SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The Golden State Warriors will host the 2025 All-Star Game at Chase Center, a showcase years in the making as the organization hoped to host major events in its sparkling new arena.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver made the announcement Monday at the 4-year-old venue in San Francisco, where the Warriors moved from across the bay in Oakland. It’ll be the third time that the Warriors play host to an All-Star weekend, joining 1967 and 2000.

Events will be held from Feb. 14-16, 2025. Some will take place at the team’s former home in Oakland, California — including the All-Star Celebrity Game, All-Star practices, the NBA HBCU Classic and the G League Next Up Game.

Chase Center will be the site of the Rising Stars Game on All-Star Friday, the All-Star Saturday Night lineup including the 3-point contest and dunk competition, and the All-Star Game itself on Sunday.

The 2024 All-Star weekend is being held in Indianapolis, with Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the home of the Pacers, hosting the 73rd NBA All-Star Game on Sunday, Feb. 18, the Rising Stars Game on Friday, Feb. 16 and the HBCU Classic on Saturday, Feb. 17. Nearby Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts, will host the All-Star Celebrity Game on Friday as well All-Star Saturday Night.

College basketball tips off this week, which means it’s time to start studying up for the 2024 version of March Madness. We’re here to help. 

The class of 2023 is, yet again, loaded, and headlined by a name you’re likely familiar with − LeBron James. But it’s LeBron James Jr. this time around, better known as Bronny, who will hopefully make his college debut with Southern California this season. More on that below.

There are other fabulous freshmen in the mix, of course, along with returners eager to compete for a national title. Naturally, all of these players have their sights set on the NBA, and they’re hoping that day comes sooner rather than later (as in, the 2024 NBA draft). 

With that, here are 10 names to know in the 2023-24 college basketball season: 

Stephon Castle, freshman, Connecticut

What’s the best way to defend your national championship? Reload with more stars. That’s exactly what the Huskies are doing with Castle, a 6-foot-6 combo guard who is UConn’s first McDonald’s All-American since 2016. A shifty playmaker who accelerates with the ball in his hands, Castle was the first 2023 commit for the Huskies, and helped reel in a consensus top-five recruiting class. He’s got basketball in his blood: dad Stacey played at Wake Forest and Central Florida in the mid-1990s. 

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Hunter Dickinson, senior, Kansas

One of the top big men in the country the last three seasons, the 7-foot-1 Dickinson was arguably the best overall player in the portal this spring when he chose to leave Michigan (he said lack of NIL money at Michigan was a factor in deciding to transfer). An All-American in 2021, Dickinson averaged 18.5 points and 9.0 rebounds for the Wolverines last season while shooting 56% from the field and earning All-Big Ten honors. 

Zach Edey, senior, Purdue 

The unanimous national player of the year, Edey opted to return to Purdue after the No. 1-seeded Boilermakers’ shocking first-round loss in the NCAA tournament. The 7-foot-4 Edey, a Toronto native and former hockey player, averaged 22.3 points, 12.9 rebounds and 2.1 blocked shots per game as a junior, and became the first player in NCAA history with at least 750 points, 400 rebounds, 70 blocks and 50 assists in a season. He is nearly impossible to stop when he has the ball in the paint, and is out to prove that last year’s hype, not to mention a top seed in the tournament, wasn’t a fluke. 

Justin Edwards, freshman, Kentucky 

A five-star recruit and potential 2024 NBA lottery pick, Edwards is the latest in a long line of top high schoolers to commit to Kentucky. The 6-foot-7 forward dominated the club circuit in the summer of 2022, averaging 19.3 points and shooting 55.3% from 3-point land. He’s a lefty with good size and skill and will be in the running for national freshman of the year. 

Kyle Filipowski, sophomore, Duke

Though he likely would have been a top pick in the 2023 NBA draft, the 7-foot center decided to return to Duke for a second year, where he makes the Blue Devils an instant championship contender. As a freshman last season, Filipowski led Duke in both points (15.1) and rebounds (8.9), while shooting 44% from the field. Coupled with the return of guard Tyrese Proctor, Filipowski gives the Blue Devils a tremendous inside-out game. 

