National Sports - The Morning Sun

Orlando Magic's No. 1 draft pick, forward Paolo Banchero, answers questions at an NBA basketball news conference, Friday, June 24, 2022, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Banchero arrives in Orlando, a day after becoming No. 1 pick

The secret about how Orlando was going to take Paolo Banchero with the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft was incredibly well-kept. Even Banchero didn't know until the final seconds. The secret is out now. … more

By TIM REYNOLDS | 6/24/22

Gold medalist Katie Ledecky of the United States poses with her medal after the Women 800m Freestyle final at the 19th FINA World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, Friday, June 24, 2022. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Ledecky stretches 22-medal record at worlds with 800 title

Katie Ledecky has extended her record haul of medals from the world swimming championships to 22 with her latest 800-meter freestyle win. Ledecky clocked 8:08.04 to win the event for the eighth … more

By CIARÁN FAHEY | 6/24/22

FILE - North Carolina head coach Hubert Davis points during practice at the men's Final Four NCAA college basketball tournament, on April 1, 2022, in New Orleans. National runner-up North Carolina, a strong contender for the No. 1 spot in the preseason polls with four starters returning, will play at Indiana in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge on Nov. 30. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)

UNC-Indiana, Ohio State-Duke headline ACC/Big 10 Challenge

National runner-up North Carolina will play at Indiana in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge on Nov. 30. North Carolina is a strong contender for the No. 1 spot in the preseason polls with four starters … more

6/24/22

FILE - In this Feb. 18, 2020, file photo, United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee CEO Sarah Hirshland listens during a briefing with the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee and Los Angeles 2028 organizers in Beverly Hills, Calif. At their keynote addresses at this week's annual assembly of U.S. athletes and administrators, both CEO Sarah Hirshland and chair Susanne Lyons said the federation's top-line priority for the upcoming year is on athlete excellence and expanding revenue. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)

Tensions sparking change in US Olympic world, but how much?

Changes are coming at the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee, sparked by frustration with years of flat revenue and what some portray as heavy-handed management in the wake of sex-abuse scandals … more

By EDDIE PELLS | 6/24/22

Serena Williams practices on Centre Court ahead of the 2022 Wimbledon Championship at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, in London, Friday June 24, 2022. (Adam Davy/PA via AP)

Serena Williams to begin Wimbledon against 113th-ranked foe

Serena Williams will begin her Wimbledon comeback by facing Harmony Tan. Tan is a 24-year-old from France who is ranked 113th and owns a 2-6 career record in Grand Slam matches. The placement of … more

By HOWARD FENDRICH | 6/24/22

FILE - Alex Bowman waits for the start of a NASCAR Cup Series auto race on June 20, 2021, in Lebanon, Tenn. Bowman felt he underperformed last year when NASCAR brought the Cup Series back to the Nashville area for the first time in 37 years. He's now seeking a stronger showing Sunday, June 26, 2022. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)

Alex Bowman seeks big Nashville weekend for sponsor Ally

Alex Bowman felt he underperformed last year when NASCAR brought the Cup Series back to the Nashville area for the first time in 37 years. He finished 14th but his Hendrick Motorsports teammate Kyle … more

By JENNA FRYER | 6/24/22

Germany's Martin Kaymer squats on the green during the German International Open golf tournament at Golfclub Muenchen Eichenried in Munich, Germany, Thursday, June 23, 2022. (Christian Kolbert/dpa via AP)

European tour bans LIV golfers from Scottish Open

The European tour says players who competed in the Saudi-backed breakaway LIV series will not be allowed to play in the Scottish Open and two other upcoming tournaments. The tour says any players who … more

6/24/22

New York Yankees' Aaron Judge hits a single to drive in the winning run during the ninth inning of the team's baseball game against the Houston Astros on Thursday, June 23, 2022, in New York. The Yankees won 7-6. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Payday: Judge wins it for Yankees on eve of salary showdown

Aaron Judge lined a game-winning single on the eve of his salary arbitration showdown, capping a four-run ninth inning that included Aaron Hicks’ tying three-run homer off closer Ryan Pressly in … more

By JAKE SEINER | 6/24/22

FILE - Boston Red Sox groundskeeper Dave Mellor bends over and kisses his service dog Drago while preparing the field for baseball practice at Fenway Park in Boston, Oct. 8, 2016. In 1995 Mellor, while working for the Milwaukee Brewers, was hit by a car that drove through a security gate and onto the stadium's field while sod was being replaced. A week ago, shortly after walking on the outfield grass before the Red Sox hosted Oakland, Drago had a stroke. Two days later, he died at age 10. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)

Popular Fenway fixture Drago the German shepherd dies at 10

For almost a decade, Drago the German shepherd was a popular presence at Fenway Park. He was the service dog of head groundskeeper Dave Mellor and loved to roam the outfield grass near the Green … more

By BEN WALKER | 6/24/22

Texas shortstop Trey Faltine throws to first for an out against Notre Dame during the ninth inning of an NCAA College World Series baseball game Friday, June 17, 2022, in Omaha, Neb. (AP Photo/John Peterson)

College baseball intent on increasing Black players, coaches

College baseball officials say they are working to increase the number of Black players and coaches in the sport. There were fewer than two dozen Black players among the eight teams that made it to … more

By ERIC OLSON | 6/24/22

David Nejad, middle, and other fans react during an NBA basketball draft watch party after the Orlando Magic selected Duke's Paolo Banchero with the first pick in the draft Thursday, June 23, 2022. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel via AP)

