Everton midfielder James Garner knew this season was make-or-break for his international aspirations.
The uncapped Garner suddenly has the World Cup in his sights after being called up to Thomas Tuchel’s squad for this month’s friendlies against Uruguay and Japan.
The 25-year-old has not played for his national team since featuring for the under-21s in their successful 2023 European Championship side.
But Garner made a vow at the start of the season to give himself the best chance of earning a senior call-up and has delivered, producing a fine string of displays for Everton.
“I think since I signed at Everton I’ve had quite unlucky spells with two serious back injuries, so that obviously put me out for a long time,” he said.
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“And then obviously, the past three years, we’ve been fighting with the relegation zone.
“So it’s been quite tough for me to really showcase what I can do. And then I just thought to myself, this season was a fresh season, new manager, new stadium, and with a year left for my contract as well, I knew that I had to show everybody what I’m really about, and showcase all my talents, and I’m glad this season is going as well as it is.”
Garner revealed he was able to have a more enjoyable phone call with his dad when he told him news of his call-up.
Garner’s father, who lives in Thailand, is a staunch Liverpool fan, which made some conversations with the former Manchester United and current Everton player a bit awkward.
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“My dad’s just very proud as he is. Phoning him this time about England rather than a club that he doesn’t support is very nice,” Garner added.
“It was a very nice call as well.
“From since I was a young boy, my mum, my dad, my granddad, they’ve all helped me get to the position that I’m in now.
“So I’m very grateful to them, and I owe a lot to them, and I’m hoping that they’re all there on Friday.
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“My dad will have to travel all the way over from Thailand, I’m hoping that they can make it for Friday.”
Between North Carolina’s tradition-rich history, iconic brand and ample resources, the Tar Heels should have a conga line of proven coaches eager to take the job. And yet the vast majority of elite programs that have had recent coaching vacancies have struggled to land the type of prominent names that will undoubtedly be atop North Carolina’s wish list.
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Can North Carolina still land a big fish even in an era when an elite coach doesn’t necessarily need to be working at a blue blood to compete for a national title? This job search will be a litmus test. Here are a half-dozen heavy hitters that North Carolina could consider and some pros and cons to each of them.
Billy Donovan, Chicago Bulls head coach
Age: 60
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Why he makes sense: There are few coaches North Carolina could target with a better resume than that of Donovan. The three-time SEC coach of the year guided Florida to six regular-season conference titles, four Final Fours and a pair of national championships over the course of a brilliant 18-year run as head coach of the Gators.
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Donovan has spent the past 11 seasons coaching the NBA’s Oklahoma City Thunder and Chicago Bulls. He has passed when other top-tier college jobs have opened, but might he be in need of a fresh start with the Bulls in 12th place in the East and facing a long rebuild.
Why he doesn’t: Donovan might still be happy in the NBA and decide he prefers to stick it out with the Bulls rather than return to the college level. Then there’s also the fact that the timing isn’t ideal with the Bulls not playing their final regular-season game until April 12.
But the biggest concern might be how drastically the college game has changed since Donovan left it more than a decade ago. Donovan is an excellent tactician and a skilled communicator, but would he be able to seamlessly adjust to the world of NIL payouts, unlimited transfers without restrictions and annual roster churn?
Florida’s Todd Golden would be a likely candidate for the UNC job if he wants to leave Gainesville. (Mike Carlson/Getty Images)
(Mike Carlson via Getty Images)
Todd Golden, Florida coach
Age: 40
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Why he makes sense: If North Carolina can’t get Donovan, why not try for the coach who returned Florida to the mountaintop? Golden became the youngest coach since Jim Valvano to win a national championship last season. He followed that up this season by leading the Gators to a second straight No. 1 seed and an outright SEC title.
Analytically, he is cutting edge. He has also displayed a sharp eye for talent and a knack for player development, plucking the likes of Walter Clayton and Will Richard from the mid-major ranks and transforming Thomas Haugh and Alex Condon from three-star recruits into NBA prospects. Golden appears to be one of the next generation of coaching stars.
