WICHITA, Kan. (July 27, 2025)—Andrew Cossetti hit two home runs in a 6-4 victory for the Wichita Wind Surge over the Frisco RoughRiders at Equity Bank Park. Wichita takes five of six from Frisco in their first six-game series after the All-Star Break.&nbsp;

Cossetti crushed a three-run homer, his eighth of the year, off the scoreboard in the bottom of the first. The long ball marked the longest of the season hit by anyone at Equity Bank Park at 462 feet.&nbsp;

Aaron Zavala led off the second inning with a solo shot into the RoughRiders bullpen in right-center to make the score 3-1 Wind Surge. Wichita returned to a three-run lead in the home half of the frame on a sac fly to center from Kyler Fedko.&nbsp;

Darren Bowen finished his start with five strikeouts over four innings with an earned run and three hits. The righty tallied 10 punchouts over his two starts this week. John Stankiewicz also faced the minimum, striking out two and giving up a hit over two innings to earn the win and improve to 2-4 this season.&nbsp;

Cossetti left the yard for the second time on a solo home run over the Wind Surge bullpen in the bottom of the sixth for a 5-1 score in favor of Wichita.&nbsp;

Ian Moller connected on a two-run bloop single to right center in the top of the seventh. Josh Hatcher scampered in to score on a wild pitch to put Frisco within a run heading into the stretch.

Kala’i Rosario smoked a high-arcing solo home run, his 13th in 2025, out to left field in the home half of the eighth to get to a 6-4 Wind Surge lead that stayed through the final out.

Cole Percival notched his third save after striking out a pair and giving up one hit in the top of the ninth.&nbsp;

WICHITA, Kan. (July 27, 2025)—Andrew Cossetti hit two home runs in a 6-4 victory for the Wichita Wind Surge over the Frisco RoughRiders at Equity Bank Park. Wichita takes five of six from Frisco in their first six-game series after the All-Star Break.&nbsp;Cossetti crushed a three-run homer, his eighth of the year, off the scoreboard in the bottom of the first. The long ball marked the longest of the season hit by anyone at Equity Bank Park at 462 feet.&nbsp;Aaron Zavala led off the second inning with a solo shot into the RoughRiders bullpen in right-center to make the score 3-1 Wind Surge. Wichita returned to a three-run lead in the home half of the frame on a sac fly to center from Kyler Fedko.&nbsp;Darren Bowen finished his start with five strikeouts over four innings with an earned run and three hits. The righty tallied 10 punchouts over his two starts this week. John Stankiewicz also faced the minimum, striking out two and giving up a hit over two innings to earn the win and improve to 2-4 this season.&nbsp;Cossetti left the yard for the second time on a solo home run over the Wind Surge bullpen in the bottom of the sixth for a 5-1 score in favor of Wichita.&nbsp;Ian Moller connected on a two-run bloop single to right center in the top of the seventh. Josh Hatcher scampered in to score on a wild pitch to put Frisco within a run heading into the stretch.Kala’i Rosario smoked a high-arcing solo home run, his 13th in 2025, out to left field in the home half of the eighth to get to a 6-4 Wind Surge lead that stayed through the final out.Cole Percival notched his third save after striking out a pair and giving up one hit in the top of the ninth.&nbsp;POSTGAME NOTES<ul>
 <li>Andrew Cossetti’s home run in the first is the longest home run hit at Equity Bank Park this season (462 feet).&nbsp;</li><li>Wichita takes five of six from a Texas League South opponent at home for the third time this season (Midland RockHounds, Corpus Christi).&nbsp;</li><li>Andrew Cossetti hits multiple home runs for the second time this season (June 10 vs. Corpus Christi).</li><li>Cole Percival picks up his second save in a four-day span.</li><li>The Wind Surge head down to Texas for a series with the Amarillo Sod Poodles next week.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul>

Wichita Powers Along To Victory In Series Finale With Frisco

KANSAS CITY, Mo.—The Kansas City Royals announced tonight that they have acquired outfielder&nbsp;Randal Grichuk&nbsp;(GRICH-ick) from the Arizona Diamondbacks for right-handed pitcher&nbsp;Andrew Hoffmann. To make room on the 26-man roster, outfielder&nbsp;Jac Caglianone&nbsp;was placed on the 10-day Injured List (left hamstring strain).

Grichuk, 33, entered tonight batting .243 (42-for-173) with 15 doubles, 1 triple and 7 home runs (.742 OPS) in 69 games with the Diamondbacks this season, after re-signing with them on a one-year deal in February. He’s made 40 starts this season, including 23 as the designated hitter, 16 in right field and 1 in left field.

Five of his 7 HR this season have come against left-handed pitchers, and he owns a career .827 OPS against southpaws. Since 2022, his .553 slugging percentage vs. left handers ranks 5th in the Majors (min. 500 PA) behind only&nbsp;Aaron Judge&nbsp;(.703),&nbsp;Paul Goldschmidt&nbsp;(.583),&nbsp;Yordan Alvarez&nbsp;(.577) and&nbsp;Mookie Betts&nbsp;(.561).

In 15 games this month entering tonight, Grichuk hit .256 (11-for-43) and 9 of his 11 hits have gone for extra bases, including 5 doubles and 4 home runs, for a .924 OPS.

Grichuk was selected by the Angels in the 1st round (24th overall) of the 2009 First-Year Player Draft and made his Major League debut in 2014 with St. Louis, where he played the first four seasons of his career through 2017. He’s also played for Toronto (2018-21), Colorado (2022-23), the Angels (2023) and Arizona (2024-25).

A 12-year Major League veteran, Grichuk has 504 career extra-base hits (28th among active players), including 210 home runs (31st among actives).

KANSAS CITY, Mo.—The Kansas City Royals announced tonight that they have acquired outfielder&nbsp;Randal Grichuk&nbsp;(GRICH-ick) from the Arizona Diamondbacks for right-handed pitcher&nbsp;Andrew Hoffmann. To make room on the 26-man roster, outfielder&nbsp;Jac Caglianone&nbsp;was placed on the 10-day Injured List (left hamstring strain).Grichuk, 33, entered tonight batting .243 (42-for-173) with 15 doubles, 1 triple and 7 home runs (.742 OPS) in 69 games with the Diamondbacks this season, after re-signing with them on a one-year deal in February. He’s made 40 starts this season, including 23 as the designated hitter, 16 in right field and 1 in left field.Five of his 7 HR this season have come against left-handed pitchers, and he owns a career .827 OPS against southpaws. Since 2022, his .553 slugging percentage vs. left handers ranks 5th in the Majors (min. 500 PA) behind only&nbsp;Aaron Judge&nbsp;(.703),&nbsp;Paul Goldschmidt&nbsp;(.583),&nbsp;Yordan Alvarez&nbsp;(.577) and&nbsp;Mookie Betts&nbsp;(.561).In 15 games this month entering tonight, Grichuk hit .256 (11-for-43) and 9 of his 11 hits have gone for extra bases, including 5 doubles and 4 home runs, for a .924 OPS.Grichuk was selected by the Angels in the 1st round (24th overall) of the 2009 First-Year Player Draft and made his Major League debut in 2014 with St. Louis, where he played the first four seasons of his career through 2017. He’s also played for Toronto (2018-21), Colorado (2022-23), the Angels (2023) and Arizona (2024-25).A 12-year Major League veteran, Grichuk has 504 career extra-base hits (28th among active players), including 210 home runs (31st among actives).

Royals Acquire Outfielder Randal Grichuk from Arizona

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Noah Cameron escaped a bases-loaded jam in the first before tossing five innings of three-hit ball, Maikel Garcia homered for the second time in three games, and the Kansas City Royals beat the Cleveland Guardians 4-1 on Sunday.

Garcia finished with two RBIs, and Vinnie Pasquantino and Luke Maile also drove in runs, while the Kansas City bullpen allowed only Gabriel Arias' homer amid four hits over the final four innings.

Carlos Estévez worked around a leadoff double in the ninth for his 27th save.

Cameron (5-4) was stingy after the first, when Steven Kwan, Angel Martínez and José Ramírez began the game by loading the bases with nobody out. Cameron rebounded to retire David Fry, Carlos Santana and Arias, then allowed only two baserunners in the next four innings. He also struck out six in another dominant performance.

The 26-year-old left-hander from nearby St. Joseph, Missouri, lowered his ERA to 2.44 and has not lost a game since June 27.

Joey Cantillo (2-1) lasted only four innings for Cleveland on a hot, humid day in Kansas City. He allowed three runs and three hits and four walks while striking out four in his fifth start since joining the Guardians' rotation.

Cantillo had twice faced Kansas City in relief this season, retiring all six he faced and striking out four of them.

The fruitless first proved to be pivotal for Cleveland, when Fry flied out to right, Santana struck out and Arias grounded out to end the inning. Kansas City proceeded to coax across two runs in the bottom half and never trailed.

The Royals won despite going 0 for 6 with runners in scoring position.

The Guardians return home to face Colorado on Monday night with RHP Slade Cecconi (5-4, 3.76 ERA) starting the opener. The Royals welcome the Braves on Monday night with LHP Rich Hill (0-1, 1.80) on the mound first for the three-game series.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1753651898491.jpeg" alt="St. Joseph's Noah Cameron continued to make a strong case for an AL Rookie of the Year bid with another strong performance as the Royals clinched the series over the Guardians-Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>St. Joseph's Noah Cameron continued to make a strong case for an AL Rookie of the Year bid with another strong performance as the Royals clinched the series over the Guardians-Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Noah Cameron escaped a bases-loaded jam in the first before tossing five innings of three-hit ball, Maikel Garcia homered for the second time in three games, and the Kansas City Royals beat the Cleveland Guardians 4-1 on Sunday.Garcia finished with two RBIs, and Vinnie Pasquantino and Luke Maile also drove in runs, while the Kansas City bullpen allowed only Gabriel Arias' homer amid four hits over the final four innings.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1753654434475.png" alt="Photo Kansas City Royals" />
 <figcaption>Photo Kansas City Royals</figcaption>
 </figure>Carlos Estévez worked around a leadoff double in the ninth for his 27th save.Cameron (5-4) was stingy after the first, when Steven Kwan, Angel Martínez and José Ramírez began the game by loading the bases with nobody out. Cameron rebounded to retire David Fry, Carlos Santana and Arias, then allowed only two baserunners in the next four innings. He also struck out six in another dominant performance.The 26-year-old left-hander from nearby St. Joseph, Missouri, lowered his ERA to 2.44 and has not lost a game since June 27.Joey Cantillo (2-1) lasted only four innings for Cleveland on a hot, humid day in Kansas City. He allowed three runs and three hits and four walks while striking out four in his fifth start since joining the Guardians' rotation.Cantillo had twice faced Kansas City in relief this season, retiring all six he faced and striking out four of them.<h2>Key moment</h2>The fruitless first proved to be pivotal for Cleveland, when Fry flied out to right, Santana struck out and Arias grounded out to end the inning. Kansas City proceeded to coax across two runs in the bottom half and never trailed.<h2>Key stat</h2>The Royals won despite going 0 for 6 with runners in scoring position.<h2>Up next</h2>The Guardians return home to face Colorado on Monday night with RHP Slade Cecconi (5-4, 3.76 ERA) starting the opener. The Royals welcome the Braves on Monday night with LHP Rich Hill (0-1, 1.80) on the mound first for the three-game series.

