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Asian Wrestling Championships 2026: Lalit to fight for gold in men’s 55kg, Aman, Sunil Kumar in fray for bronze Former U-23 Asian Championships Bronze medallist Lalit will be challenging for gold in the men’s 55kg Greco-Roman category in the Asian Wrestling Championships in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on Tuesday, while two more Indian wrestlers will be aiming for the bronze medal.Twenty-three-year old Lalit dominated China’s Huoying Shi in the semifinal to register an 11-3 victory before Aman (77kg Greco Roman) and former champion Sunil Kumar (87kg Greco Roman) went down in their respective semifinal on a mixed opening day for the Indian contingent.Lalit, who had bagged the bronze medal in the Muhamet Malo Wrestling meet last month, will now take on 2025 Asian Championships bronze medallist Ikhtiyor Botirov of Uzbekistan after he defeated the local favourite Ulan Uulu in the second semi-final 5-3.In the 77kg Greco-Roman semifinal, Aman went down against Zagreb Open gold medallist Ali Oskou of Iran, 13-3. The Indian, who had reversed a 1-4 deficit to win 6-4 against China’s Halishan Bahejiang in the quarterfinal, will now face Yeonghun Noh of South Korea in the bronze medal match. 2020 Asian champion Sunil Kumar lost his 87kg Greco-Roman semifinal against Gholamreza Farokhisenjani of Iran 0-8.In the 65kg Greco-Roman weight category, Sunny Kumar went down in the qualification round against Saifulla Kurman of Kazakhstan and was eliminated. Also, being knocked out was Joginder Rathee in the men’s 130kg Greco-Roman category after he went down in the quarterfinal against South Korea’s Minseok Kim. The Korean then lost the semifinal against Mirzazadeh of Iran to end the Indian’s hope for a repechage round.Five more Indians — Sahil (60kg GR), Sachin Sahrawat (67kg GR), Anil (72kg GR), Prince (82kg GR) and Nitesh (97kg GR) will be in action on Tuesday.Published on Apr 06, 2026 #Asian #Wrestling #Championships #Lalit #fight #gold #mens #55kg #Aman #Sunil #Kumar #fray #bronze

Asian Wrestling Championships 2026: Lalit to fight for gold in men’s 55kg, Aman, Sunil Kumar in fray for bronze

Former U-23 Asian Championships Bronze medallist Lalit will be challenging for gold in the men’s 55kg Greco-Roman category in the Asian Wrestling Championships in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on Tuesday, while two more Indian wrestlers will be aiming for the bronze medal.

Twenty-three-year old Lalit dominated China’s Huoying Shi in the semifinal to register an 11-3 victory before Aman (77kg Greco Roman) and former champion Sunil Kumar (87kg Greco Roman) went down in their respective semifinal on a mixed opening day for the Indian contingent.

Lalit, who had bagged the bronze medal in the Muhamet Malo Wrestling meet last month, will now take on 2025 Asian Championships bronze medallist Ikhtiyor Botirov of Uzbekistan after he defeated the local favourite Ulan Uulu in the second semi-final 5-3.

In the 77kg Greco-Roman semifinal, Aman went down against Zagreb Open gold medallist Ali Oskou of Iran, 13-3. The Indian, who had reversed a 1-4 deficit to win 6-4 against China’s Halishan Bahejiang in the quarterfinal, will now face Yeonghun Noh of South Korea in the bronze medal match. 2020 Asian champion Sunil Kumar lost his 87kg Greco-Roman semifinal against Gholamreza Farokhisenjani of Iran 0-8.

In the 65kg Greco-Roman weight category, Sunny Kumar went down in the qualification round against Saifulla Kurman of Kazakhstan and was eliminated. Also, being knocked out was Joginder Rathee in the men’s 130kg Greco-Roman category after he went down in the quarterfinal against South Korea’s Minseok Kim. The Korean then lost the semifinal against Mirzazadeh of Iran to end the Indian’s hope for a repechage round.

