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Bahamas to host 2028 World Relays SPORTS
By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor
While they would have preferred to have the two upcoming editions, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg told World Athletics that they are excited that The Bahamas will get to host the 2028 World Relays.
The World Relays will return to The Bahamas in 2028 and will serve as a preview for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, California, from July 14-30, World Athletics announced this weekend in Nanjing, China.
With renovations currently underway at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium, The Bahamas made a pitch to World Athletics on
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2025
Will serve as LA Olympics preview
March 4 for the 2026 and 2028 editions.
But World Athletics Council revealed at its 237th World Athletics Council Meeting in Nanjing that The Bahamas has secured the rights for the hosting of the 2028 World Relays from April 22-23, while Gaborone, Botswana will stage the 2026 edition from May 2-3.
“I am quite happy. We wanted both 2026 and 2028, however, we understand that World Athletics wanted to give the African nation, just like The Bahamas, to host the World Relays,” Bowleg said.
“So they decided to spilt it with Botswana. We gladly accept 2028 because it’s the year of
‘Buddy’ Hield climbing up the ladder
By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor
WHILE there are rumours circulating that Grand Bahamian Chavano
“Buddy” Hield could be on the trading block again during the off-season, he’s making the best of his current sting with the Golden State Warriors.
In the aftermath of an injury that has sidelined Stephen Curry, Hield has stepped up his game and joined an historic group of National Basketball Association players to reach the 2,100 career three-points made in their careers.
In the first half of their game against the Atlanta Hawks with Curry missing in action, Hield canned the shot to push him at number 16 on the all-time list. He now joins an active group of players that include Curry, who tops the list with 4010; James Harden of the Los Angeles Clippers in second with 3,144; Damian Lillard of the Milwaukee Bucks at No.4 with 2,904; Klay Thompson of the Dallas Mavericks in fifth with 2,675; LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers in seventh with 2,543; Paul
George of the Philadelphia 76ers in ninth with 2,349; Kyle Lowry also of the 76ers in 13th with 2,184 and Kevin Durant of the Phoenix Suns in 14th with 2,184.
Hield trails Paul Pierce, formerly of the Boston Celtics, who is sitting in 14th spot with 2,204. Eric Gordon of the 76ers, who teamed up with Hield to play for The Bahamas in the Qualifying Tournament for the 2024 Olympic Games, is next behind Hield with 2,084. Hield, the 32-year-old sharpshooter who is now into his eighth season in the NBA, was drafted as the sixth pick in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft by the New Orleans Pelicans out of the University of Oklahoma. In 703 games played so far in his career, which included stops with the Sacramento Kings, Indiana Pacers and the 76ers, Hield has registered a total of 19,946 points. He has scored 10.616 points with 826 free throws made.
The former Jack Hayward Wildcats player who went on to play for Sunrise Christian Academy in Wichita, Kansas, was involved in a six-team
the Olympics in 2028, so that World Relays will be much bigger than 2026, so it shows that The Bahamas is a place chosen, not just to host it, but to host it at a critical time in the year.”
After hosting the first three editions in 2014, 2015 and 2017, The Bahamas lost the next two editions to Yokohama, Japan in 2019 and Chorzow, Poland in 2021.
It turned to The Bahamas in 2024, but moved to Guangzhou, China in 2025 and heads to Cali, Colombia in 2025. After making a stop in Botswana in 2026, it will be back in The Bahamas for the fifth time in 2028.
In making the official announcement, World
Athletics’ president Sebastian Coe said they are delighted to be bringing the World Relays back to The Bahamas.
“I am delighted that Botswana’s commitment to athletics, both through their elite athletes and their event hosting capabilities, has led them to hosting the World Athletics Relays next year,” Coe said.
“This is the fourth World Championship event Africa has staged over the last decade, in addition to the Diamond League and Continental Tour Gold events, and we are seeing a real increase in experience, expertise and skills.
“We are determined to support member
trade from the 76ers to the Warriors in July, 2024. He was to join the Warriors, who parted ways with Thompson only to acquire the service of Jimmy Butler from the Miami Heat before the NBA trade deadline. But after Curry sustained a left pelvic contusion injury against the Toronto Raptors, “Buddy” is expected to step up and continue his torrid shooting that he’s known for. In doing so, he will only continue to climb up the
ladder in the NBA career
Golden State, who dropped to sixth place in the Western Conference with a 41-30 win-loss record, played the Miami Heat last night in Butler’s first game against his former team since he demanded a trade that landed him with the Warriors.
The Golden State Warriors’ next game is scheduled to be played against the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday.
federations in their ambitions to grow through hosting our events. Both The Bahamas and Botswana have hosted events in the past and their talented athletes will, I know, generate local and international excitement.”
Bowleg and the Local Organising Committee, headed by managing director Val Smith-Green and the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations president Drumeco Archer, made the pitch to World Athletics on March 4 from the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium.
