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Deadspin | Iowa’s Tavion Banks declares for NBA draft, hopeful of return to Hawkeyes Mar 28, 2026; Houston, TX, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes guard Tavion Banks (6) shoots against the Illinois Fighting Illini in the second half during an Elite Eight game of the South Regional of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images Iowa guard/forward Tavion Banks declared for the NBA draft on Wednesday and also said he is entering the transfer portal. Banks indicated that if he is granted a fifth season of eligibility, he would like to return to the Hawkeyes. “As I explore all options in continuing my basketball career, I am declaring for the NBA Draft, while also entering my name into the transfer portal in the event that a fifth year is granted,” Banks announced on social media. “If a fifth year becomes an option, I want to be a Hawkeye!” The 6-foot-7 Banks averaged 10.2 points and tied for the team lead of 4.6 rebounds per game for an Iowa squad that advanced to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament before falling to Illinois. In the second round, Banks scored a team-best 20 points to help the Hawkeyes post one of the more stunning wins of the tournament with a 73-72 victory over 2025 national champion Florida. Last season was Banks’ first at Iowa. He followed coach Ben McCollum from Drake. Banks averaged 10.1 points and 5.0 rebounds for the Bulldogs in 2024-25. Banks, who turned 23 on April 1, also played two seasons at Northwest Florida State, a junior college, before transferring to Drake. While Banks awaits a decision on whether he will receive another season of college eligibility, he is saluting the season he spent in Iowa City. “Competing as a Hawkeye this past season and helping lead this team to the Elite Eight was an amazing experience,” Banks said. “This was one of the best years of my life and it was everything I could have imagined. I want to thank my family, coaches, teammates and Hawkeye Nation for making this a memorable year in my basketball journey.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Iowas #Tavion #Banks #declares #NBA #draft #hopeful #return #Hawkeyes

Deadspin | Iowa’s Tavion Banks declares for NBA draft, hopeful of return to Hawkeyes
Deadspin | Iowa’s Tavion Banks declares for NBA draft, hopeful of return to Hawkeyes Mar 28, 2026; Houston, TX, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes guard Tavion Banks (6) shoots against the Illinois Fighting Illini in the second half during an Elite Eight game of the South Regional of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images Iowa guard/forward Tavion Banks declared for the NBA draft on Wednesday and also said he is entering the transfer portal. Banks indicated that if he is granted a fifth season of eligibility, he would like to return to the Hawkeyes. “As I explore all options in continuing my basketball career, I am declaring for the NBA Draft, while also entering my name into the transfer portal in the event that a fifth year is granted,” Banks announced on social media. “If a fifth year becomes an option, I want to be a Hawkeye!” The 6-foot-7 Banks averaged 10.2 points and tied for the team lead of 4.6 rebounds per game for an Iowa squad that advanced to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament before falling to Illinois. In the second round, Banks scored a team-best 20 points to help the Hawkeyes post one of the more stunning wins of the tournament with a 73-72 victory over 2025 national champion Florida. Last season was Banks’ first at Iowa. He followed coach Ben McCollum from Drake. Banks averaged 10.1 points and 5.0 rebounds for the Bulldogs in 2024-25. Banks, who turned 23 on April 1, also played two seasons at Northwest Florida State, a junior college, before transferring to Drake. While Banks awaits a decision on whether he will receive another season of college eligibility, he is saluting the season he spent in Iowa City. “Competing as a Hawkeye this past season and helping lead this team to the Elite Eight was an amazing experience,” Banks said. “This was one of the best years of my life and it was everything I could have imagined. I want to thank my family, coaches, teammates and Hawkeye Nation for making this a memorable year in my basketball journey.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Iowas #Tavion #Banks #declares #NBA #draft #hopeful #return #HawkeyesMar 28, 2026; Houston, TX, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes guard Tavion Banks (6) shoots against the Illinois Fighting Illini in the second half during an Elite Eight game of the South Regional of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Iowa guard/forward Tavion Banks declared for the NBA draft on Wednesday and also said he is entering the transfer portal.

Banks indicated that if he is granted a fifth season of eligibility, he would like to return to the Hawkeyes.

