LAWRENCE, Kan. –&nbsp;Kansas Women’s Basketball will travel to Europe in August for an international tour that includes exhibition games in Italy and Greece, according to a media release from the university. “Our international trip has been on hold since 2020 and our team is looking forward to taking the trip,” Schneider said. “We are very excited about the 10 practice days and the opportunity to get a jump start on developing chemistry and camaraderie on and off the court. We look forward to the educational experience a trip like this can provide as we will visit some of the most historic sites and venues in Europe.” The Jayhawks trip will span from Aug. 6-16 and will feature a blend of educational and athletic opportunities. Kansas will visit Rome and Sorrento in Italy, playing its first game on Aug. 9 in Rome, before traveling to Athens, Greece, for the second game of the trip on Aug. 13. Among the sites that Kansas will visit on the trip are the Colosseum, Spanish Steps and Vatican in Rome, and the Acropolis, the Parthenon and the Olympic Museum in Athens. Kansas is coming off back-to-back 20-win seasons and postseason appearances after finishing 25-11 and winning the WNIT Championship in 2023. The Jayhawks return four starters from last season, including All-Big 12 First Team selections Taiyanna Jackson and Zakiyah Franklin, and three-time All-Big 12 honoree Holly Kersgieter. NCAA guidelines allows teams to take foreign trips once every four years. In accordance with the guidelines, teams can practice for 10 days prior to the trip and on off-days while on the trip. This will be the second foreign trip for the Jayhawks during Schneider’s tenure. Kansas previously took a 10-day tour through France and Switzerland in August of 2016.

LAWRENCE, Kan. –&nbsp;Kansas Women’s Basketball will travel to Europe in August for an international tour that includes exhibition games in Italy and Greece, according to a media release from the university. “Our international trip has been on hold since 2020 and our team is looking forward to taking the trip,” Schneider said. “We are very excited about the 10 practice days and the opportunity to get a jump start on developing chemistry and camaraderie on and off the court. We look forward to the educational experience a trip like this can provide as we will visit some of the most historic sites and venues in Europe.” The Jayhawks trip will span from Aug. 6-16 and will feature a blend of educational and athletic opportunities. Kansas will visit Rome and Sorrento in Italy, playing its first game on Aug. 9 in Rome, before traveling to Athens, Greece, for the second game of the trip on Aug. 13. Among the sites that Kansas will visit on the trip are the Colosseum, Spanish Steps and Vatican in Rome, and the Acropolis, the Parthenon and the Olympic Museum in Athens. Kansas is coming off back-to-back 20-win seasons and postseason appearances after finishing 25-11 and winning the WNIT Championship in 2023. The Jayhawks return four starters from last season, including All-Big 12 First Team selections Taiyanna Jackson and Zakiyah Franklin, and three-time All-Big 12 honoree Holly Kersgieter. NCAA guidelines allows teams to take foreign trips once every four years. In accordance with the guidelines, teams can practice for 10 days prior to the trip and on off-days while on the trip. This will be the second foreign trip for the Jayhawks during Schneider’s tenure. Kansas previously took a 10-day tour through France and Switzerland in August of 2016.

Kansas women’s basketball will take European trip in August

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Bobby Witt Jr. homered and tripled with three RBIs, and the Kansas City Royals beat the Tampa Bay Rays 8-4 for their second win in 10 games. In a game that sped by in 1 hour, 54 minutes, Brady Singer won for the second time in seven starts since June 4. Singer allowed four runs and seven hits in a season-high eight innings. He needed 70 pitches through seven innings and led 7-0 before Isaac Paredes hit a solo homer and Francisco Mejía hit a three-run drive. Zach Eflin gave up a season-high five runs and seven hits.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Bobby Witt Jr. homered and tripled with three RBIs, and the Kansas City Royals beat the Tampa Bay Rays 8-4 for their second win in 10 games. In a game that sped by in 1 hour, 54 minutes, Brady Singer won for the second time in seven starts since June 4. Singer allowed four runs and seven hits in a season-high eight innings. He needed 70 pitches through seven innings and led 7-0 before Isaac Paredes hit a solo homer and Francisco Mejía hit a three-run drive. Zach Eflin gave up a season-high five runs and seven hits.

Royals defeat Tampa Bay

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Luke Raley had a go-ahead single in the eighth inning, and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Kansas City Royals 4-2 to complete a doubleheader sweep. Jose Siri hit a pair of solo homers as the Rays won the first game 6-1 to open the second half. AL East-leading Tampa Bay has won three in a row after a season-high seven-game losing streak. Kansas City has lost eight of nine, dropping to 26-67. Salvador Perez had four hits in the opener. His fifth-inning double made him the sixth Kansas City player with 500 extra-base hits.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Luke Raley had a go-ahead single in the eighth inning, and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Kansas City Royals 4-2 to complete a doubleheader sweep. Jose Siri hit a pair of solo homers as the Rays won the first game 6-1 to open the second half. AL East-leading Tampa Bay has won three in a row after a season-high seven-game losing streak. Kansas City has lost eight of nine, dropping to 26-67. Salvador Perez had four hits in the opener. His fifth-inning double made him the sixth Kansas City player with 500 extra-base hits.

Royals are swept in doubleheader

KANSAS CITY, Mo.—Friday's 7:10 p.m. CT game between the Royals and Rays at Kauffman Stadium has been postponed and rescheduled as part of a split doubleheader tomorrow, Saturday, July 15.

 Game 1 of that doubleheader will start tomorrow at 1:10 p.m. CT, and Game 2 (the originally scheduled game) will follow at 6:10 p.m. CT. Both games of the split doubleheader will be 9-inning regulation games.

Tickets for the Friday, July 14 postponed game will be honored for the rescheduled game, which will be Game 1 of tomorrow’s doubleheader. Fans do not have to exchange their original tickets if they elect to attend the rescheduled game. 

More information will be posted at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.royals.com/weather" target="_blank">www.royals.com/weather</a>.

KANSAS CITY, Mo.—Friday's 7:10 p.m. CT game between the Royals and Rays at Kauffman Stadium has been postponed and rescheduled as part of a split doubleheader tomorrow, Saturday, July 15. Game 1 of that doubleheader will start tomorrow at 1:10 p.m. CT, and Game 2 (the originally scheduled game) will follow at 6:10 p.m. CT. Both games of the split doubleheader will be 9-inning regulation games.Tickets for the Friday, July 14 postponed game will be honored for the rescheduled game, which will be Game 1 of tomorrow’s doubleheader. Fans do not have to exchange their original tickets if they elect to attend the rescheduled game. More information will be posted at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.royals.com/weather" target="_blank">www.royals.com/weather</a>.

Friday night's Royals, Rays game postponed

LAWRENCE, Kan. –&nbsp;Kansas Baseball Assistant Coach/Hitting Coach Tyler Hancock has been elevated to a full-time assistant coach. Hancock will assume additional responsibilities in the role, including travel for recruiting.

“Tyler’s impact on our program is immeasurable,” Head Coach Dan Fitzgerald said. “He is an outstanding hitting coach, detailed baseball tactician, and a great leader. Tyler has been and will continue to be a huge piece of our recruiting efforts. If you asked any player in our program about Tyler, they’d all say the same things – humble, detailed, selfless, driven, consistent, etc. Tyler is elite and we are thankful he is a Jayhawk.”

Hancock recently completed his first season as the hitting coach at Kansas. The Jayhawks’ offense had a huge year offensively, which included tying the program record for home runs. Kansas had four players with at least 10 home runs for the first time since 2003. There were 21 games that Kansas had multiple home runs, which also tied a program record from 2004.

Kansas posted a batting average of .277 with 544 hits in 2023, which were both the most since 2014. The 116 doubles, 361 runs and 340 RBIs were all the most since 2010, while the 201 extra-base hits marked the most since 2009 (205).

True freshman Kodey Shojinaga was a product of working with Hancock in 2023 as he set a Kansas freshman record with a .378 batting average. Shojinaga was named a Collegiate Baseball Newspaper Freshman All-American, the Big 12 Co-Freshman of the Year, an All-Big 12 Second Team infielder and a unanimous selection to the Big 12 All-Freshman Team.

Junior designated hitter Janson Reeder also reaped the benefits of learning under Hancock. The junior designated hitter was named to the American Baseball Coaches Association/Rawlings All-Central Region Second Team and was an All-Big 12 First Team selection.

Kansas completed its first season under Fitzgerald and finished the 2023 campaign with a record of 25-32 and an 8-16 mark in Big 12 play. The Jayhawks doubled their conference win total from a season ago and improved their overall win total by five games.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689303698323.jpeg" alt="Tyler Hancock KU Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Tyler Hancock KU Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>LAWRENCE, Kan. –&nbsp;Kansas Baseball Assistant Coach/Hitting Coach Tyler Hancock has been elevated to a full-time assistant coach. Hancock will assume additional responsibilities in the role, including travel for recruiting.“Tyler’s impact on our program is immeasurable,” Head Coach Dan Fitzgerald said. “He is an outstanding hitting coach, detailed baseball tactician, and a great leader. Tyler has been and will continue to be a huge piece of our recruiting efforts. If you asked any player in our program about Tyler, they’d all say the same things – humble, detailed, selfless, driven, consistent, etc. Tyler is elite and we are thankful he is a Jayhawk.”Hancock recently completed his first season as the hitting coach at Kansas. The Jayhawks’ offense had a huge year offensively, which included tying the program record for home runs. Kansas had four players with at least 10 home runs for the first time since 2003. There were 21 games that Kansas had multiple home runs, which also tied a program record from 2004.Kansas posted a batting average of .277 with 544 hits in 2023, which were both the most since 2014. The 116 doubles, 361 runs and 340 RBIs were all the most since 2010, while the 201 extra-base hits marked the most since 2009 (205).True freshman Kodey Shojinaga was a product of working with Hancock in 2023 as he set a Kansas freshman record with a .378 batting average. Shojinaga was named a Collegiate Baseball Newspaper Freshman All-American, the Big 12 Co-Freshman of the Year, an All-Big 12 Second Team infielder and a unanimous selection to the Big 12 All-Freshman Team.Junior designated hitter Janson Reeder also reaped the benefits of learning under Hancock. The junior designated hitter was named to the American Baseball Coaches Association/Rawlings All-Central Region Second Team and was an All-Big 12 First Team selection.Kansas completed its first season under Fitzgerald and finished the 2023 campaign with a record of 25-32 and an 8-16 mark in Big 12 play. The Jayhawks doubled their conference win total from a season ago and improved their overall win total by five games.

Hancock Elevated to Full-Time Assistant Coach

Courtesy of the Kansas City Royals

KANSAS CITY, Mo.— In conjunction with Major League Baseball, the Kansas City Royals today announced their 2024 regular season schedule. All games times will be announced at a later date.

Opening Day is scheduled for Thursday, March 28 at Kauffman Stadium vs. the Minnesota Twins. This will match 2019 for the earliest Opening Day in franchise history and will mark the eighth time in 10 years dating back to 2015 that the Royals will open the regular season at home. The 2024 season will mark the second straight year the Royals will begin vs. the Twins and the sixth time in 56 seasons overall.

The Royals will end the regular season on the road with a 6-game trip to Washington from Sept. 24-26 and Atlanta from Sept. 27-29. This will mark just the second time in nine seasons since 2016 that the Royals will end the regular season on the road, along with 2022.

For the second straight season, Major League Baseball will continue its balanced schedule, in which the Royals will play all other 29 teams. Kansas City’s 162-game schedule will include:

The breakdown of divisional games will include 7 home games and 6 road games vs. Cleveland and Chicago, and 6 home games and 7 road games vs. Detroit and Minnesota.

Of the 10 teams who play in the American League East and American League West, the Royals will play four of those opponents seven times and will play six of those teams six times.

The Royals will play their intra-state rival St. Louis Cardinals in 2 games at Busch Stadium from July 9-10, sandwiched in between two off days. The Royals will host the I-70 Series at Kauffman Stadium for 2 games from Aug. 9-10, before enjoying an off day on Sunday, Aug. 11.

