nation •

Lakers News: Nuggets' Kentavious Caldwell-Pope Shares Excitement About Playing Former Team For Spot In NBA Finals

Former Los Angeles Lakers and current Denver Nuggets guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope enjoyed some of his best years as a professional in the purple and gold.

He averaged double-digit points his first two years in L.A., even playing in a career-high 82 games in the 2018-19 season. Though his role diminished during the 2019-20 regular season, he was a massive part of the Lakers’ run to the title in the bubble.

Against his current team in the 2020 playoffs, Caldwell-Pope had double-digit points in
Lakers Nation •

Lakers News: Darvin Ham Explains Difficulties Of Game Planning For Nuggets' Nikola Jokic

The Los Angeles Lakers have an important task in the Western Conference Finals — stop a man that no one has figured out how to in the last three seasons.

With each year under his belt, Denver Nuggets superstar and two-time MVP Nikola Jokic becomes more dominant as an offensive player, enough so that Lakers head coach Darvin Ham joked their game plan is to kidnap him. The Denver police department has other ideas, so the Lakers can’t execute that idea.

They may have the solution though in big ma
Lakers Nation •

Lakers Vs. Nuggets Game 1 Preview: Looking To Steal Another Opening Game On Road

The Los Angeles Lakers open up the 2023 Western Conference Finals on the road against the Denver Nuggets.

It is the Lakers’ 23rd appearance in the Conference Finals, the most in NBA history. Of those appearances, the Lakers have faced the Nuggets three times, their second-most common opponent. L.A. has never lost to Denver on their quest for an NBA Finals appearance.

Everyone is available for the Lakers except center Mo Bamba, who is out with a left ankle injury. For Denver, Jamal Murray is li
Lakers Nation •

Lakers News: Darvin Ham Enjoying First Postseason Run As Head Coach

Against all odds, the Los Angeles Lakers have made the Western Conference Finals in Darvin Ham’s first season as head coach. It’s been an up-and-down rookie year for Ham, who began the year 2-10 but finished the regular season with a 9-3 record.

Ham acknowledged last week that LeBron James and Anthony Davis have been helpful throughout his first season, serving as his rock. The two leaders are the longest-tenured players on the Lakers, which LeBron said allowed them to help Ham on the court and
Lakers Nation •

Lakers News: Austin Reaves Reveals He Told LeBron James About Old Kobe Bryant Meme

The relationship between Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves and LeBron James has been full of memorable moments over two seasons.

Reaves immediately stood out to LeBron during the team’s minicamp before the 2021 season. James emphasized he knew right away that Reaves would fit in well with him.

And as Reaves emerged into the rotation, LeBron seemed to take him under his wing — a moment where James explained something to Reaves went viral during a Lakers game last season.

It wasn’t the fir
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Daily Trojan •

Nick Lopez’s gutsy gambles have paid off

When senior infielder Nick Lopez recalls the moment he became a Trojan, his voice fills with childlike excitement.

Lopez was playing for Santa Ana College in May 2021, which was never part of the plan, but became the long-awaited climax to a bumpy journey. He was passing time between the first and second games of a doubleheader against Saddleback College.

As he prepared for the first pitch, Lopez’s phone rang with an electric buzz. Lopez picked up and listened to then-USC assistant coach Gabe
Daily Trojan •

How Rayah Marshall went from South Central to USC phenom

There’s a summer in Atlanta that Lynwood High School girls’ basketball coach Ellis Barfield can’t get out of his head.

His Nike Elite Youth Basketball Team, the Calstorm Knights, was playing club ball in 2019. It was a grueling trip, with three tournaments in 10 days and a game played almost every day.

The Knights prevailed, advancing to the Nike Tournament of Champions championship game. Playing a physical team from Maryland, Barfield’s team fell behind early.

A future McDonald’s All-America
Daily Trojan •

Inside the superstitions of USC athletes

It’s the middle of a match and women’s tennis sophomore Isabelle Lee is exhausted. Every step slowly becomes a struggle. With each point that passes, it’s more of the same — frustration that it won’t end sooner.

Tennis matches are often grueling, a marathon that can last up to three hours, testing you physically and mentally. The latter part is as important as the former.

When Lee approaches the bench to rest in between games, she finds the water in her bag and takes exactly four sips: no more
Daily Trojan •

No gloves, no problem: Travis Dye is not your typical running back

It’s the middle of a game in the 2021 season, and then-Oregon running back Travis Dye needs a break.

When his teammate C.J. Verdell was ruled out for the season in early October, Dye stepped in as the lead back and dominated the share of carries. A run there, a block here and a long catch en route to eye-popping numbers — 1,271 rushing and 402 receiving yards for 18 total touchdowns.

Tonight, he’ll run for a career-high 211 yards plus one touchdown as the Ducks hold on against Washington, thei
Daily Trojan •

More than 42: USC's favorite athlete barber

The energy pops out when you walk into Flower Street Barbers. Everything is strategic in the setup — from the placement of the TVs to the barring hip-hop music bouncing off the walls.

Look up above the TV to the left and see Drake London’s jersey. On the right is Drake Jackson’s jersey. Take a seat in the small, black, high-density memory foam chair, and you’re in one of the most popular seats around — the same spot USC football Head Coach Lincoln Riley got his first Los Angeles haircut. But, t
Daily Trojan •

How one game turned into 362 straight: The story of USC's most psychotic fan

You walk near the South Lawn of the Coliseum near Exposition Park Drive, excited for the game. There’s the familiar “Hot dog, hot dog” exclamations as a vendor bangs their spatula on the grill. The idea crosses your mind to buy one, but something in the distance catches the corner of your eye.

It’s a larger, grander grill with a master flipping burgers and engaging in small talk with fans. The tailgate, known as “Psychogate,” is hosted by Roy Nwaisser, a fan who has become as associated with US
Daily Trojan •

Inside Boogie Ellis' mission to prove everyone wrong

When you talk to junior guard Rejean “Boogie” Ellis, there’s a coolness about him. The way he talks is soft; he’s polite and mild-mannered when answering questions.

But beneath him, there’s an intense drive. It can be set off easily, and when it is, it’s noticeable.

In the middle of interviewing Ellis, his eyes shot up to the side — like a kid who hears an ice cream truck. His calm demeanor snapped and his eyebrows furrowed.

“Are you guys playing right now?” he said. “I’m tryna shoot.”

Talki
Daily Trojan •

Ingram in stride: From 4 a.m. sled workouts to broken records

During a Texas summer day in 2016, Carthage High School Football Head Coach Scott Surratt drove with his wife past the school’s campus.

The weather was scorching hot — in triple digits to be exact — the norm that time of the year, especially at 1 p.m.

Surratt had made that drive many times, especially since he was now in his 14th season as head coach. But, this time, something different was happening.

As Surratt drove next to the school’s indoor facility, something caught the corner of his ey
Daily Trojan •

Ben Griffiths: Journey from Australia to USC punter

When asked if he remembered his first day in the United States, redshirt junior punter Ben Griffiths looked to the right and chuckled. His long, twirly mustache rose up as he spewed the details.

He said it went like this: After his 14-hour flight from Melbourne, Australia to Los Angeles, he went to his apartment, changed into a new shirt and headed straight to campus.

Griffiths didn’t wait in line at Dulce or try to catch lunch at Cava. Instead, he went to pick up his USC ID card.

“I was jet
Daily Trojan •

Compton’s Finest: Drake Jackson, a quarterback’s nightmare

After USC’s first game of the 2021 season, junior outside linebacker Drake Jackson had plenty to celebrate.

The Trojans’ defense gave up only seven points and forced two turnovers — Jackson himself had an impressive interception. However, in Jackson’s post-game interview, the focus wasn’t on his performance or what the team did but more on the impact his family has on him.

“I was just more thinking about my grandma,” Jackson said. “I was happy I did that for her because it’s my first game with
Daily Trojan •

Isaiah Mobley leaps for takeoff

It’s the middle of February and men’s basketball is ranked first in the Pac-12.

As Arizona State fights to stay in the game, the Galen Center, often filled with raucous noise, is suffocated to a quiet hush.

Instead of Trojan fans in the stands, it’s cardboard cutouts. Instead of an electric atmosphere, it’s like a pickup game between friends.

The loudest voices in the arena aren’t the fans during the game, but a player, whose game is as loud as his personality. The curly-haired giant just ext
Daily Trojan •

USC grad turns passion into a career

Growing up, everyone becomes a fan of something. Whether it’s an artist or a band or an athlete, the bubbly energy of watching them often results in passion. That passion evolves into an obsession, and obsession into a determination to know every single thing about the certain passion.

At the age of 14, Aron Cohen’s passion transformed into a lifestyle. A die-hard Los Angeles Laker fan, he started a fan page on Instagram with no social media experience.

Nearly 300,000 followers later, Cohen ha
Daily Trojan •

Q&A with head coach Lindsay Gottlieb

This interview was edited for length and clarity.

After an 11-12 season for USC women’s basketball, Athletic Director Mike Bohn went back to the drawing board and pulled out a masterpiece — the hiring of Cleveland Cavaliers assistant coach Lindsay Gottlieb, a basketball lifer with experience at the collegiate and professional level and a huge get for the Trojans.

