A 2013 photo shows a year 6 Bradman Best holding a chalkboard reading Play Rugby League for Australia. Now 25, Best is one of four debutants in the Kangaroos line-up against Fiji in Brisbane on Sunday. Best says the moment means everything and that he has dreamt of it since he was a young child. His former teachers say his sporting talent was clear from an early age. Best now encourages current students at his old school to dream big and chase their goals.
Walker Kessler scored 26 points in his Los Angeles Lakers debut, making all 12 of his field-goal attempts. Eleven of those baskets were assisted, with Luka Doncic contributing five assists. The Lakers acquired Kessler in a major trade, hoping he would complement their perimeter players. His performance suggests he could force defences to make difficult choices between guarding him and the Lakers' other stars.
The Los Angeles Lakers secured their first victory of the season against the Golden State Warriors, but the game's focal point was the heated exchange between Luka Doncic and rookie Yaxel Lendeborg. Doncic, returning from injury, led his team with 28 points, while Lendeborg made his NBA debut memorable by engaging in a verbal battle. Lendeborg later expressed his loss of respect for Doncic, citing his frequent complaints to referees. The two are likely to continue their rivalry, with three more matchups scheduled this season.
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Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 35 points in his Miami Heat debut, setting a new franchise record previously held by LeBron James. Despite his impressive performance, the Heat lost 131-106 to the Timberwolves, struggling with rebounding and turnovers. Antetokounmpo's efficiency was evident, shooting 13-of-19 from the field, but the team's poor three-point shooting, including Tim Hardaway Jr.'s 1-of-7, hindered their chances. The Heat will aim to improve their supporting cast's performance ahead of their next game against the Pistons. Fans hope this offensive struggle was an isolated incident.
Paul George scored 38 points in his Boston Celtics debut against the Pistons, setting a franchise record for most points in a first game. The Celtics lost 121-113, but George's performance was a highlight, including six three-pointers in the first half. He also moved into eighth place all-time in three-pointers made, surpassing Kyle Korver. Despite George's strong start, a cold shooting night from Jayson Tatum and a Detroit run in the second half led to the Celtics' first loss of the season.
Scott Boland took both Australian wickets on a rain-interrupted first day of the second Test against South Africa in Gqeberha. He dismissed Aiden Markram and David Bedingham in consecutive deliveries after the pitch began to move. South African debutant Marques Ackerman was greeted by a family moment after scoring his first run before the rain returned. Play was delayed by two hours, with only 12.2 overs bowled on the day at St George's Park.
Nick Lavery took five wickets on his North Kalgoorlie debut as the side beat Hannans by 147 runs in the Eastern Goldfields Cricket Association's B-grade Twenty20 match at Wallace Park. Lavery, a two-time Goldfields sports star of the year for hockey, had no previous experience of organised cricket. He took his first wicket with his first ball and finished with 5-0. Norths made 4-201, led by Scott Nelson's 61 off 33 balls. In the other match, Lake View beat Great Boulder by 56 runs, with Daniel Hood scoring 59 off 35 balls.
Spanish author and first-time actor Milo Quifes has made his screen debut in La Bola Negra, a film written and directed by Los Javis. The historical drama is based on an unfinished fragment by poet Federico García Lorca. Quifes plays Carlos, a young man from a wealthy Granada family who is rejected by his father's casino because of his secret homosexuality in 1932. The film was nominated for the Palme d'Or at Cannes, where Los Javis took the best director prize. It is now in cinemas.
Fernando Mendoza made his NFL debut on Sunday, entering the Las Vegas Raiders' loss to the New England Patriots in the fourth quarter. The No. 1 overall pick completed his first five pass attempts, including a first-down throw to Tre Tucker. His opening drive stalled at the New England 14-yard line. Kirk Cousins remains the starter for now, but Mendoza's first outing gave the Raiders' offence a boost.
Koonwarra-Leongatha RSL cricketer Harry Hoekstra performed with distinction on his first Sheffield Shield appearance for Victoria against South Australia at the Junction Oval. He top scored with 45 in Victoria's first innings and finished with figures of 6/103 with the ball. Victoria lost the match by an innings. Hoekstra said he was pleased with his personal performance. His next four-day match is against Tasmania at Ninja Stadium in Hobart, starting Monday, October 19.
Anthony Davis, AJ Dybantsa and Trae Young made their Washington Wizards debuts together in a preseason game against the New York Knicks. Davis led all players with 16 points in 17 minutes, and his strong play gives Washington a solid base this season. The Wizards shot 39 percent from three-point range as a team, with Young going 3-for-6 from deep. Dybantsa scored 11 points, added four steals and showed his playmaking and defensive skills, pointing to a team that could be among the league's best shooting sides.
South Australia are three wickets from victory over Victoria at Junction Oval after a dominant third day of their Sheffield Shield opener. Debutant Noah McFadyen scored 134 and captain Ben Manenti made 128, adding 148 runs for the fourth wicket. South Australia were dismissed for 508, giving them a first innings lead of 264. Victoria reached stumps on day three at 7-175, still 89 runs behind. Harry Hoekstra took six wickets on his first Shield appearance. Hoekstra and Fergus O'Neill will resume batting on day four.
Harry Hoekstra has taken six wickets on his Sheffield Shield debut for Victoria against South Australia at St Kilda's Junction Oval. The Koonwarra-Leongatha RSL product also top-scored with 45 in Victoria's first innings. South Australia's Noah McFadyen made 134 on debut, helping the Redbacks reach 508. Victoria trails by 264 runs on the first innings, and rain overnight could help them save a draw. Hoekstra's home club has congratulated him on earning his first Victorian cap.
Victoria debutant Harry Hoekstra took four wickets, but South Australia's batters built a 108-run lead on day two of their Sheffield Shield match. SA captain Ben Manenti, Jake Lehmann and Henry Hunt scored 92 not out, 90 and 71 respectively, helping their team reach 6-352 at stumps. Hoekstra, who also top-scored for Victoria, dismissed key players including Jake Weatherald and Lehmann. South Australia's lead was further boosted by an unbeaten 89-run stand between Manenti and Noah McFadyen.
Phillip Hughes scored a maiden Test century with back-to-back sixes in Durban in 2009. The 20-year-old opener had earlier made his debut in Johannesburg. Hughes' aggressive innings, including 115 in the first innings and 160 in the second, helped Australia win the Test by 175 runs. His performance marked the beginning of a new era for the Australian Test team, with teammates praising his talent and impact.
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Harry Hoekstra made an impressive Sheffield Shield debut for Victoria against South Australia at the Junction Oval. Batting in a difficult situation, he scored 45 runs and took a wicket with a well-delivered ball. Victoria's head coach, Chris Rogers, expressed excitement about the new season and the team's potential. The match is being broadcast live on Kayo Sports and cricket.com.au.
