Latest news with #All-Star-caliber
Miami Herald
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
Dwyane Wade is a big fan of the Heat's trade for Norman Powell: ‘He's a great piece'
Retired Miami Heat icon Dwyane Wade did not wait long to acknowledge the Heat's trade for veteran guard Norman Powell. In fact, Wade quickly showed his support for the Heat's acquisition of Powell. 'That's my guy,' Wade posted on Instagram. But Wade expanded on that three-word endorsement of Powell this week on the latest episode of his show, 'Time Out with Dwyane Wade.' 'He's a great piece, man,' Wade said on his show. 'Y'all know how good Norman is. He was an All-Star this year out there in the West. So for the Heat to be able to get a player like that with Bam [Adebayo], with Tyler [Herro] as the No. 1 and No. 2 options, all right. Let's go.' Powell, 32, has not been shy about his admiration for Wade, who he grew up watching and idolizing. Powell also hasn't been shy in expressing his excitement in joining the Heat. 'Hearing that it was Miami, I was really excited,' Powell said last week of moving to the Heat. 'And then thinking back to my childhood and being a big fan of Dwyane Wade and watching the Heat growing up and wanting to play for the Heat organization as one of the teams as a childhood dream that you want to play for, it's definitely a cool, full-circle moment for me.' It's also somewhat of a full-circle moment for Wade, who ran into Powell in France during a sports marketing event in mid-June. 'We got a chance to just rap on the street real quick, just a little vibe,' Wade said on 'The Time Out with Dwyane Wade.' 'Then I think I was golfing and I come back and I got a text on my phone and he's just like, 'Yo, big bro, I'm on my way. I'm going down to Miami. I can't wait to put a jersey on.' And I'm like, 'Who is this?'' It was Powell reaching out to alert Wade about the news. The Los Angeles Clippers traded Powell to the Heat just two and a half weeks after their chance encounter. 'I know how much of an inspiration that he took from the player that I was,' Wade said. 'Being a guy who's in that 6-foot-3, 6-foot-4 compact, quick, explosive. He's taken pieces of different people's game, of course, and he's given me some love for what he saw that I did that he has utilized in his own game. So it's cool to have that connection. 'It's a dream for him to put that jersey on because he grew up watching one of his favorite players play in that jersey. So it's going to be an emotional night for him, I'm sure, when he actually gets out there and actually puts that jersey on. It's cool.' Powell was acquired by the Heat last week as part of a three-team trade with the Clippers and Utah Jazz. The Heat sent center Kevin Love and forward Kyle Anderson to the Jazz to land Powell, who brings a much-needed scoring punch to a Heat team that has finished with a bottom-10 offensive rating in each of the last three seasons. Powell produced All-Star-caliber numbers last regular season, averaging a career-high 21.8 points to go with 3.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 48.4% from the field and 41.8% on 7.1 three-point attempts per game for the Clippers. Powell was among six NBA players who averaged at least 21 points per game while shooting better than 48% from the field and better than 40% from three-point range last regular season along with Nikola Jokic, Kevin Durant, Karl-Anthony Towns, Zach LaVine and Kawhi Leonard. Powell, who won an NBA championship with the Toronto Raptors in 2019 before spending the last three-plus seasons with the Clippers, is on an expiring $20.5 million salary for this upcoming season and will be an unrestricted free agent next offseason. He's currently eligible to sign an extension worth up to $80.6 million over three seasons, with that extension window closing on June 30, 2026. 'At this point in his career, this is the perfect place for him to get to that level that he was just on the cusp of,' Wade continued on Powell. 'That All-Star level, being one of the best players. 'He's just a great competitor out there on that floor, man. That's what Miami loves, Miami loves competitors and Norman Powell is that. So that's another step in the direction that you want to see Miami turn to to get this thing right back on track and not go too far away from it. So that's a good one.' INVESTIGATION ONGOING A league source recently confirmed that the federal investigation on whether Heat guard Terry Rozier manipulated his performance as part of an illegal sports betting scheme remains ongoing. The game being looked at came on March 23, 2023, when Rozier was a member of the Charlotte Hornets. Rozier hasn't yet been charged with a crime or accused of wrongdoing. The investigation into Rozier, which was made public in late January, is part of a larger government probe that led to a criminal charge and lifetime ban from the NBA for former Toronto Raptors forward Jontay Porter. ESPN reported last month that federal authorities are also investigating guard Malik Beasley on allegations of gambling related to NBA games and prop bets. Beasley spent last season with the Detroit Pistons and is a free agent this offseason. Rozier, 31, is on an expiring contract this upcoming season, with $24.9 million of his $26.6 million salary for next season already guaranteed. Unlike team-issued suspensions that don't translate into salary-cap relief, an NBA suspension of Rozier would give the Heat salary-cap and luxury-tax relief (but not relief toward the aprons) of 50 percent of the salary lost during a suspension. Being expelled from the NBA would completely remove Rozier's salary from the Heat's payroll. HEAT'S SUMMER SCHEDULE After taking on the Pistons' summer squad on Thursday in Las Vegas (4 p.m., NBA TV), the NBA announced Tuesday that the Heat's fifth and final game of Las Vegas Summer League will be on Friday against the Milwaukee Bucks (7 p.m., ESPN+). The Heat went 2-1 in the California Classic and is 1-2 in Las Vegas Summer League.
