JUNE
Anthaya Charlton clocks
lifetime best to win 100
VSTUBBS
ersatile Bahamian
athlete Anthaya Charlton continued her impressive season with another spectacular feat at the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s Division One National Outdoor Track and Field Championships yesterday.
The University of Florida transfer junior, clocked a lifetime best of 10.87 seconds to win her semifinal heat of the women’s 100 metres to qualify for Saturday’s final in Eugene, Oregon, with the second fastest time overall.
Improving on her previous personal best of 11.01 that she ran at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, Florida on May 31, Charlton set a new UF school record and she was just shy of the Bahamas national record of 10.84 that Chandra Sturrup set on July 5, 2005 at the Athletissima Meet in Lausanne, Switzerland.
JaMeesia Ford, a sophopore at South Carolina, ran the fastest qualifying time in her lifetime best of 10.87 in winning heat three for a new championship record.
Both Ford and Charlton are now sitting at number two and three respectively behind American Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, who has run the fastest this year of 10.73 on June 1 at the Franklin Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Without much time to recuperate or celebrate,
Charlton was on the field where she contested the final of the women’s long
jump. She soared 21-feet, 7 1/4-inches or 6.58 metres with her only legal mark on her second attempt for fifth
By Dr Kent L Bazard
WALK into any gym or scroll through your favourite athlete’s social media page, and chances are you’ll see a shaker bottle, a tub of something powdered, and a reference to “fuelling up.”
But as Bahamian athletes continue to elevate their game, especially in the offseason, the question arises: Do supplements actually help, or are we just chasing marketing dreams?
By BRENT STUBBS
WHILE the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division One Track and Field Championships are on this weekend with a few Bahamians competing, Jayden Munroe made his presence felt at the recent NCAA DII Championships. Held a few weeks ago in Pueblo, Colorado, the Northern State University Wolves’ freshman soared to a fourth-place finish in the men’s long jump, breaking his own school record in the event with a leap of 7.63 metres on his second attempt.
Munroe, in climbing the scales from his 22nd ranked mark heading into the championships, opened the competition with 23-10 1/4
SEE PAGE E2 SEE PAGE E7
BAZARD
start with this: food first, always. No supplement will ever replace a wellbalanced, nutrientdense diet. But in high-performance sport, supplements can play a supportive role when used correctly. From protein powders and SUPPLEMENTS IN SPORTS: WHAT WORKS, WHAT DOESN’T, AND WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW SEE PAGE E3
Understanding the Role of Supplements - Let’s
A NUMBER of national team players, representing various teams from around the country, showed up to display their talent over the weekend at the Grand Bahama Volleyball Association’s Battle of the Islands Volleyball Tournament. While the Lady Panthers carted off the ladies’ title behind the most valuable player performance from Jannelle Curtiss, the Bimini Marlins, led by MVP Kyle
Smith, took the men’s crown. The Lady Panthers won the ladies’ title over the Abaco Strong A team. The Lady Rebels finished third. The Marlins won the men’s title over the Unruly 7. The Abaco Strong A came in third. Latoy Williams, one of the directors, said the tournament lived up to its
VERSATILE Bahamian athlete Anthaya Charlton with her NCAA Division I trophy.
Battle of the Islands Volleyball Tournament: National team players
expectations.
“The tournament was an improvement and a great way to open up this volleyball-filled summer,” Williams said.
“It was an improvement from the last two years and we hope it continues to grow.”
The Nassau Lady Panther, Abaco Strong Alpha, Abaco Strong Beta, Abaco Lady Rebels, Grand Bahama Hawks and the Lady Technicians made up the teams in the ladies’ division.
On the men’s side, the teams that participated were Grand Bahama Hawks, Bimini Marlins, Nassau Technicians, Unruly 7, Abaco Strong Alpha, Abaco Strong Beta and the Exuma Enforcers.
“The competition has grown and we missed one of our biggest competitors (University of the Bahamas women’s teams) but we look forward to seeing them next year along with some more international competitors like we did this year,” Williams said.
The individual award winners were:
Women’s division
Best setter - Kiersten Smith - Abaco Strong A; best server - Oralique Thompson - Rebels; best blocker - Sari Albury - Panthers; best libero - Emma Sawyer - Abaco Strong B; Best attacker - Angel Esquivel.
Men’s division
Best setter - Je’Vaughn Saunders - Bimini; best server - Johnathan Garland - Unruly 7; best blockerTariq Pratt - Technicians; best libero - Joshua Bethel - Abaco Strong A;; best attacker - Douvinkiylin Rolle - Unruly 7. According to Williams, the expectations for next year is to have the support “we did this year and to ask for more to make sure the event continues to grow so that volleyball will be able to grow in The Bahamas.”
Williams, one of the top male quarter-milers in track and field, said he got involved playing beach volleyball on Taino Beach in 2019. “I realised that my athleticism from track helped a lot,” said Williams as he took advantage of his height.
display their talent
he wants to commend them.
“I just needed to learn more about the sport and put in time to get better. “Over the years I grew to love the sport and now I am involved with it on an administrative level. I love seeing the growth that has taken place with our youth since I have started, especially from the island of Abaco.”
