Perseverance paying off for older rookies in the WNBA
May 20, 2022 GMTUNCASVILLE, Conn. (AP) — Yvonne Anderson understood that making a WNBA roster as an undrafted rookie was going to be tough and getting that chance a decade after she left college would be even tougher.
Jokic’s NBA MVP a win for hoops-crazed nations outside US
May 11, 2022 GMTLONDON (AP) — Maybe it’s the ćevapi, or the souvlaki, or the mbanga soup.
Whatever it is, there’s no denying the tinge of international flavor when it comes to the NBA elite with Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic winning the league’s MVP award for a second straight season Wednesday.
Russian seeks to keep senior role at skating federation
April 27, 2022 GMTGENEVA (AP) — A Russian official was among the candidates announced Wednesday for the International Skating Union’s elections in June, if he is allowed to stand to retain his place as a vice president.
Dusan Ivkovic, Serbian basketball coach, dies at 77
September 16, 2021 GMTBELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — Dusan Ivkovic, a Serbian basketball coach who led Yugoslavia to the 1990 world title and won two EuroLeague titles with Greek club Olympiakos, has died. He was 77.
The Serbian basketball federation said Ivkovic died Thursday.
US draws Mexico, Cuba, Puerto Rico for World Cup qualifying
August 31, 2021 GMTUSA Basketball will face Puerto Rico, Mexico and Cuba in the first round of qualifying for the 2023 Basketball World Cup.
The Americans, who won a fourth consecutive Olympic gold medal in Tokyo but finished only seventh at the most recent Basketball World Cup two years ago, found out their qualifying opponents Tuesday when the draw was held at FIBA headquarters in Mies, Switzerland.
AP Sportlight
August 20, 2021 GMTAug. 21
1901 — William Larned wins the first of seven men’s singles titles in the U.S. Lawn Tennis Association championship.
1914 — Walter Hagen captures the U.S. Open golf title by edging Chick Evans.
AP-Sportlight-Week Ahead
August 19, 2021 GMTAug. 20
1921 — Molla Bjurstedt Mallory beats Mary Browne, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 to win the U.S. women’s national tennis title at the Germantown Cricket Club in Philadelphia.
1931 — Helen Wills Moody beats Eileen Bennett Whitingstall 6-4, 6-1 to capture the women’s title in the U.S.
EXPLAINER: What’s next for USA Basketball women’s program
August 8, 2021 GMTSAITAMA, Japan (AP) — All eyes will be on Paris now to see if the the U.S. women's team can keep its historic Olympic run after the Americans won their seventh consecutive gold medal at the Tokyo Games.
Mixed bag: Erratic Pandemic Olympics come to a nuanced end
August 8, 2021 GMTTOKYO (AP) — It began with a virus and a yearlong pause. It ended with a typhoon blowing through and, still, a virus.
Filipovic, Serbia top Greece 13-10 for men’s water polo gold
August 8, 2021 GMTTOKYO (AP) — Filip Filipovic and Serbia draped the country's flag over one of the goals at Tatsumi Water Polo Centre. Then they huddled in the water and yelled “Serbia!” in celebration.
They followed their winning formula all the way to the end — of an era.
Roundup of Olympic gold medals from Sunday, August 8
August 8, 2021 GMTTOKYO (AP) — A roundup of gold medals from Sunday, August 8, at the Tokyo Games:
France beats Serbia 91-76 for bronze medal in women’s hoops
August 7, 2021 GMTSAITAMA, Japan (AP) — Gabby Williams fell to the court, not wanting anyone to see her crying while dealing with a roller-coaster of emotions.
Taking home a bronze medal brought on the tears as she reflected on the sacrifices to get here.
Olympic Latest: Canada wins 1st gold in women’s soccer
August 6, 2021 GMTTOKYO (AP) — The Latest on the Tokyo Olympics, which are taking place under heavy restrictions after a year’s delay because of the coronavirus pandemic:
US women’s volleyball avenges loss to Serbia, reaches final
August 6, 2021 GMTTOKYO (AP) — U.S. volleyball star Foluke Akinradewo Gunderson woke up with a vision that her team was poised to make it back to the gold medal game.
Five years after Akinradewo Gunderson could only watch the end of a crushing five-set loss to Serbia in the Olympic semifinals because of an injured knee, she helped lead her team one step closer to the ultimate prize.
Japan women rout France 87-71 to reach 1st gold medal game
August 6, 2021 GMTSAITAMA, Japan (AP) — Japan will play for gold in the women’s basketball tournament at the Tokyo Games for the first time ever.
