Sports
No. 16 UNC works to continue winning ways in clash vs. struggling Ga. Tech
Jan 21, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Caleb Wilson (8) with the ball in the second half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images No. 16 North Carolina appears to be back on track after a good week. Now, with a week between games, the key will be making sure there’s no drop-off.
The Tar Heels will visit Georgia Tech for Saturday afternoon’s game in Atlanta.
“We’re consistently practicing well and stacking days in practice,” North Carolina coach Hubert Davis said. “Each week has its own life. … In order to be a good team, you have to sustain that.”
North Carolina (16-4, 4-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) is looking to extend its winning streak to three games. The Tar Heels most recently played in last Saturday’s 85-80 comeback victory at then-No. 14 Virginia.
Georgia Tech (11-10, 2-6) has lost back-to-back games to Clemson and Virginia Tech. The Yellow Jackets’ only victory in their last six games came in a 78-74 upset at North Carolina State on Jan. 17.
Good stretches haven’t been rewarded for the Yellow Jackets.
“They’re not getting payback for it,” Georgia Tech coach Damon Stoudamire said of his players. “I wish we would get some wins to get their chins up and make them feel better about themselves, but we’ve just got to keep grinding.”
Now North Carolina will have to navigate the sold-out McCamish Pavilion. The Tar Heels will try for more strong outings from guard Derek Dixon, who has double-digit points in each of his last three outings.
“Derek is a very confident player, very fundamentally sound,” Davis said. “With the extended minutes (90 over his past three games), I feel like he has done a really nice job. He has become more vocal throughout the year.”
Freshman forward Caleb Wilson has led the Tar Heels in scoring in four consecutive games, marking his longest such streak of the season. His 14 games with 20 or more points have tied Tyler Hansbrough for North Carolina’s freshman record for 20-point outings.
“I don’t think anybody can see the ceiling; it’s so high for him,” Davis said of Wilson’s potential.
Luka Bogavac has come off the bench for most of January for North Carolina, yet he leads the team with 29 baskets from 3-point range this season.
“It has always been a non-factor for me as a player and a coach,” Davis said of whether a player is a starter or a reserve. “He has been really good for us lately.”
Stoudamire said he’s willing to try different strategies to find the right formula for Georgia Tech on Saturday.
“We’ve got to figure it out,” he said. “It’s still a lot of fun to try to figure it out on the run. We’ve just got to keep fighting.”
Stoudamire said untimely turnovers have been devastating at times.
“You just can’t do it,” he said. “It has to hurt.”
In Tuesday’s 71-65 loss at Virginia Tech, Jaeden Mustaf with 16 points and 11 rebounds was Georgia Tech’s leading scorer and rebounder for the first time this season. Mustaf has a double-figure point total in four of eight ACC games.
There also was a boost from Kam Craft’s 11 points. He returned to the starting lineup, accounting for all three of the Yellow Jackets’ 3-point baskets.
“He hasn’t played 30 minutes (in a game) since the beginning of the season,” Stoudamire said. “It’s good to see him see some shots go in. Hopefully, it will have some carryover going into Saturday.”
–Field Level Media
Sports
Morocco's Achraf Hakimi to stand trial on rape charges in France
June 13, 2026; East Rutherford, New Jersey, U.S.; Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi reacts against Brazil. Mandatory Credit: Caean Couto-Imagn Images Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi lost an appeal and will stand trial on rape charges in France.
An appeals court in Versailles concluded that there was sufficient evidence for Hakimi, 27, to stand trial, according to a statement provided to The Athletic on Friday.
Hakimi has denied any wrongdoing since being charged in March 2023. A 24-year-old woman alleged he assaulted her in February 2023, according to previous reports.
The Paris Saint-Germain fullback, who is part of Morocco’s squad at the World Cup, said he is looking forward to the opportunity to clear his name.
“Justice looked me in the eyes and said to me: ‘If you weren’t famous, there never would have been a case,'” Hakimi posted Friday on X, translated from French.
“I chose to remain silent for years. I thought that staying dignified, being patient, and trusting the justice system would allow the right decisions to be made.
“Today, a story that is not mine is being told at the expense of my family, my life, and above all, the truth. Sometimes I feel like I’ve become an easy target.
“I’ve been waiting for this trial since day one. And now I’m looking forward to it. Finally, I will be able to speak.”
Rachel-Flore Pardo, the plaintiff’s lawyer, praised the decision to move forward with a trial.
