USC’s Watkins named first-team All-American
JuJu Watkins’ charmed freshman season at USC added another distinction as she became the first Trojan selected to the Associated Press All-America first team.
Watkins has scored 810 points, fourth most by any freshman, averaging 27 points, second only to Iowa’s Caitlin Clark, and added 7.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 2.4 steals and 1.5 blocks to help the Trojans win the Pac-12 tournament for the first time since 2014.
Clark, the NCAA’s all-time scoring leader, became the 11th player to make the first team three times and was a unanimous choice. She was joined by Stanford’s Cameron Brink, Connecticut’s Paige Bueckers and Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo. Hidalgo and Watkins are only the fourth and fifth freshmen to make the team since it began in 1994-95.
Kansas guard Kevin McCullar Jr. was ruled out of the NCAA tournament because of a bone bruise on his knee . ... In Tuesday’s late games, Wagner scored the first NCAA tournament win in program history, getting 21 points from Melvin Council Jr. and holding off a late rally by Howard to win 71-68 in the First Four . ... Joel Scott had 23 points and 11 rebounds as Colorado State won an NCAA tournament game for the first time in 11 years, blowing out Virginia 67-42 in the First Four.
NFL rules changes proposed for vote
The NFL competition committee is proposing a 15-yard personal foul for “hip-drop” tackles and a change to kickoffs to add more returns without compromising safety. The proposals will be presented to owners at the league meetings this month, with 24 out of 32 votes needed for approval.
The Rams re-signed backup linebacker Christian Rozeboom; terms were not announced . ... Tennessee is re-signing veteran kicker Nick Folk after he made an NFLleading 96.7% of his kicks last season and agreed to terms with former Rams and Chargers defensive lineman Sebastian Joseph. ... Detroit defensive back Cameron Sutton is wanted on a felony domestic violence warrant in Florida . ... Former New Orleans receiver Michael Thomas has been accepted into a pretrial diversion program that could help him avoid trial in a case stemming from his arrest last fall on simple battery charges.
The family of former NHL enforcer Chris Simon said the 52year-old died by suicide and blamed his death on the degenerative brain disease chronic traumatic encephalopathy.
The Phoenix Suns signed twotime All-Star guard Isaiah Thomas to a 10-day contract. The 35year-old hasn’t played in the NBA since 2022 but averaged 32.5 points in four recent G League games . ... Milwaukee star Giannis Antetokounmpo missed his second straight game, at Boston, because of a hamstring injury . ... Detroit’s Ausar Thompson (blood clot) and Isaiah Stewart (hamstring) are out for the rest of the season.
New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge had an RBI double in his first at-bat after sitting out nine days because of an injury . ... Cincinnati second baseman Matt McLain likely will go on the injured list because of a shoulder injury.
Formula One driver Carlos Sainz Jr. is expected to return for Ferrari at this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix after undergoing surgery for appendicitis.
Canadian pair Deanna Stellato-Dudek and Maxime Deschamps put forth an electrifying performance to place first in the short program at the world figure skating championships.
UFC parent company TKO Group Holdings reached a $335million settlement regarding two antitrust lawsuits brought by former fighters who claimed they were underpaid.
Clippers vs. Portland
Wednesday night’s game ended after this edition’s deadline. For that story and more coverage go to latimes.com/sports.