Kyle Busch’s widow reveals promise she made him in final moments
Samantha Busch has opened up about the heartfelt promise she made to her husband, NASCAR champion Kyle Busch, during his final moments in the hospital.
The couple, married for 15 years, share two children: son Brexton, 11, and daughter Lennix, 4.
Kyle Busch passed away on May 21 at age 41 after a severe illness that progressed from pneumonia to sepsis.
In an emotional Instagram post shared on Wednesday, Samantha reflected on watching Brexton return to the racetrack, describing the experience as both heartbreaking and beautiful. She sees glimpses of Kyle in their son — his determination, passion, and spark — which reminds her that Kyle’s legacy endures through the dreams he inspired in his children.
“In the hospital, I made Kyle a promise. I promised him that I would do everything I could to help our children pursue their dreams no matter what,” she wrote.
For Brexton, whose love for racing mirrored his father’s, this means supporting his passion on the track, where the family has created countless memories over the years. Samantha emphasized that racing was a shared bond between father and son, not something imposed. She added that she will stand by her children as they chase their aspirations, whether in motorsports or elsewhere.
The racetrack remains a place of comfort and connection to Kyle, even amid the profound absence.
“So, we race on,” Samantha concluded, honoring the life and dreams they built together.
UFC significantly increases bonuses for Freedom 250 card
UFC CEO Dana White announced on Friday that the promotion will award record fight-night bonuses at UFC Freedom 250, the historic event taking place Sunday on the South Lawn of the White House.
The card will feature two $400,000 bonuses for the fighters in the Fight of the Night and two $425,000 bonuses for Performance of the Night winners. The increases stem from a new partnership with World Liberty Financial, which is contributing an additional $250,000 to the bonus pool, alongside support from Crypto.com.
These figures more than triple the standard $100,000 post-fight bonuses implemented earlier in the year and surpass the previous high of $300,000 awarded at UFC 300. In total, the 14 fighters on the card are competing for approximately $1.65 million in bonus money, providing substantial incentive for exciting performances.
White made the announcement during a press conference at the Lincoln Memorial, emphasizing that the show will proceed regardless of weather concerns.
The event, headlined by Ilia Topuria versus Justin Gaethje and featuring Alex Pereira against Ciryl Gane, airs live on Paramount+ starting at 8:00 p.m. ET Sunday night.
The elevated payouts underscore the unique significance of this landmark UFC card.
Family says ex-NFL player Sam Beal still missing
Former New York Giants defensive back Sam Beal remains missing, nearly one year after his last known contact in July 2025,” his sister Essence Zhane revealed in a Facebook post on Friday night.
Beal, 29, was last seen on July 12, 2025, when he dropped his girlfriend off at a family member’s house in Michigan and borrowed her vehicle, stating he was heading to work. Instead, he traveled to Virginia Beach, Virginia, an area with no known connections. His final message to his girlfriend indicated he planned to return home, but he has not been heard from since.
The girlfriend’s vehicle was later recovered abandoned in Virginia Beach. Inside were Beal’s shoes, socks, and sand on the floorboard. He had left with only the clothes he was wearing, a pair of slides, and his wallet containing his banking cards and driver’s license.
A Michigan native and Western Michigan product, Beal was selected by the Giants in the 2018 supplemental draft. He appeared in nine games over three seasons, recording 27 tackles before his release in 2021. Following football, he faced personal challenges, including incarceration on child support issues from September 2024 to February 2025. After his release, loved ones noted he had stopped taking prescribed medication and made concerning statements about his well-being.
Zhane has repeatedly appealed for information.
Authorities and family continue to seek leads. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Kentwood Police Department at (616) 698-6580 or the Virginia Beach Police Department at (757) 385-4141.
Golden Knights coach calls his shot: There will be a Game 7
Facing elimination after a 4-2 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final, Vegas Golden Knights coach John Tortorella made a bold declaration.
With his team trailing 3-2 in the series, Tortorella vowed that the Golden Knights would force a Game 7 by winning the next contest in Las Vegas and subsequently return to Raleigh.
