UNCASVILLE — There are few players in the world who can contain reigning WNBA Finals MVP Jonquel Jones when she steps in the paint, and the five-time All-Star is often the picture of consistency for the New York Liberty averaging less than two turnovers per game in 2025.

But Jones wasn’t expecting 21-year-old Connecticut Sun guard Leila Lacan, who stepped on the court with no fear in Friday’s matchup against the defending league champions. When Sun forward Olivia Nelson-Ododa got caught out of position on a play in the first quarter, the 5-foot-11 rookie stepped into the lane and planted her feet with arms straight up to force New York’s 6-6 center into a traveling violation.

The stop came on the heels of Lacan’s first field goal of the game, a pull-up midrange jump shot that ended a three-minute field goal drought for the Sun. After she forced the travel, star guard Marina Mabrey found Lacan for another open look from almost the same spot, and the rookie sank it with ease. Lacan also intercepted a bad pass off of Jones later in the half, helping Connecticut force a season-high five turnovers against her.

“When Leila comes out there, I know exactly what to expect,” Mabrey said. “She’s going to pressure the ball, she’s going to get up all over everybody, she’s going to be in passing lanes rotating, she’s going to get us into offense. … She brings a lot of poise that a lot of young players don’t have, so she’s easy to trust. I think that she’s only scratched the surface of what she can be in this league.”

Dom Amore: An old, familiar ending, it was inevitable WNBA, CT Sun would be leaving

Lacan’s impact shined throughout the Sun’s 78-62 upset of the Liberty, the team’s first home win over the defending WNBA champions since 2022. She was Connecticut’s No. 2 scorer with 16 points plus four rebounds, a steal and an assist, and she shot 6-for-8 from the field including a pair of 3-point makes. The first time the Sun faced New York this season without Lacan on June 1, they suffered the second-largest loss in the history of the WNBA.

The Sun originally selected Lacan No. 10 overall in the 2024 WNBA Draft, though she didn’t report to the team last season. She spent the first two months of the 2025 WNBA calendar overseas completing her professional season in France, then playing with the French national team in the EuroBasket tournament that ran through the end of June. But despite her late arrival to Connecticut, the typical rookie adjustment period was almost non-existent for the young guard.

“I love her. I think she was on our draft board as well,” Liberty coach Sandy Brondello said Friday. “She brings a lot of speed, and she’s got that ability to get downhill and create for herself and also for the others. I like her confidence, especially for an international player that’s so young to come in and be aggressive, I think obviously she has a really bright future.”

There has been an explosion of international talent around the WNBA in recent years, and 40 international players from six different continents have appeared in at least one game in 2025. Out of 153 players on active rosters, nearly a quarter are international, and 14 rookies from overseas have made their debuts this season. When commissioner Cathy Engelbert took over the league in 2019, she said the percentage of WNBA players born outside of the U.S. was less than 10%.

“While the U.S. has been kind of the power in women’s basketball winning eight consecutive (Olympic) gold medals, I think the rest of the world is getting a lot better,” Engelbert said. “I’ve admired what the NBA has done — I think they’re 32% now players born outside the U.S., and the last bunch of MVPs have been international players, so I think we’ll see that grow as the women’s game grows around the world … We’re getting more players from Asia, and I think longer-term as Africa develops their youth basketball programs … I think we’ll see more African players come.”

France has seen a particularly significant spike in its WNBA presence following a silver-medal finish at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Lacan is one of seven members of France’s Olympic team competing in the league this season, four of whom are rookies, and nearly all have been impact players for their respective teams. Rookie forward Janelle Salaun is one of the Golden State Valkyries’ leading scorers averaging 10.1 points plus 4.8 rebounds per game, and 19-year-old center Dominique Malonga is hitting her stride with the Seattle Storm after becoming the highest-drafted French player in WNBA history at No. 2 overall in 2025.

“It’s just the way that they develop their youth (in France)” said Storm forward Gabby Williams, who grew up in the U.S. and attended UConn but represents France in international competition. “They start playing pro or at least with pro players from the time they’re like 15 or 16 because of the feeder programs. The problem is, they haven’t been coming to the States to see competition outside of Europe, but now they are, so it just gives me a new hope for the future of French basketball.”

