SPORTS SHORTS NBCA: Concern over T’wolves hiring

The leadership of the National Basketball Coaches Association spoke out Wednesday about its “concern and level of disappointment” with the way the Timberwolves went about their coaching change earlier this week. The statement came from NBCA president Rick Carlisle of the Mavericks and NBCA executive director David Fogel. “... It is our responsibility to point out when an organization fails to conduct a thorough and transparent search of candidates from a wide range of diverse backgrounds,” the statement said. The T’wolves fired Ryan Saunders on Sunday night and struck a deal to hire Raptors assistant Chris Finch, above, almost immediately. “There were other candidates, minority candidates we considered at this time,” T’wolves president Gersson Rosas said. “Unfortunately when you’re in the middle of a season, you’re at the mercy of who can become available.” Timberwolves assistant David Vanterpool has support from several NBAplayers, many of whomexpressed anger that he didn’t get the job or, at minimum, the appearance of being considered for the role. Vanterpool is Black.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Once Hunter Dickinson established himself as one of the top freshmen in the country, this became an anticipated matchup.

It’s finally here: Dickinson and No. 3 Michigan against Luka Garza and No. 9 Iowa. A battle between two of college basketball’s top big men — who are both from the Washington, D.C. area and have known each other for years.

“It’s really impressive to see what he’s done so far, but I think anybody from the DMV would have told you that was going to happen,” Garza said.