The Golden State Valkyries have traded eighth overall pick Flau’jae Johnson to the Seattle Storm just 45 minutes after drafting her in New York.
In a stunning move on WNBA draft night, the expansion franchise sent the dynamic guard to Seattle in exchange for Marta Suarez and a 2028 second-round selection.
The former LSU All-American had only just heard her name called at the podium before the unexpected transaction occurred.
Valkyries remain tight-lipped over trade
Golden State general manager Ohemaa Nyanin declined to provide specific reasons for the rapid departure of the 2023 national champion.
I’m going to take a beat to be able to eloquently give a response. I don’t have a lot of detail to share.
Nyanin added that she wanted to be thoughtful when discussing players and their abilities, while refusing to comment on whether salary cap implications played a role.
The Valkyries will now welcome Suarez, a 6ft 3in post player who averaged 17.1 points and 7.4 rebounds for TCU this season.
Storm secure an unexpected star
Seattle will pair their new acquisition with third overall pick Awa Fam Thiam as they look to build a formidable young core.
Storm general manager Talisa Rhea expressed her delight at securing the high-profile talent, who is also a signed Roc Nation recording artist.
The opportunity to add Flau’jae was really exciting and incredible for us. We didn’t think that she would be available at that point.
Rhea confirmed the Pacific Northwest side had been exploring opportunities to move up in the draft for an impact player.
The guard leaves college basketball tied for the second-most wins in LSU history, having averaged 14.2 points and 2.5 assists during her senior campaign.
National champions UCLA have made WNBA Draft history in New York after becoming the first team to see five players selected in the opening round on Monday night.
Lauren Betts, Gabriela Jaquez and Kiki Rice led the historic evening by being taken with the fourth, fifth and sixth overall picks respectively.
The remarkable achievement comes barely a week after the Bruins secured their first NCAA championship following a dominant 37-1 season.
Draft dominance follows NCAA success
The Washington Mystics selected the 6-foot-7 Betts at number four to significantly bolster their frontcourt.
Jaquez was immediately drafted next by the Chicago Sky, before expansion franchise Toronto Tempo made Rice their first draft pick at number six.
Angela Dugalic then joined her former centre in Washington after being chosen ninth overall, leaving the squad anxiously waiting for one more milestone selection.
Gianna Kneepkens sealed the record-breaking moment when the Connecticut Sun drafted her with the 15th and final pick of the first round.
Surpassing a historic UConn benchmark
The Californian side shattered the previous benchmark of four first-round selections set by the undefeated 2002 UConn Huskies.
That legendary 39-0 Huskies squad saw Sue Bird, Swin Cash, Asjha Jones and Tamika Williams all drafted within the top six.
Head coach Cori Close sat alongside her players throughout the event, watching her title-winning roster successfully transition to the professional ranks.
“These are like my sisters, and getting to watch your family do something like that is amazing,” Betts said.
The newly drafted Mystics player admitted she was entirely unsurprised by the recognition given her teammates’ relentless work ethic.
“We knew the type of players that we had on the team, and to really just have this night showcase all of the things that we’ve worked on all season is just amazing,” she added.
A sixth championship winner, Charlisse Leger-Walker, concluded the celebrations when she was taken 18th overall by Connecticut in the second round.
Former UConn star Azzi Fudd has been selected as the number one overall pick by the Dallas Wings in the WNBA draft, securing a landmark $500,000 rookie salary and a reunion with former team-mate Paige Bueckers.
The highly rated guard’s selection marks the second consecutive year the Texas franchise has used the top pick on a University of Connecticut standout.
Bueckers, who went first overall to the Wings last year, was in attendance in New York alongside several other collegiate team-mates to celebrate the milestone.
“I’m excited to play again with Paige, she’s an incredible player,” Fudd said.
Landmark CBA delivers record salaries
The newly ratified collective bargaining agreement has drastically altered the financial landscape for incoming professionals.
As the premier selection, the talented shooter will earn nearly seven times the amount her former Huskies colleague received during her debut campaign.
The updated financial structure guarantees the second and third selections will receive $466,913 and $436,016 respectively.
Even players chosen in the second and third rounds are guaranteed a base salary of $270,000, surpassing the maximum veteran threshold under the previous system.
