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In an NCAA affidavit filed on Thursday, Feb. 5 in Tuscaloosa County (Alabama) Circuit Court, SEC commissioner Greg Sankey asked the court to side with the NCAA's eligibility rules and rule against Bediako.

"I respectfully ask the Court to uphold the NCAA eligibility rules challenged in this case, which are essential to the integrity of college sports, to the educational mission they serve, and to the opportunities they provide for current and future student-athletes," Sankey wrote in the affidavit.

REQUIRED READING:As Alabama loses with Charles Bediako, it reeks of desperation

After playing 82 games across three seasons in the G League, Bediako, who played for Alabama from 2021-23, wasgranted a temporary restraining orderagainst the NCAA on Jan. 21 by Judge James Roberts Jr. that made him immediately eligible.

Since his legal victory, Bediako has played in four games for theCrimson Tide, averaging 9.5 points, five rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game. Alabama has gone 2-2 in those games, dropping them from the top 25 of theUSA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll.

Roberts, an Alabama donor, has since recused himself from Bediako's eligibility case. Bediako's next hearing is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 6, one day before the Crimson Tide play on the road against archrival Auburn. The hearing will be heard by Judge Daniel Pruet.

The NCAA is arguing that Bediako's multiple professional contracts he signed since leaving Alabama after the 2022-23 season make him ineligible to return to the sport, according to the organization's longstanding eligibility rules.

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REQUIRED READING:March Madness bracketology: Houston, Florida rise in NCAA tournament

Sankey agrees with the NCAA's stance, writing in the affidavit that the rules are "grounded in the principle that college athletics are reserved for current college athletes who are actively pursuing a degree while also participating in college sports and for future college athletes who seek to benefit from the unique educational, athletic, and leadership opportunities provided through college sports."

Sankey added that granting Bediako eligibility could "open the door to undermining fundamental principles."

Bediako's return to college basketball comes during a period of substantial and rapid change in the sport. The 7-footer is one of several former G League players who have been added to a college roster for this season, though Bediako's the only one who previously played on a Division I team. Former European professional players have joined teams across the country, as well.

In a message posted on social media, Darren Heitner, one of Bediako's representatives, said the NCAA has contradicted its own rules by granting eligibility to players like Santa Clara's Thierry Darlan and BYU's Abdullah Ahmed, both of whom played in the G League, and Baylor's James Nnaji, who played professionally in Europe and was selected by the Detroit Pistons in the 2023 NBA Draft.

"These waivers demonstrate selective enforcement, undermining Sankey's assertion that inconsistent application fuels disruption," Heitner wrote. "Courts in similar cases have highlighted such inconsistencies as evidence of arbitrary decision-making. Also, Sankey's reliance on outdated principles of amateurism and academic integration is not aligned with the current realities of college athletes and the proliferation of NIL deals."

Heitner added that the affidavit is "littered with conclusory statements that are not tied to specific facts or data."

Bediako has become a source of perpetual controversy since his first game back. Several high-profile coaches have blasted the development, includingMichigan State's Tom Izzo, who described it as "utterly ridiculous." During a 100-77 loss at reigning national champion Florida, Gators fans chanted"G League dropout"at him throughout the game.

Sankey's input to the Bediako case comes as several of his conference's schools are engaged in high-profile eligibility battles, including Mississippi (with quarterbackTrinidad Chambliss) and Tennessee (with quarterbackJoey Aguilar).

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:SEC commissioner Greg Sankey sides with NCAA in Charles Bediako eligibility case

Here are the top stories of the day:

U.S. women's ice hockey dominates Czechia in opener

Hailey Scamurra scored twice while three of her teammates also added goals inTeam USA's 5-1 victoryover Czechia. Both teams opened group play with U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubioin attendanceat Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena.

TWO GOALS IN 83 SECONDS. The USA makes it 3-0 thanks to Joy Dunne and Hayley Scamurra!📺 USA & Peacockpic.twitter.com/pZjgx3PGAu

— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics)February 5, 2026

The game was essentially put out of reach early in the second period. Already holding a 1-0 lead on a power-play goal in the first period from Alex Carpenter, Joy Dunne and Scamurra each scored goals within 83 seconds. Tessa Janecke earned the assists on both scores. Hilary Knight added another goal late in the period to give the U.S. a 4-1 lead.

Czechia scored its lone goal when Barbora Jurickova left the penalty box and received a pass for a breakaway to cut the deficit to 3-1. But Knight answered shortly thereafter.

The U.S. will next face Finland on Saturday in Group A play with face-off scheduled for 10:40 a.m. ET. That is, if Finland ishealthy enough to compete. (See below.)

U.S. defeats Norway and Switzerland in mixed doubles curling

Team USA took the ice in mixed doubles curling on Thursday, one day after eight other countries made their debut.

Facing defending silver medalist Norway, Cory Thiesse and Korey Dropkin took an early 1-0 lead before the Norwegians rallied with three points in the second end of the match. The two teams then battled back and forth, with the U.S. tying the score during the third end before Norway took a two-point lead after the fourth.

Norway held a 6-4 lead going into the seventh end before Team USA tied the score at 6. In the final end, the U.S. took a two-point lead and Norway's final shot fell short, giving Thiesse and Dropkin the 8-6 victory.

Cory Thiesse and Korey Dropkin pick up the FIRST WIN for Team USA in mixed doubles curling at the#WinterOlympics! 🇺🇸pic.twitter.com/LQe0OZNe0T

— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics)February 5, 2026

The U.S. later faced Switzerland in a match that carried far less drama. The Swiss did take a 2-1 lead in the second end, but Team USA rallied to gain two points in the third end when Thiesse knocked away Switzerland's stone. The U.S. increased its lead to 5-2 after the fourth end and employed a defensive strategy through the rest of the match, knocking Switzerland's stones out of the way and creating pressure to make perfect shots. Ultimately, the Swiss couldn't hit the mark and Team USA won 7-4.

Up next for Thiesse and Dropkin is Canada and the Czech Republic on Friday.

Lindsey Vonn 'not giving up' Alpine downhill, despite torn ACL

Any doubts that Lindsey Vonn would attack the opportunity to medal in the women's downhill despitesuffering a torn ACL in her left kneeduring a training run were likely silencedby a video posted by the three-time Olympic medalist to social mediaon Thursday.

Vonn showed footage of her doing barbell squats, agility drills, side lunges and box jumps while wearing a brace on her injured left knee. If she can handle that work, she can seemingly handle the rigors of the Alpine downhill skiing course, something thatdoctors have stated is very possible.