Five more Indians — Sahil (60kg GR), Sachin Sahrawat (67kg GR), Anil (72kg GR), Prince (82kg GR) and Nitesh (97kg GR) will be in action on Tuesday.

Published on Apr 06, 2026

#Asian #Wrestling #Championships #Lalit #fight #gold #mens #55kg #Aman #Sunil #Kumar #fray #bronze

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Former U-23 Asian Championships Bronze medallist Lalit will be challenging for gold in the men’s 55kg Greco-Roman category in the Asian Wrestling Championships in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on Tuesday, while two more Indian wrestlers will be aiming for the bronze medal.

Twenty-three-year old Lalit dominated China’s Huoying Shi in the semifinal to register an 11-3 victory before Aman (77kg Greco Roman) and former champion Sunil Kumar (87kg Greco Roman) went down in their respective semifinal on a mixed opening day for the Indian contingent.

Lalit, who had bagged the bronze medal in the Muhamet Malo Wrestling meet last month, will now take on 2025 Asian Championships bronze medallist Ikhtiyor Botirov of Uzbekistan after he defeated the local favourite Ulan Uulu in the second semi-final 5-3.

In the 77kg Greco-Roman semifinal, Aman went down against Zagreb Open gold medallist Ali Oskou of Iran, 13-3. The Indian, who had reversed a 1-4 deficit to win 6-4 against China’s Halishan Bahejiang in the quarterfinal, will now face Yeonghun Noh of South Korea in the bronze medal match. 2020 Asian champion Sunil Kumar lost his 87kg Greco-Roman semifinal against Gholamreza Farokhisenjani of Iran 0-8.

In the 65kg Greco-Roman weight category, Sunny Kumar went down in the qualification round against Saifulla Kurman of Kazakhstan and was eliminated. Also, being knocked out was Joginder Rathee in the men’s 130kg Greco-Roman category after he went down in the quarterfinal against South Korea’s Minseok Kim. The Korean then lost the semifinal against Mirzazadeh of Iran to end the Indian’s hope for a repechage round.

Five more Indians — Sahil (60kg GR), Sachin Sahrawat (67kg GR), Anil (72kg GR), Prince (82kg GR) and Nitesh (97kg GR) will be in action on Tuesday.

Published on Apr 06, 2026

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Kolkata Knight Riders will miss the services of the spin duo of Varun Chakaravarthy and Sunil Narine against Punjab Kings at Eden Gardens on Monday night.

KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane confirmed at the toss that Varun sustained an injury while taking a catch during its 65-run defeat to Sunrisers Hyderabad on Thursday.

Follow live updates from the match here.

The 34-year-old has endured a tough IPL thus far going for 48 in his four overs against Mumbai Indians and following it up by conceding 31 runs in his two overs against SRH.

Rahane also confirmed that Sunil Narine was ruled out due to illness. The last time KKR played without either Narine or Varun was in 2019.

Varun and Narine’s places were taking by seamer Navdeep Saini and all-rounder Rovman Powell as KKR surprisingly opted to bat first at Eden Gardens. Anukul Roy is expected to be the team’s lone spinner.

Published on Apr 06, 2026

#KKR #PBKS #IPL #Varun #Chakaravarthy #misses #due #injury">KKR vs PBKS IPL 2026: Varun Chakaravarthy misses out due to injury Kolkata Knight Riders will miss the services of the spin duo of Varun Chakaravarthy and Sunil Narine against Punjab Kings at Eden Gardens on Monday night.KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane confirmed at the toss that Varun sustained an injury while taking a catch during its 65-run defeat to Sunrisers Hyderabad on Thursday.Follow live updates from the match here.The 34-year-old has endured a tough IPL thus far going for 48 in his four overs against Mumbai Indians and following it up by conceding 31 runs in his two overs against SRH.Rahane also confirmed that Sunil Narine was ruled out due to illness. The last time KKR played without either Narine or Varun was in 2019.Varun and Narine’s places were taking by seamer Navdeep Saini and all-rounder Rovman Powell as KKR surprisingly opted to bat first at Eden Gardens. Anukul Roy is expected to be the team’s lone spinner.Published on Apr 06, 2026 #KKR #PBKS #IPL #Varun #Chakaravarthy #misses #due #injury

here.

