IJR News

Thunder Open Rookie Extension Talks With Wallace Around $25 Million — 1dThe Oklahoma City Thunder and guard Cason Wallace have opened contract-extension talks around $25 million per year, but Wallace’s camp may seek more, with other teams reportedly able to offer over $30 million annually if he reaches the market. The negotiations come as Wallace is expected to take on a larger role after the Thunder’s offseason departures, while the team weighs his value against its long-term salary commitments.

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Giants’ Arvell Reese Emerges as DROY Contender — Oct 5, 2026Giants rookie linebacker Arvell Reese is emerging as a leading Defensive Rookie of the Year contender after a standout game against Arizona, with nine tackles, three pass breakups and an interception. His versatility and strong first month have drawn praise from coach John Harbaugh and helped New York take the NFC East lead.

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Olivia Miles Wins Unanimous WNBA Rookie Award — Sep 27, 2026Minnesota Lynx guard Olivia Miles was unanimously named the WNBA’s 2026 Rookie of the Year and also received the Associated Press rookie honor after a standout debut season. She set a league rookie scoring record with 790 points, averaged 19.8 points and 6.0 assists, and was the only rookie selected as a WNBA All-Star starter.

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Pistons preseason opener spotlights roster battles — Oct 7, 2026The Pistons enter the new season with a rising core led by Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren, who signed a five-year extension, and additions including John Collins, Isaiah Joe and rookie Ebuka Okorie aimed at improving their shooting and depth. Preseason has highlighted the challenge of integrating the newcomers, while Kevin Huerter’s quiet opener has renewed questions about his contract and whether Detroit has sufficiently addressed its shooting needs.

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Cameron Boozer Posts 11 Points in Grizzlies Debut — Oct 6, 2026Cameron Boozer made an impressive NBA preseason debut, recording 11 points, five rebounds, four assists and two steals in 18 minutes as the Memphis Grizzlies beat the Atlanta Hawks 132-123. His scoring, post playmaking and defensive impact underscored his potential as a central piece of Memphis’ rebuilding roster and a contender for Rookie of the Year.

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AP Top 25 College Football TeamsRankingCollege football fans argue endlessly over which programs deserve the top spots in the AP Poll based on wins, schedule strength, and legacy.

Top Pick McKenna Scores First NHL Goal — Oct 4, 2026Toronto Maple Leafs rookie Gavin McKenna, the 2026 No. 1 draft pick, scored his first NHL goal in his fourth professional game, beating Nashville goaltender Juuse Saros on a pass from Auston Matthews. The 18-year-old also recorded his first NHL point with an assist.

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Fantasy Analysts Eye Josh Hart as Knicks Value Pick for 2026-27 — Oct 2, 2026NBA fantasy coverage is highlighting draft values and changing player outlooks, including Josh Hart’s potential value and Onyeka Okongwu’s boosted role after a rookie’s season-ending injury. Other previews examine aging stars’ expected production, league trends such as renewed emphasis on offensive rebounding, and early favorites for Clutch Player of the Year, including Jalen Brunson, Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic.

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Dana Whitfield Brunson deserves the edge for clutch honors given how often he closes out tight games.

Sun end Connecticut run with win over Tempo before Houston move — Sep 24, 2026The Connecticut Sun closed their 23-year run in Connecticut with a 95-81 win over the Toronto Tempo, led by rookie Ashlon Jackson’s career-high 18 points. The franchise, whose history includes four WNBA Finals appearances, will relocate to Houston and become the Comets in 2027.

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Tom Gallagher It's bittersweet seeing the Sun wrap up 23 years in Connecticut with a strong win, but Jackson's 18 points gave fans something positive to remember.

Johnson Wins Sixth Champions Event at Pebble Beach — Sep 21, 2026Zach Johnson captured the Pure Insurance Championship at Pebble Beach, his second straight PGA Tour Champions win and sixth of the season in his rookie year on the 50-and-over circuit. He finished 14-under for the event, pulling away with late surges as he earned the title ahead of Henrik Stenson and others.

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WNBA Playoff Seeding Remains Unsettled — Sep 20, 2026As the WNBA regular season enters its final week, teams are locked in a tight scramble for playoff seeding with Minnesota, Las Vegas, Golden State, Atlanta, New York, and Dallas all in contention for top or pivotal positions. Meanwhile, analysts project award outcomes, with A’ja Wilson poised to win a fifth MVP and Olivia Miles as Rookie of the Year as the season heads toward its conclusion.

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Kobe Bryant’s Obsession Fueled Five NBA Championships — Sep 16, 2026Kobe Bryant, coming straight from Lower Merion High School after a standout senior year, was drafted 13th in 1996 and initially had a modest rookie season before proving his scoring potential in Summer League and early NBA play. In Los Angeles, his fearless mindset and drive for leadership clashed with Tex Winter’s triangle offense alongside Shaquille O’Neal, a dynamic teammates like Nick Van Exel described as unafraid and willing to challenge even Michael Jordan.

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Most Influential Women in World HistoryYourlist — RankingFrom ancient queens who ruled empires to modern activists who changed laws, these women left indelible marks on politics, science, and culture. Vote for who you think shaped history most profoundly.