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A post shared by L I N D S E Y • V O N N (@lindseyvonn)

"I'm not giving up, working as hard as I can to make it happen!" Vonn wrote in a caption with the video. "Thank you to my team and everyone for your incredible support. Keep believing."

Vonn still has to complete a training run to qualify for the starting field in Sunday's downhill event. Weather has created an obstacle with heavy snow canceling Thursday's exercise. But opportunities could still be available Friday and Saturday, weather permitting.

Finland women's ice hockey postpones opener due to norovirus outbreak

Elsewhere in women's ice hockey group play, Finland and Canada had their opening match postponeddue to a norovirus outbreakamong the Finnish team. After four sick players forced the team to cancel its Wednesday training session, 14 members of the team were ill on Thursday. Possible exposure to the virus warranted several playersbeing placed into quarantine.

Finland Head Coach Tero Lehtera says his players aren't healthy enough to play."There's a chance that if they would play then it would influence Team Canada and their health as well. I couldn't risk my players."@CBCOlympics#Olympicspic.twitter.com/oODteEpUit

— Claire Hanna (@clahanna)February 5, 2026

With only 10 available players for Finland and a risk of passing the virus to Canada's team, the International Ice Hockey Federation and the International Olympic Committee decided to postpone the game with Canada until Feb. 12.

As mentioned above, Finland is scheduled to play the U.S. on Saturday, but it's not yet known whether enough Finnish players will be out of quarantine for the team to play.

Team USA medals

Highlight of the day

U.S. snowboarders Red Gerard and Jake Canter looked ready to compete for medals in the Big Air event, each landing backside 1800 jumps during qualifying rounds on Thursday. A backside 1800 involves five full 360-degree horizontal rotations, spinning in a backside direction.

Red Gerard lands a backside 1800 to move up the leaderboard at Big Air qualification. 👏pic.twitter.com/deUhercHG7

— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics)February 5, 2026

One more thing

Leading up to Friday's Opening Ceremony, the Olympic torch is making its way through Milan. Three-time snowboarding gold medalist Shaun White was among the athletes to carry the torch on Thursday.

The legend@shaunwhiteis back for the Olympic Torch Relay in Milan…and then off to Livigno!❄️🏂🔥#MilanoCortina2026#TorchRelay2026#Olympics#Olimpiadi#ShaunWhitepic.twitter.com/PGoSV70BjP

— Milano Cortina 2026 (@milanocortina26)February 5, 2026

White will next travel to Livigno to watch the snowboarding competition, which begins Saturday with the men's Big Air final.

Scott Taetsch/Getty

NEED TO KNOW

• Jaxson Hayes will not play when the Lakers face the Philadelphia 76ers on Feb. 5

• The league suspended the backup center for one game after he was seen shoving the Washington Wizards mascot

• In video from the incident, G-Wiz collided with a Wizards dancer after being pushed

The Los Angeles Lakers will be withoutJaxson Hayeson Thursday, Feb. 5, after the backup center was suspended without pay for one game for pushing another team's mascot.

The incident occurred before the Lakers-Washington Wizards matchup on Friday, Jan. 30, at Capital One Arena when Hayes, 25, was seen pushing the Wizards mascot during pregame introductions,according to the league.

In a video from the interaction, G-Wiz was seen running with a massive Wizards flag near the baseline when Hayes shoved him.

The mascot then collided with a Wizards dancer who was running onto the floor.

Hayes will miss the Lakers game on Thursday when they return to Crypto.com Arena following the team's annual extended Grammys trip.

Currently in the sixth spot in the Western Conference with a 30-19 record,Luka,LeBron& Co. will likely have their hands full when a resurgent Joel Embiid, first-time All-Star starter Tyrese Maxey and the Philadelphia 76ers come to town.

Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty

On Wednesday night, the Oklahoma City Thunder experienced a similar — but more extreme — feeling of being shorthanded when10 of their players sat out due to injuries.

As the Thunder took on the San Antonio Spurs, only eight of OKC's players dressed,leaving their bench looking depletedwhen the players took the court.

Among the injured Thunder players were All-StarShai Gilgeous Alexander,Jalen Williams, Isaiah Hartenstein,Chet Holmgrenand Alex Caruso.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE'sfree daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Yet the Thunder still made a game of it, eventually losing 116-106.

"Obviously great effort by everybody, we tried to gut that one out, had some guys play some high minutes outside of the first quarter," Thunder coach Mark Daigneaultsaid after the game. "After the first quarter, it was really pretty competitive on our part."

Read the original article onPeople

United States District Judge Paul Engelmayer also instructed DOJ to address whether "all such materials" have since been blacked out in the 3.5 million Epstein-related emails, photos, videos and other data from its investigative files that it made public Jan. 30.

Engelmayer's Feb. 3 order came in response to a legal filing by two lawyers representing Epstein survivors "regarding an unfolding emergency that requires immediate judicial intervention" – including an immediate takedown of the Justice Department website hosting the Epstein files until they can be purged of everything identifying his accusers.

What appears to be outdoor furniture is seen in a photo released by US Department of Justice from one of Jeffrey Epstein's properties.

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Inside Epstein homes: See odd items that raise more questions than answers

Lawyers Bradley Edwards and Brittany Henderson, who said they represent dozens of Epstein accusers, also asked the court to appoint an independent special master to oversee redaction and republication of the DOJ files, and to keep open the chance for judicial sanctions, "including contempt and monetary relief."

"For the victims of Jeffrey Epstein, every hour matters. The harm is ongoing and irreversible," the lawyers wrote in a detail-filled seven page filing. "This Court is the last line of defense for victims who were promised protection and instead were exposed. Judicial intervention is not merely appropriate – it is essential."

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said in announcing the new release Jan. 30 that images of all women in the files – with the exception of convicted Epstein associateGhislaine Maxwell– would be redacted in an effort to ensure that no personal details would be made public.

But in the first 48 hours since the files' Jan. 30 release, Edwards and Henderson said they reported to DOJ "thousands of redaction failures on behalf of nearly 100 individual survivors whose lives have been turned upside down by DOJ's latest release."

Besides receiving death threats, some Epstein accusers overseas who had wanted to remain anonymous have had to contend with media reports publishing their identities and photos, the lawyers said.

Other victims have also gone public with similar accusations about how DOJ made their identities public after promising not to, while keeping secret the identities of potential Epstein accomplices.