In her first coaching job, Gottlieb led UC Santa Barbara to NCAA and WNIT tournaments before heading to UC Berkeley. She spent eight

USCFootball.com

247Sports •

USC signees Isaiah Collier, Arrinten Page make Galen Center debut against Sierra Canyon

A day after No. 1 recruit Juju Watkins committed to USC women’s basketball, the No. 1 boys basketball in the nation followed suit when he committed to USC as well.

Marietta (Ga.) Wheeler five-star point guard Isaiah Collier chose the Trojans over UCLA, Michigan and Cincinnati in November. He joined four-star power forward Arrinten Page, his Wheeler and EYBL teammate, who committed to USC two weeks prior to Collier’s decision.

The two made their Galen Center debut Saturday night as Wheeler trav
247Sports •

USC signee Juju Watkins shows why she's No. 1 player in nation in battle of national top 5 teams

Judea "Juju" Watkins has been deemed a generational talent. Someone capable of shifting the trajectory of USC women’s basketball’s future. A player whose talent is program-altering.

When Chatsworth (Calif.) Sierra Canyon took on La Jolla (Calif.) Country Day in the Chosen-1’s Invitational Saturday night, it was clear why.

Watkins scored 30 points and grabbed 18 rebounds in a battle of two of the best teams in the nation, leading the undefeated Trailblazers to a 64-55 victory over La Jolla Coun
247Sports •

Matt Leinart-Vince Young race chariots, talk 2006 Rose Bowl in new episode of "Eli's Places"

There are bowl games and then there’s the Rose Bowl. Since 1916, fans have flocked to Pasadena to kick off the New Year by watching the “Grandaddy of Them All.”

USC has had its fair share of Rose Bowl games. The Trojans have appeared in a record 34, winning 25 of them. But, none have become as famous as one USC fans hate to relive — that Rose Bowl game in 2006.

In the latest episode of Omaha Productions’ Eli’s Places on ESPN+, Eli Manning walks viewers through the iconic 2006 National Champion
247Sports •

Jordan Addison's transition to USC hasn't been smoothest, but Caleb Williams is helping make it easier

It’s been just over three months since Jordan Addison shocked college football, announcing his decision to enter the NCAA transfer portal. His choice of USC made the Trojans' expansive receiver room one of the best in the country.

It also brought a transitional period the reigning Biletnikoff Award winner said hasn’t been as smooth as he thought it would be. The response raised eyebrows among reporters initially, but Addison clarified why it was a bumpy transition — he had to take classes.

“I
247Sports •

USC's No. 55 tradition gets Eli Manning treatment in new episode of "Eli's Places"

From the many Heisman winners to the memorable Rose Bowl victories, it’s not difficult to tell a story about USC football. A program with as deep a history as USC is bound to have shows document it.

In episode three of Omaha Productions’ Eli’s Places on ESPN+, the show does exactly that, focusing on the rich history of Trojans who wore the No. 55. The theme of the episode is to find the greatest number in college football history. Naturally so, No. 55 joins the conversation before moving on to
247Sports •

USC defensive line coach Shaun Nua wants to establish more depth along the line

With fall camp coming to a close, it’s clear for Shaun Nua where the group hasn’t made progress at: “Depth.”

The defensive line and rush group have become alarmingly thin with players coming in and out of Rehab Island. Korey Foreman, Solomon Tuliaupupu, Romello Height and Solomon Byrd have all battled some form of injury through camp.

The lost time makes it difficult for players such as Foreman and Tuliaupupu who have been out for extended times to catch up. It also establishes a group that is
247Sports •

USC cornerback Ceyair Wright keeping busy on the field and on the set

Ceyair Wright is a busy man. From rehearsals and reading scripts to hitting the weight room and running drills, the offseason was a grind for the second-year corner.

He spent time filming for his new role on ABC’s “Grown-ish,” which premiered recently and is relevant to the growth he’s enduring as a player during the offseason.

Entering fall camp, Wright has a noticeable change in mindset and play on the field. He’s running with the starters on defense, occupying that second corner spot alongs
247Sports •

USC center Brett Neilon is ready for a major turnaround for the Trojans

Brett Neilon has been through practically everything in his five years at USC. Arriving a season after the Trojans' last Rose Bowl win, he’s seen everything from the peaks and valleys of Clay Helton to the emergence of NIL.

But nothing could have prepared him for this last offseason. Half of the roster was turned around through the transfer portal bringing almost an entirely new team.

It’s something even the veteran Neilon could never have expected.

“It’s been pretty different this year,” he
247Sports •

Pac-12 Media Day: Shane Lee getting accustomed to L.A., Alex Grinch's scheme

USC’s shopping in the transfer portal is, rightfully so, headlined by two powerful offensive players — Caleb Williams and Jordan Addison. Travis Dye, Mario Williams, Austin Jones, Brenden Rice, Terrell Bynum and Bobby Haskins round out the other offensive transfers that will rack up points.

Where the Trojans look comfortable on offense, it’s the other side of the ball that will need some help.

Transfer linebacker Shane Lee spearheads a group that’s looking to move forward after a porous previo
247Sports •

Pac-12 Media Day: Caleb Williams, Shane Lee reflect on shifting culture at USC

If you had a bingo sheet for what USC needed to fix when Lincoln Riley was hired as head coach, culture could have been the free space right square in the middle.

The Trojans took a culture hit under Clay Helton becoming a program lacking accountability and structure. Riley immediately turned that around when hired. There began to be accountability and consequences for the wrong choices on and off the field.

During spring camp, Riley said players bought into the changes, reacting well with det
247Sports •

Inside Lindsay Gottlieb’s resurgent summer rebuilding women’s basketball

It’s April 30. USC women’s basketball played its final game nearly two months ago — a loss to rival UCLA in the Pac-12 Tournament -- ending head coach Lindsay Gottlieb’s debut season with the Women of Troy.

Gottlieb’s first year finished with a 12-16 record, near the bottom of the conference. But, weeks after their last game, Gottlieb wants to send a message and set the tone for the days and weeks ahead.

It kick starts a summer full of resurgence for the women’s basketball program.

The mere d
247Sports •

Former USC players react to news of Big Ten move

USC and UCLA’s decision to leave the Pac-12 for the Big Ten Conference will potentially leave a lasting impact on college football. The Trojans and the Bruins are two of the most storied schools in the Conference of Champions. They’ve been part of the Pac-12 for almost 100 years.

The schools will leave the Pac-12 in 2024 and will include all sports except beach volleyball, men’s volleyball and men’s and women’s water polo, according to the Los Angeles Times.

It’s a power move that surely left
247Sports •

Trojan guard Drew Peterson talks about his decision to return for his senior season

Peterson emerged as one of the Trojans’ most important players. He had a quiet first season at USC only averaging 9.8 points per game in 28 minutes. But, he bounced back putting up a career-high in points (12.4) and near career highs in rebounds (2.7) and assists per game (3.3).

For Peterson, each year is about progressing and improving to be the best player possible. Peterson found consistency last season, scoring in double figures in 10 of the Trojans’ final 11 games.

“Progression is a big t
247Sports •

One-on-one with USC basketball head coach Andy Enfield

The last time USC basketball was on the court it was heartbreak.

Less than ten seconds remained in the first round of March Madness. Seventh-seed USC and tenth-seed Miami were all square at 66. Hurricanes guard Charlie Moore was at the line for two free throws with a chance to take the lead.

He hit them both then Isaiah Mobley launched a pass to half court for Drew Peterson. Peterson took two dribbles then his half-court heave for the win just bounced off the front iron, sending the Trojans ho
247Sports •

USC Trojans spring sports weekend recap

Without further ado, here are the highlights from a momentous weekend for USC Athletics.

There were two crosstown rivalry matchups over the weekend for USC. Both ended in strong victories for the Trojans, adding to a weekend that turned out to be victorious.

When USC and UCLA get together in water polo, it’s an electric atmosphere. Fans flock to Uytengsu Aquatic Center for a matchup that almost always lives up to the hype. And Saturday it did, with the Trojans securing a huge conference victor
247Sports •

USC WR Drake London completes pro day, addresses speed concerns

Six months after fracturing his ankle, Drake London participated in his official pro day Friday morning. London originally scheduled an individual workout, rather than particip to give him more time to get back to full strength after the ankle injury. His pro day was originally scheduled for April 5 but was moved to Friday because of a hamstring issue.

London is projected to be the tenth overall pick in Mel Kiper’s most recent ESPN Mock Draft.

The 6-foot-5 receiver caught passes from Carson Pa
247Sports •

USC spring sports weekend roundup

It’s almost the middle of April meaning USC’s spring sports are heating up. Even though spring football is grabbing most headlines, there are plenty of Trojan athletes making noise. All of the active women’s teams are ranked in the top-20 nationally — Beach volleyball and water polo are even ranked No. 1 in the country. Both squads won their matchups last weekend, including beach volleyball pushing their dual win streak to 22. Here are some highlights from a weekend full of USC Athletics.

The T
247Sports •

Donte Williams looking forward, excited about new defensive backs group

Donte Williams was reserved and cautious in his answers the first time he spoke with the media this offseason. He didn’t want to talk about that 2021 season where he was thrust into the limelight. He wanted to move on, spending more time focusing on this new group.

It was more of the same Thursday. Williams’ excitement to be back coaching the group he was originally tasked to do last season was evident.