Williams who is retired, but now serves as an official in track and field, said whatever is happening in Abaco,
“I am hoping that all volleyball enthusiasts continue to support and if they don’t support now, I hope they start to support the sport as it is growing,” Williams said. “My first love is track and field but volleyball is in a close second. I’m just happy. I’m able to give back to my country which helped me to travel internationally.”
LADIES’ champions Fidelity Central Gas Panthers.
MEN’s champions Bimini Marlins.
LADIES’ runners-up Abaco Strong.
MEN’s runners-up Unruly 7.
THIRD place Lady Rebels.
MEN’s third place Abaco Strong.
Supplements in Sports: What works, what doesn’t, and what you should know
creatine to caffeine and electrolyte formulas, athletes now have a range of tools to support their training goals.
The key is understanding which ones are worth it - and which ones might just be hype in a tub.
Protein Powders:
Convenience Over
Necessity Protein is essential for muscle recovery and growth. But do you need a powder? Not always.
Athletes who eat enough high-quality protein from sources like eggs, chicken, fish, beans, and dairy often get all they need. However, protein shakes offer a convenient way to hit your targets - especially
during those long days at the gym, or for our young athletes rushing from school to practice with little time to eat.
Creatine: One of the Most Studied Supplements in Sport If strength and power are part of your sport—think track, basketball, MMA, or swimming— creatine might be your ally. Creatine monohydrate has been shown to increase muscle energy, improve recovery, and even support cognitive function in high-pressure competition. It’s naturally found in foods like red meat and fish, but in smaller amounts. Taken properly and with guidance, creatine is one of the safest and most effective performance supplements available.
Caffeine: Legal, Potent, and Tricky
There’s a reason so many pre-workouts are loaded with caffeine. It increases alertness, reduces fatigue, and can even enhance performance. But overdo it, and you might face jitters, insomnia, or stomach upset. Athletes should monitor their tolerance and time their intake appropriately - typically 30 to 60 minutes before activity. And no, chugging a cold brew before bed because
“MJ used to do it” isn’t the move. BCAAs and EAAs: Useful or Overrated? Branch-chain amino acids (BCAAs) and essential amino acids (EAAs) have gained traction for their ability to support muscle recovery. But if you’re already getting enough protein in your meals, you might not need them. They may be more beneficial for athletes training in a fasted state or those with reduced appetite, such as during intense heat or travel.
The Bahamian Context: Access and Education
Locally, we see many athletes investing in international brands or trying what’s trending online— often without guidance. It’s important to buy from
reputable sources, avoid products with banned substances, and never take something “just because your teammate does.” The conversation around supplements must include education - especially for our junior and collegiate athletes, who are still growing and whose long-term health we must protect.
Supplements Are Tools, Not Solutions No supplement is a shortcut. You can’t out-supplement a poor diet, lack of sleep, or inconsistent training.
Supplements should serve a specific purpose: support hydration, enhance performance, speed recovery, or fill a nutritional gap. They are tools—not magic.
JAYDEN MUNROE MAKES HIS PRESENCE FELT IN NCAA DII
FROM PAGE E1
(7.27m) on his first attempt and followed with 24-9 3/4 (7.56m) on his third before he scratched both the fourth and fifth, only to finish up with 23-10 3/4 (7.28m) on his sixth and final attempt.
Alex Meyer, a sophomore at Indianapolis, won the event with 25-3 1/4 (7.70m) on his first attempt, while Joseph Oreva, a senior at West Texas A&M, was second with 25-2 1/2 (7.68m) on his fifth and Wesley Tyndall, a junior at Lincoln (Mo), was third with a personal best of 25-2 1/2 (7.68m) on his fourth.
“I think I had a great performance and could have been a little better though,” he said.
“I think my performance at nationals was a great one. It was my first nationals so I was very nervous but I knew once I got on the board I was going to have good jumps.”
Two weeks before the NCAA Championships, Munroe competed at the Northern Sun
Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) Outdoor Championships where he won
the long jump with 24-04 1/2 (7.43m) on his second attempt. He also did 23-11
JAYLEN BROWN HAS KNEE SURGERY. CELTICS SAY HE WILL BE READY FOR TRAINING CAMP
BOSTON (AP) — Boston Celtics All-Star Jaylen Brown had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee on Wednesday. And, according to the team, he is expected to be available when training camp starts “without limitation.”
The Celtics said Brown had a minimally invasive procedure to clean out his knee. A four-time All-Star and the MVP of the 2024 NBA Finals, Brown averaged 22 points, 4.5 assists and 5.8 rebounds this past season, his ninth in the NBA. His importance for next season has been magnified with costar Jayson Tatum expected to miss most of next season while recovering from the ruptured Achilles tendon that knocked him out of the playoffs and doomed the Celtics’ hopes to repeat as NBA champions. Brown is scheduled to make $53 million next season, the second of a fiveyear, $304 million deal that at the time was the richest in NBA history.
(7.29m) on his first, fouled his third and cleared 23-09 1/2 (7.25m) on his fourth before fouling his fifth and sixth.
Munroe, 20, also got second in the triple jump with 48-04 3/4 (14.75m) on his second attempt.
Sheldon McNicholas, a sophomore at Minnesota State, won with 48-09 (14.86m) on his first attempt. Munroe fouled his first, cleared 47-05 (14.45m) on his third, 48-04 1/2 (14.74m) on his fourth, fouled his fifth and closed out the competition with 47-10 (14.58m) on his sixth try.
