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The Chicago Sky just signed another talented guard as injuries mount  The Chicago Sky added backcourt depth on Tuesday, signing guard Saylor Poffenbarger to a hardship contract ahead of Wednesday’s matchup against the Toronto Tempo.That came in the wake of injuries to several key players, including Rickea Jackson, who is out for the season with an ACL tear, and Gabriella Jaquez, who will miss Wednesday’s game with a knee injury. A WNBA hardship contract is a temporary roster exception that allows a team to sign an additional player when it does not have enough healthy players available.As a result, Poffenbarger, who went undrafted in the 2026 WNBA Draft, will get another chance to make a regular-season roster.The 6’2 guard signed a training camp contract with the Minnesota Lynx shortly after the draft, and averaged 5.7 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 block per game during preseason play. In her preseason debut with the Lynx, she posted 9 points and 13 rebounds.Saylor Poffenbarger was a standout college player Poffenbarger spent the past two seasons at the University of Maryland, where she became one of the most versatile players in the Big Ten Conference. Last season, she averaged 9.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.9 steals, and 0.6 blocks while starting all 31 games and leading the Terrapins to the NCAA Tournament.One of the best performances of her college career came in a double-overtime victory over Minnesota in December, when she erupted for a career-high 30 points while adding 10 rebounds, 3 assists, and a block.Poffenbarger began her collegiate career at the University of Connecticut before transferring to the University of Arkansas. During her two years with the Razorbacks, she emerged as one of the SEC’s top young players. As a redshirt freshman in 2022-23, she earned five SEC Freshman of the Week honors and was named to the All-SEC Freshman Team.Now, after a strong preseason with the Lynx and years of collegiate development across three major collegiate programs, Poffenbarger will get her next chance at the WNBA level with Chicago. She’ll be available when the Sky face the Tempo on Wednesday night.  #Chicago #Sky #signed #talented #guard #injuries #mount

The Chicago Sky just signed another talented guard as injuries mount

The Chicago Sky added backcourt depth on Tuesday, signing guard Saylor Poffenbarger to a hardship contract ahead of Wednesday’s matchup against the Toronto Tempo.

That came in the wake of injuries to several key players, including Rickea Jackson, who is out for the season with an ACL tear, and Gabriella Jaquez, who will miss Wednesday’s game with a knee injury. A WNBA hardship contract is a temporary roster exception that allows a team to sign an additional player when it does not have enough healthy players available.

As a result, Poffenbarger, who went undrafted in the 2026 WNBA Draft, will get another chance to make a regular-season roster.

The 6’2 guard signed a training camp contract with the Minnesota Lynx shortly after the draft, and averaged 5.7 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 block per game during preseason play. In her preseason debut with the Lynx, she posted 9 points and 13 rebounds.

Saylor Poffenbarger was a standout college player

Poffenbarger spent the past two seasons at the University of Maryland, where she became one of the most versatile players in the Big Ten Conference. Last season, she averaged 9.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.9 steals, and 0.6 blocks while starting all 31 games and leading the Terrapins to the NCAA Tournament.

One of the best performances of her college career came in a double-overtime victory over Minnesota in December, when she erupted for a career-high 30 points while adding 10 rebounds, 3 assists, and a block.

Poffenbarger began her collegiate career at the University of Connecticut before transferring to the University of Arkansas. During her two years with the Razorbacks, she emerged as one of the SEC’s top young players. As a redshirt freshman in 2022-23, she earned five SEC Freshman of the Week honors and was named to the All-SEC Freshman Team.

Now, after a strong preseason with the Lynx and years of collegiate development across three major collegiate programs, Poffenbarger will get her next chance at the WNBA level with Chicago. She’ll be available when the Sky face the Tempo on Wednesday night.

#Chicago #Sky #signed #talented #guard #injuries #mount

The Chicago Sky added backcourt depth on Tuesday, signing guard Saylor Poffenbarger to a hardship contract ahead of Wednesday’s matchup against the Toronto Tempo.

That came in the wake of injuries to several key players, including Rickea Jackson, who is out for the season with an ACL tear, and Gabriella Jaquez, who will miss Wednesday’s game with a knee injury. A WNBA hardship contract is a temporary roster exception that allows a team to sign an additional player when it does not have enough healthy players available.

