National Sports - The Morning Sun

FILE - Robert Wickens makes his way to his pit stall during practice for the Rolex 24 hour auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022, in Daytona Beach, Fla. Wickens used hand controls last weekend to win his first race since a 2018 spinal cord injury temporarily ended his racing career. Across an ocean, former IndyCar driver Sam Schmidt and motorcycle racer Wayne Rainey also piloted vehicles during the annual Goodwood Festival of Speed in England. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File)

Wickens aims for another victory racing at home in Canada

Robert Wickens scored his first victory since his nearly career-ending spinal cord injury in 2018 by winning an IMSA sports car race last weekend at Watkins Glen. Now the Canadian returns to his … more

By JENNA FRYER | 6/30/22

FILE - UCLA guard Jaime Jaquez Jr., right, tries to get by Southern California forward Isaiah Mobley during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game on March 5, 2022, in Los Angeles. UCLA and Southern California are planning to leave the Pac-12 for the Big Ten Conference in a seismic change that could lead to another major realignment of college sports. A person who spoke to The Associated Press on Thursday, June 30, 2022, on condition of anonymity because the schools' talks with the Big Ten have not been made public said the schools have taken steps to request an invitation to join the conference. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)

AP source: USC, UCLA in process of joining Big Ten

UCLA and Southern California are planning to leave the Pac-12 for the Big Ten Conference in a seismic change that could lead to another major realignment of college sports. A person who has been … more

By RALPH D. RUSSO and ERIC OLSON | 6/30/22

FILE - Brooklyn Nets' Kevin Durant is shown during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Indiana Pacers at the Barclays Center, Sunday, Apr. 10, 2022, in New York. Durant has requested a trade from the Brooklyn Nets, according to a person with direct knowledge of the seismic decision that will undoubtedly have teams scrambling to put together enormous offers for the perennial All-Star. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)

AP source: Kevin Durant asks for trade from Brooklyn Nets

A person with direct knowledge of the decision says Kevin Durant has requested a trade from the Brooklyn Nets. The decision undoubtedly will have teams scrambling to put together enormous offers for … more

By TIM REYNOLDS | 6/30/22

Emily Engel-Natzke stands on the bench in front of associate goaltending coach Alex Westlund during pregame warmups before the Hershey Bears played the Springfield Thunderbirds in an American Hockey League game on Sunday, April 10, 2022, in Hershey, Pa. Engel-Natzke was promoted from Hershey to video coach of the Washington Capitals on Thursday, June 30, 2022, making her the first woman to hold that position in the National Hockey League. (Photo courtesy of the Hershey Bears via AP)

Engel-Natzke joins Caps, 1st woman to become NHL video coach

The Washington Capitals have hired the first female video coach in National Hockey League history. The team named Emily Engel-Natzke to the position. Engel-Natzke came from the Hershey Bears, where … more

By STEPHEN WHYNO | 6/30/22

FILE - Kansas State guard Nijel Pack (24) shoots next to West Virginia forward Isaiah Cottrell during an NCAA college basketball game in Manhattan, Kan., Feb. 14, 2022. The first year of the athlete compensation era in college sports evolved into almost everything the NCAA didn't want when it gave the green light last summer. What originally was envisioned as a way for college athletes to make some pocket money based on their celebrity has turned into bidding wars for football and men's basketball recruits and transfers. Pack made one of the first big splashes in April. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann, File)

One year into NIL era, fresh questions about its future

The first year of the NIL era in college sports evolved into almost everything the NCAA didn’t want when it gave the green light for athletes to cash in on their celebrity. What was envisioned as a … more

By ERIC OLSON | 6/30/22

FILE - Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges (0) moves up court during an NBA basketball game against the Denver Nuggets on Monday, March 28, 2022, in Charlotte, N.C. Hornets forward Miles Bridges was arrested Wednesday, June 29, 2022, in Los Angeles after a warrant was issued, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. The details of the arrest and the charges were not immediately available. (AP Photo/Rusty Jones, File)

Hornets forward Miles Bridges arrested on eve of free agency

Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges has been arrested in Los Angeles on the eve of NBA free agency after a warrant was issued, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. Details of the … more

By STEVE REED | 6/30/22

FILE - In this March 10, 2020, file photo, Chicago Bulls coach Jim Boylen cheers on players during the first half of the team's NBA basketball game against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Chicago. Boylen will coach USA Basketball for a third window of World Cup qualifying this week, with games at Puerto Rico and Cuba potentially moving the Americans closer to a spot in next year's tournament. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty, File)

Boylen set to lead USA Basketball into World Cup qualifiers

World Cup qualifying resumes Thursday for USA Basketball. The Americans are taking a two-game trip to Puerto Rico and Cuba to conclude the first round of qualifiers for next year's World Cup. Jim … more

By TIM REYNOLDS | 6/30/22

Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic returns to Romania's Ana Bogdan in a women's singles second round match on day four of the Wimbledon tennis championships in London, Thursday, June 30, 2022. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Kvitova feels the nerves, but reaches 3rd round at Wimbledon

Petra Kvitova has plenty of experience on the grass courts of Wimbledon. But that doesn't mean everything is easy for the two-time champion at the All England Club. She has spoken about being nervous … more

By CHRIS LEHOURITES | 6/30/22

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain wears a face covering during a press conference at the Silverstone race track in Silverstone, Thursday, June 30, 2022. The British F1 Grand Prix is held on Sunday July 3,2022. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)

Lewis Hamilton pushes back against 'old voices' over racism

Lewis Hamilton said Thursday that Formula One should ignore “old voices” and reject racism as it focus on becoming more inclusive. Hamilton was speaking after comments made last year by … more