Why he doesn’t: The first stumbling block is whether Golden would be interested. Why does Golden need to go to North Carolina when he has already shown that he can win national titles and annually compete at the highest level where he is now?
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Then there’s the matter of how much it would cost even before North Carolina ponied up to pay Golden and a new staff. If Golden leaves for another college job before April 15, 2026, his new school would owe Florida $16 million. This figure drops to $11 million on April 16, 2026.
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North Carolina would also have to do its due diligence on off-court concerns about Golden. He was the subject of a four-month Title IX investigation last season regarding allegations of sexual harassment, sexual exploitation and stalking. Florida closed that investigation in January 2025 with no findings of policy violations.
Tommy Lloyd, Arizona coach
Age: 51
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Why he makes sense: For years, Lloyd was Mark Few’s most trusted lieutenant at Gonzaga. It wasn’t just that Lloyd was college basketball’s finest international recruiter, bringing the likes of Domantas Sabonis, Rui Hachimura, Kelly Olynyk and Kevin Pangos to Spokane, Washington. Lloyd was also a well-rounded coach who constructed Gonzaga’s offense and was instrumental in game planning and player development.
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Since becoming the head coach at Arizona four years ago, Lloyd has excelled. He has earned top-two NCAA tournament seeds in four of his first five seasons in Tucson and has the Wildcats poised to challenge for a national title this year. He has shown the ability to build elite offensive and defensive teams, to recruit elite American prospects and top-tier international talent.
Why he doesn’t: The one element missing from Lloyd’s resume is a deep NCAA tournament run. While he might take care of that in the next week, Lloyd’s previous Arizona teams have failed to advance beyond the Sweet 16.
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Would North Carolina pay an $11 million buyout to secure a coach who has never advanced beyond the Sweet 16? And would Lloyd pack his bags and leave the West’s top program — apologies to Gonzaga and UCLA — to head to the Triangle?
Dusty May, Michigan coach
Age: 49
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Why he makes sense: After taking Florida Atlantic to back-to-back NCAA tournaments and a Final Four, May has crushed it at his first big-boy job. He has shown a keen eye for talent in the transfer portal and a knack for building rosters that fit in two seasons at Michigan.
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In a 12-day shopping spree last spring, May assembled a title contender via the transfer portal, adding skilled 7-foot-3 center Aday Mara, rim runner Morez Johnson, do-it-all forward Yaxel Lendeborg and pass-first playmaker Elliot Cadeau. That quartet has carried the Wolverines to 33 wins, including routs of Howard and Saint Louis to open NCAA tournament play.
Why he doesn’t: Michigan has given May all the resources he needs to assemble top-tier rosters and compete for national championships. He has said repeatedly that he is very happy in Ann Arbor.
Does he have any reason to mess with happy? Especially when one of the reasons he chose Michigan over Louisville was to avoid the media scrutiny and job pressure that comes with coaching at a traditional basketball power?
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Nate Oats, Alabama coach
Age: 51
Why he makes sense: Start with Oats’ on-court accomplishments. The offensive mastermind has won big at both Buffalo and Alabama, piling up 59 wins in his final two seasons as coach of the Bulls before leading the Crimson Tide to unprecedented heights. Alabama has advanced to the Sweet 16 or beyond in five of the past six seasons. The Tide have been no worse than fourth nationally in offensive efficiency each of the past three seasons.
Basketball at North Carolina is more important than it will ever be at football-first Alabama. Might that appeal to Oats to go somewhere that he’ll never play second fiddle?
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Why he doesn’t: The buyout is among the highest in college basketball. The school that hires Oats away from Alabama would have to pay $18 million until April 1 or $10 million after that date.
Then there’s the controversy that has followed Oats in recent years with several high-profile player arrests and poor crisis management. Is that something that North Carolina would be eager to deal with?
TJ Otzelberger, Iowa State coach
Age: 48
Why he makes sense: It’s easy to forget that Iowa State was 2-22 the year before Otzelberger arrived. The Cyclones have made the NCAA tournament in each of Otzelberger’s five seasons in Ames, earning top-three seeds each of the past three years.