“We’ll be back here,” Tortorella said, via ESPN. “I’m going to leave my clothes here. That’s for sure. They’ll be in the hotel.”
The statement echoes the confidence of past playoff guarantees, though the Knights face significant challenges. Carolina has seized momentum with strong play, while Vegas is dealing with the likely absence of key center William Karlsson due to an upper-body injury. Goaltender Carter Hart has also struggled, allowing four or more goals in each of the first five games of the series.
Despite the deficit, players like Jack Eichel emphasized the group’s resilience. The Golden Knights, who have thrived in must-win situations throughout the postseason, will host Game 6 on Sunday night at T-Mobile Arena. A victory would return the series to Raleigh for a decisive seventh game.
Tortorella’s team has shown fight all year, and now they must deliver on his prediction to keep their Stanley Cup hopes alive.
Aaron Boone: Yankees don’t owe Aroldis Chapman squat
New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone made it clear Friday that the organization does not owe Aroldis Chapman an apology for how the reliever’s tenure in the Bronx ended in 2022.
The comments came one day after Chapman, now closing for the Boston Red Sox, reiterated his belief that general manager Brian Cashman should apologize if a reunion were ever to occur.
Chapman was left off the Yankees’ ALDS roster against Cleveland after missing a mandatory workout. He had dealt with an infected tattoo earlier that season, lost the closer role, and posted a 4.46 ERA. Boone stood by the decision, noting Chapman had apologized at the time.
“At the end of the day, he wasn’t at the workout,” Boone said, via the New York Post. “I made the decision, based on a lot of things and thought, to leave him off because I thought that was the right thing to do at the time. Chappy apologized, and really, it’s water under the bridge for me.
“I love Chappy. I have a really good relationship with him to this day. But the ending of the ’22 season was what it was. He wasn’t there, and I made the decision that I didn’t think it was best for him to come back at that point. He maintained that he was throwing and would be ready as the playoffs unfolded that year. But ultimately, I made that decision.”
Asked directly if Chapman deserved an apology from Cashman, Boone responded bluntly: “No.”
Cashman had previously questioned whether Chapman was fully committed that season.
Chapman, who has thrived with a 0.46 ERA and 13 saves for Boston this year, remains a potential trade candidate, but any return to New York appears highly unlikely given the history.
Jalen Brunson sends cold message ahead of Game 5
Jalen Brunson is not letting the New York Knicks’ 3-1 lead alter his approach to Game 5.
The Knicks star spoke to the media on Friday ahead of the Knicks’ first chance to close out the NBA Finals inside the San Antonio Spurs’ building at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas.
A reporter asked him about what the moment felt like in his head. Brunson, with a hood over his head, maintained an emotionless gaze as he responded.
Reporter: “Jalen, I’m sure you’ve thought of this moment for a long time. But does it feel different? Does it feel like you guys are one step away from a championship, or even different from the other games in the finals?
Brunson: “0-0.”
Jalen Brunson was asked if it feels like the Knicks are one win away from a championship:
— SNY Knicks (@sny_knicks) June 12, 2026
"0-0." pic.twitter.com/B2zq4kNneH
The Knicks have three cracks at winning the championship, but Brunson sounded like a man ready to finish off his opponents in Game 5.
While New York holds a commanding lead in the NBA Finals, all four of the series’ first four games went down to the wire. Erase Victor Wembanyama’s errant pass in Game 2 and De’Aaron Fox’s boneheaded decision to challenge OG Anunoby late in Game 4, and San Antonio could have easily been the ones up 3-1.
Brunson clearly understands that’s the case. The moment the Knicks get complacent, the Spurs could inch their way back towards making this a series again.
Game 5 tips off on Saturday night.
England’s World Cup team has equipment stolen by thieves
England’s stateside visit has already gone haywire before the team’s first match in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Three Lions had equipment stolen as the team prepared to move from their pre-tournament home base in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., to Swope Soccer Village in Kansas City, Mo. England concluded their preparations on Thursday and were given the day off before flying out to Kansas City on Saturday.
