U.S./World Sports category, Page 354
Michel Platini: ‘It hurts,’ soccer star says of police questioning
PARIS — After a day of police questioning centering on his former role as a top decision-maker in soccer, Michel Platini was released from custody without charge in the early hours Wednesday and said he found the experience painful given “everything I’ve done” in the sport. Summoned Tuesday morning to...
Zion’s time: Williamson center of attention at NBA draft
NEW YORK — Zion Williamson smiled his way through nearly half an hour of questions, trying to portray himself like any player just hoping to be drafted. Suddenly, a tall, thin newcomer pushed his way to the front of the shoulder-to-shoulder swarm surrounding Williamson and shot down that idea. “What...
Grizzlies trade Mike Conley to Jazz for 3 players, 2 picks
The Memphis Grizzlies traded away the final piece of the franchise’s best years Wednesday, sending veteran point guard Mike Conley to the Utah Jazz for a trio of players, a person familiar with the deal told the Associated Press. The Grizzlies swapped Conley for forward Jae Crowder, guard/forward Kyle Korver...
Boxing body near bankrupt, facing 2020 Olympic exclusion
LAUSANNE, Switzerland — The International Boxing Association says it is near bankruptcy, days before a decision to formally exclude the body from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. AIBA chief executive Tom Virgets has told board members it will be insolvent if International Olympic Committee members derecognize the troubled body as expected...
Tim Benz: Eliminate drafts? Please. Stop feeling bad for athletes
In the NFL this offseason, we heard a lot of wailing on behalf of Le’Veon Bell because he was a victim of that mean ol’ franchise tag. And some even praised Antonio Brown for forcing his way out of a valid contract in Pittsburgh. Because, you know, those nasty owners...
U.S. women welcome tough test vs. Sweden in World Cup
LE HAVRE, France — Victory is the goal for the United States in its group stage finale against Sweden, even though a loss might give the Americans an easier path through the knockout rounds of the Women’s World Cup. “I think it’s in our team’s DNA to want to win...
Texas’ Jaxson Hayes headlights big men in NBA Draft
Jaxson Hayes needed only a year at Texas to put himself at the front of the class of big men in Thursday’s NBA Draft. The freshman could go late in the lottery, headlining a list of intriguing talents as the role of the big man has evolved in the NBA...
France detains soccer great Michel Platini in 2022 World Cup probe
PARIS — French police investigating whether corruption played a role in the stunning decision to award the 2022 World Cup to Qatar took 1980s soccer superstar and former top executive Michel Platini into custody Tuesday for questioning. Platini’s representatives denied any wrongdoing on his part, saying he is “absolutely confident...
Former XFL, NFL running back Rod Smart, known as ‘He Hate Me,’ found safe after being reported missing in South Carolina
Update: Lancaster County (S.C.) Sheriff’s Office has given a positive update about the whereabouts of Rod Smart. The department announced on its Facebook page that Smart has been located and is currently safe. “Mr. Smart has been located and he is safe at this time,” the post read. “We appreciate...
Doug Ferguson: Score not true measure of when U.S. Open is good test
PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. — The leaderboard next to the 18th green at the U.S. Open again was filled with red numbers under par. The only difference was the scenery. This was Pebble Beach, set along the rugged California coast. Gary Woodland finished at 271 for a three-shot victory over Brooks...
Teenager LaMelo Ball heading to Australian pro basketball league
SYDNEY — American teenager LaMelo Ball has signed with the Illawarra Hawks for the upcoming National Basketball League season, the second top U.S. prospect to join the Australian league under its Next Stars Program. The 17-year-old guard is rated as one of the best U.S. high school basketball players and...
Soccer legend Francesco Totti’s Roma departure puts pressure on American ownerVideo
ROME — Former Roma captain Francesco Totti left his position within the club’s management Monday in a move that will increase fan opposition to the team’s American owner. While he has been a technical director since retiring from playing two years ago, Totti said he was left out of decisions...