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Otzelberger’s success is driven by shrewd player evaluation, a culture of grit and accountability and a defensive system that relies on using aggressive traps and ball pressure to force turnovers. Iowa State has boasted a top-13 defense nationally every season under Otzelberger and was No. 1 in the country two years ago.
Why he doesn’t: Otzelberger has deep ties to Ames spanning multiple stints as an Iowa State assistant coach before taking over as head coach in 2021. His roots might be too deep for him to pick up and leave, though North Carolina is the sort of job that could make anyone have a wandering eye.
Then there’s the issue of whether his blue-collar approach would translate well at a blue blood. Could he lead a team of millionaires? And would his lack of a NCAA tournament run beyond the Sweet 16 prevent North Carolina from targeting him?
Hyacine is featured in one of Honkai Star Rail 4.1’s phase one banners. The character first debuted during version 3.5 and has been reigning supreme ever since. Hyacine is one of the best healers who tread on the Remembrance Path and is required to complete most endgame activities. Since players can acquire her during the first half of this update, they might wonder if she is worth getting.
If you have a surplus of Stellar Jade, getting Hyacine in Honkai Star Rail 4.1 is a good choice. Here’s why.
Note: Some aspects of this article are subjective and reflects the author’s opinion.
Reasons why you should be getting Hyacine in Honkai Star Rail 4.1, explored
Character Preview | #Hyacine Hey, Trailblazers! Today, we bring you the character preview for Hyacine (Remembrance: Wind)! Learn More: #HonkaiStarRail
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As mentioned, Hyacine is currently available in Honkai Star Rail 4.1. Her banner will expire when the second half of the ongoing patch commences. Hence, players roughly have two weeks to add this unit to their collection. While she is obtainable, you definitely should get Hyacine.
In the current meta, the premium Castorice team is reigning supreme. Since she consumes all of her allies’ HP alongside her own, Hyacine’s healing comes into play as the amount she can replenish is astonishing. Moreover, she can easily help Castorice gain Newbud charge at a surprising rate, allowing the DPS to summon her memosprite, Netherwing.
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Other than that, Hyacine can be played in any compositions, due to her potent healing capabilities. Furthermore, her memosprite, Ica, can deal a significant amount of Wind damage to the enemies. The damage scales with how much HP Hyacine has replenished. Ica’s extra damage can prove to be useful in most endgame activities, since the majority of enemies have abnormally high HP pools.
Hence, if you want to have the upper hand while clearing such activities, then getting Hyacine in Honkai Star Rail 4.1 is a no-brainer. However, pulling a limited-time 5-star character solely depends on the player and their account. If you think your account will benefit from you pulling Hyacine, then do so. Otherwise, save your Stellar Jade for future characters.
For more articles related to Honkai Star Rail, check out the following section:
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The Brooklyn Nets still have two games left on their west coast road trip and that means they have two more chances to end their losing streak before heading home. Brooklyn has had some tough matchups over the course of March, but as they head into another hostile environment, they are still dealing with some crucial injuries to the current rotation.
The Nets announced on Tuesday that forward Noah Clowney, as well as rookies Danny Wolf and Nolan Traore, are out for Wednesday’s game at the Golden State Warriors due to their respective reasons. Traore is out on Wednesday due to rest while Wolf is still recovering from a left ankle sprain and Clowney is nursing a right wrist sprain.
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Nets head coach Jordi Fernandez has not had much of an update on either Wolf or Clowney after their went down with their injuries so it’s probably safe to assume that they will be out for the rest of the road trip. Assuming that’s the case, Brooklyn will have to rely on some of the other players that have been available recently, such as forward Ziaire Williams and center Nic Claxton.
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Williams is coming off one of the better games that he’s had this season after he dropped 16 points, four rebounds, and two steals in Monday’s 134-99 loss at the Portland Trail Blazers. Claxton, who returned for Monday’s game at Portland after being rested himself, played well against Trail Blazers center Donovan Clingan with his 10 points and four rebounds in 22 minutes.
The good news for the Nets is that they should have an easier time going against the Warriors on Wednesday as they are missing several key players, including Steph Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Moses Moody. Fernandez has had to rely on players towards the end of the roster, such as Two-Way guard Tyson Etienne, and it looks like all of those healthy players will be needed once again if Brooklyn is going to snap its losing streak at eight games.
