Rockets sign Austin Rivers
The Houston Rockets have signed free agent guard Austin Rivers.
Rivers appeared in 29 games with two starts for the Washington Wizards this season before being traded to the Phoenix Suns on Dec. 17 and being released the next day.
The 26-year-old was the 10th overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft by New Orleans. He has appeared in 437 games with 132 starts and has averaged 9.3 points, 2.4 assists and 2.1 rebounds per game in his career.
Rivers was with the Clippers from 2015 until he was traded in June to Washington.
Gustafsson-Jones UFC fight moved to LA area
A UFC rematch this weekend between Alex Gustafsson and former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones is being moved from Las Vegas to Southern California after doping officials reported that Jones tested positive for low levels of a banned steroid, officials said Monday.
UFC 232 events that had been set for Saturday at T-Mobile Arena will be held at The Forum in the Los Angeles suburb of Inglewood, UFC spokeswoman Lenee Breckenridge said.
Jones (22-1) beat Gustafsson (18-4) in a tough bout in 2013. Jones hasn’t fought since for testing positive for a banned steroid in July 2017.
Athletics bring back Fiers on 2-year deal
Free agent right-hander Mike Fiers agreed to a twoyear contract worth more than $14 million to stay with the Oakland Athletics, who were determined to find an experienced starter this offseason to help lead a young rotation.
They brought him back less than a month after not tendering him a contract. Fiers will earn $6 million in 2019 and $8.1 million in 2020.
Oakland would like to add another starter, too, realizing it must provide depth given all the injuries last season. Ace Sean Manaea is recovering from shoulder surgery and not expected back until at least the AllStar break.
Wrestler’s attorney suggests haircut due to ref’s tardiness
A lawyer for a high school wrestler whose dreadlocks were cut off after a referee told him to lose the hairstyle or forfeit minutes before his match is suggesting the impromptu hair cut was due in part to the referee’s tardiness.
Buena Regional High School wrestler Andrew Johnson, who is black, had a cover over his hair, but referee Alan Maloney, who is white, said that wouldn’t do. Johnson won Wednesday’s match but appeared visibly distraught.