“As I explore all options in continuing my basketball career, I am declaring for the NBA Draft, while also entering my name into the transfer portal in the event that a fifth year is granted,” Banks announced on social media. “If a fifth year becomes an option, I want to be a Hawkeye!”

The 6-foot-7 Banks averaged 10.2 points and tied for the team lead of 4.6 rebounds per game for an Iowa squad that advanced to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament before falling to Illinois. In the second round, Banks scored a team-best 20 points to help the Hawkeyes post one of the more stunning wins of the tournament with a 73-72 victory over 2025 national champion Florida.


Last season was Banks’ first at Iowa. He followed coach Ben McCollum from Drake. Banks averaged 10.1 points and 5.0 rebounds for the Bulldogs in 2024-25.

Banks, who turned 23 on April 1, also played two seasons at Northwest Florida State, a junior college, before transferring to Drake.

While Banks awaits a decision on whether he will receive another season of college eligibility, he is saluting the season he spent in Iowa City.

“Competing as a Hawkeye this past season and helping lead this team to the Elite Eight was an amazing experience,” Banks said. “This was one of the best years of my life and it was everything I could have imagined. I want to thank my family, coaches, teammates and Hawkeye Nation for making this a memorable year in my basketball journey.”

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Iowas #Tavion #Banks #declares #NBA #draft #hopeful #return #Hawkeyes

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Mar 28, 2026; Houston, TX, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes guard Tavion Banks (6) shoots against the Illinois Fighting Illini in the second half during an Elite Eight game of the South Regional of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Iowa guard/forward Tavion Banks declared for the NBA draft on Wednesday and also said he is entering the transfer portal.

Banks indicated that if he is granted a fifth season of eligibility, he would like to return to the Hawkeyes.

“As I explore all options in continuing my basketball career, I am declaring for the NBA Draft, while also entering my name into the transfer portal in the event that a fifth year is granted,” Banks announced on social media. “If a fifth year becomes an option, I want to be a Hawkeye!”

The 6-foot-7 Banks averaged 10.2 points and tied for the team lead of 4.6 rebounds per game for an Iowa squad that advanced to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament before falling to Illinois. In the second round, Banks scored a team-best 20 points to help the Hawkeyes post one of the more stunning wins of the tournament with a 73-72 victory over 2025 national champion Florida.

Last season was Banks’ first at Iowa. He followed coach Ben McCollum from Drake. Banks averaged 10.1 points and 5.0 rebounds for the Bulldogs in 2024-25.

Banks, who turned 23 on April 1, also played two seasons at Northwest Florida State, a junior college, before transferring to Drake.

While Banks awaits a decision on whether he will receive another season of college eligibility, he is saluting the season he spent in Iowa City.

“Competing as a Hawkeye this past season and helping lead this team to the Elite Eight was an amazing experience,” Banks said. “This was one of the best years of my life and it was everything I could have imagined. I want to thank my family, coaches, teammates and Hawkeye Nation for making this a memorable year in my basketball journey.”

