TOP SPORTS NEWS FROM AROUND THE SOUTH, THE NATION AND THE WORLD

HOT CORNER

1 PRO BASEBALL: Florida Atlantic’s Alijah Martin, who helped the Owls reach the Final Four in 2023, is moving north to play at Florida. The guard is expected to become an immediate starter. He will replace Zyon Pullin, a first team, all-SEC point guard. Martin has a year of eligibility remaining.

2 PRO FOOTBALL: The Commanders released DE Shaka Toney, four days after he was reinstated by the NFL following a gambling suspension. Toney was one of three players banned last April for at least the 2023 season for placing bets on games. A league review found no evidence of inside information used or any games compromised. Toney was the only player reinstated last week who was still under contract. LB Rashod Berry, WR Quintez Cephus, safety C.J. Moore and DT Demetrius Taylor are free agents.

3 OLYMPIC SWIMMING: The World Anti-Doping Agency said it stands by its decision to clear 23 Chinese swimmers who tested positive for a banned heart medication before the 2021 Olympics. WADA addressed questions Monday and acknowledged there is skepticism about details of the case. WADA agreed with Chinese authorities and ruled the swimmers’ samples were contaminated because of spice containers in the kitchen of a hotel where some of the team stayed. Chinese authorities cleared the swimmers without penalties and WADA accepted the conclusions. WADA prosecutor Ross Wenzel said there was no political pressure to drop the case. China swimmers won three gold medals in Tokyo.

4 WOMEN’S COLLEGE

BASKETBALL: Former Nebraska assistant coach Chuck Love denied having a sexual relationship with former player Ashley Scoggin but acknowledged in a court document that he did meet with her late at night. Scoggin filed a civil lawsuit describing how Love allegedly took an interest in her and saying the relationship turned sexual and caused Scoggin to fear retaliation. The lawsuit named Love, the university’s Board of Regents, head coach Amy Williams and former AD Trev Alberts as defendants.