Kirby Smart reacts to Laura Rutledge’s career move
Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart had some kind words for ESPN’s Laura Rutledge after learning about her major career move.
In a heartfelt statement shared on Tuesday, Rutledge announced that she is leaving SEC Nation.
“Ten years ago, I walked onto this set not fully knowing what the journey would become. Today, I walk away knowing it became one of the most meaningful chapters of my life,” Rutledge wrote.
During the SEC spring meetings that day, Smart held a presser, but before addressing any other subjects, he made sure to give Rutledge her flowers.
“Shout out to Laura Rutledge. I found out this morning that she is going to be moving on away from her SEC duties, but I have a lot of respect for her,” Smart told reporters, via SEC Network.
Smart is definitely familiar with Rutledge, having spent a long time in the SEC and beginning his tenure as Georgia head coach in 2016. Before that, he was on Nick Saban’s Alabama Crimson Tide coaching staff.
“I feel like she and I have been in the SEC the same amount of time,” continued Smart. “With the tenure I’ve had and the tenure she’s had, she’s a good friend and a lot of respect for the work she’s done. I appreciate her service and wish her nothing but the best moving on.”
Despite her SEC Nation departure, Rutledge will still be very much around football, as she continues her work as an NFL Live host and as a sideline reporter for Monday Night Football.
Rangers’ payback against the Astros reached a historic level
The Texas Rangers just had one of the wildest two-game turnarounds of the 2026 MLB season.
On Monday, the Rangers found themselves on the wrong end of history when they were no-hit in a 9-0 loss to the Houston Astros in a series opener at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas.
A day later, the Rangers hit back at Houston, and they did it early, scoring eight runs right in the very first inning in the second game of the series on Tuesday.
With that, the Rangers became just the first team in over a century to have such a dramatic shift in consecutive games.
“Per Elias, the Rangers are the first team since the 1905 Chicago White Sox to record 8 or more runs in the 1st inning following a game in which they were no-hit,” ESPN Insights shared on X.
The Astros’ offense would later come alive, but Texas weathered Houston’s comeback attempt to come away with a 10-7 victory.
Houston pitcher Jason Alexander was responsible for Texas’ first-inning onslaught, but he managed to last until the sixth inning, finishing his brutal start with 9 earned runs on 6 hits, 2 walks, and 4 strikeouts.
With that win, the Rangers snapped their four-game losing skid and improved to 25-29, while the Astros dropped to 24-32 after seeing their four-game winning streak end.
Victor Wembanyama turns heads with his decision after Game 5
Victor Wembanyama always makes for an interesting postgame presser, but not on Tuesday.
The star big man grabbed attention after the San Antonio Spurs’ 127-114 loss in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Okla., when he decided to skip talking to the media.
Sam Amick of The Athletic reported that the reigning NBA Defensive Player of the Year ignored reporters and went straight to the team bus while Spurs guard De’Aaron Fox was still talking to the media.
It was unclear why Wembanyama skipped his postgame media duties, but he was likely not in the mood, given his subpar play against the Thunder.
In Game 5, he shot 4-for-15 from the floor, finishing with 20 points, with most coming from the foul line, where he went 12-for-12.
Wembanyama added 6 rebounds, 3 blocks, 2 steals and 1 assist in 38 minutes, as the Spurs see Oklahoma City grab a 3-2 series lead.
It remains to be seen whether the former Rookie of the Year will receive any punishment from the league for his postgame actions, but in any case, it was not a good look for Wembanyama to avoid the horde of media members waiting to hear his thoughts on the game and his performance.
Travis Kelce enters MLB ownership world with latest investment
Travis Kelce is venturing into the world of baseball.
The Kansas City Chiefs’ superstar tight end is expanding his business portfolio, with MLB insider Jeff Passan of ESPN reporting that Kelce is joining the ownership group of the Cleveland Guardians as a minority investor.
For Kelce, this further strengthens his bond with his roots.
“I have so much love for this city,” the future Pro Football Hall of Famer told ESPN on Wednesday. “I say it all the time: I’m just a kid from the Heights living the dream. I credit every good thing in my life to Cleveland and being raised here with the values and the people and the work ethic.”
