ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs believe Arrowhead Stadium remains structurally sound and prefer to renovate their famous facility in the coming years, even if the neighboring Royals go through with plans to build a new ballpark elsewhere.

The NFL franchise and its Major League Baseball counterpart have played at the Truman Sports Complex since the early 1970s, when Arrowhead opened just across the parking lot from Kauffman Stadium. Both have undergone massive renovations over the years, the most recent tying them to a new lease with Jackson County that expires in January 2031.

Yet the Royals have made it clear that they intend to build a new stadium, either in downtown Kansas City or neighboring Clay County, and that they are aiming for a spring vote to renew a sales tax that would help to fund the construction.

That leaves the Chiefs to decide whether they will pursue more renovations to Arrowhead Stadium or likewise build anew.

“If the Royals decide to stay in Jackson County, we’ve had discussions about how we do that together. And if they go, then that is a variable and we’ve got to be ready to either continue on that path or pivot,” Chiefs President Mark Donovan said Friday.

"Our team has done a really good job at just being ready. And I feel like we’re pretty well prepared for whatever happens.”

Donovan underscored the preference of chairman Clark Hunt to remain in Arrowhead Stadium, though. It was Hunt's father, Lamar Hunt, who founded the franchise and relocated it from Dallas to Kansas City for the 1963 season.

“We've gone through the process and made some progress there,” Donovan said on report day for Chiefs veterans for training camp. “There are still three viable options on the table that we've got to do the due diligence on: renovate-upgrade, build new on-site or build new somewhere else. All three of those options are still part of our dialogue. We've learned a lot in this process. The good news is we think the building itself is actually, structurally pretty sound. Which gives us the opportunity.”

“Having said that,” Donovan added, “we've learned it's going to take a significant annual investment to keep that building sound.”

While the Royals would use their share of a renewed tax to fund their new ballpark, the Chiefs would use their share not only for upgrades to Arrowhead Stadium but also to offset the annual upkeep that is certain to rise as the building ages.

Another complication for the Chiefs is the fact that they are due to host World Cup games at Arrowhead Stadium in 2026, and that means some costly alterations to the 51-year-old building over the next three years so that it meets FIFA standards.

“That would be really fast-forwarding everything to try to tie it all together,” Donovan admitted. “The question then becomes, ‘What are we going to do for the World Cup to be compliant to host that amazing event that potentially we could keep or benefit from or not have to redo?’ Versus, ‘We’ve got to make the building requirement-proof for World Cup, and we have to do that absolutely perfect, (but) we also have to play a football season pretty quickly after that, and we want our fans to have the best possible experience.’ So, we can’t really sacrifice the football experience because we did some things for the World Cup.”

While the futures of the Royals and Chiefs are closely linked, they differ in one very glaring way: on-field success.

The Royals began the day with the second-worst record in the majors — with little reason to hope for improvement — resulting in widespread fan apathy toward a $2 billion ballpark and mixed-use village at least partially funded by the public. Meanwhile, the Chiefs are coming off their third Super Bowl appearance in four years and just hoisted another Lombardi Trophy.

“Yeah, it's a special time to be a part of the Chiefs organization, right? It's a special time to be a Chiefs fan,” Donovan said. “It's also a really special time to be a part of this community. We're proud of being a part of this community and being a contributor to this community. Kansas City is on a really, really good trend when you look at what we’re doing.”

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs believe Arrowhead Stadium remains structurally sound and prefer to renovate their famous facility in the coming years, even if the neighboring Royals go through with plans to build a new ballpark elsewhere.The NFL franchise and its Major League Baseball counterpart have played at the Truman Sports Complex since the early 1970s, when Arrowhead opened just across the parking lot from Kauffman Stadium. Both have undergone massive renovations over the years, the most recent tying them to a new lease with Jackson County that expires in January 2031.Yet the Royals have made it clear that they intend to build a new stadium, either in downtown Kansas City or neighboring Clay County, and that they are aiming for a spring vote to renew a sales tax that would help to fund the construction.That leaves the Chiefs to decide whether they will pursue more renovations to Arrowhead Stadium or likewise build anew.“If the Royals decide to stay in Jackson County, we’ve had discussions about how we do that together. And if they go, then that is a variable and we’ve got to be ready to either continue on that path or pivot,” Chiefs President Mark Donovan said Friday."Our team has done a really good job at just being ready. And I feel like we’re pretty well prepared for whatever happens.”Donovan underscored the preference of chairman Clark Hunt to remain in Arrowhead Stadium, though. It was Hunt's father, Lamar Hunt, who founded the franchise and relocated it from Dallas to Kansas City for the 1963 season.“We've gone through the process and made some progress there,” Donovan said on report day for Chiefs veterans for training camp. “There are still three viable options on the table that we've got to do the due diligence on: renovate-upgrade, build new on-site or build new somewhere else. All three of those options are still part of our dialogue. We've learned a lot in this process. The good news is we think the building itself is actually, structurally pretty sound. Which gives us the opportunity.”“Having said that,” Donovan added, “we've learned it's going to take a significant annual investment to keep that building sound.”While the Royals would use their share of a renewed tax to fund their new ballpark, the Chiefs would use their share not only for upgrades to Arrowhead Stadium but also to offset the annual upkeep that is certain to rise as the building ages.Another complication for the Chiefs is the fact that they are due to host World Cup games at Arrowhead Stadium in 2026, and that means some costly alterations to the 51-year-old building over the next three years so that it meets FIFA standards.“That would be really fast-forwarding everything to try to tie it all together,” Donovan admitted. “The question then becomes, ‘What are we going to do for the World Cup to be compliant to host that amazing event that potentially we could keep or benefit from or not have to redo?’ Versus, ‘We’ve got to make the building requirement-proof for World Cup, and we have to do that absolutely perfect, (but) we also have to play a football season pretty quickly after that, and we want our fans to have the best possible experience.’ So, we can’t really sacrifice the football experience because we did some things for the World Cup.”While the futures of the Royals and Chiefs are closely linked, they differ in one very glaring way: on-field success.The Royals began the day with the second-worst record in the majors — with little reason to hope for improvement — resulting in widespread fan apathy toward a $2 billion ballpark and mixed-use village at least partially funded by the public. Meanwhile, the Chiefs are coming off their third Super Bowl appearance in four years and just hoisted another Lombardi Trophy.“Yeah, it's a special time to be a part of the Chiefs organization, right? It's a special time to be a Chiefs fan,” Donovan said. “It's also a really special time to be a part of this community. We're proud of being a part of this community and being a contributor to this community. Kansas City is on a really, really good trend when you look at what we’re doing.”

Chiefs prefer renovating Arrowhead Stadium

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Michael Lorenzen threw seven innings of three-hit ball to help the Tigers beat the Royals 3-0. Lorenzen ran his scoreless streak to 23 2/3 innings dating to June 30 at Colorado. The All-Star right-hander stranded runners at the corners in the second and another at third base in the fourth. Tyler Holton worked a perfect eighth for Detroit before Jason Foley handled the ninth inning for his fourth save. Zack Greinke took the loss for Kansas City, allowing two runs over four innings in his first start since landing on the injured list with shoulder tendinitis. The Tigers have won five straight series against the Royals, and they are 7-3 against their AL Central rivals this season.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Michael Lorenzen threw seven innings of three-hit ball to help the Tigers beat the Royals 3-0. Lorenzen ran his scoreless streak to 23 2/3 innings dating to June 30 at Colorado. The All-Star right-hander stranded runners at the corners in the second and another at third base in the fourth. Tyler Holton worked a perfect eighth for Detroit before Jason Foley handled the ninth inning for his fourth save. Zack Greinke took the loss for Kansas City, allowing two runs over four innings in his first start since landing on the injured list with shoulder tendinitis. The Tigers have won five straight series against the Royals, and they are 7-3 against their AL Central rivals this season.

Tigers shut out the Royals

IRVING, Texas (AP) — Men's and women's basketball teams in the expanded Big 12 will still play 18 conference games each during the 2023-24 season.

The conference, which has 14 schools for the upcoming season before the departures of Oklahoma and Texas to the SEC next summer, released its basketball scheduling matrix on Thursday.&nbsp;<a href="https://big12sports.com/news/2023/7/20/big-12-announces-2024-womens-basketball-opponents.aspx">Each team will play five Big 12 opponents twice</a>&nbsp;(home and away), and once each against the remaining eight league foes — four at home, four on the road.

As a 10-team league since 2011-12, each team had played every other one twice — home and away — for an 18-game conference slate.

BYU, Cincinnati, Houston and UCF officially became Big 12 members earlier this month.

<a href="https://big12sports.com/news/2023/7/20/big-12-announces-2024-womens-basketball-opponents.aspx">The Big 12 revealed which opponents each team would play</a>&nbsp;twice, then which they would play at home only and on the road only. The full schedule with dates will be released at a later date.

Conference officials said the opponents were selected based on a combination of geography, historical results and a poll of the coaches to best balance the schedule in terms of travel and competitiveness.

IRVING, Texas (AP) — Men's and women's basketball teams in the expanded Big 12 will still play 18 conference games each during the 2023-24 season.The conference, which has 14 schools for the upcoming season before the departures of Oklahoma and Texas to the SEC next summer, released its basketball scheduling matrix on Thursday.&nbsp;<a href="https://big12sports.com/news/2023/7/20/big-12-announces-2024-womens-basketball-opponents.aspx">Each team will play five Big 12 opponents twice</a>&nbsp;(home and away), and once each against the remaining eight league foes — four at home, four on the road.As a 10-team league since 2011-12, each team had played every other one twice — home and away — for an 18-game conference slate.BYU, Cincinnati, Houston and UCF officially became Big 12 members earlier this month.<a href="https://big12sports.com/news/2023/7/20/big-12-announces-2024-womens-basketball-opponents.aspx">The Big 12 revealed which opponents each team would play</a>&nbsp;twice, then which they would play at home only and on the road only. The full schedule with dates will be released at a later date.Conference officials said the opponents were selected based on a combination of geography, historical results and a poll of the coaches to best balance the schedule in terms of travel and competitiveness.

Big 12 unveils basketball scheduling plan

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Longtime college administrator Lew Perkins, who played basketball at Iowa before serving as the athletic director at several universities and taking on an influential role within the NCAA, died Tuesday. He was 78.

Perkins' family announced his death in a statement issued by Kansas, where he served as the athletic director from June 2003 through September 2011, a period that included a men's basketball national championship.

No cause was given, though Perkins had been battling the effects of Parkinson's disease.

"Lew made an indelible impact on Kansas Athletics and served his role at KU with passion and vigor on a daily basis,” Jayhawks athletic director Travis Goff said. “We will forever be grateful for his dedication to this university and athletic department. We are thinking of Lew’s amazing family during this time and sending our deepest thoughts and sympathies.”

Perkins was chosen for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Board of Trustees in 2005. He also served on the NCAA championships and competition cabinet and the NCAA bowl certification committee.

Perkins grew up in Massachusetts before joining the Hawkeyes, where he played from 1965-67 under Hall of Fame basketball coach Ralph Miller. He then embarked on a career in administration at the University of South Carolina-Aiken, where he helped the school grow from a junior college to a four-year school as both athletic director and basketball coach.

Perkins returned to USC-Aiken in 2005 to receive an honorary doctorate.

He went on to serve as the associate athletic director at Penn before getting the AD job at Wichita State, which was then serving two years of probation. He made the controversial decision to end the school's football program in a cost-saving move, but Perkins was also praised for the hiring of successful basketball coach Eddie Fogler.

Perkins left for Maryland in 1987, where the men's basketball program was reeling from the death of star basketball player Len Bias. During his brief stay, Perkins brought in basketball coach Gary Williams, who later led the Terps to a national title.

Perkins spent the next 13 years as the athletic director at Connecticut, where the women's basketball program won four national titles and the men's basketball and soccer programs also claimed championships. He also was instrumental in the development of the Huskies' football program, which joined the Division I level in 2000 and the Big East a year after his departure.

The often-affable Perkins is perhaps known for his time at Kansas, though.

While he was the Jayhawks' athletic director, their long-downtrodden football program won the 2008 Orange Bowl under Mark Mangino and, months later, the men's basketball national title under Bill Self. The schools' athletic budget soared and significant upgrades were made to Memorial Stadium, the Booth Family Hall of Athletics and other facilities on campus.

