Rodgers plans to play for Jets in 2023, awaits Packers' move
Aaron Rodgers says he intends to play for the New York Jets in 2023 after 18 seasons in Green Bay. The four-time NFL MVP quarterback says he is just waiting for the Packers to trade him. Rodgers made his comments Wednesday following days of speculation that his time in Green Bay might be done. The 39-year-old said he believes the Packers want to move on and make 2020 first-round pick Jordan Love their starting quarterback. The Jets sent a contingent that reportedly included owner Woody Johnson, coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas to Rodgers’ home in Southern California last week. Rodgers has been the face of the franchise since Hall of Famer Brett Favre was traded to the Jets in 2008.
Mets' Edwin Díaz injured celebrating Puerto Rico's WBC win
MIAMI (AP) — All-Star closer Edwin Díaz of the New York Mets was taken off the field in a wheelchair after injuring his right knee celebrating Puerto Rico’s victory over the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic. The right-hander was swarmed by teammates after pitching a perfect ninth inning in a 5-2 win that clinched Puerto Rico a spot in the WBC quarterfinals. The group was jumping together in the infield when Díaz collapsed to the ground, and he immediately reached for his right leg. Díaz — as famous for his trumpet-driven entrance music as his dominant pitching — was in tears and did not put any weight on his right leg as a coach and trainer helped him limp toward the dugout.
NBA suspends Ja Morant 8 games for video showing gun in club
MIAMI (AP) — The NBA has suspended Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant eight games without pay after determining that his holding a firearm at a club in suburban Denver earlier this month was “conduct detrimental to the league.” Morant will miss his sixth game when the Grizzlies play in Miami on Wednesday night. He will miss the next two games and be eligible to return on Monday when Memphis plays Dallas. The games he already missed will count toward the suspension. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver met with Morant in New York before announcing the league’s decision. He called Morant's conduct “irresponsible, reckless and potentially very dangerous.”
NFL free agency opens with Aaron Rodgers, other QBs on move
After a flurry of moves in the two days ahead of the official start of the NFL free agency period, Aaron Rodgers made the biggest news Wednesday by announcing his intention to play for the New York Jets. Several more players switched teams, others are staying put and a few stars, including Ezekiel Elliott, will be looking for new homes in 2023. But Rodgers is the dominant story of the offseason, and the four-time AP NFL MVP cleared things up during an appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” a few hours before the league year started at 4 p.m. EST.
Embiid scores 36, gets late call reversed in win over Cavs
CLEVELAND (AP) — Joel Embiid had 36 points and 18 rebounds and played the final 4:12 after initially being called for his sixth foul, leading the Philadelphia 76ers to their sixth straight victory, 118-109 over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night. James Harden added 28 points and Tyrese Maxey had 23 for the Sixers. They were up 108-101 when Embiid was whistled for an offensive charge on Evan Mobley while making a jumper. As Cleveland fans began to celebrate Embiid’s apparent disqualification, Sixers coach Doc Rivers immediately challenged the call, which was overturned after a replay review and the superstar was allowed to stay on the floor. Caris LeVert scored 24 points for Cleveland. Donovan Mitchell added 21.
Porter scores 27 points, Rockets beat short-handed Lakers
HOUSTON (AP) — Kevin Porter Jr. scored 27 points and the Houston Rockets beat the short-handed Los Angeles Lakers 114-110 on Wednesday night. It’s the second straight win for the Western Conference-worst Rockets, who beat Boston on Monday night. Already without LeBron James because of an injury, the Lakers were also missing Anthony Davis against Houston. Davis, who had 35 points and 17 rebounds in a win over New Orleans on Tuesday night, isn’t playing both games of back-to-back per doctors’ orders after coming back from a right foot injury. Austin Reaves had 24 points off the bench for the Lakers.
Alabama's Brandon Miller has security guard due to threats
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — Alabama star Brandon Miller is being accompanied at the NCAA Tournament by an armed security guard. Coach Nate Oats says the school lined up extra protection for Miller because of threats. Police have said Miller brought a gun to a former teammate before 23-year-old Jamea Harris was shot and killed. The ex-teammate and another man have been indicted on capital murder charges. The Crimson Tide is a No. 1 seed in the tournament and play No. 16 seed Texas A&M-Corpus Christi in Birmingham on Thursday.
Social media madness gives opportunities to Edert and others
By the time Doug Edert and tiny Saint Peter's made history by becoming the first 15 seed to advance to the Elite Eight in last year's NCAA Tournament, Edert’s mustache had its own Twitter handle and Edert himself had deals hawking chicken wings and a few other products. All of this was spurred by the confluence of social media’s ever-growing imprint on society combined with the new and loosely regulated world of NIL deals that allow college athletes to cash in on paid endorsements. In the first of a three-part series, the AP looks at Edert’s success story as one of several examples of the ways social media has turbocharged March Madness.
Boston, Clark headline women's AP All-America team
Aliyah Boston of South Carolina is just the 10th player to be named a first-team AP All-American for a third time. Boston was joined on the first team by Iowa’s Caitlin Clark, Villanova’s Maddy Siegrist, LSU’s Angel Reese and Indiana’s Mackenzie Holmes. Boston and Clark were unanimous choices. The second team was headlined by Virginia Tech’s Elizabeth Kitley, who was the ACC Player of the Year for the second straight season. She was joined by Cameron Brink of Stanford, Diamond Miller of Maryland, Olivia Miles of Notre Dame and Alissa Pili of Utah. The third team was Iowa State's Ashley Joens, UConn’s Aaliyah Edwards, DePaul's Aneesah Morrow, Stanford’s Haley Jones and South Carolina’s Zia Cooke.
Kansas coach Bill Self 'day to day' at March Madness
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Bill Self’s status for coaching Kansas in the NCAA Tournament is uncertain as he recovers from a heart procedure. Assistant coach Norm Roberts said the Jayhawks remain hopeful he’ll be on the bench for their opener against Howard on Thursday. Kansas’ Hall of Fame coach was discharged from a Kansas City-area hospital Sunday after having a procedure to treat blocked arteries in his heart. Self attended practice at Wells Fargo Arena on Wednesday morning but did not participate in his team’s media availability. Roberts said Self is day-to-day.