–Field Level Media

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Deadspin | WTA roundup: Two-time Stuttgart champ Iga Swiatek into quarterfinals <div id=""><section id="0" class=" w-full"><div class="xl:container mx-0 !px-4 py-0 pb-4 !mx-0 !px-0"><img src="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28542032.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28542032.jpg" alt="Tennis: Miami Open" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Mar 19, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Iga Swiatek (POL) hits a backhand against Magda Linette (POL) (not pictured) on day three of the 2026 Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>In her first match with new clay-court coach Francisco Roig, former World No. 1 Iga Swiatek cruised past Laura Siegemund of Germany 6-2, 6-3 on Wednesday at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart, Germany. </p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>Swiatek, a two-time champion at Stuttgart who is seeded No. 3, failed to capitalize on an early break in the opening set, but rebounded by breaking Siegemund in the sixth and eighth games. In the second set, the six-time Grand Slam champion missed out on another early break but again broke her opponent in the eighth game to take a 5-3 lead before closing out the match. Swiatek, who had a first-round bye, is on to the quarterfinals.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>Qualifier Zeynep Sonmez of Turkey pulled off a sizable upset, taking down fifth-seeded Jasmine Paolini of Italy 6-2, 6-2 in a one-hour, 16-minute match. Sönmez landed 72% of her first serves and also won 62.5% percent of second-return points, while Paolini failed to convert her lone break-point opportunities and won just 41.8% of total points.</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>Fourth-seeded Elina Svitolina of Ukraine was among the other winners, dominating Eva Lys of Germany 6-1, 6-0. Sixth-seeded Mirra Andreeva of Russia took down defending champion Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia 5-7, 6-2, 6-4, American qualifier Alycia Parks defeated German wild card Noma Noha Akugue 6-4, 6-2, and Linda Noskova of the Czech Republic outlasted Zhang Shuai of China 5-7, 6-1, 6-4.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-5"> <p>Rouen Metropolitan Open</p> </section> <section id="section-6"> <p>Unseeded Katie Boulter of Great Britain pulled off an upset of No. 3 seed Jaqueline Cristian of Romania, winning 7-6 (5), 4-6, 6-1 to advance to the quarterfinals at Rouen, France.</p> </section><section id="section-7"> <p>Boulter, who has won just once on the WTA Tour, survived a tough first set that saw her take a 5-0 lead in the tiebreaker, only for Cristian to save five set points before Boulter prevailed. Cristian rebounded in the second set, but Boulter cruised in the third set, breaking Cristian twice en route to the win.</p> </section><section id="section-8"> <p>Top-seeded Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine dropped the opening set to unseeded American Caty McNally, then bounced back for a 2-6, 6-2, 6-1 victory to reach the quarterfinals. Kostyuk will face fifth-seeded American Ann Li, who notched a 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 triumph over unseeded Kamilla Rakhimova of Uzbekistan. Unseeded Tatjana Maria of Germany upset No. 9 seed Elsa Jacquemot of France 6-4, 6-3. Other winners included No. 2 seed Sorana Cirstea of Romania, Anna Bondar of Hungary and Oleksandra Oliynykova of Ukraine.</p> </section><section id="section-9"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section></div> #Deadspin #WTA #roundup #Twotime #Stuttgart #champ #Iga #Swiatek #quarterfinals

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Guillermo Hoyos said his long friendship with Lionel Messi will not stop him working the Argentine superstar hard in training, as he was unveiled as the new coach of MLS side Inter Miami on Wednesday.

Hoyos, previously Miami’s sporting director, replaced Javier Mascherano, who departed the club for ‘personal reasons’ on Tuesday just four months after guiding the club to its first MLS Cup title.

The 62-year-old Hoyos was a key former mentor of Messi with Barcelona’s youth team more than two decades ago, and the Argentine pair have remained close ever since.

“Friendship is non-negotiable. We share a friendship that spans many years,” said Hoyos, speaking in Spanish, at his first press conference.

“However, that friendship does not mean that we will be constantly hovering over him or in his face every single day.”

A club statement initially said Hoyos will take charge of the team for the “upcoming matches,” but the team has since referred to him as head coach in social media posts.

Club sources told AFP that Hoyos is expected to remain at the helm only until the middle of the year, with a new coaching setup in place by the start of the Leagues Cup in August.

After seven rounds this season, Inter Miami sit third in the MLS Eastern Conference.

Messi, a 2022 World Cup winner and eight-time Ballon d’Or laureate, is the jewel in the crown of Miami’s squad.

Published on Apr 16, 2026

#Guillermo #Hoyos #longtime #friend #Lionel #Messi #unveiled #Inter #Miami #coach">Guillermo Hoyos, longtime friend of Lionel Messi, unveiled as Inter Miami coach Guillermo Hoyos said his long friendship with Lionel Messi will not stop him working the Argentine superstar hard in training, as he was unveiled as the new coach of MLS side Inter Miami on Wednesday.Hoyos, previously Miami’s sporting director, replaced Javier Mascherano, who departed the club for ‘personal reasons’ on Tuesday just four months after guiding the club to its first MLS Cup title.The 62-year-old Hoyos was a key former mentor of Messi with Barcelona’s youth team more than two decades ago, and the Argentine pair have remained close ever since.“Friendship is non-negotiable. We share a friendship that spans many years,” said Hoyos, speaking in Spanish, at his first press conference.“However, that friendship does not mean that we will be constantly hovering over him or in his face every single day.”A club statement initially said Hoyos will take charge of the team for the “upcoming matches,” but the team has since referred to him as head coach in social media posts.Club sources told AFP that Hoyos is expected to remain at the helm only until the middle of the year, with a new coaching setup in place by the start of the Leagues Cup in August.After seven rounds this season, Inter Miami sit third in the MLS Eastern Conference.Messi, a 2022 World Cup winner and eight-time Ballon d’Or laureate, is the jewel in the crown of Miami’s squad.Published on Apr 16, 2026 #Guillermo #Hoyos #longtime #friend #Lionel #Messi #unveiled #Inter #Miami #coach