Perkins' tenure ended in scandal when, in March 2010, the school announced it was conducting an internal investigation of the athletics ticketing office. A separate investigation led by the FBI and IRS led to federal charges against five employees and one consultant and alleged that they had stolen more than $2 million in tickets to be illegally resold.

Perkins announced months later that he would retire, and he stepped away from the Jayhawks in September 2010.

"Lew did a lot of good things in his time here at KU,” Self said. “He was a big contributor in us changing the mindset of the athletic department and also competing for championships on a more consistent level. ... The one thing I will remember most about Lew was he always put the student-athletes first, and the student-athletes that got to know him well, all loved him.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689850295011.png" alt="Lew Perkins photo courtesy University of Kansas Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Lew Perkins photo courtesy University of Kansas Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Longtime college administrator Lew Perkins, who played basketball at Iowa before serving as the athletic director at several universities and taking on an influential role within the NCAA, died Tuesday. He was 78.Perkins' family announced his death in a statement issued by Kansas, where he served as the athletic director from June 2003 through September 2011, a period that included a men's basketball national championship.No cause was given, though Perkins had been battling the effects of Parkinson's disease."Lew made an indelible impact on Kansas Athletics and served his role at KU with passion and vigor on a daily basis,” Jayhawks athletic director Travis Goff said. “We will forever be grateful for his dedication to this university and athletic department. We are thinking of Lew’s amazing family during this time and sending our deepest thoughts and sympathies.”Perkins was chosen for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Board of Trustees in 2005. He also served on the NCAA championships and competition cabinet and the NCAA bowl certification committee.Perkins grew up in Massachusetts before joining the Hawkeyes, where he played from 1965-67 under Hall of Fame basketball coach Ralph Miller. He then embarked on a career in administration at the University of South Carolina-Aiken, where he helped the school grow from a junior college to a four-year school as both athletic director and basketball coach.Perkins returned to USC-Aiken in 2005 to receive an honorary doctorate.He went on to serve as the associate athletic director at Penn before getting the AD job at Wichita State, which was then serving two years of probation. He made the controversial decision to end the school's football program in a cost-saving move, but Perkins was also praised for the hiring of successful basketball coach Eddie Fogler.Perkins left for Maryland in 1987, where the men's basketball program was reeling from the death of star basketball player Len Bias. During his brief stay, Perkins brought in basketball coach Gary Williams, who later led the Terps to a national title.Perkins spent the next 13 years as the athletic director at Connecticut, where the women's basketball program won four national titles and the men's basketball and soccer programs also claimed championships. He also was instrumental in the development of the Huskies' football program, which joined the Division I level in 2000 and the Big East a year after his departure.The often-affable Perkins is perhaps known for his time at Kansas, though.While he was the Jayhawks' athletic director, their long-downtrodden football program won the 2008 Orange Bowl under Mark Mangino and, months later, the men's basketball national title under Bill Self. The schools' athletic budget soared and significant upgrades were made to Memorial Stadium, the Booth Family Hall of Athletics and other facilities on campus.Perkins' tenure ended in scandal when, in March 2010, the school announced it was conducting an internal investigation of the athletics ticketing office. A separate investigation led by the FBI and IRS led to federal charges against five employees and one consultant and alleged that they had stolen more than $2 million in tickets to be illegally resold.Perkins announced months later that he would retire, and he stepped away from the Jayhawks in September 2010."Lew did a lot of good things in his time here at KU,” Self said. “He was a big contributor in us changing the mindset of the athletic department and also competing for championships on a more consistent level. ... The one thing I will remember most about Lew was he always put the student-athletes first, and the student-athletes that got to know him well, all loved him.”

Former KU, Wichita State athletics director Lew Perkins dies at 78

The 2023 Shrine Bowl brought memorable moments to many, all for a good cause. Take a look at the game, parade and pep rally below.

By James BellHays PostThe 2023 Shrine Bowl brought memorable moments to many, all for a good cause. Take a look at the game, parade and pep rally below.<figure>
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📷 Capturing the spirit: A look at the 2023 Shrine Bowl

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Bobby Witt Jr. homered and tripled with three RBIs, and the Kansas City Royals beat the Tampa Bay Rays 8-4 for their second win in 10 games. In a game that sped by in 1 hour, 54 minutes, Brady Singer won for the second time in seven starts since June 4. Singer allowed four runs and seven hits in a season-high eight innings. He needed 70 pitches through seven innings and led 7-0 before Isaac Paredes hit a solo homer and Francisco Mejía hit a three-run drive. Zach Eflin gave up a season-high five runs and seven hits.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Bobby Witt Jr. homered and tripled with three RBIs, and the Kansas City Royals beat the Tampa Bay Rays 8-4 for their second win in 10 games. In a game that sped by in 1 hour, 54 minutes, Brady Singer won for the second time in seven starts since June 4. Singer allowed four runs and seven hits in a season-high eight innings. He needed 70 pitches through seven innings and led 7-0 before Isaac Paredes hit a solo homer and Francisco Mejía hit a three-run drive. Zach Eflin gave up a season-high five runs and seven hits.

Royals defeat Tampa Bay

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Luke Raley had a go-ahead single in the eighth inning, and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Kansas City Royals 4-2 to complete a doubleheader sweep. Jose Siri hit a pair of solo homers as the Rays won the first game 6-1 to open the second half. AL East-leading Tampa Bay has won three in a row after a season-high seven-game losing streak. Kansas City has lost eight of nine, dropping to 26-67. Salvador Perez had four hits in the opener. His fifth-inning double made him the sixth Kansas City player with 500 extra-base hits.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Luke Raley had a go-ahead single in the eighth inning, and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Kansas City Royals 4-2 to complete a doubleheader sweep. Jose Siri hit a pair of solo homers as the Rays won the first game 6-1 to open the second half. AL East-leading Tampa Bay has won three in a row after a season-high seven-game losing streak. Kansas City has lost eight of nine, dropping to 26-67. Salvador Perez had four hits in the opener. His fifth-inning double made him the sixth Kansas City player with 500 extra-base hits.

Royals are swept in doubleheader

The game between the Kansas City Royals and Tampa Bay Rays Friday night was postponed. So the teams will play a split doubleheader Saturday in Kansas City. The Royals said the first game will begin at 1:10 p.m. and the second contest at 6:10 p.m.

The game between the Kansas City Royals and Tampa Bay Rays Friday night was postponed. So the teams will play a split doubleheader Saturday in Kansas City. The Royals said the first game will begin at 1:10 p.m. and the second contest at 6:10 p.m.

Royals will play a split doubleheader Saturday

Courtesy of Kansas State Athletics

WICHITA, Kan.  – The Purple &amp; Black – Kansas State's men's basketball alumni team – will host an open scrimmage at Bramlage Coliseum on Friday night (July 14) as they prepare for the start of The Basketball Tournament (TBT). 

The event is open and free to the public with doors to the Northwest entrance of Bramlage Coliseum opening at 6 p.m., CT with the event expected to start at 6:30 p.m., CT. Fans are encouraged to park in the west lots. The team is also hosting a Meet &amp; Greet at Powercat Sports Grill following event. The Purple &amp; Black will open the TBT on Thursday, July 20 against the DaGuys STL at 6 p.m., CT in the Wichita Regional at Koch Arena. Tickets are currently on sale and can be purchased&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.evenue.net/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/SEGetEventInfo?ticketCode=GS%3AWICHITA%3ATBT23%3ATBT3%3A&amp;linkID=wichita&amp;shopperContext=&amp;pc=&amp;caller=&amp;appCode=&amp;groupCode=TBTS&amp;cgc=&amp;dataAccId=504&amp;locale=en_US&amp;siteId=ev_wichita">here</a>. The Basketball Tournament is a $1 million winner-take-all summer tournament featuring former college and professional athletes. The 64-team field runs from July 19 to August 3 with regionals in Dayton, Louisville, Lubbock, Syracuse, West Virginia, Wichita and Xavier. The Final Four is in Philadelphia August 2-3. &nbsp; Organized by former Wildcats&nbsp;Jordan&nbsp;Henriquez&nbsp;and&nbsp;Martavious&nbsp;Irving, the Purple &amp; Black Team is in seventh year competing in the TBT. Henriquez will serve as the team's GM and head coach for the third straight summer, while he will be assisted by former Wildcats&nbsp;Clent Stewart&nbsp;(2004-08) and&nbsp;Curtis Kelly&nbsp;(2008-11). Aside from Henriquez and Irving, the team includes several notable Wildcats including the school's all-time leading scorer&nbsp;Jacob Pullen&nbsp;(2007-11),&nbsp;Henry Walker&nbsp;(2006-08),&nbsp;Thomas&nbsp;Gipson&nbsp;(2011-15),&nbsp;D.J. Johnson&nbsp;(2012-17),&nbsp;Justin Edwards&nbsp;(2013-16),&nbsp;Marcus Foster&nbsp;(2013-15),&nbsp;Kamau&nbsp;Stokes&nbsp;(2015-19) and&nbsp;Mike McGuirl&nbsp;(2017-22). Members of the 2023 Elite Eight run –&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/abayomi-iyiola/9697">Abayomi Iyiola</a>&nbsp;(2022-23) and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/desi-sills/9686">Desi Sills</a>&nbsp;(2022-23) – are also on the roster. The team also includes&nbsp;Marquis Addison&nbsp;(Missouri Southern State) and&nbsp;Khalid Thomas&nbsp;(Southern Idaho/Arizona State/Portland State). For more information on Purple &amp; Black and tickets for this year's TBT, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.thetournament.com/">TheTournament.com</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689359586547.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Courtesy of Kansas State AthleticsWICHITA, Kan. – The Purple &amp; Black – Kansas State's men's basketball alumni team – will host an open scrimmage at Bramlage Coliseum on Friday night (July 14) as they prepare for the start of The Basketball Tournament (TBT). The event is open and free to the public with doors to the Northwest entrance of Bramlage Coliseum opening at 6 p.m., CT with the event expected to start at 6:30 p.m., CT. Fans are encouraged to park in the west lots. The team is also hosting a Meet &amp; Greet at Powercat Sports Grill following event. The Purple &amp; Black will open the TBT on Thursday, July 20 against the DaGuys STL at 6 p.m., CT in the Wichita Regional at Koch Arena. Tickets are currently on sale and can be purchased&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.evenue.net/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/SEGetEventInfo?ticketCode=GS%3AWICHITA%3ATBT23%3ATBT3%3A&amp;linkID=wichita&amp;shopperContext=&amp;pc=&amp;caller=&amp;appCode=&amp;groupCode=TBTS&amp;cgc=&amp;dataAccId=504&amp;locale=en_US&amp;siteId=ev_wichita">here</a>. The Basketball Tournament is a $1 million winner-take-all summer tournament featuring former college and professional athletes. The 64-team field runs from July 19 to August 3 with regionals in Dayton, Louisville, Lubbock, Syracuse, West Virginia, Wichita and Xavier. The Final Four is in Philadelphia August 2-3. &nbsp; Organized by former Wildcats&nbsp;Jordan&nbsp;Henriquez&nbsp;and&nbsp;Martavious&nbsp;Irving, the Purple &amp; Black Team is in seventh year competing in the TBT. Henriquez will serve as the team's GM and head coach for the third straight summer, while he will be assisted by former Wildcats&nbsp;Clent Stewart&nbsp;(2004-08) and&nbsp;Curtis Kelly&nbsp;(2008-11). Aside from Henriquez and Irving, the team includes several notable Wildcats including the school's all-time leading scorer&nbsp;Jacob Pullen&nbsp;(2007-11),&nbsp;Henry Walker&nbsp;(2006-08),&nbsp;Thomas&nbsp;Gipson&nbsp;(2011-15),&nbsp;D.J. Johnson&nbsp;(2012-17),&nbsp;Justin Edwards&nbsp;(2013-16),&nbsp;Marcus Foster&nbsp;(2013-15),&nbsp;Kamau&nbsp;Stokes&nbsp;(2015-19) and&nbsp;Mike McGuirl&nbsp;(2017-22). Members of the 2023 Elite Eight run –&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/abayomi-iyiola/9697">Abayomi Iyiola</a>&nbsp;(2022-23) and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/desi-sills/9686">Desi Sills</a>&nbsp;(2022-23) – are also on the roster. The team also includes&nbsp;Marquis Addison&nbsp;(Missouri Southern State) and&nbsp;Khalid Thomas&nbsp;(Southern Idaho/Arizona State/Portland State). For more information on Purple &amp; Black and tickets for this year's TBT, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.thetournament.com/">TheTournament.com</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

🏀 MBB: Purple & Black to Host Scrimmage at Bramlage Coliseum

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — While TCU went to the national championship game last season,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/college-football-sports-kansas-state-wildcats-texas-christian-horned-frogs-76f0a265b025bea7ce8a485a14be3ecd">Kansas State is the defending Big 12 champion</a>.