⚾Maikel Garcia homers to lead the Royals over Guardians

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Royals placed All-Star left-hander Kris Bubic on the 15-day injured list with a rotator cuff strain and outfielder Jac Caglianone on the 10-day IL with a strained left hamstring amid a series of moves before their series finale against Cleveland on Sunday.

The Royals also welcomed outfielder Randal Grichuk, who was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/royals-diamondbacks-trade-87f6f60e37cd00beaeb9c3924e2c922b">acquired on Saturday night</a>&nbsp;in a deal that shipped reliever Andrew Hoffmann to Arizona, and recalled right-handed reliever Jonathan Bowlan from Triple-A Omaha to help the bullpen.

Bubic walked the first four batters he faced and only managed to last 2 2/3 innings&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/guardians-royals-score-e9dff49ae08ba862a081e7ebbf3ba835">against the Guardians on Saturday</a>, when he started the second game of a split doubleheader. He needed 42 pitches to get through the first inning, and he wound up allowing four runs and three hits in his shortest start since Sept. 18, 2022, at Boston.

“He’s getting some further testing and then we’ll talk to the doc here and see what we got,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said.

Bubic said he’s experienced some shoulder soreness for much of the season, but he’s been able to pitch through it at a break-through level. Even with the rocky start Saturday, he has a 2.55 ERA — the fifth-best mark in the American League.

“I mean, you see how he’s performed,” Quatraro said. “Most pitchers when they go out there, they feel something almost every time. The severity of it and his ability to continue to deal with it has been manageable, by his own admission. ... And it’s gotten to the point where, you know, he doesn’t, and we don’t feel like it’s best for him to keep fighting through it.”

The Royals rotation has suddenly thinned considerably. Left-hander Cole Ragans remains on the IL with a strained rotator cuff and is not expected back until late August, and right-hander Michael Lorenzen is progressing from his strained left oblique but may need to make a rehab start before he returns to the Royals sometime in August.

The Royals already have had to plug one spot with 45-year-old Rich Hill, who pitched well in his debut for them this past week.

Caglianone, the Royals’ 22-year-old power-hitter, felt tightness in his hamstring while running down a double into the gap in the first game of Saturday’s doubleheader. Then he felt the twinge again while running to first on a groundout later the inning.

The timing of the injury could have been worse: The Royals had been working on a deal to land Grichuk, who nearly signed with them in the offseason but will now help them primarily against left-handed hitting for the rest of the season.

“You’ve seen our outfield had gotten very heavily left-handed. Something we thought we needed to add was a right-handed bat,” said Quatraro, whose team began the day 51-54 and 4 1/2 games back in the AL wild-card race.

Grichuk was 0 for 2 on Saturday night in Pittsburgh, flying out in the second inning and the fourth, when he was told by the Diamondbacks that he had been traded. He hugged several teammates in the dugout and then headed out, catching a flight first thing Sunday so that he could be in Kansas City in time for the series finale against the Guardians.

He was put in the starting lineup right away, batting sixth and playing right field.

“When they called they said, ‘If you’re willing to be here to play, you know, we want you in the starting lineup,’” Grichuk said, “and yeah, I want to play. That’s kind of my M.O. And so I said, ‘Let’s do it. We’ll make it happen, even if it’s crazy travel.’”

The one hang-up was Grichuk’s number: He’s always worn 15 and that number was taken by backup catcher Luke Maile. But it turns out the two knew each other from their days together in Toronto, so a quick text message smoothed things out. Maile took No. 17 and gave his old buddy No. 15 — “We’ll work something out,” Grichuk said of potential compensation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1748859163449.jpeg" alt="Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Kris Bubic throws to a Detroit Tigers batter during the first inning of a baseball game in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, June 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Kris Bubic throws to a Detroit Tigers batter during the first inning of a baseball game in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, June 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Royals placed All-Star left-hander Kris Bubic on the 15-day injured list with a rotator cuff strain and outfielder Jac Caglianone on the 10-day IL with a strained left hamstring amid a series of moves before their series finale against Cleveland on Sunday.The Royals also welcomed outfielder Randal Grichuk, who was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/royals-diamondbacks-trade-87f6f60e37cd00beaeb9c3924e2c922b">acquired on Saturday night</a>&nbsp;in a deal that shipped reliever Andrew Hoffmann to Arizona, and recalled right-handed reliever Jonathan Bowlan from Triple-A Omaha to help the bullpen.Bubic walked the first four batters he faced and only managed to last 2 2/3 innings&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/guardians-royals-score-e9dff49ae08ba862a081e7ebbf3ba835">against the Guardians on Saturday</a>, when he started the second game of a split doubleheader. He needed 42 pitches to get through the first inning, and he wound up allowing four runs and three hits in his shortest start since Sept. 18, 2022, at Boston.“He’s getting some further testing and then we’ll talk to the doc here and see what we got,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said.Bubic said he’s experienced some shoulder soreness for much of the season, but he’s been able to pitch through it at a break-through level. Even with the rocky start Saturday, he has a 2.55 ERA — the fifth-best mark in the American League.“I mean, you see how he’s performed,” Quatraro said. “Most pitchers when they go out there, they feel something almost every time. The severity of it and his ability to continue to deal with it has been manageable, by his own admission. ... And it’s gotten to the point where, you know, he doesn’t, and we don’t feel like it’s best for him to keep fighting through it.”The Royals rotation has suddenly thinned considerably. Left-hander Cole Ragans remains on the IL with a strained rotator cuff and is not expected back until late August, and right-hander Michael Lorenzen is progressing from his strained left oblique but may need to make a rehab start before he returns to the Royals sometime in August.The Royals already have had to plug one spot with 45-year-old Rich Hill, who pitched well in his debut for them this past week.Caglianone, the Royals’ 22-year-old power-hitter, felt tightness in his hamstring while running down a double into the gap in the first game of Saturday’s doubleheader. Then he felt the twinge again while running to first on a groundout later the inning.The timing of the injury could have been worse: The Royals had been working on a deal to land Grichuk, who nearly signed with them in the offseason but will now help them primarily against left-handed hitting for the rest of the season.“You’ve seen our outfield had gotten very heavily left-handed. Something we thought we needed to add was a right-handed bat,” said Quatraro, whose team began the day 51-54 and 4 1/2 games back in the AL wild-card race.Grichuk was 0 for 2 on Saturday night in Pittsburgh, flying out in the second inning and the fourth, when he was told by the Diamondbacks that he had been traded. He hugged several teammates in the dugout and then headed out, catching a flight first thing Sunday so that he could be in Kansas City in time for the series finale against the Guardians.He was put in the starting lineup right away, batting sixth and playing right field.“When they called they said, ‘If you’re willing to be here to play, you know, we want you in the starting lineup,’” Grichuk said, “and yeah, I want to play. That’s kind of my M.O. And so I said, ‘Let’s do it. We’ll make it happen, even if it’s crazy travel.’”The one hang-up was Grichuk’s number: He’s always worn 15 and that number was taken by backup catcher Luke Maile. But it turns out the two knew each other from their days together in Toronto, so a quick text message smoothed things out. Maile took No. 17 and gave his old buddy No. 15 — “We’ll work something out,” Grichuk said of potential compensation.

⚾ Royals put Kris Bubic, Jac Caglianone on IL; newly acquired Randal Grichuk into starting lineup

WICHITA, Kan. (July 26, 2025)—Mike Paredes staved off a late comeback in a 3-2 Wichita Wind Surge win over the Frisco RoughRiders at Equity Bank Park. The victory gives the Wind Surge the series heading into the Sunday finale tomorrow afternoon.&nbsp;

A bases-loaded error on the infield off the bat of Kala’i Rosario plated the first run of the game for Wichita in the home half of the third. Walker Jenkins hit a sacrifice fly out to center field to double the Wind Surge lead to 2-0 two innings later.

Connor Prielipp broke through the four-frame barrier for the second time this season, striking out five against three hits and a walk over four and one-third innings of scoreless baseball. Joel Cesar also notched a pair of strikeouts and retired all five men he faced over an inning and two-thirds following the southpaw starter to earn the win and improve to 3-3 in 2025.

Sebastian Walcott lined a solo home run 107 miles per hour off his bat to left field to cut the Wichita advantage in half before the stretch in the seventh. After being awarded second base on a walk in the bottom of the seventh, Kaelen Culpepper stole third base and took home plate after a throwing error to make the score 3-1 Wind Surge after seven.&nbsp;

Alejandro Osuna brought the RoughRiders back within one on an RBI single up the middle in the top of the eighth, but Paredes would bounce back and retire four of the next five to secure a 3-2 Wichita win and his second save of the year. Paredes pitched the final three frames, giving up two earned runs with five hits and a pair of strikeouts.&nbsp;

WICHITA, Kan. (July 26, 2025)—Mike Paredes staved off a late comeback in a 3-2 Wichita Wind Surge win over the Frisco RoughRiders at Equity Bank Park. The victory gives the Wind Surge the series heading into the Sunday finale tomorrow afternoon.&nbsp;A bases-loaded error on the infield off the bat of Kala’i Rosario plated the first run of the game for Wichita in the home half of the third. Walker Jenkins hit a sacrifice fly out to center field to double the Wind Surge lead to 2-0 two innings later.Connor Prielipp broke through the four-frame barrier for the second time this season, striking out five against three hits and a walk over four and one-third innings of scoreless baseball. Joel Cesar also notched a pair of strikeouts and retired all five men he faced over an inning and two-thirds following the southpaw starter to earn the win and improve to 3-3 in 2025.Sebastian Walcott lined a solo home run 107 miles per hour off his bat to left field to cut the Wichita advantage in half before the stretch in the seventh. After being awarded second base on a walk in the bottom of the seventh, Kaelen Culpepper stole third base and took home plate after a throwing error to make the score 3-1 Wind Surge after seven.&nbsp;Alejandro Osuna brought the RoughRiders back within one on an RBI single up the middle in the top of the eighth, but Paredes would bounce back and retire four of the next five to secure a 3-2 Wichita win and his second save of the year. Paredes pitched the final three frames, giving up two earned runs with five hits and a pair of strikeouts.&nbsp;POSTGAME NOTES<ul>
 <li>Connor Prielipp pitches more than four innings for the second time this season (4.2 IP on June 7 @ Northwest Arkansas).</li><li>The first and final runs for the Wind Surge happened on errors.&nbsp;</li><li>Wichita takes the series over Frisco with wins in four of the five games so far.</li><li>Mike Paredes records his second save of the season.</li><li>The Wind Surge improve to 9-19 in one-run games in 2025.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul>

Wind Surge Take Series Over RoughRiders

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Steven Kwan hit a two-run home run, Tanner Bibee struck out eight in five innings, and the Cleveland Guardians beat the Kansas City Royals 6-4 on Saturday night to earn a doubleheader split.

