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| As work continues on the GSR arena, Renos gaming market is surging like never be |
| Posted on Tuesday, October 06 @ 00:02:27 PDT (13 reads) | |
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Far away from the buzz of the las vegas strip, about 450 miles to the north in reno, work is steadily progressing on what could be the next transformative project for nevada’s gaming and tourism industries. The grand sierra resort has seen a number of bold ideas come and go in its nearly 50-year history, but billionaire alex meruelo’s 10,000-seat arena project is now a reality, and it’s coming at an opportune time for the region.
approximately three years after the project was first announced, foundation and infrastructure work are continuing as winter approaches, which could slow the pace depending on severity. The arena is just one part of a broader $1 billion multi-phase expansion plan that would represent the largest private investment in reno’s history if fully built out.
“there’s a great deal of progress being made, a great deal of work happening and the garage has just begun,” gsr’s chief marketing officer chris abraham said at a tour of the site with igb last month. “The arena, we’re out of the ground, we have walls, we have foundations, all the underground work is basically done, so now it’s the fun time when we can actually start building up and everyone gets to see.”
original cost estimates for the arena were about $350-$375 million, but abraham said that range is “probably more like $450-$500 (million) right now”, as meruelo is “sparing no expense” for the venue, which will host university of nevada men’s basketball games as well as a slew of other sports and entertainment events.
“for a 10,000-seat-plus arena, it’s going to be the very best one of those, maybe in the world,” abraham said.
the reno roadrunners? The gsr team is drawing inspiration from some of the state-of-the-art arenas around the world for the design plans, including the intuit dome in california, the moody center at the university of texas and others. In terms of operations, the mohegan sun arena in connecticut is also an inspiration given its similar capacity and connection to a large casino property, although that venue is more than 20 years old.
the arena will also host professional hockey, which has been sparse in reno’s history. The reno aces, the triple-a affiliate of mlb’s arizona diamondbacks, have been successful largely because of greater nevada field, but many other local professional sports teams have folded due to venue difficulties.
meruelo previously owned the nhl’s phoenix coyotes, a struggling franchise that was eventually sold and rebranded as the utah mammoth in 2024. The nhl had “lost patience in [meruelo’s] ability to find a long-term arena solution in arizona and facilitated a sale,” per espn , although he retained ownership of the coyotes’ american hockey league affiliate, the tucson roadrunners.
the roadrunners extended their tucson lease through the 2027-28 season in april. That would coincide well with the gsr arena’s tentative 2028 debut, but abraham said that neither the timeline nor the roadrunners’ potential relocation are finalised.
“we we expect to have hockey as part of the future of the arena, it’s just a determination right now of what kind of hockey and how does that look,” abraham said. “So that hasn’t been determined yet. We’re probably another six months or so from really getting into the details of that. But i know mr. Meruelo is looking at a few options and will make a decision soon.”
recruiting in the nil era while the hockey element is unconfirmed, the university’s involvement has been a central aspect of the project from the beginning. The partnership was brokered between meruelo and school president brian sandoval, who served as nevada governor from 2011-2019.
sandoval is no stranger to nevada’s gaming industry, having served as chair of the nevada gaming commission prior to becoming governor. He also took a corporate role at mgm resorts immediately after leaving office and currently serves as chair of the resorts world las vegas board of directors. Sandoval and meruelo have maintained a relationship since the latter purchased the gsr in 2011.
nevada athletics, when successful, are the biggest draw in town. Peak periods like the 2010 football season with quarterback colin kaepernick or the 2018 basketball season with caleb and cody martin are revered as legendary, but the down years are more common, especially in the ultra-competitive name, image and likeness (nil) era.
the university is hoping that the new arena will serve as a recruiting tool, but nevada athletic director stephanie rempe told igb that in the nil environment, the school has to invest in good players first — the venue is just another piece of that effort.
“we’re investing in our basketball program because everybody wants them to be successful now, and also it’s important to the meruelos, of course, when we go into that venue that we’re winning and attracting people and people are buying tickets and it’s a great experience,” rempe said.
casino-arena considerations both the gsr and the university are cognizant of how rare such a setup is. Only a handful of college teams for any sport play at off-campus facilities, with one example being unlv football at the raiders’ allegiant stadium. Rempe said she’s had conversations with other schools about managing an off-campus operation, but she acknowledged that this arrangement “might be the first on a property that’s owned by a private person”, especially at a casino.
the relationship between sports betting and college athletics has been complicated, and at times toxic. College athletes have faced harassment from bettors, the ncaa has called for restrictions to betting markets, and a massive college point-shaving scandal involving 20 former players was announced this year in pennsylvania federal court.
sports event contracts on prediction markets are currently banned in nevada , but wagering on in-state colleges has been legal there since 2001. As such, the university will soon be playing games within walking distance of betting counters taking action on the contests themselves.