Ten horses have been removed from contention at the latest Grand National scratchings stage leaving 34 runners for the showdown at Aintree on 11 April
The latest scratchings stage of the Grand National has arrived with 10 horses now out of the running. This leaves a current field of 34 set to compete in the Aintree showdown.
National Hunt enthusiasts will soon flock to the Liverpool course as the historic £1million National is less than a month away. The demanding four-mile, two-and-a-half furlong race sees the sport’s top staying chasers tackle 30 fences.
Prior to Tuesday, three horses had been withdrawn. Dan Skelton’s Gold Cup contender Grey Dawning was pulled, as was Olly Murphy’s Bet365 Gold Cup champion Resplendent Grey. Mouse Morris also scratched Gentlemansgame.
Now, an additional seven horses have been removed. These include Gordon Elliott’s entries Western Fold, Croke Park, Better Days Ahead and Search For Glory.
Ben Pauling has also withdrawn Handstands and Pic Roc, whilst Anthony Honeyball has taken out Leave of Absence.
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This leaves a final field of 34, led by Willie Mullins’ pair of 2024 winner I Am Maximus and Bobbyjo Chase victor Grangeclare West. The latter finished third last year.
It’s worth noting that many of the current 34 contenders could withdraw in the coming weeks leaving others to get in, with some choosing to participate in the Irish National on 6 April instead. Oscars Brother is currently leading that market.
One of the top British prospects could be Welsh and Irish National winner Haiti Couleurs. Rebecca Curtis’s gelding last competed in the Gold Cup at Cheltenham, but his trainer has indicated he will be aimed at Aintree if all goes well.
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Earlier this month, she stated: “I’m excited to run him in the National now, hopefully, if everyone agrees. Where else do you go with him? That is his forte, National-type races, that’s where he’s done well.
“If he shows me that he’s fit and well in the next few weeks there’s no reason not to go. Plenty of horses run at Cheltenham and then Aintree.
“It’s not a lot different to what we did last year when he ran at Cheltenham and then in the Irish National, that was similar timing. The fences are not that big anymore are they so that’s the plan if he trains well the next few weeks, I don’t see why not.”
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The 34 horses currently set to compete in the Grand National
Tiger Woods has had many returns in his competitive career. Tiger has been “back” several times.
There was the return in 2009 after surgery to repair a torn ACL. In 2016, he came back to competitive golf at the Hero World Challenge after a 15-month layoff following back surgery. He came back again at the 2017 Hero after taking several months off following a fourth microdiscectomy surgery on his back. The list goes on.
At 50, returning looks different for Tiger Woods now. But after spending over a year rehabbing from a ruptured Achilles’ tendon and undergoing a seventh back surgery in October, Woods returned to competitive golf on Tuesday during the TGL Finals at the SoFi Center as his Jupiter Links squad took on Los Angeles Golf Club.
TGL, the simulator golf league co-founded by Woods and Rory McIlroy, is a far cry from a return to competitive PGA Tour golf. There’s no walking, which has been an issue for Woods ever since his 2021 car accident, and in a full match, he’d probably only take 15 or so full swings.
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But with the Masters two weeks away, Tuesday night’s return was notable. Woods hasn’t played in a TGL match since March 4, 2025, and his last PGA Tour start came over 600 days ago at the 2024 Open Championship, where he missed the cut. Time is running out, and TGL provided Woods with a different arena to test his body with little risk.
Anytime the 15-major champion tees it up, even in a simulator league, the energy is different. The same is true of any legend in any arena. It’s why people watched highlights of Tom Brady playing in a flag football exhibition last weekend. Turning back the clock, if only for an hour, is something we all want.
For Woods, he’s still trying to push forward, to compete at a high level with an aging body. He told ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt that he didn’t decide he would return for the final day of the TGL season until Monday and had low expectations for his simulator game.
Tuesday was just another creep forward for him. Nothing more, nothing less.
