Sports
Bilas’ men’s NCAA basketball 2025 preseason All-America teams
More than 200 days will have passed between the end of the 2024-25 men’s college basketball season and the beginning of the 2025-26 campaign.
As the offseason has unfolded — with the final wave of recruits making their commitments, veteran players finding new homes via the portal and reports coming out of early practices — the Bilastrator has been evaluating what to expect when the new season tips on Monday, Nov. 3.
From a first team that shares only three selections with the AP’s preseason picks to an all-defensive team (that no governing body actually awards at a national level), let’s run through my preseason All-America teams.
First team

The best point guard in college basketball dished out 8.7 assists per game last season (second in the nation) to earn unanimous AP preseason All-America honors heading into his final year at Purdue. Smith is tough, a clutch performer and key to the Boilermakers’ first preseason AP Top 25 No. 1 ranking.

Dent is one of the best pick-and-roll guards in the country who should be a difference-maker for Mick Cronin and the Bruins, a year after elevating the New Mexico Lobos onto the NCAA tournament bubble with top-15 marks in points (20.4 PPG) and assists (6.4 APG).

Haggerty should exceed his already elite scoring production from the past two seasons to promote himself from second- to first-team All-America honors. He averaged 21.2 PPG for Tulsa in 2023-24 and 21.7 PPG for Memphis in 2024-25 (good for third in the country).

The only player who was top-3 in scoring (18.2 PPG) and rebounding (9.4 RPG) in the Big 12 last season, Toppin is one of the best players in the country. The walking highlight reel averaged a double-double (19.3 PPG, 11.0 RPG) while leading the Red Raiders to the Elite Eight in March.

Lendeborg saw his NBA draft stock rise into the bottom of the first round this June, after a season at UAB. A dominant rim protector (his 11.4 blocks per game were third in the country), the big man also led the Blazers in scoring (17.7), rebounds (11.4) and assists (4.2). He decided to return to college and should be a presence on both ends of the floor for Michigan.
Second team

The No. 1 recruit in the SC Next 100 class of 2025, Dybantsa has the length and athleticism to go with a competitive drive to lead the Cougars on an even deeper NCAA tournament run after making the Sweet 16 less than eight months ago. Expect to hear a lot about BYU’s biggest star since Jimmer Fredette.

Another highly touted recruit with a real case to be the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA draft, Peterson could be the most talented freshman to ever play for Bill Self. He’s a dynamic scorer and playmaker and should carry the offense in Lawrence.

Boozer and the freshmen-led Blue Devils have big shoes to fill in Durham. But the son of former Duke star Carlos Boozer has experience to lean on. A double-double threat, he is one of the most decorated high school players ever.

Oweh has blossomed under coach Mark Pope, upping his scoring from 11.4 PPG with Oklahoma in 2023-24 to 16.2 PPG with Kentucky in 2024-25. The big man attacks in transition and should have an even bigger season with the roster closer to full health.

Coach Rick Barnes has called Ament — the fourth and final freshman to make the second-team cut — the No. 1 player in this 2025 class. Whether that turns out to be true or not, it’s clear Ament will have a significant role for the Volunteers from season tip.
Third team

Recently named the ACC preseason Player of the Year after earning All-Big 12 honors with Texas Tech on 15.1 PPG and 3.6 APG marks last season, Williams will have even more opportunities to generate offense as the cornerstone of Will Wade’s first team in Raleigh.

One of Houston’s key leaders to return after last season’s title game loss, Sharp should carry enough of the offensive share vacated by LJ Cryer to outperform his 12.6 PPG scoring of the past two seasons.

One of the most skilled big men in college basketball returns to once again play a leading role for the reigning champion Gators. Expect more from Condon on the glass (7.5 RPG in 2024-25) and offense (10.6 PPG in 2024-25).

After earning an honorable mention nod and finishing inside the top 20 nationally in scoring (20.1 PPG), Kaufman-Renn should break through as a full-fledged All-America selection — if he and Smith can lead Purdue to a season worthy of the Boilermakers’ preseason No. 1 ranking.