Of course, passion for Cleveland sports is not enough for Kelce to buy a stake in a major pro sports franchise.
The 11-time Pro Bowler has earned over $111 million in salary during his NFL career, but he also has plenty of other money-making endeavors, such as his investment in the Alpine Formula 1 team. Moreover, owns the steakhouse 1587 Prime with teammate and Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
Kelce’s entry into the Guardians ownership group should also intensify his baseball rivalry with Mahomes, who is a minority owner of Cleveland’s American League Central Division rivals Kansas City Royals.
The Guardians were valued at around $1 billion in 2022, but are now estimated at $1.7 billion.
Padres troll Bryce Harper’s brushing habit with a large sign
Bryce Harper’s toothbrushing routine has also given Philadelphia Phillies opponents material to troll him.
The San Diego Padres started it on Tuesday, when they showed a sign on the video board to troll Harper while he was taking his at-bat in the fifth inning of the game at Petco Park in San Diego, Calif.
“SQUIRTS TOOTHPASTE INTO HIS MOUTH INSTEAD OF ONTO A TOOTHBRUSH WHEN BRUSHING HIS TEETH,” read the sign on the video board.
The videoboard at Petco Park let everyone know how Bryce Harper brushes his teeth. 🪥😂pic.twitter.com/Yl5HdU5UW8
— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) May 27, 2026
Harper also got heavily trolled online after the clip of his brushing habit went viral on Monday.
Being different can have its repercussions, such as getting ridiculed en masse, but Harper has been around in the big leagues long enough to develop a thick skin.
Despite the trolling, Harper went 2-for-2 with 2 walks and 2 runs scored. He hushed Padres fans early when he launched a solo home run in the first inning to put the Phillies on the board first.
When it was all said and done in the game, Harper had a reason to flash his pearly whites as the Phillies got the last laugh with a 4-3 victory.
So far in the 2026 MLB season, the 33-year-old Harper is hitting .272/.367/.533 with 13 home runs and 33 RBIs through 55 games.
Fans suspect Victor Wembanyama put a hit out on Jared McCain late in Game 5
Some fans seem to believe Victor Wembanyama asked a pair of San Antonio Spurs veterans to inflict some pain on Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jared McCain.
The Spurs, trailing 120-106 late in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals, took Wemby out of the contest with just over two minutes left. Wembanyama appeared to whisper something to incoming substitutes Mason Plumlee and Bismack Biyombo as they traded places on the floor at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Okla.
In the ensuing minutes, Plumlee would deck McCain with an elbow to the back. A few possessions later, Biyombo pancaked McCain on a drive to the rim. The punishment toward McCain had more than a few fans speculating that those incidents were on Wembanyama’s instruction.
Wemby whispered something to Bismack Biyombo and Mason Plumlee as they checked in during garbage time…
— BrickCenter (@BrickCenter_) May 27, 2026
They both immediately picked up DIRTY fouls on Jared McCain 🤔 pic.twitter.com/vIestvdDKV
Just like in Game 3, McCain was once again a menace on offense for the Thunder in Game 5, finishing with 20 points in his first-ever playoff start. He stepped up in a big way in the absence of Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell to help OKC secure a 127-114 win.
There’s no way to prove that Wembanyama did ask for his Spurs goons to clobber McCain. But it’s interesting to note that Wemby did leave Paycom Center without addressing the media.
The Frenchman was clearly not in the best of moods after a relatively underwhelming Game 5 performance. He went 4/15 from the field for 20 points, scoring primarily from the free throw line.
Bulls eyeing Cavaliers coach to replace Billy Donovan
The Chicago Bulls finally got to reach out to one of their head coaching candidates after the Cleveland Cavaliers were eliminated from the postseason.
The Bulls have reportedly received permission from the Cavaliers to interview Cleveland’s associate head coach Johnnie Bryant for their head coaching vacancy. According to Andscape’s Marc Spears, Chicago has been waiting for the conclusion of the Cavs’ season to get in touch with Bryant.