Kansas City&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cleveland-guardians-kansas-city-royals-score-bc3d30f7d34788831c14afe7331d699f">won the first game 5-3</a>&nbsp;with a walk-off homer in the 10th inning. The Guardians have not swept the Royals in a doubleheader since April 24, 2008.

Kwan's 431-foot home run into the right field fountains of Kauffman Stadium gave the Guardians a 6-2 lead.

The Guardians drew four straight walks in the first with Carlos Santana drawing the RBI walk to give Cleveland a 1-0 lead. Johnathan Rodríguez extended the lead with a two-run double in the first. Daniel Schneemann hit a sacrifice fly RBI in the third.

Bobby Witt Jr. and Freddy Fermin each hit two-run home runs for Kansas City.

Bibee (7-9) allowed four runs on seven hits for his third straight win. After taking the loss in game one, Emmanuel Clase earned his 24th save of the season.

Kris Bubic (8-7) gave up four runs on three hits in 2 2/3 innings of work with four walks and one strikeout. Bubic got off to a slow start, throwing 42 pitches in the first inning. The four walks matched a season-high.

Jac Caglianone exited game one on Saturday with left groin tightness and was moved to the 10-day injured list with a left hamstring strain.

Kwan's home run was the spark the Guardians needed to get the win. Since July 7, Cleveland has homered in 14 of 16 games.

Santana drew his 133rd career walk against the Royals, which tied Rickey Henderson for most career walks vs. Kansas City.

LHP Joey Cantillo (2-0, 3.91 ERA) will start the series finale for Cleveland. LHP Noah Cameron (4-4, 2.61) is slated to take the mound for Kansas City.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Steven Kwan hit a two-run home run, Tanner Bibee struck out eight in five innings, and the Cleveland Guardians beat the Kansas City Royals 6-4 on Saturday night to earn a doubleheader split.Kansas City&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cleveland-guardians-kansas-city-royals-score-bc3d30f7d34788831c14afe7331d699f">won the first game 5-3</a>&nbsp;with a walk-off homer in the 10th inning. The Guardians have not swept the Royals in a doubleheader since April 24, 2008.Kwan's 431-foot home run into the right field fountains of Kauffman Stadium gave the Guardians a 6-2 lead.The Guardians drew four straight walks in the first with Carlos Santana drawing the RBI walk to give Cleveland a 1-0 lead. Johnathan Rodríguez extended the lead with a two-run double in the first. Daniel Schneemann hit a sacrifice fly RBI in the third.Bobby Witt Jr. and Freddy Fermin each hit two-run home runs for Kansas City.Bibee (7-9) allowed four runs on seven hits for his third straight win. After taking the loss in game one, Emmanuel Clase earned his 24th save of the season.Kris Bubic (8-7) gave up four runs on three hits in 2 2/3 innings of work with four walks and one strikeout. Bubic got off to a slow start, throwing 42 pitches in the first inning. The four walks matched a season-high.Jac Caglianone exited game one on Saturday with left groin tightness and was moved to the 10-day injured list with a left hamstring strain.<h2>Key moment</h2>Kwan's home run was the spark the Guardians needed to get the win. Since July 7, Cleveland has homered in 14 of 16 games.<h2>Key stat</h2>Santana drew his 133rd career walk against the Royals, which tied Rickey Henderson for most career walks vs. Kansas City.<h2>Up next</h2>LHP Joey Cantillo (2-0, 3.91 ERA) will start the series finale for Cleveland. LHP Noah Cameron (4-4, 2.61) is slated to take the mound for Kansas City.

⚾ Kwan's homer lifts Guardians over Royals and doubleheader split

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Jonathan India hit a three-run home run in the 10th inning to send the Kansas City Royals past the Cleveland Guardians 5-3 on Saturday in the first game of a doubleheader.

Trailing 3-2, John Rave and Luke Maile walked to lead off the 10th off Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase (5-3).

Automatic runner Tyler Tolbert was picked off second base after Rave's walk. India's 413-foot drive to left center won it for the Royals. It was India’s fifth homer of the season.

Kyle Manzardo's bases-loaded RBI single in the top of the 10th gave the Guardians a 3-2 lead.

Steven Cruz (3-1) earned the win for Kansas City.

Maikel Garcia went 2-for-3 with a two-run home run, triple and a walk. Salvador Perez had a two-hit game with a double. Garcia's two-run homer in the fourth inning gave the Royals a 2-0 lead. It was his ninth homer of the season.

Bo Naylor drove in both of the runs for the Guardians with a sac fly in the fifth and an RBI double in the seventh.

Kansas City's Michael Wacha pitched 5 1-3 innings of one-run ball, allowing three hits with five strikeouts and one walk.

Gavin Williams gave up two runs and five hits in six innings with three strikeouts and two walks for the Royals.

The series opener on Friday game was postponed because of weather, which set up a split doubleheader on Saturday.

Missed opportunities in the later innings cost the Guardians. With two on and one out in the seventh, Brayan Rocchio attempted to score from first on Naylor’s RBI double, but was thrown out at home. Cleveland had runners on first and second with one out in the ninth and had the bases loaded in the 10th, but only scored once. The Guardians went 3-for-14 with runners in scoring position and left 10 runners on base.

Jac Caglianone (left hamstring tightness) left the game in the top of the third inning after grounding into a double play in the bottom of the second.

This was the first matchup for between the AL Central foes since April 13. For the Royals, it was the first divisional game since June 8.

RHP Tanner Bibee (6-9, 4.27 ERA) will start for Cleveland in the second game. LHP Kris Bubic (8-6, 2.38) will counter for Kansas City.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1753569070739.png" alt="Photo Kansas City Royals" />
 <figcaption>Photo Kansas City Royals</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Jonathan India hit a three-run home run in the 10th inning to send the Kansas City Royals past the Cleveland Guardians 5-3 on Saturday in the first game of a doubleheader.Trailing 3-2, John Rave and Luke Maile walked to lead off the 10th off Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase (5-3).Automatic runner Tyler Tolbert was picked off second base after Rave's walk. India's 413-foot drive to left center won it for the Royals. It was India’s fifth homer of the season.Kyle Manzardo's bases-loaded RBI single in the top of the 10th gave the Guardians a 3-2 lead.Steven Cruz (3-1) earned the win for Kansas City.Maikel Garcia went 2-for-3 with a two-run home run, triple and a walk. Salvador Perez had a two-hit game with a double. Garcia's two-run homer in the fourth inning gave the Royals a 2-0 lead. It was his ninth homer of the season.Bo Naylor drove in both of the runs for the Guardians with a sac fly in the fifth and an RBI double in the seventh.Kansas City's Michael Wacha pitched 5 1-3 innings of one-run ball, allowing three hits with five strikeouts and one walk.Gavin Williams gave up two runs and five hits in six innings with three strikeouts and two walks for the Royals.The series opener on Friday game was postponed because of weather, which set up a split doubleheader on Saturday.<h2>Key moment</h2>Missed opportunities in the later innings cost the Guardians. With two on and one out in the seventh, Brayan Rocchio attempted to score from first on Naylor’s RBI double, but was thrown out at home. Cleveland had runners on first and second with one out in the ninth and had the bases loaded in the 10th, but only scored once. The Guardians went 3-for-14 with runners in scoring position and left 10 runners on base.<h2>Trainer’s room</h2>Jac Caglianone (left hamstring tightness) left the game in the top of the third inning after grounding into a double play in the bottom of the second.<h2>Key stats</h2>This was the first matchup for between the AL Central foes since April 13. For the Royals, it was the first divisional game since June 8.<h2>Up next</h2>RHP Tanner Bibee (6-9, 4.27 ERA) will start for Cleveland in the second game. LHP Kris Bubic (8-6, 2.38) will counter for Kansas City.___

⚾ Royals rally past Guardians in 10 innings in first game of doubleheader

ASSISTANT HEAD COACH/SPECIAL TEAMS COORDINATOR DAVE TOUB

Q: Can you take us through the competition at punt returner and kickoff returner?

TOUB:&nbsp;“Right now, I mean, it’s so early right now obviously, but punt returner, I’m excited about Brashard (Brashard Smith). He keeps getting better and better, didn’t do it a lot in college, so this is a new for him, but he’s really a good catcher, you know? And then obviously, Nikko (Nikko Remigio) just keeps getting better and better every day. He doesn’t make any mistakes. He’ll catch every ball. He’s dependable. And Worthy (Xavier Worthy), he’s working back there as well. That’s going to be a big question (on) whether I can use him or not; obviously I’d love to have him back there, especially in certain situations, because he’s that guy that can really be dynamic with his top end speed. But obviously, you know, it’s all going to depend on what’s going on with Rashee (Rashee Rice). And then you know, other guys that are in there are all doing a good job. They’re all working hard. It’s going to take the preseason games to make a real good judgement on that.&nbsp; Right now, Nikko is as far and above everybody else right now, just because he keeps getting better. And as far as the punter situation, that’s a big question, and we got the punters too, but as far as the punters go it’s a good competition. I think we have two NFL punters; I said that during the offseason. I still believe it. Matt (Matt Araiza) has come in right now, and he’s probably got the edge over these first few days; but I expect, you know, just because it was new for Eddie (Eddie Czaplicki) with all the fans and everything, and I think Eddie will get better next week. But it’s a real competition, and obviously we’re gonna take it into the games and see who prevails on that thing.”