“you’re always concerned about it, and you need to make sure you put things in place and educate your student athletes, which we do a lot, so they understand the gaming piece,” rempe said. “So you have to be conscious of that and be responsible.”
from the gsr perspective, abraham notes that “the community has been visiting this property” since its opening, with guests of all ages coming through constantly. Hosting nevada athletics is “really nothing different than what we’ve been doing all along”, he said, but his team will do whatever the university requests to “make sure we’re providing a really welcoming environment to everybody”.
a reno resurgence meruelo’s massive investment appears to be well-timed for the biggest little city. Reno finished the most recent fiscal year in july with $825 million in gross gaming revenue, per the nevada gaming control board . That represented a 7% increase year-over-year, a standout performance for an extremely mature market that typically goes up or down one or two percentage points.
reno’s momentum has continued to accelerate since then — august’s ggr of $79 million was a 15% increase yoy, and its pace this fiscal year is a further 8% ahead of last year. The city set monthly hotel room revenue records for every month from january-june this year, and august represented a new record for any month on record. Visitor counts increased 14% over last fiscal year and monthly records were set in january, april and may.
“we’re proud of these results, but our work is focused on what comes next,” mike larragueta, president and ceo of visit reno tahoe, said in a statement last month. “We want to continue creating demand for reno tahoe throughout the year, reaching new audiences, and strengthening the destination in ways that create lasting value for our community.”
abraham first came to reno in the 1990s for a role at igt, and he’s seen the resurgence of the market first-hand since returning in 2014. This arena project, doubted at times, is now moving full speed ahead.
“as you can clearly see, it is happening. It is definitely happening,” he said, motioning to the work site. “There are a couple hundred people right now as we speak out there building what is going to be just a wonderful experience for the entire city. So we couldn’t be more excited about that.”
jess marquez jess has covered the global gaming industry since 2022. A native of reno, nevada, he’d like to note that it’s ne-va-da, not ne-vah-da. |
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| BYU Alumni doctors petition urges for Big 12 to pause Monster Energy Sponsorship |
| Posted on Tuesday, October 06 @ 00:02:27 PDT (7 reads) | |
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Byu alumni doctors petition urges for big 12 to pause monster energy sponsorship
salt lake city (kutv) — an online petition is adding to a broader effort by doctors urging the big 12 conference to reconsider its partnership with monster energy.
the sponsorship places monster energy branding on big 12 football fields, basketball courts and athletes’ uniforms, including at byu and the university of utah.
dr. David jacobs, a byu alumnus and physician, said he and his friend, cardiologist dr. Matt nelson, became concerned after seeing the sponsorship. Jacobs said both are byu fans.
more: doctors raise concerns about children, teens after big 12 energy drink sponsorship
they worry children at the games could see the branding alongside college athletes and conclude energy drinks are part of becoming an athlete, jacobs said.
“the most concerning thing, just speaking to this as a parent, is that my kids are going to see energy drink branding on their college sports heroes, the athletes they admire. It’s going to be on their uniforms,” jacobs said.
jacobs said he and nelson reviewed medical research and recommendations from leading medical organizations, then contacted those organizations. He said their responses helped form a 29-member physician-scientist coalition.
the coalition has contacted the big 12 and its member universities. The online petition, jacobs said, is another way to spread its public-health message.
jacobs said he hopes the big 12 will conduct a health review and pause marketing viewed by children while that review is underway.
“the first thing would be to have a health review,” jacobs said.
he said the effort is not about limiting adults’ choices. Instead, the coalition wants parents, children and teenagers to understand its concerns about energy drinks and youth health.
2news contacted byu, the university of utah, and the big 12 about concerns raised by doctors in the medical field surrounding the sponsorship and the messaging it sends to young fans. Byu said it was working on a response. The university of utah referred 2news to the big 12, and the big 12 said it could not accommodate a request for an interview or comment.
monster energy confirmed it received 2news’ inquiry and said it was under review.
2news also contacted the utah poison control center for state-specific data on caffeine-related calls.
a spokeswoman said the center receives an average of 212 calls each year involving caffeine. That includes energy drinks and other caffeine products.
about 20% of those calls involve children and teenagers ages 6 to 19. About 11% of all caffeine-related cases are referred to a health care facility for further evaluation because the exposure is considered moderate or severe.
the data did not break out energy drink cases separately.
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| Mark Fews assessment of Izan Almansa should excite Gonzaga fans |
| Posted on Tuesday, October 06 @ 00:02:27 PDT (5 reads) | |
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The gonzaga bulldogs have one of the best starting frontcourts in college basketball, but its a forward projected to come off the bench that could be the biggest x-factor for mark fews team in 2026-27.
izan almansa, who committed to gonzaga back in may but is still awaiting clearance from the ncaa, was a major standout during the blue vs. White scrimmage at kraziness in the kennel on saturday.
in 14 minutes, the 610 spanish big man scored seven points, grabbed seven rebounds, had one assist, and drew three fouls for team blue. He shot 2-5 from the field and 3-4 from the free throw line, and his four offensive boards were the most of anyone who played in the scrimmage.
after the scrimmage, coach few was quick to praise almansa not only for his work on saturday but his ability to learn his role for gonzaga, while comparing him to one of the teams all-time international greats.
he does a great job, few said. Hes got an incredible feel for the game, kind of like [killian] tillie had. The ball just kind of falls to him, but we definitely need him on the glass. Need him to be a little bit more physical, a little more assertive. But hes somebody who does everything really, really well. Doesnt have a weakness.
