AP Sports Digest

Here are the AP’s top sports stories that have moved or are planned to move today. All times U.S. Eastern. For up-to-the minute information on AP’s coverage, visit AP Newsroom’s Coverage Plan. Sports content can be found at http://newsroom.ap.org/page/APSports.

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UPCOMING

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BKN--NBA DRAFT-TAKEAWAYS

DESCRIPTION: NEW YORK — The Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs were thinking big, the one-and-done era is alive and well and other takeaways from the two-day NBA draft.

UPCOMING: By 06/25/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT

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BKN--NBA DRAFT-2027 LOOKAHEAD

DESCRIPTION: A look at top potential lottery prospects for the 2027 draft. By Aaron Beard. Text, photos.

UPCOMING: By 06/25/2026 6:00 p.m. EDT

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TEN--WIMBLEDON-FASHION

DESCRIPTION: A look at memorable fashion moments at Wimbledon. By Ken Maguire. Upcoming: 750 words; photos.

UPCOMING: By 06/25/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT, Text, Photo

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BBO--LABOR

DESCRIPTION: Baseball collective bargaining resumes with proposals expected from management and the players’ association. By Baseball Writer Ronald Blum. 600 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 06/25/2026 5:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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US--SPECIAL OLYMPICS AIRLIFT

DESCRIPTION: MINNEAPOLIS — The Special Olympics have been a bastion of inclusion since the first Games in 1968. The Special Olympics Airlift has added to the athletes’ experience by flying them in from all over the country through a network of volunteers. By John Marshall. 700 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 06/25/2026 6:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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HKN--NHL DRAFT-PREVIEW

DESCRIPTION: With picks being swapped and the speculation of more trades in the works, there’s so much uncertainty over the NHL draft order and who the top-five prospects are even central scouting chief Dan Marr was second-guessing his rankings. What’s certain, for now, is the Toronto Maple Leafs hold the No. 1 pick with an opportunity to select Penn State forward Gavin McKenna when the draft opens in Buffalo on Friday night. By Hockey Writer John Wawrow. 650 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 06/25/2026 6:00 p.m. EDT

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WITH: HKN--NHL DRAFT-CAPSULES

DESCRIPTION: The two-day NHL draft will be held at the Buffalo Sabres; home this weekend, with the first round held on Friday night. The Toronto Maple Leafs have the No. 1 pick after winning the draft lottery. The San Jose Sharks are scheduled to pick second for the second straight year, followed by Vancouver, Buffalo and the New York Rangers. A capsule glance at the top prospects. 950 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 06/25/2026 6:00 p.m. EDT

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GLF--WOMEN’S PGA CHAMPIONSHIP

DESCRIPTION: The first round of the Women’s PGA Championship begins at Hazeltine National Golf Club.

UPCOMING: By 06/25/2026 8:00 p.m. EDT, Photo, Text

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NEW AND DEVELOPING

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FBN--LIONS-ARNOLD-ARMED ROBBERY

Detroit Lions player Terrion Arnold arrested in connection to Florida kidnapping and robbery

SUMMARY: Officials say Detroit Lions player Terrion Arnold has been arrested in connection to a kidnapping and robbery in Florida and faces felony charges. Tampa police said Wednesday that Arnold is accused of being the “primary conspirator” in February when three men in their late teens were held at gunpoint, battered and pistol-whipped. Police say some of their belongings stolen. A representative for Arnold says he denies being involved. Arnold is a starting cornerback for the Detroit Lions.

WORDS: 498 - MOVED: 06/25/2026 1:29 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:29d7fd7d76bdbcb8fe57d3375467d43e&mediaType=text

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SOC--WCUP-MEXICO-CZECH REPUBLIC

Mexico beats Czech Republic 3-0 to win all 3 World Cup group-stage matches for 1st time

SUMMARY: Mateo Chávez and Julián Quiñones scored goals in a six-minute span early in the second half, and Mexico beat the Czech Republic 3-0 to win all three of its World Cup group-stage matches for the first time. The 22-year-old Chávez, in his first World Cup, opened the scoring in the 55th minute and Quiñones scored his second goal of the tournament in the 61st. Alvaro Fidalgo added a goal in second-half stoppage time. Mexico’s previous best group-stage performance was two wins and one draw, done in 1986 and 2002. Already the winner of Group A, Mexico will play again at Azteca Stadium on Tuesday in a round-of-32 match.

