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Oct 17, 2025, 06:22 AM ET

HAENAM, South Korea — Sei Young Kim followed up her opening 10-under 62 with a 66 Friday to take a one-stroke lead into the weekend at the BMW Ladies Championship.

Kim had a two-round total of 16-under 128 on the Pine Beach Golf Links. She had a bogey and seven birdies, including three in a row on the front nine.

“There’s a lot of pressure on the third and fourth day, but it’s not just me. Everyone will have the same pressure,” Kim said Friday. “But I just want to accept the fact and enjoy the rest of the tournament.”

American Brooke Matthews was in second place after a 64, the low round of the day. Hyo Joo Kim had a 68 and was tied for third with Rio Takeda (66), three behind Kim.

The bogey-free round by Matthews, a former University of Arkansas player, included birdies on her opening two holes and on 17 and 18.

“It’s kind of funny, I didn’t feel very comfortable coming into this week, playing China last week, didn’t really have my best stuff,” Matthews said. “But (it) made me go out there and play it shot-by-shot, lower expectations and I feel like I just managed it really well. Just kind of stayed in the moment, and ended up making some putts and racking up some good scores.”

Australia’s Minjee Lee shot 66 and was tied for sixth, six strokes behind Kim. Canadian Brooke Henderson shot 68 and was seven off the lead while defending champion Hannah Green had a 69 and was nine strokes behind Kim.

This is the first of consecutive LPGA tournaments in South Korea, with the International Crown team event scheduled for next week.

Jeeno Thitikul last week became the first multiple winner on the LPGA this season with a five-hole playoff win in Shanghai over Minami Katsu. Thitikul is not playing this week but will be part of Thailand’s team in the International Crown next week.

After the International Crown, two more LPGA events are scheduled on the five-event Asian swing — at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and in Japan.

Rarely does it take four great rounds to win a golf tournament. Often, it takes three, maybe just two really great ones to be at the top of the leaderboard. But most importantly, it requires zero bad rounds, which Max Homa has come to understand quite well in recent years.

The 34-year-old tallied up just 64 strokes Saturday — his best round in three months — vaulting him up the leaderboard at the Sanderson Farms Championship, even with a closing bogey, to sit just a few strokes back of the lead. It’s the kind of round that stands out much more to casual golf fans at home than to pros in the thick of it like Homa. It’s natural when you see “HOMA -8” like many people saw Saturday, you might wonder if Homa could be trending back into form.

We thought this during the PGA Championship in May, when Homa carded a second-round 64, only for golf to quickly punch back, humbling him to a T60. We thought it in July when Homa contended at the John Deere Classic, finishing T5. And we’ll think it now for the next 24 hours at least. Just don’t expect Homa to hold on to this one round for proof. It was his Friday 72 that stood out to him more.

During a short interview following his third round, Homa was asked, “Do you feel like your swagger is maybe coming back to you a little bit?”

He’s been here before.

“I don’t know about that,” Homa began. “I think I know — especially after that long layoff — I know that, if I don’t get in my own way, I’m one good round away from being in a golf tournament. On a week that’s good, maybe I play two [great rounds] and I’m ahead.

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“I just think I know what’s in there, and I know if I can stay out of my own way, I can turn — like yesterday mentally felt like I could have shot 2-, 3-over and turned it into even. I know those are little things that don’t seem great when you’re in 40th, but I never really felt like I was out of this golf tournament on a hard golf course where the game feels pretty solid.

“I don’t know if it’s swagger, but I just think like my patience seems to be better and I’m more tolerant of things that don’t go great, and I have a lot of confidence that I can put up a few good scores.”

Homa didn’t have his best stuff in that second round but grinded out a bunch of pars, getting up and down six times when he missed the green. That’s how you turn 75 into 72, which has been one of the most difficult — but also most validating — things for Homa recently.

