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Watch: Arike Ogunbowale goes on incredible third-quarter scoring spree in WNBA All-Star Game
While many viewed WNBA No. 1 overall pick Caitlin Clark as the biggest Team USA snub, Dallas Wings guard Arike Ogunbowale was on a mission during Saturday's WNBA All-Star Game to prove she was just as worthy.
The six-year WNBA veteran went off in the third quarter, posting 21 points (6-for-10), including five three-pointers. Not bad for a player who entered the second half with zero points.
Who doesn't love a Rike Replay??? pic.twitter.com/RjvTSKcNes
— Dallas Wings (@DallasWings) July 21, 2024
After shooting 0-for-2 and notching zero points over the first two quarters, Ogunbowale came alive. She took over the game, finishing the quarter shooting 6-for-10, including five three-pointers.
Arike makin' it look too easy from DEEP @ATT #WNBAAllStar | ABC pic.twitter.com/18fQK9hfvO
— WNBA (@WNBA) July 21, 2024
Now a four-time All-Star, Ogunbowale is accustomed to making an impact, at least against Team USA. She earned MVP honors the last time the All-Star Game was played in a WNBA vs. Team USA format (back in 2021) has a good chance of doing so again following her incredible third quarter on Saturday.
The 27-year-old is having a tremendous season for the Wings. Through 24 games, Ogunbowale is averaging 22.3 points per game, along with career-highs in assists (5.2), rebounds (4.8) and steals (2.7).
More must-reads:
- Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark set aside rivalry at WNBA All-Star Game
- Shaquille O'Neal reveals his totally unbiased pick for WNBA Rookie of the Year
- The 'Name every WNBA team' quiz
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Mercury re-sign Williams to third 7-day deal as rotation questions rise
PHOENIX — The Phoenix Mercury announced on Wednesday that they signed Kiana Williams to a third seven-day contract and fans are wondering how she will fit into the team’s new rotation. Williams has been with the Mercury on two separate occasions during the season. In six games with Phoenix, Williams averaged 5.0 points, 1.2 rebounds and 1.2 assists while shooting 50.0% from the field. “I’m super thankful for Nick [U’Ren] and Nate [Tibbetts] being transparent with me and stuff,” Williams said after practice on Wednesday, according to Desert Wave Media’s David Veenstra. “I love Phoenix, I love this organization. It’s a really great group. I’m just thankful for the opportunity as always.” However, questions were raised after the news broke of how Williams would be utilized with the Mercury’s new eight-player rotation. Kalani Brown, Kitija Laksa and Lexi Held have seen less playing time with this system. Head coach Tibbetts has said he likes the eight-player rotation and doesn’t see it changing soon, after Phoenix’s game against the Atlanta Dream on Aug. 10. Although rotations aren’t set, he wants to continue the setup. “We’re gonna have to continue to look at different lineups throughout the year and from game to game,” said Tibbetts, according to the team’s post-game recording. “But yeah, I like it.” While Williams brings depth to the roster, it’s uncertain what her role will be with Tibbetts’ eight-player rotation in place.
Browns' Shedeur Sanders could be losing valuable opportunity after injury update
Just when it seemed everything was going right for Shedeur Sanders, the Cleveland Browns' rookie quarterback caught an unlucky break on Wednesday. The 23-year-old QB was sidelined during Wednesday's joint practice with the Philadelphia Eagles after suffering an oblique injury. Per Kelsey Russo of the team website, the 2025 fifth-round pick won't practice Thursday and is considered day-to-day. He is deemed unlikely to play in Saturday's preseason game against Philadelphia, scheduled for 1 p.m. ET on NFL Network. Before Wednesday's practice, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed rookie QB Dillon Gabriel will start against Philadelphia as long as he's healthy enough to play. The 2025 third-rounder missed Cleveland's preseason opener against the Carolina Panthers because of a hamstring issue. However, Stefanski previously said Sanders would get more reps this week after a solid preseason debut. The former Colorado Buffaloes star received the start in the 30-10 win over Carolina, going 14-of-23 passing for 138 yards and two touchdown passes. Not playing against Philadelphia could disrupt Sanders' momentum. More importantly, it may eliminate another opportunity for him to overtake Gabriel in Cleveland's four-way QB competition. Sanders is listed as the Browns QB4 behind Gabriel, Kenny Pickett and Joe Flacco on the team's unofficial depth chart. Despite questions about Gabriel's size (5-foot-11, 205 pounds), the coaching staff seems to favor him over Sanders. Earlier this offseason, Gabriel's processing speed reportedly impressed Browns coaches, giving him an edge over Sanders. The former Oregon Ducks star also received reps with the first-team offense during OTAs and mandatory minicamp, while his fellow rookie didn't. If Gabriel plays well against the Eagles, that would continue to affirm the coaching staff's confidence in the 24-year-old QB. Neither Sanders nor Gabriel is expected to be the Week 1 starter for the Browns. It's likely going to be Flacco, who helped Cleveland make the playoffs in 2023 when he went 4-1 during a late-season stretch. Still, another solid preseason showing could help Sanders position himself to replace 40-year-old Flacco in the future. With the setback, it may take more time to climb the depth chart.