Munroe, a former student of St Andrew’s School up to grade eight, competed three prep seasons with Aberdeen Roncalli and head coach Brady Lesnar. Munroe, a management major, holds personal best marks of 22-05 in the long jump,
45-0 1/2 in the triple jump, and 22.50 in the 200m.
He won the South Dakota State Championship in the long jump and triple jump in 2023.
Here now on a summer break, Munroe said he will spend time with his family, including his parents, Maedawn and Manika Munroe, his grandfather, golf executive Kingsley Munroe, and his friends.
He is also preparing to compete in the Bahamas Amateur Athletic Associations’ National Track and Field Championship at the Thomas A. Robinson Track and Field Stadium before he returns to school.
“My expectations for next year is to make both indoor and outdoor nationals in both triple and long jump and to hopefully sweep the jumps,” said Munroe about his sophomore season.
Final Word As athletes, the desire to gain an edge is natural. But that edge must be earned through smart choices, not blind trust. Understand what your body needs, speak to professionals, and choose supplements based on science and not hype, ecause in the world of sport, just like in life, preparation beats last minute - every time.
• Dr Kent Bazard, sports medicine physician at Empire Sports Medicine, specializes in ensuring athletes reach their peak performance safely. With extensive experience and a passion for sports health, Dr. Bazard provides insights and guidance for athletes of all ages - men and women.
THE New Providence Amateur Baseball League continued the return of its regular season on Wednesday night at the Andre Rodgers Baseball Stadium with the Joshua Outlawz nipping the Community Baseball League 2-1. Jayson Cooper started the game for the Outlawz and recorded 11 outs. Joshua Outlawz got on the board in the second inning after an error scored two runs. Jayson Cooper began the game for Josuha Outlawz. The starting pitcher allowed zero hits and one run over three and two-thirds innings, striking out three and walking six. Jair Haven started on the hill for the Community Baseball League. The hurler allowed three hits and two runs (zero earned) over five innings, striking out four and walking two. Avery Bain Jr tossed one and one-third innings of no-run ball for Joshua Outlawz in relief. The hurler surrendered zero hits, striking out one and walking none. Elvis Pardo, the number nine hitter for Joshua Outlawz, led the way with two runs batted in. Craig Wells, Cedric Duvalier, and Joel Miller each collected one hit for Joshua Outlawz. Joshu Outlawz were surehanded in the field and didn’t commit a single error. Antwon Bain had the most chances in the field with five.
The Community Baseball League had a strong eye at the plate, tallying six walks for the game. V Hudson and Gilbert Simmons led the team with two walks each. Lucas Alouidor stole two bases.
The league, headed by Jeff ‘Sangy’ Francis, will resume this weekend with the following games on tp:
Friday
6:45pm - Reapers vs Blue Power
9pm - Sharks vs Community Baseball League Sunday 3pm - Outlawz vs Blue Power
5:15pm
BAZARD DR KENT
JADEN MUNROE, right, on the medal podium.
JADEN Munroe in action, above and left.
British High Commission supports youth rugby in The Bahamas
THE British High Commission proudly donates over 500 shirts, shorts, boots, pads, training shirts, referee shirts, post covers, balls, and more to support youth rugby across The Bahamas.
The large donation of equipment and kit was donated by British High Commissioner Tom Hartley to the Bahamas Rugby Union (BRFU) president, Adam Waterhouse.
The donation included over 50 official shirts from the England Wales international teams, amongst many other items.
The donation was organised in partnership with UK charity, SOS Kit Aid, which works to support grassroots rugby worldwide.
It is the expectation of the British High Commission and BRFU that this kit will go a long way to revitalise, encourage and motivate
The Bahamas’ current youth participants and encourage new members to BRFU’s programmes in Nassau, Freeport and in other Family Islands in future.
Bahamas Rugby Union (BRFU) president, Adam Waterhouse, and His Excellency Tom Hartley, a former college rugby player, were joined by his son John, Lorenzo Rolle and Geoffrey Roberts from the British High Commission, as well BRFU’s youth development officer Duran Beadle, youth coach Jackelo Pierre, and Bahamas Rugby secretary Joshua Purcell. They enjoyed testing and modelling the equipment as part of the donation.
England invented rugby over 200 years ago, and it is played competitively across the Commonwealth, Europe, and the USA.
The Bahamas has had an official independent rugby union since 1973.
Games are played regularly at Winton Rugby ground in Nassau and off Settlers Way in Freeport, and training also takes place throughout the season at St Paul’s Field (near Lyford International School).
Bahamian teams tour regularly, and a youth team has just returned from competitive games in the Dominican Republic following a “Get into Rugby” programme running this Spring.
Both Winton Rugby ground and Freeport rugby clubs welcome spectators and supporters for all games.
The BRFU can be found and contacted via facebook.
The donated equipment will start to be rolled out to new and existing players soon.
Said British High Commissioner Tom Hartley:
“The UK is passionate about supporting young people get into sport. Whether sailing, swimming, football or rugby, young people learn so much through team work, perseverance, and skills developed from sport.
“And there’s something about the speed and fierce physical contact of rugby that makes it particularly exhilarating. I have seen first hand the incredible young players and coaches in The Bahamas, and we hope this equipment will encourage many players to get into sport, especially if they don’t have the kit already.
