A bankruptcy trustee has accused Shilo Sanders of making unauthorized transfers of about $250,000.
Sanders filed for bankruptcy in 2023 to address an $11.89 million judgment from a lawsuit.
The trustee claims Sanders violated the automatic stay by controlling funds that should belong to the bankruptcy estate.

The trustee in the bankruptcy case of Shilo Sanders has filed a complaint against the former Colorado football star, claiming Sanders violated bankruptcy law by making unauthorized transfers of approximately $250,000.

Sanders, son of Colorado coach Deion Sanders, filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in October 2023 in an effort to free himself of more than $11 million in debt.

The trustee in the case, David Wadsworth, filed the complaint against Shilo Sanders on Wednesday, Oct. 22 and is seeking to recover that money and more, which included college income for Sanders from his name, image and likeness (NIL).

The trustee asserted that Sanders violated the automatic stay in the case, which is supposed to prevent him from taking possession of certain assets that become property of the bankruptcy estate after filing a petition for bankruptcy. Before filing for bankruptcy, Sanders entered into NIL contracts through his company called Big 21, LLC.

“The Trustee also asserts a claim for violation of the automatic stay based upon the Debtor’s (Sanders’) exercise of control over Defendant Big 21 including its bank account,” says the complaint, obtained by USA TODAY Sports. “After the Petition Date, only the Trustee as the sole member of Defendant Big 21 had the authority to authorize transfers out of Defendant Big 21’s bank account. Nevertheless… the Trustee did not authorize transfers that totaled approximately $250,000.00 out of Defendant Big 21’s bank account after the Petition Date for the benefit of the Debtor.”

An attorney for Sanders didn’t return a message seeking comment. Sanders was waived by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before the NFL season and was pursuing other career options after that.

What is going on in Shilo Sanders’ bankruptcy case?

Sanders, 25, did not file for bankruptcy because of unpaid loans or overspending with credit cards. He instead was hit with a default judgement of $11.89 million after he was sued by the former security guard at his previous school in Dallas. The lawsuit in Texas civil court alleged Sanders attacked the security guard, John Darjean, at school in 2015, when Sanders was 15 years old. Darjean alleged he suffered permanent and severe injury from Sanders’ elbow and fist after he tried to confiscate his phone at school.

Sanders has claimed it was in self-defense. But he didn’t show up for the trial in 2022, leading to the default judgment owed to Darjean.

Sanders then filed for bankruptcy after Darjean moved to collect on that judgment. But one of the prices of trying to get out of debt in bankruptcy court is that a trustee is put in charge of rounding up the debtor’s non-exempt assets to be sold and divided among the creditors. This generally includes assets a debtor earned before filing for bankruptcy, not after.

“Upon the Petition Date (in October 2023), the Debtor’s right to manage Defendant Big 21 and withdraw funds from the Big 21 Bank Account became property of the bankruptcy estate subject to the exclusive control of the Trustee,” the complaint states.

By making unauthorized transfers from this account, Sanders “willfully violated the automatic stay” under the bankruptcy code, the complaint alleges.

What else did the complaint state?

The complaint lists Shilo Sanders and two of his companies as defendants: Big 21 LLC and Headache Gang LLC. The complaint says that Sanders entered into an NIL contract through Headache Gang after he filed for bankruptcy.

The complaint states that Headache Gang received a payment for $202,500 in late December 2023, after Sanders filed for bankruptcy.

“To the extent the Headache Gang Revenue is based on the Debtor’s prepetition NIL contracts, the Headache Gang Revenue is property of the bankruptcy estate,” the complaint states.

The trustee is seeking “turnover all revenue and proceeds of any prepetition NIL contracts entered into by the Debtor and the other Defendants whether that revenue was entered into prior to or after the Petition Date.”

Shilo Sanders turned over $210,000 to the bankruptcy estate

The complaint says the trustee authorized Shilo Sanders to write a check payable to the Trustee for $210,171 and agreed that $65,000 was a reasonable salary for Sanders in tax year 2023.

The issue in the complaint is that the trustee believes the bankruptcy estate is entitled to much more, including at least a portion of his 2023 tax refund of $4,902.

“The Trustee has demanded an accounting from the Debtor,” says the complaint filed by attorney Peter Cal.

Besides the complaint from the trustee, Sanders also is fighting two complaints filed against him by Darjean, the creditor. Darjean is fighting Sanders’ attempts to get out of the debt owed to him, arguing by law the debt is not dischargeable because it came from a willful and malicious injury. Those complaints are pending.

