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Could Cooper Flagg Become First North American Athlete to Earn $1B In Contracts?

Cooper Flagg, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, is poised to become the first North American athlete to earn $1 billion in contracts. Following a lucrative college career and a rookie contract worth $62.7 million over four years, projections indicate that Flagg could land contracts worth over $70 million and $100 […]

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Could Cooper Flagg Become First North American Athlete to Earn $1B In Contracts?

Cooper Flagg, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, is poised to become the first North American athlete to earn $1 billion in contracts. Following a lucrative college career and a rookie contract worth $62.7 million over four years, projections indicate that Flagg could land contracts worth over $70 million and $100 million in his subsequent deals. Given his generational talent, Flagg’s trajectory could see him racking up $930 million in just over a decade. If he meets performance benchmarks for supermax contracts, he stands an excellent chance of breaking the $1 billion barrier in on-court earnings.

By the Numbers

  • Flagg’s rookie contract is valued at $62.7 million over four years.
  • His potential earnings could total $930 million through his first 14 seasons.

State of Play

  • Flagg’s projected second contract could exceed $359 million if he meets supermax criteria.
  • His third contract may be worth around $509 million, boosting his total career earnings substantially.
  • Other young superstars like Victor Wembanyama also have potential to reach similar earnings.

What’s Next

As Flagg’s career unfolds, his performance and ability to secure lucrative contracts will determine if he can be the first to reach $1 billion in on-court earnings. Continued growth in the NBA’s salary structure may further enhance his opportunities. If he succeeds, other emerging stars may follow a similar path.

Bottom Line

If Flagg fulfills his potential in the NBA, he could redefine the boundaries of athletic earnings, marking a historic milestone in sports contracts and paving the way for future generations of athletes.

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Who was the Zeeland West top athlete of the quarter century?

With the century a quarter done, the Holland Sentinel is selecting its top 25 athletes from the past quarter century. We will start with the top 25 from each school and move on to the top 25 overall male and female high school athletes from the past 25 years. Athletes must be graduated to be […]

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With the century a quarter done, the Holland Sentinel is selecting its top 25 athletes from the past quarter century.

We will start with the top 25 from each school and move on to the top 25 overall male and female high school athletes from the past 25 years.

Athletes must be graduated to be eligible.

Today: Zeeland West

Merritt Alderink

Class of 2024

Was a Mr. Basketball finalist as a senior after multiple all-state seasons for the Dux. Led Zeeland West to the state semifinals as a senior, the best finish in program history. Went on to play at Indiana State.

Kaylee Bakker

Class of 2020

An elite two-sport athlete, Kaylee Bakker was a force at the net in volleyball and under the net in basketball. She earned all-state honors in volleyball as a senior, powering a Dux resurgence. Meanwhile, she was all-state honorable mention in basketball multiple years and plays basketball at Grand Valley State.

Danny Bauder

Class of 2014

One of the fastest athletes in area history, Danny Bauder made his speed known on the football field and the track. Bauder earned all-state honors as a running back, leading the Dux to the football state championship with four touchdowns in the title game. He was then all-state in multiple track and field events to lead the Dux to another team state championship.

Ethan Brooks

Class of 2021

One of the most elegant athletes in the area, Ethan Brooks soared to a state championship in the hurdles, helping the Dux dominate for a state championship. He was an all-state performer in multiple events for multiple years, continuing the dominating legacy of the Dux on the track.

Jordan Bullock

Class of 2012

One of the best water polo players in state history, Jordan Bullock claimed all-state honors three years in a row, also sweeping Sentinel Water Polo Player of the Year honors. She was also an all-state swimmer all four years and earned an NCAA Division I scholarship to swim at Bowling Green.

Morgan Bullock

Class of 2016

Swimming for Zeeland, Morgan Bullock claimed the Division 1 state championship in the 100 butterfly as a senior. She was an all-state performer all four years in swimming and earned all-state water polo honors as a senior. Bullock went on to swim at West Virginia and was an All-American honorable mention.

Micah DeJonge

Class of 2016

Continuing his family’s legacy in the pool, Micah DeJonge was a distance specialist. He won the Division 1 state championship in the 500 freestyle and was all-state all four years in multiple events. He also earned all-state honors in water polo before heading to swim at Oakland University.

Josh Geschwendt

Class of 2009

Won the Division 1 state championship in the 100 butterfly as a senior to lead Zeeland to the team championship. Went on to swim at Michigan State where he excelled at the Big Ten level.

