Zachary Draves Articles - Page 18

After a stellar first year, Duke freshman Cooper Flagg is being compared to some of the greatest players in program history. As Duke enters the Final Four as favorites against Houston on Saturday, Flagg is searching for more than a national championship—he is searching for a place in history. To become one of the greatest […]

There is a feeling that Detroit Pistons forward Isaiah Stewart has revived the team’s streetball sensibilities following the recent brawl against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Stewart was one of five players who received suspensions for the melee by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. While some are reviling against what transpired, others were riveted. One of those was […]

Chicago Bears’ Ben Johnson hopes to shake things up in his first year as head coach. Even going as far as looking to take a chance on an uncanny talent. An NFL insider, Field Yates of ESPN, indicates that Johnson would “love” nothing more than to secure the talents of LSU OL/G Will Campbell. “I’m […]

It’s almost been a year since Houston Astros pitcher Cristian Javier underwent Tommy John surgery. As the Astros set a timeline for his return before the All-Star break, his absence is being felt. On Wednesday, the Astros moved Javier to the 60-day injured list to fill a roster spot, per Jake Elman of Athlon Sports. […]

After Texas A&M basketball lost Buzz Williams as head coach, one of its best players has gone to the transfer portal. Junior power forward Pharrel Payne joined the pool, per Peter Nakos of On3Sports. This season, Payne averaged 10.4 points per game and 5.1 rebounds, helping Texas A&M reach the second round of the NCAA tournament. […]

USC football has been making some major inroads in recruiting this offseason. They are on track to outpace their competitors in the recruiting class of 2026. So far, they have gotten a verbal agreement from four-star defensive lineman Jaimeon Winfield from Texas. USC also got a verbal commitment from defensive lineman Malik Brooks of St. […]

Los Angeles Lakers leader LeBron James knows a thing or two about football. James was so good in high school that his talent would drive his coaches up a wall. In fact, some believe James could have had a shot at the NFL. So when he evokes a football comparison in his analysis of the […]

Since coming to Los Angeles, Lakers guard Luka Doncic has received the utmost praise from LeBron James for his contributions. The Lakers are surging with a 46-29 record and are on the verge of locking up a top-five seed in the playoffs. Meanwhile, the Dallas Mavericks are hanging on by a thread with a 37-39 record […]

As part of the NFL’s international series, the league announced that the United Arab Emirates could become the next stop. However, NFL executive Peter O’Reilly says more work is needed per Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team.  This announcement comes at a time when the NFL is expanding its reach at a global level.  The NFL […]

Fans of the Dallas Mavericks don’t believe that “all is forgiven.” Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison has fallen victim to their ire as the Mavericks are still dazed by the Luka Doncic-Anthony Davis trade. Before Monday’s game against the Brooklyn Nets, a fan was caught yelling at Harrison, shouting, “Fire Nico,” per @MVPLuka77 on X. […]

Former Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban is still reeling from the aftereffects of selling the team in 2023. As if that, plus Cuban’s astonishment at the trading of Luka Doncic, wasn’t enough, he is feeling the heat from a former Mavericks employee, even though the trade occurred after Cuban sold the franchise.  In a back-and-forth […]

The Texas Rangers exuded confidence in pitcher Jack Leiter to take on the Boston Red Sox on Friday. Leiter returned with a solid performance, including four strikeouts and giving up one run in five innings pitched as the Rangers won 4-1.  With one start and his first major league win under his belt, Leiter is […]

The NCAA tournament without JuJu Watkins looks unfamiliar since her ACL injury. To compensate for the loss, USC women’s basketball coach Lindsay Gottlieb has inspired the team to soldier on without their star player. All eyes will be on USC as they prepare to take on Kansas State in the Sweet 16 on Saturday night. […]

The basic definition of empathy is understanding what someone else is going through. Paige Bueckers empathizes with JuJu Watkins’ ACL tear because she endured a similar circumstance.  In January, Bueckers suffered a knee injury while going for a loose ball during a game. The injury forced her to sit out for two games.  On the […]

Just before Opening Day, the San Diego Padres made some interesting decisions regarding their roster. They cut a few players and labeled Tyler Wade and Eguy Rosario as designated for assignment. That means they each were immediately terminated from the 40-man roster. While Padres’ president of baseball operations A.J. Preller is hoping Wade stays after […]

After Golden State Warriors guard Gary Payton II was sidelined for the season due to a torn ligament in his left thumb, Draymond Green is asking for more from forward Jonathan Kuminga. On the latest episode of The Draymond Green Show, Green laid out exactly why he believes it is Kuminga’s time. “If I’m Jonathan […]

The defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers started the season victorious over the Detroit Tigers by a score of 5-4. While many are expecting them to repeat, ESPN host and Olympic gold medalist Jessica Mendoza warns that injuries could hinder their chances.  During an appearance on First Take on Friday, Mendoza made it clear that if […]

The NBA is seeking to start a European league, but could they be missing the forest for the trees? According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, they are doing just that. Windhorst contends that the league is too fixated on European expansion that they are overlooking the potential for expansion in America. He highlighted Seattle and Las Vegas […]

Four days after being cut by the Seattle Mariners, all-star relief pitcher Drew Pomeranz was re-signed to a minor league contract, per baseball columnist Jon Heyman. This comes as the Mariners begin their season against the Athletics on Thursday. In the offseason, Pomeranz and the Mariners agreed to a minor league deal, but he requested […]

