National Sports - The Morning Sun

Alabama forward Brandon Miller dribbles in the first half of a second-round college basketball game against Maryland in the NCAA Tournament in Birmingham, Ala., Saturday, March 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

AP source: Alabama's Brandon Miller declares for NBA draft

Alabama All-American forward Brandon Miller is heading to the NBA after displaying versatile talent and potential in his lone season of college basketball. But that season was also blemished by … more

By JOHN ZENOR | 3/30/23

New York Yankees' Aaron Judge reacts after hitting a solo home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the San Francisco Giants at Yankee Stadium Thursday, March 30, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Judge HR, Cole Ks lead Yanks over Giants 5-0 on opening day

Aaron Judge followed his record-setting 2022 by homering on his first swing as Yankees captain, starting New York to a 5-0 opening day win over the San Francisco Giants. Gerrit Cole struck out 11 in … more

By RONALD BLUM | 3/30/23

FILE - Portland Thorns FC forward Christine Sinclair (12) celebrates after the NWSL championship soccer match against the Kansas City Current, Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022, in Washington. The Portland Thorns' Christine Sinclair is one of just five players who helped launch the National Women's Soccer League in 2013 and are still with their same teams. (AP Photo/Nick Wass, File)

5 NWSL players have been with the same team all 11 seasons

The Portland Thorns' Christine Sinclair is one of just five players who helped launch the National Women's Soccer League in 2013 and are still with their same teams. The list also includes Tori … more

By ANNE M. PETERSON | 3/30/23

New York Mets starting pitcher Justin Verlander (35) throws during the first inning of a spring training baseball game against the Houston Astros, Friday, March 10, 2023, in Port St. Lucie, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Mets place Verlander on IL with muscle strain on opening day

The New York Mets placed Justin Verlander on the injured list with a strained back muscle on opening day, sidelining the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner before his first appearance with the team. … more

3/30/23

Aaron Judge homers in 1st AB as new Yankees captain

Aaron Judge rang in opening day the same way he marked many nights last season: with a home run. In his first game as New York Yankees captain, Judge hit a solo drive in the first inning off San … more

3/30/23

Manchester City's head coach Pep Guardiola reacts during the English FA Cup quarter final soccer match between Manchester City and Burnley at the Etihad stadium in Manchester, England, Saturday, March 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Stakes high when Man City faces Liverpool in Premier League

It’s nothing new for a game between Manchester City and Liverpool to have significant implications on the Premier League title race. But the latest meeting between English soccer’s two most … more

By JAMES ROBSON | 3/30/23

UConn guard Andrew Hurley celebrates in the locker room after the 82-54 win against Gonzaga of an Elite 8 college basketball game in the West Region final of the NCAA Tournament, Saturday, March 25, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)

Final Four: Last year's bluebloods are this year's no-names

One short year ago, college basketball was getting ready for the game of a lifetime: North Carolina vs. Duke at the Final Four. And this year? Well, to put it kindly, who the heck are these guys? The … more

By EDDIE PELLS | 3/30/23

FILE - Connecticut head coach Geno Auriemma, left, and Washington's Kelsey Plum, right, hold their respective trophies after they were named The Associated Press Women's Basketball Coach of the Year and AP Women's Player of the Year at the women's NCAA Final Four college basketball tournament, Thursday, March 30, 2017, in Dallas. The Associated Press will announce the men’s and women's college basketball player and coach of the year awards this week. The women's awards will be announced on Thursday, March 30, 2023, the men's on Friday. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez, File)

How AP selects the college player and coach of the year

The Associated Press will announce the men’s and women's college basketball player and coach of the year awards this week. A 58-person panel of media members who vote in the AP Top 25 vote for the … more

By The Associated Press | 3/30/23

Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) shoots over Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels, left, during the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 29, 2023, in Phoenix. The Suns won 107-100. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Booker leads Suns over Timberwolves in Durant's home debut

Devin Booker scored 29 points, Kevin Durant had 16 points and eight rebounds in his home debut and the Phoenix Suns won their third straight game, beating the Minnesota Timberwolves 107-100. The Suns … more

By DAVID BRANDT | 3/30/23

Sacramento Kings forward Domantas Sabonis, right, drives to the basket on Portland Trail Blazers forward Nassir Little, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Wednesday, March 29, 2023. (AP Photo/Steve Dykes)

Kings end long playoff drought with 120-80 win over Blazers

De’Aaron Fox had 18 points and the Sacramento Kings clinched their first playoff berth since 2006 with a 120-80 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers. Kevin Huerter added 17 points in the win … more

By ANNE M. PETERSON | 3/30/23

Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard (2) ties up Milwaukee Bucks guard Jrue Holiday (21) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Wednesday, March 29, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Holiday has career-high 51 points, Bucks beat Pacers 149-136

Jrue Holiday scored a career-high 51 points, Giannis Antetokounmpo had 38 points in a triple-double and the NBA-leading Milwaukee Bucks beat the Indiana Pacers 149-136 on Wednesday night. … more

By PHILLIP B. WILSON | 3/29/23

Sorana Cirstea of Romania reacts after defeating Aryna Sabalenka during the Miami Open tennis tournament, Wednesday, March 29, 2023, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Cirstea beats Aussie champ Sabalenka in quarters at Miami

Sorana Cirstea advanced to her first semifinal of a WTA 1000 event in a decade, beating Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 6-4 at the Miami Open. The 32-year-old Cirstea also beat the … more

3/29/23

FILE - San Diego State head coach Brian Dutcher calls out instructions during the first half of a first-round college basketball game against Charleston in the NCAA Tournament on March 16, 2023, in Orlando, Fla. The number of San Diego State teams that have won an NCAA championship can be counted on one finger. Dutcher, who has been on campus for 24 years, not only knows about that championship but would love to match it when he coaches the Aztecs in their first Final Four. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)

Final Four a chance for SDSU to double its championships

The number of San Diego State teams that have won an NCAA Division I championship can be counted on one finger. Many Aztecs fans and alumni have no idea because it happened 50 years ago and the … more

By BERNIE WILSON | 3/29/23

FILE -NBA commissioner Adam Silver, left, and Charlotte Hornets owner Michael Jordan, right, pose for a photo during a news conference to announce Charlotte, N.C., as the site of the 2017 NBA All-Star basketball game, June 23, 2015. Jordan is considering selling the Charlotte Hornets. The six-time NBA champion is in negotiations to sell at least a portion of the franchise to a group that includes Hornets minority owner Gabe Plotkin. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton, File)

NBA, players still talking about new deal as deadline looms

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver says he's hopeful that a new collective bargaining agreement between the league and its players can get done by the end of this week, though he stopped short of … more

By TIM REYNOLDS | 3/29/23

Houston Astros' Jose Altuve (27) bats as the pitch clock ticks down during the fifth inning of a spring training baseball game against the Boston Red Sox Wednesday, March 1, 2023, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

MLB broadcasters adapting to faster pace under new rules

Major league pitchers and batters aren’t the only ones going on the clock this season. Big league broadcasters have also been using spring training to adjust to baseball’s new rhythm amid a … more

By JOE REEDY | 3/29/23

FILE - San Diego Padres third base coach Matt Williams pauses on the field during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Phoenix, Sunday, Sept. 18, 2022. The San Diego Padres third base has colon cancer and will have surgery on Friday, March 31, 2023. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin,File)

Padres 3B coach Williams has colon cancer, surgery Friday

San Diego Padres third base coach Matt Williams has colon cancer and will have surgery on Friday. Former St. Louis Cardinals manager Mike Schildt will fill in as third base coach Thursday, when the … more

By BERNIE WILSON | 3/29/23

William Byron greets fans before a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Circuit of the Americas, Sunday, March 26, 2023, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Stephen Spillman)

Appeals panel rescinds penalty against 3 Hendrick drivers

A NASCAR appeals panel has rescinded hefty points penalties levied against Hendrick Motorsports drivers Kyle Larson, William Byron and Alex Bowman. The three-person panel restored 100 points to each … more

3/29/23

Los Angeles Angels' Shohei Ohtani runs to first as he flies out during the sixth inning of a preseason baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers Sunday, March 26, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

MLB opening day offers clocks, shift bans, Ohtani and Judge

A major shift is coming to Major League Baseball, starting on opening day this Thursday. New rules are now in effect. There will be clocks at stadiums to hurry along pitchers and hitters, and there … more

By BEN WALKER | 3/29/23

Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jacob deGrom takes questions from media before a spring training baseball game against the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday, March 28, 2023, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Sam Hodde)

Debut for deGrom in Texas to be limited against familiar foe

Jacob deGrom will be limited to about 65 pitches when he makes his debut for the Texas Rangers on opening day. But just having the two-time National League Cy Young Award winner on the mound for the … more

By STEPHEN HAWKINS | 3/29/23

Virginia Commonwealth head coach Mike Rhoades celebrates after cutting down the net after an NCAA college basketball game against Dayton in the championship of the Atlantic 10 Conference Tournament, Sunday, March 12, 2023, in New York. Virginia Commonwealth won 68-56. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

AP source: Penn St hiring VCU's Rhoades as men's hoops coach

Penn State is hiring VCU’s Mike Rhoades to be its new men’s basketball coach, a person involved in the decision tells The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the … more

By RALPH D. RUSSO | 3/29/23