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Omar Cooper Jr. goes to San Francisco 49ers at pick No. 27 thanks to Niners Nation in SB Nation’s community mock draft Omar Cooper, WR, IndianaIt would make a lot of sense for the 49ers to go offensive line here and plan for the eventual exit of Trent Williams. Defensive line would also be no surprise, but, even after the signing of Mike Evans, wide receiver appears likely to take priority. Cooper can give San Francisco a bona-fide YAC threat who has also the ability to win downfield and who can operate inside and out. He’s an ideal wide receiver for Kyle Shanahan and would quickly become a favourite of Brock Purdy. #Omar #Cooper #San #Francisco #49ers #pick #Niners #Nation #Nations #community #mock #draft

Omar Cooper Jr. goes to San Francisco 49ers at pick No. 27 thanks to Niners Nation in SB Nation’s community mock draft

Omar Cooper, WR, Indiana

It would make a lot of sense for the 49ers to go offensive line here and plan for the eventual exit of Trent Williams. Defensive line would also be no surprise, but, even after the signing of Mike Evans, wide receiver appears likely to take priority. Cooper can give San Francisco a bona-fide YAC threat who has also the ability to win downfield and who can operate inside and out. He’s an ideal wide receiver for Kyle Shanahan and would quickly become a favourite of Brock Purdy.

#Omar #Cooper #San #Francisco #49ers #pick #Niners #Nation #Nations #community #mock #draft

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Omar Cooper, WR, Indiana

It would make a lot of sense for the 49ers to go offensive line here and plan for the eventual exit of Trent Williams. Defensive line would also be no surprise, but, even after the signing of Mike Evans, wide receiver appears likely to take priority. Cooper can give San Francisco a bona-fide YAC threat who has also the ability to win downfield and who can operate inside and out. He’s an ideal wide receiver for Kyle Shanahan and would quickly become a favourite of Brock Purdy.

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SRH vs DC IPL 2026: Abhishek runs riot as Sunrisers Hyderabad beats Delhi Capitals <div id="content-body-70890153" itemprop="articleBody"><p>In Abhishek Sharma’s T20 playbook, the white Kookaburra ball is an object destined to be dispatched into the stands at every available opportunity. At the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium here on Tuesday, the southpaw (135 n.o., 68b, 10×4, 10×6) flaunted that destructive template with relish, lifting Sunrisers Hyderabad to a daunting 242 for two and setting up a 47-run win against Delhi Capitals in IPL-19. Abhishek was well-supported by Travis Head, Ishan Kishan and Heinrich Klaasen.</p><p>DC’s response with the bat fell short as it finished on 195 for nine. While Nitish Rana scored a half-century, his 86-run stand with K.L. Rahul lacked the required urgency. When Rana slammed Shivang Kumar for two sixes in a 19-run eighth over, the momentum appeared to shift. But soon enough, SRH struck thrice in the space of four deliveries, with Sakib Hussain getting Rahul caught at deep square leg in the 10th over and Eshan Malinga excising Rana and David Miller in the 11th. Malinga finished with four for 32 while Harsh Dubey scalped three for 12.</p><p>The visitor’s effort proved to be no match to Abhishek’s onslaught. After ensconcing himself as a six-hitting phenom in India’s set-up in the two years leading up to the 2026 T20 World Cup, form may have deserted the 25-year-old for much of the marquee event. But he had no trouble in taking down the DC bowlers for his second century of his IPL career.</p><p>Considering Abhishek’s recent travails against off-spin, Capitals hoped that the use of Rana in the PowerPlay would make for an ideal match-up. It seemed a sound move when the part-time off-spinner conceded just six runs in the second over. But thereafter, he was treated with utter disdain as figures of 4-0-55-0 illustrate. He also spilled Abhishek on 86 at deep point.</p><p>When Head pulled Axar Patel to deep midwicket in the ninth over, it was an altogether brief lull. The onslaught resumed as Abhishek forged a 79-run stand off 35 deliveries with Kishan. That Klaasen also belted an unbeaten 37 off 13 balls was the icing on the cake for a partisan crowd.</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 21, 2026</p></div> #SRH #IPL #Abhishek #runs #riot #Sunrisers #Hyderabad #beats #Delhi #Capitals

