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Five Buckeyes are CSC Academic All-District Honorees

Five members of the Ohio State softball team – Morgan Frye, Kami Kortokrax, Sami Bewick, Taylor Cruse and Skylar Limon – have been named to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team. To be nominated, a student-athlete must be a starter or important reserve with at least a 3.50 grade-point average at her current institution […]

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Five members of the Ohio State softball team – Morgan Frye, Kami Kortokrax, Sami Bewick, Taylor Cruse and Skylar Limon – have been named to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team. To be nominated, a student-athlete must be a starter or important reserve with at least a 3.50 grade-point average at her current institution and must be in at least their second collegiate season.

Academic All-District honorees were considered for advancement to the CSC Academic All-America ballot. First, second and third-team Academic All-America honorees will be announced June 17.

Frye spent one season with Ohio State after graduating from Berry College and made the most of it. On the field, she hit .379 with 12 home runs, 38 RBI, 26 extra base hits and a .790 slugging percentage. In the classroom, she earned a degree in environmental assessment and will soon be enrolled in Ohio State’s Moritz College of Law.

Like Frye, Bewick transferred to Ohio State from Maimi University and started all 60 games this past season at third base. A .330 hitter, she scored 54 runs, hit nine homers and drove in 34 runs. She’s majoring in finance.

Kortokrax, a Westerville native, graduated in May with her degree in communications. She started all 217 games in her Buckeye career and finished with 213 hits, 39 home runs, 144 RBI and 142 runs scored.

Curse and Limon made up two thirds of the Buckeyes’ starting outfield. A sophomore, Cruse earned second team All-Big Ten and second team All-Region honors as she hit .308 with 16 home runs and 54 RBI on the year. She’s majoring in marketing. Limon, meanwhile, had the third-highest batting average on the team – .361 – and drove in 29 runs. She’s a psychology major.



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NCAA faces reckoning as college football analyst challenges ‘student-athlete’ myth in NIL era transformation

The Evolving Landscape of College Football In an era where college football has transformed into a lucrative enterprise, the question of identity looms large: Are athletes truly students, or have they transitioned into professionals? The advent of six-figure Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals has altered the dynamics of collegiate sports, prompting a critical examination […]

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The Evolving Landscape of College Football

In an era where college football has transformed into a lucrative enterprise, the question of identity looms large: Are athletes truly students, or have they transitioned into professionals? The advent of six-figure Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals has altered the dynamics of collegiate sports, prompting a critical examination of the traditional “student-athlete” label.

As the NCAA grapples with these changes, the implications of NIL agreements have become a focal point in discussions about the future of college athletics. The financial landscape has shifted dramatically, with athletes now positioned to capitalize on their brand presence and marketability. This evolution raises fundamental questions about the role and responsibilities of athletes within the collegiate framework.

The Challenge to Tradition

A prominent college football analyst has taken a stand against the NCAA’s longstanding narrative, urging the organization to abandon the “student-athlete” moniker. This plea reflects a broader sentiment among many who believe that the NCAA is attempting to shield itself from accountability by clinging to outdated terminology. The reality is that with direct revenue sharing becoming part of the NIL framework, the distinction between student and professional is increasingly blurred.

The analyst’s challenge resonates deeply within the college football community, where the pressures to perform and secure lucrative endorsements can overshadow the educational experience. Athletes are now navigating a complex landscape that requires them to balance their academic responsibilities with their burgeoning professional careers. This duality not only affects their personal lives but also raises ethical questions about the true nature of their participation in collegiate sports.

The Impact of NIL on Collegiate Sports

The introduction of NIL has fundamentally altered the financial incentives for college athletes. No longer are they merely participants in an amateur system; they are now key players in a marketplace that values their skills and visibility. The financial rewards associated with NIL deals can be substantial, leading to a reevaluation of what it means to be a college athlete.

Moreover, this shift has implications for recruitment and team dynamics. Programs that can effectively leverage NIL opportunities may have a competitive edge in attracting top talent. As colleges and universities adapt to this new reality, the pressure to perform extends beyond the field, as athletes are now expected to cultivate their personal brands and engage with fans and sponsors.

A Call for Change

The call to rethink the “student-athlete” label is not merely a semantic debate; it represents a pivotal moment in the evolution of college sports. As the NCAA faces increasing scrutiny, the need for transparency and accountability has never been more pronounced. The organization must confront the realities of the current landscape and consider the implications of its policies on the lives of the athletes it governs.