England’s Football Association had been setting up the team’s new home base ahead of the players’ arrival when staffers noticed several items missing upon unloading a team van.
According to The Guardian’s Jacob Steinberg, the most significant items stolen were match boots for several of the team’s stars. The team was also short on its inventory of official tournament balls, training kits, and other equipment.
The Kansas City Police Department reportedly confirmed that two suspects were taken into custody over the incident.
“We are investigating a possible theft of equipment from a team vehicle that arrived in Kansas City with items missing this evening,” the KCPD said in a statement.
England still has some time to go shoe shopping, with the team’s first match in the group stage not kicking off until next Wednesday against Croatia. They may need some time to break in the new cleats, though.
The reason Team USA subbed out Christian Pulisic early revealed
Christian Pulisic was not on the field as the final whistle was blown in Team USA’s win over Paraguay.
Team USA won its 2026 FIFA World Cup opener convincingly on Friday, despite Pulisic getting substituted just before the start of the second half. Sebastian Berhalter came in to replace Pulisic in midfield as play resumed after the break at Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood, Calif.
Manager Mauricio Pochettino explained that the decision to remove Pulisic early was due to a minor injury scare the veteran star suffered in the first half.
“We didn’t want to take any risks,” Pochettino told reporters.
Pulisic later chimed in as well, revealing that he took a kick in the back of the calf that prompted the team to give him the rest of the night off.
“I just got a bit of a kick in the first half, so I’m really hoping that it’s nothing,” Pulisic shared. “Taking a little bit of precaution today, but I’m hoping I’ll be fine the next few days.”
Pulisic may have remained in the game had Team USA not come out firing in the first half. With the Americans racing out to a 3-0 lead before halftime, there wasn’t much logic in keeping Pulisic in the contest with a gimpy leg.
Pulisic did his part in the victory, recording the assist on Folarin Balogun’s first goal to give their team a 2-0 lead. Balogun’s 31st-minute goal was gently tucked in off a Pulisic pass into the box.
🚨 GOAL USA! 🚨
— Everintrigued (@EverIntrigued) June 13, 2026
Folarin Balogun makes it 2-0 for the United States off a beautiful assist from Christian Pulisic. Absolute class from start to finish. 🔥🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/6OUMHFzyCE
As things stand, Pulisic does not sound like he’s in danger of missing Team USA’s second game in the group stage next week against Australia.
Brewers’ Jacob Misiorowski throws fastest pitch by a starter in MLB history
Milwaukee Brewers ace Jacob Misiorowski overheated the radar gun on Friday with his flamethrower of a fastball against the Philadelphia Phillies.
The hard-throwing right-hander came out firing against the first batter he faced at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wis. Philadelphia’s free-swinging leadoff hitter, Kyle Schwarber, never stood a chance.
Misiorowski started Schwarber off with a couple of borderline pitches that were deemed balls. The Brewers star got back in the count with back-to-back heaters in the zone to set up a 2-2 pitch for the ages.
Misiorowski struck Schwarber out on a 104.5-mph fastball, foul-tipped into catcher William Contreras’ glove. It was the fastest recorded pitch thrown by a starting pitcher in MLB history.
JACOB MISIOROWSKI JUST HIT 104.5 MPH — THE FASTEST PITCH BY A SP IN MLB HISTORY pic.twitter.com/J9fXQauDeS
— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) June 12, 2026
Not only did Misiorowski blow by Schwarber with straight gas, but he also located it perfectly in the bottom outside corner of the strike zone.
Schwarber didn’t see a single pitch under 103 mph in his first at-bat. He wasn’t alone in being rendered ineffective by “The Miz,” who struck out 15 batters in the best start of his young career.
Misiorowski took a page out of Greg Maddux’s playbook with a 95-pitch complete-game shutout for a 6-0 Brewers win. Coincidentally, Schwarber was the only Phillies player to get a hit in the evening.
