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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

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

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.



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

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Deadspin | Late-season losing skids collide as Bulls battle Wizards <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-900/28665415.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28665415.jpg" alt="NBA: Phoenix Suns at Chicago Bulls" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">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<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>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.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>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.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>“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.</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>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.</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>“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.”</p> </section><section id="section-6"> <p>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.</p> </section><section id="section-7"> <p>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.</p> </section><section id="section-8"> <p>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.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-9"> <p>Since then, however, it has been more struggles for Washington, which has faced roster inconsistency due to injury much of the campaign.</p> </section> <section id="section-10"> <p>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.</p> </section><section id="section-11"> <p>Alex Sarr, Bilal Coulibaly, Justin Champagnie, Tre Johnson and Tristan Vukcevic also were sidelined in Washington’s 121-115 loss at Brooklyn on Sunday.</p> </section><section id="section-12"> <p>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.</p> </section><section id="section-13"> <p>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.</p> </section><section id="section-14"> <p>“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.”</p> </section><section id="section-15"> <p>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.</p> </section><section id="section-16"> <p>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.</p> </section><section id="section-17"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section></div> #Deadspin #Lateseason #losing #skids #collide #Bulls #battle #Wizards

India’s men’s and women’s teams head into the 2026 World Team Table Tennis Championships, beginning in London on Tuesday, with a familiar mix of promise and pressure.

Placed in Group 7, the Indian men’s team—featuring Manav Thakkar (WR No. 38), G. Sathiyan (42), Manush Shah (51), Harmeet Desai (80) and Payas Jain (127)—will start as the clear favourite against Slovakia, Tunisia and Guatemala.

On paper, the rankings tilt heavily in India’s favour, particularly against a Slovak line-up led by Lubomir Pistej (149) and Yang Wang (184).

Yet, the absence of now-retired Sharath Kamal’s experience in crunch ties could test India’s composure, especially in tight five-match encounters.

The women’s team finds itself in Group 6, alongside Ukraine, Uganda, and Rwanda.

Led by Manika Batra (WR No. 49), India also has Yashaswini Ghorpade (88), Diya Chitale (92), Sutirtha Mukherjee (120) and Syndrela Das (175), who at 16 is the youngest from the country to play at the worlds.

Ukraine, spearheaded by Margaryta Pesotska (51), presents a more tangible threat, making the group a closer contest than the men’s draw.

India’s recent history at this event offers both encouragement and caution. At the 2024 edition in Busan, both teams advanced to the knockout stage but exited in the Round of 32.

The women’s team impressed with a second-place group finish that included narrow wins over Hungary and Spain, while pushing China in a close 2-3 loss.

The men, meanwhile, showed resilience with wins over Chile and Kazakhstan but faltered against stronger opposition, going down 0-3 to South Korea in the knockouts.

The format in London raises the stakes further.

Only group winners are guaranteed direct entry into the main draw, while second-placed teams face a complicated qualification route based on match ratios.

For the men, depth remains a strong suit.

Sathiyan and Thakkar bring consistency, while Shah’s upward trajectory adds firepower.

The women’s side, on the other hand, appears more balanced than before, with Manika’s big-match temperament complemented by a young core gaining international exposure.

If India can convert its numerical advantage into clinical performances and avoid slipping into the uncertainties of second place, a deeper run than 2024 is well within reach.

A century after the inaugural ITTF World Table Tennis Championships took place in England in 1926, the sport returns to where it all began for a truly historic centenary celebration.

