Newman to leave Kansas, enter NBA Draft

Malik Newman plans to leave Kansas and enter the NBA Draft after leading the Jayhawks to the Final Four in his only season playing for them.

The sophomore guard said Wednesday he plans to sign with an agent.

Newman sat out the 201617 season after transferring from Mississippi State and started 33 of 39 games this season, earning Big 12 Newcomer of the Year honors. He was at his best in the postseason, averaging 24 points in the Big 12 Tournament and 21.6 in the NCAA Tournament.

•Miami Hurricanes freshman guard Lonnie Walker IV says he’ll turn pro this year, a move anticipated even before his college career began.

Walker announced Wednesday on Twitter that he’ll hire an agent, which would prevent him from returning to the Hurricanes, and plans to enter the NBA Draft. Many projections list him as a lottery pick.

•Duke freshman guard Trevon Duval is entering the NBA Draft and plans to hire an agent.

Duval’s 207 assists were the fourth most by a Duke freshman, and he had four games with at least 10 assists. He also averaged 10.3 points.

•Auburn guard Mustapha Heron says he will enter the NBA draft and plans to hire an agent.

Heron led Auburn in scoring each of the past two seasons and averaged 16.4 points per game as a sophomore.

•The University of Rhode Island has promoted David Cox to men’s basketball coach.

Cox served as associate head coach for the last four years under Dan Hurley, who left last month to become head coach at UConn.

The school said Cox has agreed to a five-year deal, worth $700,000 a year.

UFC strips inactive McGregor of 155-pound title

Conor McGregor has been stripped of the UFC lightweight championship.

The long-expected move was officially announced by UFC President Dana White at a press conference for Saturday’s pay-per-view card at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. McGregor has not fought for UFC since he won the 155-pound title at UFC 205 in November 2016.