Lacan is the latest example, leading the Sun in defensive rating and averaging 9.3 points shooting 48.5% from the field on top of 2.6 assists and 1.8 steals. The rookie has only been with Connecticut for nine games, but her seamless transition into the WNBA hasn’t been a surprise to those familiar with her overseas game. Like most players who grow up in the French system, Lacan began playing professionally in 2020 at age 16, and she has battled against the top players around the globe since 2023 when she first joined France’s senior national team.

“I already played the final at the Olympics against the best team in the world,” Lacan said. “It’s helped me to not be scared, because I’ve already done it.”

Though some of the Sun’s improvement can be attributed to expected growth over the course of a season, it’s undeniable how drastically Lacan’s presence changed the dynamic of the team. Three of Connecticut’s five wins have come with the French rookie on the roster, and its six losses have been by an average margin of 12.5 points compared to a -20.8 average deficit in 15 losses before she joined the team. The Sun had the worst defensive rating in the league by a wide margin in the first half of the season, but they rank above the Dallas Wings, Chicago Sky and Los Angeles Sparks in nine games with Lacan. She has also unlocked a new dimension in the Sun’s offense, helping the team average 81.7 points per game compared to 71.1 before she arrived

“Leila brings toughness and energy that we really needed,” Mabrey said. “She’s locking up on defense, making people frustrated, getting steals, putting pressure on the rim consistently … She draws a lot of attention offensively and always sees that extra pass and is very unselfish, so she’s easy to play with, and defensively she’s really helped our team step up.”

Report: Connecticut Sun sold for $325 million, will relocate to Boston as soon as 2027

Originally Published: August 3, 2025 at 6:00 AM EDT

LATROBE, Pa. – Tight end Darnell Washington had one of the highlights of Saturday afternoon’s Pittsburgh Steelers training camp practice when he caught a touchdown pass from quarterback Mason Rudolph in the back corner of the end zone during the team’s seven shots drill.

Standing at 6-foot-7 and playing at close to 300 pounds, Washington is a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses.

“I don’t know how many human beings can run the way he does at 300 pounds, 290, 299,” Rudolph said with a grin. “It’s pretty impressive. He has huge hands and he’s smart. He’s the total package.”

Washington has always been confident in his abilities as a pass catcher after playing wide receiver in high school before transitioning to tight end and learning to block in college at Georgia.

When asked Saturday if he could ever transition to playing tackle in the NFL, Washington gave an interesting answer.

“I feel like I can (make the transition to tackle), but right now, I’m a tight end, so I’m going to focus on that,” Washington said. “But later on down the road, or anytime in the road, if they ask me to do that, I’m gonna do it to my best ability.”

Washington said he’s not resistant to the idea of moving to tackle in the future, should that opportunity present itself.

“I don’t know what God got in play for me right now,” Washington said. “I’ll focus on the tight end role until I can’t or whenever my time’s up. I’m an open-minded dude.”

The Steelers added Jonnu Smith to the tight end room in late June, but Washington still figures to see plenty of playing time, especially with his abilities as a blocker and Arthur Smith’s high use of multiple tight end sets. The offensive coordinator will be able to use Washington, Smith, Pat Freiermuth and Connor Heyward in a lot of different ways, with all four possessing different skill sets.

“It’s a versatile group,” Rudolph said. “Darnell can block a defensive end very well, and then he’s caught all the balls, too, and not just short, flat routes. He’s going to catch the ball down the field. Pat is always sure hands and a stud over the middle. Then Jonnu has been very explosive and very, very impressive. I think he’s going to help us as an addition to that room quite a bit. Connor does a great job. Connor’s fast, man. He’s fast for a tight end, and he makes a lot of good plays. It’s a great group.”

Other notes from Saturday’s practice:

The Steelers were not in pads Saturday at St. Vincent College with coach Mike Tomlin opting for an unpadded session following their “Friday Night Lights” practice at Latrobe Memorial Stadium the prior evening. Tomlin said the Steelers will be in pads for Sunday afternoon’s practice.

Several veterans were given the day off Saturday, including quarterback Aaron Rodgers, wide receiver DK Metcalf, Smith, defensive lineman Cam Heyward, outside linebacker T.J. Watt, inside linebacker Patrick Queen and safety DeShon Elliott.