Just as coach Tom Hovasse predicted when he was hired in 2017.
Greece to face Serbia in men’s water polo final at Olympics
August 6, 2021 GMTTOKYO (AP) — Konstantinos Genidounias' joyous smile said it all.
Greece has won its first men’s water polo medal at the Olympics. The only question now is silver or gold.
Stylianos Agryropoulos Kanakakis scored four times, Emmanouil Zerdevas made seven saves and Greece beat Hungary 9-6 on Friday in the semifinals of the Tokyo Games.
Griner leads US to gold medal game with 79-59 win vs Serbia
August 6, 2021 GMTSAITAMA, Japan (AP) — Soon after the U.S. women finished off Serbia to reach the Olympic gold medal game, members of the Japanese military honor guard started practicing for the medal ceremony.
Three teams from US group advance to Olympic semifinals
August 5, 2021 GMTSAITAMA, Japan (AP) — A dominant performance in the quarterfinals by Breanna Stewart and her U.S. teammates has left the team two victories away from winning a seventh consecutive Olympic gold medal.
US women’s volleyball team forms strong bond with ’80 squad
August 5, 2021 GMTTOKYO (AP) — The Japanese-style lanterns hanging in the rooms of the U.S. women's volleyball players at the Olympics provide much more than light.
Those lanterns symbolize the strong bond that has formed between the team that built the foundation for USA Volleyball despite being denied an opportunity to compete at the Olympics and the team that is trying to deliver the first gold ever for the U.S.
Short-handed US advances to women’s volleyball semifinals
August 4, 2021 GMTTOKYO (AP) — Five years after their quest for a first Olympic gold medal was denied in the semifinals, the United States women's volleyball team has returned to that stage after a relatively easy quarterfinal win.
Analysis: He’s Kevin Durant, and finding his Olympic groove
August 4, 2021 GMTSAITAMA, Japan (AP) — It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to make the connection. Kevin Durant is looking like Kevin Durant. And USA Basketball is looking like USA Basketball.
There are other factors involved in why the Americans — whose summer got off to a seriously shaky start — have won three consecutive games to reach the medal round at the Tokyo Olympics.
France advances to semifinals with 67-64 win over Spain
August 4, 2021 GMTSAITAMA, Japan (AP) — Gabby Williams and her French teammates were all smiles after beating rival Spain and advancing to the semifinals of the women's basketball tournament.
Marine Johannes scored 18 points and Williams hit key free throws late to help France edge Spain 67-64 on Wednesday night.
Helen Maroulis loses to Risako Kawai in 57kg semifinals
August 4, 2021 GMTCHIBA, Japan (AP) — Helen Maroulis wishes she had a do-over.
Being too careful cost her a chance to become the first American woman to win two Olympic gold medals in freestyle wrestling. She lost to Risako Kawai of Japan 2-1 in the 57-kilogram semifinals on Wednesday.
Filipovic, Serbia beat Italy 10-6 in water polo quarters
August 4, 2021 GMTTOKYO (AP) — Filip Filipovic pumped in a shot from the side, and then held his arm out and yelled. Dusan Mandic and Andrija Prlainovic each made a couple of big plays.
Serbia rallies to reach semifinals by ousting China 77-70
August 4, 2021 GMTSAITAMA, Japan (AP) — Ana Dabovic found a way to provide just the spark Serbia needed to keep its medal hopes alive.
Standing closer to the Olympic rings logo at half-court than the 3-point arc, Dabovic knocked down a huge shot, keying the rally the helped Serbia beat China 77-70 Wednesday to reach a second straight semifinals.
Stewart leads US to semis with 79-55 win over Australia
August 4, 2021 GMTSAITAMA, Japan (AP) — Breanna Stewart and the U.S. women played their best basketball of the Tokyo Games, putting on a dominant performance that team has been known for over the years en route to winning six consecutive Olympic gold medals.
Got next: US draws Australia in women’s hoops quarterfinals
August 2, 2021 GMTSAITAMA, Japan (AP) — The next challenge for the U.S. in its quest to win a seventh consecutive Olympic gold medal is Australia as the Americans Monday night drew their rival in the quarterfinals of the women’s basketball tournament.
Banged-up US women’s volleyball team heads to quarters
August 2, 2021 GMTTOKYO (AP) — Coach Karch Kiraly knew there would be challenges and adversity to overcome if the U.S. women's volleyball team wanted to achieve its goals at the Tokyo Olympics.
He sure was right during pool play, and now the Americans are in position to make a run at their first gold medal in the sport after winning their group.