The only returner from last season’s Final Four team, Pettiford should see a sizable increase in his workload. He stepped up for the Tigers during the NCAA tournament with 15.2 points and 3.4 assists — averages higher than his regular-season numbers.
Honorable mentions
Bennett Stirtz, Iowa
Alex Karaban, UConn
Zuby Ejiofor, St. John’s
Graham Ike, Gonzaga
Labaron Philon Jr., Alabama
Nick Martinelli, Northwestern
Ja’Kobi Gillespie, Tennessee
Tucker DeVries, Indiana
Ryan Conwell, Louisville
Richie Saunders, BYU
All-defensive team
Joseph Tugler, Houston
Tamin Lipsey, Iowa State
Miles Byrd, San Diego State
Mouhamed Dioubate, Kentucky
Maliq Brown, Duke
All-freshman team
Darryn Peterson, Kansas
AJ Dybantsa, BYU
Cameron Boozer, Duke
Nate Ament, Tennessee
Caleb Wilson, North Carolina
Sports
Transfer rumors, news: Bournemouth ask clubs for £75m to sign Semenyo
AFC Bournemouth have set a transfer fee for Chelsea and Liverpool target Antoine Semenyo, while Manchester United are considering a January move for Atlético Madrid‘s Conor Gallagher. Join us for the latest transfer news and rumors from around the globe.
Transfers home page | Men’s grades | Women’s grades
TOP STORIES
– Lionel Messi extends Inter Miami contract through 2028
– Rashford reveals previous Barça talks over Man United exit
– Arsenal prodigy Dowman, 15, agrees scholarship deal – sources
TRENDING RUMORS
– An offer worth in excess of £75m will be required to sign Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo, reports the Daily Mail. Interest is continuing to grow in the 25-year-old, with Chelsea believed to be keen on a move, while Liverpool as well as clubs in Europe’s top leagues would also be ready to compete to sign him. The Cherries are expected to resist offers for Semenyo in January as they look to turn down all approaches before next summer, following an impressive season which has seen him directly contribute to nine goals in eight Premier League matches.
– Atlético Madrid’s Conor Gallagher is on Manchester United shortlist of midfielders to sign in the January transfer window, according to talkSPORT. The 25-year-old has made more than 60 appearances for the LaLiga club since joining them last year. since signing from Chelsea in 2024 for €40 million. However, while the Old Trafford hierarchy would prefer to secure a loan deal, talkSPORT reports that Atlético want to move him on permanently for a fee similar to the €40m they paid Chelsea for him. Meanwhile, Diario AS that Gallagher is being “more questioned all the time” at Atlético. The newspaper says the England midfielder “isn’t in his best moment” after the team’s performance dropped when Gallagher came off the bench in the 4-0 loss at Arsenal in midweek.
– Bayern Munich have made Crystal Palace‘s Marc Guéhi and Borussia Dortmund defender Nico Schlotterbeck the top options in their search for a center-back, Florian Plettenberg reports. The Bundesliga champions are “fully involved in the race” for Guéhi, 25, with plans to challenge Real Madrid and Liverpool for his signature. They could also look to 25-year-old Schlotterbeck as a second reinforcement if both Dayot Upamecano and Kim Min-Jae leave the Allianz Arena, with Upamecano yet to agree to terms on a new contract. Meanwhile, Bild reports that AC Milan and Internazionale are keen on Bayern defender Kim. Both clubs are looking at a potential January move for the 28-year-old South Korea international, who has made just one start in the Bundesliga so far this season.
– Everton are keen on reuniting with Tottenham Hotspur striker Richarlison, according to TEAMtalk. The Toffees are believed to be prioritising a move to reinforce their forward line in the next transfer window, with hopes of landing an experienced Premier League forward. Richarlison has scored three goals in eight league games so far this season, but it is reported that Spurs would be open to letting the 28-year-old leave in 2026, with belief that both Dominic Solanke and Randal Kolo Muani would be ahead of him in the pecking order.
– Clubs in MLS are attentive to the situation of RB Leipzig forward Timo Werner, according to Florian Plettenberg. Werner, 29, has played just one minute so far this season when coming on as a substitute in the 1-0 league win over Wolfsburg in September, and it looks as though the Bundesliga will look to part ways with him in January. Philipp Hinze reports that Werner is open to calling time on his spell in Germany, with Leipzig willing to accept an offer worth less than €1m.
EXPERT TAKE
ESPN’s Alex Kirkland looks at what the future might hold for Conor Gallagher at Atlético Madrid:
Conor Gallagher has never quite found his place at Atlético Madrid. Even if some of his qualities — above all his work-rate and energy — look tailor-made for a Diego Simeone team, the coach hasn’t appeared convinced by the midfielder, signed for €42m in 2024.
Gallagher has started just two of Atlético’s nine LaLiga games so far this season, with seven substitute appearances. Last year, in his debut campaign, he started 19 league games, and was introduced as a sub 13 times.
Simeone doesn’t often pick Gallagher in central midfield, in theory his best position. When he does play, he tends to feature out wide in a midfield four, often on the left. The coach prefers Pablo Barrios and Koke — both more creative, reliable passers, with better technique — in the middle, and now has options like Giuliano Simeone, Thiago Almada, Alex Baena and Nico González on the flanks.
Gallagher’s attitude is excellent, he’s popular with teammates and fans, and he is a useful impact player off the bench. But you wonder how long he’ll be happy with that role. A move back to the Premier League seems inevitable at some point. The only question is when it happens.
