NEWS: The men’s and women’s tournaments will grow from 68 teams to 76 next season, the NCAA announced Thursday. 24 of the 76 teams participating will play in an expanded “March Madness Opening Round.”

“It was a dream of his to be an NBA player for as long as I could remember. Just trying to honor him in that way. I’m living this dream for me, obviously, but also for him.” @jxlorenzi.bsky.social on how Ajay Mitchell is carrying the dreams of his late father: www.nytimes.com/athletic/725...

The WNBA is on the verge of its most visible season yet. But the conversation around it? That’s at a crossroads. Fans can either elevate the discourse — or let it drift into the same noise that defines NBA spaces. Read for free: www.nytimes.com/athletic/724...

The WNBA enters a new era when its 30th season tips off Friday with the expansion to 15 teams, including one in a new country. Amid so much change, there is a constant, and that is the Las Vegas Aces.

NEWS: After a storied career that included 14 seasons in the WNBA, two national championships at UConn, three Olympic gold medals and hundreds of games overseas, Tina Charles told The Athletic she has retired from professional basketball. Read more: www.nytimes.com/athletic/725...

NEWS: Sabrina Ionescu will miss at least two weeks after suffering a left foot injury in the New York Liberty’s final preseason game on Sunday, according to a source. www.nytimes.com/athletic/725...

From @theathletic.com: The Pulitzer for audio reporting went to the staff of “Pablo Torre Finds Out” for an investigation into how the Los Angeles Clippers seemingly evaded the NBA’s salary cap by funneling money to a star player. Watch the series on YouTube: nyti.ms/4ncOXCT

The New York Times won three Pulitzer Prizes, for investigative reporting, opinion writing and breaking news photography. The Athletic, the sports site owned by The New York Times Company, won for audio. The Washington Post won the prestigious public service prize. www.nytimes.com/2026/05/04/b...

The Chicago Sky have signed three-time All-Star Natasha Cloud to a one-year, $550,000 deal, sources told The Athletic. The Sky also waived Hailey Van Lith, the team announced. www.nytimes.com/athletic/725...

The 2026 WNBA regular season tips off this week! 🏀 Want the biggest stories in women's basketball, with insights from The Athletic's reporting team, free to your inbox? Sign up for the No Offseason weekly newsletter, officially launching tomorrow ⤵️ www.nytimes.com/athletic/new...

Angel Reese returns to Wintrust Arena tonight, debuting a new Dream as her former team looks to turn the page. But, for a Sky team that has been in a three-year free fall from championship contention, what makes this time different? nytimes.com/athletic/723...

NEWS: Texas Tech announced Monday that quarterback Brendan Sorsby will take an “immediate indefinite leave of absence” from the football program as he enters a residential treatment program for a gambling addiction.

From @theathletic.com: Two years after losing his older brother, Drew, in a car accident, Denver Nuggets star Aaron Gordon is playing with a new purpose. Now wearing No. 32 to honor Drew’s legacy, Gordon is finding strength in grief.

BREAKING: Billy Donovan has stepped down as head coach of the Chicago Bulls, the franchise announced. The Bulls are coming off a 31-51 season in Donovan’s sixth year in Chicago.

Rather than close up shop or embrace a Plan B, LIV seems determined to accelerate through the bend. @brodymiller.bsky.social on what's happening behind the scenes ⤵️ www.nytimes.com/athletic/721...

Went to Mexico City to separate fact from fiction with what's happening at LIV Golf. The answer: It's complicated. www.nytimes.com/athletic/721...

NEWS: The Athletic welcomes Annie Costabile as a senior national women’s basketball writer. Follow @anniecostabile.bsky.social for elite coverage as she tells the stories shaping the game.

In a world where the concept of a Next Tiger was borderline absurd, someone still had to be next. Someone in sports always has to be next. And Sunday evening, following his back-to-back Masters win, it was never clearer that Rory McIlroy has been a worthy successor.

Enough player movement has taken place during the WNBA's free agency to warrant a reexamination of Monday night's draft, especially at the top.

Rory McIlroy’s first Masters win was so big, and so cathartic, and so history-bending, that it had to be a shared experience. This one? It was in the family. www.nytimes.com/athletic/719...

Without the ability to take a photo or FaceTime a friend, the exchanges are instantly more intimate in nature. @gabbyherzig.bsky.social on an experience that everyone can appreciate ⤵️ www.nytimes.com/athletic/718...

Mark Davis thought the hire would revive the franchise and he was willing to hand Gruden a 10-year, $100 million contract to prove it. “It was all just so desperate.” An inside look from @zakkeefer.bsky.social on Gruden’s disastrous second run with the Raiders: www.nytimes.com/athletic/715...

