Sports Illustrated USA – July 2026

Summary

Stephen Cannella's July 2026 issue of Sports Illustrated, Vol. 137 No. 6, puts Duke-bound Cameron Boozer on the cover with Bryan Fischer's profile arguing he is the most prepared NBA draft prospect in years, while Greg Bishop profiles WNBA star Dominique Malonga and Pat Forde covers female Derby-winning trainer Cherie DeVaux. The 80-page issue runs five features plus an NBA draft preview.

Boozer figures to be the eighth Blue Devil selected in the top three in the last decade, and Fischer's piece traces how the son of former NBA All-Star Carlos Boozer forged his own path. Chris Mannix profiles Karim Lopez, likely the first Mexican-born first-round pick. Greg Bishop's Malonga feature examines the Storm's future star who did not always see basketball as her calling. Pat Forde writes on Cherie DeVaux, whose Golden Tempo made her the first female trainer to win the Kentucky Derby. Steve Rushin covers "Sports in 1776," tracing games played 250 years ago thanks to a beef-eating Founding Father. L. Jon Wertheim traces how pro athletes once endured the same air-travel miseries as the rest of us. The Scorecard section features Pat Forde arguing bigger NCAA tournaments do not mean better ones — 2027 expansion adds 8 teams and 8 play-in games.

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Content Guide

▸ Cover Story / NBA Draft

p.18 · Cameron Boozer
Bryan Fischer on the most accomplished prospect in the deepest draft class in years. Boozer's path diverges from his father's — this profile tracks how he built his own game, not his name.

p.28 · Karim Lopez
Chris Mannix profiles the forward likely to be the first Mexican-born first-round pick. Lopez hopes to ignite a generation of hoop stars in his home country.

▸ Features

p.38 · Dominique Malonga
Greg Bishop on the WNBA star and future of the Storm. Malonga did not always see basketball as her calling — the feature traces her route to the court.

p.46 · Cherie DeVaux
Pat Forde on the Derby-winning handler who never wavered in chasing horse racing's top prize. Golden Tempo made DeVaux the first female trainer to win the Run for the Roses.

p.54 · Sports in 1776
Steve Rushin traces games played 250 years ago. Thanks to a beef-eating Founding Father, colonial sports still echo in modern competition.

p.62 · Striker Pence
Greg Bishop profiles the Minecraft-loving teen who throws 100 mph with baseball in his blood.

p.72 · Charter Flights
L. Jon Wertheim on how pro athletes once endured middle seats and the same air agonies as everyone else.

▸ Scorecard

p. — · The More, The Merrier?
Pat Forde argues bigger NCAA tournaments do not mean better ones. 2027 expansion adds 8 teams and 8 play-in games — Forde says it dilutes the product.

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Editor's Take

Cannella's July issue delivers the SI formula — one major cover subject, four varied features, and a strong opinion column in Scorecard — and executes it well. Fischer's Boozer profile has real access, and Forde's DeVaux feature captures a genuinely historic Kentucky Derby moment. The "Sports in 1776" and "Charter Flights" pieces give the issue the eccentric variety that makes SI different from its competitors. But the NBA draft preview section takes up disproportionate space (nearly 20 pages) for what is ultimately a future event, and the cover image of Boozer is competent but not iconic. Best for: NBA draft followers and readers who want SI's signature longform mix.

Strengths
• Boozer profile has genuine access and depth
• DeVaux Derby feature captures a real historic moment
• Magazine still delivers proper longform variety

Weaknesses
• Draft preview section overwhelms the issue's balance
• Boozer cover image is competent but not iconic

Verdict: Recommended — Solid SI issue with one standout Derby feature that justifies the cover price alone.