The 76ers select ‘VJ’ Edgecombe Jr
By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor
From Bimini,
The Bahamas to Waco, Texas, Valdez
‘VJ’ Edgecombe Jr has now moved on to the National Basketball Association (NBA) after he was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers.
It came with the third lottery pick in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft last night at Barclays Center in New York, as expected, behind top pick Cooper Flagg from Duke to the Dallas Mavericks and No.2 Dylan Harper from
Rutgers to the San Antonio Spurs. He was welcomed by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver as he joined a list of seven Bahamians and two descendants, who paved the way from 1978.
Edgecombe Jr, a 19-yearold six-foot, five-inch freshman guard from the NCAA Division One Baylor Bears, said he was super excited when his name was called as he was interviewed by Monica McNutt of ESPN.
THE Gremlins and the Cyber Tech Lady Marlins won the New Providence Softball Association’s double header on Tuesday night in the Bankers Field at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex.
As the NPSA returned to action after taking a break for the professional women’s softball tournament over the weekend, the Gremlins out-slugged the Renegades 20-13 and the Lady Marlins routed Reloaded 26-4.
Gremlins 20, Renegades 13
Garfield Bethel had a solid night at the office, going 3-for-4 with a double and a home run for four runs batted in and a run scored to lead the winners.
“We came from nothing,” said Edgecombe Jr as he spoke on behalf of his mother, who was a little emotional at his first official interview as a member of the NBA brotherhood and the legacy of Bahamians who paved the way for him.
“That’s why the emotions are so high right now.”
With so much hype on the night, Edgecombe Jr didn’t disappoint as he stepped out wearing a black pint-stripe double breasted suit with a gold stripe on his left arm and aqua on the right. On the inside, he displayed a tribute in portraits of all the persons - dead and alive - who played a role in his journey to the NBA. He completed his
Austin Hanna was just as impressive with a 3-for-5 production with two doubles, three RBI and two runs scored and Philip Farquharson was 1-for-1 with a homer, three RBI and a run scored.
Norman Bastian picked up the win on the mound and Tyler Munroe suffered the loss.
The Gremlins scored three runs on three hits in the first, six runs on three hits in the second, two runs and two hits in the third, two runs on three hits in the fourth and seven runs on four hits in the fifth.
The Renegades responded with a pair of runs on as many hits in the first, four runs on three hits in the second, one run on two hits in the third and one run on one hit in the fourth. Jurel Bain went 3-for-4 with three RBI and two runs scored and Rashad Martin was 2-for-4 with two
By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor
THE Poitier sisters completed their tour of the United States on Tuesday with Zaire winning the girls’ 10-11 age group at the State Farm Youth Classic in Bloomington, Illinois.
She shot a new personal best of 83 to end the two-day competition with a total of 177 for an 18-stroke lead over the rest of the field.
Twin sisters Zion and Zeden shot 89 and 97 for fifth and sixth respectively in the girls’ 10-11 category.
It was the last of seven tournaments the sisters participated in over the past month.
“I think I did great. I got a lot of birdies, an eagle and a lot of pars,” said the 10-year-old Zaire about her performance. “The highlight for me was when I made an eagle on the last hole to win.”
The nine-year-old twins were just as enthused about their performances.
“The highlight of the trip for me was my drive, chip and putt,” said Zeden. “I really enjoyed the trip.”