“A big win that probably gave us a little bit of cache as far as what we’re doing is the right way, and our kids believe that what we are doing is the right way," coach Chris Klieman said Thursday during Big 12 media days at AT&amp;T Stadium, where seven months earlier the Wildcats beat TCU in the Big 12 title game.

TCU had the Big 12's first undefeated regular season since 2009 before that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/college-football-sports-kansas-texas-christian-horned-frogs-state-wildcats-2161b88c6177c50d5547c0487fb65d24">overtime loss to the Wildcats</a>. The Horned Frogs still got in the four-time College Football Playoff, beating Michigan in the semifinal game before losing to Georgia.

Kansas State is going into its fifth season under Klieman after his championship-filled time at FCS power North Dakota State.

“It’s a new year, and we’ve been talking about that since we got back in mid-January, that you need to stay humble. You need to eat crumbs. You need to stay hungry,” Klieman said. “What you did yesterday is great, but it pales in comparison to what you can do today.”

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — While TCU went to the national championship game last season,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/college-football-sports-kansas-state-wildcats-texas-christian-horned-frogs-76f0a265b025bea7ce8a485a14be3ecd">Kansas State is the defending Big 12 champion</a>.“A big win that probably gave us a little bit of cache as far as what we’re doing is the right way, and our kids believe that what we are doing is the right way," coach Chris Klieman said Thursday during Big 12 media days at AT&amp;T Stadium, where seven months earlier the Wildcats beat TCU in the Big 12 title game.TCU had the Big 12's first undefeated regular season since 2009 before that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/college-football-sports-kansas-texas-christian-horned-frogs-state-wildcats-2161b88c6177c50d5547c0487fb65d24">overtime loss to the Wildcats</a>. The Horned Frogs still got in the four-time College Football Playoff, beating Michigan in the semifinal game before losing to Georgia.Kansas State is going into its fifth season under Klieman after his championship-filled time at FCS power North Dakota State.“It’s a new year, and we’ve been talking about that since we got back in mid-January, that you need to stay humble. You need to eat crumbs. You need to stay hungry,” Klieman said. “What you did yesterday is great, but it pales in comparison to what you can do today.”

Chris Klieman addresses Big 12 Media Days

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Brett Yormark was definitely trying to send a message during his introduction as the Big 12 commissioner last year when he said the league was “open for business.”

A year into the job, Yormark said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/brooklyn-nets-nba-college-football-sports-texas-4064ffcb7f86561578586c7bced78513">that statement</a>&nbsp;was more than just about ongoing realignment and the potential of additional expansion during a transformative time throughout college football.

“I think people took that as, my god, this guy’s new and he wants to go and disrupt, I guess, in some respects,” Yormark said Wednesday at the start of Big 12 football media days. “Open for business was that we were going to explore every and all possibility to grow revenue, to diversify our conference and do things that hadn't been done before. And we did a lot of that."

And, yes,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/big-12-spring-meetings-revenue-brett-yormark-1d929732c119ae45b3d44aedf569ef2d">there is still a plan for expansion</a>, even though Yormark doesn't really want to talk about it.

The Big 12 is already bigger after BYU, Cincinnati, Houston and UCF officially became members July 1, about 17 months after their invitations to the evolving conference. There will be 14 teams this fall with Texas and Oklahoma, the league's only remaining national champions in football, playing their final seasons before heading to the Southeastern Conference next summer.

“We do have a plan and hopefully we can execute that plan sooner than later,” Yormark said, without being specific. “I love the composition of this conference right now. ... And if we stay at 12 (teams), we’re perfectly fine with that.”

Yormark said the Big 12 isn't chasing a certain number of schools.

Before becoming commissioner, Yormark had never had a job in college athletics. He came from Jay-Z's Roc Nation, where he was the chief operating officer on the commercial side of the business. He is a former CEO of the NBA's Brooklyn Nets and also worked for NASCAR.

“When I took this job, it was the first time I really experienced college football. And candidly, I’m hooked,” he said.

At the end of the Big 12's spring business meetings last month, Texas Tech President Lawrence Schovanec said there was a great deal of enthusiasm about the state of the conference and prospects for the future.

“The general sense is that when we hired Brett Yormark we hit the jackpot,” Schovanec said. “It was a little less than a year ago when we were conducting the search and we were considering our possibilities. Some were identified as moderate reward, moderate risk. One was identified as high risk, high reward, and we went with the high risk, high reward, and we’re benefiting.”

The Big 12 last fall&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/big-12-spring-meetings-revenue-brett-yormark-1d929732c119ae45b3d44aedf569ef2d">extended its media rights deal with ESPN and Fox Sports</a>&nbsp;through the 2030-31 school year, which Yormark said created stability and clarity for the league. That deal was set to expire in two years, after the departures of Texas and Oklahoma.

The Big 12 recently completed its first conference-wide strategic plan since 2011, the first year as a 10-team league. A business advisory board was formed, and plans were announced for a league-wide Pro Day with the NFL and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/big-12-conference-basketball-mexico-a8e2366d11224e05db865eeb35116265">men's and women's basketball games</a>&nbsp;in Mexico City late next year with the possibility of a football bowl game in Monterrey.

“It’s been a very busy 11 months, but it’s not necessarily about where we've been,” Yormark said. “For all of us, it’s about where we’re going as we look forward. We will continue to innovate, create and positively disrupt, living at the intersections of culture, sports and business.”

A record record revenue distribution of $440 million will be split among the 10 current schools for the past academic year, and those numbers are expected to grow moving forward with additional teams. Asked about where he felt the Big 12 ranked among the Power Five conferences, Yormark said he's not really competing with other leagues.

“I want the Big 12 to be the best version of ourselves. And if we can do that, we’re in a great place,” he said. “So it’s not about ranking us within the Power Five. But I can tell you this, there’s been no better time to be a part of the Big 12 than right now. And this thing is going to grow..”

Yormark said he anticipates 2023 being a season of celebration in the Big 12, which saw TCU reach the national championship game last year where it lost to Georgia.

“We’re going to celebrate our continuing eight (members), we’re going to celebrate our new four," he said. "And, in fact, we’re going to celebrate Texas and Oklahoma and all the contributions they’ve made to this conference since day one, because they’ll always be a big part of this conference.”

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Brett Yormark was definitely trying to send a message during his introduction as the Big 12 commissioner last year when he said the league was “open for business.”A year into the job, Yormark said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/brooklyn-nets-nba-college-football-sports-texas-4064ffcb7f86561578586c7bced78513">that statement</a>&nbsp;was more than just about ongoing realignment and the potential of additional expansion during a transformative time throughout college football.“I think people took that as, my god, this guy’s new and he wants to go and disrupt, I guess, in some respects,” Yormark said Wednesday at the start of Big 12 football media days. “Open for business was that we were going to explore every and all possibility to grow revenue, to diversify our conference and do things that hadn't been done before. And we did a lot of that."And, yes,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/big-12-spring-meetings-revenue-brett-yormark-1d929732c119ae45b3d44aedf569ef2d">there is still a plan for expansion</a>, even though Yormark doesn't really want to talk about it.The Big 12 is already bigger after BYU, Cincinnati, Houston and UCF officially became members July 1, about 17 months after their invitations to the evolving conference. There will be 14 teams this fall with Texas and Oklahoma, the league's only remaining national champions in football, playing their final seasons before heading to the Southeastern Conference next summer.“We do have a plan and hopefully we can execute that plan sooner than later,” Yormark said, without being specific. “I love the composition of this conference right now. ... And if we stay at 12 (teams), we’re perfectly fine with that.”Yormark said the Big 12 isn't chasing a certain number of schools.Before becoming commissioner, Yormark had never had a job in college athletics. He came from Jay-Z's Roc Nation, where he was the chief operating officer on the commercial side of the business. He is a former CEO of the NBA's Brooklyn Nets and also worked for NASCAR.“When I took this job, it was the first time I really experienced college football. And candidly, I’m hooked,” he said.At the end of the Big 12's spring business meetings last month, Texas Tech President Lawrence Schovanec said there was a great deal of enthusiasm about the state of the conference and prospects for the future.“The general sense is that when we hired Brett Yormark we hit the jackpot,” Schovanec said. “It was a little less than a year ago when we were conducting the search and we were considering our possibilities. Some were identified as moderate reward, moderate risk. One was identified as high risk, high reward, and we went with the high risk, high reward, and we’re benefiting.”The Big 12 last fall&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/big-12-spring-meetings-revenue-brett-yormark-1d929732c119ae45b3d44aedf569ef2d">extended its media rights deal with ESPN and Fox Sports</a>&nbsp;through the 2030-31 school year, which Yormark said created stability and clarity for the league. That deal was set to expire in two years, after the departures of Texas and Oklahoma.The Big 12 recently completed its first conference-wide strategic plan since 2011, the first year as a 10-team league. A business advisory board was formed, and plans were announced for a league-wide Pro Day with the NFL and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/big-12-conference-basketball-mexico-a8e2366d11224e05db865eeb35116265">men's and women's basketball games</a>&nbsp;in Mexico City late next year with the possibility of a football bowl game in Monterrey.“It’s been a very busy 11 months, but it’s not necessarily about where we've been,” Yormark said. “For all of us, it’s about where we’re going as we look forward. We will continue to innovate, create and positively disrupt, living at the intersections of culture, sports and business.”A record record revenue distribution of $440 million will be split among the 10 current schools for the past academic year, and those numbers are expected to grow moving forward with additional teams. Asked about where he felt the Big 12 ranked among the Power Five conferences, Yormark said he's not really competing with other leagues.“I want the Big 12 to be the best version of ourselves. And if we can do that, we’re in a great place,” he said. “So it’s not about ranking us within the Power Five. But I can tell you this, there’s been no better time to be a part of the Big 12 than right now. And this thing is going to grow..”Yormark said he anticipates 2023 being a season of celebration in the Big 12, which saw TCU reach the national championship game last year where it lost to Georgia.“We’re going to celebrate our continuing eight (members), we’re going to celebrate our new four," he said. "And, in fact, we’re going to celebrate Texas and Oklahoma and all the contributions they’ve made to this conference since day one, because they’ll always be a big part of this conference.”

 Commissioner sends a message at Big 12 Media Days

CLEVELAND (AP) — Ryan Yarbrough won his return to the mound for Kansas City after being hit in the face by a line drive two months ago and the Royals beat Shane Bieber for the first time, snapping a six-game losing streak with a 4-1 win over the Cleveland Guardians. Yarbrough suffered several facial fractures when he was hit on May 7 by a line drive clocked at 106.2 mph. The left-hander held the Guardians to one run and six hits over six innings. Michael Massey hit a two-run triple in Kansas City’s three-run sixth off Bieber, who came in 6-0 in 14 career starts against the Royals.

CLEVELAND (AP) — Ryan Yarbrough won his return to the mound for Kansas City after being hit in the face by a line drive two months ago and the Royals beat Shane Bieber for the first time, snapping a six-game losing streak with a 4-1 win over the Cleveland Guardians. Yarbrough suffered several facial fractures when he was hit on May 7 by a line drive clocked at 106.2 mph. The left-hander held the Guardians to one run and six hits over six innings. Michael Massey hit a two-run triple in Kansas City’s three-run sixth off Bieber, who came in 6-0 in 14 career starts against the Royals.

Yarbrough helps lead Kansas City to victory

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State tied for league-high honors by having five of its football players land on the 2023 Preseason All-Big 12 team as voted on by media representatives who cover the league, the conference office announced Wednesday. 