Hooping for another country can be side door to the Olympics
August 2, 2021 GMTSAITAMA, Japan (AP) — Yvonne Anderson knew playing in the Olympics for the U.S. was a longshot at best. Realistically, it was likely never going to happen.
Serbia beats South Korea 65-61, advances to women’s quarters
August 1, 2021 GMTSAITAMA, Japan (AP) — Jelena Brooks scored the final five points as Serbia advanced to the quarterfinals by beating South Korea 65-61 on Sunday night in the women's Olympic tournament.
Jihyun Park's 3-pointer with 4:07 left gave South Korea its last lead at 61-58.
After heat issues, tennis body seeks more days at next Games
August 1, 2021 GMTTOKYO (AP) — One player was carted off in a wheelchair. Another said he could “die” and nearly passed out.
Extreme heat and humidity were major issues during the tennis competition at the Tokyo Olympics, and the sport’s governing body said Sunday that it needs more competition days at future Games to provide better rest and care for its players.
Tennis mixed doubles has its moment at the Olympics
August 1, 2021 GMTTOKYO (AP) — Novak Djokovic unleashed a scream as if he had just won one of his 20 Grand Slam singles titles.
This being the slightly less prestigious mixed doubles competition at the Tokyo Olympics, Serbian partner Nina Stojanovic broke out into a fit of laughter at Djokovic’s outsized reaction after he served out a first-round win over the Brazilian pair of Luisa Stefani and Marcelo Melo.
Croatia beats Serbia 14-12 in rematch of Rio final
July 31, 2021 GMTTOKYO (AP) — Marko Bijac is playing in his second Olympics with Croatia's water polo team, so the goalkeeper wasn't about to make too much of the team's victory over Serbia.
Serbia coach: team was against Djokovic’s mixed doubles play
July 29, 2021 GMTTOKYO (AP) — With so much on the line — the Golden Slam, the calendar-year Grand Slam, Olympic singles gold — it’s been a mystery to many why Novak Djokovic entered the mixed doubles tournament at the Tokyo Olympics.
Torrens helps Spain beat Serbia 85-70, remain unbeaten
July 29, 2021 GMTSAITAMA, Japan (AP) — Alba Torrens scored 25 points to lead Spain to an 85-70 win over Serbia on Thursday.
Cristina Ouvina added 10 points, eight rebounds and eight assists to help Spain (2-0) remain unbeaten in group play.
Canadian women get 1st hoops win, beat South Korea 74-53
July 29, 2021 GMTSAITAMA, Japan (AP) — Bridget Carleton scored 18 points, and Canada got its first victory of the Olympic women's basketball tournament Thursday beating South Korea 74-53.
The Canadians never trailed in the game, which was close early..
Roundup of Olympic gold medals from Wednesday, July 28
July 28, 2021 GMTTOKYO (AP) — A roundup of gold medals from Wednesday, July 28, at the Tokyo Games:
U.S. women’s hoops team captures 3-on-3 Olympic gold
July 28, 2021 GMTTOKYO (AP) — Their scrapbooks and trophy cases are filled with memories from Final Fours, national titles, All-America honors and even some impressive showings in the pros.
Now, they have Olympic gold medals to go with all that.
Olympics Latest: Latvia wins gold in men’s 3-on-3
July 28, 2021 GMTTOKYO (AP) — The Latest on the Tokyo Olympics, which are taking place under heavy restrictions after a year’s delay because of the coronavirus pandemic:
Village life: Djokovic relishing the Olympic experience
July 28, 2021 GMTTOKYO (AP) — There he is doing the splits with the Belgian gymnastics team. Offering mental strength advice to Turkey’s volleyballers.
Roundup of Olympic gold medals from Tuesday, July 27
July 27, 2021 GMTTOKYO (AP) — A roundup of gold medals from Tuesday, July 27, at the Tokyo Games:
Olympics Latest: Germany wins another equestrian gold
July 27, 2021 GMTTOKYO (AP) — The Latest on the Tokyo Olympics, which are taking place under heavy restrictions after a year’s delay because of the coronavirus pandemic:
‘A bit much’: Naomi Osaka cites pressure in Olympic loss
July 27, 2021 GMTTOKYO (AP) — It wasn't the ending that Naomi Osaka — nor her multitudes of fans across Japan and worldwide — had expected.
The start of the Tokyo Olympics, however, will forever be a bright memory for the tennis superstar.
Olympics Latest: Japan upsets China in table tennis
July 26, 2021 GMTTOKYO (AP) — The Latest on the Tokyo Olympics, which are taking place under heavy restrictions after a year’s delay because of the coronavirus pandemic:
Vasic, Dabovic lead Serbia to 72-68 win over Canada
July 26, 2021 GMTSAITAMA, Japan (AP) — Sonja Vasic scored 16 points and Ana Dabovic keyed a late run to help Serbia beat Canada 72-68 on Monday in the Olympic opener for both teams.
