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Xavier recruit the latest top 2025 basketball prospect to commit
Xavier head coach Sean Miller and his staff are off to a strong start with their 2025 class, as four-star point guard Nyk Lewis from Washington, D.C., has verbally committed to the Big East Conference school.
The 6-foot-1 Lewis, who announced his decision Thursday on X, picked the Musketeers over finalists Creighton, Georgetown, LSU, Michigan and Seton Hall, according to media reports. Within the 2025 cycle, the industry-generated 247Sports Composite placed Lewis at No. 36 nationally, No. 5 at point guard and No. 1 in D.C.
Lewis is heading into his senior year at Gonzaga College High School, a powerhouse D.C. program eyeing a preseason top-10 national ranking ahead of the 2024-25 campaign, per a recent X post from high school hoops expert Samad Hines.
This past spring and summer, Lewis had a solid AAU season for the 17U team of the Washington-based Team Takeover in Nike's EYBL league. Adam Finkelstein, the director of scouting at 247Sports, published an in-depth evaluation of Lewis after he chose the Musketeers.
Lewis' pledge to Xavier is one of the latest verbal commitments in the 2025 class. Within the top 100 of the 247Sports Composite, more than 20 rising seniors in high school have now made their college decisions.
Besides Lewis, some headliners include five-star point guard Darius Acuff Jr., who is No. 8 nationally and committed to Arkansas in late July. His IMG Academy teammate for the 2024-25 season, five-star power forward and the No. 22 national prospect Sadiq White Jr., verbally pledged to Syracuse in late May.
Earlier this month, Kentucky head coach Mark Pope and his staff notched a massive commitment, as a four-star center and No. 27 overall player Malachi Moreno selected the Wildcats.
The Wildcats are also recruiting 2025 five-star shooting guard Jasper Johnson, who is expected to make his commitment announcement on Sept. 5, according to reports from On3's Joe Tipton and others.
According to the 247Sports Composite, the top five classes in the 2025 cycle consist of No. 1 Iowa State, followed by Butler, Georgia Tech, Ole Miss and South Carolina.
Ole Miss, Iowa State, and Butler are among the teams with two 2025 verbal commits and prospects rated in the top 100 overall.
Ole Miss features four-star power forward Tylis Jordan, ranked No. 41 nationally, and four-star shooting guard Patton Pinkins, ranked No. 79 overall.
Iowa State has landed four-star shooting guard Jamarion Batemon (No. 62 nationally) and four-star small forward Xzavion Mitchell (No. 78 overall).
More must-reads:
- Way-too-early Top 25 for the 2024-25 NCAA men's basketball season
- Giants' Jaxson Dart discusses how he has already improved during training camp
- The 'Active NBA players from the 2018 NCAA Sweet Sixteen teams' quiz
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Top moments from 2025 Baseball Hall of Fame inductions
The 2025 Baseball Hall of Fame class had its day in Cooperstown on Sunday. This year's class included Ichiro Suzuki, CC Sabathia and Billy Wagner, who were elected by the eligible voters from the Baseball Writer's Association of America, and Dave Parker and Dick Allen, who were elected by the Classic Baseball Era Committee. Here are some of the top highlights from Sunday's induction speeches. Dave Parker's son reads poem written by Hall of Fame father Parker's induction into the Hall of Fame was long overdue, and he sadly did not have the opportunity to enjoy the moment of seeing his name in the Hall of Fame as he died June 28. That left his speech in the hands of his son, Dave Parker II, who read a poem written by his dad. Parker spent the majority of his career with the Pittsburgh Pirates where he was an MVP winner, two-time batting champion and World Series champion with the 1979 "We Are Family" team. Dick Allen's wife remembers his kindness Allen was the other veterans committee inductee, and his widow, Willa Allen, spent the majority of her speech remember the kindness of Allen off the field as much as his ability on the field. Allen is going into the Hall of Fame as a Phillie but won the 1972 American League MVP with the Chicago White Sox. He led the league in OPS four times and was the 1964 National League Rookie of the Year. A reminder that Billy Wagner wasn't naturally left-handed Being left-handed is a huge advantage (and money-maker) for pitchers, and Wagner was one of the most dominant left-handed relief pitchers to ever step onto a mound in the big leagues. But he wasn't always left-handed. Wagner was a natural-born right-handed person but taught himself how to throw left-handed after fracturing his right arm twice as a kid. It led to quite a career. Wagner made a name for himself with the Houston Astros but also spent years with the Philadelphia Phillies, New York Mets, Atlanta Braves and Boston Red Sox. CC Sabathia takes playful dig at Ichiro Sabathia accomplished a ton in his 19-year big league career. He won 251 games, won the 2007 American League Cy Young Award, was the 2009 ALCS MVP and a World Series champion. He still has apparently not gotten over the one individual award he did not win — the 2001 American League Rookie of the Year Award, which went to fellow 2025 inductee Ichiro. Sabathia made sure to make a playful dig at that. Sabathia was the only American League rookie outside of Ichiro — who also won the American League MVP that year — to get a first-place vote. He received one. The others all went to Ichiro. Ichiro stole the show Ichiro stole 509 bases in his Hall of Fame career, and on Sunday, he added one more steal to his list of accomplishments by absolutely stealing the show at Cooperstown. He delivered two of the best lines of the day, first by calling out the one lone writer who did not vote for him, keeping him from being just the second unanimous Hall of Fame inductee ever (after Mariano Rivera). His best line of the day, however, might have been when he referenced his brief time as a member of the Miami Marlins toward the end of his career. Ichiro played 14 of his 19 seasons with the Seattle Mariners while also spending time with the Marlins and Yankees.