almansa was impressive on both ends of the floor saturday, playing good defense on braden huff and parker jefferson, constantly getting in good rebounding position, and using his strength to draw contact and get to the free throw line.
almansa has long been projected as gonzagas third big, capable of playing behind or alongside braden huff and massamba diop. The 610 forward has extensive experience, first in the g league with the ignite in 2023-24 where he averaged 10.5 points and 7.1 rebounds in 46 games, even getting an invite to nba all-star weekend to represent the g league in the rising stars event.
the spaniard then played one year professionally in the nbl with the perth wildcats, before declaring for the 2025 nba draft. After he went undrafted, almansa returned to spain and played for real madrid in liga endesa for one season before opting to return stateside with his commitment to gonzaga in the spring.
almansa is the best rebounder on the roster, and while his outside shot has always been more theoretical than productive, he is a strong finisher at the rim and has shown consistency at the free throw line as well.
if he can adjust to college officiating, hell be solid on the defensive end of the floor, and it wouldnt be a surprise to see him playing big minutes behind diop and huff this season - if hes eligible.
the ncaa announced in may plans to crack down on international players with professional experience coming to college athletics - a brutal decision announced after many teams, including gonzaga, had already recruited overseas talent.
almansas time in the g league, the nbl, and spain could result in the ncaa denying his eligibility, potentially triggering legal action to try to get him on the floor this season.
gonzaga got good news last month with another international commit, nathan de sousa, but almansa remains in limbo as of this writing.
the fact that he played on saturday likely means he has been granted a practice waiver while his eligibility is determined by the ncaa, but that doesnt necessarily mean he will get cleared. Last year, tyon grant-foster had a practice waiver approved before his appeal was denied by the ncaa and he was forced to take legal action in order to suit up for the zags.
fans will hope that doesnt end up being the case with almansa - who could be the most important reserve on the entire roster for gonzaga heading into 2026-27.
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| Notes and Quotes From Karen Blair and Georgia Tech WBB at ACC Tipoff |
| Posted on Tuesday, October 06 @ 00:02:27 PDT (8 reads) | |
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College basketball is getting closer and there is no better evidence of that than acc tipoff.
georgia tech is entering the second season of the karen blair era and she was there in charlotte alongside lanya foster and talayah walker and they got a chance to talk with the media about their upcoming season.
georgia tech was one of the toughest teams to play towards the end of the season in the acc and they are returning seven players from last years team. One of the first questions that blair was asked was about the returning players and the new talent on the team and how they have meshed together:
yeah, i mean, having seven returners is huge. You know, we didnt talk about inés earlier, but this is her fifth year at georgia tech. You know, we lost her four games into the season last year, but having those seven that have gone through the program, they understand. Theyve established the culture and the foundation.
the one thing these guys have done is they did a great job of the newcomers, they brought them in, were really intentional with activities during the summer, getting to know each other, and creating that connection.
youve got to have that chemistry off the court before youre going to get that chemistry on the court.
that chemistry is what georgia tech is hoping will result in a big season.
walker mentioned that chemistry is going to be the x-factor for this team this season.
i think chemistry really. I think we have a bunch of great players who can make shots, play great defense, but i think as long as were all on the same page together, we can do some pretty great things. And just supporting each other. Yeah, i think the chemistry is going to be a big thing for us.
georgia tech was 10-6 at home last season and it was the largest single season home attendance for a season in program history. Blair gave a shoutout to the homecourt advantage that the program was able to create in her first year as the head coach:
our fans were great last year. It became -- it was a really hard place to win, so were really grateful for that. I think weve now -- going into year two weve also been able to spend more time in the community. I think thats part of our responsibility is getting out, creating that connection.
our team getting to know -- you know, getting out, getting to know more people, and then in return, getting people back.
you know, its everything. Theres nothing like that energy that you get. I think our very first game were starting with the education game. Nothing better than having thousands of screaming kids just -- you are already nervous in the first game, and then you add in all the screaming kids. But yeah, its our goal.
weve been really intentional of trying to get more people at our games. Right now for us its helpful. Atlanta dream going to the semifinals, one game. Weve enjoyed going to those games and supporting them and that organization. We want that fan base to also be supporting us at georgia tech.
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| 2026-27 Mens College Basketball Conference Outlook: Big East Conference |
| Posted on Tuesday, October 06 @ 00:02:27 PDT (5 reads) | |
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It’s almost that time again; the 2026-27 men’s college basketball season is right around the corner. Indeed, it won’t be long before games in the big east officially tip off, with teams such as uconn, villanova, and st. John’s all jockeying for the conference crown.
the initial matchups have already been set; they promise to be full of exciting moments, and electrifying action.
the 2025-26 season in the big east featured fierce rivalries between several of the nation’s most storied basketball programs. Let’s take a quick look back at some of the storylines that defined the year.
other teams like creighton and depaul also made meaningful progress. Despite coming up a bit short of ncaa tournament bids, there is a lot that these squads can hang their hats on in preparation for another season.
enough about the past; let’s look to the future, and check out some teams that could make deep conference runs this season.
uconn
what they did well last season:
what they didn’t do well:
this year’s key players
key points for the huskies:
st. John’s
what they did well:
what they didn’t do well:
key players
key points for the red storm:
villanova
what they did well:
what they didn’t do well:
key players
key points for the ‘cats:
marquette
what they did well:
what they didn’t do well:
key players
key points for the golden eagles:
as the 2026-27 college basketball season begins, it is clear that conference play in the big east will be a showcase for some of the year’s best games, as well as the most compelling storylines in the sport. Fans should expect big-time performances by emerging stars, culminating in high-stakes runs to madison square garden in march.
buckle your seat belts; this is going to be good!
