Sports briefs
By NewsPress Now
Bronny James receives clearance to play in the NBA
NBA teams were told Monday that Bronny James, the son of the Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James, has been medically cleared to play in the league and is expected to participate in the draft combine this week, a person with knowledge of the matter told The Associated Press.
Teams were told of the clearance in a memo sent Monday morning, according to the person who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the league did not publicly release any details. All players at the draft combine in Chicago undergo medical examinations.
ESPN first reported the NBA’s decision.
The clearance determination was likely expected, given that Bronny James was able to play the final 25 games for Southern California this past season as a freshman. He suffered cardiac arrest during a practice session in July 2023 and needed a procedure to fix what was diagnosed as a congenital heart defect, then missed several months while recovering.
The NBA convened what is known as a fitness-to-play panel — three doctors who review medical records — to determine if James should be cleared. They determined that he is “medically able and fit to play basketball in the NBA,” which means he can take part in the combine.
James is on a roster to participate in on-court games Tuesday, though rosters and playing plans often change at the combine. All players at the combine are also expected to participate in a media session on Tuesday.
The 6-foot-4 guard averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists at USC this past season. He has until later this month to decide if he is going to stay in the draft or return to college basketball for at least one more season.
LeBron James — the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, and someone who just finished his 21st season in the league — said many times in recent years that he would like to play in the league alongside his son. But when this season ended, the Lakers star who could become a free agent this summer said he hasn’t “given much thought lately” about the notion of playing on a team with Bronny James.
“The kid has to do what he wants to do — and I don’t even want to say kid no more — the young man will decide what he wants to do and how he wants his career to go,” LeBron James said when the Lakers’ season ended with a playoff loss to Denver. “I just think the fact that we’re even having the conversation is pretty cool in the sense of that. Obviously, we’ll see what happens.”
Bucs All-Pro Winfield Jr. agrees to 4-year,
$84 million deal
TAMPA, Fla. | All-Pro safety Antoine Winfield, Jr. has agreed to a four-year, $84 million contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that makes him the highest-paid defensive back in the NFL.
The Bucs announced an agreement Monday. The 25-year-old, who as a rookie helped the team win its second Super Bowl championship, had been due to earn just over $17 million next season under the franchise tag.
The signing continues a solid offseason as general manager Jason Licht’s top priority was to retain the core of a roster that’s won three consecutive NFC South titles.
In addition to placing the franchise tag on Winfield in March, the Bucs re-signed quarterback Baker Mayfield (three years, $115 million), career receiving leader Mike Evans (two years, $52 million) and veteran linebacker Lavonte David (one-year, $10 million) to keep those key players from leaving in free agency.
Winfield was a second-round draft pick in 2020, became an immediate starter and helped the Tom Brady-led Bucs win the Super Bowl as a rookie.
He’s the son of former Minnesota Vikings standout cornerback Antoine Winfield, Sr. and leads all NFL defensive backs in sacks (15), quarterback hits (21), forced fumbles (11) and fumble recoveries (eight) since entering the league.
Tampa Bay has made the playoffs in each of Winfield’s four seasons. In 2023, he led the team with three interceptions while also joining T.J. Watt (2019), Justin Tuck (2010) and Terrell Suggs (2003) as the only players since 2000 to have five-plus sacks (six), five-plus takeaways (seven) and five-plus forced fumbles (six) in the same season.
Now that a long-term deal is in place with Winfield, Licht figures to turn his attention to securing a contract extension with Pro Bowl left tackle Tristan Wirfs, who is scheduled to earn $18.2 million in 2024 under the club’s fifth-year option.
Bluder retiring after Clark-led Iowa teams reach last two NCAA title games
Lisa Bluder, who coached the Iowa women’s basketball team to the last two NCAA championship games, announced Monday that she is retiring after 24 years leading the Hawkeyes. Her longtime assistant, Jan Jensen, was named her successor.
Bluder made the announcement five weeks after Iowa lost to South Carolina in the national title game and superstar Caitlin Clark ended her college career.
“There is no denying that this past season was incredible for so many reasons, and we could not have accomplished our achievements without all of you,” she said in an open letter to fans. “After the season ended, I spent time with our student-athletes and coaches reviewing the season and preparing those moving on for what comes next.
