WNBA HONORS GRINER WITH ALL-STAR SPOT

Brittney Griner will have a place at the WNBA All-Star Game, being named an honorary starter Wednesday by Commissioner Cathy Engelbert.

Griner has been detained in Russia since Feb. 17 after authorities at an airport outside of Moscow said she had vape cartridges containing cannabis oil in her bag.

“During each season of Brittney’s career in which there has been an All-Star Game, she has been selected as an All-Star,” Engelbert said. “It is not difficult to imagine that if BG were here with us this season, she would once again be selected and would, no doubt, show off her incredible talents. So, it is only fitting that she be named as an honorary starter today and we continue to work on her safe return to the U.S.”

The State Department in May designated Griner as wrongfully detained, moving her case under the supervision of its special presidential envoy for hostage affairs, who is effectively the government’s chief hostage negotiator.

Russian state-run news agency Tass reported last week that Griner’s detention was extended until at least July 2. Another American,

Paul Whelan, has been held in Russia since December 2018 on espionage charges he and the U.S. government say are false.

Breanna Stewart and

A’ja Wilson received the most votes from fans and were selected as co-captains for the event. They will be joined by Sue Bird and Sylvia Fowles, who both have announced they will retire at the end of the season. Bird will set a record with her 13th All-Star appearance. Fowles, who is injured right now, was selected for her eighth game.

Stewart and Fowles will be paired up as co-captains, as will Wilson and Bird, and will choose their teams.

Joining Wilson, Stewart and Fowles in the frontcourt are Connecticut’s Jonquel Jones, Los Angeles’s Nneka Ogwumike and Chicago’s

Candace Parker. The starting guards, in addition to Bird, are New York’s Sabrina Ionescu and Las Vegas teammates Kelsey Plum (La Jolla Country Day) and Jackie Young.

More WNBA

Stefanie Dolson scored 16 points, including one of New York’s 13 3-pointers with 1:29 left, and Sabrina Ionescu had 11 points, 11 rebounds and six assists to help the Liberty beat the host Connecticut Sun 81-77

Death

O. Bruton Smith, who emerged from North Carolina farm country and parlayed his love of motorsports into a Hall of Fame career as one of the biggest track owners and most successful promoters in the history of auto racing, died Wednesday. He was 95.

His death was announced by Speedway Motorsports, which cited natural of causes.

His son, Marcus, the current president and CEO, on Tuesday posted a tribute to his father on social media: “I had a wonderful Father’s Day weekend. I am so thankful to be a dad, and to have an amazing dad,” said the post, which was accompanied by photos of Smith surrounded by his family.

Bruton Smith started promoting races in the 1940s and built one of the biggest companies in the racing industry. Speedway Motorsports currently owns 11 facilities across the United States. NASCAR races this weekend at Nashville Superspeedway, a track that was purchased by Speedway Motorsports last year.

Tennis

Serena Williams might yet win a title in her comeback event.

The American star moved into the semifinals of the women’s doubles at Eastbourne in London by partnering Ons Jabeur to a 6-2, 6-4 win over Shuko Aoyama and Chan Hao-ching on Wednesday.

And, ahead of playing in the singles at Wimbledon next week, there were signs that the 40-year-old Williams is regaining some sharpness after nearly a year out.

Also

Police say nearly $100,000 in cash was taken in a weekend burglary at the Atlanta home of former NBA player

Vince Carter. Police said in an incident report that two guns and more than $16,000 was recovered outside the home after Sunday’s burglary. Carter told police the recovered money was a small portion of $100,000 in cash he kept in a closet. Police say a fingerprint from the suspect was collected from the scene.

• The Chicago Blackhawks have promoted

Meghan Hunter to assistant general manger among several front office moves. She is the fourth woman to be named an assistant GM in NHL history.

• An Argentinian judge has ruled that eight medical personnel involved in the care of soccer star Diego Maradona will face a public trial for criminal negligence.