The Bulls have received permission to interview Cavaliers associate head coach Johnnie Bryant for their head coach job, a source said. The former University of Utah guard has 12 years of NBA assistant coaching experience and has also been an associate head coach with the Knicks.
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) May 27, 2026
The 40-year-old has been an NBA assistant coach for 12 years. The former Utah Utes standout joined the Utah Jazz’s coaching staff from 2014 to 2020.
Bryant was named associate head coach of the New York Knicks in 2020 during Tom Thibodeau’s first year with the team. Bryant took the same role as Kenny Atkinson took the top job with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2024.
With half a dozen years as the second-in-command on playoff teams under his belt, Bryant appears to be a prime candidate to get a head coaching opportunity on a young team like the Bulls. Bryant nearly landed the Phoenix Suns job last offseason before the Western Conference team went with Jordan Ott.
Billy Donovan stepped down as Chicago’s head coach last month after six mostly lackluster seasons with the team. The Bulls are casting a wide net to find Donovan’s replacement. The team reportedly expressed interest in a former NBA All-Star for the job as well.
Mike Macdonald had great quote ahead of Seahawks’ title defense
Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald wants his team only looking forward on the heels of a magical Super Bowl run last season.
Macdonald has been known to be deliberate in how he communicates with his team, and that has not changed with a Super Bowl ring in his trophy cabinet. He spoke to reporters on Tuesday and shared his team’s new rallying crew ahead of Seattle’s title defense in 2026.
“We’re using the term we want to ‘run it forward,’ with ‘it’ meaning our process and who we are,” Macdonald said during a press conference. “I think this is going to be a conversation, something that we’re going to talk about consistently. …
“It’s how we talk about how we operate all the time. We’re having conversations with our team and our units every day about who we want to be and how we want to do things. This situation is no different.”
Asked who came up with the tagline of “run it forward,” Macdonald had a cheeky reply.
“If you like it, I’ll take credit for it,” the Seahawks coach added. “If not, somebody else.”
It’s not uncommon for teams to have Super Bowl hangovers, which often makes it more difficult for reigning champions to get back on the main stage. The term often used by contending teams is to “run it back,” but Macdonald wants to rewire the way his team thinks to keep their competitive fire going.
Coaches are hired primarily for their game-planning and play-calling on the field. But the culture coaches build behind the scenes can sometimes be just as important.
Referees botched so many calls that went against the Spurs in Game 5
The San Antonio Spurs had plenty of legitimate gripes with the officiating on Tuesday during Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals.
The Spurs came into the Oklahoma City Thunder’s house looking to steal a victory. But there seemed to be a lot of home cooking going on at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Okla.
While referees miss a few calls every game, there seemed to be several blatant errors or non-calls that went against the Spurs. One first-half example was rookie Dylan Harper getting caught by an elbow from Jared McCain, but the former was the one who got whistled for a foul.
OKC's whistle is disgusting.
— House of Lowlights (@HouseLowlights) May 27, 2026
McCain elbows Dylan Harper in the throat, then flops to the floor.
Foul on Harper. pic.twitter.com/jb5BpBzXTz
San Antonio was also robbed of two points after Cason Wallace got away with a clear goaltend in the final minute of the third quarter.
Not a goaltend???pic.twitter.com/F9CEBSinoq
— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) May 27, 2026
On the Spurs’ next possession, Victor Wembanyama dribbled the ball off Chet Holmgren’s foot. Referees deemed it Thunder ball.
Ball clearly off of Chet Holmgren’s foot.
— hymn duncan (@hymnduncan) May 27, 2026
Mitch Johnson attempts to challenge directly in front of the official.
Refs do not give us the challenge.
This sport is rigged. #AdamSilverBasketball pic.twitter.com/VgXqgcETDN
San Antonio wanted to get a challenge in to reverse the ruling, but the referees did not grant head coach Mitch Johnson’s call for a review. Johnson, who had his call for a review ignored right in front of one official, was assessed a technical foul for complaining.
