U.S. tops UConn Huskies honor Gianna with jersey
Breanna Stewart returned to the court nine months after rupturing her right Achilles tendon and the U.S. women’s national team beat No.
4 UConn, 79-64, on Monday night in an exhibition game.
The teams honored NBA star Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, who died in a helicopter crash Sunday, and the Huskies hung a jersey for Gianna on their bench at the XL Center.
The two had become friends with coach Geno Auriemma and many of the former UConn players, including Stewart, who said Bryant was one of the first people to reach out to her when she got hurt in Europe in April.
Stewart, who scored three points in 17 minutes, honored the pair, along with other victims of the crash, by writing their names on her shoes.
UConn had flowers on its bench in front of a No. 2 jersey for Gianna, who Kobe had said was “hellbent” on attending the school. The coaching staffs wore gold and purple ribbons.
SPURS’ ALDRIDGE OUT
San Antonio forward LaMarcus Aldridge missed the Spurs’ game at Chicago on Monday night because of a sprained right thumb.
The 34-year-old Aldridge scored 10 points with 10 rebounds in 34 1/2 minutes during Sunday’s 110-106 loss to Toronto.
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said Aldridge stayed back in San Antonio while the team traveled to Chicago.
BROWNS TAB BERRY AS GM
Andrew Berry is coming back to the Browns. This time as the boss.
Berry, who left Cleveland’s front office last year to work in Philadelphia, agreed Monday to become the Browns’ new general manager and executive vice president, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press. Berry will get a five-year deal.
Berry will be just the second black GM currently working in the NFL. Miami’s Chris Grier had been the league’s only minority GM.
The 32-year-old Berry re-emerged as the favorite to become Cleveland’s new GM on Friday, when Vikings assistant general manager George Paton removed his name from consideration.