Five Players Off to a Great Start at Green Bay Packers Training Camp 2025
We are still in the first week of Green Bay Packers training camp for the 2025 season. While it’s still early and fully padded practices are just beginning, here’s a look at five players who are off to a great start at Packers training camp 2025. We discuss the players; the reason they’re on this list and what their potential strong play could mean for them going forward. Five Players off to a Great Start at Packers Training Camp 2025, Number Five: K Brandon McManus Kicker Brandon McManus enjoyed a nearly perfect debut season in Green Bay in 2024, making all his extra points and missing just one field goal during the regular season. In training camp, the veteran kicker has been automatic. He made his first 15 field goal tries including three-of-three from 50 yards out or more. His long was a 56-yard effort. The Packers need another strong season from McManus after struggling through a season and a half of inconsistent kicking after parting ways with Mason Crosby. So far, he’s off to a great start. Number Four: WR Dontayvion Wicks Dontayvion Wicks led the team in targets last season with 76 but was only fourth on the team with 39 catches. Drops were a problem all season. He had nine drops or a drop percentage of 11.8. The Packers need Wicks to cut down on the drops and take advantage of his speed and ability to get open when running pass patterns. So far, Wicks has stood out in training camp and made some big plays. He is also holding on to almost every catchable ball sent his way. Wicks may have more upside than any healthy veteran receiver on the Packers roster. He needs to continue to be consistent to solidify his spot in the lineup in what is now a crowded receiver room. Five Players off to a Great Start at Packers Training Camp 2025, Number Three: CB Carrington Valentine Carrington Valentine has a fight on his hands for playing time as camp started. He will battle with Keisean Nixon and newcomer Nate Hobbs for a spot at boundary corner. At the start of camp, Hobbs and Nixon were ahead of Valentine on the depth chart. But Valentine has looked good thus far in camp. He had two interceptions during the first few days of practice and has done a good job in coverage. As usual, he’s played physically in coverage, and he’s done a good job of breaking up passes. His goal is to carve out a bigger role for himself in the defense as he enters this third season in the NFL. He’s come a long way from being a seventh-round draft pick and now hopes to establish himself as a full-time starter. Number Two: DT Kenny Clark Kenny Clark is coming off the worst season of his NFL career statistically in 2024. The three-time Pro Bowler went from a career-high 7.5 sacks in 2023 to just one in 2024. He lacked the explosiveness coming off the snap of the ball that made him a disruptive force in the middle of the defensive line throughout his career. At OTAs, Clark revealed that he played last season with a broken big toe which hampered his effectiveness. Thus far in camp, Clark seems to be regaining his explosiveness and so far, he feels good. “All that stuff is behind me,” Clark told reporters. “You don’t really know what to expect coming back, especially with the foot. Today I felt a lot more comfortable. I’m allowed to play free and be me.” A healthy Clark would be a big improvement for the Packers defensive line in 2025, both when defending the run and rushing the quarterback. Five Players off to a Great Start at Packers Training Camp 2025, Number One: WR Matthew Golden During the first few days of training camp, first round pick Matthew Golden flashed the talent he has that made him the Packers first wide receiver taken in the first round since 2002. Golden has been catching nearly everything thrown his way. The Packers receiving corps struggled with drops all season. One reason the Packers drafted him was because he has reliable hands. The Packers have also utilized Golden on jet sweeps and end arounds, much like they did the last two seasons with Jayden Reed. Head coach Matt LaFleur appears to be at least auditioning Golden for that role to see how he handles it. It would be one way to ensure he gets a certain number of touches early on while he’s still learning the offense. Golden still has work to do, but he’s made a good first impression at training camp.
