History has its eyes on her
From The GIST (hi@thegistsports.com)

Welcome to Wednesday!
Unlike Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, we’re 100% sure about something: Today’s newsletter has everything you need to know about history in the making, draft drama, and so much more.


— Colgate forward Kristýna Kaltounková, who was selected No. 1 overall by the NY Sirens in last night’s PWHL Entry Draft. Can’t wait to watch her seize it.
Breaking4
👟 History has its eyes on her

The GIST: Kenyan track star Faith Kipyegon is attempting to do what no woman has ever done before: run a mile in under four minutes. Here’s what you need to know about her boundary-pushing and potentially historic race before tuning in to Nike’s YouTube channel tomorrow at 1:15 p.m. ET. Let’s lace ’em up.
💨 Why Kipyegon?: Defying the odds is almost second nature for the middle-distance star. The girl who grew up running barefoot in Kenya currently holds the world record for the mile (4:07.64) and the 1500m (3:49.04), an event that she’s also won three Olympic golds in.
- By studying her world record mile from July 2023, scientists determined Kipyegon is capable of running a 3:59.37 mile…if the conditions are perfect.
🧪 What sets this race apart: Kipyegon’s attempt is all about pushing the limits, so she’ll run in optimized conditions that minimize human error. Kipyegon will follow a Wavelight automated pace-setting system around the track to keep her on target and will also race behind and in front of human pacers, reducing wind resistance.
- To maximize speed and further limit drag, Nike is providing Kipyegon with a custom fly suit along with “super spikes” built specifically for the event. Look good, feel good, run fast, right?
👀 Zooming out: With all of these technological advantages, Kipyegon won’t be eligible for a world record, but that’s hardly the point. “Breaking four” is the pinnacle of achievement in track — and now, one of the world’s greatest middle-distance runners is 7.64 seconds from setting a new standard for what women can achieve. Goosebumps.
NBA Draft
🏀 The future is now

The GIST: The NBA Finals just wrapped, but the offseason machine never sleeps — just ask the ever-growing list of traded players who’ve swapped threads in the last few days. And that’s not the only hoopla to keep an eye on: The 79th NBA Entry Draft begins tonight at 8 p.m. ET. It’s time to capture the flag(g).
⚙️ How it works: Fifty-nine players (instead of the usual 60) will hear their names called over the next two days, with the top 14 selections determined during May’s ping pong ball-powered Draft Lottery. The odds (1.8%) were not in the Dallas Mavericks’ favor, but the beleaguered squad was handed a lifeline and will be on the clock first. Ready the chime.
😈 Duke superstar Cooper Flagg is anticipated No. 1 pick: The Blue Devils freshman is one of the best prospects in recent years — and for good reason. Flagg led a top-seeded Duke program in every major statistical category this season and is expected to make an immediate impact in the pros at just 18 years old. No wonder squads were tanking to try and get him.
👀 Storyline to watch: Rutgers freshman Dylan Harper is a near-lock to be taken by the San Antonio Spurs at No. 2 — the real question is how far his college teammate, Ace Bailey, will fall. A projected top-three pick, Bailey refused pre-draft workouts — an odd choice, but one that could see him taken by his preferred team, the Washington Wizards, at No. 6. Consider the tea spilled.
Together With The GIST
💅 The GIST’s Pride Collection is here

Pride Month is almost over, but creating merch that feels real and not rainbow-washed takes time — and we’re in a better-late-than-never state of mind. Without further ado…
🧢 The iconic She’s Gay, Marcus hat
👜 And the Sports are for the Girls, Gays, and Theys tote.
10% of proceeds from this collection will benefit You Can Play, a nonprofit working to make sports more inclusive for LGBTQIA+ fans and athletes. Supplies are limited, so shop now.