SPORTS
MONDAY, JULY 7, 2025
Chisholm Jr named to his 2nd All-Star Game
By BRENT STUBBS
Editor
asrado “Jazz”
JChisholm Jr added another feather to his cap when he was selected yesterday to participate in his second Major League Baseball All-Star Game - his first with the New York Yankees.
MLB announced the full rosters for the 2025 American and National Leagues for the game, scheduled for July 15 inside Atlanta’s Truist Park at 8pm.
As a member of the Miami Marlins in 2022, Chisholm Jr was the first Bahamian to be selected to participate in the AllStar game. However, he was placed on the injured list after he was diagnosed
with a right lower back strain.
Chisholm Jr, 27, is back for his second selection to the team. This time, he’s healthy and looking forward to making his presence felt as a reserve at second base.
Chisholm Jr, who made his MLB debut in 2020 with the Marlins before he was traded last July, will be one of three players from the Yankeees who are expected to participate in the game.
He joins Aaron Judge and Max Fried on the American League roster, which will be managed by Yankees’ skipper Aaron Boone and his staff.
Chisholm Jr, now playing third base, noted that he’s finally coming into his own.
“I mean, it got harder once I got hurt,” Chisholm Jr said. “But, you know, I came back, got high, and, yeah, you know, felt like I worked hard for me. I felt like I earned it.”
‘FLASHY’ HIELD ON HIS WAY TO WORLD TITLE FIGHT
By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor
VALDEZ “VJ” Edgecombe Jr’s debut in the National Basketball Association for the Philadelphia 76ers was a spectacular one on Saturday night. Unfortunately, it came at the expense of a 93-89 loss to the Utah Jazz in the start of the NBA Summer League.
Edgecombe Jr, the number three overall pick in the recent NBA Draft, exploded for a game high 28 points on 13-of-27 shooting, but just missed the game-tying three. He also finished with 10 rebounds, four assists and three steals.
The 19-year-old shooting guard was helped by Justin Edwards and Johni Broome with 13 points apiece while Adem Bona had 16 points and eight rebounds.
But it wasn’t enough as the No.5 pick Ace Bailey ended up with eight points on 3-of-13 shooting to lead the Jazz. Kyle Filipowski added 22. There was much debate over who the 76ers would have selected in the draft,
Although he made it clear that he prefers to be playing second base, Chisholm Jr has been a major factor in the Yankees’ line-up, batting .250 with 52 hits, including nine doubles, 15 home runs and driving in 38 runs (RBI) and 10 stolen bases in 59 games.
In his last game in the Yankees’ 12-6 loss to the New York Mets on Saturday, Chisholm Jr, in three at-bats, cracked a homer.
The Yankees will be back in action on Tuesday at 7:05pm when they host the Seattle Mariners in the first of a three-game series at the Yankee Stadium. They play the remaining two games on Wednesday
Jazz
and Thursday. The Yankees are currently sitting in second place in the American League with a 49-41 win-loss record behind
the front-running Toronto Blue Jays. Last year after he joined the team in July, Chisholm Jr helped the Yankees to
but while Bailey opted not to go to their workout session, Edgecombe Jr was selected in that spot after he left an impression in Philadelphia.
On Saturday, he showed why he was their choice.
Edgecombe Jr, a native from Bimini who was selected after only completing his freshman season with the Baylor Bears, displayed his athleticism as he attacked the basket, playing on both ends of the court, offensively and defensively. His only flaw was that he needed to work on his jumper, especially from long range as he only connected on one threepointer. But once he got into the lane, he canned the mid-range jumper with consistency. And when he didn’t shoot from the outside, he managed to power inside, drilling two powerhouse slam dunks to emphasise the agility that he brings with his game. And at 6-feet, 5-inches and 180-pounds, Edgecombe Jr was able to demonstrate his ability to defend some of the much taller players he faced. With the Summer League
76ERS’ Valdez “VJ” Edgecombe Jr takes questions from the media at a press conference at the NBA basketball team’s facility, Friday, June 27, 2025, Camden, N.J. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
underway, Edgecombe Jr is well on his way to making an impact in the league when the regular season begins in October as he teams up with veteran Bahamian descendant Eric Gordon, who last week resigned to remain in Philadelphia as a 76er. They join former 76er, Grand Bahamian Chavano “Buddy” Hield, who played two years ago in Philadelphia before he was traded to the Golden State Warriors, Kai Jones
with the Dallas Mavericks and Deandre Ayton, who is now with the Los Angeles Lakers after he left the Portland Trail Blazers last week. Ayton, the second Bahamian to be drafted as the No.1 pick in the NBA, follows in the footsteps of the league’s first foreign-born No.1 pick, Mychal “Sweet Bells” Thompson in 1978 by the Trail Blazers. Thompson went on to trail
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THE Bahamas’ team didn’t perform as well as expected at the 2025 Caribbean Amateur Golf Championships at the Barbados Golf Club over the weekend.
Team Bahamas, managed and coached by Richard Gibson Sr, was fifth out of a field of eight countries in the men’s division, while the ladies got sixth out of
FROM July 3-6, the Junior Baseball League of Nassau (JBLN) field was the epicentre of elite girls’ softball in The Bahamas, as the BAP (Bahamas Athletic Pride) programme hosted its 6th edition of The Show All Star Survival this weekend.
Spearheaded by the CEO of BAP and event organiser
Dachye Stubbs, the fourday event brought together the region’s top female youth talent, scouts, alumni, and fans for a dynamic blend of athleticism, competition and celebration.
