
NBA Draft Pick Salaries: How Much Do Rookies Make?
The NBA rookie wage scale for the 2023 NBA Draft.
2023-06-22 19:17

Andy Robertson gives 'scary' prediction on Trent Alexander-Arnold's new midfield role
Andy Robertson has backed Liverpool teammate to succeed as a midfielder after being played in the role by England manager Gareth Southgate during the international break.
2023-06-22 18:50

Billy Gilmour delighted to end challenging season on high with Scotland win
Billy Gilmour was delighted to end a challenging season on a high with an impressive display in Scotland’s 2-0 Euro 2024 qualifying win over Georgia. Gilmour won the official man-of-the-match award after making light of the sodden conditions with an excellent display of possession football. The midfielder was making his first competitive start for Scotland this season after forcing his way into the Brighton team in the final weeks of the campaign. Gilmour had been unfortunate to see the man who signed him from Chelsea, Graham Potter, leave for Stamford Bridge a week after the transfer. He took some time to get into Roberto De Zerbi’s team and also had to cope with being the victim of a stalking campaign last autumn by a woman who was sentenced in court to a suspended prison term on Tuesday. The 22-year-old started five of the last eight games of the Premier League season, which included a 6-0 win over Wolves, a draw with Manchester City and wins over Manchester United and Arsenal. And he was able to depart for his summer break in good spirits after helping Scotland maintain their 100 per cent record in Group A of the European Championship qualifiers. “I am really happy with my first start in a while,” the former Rangers youth player said. “I am just happy to be back out there playing, with a smile on my face, doing what I love. It’s a good feeling. “It’s been a challenging season. Towards the back end I got quite a few opportunities at Brighton, so I am thankful and happy. I have worked hard. It was a good way to end the season.” Scotland moved eight points clear at the halfway mark of their group, although Spain have two games in hand and are nine behind. Gilmour said: “We have shown a real togetherness. We are doing well as a team and the manager is making sure we are working hard and challenging each other every day in training. It’s really good for Scotland. Everyone is pushing each other.” Scotland overcame torrential conditions and a near two-hour delay to clear water off the pitch to beat Georgia through goals from Callum McGregor and Scott McTominay. “It was tough,” Gilmour said. “One minute the game was going ahead and the next it’s not. “It was a crazy night but mentally we had to be focused and ready and big thanks to the fans staying behind and the ball boys helping out, cleaning the pitch and making sure it was playable. “The first 10-15 minutes was crazy, just to adjust, you think you can win it and then it holds up. But we got it sorted. Everyone stuck together, helped out and we got three points.” Gilmour was focused on the game rather than being distracted by the prospect of finishing the match on Wednesday and delaying summer breaks. “I was too busy sitting down trying to keep myself ticking over,” he said. “There might have been a couple of shouts of ‘replay tomorrow’ but it was fine after we got the water off the pitch. “Football came first, obviously with the national team. We were all focused on that and leave summer until after the game. Now we can go and have a break and enjoy.”
2023-06-22 18:49

Missing Titanic sub search in critical phase amid fears over oxygen levels
If it is still functional and intact, it may only have a small amount of oxygen left on board.
2023-06-22 18:45

Chastain chasing Trackhouse's 1st win this season at the team's home track of Nashville
Ty Norris has heard NASCAR fans both cheer and boo Ross Chastain
2023-06-22 18:28

Audi name first driver to join F1 project ahead of 2026 grid spot
Audi have revealed former Le Mans winner Neel Jani has joined the team as a simulator driver ahead of their 2026 Formula 1 entry. The German brand, owned by Volkswagen, announced last summer they would enter F1 under new regulations in 2026, building their own power unit in Bavaria. By October, a deal had been struck to take over the Sauber works team, currently branded as Alfa Romeo, in time for 2026. With preparations for their entry well underway, with Andreas Seidl leaving McLaren in December to join as the team’s new CEO, Swiss driver Jani has been announced as a driver to aid development on the power-unit with simulator work. Jani, 39, is a former F1 test and reserve driver for Red Bull and has driven in GP2, Formula E and Le Mans, which he won in 2016 with Porsche. “I am delighted to accompany Audi on their way into Formula 1,” said Jani. “It is both an honour and a great responsibility to be involved in a project of this magnitude at an early stage. “I am sure that with my experience from Formula 1 and LMP [Le Mans Prototype] projects I can forge good links between theory and practice.” Audi are aiming to test their first full power unit by the end of this year. “Just like in production development, simulation plays a major role in our Formula 1 project,” said Oliver Hoffmann, member of the board of management for technical development of Audi AG. “Our simulator is an important tool for the power unit development. It requires a development driver who in addition to a grasp of technology brings versatile experience to the project, especially in terms of energy management in racing conditions.” Audi are a confirmed entry for 2026 while the FIA are currently in the midst of a process of considering other prospective entries from the likes of Andretti-Cadillac, Hitcech GP and Panthera Team Asia. Read More Inspired by Schumacher, meet the Hong Kong billionaire targeting a new Formula 1 team Are Red Bull now the most successful F1 team ever – and how long can this dominance last? F1 chief hails ‘exciting’ development with Honda set for grid return ‘We must learn’: Neymar incident could see F1 clampdown on grid access Lewis Hamilton insists Mercedes must now switch focus to haul in Red Bull Are Red Bull the most successful F1 team ever – and how long can this dominance last?
2023-06-22 17:58