Bronny James, freshman, Southern California

One of the closely followed recruitments this cycle ended when Bronny James picked the Trojans over finalists Ohio State and Memphis. Oregon was also in the mix at some point, though no one is sure just how strongly James and his family considered Phil Knight’s favorite team.

There was great excitement − until July 24, when James suffered cardiac arrest during a basketball workout. He spent three days in ICU before being discharged. Since then, Bronny has undergone successful surgery, and at Lakers media day in October, dad LeBron said Bronny was doing ‘extremely well,’ and working to get back on the court. As of right now, there is no timetable for his return.  

Provided he does get back on the floor at USC, James, a combo guard, will team up with Isaiah Collier, the top recruit in the 2023 class, and Washington State transfer D.J. Rodman, son of Dennis Rodman. A late, but impressive, addition to the McDonald’s All-American game, the 6-foot-3 James is praised for his basketball IQ and defense. The No. 20 recruit in the 2023 class according to ESPN, he averaged 13.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.8 steals during his senior season at Sierra Canyon School in Chatsworth, California. 

Caleb Love, senior, Arizona

Maybe the best guard available in the portal this spring, Love comes to Tucson after three seasons at North Carolina (he still has two years of eligibility). A St. Louis native, Love averaged a career-high 16.7 points last season at UNC, connecting on 30% of his 3-point attempts, making a team-best 73. Between the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons, he made a 3-pointer in 86 consecutive games. He instantly makes the Wildcats a contender for the Pac-12 title. 

Ryan Nembhard, junior, Gonzaga

The younger brother of former Zags star Andrew Nembhard − now with the Pacers − Ryan Nembhard goes to Gonzaga after two strong seasons at Creighton. The 6-foot point guard, a Canadian native, averaged 12.1 points, 4.8 assists and 4.0 rebounds and was considered one of the top players in the portal. He scored 30 in Creighton’s surprise win over Baylor in the second round of the 2023 NCAA tournament. 

D.J. Wagner, freshman, Kentucky 

A three-time New Jersey Gatorade player of the year, Wagner stole the show at the 2023 McDonald’s All-American game, scoring 19 points while dishing out three assists, grabbing two rebounds and two steals while also blocking two shots. The 6-foot-3 point guard is the son of Dajuan Wagner, who played for Kentucky coach John Calipari when Calipari was at Memphis. Wagner’s stepbrother, Kareem, was a walk-on at Kentucky last season. 

Ja’Kobe Walter, freshman, Baylor

A 6-foot-5 guard, Walter is considered one of the best scorers in the 2023 class, with the ability to hit outside shots and get to the rim when needed. He picked Baylor in part, he said, because of how well the Bears develop guards. He’s a solid athlete and good defender who should make an immediate impact in Waco. 

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Kyler Murray will practice with the Arizona Cardinals first team offense this week, and if the week goes well, Murray will make his 2023 season debut and start at quarterback this Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons, head coach Jonathan Gannon said Monday.

First, the Cardinals will have to remove Murray from the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list and activate him. That could happen Wednesday, Gannon said.

‘Pleased with where he’s at right now, we’ll see how the week goes,’ Gannon said.

If Murray for some reason is not given the green light, rookie Clayton Tune will get the call for the second straight week. But all signs are pointing to Murray taking the field in a game for the first time since Dec. 12, 2022, when he suffered a torn ACL on a run against the New England Patriots and had to be carted off the field at State Farm Stadium.

Eleven months since the injury, about 10 since he had surgery, and days upon days of rehab later that includes three weeks of practices with the team, Murray is set up for his long-awaited return.

NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more.

‘If he’s out on the field we feel good about him being healthy enough to play,’ Gannon said. ‘Every team in the NFL is banged up. And we’ll put our best foot forward and get the right pieces in there and give ourselves a chance to win a game.’

