Skylar Jones leaves Louisville as Women’s NCAA Tournament begins Louisville will compete in the Women’s NCAA Tournament without reserve guard Skylar Jones. The Cardinals’ head coach, Jeff Walz, confirmed on Friday, March 20, that Jones, a junior, is no longer with the team and will not participate in any games during the tournament. Her profile has been removed from Louisville’s athletics website. Walz stated, “She will not be participating. She’s no longer with the team, so we’ve just parted ways. It’s best for both parties.” Jones, a native of Chicago, transferred to Louisville last season after spending her first two years of college basketball at Arizona. She became a key contributor to the Cardinals’ backcourt rotation, appearing in every game for the team and averaging 16.6 minutes per contest. Jones also recorded 8.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 1.5 steals per game. She had several standout performances, including 21 points in a win over Colorado, 17 in an overtime victory at North Carolina State, 20 in a win over Ball State, and 13 in a loss to Connecticut. She scored in double figures 15 times this season. Her playing time decreased in recent weeks, as she logged just five minutes in the regular season finale against Notre Dame, seven minutes in an ACC Tournament win over North Carolina, and four minutes in the ACC title game loss to Duke. Walz noted that the absence of Jones would not significantly impact the team’s rotation. “If you go back to the past month, it’s really not going to change much,” he said. “We have plenty of players. At this time of year, look what Siena men did with five players. You’re just putting your best ones out there. Unless they’re in foul trouble or they’re about to keel over and die because they’re exhausted, you keep playing them.#acc_tournament #louisville #university_of_louisville #skylar_jones #jeff_walz
Louisville’s Will Smith to Start as Catcher for Team USA in WBC Final Will Smith, a native of Louisville, will take center stage in the World Baseball Classic championship game as the starting catcher for Team USA. The 2024 WBC final will see the United States face Venezuela, marking the first time Venezuela has reached the final since the tournament’s inception. The matchup will take place at loanDepot Park in Miami on March 17, with the first pitch scheduled for 8 p.m. Eastern time. Smith, who plays for the Los Angeles Dodgers, has established himself as one of the premier catchers in Major League Baseball. His role with the Dodgers includes both defensive leadership and offensive contributions, as evidenced by his performance in the 2024 season. The 28-year-old has also been a key player in the Dodgers’ recent World Series victory, showcasing his ability to perform under pressure on the biggest stages. For Louisville fans, Smith’s participation in the WBC final adds a hometown connection to the international competition. Before his professional career, Smith attended Kentucky Country Day School and later played college baseball at the University of Louisville, where he refined his skills and emerged as a top prospect. His journey from local high school to the MLB and now the global baseball stage highlights his dedication and talent. Team USA’s path to the final included a 4-2 victory over Italy in the semifinals, securing their place in the championship. Venezuela, meanwhile, made history by advancing to the final for the first time, overcoming challenges to reach the final. The game promises to be a high-stakes showdown, with both teams aiming to claim the title. Smith’s presence in the final underscores the significance of the WBC as a platform for international competition.#world_baseball_classic #team_usa #los_angeles_dodgers #university_of_louisville #will_smith
Team USA's Oksana Masters Wins 11th Paralympic Gold Medal: "On Top of the World Right Now" Oksana Masters secured her 11th Paralympic gold medal by triumphing in the women’s sprint sitting discipline of Para cross-country skiing at the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympics. The victory marked a moment of personal redemption for the American athlete, who had finished second in the same event four years earlier during the 2022 Beijing Games. Masters celebrated her win with intense emotion, screaming in delight as she crossed the finish line, a stark contrast to her earlier near-miss. The race was a defining moment for Masters, who admitted to struggling with self-doubt throughout her career. "I struggle with believing in myself," she said after the event. "The team believed in me, so I wanted to show up for my team." Her perseverance paid off as she overcame a 40-meter deficit to the leader, Yunji Kim, during the final incline. Masters described her approach to the race as a mix of frustration and determination, noting, "I hate chasing. I would rather be chased, but I do realize that I do well with chasing and reeling people in, one by one, staying smooth and relaxed." This victory added to Masters’ already impressive tally, bringing her total Paralympic gold medals to seven in the Winter Games and four in the Summer Games. She now holds 21 total medals across both competitions, with 16 from the Winter Games and five from the Summer. Masters has competed in every Paralympics since 2012, excelling in Para cross-country and Para biathlon during the winter and Para cycling and Para rowing in the summer. Her journey to the top has been anything but easy.#oksana_masters #milan_cortina_2026 #para_cross_country_skiing #university_of_louisville #chernobyl_nuclear_disaster
