Clark will join Fever after an outstanding run with Iowa that saw her break a number of records, including becoming college basketball’s all-time leading scorer.

“I got a little anxious there before the pick,” Clark told ESPN’s Holly Rowe after the pick was made official. “I’ve been dreaming of this moment since I was in second grade … more than anything, trying to soak it in.”

Caitlin Clark finished the 2023-24 NCAA season, averaging 31.6 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 8.9 assists per game. She also led Iowa to the NCAA championship game for the second straight year but once again failed to win the title as the Hawkeyes fell to South Carolina.

Clark is credited for contributing to the popularity of women’s college basketball and was a big reason why the NCAA finals drew 24 million viewers to become the most-watched basketball game in five years. She is expected to have a similar effect in the WNBA, with the league already looking to maximize this by giving Fever 36 national games.

The post Indiana Fever Selects Caitlin Clark No. 1 in 2024 WNBA Draft appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Official confirmation of Carter and Billups’ induction to the Hall of Fame will come on Saturday during the Final Four of Men’s NCAA tournament.

Vince Carter will enter the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. He started his career with the Toronto Raptors, who selected him as the fifth overall pick in 1998, before suiting up for seven more franchises including the New Jersey Nets, Dallas Mavericks, and the Atlanta Hawks. On top of his eight All-Star appearances, Carter also won the NBA Rookie of the Year award and was the NBA Slam Dunk Competition winner in 2000.

Chauncey Billups has been eligible for the Hall of Fame nod since 2018 but 2024 was the first time he was a finalist. Billups is best known for his stint with the Detroit Pistons, leading the franchise to an unexpected NBA Championship in 2004. He was a five-time All-Star and received two NBA All-Defensive Second Team during his career.

Since retiring after the 2019-20 NBA season, Carter ventured into broadcasting. He served as an NBA analyst for ESPN until 2023 and currently works in the same role with YES Network.

Billups, who retired in 2014, has been the head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers since 2021. 

The post Vince Carter and Chauncey Billups Elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Smith was previously scheduled to enter the free agency after 2025 but is now under contract with the Dodgers through the 2033 MLB season. The extension is reportedly worth $140 million, making it the third-biggest deal ever given to a catcher. It includes $30 million in signing bonus and $45 million in deferrals.

After making his debut in 2019, Smith quickly emerged as one of the best hitting catchers in the game. This was particularly on display in 2023 when he batted .261 with 19 home runs and 76 RBI while earning his first career All-Star nod. He also had a fine start to the new season, recording five hits in 10 at-bats with two RBI.

The agreement should be beneficial for both the Dodgers and Smith.  The franchise gets luxury tax benefits while also being able to defer money and continue building their roster in the upcoming decade. Smith, on the other hand, gets a long-term security rarely afforded to catcher, especially as young as he is.

Prior to signing Smith, the Dodgers were the biggest spenders in the MLB by far. They signed two-time AL MVP Shohei Ohtani to a record $700 million deal before also inking Japanese star pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto to a $325 million contract and giving pitcher Tyler Glasnow a $137.5 million extension.

The post LA Dodgers Sign All-Star Catcher Will Smith to 10-Year, $140 Million Extension appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Westbrook suffered a hand fracture in a 140-115 win over the Washington Wizards on March 1. He underwent surgery the next day and was initially expected to four weeks. But it appears that the former NBA MVP recovered earlier than expected and could be back on the court as soon as Monday when the Clippers face the Indiana Pacers.

Westbrook has been one of the key bench contributors for the Clippers this season. In 58 games before the injury, he averaged 11.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 4.4 assists while playing just 22.6 minutes per contest.

In 11 games without Westbrook, the Clippers have been playing hot and cold and went 6-5. They were also hit with a number of other injuries, with Norman Powell, another important bench player, currently being out with a lower leg issue.

After flirting with the No. 1 seed in the West earlier this season, the Clippers have now dropped to the fourth place in the standings. They are currently sitting at a 44-25 record with just 1.5 games in front of the fifth-placed New Orleans Pelicans.

The post Clippers’ Point Guard Russell Westbrook Expected to Return to Action Next Week appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Thomas has recently been playing with Salt Lake City in the NBA G League. He appeared in four games, averaging 32.5 points and 5.3 assists per game while shooting 44.6 from behind the 3-point line.