All signs point to Yankees moving on from Anthony Volpe
With the trade for Ryan McMahon now complete, it would seem New York Yankees’ general manager Brian Cashman has fulfilled one of his three priorities. He can now cross third base off the list, which leaves the rotation and bullpen as his remaining priorities. However, according to one Yankees writer, Cashman might not be done with the infield. Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reported this after the McMahon trade: “The Yankees may not be done adding to their infield. A team source said the Yankees are interested in adding a right-handed hitter who could play the infield.” Kirschner adds that the Yankees have had interest in Willi Castro and Amed Rosario. But the question now is, how would another player fit into the Yankees’ infield? Needless to say, Paul Goldschmidt and Jazz Chisholm Jr. aren’t going anywhere, and McMahon is just getting there. That leaves the low-hanging fruit. Anthony Volpe has been at the center of controversy all this season. His 13 errors, many of which had come at make-or-break moments, amount to the second-highest total in the game. In addition, his bat has not been able to compensate, hitting .217/.288/.408 with 14 home runs. There was always a lot to like about Volpe. He won a Gold Glove in his rookie year, his power has always been promising and his speed is nothing to scoff at. Unfortunately, his glove has become a liability, and his speed has also produced very few results. Volpe has swiped just 10 bags in 17 attempts. His power is the one thing that still has some upside, but it hasn’t been enough to justify a spot in the lineup. Both Castro and Rosario have been far more productive at the plate this season than Volpe. Kirschner doesn’t clarify how serious the Yankees are in their pursuit of another infielder, but that most likely isn’t available information. Having just turned 24, Volpe could still become the type of player that was expected from him as a top prospect. However, his recent performance has weighed heavily on his team’s efforts, and it may be buying him a ticket out of the Bronx — or at least a spot on the bench.
Mets Could Steal Massive Star From Their Biggest Rival
In 2024, the New York Mets may have pulled off the biggest jersey swap of all time- acquiring massive free agent Juan Soto on an enormous 15-year, $765 million deal. However, this shouldn’t be the end of the line for New York. The team still has money, and perhaps they can use it to pay for a massive star. Big-Name Free Agent Could Be on the Radar for Mets The Biggest Bat on the Free Agent Market May Not be Kyle Tucker Sure, Kyle Tucker is a younger player with some superstar potential. Some might say that he is a superstar. However, the one very consistent bat is the bat of Kyle Schwarber. Over the last five seasons, Schwarber has hit at least 32 homers. This season is no exception, as he is on pace for 57 home runs. Schwarber strikes out a lot. However, his at-bats usually end in either a homer, a strikeout, or a walk. Schwarber remains one of the most significant game-changing bats on the market. He is heading into his age-33 season, but he reminds many of a Nelson Cruz-type bat. A bat that can last well into the late 30s. Tucker may be a good defender and a possibly excellent bat, but consistency remains on the side of Schwarber. The Mets Shouldn’t Stop at Alonso and Soto Now, the Mets may very well have to contend with another free agency of Pete Alonso. However, if the Mets have learned anything this season, they probably won’t hesitate to sign Alonso, especially with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. off the market. This will leave the Mets with options in free agency. Go big or play it safe and improve minimally. The Mets typically aren’t used to liking Schwarber, who seems to always be on a rival team. However, this doesn’t mean that it is impossible for him to pry away from the Phillies. Sure, the Mets can be content with the signing of Soto and, hopefully, also Alonso. But if New York wants to make the best team ever to play in Queens, New York may very well want to go after some of the bigger names on the market. If many people thought the Mets were in contention for Vladdy, then they can definitely be in contention for Schwarber. The Mets also don’t have a definitive DH, and even with some saying Soto is a potential DH in the future, Soto will likely continue to play the outfield. Schwarber would be a dream DH for New York. Schwarber Will Not Be Easy To Sign, But Neither Was Soto If there is one thing that many have learned over the last few seasons, it is that the Mets don’t just settle. The Mets have made huge trades, huge signings, and more. Schwarber has made it relatively clear that he likes Philly, and even his teammates have expressed that they want him to stay. And of course, Philly is capable of providing the money for Schwarber to stay. However, New York is even more capable. If the Mets make a good trade ahead of the deadline, young players live up to their potential, and the Mets make a big splash in free agency, then New York would be virtually unstoppable. It used to be the New York Yankees that got everything they wanted. Now, there might be a new sheriff in town. The Mets are starting to turn the corner and are becoming the new juggernaut in New York. Perhaps the Soto signing was just the beginning. Signing a free agent away from a bitter rival wouldn’t be easy. However, it certainly wouldn’t be the first time for New York.
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