The Knicks have something special brewing as road to NBA Finals looks wide open
The Knicks are on a six-game winning streak and lead the 76ers 3-0, eyeing the NBA Finals!
Oklahoma Sooners' freshmen Kai Minor and Kendall Wells are finalists for the National Freshman of the Year award. Minor leads the nation with 71 hits and ranks third in stolen bases with 17.
Two Sooners named finalists for National Freshman of the Year
When you're the No. 1 team in the nation, very little comes as a surprise.
So when OU softball freshmen Kai Minor and Kendall Wells were named among the 10 finalists for the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Freshman of the Year award, it was just another feather in the Sooners' impressive cap. Although, hours later the team collapsed against Georgia. Still, on the whole, Oklahoma remains the best team in the country.
And Minor and Wells may be the two best freshmen. Minor, the outfielder from southern California, has more base hits (71) than any freshman in the country and ranks third among her classmates in stolen bases (17). Her 24 multi-hit games this year lead Oklahoma and her 17-game hitting streak from earlier in the season is the team's best, too.
Wells isn't just one of the best freshmen. She's one of the best players, period. Her 36 home runs this year are a school record and she's added a .367 batting average, 64 runs and 79 RBIs alongside her 1.070 slugging percentage. Wells has already been named National Player of the Week of the twice.
The two Sooners players are among four from the SEC who were named finalists for the award. Ole Miss' Madi George and Alabama's Vic Moten joined them. On May 20, the list is cut to three finalists and the winner will be announced May 26.
Oklahoma's loss Thursday in the SEC Tournament shouldn't damage the Sooners' NCAA Tournament hopes. OU will still be named a national seed and will host a Regional in Norman. The only real minus is a potential loss of the No. 1 seed overall, and even that may not come to fruition. The Sooners are that good.
Feb 22, 2026; Cathedral City, CA, USA; OU softball catcher Kendall Wells (1) hits the ball vs Washington during the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic at Wrigley Field Big League Dreams. Mandatory Credit: Karl Anderson-Imagn Images
The finalists include Oklahoma Sooners' freshmen Kai Minor and Kendall Wells.
Kai Minor has 71 hits, ranking her first among freshmen, and has 17 stolen bases this season.
The Sooners collapsed against Georgia hours after the finalists announcement.
Kendall Wells is one of the top 10 finalists for the National Freshman of the Year award.
The Knicks are on a six-game winning streak and lead the 76ers 3-0, eyeing the NBA Finals!
Mark Vientos shines with a homer and double as Mets top Diamondbacks 3-1!
Knicks fan's outburst disrupts tribute to Nick Nurse's late brother
Mitch Marner's first playoff hat trick helps Golden Knights rout Ducks 6-2, taking a 2-1 series lead.
Victor Wembanyama drops 39 points as Spurs take a 2-1 lead over Timberwolves
Chelsea aims to avoid a seventh league defeat against Liverpool at Anfield.
See every story in Sports ā including breaking news and analysis.
Feb 20, 2026; Cathedral City, CA, USA; Kendall Wells (1) during the OU softball game against Duke at the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic at Big League Dreams. Mandatory Credit: David Frerker-Imagn Images
Oklahoma catcher Kendall Wells (1) hits a home run during the home opener softball game between Oklahoma and Alabama State at Loveās Field in Norman Okla., on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026.
Oklahoma catcher Kendall Wells (1) hits a home run during the home opener softball game between Oklahoma and Alabama State at Loveās Field in Norman Okla., on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026.
Oklahoma catcher Kendall Wells (1) hits a home run during the home opener softball game between Oklahoma and Alabama State at Loveās Field in Norman Okla., on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026.
Oklahoma catcher Kendall Wells (1) catches a pitch during the home opener softball game between Oklahoma and Alabama State at Loveās Field in Norman Okla., on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026.
Oklahoma catcher Kendall Wells (1) hits a home run during the home opener softball game between Oklahoma and Alabama State at LoveĆ¢ā¬ā¢s Field in Norman Okla., on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026.
Oklahoma Sooners catcher Kendall Wells (1) celebrates as she runs home after hitting a two-run home run in the first inning of a college sotball game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Kentucky Wildcats at Love's FIeld in Norman, Okla., Thursday, April 2, 2026.
Oklahoma softball pitching coach Jennifer Rocha talks with pitcher Audrey Lowry (24) and catcher Kendall Wells (1) during a college sotball game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Kentucky Wildcats at Love's FIeld in Norman, Okla., Thursday, April 2, 2026.
Oklahoma Sooners catcher Kendall Wells (1) hits a two-run home run in the first inning of a college sotball game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Kentucky Wildcats at Love's FIeld in Norman, Okla., Thursday, April 2, 2026.
Oklahoma head coach Patty Gasso high fives Oklahoma's Kendall Wells (1) after she hit her 30th home run of the year during the college softball game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the Kentucky Wildcats at Love's Field in Norman, Okla. Saturday April 4, 2026. Wells tied the freshman home run season record.
Oklahoma's Kendall Wells (1) celebrates her 30th home run of the year during the college softball game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the Kentucky Wildcats at Love's Field in Norman, Okla. Saturday April 4, 2026. Wells tied the freshman xhome run season record.
Oklahoma's Kendall Wells (1) hits her 30th home run of the year during the college softball game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the Kentucky Wildcats at Love's Field in Norman, Okla. Saturday April 4, 2026. Wells tied the freshman home run season record.