Every baseball fan entered Friday knowing Misiorowski was one of the hardest-throwing starting pitchers in the game. Then he showed the world he had another level to get to.
Fans all had the same complaint while watching FOX’s broadcast of Team USA World Cup opener
FOX drew the ire of soccer fans everywhere with how it handled its broadcast of Team USA’s 2026 FIFA World Cup opener.
Team USA took on Paraguay on Friday night in their first group stage contest on home soil at Los Angeles Stadium (SoFi Stadium) in Inglewood, Calif. For casual American soccer fans tuning into the World Cup clash, it was also their first encounter with the newly implemented “hydration breaks.”
FIFA instituted the three-minute breaks for what was touted as a measure for player welfare, with some competing nations not used to potentially sweltering heat in some host locations. The mandatory breaks occur midway through each half, at around the 22nd and 67th minutes of every match.
But the weather was far from threatening for the USA-Paraguay matchup, with temperatures in the mid-70s. Many complained about the breaks, which FOX used to broadcast commercials similar to quarter breaks in the NBA or NFL.
They aren’t even hiding what these hydration breaks are about. It’s 75 degrees under a roof at SoFi, the announcer says “that’s the end of the first quarter,” and then it’s straight to commercials. The game is gone.
— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) June 13, 2026
So we're doing hydration breaks even when it's 71 degrees and no direct sun, huh? Kinda crazy the sport just decided to change format from 2 halves to 4 quarters.
— Greg Beacham (@gregbeacham) June 13, 2026
So water breaks are just Soccer being 4 quarters and a halftime?
— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) June 13, 2026
The amount of commercials during these hydration breaks during the USMNT-Paraguay World Cup opener…
— USMNT Only (@usmntonly) June 13, 2026
What happened to the game I love? 💔 pic.twitter.com/7PAzqukEGb
One of the best things about the fan viewing experience in soccer is that stoppages are minimal, with the halftime break being the only lengthy gap in the action. While the hydration breaks were framed as being pro-player, the biggest beneficiaries from the change are obviously the broadcasters and FIFA itself. More breaks means more ad time.
The 2026 World Cup started, and there’s already been some outrage over the breaks. FOX was also under fire on Thursday when it missed several seconds of game action during Mexico’s tournament opener against South Africa.
Team USA at least made waiting through the commercials worth it for its fans during Friday’s first half. The home team scored three goals to take a 3-0 lead into the mid-game break.
Mavericks’ stance on a Kyrie Irving trade is revealed
You can safely check Uncle Drew off the list of offseason trade candidates.
The Dallas Mavericks have been indicating to teams that nine-time NBA All-Star guard Kyrie Irving is not available for trade, veteran NBA writer Marc Stein reported to Substack on Friday. Stein notes that the Mavericks have been receiving trade calls for Irving but that they are standing firm in their stance that Irving is not for sale.
Irving, now 34 years old, missed all of the 2025-26 NBA season while recovering from an ACL tear. He is under contract for $39.5 million next season and holds a $42.4 million player option for 2027-28 as well.
The Mavericks have undergone a lot of change over the last several months with the firings of both GM Nico Harrison and head coach Jason Kidd as well as the trade of 10-time All-Star center Anthony Davis. That has naturally led to questions over Irving’s status as well, especially since he is one of the oldest players left on the Dallas roster.
In recent weeks, we had heard that there were four specific NBA teams being mentioned in connection with Irving. Since the Mavericks only went 26-56 this season as well, a full-on rebuild would make plenty of sense for them at this point.
But Irving still played one particularly meaningful role for Dallas during his injury recovery this season. Now it sounds like the Mavericks are still trying to keep Irving around as a seasoned elder statesman of sorts for them.
Timberwolves keeping 1 surprising player ‘off-limits’ in Giannis Antetokounmpo trade talks
The Minnesota Timberwolves are reportedly keeping a little-known teenager off the table in any Giannis Antetokounmpo trade discussions.
The Miami Heat have widely been considered the frontrunners in the Greek Freak sweepstakes this offseason. But that doesn’t mean the Milwaukee Bucks aren’t taking phone calls from other team executives.
