With summer’s proverbial dog days right around the corner, what a wonderful week it was for The Daily Memphian sports staff to delve into some offseason storytelling.

Drew Hill brought us the tale of Mike Cook, a local boxer who took part in the Riverfront Rumble at Beale Street Landing over the weekend but spends his workdays training people from all sorts of different background — including some from the roster of the NBA’s Memphis Grizzlies.

Hill also spent time Monday out at the Overton Park 9 Golf Course, where local golfers walked 99 holes — yep, 99 — to raise money for local charities.

Speaking of charity, Geoff Calkins explained Monday why Santi Aldama asked a local kid to sing “Feliz Navidad” — in June.

Meanwhile, Parth Upadhyaya profiled the newest Memphis Tigers basketball player, former MUS guard Curtis Givens III, a transfer from LSU with extensive ties to the city. John Varlas highlighted Briarcrest basketball newcomer Joshua Huggins — already a target of coach Penny Hardaway’s Tigers.

Varlas also wrote a super story about Rishi Bhavaraj, a standout Lausanne pitcher whose father Kalyan came to the U.S. knowing way more about cricket than baseball.

And Frank Bonner II detailed what life’s about to be like for Kobee Minor, the Memphis Tigers football player made Mr. Irrelevant when the New England Patriots made him the final selection of the 2025 NFL Draft.

Oh, and there was some actual news along the way, too.

Bonner and Upadhyaya teamed late Friday night to examine what approval of a settlement in the case of House v. the NCAA may mean for the Tigers athletic department, while Chris Herrington first reported on — and later analyzed — an injury prompting offseason surgery for Grizzlies big man Zach Edey and what it may mean this summer for Memphis’ NBA franchise.

Here’s a look at some of the staff’s top work from the week: — Deputy sports editor Tim Buckley

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Overton Park 99 golf event raises more money, opportunities By Drew Hill

Calkins: Why Santi Aldama asked a local kid to sing 'Feliz Navidad.' (It was for a good cause.) By Geoff Calkins

New Tiger Curtis Givens III has found his way 'back home' By Parth Upadhyaya

Newcomer Joshua Huggins brings tremendous potential to Briarcrest hoops By John Varlas

Baseball — and cricket — bond Lausanne standout and his dad By John Varlas

Former Tiger Kobee Minor celebrates Mr. Irrelevant Week this month By Frank Bonner II

A $2.8 billion settlement will change college sports forever. Here’s how By The Associated Press

NCAA panel approves rule changes for 2025-26 men's basketball season By Parth Upadhyaya

Grizzlies' Zach Edey suffers injury; undergoes surgery By Chris Herrington

Herrington: Zach Edey injury adds to already challenging Grizzlies summer By Chris Herrington

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