The president of the BRFU stated:
“This kit will have a significant impact on grassroots rugby in The Bahamas. We extend heartfelt thanks to all involved at SOS kit aid and the British High Commission for their excellent organisation and providing the logistical support needed to make this possible. We intend to use this kit and equipment to galvanise and grow our youth programmes in New Providence, Grand Bahama and extend our outreach to introductory sessions in other family islands.”
weekend, the New Providence Amateur Baseball Association will resume the return of its first regular season in almost 20 years this week.
Here’s the fixture on tap:
Friday
6:45pm - Reapers vs Blue Power
9pm - Sharks vs Community Baseball League Sunday
3pm - Outlawz vs Blue Power
5:15pm - Repeaters vs Sharks
BASKETBALL
SMILES
IT’S that time again as Basketball Smiles returns to The Bahamas.
Scheduled for June 16-18 at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium, the basketball
clinic conducted by veteran American basketball coach Sam Nicholls is designed for boys and girls between the ages of seven and 17 years old. The girls’ clinic is slated to run from 9am to noon and the boys will follow from 1-4pm.
Interested persons are urged to contact coach Patricia “Pattie” Johnson at HO Nash Junior High School or call 565-3675 for more details.
CHARITY GOLF INVITATIONAL THE Pilot Club International is scheduled to hold a XCharity Golf INvitational Fundraiser on Friday, June 20 at the Ocean Club on Paradise Island.
The event will get started with a shotgun start at 8am, followed by the awards luncheon. The donation is $1,000 per foursome. For more information. interested persons can call 557-9049.
BASKETBALL MHB CAMP THE Marvin Henfield Basketball Summer Basketball Camp is scheduled to run from June 23 to July 11 for players aged 6-17 years old.
The camp will be held in the gym in the back of the old Coca-Cola headquarters, now Love 97, on Thompson Boulevard. There is limited space.
To register, persons can visit www/marvinJHenfield. com or contact Henfield at 828-2353.
VOLLEYBALL SUMMER FEST
TOURNEY THE Crusaders/ Warhawks Volleyball Club, in conjunction with the Bahamas Volleyball Federation, is scheduled to host its inaugural Summer Fest Beach Volleyball Tournament from July 10-13 in Rolleville, Exuma.
The tournament, sponsored by Fidelity and Rubis, will feature a men’s 2-on-2 and women’s 3-on-3 format.
Cash prizes of $1,000 will be awarded for the winners and $500 for the runners-up in both divisions.
Interested teams are urged to call 422-4550 or 801-3131 for more details.
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 the Mr Ship It Three-point shootout and the Joe’s Slam Dunk Contest. The night will conclude with the exciting Clergy versus Politicians match-up.
BASKETBALL
BOWLES ELITE SKILLS
CAMP THE International Basketball Association is set to hold the 12th annual Denykco Bowles Elite Skills Basketball Camp at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium from June 23 to July 18. The camp, held under the theme “Developing Champions on all levels,” is designed for boys and girls between the ages of four and 18 and will be held from 8am to 2pm. Interested persons can call 466-0049 for more details.
YOUTH SOFTBALL CAMP
AS a part of the activities for the Queens of Paradise Softball Tournament next weekend at the Andre Rodgers Baseball Stadium, a Youth Softball Camp will be held.
It will take place on Friday, June 20 from 10am to noon for players between the ages of seven and 17 years old. Interested persons can sign up at www/ dbhrderby.com The weekend will be highlighted by a series of professional softball games between the Atlanta Smoke and the Orlando Monarchs from June 19-21.
Don’t Blink Sports Entertainment, headed by Todd Isaacs Jr and Lucius Fox Jr, along with B4Real Enterprises, is hosting the series of events, which will also include a celebrity softball game.
HIS Excellency Tom Hartley, John Hartley, Lorenzo Rolle, Geoffrey Roberts, Duran Beadle, Joshu Purcell, Jackelo Pierre and BRFU president Adam Waterhouse.
YOUTH coach Jackelo Pierre is blocked by Lorenzo Rolle whilst testing out the donated equipment.
OKLAHOMA City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (8) motions after making a three pointer against the Indiana Pacers during the second half of Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball series, Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Game 3: Pacers rally in the 4th, beat Thunder 116-107 to take 2-1 lead in NBA Finals
By TIM REYNOLDS AP Basketball Writer
INDIANAPOLIS (AP)
— Every time Indiana has lost a game in the last three months, it simply has come back to win the next one. Even in the NBA Finals — against a huge favourite who the Pacers now have in some trouble.
Bennedict Mathurin scored 27 points off the bench, Tyrese Haliburton finished with 22 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds, and the Pacers retook the lead in the NBA Finals by beating the Oklahoma City Thunder 116-107 in Game 3 on Wednesday night.