There was no question there was a sense of relief being back working primarily with the def
247Sports •

New defensive coordinator Alex Grinch gives the USC defense a fresh start

New defensive coordinator Alex Grinch began his tenure at USC Tuesday. Grinch is in charge of a unit that allowed its opposition to score 40-plus points in five of its 12 games.

The Trojans were last in the Pac-12 in points allowed per game last season with 34.2. They were also tenth in the conference in yards allowed per game with opposing teams averaging 409.3. It won’t get any easier too as key defensive players such as defensive end Drake Jackson and corners Chris Steele and Isaac Taylor-St
247Sports •

Rapid Recap: Bruins snap USC's rivalry win streak with 75-68 defeat

LOS ANGELES -- There was a point in the second half when UCLA third-year guard Jaime Jaquez Jr. nailed a jumper and reacted with a shrug. It was supposed to be the Bruins' senior game, but it may now become known as the shrug game.

Jaquez’s 27 points led the Bruins to a 75-68 victory against USC Saturday night, snapping the Trojans’ five-game winning streak over their rivals.

The loss also marks USC’s first consecutive defeats this season. The Trojans were marred by 15 turnovers in a sloppy pe
247Sports •

Rapid Recap: White out becomes blowout; Arizona dominates USC to lock up Pac-12 title

Tuesday night, the white out became the blowout.

Visiting Arizona fans high-fived and yelled, “Easy!” as No. 2 Arizona whited out No. 16 USC in a 91-71 victory at the Galen Center.

The loss snaps the Trojans’ six-game winning streak, which started after losing to the Wildcats on Feb. 5. Tuesday night’s matchup was the first time USC hosted a team ranked as high as No. 2 since 2014 when it played top-ranked Arizona. The Trojans never led in the game.

“We did not play very well and Arizona did.
USCFootball.com •

Instant Analysis: No. 16 USC hoops blown out by No. 2 Arizona

USCFootball.com interns Nicole Shearin and Anthony Gharib provide Instant Analysis following No. 16 USC's 91-71 loss to No. 2 Arizona, which gave the Wildcats the Pac-12 regular-season title.

The Trojans fell to 25-5 (14-5 Pac-12) after its top three leading scorers -- Isaiah Mobley, Drew Peterson and Boogie Ellis -- struggled to find a rhythm, combining to shoot 8 for 34, including a 3 for 26 start to the night.
247Sports •

Rapid Recap: USC beats Bruins for fifth straight time

The Galen Center was filled to its brim Saturday night in the first rivalry matchup with fans in attendance since March 2020. It was an electric atmosphere, but with USC down four and at risk of losing against its crosstown rivals for the first time since 2019, everyone settled down.

The scoring droughts the Trojans had been so accustomed to having had been avoided. But, it came around eventually like the sun in the morning, until USC woke up before it was too late.

A layup here, a three-point
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dailybreeze •

Peninsula girls basketball defeats Mira Costa in Bay League tournament semifinal

MANHATTAN BEACH Anxious energy filled the Mira Costa Sports Complex as the Bay League girls basketball tournament semifinal came to an end.

Just last week, No. 2 Mira Costa blew out No. 3 Peninsula 60-43.

Wednesday night, it was far from a blow out — no team had a double digit lead and the largest deficit was seven points and both sides took turns leading the game.

It was playoff basketball and the game was within grasp for both teams.

However, it was Peninsula who made the most of its posse
dailybreeze •

North Torrance girls basketball turns up the pressure, rallies to defeat Rolling Hills Prep

REDONDO BEACH The fans filled the red and black bleachers at Redondo High for a key semifinal girls basketball match-up between North Torrance and Rolling Hills Prep in the Battle at the Beach Gold Division tournament.

Both sidelines were electric with Rolling Hills Prep taking the crown as the loudest early when it jumped out to a double digit lead.

It seemed like it was in for an easy win.

But, North Torrance answered back with more energy, riding a strong defensive performance fighting for
dailybreeze •

Inglewood football advances with hard-fought win over St. Bonaventure

A week after a 106-point performance against rivals Morningside High School, fans came out in numbers to see if the Inglewood High School hype was real. Inglewood ran out onto the field amid loud cheers to a packed crowd. The national anthem concluded and a loud “Let’s go,” from an Inglewood fan began the game.

It wasn’t the last one of the night.

In a game with fog so thick seeing either side of the field became a challenge, Inglewood fought for a tight 27-10 victory over St. Bonaventure Frid
dailybreeze •

North Torrance football cruises past West Torrance

Football fans entered Fred Petersen Stadium buzzing amid anxious energy Friday. It was Homecoming night and a bout between two nearby schools with lots on the line.

What began as a tight battle though ended in an easy win – North Torrance cruised on its way to a 34-21 victory over West Torrance on Friday night, snatching the second-place spot in the Pioneer League.

The Saxons closed the door for a Warriors comeback when they scored on back-to-back possessions in the third quarter.

A long driv
dailybreeze •

Peninsula football can’t keep up fast start, falls to Culver City in Bay League game

CULVER CITY — The first three drives of the game for the Culver City football team went like this: a fumble leading to a touchdown, a pick six, and another fumble that led to a field goal.

It was a rough start for a Culver City offense that put up 42 points last week against Redondo . Before fans had the chance to settle in, Peninsula found themselves up 17-0 five minutes into the first quarter.

If you left by that time, the end result would have made you check your phone twice. Culver City ro
dailybreeze •

Culver City football tops Mira Costa

In what was the 70th annual homecoming football game for Culver City High School, literal fireworks brought out the home team in a momentous entrance. By the end of the game, Culver City made the more memorable plays and secured a wire-to-wire 16-9 victory Friday night.

With 1:16 left in the game, Mira Costa had a chance to steal the win, but a sack and no timeouts led to a forced throw by quarterback Casey Pavlick and an interception with 7 seconds left.

An early fourth quarter Culver City to

Breaking

Lakers Nation •

Lakers Draft Workouts: Oscar Tshiebwe, Jalen Wilson Headline Latest Group Of Prospects

The Los Angeles Lakers held another pre-draft workout on Friday ahead of the 2023 NBA Draft where they hold the No. 17 and No. 47 picks. Similar to their workout held on Tuesday, this group included a majority of upperclassmen. Kentucky’s Oscar Tshiebwe, Kansas’ Jalen Wilson, North Carolina State’s Terquavion Smith, Loyola Marymount’s Cam Shelton, New Mexico’s Morris Udeze and France’s Nadir Hifi rounded out the group.

Tshiebwe is the most notable name, a 6-foot-9 forward who averaged 16 points
Lakers Nation •

Lakers Will Face Heat & Victor Wembanyama Led Spurs In July's California Classic Summer League

The Los Angeles Lakers announced their schedule for the fifth annual California Classic Summer League this year. The Lakers will face the Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento.

By matching up against the Spurs, it means the Lakers will likely face off against likely No. 1 pick Victor Wembanyama. The 7-foot-4 center is one of the more hyped-up prospects in NBA history and will surely be headed to San Antonio after the draft. The Lakers will first play against the
Lakers Nation •

Lakers Rumors: South Bay Center Jay Huff Signing Two-Way Contract With Wizards

It looks like South Bay Lakers center Jay Huff will be getting an opportunity in the NBA on a two-way contract. Huff, who appeared in just four regular-season games with the Los Angeles Lakers, also played with their Summer League team and G League affiliate for two seasons.

It was during his Summer League run that Huff caught further attention of the front office. He averaged 14 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.5 blocks in two contests. Huff credited a change in his jump shot as a reason for more co
Lakers Nation •

Lakers News: NBA's L2M Report Says Troy Brown Jr. Was Not Fouled Vs. Mavs; LeBron James Fouled To End First Overtime

The NBA’s L2M report from Thursday night’s matchup between the Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks includes corrections that could have changed the game’s outcome.

The biggest takeaway is that Troy Brown Jr. was not fouled near the end of regulation and LeBron James was fouled by Christian Wood to end the first overtime. Brown believed he should have gone to the line.

The report indicates that Tim Hardaway Jr. contests the shot legally and makes contact with the ball. The “high-five” follo
Lakers Nation •

Lakers News: Anthony Davis Out Indefinitely With 'Stress Injury' In Right Foot

Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis will be out for an indefinite period of time due to a stress injury to his right foot, the team announced on Friday. No specific information was provided about the type of stress injury. A stress fracture is a four-to-six-week recovery time.

Davis suffered the injury last Friday against the Denver Nuggets. The Lakers initially called it a right foot issue and reports said he would be out for at least one month. An official diagnosis was not made as L.A.
Lakers Nation •

Lakers Rumors: L.A. Has Inquired About Wizards Forward Kyle Kuzma

The Los Angeles Lakers are staying active in the trade market and rumors are beginning to heat up.

L.A. has made calls for Detroit Pistons’ forward Bojan Bogdanovic, though Detroit is hesitant to trade him away. New York Knicks’ forwards Evan Fournier and Cam Reddish have been popular names to fly in the rumor mill too. The Lakers’ interest in Reddish dates back to last season.

And of course, the ever-popular trade machine component Russell Westbrook is still being discussed in possible deals.
Daily Trojan •

Caleb Williams wins the 2022 Heisman award

When sophomore quarterback Caleb Williams arrived in Los Angeles last February, much of the USC program was in a crisis.