Mitch Johnson tried challenging a call and the refs ignored him. When he complained Tony Brothers gave him a technical foul pic.twitter.com/W6uaPPdCFG
— Rate the Refs (@Rate_the_Refs) May 27, 2026
Less than a minute of game time later, the Spurs got hosed on another out-of-bounds call that the NBC crew felt should have gone San Antonio’s way.
Tony Brothers calls it a jump ball after Hartenstein bats it out.
— Tsoj (@TsojBall) May 27, 2026
All 3 commentators say it was last touched by the Thunder pic.twitter.com/G8o0lKBqoL
The Spurs lost to the Thunder 127-114 for reasons that went beyond the officiating. Both Wemby and De’Aaron Fox shot 4/15 from the field, while Harper finished with just five points on 1/5 shooting.
But the unfavorable whistle certainly didn’t help San Antonio’s chances.
Christian Pulisic had ‘annoyed’ response to 1 question during his World Cup press conference
Christian Pulisic had zero patience for any boilerplate questions hurled at him on Tuesday.
The American soccer superstar made his return stateside after being named to the U.S. FIFA World Cup roster. During his first press conference since the news, Pulisic may have been a little grumpy after his 9-hour transatlantic flight from Milan to New York.
Pulisic reportedly “seemed annoyed” when asked about the “pressure” that comes with being the most recognizable name on the host country’s roster.
“I feel like I’ve been asked this question so many times,” Pulisic responded. “So I’m not going to get into it anymore. I mean, there’s pressure, it’s a World Cup.”
In his first press conference after being named to the World Cup roster, Christian Pulisic seems annoyed.
— Ben Steiner (@BenSteiner00) May 26, 2026
"I feel like I've been asked this question so many times, so I'm not going to get into it anymore. I mean, there's pressure, it's a World Cup."
Not a good vibe.
It’s hard to expect Christian to be in high spirits.
Pulisic is just days removed from the end of his hellish campaign with AC Milan this season, wherein he failed to score a single goal across 19 straight appearances. Pulisic and his teammates were booed off the field after losing their final game of the campaign, knocking them out of Champions League qualification.
AC Milan closed the season with losses in three of its last four games. American soccer fans can only hope that the stink got left behind at airport security after Pulisic arrived back home.
Mike Brown used clever tactic to light a fire under the Knicks
Mike Brown played the role of motivator to a tee as his New York Knicks look to continue their torrid postseason run.
The Knicks have had lengthy waits before each of their last two series. They had four days off before Game 1 of their Eastern Conference semifinals matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers, who went to seven games against the Boston Celtics. New York had nine days of rest before taking on the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Despite all the time off, the Knicks showed zero rust against both opponents. New York brought out the brooms both times for decisive sweeps. Brown’s motivational tactics may have been a part of it.
Before the conference finals, the Knicks head coach reportedly showed his team a compilation video of each player’s reaction to getting eliminated by the Indiana Pacers last season two games short of the NBA Finals.
Mike Brown had his staff create a video before Game 1 of the ECF showing the players' faces after being eliminated by the Pacers last season
— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) May 26, 2026
The message: "How did you feel in that moment?"
(Via @MrBuckBuckNBA) pic.twitter.com/co1TZcr763
“How did you feel in that moment?” Brown asked his players.
The Knicks clearly didn’t want to feel the same way once the dust settled on this year’s Eastern Conference Finals. New York dominated the Cavaliers by an average margin of 19.3 points to cruise to the NBA’s ultimate series.
One has to wonder what motivational bullets Brown still has left in the chamber as the Knicks await their opponent to come out West.
Chargers make Derwin James the highest-paid safety in NFL history
The Los Angeles Chargers selected safety Derwin James 17th overall in the 2018 NFL Draft.
Now, James has become the highest-paid safety in NFL history after the two sides agreed to a new contract on Tuesday.
James agreed to a three-year deal worth $75.6 million with $57.5 million guaranteed, with an average annual value of $25.2 million.
The guarantee is $57.5M for Derwin James, as the Chargers take care of one of their best. https://t.co/mcK1TAYZvY
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 26, 2026
James suffered an injury during his final college season at Florida State, which caused him to fall a bit in the draft, but he was always viewed as a star.