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“I’m going to be rusty,” Woods said pre-match. “As far as setting myself up for the [competitive golf] future, it’s just one step at a time. Tonight is a nice step because I haven’t played competitively in a very long time. It has been a very long year of rehabbing. So go out here, compete, have some fun and contribute to the team.”
Woods’ first full swing came on the second hole, where he hit a 3-wood from 279 yards out to 24 feet.
“Welcome back, young man,” Homa said as Woods walked back following the swipe.
A few holes later, Woods unleashed his patented stinger drive, hitting a 176 mph ball speed on a shot that had just a 3-degree launch angle and went 275 yards.
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Woods’ TGL return brought buzz to the golf world on a Tuesday, but was short-lived as LA made three straight eagles to close out the match 9-2 before Woods’ first singles match against Tommy Fleetwood even took place.
“I’m frustrated that we didn’t get it done,” Woods said after the loss. “It feels good to be back. I would like to have been back at better circumstances. That’s the way sports is. You put yourself out there, and sometimes you win and sometimes you lose and you deal with it.”
Even at 50, after numerous surgeries, Woods’ competitive fire and desire to be in the arena are the same as they have always been. But a return to a simulator league at 50 shows the new reality Woods and the golf world have been moving into for the past few years. The golf world is still clinging to the hope that Woods can author one final comeback. The arena in which he returned Tuesday was different than any that had previously played host to a “Tiger is back” moment — a baby step in a video-game league for a legend hoping to will his body to where he needs it to be so he can outrun the inescapable.
But while the golf was different, the questions remain the same.
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After a “return,” of sorts, for Tiger Woods, is the Masters next?
The answer now is different for a 50-year-old who has a metal rod in his leg and has undergone seven back surgeries. Now, want and can are different.
“As I said, I’ve been trying,” Woods said when asked if his TGL return told him anything about his ability to play this year’s Masters. “Just this body is — it doesn’t recover like it did when it was 24, 25. It doesn’t mean I’m not trying. I’ve been trying for a while. I’ve had a couple bad injuries here over the past years that I’ve had to fight through and it’s taken some time. I keep trying. I want to play. I love the tournament. I’ve loved being there since I was 19 years old. It’s meant a lot to me and my family over the years. I’m going to be there either way with The Loop that’s going up there, as well as the Champions Dinner.”
Asked if his decision would run right up until the Friday before the Masters, the five-time Masters champion didn’t have the answer.
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“We’ll see how it goes,” Woods said. “I’ll be practicing and playing at home this week and keep trying to make progress.”
Woods has long said that if he tees it up in any event, it’s because he believes he can win. Even the thought of being an honorary starter at Augusta National wasn’t on his mind back in 2024.
“I still think that I can [win],” Woods said in 2024. “I haven’t got to that point where I don’t think I can’t.”
Believing that and willing it so are different. Since returning from his car crash, Woods has only made the cut at two out of eight majors, and his best finish was 47th at the 2022 Masters.
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At a certain point, the body can only give so much, no matter what the mind tells it.
Woods’ acknowledgement that things are different at 50 is a dose of reality that comes to all generational athletes who once shaped things to their will. Time never stops moving. Moments of power and invincibility are fleeting for all who enjoy them.
That’s why Woods’ TGL return on Tuesday came with buzz. Because now, at this point, anytime you get to see him carve a stinger or sling a draw, even into a video game screen, is a moment where time stops. A moment where you start to believe there’s more to come.
It ended Tuesday with hope that Tiger Woods will return in two weeks and be able to make the ground at Augusta National shake once again.
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That’s a hope Woods will certainly try to turn into reality. He knows no other way. Whether or not his body will let him is something a handful of swings at TGL couldn’t tell us, even if he tried desperately to see it.
Sinner made it 28 sets in a row by beating Michelsen but did not have it all his own way. Having taken the first set, he fell 5-2 down in the second before coming back to win on a tie-break.
The four-time Grand Slam winner has triumphed at the past two Masters 1,000 tournaments – at Indian Wells earlier this month and Paris in November – without losing a set.