The Trojans were coming off their fourth-worst winning percentage in 101 seasons. Even with his splashy hire, Head Coach Lincoln Riley was in the midst of a major program overhaul. Roster turnover was imminent and a program that seemed to be losing its fire needed a spark.

In came former five-star recruit Williams, the ultimate firework USC needed to bring it back to relevan
Lakers Nation •

Lakers Schedule Leaks: First Matchup Against Nets Set For Nov. 13 In L.A.

Even though the NBA schedule is set to be officially released on Wednesday, it hasn’t stopped the plethora of leaks. The newest to hit social media involves two franchises that have been heavy with trade rumors this summer — the Los Angeles Lakers and the Brooklyn Nets.

The Lakers and Nets have spent the majority of their summers engaging in trade discussions.

Kyrie Irving’s desire to play in the Purple and Gold became clear in June, with his relationship with Kobe Bryant reportedly making an
Lakers Nation •

Lakers News: Scotty Pippen Jr. And Cole Swider Sign Two-Way Contracts

The Los Angeles Lakers have announced the signings of Scotty Pippen Jr. and Cole Swider to two-way contracts. Both players will feature in the Lakers’ Summer League roster, which plays its first game Saturday in the California Classic.

Pippen and Swider participated in workouts with the Lakers before inking deals soon after the draft ended. They both stayed in college for at least three seasons with Swider transferring from Villanova to Syracuse after his junior year. Swider was the lone prospe
247Sports •

Former USC players react to news of Big Ten move

USC and UCLA’s decision to leave the Pac-12 for the Big Ten Conference will potentially leave a lasting impact on college football. The Trojans and the Bruins are two of the most storied schools in the Conference of Champions. They’ve been part of the Pac-12 for almost 100 years.

The schools will leave the Pac-12 in 2024 and will include all sports except beach volleyball, men’s volleyball and men’s and women’s water polo, according to the Los Angeles Times.

It’s a power move that surely left
Lakers Nation •

NBA Free Agency Rumors: Juan Toscano-Anderson Agrees To Minimum Deal With Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers have been active less than two hours into free agency. In need of 3-and-D wing players, the Purple and Gold have settled on two guards so far — Lonnie Walker IV and Troy Brown Jr. and a familiar face — Damian Jones.

Walker, who is a career 34.3% shooter from deep, signed a one-year, $6 million contract with the Purple and Gold. Brown and Jones signed veteran minimum deals. Jones returns to the Lakers on a two-year deal after a season away from L.A.

The Lakers, though, ha
Lakers Nation •

Lakers Rumors: Kyrie Irving Planning On Joining L.A. In Free Agency In 2023 To Wear Same Uniform As Kobe Bryant

Start reposting your memes — Kyrie Irving becoming a member of the Los Angeles Lakers is once again a real possibility.

Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant requesting a trade Thursday opened the seemingly shut door of Irving joining the Purple and Gold. Laker fans didn’t have enough time to process moving on from Kyrie before it was back on again.

Earlier in the week, the Lakers seemed to be front runners to trade for the All-NBA guard, becoming the only team inquiring with Brooklyn to acquire him
Lakers Nation •

Lakers Rumors: David Fizdale Hired As Jazz Associate General Manager

The Los Angeles Lakers’ hiring of Darvin Ham led to multiple of Frank Vogel’s assistants being let go, including David Fizdale. Less than a month after his dismissal from the Lakers, Fizdale has found a new job.

Originally from Los Angeles, Fizdale was brought on as an assistant coach last year. Jason Kidd’s move to be Dallas Mavericks’ head coach opened the door for Fizdale, who had been away from coaching since 2018.

He was the lone assistant with previous head coaching experience last seaso
Lakers Nation •

Lakers Rumors: Syracuse's Cole Swider Signed To Two-Way Contract

With no pick leading up to the 2022 NBA Draft, the Los Angeles Lakers have been busy holding numerous workouts with players projected in the second round or undrafted, including some with ties to the franchise.

LSU forward, and son of Laker great Shaquille O’Neal, Shareef participated in the Lakers’ final workout Tuesday and wound up signing with the team as an undrafted free agent.

Other prospects have caught the organization’s attention too. Six-foot-nine Syracuse forward Cole Swider is the
Daily Trojan •

Kedon Slovis announces transfer destination

Former USC junior quarterback Kedon Slovis is transferring to the University of Pittsburgh, according to a Players’ Tribune article and post on his Instagram account. He has two more years of college football eligibility.

In his 3 seasons as a Trojan, ​​Slovis threw for 7,576 total yards — the seventh-highest all-time in USC history. His 58 career touchdowns are also tied for the fifth-highest all-time.

Slovis entered the transfer portal on Dec. 13 after playing only nine games in the 2021 sea
Daily Trojan •

USC running back Kenan Christon appeals suspension

USC running back Kenan Christon and his lawyer Anton Diffenderfer are accusing USC and its Student Judicial Affairs and Community Standards of being racially insensitive regarding Christon’s suspension from the team and other school activities in September.

Christon was suspended Dec. 14 because of an altercation with another USC student. The two students have now reconciled, according to Christon, but a six-week investigation by a USC judicial officer found Christon responsible for seven viola
Daily Trojan •

USC vs. Cal postponed to Dec. 4

The Pac-12 has postponed USC’s matchup against UC Berkeley to Dec. 4, the universities respective athletic departments announced in a joint statement Tuesday. Initially scheduled for Saturday, it’s the first FBS game postponed this season because of coronavirus issues. Game time will be announced at a later date, according to the statement.

Last weekend, positive coronavirus cases led to Cal playing without seven starters, five coaches and 24 scholarship athletes. Following the loss against Ari
Daily Trojan •

Jaxson Dart undergoes meniscus surgery

Freshman quarterback Jaxson Dart tore his meniscus during his debut against Washington State Saturday and underwent minor surgery, according to a USCFootball report. Dart will be out for an extended period of time.

Near the end of the first half against Washington State, Dart appeared injured but stayed in the game. He began the second half with a brace on his knee and a slight limp.

By the end of the game, the 6-foot-3 quarterback threw 391 yards — the most ever in a USC quarterback’s debut —
Daily Trojan •

Donte Williams named interim head coach

Associate head coach Donte Williams will take over as interim head coach of USC football, USC Athletic Director Mike Bohn announced on Twitter Monday. The decision follows former head coach Clay Helton’s firing the same day and begins USC’s “national” coaching search.

Widely regarded as one of the nation’s best recruiters, Williams will now lead the Trojans in their remaining 10 games this season. Prior to his role as interim head coach, Williams held positions as associate head coach, cornerba
Daily Trojan •

USC football icon Sam Cunningham remembered for grace

Former three-time All-American fullback, College Football Hall of Famer and USC legend Sam “Bam” Cunningham died Tuesday at his home in Inglewood, Calif. at the age of 71.

Most remember Cunningham for his role in USC’s 1970 victory against Alabama, and as one of the most influential athletes in college football.

The legendary fullback is best known for his efforts toward college football schools in the South, especially after the famous 42-21 USC victory over an all-white Alabama team in 1970.
Daily Trojan •

Women’s Track & Field wins NCAA Outdoor National Championship

In a national championship event, the heart beats faster, time moves slowly and the pressure can be suffocating. It’s where collegiate athletes can make or break their career path.

Behind record-breaking performances, the Trojans won their second NCAA outdoor National Championship in three years Saturday.

Redshirt senior sprinter and hurdler Anna Cockrell stole the show. She not only broke the 400-meter hurdles school record but became the second person to ever win the 400-meter hurdles and 10
Daily Trojan •

USC athletes qualify for Track & Field Championships

After a top-three Pac-12 finish, men’s and women’s track & field took to the track at E.B. Cushing Stadium in Texas for the 2021 NCAA West Preliminary Rounds. The top three finishers in each event, plus the three next best times, would move on to the 2021 NCAA Track & Field Championships.

USC had 15 women and 14 men advance to compete for the national championship in a variety of events, with multiple records and personal records set.

Senior sprinter Twanisha “TeeTee” Terry added on to her spe
Daily Trojan •

USC Track stars awarded Pac-12 honors post-season

Senior sprinter TeeTee Terry was named Women’s Track Athlete of the Year and redshirt senior distance runner Isaiah Jewett was named Men’s Track Athlete of the Year, the conference announced last week.

Terry won the Pac-12 100-meter sprint this season for the third time in a row and the 200-meter dash with a personal best time of 22.72. She is also a key member of USC’s 4×100-meter relay squad. A class of 2021 graduate, Terry graduated from USC as one of the greatest runners ever. Terry holds t
Daily Trojan •

Okongwu drafted No. 6 overall by Atlanta Hawks

Former USC forward Onyeka Okongwu was selected No. 6 overall by the Atlanta Hawks in Wednesday’s NBA Draft, marking the second year in a row a Trojan was drafted in the first round.

Prior to the 2019-20 season, Okongwu was projected to be a second round pick and ESPN predicted he would go undrafted. However, his performance throughout the season propelled him into the top 10. The 6-foot-9 forward had a stellar season with the Trojans, averaging 16.2 points, 8.6 rebounds and three blocks per gam
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Daily Trojan recaps

Daily Trojan •

USC upsets No. 19 Auburn behind stingy defense

Midway through the first half of USC’s men’s basketball game Sunday, the Trojan Marching Band had one task — play the Fight Song during a timeout.

