Sports

NCAA bans 3 college basketball players for betting on their own games at Fresno St, San Jose St

The NCAA has permanently banned three Division I college basketball players for betting on their own games. The players from Fresno State and San Jose State shared thousands in payouts. The NCAA Committee on Infractions released findings that Mykell Robinson, Steven Vasquez, and Jalen Weaver bet on each other’s games. Two players manipulated their performances to win bets during the 2024-25 season. The NCAA said Robinson and Vasquez failed to cooperate with the investigation, while Weaver agreed to the violation. All three are no longer enrolled at their previous schools. Neither school faced punishment.

NBA’s ‘heave rule’ will allow deep end-of-quarter shots without hurting player shooting percentages

NEW YORK (AP) — NBA players can now shoot those long end-of-quarter heaves without hurting their shooting percentages. The league has approved a change in how these shots are recorded, finalized at the board of governors meeting on Wednesday. The rule was tested at Summer League in Las Vegas and smaller leagues in Utah and California. Shots taken in the final three seconds of the first three quarters from at least 36 feet away will count as team attempts, not individual ones. This change aims to encourage more players to take these long shots without worrying about their stats.

NBA will not rush judgment in Kawhi Leonard investigation, Commissioner Adam Silver says

NEW YORK (AP) — The NBA is not rushing its investigation into whether a business relationship between Kawhi Leonard and a California company was legitimate or a way for the Los Angeles Clippers to bypass salary cap rules. Commissioner Adam Silver said Wednesday that the league will wait for a report from an outside firm before taking further steps. The investigation began last week after a report suggested a $28 million endorsement deal between Leonard and Aspiration Fund Adviser, LLC, might have broken league rules. The Clippers deny any wrongdoing and welcome the investigation. Silver emphasized the importance of due process and fairness.

Unrivaled women’s basketball league expands with new clubs and development pool

MEDLEY, Fla. (AP) — Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart’s 3-on-3 women’s basketball league, Unrivaled, is expanding for its second season. The league is adding two new clubs, Breeze Basketball Club and Hive Basketball Club. The announcement was made Wednesday. Unrivaled also will introduce a development pool with six players and add a fourth night of games. This expansion increases the league to eight teams and 54 players, up from six teams and 36 players in its inaugural season. The second season will start in January. The league is now valued at $340 million after a successful Series B investment round.

Chiefs coach Andy Reid says emotional outbursts in loss to Chargers are ‘part of the game’

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs are downplaying emotional outbursts during their season-opening loss to the Los Angeles Chargers in Brazil. Star tight end Travis Kelce confronted right tackle Jawaan Taylor, who was penalized four times. Later, linebacker Drue Tranquill had words with defensive tackle Chris Jones after a crucial mistake. Chiefs coach Andy Reid said Wednesday that emotions are part of the game but acknowledged the team came out flat last Friday. Patrick Mahomes emphasized the passion among teammates, saying they hold each other accountable. The Chiefs have a Super Bowl rematch with Philadelphia on Sunday.

The Steelers know they need to protect Aaron Rodgers better after a ‘sloppy’ performance in opener

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line has plenty to clean up ahead of a Week 2 visit from Seattle. While Pittsburgh pulled out a 34-32 victory over the New York Jets in the season opener, the line allowed quarterback Aaron Rodgers to be sacked four times. The 41-year-old Rodgers admits he contributed to some of those sacks and acknowledges he wasn’t moving as well as he’d like after sitting out the preseason. Left tackle Broderick Jones, who allowed three sacks, knows he needs to improve. The Steelers are confident Jones can turn things around. They face a tough challenge against the Seahawks’ aggressive defense next week.

College football picks: Sooners, Cyclones, Utes among Power Four teams making rare visits to G5 foes

It’s hard to not notice the handful of games where Power Four teams play Group of Five opponents on the road. Among Associated Press Top 25 teams this week, No. 13 Oklahoma is at Temple and No. 14 Iowa State visits Arkansas State. Among the unranked, SMU travels to FBS newcomer Missouri State, Duke is at Tulane and Utah goes to Wyoming. There should be fewer Power Four road games against G5 teams in coming years as athletic directors craft schedules giving them best paths to the College Football Playoff.

Zohran Mamdani has a new goal as he runs for NYC mayor: cheaper World Cup tickets

NEW YORK (AP) — New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani is calling on FIFA to make World Cup tickets more affordable for New Yorkers. Mamdani released a petition on Wednesday demanding FIFA reverse its plan to set ticket prices based on demand, calling it “price gouging.” He also wants 15% of the tickets to be set aside at discounted prices for residents. The tournament will be played across 16 North American cities, with eight matches at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Mamdani argues that FIFA’s pricing model could price working people out of attending — echoing his campaign platform, which centered on affordability.

Woman charged in traffic deaths of 2 Marquette lacrosse players was drunk, prosecutors say

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Authorities say a Wisconsin driver who was involved in a traffic crash last week that killed two Marquette University lacrosse players was drunk at the time. Prosecutors in Milwaukee on Wednesday brought two homicide charges against 41-year-old Amandria Brunner, of West Allis. She faces up to 80 years in prison if convicted of both counts. According to a criminal complaint, the crash happened on Friday in Milwaukee when Brunner tried to turn left in front of an SUV that was taking six Marquette men’s lacrosse players to a store. Sophomores Scott Michaud and Noah Snyder were pronounced dead at the scene. Prosecutors say Brunner’s blood alcohol content after the crash was 0.133, exceeding the state’s 0.08 legal limit to drive.