General Sports 3d Briefing
×Last updated: April 11, 2026, 8:31 PM ET
College Basketball Transfers & Coaching Stability
The landscape of college basketball recruiting saw significant movement as high-profile players entered the transfer portal, while key coaches secured long-term commitments. Michigan coach Dusty May agreed to a new deal espn.com ensuring he remains with the Wolverines "for many years to come," Athletic Director Warde Manuel confirmed Saturday, following their national title run. In contrast, Colorado freshman guard Isaiah Johnson, who averaged 16.9 points and 3.0 assists, committed to Texas espn.com after entering the portal. Meanwhile, Kansas State scorer P.J. Haggerty chose Texas A&M espn.com, and UConn rotation player Eric Reibe, a member of the Final Four team, entered the transfer portal espn.com Friday. Further bolstering Michigan's roster, they landed coveted Tennessee transfer espn.com J.P. Estrella, a 6-foot-11 redshirt sophomore, signaling aggressive portal use post-championship.
Auburn star guard Tahaad Pettiford is returning to the Tigers espn.com for his junior season, providing stability for the SEC program, while Notre Dame’s Defensive Player of the Year, Hannah Hidalgo, will also return espn.com for her senior year in South Bend. On the coaching side, Final Four MOP Elliot Cadeau committed to returning to Michigan espn.com for his senior season, a major win for the Wolverines program. The Big Ten continues to reap financial rewards, having amassed $69.4 million espn.com from NCAA Men's and Women's Basketball Tournament distributions.
WNBA Free Agency Moves
WNBA free agency generated considerable activity, with several stars finalizing significant multiyear contracts across the league. The Chicago Sky signed seven-time All-Star Skylar Diggins espn.com and forward Azura Stevens on the opening day of signings. The New York Liberty secured two major talents, with Satou Sabally agreeing to a multiyear deal espn.com and Jonquel Jones also signing multiyear extensions to remain in New York. Veteran Dearica Hamby, a three-time All-Star, is finalizing a multiyear return espn.com to the Los Angeles Sparks.
In major contract news, two-time scoring champion Brittney Griner is reportedly finalizing a seven-figure deal espn.com to join the Connecticut Sun. The Las Vegas Aces retained guard Jackie Young on a finalized agreement worth $1.19 million according to sources espn.com, while teammate Chelsea Gray reached a three-year, $3 million fully guaranteed pact to stay in Vegas espn.com. The Indiana Fever are securing Kelsey Mitchell on a one-year, $1.4 million supermax deal as reported espn.com, and Arike Ogunbowale is signing a seven-figure, multiyear contract to stay with the Wings sources confirmed espn.com. Meanwhile, the Atlanta Dream are finalizing a three-year deal with Allisha Gray as reported espn.com, and the Dallas Wings are adding free agents Marina Mabrey and Brittney Sykes, both on two-year max contracts via their agent espn.com.
The Masters Tournament Action
The 90th edition of the Masters Tournament saw World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler climb back into contention Saturday after firing a career-low 65 at Augusta National espn.com, carding a 7-under round. He entered the final round tied near the top alongside Rory McIlroy, who reminded everyone he is back to win bbc.com after a busy build-up. Adding to the statistical milestones, Shane Lowry recorded his second career hole-in-one espn.com during Saturday's play, becoming the first golfer to achieve that feat at the Masters. Amid the competitive action, China's Li Haotong moved into contention despite severe illness bbc.com on Friday. Off the course, honorary starters Jack Nicknicklaus, Gary Player, and Tom Watson expressed strong support espn.com for rolling back ball distances in professional golf.
The third round also featured moments of frustration, as Scotland's Robert Mac Intyre drew attention espn.com for flipping off the green after a quadruple bogey, potentially facing disciplinary action for the gesture espn.com. Meanwhile, Gary Player offered sympathy for Tiger Woods’ ongoing pain but advised the 15-time major champion to stop driving himself espn.com.
Rugby Union & League Showdowns
In European rugby, Leinster secured a home Champions Cup semi-final bbc.com after defeating Sale Sharks comfortably, setting up a clash with Toulon. Glasgow Warriors are entering their quarter-final against Toulon as favorites despite past losses bbc.com. In the European Challenge Cup, Dragons reached their first semi-final in a decade by edging Zebre 35-32 bbc.com, while Ulster advanced after defeating La Rochelle 41-24, placing them one game away from a first European final since 2012 following the win bbc.com. Montpellier also progressed by ending Connacht's six-game run bbc.com.
The Women's Six Nations opened with Scotland achieving a hard-fought 24-19 victory over Wales bbc.com in Cardiff, with Emily Coubrough earning her debut cap. England’s Red Roses machine marched on against Ireland in front of a record crowd of 77,120 at Allianz Stadium, a figure star Ellie Kildunne suggested is now becoming the norm bbc.com.
Heavyweight Boxing & MMA Updates
In heavyweight boxing, Tyson Fury’s comeback victory over Arslanbek Makhmudov was deemed an "optimal performance" by ex-champion David Haye after the fight bbc.com. Fury later delivered a theatrical monologue, taking aim at rivals and even a struggling Premier League club in good spirits bbc.com. However, WBO champion Fabio Wardley suggested Fury will struggle to reclaim the title bbc.com due to the current caliber of champions. Meanwhile, talks are reportedly advancing for Fury to meet Anthony Joshua in Dublin’s Croke Park in September for the bout bbc.com. Derek Chisora, after suggesting retirement following his recent fight, is now pushing for a Deontay Wilder rematch bbc.com due to dissatisfaction with the scoring. In MMA, Daniel Rodriguez stated he will reveal the "monster that prison created" as he targets a UFC return after eight months bbc.com in a Mexican jail.
Horse Racing & College Football Notes
The Grand National at Aintree concluded with I Am Maximus becoming the first horse in 49 years bbc.com to regain the title, nearly matching the record set by Red Rum. Trainer Willie Mullins celebrated his third consecutive Grand National victory, equaling the record bbc.com set by Vincent O'Brien. Tragically, the Mildmay Novices' Chase winner, Gold Dancer, had to be put down after suffering a broken back bbc.com. On the college football front, Colorado coach Deion Sanders, was hands-on during the Buffaloes' spring game Saturday, reassuring reporters that his health status is "good" espn.com. Separately, Indiana coach Curt Cignetti stated that following their CFP crown win, the Hoosiers still have a "chip on our shoulder" because "people are always going to doubt us" according to defensive lineman Tyrique Tucker espn.com.
Other Sports Briefings
In Rugby League, holders Hull Kingston Rovers advanced to the Challenge Cup semi-finals after Tyrone May claimed a hat-trick of tries in a dominant defeat of York Knights as confirmed bbc.com, while St Helens also cruised past Catalans Dragons to secure their spot in the semis bbc.com. In Formula, the immediate future of four-time champion Max Verstappen remains uncertain following the departure of his longtime race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, fueling speculation espn.com. In cricket, 15-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi smashed a 15-ball fifty bbc.com in the IPL as Rajasthan Royals defeated Royal Challengers Bengaluru by six wickets.