Injured thumb costs Lowry his Team USA spot

Kyle Lowry of the NBA champion Toronto Raptors has withdrawn from the pool of candidates USA Basketball is considering to take to the FIBA World Cup later this month.

Lowry said his surgically repaired thumb isn’t ready to allow him to participate in oncourt workouts. He had surgery last month to repair a torn tendon that dogged him during the NBA playoffs, and was hopeful of being on the floor as early as Aug. 13 when the Americans resume practice in El Segundo, California.

But after meeting with his surgeon on Aug. 12, Lowry apparently realized he wasn’t going to be able to play.

College football

JUDGE APPROVES SETTLEMENT IN CONCUSSION LAWSUIT AGAINST NCAA >> A federal judge has approved an amended settlement in a class-action concussion lawsuit against the NCAA that will establish a 50-year medical-monitoring program for college athletes.

The settlement was announced Aug. 12 by Hagens Berman, the law firm representing the plaintiffs. The case originated with a claim against the NCAA in 2011 by former Eastern Illinois football player Adrian Arrington. The case was later consolidated with other claims. Initially, a settlement was reached in 2016. It created $70-million fund for monitoring of current and former college athletes for brain trauma. Arrington opposed that agreement because it did not pay damages. According to Hagens Berman, the settlement approved by U.S. District Judge John Z. Lee changes the NCAA’s approach to concussion treatment and establishes a $5 million fund for concussion research.

NBA

SEBASTIAN TELFAIR SENTENCED >> Former NBA player Sebastian Telfair was sentenced on Monday to 3 1/2 years in prison in his New York City gun case.

Telfair — a once highly touted point guard with a disappointing pro basketball career and a history of brushes with the law — had been convicted earlier this year of carrying a loaded handgun in his pickup truck. There was no immediate response to a phone message on Monday seeking comment from Telfair’s attorney.

NCAA

NCAA REMOVES REQUIREMENTS FOR AGENTS >> The NCAA has backtracked on new certification standards and will no longer require a bachelor’s degree for a sports agent to represent Division I men’s basketball players who declare for the NBA draft while maintaining college eligibility.

The requirement drew criticism last week when the certification standards were revealed, including a social media blast by NBA star LeBron James. The requirement was quickly dubbed the “Rich Paul Rule” in reference to James’ agent, who does not have a college degree.

The NCAA announced Monday it would amend the standards so bachelor’s degrees would not be required for agents currently certified and in good standing with the NBA players’ association. Agent certification and access was among the recommendations made last year by the Condoleezza Riceled Commission on College Basketball following a federal corruption investigation into the sport.

NHL

CAROLINA EXTENDS GM CONTRACT >> The Carolina Hurricanes have signed team president and general manager Don Waddell to a threeyear contract extension.

Owner Tom Dundon announced the signing Aug. 12.