Indiana Pacers Guard Tyreese Haliburton shines for Team USA in Las Vegas
Indiana Pacers All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton showed off his passing prowess on Monday night in the USA Basketball Showcase, the United States men’s national team’s first exhibition in preparation for the upcoming 2023 FIBA World Cup. Haliburton had a game-high 12 assists and just one turnover in the United States’ 117-74 win over Puerto Rico in Las Vegas. The 23-year-old Pacers star came off the bench on Monday night, but made his presence felt. In addition to his assists, Haliburton tallied seven points, four rebounds, and one block in 21 minutes. The Americans outscored Puerto Rico by 24 points when Haliburton was on the floor, the highest plus-minus of any player to see the floor on Monday.
Haliburton dished out six assists in the first half as the USA had a narrow 50-43 lead at the intermission. They pulled away over the final two quarters, however, outscoring Puerto Rico 67-31 in the second half. Seven players scored in double figures for the United States, led by 15 points apiece from Anthony Edwards and Cam Johnson. Jalen Brunson had the only double-double of the night with 11 points and 12 rebounds. Indianapolis native Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 12 points in 17 minutes of action. Jackson Jr played at Park Tudor HS before transferring to La Lumiere School in La Porte Indiana. He played one season at Michigan State before being selected fourth overall by the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2018 NBA Draft. Team USA will travel to Malaga, Spain this week and play exhibitions against Slovenia and Spain this weekend. The following week, they will face Greece and Germany in Abu Dhabi before traveling to the Philippines for the World Cup, where they will open play on Aug. 26.
Indianapolis Colts Running Back Jonathan Taylor leaves training camp
All-Pro running back Jonathan Taylor has left Indianapolis Colts training camp to continue rehabbing his ankle injury off-site. Taylor, who has been in a standoff with the Colts over his lack of a contract extension, was not in attendance at Tuesday’s practice even though injured players are customarily expected to be on the field for each workout. Coach Shane Steichen said Taylor was absent as “part of his rehab process. If you don’t see him out here, it’s part of his rehab.” When asked whether Taylor was rehabbing on- or off-site, Steichen declined to comment. The source told ESPN that the Colts were previously made aware of Taylor’s plans to continue his rehab away from the team and that his absence is expected to last several days.
Taylor has been on the physically unable to perform list since reporting to training camp on July 27. The team attributed the decision to his offseason ankle surgery, but a source later added that Taylor also complained of back and hamstring tightness. Taylor has denied any issue with his back. The Colts open their preseason schedule against the Buffalo Bills on Saturday, but there’s still no indication of a resolution between Taylor and the team. Taylor has asked for a trade, which owner Jim Irsay vehemently rejected.
Taylor, according to multiple sources, continues to hold out hope that the team will reconsider his request. He has one season remaining on his rookie contract and is scheduled to hit free agency next spring. He led the NFL in rushing in 2021 with 1,811 rushing yards 18 touchdowns. His 3,841 rushing yards since entering the league in 2020 ranks fourth in the NFL and his 33 rushing touchdowns is tied for second. Meanwhile, the Colts were down two additional running backs Tuesday, as Zack Moss, who suffered a broken arm last week, and Deon Jackson, who was sidelined by an unspecified injury, also missed practice.
Indiana University Men’s Basketball player Kel’el Ware attending the Nike Skills Academy this week
Indiana basketball center Kel’el Ware is attending the Nike Skills Academy on the Nike campus in Portland, Oregon this week. The event is invite-only and Started Monday and will go through Saturday. Ware will get the opportunity to train alongside some of the best past and present NBA players and coaches. The Nike Skills Academy is a development camp that features some of the top college players and high schoolers across the entire country. During the camp, players take place in drills, off-court workouts, film sessions and scrimmages.
Ware is one of 16 collegiate players to take part in the camp. In total, there are 34 total men’s participants, including high schoolers. “Kel’el is an extremely gifted player who will bring a lot to our program. He is a tremendous athlete whose skill level in all facets of the game will make us better,” IU head coach Mike Woodson said. “He’s a rim protector with great size and length, he runs the floor so well, he can shoot and he’s someone who competed and won at a high level in high school. We welcome he and his family to Bloomington and to Hoosier Nation .”