Bowleg said they are delighted to have the World Relays back.
By BRENT STUBBS
IN the absence of the National High School Basketball Tournament, the second annual Mario Bowleg’s Best of the Best Senior Boys Basketball Tournament is scheduled to take place this week in Grand Bahama.
Hosted by The Friends of Basketball, The Grand Bahama Secondary Schools Athletic Assocation and the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, the event is slated to kick off today at both the St George’s and Eight Mile Rock gymnasiums.
Some of the top teams from the prestigious Hugh Campbell Basketball Classic, including the champions Tabernacle Baptist Falcons and runners-up CI Gibson Rattlers, are expected to participate in two pools in competition through Saturday when the champions will be crowned.
Pool A will comprise of Tabernacle Baptist, Westminster, CC Sweeting, Agape Christian and Gateway Academy.
Pool B will feature CI Gibson, Sunland, RM Bailey, Eight Mile Rock, St George’s and Blazers Elite Academy.
“I support for the tournament, although it’s my name because I believe that we need to get back to having the high school nationals,” Bowleg said. “So the best-of-the-best is where they will pick the top six to eight teams from the Hugh Campbell Tournament and some teams that didn’t get to play in the tournament,”
WINDSOR HOSTS INDOOR ROWING CHAMPIONSHIPS
ON Saturday, the Windsor School hosted the first Indoor Rowing Championships in The Bahamas. Competing side by side on Concept2 ergometers, there were impressive performances across the board and some very close-fought races. The 40 competitors, aged 18 to 12, represented the Windsor School, King’s College School The Bahamas, Lyford Cay International School and Nassau Rowing Club.
Windsor topped the medal table with eight gold medals and dominated the events for older students. King’s College
School performed strongly in the events for younger students, with seven gold medals.
Nassau Rowing Club’s team, which included members of their Opportunities & Access Rowing Squad (OARS), notched up four wins, a very strong result given that most of their training is on the water rather than on ergometers. Lyford Cay International School’s new rowing programme claimed an impressive three gold medals.
“I was really pleased with the results. The hard work
BASKETBALL JUNIOR GIRLS’ TRYOUT THE Bahamas Basketball Federation is inviting all girls interested in playing on the junior girls’ national team to attend tryouts, starting on Saturday from 10am to noon at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium.
The tryouts are for players up to 17 years of age. All players must
pre-register at bbfbasketball.com/registration and must have a Bahamian passport or are able to obtain one right away in order to tryout. For more information, interested persons can email secretary.bbf@outlook.com.
POCKING LEAGUE TRYOUT
THE newly formed National Pocking
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stats.
GOLDEN State Warriors guard Chavano “Buddy” Hield (7) looks for an open teammate while defended by Toronto Raptors guard Jamal Shead (23) during the first half of an NBA basketball game on March 20 in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A Vásquez)
SHOWN, left to right, are consultants Rev. Harrison Thompson and Pauline Davis, deputy director general Dr Kenneth Romer, Minister Mario Bowleg, BAAA president Drumeco Archer, LOC managing director Val Smith-Green and NSA chairman Grafton Ifill Jr.
Windsor hosts Indoor Rowing Championships
our rowers put in over the winter resulted in all of them posting new personal best times,” said Rob Gibson, a three-time Olympian and director of rowing at the Windsor School.
“The championships marks a big step forward for rowing in The Bahamas, and performing on the ergometer is a key to unlocking scholarships to the US.
“One of our boys has just accepted a scholarship to Stetson University, a Division I rowing programme, and more of our rowers are currently negotiating with other colleges in the (United) States.”
In addition to the race day at Windsor, more than 200 students at government schools were able to take part in their own event by submitting individual results over the last two weeks through the OARS coaches taking ergometers into schools.
The Willie Mae Pratt Centre topped the government school medal table, claiming gold in the
under-15, under-16, under17 and under-19 girls’ divisions.
AF Adderley was a close second, with three gold medals, for under-13 girls and both the under-13 and under-17 boys. “I was really impressed with the enthusiasm displayed by the children, they seemed to really enjoy the experience of competing on the ergometers,” said Nick Rowett, head coach and programme director at Nassau Rowing Club. “Also, there is such a wealth of athletic talent in the schools I have visited. There are a number of students who, with the right training, will be able to get themselves a score on the ergometer which will attract scholarship opportunities from US colleges.”
OARS was established by Nassau Rowing Club to expand access to and awareness of rowing for underprivileged Bahamian high school students, leveraging sport as an avenue for empowerment through education.
The performance of government school competitors is a promising proof of
concept for NRC’s pathway to collegiate rowing, and the inaugural Indoor Rowing Championships sets an exciting stage for future competitions.