As this conversation unfolds, it is essential to recognize the broader implications of these changes. The future of college athletics hinges on the ability to balance the pursuit of academic excellence with the realities of a professionalized sports environment. By acknowledging the dual roles that athletes play, the NCAA can begin to craft a more equitable framework that honors both the educational mission of its institutions and the professional aspirations of its athletes.

Reflecting on the Future of College Athletics

In conclusion, the transformation of college football in the NIL era presents both challenges and opportunities. As athletes navigate this new landscape, the need for a clear understanding of their roles becomes paramount. The NCAA stands at a crossroads, tasked with redefining its approach to ensure that the interests of athletes are prioritized. The journey ahead will require thoughtful dialogue and a willingness to embrace change, ultimately shaping the future of college athletics for generations to come.



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Spurs pick Arizona’s Carter Bryant at No. 14 in NBA Draft

When the San Antonio Spurs made him the 14th pick in the NBA Draft on Wednesday, Arizona’s Carter Bryant walked onto some familiar turf. He became UA’s 17th lottery pick, and to exactly the same team as Arizona’s first lottery pick: Sean Elliott, who went No. 3 to the Spurs in 1989, became a two-time […]

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When the San Antonio Spurs made him the 14th pick in the NBA Draft on Wednesday, Arizona’s Carter Bryant walked onto some familiar turf.

He became UA’s 17th lottery pick, and to exactly the same team as Arizona’s first lottery pick: Sean Elliott, who went No. 3 to the Spurs in 1989, became a two-time NBA all-star and then the team’s longtime television analyst.

“Wildcat to Spur – love to see it,” Elliott posted Wednesday. “Welcome to SA @carterdbryant! #beardown #gospursgo.”

Bryant also will be playing for the same team from which a basketball idol from his Riverside, California, hometown — Kawhi Leonard — turned into an NBA all-star.

“I think immediately the first guy I think of is Kawhi, just his defensive versatility, being able to guard multiple positions early on in his career,” Bryant said when asked during his post-draft interview to which former Spurs players his game compares.

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“He became one of the best players in the world, arguably a top three basketball player at a time when Kevin Durant, Steph Curry and LeBron were pretty much solidified to be the top three. He was really making a statement that he was one of the best players in the world as well.”

Bryant will also be following along to San Antonio with former Rutgers guard Dylan Harper, whom the Spurs picked at No. 2, just after Dallas picked Duke’s Cooper Flagg as expected to begin the draft.

“I’m looking forward to playing with my guy D Harp. It’s been a long time coming,” Bryant said, noting he got to know Harper after facing him in a club-ball game. “We had a lot of conversations throughout high school, whether that was trying to play together in college, just maybe playing together at some point. For him to be my draft buddy and being able to both go in the lottery and being able to represent San Antonio is dope.”

Becoming the No. 14 pick means Bryant will receive a two-year guaranteed contract worth about $10 million, but it will come with the pressure to answer a few questions.

The 6-8 Bryant was the least-used of Arizona’s lottery picks, averaging just 6.5 points while playing only 19.5 minutes per game on average as a freshman in 2024-25.

However, Bryant improved as his only college season went on and intrigued NBA scouts with his upside as a wing player. His 3-point shooting rose from 26.9% in nonconference play to 38.6% in Big 12 games — and to 45.5% between the Big 12 and NCAA tournaments.

Bryant also opened eyes at the May NBA Combine, when he showed off a 6-11.75 wingspan and recorded a maximum (running) vertical leap of 39.5 inches. 

“Prototypical 3-and-D, they call him,” analyst Bob Myers said during ESPN’s draft show. “Not a huge usage rate, didn’t handle the ball, but you can pencil him in and he can do those things, and those picks have tremendous value.

“He did a nice job on the wing. The question is, ‘Can he defend?’ Is that what he can do? But there’s a lot he can improve on, and this is the type of swing that you like to see at this time” in the draft.

During his ESPN interview as he walked off the draft podium, Bryant was asked how he felt to become an NBA Draft pick after a serious leg injury as a high school freshman that threatened his career.

“It just shows my mental fortitude, my grit, how strong I am mentally,” Bryant said, “showing that I’m ready to handle every obstacle that comes in front of me.”

Believed to be a 50-50 bet to stay in the draft when he entered it in April, Bryant rose through the predraft process to the point where he was projected to be taken between 10-15 in the first round of the NBA Draft on Wednesday.

After the deadline passed to withdraw from the draft for players intending to return to college basketball, Bryant officially acknowledged his departure from Arizona.

