2025 NBA draft scheduled for June 25-26 at Barclays Center

NEWS+NOTES

Duke’s Cooper Flagg (2) celebrates ahead of North Carolina State’s Trey Parker (5) and Jayden Taylor (8) late in a game on Monday in Durham, N.C. BEN MCKEOWN — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

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The NBA is using the two-night draft format again this year, announcing Tuesday that the 2025 event will take place on June 25-26.

It’s the second consecutive year of the two-night process. Both nights will be at the Barclays Center, home of the Brooklyn Nets.

Coverage both nights will begin at 8 p.m. Eastern across ESPN platforms, with the first night set to air on ABC. As was the case for last year’s draft, there will be a five-minute time limit between picks in the first round. For the second round, there will be a four-minute time limit between picks.

Duke freshman Cooper Flagg is widely expected to be a frontrunner for the No. 1 overall pick should he elect to enter the draft.

Wembanyama named to rising stars team >> San Antonio’s Victor Wembanyama is officially headed back to All-Star weekend.

The Rising Stars is a one-night tournament, featuring four rosters of seven players each. Teams will play semifinal games where the first to 40 points wins; those semifinal winners will then play in a championship game, with the winning team being the first one to 25 points.

The other second-year players selected: Washington’s Bilal Coulibaly, Toronto’s Gradey Dick, Utah’s Keyonte George, Portland’s Scoot Henderson, Golden State’s Trayce Jackson-Davis, Miami’s Jaime Jaquez Jr., Dallas’ Dereck Lively II, Charlotte’s Brandon Miller, Houston’s Amen Thompson and Oklahoma City’s Cason Wallace.

Baseball

Skenes, Henderson and De La Cruz are cover athletes for MLB The Show >> MLB The Show 25 announced that rising stars Paul Skenes, Gunnar Henderson and Elly De La Cruz will be the cover athletes on its upcoming video game.

It’s the first time MLB The Show has featured three athletes on the same cover. The game is scheduled to hit the market on March 18.

Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Skenes, 22, was last season’s National League Rookie of the Year.

Pirates reunite with Frazier >> Adam Frazier is heading back to the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The club has agreed to terms with the veteran second baseman/outfielder on a one-year deal worth $1.525 million. The deal is pending Frazier passing a physical.

Cubs officially acquire Astros’ Pressley >> The Chicago Cubs acquired right-hander Ryan Pressly and cash from the Houston Astros for minor league pitcher Juan Bello.

Pressly likely slides into the closer’s role with Chicago, which is looking to go back to the playoffs for the first time since 2020. He had a 3.49 ERA in 59 appearances last year while serving as a setup man for Josh Hader.

The 20-year-old Bello went 4-5 with a 3.21 ERA in 22 starts for Class A Myrtle Beach last year. He is 4-8 with a 3.66 ERA in 35 career minor league games.