The Royals will play exactly 3 games vs. each of the other 14 National League teams, including seven 3-game home series and seven 3-game road series.

The seven Interleague matchups (excluding St. Louis) to be hosted at Kauffman Stadium will include 3 games vs. Milwaukee (May 6-8), San Diego (May 31-June 2), Miami (June 24-26), Arizona (July 22-24), Chicago (July 26-28), Philadelphia (Aug. 23-25), and San Francisco (Sept. 20-22).

In addition to St. Louis, the Royals will travel to seven National League ballparks, including at New York (April 12-14), at Los Angeles (June 14-16), at Colorado (July 5-7), at Cincinnati (Aug. 16-18), at Pittsburgh (Sept. 13-15), at Washington (Sept. 24-26) and at Atlanta (Sept. 27-29).

Kansas City’s holiday schedule will see the Royals host the Twins on Easter Sunday (March 31), the Rays on Independence Day (July 4) and the Guardians on Labor Day (Sept. 2). The Royals will travel to Anaheim to play the Angels on Mother’s Day (May 12), to Minnesota on Memorial Day (May 27) and to Los Angeles to play the Dodgers on Father’s Day (June 16).

The Royals will be in Chicago to play the White Sox on Jackie Robinson Day, which is Monday, April 15. The Royals will host San Diego on Sunday, June 2 as the league celebrates its fourth annual Lou Gehrig Day, and they will be in Pittsburgh on Sunday, Sept. 15, which is Roberto Clemente Day, to face Clemente’s Pirates.

The All-Star break will run from July 15-18 and will include the 94th&nbsp;Major League Baseball All-Star Game to be played on Tuesday, July 16 at Glove Life Field, home of the Texas Rangers.

Kansas City will host a pair of three-opponent homestands, including 10 games in 11 days from June 24-July 4 vs. Miami (3 games), Cleveland (4) and Tampa Bay (3), and 9 games in 10 days following the All-Star break from July 19-28 vs. the White Sox (3 games), Arizona (3) and Cubs (3).

The Royals are scheduled for a pair of three-city road trips, including 9 games in 10 days from June 14-23 at the Dodgers (3 games), Oakland (3) and Texas (3), and 8 games in 10 days from July 5-14 leading into the All-Star break at Colorado (3 games), St. Louis (2) and Boston (3).

The Royals won’t play more than 13 consecutive days at any point, but they have six stretches that will last that long, from April 19-May 1, May 3-15, June 4-16, June 18-30, July 26-Aug. 7 and Aug. 23-Sept. 4.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689277741809.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Courtesy of the Kansas City RoyalsKANSAS CITY, Mo.— In conjunction with Major League Baseball, the Kansas City Royals today announced their 2024 regular season schedule. All games times will be announced at a later date.Opening Day is scheduled for Thursday, March 28 at Kauffman Stadium vs. the Minnesota Twins. This will match 2019 for the earliest Opening Day in franchise history and will mark the eighth time in 10 years dating back to 2015 that the Royals will open the regular season at home. The 2024 season will mark the second straight year the Royals will begin vs. the Twins and the sixth time in 56 seasons overall.The Royals will end the regular season on the road with a 6-game trip to Washington from Sept. 24-26 and Atlanta from Sept. 27-29. This will mark just the second time in nine seasons since 2016 that the Royals will end the regular season on the road, along with 2022.For the second straight season, Major League Baseball will continue its balanced schedule, in which the Royals will play all other 29 teams. Kansas City’s 162-game schedule will include:<ul>
 <li>52 games vs. American League Central teams (13 games across 4 series vs. all 4 opponents)</li><li>64 league games vs. American League East and West teams (6-7 games vs. each opponent)</li><li>46 Interleague games (4 games vs. St. Louis and 3 games vs. all other NL teams)</li>
 </ul>The breakdown of divisional games will include 7 home games and 6 road games vs. Cleveland and Chicago, and 6 home games and 7 road games vs. Detroit and Minnesota.Of the 10 teams who play in the American League East and American League West, the Royals will play four of those opponents seven times and will play six of those teams six times.The Royals will play their intra-state rival St. Louis Cardinals in 2 games at Busch Stadium from July 9-10, sandwiched in between two off days. The Royals will host the I-70 Series at Kauffman Stadium for 2 games from Aug. 9-10, before enjoying an off day on Sunday, Aug. 11.The Royals will play exactly 3 games vs. each of the other 14 National League teams, including seven 3-game home series and seven 3-game road series.The seven Interleague matchups (excluding St. Louis) to be hosted at Kauffman Stadium will include 3 games vs. Milwaukee (May 6-8), San Diego (May 31-June 2), Miami (June 24-26), Arizona (July 22-24), Chicago (July 26-28), Philadelphia (Aug. 23-25), and San Francisco (Sept. 20-22).In addition to St. Louis, the Royals will travel to seven National League ballparks, including at New York (April 12-14), at Los Angeles (June 14-16), at Colorado (July 5-7), at Cincinnati (Aug. 16-18), at Pittsburgh (Sept. 13-15), at Washington (Sept. 24-26) and at Atlanta (Sept. 27-29).Kansas City’s holiday schedule will see the Royals host the Twins on Easter Sunday (March 31), the Rays on Independence Day (July 4) and the Guardians on Labor Day (Sept. 2). The Royals will travel to Anaheim to play the Angels on Mother’s Day (May 12), to Minnesota on Memorial Day (May 27) and to Los Angeles to play the Dodgers on Father’s Day (June 16).The Royals will be in Chicago to play the White Sox on Jackie Robinson Day, which is Monday, April 15. The Royals will host San Diego on Sunday, June 2 as the league celebrates its fourth annual Lou Gehrig Day, and they will be in Pittsburgh on Sunday, Sept. 15, which is Roberto Clemente Day, to face Clemente’s Pirates.The All-Star break will run from July 15-18 and will include the 94th&nbsp;Major League Baseball All-Star Game to be played on Tuesday, July 16 at Glove Life Field, home of the Texas Rangers.Kansas City will host a pair of three-opponent homestands, including 10 games in 11 days from June 24-July 4 vs. Miami (3 games), Cleveland (4) and Tampa Bay (3), and 9 games in 10 days following the All-Star break from July 19-28 vs. the White Sox (3 games), Arizona (3) and Cubs (3).The Royals are scheduled for a pair of three-city road trips, including 9 games in 10 days from June 14-23 at the Dodgers (3 games), Oakland (3) and Texas (3), and 8 games in 10 days from July 5-14 leading into the All-Star break at Colorado (3 games), St. Louis (2) and Boston (3).The Royals won’t play more than 13 consecutive days at any point, but they have six stretches that will last that long, from April 19-May 1, May 3-15, June 4-16, June 18-30, July 26-Aug. 7 and Aug. 23-Sept. 4.

⚾ Royals release 2024 schedule

🏈 Big 12 Media Days: K-State head coach Chris Klieman

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🏈 Big 12 Media Days: KU head coach Lance Leipold

Saturday MRN&nbsp; Nascar Live at 8 a.m.

Kansas Shrine Bowl Football Pregame Show at 6:45 p.m.

Kansas Shrine Bowl Football&nbsp;7 p.m.

Sunday PRN&nbsp; The Pit Reporters at 9 a.m.

PRN&nbsp; Crayon 301 from New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Loudon, NH at &nbsp; 12:30 p.m.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1625885773462.jpeg" alt="KINA logo sq.jpg" />
 <figcaption>KINA logo sq.jpg</figcaption>
 </figure> Saturday MRN&nbsp; Nascar Live at 8 a.m. Kansas Shrine Bowl Football Pregame Show at 6:45 p.m. Kansas Shrine Bowl Football&nbsp;7 p.m. Sunday PRN&nbsp; The Pit Reporters at 9 a.m. PRN&nbsp; Crayon 301 from New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Loudon, NH at &nbsp; 12:30 p.m.

Sports on KINA This Week

KANSAS CITY, Mo.—The Kansas City Royals completed the final day of the 2023 First-Year Player Draft on Tuesday, selecting 10 players to cap a three-day period in which they added 21 players to the organization.

In total, the Royals selected 11 pitchers, four outfielders, three infielders, two catchers and one two-way player. Of their 21 picks, 15 were from the college ranks and six were high school players.

In the 11th&nbsp;round (319th&nbsp;overall), the Royals selected left-handed hitting outfielder&nbsp;Jared Dickey&nbsp;from the University of Tennessee. He hit .343 (118-for-344) in 103 games during his sophomore and junior seasons, including 12 homers and 52 RBI in 63 games this year, when he earned All-SEC Second Team honors.

With their 12th-round pick (349th&nbsp;overall), the Royals selected right-handed pitcher&nbsp;Logan Martin&nbsp;from the University of Kentucky. Martin recorded 30 strikeouts over 26.1 innings in 9 appearances (8 starts) in his only season with Kentucky, after spending the first three years of his collegiate career at Sewanee University, where he was named SAA Pitcher of the Year in 2022.

In the 13th&nbsp;round (379th&nbsp;overall), Kansas City selected right-handed pitcher&nbsp;Ethan Bosacker&nbsp;from Xavier. He went 8-3 with a 3.49 ERA (38 ER in 98.0 IP) and 101 strikeouts (9.3 K/9) in 16 starts this season, after missing 2022 due to injury.

With its 14th-round pick (409th&nbsp;overall), Kansas City selected left-handed pitcher&nbsp;Mason Miller&nbsp;from Florida Gulf Coast University. As a junior this season, Miller went 2-0 in 7 starts, all of which FGCU won, including his start on Feb. 25 vs. UMass Lowell, when he recorded 5.0 no-hit innings with 11 strikeouts.

In the 15th&nbsp;round (439th&nbsp;overall), the Royals selected right-handed pitcher&nbsp;Chase Isbell&nbsp;from Auburn. Isbell went 3-1 with 2 saves and 42 strikeouts in 33.1 innings (11.3 K/9) this season in 23 appearances (1 start). He spent his first two seasons at Samford, where he led the team with a 2.32 ERA (8 ER in 31.0 IP) in 2021 and tied for 2nd&nbsp;in the conference with 7 saves. He graduated from Springville HS in Alabama, the same school that&nbsp;Casey Mize&nbsp;attended, and was teammates at Auburn two seasons ago with Royals 2022 3rd-round pick&nbsp;Mason Barnett.

With their 16th-round pick (469th&nbsp;overall), the Royals selected right-handed pitcher&nbsp;Josh Hansell&nbsp;from Arizona State. Hansell spent the last two seasons with the Sun Devils after beginning his collegiate career at Wichita State. His father, Greg, was drafted by Boston in 1989 and played professional baseball for 16 seasons, including four years in the Majors from 1995-97 and 1999. Greg was the Player to be Named Later in a 1998 trade that sent him and&nbsp;Shane Mack&nbsp;from Oakland to Kansas City for&nbsp;Mike Macfarlane.

In the 17th&nbsp;round (499th&nbsp;overall), Kansas City selected left-handed pitcher&nbsp;Connor Oliver&nbsp;out of Miami (Ohio). Oliver pitched for four different schools in four seasons, including Texas Christian University in 2022, Wabash Valley College in 2021 and Wichita State in 2020. As a senior in 2023 with Miami (Ohio), Oliver recorded a team-best 3.89 ERA (34 ER in 78.2 IP) in 14 starts with 102 strikeouts (11.9 K/9), which ranked 2nd&nbsp;in the conference.

With their 18th-round pick (529th&nbsp;overall), the Royals selected catcher&nbsp;Stone Russell&nbsp;from IMG Academy (Fla.). Russell hit .436 (34-for-78) with 35 RBI in 25 games as a senior and was named a Perfect Game Preseason All-American. He is committed to the University of Florida. His father,&nbsp;John Russell, was drafted by Philadelphia in the 1st&nbsp;round of the 1982 Draft and played for 10 seasons in the Majors from 1984-93. John managed the Pittsburgh Pirates from 2008-10, was&nbsp;Buck Showalter’s&nbsp;Bench Coach in Baltimore for eight seasons and is currently the Manager of the Triple-A Tacoma Rainers.