The 34-year-old has endured a tough IPL thus far going for 48 in his four overs against Mumbai Indians and following it up by conceding 31 runs in his two overs against SRH.

Rahane also confirmed that Sunil Narine was ruled out due to illness. The last time KKR played without either Narine or Varun was in 2019.

Varun and Narine’s places were taking by seamer Navdeep Saini and all-rounder Rovman Powell as KKR surprisingly opted to bat first at Eden Gardens. Anukul Roy is expected to be the team’s lone spinner.

Published on Apr 06, 2026

#KKR #PBKS #IPL #Varun #Chakaravarthy #misses #due #injury">KKR vs PBKS IPL 2026: Varun Chakaravarthy misses out due to injury

Kolkata Knight Riders will miss the services of the spin duo of Varun Chakaravarthy and Sunil Narine against Punjab Kings at Eden Gardens on Monday night.

KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane confirmed at the toss that Varun sustained an injury while taking a catch during its 65-run defeat to Sunrisers Hyderabad on Thursday.

Follow live updates from the match here.

The 34-year-old has endured a tough IPL thus far going for 48 in his four overs against Mumbai Indians and following it up by conceding 31 runs in his two overs against SRH.

Rahane also confirmed that Sunil Narine was ruled out due to illness. The last time KKR played without either Narine or Varun was in 2019.

Varun and Narine’s places were taking by seamer Navdeep Saini and all-rounder Rovman Powell as KKR surprisingly opted to bat first at Eden Gardens. Anukul Roy is expected to be the team’s lone spinner.

Published on Apr 06, 2026

#KKR #PBKS #IPL #Varun #Chakaravarthy #misses #due #injury
Deadspin | Late-season losing skids collide as Bulls battle Wizards Apr 5, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Tre Jones (30) shoots against the Phoenix Suns during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images Eastern Conference counterparts on losing streaks try to push toward the conclusion the 2025-26 regular season on a high note as the Chicago Bulls visit the Washington Wizards on Tuesday in Washington, D.C. Chicago (29-49) hung tough with Phoenix in a Sunday matinee, but gave up a late-game run that led to a seventh consecutive loss, 120-110. Tre Jones led Chicago with 29 points and dished six assists while filling some of the playmaking void left with Josh Giddey out due to a hamstring injury. “I’m just a firm believer in I was paid to come here to help this team win and I think every single night I can do that for my team,” a confident Jones said, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. The guard has averaged 13.7 points this season but has increased that to 17.5 points over the 18 games he has played since the beginning of March. “He’s as competitive as anybody I’ve ever been around,” Bulls coach Billy Donovan said. “I just really appreciate the way he tries to, in his way, keep the group competing.” Jones has been a leader for a roster that underwent significant midseason changes by trading Nikola Vucevic, Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu to playoff contenders Boston, Charlotte and Minnesota. Chicago heads into its final four games with three on the road. The next two are both against Washington (17-61), a team floundering at the bottom of the Eastern Conference amid a six-game losing streak. The Wizards matched the franchise’s longest losing skid of all-time at 16 games from Feb. 22 through March 22 but avoided making a dubious bit of history with their 133-110 rout of Utah on March 25. Since then, however, it has been more struggles for Washington, which has faced roster inconsistency due to injury much of the campaign. Just as marquee trade acquisition Trae Young began to work into the rotation March 5-16, the former Atlanta Hawks star sustained a season-ending quadriceps injury. Alex Sarr, Bilal Coulibaly, Justin Champagnie, Tre Johnson and Tristan Vukcevic also were sidelined in Washington’s 121-115 loss at Brooklyn on Sunday. Wizards rookies Will Riley and Julian Reese have been bright spots during Washington’s injury-riddled struggles, with Riley scoring 30 points in Sunday’s loss. It was Riley’s second consecutive game reaching the 30-point mark after he delivered a 31-point, five-steal effort on Saturday vs. the Miami Heat. “He’s really done this for a while now,” Washington coach Brian Keefe said of the Illinois product. “You see his confidence growing, his skill set, his ability to make tough shots and get to the free-throw line.” Riley’s scoring average is up to 10.2 points per game, and he has attempted 26 foul shots over the last five games while making 22 of them. Reese finished Sunday’s contest with 17 points and 16 rebounds for his third double-double in the last four games. Reese is averaging 10.8 points and 11.3 rebounds in his nine appearances (seven starts) with the Wizards. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Lateseason #losing #skids #collide #Bulls #battle #WizardsApr 5, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Tre Jones (30) shoots against the Phoenix Suns during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