It’s a simple assignment that the band is fully capable of, having practiced hundreds of times before. There was just one problem: Auburn fans had their own chant to sing.


As the marching band performed Fight On, traveling Auburn fans overshadowed the noise with their War Eagle chant. The uproar dominated Galen Center, as Auburn fans in opposite c
Daily Trojan •

USC drops season opener 74-61 to Florida Gulf Coast

For much of Monday night’s men’s basketball game, the loudest sounds in the arena weren’t from DJ Mal-Ski. They came from the opposing bench.

Florida Gulf Coast cheers and excessive towel-waving on the bench dominated the noise as USC dropped its season opener 74-61 at Galen Center. The Trojans showed some life by cutting the Eagles’ lead to nine with a minute left, but it was too little too late.

“We just didn’t have it tonight,” said Head Coach Andy Enfield in a post-game press conference Mo
Daily Trojan •

Women’s tennis comes to a close

Last Thursday, the No. 19 women’s tennis season reached game, set and match.

USC’s remaining players lost in the NCAA singles tournament, effectively ending the season. After falling in the second round of the NCAA Tournament in early May, USC had two participants in the singles tournament — junior Eryn Cayetano made her debut and senior Salma Ewing participated for the second consecutive year.

Ewing fell 6-2, 4-6, 7-6 (6) in the Round of 16 last Wednesday to No. 26 Connie Ma from Stanford. Ca
Daily Trojan •

USC’s offense shines in spring game

There was a buzz in the air walking past the peristyle before Saturday’s spring game. Fans piled in for the festivities full of a surplus sale of merchandise, food trucks and photo ops. Cardinal and Gold jerseys with names old and new flooded the walkways.

USC’s social media released the spring game details through a graphic with the same style as a Coachella lineup drop. It was no Indio music festival, but it was a Lincoln Riley football team.

The Trojans’ offense defeated the defense 34-30 a
Daily Trojan •

USC stumbles offensively in Pac-12 Tournament semifinal loss to UCLA

After a USC turnover midway through the first half, Head Coach Andy Enfield threw his hands in the air and turned his back to the court. Enfield’s frustration would sum up the night for the Trojans.

In an anticlimactic trilogy game and rubber match, USC fell to UCLA 69-59 in the semifinal game of the Pac-12 Tournament Friday night. The 59 points for the Trojans were the fewest since Feb. 3 against Arizona State.

“We had some guys that had a little off night tonight putting the ball in the bask
Daily Trojan •

No. 15 USC defeats UC Berkeley 79-72 in final meeting

Eight minutes into USC’s game against UC Berkeley Saturday, the Trojans began in a way that is evolving into a regular routine. USC had just 9 points while giving up 20 to the Golden Bears, which had 29 in just the first half of their previous game against UCLA.

A certain fan had seen enough, exclaiming: “Wake up, Trojans” to a team that combined for 23 points in the first 10 minutes of play in its previous two games.

But just like against Arizona State and Stanford, No. 15 USC eventually woke
Daily Trojan •

No. 15 USC collapses in loss against Stanford

It was revenge night Thursday for No. 15 USC as it faced a Stanford team that gave the Trojans their first loss of the season two weeks ago.

Galen Center waited for a Trojan team to come out with vengeance in a season where it was off to its best start since 1971. Two hours later, on a night where crosstown rivals UCLA took sole possession of first place in the Pac-12, it played out like a nightmare.

USC crumbled in crunch time with only 4 field goals in the final nine minutes of the game, col
Daily Trojan •

Galen Center evacuates after USC victory over Arizona State

It had been a tough start for No. 15 USC in its first home game with fans in attendance since December.

Midway through the first half, the Trojans had the same number of points as turnovers — 8 — while shooting just over 30% from the field. It seemed like a lid was left on the rim with USC missing 8 consecutive shots and going scoreless across six minutes.

With every missed shot, nervous sighs echoed through the arena. The Galen Center fans sat quiet, like an elementary student thrown into tim
Daily Trojan •

USC falls to UCLA in 68-58 loss at home

At the end of the third quarter, the noise in Galen Center came from an odd place — fans wearing Blue and Gold. Waving their hands above their heads, UCLA fans screamed as if a Trojan horse was running toward them, creating an echo throughout the court with loud claps.

UCLA had seen its half time lead of 9 evaporate in the quarter, only to go up by the same margin five minutes later. One final quarter remained as USC hoped to avenge a 23-point loss from last week where they had 27 turnovers.

I
Daily Trojan •

Lincoln Riley era begins as USC finishes season with 24-14 loss to Berkeley

In a matchup rescheduled two weeks ago following positive coronavirus cases within the UC Berkeley team, it was fitting that viewers from home had to wait for another game to finish before watching the Pac-12 showdown on TV.

Three hours later and the unusual start time for the game ended in the usual fashion for USC this season: a loss.

Golden Bear fans roared as Cal defeated the Trojans 24-14 at California Memorial Stadium Saturday night, capping off a USC season with no Bowl Game for the sec
Daily Trojan •

Drake London injured in USC's 41-34 victory over Arizona

USC’s defense got a stop to push Arizona off the field early in the second quarter. The Trojans were up by one touchdown, but the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum sat eerily quiet during the homecoming game.

If you looked away for a second, you might have thought someone made a home run play. But, it was just freshman quarterback Jaxson Dart running out with the offense, making his long-awaited debut at the Coliseum as the crowd chanted “Let’s Go, Dart.”

The Trojans scored on their first two poss
Daily Trojan •

Mistakes cost USC 31-16 loss against Notre Dame

In previous games, USC’s sideline looked deflated as the game wore on. But, as kickoff approached Saturday in the 92nd all-time meeting between USC and Notre Dame, the Trojans looked bouncy, jumping in unison like teenagers on the dance floor.

Unfortunately for USC, it was the only part of the night different from other weeks. Halfway through the second half, heads were down once again as Notre Dame cruised to a 31-16 victory Saturday night full of Trojan mistakes in South Bend, Ind.

USC has n
Daily Trojan •

USC defeated by Stanford in nightmare Pac-12 opener

Boos louder than the Trojan Marching Band’s music filled the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum as No. 14 USC dropped its Pac-12 opener 42-28 to Stanford Saturday night.

As the first in-person Pac-12 game since 2019 neared at the Coliseum, the electricity was palpable.

USC made its run onto the field in a pitch-black arena, welcomed by rowdy fans shouting through their hands and fire shooting up in the air. The Trojan sideline was jumpy and the crowd was fiery as kickoff approached.

A memorable en
Daily Trojan •

Fans get first glimpse of Trojans in Spring Showcase

The traffic on the way to the Coliseum, the humming of USC fans on the outskirts of the stadium and the noise from the crowd were oddly familiar.

After fans chanted “We Want Spencer,” in the first quarter, redshirt junior inside linebacker Spencer Gilbert proceeded to intercept the ball on the next possession, sending the crowd in a frenzy.

In many ways, it was finally like things were returning to normal at the Coliseum

It was USC’s annual Spring Showcase, but the energy and the feel of havi
Daily Trojan •

USC’s season comes to an end with Elite Eight loss to Gonzaga

In a tournament like March Madness, there are two sides of the coin — the dreamers and the dream crushers.

In sixth-seeded USC’s first Elite Eight appearance since 2001, its Final Four dreams were crushed by the overwhelming first-seeded Gonzaga Bulldogs, who cruised to an 85-66 victory Tuesday night in Indianapolis. The loss marked the first time this season the Trojans have lost after having four players score in double figures.

Sophomore forward Isaiah Mobley led USC with 19 points and seve
Daily Trojan •

USC overwhelms Drake in the first-round of NCAA Tournament

Playing in an NBA arena during March Madness can make any college basketball player nervous. The lights are brighter; the stakes are higher and the energy of the moment can be overwhelming.

However, the Mobley brothers are not your typical college basketball players. They combined for 32 points to lead sixth-seeded USC to a 72-56 victory over eleventh-seeded Drake in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

In his March Madness debut, freshman forward Evan Mobley led USC with 17 points, 11 rebo
Daily Trojan •

Men’s basketball takes down UCLA after Eaddy’s game winner in final seconds

After trailing by 13 points just 8 minutes into the game, things were not looking great for USC. The Trojans came out of the gates flat, shooting poorly and looking sloppy on offense.

The slow start sparked a timeout speech from USC assistant coach Chris Capko so loud the seats across town at Galen Center were probably rocking. USC was facing defeat — possibly its fourth in the last two weeks after losing just three over the first month in a half.

The Trojans were speechless with their mouths
Daily Trojan •

USC trounces Stanford 79-42, keeps Pac-12 title hopes alive

The shot clock was ticking in the first quarter, the ball kept moving, Stanford’s players were cutting, but there was nowhere to go. USC’s defenders were planted, swinging toward the open spot like a door, ready to contest a shot.

Seconds later, the shot clock went off, sending a deafening tone throughout Galen Center. The Trojans’ defense had forced the Cardinal to commit a shot clock violation, and USC’s bench exploded while Stanford’s collapsed.

It was the story of the game, as USC dominate
Daily Trojan •

USC secures crucial victory at Galen against UCLA

Sophomore guard Ethan Anderson has had an up and down season.