“The investigating chamber has ruled that there is sufficient evidence against Achraf Hakimi for committing rape,” Pardo wrote on X.
“This decision is perfectly consistent with the evidence in the case and in line with the opinions of the public prosecutor, the investigating judge, and the advocate general at the Court of Appeal.
“… The hope is that this trial will help other women, and further crack the fortress of denial and impunity surrounding sexual violence, even in the world of men’s football.”
No trial date has been set for Hakimi, who played the full 90 minutes in each of Morocco’s first two World Cup matches, including a 1-0 win over Scotland on Friday in Foxborough, Mass. Morocco (1-0-1, 4 points) conclude Group C action against Haiti on Wednesday in Atlanta.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Marshawn Lynch credentialed as photographer at World Cup
June 19, 2026; Seattle, Washington, U.S.; Former NFL player and photographer Marshawn Lynch during the match. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images Former NFL All-Pro Marshawn Lynch has become an accomplished photographer in his retirement. He can now add “credentialed World Cup photographer” to his resume, thanks to his appearance at the United States’ 2-0 victory over Australia on Friday.
Lynch, a former running back who racked up 6,381 yards and 58 touchdowns on the ground as a member of the Seattle Seahawks, was back in Seattle Stadium to shoot the United States’ second World Cup victory in as many games.
Lynch, 40, has been a credentialed photographer since at least last August, when he was spotted throwing a stiff arm to protect his camera during a preseason content between Seattle and the Las Vegas Raiders.
He was also seen rubbing elbows with several celebrities on hand, including NBA star Devin Booker.
Devin Booker ?? Marshawn Lynch
Two legends linked up at the USA’s match vs Australia ??
(??: @Suns) pic.twitter.com/yKrIMeIwp2
— PHNX Suns (@PHNX_Suns) June 19, 2026
The five-time Pro Bowler, who also played for the Buffalo Bills and Raiders during a 12-year career that resulted in over 10,000 career rushing yards, was also seen delivering a pregame speech to fans outside the stadium.
That type of versatility is par for the course for Lynch, who has worked as an actor, been a sports franchise owner (most notably with the NHL’s Seattle Kraken), and dabbled with cannabis and holoportation investments since his NFL career ended.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Kerry Carpenter's double propels Tigers past White Sox
Jun 19, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Tarik Skubal (29) throws a pitch against the Chicago White Sox in the second inning at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images Kerry Carpenter had a go-ahead two-run double in the sixth inning and the host Detroit Tigers held on for a 4-3 win over the Chicago White Sox on Friday.
Matt Vierling hit a two-run homer and Dillon Dingler supplied three hits and scored two runs for the Tigers.
Detroit ace Tarik Skubal allowed three runs and seven hits in 5 2/3 innings. Skubal, who recorded eight strikeouts, was making his second start since undergoing a surgical procedure on his pitching elbow.
Drew Anderson (3-3) struck out three in 1 1/3 innings of relief to get the win. Kenley Jensen pitched the ninth for his eighth save.
Junior Perez had the first two hits of his career, including a solo homer, for the White Sox. Randal Grichuk also homered.
Erick Fedde (2-6) gave up two runs in 4 2/3 innings for Chicago, striking out four and walking one.
Grichuk, the second batter of the game, drove a 1-2 changeup over the left-field wall to give the White Sox a 1-0 lead. The Tigers answered with two runs in the bottom of the inning.
Dingler smacked a single before Vierling drove a Brandon Eisert fastball over the left-center-field wall. Eisert was used as an opener, allowing the two runs in 1 1/3 innings.
Kevin McGonigle led off the bottom of the third with a double, but Fedde retired the next three batters to leave him stranded.
Chicago pushed across a run in the fifth to tie the score.
Sam Antonacci and Luisangel Acuna led off with singles to put runners on the corners. Tristan Peters hit into a fielder’s choice as Antonacci scored. Miguel Vargas singled and Grichuk walked to load the bases. Peters was thrown out at home on Chase Meidroth’s groundout and Colson Montgomery struck out, leaving the score at 2-all.
Perez gave the White Sox the lead on his breakthrough homer with one out in the sixth. He drove a Skubal changeup over the left-center-field wall.
Detroit regained the lead at 4-3 in the bottom of the frame. Dingler led off with a single and Riley Greene drew a one-out walk. With two down, Carpenter blooped a double to center to bring in both runners
–Field Level Media
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Morocco's Achraf Hakimi to stand trial on rape charges in France
