Thursday, June 26, 2025

SR: MLB-ETC-TRIV

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Good morning! 👋

It’s Thursday, June 26. On this day in 2012, major college football took a historic step as university presidents approved the BCS commissioners’ plan for a four-team playoff starting in 2014.

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🏀 NBA Draft: Cooper Flagg Selected No. 1 Overall

Straight from Newport, Maine to the NBA spotlight, Duke phenom Cooper Flagg went No. 1 overall to the Mavericks in the 2025 NBA Draft on Wednesday night—an electrifying start to a first round full of star-studded picks.

The Spurs made a splash at No. 2, adding Rutgers guard Dylan Harper to a young core led by Victor Wembanyama and De’Aaron Fox, while Philly tapped into athletic upside with Baylor’s V.J. Edgecombe at No. 3.

Charlotte followed with Duke sharpshooter Kon Knueppel at 4 and Utah picked Rutgers wing Ace Bailey at 5—both seen as high-effort, high-upside fits.

In a move later hailed as a steal, the Suns landed Duke big man Khaman Maluach at No. 10 via trade—the third Blue Devil selected in the top ten.

Fun fact: The Nets set an NBA draft record, becoming the first team to make five first-round selections in a single draft. See all first-round picks.

🏀 Suns Acquire C Mark Williams

The Suns kicked off draft night with a power move—acquiring 7-foot center Mark Williams from the Hornets in exchange for the No. 29 pick (used on UConn’s Liam McNeeley) and a 2029 protected first-rounder.

Williams, fresh off a 15.3 PPG and 10.2 RPG season when healthy, gives Phoenix a much-needed boost in the paint.

This adds to the big-man brigade, alongside their Khaman Maluach pick—and gives coach Jordan Ott two seven-footers to shape their frontcourt defense and rim presence.

The Suns are betting on Williams' upside, rolling the dice that his talent outweighs the injury history.

🏒 Mammoth Acquire W JJ Peterka

The Mammoth pulled off a blockbuster trade late Wednesday night, landing 23-year-old German winger JJ Peterka from the Sabres in exchange for Josh Doan and defenseman Michael Kesselring.

Utah immediately locked Peterka into a five-year, $38.5 million deal ($7.7 million cap hit)—a signal they see him as a top-six, high-end scorer in their future.

Peterka exploded for 68 points (27 goals, 41 assists) last season, and the Mammoth desperately needed that kind of pop in their lineup.

Meanwhile, Buffalo gets a right-shot D‑man in Kesselring and a young winger in Doan—both cost-effective NHL-ready pieces as they retool.

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► Brewers rookie Jacob Misiorowski outdueled Paul Skenes on Wednesday, striking out eight over five shutout innings with a record-setting 102.4 mph fastball, leading Milwaukee to a 4-2 win vs. Pittsburgh in a highly anticipated matchup. (More)

► Rangers starter Jacob deGrom carried a no-hitter into the eighth inning and a perfect game into the seventh, ultimately leading Texas to a 7-0 win vs. the Orioles on Wednesday night in his strongest performance since Tommy John surgery. (More)

► Rockies infielder Thairo Estrada misplayed a routine fly ball hit by Max Muncy in a rain-soaked game at Coors Field on Wednesday night, allowing two runs for the Dodgers and highlighting Colorado’s challenging season. (See Video)

► Braves star Ronald Acuna Jr. is the first confirmed participant for the MLB Home Run Derby, set for July 14 at Truist Park in Atlanta, with seven spots still open for other sluggers. (More)

► The MLB trade deadline is expected to see high prices for starting pitchers due to a shortage of top-tier arms and a surplus of contending teams seeking pitching upgrades, with no true ace available and many middle-rotation pitchers carrying risks. (See Details)

► A 22-year-old fan was indefinitely banned from all MLB ballparks after taunting Diamondbacks' Ketel Marte about his late mother during a game vs. the White Sox, prompting emotional distress and swift action from team officials per a report. (More)

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► The Canucks acquired Evander Kane from the Oilers for a fourth-round pick, a high-risk, high-reward move to add skill and physicality to their lineup. (More)

► Rockets guard Fred VanVleet reportedly plans to sign a two-year, $50 million contract with a player option for 2026-27, replacing his declined $44.9 million team option to stay in Houston. (More)

► The NHL and NHLPA are negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement that reportedly includes a potential increase to an 84-game regular season, addressing issues like salary cap compliance and playoff rosters. (See Details)

► The MLS All-Star Game roster, featuring 26 players including global stars like Lionel Messi and young talents, was announced for the July 23 match vs. LIGA MX All-Stars in Austin. (See Roster)

► 20-year-old South Dakota State RB Nate White, who transferred from Wisconsin, passed away with no cause of death released, leaving both programs and communities in mourning. (More)

► Former LIV Golf player James Piot is making PGA Tour history as the first ex-LIV golfer to receive a sponsor's exemption at the Rocket Classic in Michigan. (See Details)

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Which tennis player is famously known as "The King of Clay"?

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