Latest news with #Naismith
Time of India
7 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Phoenix Mercury signs former Duquesne guard Megan McConnell to WNBA roster
Megan McConnell joins Phoenix Mercury after record-setting Duquesne career Duquesne guard leaves mark in program record books Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel The Phoenix Mercury have officially signed guard Megan McConnell, the team announced Tuesday, June 3. McConnell, a former standout at Duquesne University , becomes only the third player in the program's history to make an active WNBA roster , joining Korie Hlede (1998) and Candace Futrell (2004).A native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, McConnell also becomes part of a rare sibling pairing in professional basketball . Her brother, TJ McConnell, plays guard for the NBA's Indiana Pacers, making them one of just three active brother-sister duos currently represented in the WNBA and NBA Also read: How to watch Kate Martin and Golden State Valkyries vs. Minnesota Lynx in WNBA Commissioner's Cup McConnell's signing comes as the Mercury aim to build on their strong early-season form, currently holding a 5-2 record, their best start since concluded her collegiate career as one of the most decorated players in Duquesne women's basketball history. She holds program records in assists (660) and steals (370) and ranks second in all-time scoring with 1,795 points. Her impact extended across several categories, including school records in games played (144), career starts (136), and triple-doubles (4).Despite being 5-foot-7, McConnell amassed 1,079 rebounds, the second-highest in program history, with a 7.5 rebounds-per-game average ranking 10th all-time. She also made 209 career three-pointers, ranking sixth at Duquesne, and averaged 4.6 assists per game, good for seventh consistently earned national and conference recognition. She was a two-time finalist for the Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player of the Year award and the only mid-major player named to the 2025 Naismith Women's Defensive Player of the Year Watchlist. Additional honors include appearing on the Ann Meyers Drysdale Award Midseason Watchlist and a selection to the 2025 Lilly Women's College All-Star read: WNBA: Liberty crush Sun by 48 points, Tie franchise's best start since 1997, and match WNBA 3-point record Her defensive capabilities earned her the 2025 Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Year award. McConnell was also a two-time A-10 All-Conference First Team and All-Defensive Team selection. Off the court, she was recognized for academic excellence, securing three consecutive A-10 All-Academic Team honors and being named to the CSC Academic All-District® Team three Phoenix Mercury will next face the Minnesota Lynx on Tuesday, June 3, at the Target Center in a Commissioner's Cup matchup. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. ET.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Cooper Flagg's Stunning Duke NIL Earnings Revealed
Cooper Flagg's Stunning Duke NIL Earnings Revealed originally appeared on Athlon Sports. During his lone season with the Duke Blue Devils, former No. 1 overall recruit Cooper Flagg lived up to the billing as the next great American prospect. Advertisement Although he and the Blue Devils fell in the Final Four to the eventual runner-up Houston Cougars, Flagg led Duke in all five major statistical categories en route to a 35-4 record. In addition to being named ACC Player of the Year, Flagg also became the ninth Duke player to be named Naismith Men's College Player of the Year. Aside from prospering on the court, many fans likely assumed that Flagg was compensated quite well off of it, thanks to his NIL earning potential. Although it's not always an exact number, his NIL Valuation according to On3 was a staggering $4.8 million. A mark that only trailed Texas quarterback and nephew of Peyton Manning, Arch Manning. However, as revealed during an interview with Bob Costas by insider and author Howard Bryant, Flagg's earnings were significantly higher than the estimated numbers. Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg (2).Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images After initially asking Costas how much money he thought Flagg brought in during his lone season in Durham, Bryant answered his own question with a jaw-dropping figure. As a result of Flagg inking monster deals with New Balance and Fanatics, he was bringing in at least $28 million on the year. Advertisement "He had a $13 million deal with New Balance and then $15 million with Fanatics," Bryant said. A staggering mark, considering an April report revealed that at least eight teams in college basketball will spend over $10 million on their entire roster for next season. While around $30 million is chump change by any means, Flagg's earnings will more than double following next month's NBA Draft. Flagg has been projected to be the top pick for over a year, and now that the Dallas Mavericks have the pick, the safest assumption in the world is that he will be heading to the Lone Star State. According to Spotrac, the No. 1 pick is set to sign a four-year deal worth nearly $63 million. Turns out being a generational basketball prospect pays quite well, who knew? Related: Cooper Flagg Makes Big Career Move Before NBA Draft This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on May 31, 2025, where it first appeared.
