MVP Stewart re-signs with Liberty
NEW YORK — Reigning WNBA MVP Breanna Stewart is returning to the New York Liberty, signing a one-year, non-guaranteed deal at less than the league’s super maximum salary of nearly $242,000, a source said. The Liberty now have their entire starting lineup back from last season’s team that lost in the WNBA Finals.
Chris Paul back with Warriors
The Warriors’ Chris Paul, the 12time All-star point guard, is listed as available to play on Tuesday in Washington after missing almost two months with a broken hand.
Lions extend Reeves-maybin
ALLEN PARK, Mich. — The Lions and standout special teams player Jalen Reeves-maybin agreed to a $7.5 million, two-year deal.
Nichushkin cleared to practice
DENVER — Valeri Nichushkin resumed practicing with the Colorado Avalanche after receiving care from the player assistance program.
Colorado coach Jared Bednar said Nichushkin’s return to game action remains “to be determined.”
MAC invites Umass to league
The Mid-american Conference is inviting Umass to join as a full member, starting in 2025, a source said.
The school is expected to accept after weeks of talks between the parties. The Minutemen are currently an independent in football and compete in the Atlantic 10 in most other sports, excluding men’s hockey, which is in Hockey East.
Houston tops Uconn for No. 1
Houston moved to No. 1 for the first time this season in The Associated Press Top 25 men’s college basketball poll, climbing one spot to end the six-week stay of reigning national champion Connecticut.
Purdue rose one spot to No. 2, while the Huskies dropped to third in a poll that included South Florida cracking the rankings for the first time in program history at No. 25.
Texas to No. 3 in women’s poll
Texas rose two spots to No. 3, its highest ranking in more than a year, in the women’s poll. South Carolina remained the unanimous No. 1 team. Ohio State was second.
Uconn climbed five spots to 10th. Syracuse fell two spots to 19th.
Old Dominion coach retires
NORFOLK, Va. — Old Dominion basketball coach Jeff Jones, who stepped away from his job last month following a heart attack and amid prostate cancer, announced his retirement. Jones, 63, finishes his 32-year coaching career with a record of 560-418, with eight NCAA Tournament appearances. He led his alma mater, Virginia, to an Elite Eight appearance in 1995 and an NIT championship in 1992.
Four appeals in Valieva case
GENEVA — Four appeals filed at sport’s highest court in fallout from the doping case of Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva are set to delay awarding medals from the 2022 Beijing Olympics yet again.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport said it registered three appeals from Russia and one from Canada. The separate Russian appeals ask the court to reinstate their team as gold medalists. The single Canadian appeal seeks to get bronze medals ahead of the Russians.
Furor over Ronaldo’s gesture
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Cristiano Ronaldo has come under heavy criticism after seemingly making an offensive gesture near his pelvis following Al Nassr’s 3-2 win over Al Shabab on Sunday.