If the court favors Sanders and rules that the Texas judgment against him is dischargeable, Darjean would only collect pennies on the dollar of what he is owed through what is rounded up by the trustee in the bankruptcy estate.

Follow reporter Brent Schrotenboer @Schrotenboer. Email: bschrotenb@usatoday.com

After a thrilling come-from-behind victory in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series, the Toronto Blue Jays are heading to the World Series for the first time since 1993. However, winning the World Series is a whole different monster. The defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers are waiting in the wings, well-rested after their sweep of the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Championship Series.

Both teams boast tremendous lineups. In fact, the Blue Jays and Dodgers ranked in the top five in MLB in runs scored during the regular season. Offense will be on full display in this contest, but who has the edge?

At times like these, it might be best to look at each player on a case-to-case basis. Who has the best individual hitters? When these teams go bar-for-bar, band-for-band, who has the edge? That’s what we’re here to figure out today.

Here are the 15 best hitters in this year’s World Series:

Best hitters in 2025 World Series

15) Addison Barger, 3B, Blue Jays

2025 stats: .253/.301/.454, 21 HR, 74 RBI

Barger broke out in 2025, tallying 21 homers on the season en route to a 105 OPS+. While he does have a problem with strikeouts (led Toronto with 121 on the season), he makes up for it with timely hitting. The Blue Jays’ third baseman hit .283 during the season with two outs and runners in scoring position, a 40-point jump from his full season mark.

14) Miguel Rojas, IF, Dodgers

2025 stats: .262/.318/.397, 7 HR, 27 RBI

Rojas isn’t an everyday player for the Dodgers, and that just shows how strong this team’s lineup truly is. Rojas is a solid baserunner with a good eye at the plate. His 24 walks were a little more than half of his strikeouts (46), which is something not a lot of other Dodgers can boast heading into this World Series.

13) Andy Pages, OF, Dodgers

2025 stats: .272/.313/.461, 27 HR, 86 RBI

After hitting just 13 homers in 2024, Pages exploded in the power department, hammering 27 in 2025. While he lacks discipline at the plate – 29 walks to 135 strikeouts – he more than makes up for it with his ability to get extra bases.

12) Alejandro Kirk, C, Blue Jays

2025 stats: .282/.348/.421, 15 HR, 76 RBI

After a dreadful two-year stretch between 2023 and 2024, Kirk found his offensive groove once again this year, earning an All-Star nod in the process. In 2025, Kirk posted career highs in home runs and RBI. He also posted his best slugging percentage in a full season with Toronto.

11) Davis Schneider, OF, Blue Jays

2025 stats: .234/.361/.436, 11 HR, 31 RBI

Although he played in only 82 games this year, Schneider showed immense promise at the plate, recording a stellar .361 on-base percentage. While he doesn’t possess the same power potential as some others on this list, Schneider’s value comes from his plate discipline.

10) Daulton Varsho, OF, Blue Jays

2025 stats: .238/.284/.548, 20 HR, 55 RBI

Sort of the opposite of Schneider, Varsho couldn’t draw a walk if he started every AB with three balls. But he has tremendous pop, hammering 20 home runs in just 71 games this year. His .833 OPS was within 15 points of Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who we’ll talk more about later.

9) Teoscar Hernandez, OF, Dodgers

2025 stats: .247/.284/.454, 25 HR, 89 RBI

2025 was a down year for Hernandez. He recorded his lowest batting average since 2019 and lowest OPS since 2016. However, we can’t forget that this is someone who finished top 20 in MVP voting just a season ago. He has a career 119 OPS+ and has a .585 slugging percentage thus far in the playoffs. He’s earned some grace.

8) Mookie Betts, SS, Dodgers

2025 stats: .258/.326/.406, 20 HR, 82 RBI

Betts had arguably the worst season of his career in 2025. Lowest OPS, lowest batting average, lowest OPS+, fewest stolen bases. Despite all that, though, Betts still managed to put up 4.8 WAR. That figure is largely due to his defense, but he still has some juice in his bat as well – 45 extra-base hits is nothing to scoff at.