"There is no conceivable degree of institutional incompetence sufficient to explain the scale, consistency, and persistence of the failures that occurred," Edwards and Henderson wrote, "particularly where the sole task ordered by the Court and repeatedly emphasized by DOJ was simple: redact known victim names before publication."

All the Justice Department needed to do, they told Engelmayer, was to type each victim's name into its own search function and then redact it before making the files public in itsonline "Epstein Library"database.

"Had DOJ done that," they said, "the harm would have been avoided."

Instead, the DOJ on Jan. 30 "committed what may be the single most egregious violation of victim privacy in one day in United States history," Edwards and Henderson wrote.

DOJ acknowledges failures. Survivors say that's not enough.

A department spokesman did not immediately respond to USA TODAY's request for comment Feb. 5 on whether DOJ would meet the judge's deadline.

In a statement to USA TODAY, the Justice Department said it "takes victim protection very seriously and has redacted thousands of victim names in the millions of published pages to protect the innocent."

"When a victim's name is alleged to be unredacted," DOJ said, "our team is working around the clock to fix the issue and republish appropriately redacted pages as soon as possible."

'Immediate judicial intervention' needed to protect accusers

The seven-page filing by Edwards and Henderson is full of examples of what they say are DOJ's failure to redact information pertaining to women dating to back to an earlier release of files released Dec. 19, 2025, as required under the Epstein Files Transparency Act that went into effect a month earlier.

The next day, Dec. 20, they said, they immediately notified DOJ of "hundreds of redaction failures" that required urgent attention, including unredacted names and dates of birth.

One document alone identified more than 30 victims according to their motion for "immediate judicial intervention."

That failure, the lawyers said, forced the Epstein survivors to stay up "all night using DOJ's search bar to identify and read every single document that was posted publicly identifying them despite being promised by your office that this would never happen."

In all, Epstein is believed to have victimized girls and young women over potentially several decades, forcing them into sex acts at his estates in New York, Florida, New Mexico and on his private Caribbean island.

Many of Epstein's estimated 1,000 to 1,200 victims cooperated with FBI agents and federal prosecutors over the years, and have insisted that their identities − and their involvement in investigations − remain anonymous. Some of the Epstein survivors were minors at the time of the alleged abuse.

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But when some Epstein survivors or their lawyers contacted DOJ to request redactions, DOJ often blacked out some identifying information while leaving other data in the files, the lawyers said.

Many victims' concerns were compounded dramatically by the Jan. 30 release of exponentially more DOJ files – and more sensitive information about them and the nature of their allegations. Democratic lawmakers and other critics have called on the Justice Department to act immediately to protect them from further harm.

Maxwell was convicted of related crimes and sentenced to 20 years in prison that she is currently serving. Epstein died by suicide in 2019 after his arrest on similar charges while in a New York jail awaiting prosecution.

One DOJ document listing the names of 32 minor child victims

In their legal filing, the lawyers ticked off a litany of alleged DOJ failures, including one minor victim who had her name revealed 20 times in a single document.

"After reporting the violation," the lawyers said, "DOJ redacted her name three additional times—leaving 17 instances still unredacted as of this filing."

Another email listed 32 minor child victims, with only one name redacted and 31 left visible—despite DOJ's possession of those names, the lawyers said.

Their demand for immediate injunctive relief also contends that:

• FBI victim statements known as "302 reports" contained the full and unredacted first and last names of minor victims.

• Handwritten FBI interview notes included minor victims' full names unredacted at the top and throughout.

• Documents containing victims' names alongside dates of birth, bank information, driver's license numbers, email addresses or home addresses.

• Documents where victims' names are redacted in some places but not others within the same document.

• Documents where redactions are "pencil-thin," revealing the complete name and email address beneath.

• Documents where photographs are properly redacted in one instance and appear fully unredacted nearby.

• Hundreds of documents exposing the names of four women who have been in "near-constant communication with DOJ since December requesting protection."

As a result of those redaction failures, 20 clients who say they are Epstein survivors agreed to issue statements as part of the emergency appeal to the judge, the lawyers said.

'My life is in imminent danger,' one survivor tells DOJ

"It is so wrong on so many levels," said one, identified as Jane Doe 3. "Not only it (sic) exposes victims to potential abuse or blackmail, but it can ruin families or damage our careers. I am horrified."

Some said they are overseas, where newspapers and websites are publishing all of the details that were not supposed to be linked to them, including photos.

"How is this possible?" asked Jane Doe 4. "In [my home country], as in the entire EU, there is a strict privacy law. I'm shocked, I didn't expect such violation of our privacy."

Some noted that while dozens of Epstein accusers went public with their allegations, they had insisted on anonymity to protect their privacy – and said that has now been shattered and placed them and their families at risk.

"Please, I'm begging you to delete my name!!!" said Jane Doe 5. "I can only imagine the devastation your errors are causing to so many other victims of Jeffrey Epstein."

Jane Doe 7 said the release of her name and photo have resulted in unwanted publicity and threats in her home country where she currently lives.

"The press makes up crazy stories and shows me as a legitimate target for others to attack me physically and in the press," Jane Doe 7 said. "My life is in imminent danger as long as you keep on releasing more files and info about me and not remove and redact the ones already released."

She added: "This is a life-threatening situation for me. Please take my plea seriously."

Jane Doe 8 said she also received death threats in the 24 hours following the Jan. 30 DOJ release, which she said included 51 entries mentioning her.

"You even had the audacity to release my private banking info and [I] am now trying to shut down cards and accounts," Jane Doe 8 said. "This kind of vicious attack on a victim at the hands of the 'Department of Justice' is an abomination."

In their filing, the lawyers said the Justice Department needs to do more to ensure that all names and identifying information are redacted immediately to prevent further harm.

Besides an immediate takedown of the files, they asked the court to appoint an independent special master to oversee redaction and republication, and to keep open the chance for judicial sanctions, "including contempt and monetary relief."

"For the victims of Jeffrey Epstein, every hour matters. The harm is ongoing and irreversible," the lawyers said. "This Court is the last line of defense for victims who were promised protection and instead were exposed. Judicial intervention is not merely appropriate – it is essential."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:'Every hour matters.' Judge orders DOJ to protect Epstein survivor IDs

At least three people are dead and seven are injured after a vehicle crashed into a grocery store in Westwood on Thursday afternoon, officials say.

The Los Angeles Fire Department reported the crash at 12:11 p.m. at Rochester Avenue and Westwood Boulevard, located by a 99 Ranch Market.

