SPORTS SECTION E
THURSDAY, JULY 3, 2025
NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION FREE AGENCY
Deandre Ayton will join Luka and Lakers By GREG BEACHAM AP Sports Writer EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) — Centre Deandre Ayton has agreed to join the Los Angeles Lakers as a free agent, two people with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press yesterday. The people spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal could not yet be announced between the Lakers and Ayton, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NBA draft — two spots ahead of Luka Doncic. The Portland Trail Blazers bought out Ayton’s contract last weekend, and he has agreed to join Doncic and LeBron James
BAHA MAR BUOYS & GULLS DRAGON BOAT TEAM – PAGE 3
Bahamian big man to team up with LeBron James after Portland buyout on a deal for the upcoming season with a player option for 2026-27. He will be paid more than $25 million by the Trail Blazers while playing for the Lakers next year. Ayton’s arrival fills the Lakers’ most glaring offseason need, providing a lob target for James and Doncic. And while Ayton isn’t known as a defensive stopper, the 7-footer will provide the size in the middle that the Lakers have missed since trading Anthony Davis to Dallas for Doncic. Ayton, who turns 27 this month, spent his first five NBA seasons with Phoenix before joining the Trail Blazers two years ago as part of the three-team trade sending Damian Lillard to Milwaukee. Ayton struggled at times in Portland while playing for mediocre teams, but he has averaged 16.4 points and 10.5 rebounds during his seven NBA seasons while making 59 per cent of his shots. He played only 40 games for the Trail Blazers last season, getting sidelined for the rest of the year in February by a strained calf. While he
SEE PAGE E5
BAHAMIAN centre Deandre Ayton has agreed to join the Los Angeles Lakers as a free agent, two people with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press yesterday. (AP Photo)
Cooper Flagg, Page 5
BLUE JAYS OUTLAST ‘JAZZ’ AND YANKEES 11-9 TO TIE NEW YORK FOR AL EAST LEAD By IAN HARRISON Associated Press TORONTO (AP) — The Toronto Blue Jays wasted an eight-run lead, that outlasted the Yankees 11-9 last night as George Springer scored the go-ahead run on Devin Williams’ eighthinning wild pitch to tie New York for the AL East lead. Toronto scored seven runs in the first inning off Will Warren and led 8-0 in the third, but the Yankees rallied with six runs in a sixth that included Giancarlo Stanton’s first home run of the season, a threerun drive. New York tied the score 9-9 in the eighth when Aaron Judge hit a tworun homer off Yimi García (1-2), Judge’s 31st home run this season. Springer walked with one out in the bottom half off Williams (2-3) and stole second. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was intentionally walked, both runners advanced on Alejandro Kirk’s flyout and Williams bounced a changeup as Springer came home. Addison Barger followed with an RBI single. Toronto won its third straight in the series and matched the Yankees at 48-38. New York had held sole possession of the division lead since April 14, opening a seven-game advantage by late May. The Yankees are 13-18 since May 28, losing six of the past 10 series. Toronto has gone 21-10 in that span.
GAUFF DISAPPOINTED First official day of Tureano’s COCO BY HER WIMBLEDON LOSS BUT free youth boxing camp opens DOESN’T WANT TO DWELL ON IT at the Percy Munnings Park By HOWARD FENDRICH AP Tennis Writer
By Jonathan Burrows UNDER the summer sun and the guiding hand of a national sports icon, the first official day of Tureano Johnson’s free youth boxing camp opened around 1pm yesterday at Percy Munnings Park. The camp, a grassroots initiative aimed at introducing local children to the fundamentals of boxing, is a passion project for Johnson, who is regarded as one of the most accomplished boxers in Bahamian history. However, the inaugural day of the camp was met with an unexpected obstacle when the bathrooms of the Percy Munnings Park were locked and inaccessible. This logistical hiccup led many parents to reconsider leaving their children at the park for the full session. Johnson informed parents that the facilities would be open in the coming days and offered the option to return then. As a result, only two children remained for the first day’s activities, a situation Johnson handled with patience and
professionalism. The camp is expected to grow in attendance once logistics improve. “I’ve made a few calls and I am still waiting to hear back on when they will be unlocking the bathrooms, but we are still going to be moving forward with the camp,” said Johnson about the bathroom situation at the park. Despite the low turnout, the camp proceeded with a focus on fundamental boxing skills. The two young participants worked on fundamental boxing drills by learning how to jab, foot positioning and defensive movements. They also engaged in endurance training and practiced skipping rope to build cardiovascular strength and coordination. Johnson represented The Bahamas at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, where he lost in the quarterfinals. After turning pro, he quickly gained recognition for his aggressive style and fierce determination. In 2014, he captured the World Boxing Championships Continental Americas middleweight title and later became
LONDON (AP) — Before Wimbledon began, Coco Gauff reflected on the significance of her breakthrough performance at the place six years ago — a run to the fourth round at age 15 — and what aspirations she harboured as she prepared to return. “Even when I see videos of me during that time, it just doesn’t feel like it’s me. It felt like a dream.
A YOUNG camper gets some pointers from the man himself on the first official day of Tureano Johnson’s free youth boxing camp yesterday at the Percy Munnings Park. Photo: Jonathan Burrows a top-10 ranked con- hopefully we can fix this situation,” tender, facing world-class bathroom opponents like Curtis Johnson told campers and Stevens and Sergey parents. The boxing camp is Derevyanchenko. Known for his gifts, scheduled to run for three Johnson remains one of weeks, every day from 1pm the most respected boxers to 4 pm, with registration to come out of the Carib- being open for children aged four to 16 years. bean region. Parents and guardians As the camp resumes today with the expecta- are encouraged to bring tion of improved facilities their children to expeand increased attendance, rience not just athletic Johnson remains optimis- training, but mentorship tic. “We will meet right from one of the Bahamas’ back here tomorrow, and finest sporting legends.
I’ll always have special memories from that run and, I guess, it definitely fuelled the belief that I can be on tour and live out my dream,” she told The Associated Press. “It’s something that always holds a special place in my heart. Obviously, I would love to win this tournament just for it to be like a full-circle moment,” she continued. “I feel like it would be like the start
SEE PAGE E2
THE SPORTS July CALENDAR SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY CAMP THE Southern University is all set to host a free basketball camp at the Agape Grace Gym from July 7-8. The camp is designed for boys from grades 7-12. All participating players must bring their own food and drinks. Interested campers are urged to contact coach Stephen Johnson at 1-242-577-1035.
SUMMER FEST TOURNEY THE Crusaders/ Warhawks Volleyball Club, in conjunction with the Bahamas Volleyball Federation, is scheduled to host its inaugural Summer Fest Beach Volleyball Tournament from July 10-13 in Rolleville, Exuma. The tournament, sponsored by Fidelity
SEE PAGE E2