Arkansas PG signee Darius Acuff inks NIL deal with Reebok
Ahead of the Iverson Classic this weekend, Arkansas 2025 PG signee Darius Acuff made a splash on on the NIL front. The Iverson Classic gets underway Saturday. Acuff signed an NIL deal with Reebok, the company announced. He will debut the new Reebok Engine A at the Iverson Classic on Saturday ahead of the shoe’s […]
“I’m excited to be joining the Reebok Basketball family,” Acuff said in a statement. “Debuting at the iconic Iverson Classic is a dream come true.”
Acuff is a crucial part of Arkansas’ recruiting class and considered a top prospect in the 2026 NBA Draft. A Detroit native and Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy product, he is the No. 9 overall player and No. 2-ranked point guard from the 2025 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.
“We would like to welcome Darius Acuff Jr. to the Reebok Basketball family,” Reebok said in its post. “Already one of the most electrifying athletes in the country, the 6’2″ point guard and Detroit native is redefining the next generation of basketball. Welcome to the future of Reebok Basketball.”
Acuff has a $1.1 million On3 NIL Valuation, which ranks among the best at the high school level. He comes in at No. 19 in the high school basketball NIL rankings among the likes of fellow 2025 recruits Kiyan Anthony and Koa Peat, as well as 2026 prospect Tajh Ariza.
His addition comes as Reebok continues to invest more in basketball after O’Neal and Iverson joined the company in 2023. Reese is a key part of the roster and is set to launch her own signature shoe next year as part of an extension with the brand. The company added other stars such as Dink Pate, Matas Buzelis and DiJonai Carrington, as well.
“We’re proud to welcome Darius to the team,” Iverson said, via Sole Retriever. “His energy, ambition, and drive for success is exactly what Reebok Basketball stands for.”
Acuff will debut his Reebok partnership in the Iverson Classic this weekend. The All-American event will get underway Saturday at 7 p.m. ET in Hampton, Virginia.
An Argentine named Ustari, not Messi, shines for Inter Miami and earns MVP in first CWC game
Associated Press MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — An Argentine not named Messi was the MVP for Inter Miami in the Club World Cup on Saturday night. The star in the tournament opener was goalkeeper Oscar Ustari. Ustari made eight saves, including on a penalty kick and a goal-line intervention, as Miami played Egypt’s Al Ahly […]
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — An Argentine not named Messi was the MVP for Inter Miami in the Club World Cup on Saturday night. The star in the tournament opener was goalkeeper Oscar Ustari.
Ustari made eight saves, including on a penalty kick and a goal-line intervention, as Miami played Egypt’s Al Ahly to a scoreless draw in the Group A tournament opener. Ustari’s save of a header in the 33rd minute was second only to stopping Trezeguet’s penalty just before halftime and making sure danger was averted when the ball bounced back to Al Ahly’s forward.
The 38-year-old Ustari returned to a World Cup stage in this new Club World Cup format for the first time since winning the U-20 World Cup in 2005 — with none other than Messi, Inter Miami’s captain.
Before joining Inter Miami, Ustari was captain of Pachuca, also in the tournament, but faced controversy because Grupo Pachuca also owns Club León, which was removed by FIFA and had its appeal rejected by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Ustari made 124 appearances with the Tuzos before playing briefly for Audax Italiano in the first division of Chile. He was signed as a free agent in September 2024 by Inter Miami. He has played 22 games, including eight in the CONCACAF Champions Cup.
What Ustari said
“I don’t like to talk about myself. The team did a great job defensively and that is what I most care about.”
“I remember being retired and knew that my return would come on a field, so I’m very happy about it (being back).”
“I thought we were superior, that’s what I think. The game left me with good feelings, but our next rival is very different.”
What Suárez said
“We didn’t think their keeper would make so many saves, he was the key player in the game along with Oscar in the first half, but that shows that goalkeepers can earn you points as well.” — Luis Suarez, Inter Miami forward.