Zion said the highlight for her was her win in Quincy. “This trip was great. I won in Quincy, Illinois at the Pepsi Little People’s Championships when I scored a 39,” she said. Their father, Philip,
By Jonathan Burrows
EXCITEMENT is building across the capital as preparations for the 30th anniversary of the Peace On Da Streets Basketball tournament were officially unveiled during a press conference yesterday at the Hope Centre. Hosted by long-time community advocate and tournament founder Carlos Reid, the press conference brought together organisers and key sponsors, all pledging their support for what has become one of the most impactful and anticipated grassroots sporting events in the country. Joining Reid at the press conference were major sponsors of this year’s tournament, including Mr Ship It CEO, Leonardo Lightbourne, Joey’s Seafood Restaurant owner, Dario Williams, and a
MILLER’S FUNERAL THE funeral service for the late Harry Wenzel Miller, a former outstanding softball player, is all set to take place at 11am Saturday, July 5 at St Michael’s Methodist Church on Churchill Avenue. His interment will follow at the Western Cemetery. Miller, married to Moria Sweeting-Miller, is the father
of Theresa Miller-Tynes, a former outstanding female softball player. His other children are Pamela Miller, Patrice Miller-King, Monique Sweeting-Miller, Jennifer Ferguson-Miller, Ashley Miller-King and Roberto Miller. SPECIAL OLYMPICS
SPECIAL Olympics Bahamas is scheduled
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from
Philip, Zeden, Zaire and mother Denise.
VALDEZ “VJ” Edgecombe arrives for the first round of the NBA basketball draft, Wednesday, June 25, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Preparations underway for 30th anniversary of the ‘Peace On Da Streets’ basketball tournament
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representative from the 100 Jamz radio station. Each expressed their commitment to using basketball as a platform to promote unity, mentorship and positive engagement among
Bahamian youth, both male and female.
“We aim to provide youth with healthy alternatives, helping them to discover their identity and turn away from violence,” said Reid as he addressed the press.
“We cannot depend solely
on the government, police, and churches - real change begins with us.”
This year’s tournament will feature 42 teams across six sponsored divisions, aimed at maximising participation and inclusivity across all age groups.
Divisions include Tropical Gyro 13-and-under, Meyers Group 16-andunder, Sun Oil Bahamas Limited 20-and-under, the We Buy You Sell Church division, the Design Group Open division - featuring two $2,500 cash prizes, and a newly sponsored division open to corporate teams, the Jamaica Bahama Import Corporate division. Reid confirms that basketball scouts from local and international programmes, as well as high-level athletes, are expected to attend the tournament, offering participants a valuable chance to be seen by recruiters and potentially open doors to athletic and academic opportunities.
The tournament will also feature a variety of giveaways, including but not limited to two round-trip airline tickets for two provided by Bahamasair and Inter-Caribbean airline.
Aquaventure Swim Park passes, dinner for two at the Atlantis resort, flat screen
TV provided by Charm Ones and an iPhone and iPad presented to the MVP of the tournament provided by BTC.
“We’re trying to give away the whole gym,” said Reid when listing the many giveaways expected to take place at the tournament.
Two of the most anticipated competitions are:
The Joey’s Takeaway Slam Dunk Contest, which will award cash prizes of $200 for third place, $800 for second place and $1,000 for first place.
The Mr Ship It 3-point Shootout, for non-tournament participants, will award cash prizes of $500 for the runner-up and $1,000 for the winner.
The press conference concluded with a special focus on the crowd favourite, the Clergy vs. Politicians game - a beloved and entertaining fixture that traditionally closes out the tournament.
This good-natured exhibition match sees local pastors face off against
elected officials, blending spirited competition with community fun.
Some of the featured participants include Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis, set to coach, Minister of Youth, Sports, and Culture Mario Bowleg, one-time tournament MVP and sponsor Leonardo Lightbourne and apostle and founder Carlos Reid. Games are scheduled to begin at the Hope Centre on Monday, July 14, and will run over several days of high-energy competition.
The tournament will culminate with the championship games, the Joey’s Takeaway Slam Dunk Contest, the Mr Ship It 3-point Contest, and the Clergy vs Politicians game.
These events are all set for July 20 at the Kendal GL Isaacs Gymnasium beginning at 4pm. Organisers are encouraging the public to attend and support the event, which continues to serve as a beacon of hope and unity through basketball.
SHOWN, from left to right, Leonardo Lightbourne, Mr Ship It CEO, Carlos Reid, founder of Peace On Da Streets Basketball Tournament, Dario Williams, owner of Joey’s Seafood Restaurant, and a 100 Jamz radio station representative.