Southampton face Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough in Championship opener
Southampton will take on Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough in the opening match of the new Sky Bet Championship season on Friday, August 4. Beginning life under new boss Russell Martin, the relegated Saints face a Wednesday outfit back in the second tier after winning the League One play-offs last month and currently managerless after parting company with Darren Moore. Leicester, under new boss Enzo Maresca, and Leeds – the two other clubs to have dropped down from the Premier League – kick off their campaigns two days later at home against defeated play-off finalists Coventry and Cardiff respectively. The other game that day sees Sunderland entertain promoted Ipswich, while League One champions Plymouth open by hosting Huddersfield the day before. Southampton’s first home game of the campaign will be against Norwich the following Saturday, when Leicester travel to Huddersfield and Leeds are at Birmingham. The final day of the regular Championship season on May 4 will see Leeds and Southampton go head to head at St Mary’s, while Leicester host Blackburn. The opening round of League One fixtures on August 5 includes Wigan, who finished bottom of the Championship last term, playing at Derby as they start their season on minus eight points after being penalised over payment of wages. Fellow relegated sides Reading and Blackpool begin at home against Peterborough and Burton respectively, while Barnsley, who missed out on promotion to Wednesday, welcome Port Vale to Oakwell. In League Two, the return of Wrexham – owned by Hollywood duo Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney – to the Football League, starts with a home clash against MK Dons. Thursday’s release of the new season’s EFL fixtures also shows National League play-off winners Notts County beginning their own comeback campaign by playing Sutton away.
2023-06-22 17:16

Tottenham agree deal to sign Empoli goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario
Tottenham have agreed a deal to sign Empoli goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario.
2023-06-22 16:50

Opening day fixtures 2023/24: Every Championship match in first round of games
The EFL have released their full sets of 2023/24 fixtures for each of the three tiers below the Premier League. In the Championship, an intriguing opening weekend clash sees teams who were involved in promotion and relegation battles at the end of last term come together, starting on Friday night when Sheffield Wednesday host Southampton. The Owls came up through the League One play-offs, while Saints departed the Premier League after a dismal campaign. Elsewhere, Sunderland - beaten in the Championship play-off semis by eventually promoted Luton - face newly promoted Ipswich Town, while Leicester, relegated from the top flight on the final day last season, face Coventry City who missed out on replacing them by virtue of a penalty shoot-out defeat at Wembley in the play-off final. Relegated Leeds start at home to Cardiff, while League One champions Plymouth open their campaign at home to Huddersfield. The full opening weekend list: 04/08/202320:00Sheffield Wednesday v Southampton 05/08/202315:00Blackburn Rovers v West Bromwich Albion 05/08/202315:00Bristol City v Preston North End 05/08/202315:00Middlesbrough v Millwall 05/08/202315:00Norwich City v Hull City 05/08/202315:00Plymouth Argyle v Huddersfield Town 05/08/202315:00Queens Park Rangers v Watford 05/08/202315:00Stoke City v Rotherham United 05/08/202315:00Swansea City v Birmingham City 06/08/202314:30Leeds United v Cardiff City 06/08/202312:00Leicester City v Coventry City 06/08/202317:00Sunderland v Ipswich Town The League One opening weekend list can be found here, with the League Two fixtures here. Read More Almost two thirds of football fans oppose VAR, survey finds Sheffield Wednesday boss Darren Moore leaves club three weeks after play-off win Jonny Evans was shocked to learn of ‘amazing’ honour
2023-06-22 16:23