It's Banchero to Orlando: Magic grab Duke standout at No. 1

Paolo Banchero has been insisting for weeks that he believes he’s the best prospect in the NBA draft. The Orlando Magic agree with him. The first pick in Thursday’s draft brought the first mild … more

By TIM REYNOLDS | 6/23/22

In Gee Chun, of South Korea, holds her ball after finishing her round on the ninth hole during the first round in the Women's PGA Championship golf tournament at Congressional Country Club, Thursday, June 23, 2022, in Bethesda, Md. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

In Gee Chun shoots 64, races to early lead at Women's PGA

In Gee Chun breezed to an 8-under 64 to jump out to a big early lead in the first round of the Women’s PGA Championship. Most of the field slogged through the day on the wet Blue Course at … more

By NOAH TRISTER | 6/23/22

Steve Strickler tees off onNo. 16 during the first round of the U.S. Senior Open golf tournament Thursday, June 23, 2022, at Saucon Valley Country Club in Bethlehem, Pa. (Rick Kintzel/The Morning Call via AP)

Jay Haas beats his age and shares the lead at US Senior Open

Jay Haas has been shooting his age or better for the last three years. He's just never done on it on a stage quite like the U.S. Senior Open. The 68-year-old Haas did one better. He opened with a 67 … more

6/23/22

Mississippi starting pitcher Dylan DeLucia (44) throws during the first inning against Arkansas in an NCAA College World Series baseball game Thursday, June 23, 2022, in Omaha, Neb. (AP Photo/John Peterson)

DeLucia shuts out Arkansas, sends Rebels to 1st CWS finals

Mississippi advanced to face Oklahoma in the College World Series finals, with Dylan DeLucia pitching a four-hitter in a 2-0 victory over Arkansas in a bracket final. Kevin Graham’s run-scoring … more

By ERIC OLSON | 6/23/22

Former major league pitcher Jim Kaat poses with a photo of himself at age 19 before a spring training baseball game between the Houston Astros and the Florida Marlins in Jupiter, Fla., March 22, 2004. Minnesota Twins broadcaster Kaat referred to New York Yankees left-hander Nestor Cortes by an offensive nickname during a broadcast Thursday, June 2, 2022, the second offensive remark in the past year by the 83-year-old Hall of Fame pitcher while calling a game. (AP Photo/James A. Finley, File)

Cortes presents Kaat with Yanks award after 'molester' label

Yankees pitcher Nestor Cortes presented broadcaster and Hall of Fame pitcher Jim Kaat with the franchise’s Lifetime Achievement Award on Thursday night. The ceremony came about three weeks after … more

6/23/22

Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, reacts after a shot on the 12th green during the first round of the Travelers Championship golf tournament at TPC River Highlands, Thursday, June 23, 2022, in Cromwell, Conn. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

McIlroy shoots 62 to take an early lead at the Travelers

Rory McIlroy shot an 8-under 62 to take an early one-stroke lead on the opening day of the Travelers Championship in Connecticut. The No. 2-ranked player in the world, fighting off a sinus bug, … more

By PAT EATON-ROBB | 6/23/22

FILE - Horse trainer Bob Baffert leaves federal court, Monday, July 12, 2021, in the Brooklyn borough of New York. The New York Racing Association on Thursday, June 23, 2022 suspended Bob Baffert for one year for repeated medication violations. (AP Photo/John Minchillo, File)

NYRA suspends Baffert 1 year; eligible to return in January

The New York Racing Association suspended trainer Bob Baffert for one year Thursday for repeated medication violations. A panel credited Baffert for time served from an initial suspension that makes … more

By STEPHEN WHYNO | 6/23/22

Minnesota Twins' Nick Gordon (1) gets a high-five from Ryan Jeffers after hitting a solo home run off Cleveland Guardians pitcher Zach Plesac during the third inning of a baseball game, Thursday, June 23, 2022, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Craig Lassig)

Gordon's homer helps Twins slow Guardians in 1-0 win

The Minnesota Twins dodged a sweep by cooling off the Cleveland Guardians in a 1-0 win. Nick Gordon hit a third-inning home run that stood up for Minnesota starter Devin Smeltzer. The Guardians … more

By DAVE CAMPBELL | 6/23/22

FILE - York Giants Halfback Hugh McElhenny, poses at the team's NFL football training camp in Fairfield, Conn., on Sept. 3, 1963. McElhenny, an elusive NFL running back nicknamed “The King,” died on June 17, 2022, at his home in Nevada, his son-in-law Chris Permann confirmed Thursday, June 23, 2022. He was 93. (AP Photo/Harry Harris, File)

Hall of Fame NFL running back Hugh McElhenny dies at 93

NFL Hall of Famer Hugh McElhenny, an elusive running back from the 1950s has died. He was 93. The Pro Football Hall of Fame said in a release that McEhlenny died of natural causes on June 17 at his … more

The Associated Press | 6/23/22

Oakland Athletics' Frankie Montas pitches against the Seattle Mariners during the first inning of a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Thursday, June 23, 2022. (AP Photo/John Hefti)

Athletics' Montas loses no-hit bid with 2 outs in 8th vs M's

Frankie Montas of the Oakland Athletics has lost his no-hit bid with two outs in the eighth inning on a single by Adam Frazier of the Seattle Mariners. Frazier lined a clean single to left field on … more

6/23/22