His good is still really good, which is part of what you hear in that answer. It’s just when he’s not great — keeping those days around par, maybe even one under, are how you make a bunch of cuts, how you hang around in tournaments, and how you simply survive until your best stuff comes back.

Taking his calendar year into account, Homa has had almost exactly the same amount of above average rounds as below average. To no surprise then, his season has fluttered with plenty of missed cuts and a handful of moments in contention. DataGolf has him at a 0.15 Strokes Gained rating, just a notch above the PGA Tour standard, which puts him at 127th in the DataGolf ranking.

That level of golf is still good, and totally sustainable, but it’s about as low as Homa has been in the last five years. The occasional 73, 74 or 75 has snuck in over the summer, but on a frequency of about once a month. Back in the spring and early summer, Homa was carding those rounds about once a tournament. All of which starts to look like he’s bottomed out. And is a reminder that it’s not always so much about your best rounds, but about limiting the damage of your worst rounds.

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  Eric MoodySep 30, 2025, 12:56 PM ET

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  Eric Moody is a writer for fantasy football, men’s and women’s basketball, and sports betting at ESPN. Eric joined ESPN in 2021 after working as a senior fantasy analyst at Pro Football Network. Prior to that, he spent much of his career as a manager at a Fortune 100 financial services company.

Building a dominant fantasy basketball squad starts with nailing your early-round picks or landing the most sought-after players in salary cap leagues. But that’s only the beginning.

To truly separate yourself and build a championship-caliber team, you’ll need to grab high-upside talent and key complementary pieces in the middle rounds. So which players that fit that description are the ones to go after in your draft this season?

Here are the potential game-changers who can elevate your roster.

Kevin Porter Jr., SG, Milwaukee Bucks (87.2 ADP)

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Porter returns to Milwaukee on a two-year deal and is set to compete for the starting point guard role after Damian Lillard’s departure. Last season, he averaged 11.7 PPG, 3.9 RPG and 3.7 APG in 19.9 MPG while shooting 49.4% from the field and 40.8% from three. Versatile enough to start or come off the bench, Porter showed he can prosper in high-usage stretches. His scoring, playmaking and 3-point ability make him a strong fantasy value this season.

Onyeka Okongwu, C, Atlanta Hawks (92.9 ADP)

Okongwu emerged as the Hawks’ starting center last season and had a career year, averaging 13.4 PPG on 56.2% shooting, 8.9 RPG, 0.9 steals and 0.9 blocks in under 28 minutes. He also showed strong 3-point potential and improved playmaking. With Clint Capela gone, Okongwu should see expanded minutes and usage this season. His versatility, scoring efficiency and defensive upside are all appealing.

Payton Pritchard, PG, Boston Celtics (97.2)

With Jayson Tatum sidelined and Jrue Holiday traded, the reigning Sixth Man of the Year is in line to start and get significant minutes alongside Jaylen Brown and Derrick White. Last season, Pritchard averaged 14.3 PPG, 3.8 RPG and 3.5 APG while shooting 40.7% from three. His off-ball scoring is elite, but this year he could see an expanded playmaking role, making him a strong fantasy target with upside in points, 3s and assists.

Brandon Miller, SF/SG, Charlotte Hornets (103.0 ADP)

Miller is a versatile scorer and rising star capable of contributing points, 3s, assists and steals. Last season, before a wrist injury, he averaged 21.0 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 3.6 APG and 1.1 SPG. Now fully cleared for training camp, he’s expected to be a central piece of the Hornets perimeter-heavy offense. Miller has breakout upside if he remains healthy and is a strong target for managers seeking scoring and 3s.

Ausar Thompson, SF/PF, Detroit Lions (108.4 ADP)

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Thompson is set to take a major step forward for the Pistons this season. Fully healthy after last season’s medical setbacks, he averaged 10.1 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 2.3 APG and 1.7 SPG in 59 games while showing flashes as a dynamic playmaker. Coach JB Bickerstaff plans to give Thompson more touches and offensive responsibility this year, letting him attack the rim and run pick-and-rolls. That’s exactly what fantasy managers want to hear. Elite defense plus expanded scoring opportunities make him a solid draft target in all formats.