In the 19th&nbsp;round (559th&nbsp;overall), the Royals selected outfielder&nbsp;Donovan LaSalle&nbsp;from Barbe HS (La.). LaSalle hit .510 (51-for-100) during his senior season with 27 extra-base hits (10 HR) and 43 RBI for a 1.693 OPS. He had more walks (23) than strikeouts (7) and went 33-for-35 in stolen base attempts. He led his team to a 39-1 record this season – including 20 consecutive wins to end the season – and hit the go-ahead grand slam in the 7th&nbsp;inning of the D1 state championship. LaSalle is committed to Oklahoma State.

With their final pick in the 20th&nbsp;round (589th&nbsp;overall), the Royals selected shortstop&nbsp;Blake Wilson&nbsp;from Santa Margarita Catholic HS (Calif.). Wilson hit .333 (38-for-114) in 35 games this spring, leading his school to its first league title since 2004. He was named a Preseason All-American by&nbsp;Perfect Game&nbsp;and is committed to play baseball at the University of Washington.

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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1688169444150.jpeg" alt="Royals release" />
 <figcaption>Royals release</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo.—The Kansas City Royals completed the final day of the 2023 First-Year Player Draft on Tuesday, selecting 10 players to cap a three-day period in which they added 21 players to the organization.In total, the Royals selected 11 pitchers, four outfielders, three infielders, two catchers and one two-way player. Of their 21 picks, 15 were from the college ranks and six were high school players.In the 11th&nbsp;round (319th&nbsp;overall), the Royals selected left-handed hitting outfielder&nbsp;Jared Dickey&nbsp;from the University of Tennessee. He hit .343 (118-for-344) in 103 games during his sophomore and junior seasons, including 12 homers and 52 RBI in 63 games this year, when he earned All-SEC Second Team honors.With their 12th-round pick (349th&nbsp;overall), the Royals selected right-handed pitcher&nbsp;Logan Martin&nbsp;from the University of Kentucky. Martin recorded 30 strikeouts over 26.1 innings in 9 appearances (8 starts) in his only season with Kentucky, after spending the first three years of his collegiate career at Sewanee University, where he was named SAA Pitcher of the Year in 2022.In the 13th&nbsp;round (379th&nbsp;overall), Kansas City selected right-handed pitcher&nbsp;Ethan Bosacker&nbsp;from Xavier. He went 8-3 with a 3.49 ERA (38 ER in 98.0 IP) and 101 strikeouts (9.3 K/9) in 16 starts this season, after missing 2022 due to injury.With its 14th-round pick (409th&nbsp;overall), Kansas City selected left-handed pitcher&nbsp;Mason Miller&nbsp;from Florida Gulf Coast University. As a junior this season, Miller went 2-0 in 7 starts, all of which FGCU won, including his start on Feb. 25 vs. UMass Lowell, when he recorded 5.0 no-hit innings with 11 strikeouts.In the 15th&nbsp;round (439th&nbsp;overall), the Royals selected right-handed pitcher&nbsp;Chase Isbell&nbsp;from Auburn. Isbell went 3-1 with 2 saves and 42 strikeouts in 33.1 innings (11.3 K/9) this season in 23 appearances (1 start). He spent his first two seasons at Samford, where he led the team with a 2.32 ERA (8 ER in 31.0 IP) in 2021 and tied for 2nd&nbsp;in the conference with 7 saves. He graduated from Springville HS in Alabama, the same school that&nbsp;Casey Mize&nbsp;attended, and was teammates at Auburn two seasons ago with Royals 2022 3rd-round pick&nbsp;Mason Barnett.With their 16th-round pick (469th&nbsp;overall), the Royals selected right-handed pitcher&nbsp;Josh Hansell&nbsp;from Arizona State. Hansell spent the last two seasons with the Sun Devils after beginning his collegiate career at Wichita State. His father, Greg, was drafted by Boston in 1989 and played professional baseball for 16 seasons, including four years in the Majors from 1995-97 and 1999. Greg was the Player to be Named Later in a 1998 trade that sent him and&nbsp;Shane Mack&nbsp;from Oakland to Kansas City for&nbsp;Mike Macfarlane.In the 17th&nbsp;round (499th&nbsp;overall), Kansas City selected left-handed pitcher&nbsp;Connor Oliver&nbsp;out of Miami (Ohio). Oliver pitched for four different schools in four seasons, including Texas Christian University in 2022, Wabash Valley College in 2021 and Wichita State in 2020. As a senior in 2023 with Miami (Ohio), Oliver recorded a team-best 3.89 ERA (34 ER in 78.2 IP) in 14 starts with 102 strikeouts (11.9 K/9), which ranked 2nd&nbsp;in the conference.With their 18th-round pick (529th&nbsp;overall), the Royals selected catcher&nbsp;Stone Russell&nbsp;from IMG Academy (Fla.). Russell hit .436 (34-for-78) with 35 RBI in 25 games as a senior and was named a Perfect Game Preseason All-American. He is committed to the University of Florida. His father,&nbsp;John Russell, was drafted by Philadelphia in the 1st&nbsp;round of the 1982 Draft and played for 10 seasons in the Majors from 1984-93. John managed the Pittsburgh Pirates from 2008-10, was&nbsp;Buck Showalter’s&nbsp;Bench Coach in Baltimore for eight seasons and is currently the Manager of the Triple-A Tacoma Rainers.In the 19th&nbsp;round (559th&nbsp;overall), the Royals selected outfielder&nbsp;Donovan LaSalle&nbsp;from Barbe HS (La.). LaSalle hit .510 (51-for-100) during his senior season with 27 extra-base hits (10 HR) and 43 RBI for a 1.693 OPS. He had more walks (23) than strikeouts (7) and went 33-for-35 in stolen base attempts. He led his team to a 39-1 record this season – including 20 consecutive wins to end the season – and hit the go-ahead grand slam in the 7th&nbsp;inning of the D1 state championship. LaSalle is committed to Oklahoma State.With their final pick in the 20th&nbsp;round (589th&nbsp;overall), the Royals selected shortstop&nbsp;Blake Wilson&nbsp;from Santa Margarita Catholic HS (Calif.). Wilson hit .333 (38-for-114) in 35 games this spring, leading his school to its first league title since 2004. He was named a Preseason All-American by&nbsp;Perfect Game&nbsp;and is committed to play baseball at the University of Washington.

Royals Select 10 Players on Third Day Of 2023 First-Year Player Draft

SEATTLE –&nbsp;Former Kansas catcher and current Philadelphia Phillies manager, Rob Thomson, will manage the 2023 National League All-Star team in Seattle at T-Mobile Park on Tuesday evening. The game is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT and will be televised by FOX.

Thomson, who led the Phillies to the World Series last season for the first time since 2009, was a catcher at KU from 1983-85 and posted the best hitting season in program history in 1984 with a .443 batting average.

Thomson was named the interim manager for the Phillies on June 3, 2022 following the dismissal of Joe Girardi. Thomson had the interim tag removed from his title on October 10, 2022 and was given a two-year contract extension. He took over the club with a 22-29 record and led the Phillies to an 87-75 regular-season record and a trip to the postseason.

The World Series managers from the National League and American League are awarded with managing their respective leagues all-star teams the following season.

Thomson was a career .369 hitter during his three seasons at KU, which is tied for the fifth-highest career batting average in program history (minimum 200 at-bats). He also ended his career with the sixth-best slugging percentage at .570 and ninth-highest on-base percentage at .448. Following the 1984 and 1985 seasons, Thomson was awarded the Gib Francis MVP Award as voted on by his teammates.

He went on to be drafted in the 32nd round of the 1985 MLB Draft by the Detroit Tigers. Following a short playing career with the Tigers, Thomson transitioned into coaching and has spent more than 30 years working in various positions with the Tigers, New York Yankees and now the Phillies.

Thomson spent 27 years in the Yankees organization in the front office and as a coach. He was the bench coach for the 2009 World Series Champion New York Yankees. Thomson helped coach Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez during his time in New York and was in the organization for five World Series Championships.

Thomson is believed to be the first Kansas player to manage an All-Star Game and the second KU baseball alumni to participate in the event. He joins Bob Allison who was an all-star in 1959, 1963 and 1964.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689096064530.jpeg" alt="Thomson to Manage National League All-Star Team Tuesday. Photo Courtesy KU Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Thomson to Manage National League All-Star Team Tuesday. Photo Courtesy KU Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>SEATTLE –&nbsp;Former Kansas catcher and current Philadelphia Phillies manager, Rob Thomson, will manage the 2023 National League All-Star team in Seattle at T-Mobile Park on Tuesday evening. The game is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT and will be televised by FOX.Thomson, who led the Phillies to the World Series last season for the first time since 2009, was a catcher at KU from 1983-85 and posted the best hitting season in program history in 1984 with a .443 batting average.Thomson was named the interim manager for the Phillies on June 3, 2022 following the dismissal of Joe Girardi. Thomson had the interim tag removed from his title on October 10, 2022 and was given a two-year contract extension. He took over the club with a 22-29 record and led the Phillies to an 87-75 regular-season record and a trip to the postseason.The World Series managers from the National League and American League are awarded with managing their respective leagues all-star teams the following season.Thomson was a career .369 hitter during his three seasons at KU, which is tied for the fifth-highest career batting average in program history (minimum 200 at-bats). He also ended his career with the sixth-best slugging percentage at .570 and ninth-highest on-base percentage at .448. Following the 1984 and 1985 seasons, Thomson was awarded the Gib Francis MVP Award as voted on by his teammates.He went on to be drafted in the 32nd round of the 1985 MLB Draft by the Detroit Tigers. Following a short playing career with the Tigers, Thomson transitioned into coaching and has spent more than 30 years working in various positions with the Tigers, New York Yankees and now the Phillies.Thomson spent 27 years in the Yankees organization in the front office and as a coach. He was the bench coach for the 2009 World Series Champion New York Yankees. Thomson helped coach Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez during his time in New York and was in the organization for five World Series Championships.Thomson is believed to be the first Kansas player to manage an All-Star Game and the second KU baseball alumni to participate in the event. He joins Bob Allison who was an all-star in 1959, 1963 and 1964.

Thomson to Manage National League All-Star Team Tuesday

LAWRENCE, Kan.&nbsp;- The Big 12 announced that Camryn Turner was voted to this year's Preseason All-Big 12 Team heading into her junior season.

The preseason team and awards were voted on by the league's head coaches who are not permitted to vote for their own players. Turner was the lone Kansas representative on this year's prestigious list.

The Topeka, Kansas native is coming off an extremely strong sophomore year, earning both Second Team All-Big 12 and Midwest All-Region Honorable Mention accolades.

Turner appeared in all 111 sets in 2022, leading the Jayhawks with 1,025 assists and averaging 9.23 assists per set. She also recorded 23 service aces, which was the second-highest number of aces on the team, and also contributed the second-highest number of digs with 287 total for a 2.586 digs/set average.

The standout setter recorded season-highs of 55 assists against Oklahoma on October 30, 2022 and 18 digs against Iowa State on October 7, 2022. She knocked down both a season and career-high number of aces against Temple on September 2, 2022, greatly contributing to the team's 3-0 sweep of the Owls.

