Sources: Simmons bought out; will join Clippers

Hallie Grossman, a staff writer for ESPN.com and ESPN The Magazine, covers college football and basketball. She recently highlighted Dawn Staley's journey from North Philadelphia to becoming a legendary basketball figure, vying for her fourth national championship as head coach of the South Carolina women's basketball team. Staley's enduring impact and resilience, rooted in her Philly upbringing, have elevated her to near-mythical heights in the basketball world. Full Article

Elena Delle Donne, a seven-time all-star and MVP, announced her retirement from the WNBA after a successful career marred by injuries, including back surgeries that kept her out of the 2024 season. Delle Donne led the Washington Mystics to their first championship in 2019 and was a vocal advocate for LGBTQ rights, coming out in 2016 and marrying wife Amanda Clifton in 2017. Despite offers to continue playing, Delle Donne decided to close this chapter...

Buster Olney reported on a groundbreaking development in baseball as the New York Yankees unveiled bats designed based on analytics to improve hitting performance. The use of these "torpedo" bats led to a surge in offensive production, sparking a frenzy among players and teams to adopt this new trend. Despite being around since 2021, the bats gained widespread attention after the Yankees' success, with multiple bat manufacturers quickly producing variations to meet the demand. Full...

Jonbon, the odds-on favourite, won the Melling Chase at Aintree on day two of the Grand National meeting, ridden by jockey Nico de Boinville. After a second-place finish at the Cheltenham Festival, Jonbon redeemed himself by winning by three and a quarter lengths from Protektorat. Trainer Nicky Henderson praised Jonbon's performance, highlighting his love for jumping and successful partnership with De Boinville in securing their 10th Grade One win. Full Article

Dave McMenamin, Lakers and NBA reporter for ESPN, covered the Lakers and NBA for ESPNLosAngeles.com, the Cavaliers for ESPN.com, and the NBA for NBA.com. Luka Doncic struggled in the Lakers' loss to the Warriors, expressing disappointment in his performance and snapping a 114-game streak of making at least one 3-pointer. LeBron James led the Lakers' second-half rally but fell short, as they prepare for upcoming games to secure their playoff positioning in the competitive Western...

After retiring in 2022, legendary Duke basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski has maintained a hands-off approach, allowing Jon Scheyer to lead the team without his constant presence. Despite limited involvement, Krzyzewski's guidance and support have helped Scheyer lead Duke to the Final Four, showcasing the successful transition of the program under a new coach. Krzyzewski plans to attend the upcoming semifinal game to support Scheyer and the team, highlighting his continued influence and commitment to Duke...