After crash, Tiger Woods told deputy he was ‘talking to the president,’ body camera shows
After crashing his SUV last week in Florida, Tiger Woods took out his phone and told a deputy, “I was just talking to the president.” That’s according to newly released body camera footage that also shows that Woods appeared astonished as he was handcuffed. It’s not clear if Woods was referring to President Donald Trump. Woods said he was looking at his phone when his speeding Land Rover clipped a truck and rolled onto its side. The video also shows that deputies found painkiller pills in Woods’ pocket after the crash. Woods entered a not guilty plea on Tuesday to suspicion of driving under the influence.
Lakers’ Luka Doncic hurts left hamstring in a blowout loss to Thunder with MRI set for Friday
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic injured his left hamstring in a loss to Oklahoma City and coach JJ Redick said the league’s scoring leader will have an MRI on Friday. On his final play of the game Thursday night, Doncic spun before trying to go up for a shot against Jalen Williams. There was no contact before he stopped, then lay down on the baseline. He left the game for good with 7:39 remaining in the third quarter. Doncic had posted at least 40 points in five of his previous seven games. He was held to 12 points on 3-for-10 shooting.
Mickelson pulls out of the Masters, which will be without Lefty and Woods for first time since 1994
AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — The Masters will not include Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods for the first time in 32 years. Mickelson says he is not going to play this year while his family attends to a personal health matter. He has not shared further details. But it has kept him out of all but one of the five events this year on LIV Golf. Woods said on Tuesday he was taking an indefinite leave after his arrest on suspicion of driving under the influence during a March 27 car crash. The last time neither Masters champion was in the field was in 1994.
UConn star sophomore Sarah Strong named the AP Player of the Year in women’s college basketball
PHOENIX (AP) — Sarah Strong of UConn is The Associated Press women’s basketball Player of the Year. Strong is averaging 18.6 pints, 7.6 rebounds, 3.4 steals and 1.6 blocks a game while helping UConn go 38-0 heading into this week’s Final Four. Strong became just the fifth player to win the award in her sophomore year. The AP started giving out the award in 1995. It’s the 13th time that a Huskies player has won the award; Paige Bueckers was the last to do it before Strong in 2021.
Kirk Cousins and Raiders agree to a deal as veteran is expected to help Fernando Mendoza transition
HENDERSON, Nev. (AP) — Kirk Cousins has agreed to a deal with the Las Vegas Raiders. His agent announced the agreement on Thursday morning. Cousins gives them a veteran quarterback to help ease the expected selection of Fernando Mendoza with the top draft pick. Cousins posted “The Autumn Wind…” in a nod to the Raiders’ theme that is played before every home game and was made famous by NFL Films. Raiders coach Klint Kubiak and general manager John Spytek telegraphed this kind of move, saying they wouldn’t want to throw a rookie quarterback into the starting lineup.
Hubbard’s bold finish gives him a 1-shot lead in Texas Open
SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Mark Hubbard is leading the Valero Texas Open after a big run of birdied that ended in darkness. Hubbard was in the middle of the pack when he birdied six of his last eight holes. The last one was bold as he took on a winding creek in front of the par-5 18th. He pitched up to 3 feet and made the putt in near darkness. The start was delayed by 90 minutes by dangerous weather. Hubbard broke out of a six-way tie. Tony Finau and Robert MacIntyre were among those one back. Will Zalatoris was two shots behind.
Big men, bigger lineups: how length, size got Illinois, UConn, Arizona, Michigan to the Final Four
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Big men and bigger lineups have been standout factors for the teams that have reached the Final Four. Illinois is the nation’s tallest team. Michigan, Arizona and UConn have joined them in Indianapolis. Those teams have the biggest average roster height of any Final Four quartet going back to the start of KenPom’s data in 2007. UConn’s 6-11 center Tarris Reed Jr. has been dominant through four tournament wins. Illinois’ size starts with the 7-foot Ivisic twins. Michigan has 7-3 big man Aday Mara. Arizona can pair 7-2 junior Motiejus Krivas with 6-8 freshman Koa Peat up front.
Cheryl Miller and Breanna Stewart celebrated as the greatest players of the women’s poll era
PHOENIX (AP) — Cheryl Miller’s impact on women’s basketball spans generations, from dominating on the court at Southern California in the 1980s to making her mark in the broadcast booth. Miller’s legacy was recognized along with UConn star Breanna Stewart on Thursday. The two women’s hoops game-changers were honored by The Associated Press as the greatest players of the women’s college basketball poll era, selected by a 13-member panel. Miller accepted the honor at “The AP Top 25 Fan Poll Experience.” Delta State was also recognized as the first No. 1 team when the women’s basketball poll debuted 50 years ago.
Rusty in crunch time, women’s Final Four teams brace for tight games after so many blowouts
PHOENIX (AP) — This year’s Final Four at the women’s NCAA Tournament features a quartet of powerhouse programs, teams that have overwhelmed almost all of their opponents with superior talent and veteran coaching. They have size. They are athletic. They have pedigree. But they haven’t faced a ton of on-court adversity — particularly in March. That could change on Friday night when UConn faces South Carolina and Texas meets UCLA in the national semifinals at Mortgage Matchup Center. After beating up on inferior adversaries for the majority of March, it’s time for the game’s elite to pick on someone their own size.
Trevor Bauer’s next stop: An Atlantic League opening night start with the Long Island Ducks
CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. (AP) — Former Cy Young winner Trevor Bauer has signed with the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League and is scheduled to pitch opening night on April 21 for the minor league team. The Ducks announced the signing Thursday for Bauer’s 15th professional season. Bauer will wear a mic for all games and practices, helping create content for both his and the team’s outlets. Bauer has been trying to revive his big-league career after serving a 194-game suspension for violating MLB’s domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy. He was never charged with a crime in the matter, and civil claims against him were settled.