Scotsman
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
Former Hearts duo set to miss out on Derek McInnes successor chance at Kilmarnock
Kilmarnock are nearing their next boss after Derek McInnes opted for Hearts. Sign up to our Hearts newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Two former Hearts managers look poised to miss out on the vacant Kilmarnock job as they close in on a Derek McInnes replacement. The 53-year-old was unveiled as Jambos boss earlier this week after his move to Tynecastle from Rugby Park was confirmed. It has left the Ayrshire side seeking a replacement and Steven Naismith, last in management with Hearts and a former player at Kilmarnock, was strongly linked with the role. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Now it has been claimed that Stuart Kettlewell is the leading contender for the position. He left Motherwell earlier this year, generating millions in player sales through the development of talent like Theo Bair plus had guided them to a Premier Sports Cup semi final. Kettlewell departed ML1 with Motherwell in the top half of the Premiership. Former Hearts duo poised to miss out on Kilmarnock There has been competition for the vacancy, with reports naming Naismith, Scotland coach John Carver and another ex Hearts manager in Robbie Neilson as contenders, with Kettlewell 'set' to beat them. Neilson left his second stint as Hearts manager in 2023, and over the course of those stints, had guided a team he starred for as a player out of the Championship twice on top of a third place finish. Neilson was last at Tampa Bay Rowdies in the US but left his position there earlier this year. Bookmakers have Kettlewell down as the favourite with Naismith, Carver, and Neilson the other possible options. Naismith said of the position last week: 'My things haven't changed. I'll go serious for you and give you a good answer. I'm enjoying the time out and we'll probably come on to talk about it. It takes over your life management, when you talk about work-life balance, it doesn't. It's on your mind all of the time. I loved it - but I've loved my timeout. 'So I'm at the point where everything needs to be perfect for me in terms of the right club, you believe in what it is and you're going to make a difference. That's where I sit. I've spoken to clubs in the past and I've just felt it's not right. I'll probably speak to clubs in the future, if that changes then my mind will change. That's where I'm sitting but I'm really relaxed and I am really enjoying my life at the moment.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Surreal Hearts experience Chris Burke was Kilmarnock's caretaker for a final Premiership game of the season clash against Hearts and with his role in the Rugby Park youth ranks, found preparing for established Jambos a whirlwind. He said: 'I'm still new in my (coaching) journey, which is good. So for myself, I need to make sure that if anything like this did happen at anywhere in any club, then I'd have to make sure that I'm ready for it. 'I need to have the best version of myself. At this moment in time, I'll need to think, is that me just now? I couldn't tell you what the next step is. I couldn't tell you my next journey in football. It's crazy. I was video analysis watching under-18s teams and then before you know it, I'm video analysis watching Hearts' first team and you've got Lawrence Shankland on the team. It's crazy. Football is as mad as it is and it turns around very, very quickly.'