James missed the entire 2020 season with an injury, but he has made the Pro Bowl four times in the past five seasons while being a force on the Chargers’ defense.
James has played in 16 regular-season games in each of the past three seasons, and he had 50 total tackles with 2 sacks and 3 interceptions in 2025.
The Chargers watched defensive coordinator Jesse Minter leave to become the head coach of the Baltimore Ravens. In turn, the Chargers hired Chris O’Leary, who was LA’s safeties coach in 2024 before taking the DC job in 2025 at Western Michigan.
So, with the Chargers kicking off OTAs, the Derwin James contract extension can be one item marked off the checklist.
Pelicans have clear stance on Zion Williamson after Jamahl Mosley hire
The New Orleans Pelicans are beginning a new era with former Orlando Magic coach Jamahl Mosley named as the new head coach.
Mosley just brought the Magic to another playoff trip before he was fired after a first-round exit, and now he has work to do in New Orleans.
One order of business is regarding superstar big man Zion Williamson. And, while Williamson’s name has surfaced time and time again in trade rumors, all signs point to New Orleans sticking with the former No. 1 pick a bit longer.
“We haven’t changed our opinions on Zion. I’d love to see Jamahl coach Zion. I’d love to see him get Zion to defend and do all the things he said. “Let’s see what we have here,” Pelicans executive Joe Dumars said on Tuesday.
"We haven't changed our opinions on Zion. I'd love to see Jamahl coach Zion. I'd love to see him get Zion to defend and do all the things he said. Lets see what we have here"
— Pelicans Film Room (@PelsFilmRoom) May 26, 2026
— Joe Dumars on Zion Williamson pic.twitter.com/1hFetgA6ws
Williamson said in April that New Orleans is “home” and the place he wants to be, despite his name being involved in trade rumblings.
Another report suggested that the Pelicans were even thinking of a contract extension for Williamson, who is just 25 years old and was the top pick in the 2019 NBA Draft after a stellar run at Duke.
Williamson played 62 games this season, the second-most of his NBA career and just the third time he has played more than 30 games in a season.
So, if Mosley can unlock Williamson’s full potential, the Pelicans could be a fun team to watch going forward.
Green Bay Packers RB Josh Jacobs arrested
The Green Bay Packers officially began OTAs on Tuesday, but one name might not be there for some time.
Star running back Josh Jacobs was arrested and booked into jail on five charges related to domestic abuse.
Jacobs was arrested on the following five charges:
- Battery/domestic abuse
- Criminal damage to property/domestic abuse
- Disorderly conduct/domestic abuse
- Strangulation and suffocation
- Intimidation of a victim
BREAKING: Josh Jacobs has been arrested and booked into jail on five charges.
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) May 26, 2026
Full details: pic.twitter.com/Gs8sbUV6cM
Jacobs’ attorneys, David Chesnoff and Richard Schonfeld, released a statement saying that the Packers RB “vehemently denies the allegations.”
“Josh vehemently denies the allegations, and this matter is in the early stages of investigation with important evidence that has not yet been made public. We ask for fairness and restraint while the judicial process takes its course,” the statement read, via Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
A Packers spokesperson also issued a statement.
“We are aware of the matter involving Josh Jacobs. As it is an ongoing legal situation, we will withhold further comment.”
Jacobs, who was selected No. 24 overall by the then-Oakland Raiders in the 2019 NFL Draft, played five seasons with the Raiders before signing with the Packers in 2024.
Jacobs rushed for 1,329 yards in 2024 with 15 touchdowns, and he had 929 yards and 13 touchdowns this past year for Green Bay.
Jacobs was expected to be a massive part of the offense once again, but this arrest brings a lot of questions into focus on his immediate future.
Tony Parker lands a head coaching job with historic salary
Tony Parker is a San Antonio Spurs legend who is in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame with four NBA Finals victories and an NBA Finals MVP on his resume.
Now, Parker is set to become a head coach overseas. According to Donatas Urbonas of BasketNews, Parker is set to become the head coach of ASVEL Villeurbanne in France in the EuroLeague.