Miles heads to Minnesota
The Minnesota Lynx secured TCU guard Olivia Miles with the second overall selection.
The dynamic playmaker had opted to return for a final collegiate season rather than entering last year’s draft pool.
Having previously transferred from Notre Dame, she subsequently guided the Horned Frogs to a second consecutive Elite Eight appearance.
The Seattle Storm, Washington Mystics and Chicago Sky completed the top five selections of the evening.
Expansion franchises enter the fray
Newly formed franchises the Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire occupied the subsequent positions in the drafting order.
The Tempo won a crucial coin toss to secure priority in the collegiate draft, while conceding the primary expansion draft choice to the Fire earlier this month.
Golden State followed in eighth, with Washington making two further first-round selections alongside picks for the Indiana Fever, Connecticut Sun and Atlanta Dream.
Atletico Madrid have secured their place in the Champions League semi-finals after a gruelling 2-0 extra-time victory over Spanish rivals Barcelona at the Wanda Metropolitano.
The hosts ultimately broke the deadlock during the additional 30 minutes to eliminate their domestic counterparts from Europe’s elite club competition.
Despite a defiant pre-match warning from Lamine Yamal that the tie was far from over, the visitors could not find a crucial breakthrough.
Simeone’s squad dig deep
Diego Simeone’s relentless side relied on their trademark defensive resilience to frustrate a talented Catalan attack throughout normal time.
The passionate home crowd roared their team forward as the tense quarter-final contest stretched into a gruelling extra-time period.
It was during this decisive phase that the Madrid outfit demonstrated their superior physical endurance to score twice and seal the victory.
Yamal’s promise falls short
Prior to kick-off, teenage sensation Yamal had confidently insisted that his team would battle until the final whistle.
This tie isn’t over yet – Barca will fight to the end.
The talented forward remained true to his word, but the former five-time European champions ultimately lacked the cutting edge required to progress.
This devastating quarter-final exit forces the Blaugrana to refocus entirely on their domestic league campaign following another frustrating European departure.
ESPN Hall of Fame broadcaster Dick Vitale has announced he is facing a fifth battle with cancer after being diagnosed with melanoma in his lung and liver.
The 86-year-old will begin immunotherapy treatment shortly as he prepares to tackle the disease once again.
The legendary college basketball voice has already overcome four different types of cancer in recent years.
Confidence in latest health battle
He most recently underwent surgery during the summer of 2024 to address an issue discovered via a lymph node biopsy in his neck.
“I’ve beaten melanoma. I’ve beaten lymphoma. I’ve beaten vocal cord cancer. I’ve beaten lymph node cancer,” he said in a statement on Monday.
“I’m four-for-four and I’m fully confident I’m going to make it five-for-five.”
A storied broadcasting career
The veteran commentator initially returned to the microphone in February 2024 after declaring himself cancer-free following a nearly two-year absence.
He recently concluded his 46th year covering the collegiate game for the American sports network.
Having joined ESPN shortly after its launch, the historic broadcasting figure called his first major NCAA game in December 1979.
Overwhelming public support
Since his debut, he has commentated on well over 1,000 fixtures and was inducted into the Broadcasting+Cable Hall of Fame in September 2024.
“I am truly overwhelmed by the love, support, prayers and messages I’ve received from so many people,” he added.
“Their support has inspired me to keep fighting and I will do everything in my power to win another battle.”
“The best news I can share today is this: I feel fantastic.”
Arsenal and Chelsea have emerged as the leading contenders to sign Newcastle United left-back Lewis Hall during the upcoming summer transfer window.
The Magpies are reportedly determined to hold on to their highly-rated defender, meaning any potential suitors will need to negotiate fiercely to secure his signature.
The 21-year-old Chelsea academy graduate has impressed since his permanent switch to St James’ Park, establishing himself as a vital component of the defensive setup on Tyneside.
Speaking of the Newcastle manager, the club’s hierarchy are continuing to include Eddie Howe in their summer transfer discussions.
This collaborative approach comes despite recent uncertainty surrounding the English head coach’s long-term future in the North East.
Liverpool and Manchester United scout Raum
Elsewhere in the Premier League, Liverpool and Manchester United are both keeping a close eye on RB Leipzig captain David Raum.
