Western Conference, Defending Champs Tough As Ever

By HILLEL ITALIE (AP National Writer) Willie Mays, the electrifying “Say Hey Kid” whose singular combination of talent, drive and exuberance made him one of baseball’s greatest and most beloved players, has died. He was 93. Mays’ family and the San Francisco Giants jointly announced Tuesday night he had died earlier in the afternoon. “My father has passed away peacefully and among loved ones,” son Michael Mays said in a statement released by the club.

As Sean Payton embarks on his second season as the Broncos head coach, he has felt rejuvenated. Denver’s offense has been sprinkled with youth, sparking position battles — and not just at quarterback — as players try to make their mark on a team that’s in the midst of a rebuild. “I think it’s that challenge of working with a young team,” Payton said.

The Celtics captured their 18th NBA championship after beating the Mavericks on Monday. While Boston celebrates, the other 29 teams — including the Nuggets — are looking ahead to the 2024-25 season. Related Articles Denver Nuggets | Renck & File: Watching NBA Finals is a reminder Nuggets need to forget dynasty talk and focus on winning one more title Denver Nuggets | Could the Nuggets realistically draft one of CU Buffs’ prospects? Denver Nuggets | Nuggets 2024 NBA mock draft tracker 2.0: What national experts predict Denver will do Denver Nuggets | Nuggets Journal: Lakers coaching search went haywire with Dan Hurley rejection.

Andrew Crawford believes the structure and style of prep club basketball prepares recruits for the challenges of adjusting to the next level. It’s that talent at the next level that has struck Crawford so far. Continuing a tradition under coach Tad Boyle of landing the state’s top recruits whenever possible, the former ThunderRidge standout has begun his initial workouts with the Colorado men’s basketball program this month. Crawford has had the easiest adjustment, at least geographically, among CU’s 2024 recruiting class.

By LEANNE ITALIE (AP Lifestyles Writer) NEW YORK — When Team USA walks with the world’s athletes at the Paris Olympics’opening ceremony, they’ll be doing so in snappy tailored navy blazers from Ralph Lauren — and blue jeans. Just regular, everyday denim blue jeans. Ralph Lauren, which unveiled Tuesday its ninth turn creating Olympic parade looks for the Americans, is billing the pairing as “unexpected” yet classic. David Lauren, the company’s chief branding and innovation officer and its founder’s son, was unbothered by the casualness of blue denim. “We work very closely with Team USA to make the athletes feel at once dressed up, feel like a team, but at the same time comfortable and very distinctively American,” he told The Associated Press on Monday during a media preview at the company’s posh New York headquarters. “Nothing says America like blue jeans, especially when we’re in Paris,” Lauren added.

After a 31-14 win against Purdue on Oct. 28, Nebraska was poised to snap its bowl drought last year. As the Cornhuskers prepare for the 2024 season, however, that drought is still active. Head coach Matt Rhule enters his second season at Nebraska with high expectations to deliver a postseason appearance to the program for the first time since 2016. Related Articles CU Buffs opponent preview: High expectations remain at North Dakota State Can CU Buffs, CSU Rams afford to pay athletes in the House NCAA settlement?