NEW YORK (AP) — Two-way star Shohei Ohtani was among seven players who received $20,325,000 qualifying offers from their former teams Monday as the free agent market opened.

All seven players are likely to turn down the offers by the Nov. 14 deadline to accept in favor of multiyear contracts on the open market.

In addition to the Los Angeles Angels’ offer to Ohtani, the others to receive qualifying offers were outfielder Cody Bellinger (Chicago Cubs), pitchers Josh Hader and Blake Snell (San Diego), Aaron Nola (Philadelphia), Sonny Gray (Minnesota) and third baseman Matt Chapman (Toronto).

By making a qualifying offer — the average of the top 125 contracts by average annual value — a team would receive an additional selection in next July’s amateur draft if a player signs elsewhere before then. A team signing the player could lose one or two draft picks.

In a sign of the relative weakness of the free agent class, half as many players received qualifying offers as last year. Qualifying offers began after the 2012 season, and 10 of 124 offers have been accepted.

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Ohtani heads a free agent class that also includes starting pitchers Eduardo Rodriguez and Jordan Montgomery, along with Nola, Snell, Gray and Japanese star Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who is not attached to draft-pick compensation.

Among the 169 players who became free agents, Milwaukee’s Colin Rea was the only one to re-sign during the five-day period for exclusive negotiations with a former club. He agreed to a $4.5 million, one-year contract.

On the last day to resolve contract options, Atlanta exercised a $20 million option on right-hander Charlie Morton, who went 14-12 with a 3.64 ERA in 30 starts and turns 40 on Nov. 12. The Braves declined options on outfielder Eddie Rosario ($9 million) and right-handers Collin McHugh ($6 million) and Kirby Yates ($5.75 million). Rosario gets a $1 million buyout and Yates $1.25 million.

Mark Canha’s $11.5 million option for 2024 was exercised by Detroit, two days after the outfielder was acquired from the Milwaukee Brewers for minor league pitcher Blake Holub. Milwaukee could have paid a $2 million buyout and allowed Canha to become a free agent.

Right-hander Michael Wacha went free after San Diego declined to exercise $16.5 million options for 2024 and ’25 and the pitcher turned down player options at $6.5 million for 2024 and $6 million for each of the following two years.

Miami declined options on right-handers Johnny Cueto ($10.5 million) and Matt Barnes ($9 million). Cueto gets a $2.5 million buyout and Barnes $2.75 million.

Other players whose options were exercised were San Francisco right-hander Alex Cobb ($10 million), Mets left-hander Brooks Raley ($6.5 million) and Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Blake Treinen ($1 million).

Tigers shortstop Javier Báez, Giants outfielder Michael Conforto and right-hander Ross Stripling, Miami first baseman Josh Bell and Cubs pitcher Drew Smyly decided not to opt out.

Báez kept salaries of $25 million in each of the next two seasons and $24 million apiece in 2026 and ’27 after slumping to a .222 average, nine homers and 59 RBIs in his second season with Detroit.

Conforto retained an $18 million salary for next season after hitting .232 with 15 homers and 58 RBIs, and Bell kept a $16.5 million salary after batting .247 with 22 homers and 75 RBI for Cleveland and the Marlins, who acquired him on Aug. 1. Stripling kept a $12.5 million salary after going 0-5 with a 5.36 ERA in 11 starts and 11 relief appearances.

Smyly kept a $10.5 million salary. He went 11-11 with a 5.00 ERA in 41 appearances last season, including 23 starts.

Mets right-hander Adam Ottavino declined a $6.75 million player option. He was 1-7 with a 3.21 ERA in 66 relief appearances.

