The Brooklyn Nets have 52 jersey numbers worn by over 600 different players over the course of their history since the franchise was founded in 1967 as a charter member of the American Basketball Association (ABA), when the team was known as the “New Jersey Americans”.

Since then, that league has been absorbed by the NBA with the team that would later become the New York Nets and New Jersey Nets before settling on the name by which they are known today, bringing their rich player and jersey history with them to the league of today.

To commemorate the players who played for the Nets over the decades wearing those 52 different jersey numbers, Nets Wire is covering the entire history of the franchise’s jersey numbers and the players who sported them since the founding of the team. The 19th of those 52 different numbers is jersey No. 17, which has has had a total of seven players wear the number in the history of the team.

The second of those players wearing No. 17 played in the (then) New Jersey (now, Brooklyn) Nets era, wing alum Eric Williams. After ending his college career at Providence, Williams was picked up with the 14th overall selection of the 1995 NBA draft by the Boston Celtics.

The Newark, New Jersey native would play the first two seasons of his pro career with the Celtics. He would also have stints with the Denver Nuggets, Boston again, and the Cleveland Cavaliers before signing with New Jersey in 2004.

His stay with the team would span just 21 games before he’d be dealt to the Toronto Raptors. During his time suiting up for the Nets, Williams wore only jersey No. 17 and put up 12.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game.

All stats and data courtesy of Basketball Reference.

This article originally appeared on Nets Wire: Nets jersey history No. 17 – Eric Williams (2004)

On moving day of the Wisconsin State Women’s Open on June 10 at La Crosse Country Club in Onalaska, Sophia Connett fired a 4-under par 68 to shoot up the leader board and take the second-round co-lead with Chloe Chan into the final round on June 11.

The top 24 players of the 62-person field made the cut after the second round, and Connett led the way by making five birdies against one bogey. It is the lowest round of the tournament to date. The performance helped her recover from a 3-over 75 in the first round.

Connett is the head women’s golf coach at the University of Wisconsin-Stout and played collegiately at the University of Missouri.

Connett’s 1-under total through 54 holes matched Chan, who shot an even par 72 in Round 2.

Kate Brody is alone in third place at even par for the tournament after shooting a 1-under 71 in the second round.

Barring a massive swing in the scoring over the final 18 holes, those three players have the best shot at winning their first state open, as Connett and Chan hold a six-shot lead over Taitum Beck and defending champion Elise Hoven (plus-5) and a seven-shot lead over Bobbi Stricker (plus-6).

The top 10 is rounded out by Payton Haugen (plus-7), Carly Moon (plus-9), Izzi Stricker (plus-11) and Norah Roberts and McKenna Nelson (plus-12).

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Sophia Connett takes co-lead in Wisconsin State Women’s Open

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Shohei Ohtani is moving ever closer to his first pitching appearance for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

In fact, there’s now a chance his fans might not even have to wait until the All-Star break.

Ohtani looked sharp while throwing three simulated innings on Tuesday at Petco Park before the Dodgers faced the San Diego Padres, manager Dave Roberts said. The outing was another significant step in Ohtani’s recovery from the elbow surgery that has prevented the two-way superstar from pitching since he signed with the Dodgers before last season.

Ohtani threw just under 50 pitches to two minor league hitters during the third simulated game in his gradual comeback to the mound. The three-time MVP used his fastball and sweeper impressively, according to Roberts and Dodgers pitching coach Mark Prior.

“I thought he was really good,” Roberts said. “I thought the fastball had life. I thought the sweeper was really good. … (The hitters) said the stuff was coming out really well. It was about 44 pitches or something like that, so it was really good.”

The Dodgers have been cagey about the timeline for Ohtani’s return to the mound, with Roberts suggesting in recent weeks that it might not happen until after the All-Star break.

But after Ohtani’s latest mound outing, Roberts now says the chance of Ohtani pitching in a game before the All-Star break begins July 14 is “north of zero.”

“It doesn’t have to be a full buildup, because anything that he can give us is certainly going to be additive,” Roberts added. “But I still stand by him and Dr. (Neal) ElAttrache, the training staff. They’re going to drive this. So I’m just anxious for the next one.”