VJ Edgecombe Jr hopes ‘Philly likes Bahamians’
By DAN GELSTON AP Sports Writer
CAMDEN, N.J. (AP) — Valdez “VJ” Edgecombe Jr experienced hardship throughout his childhood on Bimini, a tiny island in The Bahamas hardly known for developing NBA talent.
Only 19, it wasn’t much more than a decade ago when Edgecombe Jr knew that his basketball talent — developed on the “hard sand” of his native land — could be a way to provide so much more for his family.
“I don’t think anyone on the island would have dreams of playing in the NBA as well as making it,” Edgecombe said.
“It would just sound so crazy.”
His crazy dream is set to become a reality in Philadelphia. In win-now mode, the 76ers selected Edgecombe Jr out of Baylor with the No. 3 overall pick in the NBA draft last night to add their trio of oft-injured AllStars the team hopes can return to form and make the 76ers a healthy title contender.
“Maybe Philly likes Bahamians,” he said this week in New York. “We’ll see.”
The 6-4, 193-pound Edgecombe Jr boasts explosive athleticism that stands out at both ends, notably as an above-the-rim finisher who creates highlight-reel moments.
Edgecombe Jr could be a rookie of the year contender or a rotation player, and his numbers next season won’t matter much if two-time NBA scoring champion Joel Embiid can’t make a successful return from knee surgery. Embiid had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in April and was on track to return for training camp.
Team president Daryl Morey said he talked to Embiid earlier Wednesday and the All-Star centre was “very engaged, attacking rehab.”
workout with the 76ers.
Morey said Bailey’s agent and draft team gave the 76ers a “pretty opaque” reason for dropping out.
“I don’t try to judge,” Morey said.
“They were doing what they thought was best for them. We were doing what’s best for us. It had no effect on the decision.”
Edgecombe Jr finished in the draft combine’s top 10 with a 38.5-inch max vertical leap, had seven games with at least three made 3s and 11 games with threeplus steals. He shot just 34% on 3s and made just 25% (13 of 59) in off-dribble jumpers, according to Synergy’s analytics rankings.
“We’ve been fortunate that you can get a guy with talent already playing at a high level at Baylor,” Morey said.
was the No. 1 overall pick in 2018.
And now, he’s a guaranteed millionaire.
“Life wasn’t always great,” Edgecombe said.
“We weren’t as fortunate as a family. I was living off generators. There’s been nights I was sleeping in the heat, no electricity. Just grateful to be here today.” Embiid, Maxey and George played all of 15 games together this season and the trio played a combined 119 games.
Embiid, the 2023 NBA MVP, played only 19 games. Morey said in April all three should be back at “100%” by training camp.
Edgecombe Jr will be there to greet them with support from afar from a seven-mile island that boasts NBA players and fellow natives Eric Gordon and Chavano “Buddy” Hield.
to hold their annual raffle grill fun day fundraiser on Saturday, August 16 from 11:30am to 6pm at the Stapledon School Grounds on Dolphin Drive. Dinners will include chicken, steak, fish, hot dogs, burgers, pastries and soft drinks. Domino’s, Connect 4 and basketball games will be played during the day. Interested persons are urged to call 426-0233, 477-0304 or 359-3558 for information on ticket purchases.
GOLF STRIKERS
CHALLENGE
THE Strikers’ Three Club Challenge is slated to be held from July 11-13 at the Bahamas Golf Federation Driving Range at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex with a shotgun start at noon each day.
Former All-Stars and Paul George and Tyrese Maxey also slogged through injury-plagued season as the 76ers — a franchise with perennial NBA championship aspirations — finished with a woeful 24-58 record under coach Nick Nurse that included a 5-31 stretch to close the season. “If we would have left that without a guy who could be a potential All-Star for us, that was going to be really tough,” Morey said.
The 18-holes event will be played in three different divisions with $2,500 in cash prizes for first, second and third-place finishes as well as the closest to the pin finisher.