7) Bo Bichette, SS, Blue Jays

2025 stats: .311/.357/.483, 18 HR, 94 RBI

Bichette is a doubles machine. He cranked out 44 two-baggers, the most of anyone in the World Series this year. Bichette certainly lacks in the walks department, but with runners on base, you could make an argument that Bichette is one of the top guys Toronto will want up. He hit .381 with a 1.053 OPS with men in scoring position this year. The only question – and it’s a big one – is whether his bulky knee will hold up. Bichette hasn’t played in a game since Sept. 6 while nursing a PCL sprain.

6) Max Muncy, 3B, Dodgers

2025 stats: .243/.376/.470, 19 HR, 67 RBI

If you looked up raw power in the dictionary, you’d find a picture of Kyle Schwarber. But if you looked up Kyle Schwarber in a thesaurus, you’d find a picture of Max Muncy. This man hits dingers, but he also draws walks. In 2025, he nearly drew as many walks (64) as strikeouts (83), a huge difference from what he’s accomplished in the past. Muncy’s .376 OBP is the highest of his career since 2018, perhaps a result of adding eyeglasses after the first month of the season. And he might have only played 100 games this season, but he still managed to drive in nearly 70 runs.

5) Will Smith, C, Dodgers

2025 stats: .296/.404/.497, 17 HR, 61 RBI

Will Smith rakes. For a catcher, he’s just one tier below Cal Raleigh. Smith posted a .901 OPS this season. At the catcher position, that’s nearly unheard of. He also had the highest batting average of anyone on the Dodgers this year.

4) George Springer, DH/OF, Blue Jays

2025 stats: .309/.399/.560, 32 HR, 84 RBI

After pretty underwhelming campaigns in 2023 and 2024, Springer experienced a career resurgence at 35 years old, posting career highs in batting average and on-base percentage. His 161 OPS+ was also the highest of his career.

3) Vladimir Guerrero Jr., 1B, Blue Jays

2025 stats: .292/.381/.467, 23 HR, 84 RBI

It’s no shock that the ALCS MVP is the top Blue Jays hitter on our list. Vladdy has been one of the best hitters in baseball over the past five years, ever since he led MLB with 48 home runs. Guerrero is really finding a groove during these playoffs as well, hitting over .400 with six home runs to boot.

2) Freddie Freeman, 1B, Dodgers

2025 stats: .295/.367/.502, 24 HR, 90 RBI

At 35, Freddie Freeman is an ageless wonder. While Freeman’s on-base percentage dipped a bit between 2024 and 2025, he made up for that with six more extra-base hits. Freeman is as consistent as they come, and we’ve seen how he performs in World Series situations. That’s why he ranks No. 2 on our list.

1) Shohei Ohtani, DH, Dodgers

2025 stats: .282/.392/.622, 55 HR, 102 RBI

No surprise here, the best player on the planet also happens to be the best hitter in the World Series. While Ohtani didn’t manage to reach the 50-50 mark for a second consecutive season, he still hammered 55 dingers on the season and led the NL in slugging percentage, OPS, runs, and total bases.

On paper, the 2025 World Series should be dominated by offense. The Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays both ranked among MLB’s top four in runs per game during the regular season.

Their pitching, on the other hand, was right about league average.

But things can change as the playoffs roll around. The Dodgers’ starters have been spectacular as they’ve rolled into the World Series by winning nine of their 10 playoff games while putting up an overall 2.45 ERA. And the Jays have gotten strong performances from their top pitchers, including a rookie who has thrown more postseason innings for Toronto than he did during the regular season.

As we get ready for Game 1 on Friday, here is our ranking of the best pitchers in the 2025 World Series.

World Series pitcher rankings

Before we begin our countdown, let’s just take a moment to acknowledge two future first-ballot Hall of Famers who are unlikely to play a major roles in this World Series. But the contributions of the Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw and the Blue Jays’ Max Scherzer over the course of their careers have been immense. Both three-time Cy Young award winners, they epitomize excellence on the mound. One will deservedly win another World Series ring to potentially cap off a stellar career.

12. Alex Vesia, Dodgers

Regular season: 4-2, 3.02 ERA, 5 saves, 1.1 WAR
Playoffs: 2-0, 3.86 ERA in 7 appearances

Vesia is the Dodgers’ top left-handed reliever and should see considerable action in the series, matching up against Nathan Lukes, Daulton Varsho, Addison Barger and ALCS hero Andres Gimenez. He held left-handed batters to a .159/.208/.290 slash line during the regular season, but was also effective (.193/.304/.378) against righties.

