• Slug: Sports-Spoelstra Budenholzer Relationship, 820 words.
•  File photo available.

By Patrick Holleron
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – Longevity is never a given in any industry. Coaching jobs in the NBA are no exception.

The only current coaches to stay with a team for at least 10 seasons are Michael Malone (Denver Nuggets), Steve Kerr (Golden State Warriors), Erik Spoelstra (Miami Heat) and Gregg Popovich (San Antonio Spurs).

“It’s a sobering reality of our profession,” Spolestra said Wednesday before the Heat faced the Suns at Footprint Center. “I’m forever grateful to the leadership of Pat Riley and the Arison family. They believe in a culture that has stability, structure and a family atmosphere. And there is business to be done. Sometimes there’s tough decisions to be made. Continue reading “From video coordinators to head coaches, history between Erik Spoelstra, Mike Budenholzer runs deep”

• Slug: Sports-Diamondbacks Tommy Troy, 1,050 words.
•  3 photos available.

By Sean Brennan
Cronkite News

SCOTTSDALE – Growing up, Gino Groover’s parents told him there is a small amount of truth to any joke. So whenever the Arizona Diamondbacks’ No. 9 prospect gives middle infielder Tommy Troy a hard time for working too hard, a small amount of seriousness is sprinkled in.

“I’d be like,‘Dang Tommy, you’ve been swinging for a minute,’” Groover said. “I always tell him, ‘Save some good swings for the game.’”

Troy, the Diamondbacks’ No. 5 prospect and 2023 first-round draft pick, is usually a good sport, not only because he and Groover have spent nearly all of their short minor league careers together, but because Troy also knows it’s true. Continue reading “Diamondbacks prospect Tommy Troy’s focus, trust translate to successful Fall League stint”

• Slug: Sports-Arizona Fall League Johnson, 800 words.
•  File photo available.

By Jalen Weathers
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – The USA men’s baseball Premier12 team visited Phoenix Municipal Stadium recently to face Arizona State in a tune-up game as the U.S. prepared for the upcoming World Baseball Softball Confederation Championship.

But for infielder Termarr Johnson of Team USA, it was much more than just an exhibition game.

Johnson committed to play at ASU in 2021 before the Pittsburgh Pirates made him the fourth overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft. He had been projected as high as No. 1 overall due to his exceptional play at Benjamin E. Mays High School in Atlanta and at the MLB High School All-American Showcase. Continue reading “Former Arizona State baseball commit Termarr Johnson returns to Tempe with Team USA”

• Slug: Sports-Election Sports Reaction, 650 words.
•  Photo available.

By Fletcher Anderson
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – Social media has served as a powerful conduit for athletes to share their political beliefs. That was never more evident than after Tuesday’s presidential election.

Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkić, who is from Bosnia-Herzegovina, spoke to reporters Wednesday about athletes using their social media platforms, while others used theirs to share strong opinions after Vice President Kamala Harris conceded the election to Donald Trump.

Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese posted on X several times Wednesday. “As a woman, im heartbroken for us all…” and  “I’m so disappointed in America….Some of you just couldn’t selfishly put your pride aside huh??!?!?” Continue reading “‘I’m heartbroken’ to ‘Nobody deserves this more’: Athletes deliver mixed reactions to Donald Trump presidential victory”

• Slug: Sports-CFP Rankings BYU, 750 words.
•  Photo available.

By Fletcher Anderson
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – One of the strongest messages to come out of Tuesday’s initial College Football Playoff ranking was the committee’s lack of respect for the Big 12, with its current leader ranked lower than many expected, despite an undefeated record.

BYU was slotted in at No. 9, despite a strong resume of ranked wins over No. 13 SMU on the road, and No. 19 Kansas State. Compared to teams ahead of the Cougars, only Georgia and Oregon have two or more ranked wins based on the committee. Over half of the top 9 have zero as of week 10. All of the teams ahead of BYU, besides No. 8 Indiana, would be considered “traditional” football powers.

The Cougars ranking “really came down to more of an eye test,” said Warde Manuel, the director of athletics at Michigan and current CFP selection committee chair. Continue reading “Did the CFP disrespect the Big 12? First poll reveals little love for BYU”

• Slug: Sports-Diamondbacks De Castillo, 1,100 words.
•  Photo available.

By Tyler Bednar
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – Adrian Del Castillo is a name Arizona Diamondbacks fans could get used to hearing in 2025. After making his MLB debut and playing 25 games last season, Del Castillo is in a prime position to play a larger role next season.

The rookie appeared in 24 of his 25 games at catcher, after Gold Glove winner Gabriel Moreno entered the injured list, and hit .313 with four home runs, five doubles and 19 RBI. Del Castillo’s .893 on-base plus slugging percentage was 46 percent better than the league average.

While Del Castillo didn’t appear in any games as the designated hitter last season, the position could be open in 2025 and he would appear to be a good fit. Continue reading “Adrian Del Castillo in line for designation to key role for Arizona Diamondbacks in 2025”

• Slug: Sports-NBA Hispanic Culture, 2,200 words.
•  Photo available.