LAFD reported that a bicyclist and other people were possibly struck before the structure collision. Officials did not immediately identify any of the victims.

In a later update just before 2 p.m., LAFD said two patients were in serious condition, two had minor injuries and another two signed out against medical advice at the scene.

"The driver of the silver sedan has preliminarily been identified as an elderly female," stated the LAFD update. "A bicyclist was confirmed struck approximately one block away from the incident address before the vehicle collided with the structure; upon fire department arrival, the vehicle was moved to access multiple patients who were trapped."

A massive fire and law enforcement response were seen in the area when Sky5 arrived overhead, and an investigation is underway.

LAFD spokesperson Lindsey Lantz joined KTLA live on air after 1:35 p.m Thursday and said early reports suggest the crash was not intentional.

"We're still working on the cause," said Lantz. "We do not have confirmation yet if this was a mechanical issue, a medical issue, but LAPD is telling us they don't suspect any terrorist intent."

Lantz said the bicyclist who was struck survived and decided not to go to the hospital via ambulance. She also said road closures can be expected for hours.

In addition, Lantz said she could not yet confirm whether the victims were inside or outside the store at the time of the crash.

Councilwoman Yaroslavsky, who represents the Westwood neighborhood, issued the following statement after the deadly crash: "I spoke with LAFD Chief Moore earlier regarding the incident at the 99 Ranch Market in Westwood this afternoon, and my team is closely monitoring the situation. My heart is with those injured and with the families of those who lost their lives. Thank you to the first responders on scene for their swift action."

This is a developing story; check back and refresh this page for updates.

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.

Flight 2259 to Quito "returned to MIA and was met by law enforcement upon arrival due to a disruptive customer," on Jan. 31, the airline told USA TODAY.

"We thank our team members for their professionalism and our customers for their assistance in managing a difficult situation," the emailed statement continued. The 8:12 p.m. flight turned around as it was passing over Cuba, according toflight-tracking site FlightAware, landing back in Miami shortly before 10 p.m.

American did not share specifics about the passenger's behavior. The Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office "responded to reports of a passenger in mental crisis," police said in an emailed statement to USA TODAY.

"Upon arrival, the aircraft was safely deplaned and the individual, an adult male, was taken into custody," the statement said. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue transported the flyer to a local hospital where he was detained for mental health evaluation.

The Federal Aviation Administration has received 126 unruly passenger reports so far this year, according toits website. The agency received 1,621 in 2025, and 2,096 the year before.

"The rate of unruly passenger incidents steadily dropped by over 80 percent since record highs in early 2021, but recent increases show there remains more work to do," the FAA said.

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at ndiller@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:American flight turns around after takeoff due to unruly passenger

Bills Jaguars Football

Christian McCaffrey is only the second player to be a finalist for three AP NFL awards in the same year. He joins Josh Allen, Trevor Lawrence, Drake Maye and Matthew Stafford in the running for The Associated Press 2025 NFL Most Valuable Player.

Maye, who will lead the New England Patriots into theSuper Bowlagainst the Seattle Seahawks, and McCaffrey are also finalists for Offensive Player of the Year. McCaffrey and Lawrence are among the finalists for Comeback Player of the Year.

Anationwide panelof 50 media members who regularly cover the league completed voting before the playoffs began. Votes were tabulated by the accounting firm Lutz and Carr.

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Voters selected a top 5 for the eight AP NFL awards. First-place votes were worth 10 points. Second- through fifth-place votes were worth 5, 3, 2 and 1 points.

The other awards being presented Thursday in San Francisco include Coach of the Year, Assistant Coach of the Year, Comeback Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Offensive Player of the Year, Defensive Rookie of the Year and Offensive Rookie of the Year.

AP NFL:https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

TheNCAA denied Chambliss' sixth-year eligibility waiver appealon Wednesday, Feb. 4. The denial upholds theNCAA's initial denial of the eligibility waiverissued on Jan. 9.

Chambliss ― represented by attorneys Tom Mars and William Liston ― will take their lawsuit for the former Division II Ferris State star's eligibility to state court in Mississippi.

REQUIRED READING:College football must avoid NFL and run CFP like billion-dollar business

The Rebels' 2025 starter of multiple games was seeking a medical hardship waiver for his 2022 season, in which he was affected by sickness and respiratory problems, according to theJackson Clarion Ledger, part of the USA TODAY Network.

Ole Missresponded to the NCAA Athletics Eligibility subcommittee's decision by calling it "indefensible." The school said it would stand behind Chambliss in his fight for eligibility.

"Trinidad's representatives will continue to pursue all available legal remedies, and we will publicly stand behind Trinidad while holding the NCAA accountable for a decision that fails to align with its own rules, precedent and the documented medical record," the statement said.

Statement from Ole Miss Athletics. 🇹🇹pic.twitter.com/3ChGgW0YHb

— Ole Miss Athletics (@OleMissSports)February 5, 2026

According toYahoo's Ross Dellenger, Chambliss has a deal with Ole Miss for the 2026 season worth in excess of $5 million. He stands to make more returning to school than he would as a potential mid-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Ole Miss football is coming off a semifinal appearance in the 2025 College Football Playoff. If Chambliss returns, the Rebels would have strong odds to return to the CFP. If he does not, Ole Miss would have to figure out the quarterback position to get back into such a position.

The Rebels did add a former five-star and Auburn signal-caller Deuce Knight in the portal this offseason.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Trinidad Chambliss eligibility appeal denied by the NCAA

The U.S. and Iran have agreed to hold talks in Oman on Friday, ⁠officials for both ‌sides said, even as they remain at odds over Washington's insistence that ‍negotiations must include Tehran's missile arsenal and Iran's vow to discuss only its nuclear programme.

Iran will engage ​in the talks "with authority and with the ‌aim of reaching a fair, mutually acceptable and dignified understanding on the nuclear issue," the spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said on Thursday.

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"We hope the American side will also participate in this process ⁠with responsibility, realism and ​seriousness," Baghaei added.

The delicate diplomatic ​effort comes amid heightened tensions as the U.S. builds up forces in the ‍Middle East ⁠and regional players seek to avoid a military confrontation that many fear could escalate ⁠into a wider war.

(Reporting by Parisa Hafezi, Yomna Ehab ‌and Enas Alashray; Editing by Susan ‌Fenton and Gareth Jones)

The mission of the United States Coast Guard is to protect, defend, and save. From search and rescue operations to maritime law enforcement, the Coast Guard "protects our seas, and protects us from the sea." In early 2026, one of those missions includes an icebreaker operation in the New York City area.