The tournament featured eight teams representing eight causes that impact many families in The Bahamas, including sickle cell, autism, lupus, multiple sclerosis, breast cancer, SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome), mental health and domestic violence.
The teams consisted of the top-ranked youth female softball players from all over The Bahamas, including the islands of Nassau, Andros, Eleuthera, Exuma, Abaco and Freeport.
The representation not only fostered healthy competition but it brought awareness to these prominent challenges many face in The Bahamas.
The tournament opened on July 3 with a comprehensive skills camp and athletic combine, drawing over 100 of the Bahamas’ finest youth softball players. The players were evaluated on their speed, arm strength, batting power and
seven. The men’s team of Richard Gibson Jr, Alexander Rowland, Alexander Dupuch, Nolan Johnson, Sebastian Iberri-Calzada and Bahamas Golf Federation president and national amateur champion Lynford Miller, shot a combined three-day total of 912 (303-306-303). Puerto Rico captured the title with 858 (281-291-286); the Dominican Republic was second with 867
THE SPORTS CALENDAR
VOLLEYBALL
BBSF CLASSIC
THE Bahamas Baptist Sports Federation is scheduled to hold its 2025 Co-Ed Volleyball Classic over the weekend of July 19-29 at the CI Gibson Gymnasium. The event is open to all churches interested in participating. There is a registration fee per team, which consists of 12 players, including ladies. All teams must have a
July
minimum of two ladies on the court at all times.
The deadline for team registration is Monday, July 14 at a meeting to be held at the BBSF’s office upstairs at the Bahamas Baptist College, Jean Street. For further information, persons are urged to contact Kirk Farquharson at 422-3977 or Brent Stubbs at 4267265 for more details.
SEE PAGE E2
win the American League with a 94-68 record before losing the World Series title to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
By Jonathan Burrows
NEW York Yankees’
Chisholm Jr. looks on from the dugout after a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays in Toronto on Thursday, July 3, 2025. (Thomas Skrlj/The Canadian Press via AP)
By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
Carl ‘Flashy’ Hield on his way to world title fight
By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
Carl “Flashy” Hield is getting closer to his dream of fighting for a world title.
On August 30 in Caracas, Venezuela, Hield is scheduled to fight for the World Boxing Association’s FedeLatin title against Carlos Jimenez. If he’s successful, Hield would be guaranteed a top 15 ranking in the world and a possible shot for the world title.
“By the end of the year or the beginning of next year, I should be able to fight for a world title,” Hield said.
“That’s the plan for me right now.”
Hield, who turned pro on October 21, 2023 after an extensive amateur career, is currently undefeated with an 11-0 win-loss record heading into the super welterweight 10-round fight against Jimenez - a native of Mexico who has a 14-10-1 record, having lost his last two bouts in Montreal, Canada, and Tlalpan.
Hield, in giving God thanks for the “strength and knowledge,” said once again he will dedicate the fight to his deceased mother, Norma Hield, who was his number one supporter.
He also thanked local boxing coach Ronn Rodgers for working alongside him to secure the deal for his title shot as he adds to his collection of the WBA Fede Caribe and National Boxing Association titles.
“Mr Ronn Rodgers has been there in my corner making sure that I get this opportunity to move one step closer to getting my dream of fighting for the world title,” Hield said.
“I also want to thank the sponsors who were beside me from day one when I was going through my ups and downs. They never gave up on me. They kept me focused and helped me to fight on time.”
Rodgers’ Strikers Boxing Club, along with Pressure, Rigger 242 Life and Production Gurus, have been the major sponsors working with Hield since he turned pro.
He noted that the fight against Jimenez is a big step up and now he’s eager to return to Florida for a twoweek training camp with fellow pro boxer Rashield “Raw” Williams before he heads off to Venezuela for the last two weeks leading up to the fight.
“We hope to go to the fight and do what we have to do. If the knockout comes, we will take it, but if we have to go the distance
for 10 rounds, we hope to be prepared,” Hield said.
“It’s just one step closer to the goal of becoming a world champion, so I’m looking forward to it.
“It’s a big opportunity that has presented itself to me.
“So I want to thank Mr Ronn Rodgers for helping me to get to this point.”
In his pre-camp preparation, Hield said he will be working out here under the supervision of Rodgers, along with his Cuban wife Irina Chacon Palacios, who was a coach and a Pan American champion in karate.
Hield, 38, said he’s a firm believer that “God does stuff for a reason.”
He noted that because of what he went through, he was put into this position and he’s going to make the most out of it.
“I feel very excited. I’m just waiting on August 30 to prove myself as I keep my name and my country up high on the outskirts,” he stated.
“The plan is to get the world title shot.
“Carlos is the stone in front of me getting up the hill, so I just have to be focused, be very confident in myself and train hard because I can’t allow this opportunity to slip away from me.”
WITH JONQUEL OUT, LIBERTY FALL TO STORM 79-70
By DOUG FEINBERG AP Basketball Writer
NEW YORK (AP)
— Gabby Williams scored 16 points and Nneka Ogwumike added 15 to help the Seattle Storm beat the New York Liberty 79-70 yesterday. The Storm (12-7) trailed by three at the half before
outscoring New York 22-6 in the third quarter. They held the Liberty to just 2-for-18 shooting from the field in the period, including New York (12-6) missing its first 10 shots. Meanwhile, Skylar Diggins, Ogwumike and Williams were converting on the other end.
Dominique Malonga, the No. 2 pick in the draft, took over at the end of the quarter. She didn’t play in the first half, but made the most of her minutes in the second.