Arizona Diamondbacks (4): Lourdes Gurriel, Evan Longoria, Mark Melancon, Tommy Pham 

Atlanta Braves (6): Jesse Chavez, Brad Hand, Collin McHugh, Kevin Pillar, Eddie Rosario, Kirby Yates 

Baltimore Orioles (5): Jack Flaherty, Adam Frazier, Shintaro Fujinami, Kyle Gibson, Aaron Hicks 

Boston Red Sox (6): Adam Duvall, Corey Kluber, Adalberto Mondesí, James Paxton, Joely Rodríguez. Justin Turner 

Chicago Cubs (7): Cody Bellinger, Brad Boxberger, Jeimer Candelario, Tyler Duffey, Michael Fulmer, Shane Greene, Marcus Stroman 

Chicago White Sox (7): Tim Anderson, Elvis Andrus, Mike Clevinger, Yasmani Grandal, Liam Hendriks, Bryan Shaw, José Ureña 

Cincinnati Reds (4): Harrison Bader, Curt Casali, Buck Farmer, Joey Votto 

Cleveland Guardians (3): Kole Calhoun, Lucas Giolito, Reynaldo López 

Colorado Rockies (3): Chase Anderson, Chris Flexen, Brent Suter 

Detroit Tigers (4): Matt Boyd, Miguel Cabrera, José Cisnero, Eduardo Rodríguez 

Houston Astros (5): Michael Brantley, Martín Maldonado, Phil Maton, Héctor Neris, Ryne Stanek 

Kansas City Royals (3): Matt M. Duffy, Zack Greinke, Brad Keller 

Los Angeles Angels (7): C.J. Cron, Eduardo Escobar, Randal Grichuk, Aaron Loup, Mike Moustakas, Shohei Ohtani, Giovanny Urshela 

Los Angeles Dodgers (16): Ryan Brasier, Kiké Hernández, Jason Heyward, Daniel Hudson, Joe Kelly, Clayton Kershaw, Lance Lynn, Jake Marisnick, J.D. Martinez, Shelby Miller, Jimmy Nelson, David Peralta, Alex Reyes, Amed Rosario, Julio Urías, Kolten Wong 

Miami Marlins (6): Matt Barnes, Johnny Cueto, Yulieski Gurriel, David Robertson, Jorge Soler, Joey Wendle 

Milwaukee Brewers (9): Víctor Caratini, Andrew Chafin, Josh Donaldson, Wade Miley, Colin Rea, Darin Ruf, Carlos Santana, Jesse Winker, Justin Wilson 

Minnesota Twins (8): Joey Gallo, Sonny Gray, Dallas Keuchel, Kenta Maeda, Tyler Mahle, Emilio Pagán, Donovan Solano, Michael A. Taylor 

New York Mets (2): Carlos Carrasco, Adam Ottavino 

New York Yankees (7): Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Zach McAllister, Keynan Middleton, Frankie Montas, Wandy Peralta, Luis Severino, Luke Weaver 

Oakland A’s (3): Tony Kemp, Trevor May, Drew Rucinski 

Philadelphia Phillies (4): Rhys Hoskins, Craig Kimbrel, Michael Lorenzen, Aaron Nola 

Pittsburgh Pirates (3): Jarlín García, Andrew McCutchen, Vincent Velasquez 

St. Louis Cardinals (1): Drew VerHagen  

San Diego Padres (12): Ji-Man Choi, Garrett Cooper, Luis Am. García, Josh Hader, Rich Hill, Seth Lugo, Nick Martinez, Drew Pomeranz, Jurickson Profar, Gary Sánchez, Blake Snell, Michael Wacha 

San Francisco Giants (8): Scott Alexander, John Brebbia, Brandon Crawford, Jake Junis, Sean Manaea, Joc Pederson, Roberto Pérez, Alex Wood 

Seattle Mariners (3): Teoscar Hernández, Dominic Leone, Tom Murphy 

Tampa Bay Rays (3): Chris Devenski, Jacob Diekman, Robert Stephenson 

Texas Rangers (12): Aroldis Chapman, Mitch Garver, Robbie Grossman, Austin Hedges, Travis Jankowski, Ian Kennedy, Brad Miller, Jordan Montgomery, Jake Odorizzi, Martín Pérez, Will M. Smith, Chris Stratton 

Toronto Blue Jays (7): Brandon Belt, Matt Chapman, Jordan Hicks, Jay Jackson, Kevin Kiermaier, Whit Merrifield, Hyun-Jin Ryu 

Washington Nationals (1): C.J. Edwards 

Sunday served a stark reminder that the NFL may not only be suffering from a lack of quality at the quarterback position but also depth.