Assisted by a donation of ergometers from Concept2’s Pulling Together Initiative, the NRC coaches
have worked with principals and PE staff at CR Walker, CC Sweeting, DW Davis, AF Adderley and CV Bethel, and also in the Simpson Penn and Willie Mae Pratt Centres, through the OARS programme to offer indoor rowing in PE lessons.
Bahamas Football Association men’s and youth league regular season results
THE Bahamas Football Association continued its men’s and youth leagues regular season over the weekend at the Roscoe L Davies Developmental Center. Here’s a look at the scores posted: Men’s League Dynamos FC def. the Inter-Nassau 17-2 as A Kemp and B Adderley booted in a goal each. C Wensky had the lone goal in the loss. The IM Bears blanked the Western Warriors Gladiators
ROWERS in the gym working out. The Windsor School hosted the Indoor Rowing Championships on Saturday.
WONDSORROWERS
ANDRE FORBES, winner overall rower of the individual 2,000m and 500m proudly displays the national flag.
ROWERS and spectators in the gym.
AYDEN CHRISTIE, of Nassau Rowing Club, winner of the boys’ under-14 division.
Michael Major Jr holding his own for the Howard University Bison
By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
MICHAEL Major Jr continues to hold his own for the Howard University Bison men’s tennis team.
Over the weekend, Major Jr won both singles and doubles as he helped the Bison blank Wagner College 4-0 on Saturday at the Banneker Recreation Center in Washington DC before they suffered a 4-1 loss to the Longwood Lancers on Sunday at the New Lancer Courts in Farmville, Virginia.
Against Wager College, Major Jr teamed up with Marcel Dawson as they pulled off a 5-4 win over Rodriguez Gonzalez and Gabriele Zugarelli.
And in the singles, Major Jr won 7-5, 6-3 over Gonzalez.
And in their showdown with Longwood, Major Jr
and Dawson won their lone match with a 6-5 decision over Timeo Puech and M Gonzalez Paiva.
But in a singles match, Major Jr lost the first set 7-5 to Puech and trailed 3-2 in the second set, but the match was not completed.
“I think my latest performances have been very solid.
“And I’m playing at a much higher level than the beginning of the season,” Major Jr said. “I’m confident and my game is extremely solid right now.”
On March 28-30, Howard, whose win-loss record stands at 4-8, returns to The District to host this year’s MEAC (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) Round Up. HU squares off against Norfolk State (March 28), South Carolina State (March 29) and North Carolina Central (March 30).
The Bison will then play five more matches in April before they prepare for the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Championships in Cary, North Carolina, from April 24-26.
For Major Jr, the 6-foot, two-inch sophomore just wants to continue to do what he’s been doing all season to make his contribution to the Bison’s push towards the end of the season.
“For the rest of the season I expect to continue playing at a high level and really pushing it for the rest of the season,” he proclaimed.
The 18-year-old son of former softball pitcher Bernadette “Chips” McPhee-Major and Michael Major Sr and a high school graduate of Windsor High, is a human performance major with a biology minor at Howard University.
HOYTES - Helping
Youth Through Sports Education and Sports - got a boost recently as coaches Gladstone “Moon” McPhee and Seymour were the recipients of a charitable donation for the basketball mentoring programme.
SPORTS CALENDAR
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League will hold tryouts for persons interested in participating. It’s open to both males and females between the ages of 18 and 40. The tryouts are slated to take place from 10am to 1pm on Sunday, March 30, at the Roscoe Davies Developmental Center at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex. Interested persons can email cqbahamas@gmail. com for more information. The league is calling for persons to try their hand at the most Bahamian past time of all times.
PICKLEBALL EXHIBITION
THE Bahamas Pickleball Federation is scheduled to hold a Pickleball Exhibition on April 5 at the Mall at Marathon next to John
A donation of hats, backpacks, tees and basketballs were made courtesy of the Deandre Ayton Family Foundation.
The presentation was made by Junior Achievement Bahamas during the opening ceremony of the
Bull from noon to 4pm. Admission is free, but space is limited.
The event is being sponsored by Domino’s Pizza, the Mall at Marathon, the Sports Center and High Noon Sun Sips.
BASKETBALL PEACE ON DA STREET FAMILY
NIGHT PLANS are underway for the staging of the Peace on Da Streets’ Basketball Classics’ Road to 30 years of existence.
The event, being organised by the Hope Center under the theme “Shooting hoops instead of guns,” will be held from July 14-19 at the Michael ‘Scooter’ Reid Basketball Center.
The highlight of the event will be the Family Night, scheduled for Sunday, July 20 at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium when the finals in all of the divisions will take place, starting at 3pm. There will also be
programme’s 2025 BahamaJAC business conference held in Freeport, Grand Bahama, on February 21. Pictured above, from left to right, are Dequann Carroll, programme coordinator, Junior Achievement Grand Bahama, coach
the Mr Ship It Three-point shootout and the Joe’s Slam Dunk Contest.