The full list of preseason award winners are as follows: &nbsp;

*Unanimous selection # - 2022 All-Big 12 First Team ^ - 2022 All-Big 12 Second Team ! - 2022 All-Big 12 Rookie Team A tie created extra positions on the team. Players listed alphabetically by school

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689095824683.jpeg" alt="Camryn Turner Earns Nod to Preseason All-Big 12 Team. Image Courtesy Kansas Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Camryn Turner Earns Nod to Preseason All-Big 12 Team. Image Courtesy Kansas Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>LAWRENCE, Kan.&nbsp;- The Big 12 announced that Camryn Turner was voted to this year's Preseason All-Big 12 Team heading into her junior season.The preseason team and awards were voted on by the league's head coaches who are not permitted to vote for their own players. Turner was the lone Kansas representative on this year's prestigious list.The Topeka, Kansas native is coming off an extremely strong sophomore year, earning both Second Team All-Big 12 and Midwest All-Region Honorable Mention accolades.Turner appeared in all 111 sets in 2022, leading the Jayhawks with 1,025 assists and averaging 9.23 assists per set. She also recorded 23 service aces, which was the second-highest number of aces on the team, and also contributed the second-highest number of digs with 287 total for a 2.586 digs/set average.The standout setter recorded season-highs of 55 assists against Oklahoma on October 30, 2022 and 18 digs against Iowa State on October 7, 2022. She knocked down both a season and career-high number of aces against Temple on September 2, 2022, greatly contributing to the team's 3-0 sweep of the Owls. The full list of preseason award winners are as follows: &nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689095763798.png" alt="2023 All-Big 12 Volleyball Preseason Team" />
 <figcaption>2023 All-Big 12 Volleyball Preseason Team</figcaption>
 </figure> *Unanimous selection # - 2022 All-Big 12 First Team ^ - 2022 All-Big 12 Second Team ! - 2022 All-Big 12 Rookie Team A tie created extra positions on the team. Players listed alphabetically by school

Camryn Turner Earns Nod to Preseason All-Big 12 Team

KANSAS CITY, Mo.—The Kansas City Royals selected eight players on the second day of the 2023 First-Year Player Draft, including four pitchers, one outfielder, two infielders and a two-way player.

<a>In the 3rd&nbsp;round (75th&nbsp;overall), the Royals selected right-handed pitcher&nbsp;</a>Hiro Wyatt&nbsp;out of Staples HS (Conn.). Wyatt was named 2023 Connecticut Gatorade Player of the Year, after going 8-0 with a 0.51 ERA and 107 strikeouts in 54.2 innings, including a 42.1-inning scoreless streak. Wyatt’s senior season included a no-hitter with a school-record 18 strikeouts on May 11. He is committed to play baseball at the University of Southern California.

Kansas City selected left-handed pitcher&nbsp;Hunter Owen&nbsp;from Vanderbilt University in the 4th&nbsp;round (106th&nbsp;overall). Owen, who is listed at 6-foot-6, 261 pounds, went 4-0 with a 3.52 ERA (25 ER in 64.0 IP), 76 strikeouts and 17 walks in 12 starts for Vanderbilt as a junior this season. He threw a 2-hit shutout on March 17 vs. Ole Miss with a career-high 11 strikeouts, earning SEC Co-Pitcher of the Week honors.

In the 5th&nbsp;round (142nd&nbsp;overall), the Royals selected left-handed hitting outfielder&nbsp;Spencer Nivens&nbsp;out of Missouri State. Nivens was named Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year as a redshirt sophomore in 2023, when he hit .341 with 14 HR and 45 RBI, reaching safely in 53 of 56 games. He hit for the cycle on Feb. 24 – the eighth cycle in school history – and ranked 11th&nbsp;in the country with 6 triples. Nivens in 2023 was also named to the MVC All-Defensive Team and was named MVC Scholar-Athlete First Team.

With their 6th-round pick (169th&nbsp;overall), Kansas City selected right-handed pitcher&nbsp;Coleman Picard&nbsp;from Bryant University. Picard had a 3.43 ERA (16 ER in 42.0 IP) in 10 starts and a team-high 59 strikeouts (12.6 K/9) this season. He pitched for Wareham in the 2023 Cape Cod League and went 1-0 in 3 starts with a 1.93 ERA (3 ER in 14.0 IP).

In the 7th&nbsp;round (199th&nbsp;overall), the Royals selected two-way player&nbsp;Trevor Werner&nbsp;from Texas A&amp;M University. Werner recorded 14 homers and 52 RBI in 57 games in 2023, including a 3-homer game vs. Alabama. He last pitched in 2021, when he recorded 11 strikeouts in 9.1 innings over 9 relief outings. Werner excelled in the 2023 Cape Cod League, where he hit .343 (12-for-35) with 6 extra-base hits and 11 RBI in 10 games with Brewster.

With their 8th-round pick (229th&nbsp;overall), the Royals selected shortstop&nbsp;Dustin Dickerson&nbsp;out of Southern Mississippi. Dickerson started 208 of 209 games during his four-year collegiate career. He was named First-Team All-Sun Belt Conference at shortstop this season, when he hit a career-best .328 (88-for-268) with 11 home runs and a .971 OPS, after hitting only 2 home runs in his first three seasons. He is the son of&nbsp;Bobby Dickerson, the Philadelphia Phillies Infield Coach who played seven seasons in the minor leagues from 1987-93.

In the 9th&nbsp;round (259th&nbsp;overall), Kansas City selected left-handed pitcher&nbsp;Jacob Widener&nbsp;out of Oral Roberts. Widener, who is listed at 6-foot-7, 235 pounds, recorded a 2.90 ERA (16 ER in 49.2 IP) in 30 appearances this season with 80 strikeouts (14.5 K/9). He was supposed to pitch for Chatham in the 2023 Cape Cod League, but Oral Roberts’ run in the College World Series prevented him from doing so.

With their 10th-round pick (289th&nbsp;overall) and final selection on the second day of the 2023 First-Year Player Draft, the Royals selected shortstop&nbsp;Justin Johnson&nbsp;out of Wake Forest. He hit .324 (77-for-238) in his only season with the Demon Deacons, setting career highs across the board with 35 extra-base this (16), 76 RBI and a 1.042 OPS. Johnson was named First Team All-ACC and was the Winston-Salem Regional Most Outstanding Player.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1688169444150.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo.—The Kansas City Royals selected eight players on the second day of the 2023 First-Year Player Draft, including four pitchers, one outfielder, two infielders and a two-way player.<a>In the 3rd&nbsp;round (75th&nbsp;overall), the Royals selected right-handed pitcher&nbsp;</a>Hiro Wyatt&nbsp;out of Staples HS (Conn.). Wyatt was named 2023 Connecticut Gatorade Player of the Year, after going 8-0 with a 0.51 ERA and 107 strikeouts in 54.2 innings, including a 42.1-inning scoreless streak. Wyatt’s senior season included a no-hitter with a school-record 18 strikeouts on May 11. He is committed to play baseball at the University of Southern California.Kansas City selected left-handed pitcher&nbsp;Hunter Owen&nbsp;from Vanderbilt University in the 4th&nbsp;round (106th&nbsp;overall). Owen, who is listed at 6-foot-6, 261 pounds, went 4-0 with a 3.52 ERA (25 ER in 64.0 IP), 76 strikeouts and 17 walks in 12 starts for Vanderbilt as a junior this season. He threw a 2-hit shutout on March 17 vs. Ole Miss with a career-high 11 strikeouts, earning SEC Co-Pitcher of the Week honors.In the 5th&nbsp;round (142nd&nbsp;overall), the Royals selected left-handed hitting outfielder&nbsp;Spencer Nivens&nbsp;out of Missouri State. Nivens was named Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year as a redshirt sophomore in 2023, when he hit .341 with 14 HR and 45 RBI, reaching safely in 53 of 56 games. He hit for the cycle on Feb. 24 – the eighth cycle in school history – and ranked 11th&nbsp;in the country with 6 triples. Nivens in 2023 was also named to the MVC All-Defensive Team and was named MVC Scholar-Athlete First Team.With their 6th-round pick (169th&nbsp;overall), Kansas City selected right-handed pitcher&nbsp;Coleman Picard&nbsp;from Bryant University. Picard had a 3.43 ERA (16 ER in 42.0 IP) in 10 starts and a team-high 59 strikeouts (12.6 K/9) this season. He pitched for Wareham in the 2023 Cape Cod League and went 1-0 in 3 starts with a 1.93 ERA (3 ER in 14.0 IP).In the 7th&nbsp;round (199th&nbsp;overall), the Royals selected two-way player&nbsp;Trevor Werner&nbsp;from Texas A&amp;M University. Werner recorded 14 homers and 52 RBI in 57 games in 2023, including a 3-homer game vs. Alabama. He last pitched in 2021, when he recorded 11 strikeouts in 9.1 innings over 9 relief outings. Werner excelled in the 2023 Cape Cod League, where he hit .343 (12-for-35) with 6 extra-base hits and 11 RBI in 10 games with Brewster.With their 8th-round pick (229th&nbsp;overall), the Royals selected shortstop&nbsp;Dustin Dickerson&nbsp;out of Southern Mississippi. Dickerson started 208 of 209 games during his four-year collegiate career. He was named First-Team All-Sun Belt Conference at shortstop this season, when he hit a career-best .328 (88-for-268) with 11 home runs and a .971 OPS, after hitting only 2 home runs in his first three seasons. He is the son of&nbsp;Bobby Dickerson, the Philadelphia Phillies Infield Coach who played seven seasons in the minor leagues from 1987-93.In the 9th&nbsp;round (259th&nbsp;overall), Kansas City selected left-handed pitcher&nbsp;Jacob Widener&nbsp;out of Oral Roberts. Widener, who is listed at 6-foot-7, 235 pounds, recorded a 2.90 ERA (16 ER in 49.2 IP) in 30 appearances this season with 80 strikeouts (14.5 K/9). He was supposed to pitch for Chatham in the 2023 Cape Cod League, but Oral Roberts’ run in the College World Series prevented him from doing so.With their 10th-round pick (289th&nbsp;overall) and final selection on the second day of the 2023 First-Year Player Draft, the Royals selected shortstop&nbsp;Justin Johnson&nbsp;out of Wake Forest. He hit .324 (77-for-238) in his only season with the Demon Deacons, setting career highs across the board with 35 extra-base this (16), 76 RBI and a 1.042 OPS. Johnson was named First Team All-ACC and was the Winston-Salem Regional Most Outstanding Player.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689079029065.jpeg" alt="2023 Draft Notes" />
 <figcaption>2023 Draft Notes</figcaption>
 </figure>