Eastern Conference counterparts on losing streaks try to push toward the conclusion the 2025-26 regular season on a high note as the Chicago Bulls visit the Washington Wizards on Tuesday in Washington, D.C.

Chicago (29-49) hung tough with Phoenix in a Sunday matinee, but gave up a late-game run that led to a seventh consecutive loss, 120-110. Tre Jones led Chicago with 29 points and dished six assists while filling some of the playmaking void left with Josh Giddey out due to a hamstring injury.

“I’m just a firm believer in I was paid to come here to help this team win and I think every single night I can do that for my team,” a confident Jones said, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

The guard has averaged 13.7 points this season but has increased that to 17.5 points over the 18 games he has played since the beginning of March.

“He’s as competitive as anybody I’ve ever been around,” Bulls coach Billy Donovan said. “I just really appreciate the way he tries to, in his way, keep the group competing.”

Jones has been a leader for a roster that underwent significant midseason changes by trading Nikola Vucevic, Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu to playoff contenders Boston, Charlotte and Minnesota.

Chicago heads into its final four games with three on the road. The next two are both against Washington (17-61), a team floundering at the bottom of the Eastern Conference amid a six-game losing streak.

The Wizards matched the franchise’s longest losing skid of all-time at 16 games from Feb. 22 through March 22 but avoided making a dubious bit of history with their 133-110 rout of Utah on March 25.


Since then, however, it has been more struggles for Washington, which has faced roster inconsistency due to injury much of the campaign.

Just as marquee trade acquisition Trae Young began to work into the rotation March 5-16, the former Atlanta Hawks star sustained a season-ending quadriceps injury.

Alex Sarr, Bilal Coulibaly, Justin Champagnie, Tre Johnson and Tristan Vukcevic also were sidelined in Washington’s 121-115 loss at Brooklyn on Sunday.

Wizards rookies Will Riley and Julian Reese have been bright spots during Washington’s injury-riddled struggles, with Riley scoring 30 points in Sunday’s loss.

It was Riley’s second consecutive game reaching the 30-point mark after he delivered a 31-point, five-steal effort on Saturday vs. the Miami Heat.

“He’s really done this for a while now,” Washington coach Brian Keefe said of the Illinois product. “You see his confidence growing, his skill set, his ability to make tough shots and get to the free-throw line.”

Riley’s scoring average is up to 10.2 points per game, and he has attempted 26 foul shots over the last five games while making 22 of them.

