SKY FINALIZING TRADE OF EX- MVP DELLE DONNE
The Sky on Monday agreed to trade star forward Elena Delle Donne, the WNBA’s most valuable player in 2015, to the Washington Mystics for center Stefanie Dolson, forward Kahleah Copper and the No. 2 overall pick in the draft in April.
The deal can’t become official until at least Wednesday, the first day players are allowed to sign. The Sky have to sign Delle Donne before completing any trade.
Delle Donne was eligible to become a restricted free agent Wednesday, which means the Sky could have matched any offer she got from another team. But Delle Donne said last month shewould be willing to sit out the entire 2017 season if the Sky didn’t work out a trade with her preferred team, and owner Michael Alter responded by calling a trade ‘‘ a strong possibility.’’
The Sky drafted Delle Donne with the second overall pick in 2013, and she was voted the WNBA’s rookie of the year that season. She led the Sky to the WNBA Finals in 2014 and averaged 20.5 points and 6.6 rebounds in four seasons with them.
Duke tops Notre Dame
Grayson Allen scored 21 points, Jayson Tatum added 19 points and a career- high 14 rebounds and No. 21 Duke ( 17- 5, 5- 4) got all but six of its points from its starting five en route to an 84- 74 victory against No. 20 Notre Dame ( 17- 6, 6- 4) in Atlantic Coast Conference action in South Bend, Indiana. V. J. Beachem scored 20 points to lead the Irish, who lost their third game in a row. Kansas forward Carlton Bragg, who was suspended indefinitely last week by coach Bill Self, has been charged with possession of drug paraphernalia after university police said they found two glass smoking devices with residue inside while investigating a separate incident last month.
Xavier guard Edmond Sumner will miss the rest of the season after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee Sunday against St. John’s.
Royals, Moss strike deal
Multiple outlets reported the Kansas City Royals and first baseman/ designated hitter Brandon Moss agreed to terms on a two- year, $ 12 million contract, pending the results of a physical. Moss hit .225 with 28 home runs and 67 RBI last season for the St. Louis Cardinals.
The Tampa Bay Rays signed outfielder Colby Rasmus to a one- year, $ 5 million contract. Rasmus hit .206 with 15 homers and 54 RBI last season for the Houston Astros.
Stanford- Rice in Australia
Stanford and Rice will play their season- opening game Aug. 26 in Sydney, Australia. They had been scheduled to play Sept. 2 in Houston.