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CNN
2 hours ago
- Politics
- CNN
Senegal women's basketball team cancels US training camp after some players have visas denied
The Senegal women's basketball team has had to cancel a training camp it had scheduled in the United States after some members of its squad had their visas denied, the country's prime minister said on Thursday. Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko wrote on Facebook that the 10-day training camp – which was due to be held at a college in the US between June 22 to July 3 – will instead take place in Senegal's capital, Dakar, 'a sovereign setting that is conducive to the performance of our athletes' after 'several' players had their visas denied. 'We clearly and firmly reaffirm our new cooperation doctrine: free, balanced cooperation based on mutual respect and shared benefit,' Sonko wrote in his post. In a statement posted on Instagram from the Senegalese basketball federation, the governing body said that two representatives of the federation, a doctor, a physiotherapist, five players, a steward, the general manager and the ministerial delegate were refused visas by the ambassador of the United States to Senegal. No reason was given as to why the visas were denied. A State Department spokesperson told CNN Sports that due to the confidential nature of US visas, it couldn't comment on individual cases. CNN Sports has reached out to the Department of Homeland Security for comment. Earlier this month, US President Donald Trump announced a travel ban for 12 countries, which restricts entry of nationals from Afghanistan; Myanmar, also known as Burma; Chad; Republic of the Congo; Equatorial Guinea; Eritrea; Haiti; Iran; Libya; Somalia; Sudan; and Yemen. People from seven countries have a partial restriction: Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela. In the president's initial proclamation, there are exceptions for athletes, coaches, important staffers and immediate family for athletes traveling to the US for the 2026 World Cup, 2028 Olympics Games and 'other major sporting event as determined by the Secretary of State.' The news comes amid reports that Trump is weighing up adding a further 36 countries to the banned list, 25 of which are set to come from Africa, including Senegal. The Senegalese team is the dominant force in African women's basketball, having won 11 FIBA Women's AfroBasket titles, the most of any country. However, the Lionesses have failed to reach those heights in recent years having last been victorious in 2015, finishing second three times since then. The camp in the US was in preparation for next installment of the biennial tournament which will be played between July 26 and August 3 in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Chiefs Not Shutting Door On Rookie Starting Week 1
Chiefs Not Shutting Door On Rookie Starting Week 1 originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The left tackle position for the Kansas City Chiefs will be an interesting watch at training camp with both Jaylon Moore and Josh Simmons battling it out to be Patrick Mahomes' blindside protector. Advertisement Moore was signed in free agency to a two-year, $30 million deal, so naturally, the thought was that he would be the starter. However, the Chiefs didn't stop there and drafted Simmons in the first round to have competition for the position. Given that Simmons was recovering from a torn patellar tendon injury, he was a slow burn to begin the offseason, but he has ramped up his rehab and is now looking ready to go for training camp if things continue. And head coach Andy Reid isn't shutting down the idea of Simmons being the starter. 'Potentially yes,' Reid said. 'You can see his athletic ability, you can see his want to, he's got a great attitude, he's approached everything the right way, plus a little bit extra. If you just want to look at his rehab, you can see that he had a mindset that I'm get in there, it's not going to be training camp, it's going to be now, and he worked his tail off to get there, so you respect that. Advertisement "We'll see what training camp does to him, it's different when things are flying fast up there and you've got full contact and pads on, and see how he does.' Chiefs Ohio State OL Josh Simmons at 32By Tony Fisher So training camp looms as the big test for Simmons to show that everything he's learned at OTAs and minicamp can then be translated onto the field and with full contact. The left side of the offensive line, for most, has big question marks surrounding it, but those questions might be answered in training camp if Simmons or Moore can prove, without a doubt, that they deserve to be the starter. The competition won't be a quick one as the Chiefs will want to get a good look at both before making a decision. Advertisement However, the fact that Reid is already potentially thinking of Simmons as a starter might tell us which way he and the coaching staff are already leaning. Related: Chiefs' Travis Kelce Reveals Retirement Update and Where He 'Failed' In 2024 Related: Struggling Chiefs Rookie Finally Impresses at Mandatory Minicamp This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 20, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Las Vegas Raiders Make Final Training Camp Decision
