Sports
With teams focusing on JuJu Watkins, Kennedy Smith is USC's March Madness X factor
Kennedy Smith was only 14, just a few games into her freshman season at Etiwanda High, when she first crossed paths on the court with Kiki Iriafen, who played at Harvard-Westlake. Four years later, with both at USC, Iriafen still vividly remembers her first impression.
“I did not like her,” Iriafen said, with a laugh. “She was a pest.”
The two get along great now, as top-line starters for top-seeded USC, which is set to begin its NCAA tournament run with a Saturday afternoon matchup against No. 16 North Carolina Greensboro. What made Smith unbearable on the court then, it turns out, has made her an irreplaceable part of a Trojan lineup that now has serious Final Four aspirations.
“Everything you see from her this year, she’s always been like that,” Iriafen said. “She’s fearless.”
That game against Iriafen, as a freshman, stands out in Stan Delus’ mind in particular. That was when the Etiwanda coach first saw that there was something different about Smith. Up against one of the top players in Southern California, the 14-year old Smith only ratcheted up her intensity, blanketing Iriafen whenever she touched the ball and blocking multiple shots from the much taller senior forward.
“Kennedy went at her — you would have swore she was 7-feet tall,” Delus said. “She wasn’t afraid of the moment. And since then, the moment has never been too big.”
USC is counting on that to be the case in the coming weeks as the stakes continue to ratchet up this March. With opposing teams sure to focus their attention on Iriafen and star sophomore JuJu Watkins, the Trojans need others in their rotation to rise to the occasion in key moments if they hope to make the deep run they know they’re capable of.
USC guard Kennedy Smith celebrates after scoring while being fouled against Ohio State on Feb. 8 at Galen Center.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Doing so inevitably means relying, in a big way, on freshmen without any tournament experience, such as Smith. She’s not the only one with a critical complementary role, either — freshman guards Avery Howell and Kayleigh Heckel have also emerged as staples in the Trojans’ young lineup, averaging 20 and 17 minutes per game, respectively, after coming in as the No. 1 recruiting class in the country last fall.
All three have brought a certain fearlessness to the court as freshmen, whether it be Howell confidently pulling the trigger from deep or Heckel knifing through the lane. None of them, however, have been tested on a stage such as the NCAA tournament, and since last Sunday’s announcement, plenty of prognosticators have pointed to USC’s relative inexperience as reason to doubt the Trojans.
But Smith was raised, from a young age, to weather that sort of crucible on the court. She sharpened her skills by playing in the backyard alongside her older brother, R.J., who now plays at Colorado, and his male friends, none of whom would let up on her account. On travel teams, she always played up at least two age levels.
“I never wanted anyone to take it easy,” Smith said. “I had to prove myself that I could keep up.”
The impact of that basketball upbringing only became more clear to Delus as Smith grew as a player. She excelled, from the start, as an on-ball defender. But she played primarily in the post as a freshman. As years went on, she extended that defensive prowess to the perimeter and her range to the three-point line.
Along the way, she helped lift Etiwanda to consecutive state titles in her junior and senior seasons, averaging over 20 points per game. As a junior, she personally shut down Watkins in her final game at Sierra Canyon, holding her to an uncharacteristic 16-point night. It was another occasion in which the moment never seemed too big.
“There has always been a big, bright light on me and my team,” Smith said.
This season has been no different, as Smith arrived as the crown jewel of the Trojans’ top recruiting class and immediately stepped into the starting lineup. But where Smith started her high school career as the primary option on offense, she’s had to carve out more of a complementary role alongside Watkins and Iriafen, who both dominate the ball.
She’s made settling in look seamless as a freshman. So much so that her monthlong injury absence in November and December was, according to coach Lindsay Gottlieb, a major reason the Trojans were derailed in their first loss to Notre Dame. Last month, after USC beat Ohio State, Buckeyes coach Kevin McGuff declared Smith “the unsung hero for this team.”
