MOTOR SPORTS
Hayden, 35, dies
Former MotoGP world champion Nicky Hayden died in a hospital in Cesena, Italy, on Monday, five days after he was hit by a car while training on his bicycle. Hayden was 35. Maurizio Bufalini Hospital in Cesena, where Hayden had been since the collision last Wednesday, made the announcement. Hayden had severe cerebral damage and multiple traumatic injuries. Hayden was training on the Rimini coast after a motorcycle race at nearby Imola. The black Peugeot car that hit Hayden had its front windshield smashed. Judicial authorities have opened an investigation into the crash and questioned the 30-year-old driver of the Peugeot. Hayden won the MotoGP title in 2006, finishing narrowly ahead of Italian great Valentino Rossi. In a MotoGP career spanning 2003-2016 with Honda and Ducati, Hayden posted three victories and 28 podium finishes in 218 races. Hayden finished fifth overall after switching to the World Superbike championship last year. Hayden was 13th in Superbike this season, riding for the Red Bull Honda team.
NBA
Millsap opting out
Atlanta Hawks ownership has been informed that Paul Millsap does not intend to exercise his player option for the 2017-2018 season. Millsap, 32, a four-time All-Star power forward, did not need to inform the team of such an intention and could still exercise the final year of his contract up until June 23. Millsap will become an unrestricted free agent this summer if he simply does not inform the Hawks to pick up the $21,472,408 salary that he would be owed next season. After June 23, he will be considered an unrestricted free agent. Millsap was the Hawks' leading scorer, at 18.1 points per game, during the regular season.
GOLF
Japan qualifies 4
Yusaku Miyazato made an 18-foot birdie putt on the eighth playoff hole to grab the fourth and final spot in the U.S. Open from the sectional qualifier in Ono City, Japan. It will be the second consecutive U.S. Open appearance for Miyazato, the older brother of nine-time LPGA winner Ai Miyazato. Satoshi Kodaira led all qualifiers in the 36-man field Monday with an 11-under 133. Six players finished at 137, forcing a playoff among them to determine the final three spots. Shugo Imahira and Chan Kim were the first to advance. Miyazato and Sungjae Im were the final two for the last spot, and Miyazato got it with his birdie putt. The U.S. Open is June 15-18 at Erin Hills Golf Club in Wisconsin.
Jang leaves LPGA
Ha Na Jang is rescinding her LPGA Tour membership to return to the Korea LPGA Tour, her agency said Monday. Sportizen said Jang will begin play on the KLPGA Tour in June. Jang, 25 -- ranked 10th in the world -- joined the LPGA Tour in 2015. She won three times last season and took the Women's Australian Open in February. Jang won eight KLPGA titles from 2012-2015, winning the player of the year award and topping the money list in 2013.
SOCCER
U.S. salvages tie
Luca de la Torre scored an injury-time goal Monday after a goalkeeping blunder by teammate Jonathan Klinsmann to give the United States a 3-3 draw against Ecuador at the Under-20 World Cup in Seoul, South Korea. The Americans next face Senegal on Thursday while Ecuador takes on Saudi Arabia. Senegal leads the group after a 2-0 victory over Saudi Arabia. In Group E, France defeated Honduras 3-0 in Cheonan. In the other group match, Vietnam and New Zealand drew 0-0. Sixteen of the 24 teams advance to the second round -- the top two from each of the six groups and the four best third-place finishers. The final is scheduled for June 11 in Suwon.
NFL
Donald skips OTA
All-Pro defensive lineman Aaron Donald has skipped the Los Angeles Rams' first day of organized team activities while he negotiates a long-term contract extension with the club. Rams General Manager Les Snead said the team knew Donald wouldn't be at its training complex Monday. The Rams exercised their fifth-year option for 2018 on Donald last month. He will make nearly $7 million next year. Snead repeatedly has said the Rams plan to sign Donald to a long-term deal.
Zimmer takes leave
Minnesota Vikings Coach Mike Zimmer, who Wednesday had yet another surgery on his right eye, "will be taking time away from the team to dedicate to recovering from eye surgery and restoring his health," General Manager Rick Spielman announced in a statement Monday morning. The Vikings anticipate Zimmer "back on the field in a few weeks." Zimmer, 60, over the weekend revealed that he had another surgery last week and shrugged when asked whether it would be the last. The 60-year-old has now undergone eight surgeries on his right eye since November.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Vols pick up transfer
Former Howard guard James Daniel, the nation's top Division I scorer in 2015-2016, says he's heading to Tennessee as a graduate transfer. Daniel tweeted Tennessee's logo with the message #vol4life on Monday and told ESPN that he has chosen the Volunteers. As a graduate transfer, Daniel is eligible to play for Tennessee this season. Daniel, from Hampton, Va, scored 27.1 points per game in 2015-2016 to lead all Division I players. He played only two games last season due to injury and averaged 17 points. Daniel averaged 21 points in 2013-2014 and 16.7 points in 2014-2015.
Staying in school
• Arizona guard Rawle Alkins has withdrawn his name from the NBA Draft and will return to the Wildcats for his sophomore season. Alkins averaged 10.9 points and 4.9 rebounds in 37 games with Arizona as a freshman last season, including 36 starts. He is the second Wildcats player to return after considering the NBA, joining guard Allonzo Trier.
• Seton Hall center Angel Delgado has withdrawn from the draft and will return for his senior season. Delgado led the nation in rebounding (13.1) and was second in double-doubles (27). He averaged 15.2 points as the Pirates (21-12) made the NCAA Tournament for the second consecutive year. They lost to Arkansas in the first round.
• Texas guard Andrew Jones will return for his sophomore season. He participated in the draft combine and attended some team workouts. Jones started 23 games as a freshman last season, averaging just over 11 points as Texas struggled to an 11-22 finish, its worst season in more than 30 years.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
San Jose player stabbed
Authorities say a San Jose State football player is recovering Monday after being stabbed in a weekend off-campus fight. The Mercury News reports that university officials identified the victim as junior Chad Miller. He started three games at safety for the Spartans last season. Miller did not play during his sophomore season. He was injured following an on-campus dispute where a teammate allegedly hit Miller in the face with a skateboard.
Sports on 05/23/2017