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Deadspin | Raiders pick No. 1, then Ohio State draft takeover begins <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-900/25695439.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/25695439.jpg" alt="Syndication: The Columbus Dispatch" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Arvell Reese (8), linebacker Sonny Styles (6), safety Caleb Downs (2) and cornerback Davison Igbinosun (1) work out during spring football practice at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center on March 17, 2025.<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>Ohio State is not the reigning national champion in college football, and the Buckeyes are not expected to produce a fourth No. 1 overall selection when the 2026 NFL Draft kicks off with the Las Vegas Raiders on the clock Thursday night. </p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>But you can bet your most sacred scarlet that the Buckeyes are money in the bank to pad their all-time total — 97 and counting — first-round selections soon after Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza is selected by the Raiders.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>Anywhere between nine and 13 Ohio State players are projected to be drafted into the NFL this week, and five carry first-round grades one year removed from the 2025 national championship roster that produced four first-rounders: wide receiver Emeka Egbuka (No. 21, Buccaneers), offensive lineman Donovan Jackson (24, Vikings), defensive tackle Tyleik Williams (28, Lions) and offensive tackle Josh Simmons (32, Chiefs). </p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>The 2021 Alabama team and the 2004 Miami squad share the record with six first-round selections in a single draft.</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>The wait for the Ohio State takeover of the 2026 draft might not be long. In fact, that first selection could come right after Mendoza hears his name called.</p> </section><section id="section-6"> <p>Buckeyes linebackers Sonny Styles and Arvell Reese are candidates to be selected No. 2 overall by the Jets. Styles put on an epic athletic display at the NFL Scouting Combine in February and Reese, who played a variety of positions in Matt Patricia’s defense, was right there with him. At 6-foot-4 and 243 pounds, Reese is being compared to Penn State-era Micah Parsons, the No. 12 pick in the 2021 draft and a three-time NFL All-Pro. </p> </section><section id="section-7"> <p>Reese is dripping with upside. He had 6.5 sacks at Ohio State in 2025 but was only a part-time pass rusher. </p> </section><section id="section-8"> <p>Only 20, Reese could add significant weight and convert to defensive end or focus on an edge/outside linebacker role. Because of his speed and power, there are also teams that discussed using him inside. The Cleveland native met with the Browns but he might not stick around long enough to stay in Ohio; the Browns have picks No. 6 and 24. He also had multiple meetings with the Arizona Cardinals, who pick third overall. </p> </section><br/><section id="section-9"> <p>“I played everywhere from inside linebacker to (strong-side) to edge. I was comfortable everywhere,” Reese said, noting NFL teams are complimentary of his versatility. “It changes (with) each team, so it depends on the system and how the defensive coordinator thinks he’ll use me.”</p> </section> <section id="section-10"> <p>Styles is a second-generation NFL prospect. His dad, Lorenzo Styles, was an NFL linebacker for the St. Louis Rams and Atlanta Falcons for six seasons. Lorenzo Styles Jr. is also part of the 2026 draft class. A Notre Dame transfer, Lorenzo Styles Jr. played safety — and started 11 games — for the Buckeyes last season.</p> </section><section id="section-11"> <p>At 6-5, 244, Sonny Styles stole the show at the combine. He ran a 4.46 40-yard dash, had a 43 1/2-inch vertical, broad jumped 11 feet, 2 inches and clocked a 4.26-second 20-yard shuttle. It points to his high school background as a five-star safety recruit. </p> </section><section id="section-12"> <p>The top tackler on Ohio State’s dynamic defense, Sonny Styles had only one missed tackle all season — and it came in the College Football Playoff — by the count of Buckeyes’ staff.</p> </section><section id="section-13"> <p>“I think the way I can improve the run defense is just being in the middle,” said Styles, a self-described film junkie. “I feel like I had a great feel of what was coming.”</p> </section><section id="section-14"> <p>Safety Caleb Downs is listed as a top-10 prospect by many evaluators, and he will be in the draft green room Thursday with his linebacker teammates, wide receiver Carnell Tate and defensive tackle Kayden McDonald. </p> </section><section id="section-15"> <p>All six could be selected in the opening round. Downs and Toledo’s Emmanuel McNeil-Warren are vying to be the top player picked at the position and Tate is another likely first-round receiver produced by the Buckeyes. He averaged 17.2 yards per reception last season and caught 14 TD passes in three seasons at Ohio State. </p> </section><section id="section-16"> <p>McDonald turned 21 last month and was the Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year in 2025. He had 65 tackles and nine tackles for loss last season as the thick and powerful roadblock to interior linemen trying to get their hands on Reese and Styles. </p> </section><section id="section-17"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section></div> #Deadspin #Raiders #pick #Ohio #State #draft #takeover #begins

