• Slug: Sports–ASU GSR Rates. 1,759 words
• Photo available.

By Koby Braunstein
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – Arizona State sophomore defensive lineman C.J. Fite is a scholar and a baller.

A 2024 All-Big 12 Second Team selection, Fite is a business entrepreneurship major with NFL hopes and aspirations to one day open his own training facility.

“Since high school, I’ve always wanted to be my own boss,” Fite said. “When I was thinking about majors, I thought, ‘Business entrepreneurship works perfectly.’”

Continue reading “Scholar Baller effect: ASU’s formula for record athlete graduation rates”

• Slug: Sports-Boedigheimer Miracle League. 1130 words.
• Photos available.

By Tyler Bednar
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – When he was 9, Scottsdale native Drew Boedigheimer received an Oregon State College Baseball World Series championship ring. Ever since he was a young kid, Boedigheimer has always loved baseball. His two Oregon State University graduate parents, Tara and Todd, frequented OSU baseball games and brought him to love the sport, too.

Boedigheimer was just 2 years old when he was diagnosed with restrictive cardiomyopathy – a heart condition that results in stiffening of the muscle. As the only cure, he received a heart transplant a month later, on May 26, 2011, which the family refers to as his “heart birthday.”

Continue reading “What makes Miracle League of Arizona so special for players with disabilities? Just ask Drew Boedigheimer”

• Slug: Sports-Cactus League Opens. 659 words.
• Photos available.

By Dylan Pescatore
Cronkite News

GLENDALE – Long before the sun began to peek over the nearby mountains, a smattering of die-hard baseball fans waited in anticipation of what the day might bring. It was 3:30 a.m., hours before the Los Angeles Dodgers would stretch and take ground balls at Camelback Ranch. By 9 a.m., more than 200 fans were lined up for the opportunity to watch the World Series Champions return to the diamond.

One of the sport’s finest rituals is again taking over the Valley. Wednesday was the first day fans could watch their favorite baseball teams play again after a long winter. Spring training has commenced.

The Cactus League, with 15 teams playing in 10 stadiums across Arizona, is ready for its 78th year of hosting spring training games. From now until the end of March, the Valley will be packed with baseball fans from all over the world as they descend on ballparks from Glendale to Mesa.

Continue reading “Baseball’s back: Valley’s Cactus League opens for 78th year of spring training with a few twists”

• Slug: Sports-Arizona L.A. Fire Athletes. 728 word
• Photos available.

By Natalie Guzman
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – One month ago, the Los Angeles fires captured national attention. The raging blazes, fueled by ferocious Santa Ana winds, have since been 100% contained after an estimated 12,000 homes were destroyed and 29 people were killed.

For four college athletes living in Arizona, the story hit close to home.

The athletes hail from various parts of the L.A. area. ASU track and field athlete Ava McCumber Gandara is from Woodland Hills, east of Calabasas. The junior communications major said her immediate family relocated to Arizona following her decision to attend ASU, but she still has family and friends in the L.A. area. She recalled first finding out about the fires.

“I go to the news app … and you know all the information just kept piling on at once,” McCumber Gandara said.

Continue reading “‘I couldn’t believe it’: Arizona-based college athletes process hometown Los Angeles fire devastation”

• Slug: Sports-Suns Nick Richards, 700 words.
• Photos available.

By Brevan Branscum
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – Fourteen games into his tenure as a Phoenix Sun, Nick Richards has molded into a strong presence for the team that desperately needed one.

It’s another stop in the center’s five-year career, a journey that stretches back to when he grew up in Kingston, Jamaica and learned how to play basketball in the eighth grade.

On that journey, Richards spent two years at The Patrick School, a New Jersey high school that has developed numerous NBA prospects and players, most notably Dallas Mavericks star and NBA champion Kyrie Irving. Chris Chavannes, who coached Richards in high school, isn’t surprised by his quick impact. Continue reading “From Kingston courts to Suns, Nick Richards blossoms in Phoenix as 7-foot game-changer”

• Slug: Sports-Valley Suns, 900 words.
• 3 photos available.

By Brendon Pricco
Cronkite News

TEMPE – In July 2020 the Phoenix Suns organization, under owner Robert Sarver, sold its G League affiliate, the Northern Arizona Suns, to the Detroit Pistons organization. This created a void in the Suns’ organization that would take years to fill.

At the time of the purchase, 42% of all NBA players had G League experience. Fast forward to 2023, and the Phoenix Suns were the only NBA team without a G League affiliate. This put Phoenix at a disadvantage, hindering the team from offering young players the opportunity to develop in the G League on two-way contracts.

“In some organizations, it’s the foundation of player development,” said Brandon Rosenthal, who spent three seasons with the Suns, including the 2016-2017 season in Prescott as an assistant coach with the Northern Arizona Suns in their inaugural season. “Having an affiliate creates a location for players to develop that’s under the direction of the organization’s leadership and coaching staff.” Continue reading “G League’s Valley Suns bridge crucial development gap for Phoenix and the community”

• Slug: ASU MBB Struggles, 620 words.
• 2 photos available.

By Luc Carter
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – The Arizona State men’s basketball team has faced a tumultuous road this season. From close heartbreaking losses to injuries and player suspensions, the Sun Devils’ Big 12 debut has not gone as planned, especially considering the promise they showcased through non-conference play.

The window for a tournament bid is quickly closing for the Sun Devils (12-11, 3-9 Big 12), who entered Wednesday’s matchup on the road against No. 12 Texas Tech riding a three-game skid after a 9-2 start to the 2024–25 regular season. The Sun Devils have since dropped nine of their last 12 games.

Last week marked ASU’s lowest point of the season, with two losses to unranked conference opponents who both had records of .500 or under in Kansas State and Oklahoma State. Continue reading “Turmoil in Tempe: Suspensions, injuries plague ASU men’s hoops in inaugural Big 12 season”

• Slug: GCU Women’s Basketball Streak, 880 words.
• Photo available.

By Ethan Holtzinger
Cronkite News

PHOENIX — The streak remains alive.

Grand Canyon University’s women’s basketball team continues to be one of the Valley’s hottest shows in sports. The Lopes are undefeated in the Western Athletic Conference, unbeatable at home and riding a 20-game winning streak as they barrel toward March Madness.

“It’s just a testament to this team, and this program, and every kid that’s come through here,” fifth-year Grand Canyon coach Molly Miller said of her squad, which upped its overall record to 22-2 following Saturday’s 84-55 victory over California Baptist. “They might not be on the team now, but even when I first started, they helped build this legacy, and I’m really proud of that.” Continue reading “Purple reign: GCU women’s basketball untouchable at home, unstoppable in WAC at 20 straight wins”

• Slug: Sports-Savannah Bananas, 900 words.
• 5 photos available.

By Sebastian Mondaca
Cronkite News

GLENDALE – Four players with ties to Arizona had a special homecoming before the Savannah Bananas embarked on their 2025 Banana Ball World Tour.

During an exciting opening weekend at Sloan Park in Mesa and Camelback Ranch in Glendale, pitchers Ryan Kellogg and Austin Krzeminski of the Bananas, as well as Bronson Balhom and Jake Lialios of rivals Party Animal, began a season in front of fans they knew well. 

A Savannah Bananas game is far from a traditional baseball experience. With nonstop music playing around the stadium, choreographed dances, mid-game tricks, and even players interacting with the fans, it’s baseball reimagined with high energy for everyone to participate in. From players racing into the stands to deliver roses after winning an inning to dancing in the batter’s box, the action never stops.  Continue reading “Homecoming on the Diamond: Arizona roots run deep for Savannah Banana ballplayers”

• Slug: Sports-Gilbert Perry Four-Peat. 1,000 words.
• 3 photos available.

By Jayce Cicinelli
Cronkite News

GILBERT – Applying the lessons of his father to chase a fourth straight title, Sam Duane Jr. is falling in his footsteps to the Arizona High School Coaches Hall of Fame.

The Pumas sit in prime position for a feat that hasn’t been achieved by an Arizona high school boys basketball program since 2012-2015, when Duane dominated as coach of Corona Del Sol with four consecutive 5A championships.

If the Pumas win again, it would give Duane eight state championships, which would tie him for second all time in Arizona for most state titles won by a high school basketball coach behind Jerry Mullin, who earned 11 state championships in the 1990s and early 2000s. Continue reading “Four-ce of habit? Winners of three straight state titles, reigning champs Perry High eye return to title game”

• Slug: Sports-Arizona ASU Women’s Basketball, 600 words.
• Photo available.

By Adam Maggard
Cronkite News

TUCSON – Women’s basketball fans packed into McKale Center Saturday, as Arizona State and Arizona clashed in a rivalry game that revealed more than just a winner.

Arizona (15-10), fresh off a win against No. 16 West Virginia but reeling from recent losses, found their footing in a 66-59 victory over a struggling ASU (8-16) team mired in a nine-game skid. The Sun Devils haven’t won since a nine-point victory at Houston on Jan. 4.

Fueled by Jada Williams, who scored 18 points and grabbed seven rebounds, and Breya Cunningham, who added 16 points and eight boards, the Wildcats capitalized on the Sun Devils’ continued struggles. The Sun Devils got 19 points from Tyi Skinner and 18 from Jalyn Brown, but those strong performances weren’t enough to stop the losing streak. Continue reading “‘We’re some dogs’: Arizona women’s basketball finding footing, Arizona State still searching in Big 12 debut”

• Slug: Sports-Adam Diggs Williams Field. 1,000 words.
• 4 photos available.

By Ethan Holtzinger
Cronkite News

GILBERT – Adan Diggs started taking basketball seriously when he was 11 years old. His first sport was football, but Diggs decided that he wanted to try a different route.

It didn’t take long for the 6-foot-4 guard to fall in love with his new calling.
The highly touted 16-year-old has already received scholarship offers from plenty of big-name schools, including Texas and Oregon. He’s also already taken a tour of the NIL world, and his NIL agent, Michael Clark, wants to help him capitalize early.

“I’ve just been helping him maneuver through all of it and making sure that he takes advantage of all the opportunities available,” Clark said. “All I can say at the moment is that he’s got deals in the works that could be lucrative.” Continue reading “Selfless star: Williams Field freshman phenom Adan Diggs balances hype and humility as ultimate team player”