Seven teams made changes behind center merely since fielding their Week 8 lineups. Only two were reversions to players expected to be QB1s, the Cleveland Browns’ Deshaun Watson and New York Giants’ Daniel Jones – and he suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament that casts his future with the team in serious doubt.

This state of affairs is about to converge with a 2024 draft that could showcase several potential franchise passers – USC’s Caleb Williams, North Carolina’s Drake Maye, Oregon’s Bo Nix, Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. and Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders among them.

That could mean an NFL buyer’s market with injured Kirk Cousins presently bound for free agency with other veterans potentially available, recent offseasons featuring prominent quarterback trades.

Which clubs could be poised to make a switch? Here are 12 to monitor closely:

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Arizona Cardinals

Maybe they roll with QB Kyler Murray, who has yet to play since suffering an ACL tear late last season. And maybe a team hurtling toward the No. 1 overall pick, which would mean the temptation of Williams and the talent so often (and unfairly) compared to Patrick Mahomes, makes a hard turn to starboard.

Atlanta Falcons

With second-year QB Desmond Ridder now in observation mode from the pine and newly promoted starter Taylor Heinicke little more than a patch, this talent-laden squad is shaping up as something similar to the 2022 New York Jets – just a proven quarterback away from serious contention. Unfortunately, unlikely to be anyone of Aaron Rodgers’ caliber available in 2024. And, unfortunately, Atlanta never made a serious run at Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson when the opportunity arose earlier this year.

Chicago Bears

Maybe they have their guy in third-year QB Justin Fields. And maybe they opt to reboot the position, a decision they had to mull in 2023, given Chicago is currently projected to pick second and third overall in 2024. Moving on from Fields would be as much a financial stratagem – similar to the Jets’ divorce from Sam Darnold in 2021 after just three seasons – as one made for football reasons.

Denver Broncos

Hardly fair to pin their struggles on Russell Wilson, who’s played much better during his second season in the Rocky Mountains – already matching his 2022 TD pass total (16). Yet if HC Sean Payton doesn’t believe Wilson is the long-term guy, better not to drag this out – and maybe that means finding a trade partner willing to take on his contract, or designating him a post-June 1 cut in 2024 so as not to completely wreck Denver’s salary cap.

Green Bay Packers

Despite the vote of confidence recently issued by GM Brian Gutekunst, Year 1 of the Jordan Love Experience has been a decidedly mixed bag. Perhaps appropriately, the Pack will likely have a nice mix of options next year – including sticking with Love, who’s under contract through 2024, drafting a potential replacement … or both.

Las Vegas Raiders

Hindsight always brings clarity, but they sure seem foolish for not pursuing a quarterback atop the 2023 draft – or even simply taking Will Levis at No. 7. But, for now, veteran Jimmy Garoppolo is attached to the bench while fourth-round rookie Aidan O’Connell tries to make a case he is worthy of wearing Derek Carr’s No. 4 jersey for the next decade-plus. But if not?

Minnesota Vikings

Cousins, torn Achilles and all, is out of contract after a season in which he was playing exceptionally well. Doesn’t mean he can’t be re-signed. Also doesn’t mean the Vikes can’t move on rather than hope a 35-year-old who’s never proven he can win big can make it all the way back physically.

New England Patriots

Who would have pegged them to have the AFC’s worst record midway through the season? But, as such, they’re careening toward a prime opportunity to replace 2021 first-rounder Mac Jones, the team needing to make a decision on his fifth-year option next spring. But given his inconsistency, Jones appears increasingly unworthy of sitting on Tom Brady’s throne – and this is another scenario that could present the chance to reset the positional wage scale – so don’t be surprised if Bill Belichick and Co. go Ctrl-Alt-Delete.

