USA Basketball studied every men’s basketball game it has played for about two decades and a clear trend eventually appeared. When the defense isn’t good enough, the Americans tend to get themselves into trouble.

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Impersonal as it might seem to have their dynamic on-field relationship end with an exchange of phone texts, Bills quarterback Josh Allen made it clear on Thursday how much receiver Stefon Diggs meant to him during their four seasons together in Buffalo.

Photo: Keiki rodeo in Hilo

HONOLULU — Costas Theocharidis’ storybook life is now a storybook.

With the Big Island Interscholastic Federation spring sports regular season quickly wrapping up, teams from all across the island have been playing hard in hopes of locking up a playoff spot. Read up on some recent matchups and potential playoff scenarios below.

Senior Kea‘au High football players Shaydin Meek-Canon-Ching and Katin Kaluhiwa-Yamaguchi signed letters of intent on Wednesday to play for Chabot College.

CHICAGO — Coby White drew roars from the crowd early on with vicious crossovers and spins toward the basket. He was so effective he had fans chanting his name as the final minutes ticked away.

The NHL team moving from Arizona to Salt Lake City will be known as Utah, at least initially, until a long-term name is determined.

Tabitha Chawinga wasn’t always a prolific scorer. The Paris Saint-Germain star played goalkeeper in rural Malawi as a young girl.

PHILADELPHIA — The 76ers needed all the improbable tricks they could summon to even have a chance at winning their first play-in game in team history.

The Big Island Interscholastic Federation (BIIF) boys volleyball season continued Tuesday across the isle, as the regular season has just a few games remaining before BIIF playoffs begin next week with Division II playoffs.

PUAKO — UH-Hilo’s men’s and women’s golf teams had an excellent showing at the Pacific West Conference Championships — as sophomore Kiersten Saludares placed No.1 to lead UHH’s women’s team to a third-place finish and fifth-year Nicholas Gomez also placed first to lead the men to a repeat conference title on Wednesday afternoon in South Kohala.

NEW ORLEANS — Zion Williamson has been ruled out of the New Orleans Pelicans’ Western Conference play-in game against the Sacramento Kings on Friday night because of a left hamstring injury — and is expected to miss up to two weeks should New Orleans advance to the NBA playoffs.

By Conor Langs

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Keegan Murray scored 32 points, De’Aaron Fox added 24 and the Sacramento Kings stayed alive in the play-in tournament, eliminating the Golden State Warriors with a 118-94 victory on Tuesday night.

The NFL draft madness begins early in the final edition of the AP’s 2024 mock draft.

The Big Island Interscholastic Federation (BIIF) spring season continued over the last few days across the island, with playoffs for all sports right around the corner.

KAILUA-KONA — The Big Island Interscholastic Federation (BIIF) judo season wrapped up Saturday at Kealakehe High School, and perhaps nobody is happier than the Hilo boys and girls teams.