The frigid weather that began in late January with winter storm Fern stretched into early February, with snow, ice, and freezing temperatures leading to several deaths in New York City. Some areas saw more than a foot of snow, but now it's ice that's causing headaches. Icy conditions in the harbor and the Hudson River escalated fast during that last week of January, with the Coast Guard describing "significant amounts of ice from the harbor to the Hudson Valley." These conditions don't just impact safe navigation for boats, but can also delay deliveries into the city and broader Hudson region and wreak havoc on public transportation. While ports are open, the New York City Ferry Servicesuspendedall routes in late January through early February, citing the safety of "all crew, passengers, and vessels."

Read more:10 Of The Most Advanced Nuclear Submarines In The World

Keeping the ports open

The USCG,which recently closed a deal to expand its fleet of icebreakers, stated that among its top priorities is "facilitating the safe movement of critical commercial traffic that supports the region's economy and daily needs." When ice takes over essential waterways, the delivery of key assets to the region may be delayed, including fuel and heating oil, even as temperatures in the city remain below freezing.

The operation involves two 140-foot Bay-class icebreaking tugs — the CGC (Coast Guard Cutter) Penobscot Bay and the CGC Sturgeon Bay — along with the 65-foot harbor tug CGC Hawser

The icebreakers are part of a larger mission called Operation Reliable Energy for Northeast Winters (OP RENEW), which seeks to support the Northeast region of the United States during winter weather. All three ships are homeported in Bayonne, New Jersey, and are well equipped for icebreaking and search and rescue operations in waterways affected by ice.

At the time of writing, no restrictions are in place for ports within the NYC Coast Guard sector, but the ferry service remains suspended with no timeline for when service may be restored. The independently operated Staten Island Ferry remains open, and the Coast Guard advises anyone on the water to "exercise extreme caution, monitor weather and ice conditions, and report navigational hazards to the Coast Guard."

A critical mission in the Northeast

The icebreaking operation in New York Harbor and the Hudson River isn't the first time these ships have been assigned this type of winter duty — in fact, they're stationed in Bayonne, New Jersey, for just this purpose, and they often complete work up and down the Northeastern seaboard. The Coast Guard partners with both local and state emergency management officials toclear ice-jammed waterwaysto create navigable paths for vital commercial traffic.

In 2018, the CGC Penobscot Bay worked with other Coast Guard ships to clear the ice-jammed Kennebec River in Maine, breaking through ice that was as much as five feet thick in some areas. Sometimes the icebreakers will escort ships until they're clear of dangerous ice — the Penobscot Bay recently escorted a ship carrying more than 10 million barrels of oil out of New Jersey. The Penobscot Bay and similar ships are sometimes crewed by fewer than 20 Coast Guardsmen, who live on the ship if they're working far from their Bayonne base.

The Coast Guard stations its icebreakers along the Northeast to ensure a rapid response when critical waterways are jammed with ice. In addition to Bayonne, icebreakers are also positioned in three areas of Maine, in Rhode Island, and in Connecticut.

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Read theoriginal article on SlashGear.

Venezuela's National Assembly President Rodriguez leads an ordinary session to discuss the Amnesty law, in Caracas

According to a draft seen by Reuters, the bill would also return assets of ​those detained and cancel Interpol and other international measures previously issued by the government, allowing opposition figures in exile to return home.

The bill passed unanimously ‌in the first of two necessary votes at the National Assembly, which is controlled by the socialist ruling party. The date for a second session to debate the matter has not yet been set.

The ‌amnesty law, announced last week by interim President Rodriguez, would lead to hundreds of people being released if it were to be passed in its current form and would likely please the Trump administration, which has hailed prisoner releases.

Rodriguez's brother Jorge Rodriguez, the head of the assembly, described the law as a difficult but necessary step.

"The path of this law is going to be full of obstacles, full of bitter moments ... we're not only going to have to swallow hard ... but also swallow frogs," he said.

"We ask for ⁠forgiveness and we also have to forgive."

Venezuela's opposition and human ‌rights groups have said for years that the government has used detentions to stamp out dissent by politicians, members of the security services, journalists and activists, charging them arbitrarily with crimes like terrorism and treason. The government has always denied holding political prisoners.

Rodriguez, who took ‍office after the U.S. captured and deposed President Nicolas Maduro last month, has been complying with U.S. demands on oil deals. The government has also been already slowly releasing people classified as political prisoners by human rights groups and the country's opposition.

According to the draft, the amnesty will cover crimes committed between January 1, 1999, and the date that the law comes into ​force, and will be applied immediately to people who acted peacefully or who have health concerns. It would not provide amnesty for those convicted of human rights ‌violations, war crimes, murder, corruption or drug trafficking.

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PROTESTS AND DEFAMATION

Other alleged crimes, including instigation of illegal activity, resistance to authorities, property damage, rebellion, treason, and illegal carrying of weapons will all be covered by the amnesty if they were committed in the context of political protests, the draft said, specifying that it would include mass protests that rocked the country and led to deaths in 2007, 2014, 2017, 2019 and 2024.

Those latest marches, in 2024, took place after a contested election that Venezuela's opposition and international observers say the opposition roundly won. The government and judicial authorities backed Maduro, swearing him in for a third term.

The bill would also cover those accused of ⁠defamation if the act took place in the context of criticizing authorities.

The law would lift Interpol red notices ​and movement restrictions against people who have committed crimes covered by the amnesty, the draft said, "guaranteeing ​the safe and persecution-free return of Venezuelan citizens who are abroad."

Many members of the opposition and dissident former officials live in other countries to escape arrest warrants they say are politically motivated.

Also revoked by the law would be public office bans for political reasons and ‍sanctions against media outlets.

Rights group Foro Penal says it ⁠has verified that 383 political prisoners have been freed since the government announced a new series of releases on January 8. It says more than 680 remain jailed, an updated count including prisoners whose fearful families had not previously reported their detentions.

The government has always denied holding political prisoners and says those jailed ⁠have committed crimes. Government officials have said the number of releases is nearly 900, but have not been clear about the timeline and appear to be including those freed in previous years.

Among the long-time ‌advocates of releases and amnesty is Nobel Peace Prize winner and opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, who has several close allies imprisoned, including opposition ‌politician Juan Pablo Guanipa and lawyer Perkins Rocha.

