Bueckers out 6 to 8 weeks
Connecticut star Paige Bueckers suffered a fracture just below her left knee and will be sidelined for up to two months, the school said Tuesday.
Last season’s women’s college basketball player of the year was dribbling up the court with under 40 seconds left in Sunday’s 73-54 victory over Notre Dame when she stumbled and came down awkwardly. She had to be carried off the court.
The school said an MRI and CT scan showed she suffered a tibial plateau fracture, which is a break of the tibia bone that extends into the knee joint. It has a recovery time estimated at between six and eight weeks.
Connecticut coach Geno Aureimma said the school will not rush Bueckers back to the court.
Bueckers is averaging 21.2 points, 6.2 assists and 5.5 rebounds for No. 3 Connecticut.
Each of the teams nominated one player for the honor named for the late Payton, a Hall of Fame running back for the Bears.
The award recognizes a player for community service and excellence on the field. It has been given annually since 1970 and will be presented at NFL Honors, the TV show during which the Associated Press reveals its individual seasonal award winners.
Previous winners among active players are Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson in 2020; Baltimore defensive linemen Calais Campbell (2019 with Jacksonville) and Arizona’s J.J. Watt (2017 with Houston).
The Chargers nominated center Corey Linsley, and the Rams nominated offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth.
Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku was placed on the COVID-19 reserve list and could miss Sunday’s crucial matchup against AFC North-leading Baltimore. Njoku leads Cleveland with 407 yards receiving and he scored the Browns’ only touchdown in a 16-10 loss to the Ravens on Nov. 28.
Ohio State hired defensive coordinator Jim Knowles away from Oklahoma State . ... Pittsburgh offensive coordinator Mark Whipple resigned after three seasons.
Roy Jones Jr., Miguel Cotto and James Toney were elected to the International Boxing Hall of Fame along with three-division female champions Regina Halmich and Holly Holm.
Also selected for induction were publicist Bill Caplan in the nonparticipant category and journalist Ron Borges and historian-producer Bob Yalen in the observer category. Posthumous inductees announced include juniorlightweight champion Tod Morgan in the old-timer category and ring announcer Chuck Hull in the nonparticipant category.
Because of the cancellations of the two previous induction weekends because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Classes of 2020 and 2021 also will be honored June 9.
Toronto Maple Leafs forward Jason Spezza was suspended for six games without pay by the NHL for kneeing Winnipeg Jets defenseman Neal Pionk . ... The Dallas Stars sent goalie Ben Bishop on a conditioning assignment in the minor leagues as their former starter continues a long recovery from a knee injury .... Chicago Blackhawks forward Jujhar Khaira was stretchered off the ice after he was leveled by Jacob Trouba in the second period of the New York Rangers’ 6-2 victory. The Blackhawks said Khaira suffered an “upper-body blow.”
Ash Barty’s Wimbledon title and hold on the No. 1 ranking helped her win WTA player of the year for the second time . ... French Open director Guy Forget, whose contract was to expire at the end of the year, has resigned, citing communication issues with the new head of the French tennis federation.
The Minnesota Lynx’s Cheryl Reeve will be the next USA Basketball national team coach, a person with knowledge of the situation told the AP . ... The GMS Racing majority purchase of Richard Petty Motorsports will be called Petty GMS Motorsports going into next season and NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty will be chairman of the new two-car Cup Series team . ... Amanda Cromwell was hired as coach of the Orlando Pride.