Basketball: the main stories of 26.09.2026

An international college basketball player is in immigration detention. The Guardian's analysis of Aminata Seck's case says it shows the bargain international college athletes accept: universities recruit them hard, but that support can disappear once their immigration status becomes uncertain. The piece puts the question to the NCAA and the universities, and so far neither has answered it. Every programme that recruits abroad has a stake in how this case ends.

The heaviest NBA move came overnight. Shams Charania reported that Chicago had agreed to send Rob Dillingham, 21, to Charlotte for Buddy Hield, 33, and cash. The Hornets also waived Ryan Nembhard, whom they had acquired in a deal with Atlanta. By one account Denver is interested in him. In the VTB United League, Betsiti Parma opened the regular season with a 97:88 win at UNICS. Parma won the rebounding 42-33, and newcomer Joshua Primo scored 22. Milan Karakas blamed his side's defence and lack of physical strength. Separately, he said Nikita Mikhailovsky had been left out as a coaching decision, not because of injury. Beşiktaş returned to the EuroLeague with a 94:96 defeat by Valencia, and Daquan Jeffries hurt his wrist on his debut.

• Indiana general manager Chad Buchanan said Tyrese Haliburton is cleared with no restrictions after missing last season with a ruptured Achilles.
• Rob Pelinka said Luka Dončić has made clear he does not want to act as the Lakers' general manager or coach. A week ago Pelinka called him the world's best offensive player.
• Greek Super Cup semi-finals: Olympiacos beat AEK, and PAOK knocked out Panathinaikos, with 18 points from former Panathinaikos forward Cedi Osman.
• FIBA Intercontinental Cup semi-finals: the G League side beat the Tigers 114:95, with 29 points from Quiñones. Rytas, who beat Shanghai 107:66 earlier in the week, got past Boca Juniors.
• Zenit beat Uralmash 92:68 in their opener. A Telegram channel reports that the club will not keep Nate Mason.
• Yiğitcan Saybir hit a three with 1.5 seconds left to give Tofaş a win over Bordo.
• Fever guard Tai Harris broke her left fibula in the final regular-season game and will miss the play-offs.
• Unicaja signed shooter Matt Thomas, a week after forward Tyson Perez was ruled out for the rest of 2026 after heel surgery.
• Thanasis Antetokounmpo explained his move to Aris, where he joins his brother Kostas.
• Former Lokomotiv guard Isaiah Whitehead retired at 31. D.J. Wilson returns to Jilin for a third season in China.
• Coming up: the WNBA play-offs start today, with Minnesota the side to beat. The ACB season opens with Barcelona v Basket Coruña and Bilbao v Manresa.