Gold Cup offers chance of revival for U.S. men’s soccer team
BLAINE, Minn. — The overarching goal for the fledgling U.S. men’s soccer team, as frequently stated by new coach Gregg Berhalter, has been to improve the perception of this sputtering program within the cutthroat hierarchy of global soccer. Though a strong performance in the CONCACAF Gold Cup probably won’t move...
Analysis: Gary Woodland hits his ‘game-winner’
PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. — The stage was among the best in the land. Thousands were watching him. Victory was in his grasp. Gary Woodland didn’t just dream of such a moment. He genuinely expected it would happen. Just not like this. Woodland always imagined being at Allen Fieldhouse, not Pebble...
Police: 4 shot, 2 arrested at Raptors rally in TorontoVideo
TORONTO — Four people were shot and wounded at a rally Monday for the NBA champion Raptors, and two people were arrested “with firearms,” police said. Droves of Raptors fans ran from the shooting in a stampede from the City Hall square, which was packed with tens of thousands of...
Tiger Woods likely to be idle until British Open next month
Tiger Woods never really was able to gain much traction at the U.S. Open and seemed poised for a truly dismal Sunday after starting with bogeys on four of his first six holes. But he played his final 12 holes at 6-under-par, rallying into a tie for 21st (his 69...
Pelicans primed to draft Zion Williamson – and another top-5 prospect
NEW ORLEANS — Now that six-time All-Star Anthony Davis’ trade request has been honored, it’s time for the New Orleans Pelicans to start a new era by drafting the next face of the franchise. Duke star Zion Williamson is widely seen as the top pro prospect to enter any NBA...
Warriors take out full-page ad in Toronto Star to congratulate Raptors
Cliche? Sure. But the Golden State Warriors have been there before, and they sure acted like it. The Warriors took out a congratulatory full-page ad in the Toronto Star, honoring the Toronto Raptors’ first NBA championship. The Raptors defeated the Warriors, 4-2, in the NBA Finals. Classy move by @warriors...
‘A’ game not enough for Brooks Koepka at U.S. Open
PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. — Brooks Koepka brought his ‘A’ game to Pebble Beach on Sunday, hoping it would be good enough to make history. He did. But even his ‘A’ game wasn’t enough to slow down the magic show Gary Woodland was putting on behind him. Koepka’s round of 3-under-par...
Justin Rose fizzles in final round at U.S. Open
PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. — Justin Rose’s final round at the U.S. Open got off a perfect start with a birdie on the first hole that moved him into a tie for the lead. Little else went right for Rose on Sunday as he posted four bogeys in an eight-hole stretch...
U.S. Open notebook: Viktor Hovland bests Jack Nicklaus’ amateur record
PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. — Viktor Hovland ended his amateur career in style. Hovland shot a 4-under-par 67 in the final round of the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach on Sunday to finish the weekend at 4-under 280, breaking Jack Nicklaus’ record by two strokes for the lowest score ever for...
Gary Woodland captures U.S. Open title, denies Koepka history-making 3rd straight
PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. — Gary Woodland denied Brooks Koepka’s bold bid at history and made U.S. Open memories of his own Sunday with two clutch shots, a birdie putt on the final hole and that silver trophy in his hands at Pebble Beach. Yeah, he’s got this. Koepka, trying to...
Tiger Woods’ big finish can’t salvage lost week at U.S. Open
PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. — The crowd was roaring. The birdies were dropping, and Tiger Woods looked like his vintage self for the final 12 holes of the U.S. Open. The problem for Woods was what happened on the first 60 holes. Woods salvaged an otherwise disappointing weekend at Pebble Beach...
Lloyd scores 2 and the U.S. downs Chile 3-0 at the World Cup
PARIS — Carli Lloyd wasn’t thrilled to open the Women’s World Cup on the bench for the United States. She accepted the role, but made no secret she wanted to start. When the call came Sunday, Lloyd made it count with a pair of goals to lead the defending champions...
Gary Woodland takes 1-shot U.S. Open lead over Justin Rose
PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. — Gary Woodland hit a shank and a chunk and both times made par, and he made a birdie from a deep divot in the fairway. Such moments, even on a Saturday, can go a long way toward winning a U.S. Open. Even better for Woodland was...