Offensive lineman&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/football/roster/cooper-beebe/11081">Cooper Beebe</a>, kickoff/punt returner&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/football/roster/phillip-brooks/11087">Phillip Brooks</a>, safety&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/football/roster/kobe-savage/11150">Kobe Savage</a>&nbsp;and tight end&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/football/roster/ben-sinnott/11156">Ben Sinnott</a>&nbsp;were named to the team, while running back&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/football/roster/treshaun-ward/11185">Treshaun Ward</a>&nbsp;was named the Big 12 Preseason Newcomer of the Year. It is the second-straight year K-State had at least five players on the Preseason All-Big 12 team as it led the league with six in 2022. The Wildcats tied for the most this season with Texas. Beebe, a Preseason All-American by numerous publications, has started 35 career games and has not surrendered a sack in his last 803 pass blocking plays dating back to the 2020 Iowa State contest. He earned First Team All-America honors a season ago in addition to being named the Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year by the league's coaches. A product of Kansas City, Kansas, Beebe helped lead an offensive unit that ranked 15th nationally with 208.3 rushing yards per game, the Wildcats' best national ranking since 2003 (9th) and best mark since 2016 (231.8). A native of Lee's Summit, Missouri, Brooks enters the 2023 season ranked second in school history and tied for sixth in Big 12 history with four punt return touchdowns. He also ranks fifth in K-State history in both punt return average (14.6) and punt return yards (641), and eighth in punt return attempts (44). He ranked second in the Big 12 with 168 punt-return yards a year ago as he earned All-Big 12 Second Team accolades, his second time earning postseason All-Big 12 honors. Savage, a transfer from Tyler JC prior to the 2022 season, made a splash in his first 10 games last year before an injury ended his campaign. Despite missing the final four games of the 2022 season, Savage still tied for fourth on the team with 58 tackles as he earned All-Big 12 Second Team honors from the league's coaches in addition to earning votes for the Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year award. A native of Paris, Texas, Savage tied for sixth in the Big 12 with three interceptions. Sinnott exploded onto the scene last season as he earned All-Big 12 First Team honors after leading all Big 12 tight ends/fullbacks and ranked fourth nationally by averaging 14.4 yards per catch. Additionally, he ranked sixth in K-State history by a tight end with 447 receiving yards and eighth with 31 catches. The Waterloo, Iowa, product had four touchdown catches on the year, including a two-score effort at Baylor to become the first Wildcat tight end with a multi-touchdown game since 1996. Ward arrives at K-State after spending the previous four seasons at Florida State, totaling 1,241 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns in his career. Last season, the Plant City, Florida, native led the Seminoles with 649 yards and seven touchdowns en route to All-ACC Honorable Mention accolades. K-State takes part in the 2023 Big 12 Media Days Presented by Old Trapper next Thursday at AT&amp;T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Representing the Wildcats along with head coach&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/chris-klieman/1976">Chris Klieman</a>&nbsp;is Beebe, Savage, quarterback&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/football/roster/will-howard/11107">Will Howard</a>&nbsp;and linebacker&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/football/roster/daniel-green/11104">Daniel Green</a>. Fans can watch Big 12 Media Day on both ESPNU and Big 12 Now on ESPN+, while coverage throughout the day will be available on K-State's social channels. Kansas State opens the 2023 season by hosting SEMO inside Bill Snyder Family Stadium on Saturday, September 2 in a 6 p.m., contest that will be shown on Big 12 Now on ESPN+. Tickets to the seven-game home slate can be purchased online at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kstatesports.com/tickets">www.kstatesports.com/tickets</a>&nbsp;or by phone at 1-800-221-CATS.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1688582160421.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Courtesy of Kansas State AthleticsMANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State tied for league-high honors by having five of its football players land on the 2023 Preseason All-Big 12 team as voted on by media representatives who cover the league, the conference office announced Wednesday. Offensive lineman&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/football/roster/cooper-beebe/11081">Cooper Beebe</a>, kickoff/punt returner&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/football/roster/phillip-brooks/11087">Phillip Brooks</a>, safety&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/football/roster/kobe-savage/11150">Kobe Savage</a>&nbsp;and tight end&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/football/roster/ben-sinnott/11156">Ben Sinnott</a>&nbsp;were named to the team, while running back&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/football/roster/treshaun-ward/11185">Treshaun Ward</a>&nbsp;was named the Big 12 Preseason Newcomer of the Year. It is the second-straight year K-State had at least five players on the Preseason All-Big 12 team as it led the league with six in 2022. The Wildcats tied for the most this season with Texas. Beebe, a Preseason All-American by numerous publications, has started 35 career games and has not surrendered a sack in his last 803 pass blocking plays dating back to the 2020 Iowa State contest. He earned First Team All-America honors a season ago in addition to being named the Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year by the league's coaches. A product of Kansas City, Kansas, Beebe helped lead an offensive unit that ranked 15th nationally with 208.3 rushing yards per game, the Wildcats' best national ranking since 2003 (9th) and best mark since 2016 (231.8). A native of Lee's Summit, Missouri, Brooks enters the 2023 season ranked second in school history and tied for sixth in Big 12 history with four punt return touchdowns. He also ranks fifth in K-State history in both punt return average (14.6) and punt return yards (641), and eighth in punt return attempts (44). He ranked second in the Big 12 with 168 punt-return yards a year ago as he earned All-Big 12 Second Team accolades, his second time earning postseason All-Big 12 honors. Savage, a transfer from Tyler JC prior to the 2022 season, made a splash in his first 10 games last year before an injury ended his campaign. Despite missing the final four games of the 2022 season, Savage still tied for fourth on the team with 58 tackles as he earned All-Big 12 Second Team honors from the league's coaches in addition to earning votes for the Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year award. A native of Paris, Texas, Savage tied for sixth in the Big 12 with three interceptions. Sinnott exploded onto the scene last season as he earned All-Big 12 First Team honors after leading all Big 12 tight ends/fullbacks and ranked fourth nationally by averaging 14.4 yards per catch. Additionally, he ranked sixth in K-State history by a tight end with 447 receiving yards and eighth with 31 catches. The Waterloo, Iowa, product had four touchdown catches on the year, including a two-score effort at Baylor to become the first Wildcat tight end with a multi-touchdown game since 1996. Ward arrives at K-State after spending the previous four seasons at Florida State, totaling 1,241 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns in his career. Last season, the Plant City, Florida, native led the Seminoles with 649 yards and seven touchdowns en route to All-ACC Honorable Mention accolades. K-State takes part in the 2023 Big 12 Media Days Presented by Old Trapper next Thursday at AT&amp;T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Representing the Wildcats along with head coach&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/chris-klieman/1976">Chris Klieman</a>&nbsp;is Beebe, Savage, quarterback&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/football/roster/will-howard/11107">Will Howard</a>&nbsp;and linebacker&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/football/roster/daniel-green/11104">Daniel Green</a>. Fans can watch Big 12 Media Day on both ESPNU and Big 12 Now on ESPN+, while coverage throughout the day will be available on K-State's social channels. Kansas State opens the 2023 season by hosting SEMO inside Bill Snyder Family Stadium on Saturday, September 2 in a 6 p.m., contest that will be shown on Big 12 Now on ESPN+. Tickets to the seven-game home slate can be purchased online at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kstatesports.com/tickets">www.kstatesports.com/tickets</a>&nbsp;or by phone at 1-800-221-CATS.&nbsp;&nbsp;

🏈 5 Wildcats earn preseason All-Big 12 honors

IRVING, Texas –&nbsp;Junior quarterback Jalon Daniels was named the Big 12 Conference Preseason Offensive Player of the Year on Wednesday, in addition to being named to the 2023 Preseason All-Big 12 Football Team, along with three of his teammates.

The team and individual awards, as chosen by media representatives who cover the league, were announced by the league office. Joining Daniels on the All-Big 12 First Team are junior running back Devin Neal, redshirt-senior center Mike Novitsky and junior cornerback Cobee Bryant.

Daniels becomes the first Kansas player to be named Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, and the second Jayhawk to be named a preseason individual award winner by the Big 12, joining Dorance Armstrong, who was the Preseason Defensive Player of the Year in 2016.

With four selections, the Jayhawks are tied with Kansas State and trail only Texas (five) for the most players on the Preseason All-Big 12 Team. It also marks the first time since 2007 that Kansas has had more than two players named to the Preseason All-Big 12 Team.

Daniels, a native of Lawndale, California, returns for his junior season under center following a breakthrough campaign in 2022. Despite missing four games due to injury, Daniels took the league by storm, leading the Jayhawks to their first 5-0 start since 2008. He was a Second Team All-Big 12 selection after completing 152-of-230 (66.1 percent) passes for 2,014 yards and 18 touchdowns. Daniels capped off the season with a record-setting performance in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl, where he went 37-of-55 for 544 yards and five touchdowns, while adding 25 rushing yards and another touchdown on the ground.

Daniels has already received Preseason All-Big 12 First Team honors from Athlon Sports and was a Preseason All-Big 12 Second Team selection by Phil Steele heading into the 2023 season. In addition to being a Second Team Academic All-American last season, Daniels was named the Walter Camp National FBS Offensive Player of the Week following his performance at Houston. He was also a four-time Manning Award Star of the Week and three-time Davey O’Brien Great 8 List honoree in 2022.

Neal, from Lawrence, Kansas became the 13th Jayhawk in school history to eclipse 1,000 yards in a season as a sophomore, totaling 1,090 yards and nine touchdowns on 180 rushing attempts. He added 183 yards and a touchdown on 21 receptions, totaling 1,273 all-purpose yards for the season. Neal had three 100-yard rushing games in 2022, including a career-high 224 yards and a touchdown against Oklahoma State. Against OSU, Neal also had 110 yards on six receptions, becoming the first Jayhawk to total 200-plus rushing yards and 100-plus receiving yards in the same game.

Neal has previously received Preseason All-Big 12 honors from both Athlon Sports and Phil Steele after being named All-Big 12 Honorable Mention last season. He is a two-time Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week in his career and he was named the Doak Walker Award National Running Back of the Week following the Oklahoma State game last season. Neal is the only returning 1,000-yard rusher in the Big 12.

Novitsky, a Victor, New York native, started all 13 games at center for KU in 2022 and he has been the starter in all games he’s played as a Jayhawk since arriving prior to the 2021 season. In 846 snaps last season, Novitsky didn’t allow a single sack, while allowing only two quarterback hits, and he anchored an offensive line that was No. 7 in the country last season with just 12 sacks allowed. In Novitsky’s two seasons at Kansas, the Jayhawk offensive line ranks third in the country for fewest sacks allowed.

Novitsky is a two-time All-Big 12 selection during his time at Kansas, earning second team honors in 2022 after receiving honorable mention in 2021. A member of the Preseason Rimington Trophy Watch List last season, Novitsky already been named a Preseason All-Big 12 First Team selection by Athlon and was picked to the second team by Phil Steele.

Bryant, from Evergreen, Alabama, was KU’s lone First Team All-Big 12 selection in 2022 after a sophomore season in which he finished three interceptions, nine pass breakups, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. He had the game-clinching interception and returned it for a touchdown in overtime at West Virginia on Sept. 10 and added a blocked field goal return for a touchdown in the season-opening victory against Tennessee Tech. Bryant totaled 38 tackles on the year, with 32 solo and six assist stops, and he ranked fifth in the Big 12 with 12 passes defended.

After earning All-Big 12 First Team honors from the coaches and second team from the Associated Press in 2022, Bryant has started the 2023 season as a Preseason All-Big 12 First Team selection by both Phil Steele and Athlon. In addition, he’s been named to the Lott IMPACT Preseason Watch List, which honors college football’s defensive best in character and performance.

The Jayhawks return 17-of-22 starters from the 2022 team, which experienced a breakthrough season as it played in the program’s first bowl game since 2008 with an appearance in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl.

Kansas will host seven games at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium during the 2023 season, beginning on Friday, September 1, against Missouri State. The following week, Kansas hosts Illinois on Friday, September 8, for a nationally televised contest on ESPN2. Other home opponents for the Jayhawks include Big 12 newcomers BYU and UCF along with conference foes Oklahoma, Texas Tech, and Kansas State.

Season tickets for the 2023 campaign are on sale starting at just $195. Seating options include bowl seating, the Meritrust Touchdown Club, and more. Mini plans are also available and designed to allow fans to pick the games that work the best for them. During the purchasing process, fans have the option to add a premium seatback to their order for less than $8 per game. To purchase tickets, and for more information, please click&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.evenue.net/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/SEGetGroupList?groupCode=FB&amp;linkID=kansas&amp;shopperContext=&amp;caller=&amp;appCode=">here</a>.