Q: What is the most important thing you want to improve upon when it comes to punting?

TOUB:&nbsp;“I want to see (us get) better in the pooch area. We worked on that today; that was one of the things we worked on. I want to see them be more aggressive, let’s get the ball inside the five. You know they can kick it high and make a fair catch at the 15, but that’s not what we want. If a team’s making us punt at the 50, we want to get him inside the 10, or even the five, for that matter. So, we want to push that envelope. Matt’s (Matt Araiza) gotten better at his hang times on pooches, we just got to get it down the field a little bit more. And that’s both guys, they need to push the envelope, especially in practice.”&nbsp;

Q: What’s the timeline for deciding on a punter?

TOUB:&nbsp;“That’ll come down – like (General Manager Brett) Veach might hit me up, like ‘Hey, you know, where are we going,’ because we’re always – because right now we don’t have any injuries, knock (on) wood, I mean we don’t have anything serious, we don’t have to bring anyone in from the outside. As soon as that happens, you got 90 guys you got to work with, and sometimes you got to make decisions. Sometimes that issue gets pressed a little bit, but right now, we don’t have to rush on it.”

Q: The kickoff rules changed again, how are you going to adapt?

TOUB:&nbsp;(laughter) “All right, I’ll answer the real question first, which is a good question, because it’s going to change a lot, you know with the new kickoff rule. If you hit a touchback, if the ball flies into the end zone, last year, you got the ball at the 30. Now you get the ball at the 35. That’s going to change everything. So, teams are going to want to hit it into the target zone just about every time. And that means there’s going to be returns every time. It means you got to cover every kick, every time. So that’s why we work on it. You see us working on it every day because that’s going to be a big factor. Big influence in games is, you know, kick return and kickoff. So that’s where it is going to change a lot, as far as that goes, which is a good thing. To me, it’s a positive change. It’s good for all special teams and special teams’ coaches, because that makes the plays more relevant. And the fans are going to like it too because now there are more plays. You know, you’re not seeing touchbacks, because last year, it was just a wash. The ball was getting to the 30, they kick off, you might as well kick a touchback, get it to the 30. So, this will be a lot better.”

Q: How does it feel to be a part of the Chiefs?

MITCHELL:&nbsp;“Man, it feels amazing. It is a winning program, and you know what it is when you come and you want to be apart of that winning program.”

Q: What is it like working with Patrick Mahomes, have you had the no look pass come at you yet?

MITCHELL:&nbsp;“Man, I had a behind the back (pass) my first week here. One thing about Pat (Patrick Mahomes) is you got to always have to stay ready with him.”

Q: What are your thoughts on Kareem Hunt and Isiah Pacheco?

MITCHELL:&nbsp;“They (Kareem Hunt and Isiah Pacheco) are all beasts, man. They can do everything, so they really push you to go to work every day.”

Q:&nbsp;Which offensive lineman has been the most challenging so far?

NORMAN-LOTT:&nbsp;“(Creed) Humphrey is a brick wall (laughter). No, no I’m not laughing (laughs) I’m serious, seriously, I would say Creed.”

Q:&nbsp;Did you feel like you were ready for your first NFL training camp?

NORMAN-LOTT:&nbsp;“Yeah, I do believe I was ready but, you know, it is getting back into the groove of things, you always have that and that is kind of what this week was for, just to get us back into the groove. We come (back) on Sunday, and we get into pads and we are full-go.”

Q:&nbsp;What changes when the pads finally come on two days from now?

NORMAN-LOTT:&nbsp;“Probably just the level of physicality. I mean we are kind of already moving – I play a position, me in the O-Lineman and my teammates, we all play a position where we are in contact and engaged every play. So, it kind of doesn’t really make a difference but it gets more physical.”

Q: What are your ambitions for the defense this season?&nbsp;

BOLTON:&nbsp;“Yeah, we had a pretty good defense last year in terms of efficiency. We also want to be a top defense in this league. I think we got the personnel, the players and the coaches to do so. It’s about executing week to week and giving ourselves an opportunity to win football games, to help our team win, and ultimately, get back to the end game. But I feel like we could be the number one defense in this league, and that’s my motivation as we keep going in training camp.”

Q: You’ve proven yourself in the league, and you’ve proven that you know this defense. What is your biggest challenge when you get up every day?

BOLTON:&nbsp;“Yeah man, just not being complacent. I (have) a lot of stuff that I still haven’t done in this league. Won Super Bowls, that’s cool, but individual success and all of that type of stuff – I haven’t really accomplished. So, I get out of bed every morning and be the best version of myself. I don’t feel like I’ve done that yet, so I’m still striving every day to do that. And that’s kind of my motivation every time I get up for camp.”&nbsp;

Q: How has the competition been between the offense and defense so far?&nbsp;&nbsp;

Chiefs Coordinator QuotesJuly 25, 2025ASSISTANT HEAD COACH/SPECIAL TEAMS COORDINATOR DAVE TOUBQ: Can you take us through the competition at punt returner and kickoff returner?TOUB:&nbsp;“Right now, I mean, it’s so early right now obviously, but punt returner, I’m excited about Brashard (Brashard Smith). He keeps getting better and better, didn’t do it a lot in college, so this is a new for him, but he’s really a good catcher, you know? And then obviously, Nikko (Nikko Remigio) just keeps getting better and better every day. He doesn’t make any mistakes. He’ll catch every ball. He’s dependable. And Worthy (Xavier Worthy), he’s working back there as well. That’s going to be a big question (on) whether I can use him or not; obviously I’d love to have him back there, especially in certain situations, because he’s that guy that can really be dynamic with his top end speed. But obviously, you know, it’s all going to depend on what’s going on with Rashee (Rashee Rice). And then you know, other guys that are in there are all doing a good job. They’re all working hard. It’s going to take the preseason games to make a real good judgement on that.&nbsp; Right now, Nikko is as far and above everybody else right now, just because he keeps getting better. And as far as the punter situation, that’s a big question, and we got the punters too, but as far as the punters go it’s a good competition. I think we have two NFL punters; I said that during the offseason. I still believe it. Matt (Matt Araiza) has come in right now, and he’s probably got the edge over these first few days; but I expect, you know, just because it was new for Eddie (Eddie Czaplicki) with all the fans and everything, and I think Eddie will get better next week. But it’s a real competition, and obviously we’re gonna take it into the games and see who prevails on that thing.”Q: What is the most important thing you want to improve upon when it comes to punting?TOUB:&nbsp;“I want to see (us get) better in the pooch area. We worked on that today; that was one of the things we worked on. I want to see them be more aggressive, let’s get the ball inside the five. You know they can kick it high and make a fair catch at the 15, but that’s not what we want. If a team’s making us punt at the 50, we want to get him inside the 10, or even the five, for that matter. So, we want to push that envelope. Matt’s (Matt Araiza) gotten better at his hang times on pooches, we just got to get it down the field a little bit more. And that’s both guys, they need to push the envelope, especially in practice.”&nbsp;Q: What’s the timeline for deciding on a punter?TOUB:&nbsp;“That’ll come down – like (General Manager Brett) Veach might hit me up, like ‘Hey, you know, where are we going,’ because we’re always – because right now we don’t have any injuries, knock (on) wood, I mean we don’t have anything serious, we don’t have to bring anyone in from the outside. As soon as that happens, you got 90 guys you got to work with, and sometimes you got to make decisions. Sometimes that issue gets pressed a little bit, but right now, we don’t have to rush on it.”Q: The kickoff rules changed again, how are you going to adapt?TOUB:&nbsp;(laughter) “All right, I’ll answer the real question first, which is a good question, because it’s going to change a lot, you know with the new kickoff rule. If you hit a touchback, if the ball flies into the end zone, last year, you got the ball at the 30. Now you get the ball at the 35. That’s going to change everything. So, teams are going to want to hit it into the target zone just about every time. And that means there’s going to be returns every time. It means you got to cover every kick, every time. So that’s why we work on it. You see us working on it every day because that’s going to be a big factor. Big influence in games is, you know, kick return and kickoff. So that’s where it is going to change a lot, as far as that goes, which is a good thing. To me, it’s a positive change. It’s good for all special teams and special teams’ coaches, because that makes the plays more relevant. And the fans are going to like it too because now there are more plays. You know, you’re not seeing touchbacks, because last year, it was just a wash. The ball was getting to the 30, they kick off, you might as well kick a touchback, get it to the 30. So, this will be a lot better.”Chiefs Player QuotesJuly 25, 2025RB ELIJAH MITCHELLQ: How does it feel to be a part of the Chiefs?MITCHELL:&nbsp;“Man, it feels amazing. It is a winning program, and you know what it is when you come and you want to be apart of that winning program.”Q: What is it like working with Patrick Mahomes, have you had the no look pass come at you yet?MITCHELL:&nbsp;“Man, I had a behind the back (pass) my first week here. One thing about Pat (Patrick Mahomes) is you got to always have to stay ready with him.”Q: What are your thoughts on Kareem Hunt and Isiah Pacheco?MITCHELL:&nbsp;“They (Kareem Hunt and Isiah Pacheco) are all beasts, man. They can do everything, so they really push you to go to work every day.”DT OMARR NORMAN-LOTTQ:&nbsp;Which offensive lineman has been the most challenging so far?NORMAN-LOTT:&nbsp;“(Creed) Humphrey is a brick wall (laughter). No, no I’m not laughing (laughs) I’m serious, seriously, I would say Creed.”Q:&nbsp;Did you feel like you were ready for your first NFL training camp?NORMAN-LOTT:&nbsp;“Yeah, I do believe I was ready but, you know, it is getting back into the groove of things, you always have that and that is kind of what this week was for, just to get us back into the groove. We come (back) on Sunday, and we get into pads and we are full-go.”Q:&nbsp;What changes when the pads finally come on two days from now?NORMAN-LOTT:&nbsp;“Probably just the level of physicality. I mean we are kind of already moving – I play a position, me in the O-Lineman and my teammates, we all play a position where we are in contact and engaged every play. So, it kind of doesn’t really make a difference but it gets more physical.”LB NICK BOLTONQ: What are your ambitions for the defense this season?&nbsp;BOLTON:&nbsp;“Yeah, we had a pretty good defense last year in terms of efficiency. We also want to be a top defense in this league. I think we got the personnel, the players and the coaches to do so. It’s about executing week to week and giving ourselves an opportunity to win football games, to help our team win, and ultimately, get back to the end game. But I feel like we could be the number one defense in this league, and that’s my motivation as we keep going in training camp.”Q: You’ve proven yourself in the league, and you’ve proven that you know this defense. What is your biggest challenge when you get up every day?BOLTON:&nbsp;“Yeah man, just not being complacent. I (have) a lot of stuff that I still haven’t done in this league. Won Super Bowls, that’s cool, but individual success and all of that type of stuff – I haven’t really accomplished. So, I get out of bed every morning and be the best version of myself. I don’t feel like I’ve done that yet, so I’m still striving every day to do that. And that’s kind of my motivation every time I get up for camp.”&nbsp;Q: How has the competition been between the offense and defense so far?&nbsp;&nbsp;