— matt boland for stadiumrant.Com
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| Crotty named to NCAA Mens Basketball Student-Athlete Engagement Group |
| Posted on Tuesday, October 06 @ 00:02:27 PDT (7 reads) | |
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Stillwater – oklahoma state sophomore guard
established in 2023, the group brings together one men’s basketball student-athlete from each division i conference to provide a student-athlete voice on issues impacting the college game.
members meet virtually throughout the year and provide feedback to the ncaa division i men’s basketball oversight committee on current and anticipated topics, including transfers, recruiting, name, image and likeness, championship experiences and other issues affecting student-athletes.
“ryan has done a great job building relationships, not only within our team but across our athletic department and campus,” head coach
the 6-foot-6 guard from holly springs, n.C., Is entering his second season with the cowboys. As a freshman he represented the men’s basketball team on oklahoma state’s student-athlete advisory committee (saac).
crotty and osu will unofficially open the 2026-27 season this sunday with a 2 p.M. Exhibition game against new mexico at gallagher-iba arena. Admission is free with doors opening one hour before tipoff.
ryan crottyhas been selected to represent the big 12 conference on the ncaa division i men’s basketball student-athlete engagement group for 2026-27.Established in 2023, the group brings together one men’s basketball student-athlete from each division i conference to provide a student-athlete voice on issues impacting the college game.
members meet virtually throughout the year and provide feedback to the ncaa division i men’s basketball oversight committee on current and anticipated topics, including transfers, recruiting, name, image and likeness, championship experiences and other issues affecting student-athletes.
“ryan has done a great job building relationships, not only within our team but across our athletic department and campus,” head coach
steve lutzsaid. “He has shown that he wants to be part of something bigger than himself. This is a great next step for him, and i know he’ll represent oklahoma state and the big 12 well.”The 6-foot-6 guard from holly springs, n.C., Is entering his second season with the cowboys. As a freshman he represented the men’s basketball team on oklahoma state’s student-athlete advisory committee (saac).
crotty and osu will unofficially open the 2026-27 season this sunday with a 2 p.M. Exhibition game against new mexico at gallagher-iba arena. Admission is free with doors opening one hour before tipoff. |
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| The Giant-Killer Blueprint: Zulymar Velazquez is the Ultimate College Basketball |
| Posted on Tuesday, October 06 @ 00:02:27 PDT (7 reads) | |
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In the analytical, hyper-metricized world of modern women’s college basketball recruitment, the measuring tape has become a sacred text. College coaches look at templates, searching for the uniform 5’10” wing or the positionless guard who fits neatly into a pre-determined spreadsheet.
but spreadsheets don’t have a heartbeat. And they certainly don’t have court vision.
enter zulymar “zu” velazquez —the dynamic high school class of 2027 floor general from anaheim who is currently forcing a massive philosophical shift in college war rooms. At 5’4?, Traditional scouts might see a height deficit. But the programs looking closer see an emerged talent ready to break the matrix. Velazquez doesn’t just survive despite her height; she uses it to manipulate, dismantle, and entirely dominate the game.
for the college program willing to see past the standard template, velazquez isn’t a recruiting risk—she is the ultimate backcourt cheat code.
the spreadsheet vs. The hardwood
the scouting template says: the game film proves:
? ? ? ?
? • 5’4? Frame ? ? • Unsplittable handle ?
? • Mismatch risk on switch ? Vs. ? • Elite lateral agility ?
? • Paint finishing hurdles ? ? • International pedigree ?
? ? ? ?
weaponizing the low center of gravity
in basketball, space is everything. While taller guards require more time and a wider radius to drop their hips and change direction, velazquez operates in a different dimension of quickness. Her low center of gravity is a tactical nightmare for lengthy defenders.
she uses a lethal, compact handle to sit beneath the reach of pressing wings, turning corners out of the pick-and-roll with an explosiveness that taller players simply cannot match. When she collapses the paint, she doesn’t try to play above the rim—she plays under the defense, using elite body control and advanced floaters to neutralize 6’3? Shot-blockers before they can even leave the floor.
intellectual dominance on the world stage
when you cannot rely on sheer physical imposition to score, your mind has to operate two steps ahead of the whistle. This is where velazquez leaves her peers behind. Her basketball iq isn’t just high; it’s international.
representing puerto rico at the fiba centrobasket u15 championship, she guided her team to a bronze medal against elite, physically imposing global prospects. Combined with her battles on the grueling nike eybl circuit , velazquez has mastered the art of tempo. She knows exactly when to push the break, when to pull back, and how to manipulate help-side defenders with nothing more than a look. She isn’t just a point guard; she is an on-floor coordinator who dictates the terms of engagement.