Furthermore, Sports Combo Passes for KU Students are also available for just $175. The pass includes access to both football and basketball tickets and can be purchased online through Enroll and Pay. For more information on student tickets, or to purchase today, click&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.com/students/">here</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1688582075388.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Courtesy of Kansas AthleticsIRVING, Texas –&nbsp;Junior quarterback Jalon Daniels was named the Big 12 Conference Preseason Offensive Player of the Year on Wednesday, in addition to being named to the 2023 Preseason All-Big 12 Football Team, along with three of his teammates.The team and individual awards, as chosen by media representatives who cover the league, were announced by the league office. Joining Daniels on the All-Big 12 First Team are junior running back Devin Neal, redshirt-senior center Mike Novitsky and junior cornerback Cobee Bryant.Daniels becomes the first Kansas player to be named Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, and the second Jayhawk to be named a preseason individual award winner by the Big 12, joining Dorance Armstrong, who was the Preseason Defensive Player of the Year in 2016.With four selections, the Jayhawks are tied with Kansas State and trail only Texas (five) for the most players on the Preseason All-Big 12 Team. It also marks the first time since 2007 that Kansas has had more than two players named to the Preseason All-Big 12 Team.Daniels, a native of Lawndale, California, returns for his junior season under center following a breakthrough campaign in 2022. Despite missing four games due to injury, Daniels took the league by storm, leading the Jayhawks to their first 5-0 start since 2008. He was a Second Team All-Big 12 selection after completing 152-of-230 (66.1 percent) passes for 2,014 yards and 18 touchdowns. Daniels capped off the season with a record-setting performance in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl, where he went 37-of-55 for 544 yards and five touchdowns, while adding 25 rushing yards and another touchdown on the ground.Daniels has already received Preseason All-Big 12 First Team honors from Athlon Sports and was a Preseason All-Big 12 Second Team selection by Phil Steele heading into the 2023 season. In addition to being a Second Team Academic All-American last season, Daniels was named the Walter Camp National FBS Offensive Player of the Week following his performance at Houston. He was also a four-time Manning Award Star of the Week and three-time Davey O’Brien Great 8 List honoree in 2022.Neal, from Lawrence, Kansas became the 13th Jayhawk in school history to eclipse 1,000 yards in a season as a sophomore, totaling 1,090 yards and nine touchdowns on 180 rushing attempts. He added 183 yards and a touchdown on 21 receptions, totaling 1,273 all-purpose yards for the season. Neal had three 100-yard rushing games in 2022, including a career-high 224 yards and a touchdown against Oklahoma State. Against OSU, Neal also had 110 yards on six receptions, becoming the first Jayhawk to total 200-plus rushing yards and 100-plus receiving yards in the same game.Neal has previously received Preseason All-Big 12 honors from both Athlon Sports and Phil Steele after being named All-Big 12 Honorable Mention last season. He is a two-time Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week in his career and he was named the Doak Walker Award National Running Back of the Week following the Oklahoma State game last season. Neal is the only returning 1,000-yard rusher in the Big 12.Novitsky, a Victor, New York native, started all 13 games at center for KU in 2022 and he has been the starter in all games he’s played as a Jayhawk since arriving prior to the 2021 season. In 846 snaps last season, Novitsky didn’t allow a single sack, while allowing only two quarterback hits, and he anchored an offensive line that was No. 7 in the country last season with just 12 sacks allowed. In Novitsky’s two seasons at Kansas, the Jayhawk offensive line ranks third in the country for fewest sacks allowed.Novitsky is a two-time All-Big 12 selection during his time at Kansas, earning second team honors in 2022 after receiving honorable mention in 2021. A member of the Preseason Rimington Trophy Watch List last season, Novitsky already been named a Preseason All-Big 12 First Team selection by Athlon and was picked to the second team by Phil Steele.Bryant, from Evergreen, Alabama, was KU’s lone First Team All-Big 12 selection in 2022 after a sophomore season in which he finished three interceptions, nine pass breakups, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. He had the game-clinching interception and returned it for a touchdown in overtime at West Virginia on Sept. 10 and added a blocked field goal return for a touchdown in the season-opening victory against Tennessee Tech. Bryant totaled 38 tackles on the year, with 32 solo and six assist stops, and he ranked fifth in the Big 12 with 12 passes defended.After earning All-Big 12 First Team honors from the coaches and second team from the Associated Press in 2022, Bryant has started the 2023 season as a Preseason All-Big 12 First Team selection by both Phil Steele and Athlon. In addition, he’s been named to the Lott IMPACT Preseason Watch List, which honors college football’s defensive best in character and performance.The Jayhawks return 17-of-22 starters from the 2022 team, which experienced a breakthrough season as it played in the program’s first bowl game since 2008 with an appearance in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl.Kansas will host seven games at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium during the 2023 season, beginning on Friday, September 1, against Missouri State. The following week, Kansas hosts Illinois on Friday, September 8, for a nationally televised contest on ESPN2. Other home opponents for the Jayhawks include Big 12 newcomers BYU and UCF along with conference foes Oklahoma, Texas Tech, and Kansas State.Season tickets for the 2023 campaign are on sale starting at just $195. Seating options include bowl seating, the Meritrust Touchdown Club, and more. Mini plans are also available and designed to allow fans to pick the games that work the best for them. During the purchasing process, fans have the option to add a premium seatback to their order for less than $8 per game. To purchase tickets, and for more information, please click&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.evenue.net/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/SEGetGroupList?groupCode=FB&amp;linkID=kansas&amp;shopperContext=&amp;caller=&amp;appCode=">here</a>.Furthermore, Sports Combo Passes for KU Students are also available for just $175. The pass includes access to both football and basketball tickets and can be purchased online through Enroll and Pay. For more information on student tickets, or to purchase today, click&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.com/students/">here</a>.

🏈 Jalon Daniels named Big 12 preseason offensive player of the year

By TYLER HENRY Salina Post contributor

Another thrilling season of Champions Indoor football is officially in the books, and Salina Liberty head coach Heron O'Neal will have yet another piece of hardware to add to his collection after being named Co-Head Coach of the Year.

Alongside Gillette HC Cedric Walker, O'Neal collects the third Coach of the Year honor of his career, and his second while with the Liberty (2019).

Under his direction, Salina improved from 3-21 in their first two seasons, to 49-17 over their last five campaigns, including a 6-4 postseason record, four straight championship appearances, and a title in 2022.

This year's team saw more of the success that the Salina faithful have come to expect, finishing second in the league with an 8-2 regular season record, and finishing runner-up to the eventual champion Omaha Beef.

The Liberty finished out the year second in scoring offense (45.5 ppg), and in total offense (220 yds/g), while holding opponents to just 210 yards per game on defense.

By TYLER HENRY Salina Post contributorAnother thrilling season of Champions Indoor football is officially in the books, and Salina Liberty head coach Heron O'Neal will have yet another piece of hardware to add to his collection after being named Co-Head Coach of the Year.Alongside Gillette HC Cedric Walker, O'Neal collects the third Coach of the Year honor of his career, and his second while with the Liberty (2019).Under his direction, Salina improved from 3-21 in their first two seasons, to 49-17 over their last five campaigns, including a 6-4 postseason record, four straight championship appearances, and a title in 2022.This year's team saw more of the success that the Salina faithful have come to expect, finishing second in the league with an 8-2 regular season record, and finishing runner-up to the eventual champion Omaha Beef.The Liberty finished out the year second in scoring offense (45.5 ppg), and in total offense (220 yds/g), while holding opponents to just 210 yards per game on defense.

Salina's Heron O'Neal collects CIF Coach of the Year honors

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Prosecutors have dropped a misdemeanor assault charge filed last October against Las Vegas Raiders' wide receiver&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/davante-adams">Davante Adams</a>&nbsp;after he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-chiefs-las-vegas-raiders-nfl-sports-davante-adams-9db797d4dd4fab59f16cea83324f918e">shoved a photographer to the ground</a>&nbsp;as he left the field following a loss at Kansas City.

The case filed in Kansas City municipal court was dismissed June 5, the Kansas City Star&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/crime/article2767">reported</a>.

Adams' attorney, J.R. Hobbs, declined to comment.

Police in Kansas City, Missouri, have said Adams pushed Ryan Zebley to the ground while running off the field after the Raiders lost 30-29 to the Chiefs on Oct. 10. Police at the time called it an “intentional, overt act” that caused whiplash, a headache and a possible minor concussion.

Adams apologized in his postgame comments to the media and&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/tae15adams/status/1579687398686228480?s=20&amp;t=jZwbBGXeaBWRP2YcD4TL5A">later on Twitter</a>.

“He jumped in front of me coming off the field. I kind of pushed him. He ended up on the ground,” Adams said after the game. “I want to apologize to him for that. That was just frustration mixed with him really just running in front of me."

Zebley was carrying video equipment for a local production company contracted with ESPN to cover the game. He sued Adams, the Raiders and the Chiefs in May, saying he was targeted online and feared for his safety in the immediate aftermath of the incident.

The lawsuit filed in Jackson County Circuit Court is ongoing, the Kansas City Star&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article275795346.html">reported</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1665590421736.png" alt="Original citation from Kansas City Municipal Court" />
 <figcaption>Original citation from Kansas City Municipal Court</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Prosecutors have dropped a misdemeanor assault charge filed last October against Las Vegas Raiders' wide receiver&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/davante-adams">Davante Adams</a>&nbsp;after he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-chiefs-las-vegas-raiders-nfl-sports-davante-adams-9db797d4dd4fab59f16cea83324f918e">shoved a photographer to the ground</a>&nbsp;as he left the field following a loss at Kansas City.The case filed in Kansas City municipal court was dismissed June 5, the Kansas City Star&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/crime/article2767">reported</a>.Adams' attorney, J.R. Hobbs, declined to comment.Police in Kansas City, Missouri, have said Adams pushed Ryan Zebley to the ground while running off the field after the Raiders lost 30-29 to the Chiefs on Oct. 10. Police at the time called it an “intentional, overt act” that caused whiplash, a headache and a possible minor concussion.Adams apologized in his postgame comments to the media and&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/tae15adams/status/1579687398686228480?s=20&amp;t=jZwbBGXeaBWRP2YcD4TL5A">later on Twitter</a>.“He jumped in front of me coming off the field. I kind of pushed him. He ended up on the ground,” Adams said after the game. “I want to apologize to him for that. That was just frustration mixed with him really just running in front of me."Zebley was carrying video equipment for a local production company contracted with ESPN to cover the game. He sued Adams, the Raiders and the Chiefs in May, saying he was targeted online and feared for his safety in the immediate aftermath of the incident.The lawsuit filed in Jackson County Circuit Court is ongoing, the Kansas City Star&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article275795346.html">reported</a>.

Charge dropped against Raiders' Adams for shoving  photographer in KC

MORGANTOWN (AP) —Assistant Josh Eilert has been selected as the interim coach at West Virginia, punctuating a hectic week after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/huggins-arrested-dui-pittsburgh-west-virginia-fb441762888b47bade5efb1b4e247da0">Bob Huggins resigned following a drunken driving arrest</a>.

Eilert, who has no previous head coaching experience, emerged as athletic director Wren Baker’s choice to shepherd the team through a challenging offseason stretch. Baker stayed in-house and chose not to hire a full-time coach given the limited options of conducting a nationwide search in June and the urgency of finding someone — anyone — with the start of practice only four months away.

“I spoke with knowledgeable basketball people around the country over the last week, including coaches, professional basketball executives and others of whom I trust to identify a strong group of candidates to speak with,” Baker said in a statement announcing the move Saturday night. “Ultimately what I came to recognize, was that conducting this search in late June was difficult for many of our candidates and also it put our talented student-athletes at a real disadvantage. With that said, we will conduct our national search at the conclusion of the 2023-24 season.”

Under NCAA rules, West Virginia’s players have a 30-day window to enter the transfer portal, and several apparently have chosen to do so, although they have the option to return. Eilert could be the glue that keeps together an upper class-heavy roster built largely through transfers.

“Josh Eilert is the right person to lead our men’s basketball program next season,” Baker said. “He has been an important part of our success, and he has displayed great integrity, work ethic and dedication. He has been involved in all facets of our program during his time on the basketball staff, and he has earned this opportunity to coach our team on an interim basis for the 2023-24 season.”

The 43-year-old Eilert first joined Huggins as a graduate assistant at Kansas State in 2006, then followed him to West Virginia in 2007. Eilert has had a variety of roles with the Mountaineers, including video coordinator and director of basketball operations, before being named an assistant coach in July 2022.

“I would like to thank Wren Baker, President Gee, Rob Alsop, Steve Uryasz and the rest of our administration for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to lead our storied Mountaineer basketball program,” Eilert said. “I would also like to thank Coach Huggins for retaining me on his staff at K-State in 2006 and for bringing me to West Virginia in 2007. I’ve learned so much from Coach Huggins, and it was an honor to work for a Hall of Fame coach for the last 17 years."

Among others who were linked to the opening were UAB coach and former Huggins assistant Andy Kennedy, and former West Virginia and Michigan coach John Beilein.

Huggins had assembled arguably one of the better recruiting classes in the country from the portal for next season, including Syracuse center Jesse Edwards, Arizona guard Kerr Kriisa, Manhattan guards Jose Perez and Omar Silverio, and Montana State guard RaeQuan Battle.

Huggins’ 16-year run as West Virginia’s coach ended with his resignation on June 17. The day before, he was charged with driving under the influence in Pittsburgh. According to a criminal complaint, Huggins initially believed he was in Columbus, Ohio. A breath test determined Huggins’ blood alcohol content was more than twice the legal limit. He has a preliminary hearing scheduled for Aug. 3 in Pittsburgh.

Huggins also pleaded no contest in 2004 to driving under the influence when he was the coach at Cincinnati. He was fired a year later amid a power struggle with the school’s president as well as the aftermath of the DUI arrest.

His resignation at West Virginia came a month after the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/huggins-homophobic-slur-west-virginia-xavier-77ce70b41112a0062421ad9405558473">university suspended him for three games</a>&nbsp;for using an anti-gay slur while also denigrating Catholics during a radio interview.

The 69-year-old Huggins was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame last September.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687658244063.png" alt=" Eilert came to WVU in 2007 from Kansas State, where he served as a graduate assistant in 2006-07-photo courtesy WVU Athletics" />
 <figcaption> Eilert came to WVU in 2007 from Kansas State, where he served as a graduate assistant in 2006-07-photo courtesy WVU Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>MORGANTOWN (AP) —Assistant Josh Eilert has been selected as the interim coach at West Virginia, punctuating a hectic week after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/huggins-arrested-dui-pittsburgh-west-virginia-fb441762888b47bade5efb1b4e247da0">Bob Huggins resigned following a drunken driving arrest</a>.Eilert, who has no previous head coaching experience, emerged as athletic director Wren Baker’s choice to shepherd the team through a challenging offseason stretch. Baker stayed in-house and chose not to hire a full-time coach given the limited options of conducting a nationwide search in June and the urgency of finding someone — anyone — with the start of practice only four months away.“I spoke with knowledgeable basketball people around the country over the last week, including coaches, professional basketball executives and others of whom I trust to identify a strong group of candidates to speak with,” Baker said in a statement announcing the move Saturday night. “Ultimately what I came to recognize, was that conducting this search in late June was difficult for many of our candidates and also it put our talented student-athletes at a real disadvantage. With that said, we will conduct our national search at the conclusion of the 2023-24 season.”Under NCAA rules, West Virginia’s players have a 30-day window to enter the transfer portal, and several apparently have chosen to do so, although they have the option to return. Eilert could be the glue that keeps together an upper class-heavy roster built largely through transfers.“Josh Eilert is the right person to lead our men’s basketball program next season,” Baker said. “He has been an important part of our success, and he has displayed great integrity, work ethic and dedication. He has been involved in all facets of our program during his time on the basketball staff, and he has earned this opportunity to coach our team on an interim basis for the 2023-24 season.”The 43-year-old Eilert first joined Huggins as a graduate assistant at Kansas State in 2006, then followed him to West Virginia in 2007. Eilert has had a variety of roles with the Mountaineers, including video coordinator and director of basketball operations, before being named an assistant coach in July 2022.“I would like to thank Wren Baker, President Gee, Rob Alsop, Steve Uryasz and the rest of our administration for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to lead our storied Mountaineer basketball program,” Eilert said. “I would also like to thank Coach Huggins for retaining me on his staff at K-State in 2006 and for bringing me to West Virginia in 2007. I’ve learned so much from Coach Huggins, and it was an honor to work for a Hall of Fame coach for the last 17 years."Among others who were linked to the opening were UAB coach and former Huggins assistant Andy Kennedy, and former West Virginia and Michigan coach John Beilein.Huggins had assembled arguably one of the better recruiting classes in the country from the portal for next season, including Syracuse center Jesse Edwards, Arizona guard Kerr Kriisa, Manhattan guards Jose Perez and Omar Silverio, and Montana State guard RaeQuan Battle.Huggins’ 16-year run as West Virginia’s coach ended with his resignation on June 17. The day before, he was charged with driving under the influence in Pittsburgh. According to a criminal complaint, Huggins initially believed he was in Columbus, Ohio. A breath test determined Huggins’ blood alcohol content was more than twice the legal limit. He has a preliminary hearing scheduled for Aug. 3 in Pittsburgh.Huggins also pleaded no contest in 2004 to driving under the influence when he was the coach at Cincinnati. He was fired a year later amid a power struggle with the school’s president as well as the aftermath of the DUI arrest.His resignation at West Virginia came a month after the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/huggins-homophobic-slur-west-virginia-xavier-77ce70b41112a0062421ad9405558473">university suspended him for three games</a>&nbsp;for using an anti-gay slur while also denigrating Catholics during a radio interview.The 69-year-old Huggins was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame last September.

Former KSU grad assistant will replace Bob Huggins at West Virginia

STARKVILLE, Miss. (AP) — Mississippi State has hired Kansas State associate athletic director Josh McCowan as its deputy AD for athletics advancement.

Bulldogs athletic director Zac Selmon cited McCowan’s success in fundraising and leadership qualities in statement on Thursday announcing the hire.

McCowan had been Kansas State’s senior associate AD of development since 2017 and oversaw the department's fundraising activities. He earned bachelor's and master's degrees from K-State and was a graduate assistant for the Wildcats' basketball team that reached the Elite Eight in 2010.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687524563648.png" alt=" Josh McCowan-photo courtesy KSU" />
 <figcaption> Josh McCowan-photo courtesy KSU</figcaption>
 </figure>STARKVILLE, Miss. (AP) — Mississippi State has hired Kansas State associate athletic director Josh McCowan as its deputy AD for athletics advancement.Bulldogs athletic director Zac Selmon cited McCowan’s success in fundraising and leadership qualities in statement on Thursday announcing the hire.McCowan had been Kansas State’s senior associate AD of development since 2017 and oversaw the department's fundraising activities. He earned bachelor's and master's degrees from K-State and was a graduate assistant for the Wildcats' basketball team that reached the Elite Eight in 2010.

Mississippi State hires KSU associate AD as deputy AD for advancement

BROOKLYN, N.Y.&nbsp;– Senior forward&nbsp;Keyontae Johnson&nbsp;was selected with the No. 50 pick by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2023 NBA Draft presented by State Farm&nbsp;on Thursday night&nbsp;(June 22) at the Barclays Center.

Johnson is the first player to be drafted out of K-State since&nbsp;Wes Iwundu&nbsp;(Orlando Magic) was taken in the 2017 NBA Draft with the 33rd&nbsp;selection. He is the first K-State player to be drafted since the Thunder moved to Oklahoma City in 2008. He is the second Wildcat to be drafted by the franchise and the first since&nbsp;Steve Honeycutt&nbsp;was selected by the Seattle Supersonics in 1969.

Overall, Johnson is the 51st&nbsp;Wildcat selected in the NBA Draft dating back to 1947.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“It’s just a tremendous relief,” said Johnson. “I just trusted the process and knew that I would playing in the NBA.”

Johnson was joined in the Thunder draft class by Duke’s&nbsp;Dereck Lively III&nbsp;and Clemson’s&nbsp;Hunter Tyson.

Johnson is the 13th&nbsp;draft pick developed by head coach&nbsp;Jerome Tang&nbsp;in his coaching career, joining former Baylor players&nbsp;Ekpe Udoh&nbsp;(2010),&nbsp;Perry Jones III&nbsp;(2012),&nbsp;Quincy Acy&nbsp;(2012),&nbsp;Quincy Miller(2012),&nbsp;Pierre Jackson&nbsp;(2013),&nbsp;Cory Jefferson(2014),&nbsp;Taurean Prince&nbsp;(2016),&nbsp;Davion Mitchell(2021),&nbsp;Jared Butler&nbsp;(20021),&nbsp;Jeremy Sochan(2022) and&nbsp;Kendall Brown&nbsp;(2022) as well as former Heritage Christian player&nbsp;Von Wafer&nbsp;(2005).

Johnson was one of four Big 12 players selected in the draft, joining Kansas’&nbsp;Gradey Dick&nbsp;(No. 13, Toronto Raptors), Baylor’s&nbsp;Keyonte George&nbsp;(No. 16, Utah Jazz) and Kansas’&nbsp;Jalen Wilson&nbsp;(No. 51, Brooklyn Nets).

The 6-foot-6, 230-pound forward from Norfolk, Va., was named a Third Team All-American by The Associated Press and NABC after averaging 17.4 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 34.1 minutes per game en route to helping K-State to a 26-win season and the Elite Eight. A finalist for the Julius Erving Small Forward Award, he was also honored as the Phillips 66 Big 12 Newcomer of the Year and named to the All-Big 12 First Team.

Teammate and fellow All-American&nbsp;Markquis Nowell&nbsp;did not get selected in the NBA Draft, but it was reported signed a 2-way contract with the Toronto Raptors late&nbsp;Thursday night.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687518781802.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>Courtesy of Kansas State AthleticsBROOKLYN, N.Y.&nbsp;– Senior forward&nbsp;Keyontae Johnson&nbsp;was selected with the No. 50 pick by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2023 NBA Draft presented by State Farm&nbsp;on Thursday night&nbsp;(June 22) at the Barclays Center.Johnson is the first player to be drafted out of K-State since&nbsp;Wes Iwundu&nbsp;(Orlando Magic) was taken in the 2017 NBA Draft with the 33rd&nbsp;selection. He is the first K-State player to be drafted since the Thunder moved to Oklahoma City in 2008. He is the second Wildcat to be drafted by the franchise and the first since&nbsp;Steve Honeycutt&nbsp;was selected by the Seattle Supersonics in 1969.Overall, Johnson is the 51st&nbsp;Wildcat selected in the NBA Draft dating back to 1947.&nbsp;&nbsp;“It’s just a tremendous relief,” said Johnson. “I just trusted the process and knew that I would playing in the NBA.”Johnson was joined in the Thunder draft class by Duke’s&nbsp;Dereck Lively III&nbsp;and Clemson’s&nbsp;Hunter Tyson.Johnson is the 13th&nbsp;draft pick developed by head coach&nbsp;Jerome Tang&nbsp;in his coaching career, joining former Baylor players&nbsp;Ekpe Udoh&nbsp;(2010),&nbsp;Perry Jones III&nbsp;(2012),&nbsp;Quincy Acy&nbsp;(2012),&nbsp;Quincy Miller(2012),&nbsp;Pierre Jackson&nbsp;(2013),&nbsp;Cory Jefferson(2014),&nbsp;Taurean Prince&nbsp;(2016),&nbsp;Davion Mitchell(2021),&nbsp;Jared Butler&nbsp;(20021),&nbsp;Jeremy Sochan(2022) and&nbsp;Kendall Brown&nbsp;(2022) as well as former Heritage Christian player&nbsp;Von Wafer&nbsp;(2005).Johnson was one of four Big 12 players selected in the draft, joining Kansas’&nbsp;Gradey Dick&nbsp;(No. 13, Toronto Raptors), Baylor’s&nbsp;Keyonte George&nbsp;(No. 16, Utah Jazz) and Kansas’&nbsp;Jalen Wilson&nbsp;(No. 51, Brooklyn Nets).The 6-foot-6, 230-pound forward from Norfolk, Va., was named a Third Team All-American by The Associated Press and NABC after averaging 17.4 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 34.1 minutes per game en route to helping K-State to a 26-win season and the Elite Eight. A finalist for the Julius Erving Small Forward Award, he was also honored as the Phillips 66 Big 12 Newcomer of the Year and named to the All-Big 12 First Team.Teammate and fellow All-American&nbsp;Markquis Nowell&nbsp;did not get selected in the NBA Draft, but it was reported signed a 2-way contract with the Toronto Raptors late&nbsp;Thursday night.