Royals Select Eight Players on Second Day of 2023 First-Year Player Draft

LAWRENCE, Kan. –&nbsp;Kansas Athletics is set to host the 39th Annual Late Night in the Phog presented by HyVee&nbsp;on Friday, Oct. 6, in historic Allen Fieldhouse. Late Night started in 1985 and features music by the KU pep band, routines from KU’s spirit squad and dance teams, crowd-engaging activities by both men’s and women’s basketball teams, video highlights from KU’s award-winning Rock Chalk Video department, coach and player introductions, scrimmages and much more.&nbsp; More details on Late Night in the Phog will be announced at a later date. History of Late Night Late Night in the Phog at the University of Kansas continues to be one of the most well-attended ‘midnight madness’ events in all of college basketball. Each year, more than 16,000 fans pack into Allen Fieldhouse to catch an off-beat look at the Jayhawks and get a sneak peek at the highly-touted newcomers. But it hasn’t always been the highly anticipated event that it is today. By all accounts, it began as an afterthought. Some 6,000 fans, mostly students, gathered in Allen Fieldhouse&nbsp;at 12:01 a.m.&nbsp;on an October Tuesday in 1985 for the inaugural “Late Night with Larry Brown.” Capacity was limited for the 1985 Late Night due to work being done on the lower bleachers.&nbsp; At that time, Bill Self was a young KU graduate assistant in the early stages of molding his career in coaching. Danny Manning was a promising forward primed to take the Big Eight Conference by storm. Brown was in the process of building the team that would make it to the Final Four in Dallas that March, eventually winning the national championship two years later under the moniker ‘Danny and the Miracles.’ Little did Brown know that in the 39 years after his brainchild barely registered a blip on the radar, Late Night in the Phog would become a cornerstone of one of the most successful and fanatically-followed basketball programs in the nation. In fact, at Late Night in 2003, Self’s first Late Night as KU head coach, Brown delivered one of the most memorable speeches in Kansas basketball history, “There is no better place to coach. There is no better place to go to school. There is no better place to play. It’s because of you people here.” Late Night is highlighted by student-athlete interactive activities giving fans an inside look to their personalities. Over the years, the crowds, all capacity gatherings since 1991, have witnessed hundreds of performances and ferocious dunks as Kansas prepared for its first official practice of the season. Since 1988-89, the Jayhawk women’s basketball team has taken on a greater share of the Late Night load and shares center court with the KU men’s team. The pep band, cheerleaders, dance team and mascots are also involved in the pre-scrimmage entertainment. Prior to the 2005-06 season, the NCAA decided to change the season-opening scrimmage time&nbsp;from midnight&nbsp;to earlier in the evening to create a more fan-friendly experience. Now fans of all ages can watch the festivities — Late Night isn’t so late anymore. For the players who act, dance and take part in a light scrimmage in front of 16,300 fans, the light-hearted event is the ideal way to kick off the season. Late Night in the Phog gives fans a preseason glimpse of the program. Recruits gather from across the country. Former players and coaches return home to their college basketball roots. Fans enjoy a sneak peek into the personalities of the players they will support throughout the season.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689028251613.jpeg" alt="Late Night in the PHOG. Image Courtesy KU athletics" />
 <figcaption>Late Night in the PHOG. Image Courtesy KU athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>LAWRENCE, Kan. –&nbsp;Kansas Athletics is set to host the 39th Annual Late Night in the Phog presented by HyVee&nbsp;on Friday, Oct. 6, in historic Allen Fieldhouse. Late Night started in 1985 and features music by the KU pep band, routines from KU’s spirit squad and dance teams, crowd-engaging activities by both men’s and women’s basketball teams, video highlights from KU’s award-winning Rock Chalk Video department, coach and player introductions, scrimmages and much more.&nbsp; More details on Late Night in the Phog will be announced at a later date. History of Late Night Late Night in the Phog at the University of Kansas continues to be one of the most well-attended ‘midnight madness’ events in all of college basketball. Each year, more than 16,000 fans pack into Allen Fieldhouse to catch an off-beat look at the Jayhawks and get a sneak peek at the highly-touted newcomers. But it hasn’t always been the highly anticipated event that it is today. By all accounts, it began as an afterthought. Some 6,000 fans, mostly students, gathered in Allen Fieldhouse&nbsp;at 12:01 a.m.&nbsp;on an October Tuesday in 1985 for the inaugural “Late Night with Larry Brown.” Capacity was limited for the 1985 Late Night due to work being done on the lower bleachers.&nbsp; At that time, Bill Self was a young KU graduate assistant in the early stages of molding his career in coaching. Danny Manning was a promising forward primed to take the Big Eight Conference by storm. Brown was in the process of building the team that would make it to the Final Four in Dallas that March, eventually winning the national championship two years later under the moniker ‘Danny and the Miracles.’ Little did Brown know that in the 39 years after his brainchild barely registered a blip on the radar, Late Night in the Phog would become a cornerstone of one of the most successful and fanatically-followed basketball programs in the nation. In fact, at Late Night in 2003, Self’s first Late Night as KU head coach, Brown delivered one of the most memorable speeches in Kansas basketball history, “There is no better place to coach. There is no better place to go to school. There is no better place to play. It’s because of you people here.” Late Night is highlighted by student-athlete interactive activities giving fans an inside look to their personalities. Over the years, the crowds, all capacity gatherings since 1991, have witnessed hundreds of performances and ferocious dunks as Kansas prepared for its first official practice of the season. Since 1988-89, the Jayhawk women’s basketball team has taken on a greater share of the Late Night load and shares center court with the KU men’s team. The pep band, cheerleaders, dance team and mascots are also involved in the pre-scrimmage entertainment. Prior to the 2005-06 season, the NCAA decided to change the season-opening scrimmage time&nbsp;from midnight&nbsp;to earlier in the evening to create a more fan-friendly experience. Now fans of all ages can watch the festivities — Late Night isn’t so late anymore. For the players who act, dance and take part in a light scrimmage in front of 16,300 fans, the light-hearted event is the ideal way to kick off the season. Late Night in the Phog gives fans a preseason glimpse of the program. Recruits gather from across the country. Former players and coaches return home to their college basketball roots. Fans enjoy a sneak peek into the personalities of the players they will support throughout the season.

 Late Night in the PHOG Set for Oct. 6

KANSAS CITY, Mo.- The Kansas City Royals selected three players on the first day of the 2023 First-Year Player Draft.

With the 8th overall pick in the 1st round, the Royals selected Blake Mitchell, a left-handed hitting catcher from Sinton High School (Texas). In the 2nd round (44th overall), the Royals selected right-handed pitcher Blake Wolters out of Mahomet-Seymour High School (III.). With the 66th overall pick in Competitive Balance Round B, the Royals selected left-handed hitting outfielder Carson

Roccaforte out of the Universitv of Louisiana- atavette

Mitchell, who turns 19 next month and is committed to LSU, was named the Gatorade Texas Player of the Year in both 2022 and 2023. This season he hit .474 with 14 doubles, 6 home runs and 41 RBI.

He also reached base in 70% of his plate appearances, recorded a 1.543 OPS. stole 35 bases and drew S walks to iust &amp; strikeouts.

Mitchell participated in the 2022 Under Armour All-America Game hosted at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, where he won the MVP Award after driving in 5 RBI. He was also a member of the USA Baseball 18U National Team that won gold at the WBSC Baseball World Cup in 2022, where he earned the win on the mound with 2.2 scoreless frames against Taiwan.

Wolters, 18, is listed at 6-foot-4, 210 pounds and gave up basketball for senior season, when he was named the Gatorade Illinois Player of the Year on the diamond. He recorded a 0.43 ERA in 49.0 innings this year, in which he allowed just 13 hits and recorded 106 strikeouts (19.5 K/9). Wolters is committed to the University of Arizona.

Roccaforte. 21. slashed .318/.426/538 (75-for-236) with 35 extra-base hits and 22 stolen bases in 65 aames as a junior at Louisiana-Lafavette this season. He hit 325 in his three-vear colleaiate career, including a .392 average during regular season play as a sophomore in 2022. He also played 22 games with Bourne in the 2022 Cape Cod League.

The Draft will resume tomorrow beginning at 1:00 p.m. CT with rounds 3-10, exclusively on MLB.com.

KANSAS CITY, Mo.- The Kansas City Royals selected three players on the first day of the 2023 First-Year Player Draft.With the 8th overall pick in the 1st round, the Royals selected Blake Mitchell, a left-handed hitting catcher from Sinton High School (Texas). In the 2nd round (44th overall), the Royals selected right-handed pitcher Blake Wolters out of Mahomet-Seymour High School (III.). With the 66th overall pick in Competitive Balance Round B, the Royals selected left-handed hitting outfielder CarsonRoccaforte out of the Universitv of Louisiana- atavetteMitchell, who turns 19 next month and is committed to LSU, was named the Gatorade Texas Player of the Year in both 2022 and 2023. This season he hit .474 with 14 doubles, 6 home runs and 41 RBI.He also reached base in 70% of his plate appearances, recorded a 1.543 OPS. stole 35 bases and drew S walks to iust &amp; strikeouts.Mitchell participated in the 2022 Under Armour All-America Game hosted at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, where he won the MVP Award after driving in 5 RBI. He was also a member of the USA Baseball 18U National Team that won gold at the WBSC Baseball World Cup in 2022, where he earned the win on the mound with 2.2 scoreless frames against Taiwan.Wolters, 18, is listed at 6-foot-4, 210 pounds and gave up basketball for senior season, when he was named the Gatorade Illinois Player of the Year on the diamond. He recorded a 0.43 ERA in 49.0 innings this year, in which he allowed just 13 hits and recorded 106 strikeouts (19.5 K/9). Wolters is committed to the University of Arizona.Roccaforte. 21. slashed .318/.426/538 (75-for-236) with 35 extra-base hits and 22 stolen bases in 65 aames as a junior at Louisiana-Lafavette this season. He hit 325 in his three-vear colleaiate career, including a .392 average during regular season play as a sophomore in 2022. He also played 22 games with Bourne in the 2022 Cape Cod League.The Draft will resume tomorrow beginning at 1:00 p.m. CT with rounds 3-10, exclusively on MLB.com.

Royals Select Three Players on First Day of 2023 First-Year Player Draft

MANHATTAN, Kansas –&nbsp;On the heels of one of the most memorable athletics seasons in school history, K-State Athletics announced today a partnership with Independent Sports and Entertainment (ISE) to identify a potential naming rights partner for Bramlage Coliseum, home of Wildcat men’s and women’s basketball.

ISE is a sports marketing agency with a focus on revenue generation for sports and entertainment organizations through premium sales opportunities. ISE is heavily involved in college venue naming rights having successfully run six searches in the past 18 months&nbsp;totaling $130 million to university partners&nbsp;on campuses across the country.&nbsp;

“We are excited to work with ISE on this incredible opportunity as we continue to identify ways to advance our athletics program,” said Athletics Director Gene Taylor. “As we move forward in the Big 12 Conference, it is crucial that we continue to explore new avenues of revenue to then invest back into our student-athletes and their experience at K-State. We had a great conversation with the Bramlage family and as this process unfolds, we will continue to inform them of our progress and all potential naming ideas and options. They also know that in ISE, we have a partner that shares the same vision and understanding of the culture here at K-State.” “ISE is honored to lead this search for the right coliseum naming rights partner at K-State,” said Owen Shull, Executive Vice President of ISE Properties. “We look to partner with universities with strong leadership and a commitment to make the partnership fully integrated across campus and in concert with their multi-media rights partner. We have both at K-State and are excited to work with President Linton, Gene Taylor, Coach Tang, Coach Mittie, and K-State Sports Properties to make it happen.”

It is a great time to be a K-Stater as new University president Richard Linton has&nbsp;Kansas State University on the rise to be the next-generation land-grant university, operating as a future-focused, inclusive and connected community that inspires discovery, creates prosperity, impacts society and transforms lives in Kansas and beyond. K-State was established in 1863 as the nation’s first operational land-grant university.&nbsp;

On the playing field,&nbsp;K-State took the college athletics world by storm in 2022-23. Chris Klieman's football team won the 2022 Big 12 Championship and played in the Allstate Sugar Bowl, and Naismith National Coach of the Year Jerome Tang and his men's basketball squad – in his first season as head coach – made a remarkable run to the Elite Eight following a preseason poll that picked the Wildcats to finish last in the league. In women’s basketball, K-State returns All-American Ayoka Lee in 2023-24, after she set a new NCAA record for points in a game with 61 against No. 14 Oklahoma in 2022.&nbsp; The coliseum opened in 1988, and fans have helped make it&nbsp;one of the most intimidating environments in all of college basketball.&nbsp;The K-State men’s team has won nearly 75 percent of its games at Bramlage Coliseum since its debut on Nov. 26, 1988. The 417 wins are the most at any home venue for the Wildcats, surpassing the 378 won at Ahearn Field House (1951-88). The Wildcats have earned double-digit victories in 27 of its 35 seasons, including a near-perfect 15-1 mark in 2022-23. Wins over Top 25 teams have also been a regular occurrence at Bramlage since its opening with 46 ranking opponents falling to K-State, including 20 Top 10 opponents and four No. 1 teams.