Keaton Hendricks

Class of 2025

Broke the state record for most touchdowns in a state championship game to lead the Dux to the state title his senior year. He was first-team all-state and was also a multi-state qualifier in track and field. He will play football at Hope College next year.

Parker Holman

Class of 2023

Was first-team all-state in football as a junior running back before a knee injury cut short his senior season. Still was named honorable mention all-state and was a multiple state qualifier in track and field.

Haley Hoogenraad

Class of 2016

One of the most well-rounded athletes in history, Haley Hoogenraad made her mark in several sports. She was a state meet qualifier in both cross country and track and field. She also was one of the top basketball players in the area during her career. But her best sport was softball. She was all-state for the Dux and ended up at the University of Michigan as a starting outfielder. But her four-sport legacy at Zeeland West lives on.

Carson Gulker

Class of 2021

One of the greatest football players in area history, Carson Gulker was a sensational quarterback who led the Dux to multiple deep runs in the playoffs. He earned all-state first-team honors as a senior and was honorable mention as a junior. Gulker was also the top player on the basketball team, earning honorable mention all-state., and played baseball. He went to Ferris State to play both sports.

Jordyn Klaasen

Class of 2025

One of the most versatile and successful athletes in area history, Klaasen earned all-state honors during her career in soccer, cross country, basketball and was a state qualifier in track and field. She will play Division I soccer at Ball State next year.

Phoebe LaCroix

Class of 2017

One of the most important and magnificent leaders in Holland area history, Phoebe LaCroix became one of the top soccer players as well. She earned all-state honors because of her incredible vision and passing ability from the midfield. She went on to play at Cornerstone University where she also was a captain and an All-American.

Jill Pastunink

Class of 2009

Perhaps the best tennis player in area history, Jill Pastunink was all-state on the court for multiple years and was a two time Sentinel Player of the Year before heading to play at Western Michigan.

Darius Perisee

Class of 2016

One of the best running backs in the history of the area, Darius Perisee earned all-state honors for Zeeland West led by his speed and ability to make tacklers miss. He also ran track and was part of both programs’ state championship runs.

Sam Plaska

Class of 2015

A blue-collar worker, Sam Plaska made his mark on the track. He won the state championship in the 800 meters as a senior and as a junior, helped lead the Dux to the team state championship. He was a multiple all-state relay performer and also was a standout football player, helping both teams earn a state title.

Jeremy Sall

Class of 2008

Swimmer was a state champion and multiple state-runner-up finisher, earning multiple all-state honors each year for Zeeland. Went on to swim at Ohio State.

Rachele Schulist

Class of 2012

One of the most dominant athletes in local history, Rachele Schulist was an all-state cross country performer all four years, leading the Dux to a state title. On the track, she claimed the state championship in the 1,600 meters and was all-state in multiple events all four years for the Dux, leading them to a runner-up finish as a senior. She went on to run at Michigan State and was an All-American.

Carly Sleeman

Class of 2024

Was named Division 2 Miss Softball as a senior after setting most of the Zeeland West records. She was all-state three times and Sentinel Player of the Year twice. She went on to play at Central Michigan where she was All-MAC.

Trey Sloothaak

Class of 2025

Was named Division 3 Football Player of the Year by the Michigan sportswriters association after leading the Dux to the state title. Was two-time Sentinel Player of the Year and top safety in area history. Was also all-state in the long jump multiple times. He will play football at GVSU next year.

Rylee Smith

Class of 2024

Was the Holland Sentinel Golfer of the Year all four years and was twice the Bowler of the Year. She was a state qualifier on the golf course and led the bowling team to a state championship and was a standout soccer player.

Owen Stevens

Class of 2025

Stevens finished his stellar swimming career with five individual state championships, tied for the second-most in area history. He was a three-time Sentinel Swimmer of the Year and will swim at Louisville next year.

Jason Tran

Class of 2014

Another multi-sport star, Jason Tran won the state championship in the 110-meter hurdles as a senior, leading the Dux to the state championship. He was a multi-event all-state athlete on the track and was also a strong football player, helping the Dux win the state championship during his career as well.

Jordan VanDort

Class of 2014

Perhaps the most dominant lineman in area history, Jordan VanDort sparked multiple Zeeland West football state championships. He was an all-state lineman and ended up playing at Western Michigan, Hope and GVSU. VanDort also broke the Zeeland West career scoring record in basketball and was an all-state performer in the shot put.

