🏀 We love that bas-ket-ball | Sports Daily Newsletter

It was pretty wild to see that last night’s NBA draft had Philly-area footprints all over it.

Look at Michigan forward and Pennsauken High School graduate Yaxel Lendeborg going at No. 11 to the Golden State Warriors. Or Darius Acuff Jr., who won the MVP award during the Allen Iverson Roundball Classic last summer and signed a shoe deal with Reebok, coming off the board as the No. 7 pick to the Kings.

It took a while, but at No. 22, the Sixers selected Alabama guard Labaron Philon. Inquirer writer Gina Mizell explains what he brings to the team.

We dry out across the region as sunny skies will make way to temperatures in the mid-80s today.

— Kerith Gabriel, @phillysport, sports.daily@inquirer.com.

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❓Are you happy with the Sixers’ first-round pick? Why or why not? Email us back for a chance to be featured in the newsletter.

While the city would love to see the Eagles exude the kind of dominance that has made winning the NFC East division a lock, prevailing wisdom is that at some point, the crown will continue to get heavier.

Is there a team in the division capable of toppling the Birds’ reign at the top? Inquirer writer Ryan Novozinsky takes a look at the state of the division and which franchise could actually make it interesting.

🏈 Congratulating: DeVonta Smith on his marriage to childhood sweetheart Mya Danielle.

🏀 Applauding: The pair of Mr. and Miss Basketball awardees who hail from our area.

⚽ Wondering: Who will U.S. men’s national team put on the field in Thursday’s Group D finale for the Americans against Turkey? The players themselves would like to know.

🏟️ Reading: This piece in The Atlantic, asking why the grass in the stadium plays such a controversial role in the success and even failures of some of the teams in the World Cup.

Phillies newcomer Gabriel Rincones Jr. has been a strong addition to the club, but his backstory might make him the most interesting man on the team at the moment. On Tuesday, the Venezuelan-born Rincones, who talks with a Scottish accent, revealed that he spent much of his formative years in the United Kingdom, and now revels representing Scotland in the Big Leagues.

Phillies writer Lochlahn March cooked up this fun read on Rincones and what he’s all about, both on and off the field.

Speaking of the Phillies, an eight-run ninth inning sparked a comeback win against the Nationals last night as they continue their dominant stretch.

In case you were tuning into the NHL draft on Friday and Saturday, and you hear the name “Jack Hextall,” yes, Jack Hextall is a distant cousin of former Flyers general manager and goalie Ron Hextall. No, says Jack, the two haven’t met.

But if the hockey gods have it their way, Jack could become the second person with HEXTALL emblazoned on the back of a Flyers jersey. Ahead of Friday’s first-round, Jackie Spiegel caught up with Jack to talk about how he’s handling the moment and having a famous last name.

In this World Cup, underdogs are stealing the spotlight, Team USA is rolling, Philadelphia is welcoming the world, and the Rocky Curse has become lore. Inquirer soccer reporter Jonathan Tannenwald and host Lisa Carlin discuss it all and more in the Inquirer’s pop-up streaming show, Soccer Extra. Watch here.

June 24, 2024: The highlight of a win over the Tigers on this date for the Phillies was that the team executed a 1-3-5 triple play, which hadn’t been done in the Big Leagues since 1929.

We asked: With the group stage wrapping up, what are your thoughts on the World Cup — and any early predictions?

First off, I think the issue is that there are too many games each day to keep track of it all, but what I’ve seen has been very interesting. Prediction? Nah. — Steve Q.

Not going to lie, it’s been nice having something to watch every day. — Ron E.

We compiled today’s newsletter using reporting from DeAntae Prince, Lochlahn March, Isabella DiAmore, Gina Mizell, Jackie Spiegel, Jonathan Tannenwald, Lauren Jones, Lisa Carlin, Ryan Novozinsky, and Mia Messina.

By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

Thanks for reading, Philly. I’ll catch up with you down the road. Enjoy the games. — Kerith