Jude Bellingham’s Had A Busy Summer

…Between pre-season training and vacationing everywhere from Ibiza to Jamaica, he found time for his favorite side hustle: modelling. He’s the face of Louis Vuitton’s Spring/Summer 2026 menswear collection designed by Pharrell Williams, who has gone all in on athlete storytelling since joining the brand two years ago.  

After years of keeping us guessing, Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd are laying the cuteness on thick these days. On Instagram’s Close Friends Only series, the pair spoke about the origins of their special connection, debated who had the prettier jump shot, and Azzi—under duress—revealed who her favorite WNBA player was (no prizes for guessing who).  

Word on the street is that Vans is making a comeback. The OG skate shoe brand has just hired SZA as its first-ever artistic director to help lead that charge. She loves the shoes so much she’s been wearing them for her shows… and also for hiking in Wales. Talk about commitment. 

The newest EuroLeague team on the block hails from the well known European country of… the UAE? The Athletic’s Eduardo Tansley tells the remarkable story of how Dejan Kamenjašević set out 10 years ago to take Dubai Basketball to the highest level… and succeeded against all odds.

Everyone wants a piece of the US Open this year, from major corporate sponsors to sportswear giants. SportsVerse set out to lift the lid on Vicente Munoz, one of the New Yorkers pushing tennis culture forward at a grassroots level, with his new concept store, Pro Shop NYC, which is popping up all over town in the next couple of weeks. Thank us later!