Pierce, Collins up for the Hall
Former Boston Celtics star Paul Pierce, and player, coach and broadcaster Doug Collins lead the f irsttime nominees for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2021. Also making their debut as candidates are former Laker Michael Cooper, Howard Garfinkel, Lou Henson, Val Ackerman, Yolanda Griffith and Lauren Jackson. Finalists are scheduled to be announced in early March.
San Francisco quarterback Nick Mullens will miss the rest of the season with an elbow injury, elevating thirdstringer C. J. Beathard to starter. The 49ers are planning to sign former UCLA standout Josh Rosen, who terminated his contract with Tampa Bay and is set to join them Wednesday. ... Washington quarterback Dwayne Haskins publicly apologized after photos of him partying unmasked after playing Sunday circulated on social media.
Florida forward Keyontae Johnson was released from the hospital, 10 days after collapsing on the court at Florida State and needing emergency medical attention. Johnson, who had COVID- 19 this year, was diagnosed with myocarditis, or inf lammation of the heart, USA Today and the Gainesville Sun reported, and likely will miss the rest of the season.
In other COVID- 19 news: The Detroit Lions closed their training facility after two people within the franchise tested positive. ... Miami of Ohio’s men’s basketball program paused teamrelated activities following COVID- 19 protocols. ... Wake Forest said redshirt basketball freshman Tariq Ingraham is out for the season as he recovers from COVID, while graduate transfer Ian DuBose is out indefinitely because of medical reasons.
The New York Mets and Noah Syndergaard agreed to a $ 9.7- million, one- year contract for next season, when the injured righthander hopes to return from Tommy John surgery. ... Reliever Nick Wittgren avoided salary arbitration with the Cleveland Indians by agreeing to a $ 2- million, one- year contract. ... The Philadelphia Phillies promoted Sam Fuld to general manager.
The graduation gap between Black and white athletes on bowl- bound college football teams is widening, according to the latest study from the Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport at the University of Central Florida.
An explosive second run earned Henrik Kristoffersen “one of the most emotional wins” of his career, leading Sebastian Foss- Solevaag for a Norwegian 1- 2 f inish at a men’s World Cup night slalom at Madonna di Campiglio, Italy.
The PGA Tour’s top rules officials, Mark Russell and Slugger White, are moving toward retirement.
Deryk Engelland became the latest NHL veteran to step away from hockey before players report to training camps for a shortened season. The 38- yearold is moving on after 11 seasons to take a role with the Vegas Golden Knights Foundation. ... Edmonton defenseman Oscar Klefbom will miss the season with a lingering shoulder injury. ... There will be advertisements on players’ helmets as teams try to recoup revenue. New Jersey, Washington and Nashville became the f irst teams to unveil helmet ads.