The 10-day contract with the Suns marks Thomas’ reunion with the franchise. He played 46 games with Phoenix in 2014-15.

Thomas, who is a two-time All-Star, last played in the NBA during the 2021-22 season, when he suited up for the Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Mavericks, and Charlotte Hornets. He averaged 8.4 points and 1.5 assists in 22 games.

The major reason why Thomas was out of the league for so long is the hip injury that he has dealt with since 2017. The injury limited his production while causing him to spend extended periods on the sidelines. However, it appears that the health issues are now a thing of the past for Thomas.

“Whether it was ups or downs, I’m back playing basketball. I’m back healthy. It’s just a super cool feeling because I never thought I would be able to play with no pain no more,” said Thomas in a recent chat with The Athletic.

The post Isaiah Thomas is Returning to the NBA on a 10-Day Contract With the Suns appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

This was not only the biggest win for Nardi in his career but also a historic one. He became the lowest-ranked tennis player to beat Djokovic at Grand Slams or ATP Masters 1000 tournaments. That honor previously belonged to Kevin Anderson, who beat Djokovic at the 2008 Miami Open as the world’s No. 122.

What makes Nardi’s win even more special is that he almost didn’t make the tournament. Nardi failed to make it through qualifiers but ended up getting in the main draw as a “lucky loser.” He received an invite as the replacement for injured Tomas Martin Etcheverry. 

“This is a miracle,” Nardi said after the match. “I’m a 20-year-old guy, 100 in the world, and beating Novak. So, crazy. Crazy.”

For Luca Nardi, reaching the fourth round of the 2024 BNP Paribas Open is his biggest career success. It is the furthest he advanced at the ATP Tour Masters 1000, besting his second-round appearance at Monte Carlo last year. Nardi is yet to make his first Grand Slam appearance.

Djokovic, on the other hand, ends his Indian Wells appearance a lot earlier than expected. He won the tournament five times and was playing there for the first time since 2019.

The post Luca Nardi, World’s No. 123, Stuns Novak Djokovic at Indian Wells appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Dybala is under contract with Roma but has a reasonably low release clause of $13 million for clubs outside Italy. The player is believed to be looking for a new challenge and is intrigued by the prospects of playing in Spain. If a move to Barcelona doesn’t work out, he is expected to have suitors from the Premier League, including West Ham United.

It remains to be seen if Barcelona decides to make a move in the summer. While they admire Dybala and have tried to acquire the player while he was at Juventus, the club’s finances are making it tough to pull off any deal. Also, they are expected to have a new head coach in the summer, who would likely need to sign off on the move.

Roma would like to keep Dybala and are ready to offer him a new contract with improved terms. While Dybala is open to engaging in talks, he is a long way from being convinced. The club is unlikely to challenge for the Seria A title anytime soon, and they have previously fired manager Jose Mourinho, who convinced Dybala to come to Stadio Olimpico.

Dybala has been in fine form this season despite struggling with injuries. In 26 games he played in 2023-24, he scored 13 goals and added seven assists.

The post AS Roma Star Forward Paulo Dybala Linked With Barcelona appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

The news comes after weeks of speculations about Pettersson’s future. He was set to enter restricted free agency after the 2023-24 campaign, and there was a loud chatter that the Canucks might trade him if he didn’t sign a new deal.

However, the two sides managed to come to an agreement that will see Pettersson earn $92.8 million in the next eight years while also getting a no-movement clause starting the 2025-26 season. His deal comes with an average annual value of $11.6 million, marking the fifth-highest cap hit in the NHL.

Pettersson, who serves as an alternate captain for the Canucks, has 29 goals and 46 assists for a total of 75 points in 62 games this season.

“I am very happy to be continuing my career as a member of the Vancouver Canucks. I love this city and playing in front of the fans. We have an exciting group and believe we can do good things in the future,” Pettersson said in a statement.

Elias Pettersson made his debut with the Canucks in 2018–19. Since then, he played 387 games, contributing 398 points (165 goals and 233 assists). Pettersson won the Calder Memorial Trophy in 2019 and has four All-Star appearances.

The post Canucks Lock All-Star FW Elias Pettersson to 8-Year, $92.8 Million Extension appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Ramsay joins Minnesota after spending more than three years with Man Utd, where he served in various roles including player development coach and first-team assistant coach under manager Erik ten Hag.