“From being an 8-year-old boy who always felt the magic of McKale as a fan, to playing in the most important games of my life thus far with Arizona on my chest, this journey has been all I could have imagined,” Bryant posted.






Carter Bryant poses for a photo with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected 14th by the San Antonio Spurs in the first round of the NBA Draft, Wednesday, June 25, 2025, in New York. 









Carter Bryant walks off the stage after being selected 14th by the San Antonio Spurs in the first round of the NBA Draft, Wednesday, June 25, 2025, in New York. 




The second round of the NBA Draft will be held starting Thursday at 5 p.m. Former UA guard Caleb Love is expected to be taken with one of the final picks or sign a two-way contract as an undrafted free agent.

After Flagg and Harper were taken quickly off the board Wednesday, Baylor guard V.J. Edgecombe was picked third by the Philadelphia 76ers, then Charlotte took Duke forward Kon Knueppel with the No. 4 pick, and Utah took Rutgers forward Ace Bailey at No. 5.

For the second five picks, Washington took Texas guard Tre Johnson at No. 6, New Orleans took Oklahoma guard Jeremiah Fears with the No. 7 pick, Brooklyn chose BYU guard Egor Demin at No. 8, Toronto took South Carolina forward Collin Murray-Boyles at No. 9 and Houston chose Duke center Khaman Maluach at No. 10.

At No. 11, Washington State wing Cedric Coward went to the Portland Trail Blazers before he was traded to Memphis, and the Chicago Bulls picked French forward Noa Essengue at No. 12.

Atlanta then selected Maryland center Derik Queen at No. 13 before Bryant was selected, putting the former Wildcat forward on a young team featuring 2023 No. 1 pick Victor Wembanyama and 2024 No. 4 pick Stephon Castle.

“There’s so much room for growth for this team,” Bryant said of the Spurs. “I think you’re going to look up and we could definitely be one of those dynasties that you look back on and you go, man, this was a hell of a team.”

Contact sports reporter Bruce Pascoe at bpascoe@tucson.com. On X(Twitter): @brucepascoe



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Ace Bailey, Dylan Harper could soon fund the team

Coach proud as Harper and Bailey prepare for NBA draft Coach Steve Pikiell shares pride as Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey head to the NBA after standout seasons. The email about Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper arrived a few hours before the NBA Draft, and it echoed the sentiments of more than a few Rutgers […]

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The email about Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper arrived a few hours before the NBA Draft, and it echoed the sentiments of more than a few Rutgers basketball fans regarding this historic occasion for the Scarlet Knights.

“I don’t understand all the praise,” it read. “This season was an incredible embarrassment.”

“I don’t get it.”

Because their one season at Rutgers yielded a losing record, there seems to be a feeling of indifference or worse among the much of the faithful about these two teammates becoming top-five draft picks – an unprecedented achievement in New Jersey college basketball.

If you can’t separate the magnitude of that from the shocking disappointment of a 15-17 season, or appreciate the fact that these guys will only call Rutgers their alma mater in an age of incessant school-hopping, then here’s another thing to think about.

There are potentially $60 million reasons why Rutgers fans should get behind Ace Bailey’s and Dylan Harper’s fortunes.

One day, not too long from now, one or both of them could be bankrolling the basketball program’s roster.

Don’t scoff. Stuff like this is already happening elsewhere. Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry is the assistant general manager for the men’s and women’s basketball programs at his alma mater, Davidson College.

Curry will “start an eight-figure fund for both the men and women’s programs,” ESPN reported earlier this year.

In March, Oklahoma hired alum and NBA All-Star Trae Young as an assistant general manager for its men’s basketball program and announced his $1 million donation to the program.

Last offseason, NBA star James Harden made what was reported as a “high six-figure” donation to help his alma mater Arizona State land forward Jayden Quaintance, who decommitted from Kentucky.

“I wanted to be a part of helping the team and the school get players,” Harden told Front Office Sports, “and if NIL is the problem, then I can help with that.”

The reporter who wrote the Harden story, Westfield native Alex Schiffer, thinks this could be the start of a trend – especially now that, unlike most current pros, Harper and Bailey benefitted from NIL during their time in college.

“With the way the NBA’s (salary) cap is going, it wouldn’t surprise me if either of those guys is making $60-million plus a year in a couple of years with their second contracts if they live up to the hype,” Schiffer said. “A month’s interest on that contract, a game check – they give that to Rutgers and that can go a really long way.”

Rutgers has to do its part, continuing to cultivate the relationships. That’s something head coach Steve Pikiell and his staff have been very good at. You see former players around the program all the time – at practices, at games, dropping by Pikiell’s office.