Injury updates: Tomlin said cornerback Joey Porter Jr., center Ryan McCollum and fullback/tight end D.J. Thomas-Jones are working their way back from injury and should return sooner than later. Defensive tackle Keeanu Benton and wide receiver Calvin Austin III missed practice Saturday with Tomlin saying they’re both day-to-day. Cornerback Cory Trice Jr. and offensive tackle Calvin Anderson are expected to miss more time with soft tissue injuries.

Despite Anderson missing time and Broderick Jones being banged up at left tackle, Tomlin said there’s been no consideration for moving Troy Fautanu to the left side of the line. Versatile offensive lineman Spencer Anderson took some reps at left tackle Saturday.

Rookie quarterback Will Howard made a big play with his legs. The 6-foot-4 Howard faked a handoff to running back Kenneth Gainwell before taking off for a gain of about 30 yards as loud cheers erupted from the large crowd in attendance.

Rudolph had nothing but good things to say about the addition of Rodgers to the quarterback room.

“He’s got a great social awareness,” Rudolph said. “He’s not trying to dominate the meeting or step on the coach’s toes, but when he’s got a nugget of wisdom, he is absolutely going to speak up in a respectful way and communicate that to the room, and then that often breeds a lot of conversations and a lot of learning. So that’s been a great resource that I’m glad I’ve been able to have.

“He’s been very helpful and just very friendly and open to questions, whether that be football or non-football. I’m trying to pick up anything I can from him. He’s forgotten more football than most of us will ever know.”

As the Kansas Jayhawks gear up for the 2025 college football season, all eyes are on a promising sophomore cornerback who is expected to make a significant impact on the field.

Jalen Todd, a former consensus top-500 recruit from Southfield, Michigan, is entering his second year at the University of Kansas with high expectations. Analysts and coaches alike are predicting that Todd could be the breakout star of the season, potentially becoming the first recruit under head coach Lance Leipold to earn All-Big 12 honors.

A Promising Start to Todd’s Career

Todd’s journey to Kansas began with a strong high school career at Southfield High School, where he showcased his athleticism and football IQ, earning recognition as one of the top defensive prospects in the country. His commitment to the Jayhawks was a significant win for Leipold’s recruiting efforts, signaling a shift towards attracting higher-caliber talent to Lawrence.

In his freshman year, Todd made an immediate impression by contributing nine total tackles and two pass deflections. While these statistics may seem modest, they reflect a player who was still adjusting to the college game and gaining experience. The fact that Todd was able to make plays as a freshman speaks volumes about his potential and readiness to take on a larger role in the upcoming season.

Analysts’ Expectations for Todd’s Breakout Season

Football analysts have taken notice of Todd’s potential and are predicting a breakout season for the young cornerback. Nick Springer and Kevin Flaherty, co-hosts of the KC Sports Network podcast, highlighted Todd as a player to watch in 2025. Springer noted, “I think Jalen Todd may be a guy to watch as somebody that could be that first Leipold recruit that you really say, ‘Oh my gosh, this guy is making some really big plays in the secondary.’”

Flaherty echoed this sentiment, stating, “Todd has the chance to be, potentially, if everything comes together, one of the first Leipold recruit all-conference guys. I think that’s in his wheelhouse, I think he has that ability when it all clicks out there.”

These endorsements from respected analysts underscore the high expectations surrounding Todd’s development and the belief that he is on the verge of a breakout season.

The Importance of Todd’s Development for Kansas Football

Todd’s growth and success are crucial for the Kansas football program as a whole. A standout performance from Todd would not only bolster the Jayhawks’ secondary but also serve as a testament to the effectiveness of Leipold’s recruiting and player development strategies. It would signal to future recruits that Kansas is capable of nurturing talent and producing NFL-caliber players.

Moreover, a strong showing from Todd could have a ripple effect on the team’s overall performance. A lockdown cornerback can change the dynamics of a defense, allowing for more aggressive playcalling and providing the offense with more opportunities to capitalize on turnovers and favorable field positions.

Looking Ahead: Todd’s Role in the 2025 Season

As the 2025 season approaches, Todd is expected to take on a more prominent role in the Kansas defense. With a year of experience under his belt and a full offseason to refine his skills, Todd is poised to become a key contributor. His ability to shut down opposing receivers and create turnovers will be instrumental in the Jayhawks’ efforts to compete in the competitive Big 12 Conference.

