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• Sesko opts for Leipzig stay over Arsenal, Man Utd move due to progress opportunities

  Benjamin Sesko remains certain that staying at RB Leipzig is the "right decision" to develop his career after turning down reported Premier League interest.

  Slovenia international Sesko joined Leipzig from RB Salzburg in 2023, scoring 14 league goals last campaign, a tally bettered by only seven players in the German top flight.

  That form was said to have attracted Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea to the 21-year-old, who instead signed a new five-year contract with the Bundesliga club last month.

  Having committed his future to life at the Red Bull Arena, the striker believes Leipzig will provide a platform for his progression.

  "I thought it through very well," Sesko said to Nogomania, a Slovenian media outlet. "I believe I made the right decision. I wanted to gain more experience, learn more, and not rush things.

  "Leipzig are an excellent club that can provide what I need for the next step. Leipzig's vision is clear; everything is geared towards growth, progress, and high goals. I felt it was right to decide this way."

  Sesko's new deal could see him stay with Leipzig until 2029, with Marco Rose boasting one of the world's most exciting prospects up top.

  The Leipzig attacker scored from 14 of his 47 shots last season in the league, a conversion rate of 29.8% – the third-best ratio in the 2023-24 Bundesliga among players to have managed at least five goals. 

  That deadly finishing in front of goal will have Rose excited once more, and Sesko says his boss was key to the decision to stay.

  "We talked," Sesko explained. "He told me he wanted me to stay but also said I should decide based on my feelings.

  "He said if I felt I needed to move on, I should go, but if not, I should stay. He's an excellent coach who has led many great players.

  "I'm glad I decided this way. I did it before the Euro to keep a clear head and focus entirely on the championship."

• Knicks, head coach Thibodeau agree to three-year contract extension

  The New York Knicks and head coach Tom Thibodeau have agreed to a three-year contract extension through the 2027-28 season.

  New York went 50-32 last season to earn the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference before losing to the Indiana Pacers in the semi-finals of the play-offs.

  The Knicks were also ousted in the East semis in 2022-23 and reached the play-offs during Thibodeau’s first season in 2021-22, when he won his second NBA Coach of the Year award.

  Prior to 2021-22, New York’s previous post-season appearance came in 2013.

  The Knicks have gone 175-143 over the last four seasons under Thibodeau, who earned his first NBA Coach of the Year award in 2011 as a rookie head coach with the Chicago Bulls.

  The 66-year-old Thibodeau owns a 527-389 record in 12 seasons as a head coach with Chicago, the Minnesota Timberwolves and New York.

  His teams have gone 38-47 in the post-season, and Thibodeau’s only appearance in the conference finals came in his rookie head coach season.

• George 'all-in' for the 76ers, but holds no ill will towards Clippers

  Paul George is "all-in" with the Philadelphia 76ers, who he believes have a great shot at winning the NBA championship.

  George joined the Sixers after the Los Angeles Clippers did not offer him a full max contract.

  However, George holds no ill will towards the Clippers.

  The 34-year-old said: "Amazing time. No regret, they went out and gave me an opportunity to play at home, which, at that point in time was a ton of value for myself to be able to play in front of my family, my friends, and have a legitimate shot to chase a championship every season.

  "Obviously, injuries kind of deterred us a little bit. But just to speak on that situation as a whole, there's no ill will.

  "Again, forever grateful for the opportunity that they gave me to come back.

  "We had a great mutual talk as it all played out, and I felt it was great closure on the situation. I'm happy for them, they're happy for me, and I'm a Sixer now. So that's behind me."

  And George feels everything is lining up perfectly for the Sixers.

  "I thought everything just aligned perfectly," George said.

  "Where they're at and where they're trying to go and where I'm trying to get to, as well.

  "I think we got a real legitimate shot. I've always been a fan of Tyrese and Joel from afar, and Joel has secretly been one of my closest All-Star Game friends. And so, it kind of felt inevitable that at some point we would link up and be teammates.

  "So, I'm all-in. My family's here all-in, and I'm excited, and looking forward to this next opportunity."

  George feels one key asset he can bring is to help share the load with 76ers talisman Joel Embiid, who suffered an injury-hit season last term.

  "I think just taking the pressure off Joel," George said.

  "I think I can kind of help him get through a season healthy. And again, it's just not putting so much pressure on him.

  "Regardless of how good you feel, I think pressure causes a lot of injuries as well, and you think you have to get overplayed, you have to touch every possession, that kind of just wears you down, especially for how physical he is.

  "So that's the key. Everybody do their part, make sure we're working on our bodies, and that we don't just put that pressure on one individual to go out and win games for us."