Zach VanValkenburg

Class of 2016

On the football field, there was no escaping Zach VanValkenburg. He was going to bring you down. Same thing in wrestling. It added up to a spectacular career at Zeeland West where he was an all-state performer in both football and wrestling. He ended up playing football at Iowa, was All-Big Ten and signed a free agent deal with the Las Vegas Raiders earlier this year.

Abby Winn

Class of 2022

The most recent stellar multi-sport star for the Dux, Abby Winn saved her best for her senior year. She was honorable mention all-state in volleyball, before earning all-area basketball honors. In the spring, she was a state qualifier in track and field all while earning first-team all-state honors in soccer, leading the Dux to their first regional final. She played soccer at GVSU.

Contact sports editor Dan D’Addona at Dan.D’Addona@hollandsentinel.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as  Twitter @DanDAddona or Facebook @HollandSentinelSports.   





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UNC women's sports nominated for 3 ESPYS, win 2024

Chloe Humphrey — Best Breakthrough Athlete  After missing the 2024 season with an injury, Humphrey burst onto the scene for her redshirt first-year season with the Tar Heels. The first-year attacker won the 2025 Tewaaraton Award, given to the best player in women’s college lacrosse every year.  Humphrey scored the most goals in a single season […]

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UNC women's sports nominated for 3 ESPYS, win 2024

Chloe Humphrey — Best Breakthrough Athlete 

After missing the 2024 season with an injury, Humphrey burst onto the scene for her redshirt first-year season with the Tar Heels. The first-year attacker won the 2025 Tewaaraton Award, given to the best player in women’s college lacrosse every year. 

Humphrey scored the most goals in a single season in UNC’s women’s lacrosse history with 90, passing the previous mark set by Jamie Ortega at 82. In the NCAA tournament semifinals game against Florida, the Connecticut native notched a single-game career high with seven goals to lead the Tar Heels to a resounding 20-4 win. 

The other nominees for the award include Duke basketball player Cooper Flagg, Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes and rugby player Ilona Maher. 

UNC 2025 Women’s Lacrosse — Best Team 

The North Carolina women’s lacrosse team completed their undefeated season with a 12-8 national championship victory over Northwestern on May 25. During the NCAA tournament, UNC outscored their opponents by an average margin of more than nine goals per game. 

The national championship win marked the fourth in North Carolina history, and the program’s second undefeated season in four years. 

Out of the eight other teams nominated for the award, the Tar Heels were the only one to put up an undefeated season. 

2024-25 Capital One Cup

On the backs of both national championships from women’s soccer and lacrosse, UNC’s women’s athletics was awarded the 2024-25 Capital One Cup. The honor is given out to the women’s athletic program that earns the highest number of points, factoring national championships and poll finishes. For winning the award, UNC will receive $250,000, which will be put toward athletic scholarships. 

In addition to women’s soccer and lacrosse, field hockey boasted a successful season after securing the program’s 27th ACC championship. Of the 15 women’s sports, 14 qualified for NCAA postseason action. 

“I’ve watched our female sports do so well — soccer, field hockey, tennis, us,” UNC women’s lacrosse head coach Jenny Levy said. “It’s been a powerhouse and the women here [are] extraordinary.”

To get the day’s news and headlines in your inbox each morning, sign up for our email newsletters.

North Carolina will be recognized for the accomplishment Wednesday night at the ESPYS.

@dthsports | sports@dailytarheel.com


Brian D’Aguanno

Brian D’Aguanno is the 2025 Summer Sports Editor and an incoming 2025-26 Assistant Sports Editor.

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Lodge Named CSC Women’s Track & Field/Cross Country Academic All-American

Story Links GLASSBORO, NJ — College Sports Communicators has honored Molly Lodge with a selection to the CSC Women’s Track & Field/Cross Country Academic All-American Team. 2025 CSC ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICAN LIST | ROWAN’S ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICANS Lodge, who was named to the third team, is the fourth student-athlete in program history and […]

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GLASSBORO, NJ — College Sports Communicators has honored Molly Lodge with a selection to the CSC Women’s Track & Field/Cross Country Academic All-American Team.

2025 CSC ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICAN LIST | ROWAN’S ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICANS

Lodge, who was named to the third team, is the fourth student-athlete in program history and second in as many years to earn the distinction. Last year, Izzy Deal (2024) joined Sharon Crow (2003) and Johanna Kline (2003) to represent the Profs.