The 6 feet, 1 inch point guard from Los Angeles, Calif. missed a month and a half due to a back issue. He had to undergo multiple diagnostic tests to pinpoint the injury. As a result, he hasn’t really found his footing this season and has experienced bouts of inconsistent play.

Against UCLA, however, when the lights were the brightest and the stakes were the highest, Anderson showed up, hitting five 3-pointers for a career-high 19 p
Daily Trojan •

Trojans edge out Bears for rebound road victory

Freshman forward Evan Mobley had 25 points and eight rebounds en route to leading USC to a 76-68 wire-to-wire road victory over Cal Saturday night.

USC has now won its last six games against the Golden Bears — three in a row at Haas Pavilion. They are also now 10-0 on the season when leading at halftime.

The Trojans were led by another strong defensive performance, holding Cal to 41% shooting from the field. They also controlled the boards, hustling for 17 offensive rebounds resulting in 16 se
Daily Trojan •

Men’s basketball rounds out the year with a prime-time loss to Colorado

Down 10 with 1:20 remaining in the game, USC redshirt junior forward Noah Baumann stole the ball out of Colorado senior guard McKinley Wright IV’s hands. Seconds later, the ball was right back in Wright’s hands.

It was the story of the game. USC could not take care of the ball Thursday night, resulting in a 72-62 defeat to Colorado in the Trojans’ Pac-12 opener at Galen Center. The Trojans are now 5-2 on the season.

USC totaled 15 turnovers throughout the game, often disrupting the flow of the
Daily Trojan •

Men’s basketball resumes season with a victory over Santa Clara

Halfway through the first half against Santa Clara Tuesday night, USC associate head coach Jason Hart yelled to his team “run the offense with pace, with pace.”

And that’s exactly what the Trojans did to cruise to a 86-63 victory at Galen Center.

The Trojans jumped on the Broncos early and never looked back — they held the lead for just over 39 minutes. Prompted by a consistent offense and dominant defensive performance, USC flexed its muscles throughout.

Since USC’s previously scheduled oppo
Daily Trojan •

Men’s basketball ekes out overtime victory over California Baptist in season opener

The USC men’s basketball team tipped off the 2020-21 season with a 95-87 victory over California Baptist at Galen Center Wednesday night.

The Trojans were led by No. 3 recruit freshman forward Evan Mobley, who had 21 points, nine rebounds and three blocks. His brother, sophomore forward Isaiah Mobley, had 14 points and 10 rebounds. Redshirt senior Tahj Eaddy contributed with 18 points and four assists.

The Trojans have now won 12 of their last 13 home openers and are 48-8 in home non-conferenc

Columns

Daily Trojan •

Anthony on L.A.: Something special is brewing at Galen Center and more need to know

What if I told you about a program with years of poor seasons that recently hired a major head coach? Then, after an initial season of rebuilding, the transfer portal was utilized to reshape the roster with experienced players.

With all the new faces, the program had fresh hype. It was a more prosperous time, something unfamiliar to fans of the team in recent years. A strong start to the season followed the hype, reaffirming preseason beliefs.

No, this isn’t a column about football. It’s about
Daily Trojan •

Anthony on LA: USC controls its own destiny and fans should be thankful

One year ago today, USC was on the precipice of its worst loss to UCLA, a 62-33 thrashing that sent the 2021 season to a new low.

Now? A win Saturday puts the Trojans in their first Pac-12 championship game in a full season since 2017.

Naturally, there would be a feeling of thankfulness for how much the program has changed in a year. But, it’s been a mixed bag as USC has struggled to put all sides of the ball together in a game.

Whenever the offense is rolling, the defense stumbles. Whenever
Daily Trojan •

Anthony on L.A.: USC's win in Tucson is grittiest of the season

It read like movie credits an hour before USC’s road game against Arizona.

First, it was sophomore linebacker Eric Gentry shown as not dressed during warmups. Then, it was redshirt senior offensive lineman Andrew Vorhees not warming up. Moments later, senior linebacker Ralen Goforth and sophomore rush Korey Foreman were ruled out. And, as expected, Biletnikoff Award-winning junior wide receiver Jordan Addison wasn’t suited up to play.

Within a matter of 20 minutes, the Trojans were bit terribl
Daily Trojan •

Anthony on LA: I am sold on the Trojans

Well, there you have it. USC will not go undefeated in Head Coach Lincoln Riley’s debut season with the Trojans.

It was never a doubt before the season that the matchup against Utah would be the litmus test of USC’s progress. The Utes are a Pac-12 staple, a model of consistency with a winning season every year since 2013. That build-up culminated in a dominant Pac-12 conference win last season.

So when the schedule makers created this matchup for the Trojans — especially on the road where Utah
Daily Trojan •

Anthony on LA: Stop doubting Caleb Williams

USC hasn’t had a quarterback like sophomore Caleb Williams in years.

Williams is the best dual-threat player the Trojans have had under center since Sam Darnold, who simply wasn’t as elusive as Williams. Williams has a knack for keeping plays alive whenever it seems like there’s no shot.

Through five games, he’s been one of the best quarterbacks in the country with 12 touchdowns, 1,402 passing yards and one interception — which took him five games to throw. He’s the heart of USC’s bustling off
Daily Trojan •

Anthony on LA: Slow down on USC football

There is no better duo in L.A. sports than 1. A period of sudden success after a long period of turmoil, and 2. Every fan of that team declaring “we’re back” — and it’s happening right in front of our eyes with USC.

Look, I get it — the Trojans are good, really good. But, how good is the question?

See, if you’ve read my columns in the past, you’ll know me as a positive outlook person, a rarity among Los Angeles sports fans. Whenever fans lose faith in a team, I roll out my carpet of positivity
Daily Trojan •

Anthony on LA: Reflecting on being a sports editor

I originally planned on using this space to call for Lakers owner Jeanie Buss to sell the team, but that topic was no longer important to me.

Granted, this was fresh off the Lakers firing Head Coach Frank Vogel in an embarrassing fashion. I had also grown tired of the reports of Buss’ friends such as Linda and Kurt Rambis having power within the organization.

I was mad. But, this is a discussion for another day. My Twitter DMs are dangerously open if you’d like to discuss this though.

I could
Daily Trojan •

Anthony on LA: USC basketball is in its most important offseason

Now that March Madness is over, it’s naturally time to focus on football.

Spring is a fun time to evaluate schools and their progression for the upcoming season. USC definitely has a lot of buzz around it with new Head Coach Lincoln Riley. Like I said, we should naturally be talking about how Riley’s been adjusting to life in Hollywood.

I don’t want to though. It’s my column, hence the uncreative name “Anthony on LA” As you can tell from the headline of this column, I decided to, in fact, not
Daily Trojan •

Anthony on LA: It’s clear why USC basketball is still disrespected

It’s been more than a month since my previous column, meaning so much has gone on in Los Angeles sports.

USC’s Pac-12 regular-season title chances were buried after losing to Arizona. The Clippers stayed steady in the Western Conference playoff race. And the Lakers, well, they stink.

But, as a self-proclaimed

die-hard Lakers fan, I’m not going to use this column as a space to rant about them. Their season needs to end sooner rather than later for the sake of many Laker fans’ well being. That’
Daily Trojan •

Anthony on LA: I was wrong, and I’m here to address it

Last week, I wrote the usual installment of my column — “on all things Los Angeles sports.” If you didn’t read it, I forgive you because you’re here now, and that’s all that matters.

But, if you did read it, well, I messed up, and I’m here to address some things.

See, I wrote that men’s basketball was winning the Pac-12, snapping a drought that’s gone for more than 30 years. What I didn’t know would come next was jinxing to an extensive level.

When my column published, USC lost to Stanford fo
Daily Trojan •

Anthony on LA: This is the year for men’s basketball to win the Pac-12

As the seconds ticked away into the New Year, people hoped 2022 would be different than the last two years.

Six days in and it was just like any other — No. 5 men’s basketball looked like a threat as they beat UC Berkeley on the road in its first game in 19 days due to a coronavirus pause.

The first game of 2022 played out like others in the latter half of 2021:

USC looked vulnerable in its loss on the road against Stanford. But, the Trojans missed double digit free throws, practically shooti
Daily Trojan •

Anthony on LA: Jaxson Dart starting is what we’ve all been waiting for

When freshman quarterback Jaxson Dart entered the game against Arizona three weeks ago, the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum noticeably exploded. The crowd erupted, chanting “Let’s go, Dart.” The stadium’s energy increased substantially. The Coliseum became lively again.

As interim Head Coach Donte Williams flipped between Dart and junior quarterback Kedon Slovis as if he was going through TV channels, I found myself asking: Why?

It made no sense to me then; it makes no sense to me as you read th
Daily Trojan •

Anthony on LA: USC’s problems don’t end after the final game

When junior running back Keaontay Ingram scored a touchdown to cut the Notre Dame lead to 15 last Saturday, I began to rework my game story lede.

For some reason, it seemed like USC would make the comeback needed to steal a victory. I thought, “Wow, maybe they can steal it here.” The momentum shifted, the defense started gaining some confidence and the offense began to click.