49ers Rookie Stribling Expected to Miss Month With Ankle Sprain — Sep 13, 2026Rookie De’Zhaun Stribling suffered a deltoid ankle sprain in Week 1 and is expected to miss at least four weeks after being cleared to return by the 49ers’ medical staff, a decision critics say mirrors a pattern of rushing players back. As the 49ers’ injury woes persist from year to year, analysts and fans alike are calling for a reassessment or overhaul of the training staff, with past cases involving Brock Purdy and Ricky Pearsall cited to illustrate the broader risk to the roster’s depth.

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Azzi Fudd Wins Rookie 3-Point Contest — Jul 21, 2026Azzi Fudd, the No. 1 pick, will headline Friday’s All-Star 3-point contest and is positioned to become the first rookie to win the crown, joining a field of elite shooters. Her 22 blocks in 25 games through her first season signal two-way potential as the Dallas Wings rise in the standings and boost her Rookie of the Year outlook.

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Commanders' Daniels Enters Third Season Facing Criticism — Sep 9, 2026Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels, once lauded for a breakout rookie season, faced durability and consistency issues in his sophomore years amid injuries and an evolving offense under new coordinator David Blough; the team and coach emphasize his development and health as key to returning to his rookie-level production. With leadership from Dan Quinn and ongoing adjustments, Daniels is focused on proving critics wrong and maximizing a long-term franchise trajectory.

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Cardinals Place Wetherholt on 10-Day IL — Aug 30, 2026The St. Louis Cardinals placed rookie JJ Wetherholt on the 10-day injured list with right wrist tendinitis, promoting César Prieto to the big league club. Wetherholt, a top leadoff contributor who had a .242 average with 17 homers and 48 RBIs this season, leaves a notable gap in both defense and lineup as the team contends for late-season results and his potential Rookie of the Year case.

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Toy Story vs ShrekYourlist — VS BattleThe toy box vs the swamp: two animation revolutions, one inevitable playground argument.

Rookie Lombard Powers Yankees Past Rockies 6-1 — Sep 10, 2026Rookie shortstop George Lombard Jr. hit his first career grand slam in a 6-1 Yankees win over the Colorado Rockies, making it New York’s first slam of 2026 and placing him as the second-youngest Yankee to reach the feat at 21 years, 99 days. Will Warren earned the win as Judge returned from injury with two hits, while Lombard’s third homer of the season came off Tomoyuki Sugano, with Luis García Jr. and Cody Bellinger also going deep.

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Sam Okafor Lombard’s first grand slam at 21 looks like the start of something big for the Yankees lineup.

Rookie Cop Saves 9 Lives in Her First Year on the Job: She Understands 'Policing Is About Helping People'Reporting — Aug 18, 2021Not many people can say they have saved nine people’s lives over their entire career, much less in the span of a year. Not many police officers can boast that number either, but one officer with the Metropolitan Police…

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Giants Rookie Eldridge Homers, Eyes Near Everyday Role — Aug 28, 2026Bryce Eldridge delivered an RBI single to put the Giants ahead and later contributed two RBIs as part of a strong multi-hit performance, while a separate solo homer helped level another game, with postgame and media praise highlighting his breakout rookie season and potential. Analysts and team coverage emphasize Eldridge’s steady progress, young age, and promise for a breakout year as he continues to impact San Francisco’s lineup.

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Golden Knights sign 23-year-old Bowman to six-year extension — Sep 10, 2026The Vegas Golden Knights signed forward Braeden Bowman to a six-year, $20.4 million extension with a $3.4 million AAV, beginning in the 2027-28 season, locking in Bowman as a core part of the roster after an impressive rookie campaign. Bowman, undrafted and 23, showed promise across 54 NHL games and a strong AHL showing with Henderson, signaling the team’s belief he can be an everyday player moving forward.

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Marcus Bell Glad they rewarded his AHL production and kept him in the fold instead of letting him test the market later.

Lifeguard Makes Stunning First Rescue No One Saw Coming: WatchReporting — Jan 15, 2022There are few things more Australian than the story that took place on New Year’s Eve in Iluka, New South Wales. Lillian Bee Young, 17, a rookie lifeguard and aspiring professional surfer, was watching over the beach at…

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Rookie TSA Officer Springs Into Action After Hearing Mother's Scream, Saves Choking BabyReporting — Dec 29, 2021Cecilia Morales is no stranger to danger. She’s made a career out of helping people in desperate situations, and has 10 years of experience as an EMT in New Jersey under her belt. In October, she got a new job with the…

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Ben Simmons ends NBA absence with one-year deal to Kings — Sep 4, 2026Ben Simmons signs a one-year, $3.5 million contract with the Sacramento Kings, marking his return to the NBA after sitting out the 2025-26 season due to injuries. He is expected to serve as a backup point guard behind rookie Darius Acuff Jr and provide versatility as Sacramento seeks to rebuild after a 22-60 season.

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Sam Okafor Backing up a rookie says a lot about where his career's at now. Hope he can stay healthy and be a veteran presence at least.

Video: Rookie Officers Jump into Flash Flood to Save Mom and Kids Being Swept AwayReporting — Sep 17, 2022One of California’s best features is its weather: Generally mild year-round, boasting agricultural prowess and many areas that see incredibly mild winters. But the state still experiences its fair share of natural…

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Caitlin Clark Lands Historic Nike Shoe Deal Worth Millions Just Before Her Rookie Season Kicks OffReporting — Apr 22, 2024Riding high after a wave of Clark-mania that accompanied the NCAA women’s basketball tournament, Caitlin Clark has signed a megabucks shoe contract with Nike. The eight-year deal will be worth up to $28 million, The…

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