Just four days ago, UCLA was crowned champion in the NCAA Tournament. And in four days, the 2026 WNBA Draft will occur. Our final first-round mock:

I asked Dusty May if I could walk back to the team hotel every time he left the stadium this week. Come along for the ride, including one final celebratory walk last night. Free link: www.nytimes.com/athletic/717...

The college basketball transfer portal opens Tuesday, and the comings and goings in April will have a major impact on what the preseason Top 25 looks like for 2026-27. But what’s the fun in waiting?

NEWS: With less than a week remaining in the 2025-26 season, the Chicago Bulls have fired Artūras Karnišovas and Marc Eversley, their two leading basketball decision-makers in the front office. www.nytimes.com/athletic/717...

A story on chasing your interest, changing perspectives, and The Kid at 56 www.nytimes.com/athletic/717...

Five reasons why the Cubs’ $141 million extension for Nico Hoerner makes sense. www.nytimes.com/athletic/717...

Is Arizona-Michigan on Saturday the real national championship game? 19 of the 24 writers and editors we surveyed this week picked Arizona or Michigan to win it all. Here are our picks for the men’s Final Four: www.nytimes.com/athletic/716...

UConn coach Geno Auriemma and South Carolina counterpart Dawn Staley engaged in a heated argument in the women’s Final Four on Friday. The confrontation wasn’t about a handshake, @jerrybrewer.bsky.social writes. It was about a shift in control.

The picks are in and the first rosters in Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo history are being formed 👀 Here’s who each team selected in the 2026 WNBA Expansion Draft.

The ABS challenge system has been a learning process that’s felt almost experimental. But when all’s said and done, there’s less to complain about. Full story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/716...

Welcome to WNBA Expansion Draft day 📝 Each of the 13 existing teams can protect five players — these can be players who are under contract or free agents. Here’s who the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo might select (Free to read): www.nytimes.com/athletic/714...

From @theathletic.com: Last year, UConn spent more than $34 million on its men’s and women’s basketball teams. So, where exactly did that money go? We examined UConn’s fiscal year documents, plus the contracts for coaches Geno Auriemma and Dan Hurley.

After Hideki Matsuyama’s win at Augusta National five years ago this week, CBS cameraman Erik Leidal saw something out of the corner of his eye. “And that,” Leidal says, “is when Shota Hayafuji appeared.”

For the third straight postseason, Jon Scheyer’s Duke team is done in stunning fashion. Another collapse. Another double-digit lead gone. Another ending that adds to a growing pattern. At some point, it’s no longer a one-off. It’s the narrative.

Seriously, the best basketball coach in the country may be in Iowa City

North Carolina's wish list includes some of the best coaches in the country. And sources familiar with the program’s thinking indicate two coaches as the Tar Heel's present priorities: ◽️ Billy Donovan, Chicago Bulls ◽️ Tommy Lloyd, Arizona

NEWS: North Carolina has officially split with coach Hubert Davis, the school announced on Tuesday night, officially opening one of the sport’s premier jobs. The move comes days after UNC’s stunning NCAA Tournament collapse against VCU.

Step into the film room with Purdue’s Braden Smith, who will become the NCAA’s all-time assist king today. Had a blast taking this trip back through Smith’s career with him (free to read): www.nytimes.com/athletic/713...

In its matchup with No. 1 Duke, No. 16 Siena ultimately ran out of gas. The Saints didn't make a substitution until there were 10.8 seconds left in the game.

TURNT SIENA

An investigation by The New York Times found extensive evidence that Cesar Chavez, the United Farm Workers co-founder, groomed and sexually abused young girls who worked in the movement. nyti.ms/4bsG2rl

We haven’t really gotten to know Darryn Peterson or the details behind what’s been going on with his health this year. I got him to open up some about a visit to the hospital and set out on a mission to learn more about who he is. His story (free to read): www.nytimes.com/athletic/712...

BREAKING: The WNBA and its players union have come to a verbal agreement on the terms of a new collective bargaining agreement. The deal comes after more than a year of tumultuous negotiations.

For generations, March Madness delivered on its name. Valpo. Fairleigh Dickinson. VCU. But now, in a landscape governed by money and movement, are Cinderella stories becoming harder to conjure?

From @theathletic.com: Duke, Michigan and Arizona have put up historically good numbers — meaning favorites could dominate the Final Four again this March Madness. Here are our expert's picks to win during the men's NCAA Tournament: nyti.ms/4bwWRl3

Welcome to The Athletic’s men’s NCAA Tournament big board, where you can find an in-depth breakdown of all 68 teams in the March Madness field. If you’re looking to research the teams before filling out your bracket, you’re in the right place. 🎁 Free to read: www.nytimes.com/athletic/709...

From @theathletic.com: Duke is the top overall seed in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament. See who’s in, who’s out and the full bracket.

Let the Madness begin. Who’s your Cinderella team for the 2026 men’s March Madness Tournament?