Good Morning,
It’s draft day. The chaos is in full force after last night’s trade winds started blowing. Kristaps Porzingis and Marcus Smart are on the move in a three-team deal. Plenty of rumors and player opt-outs make tonight all the more interesting. Get ready. Picks coming…
Letter Rip!
NBA
The Draft Day Primer
Rumors, Buzz & Trades Ahead of the 2023 NBA Draft (Tonight, 8:00 pm ET, ESPN)
Today is the day! The 2023 NBA Draft is mere hours away with the excitement buzzing around the league. The Denver Nuggets are just 10 days removed from winning their first championship, but it’s back to the drawing board for all 30 teams. We know Victor Wembanyama will be the No. 1 pick, but things get interesting after that. It’s a night full of realized dreams and fitted caps for the newest NBA additions.
You can check out our second NBA Mock Draft from yesterday’s edition, but here’s a quick download of all the rumors, buzz, and headlines ahead of tonight’s big show, including a three-team stunner between the Celtics, Grizzlies, and Wizards.
Trade Alert
Celtics, Grizzlies & Wizards Complete 3-Team Deal
Draft Picks & Rumors
Nuggets & Pacers Swap Late 1st, Early 2nd Picks
Michael Jordan to Make Hornets Pick Despite Selling Team
Jazz Exploring Trade Options Up To No. 5 Pick
Villanova’s Cam Whitmore Reportedly Falling Out of Top-5
Free Agency & Other Rumors
Blazers ‘Shut Down’ Incoming Offers for Damian Lillard
Bucks’ Khris Middleton Opts Out, Hits Free Agency
Nuggets’ Bruce Brown Opts Out, Hits Free Agency
Wizards’ Kyle Kuzma Opts Out, Hits Free Agency
Read More
CBS Sports: 1 Trade Idea for All 14 Lottery Teams
ESPN: Player Comps for All 14 Projected Lottery Picks
Sporting News: The 50 Most-Hyped Draft Prospects of All-Time
USA Today: Wembanyama Seen as Generational Prospect, But How Did Similar NBA Picks Do?
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USWNT
Meet the Squad
U.S. Women’s National Team Reveals Roster for 2023 FIFA World Cup
We’re officially one month away from kickoff at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, and the squad is set. U.S. Women’s National Team coach Vlatko Andonovski chose his 23 players this week, and the roster video was released Wednesday with the help of President Biden, Taylor Swift and other celebrities. Nine players are familiar names from World Cups past, but 14 newcomers will add excitement and youth to a team searching for its third straight World Cup crown. Here’s everything you need to know about the official USWNT roster heading to Australia & New Zealand in just a few weeks.
USWNT’s 2023 World Cup Roster
*Denotes previous World Cup appearances
USWNT By The Numbers
14 — Players making World Cup debut
9 — Players with previous World Cup experience
5 — Members of the last two World Cup titles
(Morgan, Rapinoe, Ertz, Naeher & O’Hara)
Injury Holes: The devastating injury to captain Becky Sauerbrunn leaves a big hole on defense. Sam Mewis is also out of the World Cup with an injury, but her sister, Kristie, gets the nod. Star forward Catarina Macario is also out with an injury.
The Veterans: Some of Andonovski’s most surprising picks were maybe the most recognizable names. Notable names like Carli Lloyd, Tobin Heath, and Christen Press aren’t in the picture, but 38-year-old Megan Rapinoe and 33-year-old Alex Morgan are the household names up top. Both Morgan and Rapinoe have nine World Cup goals apiece. Julie Ertz is also back after returning from maternity leave in April.
Young Players to Watch: A host of newcomers on defense and in the midfield will likely get playing time in the early rounds when potential blowouts are likely, but it’s the young forwards behind Morgan and Rapinoe who could prove most exciting. Trinity Rodman (21) — daughter of former NBA star Dennis Rodman — Sophia Smith (22) and Alyssa Thompson (18) are all promising future stars we’re excited to see.