K-State women’s basketball owns an all-time record of 380-154 (.712) in Bramlage Coliseum, including a 29-7 mark over the last two seasons. The Wildcats are set to eclipse the 2,000,000-fan mark for women’s basketball games during the 2023-24 season inside Bramlage, as overall attendance stands at 1,968,336. K-State has ranked among the top-35 in the nation for average women’s attendance 19 times in the last 22 seasons.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1688691650021.jpeg" alt="ISE K-State Partnership. Image Courtesy K-State Sports" />
 <figcaption>ISE K-State Partnership. Image Courtesy K-State Sports</figcaption>
 </figure>MANHATTAN, Kansas –&nbsp;On the heels of one of the most memorable athletics seasons in school history, K-State Athletics announced today a partnership with Independent Sports and Entertainment (ISE) to identify a potential naming rights partner for Bramlage Coliseum, home of Wildcat men’s and women’s basketball.ISE is a sports marketing agency with a focus on revenue generation for sports and entertainment organizations through premium sales opportunities. ISE is heavily involved in college venue naming rights having successfully run six searches in the past 18 months&nbsp;totaling $130 million to university partners&nbsp;on campuses across the country.&nbsp;“We are excited to work with ISE on this incredible opportunity as we continue to identify ways to advance our athletics program,” said Athletics Director Gene Taylor. “As we move forward in the Big 12 Conference, it is crucial that we continue to explore new avenues of revenue to then invest back into our student-athletes and their experience at K-State. We had a great conversation with the Bramlage family and as this process unfolds, we will continue to inform them of our progress and all potential naming ideas and options. They also know that in ISE, we have a partner that shares the same vision and understanding of the culture here at K-State.” “ISE is honored to lead this search for the right coliseum naming rights partner at K-State,” said Owen Shull, Executive Vice President of ISE Properties. “We look to partner with universities with strong leadership and a commitment to make the partnership fully integrated across campus and in concert with their multi-media rights partner. We have both at K-State and are excited to work with President Linton, Gene Taylor, Coach Tang, Coach Mittie, and K-State Sports Properties to make it happen.” It is a great time to be a K-Stater as new University president Richard Linton has&nbsp;Kansas State University on the rise to be the next-generation land-grant university, operating as a future-focused, inclusive and connected community that inspires discovery, creates prosperity, impacts society and transforms lives in Kansas and beyond. K-State was established in 1863 as the nation’s first operational land-grant university.&nbsp;On the playing field,&nbsp;K-State took the college athletics world by storm in 2022-23. Chris Klieman's football team won the 2022 Big 12 Championship and played in the Allstate Sugar Bowl, and Naismith National Coach of the Year Jerome Tang and his men's basketball squad – in his first season as head coach – made a remarkable run to the Elite Eight following a preseason poll that picked the Wildcats to finish last in the league. In women’s basketball, K-State returns All-American Ayoka Lee in 2023-24, after she set a new NCAA record for points in a game with 61 against No. 14 Oklahoma in 2022.&nbsp; The coliseum opened in 1988, and fans have helped make it&nbsp;one of the most intimidating environments in all of college basketball.&nbsp;The K-State men’s team has won nearly 75 percent of its games at Bramlage Coliseum since its debut on Nov. 26, 1988. The 417 wins are the most at any home venue for the Wildcats, surpassing the 378 won at Ahearn Field House (1951-88). The Wildcats have earned double-digit victories in 27 of its 35 seasons, including a near-perfect 15-1 mark in 2022-23. Wins over Top 25 teams have also been a regular occurrence at Bramlage since its opening with 46 ranking opponents falling to K-State, including 20 Top 10 opponents and four No. 1 teams. K-State women’s basketball owns an all-time record of 380-154 (.712) in Bramlage Coliseum, including a 29-7 mark over the last two seasons. The Wildcats are set to eclipse the 2,000,000-fan mark for women’s basketball games during the 2023-24 season inside Bramlage, as overall attendance stands at 1,968,336. K-State has ranked among the top-35 in the nation for average women’s attendance 19 times in the last 22 seasons.

K-State Athletics Partners with ISE to Identify Bramlage Coliseum Naming Sponsor

<a>MANHATTAN, Kan.</a>&nbsp;–&nbsp;Kansas State tied for league-high honors by having five of its football players land on the 2023 Preseason All-Big 12 team as voted on by media representatives who cover the league, the conference office announced Wednesday.

Offensive lineman&nbsp;Cooper Beebe, kickoff/punt returner&nbsp;Phillip Brooks, safety&nbsp;Kobe Savage&nbsp;and tight end&nbsp;Ben Sinnott&nbsp;were named to the team, while running back&nbsp;Treshaun Ward&nbsp;was named the Big 12 Preseason Newcomer of the Year.

It is the second-straight year K-State had at least five players on the Preseason All-Big 12 team as it led the league with six in 2022. The Wildcats tied for the most this season with Texas.

Beebe, a Preseason All-American by numerous publications, has started 35 career games and has not surrendered a sack in his last 803 pass blocking plays dating back to the 2020 Iowa State contest. He earned First Team All-America honors a season ago in addition to being named the Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year by the league’s coaches. A product of Kansas City, Kansas, Beebe helped lead an offensive unit that ranked 15th nationally with 208.3 rushing yards per game, the Wildcats’ best national ranking since 2003 (9th) and best mark since 2016 (231.8).

A native of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, Brooks enters the 2023 season ranked second in school history and tied for sixth in Big 12 history with four punt return touchdowns. He also ranks fifth in K-State history in both punt return average (14.6) and punt return yards (641), and eighth in punt return attempts (44). He ranked second in the Big 12 with 168 punt-return yards a year ago as he earned All-Big 12 Second Team accolades, his second time earning postseason All-Big 12 honors.

Savage, a transfer from Tyler JC prior to the 2022 season, made a splash in his first 10 games last year before an injury ended his campaign. Despite missing the final four games of the 2022 season, Savage still tied for fourth on the team with 58 tackles as he earned All-Big 12 Second Team honors from the league’s coaches in addition to earning votes for the Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year award. A native of Paris, Texas, Savage tied for sixth in the Big 12 with three interceptions.

Sinnott exploded onto the scene last season as he earned All-Big 12 First Team honors after leading all Big 12 tight ends/fullbacks and ranked fourth nationally by averaging 14.4 yards per catch. Additionally, he ranked sixth in K-State history by a tight end with 447 receiving yards and eighth with 31 catches. The Waterloo, Iowa, product had four touchdown catches on the year, including a two-score effort at Baylor to become the first Wildcat tight end with a multi-touchdown game since 1996.

Ward arrives at K-State after spending the previous four seasons at Florida State, totaling 1,241 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns in his career. Last season, the Plant City, Florida, native led the Seminoles with 649 yards and seven touchdowns en route to All-ACC Honorable Mention accolades.

K-State takes part in the 2023 Big 12 Media Days Presented by Old Trapper next Thursday at AT&amp;T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Representing the Wildcats along with head coach&nbsp;Chris Klieman&nbsp;is Beebe, Savage, quarterback&nbsp;Will Howard&nbsp;and linebacker&nbsp;Daniel Green. Fans can watch Big 12 Media Day on both ESPNU and Big 12 Now on ESPN+, while coverage throughout the day will be available on K-State’s social channels.

Kansas State opens the 2023 season by hosting SEMO inside Bill Snyder Family Stadium on Saturday, September 2 in a 6 p.m., contest that will be shown on Big 12 Now on ESPN+. Tickets to the seven-game home slate can be purchased online at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kstatesports.com/tickets" target="_blank">www.kstatesports.com/tickets</a>&nbsp;or by phone at 1-800-221-CATS.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1688660663070.png" alt="Image Courtesy K-State Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Image Courtesy K-State Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure><a>MANHATTAN, Kan.</a>&nbsp;–&nbsp;Kansas State tied for league-high honors by having five of its football players land on the 2023 Preseason All-Big 12 team as voted on by media representatives who cover the league, the conference office announced Wednesday.Offensive lineman&nbsp;Cooper Beebe, kickoff/punt returner&nbsp;Phillip Brooks, safety&nbsp;Kobe Savage&nbsp;and tight end&nbsp;Ben Sinnott&nbsp;were named to the team, while running back&nbsp;Treshaun Ward&nbsp;was named the Big 12 Preseason Newcomer of the Year.It is the second-straight year K-State had at least five players on the Preseason All-Big 12 team as it led the league with six in 2022. The Wildcats tied for the most this season with Texas.Beebe, a Preseason All-American by numerous publications, has started 35 career games and has not surrendered a sack in his last 803 pass blocking plays dating back to the 2020 Iowa State contest. He earned First Team All-America honors a season ago in addition to being named the Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year by the league’s coaches. A product of Kansas City, Kansas, Beebe helped lead an offensive unit that ranked 15th nationally with 208.3 rushing yards per game, the Wildcats’ best national ranking since 2003 (9th) and best mark since 2016 (231.8).A native of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, Brooks enters the 2023 season ranked second in school history and tied for sixth in Big 12 history with four punt return touchdowns. He also ranks fifth in K-State history in both punt return average (14.6) and punt return yards (641), and eighth in punt return attempts (44). He ranked second in the Big 12 with 168 punt-return yards a year ago as he earned All-Big 12 Second Team accolades, his second time earning postseason All-Big 12 honors.Savage, a transfer from Tyler JC prior to the 2022 season, made a splash in his first 10 games last year before an injury ended his campaign. Despite missing the final four games of the 2022 season, Savage still tied for fourth on the team with 58 tackles as he earned All-Big 12 Second Team honors from the league’s coaches in addition to earning votes for the Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year award. A native of Paris, Texas, Savage tied for sixth in the Big 12 with three interceptions.Sinnott exploded onto the scene last season as he earned All-Big 12 First Team honors after leading all Big 12 tight ends/fullbacks and ranked fourth nationally by averaging 14.4 yards per catch. Additionally, he ranked sixth in K-State history by a tight end with 447 receiving yards and eighth with 31 catches. The Waterloo, Iowa, product had four touchdown catches on the year, including a two-score effort at Baylor to become the first Wildcat tight end with a multi-touchdown game since 1996.Ward arrives at K-State after spending the previous four seasons at Florida State, totaling 1,241 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns in his career. Last season, the Plant City, Florida, native led the Seminoles with 649 yards and seven touchdowns en route to All-ACC Honorable Mention accolades.K-State takes part in the 2023 Big 12 Media Days Presented by Old Trapper next Thursday at AT&amp;T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Representing the Wildcats along with head coach&nbsp;Chris Klieman&nbsp;is Beebe, Savage, quarterback&nbsp;Will Howard&nbsp;and linebacker&nbsp;Daniel Green. Fans can watch Big 12 Media Day on both ESPNU and Big 12 Now on ESPN+, while coverage throughout the day will be available on K-State’s social channels.Kansas State opens the 2023 season by hosting SEMO inside Bill Snyder Family Stadium on Saturday, September 2 in a 6 p.m., contest that will be shown on Big 12 Now on ESPN+. Tickets to the seven-game home slate can be purchased online at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kstatesports.com/tickets" target="_blank">www.kstatesports.com/tickets</a>&nbsp;or by phone at 1-800-221-CATS.

Five Wildcats Earn Preseason All-Big 12 Honors

Saturday MRN&nbsp; Nascar Live at 8 a.m.

Sunday PRN&nbsp; The Pit Reporters at 9 a.m. PRN&nbsp; Quakerstate 400 from Atlanta Motor Speedway, Atlanta, Georgia at 5 p.m.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1625885773462.jpeg" alt="KINA logo" />
 <figcaption>KINA logo</figcaption>
 </figure> Saturday MRN&nbsp; Nascar Live at 8 a.m. Sunday PRN&nbsp; The Pit Reporters at 9 a.m. PRN&nbsp; Quakerstate 400 from Atlanta Motor Speedway, Atlanta, Georgia at 5 p.m.

Sports on KINA this week

MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;– Kansas State men’s basketball will be well-represented with five former players in the NBA Summer League, which begins Monday (July 3) with the California Classic and the Salt Lake City Summer Leagues and continues with the NBA 2K24 Summer League in Las Vegas from Friday, July 7 to Monday, July 17.

Recent players –&nbsp;Keyontae Johnson&nbsp;(Oklahoma City Thunder) and&nbsp;Markquis Nowell&nbsp;(Toronto Raptors) – will join&nbsp;Barry Brown Jr.&nbsp;(Phoenix Suns),&nbsp;Mark Smith&nbsp;(Denver Nuggets) and&nbsp;Xavier Sneed&nbsp;(Charlotte Hornets) in the summer league competition. Johnson and Nowell could see their first professional action after recently completing their K-State careers, while Brown and Smith return to the U.S. after impressive seasons playing professionally overseas. Sneed ended the 2022-23 season on the Hornets’ roster after signing a 2-way contract.

All the games will air on either an ESPN platform (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU) or on NBA TV.