Minnesota United parted ways with head coach Adrian Heath after the team missed the 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs, ending their four-year postseason streak. Since then, Minnesota had two interim head coaches in Sean McAuley and Cameron Knowles while looking for the best replacement for Heath.

Eric Ramsay started his coaching career with Swansea City and Shrewsbury Town before being hired by Premier League powerhouse Chelsea in 2019 to serve as their U23 coach. Ramsay left Chelsea in 2021 to work under manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with Manchester United and remained with the club under Solskjaer’s successors Ralf Rangnick and Erik ten Hag. He also had a brief spell with Wales national football team as an assistant.

Ramsay will now become the youngest head coach in MLS history at the age of 32.

“I’m incredibly excited to be joining a club with such a strong football culture, a fanatic fan-base and a brilliant infrastructure,” Ramsay said in a statement released by the team. “I’ve spoken to a lot of the club’s staff throughout the process and you can’t help but feel everyone’s passion for moving the club forward.”

The post Minnesota United Hires Man Utd’s Assistant Eric Ramsay as Their New Head Coach appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Randle dislocated his shoulder back in late January in a 125-109 win over the Miami Heat. Speaking publicly for the first time since then, Randle told reporters on Wednesday that he’s making progress in recovery but still doesn’t know whether he’ll manage to avoid surgery. 

“There’s still necessary steps. It’s a process to everything. I have to weigh out everything, ultimately, and decide from there,” Randle said via ESPN. “But right now, I’m just focused on trying to avoid [surgery], obviously, and get back on the court as soon as I can.”

Knicks’ head coach Tom Thibodeau later added that Randle is “working out twice a day” but is yet to resume basketball activities.

Randle has been having a great season before going down. He averaged 24.0 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game while receiving his third All-Star nod.

Knicks have struggled in Randle’s absence, entering the All-Star break with four consecutive losses. They are still fourth in the East with a 33-22 record but have the Philadelphia 76ers and Indiana Pacers breathing down their neck.

The post Knicks Star Julius Randle Isn’t Ruling Out a Season-Ending Surgery on His Dislocated Shoulder appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Clark will join Fever after an outstanding run with Iowa that saw her break a number of records, including becoming college basketball’s all-time leading scorer.

“I got a little anxious there before the pick,” Clark told ESPN’s Holly Rowe after the pick was made official. “I’ve been dreaming of this moment since I was in second grade … more than anything, trying to soak it in.”

Caitlin Clark finished the 2023-24 NCAA season, averaging 31.6 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 8.9 assists per game. She also led Iowa to the NCAA championship game for the second straight year but once again failed to win the title as the Hawkeyes fell to South Carolina.

Clark is credited for contributing to the popularity of women’s college basketball and was a big reason why the NCAA finals drew 24 million viewers to become the most-watched basketball game in five years. She is expected to have a similar effect in the WNBA, with the league already looking to maximize this by giving Fever 36 national games.

The post Indiana Fever Selects Caitlin Clark No. 1 in 2024 WNBA Draft appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Official confirmation of Carter and Billups’ induction to the Hall of Fame will come on Saturday during the Final Four of Men’s NCAA tournament.

Vince Carter will enter the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. He started his career with the Toronto Raptors, who selected him as the fifth overall pick in 1998, before suiting up for seven more franchises including the New Jersey Nets, Dallas Mavericks, and the Atlanta Hawks. On top of his eight All-Star appearances, Carter also won the NBA Rookie of the Year award and was the NBA Slam Dunk Competition winner in 2000.

Chauncey Billups has been eligible for the Hall of Fame nod since 2018 but 2024 was the first time he was a finalist. Billups is best known for his stint with the Detroit Pistons, leading the franchise to an unexpected NBA Championship in 2004. He was a five-time All-Star and received two NBA All-Defensive Second Team during his career.

Since retiring after the 2019-20 NBA season, Carter ventured into broadcasting. He served as an NBA analyst for ESPN until 2023 and currently works in the same role with YES Network.

Billups, who retired in 2014, has been the head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers since 2021. 

The post Vince Carter and Chauncey Billups Elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Smith was previously scheduled to enter the free agency after 2025 but is now under contract with the Dodgers through the 2033 MLB season. The extension is reportedly worth $140 million, making it the third-biggest deal ever given to a catcher. It includes $30 million in signing bonus and $45 million in deferrals.