LSU RHP Kade Woods enters the NCAA Transfer Portal
LSU RHP Kade Woods has entered his name into the NCAA Transfer Portal. That news comes per reporting this evening by On3’s Pete Nakos. Woods has spent four seasons pitching in the Southeastern Conference with a pair apiece at LSU and Alabama. He has made 22 collegiate appearances with 32.1 innings pitched, posting a record […]
Woods has spent four seasons pitching in the Southeastern Conference with a pair apiece at LSU and Alabama. He has made 22 collegiate appearances with 32.1 innings pitched, posting a record of 4-1, with the Tigers and Crimson Tide over the past three years. He has an ERA of 6.47 with 42 strikeouts.
After redshirting in his first year in Tuscaloosa, Woods put up most of that as a redshirt freshman at ‘Bama. He, in 17 appearances with 29.1 innings pitched, had an ERA of 5.52 with 38 strikeouts.
Game 4 – LSU 4, Arkansas 1 LSU got the better of SEC rival Arkansas on Saturday to advance to the winner’s bracket. LSU opened up a 3-0 lead in the second inning and hung on the rest of the way. It was a stifling effort from the LSU defense, which allowed only three hits all day as Kade Anderson picked up the win at pitcher. The Razorbacks now move on to face Murray State on Monday, where they’ll need to win to keep their season alive.
“Great win for our team. Outstanding performance against a great team in Arkansas,” said LSU’s Jay Johson. “Start with Kade — outstanding performance, what we’ve been accustomed to on the opening night of every weekend this year. I thought he got stronger as the game went along. He executed pitches at a really high level, which you have to do against that offense. I thought the bullpen was great. Chase came in with a man on base, executed, got two strikeouts right there, and then we got the line drive. Kasein showed great poise in the ninth, especially after giving up the single to Davalon.
“Offensively, we did just enough. Really good job by Luis drawing a walk, Derek falling down 0-2 and drawing a walk, then great bunt by Danny. Chris stayed within himself, not trying to do too much, moving the ball to the outfield. We got another free base with the hit-by-pitch, and then Josh again moved the ball against a tough left-hander to get three. Big hit by Derek there in the eighth inning,” Johnson said. “As usual, really good defense by our team tonight.”
“Good performance. Now we’ll get ready for Monday.”
Tim Fuller set to lead Missouri Men’s Basketball as first ever general manager
Columbia — The University of Missouri chose a familiar face to navigate an unfamiliar landscape. On June 2nd, the university announced former assistant coach Tim Fuller will become the first ever general manager of the men’s basketball program. “I’ve made a lot of stops since my last stint here at the University of Missouri, but […]
Columbia — The University of Missouri chose a familiar face to navigate an unfamiliar landscape.
On June 2nd, the university announced former assistant coach Tim Fuller will become the first ever general manager of the men’s basketball program.
“I’ve made a lot of stops since my last stint here at the University of Missouri, but (Dennis Gates) offered me the opportunity to come back which felt like I was just coming home.”
Fuller was an assistant for the Tigers from 2011 to 2015. Since then. he has worn a lot of different hats.
Fuller was an executive at Nike and spent time at Overtime Elite which is a basketball league that attracts some of the country’s best young players.
He brings 25 years of experience across coaching, player development, and team building.
“It’s a new day in college basketball,” Fuller said. “As coach Gates and I have sat and spent several days, hours, weeks together, coming up with this plan. It’s been an honor and a privilege.
Like college athletics, the job of a head coach is everchanging. Gone are the days where coaches can focus on just the X’s and O’s.
Developments like the transfer portal, NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness), and last week’s NCAA v. House settlement keep adding new wrinkles.
Fuller’s job is simple: navigate this new age of college athletics…and ease the workloads of the coaches on staff.
“I believe that we are in a place where people like myself that have to study the outside ecosystem will be in a position of making sure that we’re set up to properly evaluate and construct a roster once the transfer portal comes and postseason and we have to fill gaps and holes,” Fuller said.