According to a report from The Athletic’s Sam Amick and Eric Nehm, the Bucks are currently “seeking clarity” on what other teams aside from the Heat are willing to offer for Antetokounmpo. The Boston Celtics, Orlando Magic, Portland Trail Blazers, and the Timberwolves are all considered contenders for the Bucks star’s services.
Per the report, Milwaukee’s desired trade return from Minnesota would be a package that includes Jaden McDaniels, Naz Reid, Terrence Shannon Jr., and two first-round picks. The Timberwolves, however, supposedly have two players (aside from the obvious name: Anthony Edwards) on their exclusion list in any trade talks: McDaniels and 19-year-old Joan Beringer.
Beringer, a 6’11” big man from France, played sparingly this year in his first season in the NBA. The No. 17 pick in last year’s draft took the floor in 40 regular-season contests, averaging just 3.9 points and 2.3 rebounds. His offense consisted almost entirely of dunks, which is why his field goal percentage sat at 66.3 percent.
To exclude a player like that in any Antetokounmpo trade talks would seem borderline foolish, given how raw Beringer looked in his rookie campaign. But once upon a time, Giannis looked just as raw as Beringer did when he entered the league in 2013. Minnesota may want to hold on to their French lottery ticket for the time being.
Nobody should expect Beringer’s “off-limits” tag to stick, however, if he’s the only piece holding up a trade that sends Antetokounmpo to Minneapolis.
ESPN makes an embarrassing mistake with USA-Paraguay World Cup match
ESPN is not doing its reputation any favors as the 2026 World Cup gets underway.
On Friday, the United States kicked off its World Cup run with a match against Paraguay in Group D play. Before the contest at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., ESPN’s “SportsCenter” ran a segment previewing the matchup.
Unfortunately though, ESPN made an embarrassing mistake with their graphic during their segment. They accidentally stated that the United States was facing Panama instead.
Check out the video of the screw-up (with the erroneous graphic making two separate appearances in the segment).
Good luck to the USMNT tonight against Paraguay, or maybe it's Panama? Who can say? pic.twitter.com/o1fwiDJgn3
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) June 12, 2026
Panama is in a completely different continent and is located nearly 3,000 miles north of Paraguay. While Panama is also competing in the 2026 World Cup, they are playing in Group L and will not have their first group-stage match until next Wednesday against Ghana.
Plenty will likely point to the fact that ESPN does not quite specialize in soccer coverage. But even when it comes to the four major sports in the United States, ESPN has been known to make some humiliating mistakes with their graphics as well.
Notable update emerges on Shohei Ohtani’s injury
Shohei Ohtani fortunately only appears to be dealing with a maintenance issue right now.
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts spoke with reporters on Friday and shared an update on two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani. Roberts said that Ohtani would be held out of that night’s game against the Chicago White Sox due to his left knee injury.
However, Roberts also disclosed that an MRI on Ohtani’s knee revealed that the Japanese sensation is only dealing with inflammation in the knee. As a result, Roberts now expects Ohtani to return to the lineup as a hitter over the weekend as well as to make his next scheduled start as a pitcher on Wednesday against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Ohtani, who turns 32 next month, had to leave Thursday’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates early with the injury. He was 2-for-2 with a home run and two walks at the time he exited (as the Dodgers eventually went on to win 8-6 at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pa.).
The news of a left knee injury was very concerning for Ohtani, who has managed a bipartite patella condition in his left knee throughout his professional career. Ohtani has dealt with the congenital condition ever since his childhood, and a particularly bad flare-up forced him to undergo season-ending surgery back in 2019 when he was still with the Los Angeles Angels.
That said, Ohtani (who is once again the frontrunner for NL MVP this season), has appeared in 63 of the Dodgers’ 69 games up to this point. Though he will not be in the lineup for Friday’s series opener against the White Sox, Ohtani sounds unlikely to miss much more time beyond that.
Yankees are being linked to 1 All-Star hitter in trade rumors
The New York Yankees may be looking for an offensive jolt with the likes of Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton currently sidelined.