After making his debut in 2019, Smith quickly emerged as one of the best hitting catchers in the game. This was particularly on display in 2023 when he batted .261 with 19 home runs and 76 RBI while earning his first career All-Star nod. He also had a fine start to the new season, recording five hits in 10 at-bats with two RBI.

The agreement should be beneficial for both the Dodgers and Smith.  The franchise gets luxury tax benefits while also being able to defer money and continue building their roster in the upcoming decade. Smith, on the other hand, gets a long-term security rarely afforded to catcher, especially as young as he is.

Prior to signing Smith, the Dodgers were the biggest spenders in the MLB by far. They signed two-time AL MVP Shohei Ohtani to a record $700 million deal before also inking Japanese star pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto to a $325 million contract and giving pitcher Tyler Glasnow a $137.5 million extension.

The post LA Dodgers Sign All-Star Catcher Will Smith to 10-Year, $140 Million Extension appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Westbrook suffered a hand fracture in a 140-115 win over the Washington Wizards on March 1. He underwent surgery the next day and was initially expected to four weeks. But it appears that the former NBA MVP recovered earlier than expected and could be back on the court as soon as Monday when the Clippers face the Indiana Pacers.

Westbrook has been one of the key bench contributors for the Clippers this season. In 58 games before the injury, he averaged 11.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 4.4 assists while playing just 22.6 minutes per contest.

In 11 games without Westbrook, the Clippers have been playing hot and cold and went 6-5. They were also hit with a number of other injuries, with Norman Powell, another important bench player, currently being out with a lower leg issue.

After flirting with the No. 1 seed in the West earlier this season, the Clippers have now dropped to the fourth place in the standings. They are currently sitting at a 44-25 record with just 1.5 games in front of the fifth-placed New Orleans Pelicans.

The post Clippers’ Point Guard Russell Westbrook Expected to Return to Action Next Week appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Thomas has recently been playing with Salt Lake City in the NBA G League. He appeared in four games, averaging 32.5 points and 5.3 assists per game while shooting 44.6 from behind the 3-point line.

The 10-day contract with the Suns marks Thomas’ reunion with the franchise. He played 46 games with Phoenix in 2014-15.

Thomas, who is a two-time All-Star, last played in the NBA during the 2021-22 season, when he suited up for the Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Mavericks, and Charlotte Hornets. He averaged 8.4 points and 1.5 assists in 22 games.

The major reason why Thomas was out of the league for so long is the hip injury that he has dealt with since 2017. The injury limited his production while causing him to spend extended periods on the sidelines. However, it appears that the health issues are now a thing of the past for Thomas.

“Whether it was ups or downs, I’m back playing basketball. I’m back healthy. It’s just a super cool feeling because I never thought I would be able to play with no pain no more,” said Thomas in a recent chat with The Athletic.

The post Isaiah Thomas is Returning to the NBA on a 10-Day Contract With the Suns appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

This was not only the biggest win for Nardi in his career but also a historic one. He became the lowest-ranked tennis player to beat Djokovic at Grand Slams or ATP Masters 1000 tournaments. That honor previously belonged to Kevin Anderson, who beat Djokovic at the 2008 Miami Open as the world’s No. 122.

What makes Nardi’s win even more special is that he almost didn’t make the tournament. Nardi failed to make it through qualifiers but ended up getting in the main draw as a “lucky loser.” He received an invite as the replacement for injured Tomas Martin Etcheverry. 

“This is a miracle,” Nardi said after the match. “I’m a 20-year-old guy, 100 in the world, and beating Novak. So, crazy. Crazy.”

For Luca Nardi, reaching the fourth round of the 2024 BNP Paribas Open is his biggest career success. It is the furthest he advanced at the ATP Tour Masters 1000, besting his second-round appearance at Monte Carlo last year. Nardi is yet to make his first Grand Slam appearance.

Djokovic, on the other hand, ends his Indian Wells appearance a lot earlier than expected. He won the tournament five times and was playing there for the first time since 2019.

The post Luca Nardi, World’s No. 123, Stuns Novak Djokovic at Indian Wells appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Dybala is under contract with Roma but has a reasonably low release clause of $13 million for clubs outside Italy. The player is believed to be looking for a new challenge and is intrigued by the prospects of playing in Spain. If a move to Barcelona doesn’t work out, he is expected to have suitors from the Premier League, including West Ham United.