Andrew Nembhard, PG/SG, Indiana Pacers (111.6 ADP)

Nembhard is poised for a major breakout this year. With Tyrese Haliburton out for the season, he becomes the Pacers primary floor general. Last season, Nembhard averaged 11.3 PPG, 2.6 RPG and 6.6 APG in eight games without Haliburton, and his minutes could jump into the mid-30s this year. Nembhard’s ability to rack up assists, contribute defensively and score efficiently make him valuable with upside in both points and playmaking categories.

Kel’el Ware, C, Miami Heat (128.8 ADP)

Ware finished his rookie season strong, averaging 11.0 PPG, 8.9 RPG, and 1.3 BPG over his final 49 games, often starting alongside Bam Adebayo. In 36 starts, he averaged a double-double while showcasing his defensive impact and rim protection. The Heat value him as a key piece in the frontcourt, and with projected starter minutes, Ware’s combination of rebounds and blocks makes him a high-floor fantasy target you shouldn’t overlook.

Matas Buzelis, SF/PF, Chicago Bulls (132.1 ADP)

Buzelis is the front-runner to start at power forward over Patrick Williams for the Bulls and should be one of your favorite draft targets. The 2024 first-round pick averaged 13.0 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 1.9 APG and 1.1 BPG in 31 starts last season, finishing strong with 14.1 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 1.3 BPG, and 2.3 threes per game in his final 16 contests. Combining scoring, 3-point shooting, and elite rim protection, Buzelis offers high upside in all formats.

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  Victoria MatiashOct 1, 2025, 09:00 AM ET

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  Victoria Matiash is a contributing writer for fantasy hockey and betting at ESPN. Victoria has been a part of the fantasy team since 2010.

As far as fantasy hockey prep tools are concerned, player projections are as succinct and straightforward as they are useful. In forecasting what might come to pass for any individual, these numbers lay out a reasonable path in helping managers draft the most dynamic squad possible. But they should also be handled with a critical eye and healthy dose of subjectivity. As with all data-driven foretelling, there’s still plenty of room for personal prognostication and listening to your gut.

In that view, here are my first 20 draft selections, listed in chosen order. As with much of ESPN’s content, these selections run in step with our default points league, recognizing the following categories:

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Skaters:

Goaltenders:

To avoid repetition, I’m sparing commentary for the first half-dozen elite skaters, as they’re already under the fantasy microscope as possible top draft picks overall. The arguments remain the same.

Draft Slot 1: Nathan MacKinnon, F, Colorado Avalanche

Draft Slot 2: Leon Draisaitl, F, Edmonton Oilers

Draft Slot 3: Nikita Kucherov, F, Tampa Bay Lightning

Draft Slot 4: Connor McDavid, F, Edmonton Oilers

Draft Slot 5: David Pastrnak, F, Boston Bruins

Draft Slot 6: Auston Matthews, F, Toronto Maple Leafs

Draft Slot 7: Cale Makar, D, Colorado Avalanche

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Now that the top echelon of fantasy forwards are off the board, it’s an occasion to turn to the upper crust of game-changers on the blue line. There’s Makar and then there’s everyone else. No one registered more fantasy points in H2H standard points competition last season than the Avalanche defenseman. For crying out loud, he scored 30 goals, in addition to his 62 assists. Thirty! The only argument against selecting Makar earlier is that asking for another equal performance feels like too great a demand. If that notion doesn’t hold water for you, by all means, grab him earlier.