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Deadspin | Aaron Rai keen to learn from mistakes heading into Memorial Tournament May 17, 2026; Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, USA; Aaron Rai reacts with the trophy after winning the final round of the PGA Championship golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-Imagn Images Aaron Rai’s fifth-place finish at last month’s Myrtle Beach Classic may seem like a disappointment considering he led going into the weekend, but he said the outcome was “massively” important to his ensuing PGA Championship win. The setback also provided lessons he’ll carry into this week’s Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village Golf Club. “That experience at Myrtle Beach was absolutely invaluable for the PGA, and I’m not sure I would have handled the situation as well as I did at the PGA if I hadn’t experienced it the week before at Myrtle Beach,” Rai said at a press conference Tuesday ahead of the tournament in Dublin, Ohio. The 31-year-old Englishman said getting used to the feeling of being in the last group at Myrtle Beach, something he hadn’t been a part of for at least five months prior, was “huge.” He also said some “small things” that happened during his final round helped set him up well for his first major win at the PGA Championship. “Bits from the crowd, bits from a couple of mistakes that I made in the midsection of the round. I think I made four bogeys in a row around the turn. I think just kind of where my mind went, certain things that I could have dealt with better, I was very aware of even on the Saturday of the PGA,” Rai said. “I think when you’ve had that experience so recently before, it’s a lot fresher in the mind and it’s a lot easier to make those adjustments. So, yeah, that was crucial, really.” Rai expressed an eagerness to play at Muirfield, which he called “an amazing golf course” and one of his favorites on the PGA Tour. “It’s an absolutely incredible event, a course that I absolutely love,” he said. “Very demanding. I think it requires a complete game no matter what your skill set is, whether you’re a little shorter, whether you’re a little longer, whether you’re straight, whether the short game is good. It requires everything to be successful around this event.” This will be Rai’s fourth Tour start at Muirfield. He finished T26 in 2022 but missed the cut in his last two appearances in 2023 and 2025. He said those experiences on the course have shown that “it’s really hard,” but he plans to take what he’s learned from previous years and apply it this weekend. “Certainly after playing it a little bit more, it definitely requires a little bit more understanding, and I probably haven’t done as good of a job as I could in terms of my preparation, especially last year,” Rai said of his 9-over-par finish when he posted rounds of 79 and 74 in missing the cut. “I think just trying to approach it a little bit better. Got here slightly earlier this week as well in order to do so. And to just learn from a couple of the mistakes that I’ve made in previous years.” Rai will have to get past two-time defending champion and World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, who finished at 10-under last year for a four-stroke victory over Ben Griffin. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Aaron #Rai #keen #learn #mistakes #heading #Memorial #TournamentMay 17, 2026; Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, USA; Aaron Rai reacts with the trophy after winning the final round of the PGA Championship golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-Imagn Images

Aaron Rai’s fifth-place finish at last month’s Myrtle Beach Classic may seem like a disappointment considering he led going into the weekend, but he said the outcome was “massively” important to his ensuing PGA Championship win.

The setback also provided lessons he’ll carry into this week’s Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village Golf Club.