the point-of-attack disruptor
the loudest critique of smaller guards is always defensive switching, but velazquez counters this by altering the math entirely. Instead of waiting to be exploited on a switch, she stops the play before it even starts.
with elite lateral quickness and active, disruptive hands, she provides relentless point-of-attack pressure. She gets into the jersey of opposing ball-handlers, turning the backcourt into a 94-foot gauntlet. By disrupting the rhythm of the opposing offense at the top of the key, she protects her interior defense and ignites transition offense.
the off-court powerhouse: a blueprint in modern athlete marketability
the evaluation of a modern college prospect no longer ends when they step off the hardwood. In the name, image, and likeness ( nil ) era, a player’s off-court brand, marketability, and cultural footprint are major factors in their recruiting profile. College programs want athletes who move needles, drive engagement, and elevate the school’s brand identity.
velazquez isn’t just a high-iq floor general between the lines; she is an established business entity off of them. Her portfolio showcases a highly strategic, professional approach to athletic branding that makes her an immediate asset to any university athletic department.
the velazquez brand portfolio
[ betterguards ] ? The performance standard (ankle protection)
[ ethika ] ? The lifestyle & culture co-sign
[ zenbalm ] ? Wellness & athletic recovery
betterguards (the performance fit): alignment with next-generation sports tech proves that her brand is rooted in authentic athletic longevity. Partnering with a company focused on advanced ankle protection mirrors her cerebral, calculated approach to her own game. Ethika (the cultural co-sign): her partnership with a major lifestyle and apparel giant cements her status as a cultural influencer. It highlights her crossover appeal to a massive, youthful demographic that spans far beyond the local sports scene. Zenbalm (the wellness anchor): venturing into the health, recovery, and wellness space showcases a mature understanding of holistic athlete maintenance—a key talking point that resonates directly with high-level training staff at the collegiate level. The recruitment impact: why brands (and coaches) care
what makes her nil success a massive green flag for college recruiters is the authenticity of her partnerships. She isn’t just collecting endorsement checks; she is curating a professional image centered around performance, culture, and wellness.
for a college coach, this level of marketability means inheriting a mature athlete who understands media relations, public presentation, and brand responsibility. In an era where programs are actively looking for athletes who can attract fans and elevate the team’s media visibility, velazquez arrives on campus with an established, highly marketable audience ready to follow her journey.
the verdict: the team that bets on ‘zu’ wins big
recruiting templates are safe, but safe rarely wins championships. The coaches who choose to pass on velazquez because of a height chart are passing on an elite motor, a proven international winner, and a locker room leader.
when a college program finally gives her the platform, they won’t just be getting a point guard—they will be inheriting an immediate culture-setter. Zulymar velazquez is proving that when you have the heart of a giant and the mind of a master tactician, height is just a number on a roster. |
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| Mini-mart murder gets man life in prison. Reason remains a mystery |
| Posted on Tuesday, October 06 @ 00:02:27 PDT (9 reads) | |
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It is still not clear why a man went into a glendale gas station mini-mart in 2023 and shot a woman dead as she filled the beer cooler. The accused gunman, mohammad ataei, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to life in prison without explaining why to investigators.
ataei, according to court records, entered a chevron mini-mart on april 21, 2023, clad in all black, wearing a black mask and armed with a gun.
an employee working the cash register reported hearing 10 gunshots and then seeing ataei running out of the store, court records say.
advertisement advertisement advertisement advertisement the 25-year-old victim, irma rivera martinez, had 13 gunshot wounds all over her body, records say, with some appearing to have come while she lay on the ground.
police used video surveillance footage to track ataei, who was 20 years old at the time, as he fled to a car he had parked in an alley across the street, according to court documents. Investigators were able to use the license plate to track down ataei.
upon arresting ataei in his car , officers found a gun and ammunition matching the type used in the shooting.
snow falls on the campus of northern arizona university on feb. 18, 2026.