Las Vegas Raiders Make Final Training Camp Decision originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Las Vegas Raiders may have endured more change than any other NFL team this offseason. As such, their expectations are a bit of a mixed bag heading into the 2025 season. Advertisement With the offseason program over, meaning OTAs and mandatory minicamp have now been completed, the team has broke for the summer. They will return for training camp in July to begin the preseason program. Last year, the team spent training camp away from the team facility, opting for the Jack Hammett Sports Complex in Costa Mesa, California, instead. This year, new head coach Pete Carroll wanted to return to the team's previous home of Redwood Middle School in Napa, California, but the idea was shot down. On Wednesday, however, the Raiders officially announced their training camp location and schedule. Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Ward-Imagn Images The Raiders will hold training camp at the team facility in Henderson, Nevada, ahead of the 2025 NFL season. Rookies will report to camp on July 17, and veterans will report on July 22. Advertisement Las Vegas brought in a franchise-record 11 players during the 2025 NFL Draft, as well as roughly 15 undrafted free agents. The class is highlighted by running back Ashton Jeanty and wide receivers Jack Bech and Dont'e Thornton, as well as cornerback Darien Porter. These players will look to continue building a rapport with veteran free agent additions like Geno Smith, Germaine Pratt, Elandon Roberts and Jeremy Chinn. This is a completely new-look Raiders team, vastly different from 2024's four-win roster. Fans will get their first chance to watch this version of the Silver and Black when they take the field for their first preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks on August 7. This will give Smith and new head coach Pete Carroll a chance to travel to their old city and take on their former team. Two more preseason games will be played on August 16 and 23 against the San Francisco 49ers and Arizona Cardinals, respectively. A joint practice is expected to be held on August 14 against the 49ers. Advertisement Related: Ex-Raiders Cornerback Hoping For Another Chance After Disappointing Season Related: Maxx Crosby Compares Raiders to Tom Brady-Led Patriots This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 19, 2025, where it first appeared.
New York Times
a day ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Could Nik Bonitto have a new contract on the horizon? Broncos mailbag
The Denver Broncos coaches and players are officially on summer break. The team's rookies report for training camp on July 16, with veterans set to join them six days later, on Tuesday, July 22. In the meantime, let's dig into some of your questions about the team coming out of its offseason program, which ended with last week's mandatory minicamp: Editor's note: Some questions have been edited for length and clarity. Advertisement How is Pat Bryant doing? — Robert R. The third-round receiver out of Illinois made noticeable strides as the team's offseason program progressed. What stands out about Bryant is that he isn't afraid to play in traffic. Even in the padless, touch-football setting that is OTAs and minicamp, you can see glimpses of the physicality that was an attractive part of the evaluation with Bryant. One other thing I noticed during the offseason program: Bryant is constantly seeking knowledge. I'd routinely see him during breaks in action talking to Courtland Sutton about routes or clarifying things with wide receivers coach Keary Colbert. 'He's good at the line of scrimmage,' coach Sean Payton said after Denver's minicamp last month, which featured a pair of impressive grabs by Bryant during red zone work. 