Salt Lake City Summer League [Salt Lake City, Utah] – Monday, July 3 and Wednesday-Thursday, July 5-6

California Classic Summer League [Sacramento, Calif.] – Monday, July 3 and Wednesday, July 5

7:00 p.m. – Charlotte Hornets [Sneed] vs. San Antonio Spurs [ESPN2]&nbsp;Sacramento

8:00 p.m. – Oklahoma City Thunder [Johnson] vs. Utah Jazz [NBA TV]&nbsp;Salt Lake City

5:00 p.m. – Charlotte Hornets [Sneed] vs. Golden State Warriors [ESPN2]&nbsp;Sacramento

6:00 p.m. – Oklahoma City Thunder [Johnson] vs. Memphis Grizzlies [NBA TV]&nbsp;Salt Lake City

6:00 p.m. – Oklahoma City Thunder [Johnson] vs. Philadelphia 76ers [ESPN2]&nbsp;Salt Lake City

NBA 2K24 Summer League [Las Vegas, Nev.] – Friday, July 7 – Monday, July 17*

4:00 p.m. – Denver Nuggets [Smith] vs. Milwaukee Bucks [ESPNU]

5:30 p.m. – Toronto Raptors [Nowell] vs. Chicago Bulls [NBA TV]

8:00 p.m. – Charlotte Hornets [Sneed] vs. San Antonio Spurs [ESPN]

2:30 p.m. – Oklahoma City Thunder [Johnson] vs. Dallas Mavericks [ESPN2]

4:00 p.m. – Phoenix Suns [Brown] vs. Milwaukee Bucks [NBA TV]

2:30 p.m. – Toronto Raptors [Nowell] vs. Cleveland Cavaliers [NBA TV]

3:00 p.m. – Charlotte Hornets [Sneed] vs. L.A. Lakers [ESPN2]

8:30 p.m. – Denver Nuggets [Smith] vs. Atlanta Hawks [NBA TV]

1:30 p.m. – Phoenix Suns [Brown] vs. Miami HEAT [NBA TV]

3:00 p.m. – Phoenix Suns [Brown] vs. New Orleans Pelicans [ESPN2]

5:30 p.m. – Oklahoma City Thunder [Johnson] vs. Houston Rockets [NBA TV]

7:30 p.m. – Charlotte Hornets [Sneed] vs. Portland Trail Blazers [NBA TV]

5:00 p.m. – Toronto Raptors [Nowell] vs. Detroit Pistons [ESPN2]

6:30 p.m. – Oklahoma City Thunder [Johnson] vs. Indiana Pacers [NBA TV]

8:30 p.m. – Denver Nuggets [Smith] vs. Utah Jazz [NBA TV]

4:00 p.m. – Toronto Raptors [Nowell] vs. Brooklyn Nets [ESPN2]

6:30 p.m. – Charlotte Hornets [Sneed] vs. New Orleans Pelicans [NBA TV]

4:00 p.m. – Oklahoma City Thunder [Johnson] vs. Washington Wizards [ESPNU]

6:00 p.m. – Phoenix Suns [Brown] vs. Utah Jazz [ESPN2]

8:00 p.m. – Denver Nuggets [Smith] vs. Miami HEAT [ESPN2]

*The teams with the best records will advance to the semifinals on Sunday, July 16 before the championship game on Monday, July 17.

Johnson became the first Wildcat since 2017 to be selected in the NBA Draft when he was chosen in the second round by the Thunder on June 22. Later that evening, Nowell signed a 2-way deal with the Raptors.

Brown got a coveted summer league roster spot with the Suns after an impressive 2022-23 season playing in Australia and France, where he helped lead his respective teams to the league finals. He averaged 12.6 points on 49.1 percent shooting with 2.1 assists and 1.5 rebounds in 11 games for the Boulogne-Levallois Metropolitans 92, where he played alongside a pair of NBA lottery picks, including No. 1 pick&nbsp;Victor Wembanyama.

Smith was the leading scorer (16.5 ppg.) and rebounder (6.9 rpg.) for BG Goettingen, which plays in the top league in Germany - the Basketball Bundesliga League (BBL).

Sneed currently has a 2-way deal with Charlotte, having started in 32 games with the team’s G-League franchise – the Greensboro Swarm – before being promoted and playing in 4 games for the Hornets in 2022-23.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1688660431105.jpeg" alt="Image Courtesy K-State Sports" />
 <figcaption>Image Courtesy K-State Sports</figcaption>
 </figure>MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;– Kansas State men’s basketball will be well-represented with five former players in the NBA Summer League, which begins Monday (July 3) with the California Classic and the Salt Lake City Summer Leagues and continues with the NBA 2K24 Summer League in Las Vegas from Friday, July 7 to Monday, July 17.Recent players –&nbsp;Keyontae Johnson&nbsp;(Oklahoma City Thunder) and&nbsp;Markquis Nowell&nbsp;(Toronto Raptors) – will join&nbsp;Barry Brown Jr.&nbsp;(Phoenix Suns),&nbsp;Mark Smith&nbsp;(Denver Nuggets) and&nbsp;Xavier Sneed&nbsp;(Charlotte Hornets) in the summer league competition. Johnson and Nowell could see their first professional action after recently completing their K-State careers, while Brown and Smith return to the U.S. after impressive seasons playing professionally overseas. Sneed ended the 2022-23 season on the Hornets’ roster after signing a 2-way contract.All the games will air on either an ESPN platform (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU) or on NBA TV.Salt Lake City Summer League [Salt Lake City, Utah] – Monday, July 3 and Wednesday-Thursday, July 5-6California Classic Summer League [Sacramento, Calif.] – Monday, July 3 and Wednesday, July 5Monday, July 37:00 p.m. – Charlotte Hornets [Sneed] vs. San Antonio Spurs [ESPN2]&nbsp;Sacramento8:00 p.m. – Oklahoma City Thunder [Johnson] vs. Utah Jazz [NBA TV]&nbsp;Salt Lake CityWednesday, July 55:00 p.m. – Charlotte Hornets [Sneed] vs. Golden State Warriors [ESPN2]&nbsp;Sacramento6:00 p.m. – Oklahoma City Thunder [Johnson] vs. Memphis Grizzlies [NBA TV]&nbsp;Salt Lake CityThursday, July 66:00 p.m. – Oklahoma City Thunder [Johnson] vs. Philadelphia 76ers [ESPN2]&nbsp;Salt Lake CityNBA 2K24 Summer League [Las Vegas, Nev.] – Friday, July 7 – Monday, July 17*Friday, July 74:00 p.m. – Denver Nuggets [Smith] vs. Milwaukee Bucks [ESPNU]5:30 p.m. – Toronto Raptors [Nowell] vs. Chicago Bulls [NBA TV]8:00 p.m. – Charlotte Hornets [Sneed] vs. San Antonio Spurs [ESPN]Saturday, July 82:30 p.m. – Oklahoma City Thunder [Johnson] vs. Dallas Mavericks [ESPN2]4:00 p.m. – Phoenix Suns [Brown] vs. Milwaukee Bucks [NBA TV]Sunday, July 92:30 p.m. – Toronto Raptors [Nowell] vs. Cleveland Cavaliers [NBA TV]3:00 p.m. – Charlotte Hornets [Sneed] vs. L.A. Lakers [ESPN2]8:30 p.m. – Denver Nuggets [Smith] vs. Atlanta Hawks [NBA TV]Monday, July 101:30 p.m. – Phoenix Suns [Brown] vs. Miami HEAT [NBA TV]Tuesday, July 113:00 p.m. – Phoenix Suns [Brown] vs. New Orleans Pelicans [ESPN2]5:30 p.m. – Oklahoma City Thunder [Johnson] vs. Houston Rockets [NBA TV]7:30 p.m. – Charlotte Hornets [Sneed] vs. Portland Trail Blazers [NBA TV]Wednesday, July 125:00 p.m. – Toronto Raptors [Nowell] vs. Detroit Pistons [ESPN2]6:30 p.m. – Oklahoma City Thunder [Johnson] vs. Indiana Pacers [NBA TV]8:30 p.m. – Denver Nuggets [Smith] vs. Utah Jazz [NBA TV]Thursday, July 134:00 p.m. – Toronto Raptors [Nowell] vs. Brooklyn Nets [ESPN2]6:30 p.m. – Charlotte Hornets [Sneed] vs. New Orleans Pelicans [NBA TV]Friday, July 144:00 p.m. – Oklahoma City Thunder [Johnson] vs. Washington Wizards [ESPNU]6:00 p.m. – Phoenix Suns [Brown] vs. Utah Jazz [ESPN2]8:00 p.m. – Denver Nuggets [Smith] vs. Miami HEAT [ESPN2]All times are Central*The teams with the best records will advance to the semifinals on Sunday, July 16 before the championship game on Monday, July 17.ROAD TO SUMMER LEAGUESJohnson became the first Wildcat since 2017 to be selected in the NBA Draft when he was chosen in the second round by the Thunder on June 22. Later that evening, Nowell signed a 2-way deal with the Raptors.Brown got a coveted summer league roster spot with the Suns after an impressive 2022-23 season playing in Australia and France, where he helped lead his respective teams to the league finals. He averaged 12.6 points on 49.1 percent shooting with 2.1 assists and 1.5 rebounds in 11 games for the Boulogne-Levallois Metropolitans 92, where he played alongside a pair of NBA lottery picks, including No. 1 pick&nbsp;Victor Wembanyama.Smith was the leading scorer (16.5 ppg.) and rebounder (6.9 rpg.) for BG Goettingen, which plays in the top league in Germany - the Basketball Bundesliga League (BBL).Sneed currently has a 2-way deal with Charlotte, having started in 32 games with the team’s G-League franchise – the Greensboro Swarm – before being promoted and playing in 4 games for the Hornets in 2022-23.

Five Former Wildcats to Compete in NBA Summer League

KANSAS CITY, Mo.—Major League Baseball announced on Sunday that Kansas City Royals Captain&nbsp;Salvador Perez&nbsp;has been named an American League All-Star for the eighth time in his career, which ranks 2nd&nbsp;in Royals history to&nbsp;George Brett’s&nbsp;13 All-Star selections. Perez will represent the Royals at the 93rd&nbsp;All-Star Game, which will be played on Tuesday, July 11 at T-Mobile Park in Seattle.

Perez was selected as a reserve for the second time in his career, following his first All-Star selection in 2013. He was the starting catcher in the All-Star Game from 2014-18 and in 2021, and his eight career All-Star selections are the most among active catchers.

His eight All-Star selections tie Houston’s&nbsp;Jose Altuve&nbsp;for the 4th&nbsp;most by a player born in Venezuela, behind 2012 Triple Crown winner&nbsp;Miguel Cabrera&nbsp;(12), 1984 Hall of Fame inductee&nbsp;Luis Aparicio&nbsp;(10) and two-time World Series Champion&nbsp;Dave Concepción&nbsp;(9).

Salvy, 33, leads all Major League catchers (min. 60% games played at the position) with 15 home runs and ranks 2nd&nbsp;among American League catchers with 40 RBI. This marks his eighth season with at least 15 home runs, which ranks tied for 10th&nbsp;all-time among primary catchers and 2nd&nbsp;in club history behind Brett’s 10 from 1977-93.

He currently has 499 extra-base hits, which is tied with&nbsp;Mike Sweeney&nbsp;for the 6th&nbsp;most in Royals history, and 21st all-time among primary catchers (min. 75% games played at the position), 5 shy of&nbsp;Jason Kendall&nbsp;(504) for 20th. That list is headed by Hall of Famer&nbsp;Iván Rodríguez&nbsp;(934).

