Buffs add in-state star to ’25 recruiting class

Colorado received its fourth commitment for the 2025 recruiting class, and this one continues the Tad Boyle-era tradition of landing top in-state prospects.

On Monday, the Buffs received a commitment from Denver native Josiah Sanders, a 6-foot-4 point guard out of Colorado Prep. In the 2025 class, Sanders joins Isaiah Johnson, Ian Inman and Jalin Holland, a 6-foot-4 guard out of Arizona who committed on Sept. 27.

Sanders is ranked as a four-star prospect by 247Sports, which also ranks Sanders as the top prospect in Colorado and the No. 119 recruit overall. Sanders is considered the No. 18 combo guard in the country.

NCAA’s $2.78B settlement to allow athlete payments gets preliminary approval

A judge granted preliminary approval to the $2.78 billion legal settlement that would transform college sports by allowing schools to pay players.

U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilken released an order setting a timeline for a deal that would put millions of dollars into the pockets of college athletes, who can begin applying for payment on Oct. 18.

A final hearing is set for April 7, 2025. If finalized, the deal would allow schools to establish a pool of about $21.5 million in the first year to distribute money to athletes through a revenue-sharing plan. Athletes would still be able to cut name, image and likeness deals as well.

ESPN hires Charania

BRISTOL, Conn.>> Shams Charania has been hired as ESPN’s senior NBA insider, replacing his mentor Adrian Wojnarowski. Charania announced the move on social media.

Wojnarowski announced on Sept. 18 he was leaving ESPN to become the general manager of St. Bonaventure’s men’s basketball team. The 30-year old Charania has been at The Athletic since 2018 as well as doing on-air work for Stadium and FanDuel TV. He has also been a national NBA insider for Yahoo Sports.

Auction for Ohtani’s 50-50 ball is allowed to proceed

The auction for Shohei Ohtani’s potentially lucrative 50th home run ball has been allowed to proceed as a legal dispute over ownership of the financial proceeds continues.

Chris Belanski was the man who walked out of the stadium with the historic baseball, gaining possession in the left field stands at loanDepot Park in Miami. Max Matus and Joseph Davidov each claim in separate lawsuits they grabbed the ball first.

Wild sign goalie prospect Wallstedt to 2-year deal

ST. PAUL, Minn.>> The Minnesota Wild signed goaltender Jesper Wallstedt to a two-year, $4.4 million contract extension. The deal gives their prized 21-year-old prospect some security while waiting in the wings behind veterans Marc-Andre Fleury and Filip Gustavsson.

Fritz, Dimitrov advance at rain-soaked Shanghai

SHANGHAI>> Seventh-ranked Taylor Fritz and 10th-ranked Grigor Dimitrov completed their second-round matches at the Shanghai Masters two days after they started. Fritz won against Frenchman Terence Atmane 7-6, 7-6 nearly 48 hours after the match began on Saturday. There were rain delays through the weekend. Dimitrov beat Zizou Bergs of Belgium 6-3, 3-6, 6-2.