There were no heads-ups or warnings before Candace Parker retired. It was swift and succinct.

And it was exactly how she wanted it — entirely on her terms, writes Chantel Jennings.

Parker never cheated basketball. She changed it.

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NEW: Boomer Esiason is out at The NFL Today, but has signed an extension to remain on WFAN on his No. 1 rated morning show with Gio, Boomer just said on the air.

I wrote about the uncertainty on the NFL Today in February. ...

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'I’m grateful for family, friends, teammates, coaches, doctors, trainers & fans who made this journey so special,' Candace Parker continued on Instagram in her retirement announcement.

🔗 theathletic.com/5455819/2024/0…

NEWS: Hunter Dickinson will return to Kansas for the 2024-25 season, he announced Friday.

The 2x second-team All-American last season:

◻️ 17.9 PPG
◻️ 10.9 RPG

More details: theathletic.com/5450109/2024/0…

The NFL welcomed 32 new players during Thursday night’s first round, and there's still plenty of talent available.

How might the second and third rounds play out?

Dane Brugler's round 2 and 3 mock ⤵️
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I have no idea if Bo Nix will be a great NFL QB, Denver Broncos fans.

But after spending a little time with him, it's clear the dude has a mind like a football supercomputer. If that's any kind of start.

theathletic.com/4810044/2023/0…

Join Robert Mays, Nate Tice, Dane Brugler and Dianna Russini at 7:30 ET for The Athletic Football Show's live draft coverage.

Follow along for all the picks and analysis ⤵️
youtube.com/watch?v=oksLVc…

Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese is prepared for stardom after her run at LSU, but first she says she has to make the team' 'I’m not going to take this for granted.'

My column from Wednesday's introductory press conference:

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The next Larry Fitzgerald in Arizona?
A race between Minnesota and Denver to nab the fourth QB?

Garrett Wilson, Mike Williams and Malik Nabers in New York?

Dane Brugler’s final NFL mock draft is here: theathletic.com/5442096/2024/0…

The big day is here. The NFL Draft has finally arrived.

And The Athletic has you covered.

🚨 Live draft tracker
🔮 Dane Brugler's final mock draft
📝 Prospect rankings
👹 The Beast

Swipe through below ⤵️

Ice is in J.J. McCarthy's blood.

No, literally.

Did you know the college football national champion and soon-to-be NFL Draft pick’s first love was hockey?

Adam Jahns on how it translated to the gridiron ⤵️

After the combine, Bruce Feldman thought the two closest players to 'locks' were Marvin Harrison Jr. and Rome Odunze.

Most assume Harrison Jr. would be the No. 1 guy on everyone’s wide receivers board.

But apparently, that is not the case. At all.

🔗
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An anonymous NFL offensive assistant raves about Caleb Williams to Bruce Feldman.

'He’s ridiculous. He looked like he got bored and wanted to make wow plays. But he can do anything.'

But...

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As Wisconsin loses Chucky Hepburn and AJ Storr, can Badgers keep up in NIL, portal era? ⤵️ dlvr.it/T5lLy1

The NCAA season is over, and pre-draft workout season has begun, which means it’s time to revisit the 2024 NBA Draft Big Board.

Sam Vecenie has updates as Stephon Castle and Donovan Clingan rise into the Top 5 after their title run ⤵️
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The goal all season for Jade Carey has been to do the seemingly undoable: pursue NCAA excellence, without jilting Olympic training 🇺🇸

To the untrained ear, it sounds decidedly uncomplicated. However, it’s not that simple.

@DanaOneilWriter explains.

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Chicago Hoops Express 🏀🏀

NEWS: After a standout freshman year, Reed Sheppard is leaving Kentucky to enter the 2024 NBA Draft.

His freshman season with the Wildcats:
◻️ 12.5 PPG
◻️ 4.1 RPG

More details:
theathletic.com/5427312/2024/0…

BREAKING: The Arizona Coyotes are officially headed to Salt Lake City starting next season, sources tell The Athletic.

On Thursday, the NHL Board of Governors unanimously voted in favor of the sale and relocation of the team’s hockey assets.

More from Chris Johnston:…

Today Oregon State Gymnastics Jade Carey will vie for an NCAA Championship in the all-around. Next: the quest for an Olympic return. On the reason behind her unique quest. theathletic.com/5419991/2024/0…