But Smith, a self-proclaimed perfectionist, has been hard on herself this season, nonetheless. Nevermind that she’s third on the team in scoring (9.5 points), while emerging as one of the best on-ball defenders in the Big Ten — all as a freshman.
It’s just in her nature, her teammates say.
“She expects greatness out of herself,” guard Talia von Oelhoffen said. “That’s what makes her who she is, what makes her so good.”
And for USC, at the start of a possible tournament run, its fearless freshman is part of why the Final Four feels within reach.
“She’s a huge part of our ability to make a long run now,” Gottlieb said. “But even more so, I think she’s going to be a problem for everyone else in the country for several years.
“Because we think she’s that good.”
Sports
Trump support drove wedge between former Mets star teammates, says sports radio star Mike Francesa
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New York sports radio icon Mike Francesa claims differing views on President Donald Trump created a divide within the Mets clubhouse.
Francesa said on his podcast Tuesday that a feud between shortstop Francisco Lindor and outfielder Brandon Nimmo, who was recently traded to the Texas Rangers, was ignited by politics. Francesa did not disclose which player supported Trump and which didn’t.
“The Nimmo-Lindor thing, my understanding, was political, had to do with Trump,” Francesa said. “One side liked Trump, one side didn’t like Trump.”
New York Mets’ Francisco Lindor (12) gestures to teammates after hitting an RBI single during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in New York City. (Frank Franklin II/AP Photo)
Francesa added, “So, Trump splitting up between Nimmo and Lindor. That’s my understanding. It started over Trump… As crazy as that sounds, crazier things have happened.”
Fox News Digital has reached out to the Mets for a response.
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New York Mets’ Francisco Lindor (12) and Brandon Nimmo (9) celebrate after a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers on June 27, 2023, in New York City. The Mets won 7-2. (Frank Franklin II/AP Photo)
Nimmo was traded to the Rangers on Nov. 23 after waiving the no-trade clause in his 8-year, $162 million contract earlier that month.
The trade of Nimmo has been just one domino in a turbulent offseason for the Mets, which has also seen the departure of two other fan-favorites, first baseman Pete Alonso and closer Edwin Diaz.
All three players had been staples in the Mets’ last two playoff teams in 2022 and 2024, playing together as the team’s core dating back to 2020.
Brandon Nimmo #9 of the New York Mets celebrates an RBI single against the Philadelphia Phillies during the eighth inning in Game One of the Division Series at Citizens Bank Park on Oct. 5, 2024, in Philadelphia. (Heather Barry/Getty Images)
In return for Nimmo, the Rangers sent second baseman Marcus Semien to the Mets. Nimmo is 32 years old and is coming off a year that saw him hit a career-high in home runs with 25, while Semien is 35 and hit just 15 homers in 2025.
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Many of the MLB’s high-profile free agents have already signed this offseason. The remaining players available include Kyle Tucker, Cody Bellinger, Bo Bichette and Framber Valdez.
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Sports
FIFA responds to fan outrage, establishes new World Cup ticket tier with $60 prices
FIFA announced an affordable admission pricing tier for every nation that’s qualified for the 2026 World Cup co-hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico. The supporter entry tier will make tickets available at a fixed price of $60 for every match, including the final, for each nation’s participating members associations.
The new tier comes after supporters’ groups from Europe called out FIFA on the dynamic pricing of tickets, which changes the value based on the popularity of the teams playing in each match.
“In total, 50% of each PMA allocation will fall within the most affordable range, namely supporter value tier (40%) and the supporter entry tier (10%),” FIFA said in a statement on Tuesday. “The remaining allocation is split evenly between the supporter standard tier and the supporter premier tier.”
FIFA will also waive the administrative fees for fans who secure participating member association tickets. But if their teams do not advance, they can seek refunds.
Tickets sales were rolled out by FIFA in phases, with a third of the tournament’s inventory claimed during the first two phases. The third phase started on Dec. 11 and will go through to Jan. 13. During this period, fans have the opportunity to allocate tickets for a match based on a random selection draw.
