Aces waive three players to trim roster for season

The Aces waived guards Aisha Sheppard and Brittany Davis and forward Courtney Range on Tuesday as they began paring down their roster for the May 20 season opener.

Sheppard, a second-round draft pick in 2022, helped the Aces win the WNBA championship during her rookie season. The former Virginia Tech guard played in 23 games, averaging 1.5 points and 0.6 rebounds.

Davis, a two-time All-southeastern Conference player at Alabama, was the Aces’ only selection in April’s draft, taken with the final pick of the third round.

Range, an overseas veteran, was a training camp invitee signed to add depth in the frontcourt following a successful season in Switzerland.

The Aces now have 12 players on their roster but will likely carry only 11 because of the salary cap. Rosters must be finalized by May 18.

■ Obit: Denny Crum, who won two NCAA basketball championships and built Louisville into a dominant program during a Hall of Fame coaching career, has died. The school announced Crum’s death in a release after being informed by his wife, Susan. No cause was given, but Crum, 86, had battled an extended illness. Nicknamed “Cool Hand Luke” because of his cool, unflinching sideline demeanor, Crum retired in March 2001 after 30 seasons at Louisville with 675 victories and won championships in 1980 and 1986.

■ NBA: Defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson Jr. of Memphis and Milwaukee’s Jrue Holiday headlined the NBA’S All-defensive Team. Also voted to the first team Tuesday were Bucks forward Brook Lopez, Cleveland forward Evan Mobley and Chicago guard Alex Caruso. Jackson, the NBA leader with 3.0 blocked shots per game, received 96 of 100 first-team votes.