One month to go! The USWNT’s first match is scheduled for July 21st against Vietnam.
Read More
ESPN: Analysis of USWNT Roster: Surprises, Snubs & More
WSJ: U.S. Women’s World Cup Roster Relying on Newcomers
NY Times: U.S. Women’s World Cup Roster Reflects a Team in Transition
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MLB
All-Star Ballots
Last Day to Vote for the 2023 MLB All-Star Game (Noon ET)
It’s the last chance to vote for MLB All-Stars! The first 75 games are in the books, and we’re just two weeks away from the All-Star festivities. The first phase of MLB All-Star voting ends today (Noon ET). After the top two players at each position are announced, they’ll enter a head-to-head ballot from June 26-29 to determine the starting lineups. The final rosters and starters will be announced on Thursday, June 29 (7:00 pm ET). Here’s where they stand before today’s final ballots.
MLB All-Star Voting Leaders
American League
C: Adley Rutschman (Orioles)
1B: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Blue Jays)
2B: Marcus Semien (Rangers)
3B: Matt Chapman (Blue Jays)
SS: Bo Bichette (Blue Jays)
LF: Randy Arozarena (Rays)
CF: Mike Trout (Angels)
RF: Aaron Judge (Yankees)
DH: Shohei Ohtani (Angels)
National League
C: Sean Murphy (Braves)
1B: Freddie Freeman (Dodgers)
2B: Luis Arraez (Marlins)
3B: Nolan Arenado (Cardinals)
SS: Orlando Arcia (Braves)
LF: Corbin Carroll (Diamondbacks)
CF: Ronald Acuna Jr. (Braves)
RF: Mookie Betts (Dodgers)
DH: J.D. Martinez (Dodgers)
MLB All-Star Ballot (Cast Votes)
Voting Ends Today (Noon ET)
MLB Quick-Hitters
Reds Win 11th Straight, Longest Streak Since ’57
Ohtani Ks 12 in 7 Innings, But Dodgers Shut Out Angels (2-0)
4-Run 5th Inning Lifts Giants Over Padres (4-2) for 10th Straight
Cubs Complete Sweep of Pirates (8-3), Won 8 of Last 10
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HIGHLIGHTS
College World Series
#2 Florida Tops TCU (3-2) on 9th-Inning Thriller to Reach CWS Finals
#5 LSU Beats #1 Wake Forest (5-2), Force Winner-Take-All for Finals Spot
#1 Wake Forest vs. #5 LSU (Tonight, 7:00 pm ET)
MLS
Philly’s Jose Martinez Strikes Super-Volley From 30 Yards
WNBA
Aces Improve to 11-1 With 20-Point Thrashing of Mercury (99-79)
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STORYLINES
From draft eligibility rules to rookie contracts to cold free agent markets, one position gets squeezed every step of the way. (Sports Illustrated)
The U.S. Soccer search for a coach ultimately landed back on Gregg Berhalter. What will the next three years look like leading into the 2026 World Cup? (ESPN+)
Novak Djokovic and Iga Swiatek are actually beatable (maybe). In that spirit, here are five dark horses who can upset the odds at Wimbledon in July. (World Tennis Mag)
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SCHEDULE
Today’s Must-Watch List
NBA Draft
Tonight (8:00 pm ET, ESPN)
MLB
Braves at Phillies (1:05 pm ET)
Padres at Giants (3:45 pm ET)
Mariners at Yankees (7:05 pm ET)
College World Series
#1 Wake Forest vs. #5 LSU (7:00 pm ET)
*Winner to face #2 Florida in CWS Finals
LPGA Tour
Women’s LPGA Championship (Today-Sunday)
Download The Sportsletter’s Must-Watch Calendar
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POLL
Question of the Day
How do you think Victor Wembanyama’s NBA career projection plays out? (click to vote)
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