Behind the scenes: Intricate planning and preparation required to host an NCAA national championship

TEMPE – Arizona State will be the host institution for its third National Championship event in a 10-month span by the time the 2024 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Final Four is played in April. Hosting these tournaments is no easy task and often take years of preparation.

Phoenix will be at the center of men's college basketball in April 2024 when the Final Four is held at State Farm Stadium after years of planning. (File photo by Robert Crompton/Cronkite News)

Nico Mannion uses summer league to make case for NBA roster spot

LAS VEGAS – After standing out at Pinnacle High and Arizona, Nico Mannion hopes summer league play can help him return to NBA.

Nico Mannion hopes that his NBA Summer League play will prove that he belongs on an NBA roster full time. (Photo by Taylyn Hadley/Cronkite News)

Inspired by strong family support, Toumani Camara makes waves in NBA Summer League with Phoenix Suns

LAS VEGAS – Toumani Camara has been heating up for the Suns at NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. Making the trip all the way from Belgium, his family has been loud and proud at UNLV’s Thomas & Mack Center.

Anne Le Docte, the mother of Phoenix Suns rookie Toumani Camara, showed strong support along with family members during Monday's game against the Miami Heat at Thomas & Mack Center. "It's amazing, it's a dream,” she said. (Screengrab by Andrew Lind/Cronkite News)

Former Arizona Wildcat Bennedict Mathurin aims to become NBA’s premier two-way player in second season

LAS VEGAS – Bennedict Mathurin has starred in summer league, leading the Indiana Pacers with impressive scoring and a determination to improve his defense.

Indiana Pacers forward Bennedict Mathurin is focused on improving his defense to match his offensive output during the 2023 NBA Summer League. (Photo by Candice Ward/Getty Images)

GCU shortstop Jacob Wilson makes history, highlights talent in draft from Arizona

PHOENIX – Jacob Wilson makes GCU history in baseball’s amateur draft, while Arizona’s Chase Davis and ASU’s Luke Keaschall land in the first two rounds. The Diamondbacks also add to their talent.

Grand Canyon infielder Jacob Wilson made history as the first Lopes player to be selected in the first round of the MLB Draft. (Photo by Zac BonDurant/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

‘Swiss Army knife’: Toumani Camara puts versatility, maturity on display in NBA Summer League debut

LAS VEGAS – After the Suns selected Toumani Camara with the No. 52 pick in this year's NBA Draft, Camara looked like anything but a rookie in his first taste of NBA action.

Phoenix Suns draft pick Toumani Grant had a strong outing in the team’s NBA Summer League opener Saturday in Las Vegas. (Photo courtesy of PHNX Sports)

‘Good to go’: Arizona Diamondbacks’ Kyle Lewis steps in for injured Corbin Carroll refreshed, ready

PHOENIX – Kyle Lewis has dealt with a collection of illness and injuries over the years, but his return to the Arizona Diamondbacks should help their second half push in the wake of Corbin Carroll’s shoulder injury.

Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Kyle Lewis replaced the injured Corbin Caroll and finished 0-for-2 in Thursday's 9-0 loss to the New York Mets at Chase Field. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)

Phoenix Suns wrap up final tune-up before NBA summer league run

PHOENIX – A team of unfamiliar faces will take the court Saturday when the Phoenix Suns open Summer League play in Las Vegas. Summer League coach Quinton Crawford and draft pick Toumani Camara address what the expectations will be Vegas.

Toumani Camara said he’s excited to put on the Phoenix Suns jersey for NBA Summer League. The team plays its first game Saturday in Las Vegas. (Photo by Joey Plishka/Cronkite News)

ASU hockey set to join National Collegiate Hockey Conference in 2024-25

PHOENIX – For the first time since play began in 2013, the National Collegiate Hockey Conference is expanding. Arizona State has been accepted as the ninth member of the Conference beginning with the 2024-2025 season.

The Arizona State hockey team is joining the National College Hockey Conference starting in the 2024-25 season. Five of the last seven national champions have been members of the NCHC, including Denver in 2022. (File photo by Travis Whittaker/Cronkite News)

Suns Summer League teammates Isaiah Todd, Jordan Goodwin thrilled to be reunited with Bradley Beal

PHOENIX – Along with Bradley Beal came Isaiah Todd and Jordan Goodwin from Washington. With nothing but high praise from the two previous G League players, they hope Beal can help bring a championship to Phoenix.

Jordan Goodwin, left, and is happy to be reunited with Bradley Beal in Phoenix after the two played together with the Washington Wizards. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Fanfare, fights and futbol: CONCACAF Gold Cup makes pit stop at State Farm Stadium

GLENDALE – The CONCACAF Gold Cup tournament came to Phoenix and the popularity of Mexico attracted a large crowd. Coming out of its successful match, Mexico still appeared to be in the honeymoon phase with interim coach Jaime Lozano. The period was short-lived, however, as Mexico lost its final group stage game to Qatar to the ire of fans.

Fans of Mexico’s men’s national team represented a large portion of the crowd when the team played Haiti Thursday night for the CONCACAF Gold Cup at State Farm Stadium. Mexico won, 3-1. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Brave heart: The motivation behind Raymond Jones’ fight to stay on football field at Cactus High

GLENDALE – Growing up with a heart defect, Cactus football player Raymond Jones already works twice as hard to remain on the field. But after heart surgery in January, Jones was faced with his biggest hurdle yet.

Only six months removed from heart surgery in January, Raymond Jones pushed through running drills on the Cactus High School track to prepare for his senior season. (Photo by Eduardo Morales/Cronkite News)