The 6-foot-6 French forward had 11 points and eight rebounds in just 10
SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY CAMP
THE Southern University is all set to host a free basketball camp at the Agape Grace Gym from July 7-8. The camp is designed for boys from grades 7-12. All participating players must bring their own food and drinks. Interested campers are urged to contact coach Stephen Johnson at 1-242-577-1035.
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,” is slated to be held from
minutes. She also altered a few of Breanna Stewart’s shots on the defensive end. Stewart finished with just eight points, the first time she hadn’t reached double digits since the opening game of the 2024 season. New York also lost reserve forward Isabelle Harrison to a right knee injury with 2:31 left in the third quarter. She went down underneath the New York basket and had to be helped off the court. She didn’t return and coach Sandy Brondello said after the game that Harrison would get imaging done.
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.
GOLF 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. 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.
BOXING FUNDRAISER
THE Boxing Federation of the Bahamas is planning to host a souse out as a fundraiser on Saturday, August 2, at the National Boxing Training Center, Blue Hill Sports Complex. The event is scheduled to take place from 9am to 3pm with chicken pig feet and sheep tongue with Johnnycake or rolls on the menu for a donation of $15.
It was a back-and-forth first half that saw nine lead changes.
New York got a little bit of a cushion thanks to Ionescu’s four-point play with 13.8 seconds left in the second quarter that made it 44-39.
The Liberty led 44-41 at the half. She finished the opening 20 minutes with 20 points, five rebounds and four assists. She only had two points in the second half and led the Liberty with 22. Ionescu missed the first meeting between the teams two weeks ago with a neck injury.
Soft drinks, potato, coconut and zucchini breads will also be on sale. This is part of our effort to meet our goal of $60,000, according to federation president Vincent Strachan. “We are seeking your support by purchasing tickets and additional donations of food items, if possible,” Strachan said. The 15 members are expected to participate in The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Championships in St Lucia from August 1-3. The team is expected to depart July 31 and would remain there for a training camp with the St Lucia national boxing team. They would depart for Georgetown, Guyana from August 14-18 for the school boys and girls championship and seniors. They would remain in Guyana for another training camp until August 27. Then will head to St Maarten, for The Battle Of The Islands Championships. SPECIAL OLYMPICS SPECIAL Olympics Bahamas is scheduled 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.
PROFESSIONAL boxer Carl Hield, left, and his coach Ronn Rodgers.
ULTIMATE CHAMPION SPORTS UNDER-11 CAPTURES MAJOR DFW WORLD SERIES TITLE
By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
ULTIMATE Champion
Sport Academy, formed by Bahamas Baseball Association president Clarence ‘CJ’ McKenzie to enhance the development of young baseball players in the country, had a pretty good trip to the USSSA World Series in Dallas, Texas, last week.
Ultimate Champion Sports’ under-11 team captured the Major DFW World Series title, while their 9-and under team were runners-up in the Dallas Fort Worth World Series and their 10-andunder team came in fourth.
In securing the title, Ultimate Champion Sports’ 11-and-under team went undefeated in the seven games they played.
McKenzie managed the championship team assisted by coaches Recorda McPhee and Sean Adderley. The players were Karmelo Bain, TaKaryi Butler, Javari Edgecombe, Ayden Curry, Andrew Seymour, Carmelo Wallace, Jamere Williams, Jarrod Clarke Jr., Michael Sweeting, Kendrick Oliver and Kyrie Campbell.
The 9-and-under team, managed by head coach SeDale McKenzie and assisted by Rudy Ferguson II and Mornel Brown Sr, comprised of the following players: Dawson Grey, Riley Ferguson, Adam Thompson, Cortez Roberts, Karter Brown, Jalen Albury, Mornel Brown Jr., De’Mari Louis, Chaz Cunningham, Miguel Sweeting and Logan Knowles.
Individually, Miquel Sweeting won the fastest man award for the 9U division, Michael Sweeting was the fastest man runner up and Karmelo Bain was the Golden Arm runner up in the 11U division. Chaz Cunningham was the 9U tournament best offensive player, Javari Edgecombe was the 11U tournament best defensive player and Jamere Williams was the 11U tournament MVP.
This was Ultimate Champion Sports’ third time participating in the USSSA World Series and they were finally crowned champions, according to McKenzie.
“The team played a notch above the competition the entire tournament with stellar performances on offence and defence each game,” he said.
“The pitching was superb led by starters Karmelo Bain, Carmelo Wallace and Javari Edgecombe of which the latter did not
give up a single run in the tournament.”
McKenzie said their bats were also strong as they had multiple hitting sprees throughout led by Javari, Kyrie, Jamere, Carmelo and TaKaryi who had their lone home run in the tournament.
Despite some teams being bigger in size, it showed that Ultimate Champion Sports were better in skill.
“The tournament was super organised and the people were very friendly,” McKenzie said. “The kids are still talking about their experience watching the Texas Rangers vs Seattle Mariners game where they paraded on to the field before the game and ran around the bases after the game. “We were very pleased with Javari’s pitching and locking down first base as the best defensive player in the tournament and also very pleased with Jamere’s performance as he led the team in hitting with most hits, highest on base percentage and most runs scored earning him tournament MVP.”
Instead of receiving trophies, the players collected special and uniquely designed rings, something McKenzie said they will always cherish as it represents being a World Series champion.
The 9U team just missed winning their title as they lost 9-8 in their championship game.
Manager SeDale McKenzie thanked CJ McKenzie for organising “this opportunity for us to compete in the tournament.”