Registration is required. For more information, persons can contact Swanno at 242-376-0811. The registration fee is $150 per person, which includes the green fees for two days, plus food and drinks.
FITNESS STRENGTH & CONDITIONING
CAMP
Dr Kent Bazard will host Mark Henry, Olympic powerlifter and the world’s strongest man and WWE Hall of Famer in the World’s Strongest Kids Strength & Conditioning Camp.
The camp, opened to boys and girls from ages eight to 18 years, will take place 5pm Friday, June 27 at the Empire Fitness Center in the Seagrapes
NPSA: GREMLINS AND LADY MARLINS IN THE WIN COLUMN
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RBI in a losing effort.
Lady Marlins 26, Reloaded 4: Dajah Wood exploded for a 3-for-4 night with a double and triple, two RBI and four runs scored to pace Cyber Tech to victory.
Laurel Hanchell was the winning pitcher and P Virgill was the loser.
Cyber Tech blew the game open by putting up 15 runs on just three hits in the first inning and they added
Morey said he would spend the summer trying make the roster younger and more athletic — Edgecombe Jr could form a next generation Big Three with Maxey and last year’s firstround pick, Jared McCain
Plaza on Prince Charles Drive. Henry will provide tips for speed, conditioning, strength training, stretching, agility drills and technique. Interested persons are urged to email bahabash2.eventbrite.com or call 242-364-2001 for more information.
WRESTLING
Baha Bash II
All Caribbean Wrestling (ACW) is turning up the heat this summer with a full day of elite opportunities and hard-hitting action on Saturday, June 28. The festivities begin with
— to potentially help the team fight off the rash of injuries that wrecked the season and provide a bit of a cushion if veterans Embiid and George are sidelined again for long stretches.
He starts with Edgecombe, picked over Rutgers star Ace Bailey, who canceled a pre-draft
a seminar from 11am to 1pm, led by Gabe Sapolsky. Rising talent from across the Caribbean will get firsthand insight from one of the sharpest minds in professional wrestling today. That afternoon, the spotlight shifts to BAHA BASH II at the luxurious Baha Mar resort in Nassau, The Bahamas. Doors open at 4pm, and fans can expect an unforgettable blend of wrestling spectacle and Caribbean culture.
Featured Matches: WWE ID Match: WWE ID Prospect Gal Barkay vs.
“And then also has, not only just a hopeful work ethic, you can see when you track back to The Bahamas, and you can track back through his pre-Baylor period all the way through, I think we’re excited about that.”
Edgecombe Jr grew up in The Bahamas and is the the nation’s highest-drafted player since Deandre Ayton
Former WWE Superstar JTG. Grudge Match: “The Anti-Hero” Davienne vs. Jayme Jameson. Grudge Match: “The Villain” Marty Scurll vs. Kenny King. ACW Women’s Title Match: “ROH Women’s TV Champ” Red Velvet vs. Kaylia Capri (c). ACW Championship Match: Prince Agballah vs. “Pope” Elijah Burke (c). Also in action: Champion Izaiah Zane is expected to defend his Digital Media title. ACW Tag-Team Champions Da Russell Twins will be in action.
Edgecombe Jr was part of the Bahamian national team that also included Ayton. “It shows that other kids can make it out,” Edgecombe Jr said. “That’s the main thing. It’s telling the kids they can have confidence and showing them that once you have confidence, one you have faith, it’ll work.”
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.
VJ EDGECOMBE, left, is congratulated by Cedric Coward after being selected third by the Philadelphia 76ers In the first round of the NBA basketball draft, Wednesday, June 25, 2025, in New York. (AP Photos/ Adam Hunger)
VJ Edgecombe poses for a photo with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected third by the Philadelphia 76ers In the first round of the NBA basketball draft.
VJ Edgecombe walks across the stage after being selected third by the Philadelphia 76ers.
that was a real boost of confidence for them.
“So coming back home, they know the things that they need to work on and continue to excel and be ready for when we leave at the end of next month for the Kids World Championships in San Diego.” At the US Kids local tour at the Ocean Club on May 18, the sisters qualified for the Kids World Championships, scheduled for July 29 to August 2.