“Ron (Harper Jr.) is back all the time,” Pikiell said after the draft. “Caleb (McConnell) is coming back in a couple of weeks, which I love. Aundre Hyatt’s back right now; he’s going to play in France. These guys (Bailey and Dylan Harper) are part of our family, too. I’m looking forward to seeing them play a lot, which I will as much as I can, but I’m also looking forward to them coming back and sharing their lessons with our younger guys.”

Count on it, both players said before the draft.

“That’s home for me,” Dylan Harper said. “I’m tight with the coaching staff. I’ll definitely be returning.”

When Bailey threw out the first pitch before the New York Mets’ game June 24, he bought and signed Mets jerseys for Rutgers staffers who accompanied him to Citi Field. It’s a thoughtful gift, probably the first of many.

“I plan on going back and watching my fellow teammates and the new teammates there whenever I can,” he said.

Much has been said and written about Rutgers Athletics’ financial struggles, how it lags peers in the funding department. In this new pay-for-play era, the results on the court reflect that.

“Rutgers hasn’t exactly been on the cutting edge of NIL,” Pikiell said recently.

Bailey and Harper could change that with the stroke of a pen, and not 20 years from now, either.

“It’s the biggest gift that Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper can give Rutgers, given that it didn’t work out in their one year here,” Schiffer said. “If you’re Steve Pikiell and you’re the coach at Rutgers when these guys are getting paychecks like that, that’s the hope.”

After the draft Pikiell was asked about that possibility.

“They will be great – they’ll give back to their community,” he said. “Hope they sign many, many contracts. They’re generous people and good people – and that (the idea of them donating) is never anything I think about. Rutgers, though, really benefitted from these two guys being here. And I appreciate them.”

Given just how deep their pockets are going to be, Rutgers fans should appreciate them, too.

Jerry Carino has covered the New Jersey sports scene since 1996 and the college basketball beat since 2003. Contact him at jcarino@gannettnj.com.



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Mississippi State baseball transfer portal intel

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Mississippi State baseball transfer portal intel

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Former NFL wide receiver Josh Cooper takes over Oklahoma high school football team

Josh Cooper, a former Cleveland Browns wide receiver, will return to his Oklahoma high school football roots. This time, he will take over as the Hinton Comets’ head football coach. He will replace Grant Potter, who had a 28-33 record in six seasons. Cooper will take over an Oklahoma high school football program that went […]

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Josh Cooper, a former Cleveland Browns wide receiver, will return to his Oklahoma high school football roots. This time, he will take over as the Hinton Comets’ head football coach. He will replace Grant Potter, who had a 28-33 record in six seasons.

Cooper will take over an Oklahoma high school football program that went 5-7 last season. While they started by winning four of their first seven games, they went 1-3 since, with their only victory coming against Sayre. Despite the losing record, Hinton competed in the Oklahoma Class A-I state tournament but suffered a shutout loss to Christian Heritage.

Josh Cooper was a three-way player for Mustang High School. During his senior season, his 81 catches for 1,328 yards and 15 touchdowns helped the Broncos finish with a 10-2 record. Likewise, he had 84 tackles and six interceptions, while making eight field goals as a placekicker.

After finishing his Oklahoma high school football career, Cooper stayed in-state by attending Oklahoma State University. As voted by the coaches, he became a 2011 Second-Team All-Big 12 member after finishing his junior year with 68 receptions for 736 yards and six touchdowns in 13 games. Cooper also returned punts for the Cowboys, tallying 182 yards and a punt return touchdown in two seasons.

While Josh Cooper went undrafted in 2012, the Browns signed him, hoping he would pan out with former Cowboys teammate Brandon Weeden. However, he finished his rookie season with eight catches for 106 yards in six games. The following year (2013), Cooper had nine catches for 60 yards in five games. His low production prompted the Browns to waive him in May 2014.

A month later, the Minnesota Vikings signed him, but he didn’t make it to the active roster after being waived in July. After his playing career, he had coaching stints as the offensive coordinator at Deer Creek High School and as a volunteer coach at Mustang.



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Early outlook for LSU baseball in 2026

BATON ROUGE – The 2025 NCAA championship trophy has found its place inside the LSU baseball offices at Alex Box Stadium right next to the 2023 national title trophy. LSU coach Jay Johnson has guided the Tigers to two College World Series championships in three seasons. Johnson is the first college baseball coach to win […]

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Early outlook for LSU baseball in 2026

BATON ROUGE – The 2025 NCAA championship trophy has found its place inside the LSU baseball offices at Alex Box Stadium right next to the 2023 national title trophy.