WORDS: 844 - MOVED: 06/25/2026 1:10 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:95648448e882f4bd5fc125c9a86a095c&mediaType=text

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BBO--CUBS-SWANSON

Swanson’s epic doubleheader gives him best 4-game series in Cubs history -- with game left

SUMMARY: Thanks to a historic doubleheader performance Wednesday, Dansby Swanson is now the author of the best four-game series in Chicago Cubs history — with one game to spare.Swanson had a go-ahead RBI triple and four RBIs to cap a monster doubleheader Wednesday, when he led the Cubs to a sweep of the reeling New York Mets with a 10-5 win.Swanson hit a three-run homer and a grand slam in the Cubs’ 10-3 victory in the opener. The 11 RBIs in a doubleheader are a franchise record, breaking the mark of 10 set by Hall of Famer Ron Santo on July 6, 1970.The only other player in team history with a nine-RBI doubleheader is also a Hall of Famer — Billy Williams, who did it on Aug. 21, 1968.“A dream come true, just being able to have your name next to those guys,” Swanson said. “It’s amazing and special.”

WORDS: 649 - MOVED: 06/25/2026 12:19 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:f749caca7b0872085ff087a9d20672b8&mediaType=text

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SOC--WCUP-BRAZIL-VINICIUS JR

Vinícius Júnior silences critics with 2 more goals, giving him 4 in this World Cup for Brazil

SUMMARY: Vinícius Júnior is proving his critics wrong at the World Cup. The Brazilian star has scored four goals, just behind Lionel Messi’s five. On Wednesday, he netted two in Brazil’s 3-0 win over Scotland. Vinícius is tied with Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland in the Golden Boot race. He’s also the fifth Brazilian to score in all three group stage games, the first since 2002. Under coach Carlo Ancelotti, Vinícius has flourished, scoring seven goals in 13 games. He credits Ancelotti for his success and aims to improve further in the competition.

WORDS: 457 - MOVED: 06/24/2026 11:36 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:e48e5e59115bc3921ad8d035cb412527&mediaType=text

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BKN--NBA DRAFT

NBA draft finishes up in New York, where some second-round picks are revered

SUMMARY: Some of New York’s biggest basketball heroes were second-round draft picks. Like Jalen Brunson, the guy marching through Manhattan with the Larry O’Brien Trophy in his arms last week during a joyous parade celebration. And Willis Reed, the guy who limped into Game 7 of the NBA Finals to lift the Knicks to their first championship. The NBA draft resumed Wednesday night with the Knicks on the clock. They drafted Ohio State guard Bruce Thornton, but had already agreed to trade the rights to the pick to Houston by the time NBA deputy commissioner Mark Tatum announced the selection.

WORDS: 764 - MOVED: 06/24/2026 11:11 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:09b7b724cacb091ab777adb63edb7a91&mediaType=text

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BKL--FEVER-CLARK INJURY

Caitlin Clark leaves Fever’s loss with a back injury, doesn’t return after 3rd-quarter scare

SUMMARY: Caitlin Clark left the Indiana Fever’s loss to Phoenix with a back injury in the third quarter. The All-Star guard has been dealing with a back issue this season and left with 5:15 remaining in the third quarter. She went back to the locker room and didn’t return. Clark appeared to tweak her back in the second quarter when she was fouled shooting a 3-pointer in the second quarter. She fell to the ground and was rubbing her back as she stood up. In the first quarter she went back to the tunnel and returned to the bench wearing a wrap around her back. She finished the game with 19 points and eight assists in 20 minutes.

WORDS: 341 - MOVED: 06/24/2026 11:09 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:63bdedac14322edc3375943ce0c2c086&mediaType=text

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SOC--WCUP-MEXICO-HOMOPHOBIC CHANT

Homophobic chant returns in Mexico’s World Cup match against the Czech Republic

SUMMARY: Fans at Mexico’s final World Cup group stage match on Wednesday chanted a slur that has previously led to fines against the country’s soccer federation. The chant, which means male prostitute in Spanish, was heard at the Azteca stadium during the first half when Czech goalkeeper Matej Kovar took a goal kick. This chant has cost Mexico hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines from FIFA. It became popular about 25 years ago and is used to intimidate goalkeepers. Despite efforts by the Mexican soccer federation to stop it, the chant has persisted through several World Cups.