Zaire won the Irvine Cup in Trinidad that got her entry to State Farm and now she has won that as well, while Zion won in Quincy, Illinois to qualify for the Junior World Golf Championships in San Diego.
THE Poitier family, shown from left to right, Zion, father Philip, Zaire, Zeden and mother Denise.
TWO of the Poitier sisters with their mother Denise.
ZAIDE POITIER, second from left, with three of her rivals.
THE Poitier sisters share a special moment with some of their rivals.
Cooper Flagg the new Maine man for the Mavericks as the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft
By BRIAN MAHONEY AP Basketball Writer
NEW YORK (AP) — Cooper Flagg is the new Maine man in Dallas.
The Mavericks took the Duke forward with the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft Wednesday night, hoping they have found their next franchise superstar less than five months after trading one away.
Mavericks fans were furious when Dallas traded Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers on Feb. 1, some immediately threatening to end their support of the team.
But the ones who stuck around may quickly love Flagg, the college player of the year who averaged 19.2 points and 7.5 rebounds while leading Duke to the Final Four. The Mavericks quickly announced that Flagg would wear No. 32 in Dallas, where fellow Duke products Kyrie Irving and Dereck Lively II are on the roster.
“I’m really excited. I think I keep saying I’m excited to be a sponge, to get down there and just learn, be surrounded by Hall of Fame-caliber guys and just to be able to learn from them,” Flagg said.
“It’s going to be an incredible experience.”
His selection — considered likely ever since Flagg showed off his considerable game last summer after being invited to the U.S. Olympic team’s training camp — was a daylong celebration in his home state for the 18-year-old forward from Newport, Maine.
“It means a lot to me to have the support of the whole state. I know how many people showed up today and supported me at some of the draft parties back home,” Flagg said.
“It feels amazing knowing I can inspire younger kids. I was in their shoes really not that long ago, so just to know I can give those kids those feelings and have the whole state behind me, it means a lot.”
He joined Elton Brand, Irving, Zion Williamson and Paolo Banchero as Duke players drafted No. 1 since 1999, and he returned the draft to its longtime start with a one-and-done college player.
That’s the way the draft began every year from 2010
until Banchero’s selection in 2022, but the last two No. 1 picks, Victor Wembanyama and Zaccherie Risacher, are both from France.
Rutgers freshman Dylan Harper was taken by the Spurs with the No. 2 pick and will try to follow Wembanyama and Stephon Castle and give San Antonio a third straight NBA Rookie of the Year.
“It’s definitely a goal of mine to make it three in a row,” Harper said. “I think the coaching staff and the players are going to make it easy for me to go out there and showcase my talent, so definitely.”
The 76ers then took Baylor’s VJ Edgecombe, getting the first sustained burst of loud cheers of the draft from what seemed to be a number of Philadelphia fans who made the trip to Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The first two picks had long been expected, but the No. 3 spot was the first one where there was intrigue. Kon Knueppel made it two Duke players in the first four picks when the Charlotte Hornets took him at No. 4. When big man Khaman Maluach went at No. 10 — a pick made by the Houston Rockets but headed to Phoenix as part of the trade for Kevin Durant that can’t become official until next month
— it gave the Blue Devils three top-10 picks and 50 in the first round since 1989, moving past Kentucky (48) for most by any school. “It was so emotional getting to see my teammates,
my fellow freshmen getting drafted,” Maluach said. “I was so happy for them because they deserve everything they have. They worked hard for it, for that moment, too.”
Ace Bailey, Harper’s teammate with the Scarlet Knights who could have been in the mix to go third but declined to work out for the 76ers, ended up going at No. 5 to Utah to end a draft process in which he was criticized for how his camp handled it.
“I’m glad it’s over,” Bailey said. “I’m ready to play some basketball now.”
Then it was Tre Johnson of Texas to the Washington Wizards at No. 6 and Oklahoma’s Jeremiah Fears to New Orleans at No. 7, before the host Nets took BYU’s Egor Demin at No. 8, Brooklyn’s first of potentially five selections in the first round. Toronto took South Carolina’s Collin Murray-Boyles at No. 9. The NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder took Georgetown center Thomas Sorber at No. 15, their first of two picks in the first round.
COOPER FLAGG, right, poses for a photo with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected first overall by the Dallas Mavericks In the first round of the NBA basketball draft, Wednesday, June 25, 2025, in New York.
(AP Photos/ Adam Hunger)
COOPER FLAGG, right, poses for a photo with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected first overall by the Dallas Mavericks In the first round of the NBA basketball draft, Wednesday, June 25, 2025, in New York.
Trump administration says California must bar trans girls from girls’ sports
By SOPHIE AUSTIN Associated PRESS/ Report for America
SACRAMENTO, Calif.
(AP) — The Trump administration said Wednesday that California must change its policies allowing transgender girls to compete on sports teams consistent with their gender identity.
The U.S. Department of Education said it determined California’s education department and governing body for high school sports are violating Title IX, a federal law banning sex discrimination in education. The federal government said California must agree to change its policies in 10 days or “risk imminent enforcement action.” The administration could otherwise refer the state to the U.S. Justice Department, the Education Department said. California, though, said it has no plans to change its policies.
“The California Department of Education believes all students should have the opportunity to learn and play at school, and we have consistently applied existing law in support of students’ rights to do so,” agency spokesperson Liz Sanders said in a statement.
U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon invoked Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom’s remarks on his podcast in March questioning the fairness of trans girls competing in girls sports.
“The Trump Administration will relentlessly enforce Title IX protections for women and girls, and our findings today make clear that California has failed to adhere to its obligations under federal law,” she said in a statement. She told Fox News the agency may pull federal
funding if the state does not comply. The Education Department said the state should apologize and restore awards to girls who lost sports titles to trans athletes, and notify school sports programs that receive federal funding that Title IX prohibits trans girls from participating in girls sports.
The announcement comes weeks after a trans student athlete garnered national attention over her participation in the California high school state track and field championship. The student, AB Hernandez, placed first in the girls high jump and triple jump, and second in the long jump.
The California Interscholastic Federation, which ran the meet, awarded gold and silver medals to both Hernandez and other competitors who would have placed had she not participated. It was the first time the federation made such a rule change.
Part of a nationwide battle
The issue is part of a nationwide battle over the rights of transgender youth in which states have limited transgender girls from participating on girls sports teams, barred gender-affirming surgeries for minors and required parents to be notified if a child changes their pronouns at school.
At least two dozen states have laws barring transgender women and girls from participating in certain sports competitions. Some of the policies have been blocked in court. “This really isn’t about sports and locker rooms. This is about erasing transgender individuals altogether,” said Trevor Norcross, the father of a trans student-athlete in San Luis Obispo County. “Focusing on sports and
locker rooms is just a path to get people used to discriminating against transgender youth.”
Norcross’ daughter, who will be a high school junior in the fall, has been on the girls track team since she was a freshman. She has received backlash over her participation in recent months, but mainly from parents and advocates outside of the school community, Norcross said. He said the U.S. Education Department’s announcement Wednesday was yet another act of “bullying by the administration.”
Trump signed an executive order in February aimed at banning trans women and girls from participating on sports teams
that align with their gender identity. But a California law, signed in 2013 by thenGov. Jerry Brown, allows students to participate in sex-segregated school programs, including on sports teams, and use bathrooms and other facilities that align with their gender identity.
Newsom spokesperson Izzy Gardon said McMahon’s threat to pull federal funding over the state’s policy was “dramatic, fake, and completely divorced from reality.”
The governor’s office said the U.S. Education Department’s letter was not “a serious legal document” but “a political document designed to intimidate school officials and unlawfully override
well-established state laws protecting students.”
The California Interscholastic Federation declined to respond to the announcement, saying it does not comment on legal matters.