11. Louis Varland, Blue Jays

Regular season: 4-3, 2.97 ERA, 1.7 WAR
Playoffs: 0-1, 3.27 ERA in 10 appearances (1 start)

Acquired from the Minnesota Twins at the trade deadline, Varland has been the Jays’ workhorse reliever in the playoffs – appearing in 10 of their 11 postseason games. He started to show a few cracks during the ALCS, but three off days before the start of the World Series should help. He’s struck out 13 batters with only one walk in 11 postseason innings.

10. Roki Sasaki, Dodgers

Regular season: 1-1, 4.46 ERA, 0.3 WAR
Playoffs: 0-0, 1.13 ERA, 3 saves in 7 appearances

One of the most prized international free agents in years, Sasaki flopped spectacularly as a starter and was demoted to the minors in May – only to return with redesigned mechanics in late September as a reliever. The transformation has been nothing short of miraculous. He’s allowed just three hits in eight innings this postseason (.115 opp. average) in converting all three save chances.

9. Jeff Hoffman, Blue Jays

Regular season: 9-7, 4.37 ERA, 0.5 WAR
Playoffs: 0-0, 1.23 ERA, 2 saves in 6 appearances

The Jays closer has rebounded in October from his up-and-(mostly) down regular season. Home runs can be an issue for Hoffman, who allowed 15 of them in 68 innings (2.0 HR/9). That could make for some dramatic moments facing the potent Dodgers offense in the late innings.

8. Emmet Sheehan, Dodgers

Regular season: 6-3, 2.82 ERA, 1.0 WAR
Playoffs: 0-0, 10.80 ERA in 3 appearances

Sheehan provided some much-needed stability to the Dodgers the rotation during the season, whether that was as a starter or a multiple-inning reliever. But once the team’s star pitchers began to get healthy, Sheehan transitioned into an important relief role – one he’s continued in the playoffs. While his stats in just 3 ⅓ October innings aren’t great, he’ll likely be the first Dodger out of the bullpen in high-leverage situations.

7. Shane Bieber, Blue Jays

Regular season: 4-2, 3.57 ERA, 0.7 WAR
Playoffs: 1-0, 4.38 ERA in 3 starts

As he recovered from Tommy John surgery that cost him most of the 2024 and 2025 seasons, the Blue Jays gambled on Bieber being healthy for the stretch run when they acquired him from the Cleveland Guardians in July. Making his season debut on Aug. 22, the 2020 AL Cy Young winner seemed to get the zip on his pitches back and, with his elite control, has been a solid No. 3 starter in the playoffs.

6. Trey Yesavage, Blue Jays

Regular season: 1-0, 3.21 ERA, 0.3 WAR
Playoffs: 2-1, 4.20 ERA in 3 starts

The Jays’ top pitching prospect began the season in Low-A ball, but kept dominating hitters as he climbed the organizational ranks. By mid-September he was in Toronto’s starting rotation and striking out 10.3 batters per nine innings. In his first postseason appareance, the 22 year old struck out 11 Yankees over 5 ⅓ scoreless frames in Game 2 of the division series. Then, he helped the Jays avoid elimination in Game 6 of the ALCS with a gutty 5 ⅔ innings against the Mariners.

5. Tyler Glasnow, Dodgers

Regular season: 4-3, 3.19 ERA, 1.9 WAR
Playoffs: 0-0, 0.68 ERA in 3 appearances (2 starts)

The oft-injured Glasnow was sidelined for more than two months due to shoulder inflammation, but returned to the Dodgers rotation just before the All-Star break. During his final 13 starts, he looked like his dominant self, with a 2.86 ERA and 1.05 WHIP over 72 ⅓ innings. He appeared once in relief in the NLDS opener against the Philadelphia Phillies before tossing six scoreless frames in the Game 4 clincher. He allowed one run in 5 ⅔ innings in the NLCS and is in line to start World Series Game 3 at home against the Jays.

4. Kevin Gausman, Blue Jays

Regular season: 10-11, 3.59 ERA, 3.8 WAR
Playoffs: 2-1, 2.00 ERA in 4 appearances (3 starts)

Toronto’s unquestioned ace, Gausman pitched a career-high 193 innings with a 3.59 ERA during the regular season but somehow ended up with a losing record. He was the winning pitcher in Game 1 of the division series vs. the Yankees and the losing pitcher of the ALCS opener against the Mariners. He also started Game 5 in Seattle (getting a no-decision) and ended up being the winning pitcher in the decisive Game 7 with a scoreless inning of relief. Gausman’s reverse splits (.586 OPS vs. left-handed batters, .664 vs. right-handers) could be an important weapon for the Jays against the dangerous lefty bats of Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman and Max Muncy.

3. Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers

Regular season: 1-1, 2.87 ERA, 1.1 WAR (pitching only)
Playoffs: 2-0, 2.25 ERA in 2 starts

Ohtani didn’t pitch at all during his first season with the Dodgers in 2024, as he was coming off elbow surgery in September 2023. Ramping things up extremely slowly, he made his debut on the mound this season on June 16, and only in the last of his 14 starts did he throw more than five innings. However, he’s gone six innings in both of his playoff starts – winning the NLDS opener against the Phillies and shutting out the Brewers on two hits while striking out 10 (and, oh yeah, also hitting three home runs) in an epic NLCS Game 4 performance. Look for him to take the hill for Game 4 at Dodger Stadium.

2. Blake Snell, Dodgers

Regular season: 5-4, 2.35 ERA, 1.3 WAR
Playoffs: 3-0, 0.86 ERA in 3 starts

The two-time Cy Young award winner missed four months and was limited to just 11 starts in the regular season because of shoulder inflammation. Yet he continued his history of late-season dominance, allowing a total of one earned run over 19 innings (0.47 ERA) and striking out 28 in his last three September starts. He’s kept the momentum going in the playoffs, looking almost unhittable in his three outings – especially the eight innings of scoreless, one-hit ball in the NLCS opener in Milwaukee. He’ll start the 2025 World Series opener Friday.

1. Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Dodgers

Regular season: 12-8, 2.49 ERA, 5.0 WAR
Playoffs: 2-1, 1.83 ERA in 3 starts

The toughest call of all on this list is Snell vs. Yamamoto for the top spot. We’ll go with the guy who’s been the most durable and the most consistent over the course of the entire season. Yamamoto allowed the fewest hits per nine innings (5.86) and the lowest opponents’ batting average (.183) of any qualified starting pitcher in the majors during the regular season. He came within one out of a no-hitter in September and, in Game 2 of the NLCS, tossed the first postseason complete game in eight years when he baffled the Brewers on just three hits. He’ll be in line to face the Jays in Game 2 and Game 6, if necessary.

San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama wasn’t willing to take a backseat to anyone on Tuesday night, including new in-state rival Cooper Flagg of the Dallas Mavericks.

The Spurs overwhelmed the Mavericks in a 125-92 victory on the road to open the season on Wednesday night.

It was Wembanyama’s first regular-season game since he had his 2024-25 season cut short due to deep vein thrombosis.

Wembanyama produced an incredible double-double in the outing with 40 points and 15 rebounds.

Flagg, the 2025 No. 1 overall pick, has a lot of hype behind him, but he struggled to find his way in the first half. He was held scoreless before halftime before scoring his first career points in the third quarter.

The rookie managed to pick things up down the stretch and finished with a double-double performance.

Here’s how the biggest game in Texas played out on Wednesday night.

Spurs vs. Mavericks highlights

Final: Spurs 125, Mavericks 92

Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle push the Spurs past the Mavericks for a road win to start the season.

Castle added 22 points, seven rebounds and six assists in 29 minutes of play. Devin Vassell added 13 points. Anthony Davis led the Mavericks with 22 points in the loss.

Victor Wembanyama scores 40 points

Wembanyama produced a double-double with 40 points and 15 rebounds in 30 minutes of play. He shot 15-of-21 from the field.

3Q: Spurs 93, Mavericks 72

Victor Wembanyama scored 10 points in the quarter to continue pushing San Antonio past the in-state rival Mavericks.

Wembanyama has produced a double-double performance with 10 of 11 rebounds coming on defense. Stephon Castle added 18 points, six rebounds and six assists for the Spurs through three quarters.

The Mavericks have struggled to keep up with the Spurs, being outscored 33-21 in the quarter.

Cooper Flagg scores first points

Cooper Flagg had a slow start in the first half of his regular-season debut. After going scoreless through the first two quarters, he scored his first points early in the third quarter.

He’s now 1-of-3 from the field.

Halftime: Spurs 60, Mavericks 51

The Spurs finish the second quarter on a 15-3 scoring run.

Victor Wembanyama had 21 points and seven of his eight rebounds on defense in the first half for the Spurs. Stephon Castle added 13 points, four assists and four rebounds.