Chiefs Quotes: 7-25-25

WICHITA, Kan. (July 25, 2025)—Ben Ross hit a two-run home run in a 3-0 Wichita Wind Surge victory over the Frisco RoughRiders in a four-and-a-half-inning contest at Equity Bank Park. The game marked the quickest of the year for the Wind Surge at 1 hour and 59 minutes.&nbsp;

Ricardo Olivar pummeled a ground ball 103 miles per hour off his bat into left center to bring in Kala’i Rosario for the game’s first run in the bottom of the second.&nbsp;

John Klein struck out five men, including Major League rehabber Joc Pederson, over four innings while giving up three hits and three walks. He’d receive the win in the rain-shortened game and improve to 7-5 in 2025.&nbsp;

Ross yanked a two-run home run, his sixth of the season, out to left field to give Wichita a 3-0 lead in the home half of the fourth.&nbsp;

After Jacob Wosinski threw a routine top of the fifth, the game entered a rain delay, the second of the night. The game was later called after four and a half innings, with a 3-0 Wind Surge final score. Wosinski’s fifth gave him his second Double-A save.&nbsp;

WICHITA, Kan. (July 25, 2025)—Ben Ross hit a two-run home run in a 3-0 Wichita Wind Surge victory over the Frisco RoughRiders in a four-and-a-half-inning contest at Equity Bank Park. The game marked the quickest of the year for the Wind Surge at 1 hour and 59 minutes.&nbsp;Ricardo Olivar pummeled a ground ball 103 miles per hour off his bat into left center to bring in Kala’i Rosario for the game’s first run in the bottom of the second.&nbsp;John Klein struck out five men, including Major League rehabber Joc Pederson, over four innings while giving up three hits and three walks. He’d receive the win in the rain-shortened game and improve to 7-5 in 2025.&nbsp;Ross yanked a two-run home run, his sixth of the season, out to left field to give Wichita a 3-0 lead in the home half of the fourth.&nbsp;After Jacob Wosinski threw a routine top of the fifth, the game entered a rain delay, the second of the night. The game was later called after four and a half innings, with a 3-0 Wind Surge final score. Wosinski’s fifth gave him his second Double-A save.&nbsp;POSTGAME NOTES<ul>
 <li>The game began with a 28-minute rain delay and ended after a second 42-minute rain delay.</li><li>The game was the shortest of the year for Wichita at 1 hour and 59 minutes</li><li>Kala’i Rosario is the first Wind Surge hitter to reach 20 doubles in 2025.&nbsp;</li><li>John Klein records the second four-inning win for a Wichita starter after accomplishing the feat on April 19 @ Tulsa.&nbsp;</li><li>The first 2,000 fans through the gates at Equity Bank Park will receive a Kate Flannery bobblehead on An American Workplace Night.</li>
 </ul>

Wichita Shuts Out Frisco In Rain-Shortened Affair

MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;– K-State women’s basketball head coach Jeff Mittie has added an international talent to the 2025-26 roster, as Nastja Claessens from Belgium has signed with the Wildcats.

A forward, Claessens most recently helped the Belgian Senior National Team win the 2025 FIBA Women’s EuroBasket in June. She saw action in six games and averaged 5.2 points on a .529 field goal percentage, including .429 from beyond the arc, 1.8 rebounds and 0.2 assists.

Prior to aiding Belgium in winning the tournament in June, she was a member of the national team at the 2025 FIBA Women’s EuroBasket Qualifiers and played in all four games.

Claessens already holds Olympic experience on her resume, as she was a member of the 2024 Belgian National Team at the Paris Olympics and played in two games. She aided her home country in qualifying for the Olympics during the 2024 FIBA Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament and carded action in three games.

In April of 2024, Claessens was selected in the third round with the 30th&nbsp;overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft by the Washington Mystics. As an international player, she was automatically eligible for the WNBA Draft in the calendar year of her 20th&nbsp;birthday. Claessens elected not to sign with Washington to keep her options open and to have the opportunity to go to school and play collegiately in the United States.

Earlier in 2024, Claessens played in the FIBA U20 Women’s EuroBasket and registered seven games of play while notching averages of 17.7 points, 8.1 rebounds and 3.6 assists.

In 2023, she played in four games and averaged 9.0 points, 2.3 rebounds and 2.0 assists during the FIBA Women’s EuroBasket Qualifiers. In the 2023 U20 Women’s European Championship, Claessens registered 16.5 points, 6.7 rebounds and 3.8 assists in six games.

Claessens also played in the 2022 FIBA U18 Women’s European Championship and notched 16.7 points, 9.1 rebounds and 2.0 assists in seven games.

In addition to her international experiences, Claessens played with IDK Euskotren in the Liga Femenina de Baloncesto in Spain. During the 2025 Eurocup, she played in 10 games and averaged 7.4 points, 2.7 rebounds and 0.8 assists including a high of 19 points, three rebounds and two assists against Proteas on November 27.

In league action with IDK Euskotren, Claessens averaged 3.4 points, 1.7 rebounds and 0.6 assists.

During the 2024 Eurocup, she played for her hometown club of Castors Braine and averaged 12.8 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists in five games.

MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;– K-State women’s basketball head coach Jeff Mittie has added an international talent to the 2025-26 roster, as Nastja Claessens from Belgium has signed with the Wildcats.A forward, Claessens most recently helped the Belgian Senior National Team win the 2025 FIBA Women’s EuroBasket in June. She saw action in six games and averaged 5.2 points on a .529 field goal percentage, including .429 from beyond the arc, 1.8 rebounds and 0.2 assists.Prior to aiding Belgium in winning the tournament in June, she was a member of the national team at the 2025 FIBA Women’s EuroBasket Qualifiers and played in all four games.Claessens already holds Olympic experience on her resume, as she was a member of the 2024 Belgian National Team at the Paris Olympics and played in two games. She aided her home country in qualifying for the Olympics during the 2024 FIBA Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament and carded action in three games.In April of 2024, Claessens was selected in the third round with the 30th&nbsp;overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft by the Washington Mystics. As an international player, she was automatically eligible for the WNBA Draft in the calendar year of her 20th&nbsp;birthday. Claessens elected not to sign with Washington to keep her options open and to have the opportunity to go to school and play collegiately in the United States.Earlier in 2024, Claessens played in the FIBA U20 Women’s EuroBasket and registered seven games of play while notching averages of 17.7 points, 8.1 rebounds and 3.6 assists.In 2023, she played in four games and averaged 9.0 points, 2.3 rebounds and 2.0 assists during the FIBA Women’s EuroBasket Qualifiers. In the 2023 U20 Women’s European Championship, Claessens registered 16.5 points, 6.7 rebounds and 3.8 assists in six games.Claessens also played in the 2022 FIBA U18 Women’s European Championship and notched 16.7 points, 9.1 rebounds and 2.0 assists in seven games.In addition to her international experiences, Claessens played with IDK Euskotren in the Liga Femenina de Baloncesto in Spain. During the 2025 Eurocup, she played in 10 games and averaged 7.4 points, 2.7 rebounds and 0.8 assists including a high of 19 points, three rebounds and two assists against Proteas on November 27.In league action with IDK Euskotren, Claessens averaged 3.4 points, 1.7 rebounds and 0.6 assists.During the 2024 Eurocup, she played for her hometown club of Castors Braine and averaged 12.8 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists in five games.

WBB: K-State WBB Signs Claessens to 2025-26 Roster

Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid Quotes

OPENING STATEMENT:&nbsp;“Alright, these were the injuries here – the guys that didn’t practice at least. (Kristian) Fulton, (Jawaan) Taylor, (Tre) Watson, everybody else is gone and has done a good job. Just a shoutout to Tyrann (Mathieu) for a great career, (Tyrann) Mathieu. What a great career he had. The game will miss him, (will) miss his energy. Definitely an energy giver, a great leader. Hopefully he gets into coaching, because he’d be a heck of a coach if he decides to go that way – he’d be tremendous. But, we wish he and his family all the best going forward here. With that, it’s been great to get out here, get these days in. We’ve had three really good days of work where we get ones against ones, twos against twos, threes against threes, so, there’s some competition there and some good solid work. It’s ramp-up period. We’ve got another day or two of this, and then we start right in with pads on Sunday. So, anyways, with that – time’s yours.”

Q: What was your reaction when you heard Tyrann Mathieu was retiring? What’s his legacy in your opinion?

REID:&nbsp;“Yeah, well, the legacy is great ball skills, great player, great guy, always been a team captain everywhere he’s been at – including here. He got a Super Bowl Championship here and he was a leader on defense. So, I think he’ll leave all that behind, but that’s not even talking about if he chose to do that throughout his career. He probably would’ve set all the records at punt returner. He was tremendous at that. Anyway, I could go on and on about him – the Honey Badger; that’ll be part of the legacy also. He’d sit on the bench there and he’d make all kinds of funny noises. Not only did he have the blonde hair, but he’d be over there (mimics honey badger noises) – making all those noises. What a great kid. Loved coaching him (laughter).”

Q: On Creed Humphrey’s significance to the team.

REID:&nbsp;“Yeah, well, he’s still young. He’s a very good athlete, great balance, ex-wrestler. Great balance and upper-body strength, he’s got lower-body strength. One of the stronger guys on the team, and he’s got a nice feel for the game. Plus, he’s very intelligent.”

REID:&nbsp;“Yeah, I like what I’ve seen. He’s working hard at it. He’s made some big catches out here, working his routes, playing physical in his transition game there. So, just (have) got to keep coming. We’re still young in this thing, so we (have) got to keep bringing it.”

Q: How have Josh Simmons and Jaylon Moore looked in training camp so far?

REID:&nbsp;“Yeah, they’ve done some good things. They’re getting better – they get better and better every day. So, it’s been good that way. Young guys, working. (I’m) looking forward to getting them (Simmons and Moore) in pads. It’s hard to evaluate them doing this, but we’ll see how they do with pads on.”