Reese finished Sunday’s contest with 17 points and 16 rebounds for his third double-double in the last four games. Reese is averaging 10.8 points and 11.3 rebounds in his nine appearances (seven starts) with the Wizards.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Lateseason #losing #skids #collide #Bulls #battle #Wizards">Deadspin | Late-season losing skids collide as Bulls battle Wizards Apr 5, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Tre Jones (30) shoots against the Phoenix Suns during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images Eastern Conference counterparts on losing streaks try to push toward the conclusion the 2025-26 regular season on a high note as the Chicago Bulls visit the Washington Wizards on Tuesday in Washington, D.C. Chicago (29-49) hung tough with Phoenix in a Sunday matinee, but gave up a late-game run that led to a seventh consecutive loss, 120-110. Tre Jones led Chicago with 29 points and dished six assists while filling some of the playmaking void left with Josh Giddey out due to a hamstring injury. “I’m just a firm believer in I was paid to come here to help this team win and I think every single night I can do that for my team,” a confident Jones said, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. The guard has averaged 13.7 points this season but has increased that to 17.5 points over the 18 games he has played since the beginning of March. “He’s as competitive as anybody I’ve ever been around,” Bulls coach Billy Donovan said. “I just really appreciate the way he tries to, in his way, keep the group competing.” Jones has been a leader for a roster that underwent significant midseason changes by trading Nikola Vucevic, Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu to playoff contenders Boston, Charlotte and Minnesota. Chicago heads into its final four games with three on the road. The next two are both against Washington (17-61), a team floundering at the bottom of the Eastern Conference amid a six-game losing streak. The Wizards matched the franchise’s longest losing skid of all-time at 16 games from Feb. 22 through March 22 but avoided making a dubious bit of history with their 133-110 rout of Utah on March 25. Since then, however, it has been more struggles for Washington, which has faced roster inconsistency due to injury much of the campaign. Just as marquee trade acquisition Trae Young began to work into the rotation March 5-16, the former Atlanta Hawks star sustained a season-ending quadriceps injury. Alex Sarr, Bilal Coulibaly, Justin Champagnie, Tre Johnson and Tristan Vukcevic also were sidelined in Washington’s 121-115 loss at Brooklyn on Sunday. Wizards rookies Will Riley and Julian Reese have been bright spots during Washington’s injury-riddled struggles, with Riley scoring 30 points in Sunday’s loss. It was Riley’s second consecutive game reaching the 30-point mark after he delivered a 31-point, five-steal effort on Saturday vs. the Miami Heat. “He’s really done this for a while now,” Washington coach Brian Keefe said of the Illinois product. “You see his confidence growing, his skill set, his ability to make tough shots and get to the free-throw line.” Riley’s scoring average is up to 10.2 points per game, and he has attempted 26 foul shots over the last five games while making 22 of them. Reese finished Sunday’s contest with 17 points and 16 rebounds for his third double-double in the last four games. Reese is averaging 10.8 points and 11.3 rebounds in his nine appearances (seven starts) with the Wizards. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Lateseason #losing #skids #collide #Bulls #battle #Wizards

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – May 22: Michael Malone speaks before the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Oklahoma City Thunder during Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals on May 22, 2025 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

Even with the long list of possible names rumored for the vacant UNC men’s basketball job, the program still managed to make a hire nobody expected. It is now being reported that Mike Malone, former coach of the Denver Nuggets, will become the 20th coach in the history of the program, succeeding Hubert Davis, who was fired by the Tar Heels during the NCAA tournament after their upset loss to VCU.

Malone’s key tie to UNC is through his daughter, who is a volleyball player in Chapel Hill, making this a reunion of sorts. However, the hiring has much more to do with adding some gravitas to a men’s basketball program that was limping along under Davis in both recruiting and performance, with UNC boosters and insiders growing increasingly frustrated with the program falling further and further behind Duke.

This move gives the Tar Heels some serious chops at head coach. Malone was unfairly fired by the Sacramento Kings to start his NBA tenure, before the Denver Nuggets saw potential in him as a tactician and team builder. Aided in large part by the emergence of Nikola Jokic, Malone helped lead the Nuggets to an NBA Championship in 2022-23.

The all-time winningest coach in Nuggets history, Malone was fired by the team in April of 2025 along with GM Calvin Booth, under the belief from ownership that a new coach and front office could lead to more playoff success than the feuding Booth and Malone.