Then, in the middle of writing, I laughed and said to myself: “No way they come back,” and proceeded to delete the new
Daily Trojan •

Anthony on LA: USC’s season hangs in the balance with matchup against Utah

When Colorado’s beloved mascot, Ralphie, rushed the field last Saturday, it told the tale of a USC team that would do all the rushing — 218 yards to be exact — in its dominant win.

Through five games, we’ve seen two versions of this squad. The one that’s been victorious on the road, and the other that’s been, well, not as victorious at home.

On the road, USC performs like Alabama, dominating opponents for the most part. And at home, the Trojans perform like a high school varsity team, outmatch
Daily Trojan •

Anthony on LA: Predicting USC’s difference makers to a championship season

Can you feel it in the air?

USC football is back with brand new expectations and pressure. Members of the Trojan faithful are optimistic. This is the year football can return to glory. Most importantly though, fans are back in the stands and the buzz around the Coliseum is high.

USC has a chance to create a memorable season with a fairly easy schedule at hand. No matchups against Pac-12 north staples such as Oregon and Washington. The colder away games against Washington State and Colorado are
Daily Trojan •

Anthony on LA: Another unusual sports season

This June, I sensed something different in the air.

Long gone were the nervous energies of daily life and what would come next. Daily new coronavirus cases dropped to triple digits in Los Angeles for the first time since March 2020. It seemed like everything was back to normal on June 15 when the state “reopened.”

Masks went inside tucked away and a post-pandemic life awaited outside the door.

Life without masks lasted a couple of weeks with no masks. Now, they’re back — for both vaccinated a
Daily Trojan •

Anthony on LA: Can the Clippers complete another comeback?

Another week means another column, and this time is the last time. Well, at least until August.

And the Los Angeles Clippers are still alive.

No, they didn’t roll over and die after the series was tied two games to two against the Utah Jazz. And, no, they didn’t hide in a corner and cry after the Phoenix Suns went up three games to one.

It’s like that one scene in “Rocky 1” when Apollo Creed kept pounding Rocky with punches in round 14, and he kept taking hits around the turnbuckle while Mick
Daily Trojan •

Anthony on LA: With their playoff series tied, the Clippers have a chance

The NBA playoffs this year have been full of storylines.

Can the Brooklyn Nets superteam dominate the league and win their franchise’s first NBA Championship?

Who from the Eastern Conference can even challenge the Nets?

Can Chris Paul and the Phoenix Suns finally make the NBA Finals?

But, the biggest and most intriguing storyline on the West Coast is a simple one: Can the Los Angeles Clippers overcome their franchise’s curse?

As a Lakers fan who had to see their squad bounced out of the fir
Daily Trojan •

With Anthony Davis’ health in question The Lakers are in trouble

During Game 4 of the series between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Phoenix Suns Sunday, you could feel the tide turning.

After a horrid Game 1 loss, the Lakers, and most importantly forward Anthony Davis, found their rhythm. They bounced back with two victories against the Suns that highlighted their size and depth on all fronts. It seemed like the Lakers would close out the series in five games.

You might wonder, after reading the headline of this column — what happened? Well, Anthony Davis a
Daily Trojan •

Anthony on LA: Lakers falling into play in tournament is what they need

What’s been more up and down since my last column — the Los Angeles Lakers or Dogecoin?

It’s been a little over a month since I wrote about Los Angeles sports and things have been shaky, to say the least.

The Lakers have really stunk, holding a record of 8-9 during that time and losing some questionable games against the Sacramento Kings and Toronto Raptors — two teams holding real estate at the bottom of their respective conferences.

A record like that threw Lakers faithful into a frenzy. Su
SportsPac12 •

Gharib: USC Gets Lift from Memphis Transfer Boogie Ellis

It’s been a quiet couple of weeks in all of college basketball, but especially in the world of USC basketball. Outside of the declaration of both Mobley Brothers to the NBA Draft, news has been as thin as ice.

It is spring, which means college football is around the corner and players are still recovering from the bizarre season. However, things are still being shaken and stirred around for the Trojans next season.

As March Madness concluded and USC lost bodies to the draft, they received a bl
SportsPac12 •

Gharib: USC's Mobley Era Short and Sweet

ne of the most common phrases I’ve heard is a simple one—short and sweet. It’s to the point, clear in the meaning and hard to not understand.

And if there was a way to describe the tenure of the Mobley brothers at USC it’s “short and sweet.”

The addition of both Mobley’s in a one-year span was a huge win for the Trojans in all levels. They get local five-star talent and a top NBA prospect, bringing shine to a school known for creating football stars, not basketball standouts.

Isaiah and Evan
Daily Trojan •

Anthony on LA: Fans are a welcome sight for the Lakers and Dodgers repeat campaign

Who’s got two thumbs and is ready to finally watch professional sports in person?

This guy — or man, or woman or about every single sports fan from the 818 to the 323 and beyond.

Wow, it feels great to finally see fans in the stands in the City of Angels.

No more cardboard cutouts, horrid artificial crowd noises and music blasting rudely to replicate fans going crazy. It’s been a long time coming, but it’s finally here.

There has been a dramatic change in the sporting landscape since all of
SportsPac12 •

Gharib: Is it time to Extend Andy Enfield's Contract?

n the aftermath of March Madness, Pac-12 teams are already making moves.

Arizona canned Sean Miller last week after an extremely successful tenure as head coach of the Wildcats, in which he led Arizona to seven NCAA appearances, three Elite Eight appearances, and five conference championships.

However, his legacy is marred by the 2017 FBI investigation into recruiting corruption, and the subsequent NCAA Notice of Allegations, which looms like a dark cloud over the program.

Firing Miller was n
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Previews/General

Lakers Nation •

Lakers Vs. Nuggets Game 1 Preview: Looking To Steal Another Opening Game On Road

The Los Angeles Lakers open up the 2023 Western Conference Finals on the road against the Denver Nuggets.

It is the Lakers’ 23rd appearance in the Conference Finals, the most in NBA history. Of those appearances, the Lakers have faced the Nuggets three times, their second-most common opponent. L.A. has never lost to Denver on their quest for an NBA Finals appearance.

Everyone is available for the Lakers except center Mo Bamba, who is out with a left ankle injury. For Denver, Jamal Murray is li
Lakers Nation •

Lakers Vs. Warriors Game 5 Preview: Chance To Close Out Series & Advance To Western Conference Finals

The Los Angeles Lakers have a chance to advance to the Western Conference Finals with a win against the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night in Game 5 at Chase Center.

L.A. has been up 3-1 in four playoff series, only blowing the series lead once — the first round of the 2006 NBA Playoffs when the Phoenix Suns stormed back. LeBron James is a whopping 17-0 in his career when leading a series three games to one, never even needing a Game 7.

However, if there’s a team that can make up the def
Lakers Nation •

Lakers Vs. Grizzles Game 6 Preview: Another Shot At Closing Out Series

The Los Angeles Lakers squandered a chance to close out the first-round series when they lost to the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday in Game 5. Luckily for them, they get another shot Friday night when the series shifts back to Los Angeles. A win here is crucial to not only advance to the second round but earn some much-needed rest depending on the outcome of the other Western Conference game.

The Lakers have yet to lose a home game in these playoffs. Counting the Play-In Tournament and regular
Lakers Nation •

Lakers Vs. Grizzlies Game 2 Preview: L.A. Has Chance To Go Up 2-0 With Ja Morant Ruled Out

The first-round series between the Los Angeles Lakers and Memphis Grizzlies continues Wednesday with Game 2 at FedEx Forum. The Lakers already stole home-court advantage with their win on Sunday, putting more pressure on the Grizzlies to tie the series heading back to L.A.

Based on their 35-6 regular season home record, it’s possible that Memphis can do exactly that. The Grizzlies only lost two straight home games once during the regular season but played a road game in between those two losses
Lakers Nation •

Lakers Vs. Clippers Preview: LeBron James, Anthony Davis, D'Angelo Russell & Mo Bamba Active For Massive Western Conference Game

The Los Angeles Lakers return to L.A. for a massive matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers Wednesday night. It will be the Lakers’ fourth game in six nights.

The Lakers are coming off an overtime victory against the Utah Jazz on Tuesday. That win clinched a spot in the Play-In Tournament. The Clippers have not played since losing to the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday.

There are major Western Conference standing implications and the outcome of the game creates a clearer playoff picture. The
Lakers Nation •

Lakers Vs. Rockets Preview: Road Trip Continues As L.A. Looks For Third Straight Win

The Los Angeles Lakers continue their five-game road trip with a Sunday matchup against the Houston Rockets.

The Lakers are coming off a key victory against the Minnesota Timberwolves last Friday. A win on Sunday gives them their second 3-game winning streak in the last two weeks. The Rockets just snapped a seven-game losing streak when they defeated the Detroit Pistons two days ago.

There are major standing implications riding on Sunday’s game. The Lakers are currently the No. 8 seed after th
Lakers Nation •

Lakers Vs. Rockets Preview: Road Trip Continues As L.A. Looks For Third Straight Win

The Los Angeles Lakers continue their five-game road trip with a Sunday matchup against the Houston Rockets.

The Lakers are coming off a key victory against the Minnesota Timberwolves last Friday. A win on Sunday gives them their second 3-game winning streak in the last two weeks. The Rockets just snapped a seven-game losing streak when they defeated the Detroit Pistons two days ago.