As a result, Poffenbarger, who went undrafted in the 2026 WNBA Draft, will get another chance to make a regular-season roster.

The 6’2 guard signed a training camp contract with the Minnesota Lynx shortly after the draft, and averaged 5.7 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 block per game during preseason play. In her preseason debut with the Lynx, she posted 9 points and 13 rebounds.

Saylor Poffenbarger was a standout college player

Poffenbarger spent the past two seasons at the University of Maryland, where she became one of the most versatile players in the Big Ten Conference. Last season, she averaged 9.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.9 steals, and 0.6 blocks while starting all 31 games and leading the Terrapins to the NCAA Tournament.

One of the best performances of her college career came in a double-overtime victory over Minnesota in December, when she erupted for a career-high 30 points while adding 10 rebounds, 3 assists, and a block.

Poffenbarger began her collegiate career at the University of Connecticut before transferring to the University of Arkansas. During her two years with the Razorbacks, she emerged as one of the SEC’s top young players. As a redshirt freshman in 2022-23, she earned five SEC Freshman of the Week honors and was named to the All-SEC Freshman Team.

Now, after a strong preseason with the Lynx and years of collegiate development across three major collegiate programs, Poffenbarger will get her next chance at the WNBA level with Chicago. She’ll be available when the Sky face the Tempo on Wednesday night.

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#Chicago #Sky #signed #talented #guard #injuries #mount

When I arrived to cover the Minnesota Vikings for the St. Paul Pioneer Press in 2000, it was clear I was dealing with a star-studded roster.

The team boasted future Pro Football Hall of Famers; wide receivers Cris Carter and Randy Moss and defensive tackle John Randle. Plus, there were a ton of other stars including quarterback Daunte Culpepper, center Matt Birk and running back Robert Smith. The Vikings were loaded with star power.

The talent around the team wasn’t relegated simply to the roster, however.

That summer I first laid my eyes on a 16-year-old high school junior named Larry Fitzgerald Jr. The son of a local media member and close friend of Vikings’ head coach Dennis Green, Little Fitzy was a ball boy during training camp and on game days. It turns out, Larry Fitzgerald Jr. is very likely the most famous former NFL ball boy in history.

On reporting date, fellow reporter Kevin Seifert pointed out Fitzgerald to me and said “that’s a bad man.” Seifert didn’t say that about any of the actual Vikings that day.

Fitzgerald was already known as the best Minnesota high school prospect in years and he was considered one of the best high school players in the country. Seifert told me the buzz was that the kid was, no doubt, headed to the NFL in a half decade or so. Seifert was on the money. I’m not sure the Hall of Fame was mentioned or not.

But this weekend of course, that’s exactly where Little Fitzy is headed. He will be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, on Saturday as a first-ballot Hall of Famer.

Fitzgerald will be remembered as one of the best and most productive wide receivers in league history after an incredible 17-season career with the Arizona Cardinals.

I have a ton of memories of being around Fitzgerald, but there’s one that stands out among them all.

One day after training camp, a nameless Vikings’ wide receiver camp body was getting extra work on a JUGS machine, catching balls. He was being tutored by Fitzgerald, who was showing this player how to properly approach the incoming ball. This was a child instructing a grown man an NFL team deemed good enough to attend training camp.

Larry Fitzgerald Jr. was special even back then.

In addition to his incredible natural football ability, Larry Fitzgerald Jr. stood out for his politeness and good nature. You could tell he was a good kid from the first time you met him.

There was no I’m-going-to-be-a-star attitude. He was genuine and he worked his tail off with the rest of the ball boys. There was no entitlement. It was as if he was using his time around an NFL camp as an internship for his future. He passed with flying colors.

I’ve always cherished following his career from his days at Pittsburgh in college to his days of dominating the NFL and I’ve enjoyed running into him over the years now and again.

Enjoy Canton, Little Fitzy, you’ve earned it.