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In the women’s draw, Coco Gauff takes on Belinda Bencic in a quarter-final later on Tuesday, while Karolina Muchova was the first to power into the semis with a 7-5 7-6 (7-5) win against Canada’s Victoria Mboko.
Third seed Elena Rybakina ended Talia Gibson’s run late on Monday with a comprehensive 6-2 6-2 win to move into the last eight.
The 21-year-old Australian had won 11 of her past 12 matches but was outclassed by two-time Grand Slam champion Rybakina, who will face fifth seed Jessica Pegula on Wednesday.
Toni Storm has now reportedly taken a hiatus from in-ring competition in very shocking fashion. She was suddenly taken out by a suprise attacker on Dynamite before her scheduled match against Marina Shafir. Some reports have now surfaced on the internet and have stated that the Timeless star is not actually injured.
After they squared off at AEW Revolution with everyone banned from the ringside, Toni and Marina were set to collide again on last week’s Dynamite. The match was set to have a No Holds Barred stipulation to it. However, Storm was attacked by a mystery attacker before the match and was left unconscious in a pool of her own blood. Her tag team partner Mina Shirakawa replaced her in the match.
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As per the latest report by PWInsider, Toni Storm is not actually injured but will still be taking a long hiatus from professional wrestling. She recently attended the Big Event EXS in New York and there were no signs of any injuries on her body. She was even in good spirits while interacting with her fans.
Fans are hoping that everything is alright with Toni and they get to see her back in the ring soon.
WWE Veteran shares his thoughts on the current Toni Storm situation
While speaking on his Coach & Bro podcast, WWE veteran Vince Russo shared his thoughts on what’s happening with Toni Storm right now. He said that it was sad that Toni was taking so much time off and even compared it to a professional athlete taking time off due to injury. He said that the fans will miss seeing the Timeless star on television.
“It’s no different than a pro athlete being out for a couple of years with an injury, and I hate that. That is so sad to me, man, especially when you’ve got a talent like Toni Storm. We get cheated. At the end of the day, the fan gets cheated,” he said.
It will be interesting to see when the former AEW Women’s World Champion will make her next appearance.
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Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have decided to retire jersey number 12 as a tribute to the legendary all-rounder Andre Russell, the West Indian star they have lovingly designated as the Eternal Knight, for his yeoman service to the Indian Premier League (IPL) side. The three-time champions made the special announcement at their preseason event – Knights Unplugged 3.0 – on Tuesday evening. Andre Russell, who has returned to the KKR setup as a ‘power coach’ ahead of the new season, had a distinguished 12-year tenure with the Kolkata Knight Riders, representing the franchise in the Indian Premier League (IPL) from 2014 to 2025.
With his iconic hairstyle and incredible prowess on the cricket field, the West Indian went on to become one of KKR’s most prominent players, playing a significant role in helping them secure two IPL titles (2014, 2024).
Russell featured in 140 IPL matches for KKR, scoring 2,651 runs at a strike rate of 174.17 and picking 123 wickets. He is only the second all-rounder in the IPL to register more than 2000 runs and 100 wickets. His power-packed performances also earned him the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament in 2019, where he amassed 510 runs at a staggering strike rate of 204.81 and an average of 56.66.
The two-time ICC Men’s T20 World Cup winner (2012 and 2016) also holds the best bowling figures for a KKR bowler in IPL history, registering 5 for 15 against the Mumbai Indians in the 2021 edition. His 122 wickets for the franchise make him the second-most successful bowler in their history, only second to Sunil Narine (192 wickets).
Speaking on the occasion, Venky Mysore, Chief Executive Officer, Kolkata Knight Riders, said, “We’ve had a long association with Andre Russell, not just with KKR but also on a personal level. On the field, he has given us so many reasons to celebrate his performances over the years. He always wore the number 12 proudly, and the number is so unique to Dre Russ that we wanted to share a fitting tribute. So, in the Knight Riders tradition of starting a new legacy, we’d like to retire this number for KKR in his honour.”