“That experience at Myrtle Beach was absolutely invaluable for the PGA, and I’m not sure I would have handled the situation as well as I did at the PGA if I hadn’t experienced it the week before at Myrtle Beach,” Rai said at a press conference Tuesday ahead of the tournament in Dublin, Ohio.

The 31-year-old Englishman said getting used to the feeling of being in the last group at Myrtle Beach, something he hadn’t been a part of for at least five months prior, was “huge.”

He also said some “small things” that happened during his final round helped set him up well for his first major win at the PGA Championship.

“Bits from the crowd, bits from a couple of mistakes that I made in the midsection of the round. I think I made four bogeys in a row around the turn. I think just kind of where my mind went, certain things that I could have dealt with better, I was very aware of even on the Saturday of the PGA,” Rai said.

“I think when you’ve had that experience so recently before, it’s a lot fresher in the mind and it’s a lot easier to make those adjustments. So, yeah, that was crucial, really.”


Rai expressed an eagerness to play at Muirfield, which he called “an amazing golf course” and one of his favorites on the PGA Tour.

“It’s an absolutely incredible event, a course that I absolutely love,” he said. “Very demanding. I think it requires a complete game no matter what your skill set is, whether you’re a little shorter, whether you’re a little longer, whether you’re straight, whether the short game is good. It requires everything to be successful around this event.”

This will be Rai’s fourth Tour start at Muirfield. He finished T26 in 2022 but missed the cut in his last two appearances in 2023 and 2025.

He said those experiences on the course have shown that “it’s really hard,” but he plans to take what he’s learned from previous years and apply it this weekend.

“Certainly after playing it a little bit more, it definitely requires a little bit more understanding, and I probably haven’t done as good of a job as I could in terms of my preparation, especially last year,” Rai said of his 9-over-par finish when he posted rounds of 79 and 74 in missing the cut.

“I think just trying to approach it a little bit better. Got here slightly earlier this week as well in order to do so. And to just learn from a couple of the mistakes that I’ve made in previous years.”

Rai will have to get past two-time defending champion and World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, who finished at 10-under last year for a four-stroke victory over Ben Griffin.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Aaron #Rai #keen #learn #mistakes #heading #Memorial #Tournament">Deadspin | Aaron Rai keen to learn from mistakes heading into Memorial Tournament May 17, 2026; Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, USA; Aaron Rai reacts with the trophy after winning the final round of the PGA Championship golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-Imagn Images Aaron Rai’s fifth-place finish at last month’s Myrtle Beach Classic may seem like a disappointment considering he led going into the weekend, but he said the outcome was “massively” important to his ensuing PGA Championship win. The setback also provided lessons he’ll carry into this week’s Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village Golf Club. “That experience at Myrtle Beach was absolutely invaluable for the PGA, and I’m not sure I would have handled the situation as well as I did at the PGA if I hadn’t experienced it the week before at Myrtle Beach,” Rai said at a press conference Tuesday ahead of the tournament in Dublin, Ohio. The 31-year-old Englishman said getting used to the feeling of being in the last group at Myrtle Beach, something he hadn’t been a part of for at least five months prior, was “huge.” He also said some “small things” that happened during his final round helped set him up well for his first major win at the PGA Championship. “Bits from the crowd, bits from a couple of mistakes that I made in the midsection of the round. I think I made four bogeys in a row around the turn. I think just kind of where my mind went, certain things that I could have dealt with better, I was very aware of even on the Saturday of the PGA,” Rai said. “I think when you’ve had that experience so recently before, it’s a lot fresher in the mind and it’s a lot easier to make those adjustments. So, yeah, that was crucial, really.” Rai expressed an eagerness to play at Muirfield, which he called “an amazing golf course” and one of his favorites on the PGA Tour. “It’s an absolutely incredible event, a course that I absolutely love,” he said. “Very demanding. I think it requires a complete game no matter what your skill set is, whether you’re a little shorter, whether you’re a little longer, whether you’re straight, whether the short game is good. It requires everything to be successful around this event.” This will be Rai’s fourth Tour start at Muirfield. He finished T26 in 2022 but missed the cut in his last two appearances in 2023 and 2025. He said those experiences on the course have shown that “it’s really hard,” but he plans to take what he’s learned from previous years and apply it this weekend. “Certainly after playing it a little bit more, it definitely requires a little bit more understanding, and I probably haven’t done as good of a job as I could in terms of my preparation, especially last year,” Rai said of his 9-over-par finish when he posted rounds of 79 and 74 in missing the cut. “I think just trying to approach it a little bit better. Got here slightly earlier this week as well in order to do so. And to just learn from a couple of the mistakes that I’ve made in previous years.” Rai will have to get past two-time defending champion and World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, who finished at 10-under last year for a four-stroke victory over Ben Griffin. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Aaron #Rai #keen #learn #mistakes #heading #Memorial #Tournament

