National Sports - The Morning Sun

U.S. Olympic boxer Jajaira Gonzalez, left, spars with teammate Jennifer Lozano while head coach Billy Walsh looks on at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., June 14, 2024. Eight years after Gonzalez narrowly missed out on qualification for the Rio de Janeiro Games, she revived her boxing career and earned an Olympic berth in Paris. (AP Photo/Greg Beacham)

Jajaira Gonzalez left boxing after missing out on the Rio Olympics. She fought her way back to Paris

Jajaira Gonzalez will fight for the U.S. Olympic boxing team in Paris eight years after she narrowly missed out on a spot in Rio de Janeiro as a teenage prodigy. She left boxing for about four years … more

By GREG BEACHAM | 7/21/24

Slovenia's Tadej Pogacar, wearing the overall leader's yellow jersey, rides during the twenty-first stage of the Tour de France cycling race, an individual time trial over 33.7 kilometers (20.9 miles) with start in Monaco and finish in Nice, France, Sunday, July 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)

Tadej Pogacar wins Tour de France for the 3rd time and in style with a victory at time trial

Tadej Pogacar has won the Tour de France for the third time. He celebrated in style with a victory in Sunday’s final stage, a time trial ending in Nice. The 25-year-old Slovenian rider became the … more

7/21/24

United States' head coach Steve Kerr gestures to his players during an exhibition basketball game between the United States and South Sudan, at the o2 Arena in London, Saturday, July 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

The wake-up call for the US men's basketball team arrives with the Paris Olympics a few days away

South Sudan is the 33rd-ranked team in the FIBA world rankings, by far the lowest of any of the 12 nations that will be vying for men’s basketball gold in the Paris Olympics that start this week. … more

By TIM REYNOLDS | 7/21/24

McLaren driver Oscar Piastri of Australia steers his car during the Hungarian Formula One Grand Prix race at the Hungaroring racetrack in Mogyorod, Hungary, Sunday, July 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Denes Erdos)

Oscar Piastri wins first F1 race in McLaren one-two with Norris at Hungarian GP with Hamilton 3rd

Oscar Piastri won his first Formula One race after completing a McLaren one-two with Lando Norris at the Hungarian Grand Prix. The 23-year-old Australian driver started second behind pole-sitting … more

7/21/24

FILE - Cecile & Laurent Landi, coaches of Simone Biles, chat before she participates on the vault during the U.S. Gymnastics Championships, Sunday, June 2, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas. The Landis are have a homecoming of sorts at the Paris Olympics when the French natives help lead Biles and a U.S. women's gymnastics team heavily favored to win gold. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File)

Cecile and Laurent Landi helped Simone Biles reach new heights. The Olympics serve as a homecoming

Gymnastics coaches Cecile and Laurent Landi are heading home for the Olympics. The France natives are the personal coaches of two U.S. gymnasts, including superstar Simone Biles. Biles says the … more

By WILL GRAVES | 7/21/24

Breanna Stewart (10), of Team USA, looks to shoot a 3-point basket over Aliyah Boston, of Team WNBA, during the first half of a WNBA All-Star basketball game Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

US women's Olympic basketball knows it has work to do after loss to WNBA team

There is no panic in the U.S. women’s Olympic team. The Americans have been in this spot before. The U.S. lost to the WNBA All-Star team on Saturday night and are headed on a flight to London to … more

By DOUG FEINBERG | 7/21/24

FILE - Los Angeles Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw works out before a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies in Los Angeles, Sunday, June 2, 2024. Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Kershaw made a second rehab start in his bid to return from offseason left shoulder surgery, pitching four innings for Triple-A Oklahoma City against Round Rock.(AP Photo/Ashley Landis, File)

Clayton Kershaw set to make first start of the season for the Dodgers on Thursday against the Giants

Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw is set to make his first start of the season for the Los Angeles on Thursday. Manager Dave Roberts said Saturday night after a 7-6, 11-inning victory over Boston … more

7/21/24

FILE - Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley (4) drives against Orlando Magic forward Jonathan Isaac during the first half of Game 2 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, April 22, 2024, in Cleveland. Mobley has agreed to a five-year, $224 million contract extension with Cleveland, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press on Saturday, July 20. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane, File)

Evan Mobley, Cavaliers agree on 5-year, $224 million rookie contract extension, AP source says

A person familiar with the negotiations tells The Associated Press that the Cleveland Cavaliers and forward Evan Mobley have agreed to a five-year, $224 million contract extension. Mobley has … more

By TOM WITHERS | 7/20/24

A'ja Wilson (9), of Team USA, drives past Dearica Hamby, front right, of Team WNBA, during the first half of a WNBA All-Star basketball game Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arike Ogunbowale and Caitlin Clark lead WNBA All-Stars to 117-109 win over U.S. Olympic team

Arike Ogunbowale set the WNBA All-Star scoring record with 34 points and Caitlin Clark made the most of her All-Star debut as the WNBA team beat the U.S. Olympic team 117-109 on Saturday night. It … more

By DOUG FEINBERG | 7/20/24

FILE - LSU's Angel Reese, left, and Iowa's Caitlin Clark, right, pose for a photo before the WNBA basketball draft, Monday, April 15, 2024, in New York. Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese will once again step into the spotlight during All-Star Weekend with their matchup against Team USA. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger, File)

Clark, Reese provide highlights for the WNBA All-Stars. Someday soon, it might be for the U.S.

