Friday 5 – April 12, 2024
Shohei Ohtani
After weeks of speculation and conspiracy theorists, it seems that Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani has been telling the truth all along (shout out to those of us that knew that this whole time). Ohtani’s former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara is in federal custody after being accused of stealing over $16 million from Ohtani to pay off gambling debts to an illegal sportsbook.
Per U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada, no evidence exists that Ohtani knew about any of this and authorities say he is a “victim”, with Mizuhara telling the bookie via text, “Technically I did steal from [Ohtani]. It’s all over for me.”
A sad situation for everyone involved.
The Masters
This weekend, one of golf’s most storied tournaments, the Masters, is taking place at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, GA.
Names to watch this weekend are Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm. Coverage can be found on Friday on ESPN and on CBS Saturday and Sunday.
Weather delayed the first round on Thursday, and five-time champion Tiger Woods had to play the final five holes Friday morning after darkness suspended his play the night before. Woods finished his first round tied for 36th. He is eight strokes behind leader Bryson DeChambeau so it’s going to be an uphill battle for Woods. That being said, Woods made his 24th consecutive cut at the Masters, and that is a record.
Rashee Rice
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice turned himself in Thursday night, after an arrest warrant was issued on Wednesday for his part in a six-vehicle crash in Dallas in March. Rashee is being charged with six counts of collision involving bodily injury, one count of collision involving serious bodily injury and one count of aggravated assault. Rice was driving a 119 mph right before the crash.
The Dallas PD also issued an arrest warrant for SMU football player Teddy Knox for his part in the crash. He has also turned himself in. SMU has suspended Knox from the team.
Browns-Titans Trade
The NFL draft is two weeks away, and teams will be trading up or down to get men they want. Cleveland and Tennessee got an early start.
On Friday, the Browns traded OT Leroy Watson to the Titans in exchange for a seventh-round pick, as Tennessee adds depth along its O-line.
Declaring for the NBA Draft
- UConn sophomore Donovan Clingan helped lead the Huskies to a National Championship on Monday night. Next stop: the 2024 NBA draft, as he told ESPN on Friday that he is declaring.
- After a year playing for Australia in the NBL, Alex Sarr is declaring for the NBA draft. The projected No. 2 pick is coming off a season where he reached the NBL playoff semis and averaged 9.4 points and 4.3 rebounds a game.
- Duke is losing not one, but two, of its Blue Devils to the draft, with the team’s top scorers, Kyle Filipowski and Jared McCain, both declaring.