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Sharing his thoughts, an emotional Kolkata Knight Riders Power Coach Andre Russell, said, “It has been over a decade of amazing achievements with this franchise, and I got a bit emotional watching the video. To be a part of two championship-winning teams with KKR, and to see what it means to everyone, that’s an amazing feeling. When you win a World Cup, that feels special, but when you win the IPL, it’s something different. I just want to say thanks to this franchise for making this journey so special for me.”
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz approaches the line of scrimmage during first-half action against the Cincinnati Bengals at U.S. Bank Stadium, Sep 21, 2025, in Minneapolis. Wentz surveys the defense and prepares to adjust the play as Minnesota operates its offense early in the contest. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
When Carson Wentz re-signed with the Minnesota Vikings last week, some onlookers just couldn’t stomach that he may be on deck for a QB3 job. A few days later, it seems precisely that assignment awaits.
Minnesota appears to have a larger contingency plan in mind for Wentz this season.
A couple of different sources hinted this week that Wentz, indeed, will be the backup to the backup, and it’s not hard to comprehend.
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Wentz Will Factor into Minnesota’s QB3 Insurance Strategy
A tweaked role for Wentz is ahead.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz goes through pregame drills with focused intensity as fans fill U.S. Bank Stadium ahead of a key NFC matchup, with added intrigue surrounding his former team, Oct 19, 2025, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. Wentz’s preparation stood out during warmups before facing a strong Eagles defense. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.
Schefter: Wentz as a QB3 in Minnesota Isn’t Weird
Schefter stopped by The Pat McAfee Show on Monday and dropped the Wentz tidbit: “Maybe there’s something to the Wentz signing that would dictate or influence J.J. McCarthy’s future, but I don’t view it that way. You can never have enough quarterbacks, that’s how I view it.”
The Athletic‘s Alec Lewis added in a separate article, “Wentz, 33, had multiple opportunities with perhaps clearer paths to playing time. Why, then, would he choose Minnesota? It was not because he got any impression that the Vikings would be moving on from McCarthy, one league source said. Instead, Wentz came back because of his faith in O’Connell, quarterbacks coach Josh McCown and the team’s core players.”
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Both men essentially stated that the Vikings did not re-sign Wentz as part of a McCarthy replacement plan, as many on social media suggested last week.
Burned by Meager QB Depth Last Year
At this time last year, the Vikings had two quarterbacks on their roster: McCarthy — and Brett Rypien, who is mostly showcased as a practice squader.
Then, the NFL draft arrived, and former general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah swung a trade for Sam Howell, a young quarterback from the Seattle Seahawks, who had a year’s worth of starting experience with the Washington Commanders. Howell arrived at training camp and in the preseason, struggling mightily, and was later traded to the Philadelphia Eagles.
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Minnesota then signed Wentz as a late-summer fix, and he started five games in 2025.
Because the plan to formulate depth behind McCarthy was so paltry last offseason, Minnesota has swung for the fences this go-round. It’s not weird to have Wentz as the QB3; the Vikings learned their lesson.
The Stats from Wentz in 2025
While Wentz’s stats — a 65.1% completion rate for 1,216 yards, six touchdowns, and five interceptions — don’t scream dominance, he undeniably brought a cleaner and more consistent presence to the 2025 offense. He kept Minnesota on schedule more effectively than McCarthy, drive after drive, and that steadiness proved valuable.
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The team’s scoring output reflects this improvement. With Wentz at quarterback, the Vikings surpassed 20 points in four of his five starts, including a 38-point rout of the Bengals. McCarthy, in contrast, only reached that mark four times in ten starts, with far more erratic performances.
Advanced metrics further support this assessment. Among 40 quarterbacks with at least 200 dropbacks, Wentz ranked 25th in EPA per play, while McCarthy lagged behind at 37th. This difference often manifests on extended drives, where patience, timing, and Wentz’s consistent completions are crucial for maintaining momentum.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz (11) scans the field and prepares to throw during second-quarter action in an international matchup, showcasing poise under pressure as the offense searched for rhythm, Oct 5, 2025, in Tottenham, United Kingdom. The Vikings battled the Browns in front of a global audience at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.