Anthony Davis scored a team-high 12 points in the first half for the Mavericks, with 10 coming in the first quarter. He also had 10 rebounds for a double-double.

P.J. Washington added 10 points after shooting 4-for-5 from the field.

1Q: Mavericks 29, Spurs 28

Anthony Davis had 10 points and five rebounds for the Mavericks in the first quarter. Cooper Flagg did not score in the first quarter after shooting 0-for-2 from the field.

Victor Wembanyama scored 11 points in the opening quarter, shooting 4-for-5 from the field. He also went 3-for-4 from the free-throw line.

Spurs lead Mavericks early

The Spurs put together a 10-0 scoring run to lead the Mavericks 14-8 with 7:29 left in the first quarter.

How to watch Spurs at Mavericks

Date: Wednesday, Oct. 22
Time: 9:30 p.m. ET/8:30 p.m. CT
Where: American Airlines Center in Dallas
TV: ESPN
Stream: Fubo

Stream Cooper Flagg’s NBA debut with Fubo

Dallas Mavericks starting lineup vs. Spurs

Rookie Cooper Flagg will start for the Mavericks tonight against the San Antonio Spurs.

Flagg is the youngest player in the NBA at 18 years, 10 months and a day old.

Klay Thompson, P.J. Washington, Anthony Davis and Dereck Lively II will join the No. 1 overall pick in the starting lineup tonight.

San Antonio Spurs starting lineup vs. Mavericks

Forward Victor Wembanyama will headline the Spurs’ starting lineup.

Guard Stephon Castle, forward Harrison Barnes, forward Julian Champagnie and guard Devin Vassell will join Wembanyama in the lineup.

Spurs at Mavericks odds

*All odds via BetMGM

Spread: Mavericks (-2.5)
Moneyline: Mavericks (-145); Spurs (+118)
Over/Under: 226.5

You can add Bill Self to the list of prominent, old-school college basketball coaches who have an issue with the direction college basketball is going with its updated eligibility guidelines from the NCAA.

Speaking at Big 12 basketball media days in Kansas City on Wednesday, Oct. 22, the Kansas basketball coach offered his thoughts on the NCAA allowing NBA G League players to be in the transfer portal and apply for eligibility in college basketball.

‘Who knows, we may be recruiting one when it is all said and done. I got to know the rule because I didn’t know it was just limited to the G-League. I thought a guy could be cut in the NBA and be eligible for college,’ Self said. ‘My personal opinion is, I have no idea what we’re doing.’

Self’s comments comes less than two days after Pat Kelsey and Louisville, which hosts Kansas for an exhibition at KFC Yum! Center in Louisville on Friday, landed the commitment of three-year G-League guard London Johnson. The former four-star recruit is the second player from the G-League, which serves as the NBA’s developmental league, to make the move to the college ranks. The other was Thierry Darlan, who committed to Santa Clara, as noted by USA TODAY.

He is one of three high-profile Power Four college basketball coaches in the last 24 hours to comment on Louisville landing Johnson from the G-League and the direction the sport is shifting to, with the others being Michigan State’s Tom Izzo and Houston’s Kelvin Sampson.

Self, the two-time Associated Press Coach of the Year, went on to tell reporters that he isn’t well-versed with the rule, but it could be consequential for teams down the road.

‘We are going to call NBA teams, G-League teams to find out who (might) potentially be available and that is who we are going to recruit now compared to high school kids or portal kids. And what is the actual rule? Does it have to fit within a five-year window? Can he go to college first? I don’t really understand it well enough to comment too much, other than why wouldn’t everybody declare for the draft if it doesn’t work out and (you can) go back to college?

‘If it is the way that I think it is, which it may not be because I don’t understand it well enough yet, it is going to open up some unintended consequences that we’re going to have to deal with for sure.’

Self is set to open up his 23rd season at Kansas, which was picked to finish No. 6 in the Big 12 preseason poll, against Green Bay on Monday, Nov. 3 at 8 p.m. ET inside Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence, Kansas.

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Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers open the season Wednesday night against the Utah Jazz, but a cloud still hangs over LA’s head regarding an ongoing NBA investigation.

Leonard and team owner Steve Ballmer are at the forefront of the investigation into whether the team allegedly helped facilitate a $28 million “no-show” endorsement deal for Leonard with a now-bankrupt sustainability company called Aspiration.