We’re almost a month into the WNBA season, and it’s time to take a look at how the 2026 draft class has fared thus far.

Full disclaimer: it’s early days, and a lot of this will change. Still, here’s a way-too-early glance at the Rookie fo the Year race.

1. Olivia Miles, Minnesota Lynx

Draft Number: No. 2
Stats: 15.8 points (on 49.5% shooting), 6.2 assists, 4.6 rebounds, 1.7 steals
Minutes per game: 30.6

Olivia Miles has been incredible in the early days of the WNBA season. She leads all rookies in minutes, points, made field goals (5.4), and made free throws per game (4.7). The Lynx have outscored opponents by 12.1 points per game with her on the floor, and in turn, they have the league’s best record at 7-2. Miles has looked much more like a 10-year veteran than a rookie so far.

2. Azzi Fudd, Dallas Wings

Draft Number: No. 1
Stats: 12.1 points (on 57.1% shooting and 43.8% from three), 1.1 assists, 1.1 steals, 1 block
Minutes per game: 25.5

Azzi Fudd came off the bench to begin the season, but she’s been on an upward trajectory. The Dallas Wings, meanwhile, keep winning games. Fudd has scored at least 22 points in two of the last three games, and in double figures in four of the last six.

3. Kiki Rice, Toronto Tempo

Draft Number: No. 6
Stats: 13.1 points (on 55.2% shooting and 40.9% from three), 4.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists
Minutes per game: 27

The former UCLA standout has been awesome for the Tempo in her rookie campaign. She’s the second-leading scorer among rookies, the 5th-leading rebounder, and she’s been a critical part of the Tempo’s 5-4 start to the year. Rice has been shooting lights out from three, while showing versatility on both ends of the floor.

4. Pauline Astier, New York Liberty

Draft Number: Undrafted
Stats: 12 points (on 61.2% shooting and 47.1% from three), 3.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists
Minutes per game: 26.2

Pauline Astier, the 24-year-old undrafted rookie out of France, has been huge for the Liberty, particularly in the wake of so many early-season injuries. She’s the fifth-leading scorer among rookies and has been shooting lights out. Astier has started 8 of 9 games this season for the Liberty, and filled in well with Sabirna Ionescu sidelined.

5. Gabriella Jaquez, Chicago Sky

Draft Number: No. 5
Stats: 11.5 points (on 42.9% shooting and 33.3% from three), 5.3 rebounds, 1.2 steals
Minutes per game: 28.3

Lots of people wondered if Gabriella Jaquez was drafted too high at No. 5, calling into question whether UCLA’s recent title run had swayed WNBA front offices too much. But Jaquez has been every bit the player Jeff Pagliocca and the Sky front office envisioned when they selected her fifth overall. She’s scored in the double-figures in four of her last six games, and has been one of the top rebounders in the class. The only concern is that she’s been sidelined since May 23rd with a knee injury.

6. Jovana Nogic, Phoenix Mercury

Draft Number: Undrafted
Stats: 12.8 points (on 42.9% shooting and 50.9% from three), 1.5 assists, 1 rebound
Minutes per game: 21.9

It’s been an interesting season for Nogic, the 28-year-old rookie out of Serbia. On one hand, she’s been an offensive powerhouse — the third-leading scorer on the Mercury and third-leading scorer among rookies. On the other hand, she’s seen limited minutes on a Mercury squad that has been among the league’s worst (they’re currently one of two teams with a 2-8 record). Nogic will probably need to be better on the defensive end of the floor, but she’s already shown she can score with the best of them.