A truly fascinating hire, Malone hasn’t had experience coaching college basketball since 2001 as an assistant for Manhattan. The bulk of his time has been spent in the NBA, which will lead to some fascinating recruiting challenges for the Tar Heels moving forward. Tactically and organizationally, this feels like a home run hire in a cycle where many top coaches committed to staying with their programs, even while the pitfall of Malone not having college experience is clear.

This is a new era for Tar Heel basketball, and it’s going to be fascinating to see it unfold.

#UNC #basketball #unexpected #splash #hiring #Nuggets #coach">UNC basketball makes unexpected splash by hiring former Nuggets coach  OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – May 22: Michael Malone speaks before the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Oklahoma City Thunder during Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals on May 22, 2025 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images Even with the long list of possible names rumored for the vacant UNC men’s basketball job, the program still managed to make a hire nobody expected. It is now being reported that Mike Malone, former coach of the Denver Nuggets, will become the 20th coach in the history of the program, succeeding Hubert Davis, who was fired by the Tar Heels during the NCAA tournament after their upset loss to VCU. Malone’s key tie to UNC is through his daughter, who is a volleyball player in Chapel Hill, making this a reunion of sorts. However, the hiring has much more to do with adding some gravitas to a men’s basketball program that was limping along under Davis in both recruiting and performance, with UNC boosters and insiders growing increasingly frustrated with the program falling further and further behind Duke. This move gives the Tar Heels some serious chops at head coach. Malone was unfairly fired by the Sacramento Kings to start his NBA tenure, before the Denver Nuggets saw potential in him as a tactician and team builder. Aided in large part by the emergence of Nikola Jokic, Malone helped lead the Nuggets to an NBA Championship in 2022-23. The all-time winningest coach in Nuggets history, Malone was fired by the team in April of 2025 along with GM Calvin Booth, under the belief from ownership that a new coach and front office could lead to more playoff success than the feuding Booth and Malone. A truly fascinating hire, Malone hasn’t had experience coaching college basketball since 2001 as an assistant for Manhattan. The bulk of his time has been spent in the NBA, which will lead to some fascinating recruiting challenges for the Tar Heels moving forward. Tactically and organizationally, this feels like a home run hire in a cycle where many top coaches committed to staying with their programs, even while the pitfall of Malone not having college experience is clear. This is a new era for Tar Heel basketball, and it’s going to be fascinating to see it unfold. #UNC #basketball #unexpected #splash #hiring #Nuggets #coach

It is now being reported that Mike Malone, former coach of the Denver Nuggets, will become the 20th coach in the history of the program, succeeding Hubert Davis, who was fired by the Tar Heels during the NCAA tournament after their upset loss to VCU.

Malone’s key tie to UNC is through his daughter, who is a volleyball player in Chapel Hill, making this a reunion of sorts. However, the hiring has much more to do with adding some gravitas to a men’s basketball program that was limping along under Davis in both recruiting and performance, with UNC boosters and insiders growing increasingly frustrated with the program falling further and further behind Duke.

This move gives the Tar Heels some serious chops at head coach. Malone was unfairly fired by the Sacramento Kings to start his NBA tenure, before the Denver Nuggets saw potential in him as a tactician and team builder. Aided in large part by the emergence of Nikola Jokic, Malone helped lead the Nuggets to an NBA Championship in 2022-23.

The all-time winningest coach in Nuggets history, Malone was fired by the team in April of 2025 along with GM Calvin Booth, under the belief from ownership that a new coach and front office could lead to more playoff success than the feuding Booth and Malone.

A truly fascinating hire, Malone hasn’t had experience coaching college basketball since 2001 as an assistant for Manhattan. The bulk of his time has been spent in the NBA, which will lead to some fascinating recruiting challenges for the Tar Heels moving forward. Tactically and organizationally, this feels like a home run hire in a cycle where many top coaches committed to staying with their programs, even while the pitfall of Malone not having college experience is clear.

This is a new era for Tar Heel basketball, and it’s going to be fascinating to see it unfold.