The federation is violating the U.S. Constitution by allowing trans girls to compete in sex-segregated sports consistent with their gender identity, said Harmeet Dhillon, U.S. assistant attorney general for civil rights, in a letter after the state track and field finals.
Groups split over federal government’s findings
The California Family Council, a conservative group that opposes trans girls’ competition in girls sports, applauded the federal government’s findings Wednesday. “This
decision is a critical step toward restoring fairness and protecting the integrity of girls’ sports in our state,” Sophia Lorey, an advocate for the group, said in a statement. But Equality California, an LGBTQ+ advocacy organization, said the findings were a “dangerous distortion of Title IX and a direct attack on transgender youth in California.”
“Let’s be clear: this isn’t about fairness in sports and never has been — it’s about a federal administration weaponizing civil rights laws to target transgender students and force California to comply with their hateful anti-transgender agenda,” Tony Hoang, the group’s executive director, said in a statement.
AB HERNANDEZ, a transgender student at Jurupa Valley High School, stands on the podium during a medal ceremony for the triple jump at the California high school track-and-field championships in Clovis, Calif., May 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Jae C Hong)
‘JAZZ’ CHISHOLM JR
HITS A HOME RUN TO HELP POWER YANKEES TO 7-1 WIN OVER REDS
By JOE REEDY AP Sports Writer
CINCINNATI (AP) — Max Fried became this season’s first 10-game winner, Jasson Domínguez and Trent Grisham had four hits apiece and the New York Yankees defeated the Cincinnati Reds 7-1 last night to avoid being swept in the three-game interleague series.
Jasrado “Jazz” Chisholm Jr. homered for the Yankees (46-34), who remained one game in front of Tampa Bay in the AL East.
Elly De La Cruz had two hits for the Reds.
Fried (10-2) went seven innings and allowed an unearned run, four hits and seven strikeouts.
The left-hander is the third Yankees pitcher since 1962 to be the first in the majors to reach double-digit victories, joining CC Sabathia in 2011
and Tommy John in 1979. Domínguez and Grisham each had two doubles.
The four hits were a career high for Domínguez while it was the third time Grisham has had at least four hits in his seven-year career.
Chisholm Jr, ejected in the ninth inning of Tuesday night’s 5-4 loss in 11 innings after arguing a strike call, bounced back with a tworun, third-inning drive off Brady Singer (7-6).
Giancarlo Stanton led off the inning with a single and Chisholm Jr sent Singer’s slider 433 feet into the stands in right-centre to make it 3-0.
Four of Chisholm Jr’s 17 homers have come since he returned to the lineup on June 3 after missing 28 games due to a right oblique strain.
Key moment The Yankees struggled with runners in scoring
position throughout the series, but broke through in the second when Grisham lined an RBI single to right with the bases loaded. They were 4 for 22 on Wednesday and 5 for 43 for the series.
Key statistic Fried is 8-1 with a 0.93 ERA in 10 starts after a Yankees’ loss. He has gone at least six innings in all those starts and didn’t allow
an earned run for the sixth time. Up next Yankees: Return home to host Oakland in a weekend series. RHP Will Warren (4-4, 4.66 ERA) gets the
call
Friday
MARINE FORECAST
on Friday.Reds: RHP Nick Martinez (4-8, 4.45 ERA) goes on
when San Diego comes in for three games. RHP Dylan Cease (3-6, 4.43) starts for the Padres.
NEW York Yankees’ Jasrado “Jazz” Chisholm Jr. throws his hands up in celebration after hitting a home run in the third inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds last night in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Michael Swensen)
Philadelphia 76ers select Valdez
‘VJ’ Edgecombe Jr with No. 3 pick overall in the NBA Draft
FROM PAGE E1
outfit with a matching black shirt and a black necktie, accompanied with a silver necklace, watch and bracelet.
Edgecombe Jr, who reminded everybody that he started playing on concrete in The Bahamas, was described as Victor Oladipo and Dwyane Wade, who both played for the Miami Heat.
