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Why LeBron James signed with Philadelphia 76ers in NBA free agency: Live updates

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Bryce Harper is one of the few people on this planet who can relate (at least a little bit) to LeBron James. They were both on Sports Illustrated covers as teenagers. They have succeeded as professional athletes while the highest of expectations have followed them. They are both Ohio State football fans.

And, now, they will share a city.

“Pretty cool,” Harper said Friday before the Philadelphia Phillies played the New York Yankees. “Obviously, one of the best to ever do it.”

Harper is one of the most recognizable athletes in the country, but he’s not James. Now, alongside Eagles mainstays Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia has a brand of star power that has few parallels in the city’s history.

“Just obviously a great city to come play in,” Harper said. “Fan base-wise, sports-wise. I feel like the city’s in a really good spot with all the teams right now — from us, to the Sixers, to the Eagles, to the Flyers making the postseason this year as well. So just a really good spot to be in.”

Harper, like most people following the James saga, expected him to return to the Cleveland Cavaliers. That was his prediction when asked last week during an ESPN broadcast. Harper might not be the biggest NBA fan; he said he’s met James at the ESPYs before.

He understood the magnitude, much like how the city reacted when Harper signed a 13-year, $330 million deal in March 2019.

“We’re in different places in our careers,” Harper said. “So I think that plays a little bit into it. Obviously, he’s one of the greatest ever to do it. He’s done it for a long time. I mean, there’s four guys over there on that starting lineup; they’re probably really happy. It’s Nick Nurse’s birthday today, too. But the city is on fire about it. I mean, how could you not be? It’s LeBron James.”

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'One more last dance' – Usyk says retirement is near

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Former heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk tells BBC Sport he wants one “last dance” before retiring, but insists it will only be one more fight and no more.

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The Hundred: SunRisers Leeds vs Southern Brave – Mitch Marsh hits six sixes at Headingley

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Mitch Marsh hits 69 off 34 balls, an innings which included six sixes, as he helps his Sunrisers Leeds reach 187-5 against Southern Brave at Headingley – with both sides looking to secure their first win of the 2026 tournament.

FOLLOW LIVE: The Hundred – Marsh powers Sunrisers to 187-5 against Brave

Available to UK users only.

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Newcastle: Eddie Howe unsure on Bruno Guimaraes future amid Arsenal interest

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Newcastle‘s midfield has been weakened by the departure of Sandro Tonali, who joined Tottenham this month in a deal worth up to £100m.

Young midifelders Sean Steur and Aladji Bamba have sinced arrived from Ajax and Monaco respectively.

Although Saturday’s game came too soon for Bamba, whose move was announced on Friday, Steur played 90 minutes.

“He played really well today,” Howe said. “He can be really pleased with his performance and first showing in Newcastle colours.”

It is rare for an academy graduate to leave Ajax at 18, and for a fee worth up to £23m.

However, Newcastle have to take calculated risks before potential signings like Steur potentially explode in value and are out of reach.

Dutchman Steur clearly has promise.

Willem Weijs, who managed Steur at Jong Ajax – the club’s reserve side – has described him as “one of the highest-rated” players in their academy.

There were glimpses of Steur’s technical ability, composure and vision against National League side Gateshead.

But he will need time to adapt to the physicality and intensity of the Premier League.

“He’s outstanding in his first touches and creating options when playing a possession game,” Weijs said.

“He’s good at scanning; really comfortable on the ball; really good in tight spaces.

“He’s a typical Dutch-type midfield player, but he should focus on his points to develop as well, which is for sure the defensive part.

“He should compete better in the duels, spending much more time in the gym. I know he’s working on that, but he can improve and he has to improve.”

Newcastle have shifted strategy this summer, targeting players aged 20 and under and based on the continent.

Steur, Bamba and fellow newcomers Ewen Jaouen and Bazoumana Toure will need patience.

It is one of the many reasons why Howe will desperately want to keep hold of Guimaraes, having lost Isak, Tonali and Anthony Gordon in the past year.

“We all need to be very supportive to the players that have come in,” Howe said.

“I don’t think we can put too much pressure on them. It’s part of my job to try and take the pressure off them and allow them to develop and to enjoy their time here.”

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