Ohtani hasn’t pitched in a major league game since Aug. 23, 2023, when he abruptly left in the second inning of his final start for the Los Angeles Angels. He was eventually diagnosed with a torn elbow ligament that required surgery.

Ohtani has demonstrated elite pitching ability when healthy: He went 38-19 with a 3.01 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP while starting 86 games over five seasons for the Angels. He didn’t pitch at all in 2019 and made just two starts in 2020 while recovering from Tommy John surgery.

Ohtani has remained steadfastly committed to playing both ways despite his hitting prowess, and the Dodgers could really use him on the mound this season. Los Angeles has 14 pitchers on the injured list, including expected starters Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, Roki Sasaki, Tony Gonsolin and Gavin Stone.

Still, the Dodgers say they won’t rush their cornerstone.

“It’s tempting,” Roberts said with a smile. “I’m sure Shohei is tempted to just rip the Band-Aid off and get into a big-league game, but I think we’re doing a good job of trying to take care of him. And truth be told, I don’t know if anyone knows the right time to get him into a big-league game, but we’re still being very careful.”

Ohtani has been only a designated hitter since he agreed to a 10-year, $700 million free-agent deal with the Dodgers. He immediately won his third MVP award in 2024, batting .310 with 54 homers, 130 RBIs and 59 stolen bases for the eventual World Series champions.

Ohtani was in his usual spot as the Dodgers’ leadoff hitter for Tuesday night’s game against the Padres. Los Angeles planned to throw yet another bullpen game due to the rotation’s extensive injury woes.

Snell also threw his first full bullpen session in two months on Tuesday at Petco Park. The two-time Cy Young winner, who will throw another 20 pitches on Friday, has said his arm is now pain free after he was shut down with left shoulder inflammation on April 6.

Snell made only two starts this season before going on the injured list. He agreed to a five-year, $182 million contract with the Dodgers last winter.

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB

A ballpark-tested Golden Retriever named Bruce is going to the major leagues to scoop up bats on baseball’s biggest stage for the Washington Nationals after the team said he worked his tail off in the minors.

Yes, Bruce is the team’s “Top Paw-spect” at 21 months old — in people years.

The Nationals shared the wonderful news Tuesday that Bruce the Bat Dog has been called up, set to make his major league debut Saturday at home against the Miami Marlins — his promotion perfectly timed for Pups in the Park day at Nationals Park.

Bruce was credited by the organization’s front office for “working your tail off” to earn this opportunity. The Nats said Bruce owns a 1.000 retrieving average in three games for Rochester this year and will make a fourth start in Rochester on Friday before traveling to Washington.

The club unveiled an announcement for the dog’s special day featuring three photos of Bruce under “Welcome to The Show Bruce the Bat Dog” — and stated ”no rules that say a dog can’t play baseball.”

Triple-A manager Matthew LeCroy even brought the pooch into his office to give him the great news, and the Nationals posted video of the moment on their social media.

“Hey, I got some news for you, I think you’re going to like it,” LeCroy said. “You know last year you got called up to Triple-A, did a really nice job but we still thought we needed some work down at the lower levels. … You did a nice job coming back to Triple-A this year, but I’m excited to tell you the front office, the GM, the president, the owners, they’re excited to invite you to Nats Park for your call up to the major leagues on June 14.”

More kind wishes poured in, and one fan called the move “pawsome.” The Nationals have never seen him turn down signing a “pawtograph.”

“Our fans and front office are always excited to see our players get promoted to the Nationals, but Bruce’s promotion is a historic call-up to the big leagues that he richly deserves,” Rochester Red Wings General Manager Dan Mason said. “Nobody makes people smile more than Bruce, and I’m sure he’ll do a WOOFtastic job for the Nats! He has proven himself to be ready for the show in a very short time and has earned the phenom status that has been bestowed upon him. He’ll put on a doggone great show for Nats fans on June 14.”

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB

Coach’s challenges are coming to a basketball court near you.

That’s right, as if games weren’t slowed down enough by referees looking at monitors towards the end of games to review everything from who touched the ball last going out of bounds to seemingly a broken nail, now the NCAA has approved coaches’ challenges that will begin with this winter’s basketball season, similar to what the NBA allows.