The NFL is seemingly trying to do everything in its power to take the fun out of the game. The league recently banned the controversial hip drop tackle which caused outrage among some players and fans. Now they have taken it up a notch by instituting a 15-yard penalty on the so-called “nose wipe” celebration on […]

Dallas Mavericks star guard Kyrie Irving has been feeling the love from the fans ever since he tore his ACL on March 3 against the Sacramento Kings. Irving generously kept fans up to speed about his condition.  On Wednesday, Irving successfully underwent surgery to repair his ACL at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New […]

After Milwaukee Bucks coach Doc Rivers said it was “unfair” that he doesn’t get enough credit as a playoff-winning coach, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith had a thing or two to say in response on “First Take”. “It is something he has said to me… do you know what I’ve said in response: Please don’t say […]

After signing with the Chicago Cubs as a non-roster invitee, manager Craig Counsell has announced that right-handed pitcher Brad Keller will be on the roster for opening day. The Cubs are coming off playing in the Tokyo Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Keller wasn’t on the official roster but was able to travel with […]

LSU women’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey and company advanced to the Sweet 16 after defeating Florida State 101-71. Another satisfying victory for LSU after they defeated San Diego State by 55 points in the first round. Both games were played before their home crowd in Baton Rouge. Despite back-to-back lopsided wins, Mulkey is not yet […]

Colorado football quarterback Shedeur Sanders and receiver Travis Hunter will get to show off their talents during a pre-draft showcase on the NFL Network. Sanders is in hot demand from various NFL teams as a likely first-round pick. Despite the excitement surrounding Sanders, Hunter is hyped up as another must-have pick. Hunter won the 2024 […]

The Golden State Warriors will play the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday night. Their rotation shooting guard Gary Payton II is dealing with inflammation in his left knee that has forced him to miss their win over the Toronto Raptors on Thursday night. Payton, who has played 56 games this season, is known for making tough […]

Virginia basketball officially announced the signing of Ryan Odom their new head coach. The position became available after the Cavaliers decided to not to rehire previous head coach Ron Sanchez. The Cavaliers were laser-focused on Odom as a top candidate for the position this week. The news of Odom’s hiring was confirmed on Saturday per […]

Kentucky guard Georgia Amoore’s 34 points against Liberty in the first round of the NCAA tournament equaled the most points scored by a Wildcat in a tournament game. It’s another milestone for Amoore, who, in February against Oklahoma, became the only player in SEC history to have at least 29 points, 7 assists, and 5 […]

Bucknell University junior center Noah Williamson has officially entered the NCAA basketball transfer portal. This decision comes one month after Williamson was named the Patriot League Player of the Year.  The Bucknell Bison’s top player is the latest in a string of star players entering the transfer portal in the last few days. This season, […]

New York Yankees first baseman Dom Smith has boldly moved to opt out of his contract before a scheduled spring training start. Therefore Smith will be back on the market as a free agent. Smith signed a contract with the Yankees in January after playing for the Cincinnati Reds. In August 2024, Smith signed a […]

The never quiet and always bombastic Stephen A. Smith is hoping for a JuJu Watkins and Paige Bueckers showdown in the NCAA women’s tournament. Watkins is looking at National Player of the Year honors and leading the No. 1 seeded USC Trojans against UNC Greensboro in the first round on Saturday. Bueckers is also gunning […]

Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora didn’t beat around the bush when talking about the play of former prospect Vaughn Grissom. The right-handed second baseman was sent down to the minor leagues on Thursday. Grissom was batting .176 in spring training with just six hits while driving in three runs in spring training. Once regarded […]

Clemson basketball made history, but not in a good way. The No. 5 seeded Tigers underperformed in the first half against the No. 15 seed McNeese State in the first round of the NCAA tournament, eventually losing. The Tigers finished the season with a 27-6 overall record and went 18-2 in ACC play. Besides those […]

NFL analyst Todd McShay thinks the best option for Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders is with the Cleveland Browns. Sanders is slated to be a first-round pick in the NFL draft in April. Sanders has previously hinted at Cleveland as a viable option. McShay laid out the reasons why he believes Sanders will end up in […]

The rule of thumb is to be gracious in defeat. If that’s the case, then the Mount St. Mary’s Mountaineers followed that rule to perfection at the conclusion of the East Region First Four on Wednesday. Mount St. Mary’s, who were two-and-a-half point favorites, defeated the American University Eagles 83-72. They shot over 70% from […]

Houston Astros’ veteran Jose Altuve will be making a rare position change. Astros’ manager Jose Espada confirmed on Wednesday that Altuve will be starting the season in left field as opposed to his usual spot at second base according to MLB.com. This marks only the second time in Altuve’s 13 seasons with the Astros that […]

It turns out it’s not only players who leave early due to an injury, as was the case with NBA referee Scott Foster who exited the game between the New York Knicks and the Miami Heat. Foster sustained a calf injury before the fourth quarter according to Fred Katz of The Athletic. The Knicks and […]

The NHL announced the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Nashville Predators will play in the 2025-26 Global Series in November. The series will be held in Sweden at Avicii Arena, according to Chris Johnston of The Athletic. The dates are scheduled for Nov. 14 and Nov. 16, 2025. It will be the first time NHL games […]

Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell couldn’t help but give Los Angeles Dodgers’ pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto his props even in defeat. Yamamoto threw 72 pitches for five innings and struck out four as the Dodgers defeated the Cubs 4-1 in the opening game of the Tokyo Series in Japan. The Cubs jumped out to a 1-0 […]