(Reporting by Reuters, Editing by Rosalba O'Brien)

The son of the civil rights icon tries to bring it up first: A 2013 campaign fraudconvictionthat ended his 17-year political career.

"It's now part of my story," Jackson told the pastors, elected officials and retirees gathered on a recent Saturday to hear his lofty plan to revive Chicago's sagging south suburbs. "I've cried enough. I'm divorced now. I've lost my home in foreclosure. I've been through everything that comes with that process."

At 60, Jackson has launched a spirited primary bid in the largely Black district where he started his career, saying his new perspective makes him an ideal candidate at a time when voters have accepteda presidentand others with serious criminal histories. The theme of redemption is woven through his return in the firmly Democratic territory with stories about incarceration, sparse job prospects and caring for his ailing dad, theRev. Jesse Jackson.

But the efforts to reclaim the name belonging to one of the nation's most famous political families haven't been without eyerolls and jabs from candidates in the crowded March primary who say Jackson had his chance in a district plagued by politicalcorruption.

"What I think matters is that trust has to be earned," Jackson told The Associated Press while campaigning recently. "I'm cognizant of that."

The reverend's son energizes crowds

The eldest son of the Rev. Jesse Jackson now sports thick circular glasses and graying hair. He remains a skilled orator in the style of his father, a protégé of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and two-time presidential candidate. Another son,Jonathan, is also a Chicago-area congressman.

Sounding at times like a preacher and others a professor, Jackson Jr. paces among poster boards outlining his vision for a third Chicago airport. The proposedpublic-private partnershipto boost economically depressed areas outside Chicago hasn't seen traction for years.

But that's not evident from how Jackson describes it.

Nearly 50 people filed into a suburban school gym to hear how a hypothetical airport might someday compete with O'Hare and Midway.

"The one thing that is missing from this congressional district is access to the global economy," Jackson said, describing daily flights to Hong Kong.

The extemporaneous talk included Biblical references and warm shoutouts to locals in the audience. Attendees were handed thick packets documenting nearly $1 billion in federal funds Jackson secured over the years. Around the room was church-style signage with Jackson's portraits under the slogan "A New Hope."

David Jones, 52, praised Jackson's "tenacity" and "fortitude." The Flossmoor resident voted for Jackson before and will again. He felt the former congressman had been humbled by the prison sentence.

"Would it sway certain people? Probably," he said. "But at the same time, to his point, we have a president that had 34 convictions and he's still president of the United States. So if it didn't sway people from voting in that regard why should it sway you from voting for him?"

Soon, the crowd was chanting for a 10,000-foot airport runway, with Jackson directing the recitation like a conductor.

Attendees lined up for blue-and-white yard signs. The most popular has one word: "Jr."

A promising start, a rocky end

Jackson was first elected in a 1995 special election. He easily won each reelection, despite a 2009ethics inquiryrelated to formerIllinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich. Jackson wasn't charged.

However, in 2012Jacksondisappeared from the public eye, even missing his reelection night. He later disclosedtreatment for bipolar disorderat the Mayo Clinic. He resigned in November amid a federal investigation.

The next year Jackson pleaded guilty to charges he engaged in a scheme to spend $750,000 in campaign funds on luxury items including Bruce Lee memorabilia. His then-wife, former Chicago Alderwoman Sandi Jackson, also pleaded guilty.

Heserved30 months.

Jackson's time behind bars was isolating. He said he used the time to learn from inmates and write his third book. While incarcerated, relatives waited to disclose his father's diagnosis with a neurological disorder.

"He didn't think emotionally that I could handle it," Jackson said of his father.

After his release, Jacksonstruggledpersonally and financially.

His marriage of 37 years ended. Attorneys in his2018 divorcedisclosed he received Social Security Disability Insurance payments due to extended medical leave from Congress.

Finding work was hard. One university rescinded a job offer over his conviction.

"I could not survive the evil of the Google search," he joked.

Fundraising struggles and messaging

Early voting starts Thursday for the March 17 primary.

The 2nd District seat is open because Rep. Robin Kelly is running for Senate followingDick Durbin's retirement. The territory encompasses city neighborhoods, working-class suburbs and some rural areas.

Ten Democrats are in, including Donna Miller, a county commissioner who leads fundraising. She brought in about $1 million in the last quarter and has that much on hand. Meanwhile, Jackson raised about $100,000 and has roughly equal to spend.

Jackson said fundraising in the district has always been tough. He sees a path to victory in part by registering new voters; he said his campaign has signed up roughly 2,000. He's also reaching disenfranchised voters, including Black men who "abandoned" the party.

Jackson says he relates more to voters now.

He often starts events by asking who has been imprisoned or knows someone in jail. The show of hands is usually strong. He's opened up about managing mental health, crediting his physician, tight social circle and martial arts.

When his father took a turn with a November hospitalization, Jackson wrote about elderly parent care for USA Today. The reverend has progressive supranuclear palsy, a neurodegenerative disorder. He communicates through hand gestures as he's lost the ability to speak.

Jackson listened to his dad's speeches before making his run official on his father's 84th birthday in October.

"I get very emotional knowing that those speeches belong to the ages now," he said.

Critics say district needs fresh start

Political opponents seize on Jackson's high-profile and comfortable upbringing.

State Sen. Willie Preston likes to highlight Jackson's fashion choices with Ferragamo shoes as evidence of someone who hasn't reformed spending habits.

"When you have had such a lifestyle of luxury and celebrity because you threw that away, then I'd imagine you'd want to get that back," Preston said.

Jackson shrugged at the criticism. When it comes to footwear: "I wear shoes that fit my feet."

Others say the district needs change.

Before Jackson, two congressmen left office under allegations of misconduct, includingMel Reynolds, who was convicted of fraud and criminal sexual assault charges.

"We're ready for new chapter," said candidate Yumeka Brown, Matteson's village clerk. "Voters have a right to expect honesty, accountability."

Voters see familiarity and change

Listening to the former congressman, 71-year-old Warren Cottrell heard the reverend's voice.

"He sounds just as eloquent as his father," said the retiree from Homewood. "I believe in second chances."

Jackson says it's a second chance for him with his children too. He consulted both about running: daughter Jessica, who lives in France and son Jesse III, who's in college.

"It's important for them to see their father stand up and fight for the dignity of their name," he said.

