Deadspin | Wings sign defensive standout Alanna Smith to reported 3-year contract Phoenix Mercury forward Natasha Mack (4) fights for a rebound with Minnesota Lynx forward Alanna Smith (8) during their WNBA semifinal playoff game at PHX Arena on Sept. 28, 2025. The Dallas Wings have signed free agent forward Alanna Smith, the WNBA’s co-Defensive Player of the Year in 2025, the team announced on Saturday night. ESPN reported that Smith, who spent the past two seasons with the Minnesota Lynx, has agreed to a three-year max contract, per her agent Sammy Wloszczowski of the Sports International Group agency. Smith, 29, shared honors with Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson for the individual award and also was selected to the All-Defensive first team in 2025. She was named to the second team in 2024. The 6-foot-4 Smith ranked third in blocked shots (80) and tied for 10th in steals (55) last season while helping Minnesota rack up the league’s best regular-season record (34-10) and rank second in scoring defense (76.7). “As the reigning Co-Defensive Player of the Year, she is one of the top two-way players in the WNBA who consistently impacts both sides of the ball,” Wings general manager Curt Miller said in a statement. “From a defensive standpoint, Alanna gives our coaching staff unbelievable versatility — she can play multiple coverages and drastically affect shots around the paint. Offensively — we are excited to pair her with our outstanding guards, showcasing her ability to play inside or outside.” Smith averaged 9.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.3 steals, 1.9 blocks and 26.5 minutes in 42 regular-season games (all starts) for the Lynx last season. She also averaged 6.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.0 steals, 1.5 blocks and 23.5 minutes in six playoff games (all starts). For her career, the Australian is averaging 7.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.0 steals, 1.2 blocks and 20.9 minutes in 183 regular-season games (117 starts) for the Phoenix Mercury (2019-21), Indiana Fever (2022), Chicago Sky (2023) and Lynx (2024-25). “It’s hard to put into words what my time in Minnesota has meant to me,” Smith wrote in an Instagram post. “This team and this city embraced me and I am so grateful for all the love and support and how this Aussie girl was welcomed with open arms. Forever will hold a special place in my heart.” Phoenix selected Smith with the eighth overall pick of the 2019 WNBA Draft out of Stanford. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Wings #sign #defensive #standout #Alanna #Smith #reported #3year #contract

Deadspin | Wings sign defensive standout Alanna Smith to reported 3-year contract
Phoenix Mercury forward Natasha Mack (4) fights for a rebound with Minnesota Lynx forward Alanna Smith (8) during their WNBA semifinal playoff game at PHX Arena on Sept. 28, 2025.

The Dallas Wings have signed free agent forward Alanna Smith, the WNBA’s co-Defensive Player of the Year in 2025, the team announced on Saturday night.

ESPN reported that Smith, who spent the past two seasons with the Minnesota Lynx, has agreed to a three-year max contract, per her agent Sammy Wloszczowski of the Sports International Group agency.

Smith, 29, shared honors with Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson for the individual award and also was selected to the All-Defensive first team in 2025. She was named to the second team in 2024.

The 6-foot-4 Smith ranked third in blocked shots (80) and tied for 10th in steals (55) last season while helping Minnesota rack up the league’s best regular-season record (34-10) and rank second in scoring defense (76.7).

“As the reigning Co-Defensive Player of the Year, she is one of the top two-way players in the WNBA who consistently impacts both sides of the ball,” Wings general manager Curt Miller said in a statement. “From a defensive standpoint, Alanna gives our coaching staff unbelievable versatility — she can play multiple coverages and drastically affect shots around the paint. Offensively — we are excited to pair her with our outstanding guards, showcasing her ability to play inside or outside.”

Smith averaged 9.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.3 steals, 1.9 blocks and 26.5 minutes in 42 regular-season games (all starts) for the Lynx last season. She also averaged 6.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.0 steals, 1.5 blocks and 23.5 minutes in six playoff games (all starts).

For her career, the Australian is averaging 7.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.0 steals, 1.2 blocks and 20.9 minutes in 183 regular-season games (117 starts) for the Phoenix Mercury (2019-21), Indiana Fever (2022), Chicago Sky (2023) and Lynx (2024-25).

“It’s hard to put into words what my time in Minnesota has meant to me,” Smith wrote in an Instagram post. “This team and this city embraced me and I am so grateful for all the love and support and how this Aussie girl was welcomed with open arms. Forever will hold a special place in my heart.”

Phoenix selected Smith with the eighth overall pick of the 2019 WNBA Draft out of Stanford.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Wings #sign #defensive #standout #Alanna #Smith #reported #3year #contract

Sports news April 12, 2026

Phoenix Mercury forward Natasha Mack (4) fights for a rebound with Minnesota Lynx forward Alanna Smith (8) during their WNBA semifinal playoff game at PHX Arena on Sept. 28, 2025.