#UNC #basketball #unexpected #splash #hiring #Nuggets #coach">UNC basketball makes unexpected splash by hiring former Nuggets coach 
UNC basketball makes unexpected splash by hiring former Nuggets coach  OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – May 22: Michael Malone speaks before the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Oklahoma City Thunder during Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals on May 22, 2025 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images Even with the long list of possible names rumored for the vacant UNC men’s basketball job, the program still managed to make a hire nobody expected. It is now being reported that Mike Malone, former coach of the Denver Nuggets, will become the 20th coach in the history of the program, succeeding Hubert Davis, who was fired by the Tar Heels during the NCAA tournament after their upset loss to VCU. Malone’s key tie to UNC is through his daughter, who is a volleyball player in Chapel Hill, making this a reunion of sorts. However, the hiring has much more to do with adding some gravitas to a men’s basketball program that was limping along under Davis in both recruiting and performance, with UNC boosters and insiders growing increasingly frustrated with the program falling further and further behind Duke. This move gives the Tar Heels some serious chops at head coach. Malone was unfairly fired by the Sacramento Kings to start his NBA tenure, before the Denver Nuggets saw potential in him as a tactician and team builder. Aided in large part by the emergence of Nikola Jokic, Malone helped lead the Nuggets to an NBA Championship in 2022-23. The all-time winningest coach in Nuggets history, Malone was fired by the team in April of 2025 along with GM Calvin Booth, under the belief from ownership that a new coach and front office could lead to more playoff success than the feuding Booth and Malone. A truly fascinating hire, Malone hasn’t had experience coaching college basketball since 2001 as an assistant for Manhattan. The bulk of his time has been spent in the NBA, which will lead to some fascinating recruiting challenges for the Tar Heels moving forward. Tactically and organizationally, this feels like a home run hire in a cycle where many top coaches committed to staying with their programs, even while the pitfall of Malone not having college experience is clear. This is a new era for Tar Heel basketball, and it’s going to be fascinating to see it unfold. #UNC #basketball #unexpected #splash #hiring #Nuggets #coach
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – May 22: Michael Malone speaks before the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Oklahoma City Thunder during Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals on May 22, 2025 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

Even with the long list of possible names rumored for the vacant UNC men’s basketball job, the program still managed to make a hire nobody expected. It is now being reported that Mike Malone, former coach of the Denver Nuggets, will become the 20th coach in the history of the program, succeeding Hubert Davis, who was fired by the Tar Heels during the NCAA tournament after their upset loss to VCU.

Malone’s key tie to UNC is through his daughter, who is a volleyball player in Chapel Hill, making this a reunion of sorts. However, the hiring has much more to do with adding some gravitas to a men’s basketball program that was limping along under Davis in both recruiting and performance, with UNC boosters and insiders growing increasingly frustrated with the program falling further and further behind Duke.

This move gives the Tar Heels some serious chops at head coach. Malone was unfairly fired by the Sacramento Kings to start his NBA tenure, before the Denver Nuggets saw potential in him as a tactician and team builder. Aided in large part by the emergence of Nikola Jokic, Malone helped lead the Nuggets to an NBA Championship in 2022-23.

The all-time winningest coach in Nuggets history, Malone was fired by the team in April of 2025 along with GM Calvin Booth, under the belief from ownership that a new coach and front office could lead to more playoff success than the feuding Booth and Malone.

A truly fascinating hire, Malone hasn’t had experience coaching college basketball since 2001 as an assistant for Manhattan. The bulk of his time has been spent in the NBA, which will lead to some fascinating recruiting challenges for the Tar Heels moving forward. Tactically and organizationally, this feels like a home run hire in a cycle where many top coaches committed to staying with their programs, even while the pitfall of Malone not having college experience is clear.

This is a new era for Tar Heel basketball, and it’s going to be fascinating to see it unfold.

#UNC #basketball #unexpected #splash #hiring #Nuggets #coach

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