Phillies superstar may be building Hall of Fame case
Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber is in the midst of another impressive season. Schwarber entered Wednesday having posted a .249/.373/.578 batting line in his 528 plate appearances this season, hitting 42 homers while driving in a National League-leading 97 runs. The Phillies slugger was named to his third All-Star Game this season and, according to NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley, he should be the NL MVP. Schwarber has been one of baseball's premier power hitters since establishing himself in the majors in 2017. He's in his eighth season of hitting 30 or more homers and has reached the 40-homer plateau three times in his four seasons in Philadelphia. The 32-year-old Schwarber may find himself in elite company when his career comes to an end. He has already hit 326 homers in his career, potentially giving him a chance to reach the 500-home run plateau. If Schwarber does hit 500-plus homers, the narrative around his career may change. There have only been 28 players in MLB history to reach that plateau, 19 of whom are in the Hall of Fame. Two players — Albert Pujols and Miguel Cabrera — are not yet eligible and are expected to be enshrined on the first ballot. The seven players who have not been inducted into the Hall of Fame have been linked to PED use, torpedoing their candidacy. At the same time, his entire candidacy may be based on his home run total. Schwarber has a lifetime .232/.346/.499 batting line over 5,188 plate appearances; although batting average no longer carries much weight for the voters, he would have the lowest batting average of any non-pitcher in the Hall. His 20.7 fWAR has been dragged down by his defense and is unlikely to make him a favorite among the younger voters who put more emphasis on such metrics. Schwarber is marching toward the 500-home run plateau. If he does reach that mark, he could be a polarizing Hall of Fame candidate.
Three teams that should take a flier on Odell Beckham Jr. for the 2025 season
Former New York Giants superstar and current free-agent wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. emerged in the headlines on Tuesday afternoon. The 32-year-old took to X (formerly Twitter) to shut down a fake report that he was retiring from the NFL. Beckham spent the 2024 season with the Miami Dolphins in a very limited role, recording just nine receptions for 55 yards in nine games. However, he was a solid contributor as a Baltimore Raven the year prior, showing that he can still provide some production at this point in his career. Given that OBJ has no interest in calling it quits just yet, let’s look at three teams that should take a shot on the three-time Pro Bowler to see how much juice he’s got left in him. New York Giants How about a reunion in the Big Apple? It would only be fitting for Beckham to finish his career in the place where it all started. Superstar wide receiver Malik Nabers runs the show on offense, but after that, there are plenty of question marks. Wide receivers Wan'Dale Robinson and Darius Slayton slot in as solid options behind Nabers, but it would not hurt to add a veteran like Beckham into the mix. He knows what it's like playing in such a big market and could mentor the Giants' young offensive weapons while providing some depth production when called upon. Las Vegas Raiders There may not be a team with more of a need at the wide receiver position than the Las Vegas Raiders. The targets are understandably funneled to superstar tight end Brock Bowers and wide receiver Jakobi Meyers, but they need help beyond those two. Third-year wide receiver Tre Tucker and rookie wideouts Jack Bech and Dont'e Thornton Jr. are next in line. While those three may play big roles right from the start, the Raiders could certainly use another experienced pass-catcher, and Beckham is a nice option to fill that role. Perhaps he even shows himself to be worthy of the WR2 spot. Buffalo Bills The third team that could be in play for Beckham is the Buffalo Bills. With Josh Allen in his prime, they need to continue putting weapons around him whenever possible. Second-year wide receiver Keon Coleman and free-agent signing Joshua Palmer are atop the depth chart in Buffalo, while reliable wideout Khalil Shakir is nicked up with an ankle injury. Longtime Carolina Panthers receiver Curtis Samuel also remains in the mix but is dealing with a hamstring ailment and has had injury woes in the past. Outside of Shakir, it's hard to know what you're going to get from the rest of the position group. Beckham will likely want to join a contender or somewhere he can play more of a factor than he did with the Dolphins in 2024-25, so keep an eye on the Bills.
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