Published on Apr 27, 2026

#World #Team #Table #Tennis #Championships #Preview #Indians #target #group #dominance #era #begins">World Team Table Tennis Championships Preview: Indians target group dominance as new era begins  India’s men’s and women’s teams head into the 2026 World Team Table Tennis Championships, beginning in London on Tuesday, with a familiar mix of promise and pressure.Placed in Group 7, the Indian men’s team—featuring Manav Thakkar (WR No. 38), G. Sathiyan (42), Manush Shah (51), Harmeet Desai (80) and Payas Jain (127)—will start as the clear favourite against Slovakia, Tunisia and Guatemala.On paper, the rankings tilt heavily in India’s favour, particularly against a Slovak line-up led by Lubomir Pistej (149) and Yang Wang (184).Yet, the absence of now-retired Sharath Kamal’s experience in crunch ties could test India’s composure, especially in tight five-match encounters.The women’s team finds itself in Group 6, alongside Ukraine, Uganda, and Rwanda.Led by Manika Batra (WR No. 49), India also has Yashaswini Ghorpade (88), Diya Chitale (92), Sutirtha Mukherjee (120) and Syndrela Das (175), who at 16 is the youngest from the country to play at the worlds.Ukraine, spearheaded by Margaryta Pesotska (51), presents a more tangible threat, making the group a closer contest than the men’s draw.India’s recent history at this event offers both encouragement and caution. At the 2024 edition in Busan, both teams advanced to the knockout stage but exited in the Round of 32.The women’s team impressed with a second-place group finish that included narrow wins over Hungary and Spain, while pushing China in a close 2-3 loss.The men, meanwhile, showed resilience with wins over Chile and Kazakhstan but faltered against stronger opposition, going down 0-3 to South Korea in the knockouts.The format in London raises the stakes further.Only group winners are guaranteed direct entry into the main draw, while second-placed teams face a complicated qualification route based on match ratios.For the men, depth remains a strong suit.Sathiyan and Thakkar bring consistency, while Shah’s upward trajectory adds firepower.The women’s side, on the other hand, appears more balanced than before, with Manika’s big-match temperament complemented by a young core gaining international exposure.If India can convert its numerical advantage into clinical performances and avoid slipping into the uncertainties of second place, a deeper run than 2024 is well within reach.A century after the inaugural ITTF World Table Tennis Championships took place in England in 1926, the sport returns to where it all began for a truly historic centenary celebration.Published on Apr 27, 2026  #World #Team #Table #Tennis #Championships #Preview #Indians #target #group #dominance #era #begins

Deadspin | Vikings exercise WR Jordan Addison’s 5th-year option  Detroit Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson (97) tackles Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison (3) during the second half at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, November 2, 2025.   The Minnesota Vikings exercised their fifth-year option for wide receiver Jordan Addison on Monday.  The No. 23 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft will earn a guaranteed  million during the 2027 season.  Addison, 24, posted the worst numbers of his career with 42 catches for 610 yards and three touchdowns in 14 games (12 starts) last season. He was suspended for the first three games for violating the NFL’s substance-abuse policy.  Addison has 175 receptions for 2,396 yards and 22 touchdowns in 46 career games (41 starts).   Vikings executive vice president of football operations Rob Brzezinski indicated at last month’s owners meetings in Arizona that the team would make this move.  “He’s a really important player for us, an impact player,” Brzezinski said.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Vikings #exercise #Jordan #Addisons #5thyear #optionDetroit Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson (97) tackles Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison (3) during the second half at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, November 2, 2025.

The Minnesota Vikings exercised their fifth-year option for wide receiver Jordan Addison on Monday.

The No. 23 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft will earn a guaranteed $18 million during the 2027 season.

Addison, 24, posted the worst numbers of his career with 42 catches for 610 yards and three touchdowns in 14 games (12 starts) last season. He was suspended for the first three games for violating the NFL’s substance-abuse policy.


Addison has 175 receptions for 2,396 yards and 22 touchdowns in 46 career games (41 starts).

Vikings executive vice president of football operations Rob Brzezinski indicated at last month’s owners meetings in Arizona that the team would make this move.

“He’s a really important player for us, an impact player,” Brzezinski said.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Vikings #exercise #Jordan #Addisons #5thyear #option">Deadspin | Vikings exercise WR Jordan Addison’s 5th-year option  Detroit Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson (97) tackles Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison (3) during the second half at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, November 2, 2025.   The Minnesota Vikings exercised their fifth-year option for wide receiver Jordan Addison on Monday.  The No. 23 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft will earn a guaranteed  million during the 2027 season.  Addison, 24, posted the worst numbers of his career with 42 catches for 610 yards and three touchdowns in 14 games (12 starts) last season. He was suspended for the first three games for violating the NFL’s substance-abuse policy.  Addison has 175 receptions for 2,396 yards and 22 touchdowns in 46 career games (41 starts).   Vikings executive vice president of football operations Rob Brzezinski indicated at last month’s owners meetings in Arizona that the team would make this move.  “He’s a really important player for us, an impact player,” Brzezinski said.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Vikings #exercise #Jordan #Addisons #5thyear #option

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