By Connor Moreno and Patrick Holleron
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – As Spanish music and vibrant accompanying lights filled Footprint Center throughout a 103-97 Phoenix Suns victory over the Portland Trail Blazers Saturday, the Suns and their fans celebrated more than just a win.

The game was played on the Suns’ ninth annual Dia de los Muertos night, celebrating a Mexican holiday that shows respect and appreciation for the dead. The Suns Dance Team members wore face paint depicting a calavera – sugar skulls – and performed alongside folklórico dancers at halftime.

Theme nights like these are part of a larger effort by the Suns and the NBA to embrace Hispanic culture – and appeal to the league’s growing Hispanic fan base. Continue reading “Phoenix Suns, NBA amplify Hispanic culture in Dia de los Muertos celebration and Mexico City Game 2024”

• Slug: Sports-CFP First Ranking, 710 words.
• 2 photos available.

By Fletcher Anderson
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – On Tuesday, voting will take place – we aren’t talking about politics.

The first College Football Playoff rankings of 2024 will be released, and with a new 12-team format, discussion will center around seedings and automatic qualifiers.

Since 2014, the CFP has determined the national champion using a four-team playoff, with no automatic qualifiers. Just the four best teams in the eyes of the committee. This year, they expanded to 12 and have a completely different format. Continue reading “Election Tuesday, CFP style: First college football poll of 12-team playoff season makes debut”

• Slug: Sports-Phoenix Rising Playoff Preview, 920 words.
•  2 photos available.

By Cooper Burns
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – Phoenix Rising FC seeks a rare feat, one that hasn’t been accomplished since 2018, when Louisville City FC won back-to-back USL titles.

Heading into this year’s playoffs, Rising’s road to gold appears all too similar to last season’s run. In the 2023 playoffs, Rising came in as the sixth seed in the Western Conference and needed road wins over San Diego Loyal SC, Orange County SC and Sacramento Republic FC to earn a shot at the title. After passing each test with victories, Rising went on to capture their first championship in franchise history against Charleston Battery.

Phoenix enters the 2024 USL Playoffs as the eighth seed in the conference and needs a similar run away from home to defend its USL championship, starting Sunday against conference foe New Mexico United.

Continue reading “Reigning USL champions Phoenix Rising FC opens back-to-back title quest in New Mexico”

• Slug: Sports-Tua NFL Concussions, 1,430 words.
• 2 photos available.

By Jalen Weathers
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – Tua Tagovailoa’s return to the field Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals wasn’t just a comeback; it was a calculated risk highlighting the realities of professional football. After sustaining three concussions, the Miami Dolphins quarterback played without wearing a guardian cap at Hard Rock Stadium after missing six weeks of action.

With multiple concussions under his belt, the question about the NFL’s safety protocols is still relevant. Is the NFL doing enough to protect the players it showcases every week?

There is no question Tagovailoa can still play, but his return has reignited conversations about whether the NFL is equipped to prevent serious head trauma, particularly for a star quarterback who has brought entire stadiums and homes to silence after showing signs of the fencing position. Continue reading “Tua Tagovailoa’s comeback vs. Arizona Cardinals underscores NFL’s ongoing player safety challenges”

• Slug: Sports-Scottsdale Polo Championship, 720 words.
• 3 photos available.

By Patrick Holleron
Cronkite News

SCOTTSDALE – At the center of WestWorld, thumping hooves against the ground couldn’t be heard over the cauldron of nonstop activities. There was blaring live music, lavish fashion and dog shows, unique concession stands and a fleet of motor vehicles – all colliding for a single extravagant festival.

The 13th annual Bentley Scottsdale Polo Championships attracted a record-breaking turnout, with spectators from all corners of Arizona gathering to partake in the day’s lineup and watch the 10 best polo teams across the U.S. compete for the right to hoist the Molina Cup.

Though the sport has been around for centuries, polo moved to a new level in Arizona in 2011, when the championship matches started at WestWorld of Scottsdale with 2,500 people in attendance. Since then, popularity surrounding the event has grown tremendously, with 12,469 attendees present Friday for the first day of competition. Continue reading “Bentley Scottsdale Polo Championships celebrates sport and high fashion in record numbers”

• Slug: Sports-Globalization of Sports, 1,800 words.
• Photo available.

By Doyal D’angelo
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – Killings, kidnappings, violent oppression of political opposition, torture and censorship are just a few human rights abuses that officials in the Rwandan dictatorship are either credibly accused of committing or failing to investigate.

Paul Kagame, the Rwandan dictator who helped lead his country out of its horrid genocidal past, has been in power since 2000 and with no end to his reign in sight – yet the NBA is doing business with him.

As part of a widespread effort to expand his league’s global reach, Adam Silver and his team met with Kagame in Kigali in 2018 and advised him to build a new facility, BK Arena, that would host the first Basketball African League game in 2021. Continue reading “Profit vs. principles: Sports and politics collision creates controversy, opportunity”

• Slug: Sports-Big 12 WBB, 660 words.
• Photo available.

By Dane Palmer
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – As the 2024-25 Big 12 women’s basketball season tips off, a new era of college sports begins, marked by transfers, new rivalries and high expectations.

With the conference’s expansion bringing in four new programs – Arizona State, Arizona, Utah and BYU – the level of competition has never been higher. The revamped Big 12 looks to grow in more ways than from just adding schools, with improved ratings, engagement and international experiences all on the checklist for commissioner Brett Yormack.

Yormack has big aspirations for the expanding conference, which now features 18 teams spread across 10 different states. Continue reading “Arizona State women’s basketball joins improved Big 12 Conference with fresh energy, high expectations”

• Slug: Sports-GCU MBB Preview, 1,070 words.
• Photo available.

By Brenden Paul
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – As the clock struck 7 p.m. before the ring ceremony began, the student section known as the Havocs started singing “Be Ready” by Sovereign Grace Music in complete unison and without music, engulfing Global Credit Union Arena with their voices.

The Havocs’ impromptu celebration carried Grand Canyon University’s men’s basketball team into its emotional Western Athletic Conference championship ring and banner reveal ceremony Tuesday night, a reminder of the Lopes’ accomplishments from last season and what they have on the line this year.

It’s safe to say GCU fans are more than ready for the start of college basketball season. However, the Lopes have work to do to live up to the hype expected from the Havocs this season.  Continue reading “Rebounds and turnovers: GCU men’s basketball eyes improvements, looks to defend WAC title”

• Slug: Sports-GCU Roller Hockey, 860 words.
• Photo available.

By Brenden Paul
Cronkite News

PEORIA – Kawena Lee was awakened by teammate Zach Hoffman while taking a nap on his couch with the news that Bethel University’s roller hockey team had folded due to financial issues.

“I’m all lethargic and drowsy from my nap still, and (Hoffman) says, ‘Did you hear about the news?’ I said no, and he told me to check my email because Bethel just closed their roller hockey program,” Lee said.

One year removed from making the National Collegiate Roller Hockey Association (NCRHA) semifinals, members of the Bethel University Wildcats, located in McKenzie, Tennessee, suddenly needed new places to play for the 2024-25 season, and a trio of players found a home in the desert with Grand Canyon University. Along with forwards Lee and Hoffman, defenseman Josh Little also joined the movement to Arizona. Continue reading “Transfer trio: GCU roller hockey championship team boosted by newcomers from Bethel University”

• Slug: Sports-Arizona Cardinals Bears, 700 words.
• Photo available.

By James Morel
Cronkite News

TEMPE – On any given Sunday, the unusual can happen. Last Sunday, in something you’d see in a movie, the Chicago Bears were stunned by a last-second Hail Mary, while further south, the Arizona Cardinals jubilantly celebrated following a game-winning field goal.

The two teams, on contrasting paths, meet Sunday in a clash at State Farm Stadium, though the Cardinals know any ounce of momentum soared out the window when they touched down back in Phoenix.

“We got our work cut out for us, it’s going to be a big-time challenge,” Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon told reporters Wednesday. Continue reading “Arizona Cardinals return home to test momentum vs. heartbroken Chicago Bears”

• Slug: Sports – Big 12 Media Day, 900 words.
• Photo available.

By Patrick Holleron and Doyal D’angelo
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – There are sure to be adjustments and maybe some growing pains in the upcoming 2024-25 college basketball season for this year’s inductees to the Big 12 Conference.

Arizona State, Arizona, Colorado and Utah all became members of the league following the collapse of the Pac-12 Conference and joined a pantheon of college basketball powerhouses in the Big 12.

The overarching theme of the Big 12 Basketball Media Day was the challenge former Pac-12 teams face while adjusting to the officiating, style of play and travel the newcomers will experience in the Big 12. Continue reading “Arizona schools must adjust to physicality, officiating in inaugural Big 12 men’s basketball season”

• Slug: Sports–Alex Verdugo Feature. 2,481 words.
• 9 photos available.

By Dylan Ackermann
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – The jarring phone call came as Alex Verdugo was enjoying lunch with his brother, Chris, at a pizza parlor in Minnesota. The call came from Verdugo’s agent with news that the Los Angeles Dodgers had just traded him to the Boston Red Sox.

Verdugo was upset. Then bummed. Then in denial. But it was his brother who helped him accept the dark realities of the business side of baseball.

Chris pointed out that he should feel honored. He was being traded for two potential Hall of Famers – outfielder Mookie Betts and pitcher David Price. Continue reading “‘World’ of support: Alex Verdugo’s family-fueled journey from Tucson leads to baseball’s biggest stage”

• Slug: Sports – Arizona Wildcats WBB, 770 words.
• Photo available.

By Aya Abdeen
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – The Arizona’s women’s basketball team, four years removed from its national championship appearance under coach Adia Barnes, enters the 2024-25 season in need of a fresh start.

Coming off its first sub-20-win season since 2017-18, Arizona was picked to finish seventh in the conference during the Big 12 Women’s Basketball Media Day in Kansas City.

But those who sleep on the Wildcats do so at their own peril. Continue reading “Arizona Wildcats women’s basketball team determined to prove Big 12 critics wrong in debut season”