And Parker is set to earn the richest contract in French basketball history.
“According to BasketNews sources, Parker is projected to earn around €1.2 million annually, a figure that would likely make it the richest coaching contract in French basketball history,” Urbonas wrote.
Parker retired from the NBA in 2019 after playing his final season with the Charlotte Hornets, and he revealed he wanted to spend time with Michael Jordan.
Parker’s ties to the ASVEL run deep. The Spurs legend bought a stake in the franchise in 2009, then signed with them in 2011 during the NBA lockout.
Parker recently sold his shares of the franchise and transitioned to being the club president, and he is now set to be the head coach in a massive move.
Pierric Poupet, the former coach for ASVEL, had a salary of “about 10 percent” of Parker’s deal, according to BasketNews, so this is a major investment for a franchise hoping to turn things around.
ASVEL Villeurbanne finished with an 8-30 record, which ended up as 20th in the EuroLeague this past season.
Tigers manager drops huge Tarik Skubal injury update
The Detroit Tigers are anxiously waiting for star pitcher Tarik Skubal to come back after he underwent surgery at the beginning of May.
Skubal underwent surgery to have loose bodies removed from his elbow, and the initial timeframe for a return was anywhere between 2 and 3 months.
However, Tigers manager A.J. Hinch dropped a positive update on Skubal. Hinch said Skubal threw a live BP session and said it was “really encouraging.”
A.J. Hinch called Skubal’s live BP “really encouraging.” He’ll throw to hitters again on Sunday, building up in volume.
— Jason Beck (@beckjason) May 26, 2026
Skubal will throw a rehab start before returning from injured list, Hinch reiterated.
Skubal’s agent, Scott Boras, revealed that the pitcher underwent a special procedure to try to speed up the timeline.
Skubal, the 2025 American League Cy Young winner, threw a bullpen recently at Comerica Park, so this is the latest in a string of positive developments for the Tigers’ star pitcher.
Currently, Skubal’s name has been in plenty of trade rumors, and a report mentioned four teams that are expected to be interested in the reigning Cy Young winner: The Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres, New York Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays.
The Tigers have still given no indication of whether or not they will trade him, but everything should become clearer when Skubal returns to the big-league club.
Brendan Sorsby posts statement after NCAA eligibility ruling
Brendan Sorsby’s time as the Texas Tech Red Raiders quarterback might be over before it even started.
On Tuesday, the NCAA denied Sorsby’s request for reinstatement for eligibility after he finished a 35-day inpatient rehab for his gambling addiction.
Shortly after, Sorsby took to Instagram with a heartfelt message. Sorsby said he accepts responsibility for his actions, and he finished the statement by issuing an apology.
“I am deeply sorry to everyone I have disappointed and am committed to the hard and necessary work ahead.”
Sorsby checked himself into rehab for gambling at the end of April, and reports stated that the quarterback made bets on his own team while he was a backup at Indiana.
Sorsby transferred to Texas Tech this offseason after starring at Cincinnati, and he was one of the best players in the transfer portal.
Texas Tech president Lawrence Schovanec said the university is appealing the decision by the NCAA.
Texas Tech will be appealing the NCAA’s ruling. School President Lawrence Schovanec said in a letter today: “We believe that given the facts and the context of Brendan’s case, the NCAA’s ruling should be reversed or modified. As a generation of college athletes face the… https://t.co/4AM4SmOV6R
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) May 26, 2026
The immediate future for Sorsby is up in the air. He has a court date on June 1 in Lubbock County, but if that doesn’t go his way, the only other option is the NFL Supplemental Draft in July, although no player has been selected in that draft since 2019.
If Sorsby enters the NFL Supplemental Draft, it will be a domino effect at Texas Tech and in the NFL, as several teams will likely be interested in Sorsby.
As of now, things are up in the air.
Giannis Antetokounmpo has been linked to a new team
Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo has been linked to a new potential destination in trade rumors this summer.
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst noted that the Cleveland Cavaliers are likely to make significant changes to their roster after being swept by the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals. He expects that to include them at least looking at acquiring Antetokounmpo.
