Fantasy basketball takeaways and waiver wire pickups from the MLK Day slate

Tonight, the NFL Draft selection process in Green Bay begins at 8 PM ET, with viewers eager to see who will be the first pick. Anticipation builds as the announcement of the Tennessee Titans selecting Cooper Flagg from Duke is humorously noted, highlighting the mix-up in expectations regarding the draft. For any thoughts or comments on the event, readers are encouraged to email beau.dure@theguardian.com. Full Article

Maxence Lacroix, the Crystal Palace defender, views the upcoming FA Cup semi-final against Aston Villa as just another match, though his mother feels more stressed. Growing up in Ajat, Lacroix transitioned from the Clairefontaine academy to professional football in Germany before joining Palace, where he has become a key player under Oliver Glasner. With aspirations of joining the national team, Lacroix emphasizes the importance of team spirit and shared Christian values among teammates, fostering unity...

Former NFL star Shannon Sharpe is stepping away from his ESPN analyst duties following a lawsuit filed by a woman alleging he raped her during a two-year consensual relationship that began when she was 20. Sharpe, who has denied the allegations and claims the relationship was consensual, stated he is temporarily stepping aside to focus on his family and respond to what he calls false claims. The woman is seeking $50 million in damages and...

SummaryLisa Nandy, the culture, media and sport secretary, is set to approve David Kogan as the chair of the new Independent Football Regulator (IFR), with an agreement nearing completion. Kogan, a media expert with experience in negotiating TV rights deals for various football organizations, has ties to Labour and is expected to face a parliamentary confirmation hearing. The IFR, established following the European Super League controversy, has the backing of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer...

Eilish McColgan has spoken out about facing body-shaming, even from school teachers, as she prepares for her London Marathon debut. She advocates for social media companies to require formal identification to combat online bullying, emphasizing the human impact of such abuse on her family. Despite the negativity, McColgan remains committed to using social media to inspire young athletes and promote body positivity, as she aims to surpass her mother's marathon personal best while grappling with...

Carlos Alcaraz is optimistic about defending his French Open title next month, despite withdrawing from the Madrid Open due to a hamstring injury sustained in Barcelona. He expressed confidence in his recovery, stating he believes the injury is less severe than a previous arm injury that affected him last year, and anticipates returning to full form in about one to two weeks. Alcaraz confirmed he will aim to compete in Rome ahead of Roland Garros....