WORDS: 171 - MOVED: 06/24/2026 11:02 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:3a37becc5d7f4ed5832dcf982a303401&mediaType=text

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SOC--WCUP-SCOTLAND-BRAZIL

Vinícius Júnior scores 2 goals as Brazil beats Scotland 3-0 to win its World Cup group

SUMMARY: Vinícius Júnior scored two goals, Matheus Cunha also scored and five-time World Cup champion Brazil beat Scotland 3-0, advancing to the knockout stage as the Group C winner. Vinícius has a goal in all three of Brazil’s group matches. He scored in the seventh minute and again just before halftime, tying Norway’s Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappé with of France with four goals, one behind Lionel Messi of Argentina. Morocco finished second in the group and also advanced, rallying to beat Haiti 4-2. Neymar entered as a substitute in the 76th, making his debut after a right calf injury sidelined him for Brazil’s first two matches.

WORDS: 578 - MOVED: 06/24/2026 9:33 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:4447ba4bd5642b7c0e2e2b5af6516538&mediaType=text

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US-STALKING-SOPHIE CUNNINGHAM-INDIANA

Indiana man charged after being accused of stalking WNBA player Sophie Cunningham

SUMMARY: An Indiana man has been charged on accusations he stalked WNBA player Sophie Cunningham and sent her threatening and explicit messages on social media. Kevin Singh was charged Wednesday with felony charges for stalking and intimidation, as well as a misdemeanor harassment charge. The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office said he was arrested Tuesday. Cunningham told investigators she had been staying at home more and having nightmares because of Singh’s continued messages. The incident comes after Cunningham’s teammate, WNBA star Caitlin Clark, was the victim of stalking and harassing by a different man from Texas who was sentenced last year to 2 1/2 years in prison.

WORDS: 379 - MOVED: 06/24/2026 8:48 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:08d7fe9943395a43f2e08aa317436602&mediaType=text

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HKN--TRADES RDP

Sabres trade Tuch to the Capitals in sign-and-trade deal. Nashville lands Drury from Colorado

SUMMARY: The Sabres dealt Alex Tuch to the Washington Capitals in a sign-and-trade deal that got the veteran forward his desired long-term contract, with Buffalo acquiring assets in return for a player the team anticipated losing in free agency. The Capitals announced Buffalo signing Tuch to an eight-year, $84 million contract before sending him to Washington. This is Washington’s second big addition after acquiring Jordan Kyrou from St. Louis. Buffalo also sent defenseman Bo Byram to Chicago. In another trade, Nashville acquired Jack Drury from Colorado. San Jose GM Mike Grier noted increased activity due to the rising salary cap. The sign-and-trade was Buffalo’s only option to get value for Tuch.

WORDS: 702 - MOVED: 06/24/2026 8:35 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:2c922ee4500b671498496b57a50c13b4&mediaType=text

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GLF--WOMEN’S PGA CHAMPIONSHIP

Nelly Korda is 2 for 2 in major titles this season. The Women’s PGA at Hazeltine National is next

SUMMARY: The latest stop for Nelly Korda in this busy summer is the Women’s PGA Championship in Minnesota. The top-ranked player in the world will try this week to hoist a third straight major trophy when the event comes to Hazeltine National Golf Club. The only women to win the first three majors of a season are Inbee Park in 2013 and Babe Zaharias in 1950. Korda’s prize money has passed $5.3 million this year. She has won four of nine tournaments she has entered with only one finish outside of the top 10.

WORDS: 742 - MOVED: 06/24/2026 7:56 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:c5044227e52affe1e1a49e49ce4361c9&mediaType=text

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SOC--WCUP-US-PULISIC

Christian Pulisic feels ‘great,’ hopes to play for US in final World Cup group game vs Turkey

SUMMARY: Christian Pulisic says he feels “great” now after missing one World Cup match with a calf injury. He hopes to play for the U.S. in its final group match against Turkey. Pulisic played a dynamic first half in the Americans’ historic 4-1 victory over Paraguay to open their home World Cup nearly two weeks ago, but the AC Milan midfielder came off at halftime after an injury from training stiffened up. Pulisic said nearly played in the U.S’ 2-0 victory over Australia but was held out to get closer to full fitness for the games ahead.