“I expect them to make some significant changes to it,” Windhorst said of Cleveland’s roster. “I don’t think it will be long before you start to hear Cavs attached to Giannis Antetokounmpo. Would they consider entering that market? If they put Evan Mobley on the table, as hard as that would be, they drafted him to be another Giannis. What if they could turn him into Giannis with (James) Harden and Donovan Mitchell on the roster?”
Windy on the Cavs roster:
— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) May 26, 2026
"I expect them to make some significant changes to it. I expect the Cavs to be mulling over…like I don't think it will be long before you start to hear Cavs attached to Giannis…would they consider entering that market? If they put Evan Mobley on the… pic.twitter.com/20AgLqc6D5
Antetokounmpo is believed to want to stay in the Eastern Conference and play for a contender. In theory, the Cavaliers tick both of those boxes. Whether the Bucks would want to send him to a division rival is another question entirely, especially when they are likely to have other options.
Still, the notion of Antetokounmpo with Cleveland is tantalizing, even if it would cost them a player like Mobley. Based on the moves they are making, the Cavs are definitely in win-now mode, and trying to land Giannis would absolutely be a statement of intent on their part.
Nobody believed Jon Sumrall’s comment about Lane Kiffin
New Florida coach Jon Sumrall tried to contrast himself with Lane Kiffin on Tuesday, but nobody was buying it.
Sumrall accepted the Gators job while still coaching Tulane, which was still in the College Football Playoff at the time. Lane Kiffin did the same by going from Ole Miss to LSU, but Sumrall was allowed to coach Tulane until the end of their season, while Kiffin was not permitted to coach Ole Miss.
On Tuesday, Sumrall said if the choice had come down to it, he would have stayed at Tulane and passed on the Florida job if he had to leave the Green Wave before the end of the season.
“I would’ve stayed at Tulane and not taken another job,” Sumrall claimed. “We were playing for a championship. That’s not a shot at anybody.”
If Tulane had not allowed Jon Sumrall to coach in the CFP while taking the Florida job, what would he had done?
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) May 26, 2026
“I would’ve stayed at Tulane and not taken another job. … We were playing for a championship. That’s not a shot at anybody.”
Sumrall was permitted to work both jobs simultaneously because Tulane and Florida aren’t competing for the same recruits with the same resources. Thus, he did not have to make that decision. It is very hard to believe, however, that he would have passed up the chance to go to Florida if he had actually faced such a situation.
The general consensus was that it was easy for Sumrall to say this now without having had to actually make the choice.
This is so disingenuous. The only honest answer to this is “I’m not sure what I would have done. I’d have wanted to coach.”
— Kyle V. (@kvallo3) May 26, 2026
His feet to the fire tho, he’d have done exactly what Lane did.
Sumrall did get to find out what it’s like to work two jobs at once. He probably would prefer not to do that again.
NCAA makes decision on Texas Tech’s Brendan Sorsby
The NCAA has made its decision regarding the eligibility of Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby.
Sorsby’s request for reinstatement was denied by the NCAA, according to Pete Thamel of ESPN. That means the quarterback will not be eligible to play in 2026.
Sources: The NCAA has denied Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby’s request for reinstatement for eligibility for the 2026 season. Sorsby has completed his 35-day in-patient rehab for his gambling addiction at Algamus in Goodyear, Arizona. pic.twitter.com/Ts1p3juEI9
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) May 26, 2026
Sorsby admitted to placing bets on Indiana while a member of the Hoosiers in 2022, which is against NCAA rules. He checked himself into rehab in late April due to a gambling addiction, but has completed in-patient treatment.
Sorsby is taking the NCAA to court over his eligibility already, so this does not come as a huge shock. That court date is scheduled for June 1.
Texas Tech landed Sorsby as a transfer from Cincinnati during the offseason, and he was set to be the team’s starting quarterback in 2026. He threw for 2,800 yards and 27 touchdowns with the Bearcats last season, and was a second-team All-Big 12 selection.
If Sorsby’s legal appeals are denied, the quarterback could enter the NFL’s supplemental draft, which usually takes place sometime in July.
