AP Sports

Joe ‘Jellybean’ Bryant, the father of Kobe Bryant, dies at 69

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, the father of the late Basketball Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant, has died, according to his alma mater, La Salle University. Bryant, who spent eight seasons in the NBA with three different franchises, was 69. Citing La Salle coach Fran Dunphy, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that Joe Bryant recently had a massive stroke. He was the No. 14 pick by Golden State in the 1975 draft, and the Warriors wound up selling his rights to Philadelphia before the start of his rookie season. He played four years for the 76ers, three for the San Diego Clippers and one for the Houston Rockets, averaging 8.7 points in 606 games.

Analysis: Tiger Woods is playing all the majors. But for how much longer?

TROON, Scotland (AP) — Tiger Woods is playing all four majors for the first time in five years. That’s not all positive because his performance hasn’t been very good. It has been two years since he broke par in any round in a major. He has missed the last two cuts. It raises questions about whether it’s time for him to step away. Colin Montgomerie said as much in a Times of London interview. Woods took great delight in pushing back on that criticism. He says he’s exempt at the British Open until he’s 60. Montgomerie is not because he never won the British Open.

LeBron James at 39 still is the center of attention for USA Basketball. That won’t change in Paris

LAS VEGAS (AP) — LeBron James still is the center of attention and that’ll be the case for USA Basketball this summer. At 39 years old, starting the 22nd season of his pro career, the all-time leader in NBA points, soon to become the first men’s player to represent the U.S. at the Olympic Games in three different decades, “he’s still LeBron.” And that’s why USA Basketball so badly wanted him on this team that’s headed to the Paris Olympics, because there is no question that he makes the team even more of a favorite for what would be a fifth consecutive gold medal.

Gareth Southgate says he will step down as England manager

Gareth Southgate has announced he will step down as England manager after eight years in charge. Southgate led England to the final of Euro 2024 – losing 2-1 to Spain on Sunday. “As a proud Englishman, it has been the honour of my life to play for England and to manage England. It has meant everything to me, and I have given it my all,” he said. “But it’s time for change, and for a new chapter.”

On ‘incredible day,’ Kylian Mbappé welcomed by Real Madrid fans at packed Santiago Bernabeu Stadium

MADRID (AP) — Kylian Mbappé has finally put on a Real Madrid jersey to fulfill his childhood dream in front of a packed Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. Nearly 80,000 fans were in hand at the Bernabeu to welcome the 25-year-old France star during his official presentation as the club’s newest player. He officially signed his five-year contract with the Spanish powerhouse alongside club president Florentino Pérez and then entered the stage set up at the Bernabeu to loud cheers by the Madrid fans. Mbappé smiled broadly and waved to the fans who chanted his name.

Tiger Woods says even champions miss putts. Rory McIlroy gets the message at British Open

TROON, Scotland (AP) — Rory McIlroy got plenty of text messages after his late collapse at the U.S. Open last month. Tiger Woods sent one too but he had waited a week. Turns out McIlroy never got the message because he had changed his mobile phone number. They talked at the British Open on Tuesday though. The 35-year-old McIlroy will try again to end a decade-long drought in majors. A four-time major champion, he won the claret jug at Royal Liverpool in 2014 and then the PGA Championship at Valhalla a month later. But no majors since then. He says “I’d much rather have these close calls. It means that I’m getting closer.”

Paul Skenes in spotlight, starting All-Star Game after just 11 major league games

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Paul Skenes was the center of attention in a ballpark filled with six dozen All-Stars. The 22-year-old Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher with 11 major league appearances will start for the National League on Tuesday night, when Baltimore’s Corbin Burnes starts for the American League. Skenes will have the fewest big league games of any player in the showcase’s 91-year history. His splinker, a hybrid that sinks like a splitter with the velocity of a sinker, has batters muttering. He is 6-0 with a 1.90 ERA since his May 11 debut, striking out 89 and walking 13 in 66 1/3 innings.

Jon Rahm hoping to ride Spanish momentum to end drought

TROON, Scotland (AP) — Spain in on a roll and Jon Rahm hopes to be part of it. He says he was inspired by Carlos Alcaraz winning Wimbledon and Spain beating England in the European Championships. Rahm has only the British Open left to salvage a disappointing year in the majors. He hasn’t won anywhere since the 2023 Masters. He was barely made the cut this year at Augusta, missed the cut in the PGA Championship and then had to sit out the U.S. Open with a foot infection. Rahm says he is swinging freer and getting back toward his high level of play.

Georgia football grapples with driving violations, as Kirby Smart says problem isn’t quite solved

DALLAS (AP) — Georgia coach Kirby Smart says Bulldogs players who have been arrested or cited for driving violations have been disciplined with suspensions and fines through the collective that provides name, image and likeness payments to the school’s athletes. A week after one Georgia player was arrested for reckless driving and another cited for street racing, Smart says the issue has not been solved. The Atlanta-Journal Constitution has reported there have been 24 incidents involving Georgia players being involved in driving related violations starting with a fatal accident that killed a player and a recruiting staffer in January 2023.

Colombia’s soccer federation president and son among 27 arrested in chaos at Copa America final

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Police say Colombia’s soccer federation president and his son were among 27 people arrested during the crowd control issues that broke out at the Copa America final between Argentina and Colombia. Miami-Dade police detective Andre Martin told The Associated Press that Ramón Jesurún and his son Ramon Jamil Jesurun were detained and charged after the event Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium. Both men are facing three counts of felony battery on an official after being accused of fighting multiple stadium security guards. Colombia’s soccer federation said in a statement Tuesday that Ramón Jesurún regrets his actions and was only trying to protect his son.