He noted that it was their fifth international trip within the past 12 months, but the first time outside of Orlando, Florida.
“The Dallas-Fort Worth area is like a complete Disneyland for kids with various amusement parks
and attractions,” he said. “Even though this was a business trip, boys will be boys and they had a chance to visit a few of these places.
“We ended up with a 6-3 record which allowed us to come in 2nd place with a total of 10 teams in our division.”
McKenzie sent out a special shoutout to Miguel Sweeting, the grandson of local legend Max Sweeting, who won the fastest man award in the skills competition. He also commended
Chaz Cunningham who received the best offensive player award for their team.
“On our final day where it was win or go home, Chaz, Dawson Grey and Karter Brown pitched three great games to secure our second place,” McKenzie said.
“At the end of the day, life in a nutshell is ya win some ya lose some, shoutout to our entire team and the parents for making sacrifices to support this organisation.”
ULTIMATE Champion Sports 11U champions.
KARMELO Bain - Golden Arm chain, Player of the Game coin and World Series ring.
JAMERE Williams and Javari Edgecombe.
ULTIMATE Champion Sports 9U runners-up team.
COACH SeDale McKenzie with Chaz Cunningham, awarded the best offensive player.
THE SHOW ALL-STAR SURVIVAL: BAHAMAS ATHLETIC PRIDE HOSTS ITS 6TH EDITION
fielding ability, all in a bid to rank the top 100 athletes in attendance at the tournament in preparation to be drafted to teams.
July 4 was packed with excitement as the second day kicked off with showcase games, pitting top-ranked players against one another in inter-squad formats determined by a drafting process, designed to impress visiting scouts and college recruiters.
Game results for day two are as follows: 14 and Under Division Team Sickle Cell defeated Team SIDS 10 - 5 Team Mental Health defeated Team Autism 17 - 5 18 and Under Division Team Lupus defeated Team Breast Cancer 18 - 3 Team Multiple Sclerosis defeated Team Domestic Violence 10 - 6
Following these showcase games, the opening ceremony commenced, when Stubbs addressed the crowd, thanking sponsors and giving fans and sponsors insight into the reason and drive behind the BAP programme.
“The BAP softball programme is a programme dedicated to Bahamian girls, we founded the programme on the principle of giving them the opportunity to showcase their talent and assist them with their high school or collegiate play aspirations as well as giving the Bahamian public a reason to no longer overlook the sport of softball,” said Stubbs while addressing the crowd.
However, the highlight of the day was undoubtedly the Home Run Derby and the Fastest Women’s Challenge. The winner of the Fastest Woman’s Challenge 14-and-under division was Katelyn Bain (Team Autism) with a time of 2.94 seconds, and the 18-andunder division winner was Leslia Lewis (Team Multiple Sclerosis) with a time of 3.22 seconds. The winner of the 14-and-under Home Run Derby was Paris Lowe
with six home runs, and the winner of the 18-and-under Home Run Derby was Skai Albury with nine home runs. Rain interrupted the earlier part of the day, forcing several showcase games to be rescheduled for day three.
On July 5, the tournament resumed with rescheduled showcase games and playoffs games as the intensity grew overnight.
The results of those games are as follows : Showcase Games: 14 and Under Division Team Mental Health defeated Team Sickle Cell 14 - 10
Team Autism defeated Team SIDS 15 - 3
Team Autism Defeated defeated Team Sickle Cell 17 - 9
Team Mental Health defeated Team SIDS 12 - 7 18 and Under Division Team Multiple Sclerosis defeated Team Breast Cancer 11 - 7 Team Lupus defeated Team Domestic Violence 8 - 2 Team Domestic Violence defeted Team Breast Cancer 14 - 3 Team Lupus defeated Team Multiple Sclerosis 12 - 4 Playoff Games: 14 and Under Division Team SIDS defeated Team Mental Health 5 - 0 Team Sickle Cell defeated Team Autism 12 - 11 18 and Under Division Team Lupus defeated Team Breast Cancer 9 - 7 Team Domestic Violence defeated Team Multiple Sclerosis 20 - 5 Teams displayed great sportsmanship and great play, with a few names being listed as players of the games. For the 14-andunder playoffs, it was Lashannya Forbes (Team SIDS) and Sky Knowles (Team Sickle Cell). For the 18-and-under playoffs, it was Lagrier Foster (Team Lupus) and Carliyah Thompson (Team Domestic Violence). College coaches present praised the high level of
talent across all age groups. Defensive standouts and clutch hitters emerged, building momentum heading into the final day of competition. The final day began with the BAP programme attending a church service at Bahamas Harvest.
Following the service, the last day delivered an emotional and thrilling conclusion to the tournament.
Championship games in both the 14-and-under and the 18-and-under divisions saw fierce rivalries and breakout performances.
The results are as follows:
14 and Under Championships: Team SIDS defeats Team Sickle Cell 10 - 7 18 and Under Championships: Team Lupus defeats Team Domestic Violence 8 - 2
These two highly anticipated games were followed by the fan-favourite alumni game. The evening concluded with the award ceremony, winners as follows: 14 and Under Golden Glove Winner - Aiden Lightbourne 18 and Under Golden Glove Winner - Jalia Mackey 14 and Under Most Outstanding Coach - Laricka Russel 18 and Under Most Outstanding Coach - Shane Albury 14 and Under Most Valuable Player - Markaylah Foster 18 and Under Most Valuable Player - Sanaa Roberts
Founded with a mission to empower young female softball athletes, the BAP programme emphasises character, academics and athletic excellence. With a growing reputation for placing athletes in U.S. high schools and colleges, BAP has become a crucial development pipeline for girls seeking to play at the next level, with more than 15 participants awarded scholarships over the last two years. One example is Nikeisha Saunders, a current BAP All-Star who credits the BAP programme with helping her earn scholarships at Langston University, a prestigious historically black university located in Oklahoma known for its women’s softball programme. “BAP has helped enhance my
skills on the field and also helped me enhance other areas, like learning how to talk to college coaches, and also helping me adjust my attitude overall and my patience,” said Saunders on the way the BAP programme assisted her. Saunders also encouraged more young female athletes to get involved in the programme and offered some of her personal advice that she received over the years to get her where she is today.