🏀 MBB: Johnson goes 50th in NBA Draft

BROOKLYN, N.Y.&nbsp;– Kansas guard Gradey Dick and forward Jalen Wilson were among the 58 players selected in the 2023 NBA Draft, held at Barclays Center in Brooklyn Thursday night.

Dick was the overall No. 13 choice of the Toronto Raptors, while Wilson was taken by the Brooklyn Nets and was the No. 51 selection.

“I was obviously very happy for Gradey,” Kansas coach Bill Self said while exiting Barclays Center. “We had heard somewhere between 10 and 14 probably and he goes 13. I think that is a very good fit for him and Toronto. Jalen didn’t get drafted where he hoped he would but the bottom line is it’s all about fits at that point, once you get into the second round. I know his representation feels like it’s a really good fit and Brooklyn was very excited to get him. I’m happy with that and feel like he will have a heck of a chance to be a part of their roster.”

Dick becomes the 19th lottery selection in Kansas history and the 13th in the Bill Self era, w hich. Began in 2003-04. The NBA lottery began in 1985 and recognizes the top 14 players chosen in the NBA Draft. With the selections of Dick and Wilson, KU now has 87 all-time NBA Draft selections, including 29 in the Self era. Since the NBA adopted a two-round draft in 1989, Kansas has had 28 first-round selections and 42 total draft picks.

In one season at Kansas, Dick made a huge impact as he set the KU freshman record for three-point field goals made with 83. The Wichita, Kansas, native was named to the Big 12’s All-Freshman and All-Newcomer teams as well as being an all-league second team selection. A three-time Big 12 Newcomer of the Week, Dick was second on the team with a 14.1 scoring average, which ranked 12th in the Big 12, and his 5.1 rebounds per game were 15th in the league. Dick had seven games of 20 or more points during his season at KU.

In addition to his freshman-record 83 threes, Dick ranked on the KU freshman list in – points (4th at 507), scoring average (tied for 6th at 14.1), steals (7th with 52), field goals (5th with 174), field goals attempted (4th with 394), free throws made (tied for 9th with 79), free throw percentage (2nd at 85.4%), three point field goals attempted (2nd with 206), minutes played (2nd with 1,176), games played (tied for 9th with 36) and games started (tied for 2nd with 36).

Wilson, the 2023 Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year, was Kansas’ 32nd&nbsp;all-time Consensus All-America First Team honoree following the 2022-23 season. The unanimous 2023 Big 12 Player of the Year and All-Big 12 First Team selection, Wilson led the Big 12 in scoring at 20.1 points per game, rebounds at 8.3 and double-doubles with 12. The Denton, Texas, forward posted three 30-point performances and had 22 games of 20 or more points scored this season, including each of his last seven contests. Wilson is the seventh player in Big 12 history to lead the league in scoring and rebounding in the same season, including the fourth Jayhawk to earn the distinction.

Wilson is just the 10th player in Kansas men’s basketball history to record 1,400-plus career points and 800-plus career rebounds and the first since Perry Ellis (2013-16). Wilson’s 1,475 points rank 27th on the KU career list and his 802 rebounds are 14th in school history. Wilson’s 28 career double-doubles are ninth on the KU all-time list.

KANSAS NBA DRAFT HISTORY Year – name (round/overall selection) 1948 – Otto Schnellbacher (Providence region) 1952 – Clyde Lovellette (1/10) 1953 – Dean Kelley (8/56), Gil Reich (11/32) 1954 – B.H. Born (3/22), Alan Kelley (7/56) 1957 – Maurice King (6/48) 1958 – Wilt Chamberlain (Territorial selection) 1959 – Ron Loneski (10/134) 1961 – Wayne Hightower (1/5), Bill Bridges (3/32) 1963 – Nolen Ellison (4/29) 1966 – Walt Wesley (1/6), Al Lopes (13/106) 1967 – Ron Franz (4/33) 1968 – Roger Bohnenstiel (9/120) 1969 – Jo Jo White (1/9), Dave Nash (4/48), Bruce Sloan (11/153) 1971 – Dave Robisch (3/44), Roger Brown (4/64), Pierre Russell (13/207) 1972 – Bud Stallworth (1/7) 1975 – Rick Suttle (7/110), Roger Morningstar (8/144) 1976 – Norm Cook (1/16) 1977 – Herb Nobles (6/124) 1978 – Ken Koenigs (5/99), John Douglas (6/118) 1979 – Paul Mokeski (2/42) 1981 – Darnell Valentine (1/16), Art Housey (3/47), John Crawford (7/160), Randolph Carroll (10/220) 1982 – Tony Guy (2/46), David Magley (2/28) 1984 – Carl Henry (4/80), Brian Martin (9/185) 1986 – Greg Drieling (2/26), Ron Kellogg (2/42), Calvin Thompson (4/71) 1988 – Danny Manning (1/1), Archie Marshall (3/75) 1990 – Kevin Pritchard (2/34) 1991 – Mark Randall (1/26) 1993 – Rex Walters (1/16), Adonis Jordan (2/42) 1994 – Darrin Hancock (2/38) 1995 – Greg Ostertag (1/28) 1997 – Scot Pollard (1/19), Jacque Vaughn (1/27) 1998 – Raef LaFrentz (1/3), Paul Pierce (1/10) 1999 – Ryan Robertson (2/45) 2001 – Eric Chenowith (2/42) 2002 – Drew Gooden (1/4) 2003 – Kirk Hinrich (1/7), Nick Collison (1/12) 2005 – Wayne Simien (1/29) 2007 – Julian Wright (1/13) 2008 – Brandon Rush (1/13), Darrell Arthur (1/27), Mario Chalmers (2/34), Darnell Jackson (2/52), Sasha Kaun (2/56) 2010 – Cole Aldrich (1/11), Xavier Henry (1/12) 2011 – Marcus Morris (1/13), Markieff Morris (1/14), Josh Selby (2/49) 2012 – Thomas Robinson (1/5), Tyshawn Taylor (2/41) 2013 – Ben McLemore (1/7), Jeff Withey (2/39) 2014 – Andrew Wiggins (1/1), Joel Embiid (1/3) 2015 – Kelly Oubre Jr. (1/15) 2016 – Cheick Diallo (2/33) 2017 – Josh Jackson (1/4), Frank Mason III (2/34) 2018 – Devonte’ Graham (2/34), Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk (2/47) 2020 – Udoka Azubuike (1/27) 2022 – Ochai Agbaji (1/14), Christian Braun (1/21) 2023 – Gradey Dick (1/13), Jalen Wilson (2/51)

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<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687517864295.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Courtesy of Kansas AthleticsBROOKLYN, N.Y.&nbsp;– Kansas guard Gradey Dick and forward Jalen Wilson were among the 58 players selected in the 2023 NBA Draft, held at Barclays Center in Brooklyn Thursday night.Dick was the overall No. 13 choice of the Toronto Raptors, while Wilson was taken by the Brooklyn Nets and was the No. 51 selection.“I was obviously very happy for Gradey,” Kansas coach Bill Self said while exiting Barclays Center. “We had heard somewhere between 10 and 14 probably and he goes 13. I think that is a very good fit for him and Toronto. Jalen didn’t get drafted where he hoped he would but the bottom line is it’s all about fits at that point, once you get into the second round. I know his representation feels like it’s a really good fit and Brooklyn was very excited to get him. I’m happy with that and feel like he will have a heck of a chance to be a part of their roster.”Dick becomes the 19th lottery selection in Kansas history and the 13th in the Bill Self era, w hich. Began in 2003-04. The NBA lottery began in 1985 and recognizes the top 14 players chosen in the NBA Draft. With the selections of Dick and Wilson, KU now has 87 all-time NBA Draft selections, including 29 in the Self era. Since the NBA adopted a two-round draft in 1989, Kansas has had 28 first-round selections and 42 total draft picks.In one season at Kansas, Dick made a huge impact as he set the KU freshman record for three-point field goals made with 83. The Wichita, Kansas, native was named to the Big 12’s All-Freshman and All-Newcomer teams as well as being an all-league second team selection. A three-time Big 12 Newcomer of the Week, Dick was second on the team with a 14.1 scoring average, which ranked 12th in the Big 12, and his 5.1 rebounds per game were 15th in the league. Dick had seven games of 20 or more points during his season at KU.In addition to his freshman-record 83 threes, Dick ranked on the KU freshman list in – points (4th at 507), scoring average (tied for 6th at 14.1), steals (7th with 52), field goals (5th with 174), field goals attempted (4th with 394), free throws made (tied for 9th with 79), free throw percentage (2nd at 85.4%), three point field goals attempted (2nd with 206), minutes played (2nd with 1,176), games played (tied for 9th with 36) and games started (tied for 2nd with 36).Wilson, the 2023 Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year, was Kansas’ 32nd&nbsp;all-time Consensus All-America First Team honoree following the 2022-23 season. The unanimous 2023 Big 12 Player of the Year and All-Big 12 First Team selection, Wilson led the Big 12 in scoring at 20.1 points per game, rebounds at 8.3 and double-doubles with 12. The Denton, Texas, forward posted three 30-point performances and had 22 games of 20 or more points scored this season, including each of his last seven contests. Wilson is the seventh player in Big 12 history to lead the league in scoring and rebounding in the same season, including the fourth Jayhawk to earn the distinction.Wilson is just the 10th player in Kansas men’s basketball history to record 1,400-plus career points and 800-plus career rebounds and the first since Perry Ellis (2013-16). Wilson’s 1,475 points rank 27th on the KU career list and his 802 rebounds are 14th in school history. Wilson’s 28 career double-doubles are ninth on the KU all-time list.KANSAS NBA DRAFT HISTORY Year – name (round/overall selection) 1948 – Otto Schnellbacher (Providence region) 1952 – Clyde Lovellette (1/10) 1953 – Dean Kelley (8/56), Gil Reich (11/32) 1954 – B.H. Born (3/22), Alan Kelley (7/56) 1957 – Maurice King (6/48) 1958 – Wilt Chamberlain (Territorial selection) 1959 – Ron Loneski (10/134) 1961 – Wayne Hightower (1/5), Bill Bridges (3/32) 1963 – Nolen Ellison (4/29) 1966 – Walt Wesley (1/6), Al Lopes (13/106) 1967 – Ron Franz (4/33) 1968 – Roger Bohnenstiel (9/120) 1969 – Jo Jo White (1/9), Dave Nash (4/48), Bruce Sloan (11/153) 1971 – Dave Robisch (3/44), Roger Brown (4/64), Pierre Russell (13/207) 1972 – Bud Stallworth (1/7) 1975 – Rick Suttle (7/110), Roger Morningstar (8/144) 1976 – Norm Cook (1/16) 1977 – Herb Nobles (6/124) 1978 – Ken Koenigs (5/99), John Douglas (6/118) 1979 – Paul Mokeski (2/42) 1981 – Darnell Valentine (1/16), Art Housey (3/47), John Crawford (7/160), Randolph Carroll (10/220) 1982 – Tony Guy (2/46), David Magley (2/28) 1984 – Carl Henry (4/80), Brian Martin (9/185) 1986 – Greg Drieling (2/26), Ron Kellogg (2/42), Calvin Thompson (4/71) 1988 – Danny Manning (1/1), Archie Marshall (3/75) 1990 – Kevin Pritchard (2/34) 1991 – Mark Randall (1/26) 1993 – Rex Walters (1/16), Adonis Jordan (2/42) 1994 – Darrin Hancock (2/38) 1995 – Greg Ostertag (1/28) 1997 – Scot Pollard (1/19), Jacque Vaughn (1/27) 1998 – Raef LaFrentz (1/3), Paul Pierce (1/10) 1999 – Ryan Robertson (2/45) 2001 – Eric Chenowith (2/42) 2002 – Drew Gooden (1/4) 2003 – Kirk Hinrich (1/7), Nick Collison (1/12) 2005 – Wayne Simien (1/29) 2007 – Julian Wright (1/13) 2008 – Brandon Rush (1/13), Darrell Arthur (1/27), Mario Chalmers (2/34), Darnell Jackson (2/52), Sasha Kaun (2/56) 2010 – Cole Aldrich (1/11), Xavier Henry (1/12) 2011 – Marcus Morris (1/13), Markieff Morris (1/14), Josh Selby (2/49) 2012 – Thomas Robinson (1/5), Tyshawn Taylor (2/41) 2013 – Ben McLemore (1/7), Jeff Withey (2/39) 2014 – Andrew Wiggins (1/1), Joel Embiid (1/3) 2015 – Kelly Oubre Jr. (1/15) 2016 – Cheick Diallo (2/33) 2017 – Josh Jackson (1/4), Frank Mason III (2/34) 2018 – Devonte’ Graham (2/34), Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk (2/47) 2020 – Udoka Azubuike (1/27) 2022 – Ochai Agbaji (1/14), Christian Braun (1/21) 2023 – Gradey Dick (1/13), Jalen Wilson (2/51)<a href="https://wmt.digital/" target="_blank">Powered by</a>

🏀 MBB: Kansas duo selected in NBA Draft

The Salina Liberty battled but ultimately fell short in Champions Bowl VIII at the hands of the Omaha Beef, who capped off their undefeated season with a 50-30 win at the Slaughterhouse.