The 7-foot-1 center joined the Indiana basketball program this offseason after transferring from Oregon. In his lone season at Oregon, Ware averaged 6.6 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game. Earlier this summer he was part of 35 participants for the 2023 USA U19 Men’s National Team Training Camp before an ankle injury forced him to miss the training camp. Ware was a projected lottery pick in the 2023 NBA Draft heading into his freshman season. After returning to college, he is still projected a first-round selection in numerous mock drafts for next year.
Along with Ware are three key Indiana basketball recruiting targets. Those include 2024 five-star wing Liam McNeeley and five-star guard Boogie Fland, as well as 2026 projected five-star forward Tyran Stokes. McNeeley and Fland are top priorities for Indiana in the 2024 recruiting class. Both have taken official visits to Indiana and McNeeley has a return visit set for September. Indiana basketball head coach Mike Woodson is expected to visit Fland next month as well during a speaking engagement at Fland’s high school.
Indiana University Baseball announces Walk-On Tryouts
Walk-on tryouts for the Indiana baseball program have been scheduled for Wednesday, August 30th at 5 p.m. on Bart Kaufman Field. Please follow the following steps to ensure you are eligible to participate in tryouts. This will be the only day for walk-on tryouts. Fill out the Walk-On Tryout Application at the LINK HERE Download, print, and complete the student-athlete portion of the attached Tryout Clearance Packet (first half of page 1).
To complete Step 1: Head Coach/Designee Approval, please stop by the baseball offices at Bart Kaufman Field to get Director of Operations Denton Sagerman’s signature. You can set up a time to get this by emailing him at (dsagerma@iu.edu) or via text at 440-242-7655. To complete the Indiana Sports Medicine Approval, you will need physical proof of a physical and Sickle Cell Test on file within the past six months. You can get these at the IU Health Center on campus if needed. You will need to provide these to Joel Langemaat via email (jvlangem@indiana.edu) or text (440-242-7655) or in person in the Memorial Stadium South Endzone Athletic Training Room for approval. Complete the Indiana University Drug Test Consent Form located on the 2nd page of the Tryout Clearance Packet. To complete Step 3: Office of Compliance Services’ Approval, please scan and send the Tryout Clearance packet, with all appropriate signatures, to Jenny Wittenauer (jennwitt@iu.edu) by Monday August 28th at 5pm. You will receive a confirmation email that you are cleared to participate in the tryout, YOU CANNOT PARTICIPATE IN THE TRYOUT UNLESS YOU RECEIVE THIS CONFIRMATION EMAIL.
Indiana University Softball is hiring for 2023-24 School Year
The Indiana Softball program is seeking to hire student help for various team manager and intern positions. The program is seeking to hire team managers and interns to serve roles in administrative assistance, on-field operations, data analysis, video, bullpen catching. Full details and descriptions can be found here and in the document file embedded above. If interested, please contact Softball Director of Operations Cassie Hendrix at hendrix@indiana.edu.
Indiana University Field Hockey announces 2023 Home Game spirit themes
The Indiana Field Hockey team has announced the 2023 slate of spirit themes for the upcoming fall season’s home games. The Hoosiers are once again working with the IU Student Athletic Board to maximize the fan experience and environment at Deborah Tobias Field. The dates of the 2023 home games and their corresponding themes are listed below.
August 20 – Miami (OH) (SCRIMMAGE): Youth Clinic -Fans in eighth grade or under are invited to join our players pregame for a brief session of fun skills and drills stations. The opportunity for autographs and photos with players will be available after the game. Appropriate sign-up forms and waivers must be completed prior to participating. You can sign up here.
- September 24 – James Madison: Pediatric Cancer Awareness & Student Clinic- Fans are encouraged to wear gold for pediatric cancer awareness. Members of the Indiana student body are welcome to learn the sport of field hockey with fun drills and basic instruction after the game. The student clinic will take place after the game.
- September 29 – Michigan: Pride Game- Indiana Field Hockey will celebrate inclusivity and acceptance as part of its LGBTQ+ Pride game.
- October 1 – Ohio State: Breast Cancer Awareness -Fans are encouraged to wear pink for breast cancer awareness.
- October 13 – Iowa: Title IX-The program will celebrate and commemorate the history of Title IX. Prior to the game’s start, a PA read will be announced to the crowd discussing the history of the landmark legislation.
- October 27 – Penn State: International Day-All nationalities will be celebrated and recognized at the game and in the sport of field hockey. International players from Indiana and Penn State will be recognized prior to the game’s start.
- October 29 – Kent State: Senior Day- The program’s seniors will be honored and recognized pregame.
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