“This is the kind of team that we are,” Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said. “We need everybody to be ready. It’s not always going to be exactly the same guys that are stepping up with scoring
THUNDER FIND THEMSELVES IN FAMILIAR TERRITORY IN NBA FINALS, TRAILING 2-1 IN ANOTHER SERIES
By TIM REYNOLDS AP Basketball Writer
INDIANAPOLIS (AP)
— Game 1, a loss on the opposition’s final shot. Game 2, an easy win. Game 3, another loss to fall behind in the series again. This formula is not the one that would be considered optimal by the Oklahoma City Thunder, especially in the NBA Finals. But if there is some consolation for the overall No. 1 seed in these playoffs, it’s this: the Thunder have been in this exact spot before and found a way to prevail. That resiliency will be tested yet again, after the Indiana Pacers beat the Thunder 116-107 on Wednesday night to take a 2-1 series lead in these finals. Game 4 is in Indianapolis tonight.
“I thought it was an uncharacteristic night in a lot of ways for us,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said.
“We got to learn from it and then tap back into being who we are in Game 4. If we do that, I think we’ll
have a much better chance to win.”
It was not very Thunderlike in Game 3. They blew a fourth quarter lead for the second time in the series, gave up 21 points off turnovers and let the Pacers’ bench run wild — outscoring the OKC reserves 49-18. “We’ll watch it. It wasn’t all bad,” Daigneault said. “But we definitely have to play our style and impose our will for more of the 48 minutes if we want to come on the road and get a win.” There are uncanny similarities between the first three games of this series and the first three games of the Western Conference semifinal matchup between Oklahoma City and Denver.
— In Game 1 of the West semifinals, Aaron Gordon hit a 3-pointer with about 3 seconds left to give the Nuggets a win in Oklahoma City. In Game 1 of the NBA Finals, Tyrese Haliburton hit a jumper with 0.3 seconds left to give the Pacers a win in Oklahoma City.
— In Game 2 of the West semifinals, the Thunder evened things up with an
easy win. In Game 2 of the NBA Finals, the Thunder evened things up with an easy win.
— In Game 3 of the West semifinals, Denver — at home for the first time in that series — played from behind most of the night before fighting into overtime and eventually getting a win for a 2-1 series lead. In Game 3 of the NBA Finals, Indiana — at home for the first time in the series — trailed for much of the first half before eventually getting a win for a 2-1 series lead.
The Thunder dug their way out of that hole against the Nuggets. And now, the same task awaits — with an NBA title at stake.
“I wouldn’t say that now is the time for emotions, to be thinking about how you’re feeling, emotional this, emotional that,” Thunder forward Chet Holmgren said.
“You kind of have to cut that out and look at the substance of what it is. We have a great opportunity here and the great thing is we have another game coming up, Game 4.”
and stuff like that. But this is how we’ve got to do it.”
Pascal Siakam scored 21 for Indiana, which enjoyed a whopping 49-18 edge in bench points. The Pacers, who lost Game 2 in Oklahoma City, improved to 10-0 since mid-March in the game immediately following a loss. “So many different guys chipped in,” Haliburton said.
Jalen Williams scored 26 points, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 24 and Chet Holmgren had 20 for the Thunder, who led by five going into the fourth. Game 4 is back in Indiana tonight.
“We had a lot of good stretches of the game,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said. “But they had more good stretches than we did — and outplayed us over the course of 48 minutes.”
History says the Pacers are in control now; in the 41 previous NBA Finals that were tied at a game apiece, the Game 3 winner went on to hoist the trophy 33 times — an 80.5% clip. Advantage, Pacers. It was back-and-forth much of the way. There were 15 ties; to put that in perspective, there were 13 ties in the five-game entirety of last year’s finals between Boston and Dallas. The last time there was a finals game with more ties: Game 1 between Cleveland in Golden State in 2018, which was knotted 17 times.
TJ McConnell finished with 10 points, five assists and five steals for Indiana; since all those stats started being charted, nobody had ever come off the bench and done all that in an NBA Finals game.
“We just had guys make plays after plays,” Haliburton said. “Our bench was amazing.”
The Thunder were 61-2 when leading going into the fourth quarter in the regular season. They’re 1-2 when leading going into the fourth quarter in this series. Indiana — at home in an NBA Finals game for the first time in 25 years, with Caitlin Clark, Reggie Miller, Oscar Robertson and many other stars in the crowd — simply owned the final 12 minutes. Indiana outscored OKC 32-18 in the fourth, holding the Thunder to 35% shooting with the game and control of the series on the line.
“There’s a lot of areas we can clean up,” Holmgren said. “Everybody who stepped out there can be better.”
Shedeur Sanders
Travis Hunter
INDIANA Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) celebrates after making a basket against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half of Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball series, Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in Indianapolis.
(AP Photo/ Michael Conroy)
Anthaya Charlton clocks lifetime best to win 100
FROM PAGE E1
place. She scratched the other five attempts and watched as Synclair Savage, a senior at Louisiana, took the title with 22-3/4 (6.72m) on her sixth and final attempt.
Alyssa Jones, a junior at Stanford, was runner-up with 21-11 3/4 (6.70m) and Alexis Brown, a senior at Baylor, was third with 21-9 (6.63m).
Chalrton’s performance in the 100m also surpassed the qualifying standard for the World Championships in Tokyo, Japan in September.
The 21-year-old also did the feat in the long jump earlier this year.
She currently holds the fifth best mark of 23-0 1/2 (7.02m) in the long jump, which she achieved on January 31 at the Randal Tyson Indoor Center in Fayetteville, Arnkansas.
