INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Keaton Wagler's unexpected rise to the No. 5 pick in the NBA draft has his head spinning. The 19-year-old guard was introduced to Los Angeles Clippers fans at Intuit Dome on Wednesday. Wagler had just two scholarship offers from Power Five schools after leading his suburban Kansas City high school to two state championships. He helped Illinois reach the Final Four as the Big Ten freshman of the year. With the Clippers, he'll wear No. 1 to signify his first season as a pro.
UNDATED (AP) — 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.
UNDATED (AP) — The NCAA adopted a new eligibility model for Division I athletes allowing five seasons of competition over a five-year period beginning upon initial college enrollment or the academic year following their 19th birthday, whichever occurs first. The Division I Cabinet approved the change from the longstanding tenet of college sports that gave athletes five years to complete four seasons of competition with their eligibility clock starting at the time of enrollment, regardless of age. It eliminates waivers for extended eligibility except for pregnancy, religious missions or active-duty military service. No longer will extensions be considered for athletes who are injured.
UNDATED (AP) — The NCAA has approved a new eligibility model for Division I athletes, limiting them to five years to complete five seasons. This change aims to bring order to a chaotic system affected by redshirt decisions, injuries, NIL opportunities, and pandemic-era complexities. The eligibility clock starts when an athlete enrolls full-time or after their 19th birthday, whichever occurs first. If upheld legally, this rule will significantly impact athlete development. Tyler Shough, who benefited from extended eligibility, believes future athletes should have similar opportunities. Others see potential benefits, like increased loyalty and excitement in recruiting, despite some concerns.
UNDATED (AP) — The NCAA announces a major change to eligibility rules for Division I athletes. The new rules aim to reduce chaos in college sports since athletes gained the right to earn money and transfer without penalty. Athletes will now have five seasons of competition over five years, starting with full-time enrollment or the academic year after their 19th birthday. Waivers for injuries or redshirt years will mostly end, except for specific cases like religious missions or military service. The changes aim to stabilize rosters and simplify rules after legal battles over revenue sharing and transfers.
UNDATED (AP) — Brendan Sorsby will have to wait until 2027 to begin his NFL career. The NFL informed the 22-year-old quarterback on Tuesday that it will not hold a supplemental draft this year, and encouraged him to focus on preparing for possible entry into the league through the regular draft next year. The league told Sorsby of its decision in a letter that was obtained by The Associated Press. Sorsby had applied for the supplemental draft after a legal battle with the NCAA, which had declared him ineligible for making thousands of bets on sporting events worth at least $90,000 during his college career.
BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Gavin McKenna has impressed Penn State hockey coach Guy Gadowsky with his competitiveness, even in ping-pong. Gadowsky says McKenna's rapid improvement in table tennis reflects his ability to adapt and excel, similar to his performance on the ice. McKenna, projected as the No. 1 NHL draft pick, has been on the radar since 2023-24. He chose college hockey to challenge himself and prove he can compete at a higher level. The Toronto Maple Leafs have shown interest in him and they hold the No. 1 pick going into draft week.
UNDATED (AP) — The players selected in Tuesday's first round of the 2026 NBA draft. BYU freshman forward AJ Dybantsa went with the No. 1 overall pick to the Washington Wizards. The Utah Jazz followed by choosing Kansas freshman guard Darryn Peterson with the No. 2 pick. Memphis took Duke freshman forward Cameron Boozer at No. 3 after Boozer was named AP national player of the year. Chicago took North Carolina freshman forward Caleb Wilson with the No. 4 pick. National champion Michigan saw forwards Morez Johnson Jr., and Yaxel Lendeborg join big man Aday Mara in going in the top 12 picks.