Aspiration, a green bank, was founded by Joe Sanberg and Andrei Cherny. Ballmer was an investor in the company.

The Clippers and Aspiration struck a $300 million sponsorship deal in 2021 that was vetted and approved by the league, according to ESPN.

 It was some time after that sponsorship deal that the company reached a deal with Leonard.

The company declared bankruptcy in March.

What are the latest developments?

He had previously agreed to plead guilty to his role in a scheme that defrauded investors out of $248 million.

Kawhi Leonard addresses investigation

Leonard denied any wrongdoing during the team’s media day on Sept. 29, when he made his first public comments since the league opened the investigation.

“There’s no wrongdoing there,” Leonard said. “We’re just going to keep going as any other season. My name might pop up, but it is what it is. I’ve been through times like this before.”

The two-time NBA Finals MVP compared the investigation to more adversity in his career, including last year when his house and community caught fire during the L.A. wildfires.

Ballmer has not spoken publicly since Sept. 4, when he addressed the reports and allegations when they first surfaced.

Has the investigation impacted the team?

The Clippers players remain united and focused on the season ahead.

The team has been seen on social media participating in several team-bonding activities.

Leonard, James Harden and several members of the Clippers were seen in a post on social media painting walls and furniture that will be placed in homes across Los Angeles and the San Gabriel Valley.

The team also got together for the Los Angeles Rams’ game against the San Francisco 49ers on ‘Thursday Night Football’ earlier this month.

Will Clippers lose NBA All-Star Game?

The Clippers are still expected to host the All-Star Game at the Intuit Dome in February 2026.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver stated that there’s ‘no contemplation’ of moving the game while the investigation is taking place, according to the Associated Press.

USA TODAY’s Lorenzo Reyes contributed to this story

There are folks in these jobs who will take chances, some who will take considerable risk – and then there’s Buster Posey.

Posey, the San Francisco Giants president of baseball operations, just established himself as the biggest gunslinger in the business with a massive gamble hiring Tennessee baseball coach Tony Vitello.

Yes, Vitello, the same guy who has never played a day professionally, never managed a day professionally, is now in charge of taking the San Francisco Giants to the promised land.

Vitello, 47, becomes the first person to ever jump straight from the college ranks to become a Major League manager, signing a five-year contract.

It has all of the makings of an unmitigated disaster, but Posey didn’t budge.

Posey had a chance to bring back future Hall of Famer Bruce Bochy.

He could have tried to convince future Hall of Famer Dusty Baker to come for one last ride.

He could have reached out and tried to hire Skip Schumaker, who was the top choice of virtually everyone, including the Baltimore Orioles who wined and dined him before he was hired by the Texas Rangers.

Instead, he’s going with one of the most successful collegiate coaches in recent years, betting that his team mixed full of veteran All-Stars and young kids – with plenty of egos – will actually pay attention to him and give him respect.

Good luck!

Posey, of course, took a leap of faith in his personal life by leaving the relaxing confines of home in Georgia to move to San Francisco, become part owner of the Giants, and then the president of baseball operations.

He went out and dumped $182 million on free agent shortstop Willy Adames.

He drove to third baseman Matt Chapman’s home before he could hit free agency again, signing him to a six-year, $151 million contract extension.

And, of course, he traded for Boston Red Sox infielder Rafael Devers, assuming $255 million.

Now just a month after firing veteran manager Bob Melvin, weeks after telling Bochy he was not wanted, he turns to a guy who has zero experience at the professional level.

The Giants originally were expected to hire Nick Hundley, a special assistant with the San Diego Padres, but when he withdrew his name from consideration, Posey pivoted to Vitello and wouldn’t take no for an answer.

Certainly, Vitello is taking a risk, too. The dude was earning more than $3 million annually with salary and benefits at Tennessee through 2029.

There’s also a $3 million buyout that must paid to Tennessee. While the Giants still owe $4 million to Melvin for 2026.

Still, Posey is convinced Vitello is the right guy after developing 10 first-round picks in eight seasons at Tennessee, including Boston Red Sox ace Garrett Crochet, Los Angeles Angels reliever Ben Joyce and Giants infielder Gavin Kilen. The Giants are filled with former players from Tennessee including outfielder Drew Gilbert, shortstop Maui Ahuna and pitcher Blade Tidwell. He also coached Toronto Blue Jays starter Max Scherzer at Missouri.

