Ohio State opens practice but keeps coaches, players away
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio State opened part of practice to the media for the first time since coach Urban Meyer was put on paid leave, but other coaches and players remained off-limits for interviews.
The first half hour of the Buckeyes’ fourth practice was open for observation and photography, with acting coach Ryan Day staying at the far end of the practice field working with quarterbacks.
Meyer was put on paid leave last week amid questions about what he knew and did about accusations of abuse made against former assistant Zach Smith in 2015. The wide-receivers coach/recruiting coordinator was fired July 24 after his ex-wife sought a restraining order against him.
Around 200 fans rallied in support of Meyer outside Ohio Stadium Monday night.
The Buckeyes open the season Sept. 1.
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Cavs acquire forward Sam Dekker from Clippers
CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cleveland Cavaliers have acquired forward Sam Dekker in a trade with the Los Angeles Clippers.
Dekker, a first-round pick by Houston in 2015, averaged 4.2 points and 2.4 rebounds as a reserve in 73 games last season for the Clippers. The 6-foot-9 Dekker figures to get more minutes with the Cavaliers, who are revamping their roster following superstar LeBron James’ departure as a free agent.
Dekker starred at Wisconsin before he was taken with the No. 15 overall pick by the Rockets three years ago. He played in four postseason games for Houston in 2017, averaging 2.3 points and 2.5 rebounds.
The 24-year-old will earn $2.76 million this season and will be a restricted free agent next summer.
As part of the trade, the Cavaliers will send the draft rights to Vladimir Veremeenko to the Clippers. The Cavaliers will also receive the rights to Renaldas Seibutis and cash considerations.
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Michigan’s Beilein has successful double bypass surgery
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Michigan basketball coach John Beilein underwent a double-bypass heart procedure and is expected to make a full recover, the school said Tuesday.
The procedure was performed Monday by Dr. Francis Pagani at the University of Michigan’s Samuel and Jean Frankel Cardiovascular Center. Athletic director Warde Manuel described the operation as “proactive” and said Beilein was resting comfortably with his family by his side. He is expected to leave the hospital in a few days.
“I feel grateful and blessed that this surgery was performed at the University of Michigan,” Beilein said in a statement. “I am going to work very hard in my rehabilitation to be stronger than ever by the time practice begins for this upcoming season.”
The 65-year-old Beilein won’t go on the team’s trip to Spain from Aug. 17-26. Assistant Saddi Washington will serve as interim coach during Beilein’s recovery.
Pagani said Beilein underwent a two-vessel coronary bypass graft surgery.
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Luck to make start, may play most of 1st quarter at Seattle
WESTFIELD, Ind. (AP) — Indianapolis Colts coach Frank Reich says Andrew Luck will start and is expected to play about a quarter in Thursday night’s preseason opener at Seattle.
Luck has not played in more than 19 months while recovering from surgery on his throwing shoulder in January 2017. He says he’s nervous but excited about returning.
Reich wants to see the top overall pick from the 2012 draft establish a rhythm and release the ball quickly. He did not say how many snaps Luck would take.
Luck will be playing behind a revamped offensive line that includes first-round pick Quenton Nelson at left guard and free-agent pickup Matt Slauson at right guard.
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Chris Paul donates $2.5M to Wake Forest basketball program
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP) — Former Wake Forest guard and NBA All-Star Chris Paul is donating $2.5 million in support of the Demon Deacons’ basketball team.
The donation announced Tuesday is the school’s largest by a former Wake Forest basketball player.
School officials say it will assist a project to expand and enhance the men’s and women’s locker rooms, and the men’s locker room will be named for him.
Paul says the locker room project “inspired me, because that’s where players build relationships and create a unifying camaraderie.”
The Houston Rockets guard and Winston-Salem native led Wake Forest to its first No. 1 ranking in 2004-05 before becoming a nine-time All-Star and two-time Olympic gold medal winner with the U.S. national team.
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