A Computer Science major, Lodge has amassed a bevy of academic and athletic honors this past season. She was also voted a CSC Academic All-District selection, named a USTFCCCA Division III All-Academic Athlete, was a member of the NJAC All-Academic Honorable Mention list and was chosen the Philly-SIDA All-Area Women’s Track & Field Performer of the Year.

On the track, the recent graduate scored an All-American accolade at the NCAA Division III Outdoor Championships in the 400-meter hurdles. She was named a USTFCCCA Outdoor All-Region honoree in four events (200 meters, 400 meter hurdles, 4×100 relay, 4×400 relay) and earned Indoor All-Region honors in the 4×400 relay as well.

Additionally, Lodge was named the Outstanding Track Athlete at the 2025 NJAC Indoor Championships and captured the 2025 NJAC Outdoor title in the 200 meters. She also set school records in the 100 and 400 hurdles this season.

 



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Behnke earns Academic All-America first team honors

Story Links EAU CLAIRE, Wis. — The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women’s track and field team’s Kayla Behkne (Sr. – Appleton, Wis./Kimberly) earned first team Academic All-America honors from College Sports Communicators for the 2025 season. CSC announced the women’s track and field Academic All-America Teams Tuesday. Behnke is the […]

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EAU CLAIRE, Wis. — The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women’s track and field team’s Kayla Behkne (Sr. – Appleton, Wis./Kimberly) earned first team Academic All-America honors from College Sports Communicators for the 2025 season. CSC announced the women’s track and field Academic All-America Teams Tuesday.

Behnke is the first member of the Blugolds’ women’s track and field team to earn first team Academic All-America honors since 2013. A standout in throwing events, Behnke sports a 4.0 grade-point average. Athletically, she earned three first team All-America honors this season with top-eight finishes in discus, weight throw and hammer throw at indoor or outdoor nationals.

Behnke was also the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference champion in weight throw this indoor season, an event she holds the UWEC school record in. She helped the Blugolds finish fourth as a team at the NCAA Outdoor Championships this spring.

In the classroom, Behnke maintains a perfect GPA despite double majoring in computer science and mathematics and statistics and applied math.

 



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Pilot Alums Shine at FIBA Women’s Asia Cup

Story Links SHENZEN, China – Portland Pilots Women’s Basketball continues to shine internationally, with two Pilot alums – New Zealand’s Emme Shearer and Australia’s Alex Fowler – excelling at the 2025 FIBA Women’s Asia Cup with their respective national teams. The FIBA Women’s Asia Cup is an international basketball tournament where […]

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SHENZEN, China – Portland Pilots Women’s Basketball continues to shine internationally, with two Pilot alums – New Zealand’s Emme Shearer and Australia’s Alex Fowler – excelling at the 2025 FIBA Women’s Asia Cup with their respective national teams.

The FIBA Women’s Asia Cup is an international basketball tournament where every two years national teams from both FIBA Asia and FIBA Oceania compete for a chance to qualify for the FIBA World Cup. The winner earns an automatic qualification for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup while the next five finishers (2nd-6th) advance to the global qualifying tournaments. New Zealand and Australia are two of eight teams in the Asia Cup, with New Zealand competing in Group A and Australia in Group B.

Shearer is the leading scoring through two games for New Zealand, averaging 15 points a game along with 5.5 rebounds and three assists. She scored a team-high 22 points in the opening game against Korea, adding four rebounds and three assists as well. New Zealand is currently 1-1 in Group A, sitting in third by tiebreaker.

Fowler, meanwhile, is third in scoring for Australia at 11 points a game while adding six rebounds and 4.3 assists per contest in just 21.7 minutes per game. Australia finished first in their group, with Fowler shining in each contest. She posted 11 points, five rebounds and five assists against the Philippines and tallied 11 points, eight rebounds and six assists against Lebanon for stellar all-around performances.

Shearer and Fowler are two of the most accomplished players in Pilots history, having played crucial roles in Portland’s recent success. Shearer was with the Pilots this past season, helping lead Portland to a 31-5 record, a program-best for wins. She averaged a team-high 16.7 points per game along 4.2 rebounds and just under two steals. Shearer – who twice earned All-WCC First Team honors as well as honorable mention in the 2022-23 season – finished her Pilot career as the all-time leader in both games played (158) and games started (135), fourth all-time in steals (289) and fifth all-time in points (1,688) and field goals made (615). She was a part of two WCC Tournament Championship-winning teams in 2023 and 2024.