Rival teams have tabbed Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams as a potential fit for the Yankees ahead of the Aug. 3 MLB trade deadline, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported this week. Heyman notes Abrams could serve as a possible upgrade to the Yankees’ current shortstop duo of Anthony Volpe and Jose Caballero.
The lefty-hitting Abrams, 25, was an All-Star with the Nationals in 2024, batting .246 with 20 home runs, 65 RBIs, and 31 stolen bases through 138 games. This season, Abrams has looked even better, hitting .287 with 14 home runs, 51 RBIs, and 10 stolen bases through just 67 games.
Meanwhile, Abrams is still on a very team-friendly deal too. He is under club control through the 2028 MLB season, making Abrams a strong asset to any team with both his contract and his production.
As for the Nationals, they have had a respectable 2026 season thus far, sitting at 35-34 (which is just one game out of an NL Wild Card spot). But if the bottom falls out on them over the next seven-and-a-half weeks, Washington could easily become sellers ahead of the trade deadline.
The 41-26 Yankees are currently battling with the 40-25 Tampa Bay Rays atop the AL East and seem like a lock for a playoff spot regardless. Now it looks like Abrams, who has had some troubles with the Nationals in years past, might be a potential match in the Bronx.
Key Spurs player is in danger of missing Game 5 of the NBA Finals
The San Antonio Spurs may have to try to stave off elimination without one of their most important bench cogs.
San Antonio is listing center Luke Kornet as questionable for Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the New York Knicks on Saturday at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. Kornet is apparently dealing with an illness on the eve of the game.
The seven-footer Kornet, 30, serves as the backup to Victor Wembanyama. Kornet averaged 6.5 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks in 21.0 minutes per game during the regular season and is now averaging 3.8 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 0.7 blocks in 13.0 minutes per game during the NBA playoffs (while appearing in all 22 postseason contests thus far).
Whenever Wembanyama (34.0 minutes per game these playoffs) takes a rest, Kornet is always the go-to fill-in for the Spurs. Kornet even had a series-altering play in Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Outside of rookie phenom Dylan Harper, the Spurs bench is already relatively thin. If Kornet has to miss Game 5 on Saturday as well, San Antonio could have to get creative while facing a 3-1 deficit to the Knicks in the Finals.
Bismack Biyombo (33), Kelly Olynyk (35), Mason Plumlee (36) are next up on the center depth chart, but hardly any of those three have played at all this postseason outside of garbage time. Harrison Barnes and Keldon Johnson might also work as desperation small-ball 5 options, but the chances of a Spurs comeback will get even thinner if Kornet is out of commission during Game 5.
John Calipari made the lamest excuse for De’Aaron Fox
John Calipari sticks up for the players he coached in college, and De’Aaron Fox is no exception.
Calipari appeared on “The Dan Patrick Show” Friday and tried to defend Fox for his ill-advised layup attempt at the end of the San Antonio Spurs’ Game 4 loss to the New York Knicks. Unprompted, Calipari blamed Fox’s ankle injury for the blocked layup, and argued that under normal circumstances the Spurs guard would have dunked the ball and been the hero.
“Stop on De’Aaron Fox,” Calipari said. “He’s playing with a high ankle sprain. Probably shouldn’t be playing. He would normally dunk that layup. If he would’ve dunked it, he’s the hero.”
"Stop on De'Aaron Fox, he's playing with a high ankle sprain – probably shouldn't be playing. He would normally dunk that layup – if he would've dunked it, he's the hero…"
— Dan Patrick Show (@dpshow) June 12, 2026
– @CoachCalArk on people blaming De'Aaron Fox for the #Spurs loss pic.twitter.com/BftiQYW3pK
The problem with Calipari’s logic is that he is focused on the wrong issue. Fox did not draw criticism for not converting the layup. The criticism stemmed from the fact that there was no reason whatsoever to attempt a shot, be it a dunk or a layup. Even if Fox had scored, the Spurs would have only been up three, and they would have been giving the Knicks the ball back with a chance to tie and a full 11 seconds left.