Q: On early impressions of Jalen Royals.

REID:&nbsp;“Yeah, so, it looks like he’s very smart because we’re in our third install here today. And we load him up with plays, early, and he’s been able to retain a lot of the things – the newer stuff that we introduced to him before and the new stuff we’ve introduced now. So, that’s a good sign. And then, he’s made some catches. You’ve seen it out here, he’s made some catches. And does he have a long way to go? Yeah, well he’s got to keep working, (and) work through all of this and we’ll see how it goes when everything’s flying.”

Q:&nbsp;What have your impressions been of Gardner Minshew so far leading the second unit with him being around the league?

REID:&nbsp;“Yeah, can see that with Gardner (Minshew). You can see that he’s smart, he’s got good accuracy, poise – it’s great to have him here, so we are pleased to have him here and you kind of have a heads up because he’s actually started in games so you kind of know how he handles the pressure in that, so we liked what we saw on tape and I’ve seen the same thing here so he should be fine.”

Q:&nbsp;Are there still moments that you see Patrick Mahomes do something on a day like this and are like, ‘jeez, where did that come from,’ or are you so focused on what’s going on that it doesn’t kick in sometimes?

REID:&nbsp;“I tell the coaches this all the time, ‘You never take that for granted. So, appreciate every one of those throws he (Patrick Mahomes) makes,’ because you don’t get that very often in a career and as a coach. Yeah, absolutely there are times I go, ‘Woah, that was pretty good right there now.’”

Q:&nbsp;After a heavy workload last year, what do you expect out of Kareem Hunt this year?

REID:&nbsp;“You know, he (Kareem Hunt) has had an offseason. He missed two offseasons there, and he had this offseason and worked hard, (and) now he is coming into training camp and he’s in good shape and I would expect good things. He’ll be in there rotating, doing his thing. He’s a good solid football player. Love having him here.”

Q:&nbsp;What are your thoughts on Jake Briningstool bringing him aboard? How valuable is it adding a fourth tight end?

REID:&nbsp;“Yeah, so (General Manager) Brett (Veach) gets the credit for that one. He loved him (Jake Briningstool) and loved what he saw. So far, the kid has done a nice job. Again, let’s see how he does when things get going, but he’s working in there and it looks like the quarterbacks trust him. They’re throwing it

Q:&nbsp;What are the challenges working with two new tackles?

HUMPHREY:&nbsp;“I think just getting the chemistry down with the offensive line, you know? That’s why camp is really good for this, you know? You get a ton of reps in and a ton of looks against (Defensive Coordinator) Spags’ (Steve Spagnuolo) defense, so you know, it’s preparing you all for the season. So, we are excited about it. We got some really good talent in that room right now that is going to bring out some good competition.”

Q:&nbsp;You earned your first All-Pro selection and you were named in the NFL Top 100 Players list this offseason. What does that mean to know that your work is paying off as you earn these accolades?

HUMPHREY:&nbsp;“Yeah, you know it’s obviously a blessing to get those accolades and stuff, but for me it’s just focusing (on) about what you can improve. You can never stop improving, and you can never reach the top. You’re always going to keep improving, you can keep learning, all those things. So, for me, it’s a great feeling getting the recognition and everything, but for me I know there is stuff I need to work on, so you know, I’m hungry. I’m hungry to come out here and grind and get stuff going in training camp. So, it’s been fun. It’s been a lot of fun getting out here and working and grinding.”

Q:&nbsp;When Josh Simmons was drafted a lot of people were talking about his health. What’s the progress that you’ve seen for him to get to training camp and being out here?

HUMPHREY:&nbsp;“Yeah, well you could tell all of OTAs it was something he (Josh Simmons) was working nonstop on it. Making sure he was getting healthy as quick as he could so that was awesome to see. He’s moving really well, playing really well right now. He seems to be fully healthy, and he’s getting after it so it has been a lot of fun to see.”

Q: What are you thinking about as you go into this last year of your rookie deal?

CHENAL:&nbsp;“Yeah, I mean, I try to keep my mind off of it as best you can, that can become an unnecessary stress on yourself and on your shoulders. I just look at, you know, still being selfless, doing what I can for the team. I’m not trying to do too much, still do my job, and do what I can, but at the same time growing and get better.”

Q: How much does Nick Bolton mean to you and the team?

CHENAL:&nbsp;“Oh, he (Nick Bolton) means everything. When he’s on the field, it’s just different. You guys can see it, I’m sure. He’s just, not only (in) his play, his leadership, his loud, bold communication, just his positivity. Like, you go down the list of what a leader is, and you know, everything, it’s like Nick Bolton checks the box. So, it’s just, it gives a boost and like it boosts morale to the whole team and makes everybody play better around him.”

Q: How much pride do you take on special teams and the success that you’ve had on special teams?

CHENAL:&nbsp;“Yeah no it’s huge. Obviously, I’m not, you know, every down linebacker for the most part, you know? I got a certain percentage of snaps, and I’m obviously looking to extend that, but you know, I want to play what I’m playing, I want to be the best of what I can be. Whether it’s punt, kickoff return, SAM linebacker, filling in for buck. You know whatever it is, like we got a good core unit of guys that have been here now on special teams that are leaders, and you know, we’re looking to be better and better. And obviously we got (Assistant Head) Coach (and Special Teams Coordinator Dave) Toub, who’s a legend, so just continue to climb the mountain.”

Q: Did you do anything different this offseason compared to past off seasons to prepare yourself?

HUNT:&nbsp;“Oh for sure. I was more locked in, staying on schedule. Because I didn’t know when I was going to get picked up or when I was going to have the opportunity, or if I was going to have the opportunity to play again. So, I stayed on top of things, this offseason (I) made sure I stayed in good shape from OTAs and just (being) able to keep building on what I’ve already built.”

Q: People in the league say you’re the best short yard running back this offseason. Did you ever think you would ever wear that label? Do you take pride in it?

HUNT:&nbsp;“I mean yeah, I take pride in whatever I do. That’s one of those things – those are big time plays (and) people don’t understand how hard (it is) to get those two or three yards and punch it in. Those keep the drives alive and get us more opportunities to make big plays. So, that’s one of those things I take pride in, and you know, it’s a mindset thing.”

Q: Is there an advantage to being at training camp that you might not have had last season?

HUNT:&nbsp;“Yeah, for sure. It’s definitely an advantage. I get to be around guys who (are) pushing me, guys who (are) challenging me each and every day. Instead of me trying to push myself, by myself, working out and staying in shape and making sure I hold myself accountable, with what I eat and what I do in my off time.”

Q:&nbsp;Any difference in the way Travis Kelce is moving before he hits the pads?

Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid QuotesJuly 24, 2025OPENING STATEMENT:&nbsp;“Alright, these were the injuries here – the guys that didn’t practice at least. (Kristian) Fulton, (Jawaan) Taylor, (Tre) Watson, everybody else is gone and has done a good job. Just a shoutout to Tyrann (Mathieu) for a great career, (Tyrann) Mathieu. What a great career he had. The game will miss him, (will) miss his energy. Definitely an energy giver, a great leader. Hopefully he gets into coaching, because he’d be a heck of a coach if he decides to go that way – he’d be tremendous. But, we wish he and his family all the best going forward here. With that, it’s been great to get out here, get these days in. We’ve had three really good days of work where we get ones against ones, twos against twos, threes against threes, so, there’s some competition there and some good solid work. It’s ramp-up period. We’ve got another day or two of this, and then we start right in with pads on Sunday. So, anyways, with that – time’s yours.”Q: What was your reaction when you heard Tyrann Mathieu was retiring? What’s his legacy in your opinion?REID:&nbsp;“Yeah, well, the legacy is great ball skills, great player, great guy, always been a team captain everywhere he’s been at – including here. He got a Super Bowl Championship here and he was a leader on defense. So, I think he’ll leave all that behind, but that’s not even talking about if he chose to do that throughout his career. He probably would’ve set all the records at punt returner. He was tremendous at that. Anyway, I could go on and on about him – the Honey Badger; that’ll be part of the legacy also. He’d sit on the bench there and he’d make all kinds of funny noises. Not only did he have the blonde hair, but he’d be over there (mimics honey badger noises) – making all those noises. What a great kid. Loved coaching him (laughter).”Q: On Creed Humphrey’s significance to the team.REID:&nbsp;“Yeah, well, he’s still young. He’s a very good athlete, great balance, ex-wrestler. Great balance and upper-body strength, he’s got lower-body strength. One of the stronger guys on the team, and he’s got a nice feel for the game. Plus, he’s very intelligent.”Q: On Tyquan Thornton.REID:&nbsp;“Yeah, I like what I’ve seen. He’s working hard at it. He’s made some big catches out here, working his routes, playing physical in his transition game there. So, just (have) got to keep coming. We’re still young in this thing, so we (have) got to keep bringing it.”Q: How have Josh Simmons and Jaylon Moore looked in training camp so far?REID:&nbsp;“Yeah, they’ve done some good things. They’re getting better – they get better and better every day. So, it’s been good that way. Young guys, working. (I’m) looking forward to getting them (Simmons and Moore) in pads. It’s hard to evaluate them doing this, but we’ll see how they do with pads on.”Q: On early impressions of Jalen Royals.REID:&nbsp;“Yeah, so, it looks like he’s very smart because we’re in our third install here today. And we load him up with plays, early, and he’s been able to retain a lot of the things – the newer stuff that we introduced to him before and the new stuff we’ve introduced now. So, that’s a good sign. And then, he’s made some catches. You’ve seen it out here, he’s made some catches. And does he have a long way to go? Yeah, well he’s got to keep working, (and) work through all of this and we’ll see how it goes when everything’s flying.”Q:&nbsp;What have your impressions been of Gardner Minshew so far leading the second unit with him being around the league?REID:&nbsp;“Yeah, can see that with Gardner (Minshew). You can see that he’s smart, he’s got good accuracy, poise – it’s great to have him here, so we are pleased to have him here and you kind of have a heads up because he’s actually started in games so you kind of know how he handles the pressure in that, so we liked what we saw on tape and I’ve seen the same thing here so he should be fine.”Q:&nbsp;Are there still moments that you see Patrick Mahomes do something on a day like this and are like, ‘jeez, where did that come from,’ or are you so focused on what’s going on that it doesn’t kick in sometimes?REID:&nbsp;“I tell the coaches this all the time, ‘You never take that for granted. So, appreciate every one of those throws he (Patrick Mahomes) makes,’ because you don’t get that very often in a career and as a coach. Yeah, absolutely there are times I go, ‘Woah, that was pretty good right there now.’”Q:&nbsp;After a heavy workload last year, what do you expect out of Kareem Hunt this year?REID:&nbsp;“You know, he (Kareem Hunt) has had an offseason. He missed two offseasons there, and he had this offseason and worked hard, (and) now he is coming into training camp and he’s in good shape and I would expect good things. He’ll be in there rotating, doing his thing. He’s a good solid football player. Love having him here.”Q:&nbsp;What are your thoughts on Jake Briningstool bringing him aboard? How valuable is it adding a fourth tight end?REID:&nbsp;“Yeah, so (General Manager) Brett (Veach) gets the credit for that one. He loved him (Jake Briningstool) and loved what he saw. So far, the kid has done a nice job. Again, let’s see how he does when things get going, but he’s working in there and it looks like the quarterbacks trust him. They’re throwing itChiefs Player QuotesJuly 24, 2025C CREED HUMPHREYQ:&nbsp;What are the challenges working with two new tackles?HUMPHREY:&nbsp;“I think just getting the chemistry down with the offensive line, you know? That’s why camp is really good for this, you know? You get a ton of reps in and a ton of looks against (Defensive Coordinator) Spags’ (Steve Spagnuolo) defense, so you know, it’s preparing you all for the season. So, we are excited about it. We got some really good talent in that room right now that is going to bring out some good competition.”Q:&nbsp;You earned your first All-Pro selection and you were named in the NFL Top 100 Players list this offseason. What does that mean to know that your work is paying off as you earn these accolades?HUMPHREY:&nbsp;“Yeah, you know it’s obviously a blessing to get those accolades and stuff, but for me it’s just focusing (on) about what you can improve. You can never stop improving, and you can never reach the top. You’re always going to keep improving, you can keep learning, all those things. So, for me, it’s a great feeling getting the recognition and everything, but for me I know there is stuff I need to work on, so you know, I’m hungry. I’m hungry to come out here and grind and get stuff going in training camp. So, it’s been fun. It’s been a lot of fun getting out here and working and grinding.”Q:&nbsp;When Josh Simmons was drafted a lot of people were talking about his health. What’s the progress that you’ve seen for him to get to training camp and being out here?HUMPHREY:&nbsp;“Yeah, well you could tell all of OTAs it was something he (Josh Simmons) was working nonstop on it. Making sure he was getting healthy as quick as he could so that was awesome to see. He’s moving really well, playing really well right now. He seems to be fully healthy, and he’s getting after it so it has been a lot of fun to see.”LB LEO CHENALQ: What are you thinking about as you go into this last year of your rookie deal?CHENAL:&nbsp;“Yeah, I mean, I try to keep my mind off of it as best you can, that can become an unnecessary stress on yourself and on your shoulders. I just look at, you know, still being selfless, doing what I can for the team. I’m not trying to do too much, still do my job, and do what I can, but at the same time growing and get better.”Q: How much does Nick Bolton mean to you and the team?CHENAL:&nbsp;“Oh, he (Nick Bolton) means everything. When he’s on the field, it’s just different. You guys can see it, I’m sure. He’s just, not only (in) his play, his leadership, his loud, bold communication, just his positivity. Like, you go down the list of what a leader is, and you know, everything, it’s like Nick Bolton checks the box. So, it’s just, it gives a boost and like it boosts morale to the whole team and makes everybody play better around him.”Q: How much pride do you take on special teams and the success that you’ve had on special teams?CHENAL:&nbsp;“Yeah no it’s huge. Obviously, I’m not, you know, every down linebacker for the most part, you know? I got a certain percentage of snaps, and I’m obviously looking to extend that, but you know, I want to play what I’m playing, I want to be the best of what I can be. Whether it’s punt, kickoff return, SAM linebacker, filling in for buck. You know whatever it is, like we got a good core unit of guys that have been here now on special teams that are leaders, and you know, we’re looking to be better and better. And obviously we got (Assistant Head) Coach (and Special Teams Coordinator Dave) Toub, who’s a legend, so just continue to climb the mountain.”RB KAREEM HUNTQ: Did you do anything different this offseason compared to past off seasons to prepare yourself?HUNT:&nbsp;“Oh for sure. I was more locked in, staying on schedule. Because I didn’t know when I was going to get picked up or when I was going to have the opportunity, or if I was going to have the opportunity to play again. So, I stayed on top of things, this offseason (I) made sure I stayed in good shape from OTAs and just (being) able to keep building on what I’ve already built.”Q: People in the league say you’re the best short yard running back this offseason. Did you ever think you would ever wear that label? Do you take pride in it?HUNT:&nbsp;“I mean yeah, I take pride in whatever I do. That’s one of those things – those are big time plays (and) people don’t understand how hard (it is) to get those two or three yards and punch it in. Those keep the drives alive and get us more opportunities to make big plays. So, that’s one of those things I take pride in, and you know, it’s a mindset thing.”Q: Is there an advantage to being at training camp that you might not have had last season?HUNT:&nbsp;“Yeah, for sure. It’s definitely an advantage. I get to be around guys who (are) pushing me, guys who (are) challenging me each and every day. Instead of me trying to push myself, by myself, working out and staying in shape and making sure I hold myself accountable, with what I eat and what I do in my off time.”to him. It’s positive.”Q:&nbsp;Any difference in the way Travis Kelce is moving before he hits the pads?

Chiefs Quotes: 7-24-25

WICHITA, Kan. (July 24, 2025)—The Wichita Wind Surge scored six late runs in a 6-5 victory over the Frisco RoughRiders at Equity Bank Park. The Wind Surge tally their 23rd come-from-behind win in 2025.&nbsp;

Tucker Mitchell scored on an infield error after a single to left by Major League rehabber Joc Pederson in the top of the third. Pederson crossed the plate ahead of an inning-ending 9-6 outfield assist from Kala’i Rosario to Kaelen Culpepper to make the score 2-0 Frisco through two and a half. C.J. Culpepper gave up just those two runs (one earned) over three innings with three hits, a walk, and three strikeouts in his start.&nbsp;

Ricky Castro was lights out following Culpepper. He gave up just two hits and a walk with three strikeouts over four innings.&nbsp;

Jose Salas got hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to give Wichita their first run after the stretch in the seventh. Two more runs came across on an infield hit by Jorel Ortega, with a throwing error afterward giving the Wind Surge their first lead of the night at 3-2.&nbsp;

Cam Cauley hit a two-run home run to give the RoughRiders their lead to start the eighth, but Wichita followed with their second straight three-run frame, as a pair of RBI doubles by Rosario and Ben Ross and a fielder’s choice from Nate Baez gave the Wind Surge a new 6-4 advantage.&nbsp;

Josh Hatcher brought Frisco within one on a two-out RBI single to right in the top of the ninth, then Kyler Fedko completed an unassisted putout at first to end the game with a 6-5 winner for Wichita. Kade Bragg picks up the win in his Wind Surge debut, surrendering two runs on a hit with a walk and three strikeouts out of the bullpen.&nbsp;

WICHITA, Kan. (July 24, 2025)—The Wichita Wind Surge scored six late runs in a 6-5 victory over the Frisco RoughRiders at Equity Bank Park. The Wind Surge tally their 23rd come-from-behind win in 2025.&nbsp;Tucker Mitchell scored on an infield error after a single to left by Major League rehabber Joc Pederson in the top of the third. Pederson crossed the plate ahead of an inning-ending 9-6 outfield assist from Kala’i Rosario to Kaelen Culpepper to make the score 2-0 Frisco through two and a half. C.J. Culpepper gave up just those two runs (one earned) over three innings with three hits, a walk, and three strikeouts in his start.&nbsp;Ricky Castro was lights out following Culpepper. He gave up just two hits and a walk with three strikeouts over four innings.&nbsp;Jose Salas got hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to give Wichita their first run after the stretch in the seventh. Two more runs came across on an infield hit by Jorel Ortega, with a throwing error afterward giving the Wind Surge their first lead of the night at 3-2.&nbsp;Cam Cauley hit a two-run home run to give the RoughRiders their lead to start the eighth, but Wichita followed with their second straight three-run frame, as a pair of RBI doubles by Rosario and Ben Ross and a fielder’s choice from Nate Baez gave the Wind Surge a new 6-4 advantage.&nbsp;Josh Hatcher brought Frisco within one on a two-out RBI single to right in the top of the ninth, then Kyler Fedko completed an unassisted putout at first to end the game with a 6-5 winner for Wichita. Kade Bragg picks up the win in his Wind Surge debut, surrendering two runs on a hit with a walk and three strikeouts out of the bullpen.&nbsp;POSTGAME NOTES<ul>
 <li>Tonight marked the first game in Wind Surge franchise history that got moved up ahead of its original start time.&nbsp;</li><li>Joc Pederson began a Major League Rehab Assignment tonight with the RoughRiders.</li><li>Wichita had five different men in their lineup get at least a hit or an RBI.&nbsp;</li><li>The Wind Surge are 3-1 this year in the Turbo Tubs uniforms.&nbsp;</li><li>Wichita is up to 23 come-from-behind wins.</li><li>The Surge have scored five or more runs in 15 of the last 16 wins.</li>
 </ul>

Wind Surge Rally For Late Win Over RoughRiders

WASHINGTON (AP) — President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;on Thursday signed an executive order mandating that federal authorities clarify whether college athletes can be considered&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ncaa-lawsuit-settlement-c5e0cea45fd210cc935cff992ab16f25">employees of the schools</a>&nbsp;they play for in an attempt to create clearer national standards in the NCAA’s name, image and likeness era.

Trump directed the secretary of labor and the National Labor Relations Board to clarify the status of collegiate athletes through guidance or rules “that will maximize the educational benefits and opportunities provided by higher education institutions through athletics.”&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/07/saving-college-sports/" target="_blank">The order</a>&nbsp;does not provide or suggest specifics on the controversial topic of college athlete employment.

The move comes after months of speculation about whether Trump will establish a college sports commission to tackle some of the thorny issues facing what is now a multibillion-dollar industry. He instead issued an order intended to add some controls to “an out-of-control, rudderless system in which competing university donors engage in bidding wars for the best players, who can change teams each season.”

“Absent guardrails to stop the madness and ensure a reasonable, balanced use of resources across collegiate athletic programs that preserves their educational and developmental benefits, many college sports will soon cease to exist,” Trump’s order says. “It is common sense that college sports are not, and should not be, professional sports, and my administration will take action accordingly.”