New York Giants

Jones signed a four-year, $160 million deal in the offseason but – even before Sunday’s knee injury – he’d seemed to regress to the inconsistent player whom the organization didn’t deem worthy of a fifth-year rookie option prior to the 2022 campaign. In fairness, Jones has been plagued by a poor offensive line and dearth of downfield weapons. In fairness to the Giants, they may have to reconsider the position regardless – but especially given the specter of Jones’ upcoming rehab, to say nothing of his problematic neck injuries. Still, even if the G-Men opt to move on, cap considerations likely keep him on the roster until 2025.

Seattle Seahawks

Plenty of speculation, founded or not, that they’d strongly consider Florida QB Anthony Richardson in the 2023 draft with the fifth overall pick … had the Indianapolis Colts not snatched him at No. 4. But this much is true – Seattle can dump QB Geno Smith and his team-friendly contract at any point … and the 12th Man was probably strongly considering it following Sunday’s 37-3 loss to the Ravens.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Now with his fourth team in six seasons, Baker Mayfield has been … fine. Fine probably won’t get you much more than another short-term bridge deal, whether in Tampa or elsewhere in 2024, with the Bucs soon having to reassess their QB depth chart anew.

Washington Commanders

First-year starter Sam Howell has been decent, aside from the ungodly amount of sacks he’s absorbed – a league-worst 44, putting him on track to break the single-season record (76). But “decent” may not be sufficient for a new ownership group possibly looking to make a splash − especially after clearing the decks of potentially expensive DEs Chase Young and Montez Sweat.

***

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PHOENIX ― The Chicago Cubs pulled a stunning move on the eve of the GM meetings Monday by hiring manager Craig Counsell and immediately firing David Ross, making Counsell baseball’s highest-paid manager, his agent told USA TODAY Sports.

‘Craig is thrilled to join the Chicago Cubs and hopes to establish a championship culture that will bring great success to Wrigley Field,’ said Barry Meister of Meister Sports Management. ‘It was a difficult decision to leave Milwaukee for whom he holds great love and admiration and is excited for the next chapter.

‘He was also gratified that numerous teams sought his services and all recognized important reasons to value major league managers in a progressive way.’

The Cubs, who began heavily recruiting Counsell on Nov. 1 immediately after his contract expired with the Milwaukee Brewers, have tentatively scheduled a Nov. 13 press conference to introduce Counsell at Wrigley Field.

Counsell, the most successful manager in Brewers history, received signed a five-year, $40 million contract from the Cubs, making him the highest-paid manager in baseball history. He also received offers from the New York Mets and Cleveland Guardians before accepting the Cubs’ job.

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‘Today we made the difficult decision to dismiss David Ross as our Major League Manager,’ Jed Hoyer, Cubs president of baseball operations, said in a statement. ‘On behalf of the Cubs organization, we express our deep gratitude for David’s contributions to our club, both on and off the field. First as a player and then as a manager, David continually showcased his ability to lead. David’s legacy will be felt in Chicago for generations and his impact to our organization will stack up with the legends that came before him.

‘Going forward, our Major League team will be managed by Craig Counsell. We look forward to welcoming Craig at Wrigley Field early next week.’

Ross went 262-284 (.480) as the Cubs’ manager. He led the Cubs to the 2020 NL Central title, but never returned to the postseason, collapsing in the final three weeks this season.

The Cubs are now hoping history repeats itself on the field. They fired Rick Renteria in the winter of 2014 when Joe Maddon became available and, two years later, won their first World Series championship in 86 years.

This time, they fired Ross, who was a player on that World Series winning team and had one year remaining on his contract.

Counsell, who managed the Brewers for nine years, badly wanted to reset the marketplace among managers. He was paid $3.5 million by the Brewers this past season and did not engage in contract talks during the year. The Brewers offered him a four-year, $20 million contract with incentives – $5 million a year – to stay.

It was a wild day on the managerial carousel with Cleveland hiring Stephen Vogt, who was the Seattle Mariners bullpen coach, and the Mets hiring Carlos Mendoza, the former Yankees bench coach.

The Houston Astros, San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Angels still have managerial vacancies.

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