• Slug: Sports–Alex Verdugo Feature. 2,481 words.
• 9 photos available.

By Dylan Ackermann
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – The jarring phone call came as Alex Verdugo was enjoying lunch with his brother, Chris, at a pizza parlor in Minnesota. The call came from Verdugo’s agent with news that the Los Angeles Dodgers had just traded him to the Boston Red Sox.

Verdugo was upset. Then bummed. Then in denial. But it was his brother who helped him accept the dark realities of the business side of baseball.

Chris pointed out that he should feel honored. He was being traded for two potential Hall of Famers – outfielder Mookie Betts and pitcher David Price. Continue reading “‘World’ of support: Alex Verdugo’s family-fueled journey from Tucson leads to baseball’s biggest stage”

• Slug: Sports – Arizona Wildcats WBB, 770 words.
• Photo available.

By Aya Abdeen
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – The Arizona’s women’s basketball team, four years removed from its national championship appearance under coach Adia Barnes, enters the 2024-25 season in need of a fresh start.

Coming off its first sub-20-win season since 2017-18, Arizona was picked to finish seventh in the conference during the Big 12 Women’s Basketball Media Day in Kansas City.

But those who sleep on the Wildcats do so at their own peril. Continue reading “Arizona Wildcats women’s basketball team determined to prove Big 12 critics wrong in debut season”

• Slug: Sports – GCU Fall League 858 words.
• 2 photos available.

By Kendall Flynn
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – MLB prospects in the Arizona Fall League went back to school over the weekend to relive their days of playing college baseball or, for some, experience competing on a college stage for the first time.

The Mesa Solar Sox (9-6) prevailed 14-10 over the Peoria Javelinas (4-11) Friday at GCU Ballpark as part of the AFL’s long-time partnership with Grand Canyon University that allows the Lopes to host games on campus. For GCU players who are set to participate in the MLB Desert Invitational in February 2025, hosting a Fall League offers the chance to see the growth that is possible for them to achieve in a college career.

For Xavier Isaac, ranked as MLB’s 36th-best prospect, playing at GCU was a first-time experience. The Tampa Bay Rays drafted him out of Forsyth High School in Kernersville, N.C. in the first round of the 2022 MLB Draft. At No. 29, he was the highest-selected first baseman in that draft. Continue reading “Back to school: Arizona Fall League prospects take college stage at GCU Park for showcase”

• Slug: Sports – Phoenix Suns Reserves, 830 words.
• Photo available.

By Connor Moreno
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – Phoenix Suns stars Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal will win their team a fair share of games. That’s their job. However, through an otherwise shaky 2-1 start to the season, it’s been the Big Three’s supporting cast that has stabilized the Suns.

Forwards Royce O’Neale and rookie Ryan Dunn have been especially instrumental.

O’Neale needed just the final 3.9 seconds of the third quarter to impact the outcome of a 114-102 Phoenix victory over the Dallas Mavericks Saturday. Continue reading “Phoenix Suns reserves Royce O’Neal, Ryan Dunn breathe life into team to start NBA season”

• Slug: Sports – ASU Baseball Culture, 960 words.
• 2 photos available.

By Ethan Desjardine
Cronkite News

TEMPE – At Arizona State’s baseball fall practices, the body language seems different, the music a little more vibrant, and the vibe slightly more upbeat than in previous years.

Even though ASU’s baseball program is one of the most storied in the country, with 22 NCAA World Series appearances and five NCAA championships, as of late, the program has faced tough times.

The Sun Devils have had just four losing seasons in history, three of which have come since 2017, and in 2024, for the first time since 1959-63, ASU missed the postseason for a third season in a row. Continue reading “ASU baseball hopes to build on last season with new coaching hires, transfers”

• Slug: Sports–ASU Men’s Basketball, 1,100 words.
• Photo available.

By Tucker L. Sennett
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – At his first Big 12 media day, Bobby Hurley talked about playing “Arizona State basketball.” Now entering his 10th season in charge of Sun Devils men’s basketball, an important question begs answering: What is Arizona State basketball?

When considering identities in the Big 12, coach Kelvin Sampson’s high-octane rebounding at Houston and Bill Self’s big-game prowess with the Kansas Jayhawks often come to mind. The answer to that question is not easy for Arizona State.

The Sun Devils have a 155-131 record under Hurley, a collegiate basketball legend and member of a truly dynastic basketball family. But those 155 wins produced just three NCAA Tournament appearances, zero trips to the round of 32 and zero conference championships in the Pac-12. Continue reading “Playing ‘Arizona State basketball’: Bobby Hurley, Sun Devils seek identity in first Big 12 season”

• Slug: Sports–Chase Budinger, 1,900 words.
• Photo available.

By Koby Braunstein
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – The Olympic Games bind the most esteemed athletes in history to a fraternity powered by mastery in sport.

Former University of Arizona standout and seven-year NBA veteran Chase Budinger joined this exclusive club at the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris, but his feats did not occur on the hardwood. Budinger left his mark in the beach volleyball sand for Team USA.

Beach volleyball has been a part of Budinger’s life dating back to his teenage years, and he maintained a burning ambition to play once basketball was in the rearview mirror. Continue reading “Act II: Chase Budinger delivers encore in beach volleyball at 2024 Paris Olympics after NBA journey”

• Slug: Sports–High School to College, 2,400 words.
• 3 photos available.

By Dylan Ackermann
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – Grand Canyon University women’s basketball coach Molly Miller began the team’s first official practice week with what she calls “camp week.”

Monday was “Camp Go,” focusing on transition and conditioning. Tuesday was “Camp Bucket,” introducing Miller’s offensive system. Wednesday was “Camp Lockdown,” her favorite, centered on defense. And purposefully, the week ended with “Camp Grit,” emphasizing screening, taking charges, rebounding and trapping.

Rather than allowing the mental and physical weight of the high school-to-college transition to slowly creep up and “smack them in the face,” she said camp week is intentionally designed to do just that. Continue reading “Navigating new heights: Former top Arizona basketball prospects conquer mental, physical demands at next level”

• Slug: Sports–Country Representation, 2,000 words.
• 4 photos available.

By Dylan Ackermann
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – Grand Canyon women’s basketball player Trinity San Antonio still dreams about indulging in the viral chocolate chip muffins from the Olympic Village.

A must-have on her plate or in her hands at every meal, the Puerto Rican guard cherished enjoying what many could only experience through social media.

While the flavor of the American-inspired pastry somehow earned gold in a country famous for its pastries, there was a deeper meaning – beyond taste – that made it her favorite part of the Paris Olympics last summer. Continue reading “‘It means everything’: Arizona athletes reflect on representing heritage at Paris Olympics, World Cup”