Cailtin Clark delivered the pinpoint passes. Angel Reese supplied the hustle and rebounding. The two WNBA rookies made life difficult for the U.S. Olympic team on Saturday night. Someday soon, the … more

By DAVID BRANDT | 7/20/24

United States' forward LeBron James, left and United States' guard Stephen Curry shake hands during an exhibition basketball game between the United States and South Sudan, at the o2 Arena in London, Saturday, July 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

South Sudan nearly beat the US in an Olympic tuneup. Here's how it happened

Seems like being in London works for LeBron James. Playing in the same building as he did during the 2012 London Olympics — O2 Arena, which was called North Greenwich Arena during those games a … more

By TIM REYNOLDS | 7/20/24

Chase Briscoe drives into a turn during a practice session for the NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Friday, July 19, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

Brickyard 400 gives drivers on bubble another chance to win and make it in to the playoffs

Chase Briscoe looks at the NASCAR schedule and sees five more chances to lock up a playoff spot. He heads into the Brickyard 400 squarely on the bubble at No. 16 and fully aware of the stakes. If he … more

By MICHAEL MAROT | 7/20/24

United States' forward LeBron James, (6), reaches for the ball under pressure from South Sudan's forward Nuni Omot, right, South Sudan's forward JT Thor, (10), and South Sudan's guard Bul Kuol, left, during an exhibition basketball game between the United States and South Sudan, at the o2 Arena in London, Saturday, July 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

James hits game winner with 8 seconds left, US avoids upset and escapes South Sudan 101-100

LeBron James saved the U.S. from a stunning loss. James’ layup with 8 seconds left was the go-ahead basket, and the U.S. Olympic team escaped with a 101-100 win over South Sudan in London, rallying … more

By TIM REYNOLDS | 7/20/24

Slovenia's Tadej Pogacar, wearing the overall leader's yellow jersey, flashes five fingers for his fifth stage victory as he crosses the finish line to win the twentieth stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 132.8 kilometers (82.5 miles) with start in Nice and finish in La Couillole pass, France, Saturday, July 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)

Pogacar edges Vingegaard to add more seconds to Tour de France lead and match a 76-year-old mark

Tadej Pogacar has equalled a 76-year-old Tour de France mark. Pogacar edged Jonas Vingegaard at the top of Col De La Couillole to win the 20th and penultimate stage and add even more seconds to his … more

7/20/24

Winner Noah Lyles of the U.S. celebrates after the Men's 100m Final during the Diamond League London Athletics Meet in London, England, Saturday, July 20, 2024. (Adam Davy/PA via AP)

Noah Lyles warms up for Olympics by setting PB of 9.81 seconds to win 100 in London

Heading into the Paris Olympics, Noah Lyles has never been faster. The American world champion warmed up for the Paris Games by setting a personal best in the 100 meters at Saturday’s Diamond … more

7/20/24

McLaren driver Lando Norris of Britain steers his car during the qualifying ahead of Sunday's Formula One Hungarian Grand Prix auto race, at the Hungaroring racetrack in Mogyorod, near Budapest, Hungary, Saturday, July 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Denes Erdos)

Norris takes pole ahead of McLaren teammate Piastri at Hungarian GP. Verstappen to start from 3rd

McLaren pair Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri have locked out the front row for the Hungarian Grand Prix ahead of points leader Max Verstappen after a stellar qualifying session for the British team. … more

7/20/24

FILE - Atlanta Dream's Allisha Gray advances the ball during a WNBA basketball game against the Chicago Sky on Wednesday, July 10, 2024, in Chicago. Gray became the first player in WNBA history to win both the 3-point and skills competition in the same year, capturing both titles Friday, July 19.(AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File)

Atlanta's Allisha Gray 1st player to win both 3-point and skills competition at WNBA All-Star event

Allisha Gray became the first player in WNBA history to win both the 3-point and skills competition in the same year, capturing both titles Friday night. The Atlanta Dream guard topped Jonquel Jones … more

By DOUG FEINBERG | 7/20/24

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland waves as he walks off the 18th green following his second round of the British Open Golf Championships at Royal Troon golf club in Troon, Scotland, Friday, July 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Scott Heppell)

McIlroy tries to plot how to salvage a season without winning a major

Rory McIlroy missed the cut at the British Open and he has 265 days until the start of the next major at the Masters. Now he is trying to figure out how to salvage a 10th straight year without a … more

By DOUG FERGUSON | 7/20/24

FILE - Brazilian soccer players Marta, right, and Adriana arrive for practice at the Granja Comary training center in preparation for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Teresopolis, Brazil, Wednesday, July 10, 2024. The Brazilian legend plays in her final Olympics in France before stepping away from the national team. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo, File)

Marta pursues soccer gold at the Olympics while preparing to pass the torch to Brazil's youngsters

Brazilian legend Marta will be playing in her final Olympics in France before stepping away from the national team. It will be Marta's sixth Olympics. She has won world player of the year honors six … more

By ANNE M. PETERSON | 7/20/24

FILE - Basketball Hall of Famer Cheryl Miller, left, greets fans during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against UCLA in Los Angeles, Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024. Miller will coach the WNBA All-Stars against Team USA during All-Star weekend on Saturday, July 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, File)

Hoops legend Cheryl Miller filled with pride as Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese make mark on WNBA

Cheryl Miller will coach the WNBA All-Stars against Team USA during All-Star weekend. The women's hoops trailblazer was one of the game's early stars in the 1980s. At USC, she was a two-time national … more

By DAVID BRANDT | 7/20/24