Oklahoma Sooners catcher Kendall Wells (1) celebrates after hitting a two-run home run in the third inning of a Bedlam softball game between the Oklahoma State Cowgirls and the Oklahoma Sooners at Devon Park in Oklahoma CIty, Wednesday, April 15, 2026. Oklahoma State won 6-4.
Oklahoma's Kendall Wells (1) watches her home run in the second inning during the college softball game between the Oklahoma Sooners and the Georgia Bulldogs at Love's Field in Norman, Okla., Friday, April, 24, 2026. Wells sett the new OU softball single-season home run record.
Oklahoma's Kendall Wells (1) celebrates her home run in the second inning during the college softball game between the Oklahoma Sooners and the Georgia Bulldogs at Love's Field in Norman, Okla., Friday, April, 24, 2026. Wells sett the new OU softball single-season home run record.
Oklahoma's Kendall Wells (1) hits a home run in the second inning during the college softball game between the Oklahoma Sooners and the Georgia Bulldogs at Love's Field in Norman, Okla., Friday, April, 24, 2026. Wells sett the new OU softball single-season home run record.
1 / 17
Feb 22, 2026; Cathedral City, CA, USA; OU softball catcher Kendall Wells (1) hits the ball vs Washington during the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic at Wrigley Field Big League Dreams. Mandatory Credit: Karl Anderson-Imagn Images
1 / 17
Feb 22, 2026; Cathedral City, CA, USA; OU softball catcher Kendall Wells (1) hits the ball vs Washington during the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic at Wrigley Field Big League Dreams. Mandatory Credit: Karl Anderson-Imagn Images
2 / 17
Feb 20, 2026; Cathedral City, CA, USA; Kendall Wells (1) during the OU softball game against Duke at the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic at Big League Dreams. Mandatory Credit: David Frerker-Imagn Images
3 / 17
Oklahoma catcher Kendall Wells (1) hits a home run during the home opener softball game between Oklahoma and Alabama State at Loveās Field in Norman Okla., on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026.
4 / 17
Oklahoma catcher Kendall Wells (1) hits a home run during the home opener softball game between Oklahoma and Alabama State at Loveās Field in Norman Okla., on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026.
5 / 17
Oklahoma catcher Kendall Wells (1) hits a home run during the home opener softball game between Oklahoma and Alabama State at Loveās Field in Norman Okla., on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026.
6 / 17
Oklahoma catcher Kendall Wells (1) catches a pitch during the home opener softball game between Oklahoma and Alabama State at Loveās Field in Norman Okla., on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026.
7 / 17
Oklahoma catcher Kendall Wells (1) hits a home run during the home opener softball game between Oklahoma and Alabama State at LoveĆ¢ā¬ā¢s Field in Norman Okla., on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026.
8 / 17
Oklahoma Sooners catcher Kendall Wells (1) celebrates as she runs home after hitting a two-run home run in the first inning of a college sotball game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Kentucky Wildcats at Love's FIeld in Norman, Okla., Thursday, April 2, 2026.
9 / 17
Oklahoma softball pitching coach Jennifer Rocha talks with pitcher Audrey Lowry (24) and catcher Kendall Wells (1) during a college sotball game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Kentucky Wildcats at Love's FIeld in Norman, Okla., Thursday, April 2, 2026.
10 / 17
Oklahoma Sooners catcher Kendall Wells (1) hits a two-run home run in the first inning of a college sotball game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Kentucky Wildcats at Love's FIeld in Norman, Okla., Thursday, April 2, 2026.
11 / 17
Oklahoma head coach Patty Gasso high fives Oklahoma's Kendall Wells (1) after she hit her 30th home run of the year during the college softball game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the Kentucky Wildcats at Love's Field in Norman, Okla. Saturday April 4, 2026. Wells tied the freshman home run season record.
12 / 17
Oklahoma's Kendall Wells (1) celebrates her 30th home run of the year during the college softball game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the Kentucky Wildcats at Love's Field in Norman, Okla. Saturday April 4, 2026. Wells tied the freshman xhome run season record.
13 / 17
Oklahoma's Kendall Wells (1) hits her 30th home run of the year during the college softball game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the Kentucky Wildcats at Love's Field in Norman, Okla. Saturday April 4, 2026. Wells tied the freshman home run season record.
14 / 17
Oklahoma Sooners catcher Kendall Wells (1) celebrates after hitting a two-run home run in the third inning of a Bedlam softball game between the Oklahoma State Cowgirls and the Oklahoma Sooners at Devon Park in Oklahoma CIty, Wednesday, April 15, 2026. Oklahoma State won 6-4.
15 / 17
Oklahoma's Kendall Wells (1) watches her home run in the second inning during the college softball game between the Oklahoma Sooners and the Georgia Bulldogs at Love's Field in Norman, Okla., Friday, April, 24, 2026. Wells sett the new OU softball single-season home run record.
16 / 17
Oklahoma's Kendall Wells (1) celebrates her home run in the second inning during the college softball game between the Oklahoma Sooners and the Georgia Bulldogs at Love's Field in Norman, Okla., Friday, April, 24, 2026. Wells sett the new OU softball single-season home run record.
17 / 17
Oklahoma's Kendall Wells (1) hits a home run in the second inning during the college softball game between the Oklahoma Sooners and the Georgia Bulldogs at Love's Field in Norman, Okla., Friday, April, 24, 2026. Wells sett the new OU softball single-season home run record.
This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: No. 1 Oklahoma places two as finalists for National Frosh of the Year