The effort to get a snapshot of kindergarten readiness is part ofthe National Survey of Children's Health, and that metric has been reported each year since 2022. Thousands of parents and guardians submitted answers about their child in five categories — early learning, motor skills, social-emotional development, self-regulation and health — with the goal of answering the big question: Is your child ready for school?

While there'sgrowing interest in assessing school readiness, education experts differ on what to measure and how. And some dispute whether children should be ready for school or if schools should be ready for their students.

Despite the complexities, it's indisputable that what a young child learns before they enter classrooms can set the course for the rest of their academic career.

What is kindergarten readiness?

Kindergarten readiness encompassesthe foundational skillsnecessary to engage in a more formal learning environment, said Ohio State University educational psychology professor Laura Justice. In some ways, it's very similar to the expectations for a college graduate to be successful in their first job, she said.

There isn't a universal definition of kindergarten readiness, but many experts and educators rely on guidance from the bipartisan National Education Goals Panel'sfive developmental domainscritical to a child's success upon entering grade school. The criteria emphasize a child's health and motor skills, social-emotional development, cognition, language development and general attitude toward learning — a very similar framework as the federal survey.

But school readiness is a relatively new concept, as the panel's guidelines came in the 1990s. Historically, there weren't many expectations for children entering kindergarten, although some students — typically from wealthier families — would come in with more advanced skills than others, said Robert Crosnoe, a sociology professor at the University of Texas at Austin. That meant providingenriching learning opportunitiesbefore children set foot in a kindergarten classroom – so they could learn not only their ABCs, but also skills such as carrying on a conversation and problem-solving during playtime.

"If we just focus on those strictly academic things, it's only going to get us so far," Crosnoe said.

Is your child ready for kindergarten? The answer is complex

There are a few ways tomeasure readiness, but each method has its drawbacks, said Jill Cannon, a senior policy researcher at global policy think tank RAND.

Parents can answer questions about their child — such as in the NSCH survey — but can be biased or misinterpret questions, especially if English isn't their first language. Teachers can assess children instead, but interpretations of a child's behavior can depend on which teacher is doing the assessment.

Alternatively, a young child can be directly assessed on certain skills. But that approach can be "hit or miss," according to Cannon, because a child that young may perform differently on any given day.

When to measure readiness can also be a factor.

A child's age when they enter kindergarten — typically at age 5 — can also factor into readiness, as children who are several months older are often in the same class as students who just turned 5, Cannon said.

"Six months now to me means nothing, but back then … I had a lot of learning to do. I grew a lot," Cannon said. "These kids, they grow a lot over the kindergarten year."

If your child is scheduled for a kindergarten readiness assessment, don't worry. Most experts agree that readiness tests are, overall, a crucial tool for educators – but only to identify what supports kids will need.

"We have an arsenal of interventions that can improve these skills in kids," Justice said. "So the screening instrument can help us identify where the need is so that we can respond."

How to boost kindergarten readiness

Research suggests that attending ahigh-quality preschool programis one of the best ways to boost kindergarten readiness.

However, preschool curricula vary vastly across the U.S., with some prioritizing certain development areas, such as literacy, over others. And the quality of preschool can vary drastically depending on where someone lives, making that goal a lot easier said than done.

But some measures of quality are universal. Many early childhood education experts rely on the National Institute for Early Education Research's10 quality benchmarksto make broad assessments in all states that offer public preschool programs.

Parents can use the standards as a guide for choosing a preschool that's most likely to help prepare their child for the next step. The standards include requiring pre-K teachers to hold bachelor's degrees, keeping class sizes at 20 children or fewer, implementing professional development for staff and offering health screenings and referrals. In 2024, 13 states met five or fewer of NIEER's standards, while just five states met all 10 benchmarks.

At home, parents can take many steps to prepare their child for kindergarten, too.

You can read to your child every day to boost their early literacy skills. Giving your child small responsibilities around the housedevelops their independenceand gets them acclimated to tasks that may be expected of them in kindergarten. And coaching your child to name their emotions can strengthen those social-emotional and self-regulation skills that are integral to building positive relationships with classmates and teachers.

Data journalist Todd Feathers contributed reporting.

The Associated Press' education coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP'sstandardsfor working with philanthropies, alistof supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.

No justices dissented from the brief order denying the appeal without explanation, which is common on the court's emergency docket.

The justices had previouslyallowed Texas' Republican-friendly mapto be used in 2026, despite a lower-court ruling that it likely discriminates on the basis of race.

Conservative Justice Samuel Alito wrote in December that it appeared both states had adopted new maps for political advantage, which the high court has previously ruled cannot be a basis for a federal lawsuit.

Republicans, joined by the Trump administration, claimed the California map improperly relied on race as well. But a lower court disagreed by a 2-1 vote. The Justice Department and White House did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment.

The justices' unsigned order keeps in place districts that are designed to flip up to five seats now held by Republicans, part of a tit-for-tat nationwide redistricting battle spurred by President Donald Trump, with control of Congress on the line in midterm elections.

Last year, at Trump's behest, Texas Republicansredid the state's congressional districtswith an eye on gaining five seats.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat who iseyeing a 2028 presidential run, pledged to respond in kind, though he had to win over voters, not just lawmakers, to do so.

Newsom celebrated the court's decision, saying on social media that Trump had "started this redistricting war" and would end up losing out in the November midterms, when control of Congress is at stake.

California's attorney general, Democrat Rob Bonta, said the decision was "good news not only for Californians, but for our democracy."

Thestate Republican Party, which brought the case, vowed to keep fighting against the map's use in future elections.

"We will continue to vigorously argue for Equal Protection under the law for all of California's voters," Michael Columbo, counsel for the plaintiffs, said in a statement.

One longtime party strategist, Jon Fleishman, a former executive director of the California Republican Party, said in a post on X that the decision means "this year's elections will take place on the new lines shrinking the already very small Republican delegation from California."

Filing for congressional primaries in California begins on Monday.

Associated Press writers Michael Blood in Los Angeles and Lindsay Whitehurst contributed to this report.

Follow the AP's coverage of the U.S. Supreme Court athttps://apnews.com/hub/us-supreme-court.

On the same day that they argued against superstar hurler Tarik Skubalin the most divergent arbitration hearing in MLB history, the club made its most significant signing of the decade. Framber Valdez,the best consensus free agent left on the market, isjoining the Tigers on a three-year, $115 million deal, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan. The contract features the single largest annual salary ever for a left-handed pitcher ($38.3 million) and contains an opt-out after the second season.