The Dallas Wings have signed free agent forward Alanna Smith, the WNBA’s co-Defensive Player of the Year in 2025, the team announced on Saturday night.

ESPN reported that Smith, who spent the past two seasons with the Minnesota Lynx, has agreed to a three-year max contract, per her agent Sammy Wloszczowski of the Sports International Group agency.

Smith, 29, shared honors with Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson for the individual award and also was selected to the All-Defensive first team in 2025. She was named to the second team in 2024.

The 6-foot-4 Smith ranked third in blocked shots (80) and tied for 10th in steals (55) last season while helping Minnesota rack up the league’s best regular-season record (34-10) and rank second in scoring defense (76.7).

“As the reigning Co-Defensive Player of the Year, she is one of the top two-way players in the WNBA who consistently impacts both sides of the ball,” Wings general manager Curt Miller said in a statement. “From a defensive standpoint, Alanna gives our coaching staff unbelievable versatility — she can play multiple coverages and drastically affect shots around the paint. Offensively — we are excited to pair her with our outstanding guards, showcasing her ability to play inside or outside.”

Smith averaged 9.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.3 steals, 1.9 blocks and 26.5 minutes in 42 regular-season games (all starts) for the Lynx last season. She also averaged 6.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.0 steals, 1.5 blocks and 23.5 minutes in six playoff games (all starts).

For her career, the Australian is averaging 7.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.0 steals, 1.2 blocks and 20.9 minutes in 183 regular-season games (117 starts) for the Phoenix Mercury (2019-21), Indiana Fever (2022), Chicago Sky (2023) and Lynx (2024-25).

“It’s hard to put into words what my time in Minnesota has meant to me,” Smith wrote in an Instagram post. “This team and this city embraced me and I am so grateful for all the love and support and how this Aussie girl was welcomed with open arms. Forever will hold a special place in my heart.”

Phoenix selected Smith with the eighth overall pick of the 2019 WNBA Draft out of Stanford.

–Field Level Media

Source link
#Deadspin #Wings #sign #defensive #standout #Alanna #Smith #reported #3year #contract

IPL 2026: Sanju Samson stakes claim to be CSK’s ‘leading man’ with maiden hundred in yellow jersey <div id="content-body-70853348" itemprop="articleBody">Viyarppu thunniyitta kuppayam. Athil nirangal mangukilla kattayam. [Dress spun from sweat; more vivid than any story ever told].The opening lyrics of the song ‘Kuthanthram’ from the 2024 Malayalam classic ‘Manjummel Boys’ left a lasting imprint on people’s minds due to its quirky metaphorical connotation.Indian batter Sanju Samson had referenced the phrase in a social media post after finding a spot back in the playing eleven after being dropped following a disappointing tour of Australia.A lot has transpired in Samson’s life since that game in December 2025. He was dropped from the team again. He was reintegrated again. And then he played three career-defining knocks, one after the other, to guide his nation to a third T20 World Cup triumph.On Saturday, at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, another vivid story was written when a drenched-in-sweat Samson yielded his willow after Chennai Super Kings’ first innings against Delhi Capitals. An unbeaten 115 in front of 30,000 yellow-clad fans at his new amphitheatre was the first real indication of a metamorphosis foreseen by many since the 31-year-old traded his longstanding pink for yellow ahead of the new IPL season.<div class="inline_embed article-block-item">[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yGy2jRz8Jc[/embed]</div>Like most things in his more-than-a-decade-long career so far, this too did not come easy for him. Three consecutive no-shows with the bat, all while being the torchbearer for the side’s new injection of exuberance, almost extinguished the halo of nobility that appeared after his World Cup exploits.The first ball he faced from debutant Auqib Nabi set the tone for the day. You would imagine that a batter who was dismissed thrice in succession by the ball moving away — twice through an outside edge looking to push away from off-stump — would look to ensure there was no movement on offer before playing a similar shot. Not Samson. He prodded his front foot across, in a sign of immense self-confidence, to caress the ball through the covers and pick up three.While his opening partner, Ruturaj Gaikwad, struggled to combine both timing and the art of finding the gap together, Samson delivered a clinic in batting against pace in the PowerPlay, combining composure and direction to give his side a rapid start. Two gorgeous fours over extra-cover against Axar Patel followed, after which the Kerala batter slipped his vehicle into autopilot, the likes of which we saw at the victorious multi-nation tournament.A bothersome back, a dropped catch in the deep, and an unnerving prolonged stint in the 90s later, a fortuitous outside edge of the blade took him to three figures, one that the crowd welcomed with ear-splitting whistles and a standing ovation. The CSK fanbase has long venerated a wicketkeeper-batter to such a degree that he is now considered to be the son of the soil. The unyielding fandom has grown to such an extent that it forces him to return to play in front of the adoring crowd despite his growing years. It can’t go on forever, though. But now, there is a successor in place, and Saturday at the Chepauk was his first step towards staking a claim to be that leading man. Published on Apr 12, 2026</div> #IPL #Sanju #Samson #stakes #claim #CSKs #leading #man #maiden #yellow #jersey