WORDS: 741 - MOVED: 06/24/2026 7:37 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:26b47e930294d87a44de48fc435211eb&mediaType=text

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HKN--TEXAS EXPANSION-EXPLAINER

Why Texas? Explaining the ins and outs of the NHL exploring a team for Houston or Austin

SUMMARY: The NHL has taken the first step toward expanding to add a second team in Texas. The league agreed to terms with billionaire Dan Friedkin and his family to explore over the next six months the feasibility of putting a franchise in Houston or Austin. Experts say the decision makes sense based on the population growth in each of those markets. But it is unclear how much of an appetite there is in either city for a hockey team at the highest level of the sport. The Dallas Stars’ American Hockey League affiliate is in an Austin suburb, while Houston had a team in the World Hockey Association in the 1970s.

WORDS: 985 - MOVED: 06/24/2026 7:08 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:354bc738a02804d6db2c9fcf5a958cf4&mediaType=text

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SOC--WCUP-US-POCHETTINO’S PERSPECTIVE

Mauricio Pochettino says rebuilding US team is tougher than he imagined, but he’s making progress

SUMMARY: Mauricio Pochettino says he was surprised and naive when he took over the U.S. team nearly two years before the World Cup. The coach of the Americans says he understood the obstacles inherent in his first job with a national team, he didn’t anticipate the scope of the rebuild that would be necessary in a program that had enjoyed only erratic success on the international stage. Pochettino says he needed the time since his hiring to build the culture and accountability needed for the U.S. to succeed at its home World Cup. His team has opened the tournament with back-to-back victories in group stage play.

WORDS: 987 - MOVED: 06/24/2026 6:42 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:22fcf1dca23783652804fe72629b5ccf&mediaType=text

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US--NCAA-ELIGIBILITY RULES-OHIO LAWSUIT

Ohio lawsuit alleges new NCAA rule unfairly denies high school Class of ’22 athletes a 5th season

SUMMARY: Fifteen college basketball players filed a lawsuit in an Ohio state court claiming the NCAA’s new age-based model unfairly shuts them out of further competition. The NCAA will now allow athletes five seasons of competition over a five-year period that begins with their full-time enrollment or the academic year following their 19th birthday, whichever occurs first. Athletes whose eligibility expired by spring 2026 under the traditional model will not be allowed a fifth year of competition. The lawsuit was filed in Cincinnati and seeks a ruling that would allow a fifth year of competition for those athletes.

WORDS: 670 - MOVED: 06/24/2026 6:42 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:fce719f16c94ba6442c9fa812cc308a1&mediaType=text

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BKL--SPARKS-PLUM INJURED

Sparks hit hard as Kelsey Plum sidelined indefinitely, out at least 10 games

SUMMARY: Los Angeles Sparks guard Kelsey Plum is out indefinitely with a lower left leg injury. The team says she’ll be evaluated in four weeks, meaning she’ll miss at least the next 10 games. Plum missed three games earlier this season with a right ankle sprain she sustained in practice. She is second in the WNBA in scoring with 23.9 points per game and sixth in the league in assists with 6.4 per game. The Sparks are 1-3 without Plum in the lineup.

WORDS: 104 - MOVED: 06/24/2026 6:00 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:7f82af85370a1565f77fb5729ecf0c89&mediaType=text

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BBO--CARDINALS-RESTRUCTURING

Bill DeWitt III promoted from president to chief executive officer of the Cardinals

SUMMARY: Bill DeWitt III has been named chief executive officer of the St. Louis Cardinals after serving as team president since 2008. The Cardinals also promoted Anuk Karunaratne to president of business operations as part of a restructuring following Chaim Bloom’s appointment as president of baseball operations last September. DeWitt has overseen the opening of Busch Stadium in 2006 and the development and launch of Ballpark Village Phase I in 2014 and Phase II in 2020. Bill DeWitt Jr. continues as chairman and principal owner and will continue his involvement in team baseball and business matters.