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Raptors Coach Announces Brandon Ingram Injury Update
Raptors Coach Announces Brandon Ingram Injury Update originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Toronto Raptors made headlines earlier this year when they struck a big deal to bring Brandon Ingram north of the border. Ingram, who arrived from the New Orleans Pelicans at the trade deadline, was seen as a centerpiece to help reshape the franchise's future and give the team a proven All-Star-caliber scorer alongside Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett. Advertisement Unfortunately for Toronto, Ingram's debut season in a Raptors uniform didn't go as planned. An ankle injury that had nagged him during his final weeks with the Pelicans ultimately sidelined him for much of the 2024-25 season. His anticipated debut was postponed until next season after he was sidelined for the rest of the campaign, sparking concerns among Raptors fans about the severity of the injury and how he will bounce back next season. Former New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram (14).© Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images However, on Thursday, head coach Darko Rajakovic provided a positive update for Toronto fans hungry to see their new star at full strength. 'He's pain free. He's moving well, he got stronger… as of today he's cleared to play full court and be part of any runs,' Rajakovic told reporters. Advertisement The Raptors coach added that Ingram's progress has been exactly what the team hoped for as he ramps up toward training camp. Ingram's recovery is a huge step forward for Toronto as they look to get the most out of a player who, at his best, can change a game on both ends of the floor. He averaged 22.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 5.2 assists in his limited appearances last season and was a consistent scoring option for New Orleans before the trade. Toronto's faith in Ingram was clear from the moment he arrived — the team quickly rewarded him with a new three-year, $120 million extension that will keep him under contract through at least the 2026-2027, with a player option for the following season. If he stays healthy, the Raptors believe he can become a long-term piece to build around as they aim to get back into contention in the Eastern Conference. Advertisement Related: Drake Sends Strong Message After Raptors' Major Decision Related: Raptors Send Brandon Ingram Message After Giannis Antetokounmpo News This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 11, 2025, where it first appeared.
Newsweek
07-07-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
Exciting Yankees Announcement Quickly Darkened by Latest Bad News
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Major League Baseball made a major All-Star Game announcement on Sunday, revealing the players who will fill out each league's roster, in addition to the starters who were announced last week. For the New York Yankees, as expected, Aaron Judge was elected to the American League starting lineup. One of their two additional players was also an expected pick. Lefty starter Max Fried, a leading American League Cy Young candidate with a 2.27 ERA and a league-leading 11 pitcher wins was selected to represent the AL in his first year after coming over from the National League Atlanta Braves, where he received two previous selections. TORONTO, ON - JULY 02: Jazz Chisholm Jr. #13 of the New York Yankees looks on during a game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on July 02, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.... TORONTO, ON - JULY 02: Jazz Chisholm Jr. #13 of the New York Yankees looks on during a game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on July 02, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. MoreBut the other Yankees player named to the AL squad was a surprise: 27-year-old infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. It's not that Chisholm is having a bad year. With a solid .841 OPS with 15 home runs in 247 plate appearances, on pace to easily top his career high of 24 last year, he's having a good one. But whether those are true All-Star-caliber numbers is certainly debatable — and the MLB selection did not take into account the issue of his health. Chisholm has played in just 59 of the Yankees' 90 games due to repeated injuries, most significantly an oblique strain that held him out of the Yankees lineup from April 30 until June 3. On Sunday, new All-Star Chisholm's health issues surfaced again. In game against the New York Mets that snapped the Yankees' second six-game losing streak in the last 3 1/2 weeks, with a 6-4 victory, Chisholm remained on the bench with what manager Aaron Boone described as a "super sore" right shoulder. The second-time All-Star was scratched from Sunday's game just two hours before first pitch. But Chisholm revealed to reporters that the soreness has been bothering him for approximately three weeks. Jazz Chisholm says his shoulder has been bothering him for about three weeks: "It's nothing too crazy, I've been playing with it. No worries, no complaints" — Yankees Videos (@snyyankees) July 6, 2025 The Yankees third baseman had made three infield throwing errors in his previous four games, but he said he did not blame the miscues on his shoulder issue. "I would never use anything as an excuse," Chisholm said, as quoted by the New York Post. "Yeah, my arm was sore, but that doesn't mean I shouldn't make a play." Chisholm claimed to be "fine," however, and as of Monday morning there was no word from the team on the extent of the shoulder injury or whether it would lead to another injured list stint for the sixth-year infielder. More MLB: Jazz Chisholm Jr. Injury Highlights This Glaring Yankees Offseason Mistake
New York Post
04-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
Trent Grisham belts homer in return to Yankees lineup after hamstring issue