The World Championship standard is 11.07 for the 100m and 22-6 3/4 (6.86m) for the long jump. It will be the second major championship this year for Charlton, who got her maiden voyage at the World Indoor Championships in March in Nanjing, China
where she was sixth in the long jump with (6.57m).
Charlton, the younger sister of world indoor 60m record holder and repeat gold medallist Devynne Charlton, is the only Bahamian to advance in a final of an individual event at the championships that concludes on Saturday.
Olympic mixed relay competitor Javonya Valcourt attempted to advance in the women’s 400m yesterday as well.
But the Tennessee junior finished fourth in her heat in 51.65 for 13th place overall.
The ninth and final qualifier was Kaelyaah Liburb, a sophomore of Florida State, who clocked 51.35. She got into Saturday’s final with the field that was led by Aaliyah Butler, a junior at Georgia in 50.16.
Prior to her achievement in the 100m and the long jump, Charlton teamed up with fellow Bahamian Quincy Penn on Florida’s 4 x 100m relay team that ran a season’s best of 43.06 to advance to Saturday’s final with the eighth best time.
On the men’s side, national record holder Keyshawn Strachan, a junior at Nebraska, ended up fifth
in the javelin final with his best toss of 25-feet, 9-inches or 76.69 metres on his sixth and final attempt.
Deysel Devoux, a senior at Miami, threw 268-2 (81.75m) on his first attempt for the win. Leikel Cabrera Gay, a sophomore at Florida, was second with 250-4 (79.05m) on his third and Callan Saldutto, a senior at Missouri, was third with 252-8 (6.88m) on his first.
Strachan’s series of throws were 221-0 (67.37m) on his first, 246-2 (75.03m) on his second and 256-8 (72.15m) on his third before he fouled his fourth and did 235-5 (71.76m) on his fifth.
And Oscar Smith, a senior at Louisiana Tech, just missed making it to the final of the men’s 110m hurdles during the semifinals on Wednesday as well.
Competing in the first of three heats, Smith clocked 13.45 for third, but he was pegged at number ten overall, just one spot for advancing to the final that will be contested today.
The ninth and final qualifying spot went to John Adesola, a senior at Houston, in 13.43. The top qualifier was Ja’Kobe Tharp, a sophomore at Auburn, in 13.15.
J.J. Spaun leads U.S. Open at Oakmont on a wild day of great shots and shockers
By DOUG FERGUSON AP Golf Writer
OAKMONT, Pa. (AP)
— J.J. Spaun is still new enough to the U.S. Open, and a newcomer to the brute that is Oakmont, that he was prepared for anything yesterday. He wound up with a clean card and a one-shot lead on an opening day that delivered just about everything.
Scottie Scheffler had more bogeys in one round than he made had the entire tournament when he won the Memorial. He shot a 73, his highest start ever in a U.S. Open, four shots worse than when he made his Open debut at Oakmont as a 19-year-old at Texas.
Patrick Reed made the first albatross in 11 years at the U.S. Open when he holed out a 3-wood from 286 yards on the par-5 fourth. He finished with a triple bogey.
Bryson DeChambeau was 39 yards away from the hole at the par-5 12th and took four shots from the rough to get to the green.
Si Woo Kim shot a 68 and had no idea how.
“Honestly, I don’t even know what I’m doing on the course,” Kim said. “Kind of hitting good but feel like this course is too hard for me.” Through it all, Spaun played a steady hand in only his second U.S. Open. He played bogey-free and finished with 10 straight pars for a 4-under 66 on America’s toughest course hosting the major know as the toughest test in golf.
He matched the low opening round in U.S. Opens at Oakmont — Andrew Landry also shot 66 the last time here in 2016 — and it was no mystery. Good putting never fails at any U.S. Open, and Spaun holed five par putts ranging from 7 feet to 16 feet to go along with four birdies.
“I didn’t really feel like I’m going to show a bogeyfree round 4 under. I didn’t really know what to expect especially since I’ve never played here,” said Spaun, playing in only his second
U.S. Open. “But yeah, maybe sometimes not having expectations is the best thing, so I’ll take it.” Oakmont lived up to its reputation with a scoring average of about 74.6 despite a course still relatively soft from rain and moderate wind that didn’t stick around for long. And oh, that rough.
Just ask Rory McIlroy, although he chose not to speak for the fifth straight competitive round at a major since his Masters victory. He had to hack out three times on the fourth hole to get it back to the fairway, and then he holed a 30-foot putt for a most unlikely bogey. He shot 74. “Even for a guy like me, I can’t get out of it some of the times, depending on the lie,” DeChambeau said
after a 73. “It was tough. It was a brutal test of golf.”
The start of the round included Maxwell Moldovan holing out for eagle on the 484-yard opening hole. Toward the end, Tony Finau hit an approach just over the green, off a sprinkler head and into the grandstand, his Titleist marked by green paint of the sprinkler. He saved par. When the first round ended more than 13 hours after it started, only 10 players managed to break par. That’s one fewer than the opening round in 2016. Scheffler, the heavy favorite as the No. 1 player in the world who had won three of his last four tournaments by a combined 17 shots, made a 6-foot birdie putt on his second hole. Then he found the Church
Pew bunkers on the third and fourth holes, made bogey on both and was never under the rest of the day. “I made some silly mistakes out there, but at the same time, I made some key putts and some good momentum saves in my round,” Scheffler said. “But overall just need to be a little sharper.”
Spaun, who started his round by chipping in from ankle-deep rough just right of the 10th green, was walking down the 18th fairway when a spectator looked at the group’s scoreboard and said, “J.J. Spaun. He’s 4 under?”
The emphasis was on the number, not the name. But some of the names were surprising, starting with Spaun. He lost in
a playoff at The Players Championship to McIlroy that helped move him to No. 25 in the world, meaning he didn’t have to go through U.S. Open qualifying for the first time.
Thriston Lawrence of South Africa, who contended at Royal Troon last summer, had six birdies in a round of 67.
And perhaps Brooks Koepka can count as a surprise because the fivetime major champion has not contended in a major since winning the PGA Championship in 2023, and he missed the cut in the Masters and PGA Championship this year. He looked like the Koepka of old, muscling way around Oakmont, limiting mistakes and closing with two birdies for a 68 that left him in a group
with the South Korea duo of Si Woo Kim and Sungjae Im.
“It’s nice to put a good round together. It’s been a while,” Koepka said.
“It’s been so far off ... but now it’s starting to click. Unfortunately, we’re about halfway through the season, so that’s not ideal, but we’re learning.”
Another shot back at 69 was a group that included two-time major champion Jon Rahm, who went 11 holes before making a birdie, and followed that with an eagle.
“I played some incredible golf to shoot 1 under, which we don’t usually say, right?” Rahm said. The course allowed plenty of birdies, plenty of excitement, and doled out plenty of punishment.
McIlroy also was bogeyfree, at least on his opening nine. Then he three-putted for bogey on No. 1 and wound up with a 41 on the front nine for a 74. Sam Burns was one shot out of the lead until playing the last four holes in 5 over for a 72 that felt a lot worse.
Spaun was not immune from this. He just made everything, particularly five par putts from 7 feet or longer.
“I think today was one of my best maybe putting days I’ve had maybe all year,” Spaun said.
“Converting those putts ... that’s huge for momentum and keeping a round going, and that’s kind of what happens here at U.S. Opens.”
Spaun wouldn’t know that from experience. This is only his second U.S. Open, and his ninth major since his first one in 2018. He didn’t have to qualify, moving to No. 25 in the world on the strength of his playoff loss to McIlroy at The Players Championship.
“I haven’t played in too many,” Spaun said “I knew it was going to be tough. I did my best just to grind through it all.” It was every bit of a grind, from the rough and on the fast greens. Three more days.
J.J. Spaun watches his tee shot on the seventh hole during the first round of the U.S. Open golf tournament at Oakmont Country Club yesterday in Oakmont, Pa.
(AP Photo/ Charlie Riedel)
ANTHAYA Charlton with her NCAA trophies.
Intriguing Colorado Duo
Ayear a er quarterbacks dominated the top dozen picks, Miami’s Cam Ward is the only sure re high pick among premier passers this year Bringing the intrigue into the dra are Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders and two-way star Travis Hunter, who aims to play both cornerback and wide receiver in the NFL like he did in B oulder
Pacers not celebrating, Thunder not panicking as sides reset for Game 4
Where will Shedeur Sanders land when teams gather in the land of Vince Lombardi to restock their rosters? at s the biggest stor yline of the NFL dra in Green Bay Wisconsin, with mocks all over
Although Cam Ward, the consensus pick to go No 1 overall to the Tennessee Titans, arguably brings more electricity to the position, Sanders’ skillset merits no sco ng He s not creative like Cam He doesn t have the mobility of Cam He doesn t have the rocket arm of Cam Ward, Kiper said “But certainly Shedeur, in the right o ense, with the right personnel around him can be great ” Shedeur Sanders brings some of the same swag that his father who coached him at Jackson State and Colorado brought to the
need, in their quarterback. e Cleveland Browns own the second overall pick followed by the New York Giants. e Browns still need a franchise quarterback and the Giants could select their future signal-caller despite signing free agents Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston this o season. Other wise, LSU o ensive lineman Will Campbell and Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter are two blue-chippers worthy of
of
By TIM REYNOLDS AP Basketball Writer
INDIANAPOLIS (AP)
— The Indiana Pacers aren’t celebrating. The Oklahoma City Thunder aren’t panicking.
Bypassing Colorado s precisi could lead to deep regrets amon evaluators, suggested longtime analyst Mel Kiper Jr Sanders overcame a substand game and at times poor pass pr throw for 37 touchdowns and m 4,000 yards last season while co more than 74% of his throws. Bypassing on-the- eld work the NFL Scouting Combine an Big 12 pro day only added to th that suddenly swirled around t Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, w wondered how his son s stock c slipped when he hasn t thrown interception since the Alamo B
The NBA Finals scoreboard is what it is — Pacers 2, Thunder 1 — going into Game 4 of the best-ofseven title series tonight. Everybody can count to four, and everybody can see that Indiana is in a better position right now than Oklahoma City, But the Pacers know if they were to partake in such thinking, that would be dangerous.
“There’s nothing to get excited about right now,” Indiana guard Tyrese Haliburton said. “We’re still a long way away.”
An even-keeled approach, for certain. The Thunder are going about business the same way.
“At the conclusion of the year a er 4,000-some yards, all of a sudden his arm is weak Deion Sanders cracked I don t know when his arm got weak. But he protects the ball He had the highest completion percentage in college football this past year He’s the pillar of consistency
“I just think we stay pretty emotionally even in all of the different experiences,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said. “You really see that when we win. I think if you’re going to get high on the wins, then the natural opposite of that is to get low on the losses. This team doesn’t really swing violently between those two things. Never has.”
But you ve got to understand when that last name is on your back, you re going to be attacked a ridiculed But we ’ re built for tha raised for this moment ” Kiper concurred saying Shed Sanders is accurate he s precise everything ever ybody wants. De making, accuracy, toughness, h he s 6-foot-and-a-half, can t cha right? But six-foot-and-a-half is good enough now in this day an g
Indiana grabbed control of the series on Wednesday night in a 116-107 win, a game in which the Pacers’ bench — led by Bennedict Mathurin’s 27 points in 22 minutes and T.J. McConnell’s 10 points, five assists and five steals in 15 minutes — outscored Oklahoma City’s reserves 49-18.
The Thunder starters were more than fine in Game 3: Oklahoma City opened the game with a 15-6 run, then started the third quarter — with the starters all on the floor — with an 8-0 burst. Add up those 7 minutes of play, and it was Thunder 23, Pacers 6. Add up the other 41 minutes of the game, and it was Pacers 110, Thunder 84.
“It’s got to be a killer edge to beat these guys,”
Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said. “We’re going to be an underdog in every game in this series. ... It’s a daunting challenge. Anything less than a total grit mindset, we just don’t have a chance.” If Oklahoma City finds a way Friday, it goes home with a 2-2 series tie and two of the final three games of the series set to be played in its building. A loss, and it’s 3-1 — the sort of hole that few teams in NBA history have escaped.
“I think just the competitive greatness for this team has to be at an all-time high,” Thunder guard Alex Caruso said. “To be able to go on the road and win a
game is a difficult thing in the playoffs, but especially staring 3-1 down in the face. You got to really get your mind right and get ready for the preparation that it’s going to take to go out there and compete for 48 minutes and get the win.”
Turner update Myles Turner, who had five blocks for Indiana in Game 3, including two against Oklahoma City’s Chet Holmgren with about 2 minutes left — first a 3-pointer and then a 6-footer on the same possession — is dealing with an illness. Turner was with the Pacers for film on Thursday and then was sent home. It
seems like Indiana expect that he will play in Game 4. Bounceback Thunder Indiana hasn’t lost backto-back games in three months. Oklahoma City hasn’t done so in two months.
The Thunder are 6-0 after losses since early April, 5-0 after losses in these playoffs. “There’s a maximum four games left in the season,” GilgeousAlexander said.
“It’s what you worked the whole season for. “It’s what you worked all summer for. To me, the way I see it, you got to suck it up, get it done and try to get a win.”
The others were the Los Angeles Lakers in 2009 and 2020, Boston in 2008, Detroit in 2004 and San Antonio in 2003. All five of those teams went on to win the NBA title. The last word
“We got great leaders on this team, the coaches and players who keep us on track with everything. We’re comfortable in close games. At the end of games, as well. “We just trust our work, trust we got to get the ball into our guards’ hands and they’re going to make good plays.” — Pacers forward Obi Toppin.
Haliburton’s free throws In five games against Oklahoma City this season, Haliburton has been fouled in the act of shooting just once — in the first half of a Thunder-Pacers game on March 29. He has not taken a free throw in this series. He’s the first player to log at least 109 minutes in the first three games of a finals and not take a single free throw since Miami’s Mario Chalmers in 2012 — also against the Thunder. A 2-1 lead, again In this current 16-team playoff format that dates back to 1984, Indiana is the sixth team to have a 2-1 lead in all four of its postseason series.
DEMARCUS COUSINS SUSPENDED FOR SEASON, CONTRACT TERMINATED AFTER BRAWL WITH FANS
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Former NBA All-Star centre DeMarcus Cousins was suspended for the rest of the season in Puerto Rico’s basketball league and his team terminated his contract after a brawl with fans during a game earlier this week. The 34-year-old Cousins, who played for seven teams during his NBA career, made an obscene gesture, exchanged words and grabbed the arm of a fan sitting courtside Monday night before being taken away by his teammates. Cousins received a second technical foul for his actions and was ejected. In the tunnel heading to the locker room, he argued with another fan while people in the stands threw liquids toward him.
Cousins received a $4,250 fine and could face an additional one of $5,750, the Baloncesto Superior Nacional league announced late Tuesday.
“As an organisation, we strongly condemn any form of violence or provocation, whether on or off the field. Safety, respect, and sportsmanship are non-negotiable values for this franchise,” the Mets said in a news release.
It was Cousins’ second season playing in Puerto Rico. He was averaging 18.2 points per game with nine rebounds for a team that has a 9-18 record.
In his previous stint with the Mets in the 2023 season, Cousins helped the team reach the semifinals. In the NBA, Cousins averaged 19.6 points and 10.2 rebounds over 11 seasons. The four-time All-Star’s best season came with Sacramento in 2016-17, when he averaged 27.8 points.
After the NBA, besides his stop in Puerto Rico, Cousins also played in the Taiwan and Mongolia
ketball leagues.
(AP Photo/Michael Conroy)