It remains to be seen if Barcelona decides to make a move in the summer. While they admire Dybala and have tried to acquire the player while he was at Juventus, the club’s finances are making it tough to pull off any deal. Also, they are expected to have a new head coach in the summer, who would likely need to sign off on the move.

Roma would like to keep Dybala and are ready to offer him a new contract with improved terms. While Dybala is open to engaging in talks, he is a long way from being convinced. The club is unlikely to challenge for the Seria A title anytime soon, and they have previously fired manager Jose Mourinho, who convinced Dybala to come to Stadio Olimpico.

Dybala has been in fine form this season despite struggling with injuries. In 26 games he played in 2023-24, he scored 13 goals and added seven assists.

The post AS Roma Star Forward Paulo Dybala Linked With Barcelona appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

The news comes after weeks of speculations about Pettersson’s future. He was set to enter restricted free agency after the 2023-24 campaign, and there was a loud chatter that the Canucks might trade him if he didn’t sign a new deal.

However, the two sides managed to come to an agreement that will see Pettersson earn $92.8 million in the next eight years while also getting a no-movement clause starting the 2025-26 season. His deal comes with an average annual value of $11.6 million, marking the fifth-highest cap hit in the NHL.

Pettersson, who serves as an alternate captain for the Canucks, has 29 goals and 46 assists for a total of 75 points in 62 games this season.

“I am very happy to be continuing my career as a member of the Vancouver Canucks. I love this city and playing in front of the fans. We have an exciting group and believe we can do good things in the future,” Pettersson said in a statement.

Elias Pettersson made his debut with the Canucks in 2018–19. Since then, he played 387 games, contributing 398 points (165 goals and 233 assists). Pettersson won the Calder Memorial Trophy in 2019 and has four All-Star appearances.

The post Canucks Lock All-Star FW Elias Pettersson to 8-Year, $92.8 Million Extension appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Ramsay joins Minnesota after spending more than three years with Man Utd, where he served in various roles including player development coach and first-team assistant coach under manager Erik ten Hag.

Minnesota United parted ways with head coach Adrian Heath after the team missed the 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs, ending their four-year postseason streak. Since then, Minnesota had two interim head coaches in Sean McAuley and Cameron Knowles while looking for the best replacement for Heath.

Eric Ramsay started his coaching career with Swansea City and Shrewsbury Town before being hired by Premier League powerhouse Chelsea in 2019 to serve as their U23 coach. Ramsay left Chelsea in 2021 to work under manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with Manchester United and remained with the club under Solskjaer’s successors Ralf Rangnick and Erik ten Hag. He also had a brief spell with Wales national football team as an assistant.

Ramsay will now become the youngest head coach in MLS history at the age of 32.

“I’m incredibly excited to be joining a club with such a strong football culture, a fanatic fan-base and a brilliant infrastructure,” Ramsay said in a statement released by the team. “I’ve spoken to a lot of the club’s staff throughout the process and you can’t help but feel everyone’s passion for moving the club forward.”

The post Minnesota United Hires Man Utd’s Assistant Eric Ramsay as Their New Head Coach appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Randle dislocated his shoulder back in late January in a 125-109 win over the Miami Heat. Speaking publicly for the first time since then, Randle told reporters on Wednesday that he’s making progress in recovery but still doesn’t know whether he’ll manage to avoid surgery. 

“There’s still necessary steps. It’s a process to everything. I have to weigh out everything, ultimately, and decide from there,” Randle said via ESPN. “But right now, I’m just focused on trying to avoid [surgery], obviously, and get back on the court as soon as I can.”

Knicks’ head coach Tom Thibodeau later added that Randle is “working out twice a day” but is yet to resume basketball activities.

Randle has been having a great season before going down. He averaged 24.0 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game while receiving his third All-Star nod.

Knicks have struggled in Randle’s absence, entering the All-Star break with four consecutive losses. They are still fourth in the East with a 33-22 record but have the Philadelphia 76ers and Indiana Pacers breathing down their neck.

The post Knicks Star Julius Randle Isn’t Ruling Out a Season-Ending Surgery on His Dislocated Shoulder appeared first on yoursportspot.com.