“With coach Gates, that was important to him,” said athletic director Laird Veatch. “(Gates) wanted to have that kind of role on staff and have somebody that can really help him interact directly with agents and manage those kinds of elements.”
Fuller joins a Mizzou program that has earned a bid to the NCAA Tournament in two of the last three seasons and said he is happy to be back to help continue the progress.
“I’m at this point just ready to serve and just make sure that Mizzou Basketball is covered 360 degrees.”
Former Tennessee softball player Taylor Pannell intends to transfer to Texas Tech for her redshirt sophomore season. The outfielder announced her plans to leave Knoxville earlier this offseason.
The Vols won 47 games last year while making a run to the Women’s College World Series. Despite the success, she’s opted for greener pastures.
Pannell played a huge role in Tennessee’s dream season. She hit a team-leading .399 with 16 home runs and 65 RBIs. She paced the lineup in runs scored, total bases, doubles, hits, and at-bats.
The Volunteers hoped the production would return in 2026. That won’t be the case. She’s headed to Lubbock.
Texas Tech backed the Brinks truck up to land Taylor Pannell’s commitment. It’s something the program’s quite familiar with doing.
Last year, they paid pitcher NiJaree Canady $1 million to join the roster after she left Stanford. It paid off with an appearance in the national championship series.
The Red Raiders finished one win shy of a national title. They’ll now continue to spend in hopes of bringing a trophy home next year.
While Pannell is eager to join her new team, her family is burning its bridge with her former school.
— National Champion Tony Vitellos Smile (@bigorangetony) June 15, 2025
Brandon Pannell posted a series of bizarre tweets aimed at Vol Nation. Most disrespected fans of the program, with some crossing the line of insensitivity.
In one particular response, he provided reasoning to his daughter’s move. NIL seems to have played a large role.
It’s been reported that the Red Raiders plan to spend $55 million on student-athletes between NIL and revenue sharing. Some of that small fortune is going into Taylor Pannell’s bank account.
Brandon Pannell flaunted that wealth this weekend. While Texas Tech will get a superstar on the diamond, they might also have a headache in Pannell’s dad.
Gina Adams is a rising star in the world of basketball in Lynn University, she is taking a giant step to become a wrestler in the ring. An official announcement was made that the Westlake, Ohio native has entered WWE management in the Next In Line (NIL) talent pipeline. Adams is an agile and competitive […]
Gina Adams is a rising star in the world of basketball in Lynn University, she is taking a giant step to become a wrestler in the ring.
An official announcement was made that the Westlake, Ohio native has entered WWE management in the Next In Line (NIL) talent pipeline. Adams is an agile and competitive woman on the court, and now she wants to obtain a skill of sports entertainment.
Her participation in the NIL program shows that WWE is intended to tap on diverse sports stars. Adams has been listed among twelve players in the 2025 NIL class that also includes basketball guard Fatima Katembo and track runner Zuriel Jimenez.
Through this program, participants get access to the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida to train on wrestling skills, skills on how to work with the media and even developing the brand.
From Court to Canvas: Adams Embarks on New Journey
The fact that Adams switched her basketball career to becoming a wrestler attributes to her versatility and her ability to work hard.
She performed in the basketball team at Lynn University and received awards by the university due to her performance, leadership and endurance. These are all qualities that should help her locate her way through the pits of professional wrestling.
The NIL program (introduced in 2021) is expected to fill in the gap between college sports and WWE, providing a clear route through which athletes can consider getting involved in wrestling.
The participants are exposed to thorough training services such as live event promotion and living within their community, they will be ready to handle the diverse nature of being a WWE Superstar.
The entry to the programme of Adams shows the changing scenario of acquiring talents within WWE. The move to incorporate athletes of diverse athletic backgrounds also helps WWE maintain the streams of energy and views in its environment.
When Adams went to the wrestling arena after establishing himself in the basketball court, this came across as a dynamic and approach to talent development.