7. Flau’jae Johnson, Seattle Storm

Draft Number: No. 8
Stats: 11.9 points (on 31.2% shooting and 25% from three), 5.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists
Minutes per game: 26.2

Flau’jae Johnson was drafted 8th overall by the Golden State Valkyries and subsequently traded to the Seattle Storm on draft night in exchange for Marta Suarez, who was later waived. Johnson will probably benefit from that trade; she’s already playing the fourth-most among rookies, and is averaging the 6th-most points per game. But, Johnson hasn’t been very efficient — not unusual for a rookie WNBA guard. The Storm is a good landing spot for her to figure it all out.

8. Sydney Taylor, Chicago Sky

Draft Number: Undrafted
Stats: 9.2 points (on 32.7% shooting and 21.2% from three), 1.5 assists, 1.2 rebounds
Minutes per game: 13.9

Sydney Taylor has been one of the biggest surprises in the rookie class. The former Louisville standout went undrafted, signed with the Sky, and has since become a rotation player. Last Wednesday, she poured in a career-high 27 points in a loss to the Toronto Tempo. Like Johnson, Taylor hasn’t been particularly efficient, but she’s managed to find minutes on the roster and showed flashes of the scoring prowess that could keep her on the court.

#Olivia #Miles #Azzi #Fudd #WNBA #rookies #ranked">Olivia Miles, Azzi Fudd and the 8 best WNBA rookies, ranked We’re almost a month into the WNBA season, and it’s time to take a look at how the 2026 draft class has fared thus far.Full disclaimer: it’s early days, and a lot of this will change. Still, here’s a way-too-early glance at the Rookie fo the Year race.1. Olivia Miles, Minnesota LynxDraft Number: No. 2Stats: 15.8 points (on 49.5% shooting), 6.2 assists, 4.6 rebounds, 1.7 stealsMinutes per game: 30.6Olivia Miles has been incredible in the early days of the WNBA season. She leads all rookies in minutes, points, made field goals (5.4), and made free throws per game (4.7). The Lynx have outscored opponents by 12.1 points per game with her on the floor, and in turn, they have the league’s best record at 7-2. Miles has looked much more like a 10-year veteran than a rookie so far.2. Azzi Fudd, Dallas WingsDraft Number: No. 1Stats: 12.1 points (on 57.1% shooting and 43.8% from three), 1.1 assists, 1.1 steals, 1 blockMinutes per game: 25.5Azzi Fudd came off the bench to begin the season, but she’s been on an upward trajectory. The Dallas Wings, meanwhile, keep winning games. Fudd has scored at least 22 points in two of the last three games, and in double figures in four of the last six.3. Kiki Rice, Toronto TempoDraft Number: No. 6Stats: 13.1 points (on 55.2% shooting and 40.9% from three), 4.7 rebounds, 2.7 assistsMinutes per game: 27The former UCLA standout has been awesome for the Tempo in her rookie campaign. She’s the second-leading scorer among rookies, the 5th-leading rebounder, and she’s been a critical part of the Tempo’s 5-4 start to the year. Rice has been shooting lights out from three, while showing versatility on both ends of the floor.4. Pauline Astier, New York LibertyDraft Number: UndraftedStats: 12 points (on 61.2% shooting and 47.1% from three), 3.7 rebounds, 3.6 assistsMinutes per game: 26.2Pauline Astier, the 24-year-old undrafted rookie out of France, has been huge for the Liberty, particularly in the wake of so many early-season injuries. She’s the fifth-leading scorer among rookies and has been shooting lights out. Astier has started 8 of 9 games this season for the Liberty, and filled in well with Sabirna Ionescu sidelined.5. Gabriella Jaquez, Chicago SkyDraft Number: No. 5Stats: 11.5 points (on 42.9% shooting and 33.3% from three), 5.3 rebounds, 1.2 stealsMinutes per game: 28.3Lots of people wondered if Gabriella Jaquez was drafted too high at No. 5, calling into question whether UCLA’s recent title run had swayed WNBA front offices too much. But Jaquez has been every bit the player Jeff Pagliocca and the Sky front office envisioned when they selected her fifth overall. She’s scored in the double-figures in four of her last six games, and has been one of the top rebounders in the class. The only concern is that she’s been sidelined since May 23rd with a knee injury.6. Jovana Nogic, Phoenix MercuryDraft Number: UndraftedStats: 12.8 points (on 42.9% shooting and 50.9% from three), 1.5 assists, 1 reboundMinutes per game: 21.9It’s been an interesting season for Nogic, the 28-year-old rookie out of Serbia. On one hand, she’s been an offensive powerhouse — the third-leading scorer on the Mercury and third-leading scorer among rookies. On the other hand, she’s seen limited minutes on a Mercury squad that has been among the league’s worst (they’re currently one of two teams with a 2-8 record). Nogic will probably need to be better on the defensive end of the floor, but she’s already shown she can score with the best of them.7. Flau’jae Johnson, Seattle StormDraft Number: No. 8Stats: 11.9 points (on 31.2% shooting and 25% from three), 5.5 rebounds, 1.7 assistsMinutes per game: 26.2Flau’jae Johnson was drafted 8th overall by the Golden State Valkyries and subsequently traded to the Seattle Storm on draft night in exchange for Marta Suarez, who was later waived. Johnson will probably benefit from that trade; she’s already playing the fourth-most among rookies, and is averaging the 6th-most points per game. But, Johnson hasn’t been very efficient — not unusual for a rookie WNBA guard. The Storm is a good landing spot for her to figure it all out.8. Sydney Taylor, Chicago SkyDraft Number: UndraftedStats: 9.2 points (on 32.7% shooting and 21.2% from three), 1.5 assists, 1.2 reboundsMinutes per game: 13.9Sydney Taylor has been one of the biggest surprises in the rookie class. The former Louisville standout went undrafted, signed with the Sky, and has since become a rotation player. Last Wednesday, she poured in a career-high 27 points in a loss to the Toronto Tempo. Like Johnson, Taylor hasn’t been particularly efficient, but she’s managed to find minutes on the roster and showed flashes of the scoring prowess that could keep her on the court. #Olivia #Miles #Azzi #Fudd #WNBA #rookies #ranked