WORDS: 572 - MOVED: 06/24/2026 4:06 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:1198f849de2ab39f2265285e2217e366&mediaType=text

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SOC--WCUP-WOMEN’S WORLD CUP-YEAR TO GO

As eyes are on the men at the World Cup, the Women’s World Cup countdown has begun

SUMMARY: While most of the soccer world is focused on the men at the World Cup, the countdown has begun for the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil. The women’s tournament is set to start June 24, 2027, hosted by a South American country for the first time. Brazil hosted the men’s World Cup in 1950 and 2014. Preview events were held in Rio de Janeiro and Miami to celebrate the countdown. Even in Vancouver, British Columbia, at Wednesday’s World Cup match between Switzerland and co-host Canada, video signage flashed with ads for the upcoming women’s tournament.

WORDS: 652 - MOVED: 06/24/2026 3:56 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:34a1ffe9099a3336af88ec329524f016&mediaType=text

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BKL--ALL-STAR VOTING

Indiana’s Aliyah Boston and Caitlin Clark surge to 1-2 in WNBA All-Star fan voting

SUMMARY: Indiana teammates Aliyah Boston and Caitlin Clark are 1-2 in the fan voting for this year’s All-Star game. Four-time league MVP A’ja Wilson is third about 11,000 votes behind Clark. The Las Vegas Aces star led the initial fan ballots. Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers is fourth, about 18,000 votes behind Wilson. New York’s Breanna Stewart was next. Rounding out the top 10 were Jessica Shepard of Dallas, Angel Reese of Atlanta, Gabby Williams of Golden State, Kelsey Mitchell of Indiana and Minnesota rookie Olivia Miles.

WORDS: 318 - MOVED: 06/24/2026 3:51 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:03b512e80ef954b8490cf31e52c57611&mediaType=text

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SOC--WCUP-VOZINHA

Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha seeks new club after World Cup stardom, doesn’t rule out Brazil move

SUMMARY: Vozinha, one of the sensations of the World Cup, is looking for a new club. And the 40-year-old Cape Verde goalkeeper hasn’t ruled out playing in Brazil where fans helped him reach immediate stardom on social media. Vozinha says in an interview with Brazilian journalist and influencer Daniel Braune that his contract with second-division Portuguese club Chaves has ended and he wants to keep playing and is keen on finding a new team following his success in the tournament. Cape Verde faces Saudi Arabia on Friday with a chance to advance to the knockout rounds.

WORDS: 438 - MOVED: 06/24/2026 3:24 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:80923b9e8fa0b2b1a6c67ccdf5aae294&mediaType=text

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US--CLIMATE-OLYMPIANS-EPA

In a visit to Capitol, Jessie Diggins and other Olympians push for climate change solutions

SUMMARY: Olympian Jessie Diggins visited Capitol Hill with her four medals in hand to advocate for clean air, clean water and a healthy planet. America’s most decorated cross-country skier is part of “Protect Our Winters,” an athlete-driven environmental group that sent a coalition to Washington to meet with lawmakers Tuesday and Wednesday. The group is most concerned with how the Environmental Protection Agency has weakened key climate, water and pollution regulations since President Donald Trump returned to office. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin has said the agency will save trillions of dollars in regulatory costs and hidden taxes, to make the cost of living more affordable and reignite domestic manufacturing.

WORDS: 1021 - MOVED: 06/24/2026 3:07 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:446af423a8f1c11658ef0fae4b39653c&mediaType=text

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BKN--LAKERS-REAVES

Lakers will re-sign Austin Reaves to a 4-year, $185 million deal, AP source says

SUMMARY: Austin Reaves is re-signing with the Los Angeles Lakers on a four-year contract worth $185 million, a person with knowledge of the deal tells The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal is not yet official for Reaves, who cements his status as one of the most successful undrafted players in NBA history with this contract. Reaves is declining his $14.9 million player option for the upcoming season to ink this extension with the team that signed him out of Oklahoma after the draft in 2021. The shifty guard has grown into one of the NBA’s most effective scorers and playmakers.

WORDS: 437 - MOVED: 06/24/2026 2:03 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:d68ddb3b3dcb7bd84456cb4e0bab00cb&mediaType=text