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684317962723.jpeg" alt="Kansas City Royals' Salvador Perez reacts after hitting a two-RBI double during the second inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres, Tuesday, May 16, 2023, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas City Royals' Salvador Perez reacts after hitting a two-RBI double during the second inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres, Tuesday, May 16, 2023, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo.—Major League Baseball announced on Sunday that Kansas City Royals Captain&nbsp;Salvador Perez&nbsp;has been named an American League All-Star for the eighth time in his career, which ranks 2nd&nbsp;in Royals history to&nbsp;George Brett’s&nbsp;13 All-Star selections. Perez will represent the Royals at the 93rd&nbsp;All-Star Game, which will be played on Tuesday, July 11 at T-Mobile Park in Seattle.Perez was selected as a reserve for the second time in his career, following his first All-Star selection in 2013. He was the starting catcher in the All-Star Game from 2014-18 and in 2021, and his eight career All-Star selections are the most among active catchers.His eight All-Star selections tie Houston’s&nbsp;Jose Altuve&nbsp;for the 4th&nbsp;most by a player born in Venezuela, behind 2012 Triple Crown winner&nbsp;Miguel Cabrera&nbsp;(12), 1984 Hall of Fame inductee&nbsp;Luis Aparicio&nbsp;(10) and two-time World Series Champion&nbsp;Dave Concepción&nbsp;(9).Salvy, 33, leads all Major League catchers (min. 60% games played at the position) with 15 home runs and ranks 2nd&nbsp;among American League catchers with 40 RBI. This marks his eighth season with at least 15 home runs, which ranks tied for 10th&nbsp;all-time among primary catchers and 2nd&nbsp;in club history behind Brett’s 10 from 1977-93.He currently has 499 extra-base hits, which is tied with&nbsp;Mike Sweeney&nbsp;for the 6th&nbsp;most in Royals history, and 21st all-time among primary catchers (min. 75% games played at the position), 5 shy of&nbsp;Jason Kendall&nbsp;(504) for 20th. That list is headed by Hall of Famer&nbsp;Iván Rodríguez&nbsp;(934).

SALVADOR PEREZ NAMED AMERICAN LEAGUE ALL-STAR

KANSAS CITY, Mo.—The Kansas City Royals announced this morning that infielder&nbsp;Bobby Witt Jr.&nbsp;and left-handed pitcher&nbsp;Daniel Lynch&nbsp;have been named Royals Player and Pitcher of the Month, respectively, for June. The awards are determined by a local media vote.

Witt Jr. led the club with 12 RBI and 28 hits last month, while slashing .280/.336/.380 (28-for-100) in 26 games. He produced 8 multi-hit efforts and 6 stolen bases, which tied for the 6th most steals in the American League in June, trailing leader&nbsp;Esteury Ruiz&nbsp;(13). His most impactful multi-hit game came in the Royals 10-9 comeback win over the Angels on June 17, in which they erased a 6-run deficit. That afternoon, Bobby drove in 4 of Kansas City’s 10 runs—and delivered the game ball to walk-off hero&nbsp;Samad Taylor&nbsp;after the game—to mark his 3rd career game with at least 4 RBI. Two days later, on June 19 in Detroit, he hit his 12th home run of the season and 2nd in a 6-game span with a solo shot in the 4th inning off&nbsp;Reese Olson, which broke a scoreless tie and traveled 442 ft., just shy of matching the furthest home run of his career (443 ft. on June 3, 2022 vs. Houston). He celebrated his 23rd birthday on June 14 against the Reds and became the eighth Royal (10th instance) to record a 3-hit game on his birthday, and he was the youngest to ever turn the trick at age 23. This marks Witt Jr.’s second career monthly honor, following last June, and he’s the first Royals position player to win at least one award in consecutive seasons to begin his career since&nbsp;Alex Gordon&nbsp;earned three monthly titles from 2007-08.

Lynch pitched a team-leading 31.0 innings spanning 5 starts in the month of June, including covering at least 6.0 innings in each of his final 4 starts to close out the month. Half of the 14 total runs he allowed came in his start on June 14 vs. Cincinnati—when he was tagged for 4 home runs in a season-high 7.0 innings—however over his remaining 4 starts of the month, he pitched to a 2.63 ERA (7 ER in 24.0 IP). On June 20 in Detroit, he turned in his best performance of the season with 7.0 scoreless frames and only 1 hit and 2 walks allowed, earning his 1st win of 2023 in Kansas City’s 1-0 shutout victory. With that performance, he became the first Royals left hander to allow no more than 1 hit over 7.0 scoreless innings since&nbsp;Danny Duffy&nbsp;held the Rays to 1 hit in 8.0 scoreless innings at Tampa Bay on Aug. 1, 2016 in his club-record 16-strikeout game. It also marked Lynch’s 2nd consecutive start in which he recorded 7.0 innings, becoming the first Royal with back-to-back 7.0-inning starts since&nbsp;Kris Bubicturned the trick in July 2022. This marks Lynch’s first career monthly award.

KANSAS CITY, Mo.—The Kansas City Royals announced this morning that infielder&nbsp;Bobby Witt Jr.&nbsp;and left-handed pitcher&nbsp;Daniel Lynch&nbsp;have been named Royals Player and Pitcher of the Month, respectively, for June. The awards are determined by a local media vote. Witt Jr. led the club with 12 RBI and 28 hits last month, while slashing .280/.336/.380 (28-for-100) in 26 games. He produced 8 multi-hit efforts and 6 stolen bases, which tied for the 6th most steals in the American League in June, trailing leader&nbsp;Esteury Ruiz&nbsp;(13). His most impactful multi-hit game came in the Royals 10-9 comeback win over the Angels on June 17, in which they erased a 6-run deficit. That afternoon, Bobby drove in 4 of Kansas City’s 10 runs—and delivered the game ball to walk-off hero&nbsp;Samad Taylor&nbsp;after the game—to mark his 3rd career game with at least 4 RBI. Two days later, on June 19 in Detroit, he hit his 12th home run of the season and 2nd in a 6-game span with a solo shot in the 4th inning off&nbsp;Reese Olson, which broke a scoreless tie and traveled 442 ft., just shy of matching the furthest home run of his career (443 ft. on June 3, 2022 vs. Houston). He celebrated his 23rd birthday on June 14 against the Reds and became the eighth Royal (10th instance) to record a 3-hit game on his birthday, and he was the youngest to ever turn the trick at age 23. This marks Witt Jr.’s second career monthly honor, following last June, and he’s the first Royals position player to win at least one award in consecutive seasons to begin his career since&nbsp;Alex Gordon&nbsp;earned three monthly titles from 2007-08.Lynch pitched a team-leading 31.0 innings spanning 5 starts in the month of June, including covering at least 6.0 innings in each of his final 4 starts to close out the month. Half of the 14 total runs he allowed came in his start on June 14 vs. Cincinnati—when he was tagged for 4 home runs in a season-high 7.0 innings—however over his remaining 4 starts of the month, he pitched to a 2.63 ERA (7 ER in 24.0 IP). On June 20 in Detroit, he turned in his best performance of the season with 7.0 scoreless frames and only 1 hit and 2 walks allowed, earning his 1st win of 2023 in Kansas City’s 1-0 shutout victory. With that performance, he became the first Royals left hander to allow no more than 1 hit over 7.0 scoreless innings since&nbsp;Danny Duffy&nbsp;held the Rays to 1 hit in 8.0 scoreless innings at Tampa Bay on Aug. 1, 2016 in his club-record 16-strikeout game. It also marked Lynch’s 2nd consecutive start in which he recorded 7.0 innings, becoming the first Royal with back-to-back 7.0-inning starts since&nbsp;Kris Bubicturned the trick in July 2022. This marks Lynch’s first career monthly award.

BOBBY WITT JR., DANIEL LYNCH NAMED ROYALS PLAYER/PITCHER OF THE MONTH FOR JUNE

By TYLER HENRY Salina Post contributor

Another thrilling season of Champions Indoor football is officially in the books, and Salina Liberty head coach Heron O'Neal will have yet another piece of hardware to add to his collection after being named Co-Head Coach of the Year.

Alongside Gillette HC Cedric Walker, O'Neal collects the third Coach of the Year honor of his career, and his second while with the Liberty (2019).

Under his direction, Salina improved from 3-21 in their first two seasons, to 49-17 over their last five campaigns, including a 6-4 postseason record, four straight championship appearances, and a title in 2022.

This year's team saw more of the success that the Salina faithful have come to expect, finishing second in the league with an 8-2 regular season record, and finishing runner-up to the eventual champion Omaha Beef.

The Liberty finished out the year second in scoring offense (45.5 ppg), and in total offense (220 yds/g), while holding opponents to just 210 yards per game on defense.

By TYLER HENRY Salina Post contributorAnother thrilling season of Champions Indoor football is officially in the books, and Salina Liberty head coach Heron O'Neal will have yet another piece of hardware to add to his collection after being named Co-Head Coach of the Year.Alongside Gillette HC Cedric Walker, O'Neal collects the third Coach of the Year honor of his career, and his second while with the Liberty (2019).Under his direction, Salina improved from 3-21 in their first two seasons, to 49-17 over their last five campaigns, including a 6-4 postseason record, four straight championship appearances, and a title in 2022.This year's team saw more of the success that the Salina faithful have come to expect, finishing second in the league with an 8-2 regular season record, and finishing runner-up to the eventual champion Omaha Beef.The Liberty finished out the year second in scoring offense (45.5 ppg), and in total offense (220 yds/g), while holding opponents to just 210 yards per game on defense.

Salina's Heron O'Neal collects CIF Coach of the Year honors

KANSAS CITY, Mo.—The Kansas City Royals announced tonight that they have acquired left-handed pitcher&nbsp;Cole Ragans&nbsp;and minor league outfielder&nbsp;Roni Cabrera&nbsp;from the Texas Rangers for left-handed pitcher&nbsp;Aroldis Chapman. Ragans, a 40-man roster player, has been optioned to Triple-A Omaha and Cabrera has been assigned to the Royals Dominican Summer League team.

Ragans, 25, was named the Rangers Minor League Pitcher of the Year last season, after going 8-5 with a 3.04 ERA (32 ER in 94.2 IP) and 113 strikeouts (10.7 K/9) in 18 starts between Double-A Frisco and Triple-A Round Rock. He made his Major League debut last August, making 9 starts down the stretch with the Rangers.&nbsp;

Ragans made the Opening Day roster this season and pitched in 17 games in relief but was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock on June 13. He was selected by the Rangers in the 1st&nbsp;round (30th&nbsp;overall) of the 2016 Draft out of North Florida Christian High School.&nbsp;

Cabrera, 17, signed with Texas as an international free agent in 2022 out of the Dominican Republic. He played in 37 games last season for the Rangers Blue Dominican Summer League team. Through 16 games in the DSL this season, he’s batting .315 (17-for-54) with 11 extra-base hits, 10 RBI, 6 stolen bases and more walks (13) than strikeouts (7).

Chapman, 35, signed a one-year contract with Kansas City in January. In 31 appearances with the Royals this season, Chapman is 4-2 with 2 saves, a 2.45 ERA (8 ER in 29.1 IP) and 53 strikeouts.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1688169444150.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo.—The Kansas City Royals announced tonight that they have acquired left-handed pitcher&nbsp;Cole Ragans&nbsp;and minor league outfielder&nbsp;Roni Cabrera&nbsp;from the Texas Rangers for left-handed pitcher&nbsp;Aroldis Chapman. Ragans, a 40-man roster player, has been optioned to Triple-A Omaha and Cabrera has been assigned to the Royals Dominican Summer League team. Ragans, 25, was named the Rangers Minor League Pitcher of the Year last season, after going 8-5 with a 3.04 ERA (32 ER in 94.2 IP) and 113 strikeouts (10.7 K/9) in 18 starts between Double-A Frisco and Triple-A Round Rock. He made his Major League debut last August, making 9 starts down the stretch with the Rangers.&nbsp;Ragans made the Opening Day roster this season and pitched in 17 games in relief but was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock on June 13. He was selected by the Rangers in the 1st&nbsp;round (30th&nbsp;overall) of the 2016 Draft out of North Florida Christian High School.&nbsp;Cabrera, 17, signed with Texas as an international free agent in 2022 out of the Dominican Republic. He played in 37 games last season for the Rangers Blue Dominican Summer League team. Through 16 games in the DSL this season, he’s batting .315 (17-for-54) with 11 extra-base hits, 10 RBI, 6 stolen bases and more walks (13) than strikeouts (7).Chapman, 35, signed a one-year contract with Kansas City in January. In 31 appearances with the Royals this season, Chapman is 4-2 with 2 saves, a 2.45 ERA (8 ER in 29.1 IP) and 53 strikeouts.