'I would say he has exceptionally strong hands in traffic. … The bigger receivers that can block and are physical at the line of scrimmage … he showed those traits.' What will the RB room look like for the season opener? Will there be a featured back or by committee? Last year seemed to be by committee because no one separated themselves from the others, but I suspect that's not the desired approach. — Shane K. Payton is not a bell-cow kind of coach. He has never been a play caller who hands the ball to his lead back 20 times per game for a full season. He likes variety in his backfield, typically with two running backs getting the bulk of the work with a third rotating into specific situations. Still, the Broncos need less variance in their backfield than they had in 2024, when five different players led the team in rushing across 17 games. Javonte Williams, who joined the Cowboys in free agency, led the Broncos with 8.18 carries per game. That number ranked 34th in the league. Payton cautioned multiple times during the offseason program not to 'count' the running backs. There is no established pecking order. However, Denver used a second-round pick on RJ Harvey and gave J.K. Dobbins a one-year deal that could be worth more than $5 million in 2025. That investment suggests the two new running backs on Denver's roster will be leaned on to revitalize a running game that must be better for the Broncos to reach their offensive ceiling. RBs at work ⚠️#BroncosOTAs — Denver Broncos (@Broncos) May 29, 2025 Is it wise to gamble on Nik Bonitto's contract and wait a year — either paying full price for a top-five pass rusher or possibly having to trade him if they don't feel like the value is worth the cost — or should they try and get it done now and maybe still get a hometown discount? What's the latest on negotiations, and what's the best strategy for the team long term? — Jonah Z. Bonitto finished third in the NFL last season with 13 1/2 sacks and his 21 1/2 takedowns since the start of the 2023 season rank 10th in that span. He doesn't turn 26 until late September. He only became a full-time starter about a month into last season. He is an ascending player who has unique traits and plays a premium position, and he is entering the final year of his rookie contract. Those are the kind of players who get paid, and Bonitto is in line for a massive contract extension. Advertisement Brian Burns last offseason signed a five-year, $141 million deal with the New York Giants after being traded from the Carolina Panthers. He was 25 years old at the time and coming off a two-season run in which he totaled 20.5 sacks. Greg Rousseau, a first-round pick in 2021, signed a four-year, $80 million extension with the Bills in March, just before hitting free agency. He signed that deal on the heels of an eight-sack season for Buffalo in 2024. So, Bonitto is sitting in a position to earn an extension worth more than $20 million annually. The Broncos got two similar contracts done just before the start of the 2024 season when they extended Quinn Meinerz (four years, $72 million) and cornerback Pat Surtain II (four years, $96 million). That could very well be the timeline the Broncos are looking at with Bonitto. The downside of waiting to sign Bonitto later in the season or even just before he is scheduled to hit free agency in March is that a quick accumulation of sacks at the start of season could further drive up his asking price — and it would be counter to how the Broncos have recently done business with their young premium position players. Though the status of the negotiations has been kept quiet by both sides, it's fair to assume talks will heat up as training camp approaches based on Denver's recent financial maneuverings. Did the Broncos pick up J.K. Dobbins because they're worried about what they have in RJ Harvey or because Dobbins' skill set rounds out the RB room? — Alex L. I'm glad we have a chance to dispel this narrative that seemed to creep up as the Broncos' interest in Dobbins became public earlier this month. His signing had nothing to do with a souring outlook on Harvey, less than two months after the Broncos drafted him in the second round. If anything, Harvey has exceeded expectations during his early days in Denver. He's in tremendous shape and has shown a natural feel as a receiver. Truer tests of his progress and his immediate readiness to contribute will come in training camp and the preseason, but the Broncos have been pleased with his progress to this point and plan to have him be a significant part of the offense. The Broncos had their eyes on Dobbins well before they drafted Harvey. Free agency can be a wait-and-see affair as markets develop, and the sides ultimately were able to find common ground that gives Denver an experienced back who was productive last season and gives Dobbins the chance to show the significant injuries that erased the better part of three seasons earlier in his career are an issue of the past. It was always like the Broncos were going to add more than one running back this offseason, and Dobbins and Harvey profile as the type of 1-2 pairing Payton has consistently