SPORTS

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Olivier Rioux, the 7-foot-9 Canadian center for the Florida Gators, continues to captivate college basketball fans in March 2026 as the tallest player ever to compete in NCAA men's hoops. Now a redshirt freshman in his first active season after preserving eligibility in 2024-25, Rioux has appeared in limited minutes but already etched his name in record books with historic dunks and crowd-roaring entrances.

SYDNEY — Japan edged hosts Australia 1-0 in the AFC Women's Asian Cup final on Saturday, March 21, 2026, securing their third continental crown and denying the Matildas a home triumph in front of a record crowd at Stadium Australia.

SYDNEY — The stage is set for a blockbuster showdown as hosts Australia face arch-rivals Japan in the final of the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026™ at Stadium Australia on Saturday

LOS ANGELES — Austin Reaves, the Los Angeles Lakers' breakout guard, recently called LeBron James the "real leader" of the team, emphasizing the four-time NBA champion's selfless play, basketball IQ and example-setting presence even as Luka Doncic has taken on the primary scoring and playmaking role.

Lionel Messi, the architect of Argentina's triumphant 2022 World Cup campaign, remains a central figure in discussions about the 2026 tournament, with signs pointing to his participation in what could be his final shot at back-to-back titles — a feat unachieved since Brazil in 1958-1962.

ADELAIDE, Australia — The Western Bulldogs held off a fast-finishing Adelaide Crows side to claim a hard-fought six-point victory, 14.10 (94) to 13.10 (88), in Round 2 of the 2026 AFL premiership season on Friday night at Adelaide Oval.

BRISBANE, Australia — Former Brisbane Lions captain and three-time premiership hero Jonathan Brown is recovering from surgery to remove a low-grade brain tumour, the AFL great announced Friday in a heartfelt social media post that has drawn an outpouring of support from the football community.

BRISBANE, Australia — Kotoni Staggs, the powerful centre for the Brisbane Broncos, has become one of the NRL's most reliable and dynamic players.

With just over 80 days until the expanded 48-team 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off across the United States, Mexico and Canada on June 11, anticipation is building for what promises to be the most global tournament in history.

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Cristiano Ronaldo's latest injury — a hamstring issue sustained in late February — has kept the 41-year-old Portuguese superstar off the pitch for Al Nassr through mid-March 2026, sparking concerns about his workload and availability for club and country.

American soccer icon Landon Donovan is set to release his long-awaited memoir, "Landon: A Memoir," on March 24, 2026, offering an unflinching look at his storied career, personal battles with depression and the search for peace beyond the pitch.

HOUSTON — LeBron James and Luka Doncic delivered a masterclass in scoring efficiency and playmaking, combining for 70 points to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a 124-116 road win over the Houston Rockets on Wednesday night at Toyota Center

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Lionel Messi etched his name deeper into soccer history Wednesday night, scoring his 900th career goal in the seventh minute of Inter Miami's Concacaf Champions Cup Round of 16 second-leg match against Nashville SC.

LISBON, Portugal — Cristiano Ronaldo remains on course to represent Portugal at the 2026 FIFA World Cup despite a recent hamstring injury that sidelined him from Al Nassr matches in early March, with recovery timelines pointing to a return in April and full fitness well before the tournament opens in June.

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup just over three months away, kicking off June 11 across 16 venues in the United States, Canada and Mexico, early predictions and betting markets point to Spain as the frontrunner to lift the trophy

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Nike Basketball and Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant have partnered with the iconic "Jurassic Park" franchise to launch a themed sneaker pack for the Nike Ja 3, blending cinematic nostalgia with high-performance basketball design.

Boston Celtics guard Derrick White appeared on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, charming host Jimmy Fallon with stories of his defensive prowess, a gritty NBA Finals dental mishap and his new beer collaboration, all while sharing a St. Patrick's Day pint in a lighthearted segment that highlighted his rising profile beyond the court.

LAS VEGAS — Former NBA champion Lamar Odom pleaded not guilty Tuesday to misdemeanor charges including driving under the influence, speeding more than 41 mph over the limit and failure to maintain a travel lane, stemming from his January 17, 2026, arrest on Interstate 15 near Harry Reid International Airport.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Veteran quarterback Andy Dalton, known as the "Red Rifle," was traded from the Carolina Panthers to the Philadelphia Eagles on March 18, 2026, in exchange for a 2027 seventh-round draft pick, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter and other outlets.

BARCELONA, Spain — FC Barcelona hosts Newcastle United on Wednesday in the decisive second leg of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 tie at Spotify Camp Nou, with the aggregate score level at 1-1 after a tense 1-1 draw at St James' Park last week.

Palm Harbor, Fla. — The **Valspar Championship** returns to the challenging Copperhead Course at Innisbrook Resort this week, March 19-22, marking the conclusion of the PGA Tour's Florida Swing. With a $9.1 million purse and a strong but non-Signature field, the event features elite ball-strikers and short-game specialists who can navigate the tight fairways, thick rough and signature Snake Pit finishing stretch.

Miami Gardens, Fla. — The **Miami Open presented by Itau**, the second leg of the prestigious Sunshine Double, kicks off its main draw Wednesday with a loaded men's singles field led by World No. 1 **Carlos Alcaraz** and No. 2 **Jannik Sinner**. The ATP Masters 1000 event, running March 18-29 at Hard Rock Stadium, features high-stakes action on the fast hard courts, where Alcaraz seeks redemption after a semifinal exit at Indian Wells and Sinner aims to build on his BNP Paribas Open triumph.

SYDNEY — Australian athletes continue to dominate financially on the global stage, with several earning tens of millions annually through lucrative contracts in the NBA, NFL, Formula 1 and golf. As of early 2026, rankings of the wealthiest Australian sports stars highlight a shift toward overseas leagues, where massive salaries and endorsements far outpace domestic competitions like the AFL, NRL or cricket.

At 41, LeBron James continues to rewrite NBA record books in his 23rd season with the Los Angeles Lakers, fueling endless arguments over whether he has surpassed Michael Jordan as basketball's greatest of all time. As the 2025-26 campaign nears its midpoint in March 2026, James holds the all-time scoring crown, boasts unmatched longevity and versatility, yet trails Jordan in championships and peak dominance — leaving the GOAT debate as divisive as ever.

As the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches, the eternal Lionel Messi-Cristiano Ronaldo "GOAT" debate — Greatest Of All Time — reignites with fresh urgency. Ronaldo, at 41, eyes what he has called his final international tournament, while Messi, 38, defends Argentina's title amid whispers of retirement.

Cristiano Ronaldo remains sidelined with a hamstring injury sustained late February but shows encouraging signs of recovery, with Al-Nassr manager Jorge Jesus confirming the 41-year-old Portuguese superstar and teammate Sadio Mane should return to action after the upcoming international break.

MIAMI — Venezuela captured its first World Baseball Classic title Tuesday night, defeating the United States 3-2 in a tense championship game at loanDepot park that showcased pitching duels, late-inning heroics and raw emotion from both sides.

Six-time Pro Bowl cornerback Darius Slay announced his retirement from the NFL on March 16, 2026, capping a 13-year career defined by lockdown coverage, big-play interceptions and a Super Bowl championship.

Venezuela staged another dramatic comeback Monday night, overcoming an early deficit to defeat Italy 4-2 in the semifinals of the 2026 World Baseball Classic at loanDepot park in Miami.