Omaha wasted no time jumping on the Liberty early, collecting a rogue point on the opening kickoff, before picking off Ed Crouch twice to bookend a touchdown on the ground and take an early 8-0 lead.

As the Beef looked to extend their advantage Salina forced a fumble that rolled into the end zone, and got on the board with a made field goal in the closing minutes of the first.

From there, the two teams traded punches, and the Liberty even found a lead thanks to a 32-yard hookup from Crouch to Anthony Love, but the Beef battled back and took a 17-12 lead into the intermission.

Out of the break, Omaha once again delivered a haymaker in the form of a kickoff return for a touchdown, but Salina bounced right back as Tracy Brooks took a handoff to the outside and ran 40 yards to the house to cut the deficit back to six.

After trading another set of scores, Omaha trotted out their kicker who hit a colossal 43-yard field goal to give the Beef a two-possession lead going into the fourth.

With their backs to the wall, Salina set out to trim the deficit once more, but a third interception by the Omaha secondary and a subsequent touchdown would put the game out of reach as the Beef went on to win 50-30.

Two of those crucial interceptions belonged to league leader Dreko Statham, who closed out his campaign with 15 picks in just 12 games.

With this, the book closes on yet another bittersweet Liberty campaign, that saw Salina rack up nine more wins and make a fourth-consecutive Champions Bowl, but fail to secure a second title.

By TYLER HENRY Salina Post contributor<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617387097958.png" alt="Coverage of Liberty football is presented by Ryan Roofing" />
 <figcaption>Coverage of Liberty football is presented by Ryan Roofing</figcaption>
 </figure>The Salina Liberty battled but ultimately fell short in Champions Bowl VIII at the hands of the Omaha Beef, who capped off their undefeated season with a 50-30 win at the Slaughterhouse.Omaha wasted no time jumping on the Liberty early, collecting a rogue point on the opening kickoff, before picking off Ed Crouch twice to bookend a touchdown on the ground and take an early 8-0 lead.As the Beef looked to extend their advantage Salina forced a fumble that rolled into the end zone, and got on the board with a made field goal in the closing minutes of the first.From there, the two teams traded punches, and the Liberty even found a lead thanks to a 32-yard hookup from Crouch to Anthony Love, but the Beef battled back and took a 17-12 lead into the intermission.Out of the break, Omaha once again delivered a haymaker in the form of a kickoff return for a touchdown, but Salina bounced right back as Tracy Brooks took a handoff to the outside and ran 40 yards to the house to cut the deficit back to six.After trading another set of scores, Omaha trotted out their kicker who hit a colossal 43-yard field goal to give the Beef a two-possession lead going into the fourth.With their backs to the wall, Salina set out to trim the deficit once more, but a third interception by the Omaha secondary and a subsequent touchdown would put the game out of reach as the Beef went on to win 50-30.Two of those crucial interceptions belonged to league leader Dreko Statham, who closed out his campaign with 15 picks in just 12 games.With this, the book closes on yet another bittersweet Liberty campaign, that saw Salina rack up nine more wins and make a fourth-consecutive Champions Bowl, but fail to secure a second title.

Liberty fall to Beef in Champions Bowl VIII

MORGANTOWN (AP) —West Virginia basketball coach Bob Huggins has resigned a day after his arrest on suspicion of drunken driving in the latest incident in a Hall of Fame career that imploded quickly.

The university announced the resignation Saturday night. It came a month after the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/huggins-homophobic-slur-west-virginia-xavier-77ce70b41112a0062421ad9405558473">university suspended him for three games</a>&nbsp;for using an anti-gay slur while also denigrating Catholics during a radio interview.

The 69-year-old Huggins leaves as the third-winningest coach all-time in Division I with 935 career victories, behind only Mike Krzyzewski of Duke (1,202) and Jim Boeheim of Syracuse (1,015), both of whom are retired. Unlike the others, Huggins had no national titles, taking Cincinnati to the Final Four in 1992 and West Virginia in 2010.

Huggins had 16-year stints each with the Bearcats and Mountaineers. Both ended in the aftermath of arrests for drinking and driving.

Huggins was charged with driving under the influence on Friday night after his SUV had stopped in the middle of traffic in Pittsburgh with a shredded tire and the driver’s side door was open at about 8:30 p.m. According to a criminal complaint, a breath test determined Huggins’ blood alcohol content was more than twice the legal limit.

Huggins was charged with driving under the influence, released from custody and will appear at a later date for a preliminary hearing, according to a police report.

In a statement to the West Virginia community on Saturday night, Huggins said: “Today, I have submitted a letter to President Gordon Gee and Vice President and Director of Athletics Wren Baker informing them of my resignation and intention to retire as head men’s basketball coach at West Virginia University effective immediately.”

In a separate statement Saturday night, West Virginia’s athletic department said it accepted the resignation “in light of recent events.

“We support his decision so that he can focus on his health and family. On behalf of West Virginia University, we share our appreciation for his service to our University, our community and our state."

No replacement was immediately named for Huggins. The athletic department statement said that “in the days ahead, we will focus on supporting the student-athletes in our men’s basketball program and solidifying leadership for our program.”

Huggins said his recent actions do not represent the university's values or the leadership expected in his role as coach.

“While I have always tried to represent our University with honor, I have let all of you — and myself — down,” he said. “I am solely responsible for my conduct and sincerely apologize to the University community — particularly to the student-athletes, coaches and staff in our program. I must do better, and I plan to spend the next few months focused on my health and my family so that I can be the person they deserve.”

Huggins added that it was “the honor of my professional career” to lead the team at his alma mater. Born in Morgantown, he said it “will always be my home, and I will always be a Mountaineer. Thank you to everyone who has supported our program over the years. It has meant more to me and my family than you could ever know.”

Friday night, officers directed Huggins to move off the road so they could help with the tire, then activated their lights when they observed Huggins having trouble maneuvering the SUV to allow vehicles to pass. Upon questioning, officers suspected he was intoxicated and asked him to exit the vehicle. The report said he failed standard field sobriety tests, was taken into custody without incident and transported for further testing.

It was Huggins’ second such arrest. The other occurred in 2004, when he was the head coach at Cincinnati.

MORGANTOWN (AP) —West Virginia basketball coach Bob Huggins has resigned a day after his arrest on suspicion of drunken driving in the latest incident in a Hall of Fame career that imploded quickly.The university announced the resignation Saturday night. It came a month after the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/huggins-homophobic-slur-west-virginia-xavier-77ce70b41112a0062421ad9405558473">university suspended him for three games</a>&nbsp;for using an anti-gay slur while also denigrating Catholics during a radio interview.The 69-year-old Huggins leaves as the third-winningest coach all-time in Division I with 935 career victories, behind only Mike Krzyzewski of Duke (1,202) and Jim Boeheim of Syracuse (1,015), both of whom are retired. Unlike the others, Huggins had no national titles, taking Cincinnati to the Final Four in 1992 and West Virginia in 2010.Huggins had 16-year stints each with the Bearcats and Mountaineers. Both ended in the aftermath of arrests for drinking and driving.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687028787636.png" alt="Pittsburg police report on the DUI arrest" />
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 </figure>Huggins was charged with driving under the influence on Friday night after his SUV had stopped in the middle of traffic in Pittsburgh with a shredded tire and the driver’s side door was open at about 8:30 p.m. According to a criminal complaint, a breath test determined Huggins’ blood alcohol content was more than twice the legal limit.Huggins was charged with driving under the influence, released from custody and will appear at a later date for a preliminary hearing, according to a police report.In a statement to the West Virginia community on Saturday night, Huggins said: “Today, I have submitted a letter to President Gordon Gee and Vice President and Director of Athletics Wren Baker informing them of my resignation and intention to retire as head men’s basketball coach at West Virginia University effective immediately.”In a separate statement Saturday night, West Virginia’s athletic department said it accepted the resignation “in light of recent events.“We support his decision so that he can focus on his health and family. On behalf of West Virginia University, we share our appreciation for his service to our University, our community and our state."No replacement was immediately named for Huggins. The athletic department statement said that “in the days ahead, we will focus on supporting the student-athletes in our men’s basketball program and solidifying leadership for our program.”Huggins said his recent actions do not represent the university's values or the leadership expected in his role as coach.“While I have always tried to represent our University with honor, I have let all of you — and myself — down,” he said. “I am solely responsible for my conduct and sincerely apologize to the University community — particularly to the student-athletes, coaches and staff in our program. I must do better, and I plan to spend the next few months focused on my health and my family so that I can be the person they deserve.”Huggins added that it was “the honor of my professional career” to lead the team at his alma mater. Born in Morgantown, he said it “will always be my home, and I will always be a Mountaineer. Thank you to everyone who has supported our program over the years. It has meant more to me and my family than you could ever know.”Friday night, officers directed Huggins to move off the road so they could help with the tire, then activated their lights when they observed Huggins having trouble maneuvering the SUV to allow vehicles to pass. Upon questioning, officers suspected he was intoxicated and asked him to exit the vehicle. The report said he failed standard field sobriety tests, was taken into custody without incident and transported for further testing.It was Huggins’ second such arrest. The other occurred in 2004, when he was the head coach at Cincinnati.In June 2004, Huggins pleaded no contest to driving under the influence in a suburb of Cincinnati and was ordered to attend a three-day intervention program. The University of Cincinnati suspended him indefinitely with pay and told Huggins to rehabilitate himself.Huggins was allowed to return to work two months later, saying that “I made a terrible mistake, and what bothers me most is I hurt other people. All I can do is work like crazy to be a better person, a better coach, be better at everything I do and make those people proud of me.”By 2005, Huggins' Cincinnati career was over; he was fired amid a power struggle with the school’s president as well as the aftermath of the 2004 arrest.After spending one season at Kansas State, Huggins took his dream job at West Virginia, his alma mater, in 2007.Last month, Huggins agreed to a three-game suspension, a $1 million salary reduction and sensitivity training for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/huggins-homophobic-slur-west-virginia-665dd3d31760b1c6f66d7d706e825727">using the slur</a>&nbsp;during an interview with Cincinnati radio station WLW. Huggins was asked about the transfer portal and whether he had a chance of landing a player at West Virginia from Xavier, a Jesuit school.“Catholics don’t do that,” Huggins said. “I tell you what, any school that can throw rubber penises on the floor and then say they didn’t do it, by God they can get away with anything.“It was the Crosstown Shootout. What it was, was all those (expletive), those Catholic (expletive), I think.”In a joint statement later that week, Gee and Baker said the university “made it explicitly clear to Coach Huggins that any incidents of similar derogatory and offensive language will result in immediate termination.”Huggins’ salary of $4.15 million had been reduced by $1 million after the slur. That reduction was to be used to directly support WVU’s LGBTQ+ Center, as well as a mental health center at the university and other groups that support marginalized communities. At the time, he was suspended for the first three games of the 2023-24 season. In addition, his contract was amended from a multiyear agreement to a year-by-year agreement that began on May 10.Huggins entered the Basketball Hall of Fame last September. In 41 seasons, his teams have gone to 25 NCAA Tournaments, finished ranked in the top 10 of The Associated Press poll seven times and finished under .500 five times. The Mountaineers have 11 NCAA Tournament appearances under Huggins.Huggins had assembled a solid group from the transfer portal for next season, including Syracuse center Jesse Edwards, Arizona guard Kerr Kriisa, Manhattan guards Jose Perez and Omar Silverio, and Montana State guard RaeQuan Battle.“Man.. I knew the dude 3 months but felt like forever,” Kriisa said Saturday night on Twitter. “So thankful for really believing in me and taking me as part of your family forever. Love u coach.”___