The 27-year-old Germany international has caught the attention of scouts from the English heavyweights during several observation missions this season.
Staying with Liverpool, the Anfield hierarchy are set to evaluate handing a lucrative new contract to first-choice goalkeeper Alisson next term.
The 33-year-old Brazilian remains an integral part of the Merseyside club’s ambitions both domestically and in elite European competition.
Verbruggen and Wijnaldum ponder next moves
Brighton could be facing a battle to keep hold of Bart Verbruggen, with the 23-year-old Netherlands goalkeeper currently considering various options for his future.
In a separate development, former Paris St-Germain midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum is seeking a sensational return to English football.
The veteran Dutchman is preparing to leave Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Ettifaq when his current deal expires at the end of the campaign.
Meanwhile, Chelsea are also looking to bolster their attacking arsenal by pursuing Porto’s 20-year-old Brazilian winger William Gomes.
European giants prepare for summer clear-outs
Real Madrid are reportedly willing to listen to offers for 22-year-old Spanish forward Gonzalo Garcia this summer.
However, the Spanish champions will reject any approaches for teenage Brazil striker Endrick, who is currently gaining valuable experience on loan at Lyon.
Over in Italy, Juventus are planning to immediately offload forward Lois Openda after being contractually obliged to purchase the Belgian following his loan spell from RB Leipzig.
Finally, Swansea City have placed a hefty £15m valuation on Slovenia striker Zan Vipotnik to deter interest from Premier League admirers Brighton.
The 24-year-old marksman has enjoyed a stellar campaign, currently leading the Championship goalscoring charts with his prolific domestic form.
Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez was shown a straight red card for pulling Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s hair following a VAR review during a 2-0 home defeat against Leeds United.
The controversial incident occurred in the 56th minute of the fiercely contested clash with the hosts already trailing by two goals.
On-field officials initially missed the off-the-ball altercation between the two players as play continued.
However, the video assistant referee intervened to advise a pitchside monitor review, leaving the referee with no choice but to issue a dismissal.
Costly indiscipline compounds miserable afternoon
The Argentine international completely lost his composure during a deeply frustrating spell for the home side.
Television replays clearly showed the former Ajax centre-back aggressively grabbing the opposition striker by a handful of hair.
This unprecedented lack of discipline left the home side operating with a severe numerical disadvantage for over half an hour.
It also effectively extinguished any realistic hopes of mounting a dramatic second-half comeback.
Defensive crisis deepens for struggling squad
United’s fragile backline was already struggling to contain a vibrant visiting attack long before the early bath.
The World Cup-winning defender will now face an automatic three-match domestic suspension for violent conduct.
Such a lengthy ban adds significant pressure to a defensive unit already stretched perilously thin by ongoing injury concerns.
Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic will return to the United States on Friday following hamstring treatment in Spain, though his status for the NBA play-offs remains unconfirmed.
The Slovenian guard received multiple injections for a Grade 2 left hamstring strain sustained earlier this month.
His availability is highly uncertain ahead of the Western Conference fourth seed’s first-round series opener against the Houston Rockets on Saturday.
The Californian franchise has not provided a definitive timeline for his return to competitive action.
Coping without key personnel
A Grade 2 hamstring tear typically requires a rehabilitation period of approximately four weeks.
Los Angeles finished the regular season with three wins from five matches in the absence of both their talisman and Austin Reaves.
Reaves is currently sidelined indefinitely after suffering an oblique strain in the same fixture against the Oklahoma City Thunder on 2 April.
Veteran forward LeBron James assumed leadership duties during the final stretch of the campaign.
The four-time NBA champion earned Western Conference player of the week honours after averaging 24 points, 9.7 assists and six rebounds to secure a winning record without his co-stars.
Awards eligibility in question
Prior to his injury, the former Real Madrid playmaker was enjoying a stellar individual campaign.
He recorded a league-leading average of 33.5 points per game, alongside 8.3 assists and 7.7 rebounds.
However, having appeared in only 64 fixtures, the 25-year-old currently falls short of the NBA’s 65-game threshold required for regular-season award consideration.
His representatives have formally petitioned the league for a special circumstances exemption.
His agent argues that the player missed two matches in December solely to travel to Slovenia for the birth of his daughter.