Expert basketball coverage from around the world
Federal prosecutors said they expect to offer formal plea agreements to 12 of the 31 defendants in a case involving allegedly rigged poker games. The investigation has included references to Chauncey Billups and Damon Jones.
Spurs forward Harrison Barnes missed a game for the first time since 2021 after waking up from a pregame nap with a sore left ankle. The absence snapped one of the league’s longer active streaks for consecutive games played.
Top-10 senior Bruce Branch III has committed to BYU. The pledge gives coach Kevin Young a five-star recruit in three straight recruiting classes.
Kentucky announced athletic director Mitch Barnhart will retire in June after more than two decades leading the Wildcats’ athletic department. Barnhart, who has held the position since 2002, will move into a new role at the university.
Tennessee Tech has fired men’s basketball head coach John Pelphrey following the program’s seventh consecutive losing season. The Golden Eagles also failed to qualify for the Ohio Valley Conference tournament.
Each week, fantasy managers can find available players who help cover roster needs. Here are the top pickups to consider for the week ahead, including Dejounte Murray and Precious Achiuwa.
The men’s national championship picture has narrowed to a small group viewed as legitimate contenders. For everyone else in the 365-team field, the path to a title is framed as out of reach this season.
A report has detailed Chauncey Billups’ connections to Mafia-affiliated poker games and illegal gambling. Here is what has been reported so far, following his Hall of Fame NBA career.
No. 2 Arizona clinched the outright Big 12 regular-season title Monday night, beating No. 6 Iowa State 73-57. After the win, coach Tommy Lloyd addressed what he described as a “soft” narrative surrounding his team.
Miami (Ohio) athletic director David Sayler pushed back on comments from former Auburn coach Bruce Pearl, saying Pearl’s dismissal of the RedHawks was disrespectful. Pearl had said Miami (Ohio) doesn’t deserve a spot in the NCAA tournament.
Villanova will be without starting forward Matt Hodge for the remainder of the season. The program announced Hodge has a torn ACL in his right knee.
Tennessee will be without freshman Nate Ament on Tuesday against South Carolina due to a leg injury. Ament was forced out of the Volunteers’ loss to Alabama on Saturday.
Top-ranked Duke powered past NC State on Monday night to lock up the ACC regular-season title outright. Freshman Cameron Boozer led the way as the Blue Devils overwhelmed the Wolfpack.
Miami (Ohio) coach Travis Steele has been fined $2,500 by the Mid-American Conference and must replace an arena DJ’s equipment he damaged during Friday’s game at Western Michigan. The RedHawks won the contest 69-67.
Trae Young is expected to make his Washington Wizards debut Thursday night at home against the Utah Jazz. The guard was traded from the Atlanta Hawks in early January and hasn’t appeared in a game since Dec. 27.
Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo is expected back in the lineup Monday night against the Boston Celtics. It will be his first game in more than five weeks after a strained right calf.
Denver has added free agent veteran point guard Tyus Jones as it looks to bolster its backcourt depth. The move provides the Nuggets with another experienced option at the point guard spot.
With the 2025-26 NBA postseason a little more than six weeks away, the Oklahoma City Thunder are the first team to officially secure a playoff spot. Here’s the latest on which teams have clinched as the race continues.
Duke has moved to the top spot in the latest class rankings, positioning the Blue Devils for a third consecutive No. 1 class. Arkansas sits at No. 2, while North Carolina enters the 2026 rankings for the first time at No. 10.
The latest boys’ recruiting update brings new names, familiar college comparisons, and fresh chatter surrounding Tyran Stokes and other top 2026 five-star prospects. Here’s a concise look at what’s being discussed right now in the cycle.
Oklahoma City added former Iowa forward Payton Sandfort on a two-way contract. The Thunder also waived guard Buddy Boeheim in a corresponding roster move.
Duke is No. 1 in the Associated Press men’s college basketball poll for a second consecutive week. The Blue Devils’ latest top ranking is the 149th of the program’s record number of appearances at No. 1.
A panel of ESPN analysts reached unanimous agreement on projected winners for 21 of the 31 men’s conference tournaments during Champ Week. The Big 12 was notably not among the leagues where the group found consensus.
Across 10 men’s conference tournaments, results have split along seed lines. In six leagues, the top two seeds have consistently come out on top, while four conferences have seen more openings for lower-seeded teams.
Cleveland opened January stuck in a play-in spot. Since then, the Cavaliers have posted the NBA’s best record and strengthened the roster with the addition of an 11-time All-Star.
USC announced that Chad Baker-Mazara is no longer with the men’s basketball program. The move comes one day after he left the Trojans’ loss to Nebraska.
Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton reflected on being born on a leap year, saying it’s “just as good” even when it isn’t technically his birthday. He also expressed appreciation for the birthday wishes he received.
Warriors star Stephen Curry will be sidelined for at least the next five games as he continues to deal with a persistent right knee issue, the team announced Sunday. Golden State will be without its leading guard as it navigates the upcoming stretch of its schedule.
James Harden returned to the lineup for the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday while still dealing with a broken thumb on his non-shooting hand. His comeback coincided with a Cavaliers victory.
New York delivered a dominant defensive performance Sunday, limiting San Antonio to 89 points. The result halted a Spurs winning streak and underscored the Knicks’ ability to control a game on the defensive end.