The night will conclude with the exciting Clergy versus Politicians matchup. Lots of prizes, including round trip tickets, will be up for grabs.
SPRING FLING INVITATIONAL
THE Fast Track Athletics Club is scheduled to hold its 4th annual Spring Fling at the Grand Bahama Sports Complex May 16-17.
The event is open to competitors from throughout The Bahamas.
The action is slated to begin at 5pm on Friday, May 16 and at 10am on Saturday, May 16. It promises to provide fast competition, perfect prep for championship season and an unmatched island atmosphere in Grand Bahama.
The entry fee is $5 for children and $10 for adults. For more information on the meet, persons can email
Seymour (HOYTES), Latara Evans, programme recruiter, Junior Achievement Bahamas, coach McPhee (HOYTES) and Ron Dames, a member of the board of directors, Junior Achievement Bahamas.
fasttrackmanagement00@ gmail.com
BASEBALL/ SOFTBALL RELOADED INVITATIONAL TOURNAMENT
THE Reloaded baseball and softball programme for boys and girls is scheduled to hold its fourth invitational tournament April 18-21 at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex.
The event, organised by Stephen “Bishop” Beneby, is being sanctioned by the Bahamas Baseball Assocation, headed by Clarence “CJ’ McKenzie and will be sponsored by Pro Youth Foundation.
It will feature baseball teams for boys and softball teams for girls from Grand Bahama and New Providence.
It’s also anticipated that some teams from the Family Islands will also be in New Providence to participate.
VETERAN ALIZÉ CORNET TO RESUME TENNIS CAREER NEXT MONTH, LESS THAN A YEAR AFTER RETIRING
PARIS (AP) — Less than a year after ending her tennis career, veteran Frenchwoman Alizé Cornet is making a comeback.
Cornet said in a statement relayed by Rouen tournament organisers yesterday that she will be playing at the indoor claycourt event next month.
“You thought you’d got rid of me, but it’s not quite the case yet,” said Cornet, who added that she had resumed training two months ago.
Cornet retired last year after a 6-2, 6-1 loss to No. 7 seed Zheng Qinwen in the first round of the French Open.
The 35-year-old Cornet has been granted a spot in the main draw at Rouen through a wild card, organisers of the WTA 250 tournament said. The event runs from April 14-20.
Cornet reached a career-high ranking of No. 11 in 2009. She holds the women’s record for most consecutive Grand Slam tournaments played at 69, a streak that ran from the 2007 Australian Open to the 2024 French Open. Her career highlights include defeating No. 1 Serena Williams in the third round at Wimbledon in 2014 and one major quarterfinal appearance, at the Australian Open in 2022.
MICHAEL Major Jr in action for the Howard University Bison men’s tennis team.
Newly elected IOC President Kirsty Coventry celebrated on return home to Zimbabwe
By FARAI MUTSAKA Associated Press
HARARE, Zimbabwe
(AP) — Newly elected International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry arrived Sunday in her home country of Zimbabwe to a hero’s welcome as her victory is celebrated as a national milestone.
The southern African country has faced years of isolation and sanctions by the United States and other Western nations.
The 41-year-old Coventry, who is also Zimbabwe’s sports minister, was the only female candidate
in the IOC presidency race and became the first woman and first African to be elected head of the global Olympic movement. She beat six other candidates in the vote in Greece on Thursday, including the head of world track and field, the head of international cycling and a member of Jordan’s royal family.
“It’s not just my success, it is our success. We broke down barriers,” Coventry said in Zimbabwe.
Dancers in animal fur kilts and head gear made from bird feathers stomped the ground as part of a traditional African folklore
dance to the sound of trumpets and drums to welcome Coventry home as she arrived at an airport in the capital, Harare.
Dozens of others, including female cricketers, young karatekas and children in school uniform cheered loudly.
“Men have dominated sport for so long, I am thrilled that one of our own is now at the very top where she can tackle the issues affecting women in sports,” said Abigail Madera, a female boxing referee.
“This is not just a personal victory, it will put Zimbabwe on the global
stage,” said Women Affairs Minister Monica Mutsvangwa at the welcoming ceremony at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport.
Coventry is an ex-Zimbabwe swimmer and was the back-to-back Olympic champion in the 200 metres backstroke at the 2004 and 2006 Games.
She retired from swimming after the Rio de Janeiro Olympics in 2016 with seven Olympic medals and is the most decorated Olympian from Africa.
Coventry was widely praised in her country as a source of pride and a unifying figure during
her swimming career. Her decision to take the job of sports minister in 2018 has been scrutinised, though, given the Zimbabwean government has long been questioned over its human rights record and is regularly accused of clamping down on political opposition.