“No matter the age, try to get on the field and not be shy, and try to get better while giving it 100 per cent,” Saunders said.
The annual tournament serves not only as a showcase but as a celebration of Bahamian identity and sisterhood through the sport of softball.
CEO and founder of the BAP programme, Coach Chye has emerged as a transformational leader in Bahamian youth sports.
The former standout track and field and softball high school athlete at St. Augustine’s College and a former standout collegiate athlete at Cowley College has returned to The Bahamas with a vision to elevate softball and provide access to global opportunities for young female athletes. Her tireless work in organising events, training programmes, and scouting showcases has already resulted in rising national recognition for Bahamian players.
As the sun set yesterday, the cheers from the stands and the bond formed among players echoed the true spirit of The Show All Star Survival, a movement of empowerment, oppor-
and
tunity
excellence for young Bahamian women.
THE Junior Baseball League of Nassau field was the epicentre of elite girls’ softball in The Bahamas as the BAP (Bahamas Athletic Pride) programme hosted its 6th edition of The Show All Star Survival. Photos: Jonathan Burrows
THE TOURNAMENT featured eight teams representing eight causes that impact many families in The Bahamas, including sickle cell, autism, lupus, multiple sclerosis, breast cancer, SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome), mental health and domestic violence.
SPEARHEADED by the CEO of BAP and event, organiser Dachye Stubbs, the four-day event brought together the region’s top female youth talent, scouts, alumni, and fans for a dynamic blend of athleticism, competition and celebration.
The Kevin Durant trade to Houston sees seven teams involved in the record-setting deal
By TIM REYNOLDS AP Basketball Writer
KEVIN Durant’s trade to the Houston Rockets is official and officially record-setting.
The deal got approved by the NBA yesterday as part of a seven-team transaction, one in which a slew of other trade agreements got folded into one massive package.
“Kevin impacts the game on both ends of the court and is one of the most efficient scorers in the history of basketball,” Rockets general manager Rafael Stone said. “We liked the growth our team showed last season and believe Kevin’s skill set will integrate seamlessly.”
Involved in the deal: Phoenix, Houston, Atlanta, Minnesota, Golden State, Brooklyn and the Los
Angeles Lakers. It includes a total of 13 players — the headline moves include Durant going to Houston from Phoenix, the Rockets sending Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks to the Suns, and the Rockets acquiring Clint Capela from the Hawks.
The seven-team involvement in the Durant trade tops the previous record, a six-team transaction last summer that most notably sent Klay Thompson to the Dallas Mavericks.
Golden State — Thompson’s former team — obviously was another part of that trade, as were Charlotte, Minnesota, Philadelphia and Denver on varying levels.
“One of the greatest to ever play the game, we are grateful for the impact Kevin made on our organisation and in
our community,” Phoenix general manager Brian Gregory said of Durant.
“As a member of the Suns, he climbed the scoring charts to become just the eighth player in NBA history to score 30,000 career points, and we wish him the best as he continues his career in Houston.”
There will be at least five second-round draft picks in the deal before all terms are satisfied, the potential for another second-round pick swap and the Hawks and Timberwolves both had to receive some cash considerations to make all the math work.
And some of those draft picks won’t actually be made until 2032, which raises the serious possibility that some players who will go down in history as being part of the trade haven’t reached high school yet.
Durant averaged 26.6 points last season, his 17th in the NBA — not counting one year missed because of injury. For his career, the 6-foot-11 forward is averaging 27.2 points and seven rebounds per game.
The move brings Durant back to the state of Texas, where he played his only year of college basketball for the Longhorns and was the college player of the year before going as the No. 2 pick in the 2007 draft by Seattle.
Houston becomes his fifth franchise, joining the SuperSonics (who then became the Oklahoma City Thunder), Golden State, Brooklyn and Phoenix. Durant won his two titles with the Warriors in 2017 and 2018, and last summer in Paris he became the highest-scoring player in U.S. Olympic basketball
history and the first men’s player to be part of four gold-medal teams.
Durant is a four-time scoring champion, a twotime Finals MVP and one of eight players in NBA history with more than 30,000 career points.
“Having played against Kevin and coached him before, I know he’s the type of competitor who fits with what we’ve been building here in Houston,” Rockets coach Ime Udoka said. “His skill level, love of basketball, and dedication to his craft have made him one of the most respected players of his generation, and my staff and I are excited to work with him.” Houston sent Green and Brooks to Phoenix, along with the rights to Khaman Maluach from last month’s draft, a second-round pick in 2026 and another secondrounder in 2032. The Hawks got David Roddy, cash and a 2031 second-round pick swap from the Rockets. Brooklyn gets a 2026 second-round pick and another in 2030 from the Rockets, and the Warriors received the rights to Jahmai Mashack from last month’s draft.