For Valdez, it's a lucrative end to a tumultuous winter. Despite a top-tier résumé, the dreadlocked Dominican lingered on the shelf like an unripe banana.Rumors of potential suitors swirled and swirled, with the Orioles, Braves, Blue Jays, Pirates, Mets and Giants all linked to the 32-year-old. But in the end, Detroit emerged from its haze of inactivity with a rather large bag of money and secured the lefty's services.

Valdez and his agents were likely hoping for a lengthier pact, something in the six- or seven-year range. Perhaps Valdez's age — he turns 33 in November — made executives skittish about a long-term commitment. Perhaps clubs viewed him more as a dependable No. 2 starter than as a true frontline monster. Perhaps concerns about his makeup — Valdez had a bizarre incident last season in whichhe appeared to purposefully mislead his catcher, leading to the catcher being hit in the mask— really did scare some teams away. But in the end, Valdez's assets outweighed his flaws, at least in the opinion of Tigers president of baseball operations Scott Harris and his front office.

Given Valdez's track record, it's unsurprising that somebody finally gave him nine figures. He is one of only two pitchers to throw at least 175 innings in each of the past four seasons. Among active pitchers, he is fourth in career postseason innings behind the imposing trio of Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer and Gerrit Cole. Since becoming a full-time starter in 2020, Valdez leads qualified starters in groundball rate. His surface numbers took a step back in 2025, but his peripherals stayed relatively in line with career norms.

Valdez weaponizes one of the game's more unique mixes, a sinker-curveball combo that works against righties and lefties. How his groundball-heavy style jels with the Tigers' infield defense will be something to monitor. Detroit's dirtmen ranked 25th last year in outs above average among MLB infields. Colt Keith is below average at third, Gleyber Torres is shoddy at second, and the rotating cast of characters at shortstop — Javier Báez, Zach McKinstry and Trey Sweeney — are subpar in the aggregate.

But even if Detroit's infielders don't compete for Gold Gloves, Valdez should be an upgrade for a rotation that had some holes last year behind the back-to-back Cy Young. Jack Flaherty was merely average in 2025. Casey Mize rode a strong first half to the All-Star Game but tailed off down the stretch. Reese Olson made 13 good starts before a shoulder issue sidelined him for the second half. Former top prospect Jackson Jobe will be out most of this season while recovering from Tommy John surgery. It wasn't exactly the most thrilling group; now they don't have to be because Valdez changes the dynamic.

[Get more Detroit news: Tigers team feed]

So far this offseason, Detroit had garnered ample criticism from pundits for adopting a passive approachahead of what might be Skubal's final season in town. The back-to-back Cy Young is set to hit free agency next winter, barring an unforeseen extension with Detroit. On Wednesday, team and player went to battle over Skubal's 2026 salary in an arbitration hearing of great importance. As of Wednesday night, the result of that hearing was unknown.

Many believed the Tigers' passivity was related to the uncertainty with Skubal's salary; whether he'd receive $32 million or $19 million seemed to be keeping Detroit in a holding pattern. Before Wednesday, their only major offseason moves had involved relievers (Kenley Jansen, Drew Anderson), returners (Gleyber Torres) or both (Kyle Finnegan). Torres accepting the qualifying offer represented a significant financial outlay, but his return didn't make the Tigers any better.

And while it's no fault of Valdez's, the price attached to his name might end up being something of an anchor for a Tigers club that has been stingy under the current leadership group. Paying $38.3 million per year — the seventh-largest AAV in the game and second-largest for a pitcher behind Zack Wheeler — for a No. 2 starter is a risky bit of business.

There are still myriad questions about whether Detroit has the offensive firepower to win a pennant. Their most productive hitter last season, Riley Greene, had an abysmal second half and ended up leading the American League in strikeouts. The team's most valuable position player by bWAR was catcher Dillon Dingler, who clocked just 13 home runs. Only one team over the past decade has won a World Series without a position player finishing in the top three of MVP voting. Even with Valdez in the fold, it's hard to see Detroit bucking that trend.

With Skubal, anything is possible. But as the previous postseason highlighted, the unicorn can't do it by his lonesome. Valdez, at the very least, will help the cause. How he and his $38.3 million contract coexist with Skubal, whom the Tigers just argued deserves only $19 million, is an entirely different question.

The 40-year-old point guard was traded by theLos Angeles Clippersto theToronto Raptorsas part of a multi-team deal ahead of the 2026 NBA trade deadline,ESPN reportedon Wednesday, Feb. 4. Paul will go to the Raptors, while forwardOchai Agbajiand a 2032 second-round pick will move from Toronto to theBrooklyn Netsin the transaction.

But the State Farm pitchman might not be there for long, according tomultiplereports. It's still unclear if Paul will actually report to Toronto, be included in another trade or be waived by the Raptors in the coming days. What jersey he'll be wearing for his final NBA game will remain an ongoing subplot.

Eastern Conference Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons (second All-Star selection)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Western Conference Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors (12th All-Star selection)

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Giannis, Curry, Doncic highlight 2026 NBA All-Star Game starters

NBA TRADE RUMORS:Anthony Davis shipped to Wizards in stunning deal

Paul signed a one-year, $3.6-million contractto return to the Clippers this past offseason and then later announced this would be his final NBA season.The Clippers then shocked the NBAin December when they sent Paul home in the wee hours of the night in the middle of a road trip as the team struggled early on this season. General Manager Lawrence Frank and coach Tyronn Lue made clear the organization intended to part ways with one of the greatest players in franchise history asreports emerged about friction involving Paul's leadership styleinside the team's locker room.

Paul could be a veteran presence on the bench for an emerging Raptors roster led by multi-faceted forwards Brandon Ingram and Scottie Barnes, which is readying for a postseason run after emerging as one of the pleasant surprises in the Eastern Conference this year. The Raptors would become the eighth NBA team of Paul's decorated career. He was averaging a career-low 2.9 points and 3.3 assists in 14.3 minutes over 16 games this season with the Clippers.

Agbaji is set to be a restricted free agent this offseason after being selected with the No. 14 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft and will get a chance to prove himself to potential suitors with the rebuildingNets. He was initially traded to the Raptors in 2024 and saw his playing time drop significantly this season.

Chris Paul trade details

• Raptors get: Chris Paul

• Nets get: Ochai Agbaji, 2032 second-round pick (Toronto), cash

• Clippers get: Extra roster spot, salary cap/luxury tax savings

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:NBA trade deadline: Clippers send Chris Paul to Raptors in final season