OTHER RUMORS
– AC Milan recently made an enquiry regarding Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski. (Diario Sport)
– Manchester United forward Joshua Zirkzee plans to ask the club to let him leave in January. He has previously been linked with West Ham, as well as clubs in the Serie A. (Daily Mirror)
– An agreement has been reached between Arsenal and midfielder Max Dowman over scholarship terms. (The Athletic)
– Paris Saint-Germain center-back Willian Pacho has agreed terms regarding a new contract at the Parc des Princes until the summer of 2030. (Nicolò Schira)
– Newcastle United striker Nick Woltemade remains open to a switch to Bayern Munich. (Bild)
– Two clubs in the Serie A have been offered the opportunity to sign Real Madrid Endrick on loan. (Nicolò Schira)
– Borussia Dortmund are “optimistic” that forward Karim Adeyemi will sign a new contract, with talks currently ongoing. (Florian Plettenberg)
– LAFC, Vancouver Whitecaps, and Montreal are set to challenge Chelsea in the race for Randers FC forward Mohamed Toure. (TEAMtalk)
– Clubs in Europe could look to tempt Sao Paulo forward Lucca away in January. A release clause in his contract allows clubs from outside of Brazil to sign him for €80m. (Ekrem Konur)
– Al-Hilal defender Kalidou Koulibaly is set to extend his stay with the club until the summer of 2027. (NIcolo Schira)
Sports
Maresca: ‘I didn’t like’ Guiu training performance
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has revealed he warned striker Marc Guiu over his poor performances in training earlier this month.
The 19-year-old had a season-long loan move to Sunderland cancelled after just three appearances at the end of the summer transfer window as the Blues sought to reshuffle their squad in the wake of Liam Delap’s hamstring injury.
However, Guiu did not play for a month until a late cameo against Liverpool prior to this month’s international break.
The Spanish forward then scored his first goal of the season in Chelsea’s 5-1 Champions League thrashing of Ajax on Wednesday.
And ahead of Saturday’s visit of Sunderland to Stamford Bridge, Maresca said: “We had a chat with Marc two weeks ago. I told him the way he was training, I didn’t like and he needs to change.
“He changed and he gets a chance. It is like that. He was not training well, in all the ways.”
Asked why that was the case, Maresca continued: “I don’t know. That’s why young [players], they are sometimes, they are in one way, the other way, so you need to go slowly, slowly with them.
– Chelsea teen Estêvão destined to fight for Ballon d’Or – Maresca
– Walsh becomes youngest Englishman in UCL since Wilshere
– Chelsea vs Sunderland: Kick-off time, how to watch, stats, team news
“Since we chat, he is top, fantastic, working very good, absolutely yes, he is ready to start.
“Marc is a typical number nine, physically strong, a box player. He can improve and do many things better and we are working with him every day trying to help him and as I said already many times, he is going to play games with us.”
Guiu has previously spoken about the difficulty in joining Sunderland only to suddenly return to London.
“It was all a bit chaotic, but in the end, I’m a person who faces everything with the utmost positivity, and that’s how I faced it, now enjoying every moment, because a footballer’s career is short,” he told Spanish outlet RTVE earlier this month.
Speculation persists that Guiu could return to the Stadium of Light in January, although Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris appeared to play down that prospect on Friday when telling reporters: “At the minute we have good strikers and we don’t need anything.”
Asked about the possibility of Guiu leaving in January, Maresca said: “We are in October. I don’t know, also because in football things can change very quick for everyone — for players, for managers, for everyone –so it is very difficult to say.”
Saturday’s game will come too soon for Delap but he returned to full training this week and Maresca suggested there is a possibility the £30million summer signing from Ipswich Town could feature in next Wednesday’s EFL Cup tie at Wolves.
Sports
2025 World Series: Live updates and analysis from Dodgers-Blue Jays Game 1
The defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers opened the 2025 MLB season in Japan on March 18.
Now, 220 days later, they meet the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 1 of the Fall Classic.
Will the Dodgers be the first team to repeat as champs since the New York Yankees at the turn of the century? Or will the underdog Blue Jays win their first title since 1993?
It all starts Friday night. We’ll have the action covered right here, from pregame lineups to live analysis during the game to takeaways after the final pitch.
Key links: Mega-preview, predictions | Schedule

Live updates
Gamecast: Follow the action pitch-by-pitch here

Lineups
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Starting pitchers: Blake Snell vs. Trey Yesavage
Dodgers
1. Shohei Ohtani (L) DH
2. Mookie Betts (R) SS
3. Freddie Freeman (L) 1B
4. Will Smith (R) C
5. Teoscar Hernandez (R) RF
6. Max Muncy (L) 3B
7. Enrique Hernandez (R) LF
8. Tommy Edman (S) 2B
9. Andy Pages (R) CF
Blue Jays
1. George Springer (R) DH
2. Davis Schneider (R) LF
3. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (R) 1B
4. Bo Bichette (R) 2B
5. Alejandro Kirk (R) C
6. Daulton Varsho (L) CF
7. Ernie Clement (R) 3B
8. Myles Straw (R) RF
9. Andres Gimenez (L) SS
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