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(provided by nau) arizona diamondbacks nolan arenado (center) during spring training workouts at salt river fields on feb. 16, 2026, in scottsdale. (Rob schumacher/the republic) an unnamed female pygmy hippopotamus calf is seen in early 2026 in a watering hole at the wildlife world zoo, aquarium & safari park in litchfield park. (Provided by wildlife world zoo, aquarium & safari park) u.S. Secretary of homeland security kristi noem speaks during a press briefing on election security and support for the save act at a homeland security investigations field office in scottsdale on feb. 13, 2026. (Rebecca noble/reuters) chef dante balarezo prepares beef for his lomo saltado dish at mi corralito charbroiled peruvian chicken on feb. 4, 2026, in chandler, ariz. (Megan mendoza/the republic) former arizona cardinals star larry fitzgerald hugs pga tour player akshay bhatia on the first tee box during the annexus pro-am at the wm phoenix open on feb. 4, 2026, at tpc scottsdale. (Rob schumacher/the republic) arizona cardinals president michael bidwill arrives with his new head coach mike lafleur during a news conference on feb. 3, 2026, at arizona cardinals training center in tempe. (Rob schumacher/the republic) the entrance leading to the visitor center of hubbell trading post national historical site in ganado where a panel of navajo leader ganado mucho and trader john lorenzo hubbell is placed. (Arlyssa d. Becenti/the republic) kansas city chiefs star travis kelce reacts after making a birdie on the 16th hole during the annexus pro-am at the wm phoenix open on feb. 4, 2026, at tpc scottsdale. (Rob schumacher/the republic) offensive line and associate head coach of the football team, tim kelly speaks about some of his players as they are recognized at signing day in the gym at basha high school on feb. 4, 2026, in chandler. (Megan mendoza/the republic) professional golfer scottie scheffler walks with his son, bennett, after speaking with the press during the annexus pro-am at the wm phoenix open on feb. 4, 2026, at tpc scottsdale. (Patrick breen/the republic) country music singer zach top reacts on the first tee box during the annexus pro-am at the wm phoenix open on feb. 4, 2026, at tpc scottsdale. (Rob schumacher/the republic) olympian michael phelps greets kansas city chiefs star travis kelce on the first tee box during the annexus pro-am at the wm phoenix open on feb. 4, 2026, at tpc scottsdale. (Rob schumacher/the republic) former cardinals wide receiver larry fitzgerald talks to the press prior to the first hole during the annexus pro-am at the wm phoenix open in scottsdale on feb. 4, 2026. (Patrick breen/the republic) chef dante balarezo squeezes fresh lime juice over a ceviche de pescado dish at mi corralito charbroiled peruvian chicken on feb. 4, 2026, in chandler, ariz. (Megan mendoza/the republic) fans take a selfie during the annexus pro-am at the wm phoenix open on feb. 4, 2026, at tpc scottsdale. (Rob schumacher/the republic) millennium tigers guard mariah brownlee (4) drives past valley vista monsoon guard natalie yanes (10) at valley vista high school in surprise, on feb. 3, 2026. (Joe rondone/the republic) arizona cardinals new head coach mike lafleur at a news conference on feb. 3, 2026, at arizona cardinals training center in tempe. (Rob schumacher/the republic) evan weckstein, director of operations, holds up an order of strawberry hot wings at native grill & wings in surprise on feb. 3, 2026. The “guest favorite” signature sauce was removed from the menu in 2020 but was re-added at the end of january 2026. (Diannie chavez/the republic) immigration and customs enforcement agents were on site jan. 26, 2026, at a zipps sports grill on central avenue near thomas road in phoenix, draw dozens of onlookers and protesters. (Jose r. Gonzalez/the republic) people protest outside of zipps sports grill park central after federal authorities entered multiple locations in metro phoenix on jan. 26, 2026, as part of a still-evolving investigation by the department of homeland security. (Joe rondone/the republic) people protest outside of zipps sports grill park central after federal authorities entered multiple locations in metro phoenix on jan. 26, 2026, as part of a still-evolving investigation by the department of homeland security. (Joe rondone/the republic) mexican gray wolf m1477 after being released south of hannagan meadow, arizona, on jan. 26, 2024. M1477, an 8-year-old male and member of the eagle creek pack, was darted from a helicopter to have his radio collar replaced. (Mark henle/the republic) desert vista girls basketball head coach erin obryan explains plays to her team during practice at desert vista high school in phoenix on jan. 22, 2026. (Diannie chavez/the republic) desert vistas kolbi brooks goes through drills during practice at desert vista high school in phoenix on jan. 22, 2026. (Diannie chavez/the republic) bartender baker edwards mixes up a drink on dec. 23, 2025, at huarachis taqueria in phoenix, named one of usa todays restaurants of the year for 2026. (Joe rondone/the republic) michael dines jumps to shoot the ball while he plays basketball with dylan sands (left) and brayden anderson in surprise on jan. 15, 2026. (Diannie chavez/the republic) clouds fill the sky near the white tank mountains in waddell on jan. 15, 2026. (Diannie chavez/the republic) jacey bailey puts on her running shoes before taking off for a run at the white tank mountains in waddell on jan. 15, 2026. (Diannie chavez/the republic) jacey bailey warms up before taking off for a run at the white tank mountains in waddell on jan. 15, 2026. (Diannie chavez/the republic) dylan sands (left), brayden anderson and michael dines play basketball in surprise on jan. 15, 2026. (Diannie chavez/the republic) a runner follows the road away from the white tank mountains in waddell on jan. 15, 2026. (Diannie chavez/the republic) the view of the valley from the white tank mountains in waddell on jan. 15, 2026. (Diannie chavez/the republic) bees pollinate in the wildflowers that line the road towards the white tank mountains in waddell on jan. 15, 2026. (Diannie chavez/the republic) a runner jogs past a flock of geese near the eastern canal on jan. 15, 2026, in chandler. (Megan mendoza/the