Scotsman
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
'That's where I sit' - Former Hearts manager responds to Kilmarnock links
A former Hearts manager has been linked with a return to Kilmarnock. Sign up to our Hearts newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Hearts appear to be edging closer to naming former Rangers midfielder Derek McInnes as their new manager as talks over the move continue with Premiership rivals Kilmarnock. Following the departure of former head coach Neil Critchley last month, the Tynecastle hierarchy have identified McInnes as their prime candidate to step into the hotseat and news that McInnes and his coaching staff are not overseeing preparations for their side's home game against their potential employers seems to hint an announcement is getting closer. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad As part of their contingency plans, there have been reported the Killie board are said to be considering former Motherwell boss Stuart Kettlewell, Aberdeen first-team coach Peter Leven and Killie Under-18s coach Chris Burke as potential replacements for McInnes. However, former Hearts boss Steven Naismith is also said to be 'firmly in the equation' to take charge at Rugby Park. For the first time since the speculation hit the media, Naismith has given his take on a potential return to the club where he started his professional playing career 22 years ago. He told the Warm-Up podcast: 'My things haven't changed. I'll go serious for you and give you a good answer. I'm enjoying the time out and we'll probably come on to talk about it. It takes over your life management, when you talk about work-life balance, it doesn't. It's on your mind all of the time. I loved it - but I've loved my timeout. So I'm at the point where everything needs to be perfect for me in terms of the right club, you believe in what it is and you're going to make a difference. That's where I sit. I've spoken to clubs in the past and I've just felt it's not right. I'll probably speak to clubs in the future, if that changes then my mind will change. That's where I'm sitting but I'm really relaxed and I am really enjoying my life at the moment.' Naismith did admit he would not rule out a return to the dugout - but stressed he is enjoying his time visiting other clubs and learning how fellow managers conduct themselves on the training pitch and on matchday. 'If the right opportunity comes, and it ticks everything, and I am ready, then I'll do it,' he explained. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Another thing you do when you come out of a job is you look at what you've done, where you were at the start, what changed when you were in the job and then when you're out of a job, the amount of people that text you and say my door's open, come in and see. I've done a wee bit of that and it's such a good learning experience, to see guys with a little more experience, to see a totally different mindset on football and how it should be played. Going and watching that and taking what you can from there is a massive part of development and I'm at that point at the moment.'
Scottish Sun
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Kilmarnock prepare for talks with Steven Naismith over stunning return to Rugby Park as manager to replace Derek McInnes
He was asked about the links earlier today HOMEWARD BOUND Kilmarnock prepare for talks with Steven Naismith over stunning return to Rugby Park as manager to replace Derek McInnes Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) KILMARNOCK are ready to try to tempt Steven Naismith back into management. SunSport understands the Rugby Park side want talks with their former player as they begin the search for Derek McInnes' successor. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Steven Naismith was sacked by Hearts in September Credit: Willie Vass 4 But he could be set for a return to former club Kilmarnock as their new boss Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd 4 Naismith was asked about the potential move on The Warm-Up podcast Credit: THE WARM-UP Naismith, 38, was axed by Hearts - who McInnes will take charge of - in September and is thought he is keen on a return to the dugout. The ex-Scotland international refused to rule himself out of the running for the Killie job. But after being out of football for the first time in his life he insists he will take time to weigh up what he does next. Asked about the links to the vacant hotseat on the latest episode of The Warm Up, William Hill SPFL's weekly preview show, Naismith said: 'I'll go serious for you and give you a good answer. I'm enjoying the time out. 'It takes over your life, management. It's on your mind all the time. 'I loved it but I've loved my time out. I'm at the point where everything needs to be perfect for me. 'So it has to be the right club, you believe in what it is and that you're going to make a difference. That's where I sit.' SunSport told on Monday how Naismith would be a leading contender if McInnes left. McInnes initially claimed he would be in the Killie dugout for the final two games of their season, despite the clubs agreeing he could move to the Jambos. But he dramatically left his post this morning following Wednesday's 3-0 loss to Motherwell. Derek McInnes spotted leaving Rugby Park for last time as Kilmarnock fans thank ex-manager That has hastened Killie's chase for Naismith, who became a club hero after coming through the ranks then netting 32 goals in 105 appearances before being sold to Rangers in 2007 for a club record fee £1.9million. He was a part of Steve Clarke's backroom team then took charge at Tynecastle on an interim basis in April 2023. After landing the permanent post he guided them into third spot in his first full season in charge but was then axed just six games into this season with the club sitting at the foot of the table. It's thought that experience hasn't put Naismith off the role. He has used his time out to further his education by going on club visits and speaking with managers he has worked with in the past, as well analysing things in various media roles. 4 Naismith could replace the departed Derek McInnes Credit: PA Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