Fox’s strategy should have been to pull back, try to burn as much clock as possible, and force the Knicks to foul him. Attempting a shot never even should have been on his radar.
Fox played one year under Calipari at Kentucky in 2016-17. That was enough to get Calipari on his side for life, as is often the case with his former players. It is part of the reason players want to play for him, even if it makes him look pretty foolish sometimes.
West Virginia scored its first ever College World Series run in crazy fashion
The West Virginia Mountaineers appear to be making the most of their first College World Series appearance in school history.
West Virginia made their debut in the tournament on Friday against Troy, and wasted little time in getting on the board in wild fashion. Outfielder Armani Guzman opened the bottom of the first by reaching second base on an error, then took third on an ensuing strikeout. With two down, Guzman took matters into his own hands and scored the Mountaineers’ first run on a straight steal of home plate.
STOLE HOME IN WEST VIRGINIA'S FIRST-EVER MEN'S COLLEGE WORLD SERIES GAME‼️ pic.twitter.com/oT7wIvez32
— ESPN (@espn) June 12, 2026
The program has had plenty of success in baseball historically, but this is their first trip to the College World Series. They fell at the Super Regional stage in each of the last two seasons, but were able to break through this time with consecutive blowout wins over Cal Poly.
Guzman had 38 stolen bases in 41 attempts on the season before swiping home Friday. The steal wasn’t a surprise, but the boldness certainly caught Troy off guard.
The run wound up being quite crucial, as the Mountaineers went on to win 7-5.
Rich Paul addresses rumors about LeBron James
Rich Paul addressed some rumors about LeBron James’ future on Friday, but probably started some new ones in the process.
James’ longtime agent appeared on “The Pat McAfee Show” and addressed some of the rumors about whether James will continue playing and where that will be if he does. Paul claimed that he has not spoken to James about his status for next season, but that plenty of teams will be interested if James does want to play.
“I have not had one conversation with him,” Paul said. “We played a couple rounds of golf. I don’t mention it. When he comes to me and wants to sit down, I am more than prepared for every scenario that there could be. When you think about numbers being thrown out, what we’re asking about, that’s all false. We haven’t had one conversation with anybody about anything.
“There have been incoming calls from every team with the excitement of possibly him playing for them. … I would say without naming names, about 10-12 (teams).”
Despite rumors circulating, Rich Paul tells @PatMcAfeeshow that he hasn't had a conversation with LeBron James about next season, but has received calls from "about 10-12 teams" interested 👀
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) June 12, 2026
"Believe nothing that's out there because I haven't had one conversation with him." pic.twitter.com/drtwegSNhC
James will become an unrestricted free agent this offseason. He has yet to confirm that he will even play another NBA season, but most feel he will, and James himself has fueled that, intentionally or not.
It remains to be seen if James would actually leave the Lakers, though there seems to be some belief that it is at least a possibility. One team in particular keeps getting linked to him if he hits the open market.
Austin Reaves linked to 3 teams in free agency
Austin Reaves is going to be a wanted man in free agency.
The Los Angeles Lakers wing is expected to be the recipient of a four-year, $178.5 million contract offer from the Brooklyn Nets, according to Dan Woike of The Athletic. The Atlanta Hawks and Detroit Pistons are also expected to have interest in Reaves.
The Lakers have made no secret of their desire to retain Reaves as well. They have exclusive negotiating rights with him until the end of June, and are expected to aggressively try to keep him from hitting the open market.
There probably would be even more suitors if Reaves did hit the open market. The Nets are hoping to become a contender again, while the Hawks want to add some outside firepower. The Pistons are also a good fit as the team looks for some more outside shooting to take some of the heat off Cade Cunningham.
Reaves, 28, is reported to be seeking a max deal in free agency, which could prove prohibitive for some interested teams. The Lakers may even be one of them. He averaged 23.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game this season for Los Angeles, and has emerged as one of the more dangerous wings in the league.