Fowler goes down as not just one of the best players in Pilot history, but among WCC players as well. A four-time All-WCC First Team selection, a two-time WCC Tournament champion (2020, 2023) and a two-time WCC Tournament MVP, Fowler is Portland’s all-time leader at the Division I level in points (2,132), field goals (832), field goal percentage (.550) and rebounds (882). She is second all-time among all Pilot players in all those categories. Fowler ranks third all-time in scoring average (17.5), fourth in free throws made (415), sixth in rebounding average (7.2) and 10th in blocks (89). She is the only Pilot ever to make four All-WCC First Teams.

The Pilots put together an incredible season, finishing 31-5 overall and 17-3 in WCC play. They earned a share of the WCC regular season title and also broke a program record for wins in a season. They earned their first ever two playoff wins on the road after qualifying for the WBIT, making the quarterfinals. They also advanced to their third straight WCC Tournament championship and their fourth in six years.

Group play is finished for Australia, who advance to the semifinals with six points total in Group A. New Zealand has a chance to make the semifinals of the tournament, facing off against the Chinese national team tomorrow at 4:30 a.m. PST.


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U.S. Routs Argentina for Worlds Women’s Water Polo Group Title

World Championships: U.S. Routs Argentina for Women’s Water Polo Group Title The U.S. routed Argentina, 26-3, on the third day of women’s water polo play at the 2025 World Championships to earn the Group A title on Tuesday. That allows the U.S. to skip the crossover round and head straight to the quarterfinals on Saturday. […]

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World Championships: U.S. Routs Argentina for Women’s Water Polo Group Title

The U.S. routed Argentina, 26-3, on the third day of women’s water polo play at the 2025 World Championships to earn the Group A title on Tuesday. That allows the U.S. to skip the crossover round and head straight to the quarterfinals on Saturday.

Australia romped past Oceania rival New Zealand, 15-6, to win Group A. Spain polished off the Group D title with a 16-7 win over Great Britain, while Hungary’s 22-6 victory over Croatia earns it the Group C title.

Ava Stryker led the U.S. with six goals. Jovana Sekulic scored four times. Emma Lineback supplied two goals and three assists. Isabel Williams made seven saves in her first game of the tournament.

It was the first in a day of blowouts, the closest game a six-goal affair between Netherlands and China. The Chinese fought valiantly, falling 13-7 despite nine saves from Yineng Shen and three goals from Siya Yan. Sabrina van der Sloot led the Netherlands with four goals. Simone van de Kraats contributed a goal and four assists. Lieke Rogge (goal, three assists) and Kitty-Lynn Joustra (two goals, two assists) were also central for the Dutch.

Spain built a six-goal halftime lead to top Great Britain, 16-7. Bea Ortiz led the way with two goals and four assists. Elena Ruiz tallied a hat trick.

Alice Williams continued a stellar tournament with three goals and three assists to fuel Australia’s 15-6 win over New Zealand. Danijela Jackovich and Sienna Hearn each tossed home hat tricks. Bronte Halligan paired two goals with four assists, and Charlize Andrews notched two and three.

Hungary rendered Croatia winless in the group stage with a 22-6 decision powered by nine first-quarter goals. Krisztina Garda was 4-for-4 shooting. Rita Keszthelyi tallied four goals and four assists. Luca Torma was unbeatable in goal with 17 saves.

Greece overpowered Japan, 25-15, thanks to seven goals from Maria Myriokefalitaki. Stefania Santa had three goals and four assists, Vasiliki Plevritou three and three. Foteini Tricha scored four goals, and Ioanna Stamatopoulou stopped 13 shots.

All 12 Italians in the lineup scored in a 32-5 win over Singapore. Agnes Cocchiere led the way with six markers. Chiara Ranalli tossed in five goals and four assists. Sofia Giustini paired three goals with five assists, and Dafne Bettini dished five assists.

France needed three goals and two assists from Ema Vernoux to outlast a game South Africa side, 13-6. Erica Hardy and Valentine Heurtaux also scored hat trick.

The second- and third-placed teams in each group will play in Thursday’s crossover round. Italy takes on China. The Netherlands will play New Zealand. France and Greece square off, as do Japan and Great Britain. Winners reach the quarterfinals. Losers head to the 9-12 placement bracket.



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