Critics in 2020 also accused Coventry of benefitting from political patronage after accepting a government lease on a farm that was seized during the country’s often violent land reforms that evicted about 4,000 white farmers for tens of thousands of Blacks more than two decades ago.
Many of those critics have welcomed her election and posted congratulatory messages.
Coventry has said she will resign from her Zimbabwe minister’s job to move to the Olympic home city of Lausanne in Switzerland. Her eight-year term in charge of the IOC begins in June.
Pressing issues at the Olympic body include athletes’ benefits, Russia’s future after its suspension over the war in Ukraine, gender eligibility, and how to deal with U.S. President Donald Trump with Los Angeles set to host the next Summer Olympics in 2028.
AFTER AN HISTORIC OLYMPIC ELECTION COMES LEADERSHIP ISSUES FOR COVENTRY
By GRAHAM DUNBAR AP Sports Writer
COSTA NAVARINO,
Greece (AP) — After enjoying a stunning election win comes the sober business of leading the International Olympic Committee for Kirsty Coventry.
The first woman president elected in the IOC’s 131-year history began Friday in a breakfast meeting with Thomas Bach to start their transition. The formal handover is on Olympic Day, June 23. They agreed Coventry will take precedence in major IOC decisions in the next three months.
The 41-year-old sports minister of Zimbabwe will soon resign her government position and plans to move with her family in April to the Olympic home city, Lausanne in Switzerland.
Here’s a look at some of the issues ahead:
Equality for women Coventry’s victory is the biggest statement of Bach’s
consistent policies to promote women in Olympic sports and politics.
Can the next layer below the IOC — governing bodies of Olympic sports, national Olympic committees — also make progress?
“You realise that there is still a lot to do,” Bach said on Friday.
He noted that from next month just one of those sports will have a woman president: IOC member Petra Sörling in table tennis.
Coventry has pledged to protect women’s sports and athletes. She explained on Friday how as the sports minister in Zimbabwe she removed the national soccer federation’s board after women referees reported being sexually harassed.
It helped to push FIFA to suspend Zimbabwean soccer citing government interference in the sport and she has no regret.
“There are certain things close to my heart that I will never tolerate,” she said.
Coventry wants the IOC to take “more of a leading role” on gender eligibility and will create a taskforce to analyse the issue.
The newly recognised World Boxing body, which was not involved in the Paris Olympics, is separately updating its rules this year.
IOC President-elect Kirsty Coventry stands for the Olympic anthem during the International Olympic Committee 144th session in Costa Navarino, western Greece, Friday, March 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
India’s ambition A win for Coventry looks favourable toward being an ultimate victory for India and its influential IOC member Nita Ambani. The two women are reportedly close.
The Ambani family, the richest in Asia, hosted the IOC annual meeting in 2023 in Mumbai that promoted ambitions for India to host the Summer Games.
A key decision for the Coventry-led IOC is finding a host for 2036. One rival to India is Qatar, whose ruling Emir has been an IOC member for 24 years, and which has been overlooked three times before.
An announcement expected soon is to confirm
India’s first top-tier Olympic sponsorship that was all
but promised last August in Paris. There, Ambani hosted a hospitality house to promote Indian culture and sports.
There is no set timetable for a decision on 2036.
Bach’s signature policy on choosing hosts ended an era of blockbuster campaigns and contested votes.
Now, a favoured bid that effectively and discreetly lobbies the IOC can be fast-tracked into exclusive negotiations.
Athlete benefits
It is unclear how and when athletes might get a better deal within the IOC’s strict commercial rules. They have long protected exclusivity for rights-holding Olympic broadcasters and sponsors. One of Coventry’s beaten election
rivals, Sebastian Coe, leads World Athletics. It broke an Olympic taboo by paying $50,000 prize money for track and field champions in Paris last year. In Los Angeles in 2028, silver and bronze medallists also will be rewarded.
Coe said his election pledges for athletes would include “sharing their data, giving them better access to sponsorships, and being more liberal, and making sure the (Olympic) brand was more accessible to them.”
The election runner-up, Juan Antonio Samaranch, promised letting athletes use clips of their Olympic performances and help them be social media influencers.
Coventry did not have those kinds of ideas in her election platform, nor advanced them when she represented athletes on the IOC executive board from 2018-21.
However, she pledged to work with election rivals to see which of their policies can make progress.
Russia return?
There is no obvious path for the IOC to lift its suspension of Russia’s Olympic body while four regional sports councils in eastern Ukraine remain under Russian control. Still, Vladimir Putin is already working on the new
IOC president, offering “sincere congratulations” on her win.
“The results of the vote convincingly attest to your high authority in the sporting world and the recognition of your outstanding personal achievements,” read a statement to Coventry from the Kremlin.
The 2026 Milan-Cortina d’Ampezzo Winter Games open next February with the IOC excluding Russia from team sports — including Putin’s favourite ice hockey — since the invasion of Ukraine. Individual Russian athletes could compete in Paris last year if they passed vetting as neutrals.