CAVALIERS RE-SIGN MERRILL WHILE NANCE IS BACK FOR 2ND STINT, TRADE FOR BALL BECOMES OFFICIAL
By JOE REEDY AP Sports Writer
CLEVELAND (AP) —
The Cleveland Cavaliers will have a pair of familiar players back next season.
The Cavs announced yesterday they have re-signed Sam Merrill to a four-year contract and brought back Larry Nance Jr. for a second stint on a one-year deal.
Cleveland’s acquisition of Lonzo Ball from the
Chicago Bulls for Isaac Okoro was also made official on the first day of the signing period. Merrill averaged 7.2 points and made 137 3-pointers in 71 games last season. The fifth-year guard had 27 points and nine 3s on February 2 at Dallas. Merrill was the final pick in the 2020 draft by New Orleans before joining the Cavaliers in March 2023. Retaining Merrill
became a priority after Ty Jerome agreed to deal with Memphis.
Nance spent parts of four seasons with the Cavs from 2018 through ‘21. He appeared in 182 games, including 76 starts, and averaged 9.5 points and 7.5 rebounds. The 6-foot-8 forward/centre also was part of Cleveland’s last NBA Finals team in 2018.
Nance played for Atlanta last season and averaged 8.5
points and 4.3 rebounds in 24 games with three starts. He was the 27th overall pick by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2015 NBA draft, and has also been with Portland and New Orleans during his 10-year career.
The Nances are one of only two families in NBA history to have three members play for the same franchise.
Larry Nance Sr. was with Cleveland from 1988-94
and Pete Nance played there from 2023-24.
Nance Jr. will again wear No. 22 with the Cavs, the same number worn by his father, which was retired in 1995. Ball gives Cleveland a veteran point guard. Darius Garland is likely to miss the start of the regular season after undergoing surgery on his left big toe earlier this month. Ball averaged 7.6 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 35 games
this past season after missing the 2022-23 and 2023-24 campaigns because of a left knee injury. The 27-year old Ball underwent a meniscus and cartilage transplant in his left knee in March 2023 after two surgeries failed to fix an injury he suffered during his first season in Chicago in 2021-22. He has one year remaining on his contract with a team option for the 2026-27 season.
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blaze his path to success when he was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers where he won two consecutive titles in 1987 and 1988. One of his sons, Klay Thompson, captured four titles with the Golden State Warriors in 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2022 before he was shipped to the Dallas Mavericks last year.
Thompson is currently teaming up with fellow Bahamian Kia Jones, who was added to the Mavericks roster last year. This year, they have acquired the draft’s No.1 pick in Cooper Flagg to bolster their frontcourt with Anthony Davis, while they wait for the return of injured guard Kyrie Irving. Tonight, Edgecombe and the Sixers will be back in action when they take on the NBA 2025 champions Oklahoma City Thunder before they face the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday.
Once those games are done, the 76ers will play in the Las Vegas Summer League July 10-16 when the top four teams will advance to participate in the playoffs. The two winning teams from the semifinal games will meet in the championship game at 10pm Sunday, July 20 on ESPN. Edgecombe Jr was named the 202425 Big 12 Conference Freshman of the Year and earned All-Big 12 Second Team honours after producing 15.0 points on 43.6-per cent shooting, 5.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 2.1 steals, and 32.7 minutes in 33 games during his lone collegiate season. His 68 steals were tied for the fourthmost in the Big 12 and set an all-time record by a freshman in programme history.
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(297-280-290) and Trinidad & Tobago was third with 868 (289-290-289). Jamaica came in just ahead of The Bahamas with 875 (294-290-291). Individually in the gross category, Gibson Jr, the national amateur championship’s runnerup, was the top performer, pegged at number 17 on the list wirth scores of 74-75-76-225. Rowland was 19th with 76-74-76-226; IberriCalzada was 25th ith 81-79-73-233; Miller 28th with 79-78-78-235; Johnson 30th with 77-82-79-238 and Dupuch 31st with 76-82-80-238. The male gross winner was Chris Richards of Trinidad & Tobago with 71-69-69-209. On the ladies’ side Team Bahamas had a combined total of 484 with rounds of 157-160-167. Puerto Rico topped the field with 441, Barbados was
PHOENIX Suns forward Kevin Durant gestures during the second half of an NBA basketball game on March 9, 2025, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
BOULOGNE-SUR-
MER, France (AP)
— Dutch cyclist Mathieu van der Poel won the hilly second stage of the Tour de France yesterday after holding off defending champion Tadej Pogacar and two-time winner Jonas Vingegaard in a sprint to the line.
Van der Poel took the race leader’s yellow jersey from his Alpecin–Deceuninck teammate Jasper Philipsen in a second career stage victory on the Tour. Neither rider is considered an overall contender.
“It was super difficult, the finale was harder than I thought. But I was really motivated,” Van der Poel said.
“Finally, four years after my first (stage) win, it was about time I took a second one. It’s also the second time I’m rewarded with the yellow jersey as well, so I guess it was worth the wait.”
He intends to wear yellow a little longer yet.
“I hope I can keep the jersey until the time trial (on Wednesday),” Van der Poel said
“(After that) it will be very hard.” Stage 2 was delayed by about 15 minutes after team
buses arrived late to their parking spots because of heavy morning rain.
Fans lined the roads wearing raincoats and riders wore light jackets amid wet and blustery conditions on the slightly hilly 209-kilometre (130-mile) trek from Lauwin-Planque to Boulogne-sur-Mer in northern France.
The longest trek of this year’s race featured about 4 kilometres of climbing suited to allrounders like the three-time Paris-Roubaix classic winner Van der Poel and former Cyclocross star Wout van Aert.