Indian Grandmaster R. Praggnanandhaa did the double over five-time world champion Magnus Carlsen after beating the Norwegian in Round 8 of the ongoing Norway Chess 2026 tournament.

The Indian had gotten the better of Carlsen earlier in the competition as well, in the fourth round.

With two rounds left in the competition, Praggnanandhaa now sits third with 12 points, two off leader Wesley So of USA. Frenchman Alireza Firouzja is second with 13 points.

The other Indian in the fray in the Open section, D. Gukesh, suffered a loss against Firouzja. Gukesh is placed last with eight points, with Carlsen ahead by just a point.

More to follow…

Published on Jun 03, 2026

#Norway #Chess #Praggnanandhaa #beats #Carlsen #stay #hunt #title">Norway Chess 2026: Praggnanandhaa beats Carlsen to stay in hunt for title Indian Grandmaster R. Praggnanandhaa did the double over five-time world champion Magnus Carlsen after beating the Norwegian in Round 8 of the ongoing Norway Chess 2026 tournament.The Indian had gotten the better of Carlsen earlier in the competition as well, in the fourth round.With two rounds left in the competition, Praggnanandhaa now sits third with 12 points, two off leader Wesley So of USA. Frenchman Alireza Firouzja is second with 13 points.The other Indian in the fray in the Open section, D. Gukesh, suffered a loss against Firouzja. Gukesh is placed last with eight points, with Carlsen ahead by just a point.More to follow…Published on Jun 03, 2026 #Norway #Chess #Praggnanandhaa #beats #Carlsen #stay #hunt #title

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