Access the Yankees beat like never before Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Greg Joyce about the inside buzz on the Yankees. Try it free TORONTO — After both made cameos off the bench Wednesday night, Trent Grisham and Austin Wells returned to the Yankees lineup Thursday for the first time since their respective injury scares. Grisham had been out since leaving Monday's game with hamstring tightness, with the team initially fearing it might lead to an injured list stint. Advertisement But the center fielder healed quicker than expected and was ready to go by Thursday's series finale against the Blue Jays. 'He feels good about it. Training staff feels good about it,' Boone said before the Yankees' 8-5 loss. 'Is it 100 percent? Maybe not. But feel good about that he's good enough and sound enough to go.' Grisham returned to the leadoff spot Thursday and went 1-for-3 with a pair of walks, while also hitting a game-tying solo home run in the third inning. Advertisement His comeback allowed Boone to shift Cody Bellinger to right field and give Aaron Judge a DH day after spending the last three days on the turf. Though he has cooled off from his red-hot start, Grisham still entered Thursday second on the team with 15 home runs to go with an .816 OPS in 73 games. 'He's been so important to us on both sides of the ball,' Boone said. 'His center-field play, his at-bat quality all year. Even when he went through that 'downturn,' you watch day in and day out, it's a good at-bat. He's hit for power. He's got on base. He's been a really good two-way player, All-Star-caliber player for us in the first half. So, big to be able to avoid [the injured list].' Trent Grisham belts a solo homer in the third inning of the Yankees' 8-5 loss to the Blue Jays on July 3, 2025. John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images Advertisement Wells, meanwhile, started at catcher for the first time since Saturday. In between, he underwent testing for a lack of circulation in his left pointer finger, with the results showing arterial damage instead of anything more serious. Wells went 1-for-4 with a walk and a strikeout in Thursday's loss. Advertisement Following Thursday's game, the Yankees optioned Clayton Beeter back to Triple-A after he got tagged for three runs on three hits and two walks across 1 ²/₃ innings in relief of the injured Clarke Schmidt. DJ LeMahieu was out of the lineup Thursday, but the Yankees still declined to use it as a chance to bounce Jazz Chisholm Jr. back to his best defensive position, second base. Instead, Chisholm remained at third base with Oswald Peraza starting at second. 'I don't want to just move him back and forth and do that necessarily in that form or fashion,' Boone said. Jazz Chisholm Jr. looks on during the Yankees' loss to the Brewers. AP Asked about how much he is considering moving Chisholm back to second, Boone continued to say it was an ongoing decision. Advertisement 'Continue to evaluate our roster, see where we're at, see what makes the most sense,' he said. 'It's something I think about a little bit.' Peraza lifted for pinch hitter in the top of the seventh, and LeMahieu came on to finish the game at second base. Advertisement The last time they saw Juan Soto, the Yankees shut down their former teammate in the May Subway Series, holding him to 1-for-10 with four walks and three strikeouts. Entering this weekend's rematch, Soto is coming off NL Player of the Month honors after a torrid June. 'He's had a Juan-like month,' Boone said. 'So it'll be a challenge holding him down. Comes down to executing at a really high level.' Advertisement The Yankees signed veteran infielder Nicky Lopez to a minor league contract Thursday, while losing Triple-A infielder CJ Alexander on waivers to the Dodgers.
Winnipeg Free Press
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Wells and Grisham back in starting lineup for Yankees in series finale against Toronto
TORONTO (AP) — Austin Wells and Trent Grisham are back in the starting lineup for the New York Yankees in their series finale against Toronto on Thursday. Grisham was set to lead off and play center field, while Wells was behind the plate catching right-hander Clarke Schmidt and batting eighth. Wells and Grisham came off the bench in Wednesday's 11-9 loss. The setback was New York's third straight and the Yankees slipped into a tie for first place in the AL East with Toronto. New York is 13-18 since May 28. 'We've gone through it a little bit here the last few weeks,' Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. 'Obviously haven't played our best. We need to do better, but I'm confident we will.' Wells hadn't started since Saturday, against the Athletics. Boone said Wells needed time to recover from an invasive test for a circulatory issue in his left index finger. Grisham left Monday's game after his cleat caught the turf, leading to tightness in his left hamstring. 'He feels good about it, the training staff feels good about it,' Boone said. 'Is it 100 percent? Maybe not, but I feel good that he's good enough and sound enough to go.' Grisham is batting .248 with 15 homers and 32 RBIs in 73 games. He hit a career-high 17 homers with San Diego in 2022. 'He's been so important to us on both sides of the ball, just his center field play, his at-bat quality all year,' Boone said. 'He has hit for power, he has got on base. He has been a really good two-way player, an All-Star-caliber player for us in the first half. Big to be able to avoid (the injured list).' Boone said right-hander Luis Gil threw 35 pitches and did some fielding practice drills in a scheduled throwing session Thursday. The 2024 AL Rookie of the Year has not pitched for the Yankees this season because of a high-grade lat strain in his pitching shoulder. Also Thursday, the Los Angeles Dodgers claimed infielder CJ Alexander on waivers. The Yankees designated Alexander for assignment on June 30. ___ AP MLB:
