Stewart ends free agency, will join NY
Breanna Stewart couldn't turn down a chance to play in New York and potentially help the Liberty win their first WNBA championship.
The most coveted free agent this offseason, who won the WNBA MVP award in 2018, announced on social media that she was going to New York with a photo of her in a Liberty shirt on Wednesday. Stewart had spent her entire career in Seattle since the Storm drafted her No. 1 overall in 2016. She won two championships with the team in 2018 and 2020.
“I decided to go to New York as I wanted to continue to be great. And I wanted to go to the place where I think I can help this league become better, to raise the standard,” Stewart said in an interview on ESPN. “I feel like why not go to the biggest market in all of sports. I'm excited to go after their first championship.”
The 28-year-old wing has averaged 20.3 points and 8.6 rebounds in her WNBA career. She missed the 2019 season with an Achilles injury.
“New York is a basketball city and I can't wait to be a part of it,” Stewart said.
By coming to New York it brings Stewart closer to home. She grew up in Syracuse which is an hour flight from New York. It also is an easier flight to Spain to see her wife Marta's family.
NBA WIZARDS-PISTONS POSTPONED OVER TRAVEL ISSUES AMID ICE STORM >>
The NBA game between the Washington Wizards and Detroit Pistons scheduled for Wednesday night was postponed because the Pistons were stranded in Dallas amid a winter storm.
The Pistons were unable to fly home to Detroit following their game Monday against the Mavericks, the NBA announced about 6 1/2 before tipoff. The league
said the date for the rescheduled game would be announced later.
Tennis DJOKOVIC'S HAMSTRING HAD 3-CM TEAR >>
Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley said Novak Djokovic played at the Grand Slam event with a muscle tear of 3 centimeters — a little more than an inch — in his left hamstring along the way to winning the championship.
Djokovic won the trophy at Melbourne Park on Sunday by beating Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets for a record-extending 10th title there and record-tying 22nd Grand Slam trophy overall. Rafael Nadal is the only other man who has won that many majors.
NFL COMMANDERS TALK TO 49ERS' LYNN FOR OC JOB >>
The Washington Commanders are interviewing Anthony Lynn for their offensive coordinator vacancy.
Lynn, the San Francisco 49ers assistant head coach/ running backs coach, is the sixth candidate the Commanders have spoken to about the job.
Coach Ron Rivera interviewed
Lynn in person in California days after the 49ers flew home following their loss at Philadelphia in the NFC championship game. Rivera was criticized on social media Tuesday by Washington radio broadcasters for golfing at Pebble Beach before hiring an offensive coordinator.
EAGLES RESERVE LINEMAN ACCUSED OF RAPE AHEAD OF SUPER BOWL >>
Josh Sills, a reserve offensive lineman for the NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles, has been indicted on rape and kidnapping charges that stem from an incident in Ohio just over three years ago, authorities said.
Sills, an undrafted free agent who appeared in just one game this season, was placed on the commissioner's exempt list. That means he can't practice, play or travel with the team as it prepares for the Super Bowl.
The NFL announced the move Wednesday and said the issue is being reviewed under the league's personal conduct policy.
HALL OF FAME NFL EXECUTIVE BOBBY BEATHARD DIES AT 86 >>
Four-time Super Bowl-winning executive Bobby Beathard has died. He was 86.
A spokesperson for the Washington Commanders said Beathard's family told the team he died Monday at his home in Franklin, Tennessee.
Beathard was director of player personnel for two of the NFL championships by Miami in the 1970s and served as general manager for two more by Washington in the `80s. He also scouted for Kansas City when the Chiefs won the American Football League title and made the Super Bowl in the 1960s and was GM with San Diego when the Chargers got there in the `90s.
College football 4-STAR QB RASHADA COMMITS TO ARIZONA STATE >>
Blue-chip quarterback Jaden Rashada, who signed with Florida in December and then asked to be released from the commitment when a name, imagine and likeness deal fell through, says he is going to Arizona State.
Rashada announced on Twitter on Wednesday, the first day of the traditional signing period for high school football players, that he would be attending his “childhood dream school” and father's alma mater.