But Edgecombe Jr listed his favourite player in the NBA as Anthony Edwards, who plays for the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Now he will get a chance to play against his idol when he suits up for the Sixers.
“I spent countless hours sitting and watching basketball,” Edgecombe Jr said.
“I don’t know. I don’t know what to do.”
Finally as she composed herself, his mother Bendra Rolle said: “I’m super proud of him. It’s Bimini to the world.”
From Bimini, Edgecombe Jr migrated to the United States when he was in the ninth grade, attending Victory International Institute in West Palm Beach, Florida and the Long Island Lutheran Middle and High School in Brooklyn, New York. After sifting through a number of college offers, he selected Baylor where he continued to excel.
He was the 2024 McDonald’s All-American, 2024-25 All-Big 12 Second Team Selection; 2024-25 Big 12 Freshman of the Year and
the 2024-25 Big 12 AllFreshman Team Selection.
Now he joins a group of Bahamians who paved the way for his June 25, 2025 entry into the NBA and a world of fortune, fame and hopefully some glory.
Centre Mychal ‘Sweet Bells’ Thompson, the first Bahamian drafted, was the first foreign number one pick by the Portland Trail Blazers in 1978. He was traded to the San Antonio Spurs in 1987 and only played half a season before he landed with the Los Angeles Lakers, winning
two NBA titles in 1987 and 1988.
Forward Rick Fox followed out of North Carolina as the 24th pick in the first round of the 1981 draft by the Boston Celtics. But he was later traded to the Lakers where he won three titles from 2000-2002.
Ian ‘Foots’ Lockhart, a power forward from Tennessee, was undrafted in 1990 with the Phoenix Suns. He only played one season. Also undrafted was Dexter Cambridge, a small forward from the University of Texas. He played in
the league with the Dallas Mavericks from 1992-1993.
Chavano ‘Buddy’ Hield broke a 10-year drought when he emerged from Oklahoma with the sixth pick in the first round of the 2016 draft by the New Orleans Pelicans. While he stayed there long, he was traded to the Sacramento Kings in 2017. In 2022, he was shipped to the Indiana Pacers and two years later he was off to the Philadelphia 76ers before he was moved to the Golden State Warriors last year. However, it
wasn’t until 2018 that Deandre Ayton became only the second foreign born player out of The Bahamas to go as the first round pick. The centre out of Arizona went to the Phoenix Suns. But on September 27, 2023, he was off to Portland as the second Bahamian. And Kai Jones, a centre/forward, emerged from Texas as the 19th pick in the first round by the New York Knicks in 2021. He has gone on to play with the Los Angeles Clippers from 2024-2025 and with Dallas this year after he transcended up
and down the NBA and the D-League.
The Bahamas has also been blessed with veteran guard Eric Gordon, a descendant who played on several teams from his debut out of Indiana with the 7th pick in the first round in 2008 by the Los Angeles Clippers and Klay Thompson, son of Mychal Thompson, another shooting guard out of Washington State with the 11th pick in the first round of the 2011 draft with Golden State.
Last year, Edgecombe Jr teamed up with Hield, Ayton and Gordon as they played for The Bahamas in the finals of the qualifying tournament for the 2024 Olympic Games, only to lose out to Spain in Valencia for a shot to go to Paris, France.
Now it’s Edgecombe Jr’s turn to take the courts and he’s looking forward to teaming up with the 76ers and an exciting backcourt that is led by the explosive Tyrese Maxey, who made his entry in 2020 as the 21st pick in the first round.
Hopefully with the return of a healthy Joel Embiid, Edgecombe Jr can help the Sixers to continue to “trust the process” as they go after their fourth NBA title, the last coming in 1983. With the addition of Edgecombe Jr, the 76ers are hoping to turn around a dismal 2025 season in which they finished the regular season with a 24-58 win-loss record and 13th overall in the east.
VJ Edgecombe greets NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected third by the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round of the NBA basketball draft last night in New York.
Photo/Adam Hunger)