Deadspin | CONCACAF Champions Cup: Paulinho, Toluca demolish Galaxy Mar 12, 2026; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; A general view of the official game ball during the first half in the match between Tigres UANL and FC Cincinnati at TQL Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images Paulinho, building on his hat trick in the first leg of a CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinal series, added two goals in the second leg on Wednesday, leading Toluca FC to a 3-0 victory over the Los Angeles Galaxy in Carson, Calif. Toluca prevailed 7-2 on aggregate, earning a spot in the semifinals against Los Angeles FC. Up 4-2 following the opening leg last week in Mexico, Toluca expanded the edge in the 10th minute on Wednesday when Jesus Gallardo blasted a 20-yard, left-footed shot past Galaxy goalie JT Marcinkowski. In the 58th minute, Helinho slipped in a pass to an unmarked Paulinho, who entered the 18-yard box, and Paulinho rolled a left-footed shot inside the far post. Paulinho’s second goal of the night was a deft chip over Marcinkowski as he entered the penalty area on his own on a counterattack. The last quarterfinal series will conclude later Wednesday night when the Seattle Sounders play host to Tigres UANL, who were up 2-0 following the first leg. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #CONCACAF #Champions #Cup #Paulinho #Toluca #demolish #GalaxyMar 12, 2026; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; A general view of the official game ball during the first half in the match between Tigres UANL and FC Cincinnati at TQL Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images

Paulinho, building on his hat trick in the first leg of a CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinal series, added two goals in the second leg on Wednesday, leading Toluca FC to a 3-0 victory over the Los Angeles Galaxy in Carson, Calif.

Toluca prevailed 7-2 on aggregate, earning a spot in the semifinals against Los Angeles FC.

Up 4-2 following the opening leg last week in Mexico, Toluca expanded the edge in the 10th minute on Wednesday when Jesus Gallardo blasted a 20-yard, left-footed shot past Galaxy goalie JT Marcinkowski.


In the 58th minute, Helinho slipped in a pass to an unmarked Paulinho, who entered the 18-yard box, and Paulinho rolled a left-footed shot inside the far post.

Paulinho’s second goal of the night was a deft chip over Marcinkowski as he entered the penalty area on his own on a counterattack.

The last quarterfinal series will conclude later Wednesday night when the Seattle Sounders play host to Tigres UANL, who were up 2-0 following the first leg.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #CONCACAF #Champions #Cup #Paulinho #Toluca #demolish #Galaxy">Deadspin | CONCACAF Champions Cup: Paulinho, Toluca demolish Galaxy Mar 12, 2026; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; A general view of the official game ball during the first half in the match between Tigres UANL and FC Cincinnati at TQL Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images Paulinho, building on his hat trick in the first leg of a CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinal series, added two goals in the second leg on Wednesday, leading Toluca FC to a 3-0 victory over the Los Angeles Galaxy in Carson, Calif. Toluca prevailed 7-2 on aggregate, earning a spot in the semifinals against Los Angeles FC. Up 4-2 following the opening leg last week in Mexico, Toluca expanded the edge in the 10th minute on Wednesday when Jesus Gallardo blasted a 20-yard, left-footed shot past Galaxy goalie JT Marcinkowski. In the 58th minute, Helinho slipped in a pass to an unmarked Paulinho, who entered the 18-yard box, and Paulinho rolled a left-footed shot inside the far post. Paulinho’s second goal of the night was a deft chip over Marcinkowski as he entered the penalty area on his own on a counterattack. The last quarterfinal series will conclude later Wednesday night when the Seattle Sounders play host to Tigres UANL, who were up 2-0 following the first leg. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #CONCACAF #Champions #Cup #Paulinho #Toluca #demolish #Galaxy

Bayern Munich showed ​mental strength and absolute belief to come from behind ⁠thrice before beating Real Madrid 4-3 to reach the Champions League semifinals on Wednesday, coach Vincent Kompany said.