There are major standing implications riding on Sunday’s game. The Lakers are currently the No. 8 seed after th
Lakers Nation •

Lakers Vs. Mavericks Preview: Anthony Davis Returns, Luka Doncic Out For Key Western Conference Battle

The Los Angeles Lakers return home to face the Dallas Mavericks in a key Western Conference battle Friday night. The Lakers are coming off a brutal loss against the Houston Rockets on Wednesday. Dallas defeated the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday, snapping a 3-game losing streak.

Only one game separates the Lakers and Mavericks in the standings as things currently stand. A loss for the Lakers and a New Orleans Pelicans win would drop L.A. to No. 11 in the Western Conference while a win puts them
Lakers Nation •

Lakers Vs. Rockets Preview: Anthony Davis Out On Second Leg Of Back-To-Back

The Los Angeles Lakers face the Houston Rockets on the road Wednesday night. It is the climax of a short two-game road trip for the Lakers and the second night of a back-to-back.

L.A. is coming off a strong victory against the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday. The Rockets defeat the Boston Celtics on Monday in a wild game after three straight losses. Houston has won consecutive games just four times this season.

A win for the Lakers would bring them to .500 for the first time since the start of
Lakers Nation •

Lakers Vs. Raptors Preview: D'Angelo Russell Expected To Play For First Time Since Feb. 23

The Los Angeles Lakers continue their homestand by facing the Toronto Raptors on Friday night.

The Lakers are coming off a key victory against the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday. A win for L.A. would give them their third 3-game winning streak in the last month. On the other hand, the Raptors lost to the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday and have lost four of their previous six games.

The big injury news for the Lakers surrounds D’Angelo Russell’s return to the lineup. He has not played since su
Lakers Nation •

Lakers Vs. Timberwolves Preview: Anthony Davis Expected Back For Beginning Of Homestand

The Los Angeles Lakers return home to face the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night. It’s the first of five games in the next 10 days for the Lakers at Crypto.Com Arena and the second-to-last meeting between the two teams this season.

The Lakers are coming off a key victory against the Oklahoma City Thunder on the road. The Timberwolves defeated the Los Angeles Clippers in L.A. on Wednesday. Minnesota is currently in eighth place and just 1.5 games ahead of the Lakers. Depending on the outcom
Lakers Nation •

Lakers Vs. Warriors Preview: Defending Champs Come To L.A. In First Game Back From All-Star Break

The Los Angeles Lakers return from the All-Star break to face the Golden State Warriors at home on Thursday night.

The Lakers entered the break after an important win against the New Orleans Pelicans while Golden State lost to the L.A. Clippers at Crypto.com Arena in their final game before All-Star Weekend. The Warriors have the third-fewest road victories in the entire league and are struggling to stay afloat with Stephen Curry out due to injury.

Two-and-a-half games ahead of L.A. in the sta
Lakers Nation •

Lakers Vs. Spurs Preview: Anthony Davis Returns; Rui Hachimura Makes Debut

The Los Angeles Lakers face the San Antonio Spurs at home on Wednesday in the second leg of a back-to-back. The Lakers will sweep the season series against the Spurs with a win.

L.A. is coming off an 18-point loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday night while San Antonio lost to the Portland Trail Blazers by 20 on Monday night, allowing the Blazers to score 147 points — Portland’s season high. The Lakers likely won’t exceed that point total, but reinforcements return for the matchup.

Anth
Lakers Nation •

Lakers Vs. Heat Preview: L.A. Looks For Third Straight Win In First Home Game Of 2023

The Los Angeles Lakers can make it three wins in a row when they face the Miami Heat on Wednesday night. It is the first home game of 2023 for the Lakers, who were away from Crypto.com Arena for 11 days.

L.A. is coming off a 121-115 victory against the Charlotte Hornets for their second win in a row. Miami is in the second half of their doubleheader in Southern California, defeating the L.A. Clippers 110-100 on Monday night. The Heat have won four of their last five.

The biggest injury news fo
Lakers Nation •

Lakers Vs. Mavericks Preview: L.A. Plays 24th Straight Christmas Day Game; Fourth On The Road Since 2006

The Los Angeles Lakers play their 24th straight Christmas Day game when they face the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday. L.A. is coming off a loss to the Charlotte Hornets while Dallas just beat the Houston Rockets on the road.

There is deep Christmas history on the Purple and Gold side. The Lakers are 24-24 all-time in Christmas Day games — the most wins on the Holiday. LeBron James is making his 17th appearance in a Christmas game, breaking Kobe Bryant’s record for most appearances. A win will give
Lakers Nation •

Lakers Vs. Hornets Preview: Russell Westbrook & Austin Reaves Return For Final Home Game Of 2022

The Los Angeles Lakers face the Charlotte Hornets on Friday night for the final home game of 2022. The Lakers are in the midst of a two-game losing streak while the Hornets have one win in their last 10 games.

Charlotte faced the Clippers on Wednesday, losing by 21 points in a game where they were down by as many as 31. Los Angeles lost by 14 against the Kings on the same day.

The major long-term injury news revolves around Anthony Davis. The Lakers announced on Friday he will be out indefinit
Lakers Nation •

Lakers Vs. Kings Preview: LeBron James Returns While Russell Westbrook, Austin Reaves & Anthony Davis Remain Out

The Los Angeles Lakers face the Sacramento Kings on the road Wednesday night, the climax to a short two-game road trip. The Lakers are 0-6 in division games this year with a 12.5 loss margin.

The Lakers are coming off a blowout loss to the Phoenix Suns on Monday. The Kings are coming off a home loss to the Charlotte Hornets. After starting the season with an 8-2 record at home, the Kings have lost three in a row at Golden1 Center.

Sacramento defeated L.A. at Crypto.Com Arena on Nov. 11 to push
Lakers Nation •

Lakers Vs. Pistons Preview: L.A. Looks To Snap Three-Game Losing Streak In Road Trip Finale

The Los Angeles Lakers look to get back in the win column Sunday night, facing the Detroit Pistons in their road trip finale. The Lakers have one win in their last six games on the road in Detroit. Their second consecutive win in Detroit came during the 2013-14 season.

After starting the season 2-10, the Lakers won eight of their next 10 but then dropped three games in a row going into Sunday. They are coming off an overtime loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. Meanwhile, the Pistons have the worst
Daily Trojan •

USC’s defense collapses in Pac-12 Championship game

You know what they say — what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. For USC’s defense, that truism could be the most positive outlook from its 47-24 loss in the Pac-12 Championship game Friday night.

Behind a hobbled sophomore quarterback Caleb Williams, the Trojans struggled to give some hope to the offense, giving up 533 total yards. Utah was 5-for-12 on third downs and averaged 9.1 yards per pass with only one turnover.

The Utes’ 47 points were the third-most they’ve scored this season. Only Sou
Daily Trojan •

Three takeaways from USC's 38-27 victory against Notre Dame

After USC’s win against UCLA this season, junior defensive end Tuli Tuipulotu declared this season the Trojans’ “revenge tour.”

“We need our get backs from a lot of the teams that disrespected us last year,” he said.

Tuipulotu can check Notre Dame off that revenge tour list. Facing Utah in the Pac-12 Championship Game on Friday, USC has the chance to get revenge, win a conference title for the first time since 2017 and potentially qualify for the College Football Playoff for the first time.

I
Daily Trojan •

Takeaways from USC's victory over UCLA

Exactly 367 days ago, USC suffered its worst defeat to UCLA in rivalry game history, a stunning 62-33 loss at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. It was the second of four games the Trojans would lose in a row to close the season.


A week after that loss to the Bruins, Lincoln Riley was named head coach. A year later, USC is in a position many could not have imagined — a spot clinched in the Pac-12 Championship game.

“If you would have told me at the end of last season that I’d be here now wit
Lakers Nation •

Lakers Vs. Pistons Preview: LeBron James Out, Dennis Schroder & Thomas Bryant Make Debuts

The Los Angeles Lakers look to win their second game in a row when they face the Detroit Pistons on Friday night.

L.A. is coming off a 116-103 victory over the Brooklyn Nets, ending a five-game skid. A win against Detroit will match the Lakers’ longest win streak of the season. The Pistons are in the middle of a five-game losing streak and in the second half of a back-to-back.

LeBron James is set to miss his third straight game with an adductor strain. The hope was that he would be able to ret
Daily Trojan •

Takeaways from USC’s win over Colorado

Friday night lights at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum began in a strange fashion.

USC, a team that averages a tad under 500 yards of offense per game, had only 8 total yards in the first quarter against a Colorado team that allowed the 130th most — out of 131 schools — yards per game.

Not an ideal start, but the Trojans turned it around, cruising to their ninth win of the season — the most in a season since 2017. And after University of Oregon lost Saturday, a USC win against UCLA this week
Lakers Nation •

Lakers Vs. Clippers Preview: LeBron James Returns To Lineup, Lonnie Walker IV Out With Illness

The Los Angeles Lakers look to snap their nine-game losing streak to the Clippers when they face L.A. on Wednesday night. The Lakers have not beaten the Clippers since July 2020, the second-longest losing streak in franchise history.

The Purple and Gold are in the midst of their second three-game losing streak less than one month into the season. After a four-game losing streak, the Clippers have won four of their last five.

LeBron James is playing after missing the Lakers’ previous game with
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