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Imagine sitting down for lunch with NBA star Steph Curry. Would the experience be worth millions?

Last week, someone shelled out $US9 million ($AU12.6 million) at a charity auction to dine with the basketball superstar and 95-year-old investor Warren Buffett.

Buffett has been auctioning off lunches for charity since 2000, but it’s the first time he has roped in a sporting superstar to join him.Β 

It got me thinking: if you could pick any sporting star to have lunch with, who would it be?

If you have already, I want to hear about it!

I’ve got 10 seconds

Stat of the day

107
The number of years since an English golfer last won the PGA Championship – one of men’s golf’s four major tournaments – before Aaron Rai's victory at Aronimink Golf Club in Pennsylvania this morning (AEST). The 31-year-old finished three shots clear of the field to claim his first major title. Rai is the first English-born player to win the tournament since Jim Barnes in 1919. He said: β€œTo be here is outside my wildest imagination.”

Aaron Rai celebrates his first major title (Getty)

Quote of the day

"We've had a reasonably tough time of it lately, and then the events of this week impacted a lot of people, particularly the playing group who were so connected to Vossy and the staff who have so much admiration for him. So for us to regroup and galvanise and perform the way we did tonight, I think it's a big step forward for the club."
Carlton interim coach Josh Fraser, speaking after the Blues upset the Western Bulldogs by 12 points at Marvel Stadium on Saturday night. It was Carlton's first win since Round 1 and came just four days after Michael Voss stepped down as senior coach following an eight-game losing streak. Fraser took charge after Voss's departure, with the club now searching for a permanent replacement. The Blues sit 16th on the ladder.

Jack Ison (right) and Carlton teammates celebrate the win on Saturday night (Getty)

Random fact of the day

The oldest known golfer to record a hole-in-one is American Gus Andreone, who was 103 years old when he holed out from 113 yards on the 14th at Palm Aire Country Club in Florida in late 2014. It was the eighth hole-in-one of his career, with his first coming 75 years earlier in 1939.Β 

Deakin Alumni Spotlight

From London finance to the frontline of Australian sport.

James McKeag didn't take the direct path into sport. After starting his career in finance in London, he moved to Australia in 2018 and enrolled in Sport Management at Deakin – unlocking the next chapter in his career.

Now a strategy consultant at Metafan, James works at the intersection of marketing, technology and fan insights with clubs across the AFL, NRL, A-Leagues and Super Rugby.

In a full-circle moment, he's part of the team at Deakin – teaching Sport Management to the next generation of industry leaders, publishing research on sport governance, and proving the pivot was worth it.

Inspired by James's story? Your journey could start here - at the #1 provider for sport in Australia.

Transparency: This is a sponsored part of the newsletter - the best way to keep the newsletter free for you.

I’ve got 30 seconds

In case you missed it…

🎾 Jannik Sinner has become the first Italian man to win the Italian Open since 1976. The world number one beat Norway's Casper Ruud in straight sets (6-4, 6-4) in Rome. The 24-year-old also became just the second player after Novak Djokovic to win all nine Masters 1000 titles in a career – a feat known as the 'Golden Masters'. Meanwhile, Ukrainian Elina Svitolina won the women’s singles title for a third time, beating Coco Gauff in the final.

Sinner and Ruud pose for a photo following the Italian Open final (Getty)

⏱️ Former UFC champion Ronda Rousey won her return to mixed martial arts after nine and a half years away, defeating fellow American Gina Carano with her signature armbar in just 17 seconds. The fight headlined the first live MMA event streamed on Netflix at Los Angeles’  Intuit Dome. Separately, Irish fighter Conor McGregor will return to UFC 329 on 11 July, facing American Max Holloway in his first fight since 2021. Last year, McGregor was found liable in a civil sexual assault case in Ireland.

⚽ Melbourne City have won the A-League Women's Grand Final, beating Wellington Phoenix 3-1 at AAMI Park on Saturday night. Matildas striker Holly McNamara scored twice in three first-half minutes before Leticia McKenna sealed the result. It is City's fifth championship, equalling Sydney FC's record. Meanwhile, in the men’s competition, Auckland FC will host Sydney FC in Saturday'sΒ  Grand Final, becoming the first New Zealand club to reach a men's decider.

Melbourne City celebrate a fifth A-League Women title (AAP)

πŸš΄β€β™‚οΈ Australian cyclist Jai Hindley sits fourth in the general classification at the Giro d'Italia after nine stages of the three-week race. The 30-year-old, who won the Giro in 2022, finished third on stage seven at Blockhaus – the same gruelling summit where he secured that title. He sits four minutes 32 seconds behind Portuguese race leader Afonso EulΓ‘lio, with Denmark's Jonas Vingegaard second.

πŸ€ Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has won his second consecutive NBA Most Valuable Player award, becoming the 14th player in league history to claim back-to-back MVPs. The 27-year-old Canadian averaged 31.1 points and 6.6 assists per game this season, leading the defending champions to a 64-18 record and the top seed in the Western Conference. The Thunder face the San Antonio Spurs in the conference finals beginning tomorrow.Β 

⚽ Manchester City won the English FA Cup, beating Chelsea 1-0 in the final at Wembley on Saturday night. Ghanaian forward Antoine Semenyo scored the winner with a backheeled flick from an Erling Haaland cross in the 72nd minute. It is City's eighth FA Cup title and completes a domestic cup double after their EFL Cup win in March. In the race for the English Premier League title, City sit two points behind leaders Arsenal with two games to play, and could finish the season as both FA Cup and league champions.