used in his offenses. I've seen Ben Powers as being a cut candidate after this season. What does the depth chart look like at guard? Who could emerge as a starter? — Matt B. It's too early to say whether Powers would be a candidate for release after this season. His play in 2025 will be the determining factor. Powers wasn't always perfect last season. He gave up three sacks, according to Pro Football Focus, after being charged with four in 2023. But Powers has been reliable and durable, starting all 35 games, including the postseason, since joining the Broncos. Releasing or trading Powers after this season would result in a dead-money hit of nearly $10 million, just as the Broncos are coming out from under the Russell Wilson dead-money hits of the past two years that totaled $85 million. The Broncos did not select an offensive lineman in this year's draft, which could be viewed as a sign of faith that they have plenty more to squeeze out of this iteration of the starting line. The Broncos have some experience on the interior of the line with recent late-round picks Alex Forsyth and Nick Gargiulo, and Alex Palczewski, who is arguably the team's top reserve lineman, has shown an ability to play at multiple spots. There is promise among that group. Still, the Broncos view continuity as an asset, and as long as the group up front continues to play well, they won't be in any hurry to break it up. Advertisement What or who do you anticipate being the biggest surprises on both sides of the ball this year? And I know it's early, but who is your undrafted rookie to watch as a dark horse to make the 53-man roster? — Dalton H. Fun questions. Let's start with defense. I think Dondrea Tillman is a guy to watch. Here is a player who played in four straight professional spring leagues (2021 to 2024) before the Broncos finally gave him an NFL shot last season. Not only did Tillman make the team, but he also contributed five sacks and gave the Broncos stout looks against the run as a reserve outside linebacker with unique size. His finish rate last season was impressive, and I think you'll see his numbers go up as his opportunities increase. I'll go with Troy Franklin on offense. Evan Engram is going to open up a lot of possibilities for Denver's offense, squeezing coverage toward the middle of the field. I think this will give Bo Nix more windows to get Franklin the ball in space, and there may not be anyone on Denver's roster who can go from 0 to 60 quicker than the second-year receiver out of Oregon. Payton's offense can be difficult on first-year players. It was clear Franklin was thinking too much at times last season. If he's more comfortable this year, and his spring provided promising glimpses that he is, his speed will be more impactful for the Broncos than it was able to be last year. Back at it 😤#BroncosOTAs — Denver Broncos (@Broncos) May 29, 2025 An under-the-radar undrafted free agent to watch is Kyrese White, who joined the team in May after impressing as a tryout player during rookie minicamp. The wide receiver room is jam-packed, and wrestling a spot away won't be easy, but White is a slot weapon who can be used in a lot of different ways and was an impactful special teams player in college. The former Utah State wide receiver is one to keep a close eye on in training camp. Why isn't John Ralston in the Ring of Fame? Floyd Little, Randy Gradishar, Riley Odoms, Steve Foley, Louis Wright, Haven Moses, Jim Turner, Paul Smith, Charley Johnson, Tom Jackson and Rick Upchurch all played under Ralston. All are in the Ring of Fame. The first Broncos winning season? That came under Ralston. Why isn't he there? — Alan V. Ralston did deliver the Broncos' first winning season, a 7-5-2 campaign in 1973. And the team's 9-5 record in 1976, the last of Ralston's five seasons running the team, was the best mark in the franchise's history at the time. He also drafted or signed many of the players mentioned above, a group that helped Denver reach its first Super Bowl in 1977, the year after Ralston was fired. But the bottom line is Ralston had a record of 34-33-3 with no division titles and no playoff appearances during his tenure running the Broncos. There are three other former Broncos coaches in the Ring of Fame: Red Miller, Dan Reeves and Mike Shanahan. Miller coached the Broncos for only four seasons, but he delivered the franchise's first playoff appearance and first Super Bowl berth, his 1977 squad putting the franchise on the NFL map. He had a 40-22 record, two division titles and no losing records during his four-year tenure. Reeves coached the Broncos for 12 seasons and won five division titles and three AFC championships. Shanahan piloted the Broncos for 14 seasons and was at the helm for the team's first two