U.S./World Sports category, Page 357
Winners and losers from NBA Draft
NEW YORK — A trade-heavy NBA draft officially is in the books. Here’s a rundown of the winners and losers from Thursday’s festivities, which saw the New Orleans Pelicans select Zion Williamson with the top pick, Oregon Ducks center Bol Bol flee the green room after he slipped to the...
World Cup’s top teams enter knockout stage on roll
While it may be tempting to look ahead to the quarterfinals and a possible clash with France, the defending champion U.S. has thrived at the Women’s World Cup by keeping its focus on the present. The Americans will face Spain in the round of 16 on Monday in Reims as...
Michigan State OKs independent probe of handling of Nassar
EAST LANSING, Mich. — Michigan State on Friday authorized what officials said would be an independent investigation into the handling of sexual assault complaints against now-imprisoned former sports doctor Larry Nassar, the school’s latest attempt to rebuild trust with his victims and the campus community. The board of trustees voted...
Zion Williamson to Pelicans with No. 1 pick of NBA Draft
NEW YORK — Zion Williamson plays with force and ferocity, a Hulk in hightops who looks like he’d never show a soft side. Draft night proved otherwise. Williamson was the No. 1 pick of the New Orleans Pelicans — a surprise to nobody who watched basketball this past season. But...
U.S. defeats rival Sweden 2-0, finishes atop groupVideo
LE HAVRE, France — The defending champion U.S. national team faced its toughest test of the Women’s World Cup and remained dominant Thursday night, beating Sweden 2-0 to serve up a measure of revenge against the team that stunned the confident Americans in the last Olympics. Lindsey Horan scored within...
Christen Press stays positive entering World Cup match vs. Sweden
LE HAVRE, France — A devastating missed penalty kick by Christen Press in a loss at the Olympics could have been the lowest point of her career. Instead, it was a motivator and defining moment for the American forward. “I think when I look back on my career, all the...
Police release video, search for brawlers at youth baseball game
LAKEWOOD, Colo. — Colorado authorities said they are investigating a fist fight between adults over a teenage umpire’s calls during a youth baseball game involving 7-year-olds. Video shot by spectators shows men exchanging punches on the field. Lakewood police spokesman John Romero said police want help identifying a man shown...
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...