Ilia Topuria has a question for you
Ilia Topuria has a question for you. Actually, he has a few. “Do you know how good I am?” is the first. Initially, I’m not quite sure whether I should answer on your behalf. He asks again. “Do you know how good I am?” To my relief, he quickly follows up. “I can submit him, I can knock him out. I can do with him whatever I want.” The German-born Georgian, fighting out of Spain, is not actually talking about Josh Emmett – whom he faces in a UFC Fight Night main event on Saturday. Rather, he is reflecting on his win against Bryce Mitchell. In December, Topuria submitted the submission specialist to the surprise of many, and that is why he asks: “Do you know how good I am?” It is also why he asks: “Do you know how dangerous my takedowns are, how dangerous my ground game is?” I had entered our interview presuming I would be asking the questions, but by this point, the unbeaten featherweight might have overtaken me. “I don’t care what people say about me,” he adds. “People were talking like: ‘He’s good on the ground’. I’ve been a black belt since I was 20 years old. For me, there’s no surprise if I submit Bryce Mitchell or anyone in my division. I know that I can finish anyone. Brazilian jiu-jitsu grappling is my world.” As the conversation turns to Emmett, the next obstacle in Topuria’s way as he hones in on a title shot, the 26-year-old has even more questions. “With Josh, people say: ‘His right hand is so dangerous.’ Do you know how dangerous my right hand is? Do you know how dangerous my left hand is?” The answers to all of Topuria’s questions are found fairly easily, so any frustration he has towards those fans who have missed them is understandable. Twelve of the Georgian’s 13 professional wins have coming via stoppage – eight by submission and four by knockout. Nine months before Topuria entered the featherweight top 10 with his arm-triangle choke against Mitchell, he knocked out Jai Herbert on the Briton’s home soil in London. After surviving a knockdown from a picture-perfect head kick, Topuria melted Herbert with a singing left hook to the liver and a molten right hand to the chin. While that bout took place at lightweight, it registered as a message to all UFC featherweight contenders when Topuria later dropped into the division. And, now done asking questions, Topuria has a message for you: “Shut up. Just watch the fight and enjoy.” Topuria will certainly enjoy his clash with Emmett in Jacksonville this weekend, as he looks to hand the American, 38, a second straight defeat, four months after Emmett lost to Yair Rodriguez with the interim featherweight belt on the line. “When I’m in the ring, I’m really happy and really thankful to God,” Topuria tells The Independent, “because I asked him to put me in this position. It was my goal to become a UFC champion, and this is the way I have to pass. When I go inside the cage, I feel very happy to have that opportunity, because I have the chance to fight for my dreams, and right now there are a lot of people in hospitals, [fighting] for their lives. “I’m working for my happiness every day. When I wake up, I’m not happy just for something I did in the past; I can’t live off that for my whole life. I’m just focused on myself and achieving my goals. I don’t care about anyone else – just me, my family, and my friends. That’s it.” Among the small group dearest to Topuria is his three-year-old son – already a “man”, in his father’s words. “He knows [what I do], he knows,” Topuria says. “He calls me every day, supporting me. He speaks perfectly. He’s a man. I don’t know if he’s gonna do MMA. If that’s the call [he makes], I’ll support him in anything he chooses in this life. “If he wants to fight, I’m gonna support him; if he wants to... I don’t know... study, I’m gonna support him. If it makes him happy, I don’t care. Go for that, because in this life, people are always looking for success. What’s success for me? Success is when you’re happy with yourself, that’s it.” In that sense, Topuria is already a very successful man. Winning the UFC featherweight title would only reaffirm that fact. Click here to subscribe to The Independent’s Sport YouTube channel for all the latest sports videos. Read More Topuria vs Emmett live stream: How to watch UFC Fight Night online and on TV this weekend Conor McGregor complains as his team lose yet again on The Ultimate Fighter How Ciryl Gane’s Jon Jones dream turned into a nightmare Topuria vs Emmett and full UFC Fight Night card this weekend What time does Topuria vs Emmett start in UK and US this weekend? How to watch Topuria vs Emmett online and on TV this weekend
2023-06-22 14:57

Football rumours: Manchester United make last-gasp attempt to sign Harry Kane
What the papers say Manchester United have reportedly made a last-ditch attempt to sign England captain Harry Kane. According to The Sun, the Red Devils have reached out to the Tottenham striker to encourage him to put in a transfer request as club bosses grow increasingly frustrated with Spurs’ unwillingness to negotiate over Kane’s position. Staying at Old Trafford, The Telegraph reports the club have joined Arsenal in pursuit of West Ham midfielder Declan Rice. United are said to be interested in a player-plus-cash deal involving England defender Harry Maguire or Scotland midfielder Scott McTominay. West Brom defender Dara O’Shea could be set for a return to the Premier League next season. The Irish Independent reports the 24-year-old Republic of Ireland international has all-but confirmed a move to Burnley, with a medical at Turf Moor on Thursday the last hurdle to clear. And the Evening Standard claims Chelsea midfielder Hakim Ziyech is nearing a move to Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr. Social media round-up Players to watch Sandro Tonali: The Athletic says Newcastle are circling a £60million deal for the AC Milan midfielder. Bernardo Silva: The Manchester City midfielder is nearing a move to Saudi Arabia, according to Spanish outlet Marca. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live
2023-06-22 14:16

Wizards trading Porzingis to Celtics in 3-team deal with Smart headed to Grizzlies, AP sources say
Two people with knowledge of the deal say the Washington Wizards have agreed to trade center Kristaps Porzingis to the Boston Celtics as part of a three-team trade that also includes the Celtics trading Marcus Smart to the Memphis Grizzlies
2023-06-22 13:51