College Basketball
Coach K and Duke say so long to Rasheed Sulaimon
DURHAM, N.C. – Duke dismissed junior guard Rasheed Sulaimon from the team Thursday.
Coach Mike Krzyzewski said in a statement that Sulaimon “has been unable to consistently live up to the standards required to be a member of our program.
“It is a privilege to represent Duke University and with that privilege comes the responsibility to conduct oneself in a certain manner,” he said. “After Rasheed repeatedly struggled to meet the necessary obligations, it became apparent that it was time to dismiss him from the program.”
Krzyewski didn’t not give any details as to what standards or conduct Sulaimon failed to meet, but university spokesman Matt Plizga said that Sulaimon, a junior from Houston, remains in good academic standing and is expected to finish the spring semester.
Golf
Seven birdies in last 10 holes fly Wiesberger to lead
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Bernd Wiesberger made seven birdies on his last 10 holes Thursday to take a one-shot lead after the first round of the Dubai Desert Classic.
The 29-year-old Austrian took full advantage of the good playing conditions at the Emirates Golf Club to shoot a bogey-free 8-under 64. He made five consecutive birdies from the 13th hole before finishing with a par.
“I struggled with my putting early on, I didn’t even get to the hole,” Wiesberger said. “Once I got the pace right on the greens, which was a bit slower than I expected it, then it went nicely.”
Qualifier Ha Na Jang leads the LPGA season opener
OCALA, Fla. – Ha Na Jang went from qualifier to leader in just a few days at the LPGA season opener.
Jang, ranked 21st in the world, shot a 7-under 65 in the second round of the Coates Golf Championship on Thursday and opened a four-shot lead over Stacy Lewis heading into the third round.
The South Korean has full status on the LPGA Tour, but because the opener isn’t a full-field event, she had to qualify last Saturday. Her extra time at Golden Golf & Ocala Equestrian Club certainly paid dividends. She’s made one bogey in two rounds.
NHL
Brodeur moves from the ice to the front office
ST. LOUIS – Martin Brodeur may one day return to the New Jersey Devils, where he won three Stanley Cups and cemented his place as the goaltender with more wins than any other in NHL history.
Up first, though, is some serious time with the St. Louis Blues.
The 42-year-old Brodeur formally announced his retirement Thursday to take a front-office position with St. Louis, where he wrapped up his career after 21 outstanding years with the Devils. He said he is leaving the game with a smile on his face and excited about his next opportunity.
“I’m leaving the game really, really happy,” Brodeur said.
Soccer
Looming recession forces World Cup budget cuts
MOSCOW – Russia will cut the budget for hosting the 2018 World Cup as part of plans to slash state expenditure while recession looms, Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko said Thursday.
The Russian government is cutting its spending by 10 percent across the board after the central bank predicted last month that the economy could contract 4.5 to 4.7 percent this year, under pressure from low oil prices and international sanctions.
Mutko, also a FIFA executive committee member, said in comments reported by the Tass news agency that World Cup stadiums and associated infrastructure would be exempt from the cuts.
Associated Press