Future presidents?
The next IOC leadership election is in 2033, though the next vacancy with a contested race could be 12 years away in 2037. Coventry would be only 53 on reaching her term limit.
Projecting far into the Olympic future, Tony Estanguet rejoined the IOC membership on Friday aged 46. He has clear potential after organising the successful Paris Olympics. If Coventry’s successor is to be a woman, Princess Reema Bandar al Saud could contend. She has been Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to the United States since 2019 and joined the IOC one year later.
NEWLY elected International Olympic Committee IOC President Kirsty Coventry, second from right, is welcomed by officials at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe airport in Harare, Zimbabwe, on Sunday. (AP Photo/Aaron Ufumeli)
KAI JONES SCORES 9 POINTS, EIGHT REBOUNDS
FOR THE MAVERICKS IN 128-113 LOSS TO KNICKS
By PAT PICKENS Associated Press
NEW YORK (AP) — Karl-Anthony Towns had 26 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists for his first tripledouble in more than three years, helping the New York Knicks defeat the Dallas Mavericks 128-113 last night.
OG Anunoby had 35 points, and Josh Hart added 16 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists for his ninth triple-double of the season. New York (45-26) shot 59.6% and won its second straight.
Naji Marshall had a career-high 38 points, and Brandon Williams chipped in 22 points. The Mavericks (35-38) fell for the 10th time in 13 games.
Bahamian Kai Jones contributed nine points, eight rebounds, one block, one steal and two assists in 24 minutes on the floor.
Takeaways Dallas: A night after shooting 56.3% from the field in their win Monday in Brooklyn, the Mavericks again started hot by making 28 of 43 field goals in the first half. But Dallas was worn down by New York’s depth, getting outscored 60-45 in the second half.
New York: With Mavericks center Anthony Davis (adductor strain) out, Towns went to work, scoring 24 first-half points. The center, who is third in the NBA in double-doubles, posted his first triple-double since Jan. 30, 2022, and helped New York record 40 assists on 59 field goals.
Key moment Marshall made 13 of 15 first-half field goals and helped Dallas shoot 65.1% and remain even at 68 at halftime. But the Knicks turned up the defensive intensity in the third quarter, opening with a 7-0 run. The Mavericks made just 4 of 18 field goals, and New York outscored Dallas 30-16 in the third.
Key stat Hart and Towns became the first teammates in Knicks history to record a triple-double in the same game.
Up next The Mavericks visit Orlando on Thursday. The Knicks host the Clippers on Wednesday.
HEAT 112, WARRIORS 86
MIAMI (AP) — Bam Adebayo scored 27 points, Tyler Herro scored 20 and Miami Heat spoiled Jimmy Butler’s return game with a one-sided win over Golden State. Alec Burks scored 18 for Miami, which never
Karl-Anthony Towns posts his first triple-double in three years
trailed. The Heat were 17 for 25 from 3-point range. Butler, in his first game back in Miami since a trade last month, had 11 points. Jonathan Kuminga scored 15, Brandin Podziemski had 14 and Gui Santos scored 13 for Golden State.
The Warriors played without Stephen Curry, held out for a second straight game with a pelvic contusion.
PISTONS 122, SPURS 96
DETROIT (AP) — Marcus Sasser scored a career-high 27 points in 26 minutes off the bench and Detroit routed San Antonio Spurs for their second consecutive victory without injured star Cade Cunningham.
Tobias Harris added 15 points and eight rebounds for the Pistons (41-32), who pulled within a percentage point of Milwaukee (40-31) for fifth place in the Eastern Conference.
Jalen Duren had 14 points and seven assists, and Ausar Thompson finished with 14 points and six boards.
Cunningham, averaging 25.7 points and 9.2 assists, missed his second straight game with a bruised left calf. Sasser has filled the scoring void, also providing 20 points in 26 minutes Sunday during a 136-130 win over New Orleans.
The second-year guard from Houston entered Tuesday averaging 6.0 points per game. His previous career best was 26 in November 2023 at Milwaukee, early in his rookie season. Devin Vassell had 26 points for the Spurs, and rookie Stephon Castle scored 19.
MAGIC 111, HORNETS 104 CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Paolo Banchero scored 32 points, Franz Wagner had 26 points and Orlando used a late run for a win over Charlotte.
LaMelo Ball led the Hornets with 25 points and nine assists, while Josh Green and Nick Smith Jr. had 13 points each. Orlando’s Wendell Carter Jr. had a game-high 11 rebounds. Banchero also had seven rebounds and six assists.
Deion Sanders’ push for NFL-style intersquad scrimmages at college level gains momentum with coaches
By ERIC OLSON AP College Football Writer
WITH Football Bowl
Subdivision programmes planning for a 105-man roster limit this fall, American Football Coaches Association executive director Craig Bohl said he sees the day coming when the NCAA allows NFLstyle intersquad practices and scrimmages.