Greasy roads increased the risk of spills and a strong headwind greeted riders approaching the finish as they took on the day’s three consecutive climbs — short and sharp but very modest ones compared to the giant Alpine and Pyrenean ascents later in the three-week race.
None of the main Tour contenders could launch a decisive attack, although Vingegaard tried with 5 kilometers left.
Instead, it was Van der Poel — nicknamed “The Flying Dutchman” — who surged clear and then withstood Pogacar’s late
TOUR DE FRANCE: VAN DER POEL HOLDS OFF POGACAR TO WIN RAINY STAGE 2
burst, having also beaten the Slovenian star at ParisRoubaix in April. Van der Poel crossed the line in 4 hours, 45 minutes, 41 seconds with Pogacar in second place and
Vingegaard in third recording the same time.
Pogacar misjudged his attack, a rare mistake for him.
“Mathieu was stronger in the final sprint, so chapeau to him,” Pogacar said.
“To be honest I messed up a little bit, because I got a bit scared to sprint against him and I waited too long on his wheel.”
In the overall standings, Pogacar is four seconds behind Van der Poel.
Vingegaard is another two seconds back.
Four-time Spanish Vuelta winner Primož Roglic — the 2020 Tour runnerup from Slovenia — and double Olympic champion Remco Evenepoel had both lost time on Saturday after being caught in a late crosswind.
They did not lose further time Sunday to Pogacar and Vingegaard, who enters this year’s Tour in better shape.
Last year, the Dane was barely recovered from a heavy race crash in Spain which left him with a collapsed lung.
The crash also resulted in several broken ribs and a broken collarbone. He finished the Tour in second
place but could not match Pogacar in big climbs.
Cycling family
The 30-year-old Van der Poel was born in Belgium and shot to fame as a multiple Cyclo-cross world champion before turning his sights to one day classics and stage racing.
Cycling runs in the family.
His father Adri was also a Cyclo-cross world champion and Van der Poel’s maternal grandfather was the late French cyclist Raymond Poulidor.
Poulidor took part in 14 Tours from 1962-76, finishing in second place overall three times and third five times. Nicknamed “Poupou” and “The Eternal Runner-up,” Poulidor was adored by French fans. Today’s stage Stage 3 is a flat stage for sprinters, 178.3 kilometres from Valenciennes to the coastal city of Dunkerque. This race is entirely in France, with no stages held abroad as in previous years, and ends July 27 in Paris.
NETHERLANDS’ Mathieu van der Poel, left, sprints next to Slovenia’s Tadej Pogacar to cross the finish line during the second stage of the Tour de France
miles) with start in Lauwin-Planque and finish in Boulogne-sur-Mer, France, yesterday. INSET: Mathieu van der Poel, wearing the overall leader’s yellow jersey, celebrates on the podium. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
NETHERLANDS’ Mathieu van der Poel, centre, celebrates as he crosses the finish line to win the second stage of the Tour de France. (AP Photo/Mosa’ab Elshamy)
FRANCE’S MATHIEU BURGAUDEAU, left, and Slovenia’s Tadej Pogacar ride during the second stage of the Tour de France. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
MATHIEU van der Poel celebrates as he crosses the finish line to win the second stage of the Tour de France yesterday. (AP Photo/Mosa’ab Elshamy)
Wimbledon: Taylor Fritz reaches quarters when his injured opponent quits, Sabalenka wins
By HOWARD FENDRICH AP Tennis Writer
LONDON (AP) — U.S.
Open runner-up Taylor Fritz moved into the Wimbledon quarterfinals for the third time in four years yesterday, advancing when his injured opponent, Jordan Thompson, quit while trailing 6-1, 3-0 after 41 minutes.
The unseeded Thompson’s movement and power clearly were compromised.
The Australian entered the match with back and leg issues and left the court for a medical timeout in the second set, then stopped after trying to play for three more points.
“Just got significantly worse today,” said Thompson, who was competing in singles and doubles at Wimbledon. “Just played a
lot of tennis on a body that shouldn’t have been, and it just took its toll.”
For the No. 5-seeded Fritz, it was a shorter workday after playing a pair of five-setters and one four-setter earlier in the tournament.
“It’s obviously not the way that I want to go through,” Fritz said. “It’s just sad. ... Respect to him for coming out. His body’s not right.”
Now the American will meet No. 17 seed Karen Khachanov of Russia on Tuesday for a berth in the semifinals — a round neither has reached at the All England Club.
Khachanov has been a Grand Slam semifinalist twice, at the U.S. Open in 2022 and the Australian Open in 2023.
Fritz made it that far at a major for the first time when he got to the final at Flushing Meadows in September before losing to No. 1 Jannik Sinner.
Khachanov beat Kamil Majchrzak 6-4, 6-2, 6-3 yesterday and is 2-0 against Fritz, although their most recent meeting was in 2020.
“We practice all the time, so we’re pretty familiar with each other’s games,” Fritz said.
“But I think I improved a ton and have become a much, much better player since the last time we played.”
What else happened at Wimbledon yesterday?
No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka reached the quarterfinals at her 11th consecutive Grand Slam tournament, defeating No. 24 Elise Mertens 6-4,
7-6 (4), and will play Laura Siegemund, the 37-year-old German who followed up her elimination of Australian Open champ Madison Keys by beating lucky loser Solana Sierra 6-3, 6-2. When Siegemund’s age was mentioned during an on-court interview, the crowd applauded, and she joked: “It’s not that often you get such a compliment for being old.”