Wentz prioritized quicker decisions and shorter throws, enabling the offense to function even when the offensive line struggled. McCarthy, with his greater potential for big plays and penchant for downfield throws, offered flashier highlights. However, his ball placement and consistency weren’t on par with Wentz, who provided the Vikings with a more dependable presence under center.
Perhaps a Summer Competition with McCarthy for QB2
Some even speculated that Wentz could be back in Minnesota to compete with Murray, as former Vikings linebacker Ben Leber led that charge on social media last week. While that take is rather outlandish, Wentz may do battle with McCarthy for the QB2 job. McCarthy faced virtually no training camp competition last year, and usually in sports, that’s a healthy practice.
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The aforementioned Lewis also noted, “This spring, the Vikings were determined to prevent a repeat — at all costs. This is why they were linked to as many quarterbacks as they were before free agency, and why they brought in Wentz after already signing Murray.”
“Wentz’s addition is not a referendum on 23-year-old J.J. McCarthy’s future, according to team sources, but it is an exclamation point on the team’s plan.”
Washington Commanders quarterback Carson Wentz (11) participates in pregame warmups while preparing for a divisional contest, moving through drills with measured focus ahead of kickoff, Nov 14, 2022, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Wentz returned to Lincoln Financial Field to face the Eagles, drawing attention before the NFC East showdown. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports.
Minnesota may rectify its ways in the summer of 2026, forcing McCarthy to earn the QB2 job if he can’t oust Murray from the QB1 hold.
But remember: Wentz as the QB3, on a $3 million deal, isn’t some big conspiracy or coup against McCarthy. It’s just how the Vikings have responded this offseason to the scarce QB depth chart last year, which ruined their season when the dust settled.
Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James has taken a backseat in favor of Austin Reaves being the team’s second option. It has worked out well for the Lakers, as he’s thrived in his role as the third go-to guy. On Tuesday’s episode of his show with former NBA star Steve Nash, “Mind the Game,” James recalled what it was like seeing Reaves play for the first time.
Reaves signed with the Lakers ahead of the 2021-22 season after going undrafted. According to James, he watched some of the basketball highlights from when the NBA star was in college. The four-time champion said that the former Wichita State guard moved differently.
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“After we signed him, I went back and watched a lot of his Wichita State highlights and games and then a lot of his Oklahoma highlights and games as well,” James said.
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“The first thing I noticed, it’s kind of funny. We always talk about this. He didn’t play like a white boy. It was very different. His wiggle was very different.”
While James was just sharing his thoughts about his teammate at that time, fans had a wild reaction to it. Here are some of what the fans said about what the Lakers star said.
“Lebron being racist again. Jokic plays like a ‘White boy’ and he’s been kicking your ass for damn near a decade now,” a fan said.
@NBA__Courtside Lebron being racist again. Jokic plays like a “White boy” and he’s been kicking your ass for damn near a decade now.
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“Jeez. Just imagine this was reversed and it was a white dude being interviewed. ‘He didn’t play like a black dude’, annnnnd cancelled. Great job on the racism,” another fan commented.
“LeBron James is a racist and hates white people….” one fan said.
Other fans came to defend James, however.
“This kinda talk is acceptable in sports but not music, just interesting seeing the difference lol,” someone commented.
@NBA__Courtside This kinda talk is acceptable in sports but not music, just interesting seeing the difference lol
“I swear! I said this off jump street on Austin reaves! That boy was nice! I was glad he fell to us out of the draft,” one fan commented.
LeBron James Could Return to the Lakers in One Condition
After the 2025-26 season, LeBron James will be a free agent. He has the freedom to join any team and play his 24th NBA season. However, his age is a significant factor in determining the type of deal he will receive over the summer. ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne said that there’s a chance for the Lakers to re-sign him if he takes a pay cut.
Shelburne said that it also applies to other teams that are interested in signing him.
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“The sense I have is that this idea of playing for $50M anywhere is probably gone, but if (LeBron) is willing to play for less, and if that fits with what (the Lakers) are trying to do, I think that door is open,” Shelburne said on ESPN’s “NBA Today.”
LeBron James’ injuries this season could have played a part. Additionally, he’ll turn 42 next season, and no one knows how long he’ll continue to play well.
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