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I’ve got 1 minute

Eddie Nketia on his way to a blistering time (AAP)

US-based Aussie sprinter Eddie Nketia runs into the history books…again

Australian sprinter Eddie Nketia has clocked the fastest 100m ever run by an Australian, crossing the line in 9.74 seconds at the Big Ten Outdoor Championships in Lincoln, Nebraska on Sunday.

Here's what to know.

What happened

Nketia's 9.74 is the second-fastest all-conditions 100m in NCAA collegiate history. It broke his own Australian all-conditions mark of 9.84, set at the Mt SAC Relays last month.

The 24-year-old, who competes for the University of Southern California, also won the 200m in 20.03 seconds to complete a sprint double at the event.

However, the 100m time he was aided by a 5.6 metres-per-second tailwind. The legal limit for record purposes is 2.0 metres per second, meaning the run will not count as an official record. The 200mΒ  was also wind-assisted, with a tailwind ofΒ  7.5 metres per second.

Australia's official 100m record remains Patrick Johnson's 9.93, set in 2003. Nketia switched allegiance from New Zealand to Australia in December.

Aussies on the podium in Shanghai

It was also a strong night for Australia at the Shanghai Diamond League.

Middle-distance runner Abbey Caldwell finished third in the women's 1500m in 3:56.12 –  a time only one Australian woman has bettered.Β 

Pole vaulter Kurtis Marschall cleared 5.80m to finish second behind world record holder Armand Duplantis, while discusΒ  thrower Matthew Denny also placed second with a throw of 67.54m.

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James Tedesco is set to return to the State of Origin arena (Getty)

State of Origin coaches make bold selection calls as squads for Game 1 named

Both State of Origin squads for the opening match of rugby league's annual interstate series have been named, with major selection calls on both sides of the border.Β 

New South Wales will face Queensland in Game One at Sydney's Accor Stadium on Wednesday 27 May.

Queensland won last year's series 2-1, sealing victory with a 24-12 win in the Sydney decider.

The Blues

Coach Laurie Daley has handed six players their NSW debuts.Β 

Manly winger Tolu Koula and Cronulla prop Addin Fonua-Blake will start, while Sydney Roosters lock Victor Radley, Cronulla hooker Blayke Brailey, Canberra five-eighth Ethan Strange, and Penrith outside back Casey McLean have been named on the bench. Newcastle's Dylan Lucas, who is also uncapped, has been named the 20th man.

Daley’s biggest selection call came at fullback, with former captain James Tedesco recalled for his first Blues appearance since 2024. Penrith's Dylan Edwards, who played in every game of last year's losing series, has been dropped.

Daley was also forced to make changes in the centres after South Sydney centre Latrell Mitchell ruled himself out with a back injury. Brisbane's Kotoni Staggs will partner Canterbury's Stephen Crichton in the centres.

The Maroons

Coach Billy Slater has named four debutants.Β 

Gold Coast Titans winger Jojo Fifita, Sydney Roosters halfback Sam Walker and Dolphins lock Max Plath have all earned starting jerseys, while Cronulla second-rower Briton Nikora will make his debut off the bench.

Slater’s biggest selection call came at fullback, with Newcastle Knights fullback Kalyn Ponga returning to the No.1 jersey and Broncos premiership-winning fullback Reece Walsh dropped from the side.

Walker, 23, replaces last year's player of the series, Tom Dearden, who is sidelined with a syndesmosis injury. Critics had questioned Walker’s defence ahead of the squad announcement, though Maroons great Darren Lockyer this week compared his playing style to Queensland legend Allan Langer.

Looking back…

AFL (Sunday)

Who: Essendon v Fremantle
Result: Fremantle won 104-61

Who: St Kilda v Richmond
Result: St Kilda won 109-73

Who: West Coast v GWS
Result: West Coast won 88-71

NRL (Sunday)

Who: Gold Coast v Newcastle
Result: Newcastle won 36-12

Who: New Zealand Warriors v Brisbane
Result: Warriors won 42-12

Who: Penrith v St George Illawarra
Result: Penrith won 28-6

Super Rugby Pacific
(Round 14)

Who: Chiefs v Highlanders
Result: Chiefs won 42-12

Who: Fijian Drua v Waratahs
Result: Waratahs won 50-35

Who: Blues v Hurricanes
Result: Hurricanes won 47-24

Who: Western Force v Reds
Result: Western Force won 19-14

Super Netball (Round 10)

Who: Lightning v Melbourne Vixens
Result: Lightning won 66-56

Who: Queensland Firebirds v Giants
Result: Firebirds won 71-64

Who: West Coast Fever v NSW Swifts
Result: Swifts won 63-57

Who: Thunderbirds v Mavericks
Result: Thunderbirds won 55-51

NBA Playoffs
(Conference Semifinals)

Who: Cavaliers v Pistons

Result: Cavaliers won 125-94
(Win series 4-3)

A-League Men (Semi-Finals)

Who: Adelaide United v Auckland FC
Result: Auckland won 3-0
(Auckland win 4-1 on aggregate)

Who: Newcastle Jets v Sydney FC
Result: 1-1 draw
(2-2 on aggregate; Sydney FC won 4-2 on penalties)

Looking forward… (All times are AEST)

NBA Playoffs
(Western Conference Finals)

Who: Thunder v Spurs (Game 1)
Time: 10:30am Tuesday

Where to watch: ESPN (via Disney+, Kayo, Foxtel)

English Premier League (Round 37)

Who: Arsenal v Burnley
Time: 5:00am Tuesday

Where to watch: Stan Sport

Cycling
(Giro d'Italia, Stage 10)

Who: The world's best cyclists
What: Viareggio to Massa, 42km individual time trial
Time: From around 9:00pm Tuesday

Where to watch: SBS On Demand

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