“With that also came personal contemplation about what this journey has meant to me, how to best champion this program, and what the future looks like for my family and me. After then taking some time away with my husband, David, it became clear to me that I am ready to step aside.”
Bluder was 528-254 at Iowa, including 65-12 the past two years with Clark leading the way, and 716-359 including her 10 seasons at Drake.
Jensen was associate head coach under Bluder for 20 years and was with Bluder for a total of 24 years at Iowa and eight at Drake. Jensen played for Bluder at Drake and she said she is elated to begin her new job.
“I have been so blessed to have enjoyed an incredible ride with Lisa,” Jensen said. “That ride started when I was her player and continued for 33 years as I had the privilege to work alongside of her. I can’t thank Lisa enough for her mentorship, leadership, and most of all her friendship. I am so proud of all we accomplished and grateful for all the memories we created.
Slovakia upsets the U.S. in OT at ice hockey worlds, Finland eases past Norway
PRAGUE | Slovakia upset the United States 5-4 when Milos Kelemen scored with 1:04 left in overtime at the ice hockey world championship on Monday.
The Americans were handed their second loss in three games.
Libor Hudacek, Simon Nemec and Patrik Koch also scored for the Slovaks and goaltender Samuel Hlavaj stopped 39 shots in Group B in Ostrava.
Down 4-1, the Americans made a three-goal comeback within 12:06 of the third period to force overtime.
Shane Pinto scored the second for the Americans between the pads of Hlavaj, Brady Tkachuk added an unassisted goal on a solo effort, and Luke Hughes scored with a snap shot with 3:22 left.
Kelemen with his first goal and Hudacek gave the Slovaks a 2-0 lead in the opening period.
Matt Boldy reduced the advantage to 2-1 on a rebound but Simon Nemec scored for Slovakia with a slap shot and Patrik Koch added the four goal 8:47 into the frame. They prompted U.S. coach John Hynes to substitute goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic with Trey Augustine.
Nedeljkovic allowed four goals from 16 shots. Augustine made eight saves.
The U.S. lost to Sweden 5-2 in its opening game and beat last year’s runner-up Germany 6-1.
Sweden has also routed Germany 6-1. Andre Burakovsky scored and added two assists and star defenseman Erik Karlsson had a goal and an assist.
Sweden is the only team in Group B with a perfect record of three wins in regulation from three.
Switzerland prevailed against the Czech Republic 2-1 in a shootout for a third win in Group A. Kevin Fiala gave the Swiss a 1-0 lead and converted the decisive shootout goal.
Matej Stransky tied it for the Czechs, who were defeated for the first time.
Earlier, Oliver Kapanen and Arttu Hyry scored two each for Finland to ease past Norway 4-1 for their second win in three games in Group A.
Following his hat trick in Sunday’s 8-0 rout of Britain, Kapanen tops the goal scoring table with five.
Norway remained without a point.
Scottie Scheffler arrives at PGA Championship with a newborn at home
LOUISVILLE, Ky. | Masters champion Scottie Scheffler arrived at Valhalla on Monday for the PGA Championship and received congratulations at every turn, none related to any of his victories.
He’s the father of a newborn boy.
Scheffler said he and his wife named the baby Bennett. He was born May 8.
Jon Rahm was among the first to greet Scheffler on the putting green, gave him a hug and said, “Have you had much sleep?” Rahm has two sons.
Scheffler has not played since winning the RBC Heritage at Harbour Town a week after he won his second Masters green jacket. He comes into the second major of the year having won four of his last five tournaments — the exception was a runner-up finish at the Houston Open.
He remains the betting favorite, even with Rory McIlroy coming off two straight victories (one of them a team event with Shane Lowry), and defending champion Brooks Koepka coming off his first victory of the year at LIV Golf Singapore.
McIlroy won the PGA Championship at Valhalla in 2014, the last time he won a major. Koepka tied for 15th in 2014, a year before he joined the PGA Tour.
Scheffler is trying to become the first player since Jordan Spieth in 2015 — and only the fifth player since 1960 — to win the first two majors of the year.
—From AP reports