Now, he’s going where no man has gone before, straight from college to an MLB dugout as manager. The closest to make this jump was former Arizona State coach Bobby Winkles, who spent one year on the California Angels coaching staff become becoming their manager.

Will it work?

Scherzer believes Vitello he has the right temperament and will instantly infuse energy into the Giants. Gilbert can’t stop gushing over him.

And Posey is betting his job on him.

If it backfires, as several MLB executives and scouts already are predicting, it could end up costing Posey his job.

It’s one thing to take a chance that could damage a team’s chances for the postseason, it’s quite another to bet your job and reputation on it.

There’s a new gunslinging executive in MLB, a moniker last bestowed upon the great, late Kevin Towers, who was GM of the San Diego Padres and Arizona Diamondbacks.

His name is Buster Posey.

And this one is a doozy.

Follow Nightengale on X: @Bnightengale

This story has been updated to include new information.

The USA TODAY Sports men’s basketball preseason coaches poll is out, as the top title contenders for the 2025-26 season have been identified.  

Of course, the preseason poll is all about projections. It is comprised of who the nation’s coaches believe have a good chance of cutting down the nets at the Final Four in Indianapolis in April. 

For as much stock as we buy into it before the ball is tipped, we must be just as cautious. After all, it was just three years ago when Connecticut was just outside of the Top 25 to start the 2022-23 season. Five months later, the Huskies were national champions. This year it is Purdue at No. 1 to start the season.

OUTLOOKS: Previewing each team in the preseason Top 25 rankings

While we debate who is ranked too high or too low, you can’t forget about those flying under the radar. There are several teams that were left out of the preseason poll that could not only find themselves ranked as play begins, but making deep runs in the tournament. A look at our five biggest snubs from the preseason rankings.

North Carolina State

Will Wade arrives fresh off his stellar run at McNeese State and looking like he can carry the success over to the Wolfpack. He went to the portal and found proven stars, headlined by Darrion Williams (Texas Tech). Williams, the ACC preseason player of the year, has All-America potential as a consistent double-figure scorer. He is joined by Tre Holloman (Michigan State), who can flourish in an elevated roll leading the back court. With the ACC remaining pretty open outside of Duke and Louisville, North Carolina State can very much find itself winning 20 games and returning to the big dance.

Oregon 

Last season was a roller coaster for the Ducks, but it can be much more steady for Dana Altman’s club in a crowded Big Ten. Oregon returns one of the best tandems in the country with Jackson Shelstad and Nate Bittle, who combined for 27.9 points per game. Shelstad is expected to miss the first couple of weeks due to a broken right hand, but that could offer the opportunity for Oregon to showcase one of the most intriguing offseason additions in Wei Lin. The Chinese guard was ruled eligible and is coming off a season playing professionally in the Chinese Basketball Association, where he averaged 21 points and five assists per game.

San Diego State

No team from the Mountain West cracks the Top 25, and San Diego State may take it personal as a team that has made the tournament for five consecutive seasons. The Aztecs appear primed for another appearance. Magoon Gwath, the conference’s freshman of the year, decided to stay put. Gwath (8.5 ppg, 5.2 rpg) is expected to be a bigger role. San Diego State also boasts one of the best back courts in the Mountain West with Miles Byrd (12.3 ppg) being joined by transfer Latrell Davis (San Jose State). Also added to the group is Reese Dixon-Waters, who missed all of last season with a foot injury and improves San Diego State’s scoring options.

Iowa

Ben McCollum brings his tradition of winning to Iowa City in hopes of revitalizing the Hawkeyes. He doesn’t come from Drake by himself. He brings five of his former players into the fold. Three of them were major contributors, including reigning Missouri Valley Conference player of the year Bennett Stirtz, one of the top transfers. Also joining is reigning Horizon League player of the year Alvaro Folgueiras (Robert Morris). The offense should be solid but the key will be if McCollum can replicate the defensive success he had last season that helped Drake reach the second round of the tournament.

Southern California

Eric Musselman is putting a ton of effort in making men’s basketball significant at USC, and his second year should see big gains. While he lost leading scorer Desmond Claude, Musselman made a major splash in the portal in luring Chad Baker-Mazara to Los Angeles after Auburn reached the Final Four. Also arriving is Rodney Rice (Maryland), who has a chance to break out in an elevated role after showing glimpses last season. One setback is an injury to five-star freshman Alijah Arenas. He is expected to miss the season with a knee injury.