The coaching staff is likely to lean on Todd’s talents to disrupt the passing game of their opponents. His development will be closely monitored, and his performance could be a determining factor in the team’s success this season.

Legendary Gamecocks baseball coach Case leads a 2025 Athletics Hall of Fame class that includes Hand, Prier, Russell.

By East Alabama Sports Today

JACKSONVILLE — Former Jacksonville State baseball coach Jim Case highlights a four-member class to be inducted in the schools athletics hall of fame, the school announced Saturday.

The Class of 2025 will also include former softball player of the year and first-team all-region pick Nikki Prier, all-conference basketball star Walker D. Russell, who went on to be the first Gamecock to make an NBA debut and Donovan Hand, Jax State’s Division I leader in career wins from the mound.

The class will be formally inducted at the biennial Athletics Hall of Fame Banquet on Nov. 28 and will be honored during the Nov. 29 football game against Western Kentucky. 

Case, a three-time conference coach of the year and for whom Jax State’s renovated baseball stadium is named, said he got the news directly from Jax State athletics director Greg Seitz on Thursday. Case was present when Seitz called Hand.

“I was excited. Obviously, I was,” Case said. “It’s one of the greatest honors that I could receive after working there for 20-plus years, and then I’m also excited to be going in with Donovan. 

“He did so much and is so deserving, and it’s going to be a fun evening, going in with him.”

Here’s a look at the career accomplishments of Jax State’s Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2025:

Jim Case

Hired in 2002, Case guided the Gamecocks to national prominence at the Division I level during a 22-year tenure before retiring in 2023. A five-time OVC coach of the year, he retired with a 673-559 overall record. 

The program’s state-of-art stadium, renovated during his tenure at Jax State, was named in his honor prior to its opening in 2019. That season, the Gamecocks went on to the OVC Tournament and advanced to NCAA regionals, where the Gamecocks eliminated Illinois and Clemson for the program’s first Division I postseason wins.

Case led Jax State to three regular-season conference titles (2005, 2008 and 2009), and his teams won OVC Tournament five times (2004, 2006, 2010, 2014 and 2019). He coached 85 all-conference players, 18 All-Americans and 23 MLB Draft picks, including fellow Jax State Hall of Famer Todd Cunningham, who became the highest drafted player in the Jim Case Era when the Atlanta Braves selected him with the first pick of the second round in 2010. 

Case’s Gamecocks competed in the ASUN Conference for two seasons 2002-03 and then dominated the OVC over the next 18 seasons before returning to the ASUN in 2022. In the OVC, his teams finished in the top five in 16 of the 17 seasons in which a champion was crowned. 

Jax State went 272-150 (.645) in conference play under Case. His teams won more than 30 games 16 times.

Case spent 41 seasons in Division I baseball, taking over the Jax State program after a four-year run as an assistant coach at Mississippi State. That followed an 11-year stint as an assistant at UAB.

Nikki Prier

Prier had one of the most decorated careers in Jax State softball history on Hall of Fame coach Jana McGinnis’ teams from 2007-10. A three-time All-OVC honoree, Prier was tabbed the 2009 player of the year, posting a .379 batting average with 20 doubles, 12 home runs and 50 RBI.

She earned NFCA First Team All-Region honors that season and helped the Gamecocks to their first-ever Top 25 ranking. 

In Jax State’s career record books, Prier still ranks second in doubles (62), third in RBI (151), fourth in home runs (38) and fifth in hits (235) and runs scored (155). 

During her career, the Gamecocks won OVC regular-season crowns in 2008 and 2009, and claimed OVC Tournament titles in 2008 and 2010. She was tournament MVP as a senior.

Prier’s Gamecocks advanced to three straight NCAA Tournaments — becoming the first OVC team in history to earn an at-large bid in 2009, when they would go on to beat James Madison, Nebraska and Tennessee to win the Knoxville Regional and reach the first Super Regional in school history. 

She was named the 2010 Female Eagle Owl Award winner.

Walker D, Russell

Russell, a Pontiac, Mich., native, became the first Gamecock to reach the NBA, after signing with the Detroit Pistons in 2011. This after a series of professional stops in other countries.