Draft Slot 8: Kirill Kaprizov, F, Minnesota Wild

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Remember when Kaprizov erupted for 23 goals and 27 assists (plus-21) through the first 34 games of 2024-25? Me too. Only Leon Draisaitl scored more goals (he had one more goal) through that stretch. Then the Wild superstar got injured, sinking what could have evolved into a Hart Trophy campaign. Fast-forward a few months, he’s fit and — at the time of this writing — highly incentivized, having just signed the largest contract in the NHL to stay in Minnesota. That’s an appealing combination. Alluring enough for me to take an early swing for the fantasy fences.

Draft Slot 9: Connor Hellebuyck, G, Winnipeg Jets

As a fantasy netminder, he’s just that much more valuable than the field. The reigning Hart and Vezina Trophy winner — named the “goalkeeper adjudged to be the best at this position” in 2023-24 as well — wrapped last season with approximately 20% more fantasy points than his nearest competition. That’s a significant chunk. The only reason I’m not jumping on the proven “best in the biz” a little earlier is his positional value meaningfully relies on the performance of those out front. If the Jets don’t play anywhere near as well as they did in 2024-25, it will affect Hellebuyck’s numbers. Deservedly or not.

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Draft Slot 10: William Nylander, F, Toronto Maple Leafs

The Leafs winger followed up his near-100-point campaign in 2023-24 with only 84 points last season, but a career-high 45 goals. Following Mitch Marner’s departure, Nylander will inevitably be tasked with pitching in a bit more, particularly with the extra skater. You can also count on him to fire on net more often after his shots total dropped from 316 to 253.

Draft Slot 11: Kyle Connor, F, Winnipeg Jets

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One day the Jets’ sniper is going to unload for 50 goals or 100 points. Maybe this season? He’s come close. Until then, Connor belongs in that secondary tier alongside Nylander. For me, it’s essentially a fantasy toss-up between the two.

Draft Slot 12: Jack Hughes, F, New Jersey Devils

In making my second wild-card selection (after Kaprizov), I’m opting to roll the dice on an elite talent with a spotty health history. After two injury-shortened seasons, the Devils captain is due for a fit campaign, no? At least he’s reportedly in great shape to start this regular season. Entering his prime, Hughes is a potential 100-plus-point skater who likes to rifle on net with the best of ’em. If he can squeeze out more than 76 games, Hughes should finish as a top-10 fantasy forward. We haven’t seen the best from him yet.

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Draft Slot 13: Filip Forsberg, F, Nashville Predators

It speaks to Forsberg’s value that even when the Predators stunk up the joint last season, he still managed to finish top 15 in fantasy points. Nashville will be better this go-round (they have to be), and the top-line winger will flirt with the 50-goal mark once more. At least that’s the thinking with grabbing him 13th overall.

Draft Slot 14: MacKenzie Weegar, D, Calgary Flames

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At this time last fall, I suggested there was no way Weegar would amass more than 50 points for a second straight season. He collected only 47, saving me from appearing 100% the fool. One of the NHL’s most well-rounded fantasy performers, Weegar truly does it all. He sports even greater value in leagues that reward physical play — especially hits — at a premium. Another sturdy gem, he has missed only four games in the past four seasons.

Draft Slot 15: Jack Eichel, F, Vegas Golden Knights

Either Eichel is centering a top line with Mark Stone (and Ivan Barbashev), like in 2024-25, or skating alongside Vegas newbie Mitch Marner. However coach Bruce Cassidy decides to roll it out, the 28-year-old could easily be in for a carbon copy of last season’s career output of 94 points. Maybe more, if he develops potent chemistry with the ex-Maple Leaf. Vegas’ top power-play unit is also better with Marner aboard.

Draft Slot 16: Mikko Rantanen, F, Dallas Stars

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Following what’s reasonably described as a tumultuous 2024-25, the veteran forward can now take a breath, after a summer of reflection, and settle into the permanent situation (full NMC in place) he chose for himself. Certainly nobody forced the 28-year-old to sign that eight-year deal with the Stars. Which means he’ll be back to his ultra-productive ways in short order. You’ll recall, after fumbling for six points in 13 games with the Hurricanes, Rantanen collected 18 in 20 regular-season contests in Dallas before erupting for even more in the playoffs. Maybe the winger doesn’t bust through the 100-point plateau again without Nathan MacKinnon as his center. He’ll come close enough.