This Ambitious J.J. Abrams Produced Time Travel Series Was Canceled Before It Reached Its Full Potential – SlashFilm

#Deadspin #West #Virginia #lands #Georgia #Tech #transfer #Sylla">

Deadspin | West Virginia lands Georgia Tech transfer Mo Sylla Dec 3, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets center Mouhamed Sylla (6) in action against the Mississippi State Bulldogs in the second half at McCamish Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images West Virginia added another top transfer target Tuesday as former Georgia Tech big man Mouhamed Sylla committed to the Mountaineers, per multiple reports. The 6-foot-10 center from Senegal averaged 9.6 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 16 games (15 starts) in his freshman season with the Yellow Jackets in 2025-26. He shot 57.9% from the field and posted five double-doubles before missing the final 11 games with an ankle injury. A four-star recruit in the Class of 2025, Sylla was ranked as the No. 26 prospect in the transfer portal by 247 Sports. West Virginia coach Ross Hodge received a commitment from Butler transfer Finley Bizjack on Monday. The All-Big East guard averaged 17.1 points and shot 34.9% from 3-point range in 31 starts for the Bulldogs in 2025-26. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #West #Virginia #lands #Georgia #Tech #transfer #Sylla

mwasimuddin125 0

Dec 3, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets center Mouhamed Sylla (6) in action against the Mississippi State Bulldogs in the second half at McCamish Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

West Virginia added another top transfer target Tuesday as former Georgia Tech big man Mouhamed Sylla committed to the Mountaineers, per multiple reports.

The 6-foot-10 center from Senegal averaged 9.6 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 16 games (15 starts) in his freshman season with the Yellow Jackets in 2025-26. He shot 57.9% from the field and posted five double-doubles before missing the final 11 games with an ankle injury.

A four-star recruit in the Class of 2025, Sylla was ranked as the No. 26 prospect in the transfer portal by 247 Sports.

West Virginia coach Ross Hodge received a commitment from Butler transfer Finley Bizjack on Monday. The All-Big East guard averaged 17.1 points and shot 34.9% from 3-point range in 31 starts for the Bulldogs in 2025-26.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #West #Virginia #lands #Georgia #Tech #transfer #Sylla">Deadspin | West Virginia lands Georgia Tech transfer Mo Sylla

Dec 3, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets center Mouhamed Sylla (6) in action against the Mississippi State Bulldogs in the second half at McCamish Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

West Virginia added another top transfer target Tuesday as former Georgia Tech big man Mouhamed Sylla committed to the Mountaineers, per multiple reports.

The 6-foot-10 center from Senegal averaged 9.6 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 16 games (15 starts) in his freshman season with the Yellow Jackets in 2025-26. He shot 57.9% from the field and posted five double-doubles before missing the final 11 games with an ankle injury.

A four-star recruit in the Class of 2025, Sylla was ranked as the No. 26 prospect in the transfer portal by 247 Sports.

West Virginia coach Ross Hodge received a commitment from Butler transfer Finley Bizjack on Monday. The All-Big East guard averaged 17.1 points and shot 34.9% from 3-point range in 31 starts for the Bulldogs in 2025-26.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #West #Virginia #lands #Georgia #Tech #transfer #Sylla

World number two Carlos Alcaraz eased to a 6-4, 6-2 victory over Finnish qualifier Otto Virtanen on Tuesday to begin his push for a third Barcelona Open title.

The Spaniard, who lost the Monte Carlo Masters final to new number one Jannik Sinner on Sunday, can reclaim top spot if he triumphs this week in Barcelona, as he did in 2022 and 2023.

Alcaraz, who finished as runner-up last year in Catalonia, started the first round clash slowly but found his rhythm in a dominant second set.

“I didn’t have much time to adjust in terms of training — this morning was the first practice session I’d done here in Barcelona, which makes it a bit hard to find good sensations at the start,” said Alcaraz afterwards.

“I’m happy to have come through the problems I had in the first set.

“Little by little I started feeling maybe a bit better, and I’m happy to win the match in straight sets and give myself another chance to try to feel a bit better in the next round.”

Alcaraz received some treatment from the physio on his forearm but said he hoped it was “nothing” and without time to rest between tournaments that it was normal to have “little niggles”.

World number 130 Virtanen started strongly in front of a full crowd at the court named after Spanish great Rafael Nadal, pushing hard on Alcaraz’s serve, while holding his own relatively comfortably.

However, Alcaraz broke in the 10th and final game of the first set to take the lead.

In the second set, the players exchanged breaks before Alcaraz broke to love and consolidated for a 4-1 lead.