Beginning in the 2025-2026 basketball season, coaches will be allowed at most two challenges per game. Teams must have a timeout remaining to do so, and if the challenge is successful, the coach will be allowed one more for the rest of the game — including overtime. However, if the challenge is not successful, the coach will not be allowed to challenge another call for the rest of the game.

But here’s the rub: officials will still be able to stop play to review calls to make sure they get them right within the last two minutes of the game and overtime. It has disrupted many games in the recent past and caused some serious frustration with fans and other onlookers. This move would allow a coach not to have to wait for an official review late in the game. At least there is a limit to how many times this can be done.

Coach’s challenge will be introduced this upcoming season.

🏀 Can challenge at any point in a game
🏀 Must have a timeout in order to challenge
🏀 If successful teams receive one additional challenge for the rest of the game, including overtime

Full details:… pic.twitter.com/Sv9aIPGpki

— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) June 10, 2025

Now, if only we could shut off the monitors or put a limit on how many times the officials can take over a game as the sands of the hourglass run out.

Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes and opinion. Follow Phil Harrison on X.

This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: NCAA will allow coaches’ challenges for upcoming basketball season

Shohei Ohtani Shows Encouraging Progress in Return to Pitching originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

The Los Angeles Dodgers are aiming for a series win over NL West rival San Diego Padres to start the week.

LA’s biggest problem while emerging as the front-runners in the NL West has been in their pitching rotation.

Their rotation has been trying to come back to full health after seeing over 18 different pitchers serving time on the injured list.

Although he’s been one of the most dominant players in the MLB, Shohei Ohtani is another pitching option that the Dodgers have never been able to see start a game on the mound for them.

Despite winning the NL MVP in 2024 and having the second most home runs in the league so far this season, Ohtani hasn’t seen the mound since his time with the Los Angeles Angels in 2023.

He underwent his second Tommy John surgery of his career in September of 2023, and the Dodgers have been patient in Ohtani’s recovery process from the procedure.

Shohei Ohtani was seen facing batters in his rehab process on Tuesday

Before the start of this season, manager Dave Roberts informed the MLB world that Shohei Ohtani is expected to start pitching again sometime in the 2025 season.

There’s no set timetable for the 30-year-old’s return, but it looks to be coming sooner rather than later.

Ohtani was seen facing hitters in the Dodgers’ batting practice before their game against the Padres on Tuesday night.

Shohei Ohtani is facing hitters for the third time in his rehab process. pic.twitter.com/HfY2dnmXSs

— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) June 10, 2025

Shohei Ohtani’s pitching career has been just as dominant as his batting ability.

In 86 career starts on the mound, Ohtani has a 3.01 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, and has struck out 608 batters in 481.2 innings pitched.

Although it’s uncertain when the three-time MVP will return to the mound, it looks like Shohei Ohtani is still expected to be making his Dodgers pitching debut sometime in 2025.

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 10, 2025, where it first appeared.

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — The Los Angeles Angels placed Chris Taylor on the 10-day injured list because of a broken left hand on Tuesday, an injury the utility man sustained when he was hit by a pitch a night earlier.

Taylor was hit by Tyler Ferguson’s 95-mph fastball in the eighth inning of the Angels’ 7-4 victory over the Athletics on Monday. He finished the game in right field, but X-rays afterward revealed a fracture that manager Ron Washington said will sideline the 34-year-old veteran indefinitely.

A similar injury forced Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts to miss almost two months last season.

“He’s just been having some bad luck, and it just keeps happening,” Washington said of Taylor, who battled a neck injury for much of 2024. “So now all he can do is just get well. But in the game of baseball, things like that happen, and the next guy’s got to step up.”

Taylor, who was released by the Dodgers on May 18, hit .200 (6 for 30) with one homer, three doubles and three RBIs in 10 games with the Angels, but he seemed to be heating up at the plate. He had four hits, including a homer and two doubles, and three RBIs in a pair of weekend games against the Seattle Mariners.

Taylor was replaced on the active roster by utility man LaMonte Wade Jr., a veteran utility man who was acquired from the San Francisco Giants on Sunday for a player to be named or cash.

Wade, 31, batted .167 (24 for 144) with one homer, eight doubles and 15 RBIs in 50 games for the Giants this season. Though he has extensive big league experience at first base, Washington said Wade will play mostly corner outfield for the Angels.

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB