General Sports 24 Hours

Last updated: July 9, 2026, 5:32 PM ET

College Hoops & Football Recruiting Buzz

Marcus Spears Jr., the top prospect in the 2027 class, is reclassifying and committing to Texas for the upcoming college basketball season. This move comes as coaches descend on circuits to watch the next crop of college stars, with Spears Jr. being one of the storylines to watch. Meanwhile, Nikola Kusturica has reached a multiyear agreement to play for UCLA, positioning him as an early contender for the No. 1 pick in the 2028 NBA draft play for UCLA. In Big 12 media days, coaches like Deion Sanders and Joey McGuire offered some memorable quotes. Utah quarterback Devon Dampier praised the NCAA's new five-year, age-based eligibility model, calling it "fair all around".

WNBA Action Heats Up

The Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark was limited to 16 minutes in her return Wednesday night, playing in shifts of about three minutes and finishing with nine points in a 106-92 loss to the Los Angeles Sparks. The Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve earned her 380th regular-season victory Wednesday night, adding to her record for most total wins in WNBA history her 380th regular-season victory. The Golden State Valkyries are riding a five-game winning streak, with their defense and depth paying dividends as they once again hold the top spot in the WNBA Power Rankings. A group of 11 Republican lawmakers sent a letter to WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert demanding the league take "accountability" for "multiple issues" regarding Clark.

Tennis at Wimbledon and Beyond

Great Britain's Alfie Hewett won two matches Thursday to advance in the men's wheelchair singles and doubles at Wimbledon progress in the men's wheelchair singles and doubles. Teammate Henry Patten and his Finnish partner Harri Heliovaara reached their second Wimbledon men's doubles final in three years their second Wimbledon men's doubles final. John McEnroe and Tim Henman took calls from fans to discuss the tournament so far. Arthur Fery, who learned the game near the All England Club, is now one win away from the SW19 final one win away from the SW19 final. In the women's singles, Coco Gauff faces Karolina Muchova in a semifinal clash, with both players having a complicated relationship with grass courts this year cracked the code this year. Meanwhile, Jannik Sinner is the defending Wimbledon champion and No. 1 seed, but Novak Djokovic, with seven titles, is aiming for another victory just had a monumental win. Jamie Murray also answered fan questions about the tournament.

Golfers Shine in Scotland and France

Rory McIlroy reveled in his return to links golf with a five-under 65 to share the lead on day one of the Scottish Open share the lead on day one. England's Charley Hull carded a five-under 66 to sit in a share of third after day one at the Evian Championship sit in a share of third. Coverage of the 2026 PGA Genesis Scottish Open is available on the ESPN App coverage on the ESPN App.

UFC and Boxing Personalities Make Headlines

Conor McGregor's UFC title runs were brief, but his impact on the sport is undeniable, as shown by six charts detailing his influence. Ahead of UFC, competitors like Benoit Saint Denis and Paddy Pimblett offered their predictions for the Conor McGregor vs. Max Holloway fight their takes on Conor McGregor vs. Max Holloway. Max Holloway's record-breaking UFC career is being examined as he prepares to face McGregor on Sunday prepares to face Conor McGregor at UFC 329 on Sunday. Former bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt called for the UFC to offer greater support for retired fighters.

Cycling and Athletics Update

Tadej Pogacar took a significant step towards winning the Tour de France for a record-equalling fifth time with a dominant victory on stage six, regaining the leader's yellow jersey. Australian sprinter Gout Gout is set to miss the rest of the season, including the World Athletics Under-20 Championships, after tearing his left hamstring during training missing the rest of the season. The 2026 Diamond League season is set to begin, with key events and schedules available on the BBC.

Rugby Union News

Centre Henry Slade has been recalled to the starting line-up for England against Fiji, despite not playing a minute in the Six Nations campaign earlier this year recalled to the starting line-up. Wales have dropped wing Louis Rees-Zammit to the bench, with Sam Costelow starting at fly-half as they make three changes to face Argentina. Jiuta Wainiqolo, potentially the best wing in the world, aims to inflict his magic on England on Saturday aiming to inflict some of his scorching, stepping magic on a wobbling England. Anton Segner is poised to become the first German-born All Black if he comes off the bench against Italy. Star fly-half Finn Russell is fit to start for Scotland against South Africa in the Nations Championship fit to start for Scotland. Female rugby players are 69% more likely to experience social media abuse than their male counterparts, according to World Rugby findings. Ben Stokes reacted after the ICC contacted the ECB over a potential rule breach linked to his retirement announcement.

Other Sports News

The NIL clearinghouse has rejected $90 million worth of Name, Image, and Likeness deals. Chris Lynn's century helped Northamptonshire Steelbacks beat Glamorgan and secure their place in the men's T20 Blast quarter-finals seal their place in the men's T20 Blast quarter-finals. The England and Wales Cricket Board is blocking plans to hold the final of a T20 tournament for European nations at Lord's blocking plans to hold the final. Dame Sarah Storey, Great Britain's most decorated Paralympian, has retired from international competition. The ICC is developing plans to address "significant corruption concerns" in franchise tournaments globally.