While at Jax State, he scored 1,182 points to originally set the school’s Division I scoring record and remains fifth on that list today, as one of 24 Gamecocks all-time to score 1,000 points. 

The two-time All-OVC selection was equally skilled at distributing the ball and owns the school’s Division I career assists record with 590 from 2003-2006. He owns three of the top four single-season assist marks, including a record 211 in 2004-05. 

That season, he also led the Gamecocks in points (421) and steals (64). He ranks third on the school’s Division I career list for steals (160) and made free throws (357). At the stripe, he twice went 10-for-10 in a game to tie the record for best percentage. On Feb. 5, 2005, he established the school record for most free throws made in a game when he connected on 18-straight attempts against Tennessee Tech.

Donovan Hand

Hand needed only three seasons with the Gamecocks, from 2005-2007, to cement his name atop multiple Jax State pitching marks. His 289 2/3 innings pitched stands as the most by a Jax State pitcher. 

He earned first- or second-team All-OVC honors each of his three seasons while compiling a 26-16 career pitching record, which also still stands as the highest win total in the Gamecocks’ Division I era and second-most wins all-time. 

Hand led the Gamecock pitching staff in wins in each of his three seasons and is the only Division I player in program history with multiple seasons of at least nine wins. He helped win the 2005 OVC regular season title and the 2006 OVC Tournament title to send Jax State to the NCAA Tournament. 

His Gamecock career came to a close early, when he was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 14th round of the 2007 MLB Draft. He would later make his MLB debut for the Brewers on May 26, 2013, when he pitched 4 2/3 scoreless innings against the Atlanta Braves. Hand’s final MLB outing came with the Cincinnati Reds in 2015.

          Marion – There has been a shakeup at the top of the
Marion High School athletic department.

           Brian Hennecy, who has served as both the athletic director and football head coach for the past few seasons, is no longer the AD. That position now belongs to
DJ Kelly, who will continue as the boys basketball head coach. Hennecy will continue as the football coach as well.

           “Having the opportunity serve the community of Marion, the coaches of Swamp Fox athletics and the student-athletes of Marion High School is an honor and an assignment that I will not take lightly,” Kelly said. “I am beyond grateful for the blessing that God has bestowed upon me.”

           An immediate chore for Kelly is to find a new girls basketball head coach as
Chris Sanders will not return. Kelly is also in search of a girls tennis coach.

           The rest of the coaches are returnees.
Kenosha Hyman is back as the softball coach, while
Hal Lambert is doing baseball again.
Camilla Jones is the volleyball coach,
Michael Steinbar the wrestling coach,
Marty Shelley the boys soccer coach,
Randall State the boys golf coach, and
Leroy Bell is both the boys and girls cross country and track and field head coaches.

           “The staff is strategically assembled and hungry for the greatness ahead,” Kelly said. “We will get to work immediately to enhance all athletic programs and to inspire our student-athletes that there is a pathway to your dreams right here in Marion, South Carolina.”

           In football, after a run of several successful seasons, Marion finished with a 1-9 mark last season. That led to some changes on the coaching staff, the most notable being
Matt Caulder taking over as the offensive coordinator.

           “Coach Caulder brings a much better, fast-paced ball movement attack to this offense,” Hennecy said. “”That is something that is needed in this offense. He has great experience as on offensive coordinator from his previous position at Latta. He has coached in Marion previously and wants to be part of our program.”

           Randall State will be the defensive coordinator for the second straight year. State is Hennecy’s predecessor, having coached the Swam Foxes to the 2020 AA state championship game in his final season.

           Keshawn Rowell will be joined by newcomer
Darry Russ in coaching the offensive line, while newcomer
Rick
McMahan will pair up with returner
Yamasi Buey to coach the wide receivers.
Demetrious Johnson will be in charge of the running backs. Caullder will coach the quarterbacks.

           State will handle the linebackers with
Randy Dennison coaching the safeties and Buey the cornerbacks. Rowell will coach the defensive ends, and
Draper Pearson will be in charge of the defensive tackles.

           “This is an excellent and experienced staff,” said Hennecy, who will be the special teams coordinator. “Most of them have been together for six years.”

           Marion is scheduled to begin its season on Thursday, August 21, with a home game against
Lake View. The Swamp Foxes will again be part of Region 7-AA.