“If a couple programmes choose to explore this, I think it’s going to be something that could have some real legs to it,” Bohl told The Associated Press on yesterday.
Colorado coach Deion Sanders recently suggested a school be allowed to host a team from another school for a few days of joint practices before they play an exhibition game, possibly as a replacement for the traditional intrasquad spring game. Syracuse coach Fran Brown, in response to Sanders, said in a social media post he would be willing to take his team to Colorado for a three-day visit.
Asked if Colorado had requested a waiver that
would allow for it, CU athletics spokesman Steve Hulbert texted to the AP, “We are working with the NCAA and the Big 12 Conference. There are currently no updates.” Bohl said “there is quite a bit of appetite” among coaches to hold intersquad practices and scrimmages, even still this spring. The impetus is the 105-man roster limit, which likely will become official next month with the expected final approval of the House vs. NCAA antitrust lawsuit settlement.
The average FBS roster was 128 players last year, and coaches are looking for ways to mitigate wear and tear on their reduced number of players, Bohl said. Intersquad practices between teams that are from different conferences and won’t play each other during the season would help accomplish that. The issue especially resonates with teams contending for the season-extending College Football Playoff. One concern, Bohl said, is that participation in intersquad practices would
put players on display for personnel directors for the other team, which, in turn, could lead to tampering.
“Do I really want to expose my guys?” Bohl said a coach asked him.
“They’re going to have their general manager out there taking notes on what
kind of ability a certain player has. How you get that worked out, I don’t know.”
Nebraska coach Matt Rhule said he cancelled the Cornhuskers’ traditional televised spring game, in part, because of the risk of other teams scouting
his players and possibly attempting to poach them through the transfer portal. Rhule, who participated in intersquad practices when he was coach of the Carolina Panthers, said he would be in favour of the Huskers practicing a few days with another team.
He said he had doubts a rule change is in the offing. “If anybody can do it, coach Sanders can,” he said, adding Syracuse’s Brown also can be convincing.
DALLAS Mavericks’ Kai Jones (23) shoots over New York Knicks’ Karl-Anthony Towns (32) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 25, 2025, in New York. (AP Photos/Frank Franklin II)
COLORADO head coach
Deion Sanders watches during the first half during an NCAA college football game against Arizona, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Tucson, Ariz.
(AP Photo/ Rick Scuteri)
NEW York Knicks’ OG Anunoby, centre, drives past Dallas Mavericks’ Kai Jones, left, and Kessler Edwards, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 25, 2025, in New York.
UB Mingoes advance to BFA Knockout Cup semi-final
FRESHMAN Philip Pilgrim scored two goals to give the University of The Bahamas men’s soccer team a 3-1 victory over Cavalier F.C. Sunday in the Bahamas Football Association (BFA) Knockout Cup to advance to the semi-final.
The win gave UB a 6-2 victory on the two-leg format of the Knockout Cup after winning the first leg with an identical 3-1 score. Pilgrim spoke about his performance in this match.
“It was a slow first half. I caught my feet in the second half and found the back of the net,” Pilgrim said.
It was a sluggish start for UB at the Roscow A.L. Davies Soccer Fields, but they were able to get their attack going with captain Ronaldo Green breaking past Cavalier’s defence in the 39th minute.
He showed his dribbling skills off as he put his team up 1-0 with a well-placed goal. The intermission saw UB up 1-0 and looking to hold off a Cavalier team trying to win the second leg of the Cup matchup.
UB’s head coach Alex Thompson made some key changes to his offensive attack that paid off in the 51st minute. Green sent
the ball in the air to Pilgrim who controlled it with his right feet in the 18-yard box and dribbled it before getting past the Cavalier goalkeeper and into the back of the net to put his team up 2-1.
Pilgrim pounced on a pass from forward Sidney Decius in the six-yard box to score his second goal four minutes later. That lead put UB up 3-0. Pilgrim found the back of the net twice before being subbed off in the 70th minute but both were called for offside and taken back.
Cavalier scored a goal in the 83rd minute but UB led 3-1 with that being the final score.
Thompson was happy that his side moved on despite the sluggish start.
“Our goal is to make it to the final of the Knockout Cup, so we are one step closer,” Thompson said.
“We had a great 25-minute period from the last 10 minutes of the first half and first 15 minutes of the second half. We were able to get some of the guys playing time who haven’t played in a while.”
UB returns to the pitch Sunday, March 30, in the league’s first division play. They will play the league leaders, Western Warriors Titans 4.45pm at the Roscow A.L. Davies Soccer Fields.
Photos by UB Athletics
UB Mingoes midfielder Kevin Thomas juggles the ball against Cavalier FC on March 23.