republic) ducks swim toward food as the sun goes down at the riparian preserve at water ranch on jan. 13, 2026, in gilbert. (Megan mendoza/the republic) visitors feed the ducks at the riparian preserve at water ranch on jan. 13, 2026, in gilbert. (Megan mendoza/the republic) miguel hinojosa (left) and ella sachs feed the ducks at the riparian preserve at water ranch on jan. 13, 2026, in gilbert. (Megan mendoza/the republic) miguel hinojosa (left) and ella sachs feed the ducks at the riparian preserve at water ranch on jan. 13, 2026, in gilbert. (Megan mendoza/the republic) a park visitor sits on a walking path to fish at the riparian preserve at water ranch on jan. 13, 2026, in gilbert. (Megan mendoza/the republic) ella sachs feeds the ducks at the riparian preserve at water ranch on jan. 13, 2026, in gilbert. (Megan mendoza/the republic) a mountain biker rides through the dreamy draw recreation area on jan. 13, 2026, in phoenix. (Rob schumacher/the republic) a monarch butterfly lands on a brittlebush in the dreamy draw recreation area on jan. 13, 2026, in phoenix. (Rob schumacher/the republic) a mountain biker rides a trail through the dreamy draw recreation area on jan. 13, 2026, in phoenix. (Rob schumacher/the republic) a hiker and her dog enjoys the weather in the dreamy draw recreation area on jan. 13, 2026, in phoenix. (Rob schumacher/the republic) a bicyclist rides through the dreamy draw recreation area on jan. 13, 2026, in phoenix. (Rob schumacher/the republic) people gather outside the phoenix ice field office on jan. 7, 2026, in phoenix, for a vigil in honor of renee nicole good shot and killed by an ice agent in minneapolis. (Joe rondone/the republic) people gather outside the phoenix ice field office for a vigil in honor of renee nicole good shot and killed by an ice agent in minneapolis. (Joe rondone/the republic) duran duran performs at the mortgage matchup center on jan. 5, 2026, in phoenix. (Joe rondone/the republic) st. Marys knights forward cam williams (1) blocks the shot of brophy broncos guard daylen sharper (22) at brophy prep gym in phoenix on jan. 7, 2026. (Joe rondone/the republic) the miami hurricanes arrive at phoenix sky harbor international airport on jan. 5, 2026, ahead of their matchup with the ole miss rebels at the 2026 vrbo fiesta bowl, which is a college football playoff semifinal game. (Rob schumacher/the republic) the miami hurricanes arrive at phoenix sky harbor international airport on jan. 5, 2026, ahead of their matchup with the ole miss rebels at the 2026 vrbo fiesta bowl, which is a college football playoff semifinal game. (Rob schumacher/the republic) protesters march down seventh avenue in phoenix to oppose conflict with venezuela after the capture of venezuelan president nicola?S maduro on jan. 3, 2026. (Megan mendoza/the republic) arizona state sun devils anthony pig johnson (2) hangs from the rim after scoring against the colorado buffaloes at desert financial arena in tempe, on jan. 3, 2026. (Diannie chavez/the republic) the compton high school marching band walks in the fiesta bowl parade on jan. 3, 2026, in phoenix. (Megan mendoza/the republic) people dance on the golden grannies outreach float at the fiesta bowl parade on jan. 3, 2026, in phoenix. (Megan mendoza/the republic) paraglider roy devilbiss stands at the edge of gila valley lookout over ahwatukee as he prepares to take off from south mountain on jan. 2, 2026, in phoenix. (Megan mendoza/the republic) paraglider roy devilbiss takes off from gila valley lookout at south mountain on jan. 2, 2026, in phoenix. (Megan mendoza/the republic) micaela naswood (11, tempe) climbs down after reaching the top of the 50-foot genesis climbing tower at riverview park in mesa on jan. 2, 2026. (Mark henle/the republic) rain puddles linger on the court as chris buenaventura spends the morning of his 19th birthday playing pickleball with his family at surprise community park in surprise on jan. 2, 2026. (Diannie chavez/the republic)
see the best images from whats happening across arizona 1 of 60 snow falls on the campus of northern arizona university on feb. 18, 2026.
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(provided by nau) in a search of his home, police found an empty shoe box and a receipt for the distinctive style of shoes seen on the surveillance video footage. They also found pants with the same yellow stripe seen on the footage.
advertisement advertisement officers also found more than $7,000 in cash at his home and investigated the possibility he had been hired to kill martinez. Though, according to court records, officers were never able to make that solid connection.
ataei refused to speak with arresting officers, immediately asking for an attorney. He also, on the advice of his defense attorney, declined to speak with the person who was preparing a report for the judge in his case ahead of his sentencing.
that presentence report said this was ataeis first felony conviction. A memo filed by the state said he had been convicted of no crimes whatsoever before this shooting.
his defense team did file a document with the court outlining his side of the case, arguing for a mitigated sentence, though that was filed under seal and was not available for the public to view.
advertisement advertisement ataei pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and burglary in the first-degree on aug. 31. His plea deal said he would receive a life sentence with the possibility of release after 25 years. He was sentenced oct. 2.
that possibility of release, according to a sentencing memorandum filed by the state, was because he pleaded guilty under the felony murder rule, meaning he pleaded guilty to committing a murder while in the process of committing another crime, not to first-degree murder itself.
had he pleaded guilty to premeditated first-degree murder, he would have faced a life sentence with no possibility of parole, the states sentencing memo said.
ataei came to the united states as a refugee, the states sentencing memo said. He was intelligent, with support from family and had a close group of friends.
advertisement advertisement outside of the speculation that ataei might have been induced to commit the murder, the states memo said that the government still does not know why the defendant committed this crime.