LSU coach Jay Johnson has guided the Tigers to two College World Series championships in three seasons. Johnson is the first college baseball coach to win two titles in the first four seasons with a program.

Will the roll he and LSU have been on carry over into 2026?

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There’s plenty of reason to believe that the Tigers will be one of the odds-on favorites to win the national championship again next season and a path to repeat looks plausible for LSU, considering what it returns off this season’s national championship team and the prospects of what Johnson and coaching staff will bring in.

Let’s take an early look at LSU baseball for the 2026 and breakdown who’s back, who’s leaving and where the program will attack the transfer portal.LSU baseball roster 2026: Who’s back from 2025 national championship teamThe pitching staff will be the focal point for the Tigers’ possible march back to Omaha and the College World Series. Casan Evans is all but locked in to be LSU’s Friday night starter. Lefty Cooper Williams logged plenty of innings and pitched in big moments this season and he should factor into the rotation.If Baton Rouge native William Schmidt can develop the way Kade Anderson did from his freshman to sophomore campaign, he could be a starter next season as well. Johnson has said multiple times he believes Schmidt will be major player for LSU in the near future.Zac Cowan has one more year of eligibility and he started at Wofford before coming on board with the Tigers. Cowan will contend for a starting role, as well. Mavirck Rizy seems destined to fill the role Chase Shores filled late in the season and at the CWS at closer. Let’s not forget about Gavin Guidry, who missed this season due to a back injury. Deven Sheerin missed this season with a leg injury, as well.On offense and in the field, shortstop Steven Milam, leadoff hitter and outfielder Derek Curiel along with fellow outfielder Jake Brown are the biggest names returning for the Tigers. Tanner Reaves logged some time at third base. It remains to be seen if he stays at that position. The biggest question is will Ashton Larson, first return and decide not to enter the transfer portal. Then, after that, can he can reclaim a starting spot in the outfield.LSU also has the No. 1 ranked 2025 recruiting class with 18 total commitments. How many of those players Johnson and staff will actually be able to sign remains to be seen.

Who LSU baseball is losing, who could leave or return in 2026

Here are the players either out of eligibility or are highly likely to be leaving after the 2026 MLB Draft. Aces Anderson and Anthony Eyanson should be gone considering their draft stock, along with second baseman Daniel Dickinson. First baseman Jared Jones should be pro ball bound after coming back after the draft last summer. Shores is all but gone with his MLB Draft prospects and reliever Jacob Mayers seems headed for the draft, as well.

Every day starters Michael Braswell and catcher Luis Hernandez are out of eligibility — along with Josh Pearson, a reliable left-handed bat for LSU.The list of who could be gone is where things get intriguing for the Tigers. Centerfielder Chris Stanfield and junior Ethan Frey are the two big names to watch during the MLB Draft process. Both have a year left in college, but depending on what happens next month for them will determine what they decide. Getting one or both of Stanfield and Frey back would be a big win for Johnson and the LSU staff, much like getting Jones back last season.LSU baseball transfer portal rundown: Who’s coming in, who’s left and positions of needSince the transfer portal opened a few weeks ago, LSU went out and added High Point junior infielder Brayden Simpson, who played third base last season while batting .389 with 2 home runs and 78 RBIs. LSU has also landed Kansas State transfer and Louisiana native Seth Dardar, who played second base for the Wildcats. Dardar had a .326 average with 13 homers and 45 RBIs.LSU’s transfer portal exits are: Infielder Ryan Costello, pitcher Chandler Dorsey, infielder David Hogg II, pitcher Trenton Lape, outfielder Mic Paul, catcher Blaise Priester, infielder Mikey Ryan, infielder Trevor Schmidt, infielder Dylan Thompson and pitcher Kade Woods.Pitching is going to be an area Johnson and his staff are going to go after in the transfer portal. The Tigers will be in the market for both guys who can start and come out of the bullpen. Rutgers’ Landon Mack is reportedly someone LSU is interested in. Johnson wants to land a couple of pitchers out of the portal.Positions along the infield will be a priority, too. While LSU has already got Simpson and Dardar coming on board, there’s more work to be done in that regard.Cory Diaz covers the LSU Tigers for The Daily Advertiser as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his Tigers coverage on Twitter: @ByCoryDiaz. Got questions regarding LSU athletics? Send them to Cory Diaz at bdiaz@gannett.com.

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