With the game tied at 58, Serbia scored nine of the next 11 points to take control, Dabovic was involved on all of them, hitting two 3-pointers and also having a nifty backwards pass over her head as she was driving the lane to a wide-open Aleksandra Crvendakic in the corner, who made another 3.
Ndour has double-double as Spain beats South Korea 73-69
July 26, 2021 GMTSAITAMA, Japan (AP) — Astou Ndour scored 28 points and had 10 rebounds as Spain held on to beat South Korea 73-69 Monday in the first game of the women's Olympic basketball tournament.
Laura Gil added 16 points and Cristina Ouvina had 11 for Spain.
Jordan Thompson posts impressive Olympic volleyball debut
July 25, 2021 GMTTOKYO (AP) — Jordan Thompson skied high above the net and sent an emphatic spike to end the match.
That provided the perfect punctuation to an impressive Olympic volleyball debut for the U.S. team's star opposite hitter.
Hooper delivers for US while family follows along from afar
July 25, 2021 GMTTOKYO (AP) — In the end, it was a celebration for Johnny Hooper's family. Every one of them. His mother, Mimi, and father, Gary. His grandmother, Tomiko Nagatani, so achingly close to her only grandson for once, but kept away by a pandemic.
US women favorite to win 7th consecutive gold medal in Japan
July 25, 2021 GMTSAITAMA, Japan (AP) — It's been nearly 30 years since the U.S. women's basketball team lost a game in the Olympics, yet the Americans showed they may be a little bit vulnerable in Tokyo after dropping a pair of exhibition contests last week in Las Vegas.
Sue Bird sees no hypocrisy in US staying on court for anthem
July 24, 2021 GMTSAITAMA, Japan (AP) — Sue Bird sees no contradiction with the U.S. team staying on the court during the national anthem at the Olympics.
It's a change for the four-time Olympic gold medalist and her WNBA teammates.
Olympics Latest: US men get off to fast start in volleyball
July 24, 2021 GMTTOKYO (AP) — The Latest on the Tokyo Olympics, which are taking place under heavy restrictions after a year’s delay because of the coronavirus pandemic:
Roundup of Olympic gold medals from Saturday, July 24
July 24, 2021 GMTTOKYO (AP) — A roundup of gold medals from Saturday, July 24 at the Tokyo Games:
Playground goes big time; 3-on-3 hoops hits the Olympics
July 24, 2021 GMTTOKYO (AP) — Anyone who's ever jacked up a fadeaway 3 in a pickup basketball game knows there are two sure ways to start a fight on the playground.
US women’s volleyball team’s quest for gold began in Rio
July 23, 2021 GMTTOKYO (AP) — For the U.S. women’s volleyball team, the road to this Olympics and a quest for the country’s first gold medal in the sport began in the hours after a frustrating semifinal loss to Serbia in the Olympics five years ago.
US volleyball star back for 3rd Olympics after giving birth
July 22, 2021 GMTTOKYO (AP) — A third trip to the Olympics was far from a sure thing for U.S. volleyball star Foluke Akinradewo Gunderson when she gave birth to her son in November 2019.
A challenging pregnancy that robbed her of most of her core strength left her questioning whether she could get back to her usual elite level.
Medal predictions for events at the Tokyo Olympics
July 21, 2021 GMTTOKYO (AP) — Olympic medal predictions by AP beat writers:
US heavy favorite to win 7th straight gold in women’s hoops
July 12, 2021 GMTHIGHLIGHTS FROM RIO: The United States won its sixth consecutive gold medal in women's basketball with arguably the best team ever assembled. The Americans routed their opponents, winning by an average of nearly 40 points a game, including a 29-point win over Spain in the championship contest.
List of sports events affected by the coronavirus pandemic
April 11, 2020 GMTHANDBALL
Olympic women’s qualifying event in Podgorica, Montenegro from March 20-22 postponed to June.
Olympic women’s qualifying event in Lliria Spain from March 20-22 postponed to June.
AP Sportlight
August 17, 2019 GMTAug. 18
1923 — Helen Mills, 17, ends Molla Bjurstedt Mallory's domination of the U.S. Lawn Tennis Association championships and starts her own with a 6-2, 6-1 victory.
1958 — Floyd Patterson knocks out Roy Harris in the 13th round at Wrigley Field in Los Angeles to retain his world heavyweight title.