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova overcame a missed call late in the first set when the electronic system that replaced line judges at Wimbledon this year was shut off but ended up beating Sonay Kartal 7-6 (3), 6-4 to return to the grass-court major’s quarterfinals for the first time in nine years.
Pavlyuchenkova’s opponent Tuesday will be No. 13
Amanda Anisimova or No. 30 Linda Noskova.
Who plays at the All England Club today?
The quarterfinals will be set after today’s play, which leads off at Centre Court with 24-time major champion Novak Djokovic against No. 11 Alex de Minaur at 1:30 p.m. local time (8:30 a.m. ET). They were supposed to face each other in last year’s
quarterfinals at Wimbledon, but de Minaur was forced to withdraw before the match with a hip injury.
That’s to be followed by No. 7 Mirra Andreeva vs. No. 10 Emma Navarro, who eliminated 2024 champion
Barbora Krejcikova in the third round, and then No. 1 Jannik Sinner vs. No. 19
Grigor Dimitrov. Others in action: Iga
Swiatek, Ben Shelton and Marin Cilic.
ARYNA SABALENKA, of Belarus, uses an ice pack to keep cool during a change of ends break as she plays Elise Mertens during a fourth round singles match yesterday at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
Decathlete Kendrick Thompson 3rd, Olympian Ian Kerr wins 200 metres
By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor
IT was a good weekend for a number of rising Bahamian athletes competing in various track and field meets in Europe and the Caribbean.
The list included Olympic sprinter Ian Kerr, the return of decathlete Kendrick Thompson, the improvement of female quarter-miler Printassia Johnson and the emergence of a pair of relay teams.
Kerr triumphs in 200
At the World Athletics
Continental Tour Silver’s Memoriał Czeslawa Cybulskiego in Poznan, Olympian Ian Kerr captured the victory in 20.91, well ahead of Jona Efoloko of Great Britain, who was second in 21.04.
Kerr, who competed in the event at the Olympic Games last August in Paris, France, was just off the qualifying standard of 20.16 for the World Championships in Tokyo, Japan.
Thompson shines At the Decaster two-day meet for multiple-event decathlon and heptathlon at the Pierre Paul Bernard Stadium in Talence, France, Kendrick Thompson finished third in the men’s decathlon with 8,177 points. He was beaten out by American Ayden OwensDelerme, who took the title with 8,470 points with Johannes Erm of Estonia placing second with 8,236 points.
All of the competitors fell short of the qualifying standard of 8,550 points for the World Championships. After holding
onto second place behind Owens-Delerme at the end of Saturday’s five events, Thompson slipped to third as Erm passed him on Sunday’s final day of the last five events.
As they began competition yesterday, Thompson got second in the last of the two heats of the 110m hurdles in a personal best of 14.19 for 950 points. Thompson, in producing his worst performance in the discus, was 13th with 131-feet, 2 inches or (39.98m) for 664 points. He was then tied for ninth in the pole vault with 4.53 metres for 760 points. But he redeemed himself with his victory in
the javelin with a heave of 201-7 (61.44m) for 760 points and wrapped up the competition with seventh in the 1,500m in a time of 4:39.73 for 682 points.
As the competition got started on Saturday, Thompson opened up with the second fastest time of 10.65 in the 100m for 940 points for second overall. He came back with a personal best of 25-3 1/4 (7.70m) in the long jump for second in Group A for 985 points for second overall.
In the shot put, he was ninth with a season’s best of 48-1 1/4 (14.66) for 769 points. However, he was fourth in Group B for a tie for seventh for 776 points.
And as he closed out day one, Thompson finished third in the 400m in 48.56 for 882 points to hold onto second place with his first day total of 4,352 points, trailing Owens-Delerme, who surged out front with 4,469 points.
Johnson in Barbados
At the Usain Bolt Sports Complex in Bridgetown, Barbados, on Saturday, Printassia Johnson and the women’s 4 x 400m relay team both claimed 2nd-place finishes at the inaugural Barbados Grand Prix.
For the individual events, athletes were selected to compete for either the Eagles, Outlaws, Lions or
Panthers, while the relay teams represented their respective countries.
In her individual event, Johnson, competing for the Lions, was timed in 51.29 as she trailed Barbados’ Sada Williams, who competed for the Outlaws, winning the race in 51.15. The World Championship qualifying time is 50.75. Grand Bahamians Alonzo Russell, competing in the men’s 400m for the Eagles, was sixth in 47.16 and Brianne Bethel, representing the Lions, came sixth in 24.46 in the women’s 200m.
In their bid to try and secure a lane for the World Championships, the men’s 4
Also in the final event of the meet, the mixed relay team attempted to get in with the combo of Wendell Miller, Printassia Johnson, Zion Miller and Cassidra Thompson placing third in 3:16.38. Jamaica won in 3:15.06 with Barbados second in 3:5.80. The Bahamas, however, didn’t field a team to compete in either the men or the women 4 x 100m relays. Jamaica won both relays, taking the women’s race in 43.35 and the men in 38.46.
x 400m relay team of Zion Miller, Alonzo Russell, Andrew Styles and Wendell Miller clocked 3:05.05 for second place. Barbados won in 3:04.99.
OLYMPIAN IAN KERR, left, captured the victory in the 200 metres in 20.91 at the World Athletics Continental Tour Silver’s Memoriał while Kendrick Thompson finished third in the men’s decathlon in the Decaster two-day meet at the Pierre Paul Bernard Stadium in Talence, France. (FILE photos)