6/30/22

Seattle Storm's Sue Bird stops as Las Vegas Aces' Kelsey Plum defends during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Wednesday, June 29, 2022, in Seattle. (Dean Rutz/The Seattle Times via AP)

Bird sets WNBA career wins record as Storm beat Aces 88-78

Sue Bird became the WNBA’s leader in career wins with 324 as the Seattle Storm beat the Las Vegas Aces 88-78. Bird, who has announced this will be her final season, passed former Minnesota star … more

6/30/22

Spain's Rafael Nadal returns to Argentina's Francisco Cerundolo in a first round men's singles match on day two of the Wimbledon tennis championships in London, Tuesday, June 28, 2022. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

Wimbledon updates | Nadal and Gauff play on Day 4

Rafael Nadal, Coco Gauff and 2021 runner-up Karolina Pliskova are scheduled to play second-round matches on Centre Court on Day 4 at Wimbledon. Top-seeded Iga Swiatek is also in action. The … more

6/30/22

2020 and 2021 Tour de France winner Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia, right, and on screen wearing the best climber's dotted jersey, lines up with UAE Team Emirates riders during the team presentation ahead of the Tour de France cycling race in Copenhagen, Denmark, Wednesday, June 29, 2022. The race starts Friday, July 1, the first stage is an individual time trial over 13.2 kilometers (8.2 miles) with start and finish in Copenhagen. (AP Photo/Daniel Cole)

Roglic aims to stop Pogacar from winning 3rd straight Tour

Primoz Roglic must find a way to stop his Slovenian rival Tadej Pogacar from winning the Tour de France for the third straight time. While Pogacar remains the firm race favorite, Roglic eyes a hat … more

6/30/22

Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani throws to a Chicago White Sox batter during the second inning of a baseball game Wednesday, June 29, 2022, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Ohtani Ks 11, extends scoreless streak in 4-1 win over WSox

Shohei Ohtani extended his scoreless streak to 21 2/3 innings while pitching five-hit ball into the sixth with 11 strikeouts in the Los Angeles Angels’ 4-1 victory over the Chicago White Sox. Luis … more

By GREG BEACHAM | 6/30/22

Cleveland Guardians' Josh Naylor, center, celebrates with Richie Palacios and Eli Morgan after hitting a game-ending, two-run home run during the 10th inning against the Minnesota Twins in a baseball game Wednesday, June 29, 2022, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)

Naylor's 2-run HR in 10th gives Guardians 7-6 win over Twins

Josh Naylor hit a two-run homer with two outs in the 10th inning, completing a four-run rally that gave the Cleveland Guardians a 7-6 victory over the Minnesota Twins. Amed Rosario began the comeback … more

By BRIAN DULIK | 6/29/22

FILE - Philadelphia 76ers' James Harden gestures during the first half of Game 3 of the team's NBA basketball second-round playoff series against the Miami Heat, May 6, 2022, in Philadelphia. A person familiar with the situation said Harden chose not to exercise his $47.4 million option for next season and will become a free agent — but with no designs on leaving Philadelphia. Harden made the decision to allow the 76ers the flexibility they need to sign other players this summer, said the person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because neither side confirmed those plans publicly. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File)

AP source: Harden declines $47M option with Philadelphia

James Harden is taking less with hopes the Philadelphia 76ers can do more. A person familiar with the situation said Harden chose not to exercise his $47.4 million option for next season and will … more

By TIM REYNOLDS | 6/29/22

Phil Mickelson of the United States waits to play his tee shot on the 16th hole during the final round of the inaugural LIV Golf Invitational at the Centurion Club in St Albans, England, Saturday, June 11, 2022. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

Sept. 11 families plan protest as LIV tees off in Oregon

LIV Golf’s first U.S. event was set to begin Thursday, with a group of survivors and families who lost loved ones in the Sept. 11 terror attacks planning to gather at a nearby park to speak out … more

By ANNE M. PETERSON | 6/29/22

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Zack Greinke throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers Wednesday, June 29, 2022, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Greinke sharp in 500th career start, Royals beat Rangers 2-1

Zach Greinke allowed just one run on four hits, helping the Kansas City Royals avoid a three-game sweep by beating the Texas Rangers 2-1. Kansas City’s Kyle Isbel provided the winning cushion with … more

By DAVID SMALE | 6/29/22

Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) puts up a shot against Golden State Warriors center Kevon Looney (5) during the fourth quarter of Game 6 of basketball's NBA Finals, Thursday, June 16, 2022, in Boston. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

NBA free agency opens Thursday, starting deal-making season

Let the talking begin. The trading, too, and eventually the signing. Free agency officially opens Thursday in the NBA, with teams able to begin negotiating at 6 p.m. Eastern. James Harden declined … more

By TIM REYNOLDS | 6/29/22

FILE - Former San Antonio Spurs summer league head coach Will Hardy looks on during the second half of an NBA summer league basketball game against the Utah Jazz on July 7, 2015, in Salt Lake City. Boston Celtics assistant Will Hardy has accepted an offer to become the new coach of the Utah Jazz, a person with knowledge of the negotiations said Tuesday, June 28, 2022. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)

Done deal: Celtics' Hardy takes over as Jazz's new coach

As the Utah Jazz spent time talking to candidates to become their next coach, Will Hardy quickly rose to the top of their list. And that’s where he stayed. Hardy was announced as the new coach of … more

By TIM REYNOLDS | 6/29/22

Chicago Blackhawks new head coach Luke Richardson listens to reporters during an NHL hockey news conference in Chicago, Wednesday, June 29, 2022. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Challenge accepted: Richardson steps in as Blackhawks coach

Luke Richardson says he likes a challenge. Good thing, because he's got a big one ahead of him. The rebuilding Chicago Blackhawks have hired Richardson as the 40th coach in franchise history. The … more

By JAY COHEN | 6/29/22