Kompany, who was booked during the game ‌and will miss Bayern’s last-four first leg against holder Paris Saint-Germain, said the Bavarians, who are chasing ‌a treble of titles, had to dig deep to overcome ‌record ⁠15-time European champions Real 6-4 on aggregate in a ⁠classic tie.

“The boys were mentally strong today to recover from setbacks,” Kompany said. “The fans helped us as well. We stayed calm and always felt that our ​moment would come. The boys ‌deserved this win.

“What remains for me is the total togetherness that we showed. That’s what we take from the game. We showed absolute belief and will to fight our way ‌back into the game.”

“During the game our team has a ​lot of talent and experience to deal with these situations. After 35 seconds in this game to ⁠concede a goal, you then have to press the reset button. We stayed focused on our game,” Kompany said.

Host Bayern trailed 0-1 after 35 seconds when Arda Guler took advantage of a bad mistake by goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, and Real twice more took the lead to go into half-time 3-2 ahead.

Bayern, 2-1 winner of the first leg in Spain, kept its composure, however, and struck twice in the dying stages through Luis Diaz and Michael Olise ‌to snatch victory and advance to the last four.

The six-time European champion can ​potentially clinch the Bundesliga title this weekend, with a 12-point advantage and five matches remaining, before facing Bayer ⁠Leverkusen in the German Cup semifinals.

“It was a very emotional game,” ⁠said Kompany, in his second season at Bayern. “We had a lot of possession and always had the feeling we ‌could score. But Real Madrid remain Real Madrid. They have very quick players and are always a threat.”

Kompany became the ​11th coach to lead Bayern to the European Cup semifinals.

Published on Apr 16, 2026

#Bayern #Munich #Real #Madrid #Kompany #lauds #total #togetherness #boys #Champions #League #win">Bayern Munich vs Real Madrid — Kompany lauds ‘total togetherness’ of his boys after Champions League win Bayern Munich showed ​mental strength and absolute belief to come from behind ⁠thrice before beating Real Madrid 4-3 to reach the Champions League semifinals on Wednesday, coach Vincent Kompany said.Kompany, who was booked during the game ‌and will miss Bayern’s last-four first leg against holder Paris Saint-Germain, said the Bavarians, who are chasing ‌a treble of titles, had to dig deep to overcome ‌record ⁠15-time European champions Real 6-4 on aggregate in a ⁠classic tie.“The boys were mentally strong today to recover from setbacks,” Kompany said. “The fans helped us as well. We stayed calm and always felt that our ​moment would come. The boys ‌deserved this win.“What remains for me is the total togetherness that we showed. That’s what we take from the game. We showed absolute belief and will to fight our way ‌back into the game.”“During the game our team has a ​lot of talent and experience to deal with these situations. After 35 seconds in this game to ⁠concede a goal, you then have to press the reset button. We stayed focused on our game,” Kompany said.Host Bayern trailed 0-1 after 35 seconds when Arda Guler took advantage of a bad mistake by goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, and Real twice more took the lead to go into half-time 3-2 ahead.Bayern, 2-1 winner of the first leg in Spain, kept its composure, however, and struck twice in the dying stages through Luis Diaz and Michael Olise ‌to snatch victory and advance to the last four.The six-time European champion can ​potentially clinch the Bundesliga title this weekend, with a 12-point advantage and five matches remaining, before facing Bayer ⁠Leverkusen in the German Cup semifinals.“It was a very emotional game,” ⁠said Kompany, in his second season at Bayern. “We had a lot of possession and always had the feeling we ‌could score. But Real Madrid remain Real Madrid. They have very quick players and are always a threat.”Kompany became the ​11th coach to lead Bayern to the European Cup semifinals.Published on Apr 16, 2026 #Bayern #Munich #Real #Madrid #Kompany #lauds #total #togetherness #boys #Champions #League #win

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