There has been a dramatic increase in money flowing into and around college athletics and a sense of chaos. Key court victories won by athletes angry that they were barred for decades from earning income based on their celebrity and from sharing in the billions of revenue they helped generate have gutted the amateurism model long at the heart of college sports.

Facing a growing number of state laws undercutting its authority, the NCAA in July 2021 cleared the way for athletes to cash in with NIL deals with brands and sponsors — deals now worth millions. That came mere days after a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/college-sports-basketball-football-college-basketball-mens-college-basketball-417874bc33f0a791458bb4ad8d414305">9-0 decision</a>&nbsp;from the Supreme Court that found the NCAA cannot impose caps on education-related benefits schools provide to their athletes because such limits violate antitrust law.

The NCAA’s embrace of NIL deals set the stage for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ncaa-house-settlement-aa3169056e8194aeebf34495641bce0b">another massive change</a>&nbsp;that took effect July 1: The ability of schools to begin paying millions of dollars to their own athletes, up to $20.5 million per school over the next year. The $2.8 billion&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ncaa-settlement-b6ff58d62f93359789dde1626f827bf1">House settlement</a>&nbsp;shifts even more power to athletes, who have also won the ability to transfer from school to school without waiting to play.

At Big Ten Conference football media days in Las Vegas, Purdue coach Barry Odom was asked about the Trump order.

“We’ve gotten to the point where government is involved. Obviously, there’s belief it needs to be involved,” he said. “We’ll get it all worked out. The game’s been around for a hundred years and it’s going to be around 100 more.”

The NCAA has been lobbying for several years for limited antitrust protection to keep some kind of control over this new landscape — and avoid more crippling lawsuits — but a handful of bills have gone nowhere in Congress. Trump’s order makes no mention of that, nor does it refer to any of the current&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/olympics-ncaa-sports-congress-59d5ed03574fbe1c22063d0d9496eb35">bills in Congress</a>&nbsp;aimed at addressing issues in college sports.

orking with student-athletes, a bipartisan coalition in Congress and the Trump administration,” said Baker, while the conferences said it was important to pass a law with national standards for athletes’ NIL rights as soon as possible.

The 1,100 universities that comprise the NCAA have insisted for decades that athletes are students who cannot be considered anything like a school employee. Still, some coaches have recently suggested&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/house-settlement-tennessee-athlete-bargaining-e6b2c2b30a693a1313d1f04be8d304e9">collective bargaining</a>&nbsp;as a potential solution to the chaos they see.

It is a complicated topic: Universities would become responsible for paying wages, benefits, and workers’ compensation and schools and conferences have insisted they will fight any such move in court. While private institutions fall under the National Labor Relations Board, public universities must follow labor laws that vary from state to state and it’s worth noting that virtually every state in the South has “right to work” laws that present challenges for unions.

— Calls for adding or at least preserving athletic scholarships and roster spots for non-revenue sports, which are those outside football and basketball. The House settlement allows for unlimited scholarships but does impose roster limits, leading to a complicated set of decisions for each program at each school that include potential concerns about Title IX equity rules. Trump said “opportunities for scholarships and collegiate athletic competition in women’s and non-revenue sports must be preserved and, where possible, expanded.”

— Asks the Justice Department and Federal Trade Commission to “preserve college athletics through litigation” and other actions to protect the rights and interests of athletes — a stance that could influence&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tennessee-zakai-zeigler-lawsuit-pistons-323876e4b82844a68da27362a1d102da">ongoing lawsuits</a>&nbsp;filed by athletes over eligibility and other issues.

— Directs White House staff to work with the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee to protect the collegiate pipeline&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ncaa-settlement-olympic-sports-98e974041f0af901b047d69672ad3176">feeding Team USA.</a>&nbsp;College sports programs produce around three-quarters of U.S. Olympians at a typical Summer Games, but some are on uncertain footing as schools begin sharing revenue with athletes and the lion’s share going to football and basketball.

AP National Writer Eddie Pells contributed.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732431241743.jpeg" alt="File Photo courtesy of K State Football on X" />
 <figcaption>File Photo courtesy of K State Football on X</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;on Thursday signed an executive order mandating that federal authorities clarify whether college athletes can be considered&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ncaa-lawsuit-settlement-c5e0cea45fd210cc935cff992ab16f25">employees of the schools</a>&nbsp;they play for in an attempt to create clearer national standards in the NCAA’s name, image and likeness era.Trump directed the secretary of labor and the National Labor Relations Board to clarify the status of collegiate athletes through guidance or rules “that will maximize the educational benefits and opportunities provided by higher education institutions through athletics.”&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/07/saving-college-sports/" target="_blank">The order</a>&nbsp;does not provide or suggest specifics on the controversial topic of college athlete employment.The move comes after months of speculation about whether Trump will establish a college sports commission to tackle some of the thorny issues facing what is now a multibillion-dollar industry. He instead issued an order intended to add some controls to “an out-of-control, rudderless system in which competing university donors engage in bidding wars for the best players, who can change teams each season.”“Absent guardrails to stop the madness and ensure a reasonable, balanced use of resources across collegiate athletic programs that preserves their educational and developmental benefits, many college sports will soon cease to exist,” Trump’s order says. “It is common sense that college sports are not, and should not be, professional sports, and my administration will take action accordingly.”There has been a dramatic increase in money flowing into and around college athletics and a sense of chaos. Key court victories won by athletes angry that they were barred for decades from earning income based on their celebrity and from sharing in the billions of revenue they helped generate have gutted the amateurism model long at the heart of college sports.Facing a growing number of state laws undercutting its authority, the NCAA in July 2021 cleared the way for athletes to cash in with NIL deals with brands and sponsors — deals now worth millions. That came mere days after a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/college-sports-basketball-football-college-basketball-mens-college-basketball-417874bc33f0a791458bb4ad8d414305">9-0 decision</a>&nbsp;from the Supreme Court that found the NCAA cannot impose caps on education-related benefits schools provide to their athletes because such limits violate antitrust law.The NCAA’s embrace of NIL deals set the stage for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ncaa-house-settlement-aa3169056e8194aeebf34495641bce0b">another massive change</a>&nbsp;that took effect July 1: The ability of schools to begin paying millions of dollars to their own athletes, up to $20.5 million per school over the next year. The $2.8 billion&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ncaa-settlement-b6ff58d62f93359789dde1626f827bf1">House settlement</a>&nbsp;shifts even more power to athletes, who have also won the ability to transfer from school to school without waiting to play.At Big Ten Conference football media days in Las Vegas, Purdue coach Barry Odom was asked about the Trump order.“We’ve gotten to the point where government is involved. Obviously, there’s belief it needs to be involved,” he said. “We’ll get it all worked out. The game’s been around for a hundred years and it’s going to be around 100 more.”The NCAA has been lobbying for several years for limited antitrust protection to keep some kind of control over this new landscape — and avoid more crippling lawsuits — but a handful of bills have gone nowhere in Congress. Trump’s order makes no mention of that, nor does it refer to any of the current&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/olympics-ncaa-sports-congress-59d5ed03574fbe1c22063d0d9496eb35">bills in Congress</a>&nbsp;aimed at addressing issues in college sports.orking with student-athletes, a bipartisan coalition in Congress and the Trump administration,” said Baker, while the conferences said it was important to pass a law with national standards for athletes’ NIL rights as soon as possible.The 1,100 universities that comprise the NCAA have insisted for decades that athletes are students who cannot be considered anything like a school employee. Still, some coaches have recently suggested&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/house-settlement-tennessee-athlete-bargaining-e6b2c2b30a693a1313d1f04be8d304e9">collective bargaining</a>&nbsp;as a potential solution to the chaos they see.It is a complicated topic: Universities would become responsible for paying wages, benefits, and workers’ compensation and schools and conferences have insisted they will fight any such move in court. While private institutions fall under the National Labor Relations Board, public universities must follow labor laws that vary from state to state and it’s worth noting that virtually every state in the South has “right to work” laws that present challenges for unions.Trump’s order also:— Calls for adding or at least preserving athletic scholarships and roster spots for non-revenue sports, which are those outside football and basketball. The House settlement allows for unlimited scholarships but does impose roster limits, leading to a complicated set of decisions for each program at each school that include potential concerns about Title IX equity rules. Trump said “opportunities for scholarships and collegiate athletic competition in women’s and non-revenue sports must be preserved and, where possible, expanded.”— Asks the Justice Department and Federal Trade Commission to “preserve college athletics through litigation” and other actions to protect the rights and interests of athletes — a stance that could influence&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tennessee-zakai-zeigler-lawsuit-pistons-323876e4b82844a68da27362a1d102da">ongoing lawsuits</a>&nbsp;filed by athletes over eligibility and other issues.— Directs White House staff to work with the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee to protect the collegiate pipeline&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ncaa-settlement-olympic-sports-98e974041f0af901b047d69672ad3176">feeding Team USA.</a>&nbsp;College sports programs produce around three-quarters of U.S. Olympians at a typical Summer Games, but some are on uncertain footing as schools begin sharing revenue with athletes and the lion’s share going to football and basketball.___AP National Writer Eddie Pells contributed.

Trump signs order to clarify college athletes' employment status amid NIL chaos

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Kansas basketball coach Bill Self had two stents inserted into his heart to treat blocked arteries Thursday at Lawrence Memorial Hospital after he felt “felt unwell and experienced some concerning symptoms.”

“The procedure went very well, and he is expected to make a full recovery,” the Kansas athletic department said in a statement. "He is in good spirits and expects to be released from the hospital soon.”

The 62-year-old Self directed the final practice of the summer session Thursday morning as he prepares for his 23rd seasons as head coach of the Jayhawks. He missed the 2023 Big 12 and NCAA tournaments because of a heart condition, getting a standard catheterization and having two stents inserted to help treat blocked arteries.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681311280126.jpeg" alt="Bill Self-Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Bill Self-Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Kansas basketball coach Bill Self had two stents inserted into his heart to treat blocked arteries Thursday at Lawrence Memorial Hospital after he felt “felt unwell and experienced some concerning symptoms.”“The procedure went very well, and he is expected to make a full recovery,” the Kansas athletic department said in a statement. "He is in good spirits and expects to be released from the hospital soon.”The 62-year-old Self directed the final practice of the summer session Thursday morning as he prepares for his 23rd seasons as head coach of the Jayhawks. He missed the 2023 Big 12 and NCAA tournaments because of a heart condition, getting a standard catheterization and having two stents inserted to help treat blocked arteries.

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