College Football Analysts Underwhelmed By USC Trojans’ Lincoln Riley
With USC Trojans coach Lincoln Riley entering his fourth season in Southern California, the Trojans remain a focal point of conversation of college football – even in the offseason. Recent debates after the 7-6 overall season raises questions for Riley and his tenure at USC. National voices in sports including Fox Sports analysts Joel Klatt, […]
With USC Trojans coach Lincoln Riley entering his fourth season in Southern California, the Trojans remain a focal point of conversation of college football – even in the offseason. Recent debates after the 7-6 overall season raises questions for Riley and his tenure at USC.
National voices in sports including Fox Sports analysts Joel Klatt, Colin Cowherd and former college coach Urban Meyer have weighed in on the future of Riley and expressed what could be in store for the Trojans coach.
Riley’s first season set the bar high, ending the 2022 season with an 11-3 overall record, finishing first in PAC-12 play and defeating rivals Notre Dame and UCLA, who were both ranked in the AP Top-25.
Nov 30, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley reacts against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the second half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
While Klatt first emphasized the excitement Riley initially brought to USC, he also reiterated the disappointment the program’s recent seasons have been.
“We have seen it work once, in the year that they almost went to the College Football Playoff,” Klatt said. “That was his first year. And yet, we look up and last year was incredibly underwhelming. Riley’s tenure started off gangbusters. But he’s coming off these two underwhelming seasons.”
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MORE: USC Trojans, Lincoln Riley Expectations Compared To Ohio State, Alabama Crimson Tide
USC starts the 2025 season with preseason competition with Missouri State and Georgia Southern, led by former USC coach Clay Helton, both games should be a relatively smooth start for the Trojans. The kicker is the road game at Illinois on Sept. 27, a key matchup that could set the trajectory of the Trojans’ season.
The competition only heats following their game at Illinois – the Trojans host a home game against Michigan, and two road contests at Notre Dame and Nebraska.
Feb 1, 2016; San Francisco, CA, USA; Radio personality Colin Cowherd broadcasts on radio row at the Moscone Center in advance of Super Bowl 50 between the Carolina Panthers and the Denver Broncos. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-Imagn Images / Jerry Lai-Imagn Images
Last season Riley went 1-4 for road losses, including losses to Maryland and Minnesota – two losses that shocked the Trojan fanbase.
Despite his past coaching success at Oklahoma – leading Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield to a Heisman Trophy and a College Football Playoff appearance – Riley has yet to find consistent success at USC.
However, Cowherd recognized that the Trojans may pick up where they left off.
“I saw the over/under on USC, 7.5 games, and I think that’s accurate,” Cowherd said. “I think their best player is a safety. I think they’re very, very young. I think they’re an eight-win team. At some point, when does the hammer come down? Or do you think this remains, long term, Lincoln is fine? What if they go 8-5? Would that be good enough?”
Former Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Urban Meyer broadcasts for the Big Ten Network prior to the College Football Playoff National Championship against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Jan. 20, 2025. / Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
With younger talent paired with heavy competition, this team has a lot to prove if they want to be back in the Playoff conversation.
Meyer, former Utah, Florida, and Ohio State coach, emphasized the competition the Trojans are lined up with Cowherd on “The Herd,” and what Riley can do as the Trojans coach.
“The way I’ve always looked at USC is I equate them to Ohio State, Alabama, Texas and Florida,” Meyer said. “I’ve always looked at USC as one of the top-five jobs in America. I’ve got a lot of respect for Lincoln Riley. I promised myself I would never call for jobs, because I’m not going to do that. However, when seven, eight wins is acceptable at USC…I don’t know.”
Meyer then pivoted and saw the potential success for Riley and USC this season, but also expressed the known fact that their season can’t end like the last one.
“I think they’re going to have a great year and I think we’re not going to have to have this conversation,” Meyer said. “But 8-5? Go 8-5 at Ohio State and see what happens.”
(@bigorangetony) 