Before the new tier was introduced, the cheapest ticket for the World Cup final in MetLife Stadium in New Jersey would cost fans more than $4,000. The high prices raised concerns among European supporters.
“The prices set for the 2026 World Cup are scandalous, a step too far for many supporters who passionately and loyally follow their national sides at home and abroad,” the FSA, an organization of supporters for England and Wales, said in a statement posted on its website on Dec. 12. “Everything we feared about the direction in which FIFA wants to take the game was confirmed — Gianni Infantino only sees supporter loyalty as something to be exploited for profit.”
FIFA previously stated it adopted the variable pricing because it was common practice for major North America sporting events.
“What FIFA is doing is adapting to the domestic market,” a FIFA official said in the conference call. “It’s a reality in the U.S. and Canada that events are being priced as per the demand that is coming in for that event.”
A FIFA official told reporters before the first tickets went on sale that world soccer’s governing body expects to make more than $3 billion from hospitality and tickets sales and is confident the tournament will break the all-time World Cup attendance record set in 1994, the last time the men’s competition was held in the U.S.
That 1994 World Cup featured just 24 teams and 52 matches. The 2026 tournament will be twice as large, with 48 teams and 104 games.
FIFA said it received 20 million requests during the random selection draw sales.
SoFi Stadium will host eight matches, beginning with the U.S. opener against Paraguay on June 12. The Americans will finish group play in Inglewood on June 25, playing the winner of a March playoff involving Slovakia, Kosovo, Turkey and Romania. Two Group G matches — Iran versus New Zealand on June 15 and Iran-Belgium on June 21 — also will be played in SoFi, sandwiched around a Group B match between Switzerland and the winner of another European playoff, this one featuring Wales, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Italy and Northern Ireland.
The teams for the three knockout-stage games to be played at SoFi Stadium — round-of-32 games on June 28 and July 2 and a quarterfinal on July 10 — haven’t been determined, but the possibilities include Mexico, South Korea, Canada, Spain, Austria and Algeria.
Staff writer Kevin Baxter contributed to this report.
Sports
Titans star Jeffery Simmons calls burglars ‘f—ing cowards’ after home break-in during game vs 49ers
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Tennessee Titans star defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons ripped into those who burglarized his home while he played against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.
There were “at least six suspects” who burglarized Simmons’ Nashville home, which came shortly after 7 p.m., the Metro Nashville Police Department told ESPN.
That was the exact time frame the Titans were facing the 49ers in the Bay Area.
Jeffery Simmons of the Tennessee Titans looks on during halftime against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Nissan Stadium on Nov. 30, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Jeff Dean/Getty Images)
“What if any of my family members was in my house??” Simmons wrote on social media while showing security camera footage of the burglars trying to enter his home. “All that materialistic s—- you can have but this is crazy!”
Simmons also called the burglars “f—ing cowards,” though he was complimentary of the Metro Nashville PD.
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“I want to extend my sincere appreciation to the Metro Nashville Police Department and the Titans’ security team for their professionalism and swift response,” Simmons said in a statement. “Their dedication to ensuring the safety of our entire Nashville community does not go unnoticed. I remain thankful for God’s protection and grace.”
The suspects were said to have gained entry to Simmons’ home “after smashing out window glass,” while “multiple items were taken” in the process.
It’s unclear exactly what was taken from Simmons’ home.
Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons (98) reacts after sacking Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (not pictured) during the fourth quarter at Huntington Bank Field on Dec. 7, 2025. (Scott Galvin/Imagn Images)
Meanwhile, Simmons was able to find the end zone despite the loss to the 49ers, so a good personal performance came to a screeching halt once he found out the news.
But unfortunately, Simmons isn’t the only NFL star who has been burglarized while playing a game.
Kansas City Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce had it happen last season, as did Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow. All of those burglaries were in connection with a South American theft group that was specifically targeting NFL and NBA players.
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Cleveland Browns rookie Shedeur Sanders also saw $200,000 worth of property taken from his residence while they were playing the Baltimore Ravens earlier this season.
The Titans’ security team said it is “actively working” with local police to recover the stolen items.
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