Stricklen, DeShields win All-Star Friday events

LAS VEGAS >> Shekinna Stricklen and Diamond DeShields made the most of their first All-Star appearances.

Stricklen won the 3-point contest while DeShields took the skills contest on Friday night at the WNBA AllStar festivities. It was the first time that the league held the two competitions a night before the game.

The Connecticut Sun forward scored 23 points in the final round of the 3-point contest to edge hometown favorite Kayla McBride by a point. It was the second straight year that McBride lost in the final, much to the disappointment of the large crowd that came to the event.

Stricklen put up 21 points in the opening round and she didn’t think that would be enough to advance.

“I was thinking I need at least 2527, not going to lie,” Stricklen said. “Still in shock about the first round. ... Thought Allie (Quigley) was going to get a lot more.”

Two-time defending champion Allie Quigley only scored 19 points in the first round and didn’t make the final. The Chicago’s guard had many of her Sky teammates in the stands cheering for her.

Stricklen thought she would need an even better round in the finals against McBride, who had 22 points in the first round.

“I mean she’s in her hometown and got the crowd, thought she was going to get hot,” Stricklen said.

Other competitors in the 3-point contest were Kia Nurse, Erica Wheeler and Chelsea Gray.

DeShields had to come from behind to edge Jonquel Jones in the final round to win the skills contest. That three-round event featured two players competing simultaneously on identical obstacle courses that test ball handling, passing, agility and 3-point shooting skills. In the final, DeShields’ first pass attempt missed, but she quickly made the second one. She finished the course in the final round in 23.4 seconds when her 3-pointer went in. OXNARD >> Ezekiel Elliott is holding out of training camp with the Dallas Cowboys with two years remaining on the rookie contract of the twotime NFL rushing champ.

Owner and general manager Jerry Jones said on reporting day at camp Friday that Elliott was officially a “non-report.” The Cowboys conducted physicals and conditioning tests in Oxnard, California. The first practice is set for Saturday. Jones wouldn’t say whether the Cowboys are negotiating with Elliott’s representatives.

Elliott went through the entire offseason program LOS ANGELES >> Sean McVay and Les Snead have received their rewards for their two-year transformation of the Rams.

The Rams’ 33-year-old head coach and his general manager have agreed to contract extensions through 2023. The defending NFC champions announced the deals Friday while veterans reported to training camp in Orange County.

Financial terms of the contracts weren’t disclosed, but the deals cement the Rams’ foundation and essentially ensure McVay and Snead will be in charge when the franchise moves into its multi-billion-dollar stadium complex in Inglewood next year.

Source: Daniels agrees with Lions

DETROIT >> A person with knowledge of the agreement says the Lions have reached a one-year deal with defensive lineman Mike Daniels.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity Friday. The 30-year-old Daniels, a former Pro Bowler, was released earlier this week after seven seasons with Green Bay. Daniels started nine games for the Packers last season.