Super Bowl victories. The next Broncos coach to get into the Ring of Fame could be Gary Kubiak. Though Kubiak was only Denver's head coach for two seasons, he delivered the franchise's third Super Bowl in 2015. He was also the offensive coordinator for the Broncos teams that won the previous two championships, spent his entire nine-year career as a backup quarterback in Denver and was a trusted sounding board for John Elway. Another coach with a strong case: John Fox, whose Broncos teams won 72 percent of their games during his four years in charge (2011-14) and captured four division titles and an AFC championship in that period. Ralston helped set a competitive foundation for the Broncos after years of early struggles in the NFL. But his resume, in my view, simply doesn't measure up to some of the franchise's other impactful coaches.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Five Cowboys Cut Candidates As Training Camp Nears
Five Cowboys Cut Candidates As Training Camp Nears originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Training camp is getting closer and with it comes the harsh reality of roster cut candidates. The Dallas Cowboys enter this period with a revamped roster and a new coaching staff that's making everybody earn every position and every rep. … And a handful of players could now be walking into Oxnard with a target on their back. Advertisement Damone Clark is one of them. His leadership, toughness, and recovery story from spinal fusion surgery are beyond admirable. But in a linebacker room now featuring Marist Liufau, Jack Sanborn, Kenneth Murray Jr., Shemar James, and the return of DeMarvion Overshown, Clark's $3.3 million cap hit suddenly becomes a real conversation. The Cowboys could cut him, save over $3 million in cap space, and take on just $60,000 in dead money. There's no question about Clark's character and football ability at full health — but he simply may find himself the odd man out if a cheaper, younger linebacker earns the trust of the new staff. Tyrus Wheat is another potential cut candidate. He had his shot — and it came amidst a plethora of injuries and opportunity in 2024. Still, he didn't make his mark. Now, much like the linebacker position, after the addition of three edges in free agency and the draft, including second-round pick Donovan Ezeiruaku, he could get lost in a crowded and talented edge room. Advertisement At running back, the surprise cut candidate name might be Miles Sanders. Yes, he ran with the 1s during OTAs and minicamp. But that was likely a nod to his veteran status, not necessarily his long-term value. Javonte Williams is the money back. Jaydon Blue brings home-run ability. Phil Mafah is the physical outlier. Deuce Vaughn's short-area quickness is too unique to dismiss. And Hunter Leupke is the swiss army knife for his ability to play three different positions. Sanders being the elder statesman in the room will certainly bring some value, but as far as his physical ability goes, he's not exactly unique to the rest of the group. This is going to be a fascinating competition to track. by Mike Fisher View the 1 images of this gallery on the original article Advertisement Matt Waletzko is another player on borrowed time. Drafted for his rare athleticism, his career has been wrecked by injuries. He's played in just 11 games in three years and enters a packed offensive line room full of experienced veterans and up and coming prospects. Nate Thomas, Asim Richards, and Ajani Cornelius to name a few. Add in the fact that Waletzko no longer has a 'sponsor' in the building and it's easy to see the writing on the wall. And then there's Andrew Booth — a former second-round pick the Cowboys took a flier on last offseason. He struggled significantly when injuries forced him into extended snaps down the stretch in 2024. Dallas responded by drafting Shavon Revel Jr., a corner with first-round pedigree who only fell due to injury. And trading for former first round pick Kaiir Elam who's been the talk of OTA's and Minicamp so far. It seems as if Booth's best shot at sticking will be tied to the health and rehabilitation of others — not necessarily his own performance. Andrew Dieb-Imagn Images View the 1 images of this gallery on the original article Advertisement In a normal offseason, some of these players might survive. But this isn't a normal offseason. The Cowboys are deeper, the pressure is real, and the standard under this new staff is clear: compete every day, and earn every rep — or you're out. Related: Why The Cowboys Must Ignore Trevon Diggs Update News Related: Cowboys Update Diggs Rehab Amid Positive Trade Buzz On Elam at Mandatory Minicamp This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 18, 2025, where it first appeared.