Alcaraz opened up a triple match point on Virtanen’s serve and hit a cross-court winner to capitalise on the first of those.

The seven-time Grand Slam winner will face Czech Tomas Machac in the second round.

Earlier on, second seed Lorenzo Musetti defeated Martin Landaluce 7-5, 6-2 for his first win since the Australian Open.

Australian Alex de Minaur overcame Sebastian Ofner 7-6 (9/7), 6-4, while Karen Khachanov suffered a surprise 6-3, 6-4 defeat by Camilo Ugo Carabelli.

Published on Apr 14, 2026

#Barcelona #Open #Alcaraz #beats #Virtanen">

Barcelona Open 2026: Alcaraz beats Virtanen in first round World number two Carlos Alcaraz eased to a 6-4, 6-2 victory over Finnish qualifier Otto Virtanen on Tuesday to begin his push for a third Barcelona Open title.The Spaniard, who lost the Monte Carlo Masters final to new number one Jannik Sinner on Sunday, can reclaim top spot if he triumphs this week in Barcelona, as he did in 2022 and 2023.Alcaraz, who finished as runner-up last year in Catalonia, started the first round clash slowly but found his rhythm in a dominant second set.“I didn’t have much time to adjust in terms of training — this morning was the first practice session I’d done here in Barcelona, which makes it a bit hard to find good sensations at the start,” said Alcaraz afterwards.“I’m happy to have come through the problems I had in the first set.“Little by little I started feeling maybe a bit better, and I’m happy to win the match in straight sets and give myself another chance to try to feel a bit better in the next round.”Alcaraz received some treatment from the physio on his forearm but said he hoped it was “nothing” and without time to rest between tournaments that it was normal to have “little niggles”.World number 130 Virtanen started strongly in front of a full crowd at the court named after Spanish great Rafael Nadal, pushing hard on Alcaraz’s serve, while holding his own relatively comfortably.However, Alcaraz broke in the 10th and final game of the first set to take the lead.In the second set, the players exchanged breaks before Alcaraz broke to love and consolidated for a 4-1 lead.Alcaraz opened up a triple match point on Virtanen’s serve and hit a cross-court winner to capitalise on the first of those.The seven-time Grand Slam winner will face Czech Tomas Machac in the second round.Earlier on, second seed Lorenzo Musetti defeated Martin Landaluce 7-5, 6-2 for his first win since the Australian Open.Australian Alex de Minaur overcame Sebastian Ofner 7-6 (9/7), 6-4, while Karen Khachanov suffered a surprise 6-3, 6-4 defeat by Camilo Ugo Carabelli.Published on Apr 14, 2026 #Barcelona #Open #Alcaraz #beats #Virtanen

mwasimuddin125 0

World number two Carlos Alcaraz eased to a 6-4, 6-2 victory over Finnish qualifier Otto Virtanen on Tuesday to begin his push for a third Barcelona Open title.
The Spaniard, who lost the Monte Carlo Masters final to new number one Jannik Sinner on Sunday, can reclaim top spot if he triumphs this week in Barcelona, as he did in 2022 and 2023.
Alcaraz, who finished as runner-up last year in Catalonia, started the first round clash slowly but found his rhythm in a dominant second set.
“I didn’t have much time to adjust in terms of training — this morning was the first practice session I’d done here in Barcelona, which makes it a bit hard to find good sensations at the start,” said Alcaraz afterwards.
“I’m happy to have come through the problems I had in the first set.
“Little by little I started feeling maybe a bit better, and I’m happy to win the match in straight sets and give myself another chance to try to feel a bit better in the next round.”
Alcaraz received some treatment from the physio on his forearm but said he hoped it was “nothing” and without time to rest between tournaments that it was normal to have “little niggles”.
World number 130 Virtanen started strongly in front of a full crowd at the court named after Spanish great Rafael Nadal, pushing hard on Alcaraz’s serve, while holding his own relatively comfortably.
However, Alcaraz broke in the 10th and final game of the first set to take the lead.
In the second set, the players exchanged breaks before Alcaraz broke to love and consolidated for a 4-1 lead.
Alcaraz opened up a triple match point on Virtanen’s serve and hit a cross-court winner to capitalise on the first of those.
The seven-time Grand Slam winner will face Czech Tomas Machac in the second round.
Earlier on, second seed Lorenzo Musetti defeated Martin Landaluce 7-5, 6-2 for his first win since the Australian Open.
Australian Alex de Minaur overcame Sebastian Ofner 7-6 (9/7), 6-4, while Karen Khachanov suffered a surprise 6-3, 6-4 defeat by Camilo Ugo Carabelli.
Published on Apr 14, 2026

#Barcelona #Open #Alcaraz #beats #Virtanen">Barcelona Open 2026: Alcaraz beats Virtanen in first round