#Larry #Fitzgeralds #Hall #Fame #induction #years #making">Larry Fitzgerald’s Hall of Fame induction is 25 years in the making  When I arrived to cover the Minnesota Vikings for the St. Paul Pioneer Press in 2000, it was clear I was dealing with a star-studded roster.The team boasted future Pro Football Hall of Famers; wide receivers Cris Carter and Randy Moss and defensive tackle John Randle. Plus, there were a ton of other stars including quarterback Daunte Culpepper, center Matt Birk and running back Robert Smith. The Vikings were loaded with star power.The talent around the team wasn’t relegated simply to the roster, however.That summer I first laid my eyes on a 16-year-old high school junior named Larry Fitzgerald Jr. The son of a local media member and close friend of Vikings’ head coach Dennis Green, Little Fitzy was a ball boy during training camp and on game days. It turns out, Larry Fitzgerald Jr. is very likely the most famous former NFL ball boy in history.On reporting date, fellow reporter Kevin Seifert pointed out Fitzgerald to me and said “that’s a bad man.” Seifert didn’t say that about any of the actual Vikings that day.Fitzgerald was already known as the best Minnesota high school prospect in years and he was considered one of the best high school players in the country. Seifert told me the buzz was that the kid was, no doubt, headed to the NFL in a half decade or so. Seifert was on the money. I’m not sure the Hall of Fame was mentioned or not.But this weekend of course, that’s exactly where Little Fitzy is headed. He will be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, on Saturday as a first-ballot Hall of Famer.Fitzgerald will be remembered as one of the best and most productive wide receivers in league history after an incredible 17-season career with the Arizona Cardinals.I have a ton of memories of being around Fitzgerald, but there’s one that stands out among them all.One day after training camp, a nameless Vikings’ wide receiver camp body was getting extra work on a JUGS machine, catching balls. He was being tutored by Fitzgerald, who was showing this player how to properly approach the incoming ball. This was a child instructing a grown man an NFL team deemed good enough to attend training camp.Larry Fitzgerald Jr. was special even back then.In addition to his incredible natural football ability, Larry Fitzgerald Jr. stood out for his politeness and good nature. You could tell he was a good kid from the first time you met him.There was no I’m-going-to-be-a-star attitude. He was genuine and he worked his tail off with the rest of the ball boys. There was no entitlement. It was as if he was using his time around an NFL camp as an internship for his future. He passed with flying colors.I’ve always cherished following his career from his days at Pittsburgh in college to his days of dominating the NFL and I’ve enjoyed running into him over the years now and again.Enjoy Canton, Little Fitzy, you’ve earned it.  #Larry #Fitzgeralds #Hall #Fame #induction #years #making

Follow Sportstar for extensive coverage of the tenth edition of the TNPL, from live scores and match reports to exclusive analysis and features.

TOSS

Tiruppur Tamizhans won the toss and chose to bowl first.

PLAYING XIs

Nellai Royal Kings: Athish SR(w), D Santhosh Kumar, Ajitesh Guruswamy, U Mukilesh, Rithik Easwaran, Sonu Yadav(c), Muhammed Adnan Khan, Ramalingam Rohit, Emmanuel Cherian, NS Harish, Rocky Bhasker

Tiruppur Tamizhans: Tushar Raheja(w), Amit Sathvik, Pradosh Ranjan Paul, Mohamed Ali, Uthirasamy Sasidev, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore(c), M Mathivannan, S Mohan Prasath, R Silambarasan, Esakkimuthu A, T Natarajan

Published on Aug 09, 2026

#TNPL #Live #Allround #batting #display #propels #Nellai #Royal #Kings">TNPL 2026 Live: All-round batting display propels Nellai Royal Kings to 206/8  Follow Sportstar for extensive coverage of the tenth edition of the TNPL, from live scores and match reports to exclusive analysis and features.TOSSTiruppur Tamizhans won the toss and chose to bowl first.PLAYING XIsNellai Royal Kings: Athish SR(w), D Santhosh Kumar, Ajitesh Guruswamy, U Mukilesh, Rithik Easwaran, Sonu Yadav(c), Muhammed Adnan Khan, Ramalingam Rohit, Emmanuel Cherian, NS Harish, Rocky BhaskerTiruppur Tamizhans: Tushar Raheja(w), Amit Sathvik, Pradosh Ranjan Paul, Mohamed Ali, Uthirasamy Sasidev, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore(c), M Mathivannan, S Mohan Prasath, R Silambarasan, Esakkimuthu A, T NatarajanPublished on Aug 09, 2026  #TNPL #Live #Allround #batting #display #propels #Nellai #Royal #Kings

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