prosecutors said that after 25 years, ataei might go before the states clemency board that would focus on his conduct in prison in the coming years. The memo detailed the crime, including images from the surveillance video footage in the store, in order to preserve a record of the brutality of the crime for the clemency board to consider.
included in that report was a letter from areli martinez, the mother of the victim. She described driving to the chevron on instinct after not hearing from her daughter to pick her up after her shift. A detective, she wrote, told her that her daughter had died.
i cannot describe the immense pain i have felt because my daughter is no longer here, she wrote. It hurts even to breathe. My soul hurts and my entire being hurts.
advertisement advertisement have a news tip? Contact the arizona republic and azcentral.Com at newstips@arizonarepublic.Com.
this article originally appeared on arizona republic: mini-mart murder gets man life in prison. Reason remains a mystery |
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| Longhorns Daily News: Texas football bids farewell to late legend Duke Carlisle |
| Posted on Tuesday, October 06 @ 00:02:27 PDT (6 reads) | |
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Quarterback duke carlisle led texas football to its famed 1964 national championship glory. He was one of just four former texas quarterbacks to have claimed the collegiate sport’s most sought after season-long accolade.
longhorns daily news: texas football bids farewell to late legend duke carlisle
and while the kaufman, texas, native never managed to win individual awards beyond his most valuable player award following the longhorns’ cotton bowl victory over navy, which propelled texas toward its claim of the championship that season (college football’s first playoff system, the two-team bcs series, wouldn’t launch until more than three decades after the longhorns championship-winning 1964 regular and postseason.
this past weekend, carlisle’s family announced his death following a seven-year bout with cancer.
carlisle was 84 years old, according to the houston chronicle.
what they’re saying about the longhorns
austin american-statesman: as disch-falk gets new field, texas baseball finds new places to practice
austin american-statesman: how freshmen can fill in for injured texas basketball guard mikey lewis
247sports: horns247 roundtable: who or what has exceeded expectations for texas through four games?
inside texas: why jermaine bishop may be texas’ secret weapon in this year’s red river rivalry
icymi in burnt orange nation
recruiting roundup
247sports: 2028 ol lance ciechanowski: texas ‘definitely’ among top schools after recent visit
247sports: texas remains high on 2028 ol sean sherman’s list after latest austin visit
inside texas: inside scoop: five-star commit visit plans, 2027 wr target news, 2028 four-star iol names horns in top 12
sec showdown
austin american-statesman: texas vs alabama: longhorns beat crimson tide in four sets
austin american-statesman: texas vs mississippi state: longhorns sweep bulldogs, get back on track in sec
houston chronicle: texas is up and oklahoma is down. That doesn’t matter in the red river rivalry.
houston chronicle: a texas take on college football: looking ahead to ut-ou, lincoln riley’s fate
247sports: three things texas coach steve sarkisian prioritized during the longhorns’ bye week ahead of ou, sec gauntlet
247sports: the stampede: texas vs. Oklahoma: 10 recruiting battles to watch around the red river rivalry
inside texas: how the oklahoma game is a microcosm for what texas faces in the sec at large
inside texas: why the ground game is the golden hat’s best predictor
good bull hunting: salient stats: texas a&m 34, arkansas 7
rock m nation: what went into mizzou’s defense in containing jadan baugh
and the valley shook: lsu delievers historic offensive performance over mcneese state
red cup rebellion: ole miss finalizing deal with adidas at $20 million annually
rocky top talk: josh heupel explains moving to george macintyre over faizon brandon against auburn
roll ‘bama roll: initial impressions from the mississippi state game
dawg sports: sec shorts is on the hunt for a killer. Maybe two.
a sea of blue: will stein praises kenny minchey’s composure in win over south carolina
what we’re reading
sb nation: alabama is, finally, a legit national title contender again
sb nation: travis hunter broke tee higgins’ ankles for the nfl’s best juke that didn’t count
sb nation: ben johnson made qb case keenum the bears starter for one snap for extremely petty reason
news across longhorn nation and beyond
- bijan robinson is on the move. |
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| Every NC Central player drafted by the Oklahoma City Thunder |
| Posted on Tuesday, October 06 @ 00:02:27 PDT (7 reads) | |
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The oklahoma city thunder have developed their team over the decades via the usual ways most teams in the nba have, finding special success through the nba draft since their founding as the seattle supersonics. Many of the franchises top players have joined the team either through direct selections in the annual draft or via trades executed on that day.
on top of this, the thunder have selected not only several star players through the draft but also a number of notable alumni each offseason. A few colleges have been more prominently represented than others in sourcing those prospects, though okc has always cast a wide net as well. Both prestigious programs and smaller institutions have consistently contributed high-caliber talent to the thunders roster over the years.
so without further ado, lets take a look at every player who has been drafted by the thunder out of nc central.
david binion - forward
draft year and position: 10th round (16th pick, 221st overall), 1983 nba draft
seasons at nc central: unknown
seasons played with thunder: did not make the team
david young - forward
draft year and position: 2nd round (12th pick, 41st overall), 2004 nba draft
seasons at nc central: 3
seasons played with thunder: did not make the team
all stats and data courtesy of basketball reference.
this article originally appeared on okc thunder wire: every nc central player drafted by the oklahoma city thunder |
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