UB Mingoes midfielder Ronaldo Green (#21) gets past a defender.
MINGOES central defender Junior Kelly goes up for the clearance.
UB Mingoes midfielder Ronaldo Green (#21) celebrates his goal with Philip Pilgrim (#10).
MINGOES wing back Joshua Johnson throws the ball into play.
MINGOES forward Sidney Decius on the attack against Cavalier FC.
UNIVERSITY of The Bahamas Mingoes midfielder Elijah Mitchell (#13) goes for a shot in traffic against Cavalier FC Sunday, March 23, at the Roscow Davies Soccer Fields. Mingoes won 3-1.
MINGOES defender Alix St. Hilaire controls the ball against Cavalier FC on Sunday at the Roscow Davies Soccer Fields.
CARIFTA SWIMMERS ON QUEST FOR SEVENTH STRAIGHT TITLE
EYES ON THE PRIZE: One week after being named by Bahamas Aquatics, members of the 36-member team heading to Trinidad & Tobago on a quest for their seventh straight CARIFTA swimming title began their training sessions in unison. After selecting its six team captains, the team members went through a gruelling workout session on Saturday morning and they returned for another afternoon session at the Betty Kelly Kenning Swim Complex where the workout intensified under veteran head coach Travano McPhee.
he said. “We should have keen competition night in and night out. It’s going to be good, keen competition for the fans to see some of the talent that they didn’t get to see at the Hugh Campbell Tournament if they didn’t get to come to New Providence.”
The tournament, organised by Ozzie ‘the Insider’ Simmons, will have a double elimination format up to the pool championships, which will then be single elimination. During the tournament, organisers will honour five former basketball players, including Craig Gray, Condell Delancy, Stan Williams, Milton Russell, Patrick Roberts from Abaco, Steven Sweeting from Bimini and Derick Cummings from New Providence. The tournament is being sponsored by the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, the Grand Bahama
Port Authority, the Ministry for Grand Bahama, Caribbean Bottling Company, Island Cares Foundation, The Royal Bahamas Police Force and the Ministry of Education. Today’s schedule 4pm - CI Gibson vs Eight Mile Rock 5pm - Sunland vs RM Bailey 6pm - Tabernacle vs Westminster 7pm - CC Sweeting vs Agape Christian
“The Government of The Bahamas is delighted to host the world back to our shores for yet another edition of The Bahamas World Athletics Relays,” Bowleg said.
“We have had fond memories of great competition, fun and excitement, and we can’t wait for you to come back.”
Also participating was the Ministry’s deputy director general Dr Kenneth Romer; National Sports Authority chairman Grafton Ifill Jr and Ministry’s consultants Rev.
Harrison Thompson and Pauline Davis, a lifetime member of World Athletics. He didn’t participate in the pitch, but former BAAA president Mike Sands serves as the president of the North American, Central American and Caribbean (NACAC) and by extension a member of World Athletics. Jacob Kelebeng, Minister of Sport and Arts, was just as elated about Botswana’s hosting of the World Relays next year as does The Bahamas three years later. “This is a moment of immense pride for
Botswana. The World Athletics Relays Gaborone 26 will ignite a national passion, drawing the world to our shores and showcasing our unique spirit,” he said.
“We humbly welcome athletes and fans alike, knowing that this event will inspire generations and leave a lasting legacy of triumph and unity.”
Also during their meeting at the World Indoors, World Athletics approved the implementation of the mixed 4 x 100m relay, the latest event to be added to their international competition with the format calling the females to run the first
two legs, followed by the men on the final two.
In preparation for the hosting of both World Relays, Minister Bowleg said the national stadium underwent a massive renovation process since last year and it’s expected to be completed by October.
“We wanted to make sure that it would be ready for the 2026 World Relays,” Bowleg said.
“We don’t need to rush anymore because we won’t host the 2026 World Relays.
“But it will be completed because we have a few other events knocking on our door.
“We will host the 2026 Bahamas Games to unite the nation through sports, which is the only thing outside of junkanoo and regatta, that bring our people together.”
The announcement for the return of the World Relays came over the same weekend in China where Devynne Charlton repeated as the women’s 60 metres hurdles champion at the World Indoor Championships in Nanjing.
Bowleg said the performance came at the right time for The Bahamas and applauded the Charlton family for the base they
provided for Charlton to achieve the feat.
“Congratulations to Devynne and the entire Charlton family for the work and support they would have given to Devynne, who has proven that when it comes to the 60 metres hurdles, she’s the best in the world,” Bowleg said.
“To repeat as world champions says a lot about her determination and desire and commitment to remain on top. Congratulations to Devynne. I look forward to her outstanding performances in the hurdles in the future.”
PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT: CARIFTA swimming team members go through a gruelling workout session on Saturday morning at the Betty Kelly Kenning Swim Complex where the workout intensified under veteran head coach Travano McPhee.