Draft Slot 17: J.T. Miller, F, New York Rangers

Another five-tool fantasy performer — more like eight, really — the newest captain of the Rangers does it all. He shoots and scores enough, produces on the power play and when shorthanded, doles out hits with crushing regularity, and blocks more shots than the majority of forwards. Following his departure from the Canucks, and now motivated to lead by example, the 32-year-old should average 2.5 FPPG in ESPN standard points leagues with ease.

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Draft Slot 18: Andrei Vasilevskiy, G, Tampa Bay Lightning

If I can’t have Hellebuyck, Tampa’s No. 1 is my runner-up option. In my view, there’s a slight gap between the Winnipeg star, Vasilevskiy, and then the likes of Sergei Bobrovsky, Jake Oettinger, Igor Shesterkin, etc. Heavy workload plays a part in that thinking. One caveat: At the time of this assessment, the Lightning netminder remains absent from practice while receiving “treatments” as part of “player management.” If it turns out coach Jon Cooper is downplaying matters too much, then I’m calling an audible on this selection.

Draft Slot 19: Quinn Hughes, D, Vancouver Canucks

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Can he stay healthy and play 82 games like he did in 2023-24? Then Hughes is right up there with the best of the rest not named Cale Makar. While he doesn’t block nearly as many shots as other blue-line fantasy heavyweights, the 2024 Norris Trophy winner puts up enough points to compensate otherwise. In fact, in leagues that don’t recognize those who sacrifice their bodies, Hughes is neck-and-neck with the Avs’ defender atop the fantasy table.

Draft Slot 20: Alex Tuch, F, Buffalo Sabres

In the mold of Miller, Tuch pitches in across the fantasy board in every scoring system. My only nagging concern is that last season’s 113 blocked shots bested all earlier totals by a palpable margin. There’s also the worry the 29-year-old might not skate on a scoring line with Tage Thompson. If you’re equally bothered by either worry, draft Brady Tkachuk of the Ottawa Senators here instead.

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Jake Paul and Gervonta Davis had the first press conference for their November bout on Monday, and a handful of details about the fight were revealed.

The fight will have a maximum weight of 195 pounds, and there will be 10 three-minute rounds. Additionally, the two boxers will use 12-oz gloves, and there will be three judges for the fight.

The fight takes place on Friday, Nov. 14 from the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida. The date of the fight apparently slipped Davis’ mind.

The two boxers agreed to the fight in August, though it was originally planned for State Farm Arena in Atlanta. Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions announced earlier this month that the fight would instead take place in Miami.

“New city, same mission, seek and destroy the tank,” Paul said in a statement, per ESPN’s Andreas Hale. “Kaseya Center. Friday, November 14. I’m bringing the heat, and Miami will see me take down this angry elf while the world watches live on Netflix.”

The fight is arguably Paul’s biggest test to date. The YouTuber-turned-boxer has gotten off to a 12-1 start to his career, though he hasn’t faced an opponent as tough as Davis. Paul’s last three fights, all of which he won, have come against Julio César Chávez Jr., a 58-year-old Mike Tyson and Mike Perry, who is predominantly an MMA fighter.

Davis, on the other hand, is 30-0-1 with 28 knockouts over the course of his career. Davis won the WBA lightweight title in 2021 and has since retained it five times. His most recent fight was a draw against Lamont Roach Jr. in March.

While Davis is more experienced than Paul, there is one aspect that could work to Paul’s advantage: his size. Going off of their most recent weight-ins, Paul has more than 60 pounds on Davis and will look to use that weight to his advantage.

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