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Valley Partners golf outing date set

Valley Partners (VP) is announced its 11th Annual Golf Outing will take place on Sept. 25 at Knoll Run Golf Course, with a 9 a.m. shotgun start. The annual event brings together community members, local businesses, and supporters for a day of golf, networking and fun while helping advance Valley Partners' mission.

Registration is open, and VP is seeking golf teams, event sponsors, cash prize and raffle donors and volunteers. Whether you're an experienced golfer, a local business looking to give back, or someone who wants to lend a helping hand, there are many ways to get involved.

The golfer entry fee includes green fees and golf cart, skins game entry, one mulligan per golfer, breakfast & lunch at the turn, dinner following play and on-course games and contests (excluding raffles and the Texas Roadhouse contest).

Proceeds from the outing will be utilized to enhance VP's efforts for small business lending to help emerging underserved entrepreneurs and businesses secure credit.

"Each year, our golf outing brings together generous supporters who make our work possible," Teresa Miller, VP's executive director, said in a press release. "We're looking forward to another great event and invite golfers, businesses, and community members to join us for a fun day while supporting an important cause."

Those interested in registering a team, becoming a sponsor, donating cash for prizes or raffle items or volunteering are encouraged to visit valleyedp.com/golf-outing for more information.

WNBA has loaded 3-point contest

Marina Mabrey and Rhyne Howard headline the WNBA All-Star 3-point contest that will be contested Friday night in Chicago.

Mabrey and Howard are 1-2 in 3-pointers made this season for Toronto and Atlanta respectively. Joining the pair are Dallas rookie Azzi Fudd, Seattle's Natisha Hiedeman, Portland's Bridget Carleton and Golden State's Janelle Salaun. Mabrey tied the WNBA record by hitting nine 3-pointers in a game twice this season, including in her 53-point effort that tied the league record for most points in a game.

Caitlin Clark, Sabrina Ionescu and Kayla McBride all declined invitations to participate according to a person familiar with the decision. The person spoke on condition of anonymity to the AP because they weren't authorized to speak publicly about it.

Last year Ionescu topped Allisha Gray to win the title.

The new CBA will give the 3-point contest winner $20,000 and each participant $10,000.

Accident sidelines Georgia's Dowdell

TAMPA, Fla. -- Georgia running back Dante Dowdell was injured in a recent off-campus accident, and Bulldogs coach Kirby Smart told reporters Tuesday at SEC media days that he will be indefinitely sidelined.

Smart didn't offer specifics. ESPN reported that Dowdell was involved in an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) accident. The outlet confirmed with Smart that Dowdell is receiving care at Shepherd Center in Atlanta, a medical facility specializing in treatment and rehabilitation for spinal cord and brain injuries.

"The Dante Dowdell situation is tough," Smart told reporters. "I don't know when he'll be back. He had an off-campus accident back home during our break, and we're praying for him and his family. We expect a full recovery, but the outlook right now is we're waiting to see."

Dowdell transferred to Georgia after rushing for 560 yards and three scores last season for Kentucky. The tailback from Picayune, Mississippi, was slated to compete for carries behind starter Nate Frazier. Dowdell spent the 2024 season with Nebraska and the '23 season at Oregon.

Smart told ESPN that Dowdell was "out of the really tough range, but as far as his complete health and coming all the way back, I don't know what that looks like in terms of this year."

LPGA unveils Nanea Cup in Hawaii

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- The LPGA on Tuesday unveiled the inaugural Nanea Cup, an event being held in Hawaii next March that includes a mix of pro golfers and collegians as a way to showcase the present and future of women's golf.

The event, which will be held March 11-14 at the Nanea Golf Club in Kailua-Kona, on the Big Island, features a $4 million purse. The field will include 95 LPGA Tour players along with 25 of the nation's top college golfers representing five universities: Stanford, Texas, Arkansas, Texas A&M and UCLA.

"As we continue to focus on routing, courses and purses, this event checks every box," LPGA Commissioner Craig Kessler said in a statement. "Nanea is a spectacular venue, our athletes will compete for a strong purse, and fans will get their first look at one of the most celebrated golf courses in the world."

All competitors will play Thursday and Friday before the field is cut to the low 50 players and ties. College players who don't make the cut will still play Saturday to help determine team champions.

The Golf Channel will broadcast stories on college athletes and coaches to give a glimpse of the next generation of players.

"New, dynamic ideas are critical, and we look forward to putting our deep experience and relationships with today's college golfers and coaches to work to help the LPGA build this innovative new event," Golf Channel's executive vice president and general manager Tom Knapp said.

This marks the first professional event held at Nanea Golf Club, which opened in 2003. It's a links course designed by David McLay Kidd that's set among native grasses and volcanic rock.

The venue stages the annual Nanea Invitational, which is hosted by Stanford women's golf coach Anne Walker.

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TB's Caminero leaves All-Star Game

PHILADELPHIA -- Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Junior Caminero was hit by a pitch on the outside of his left hand and immediately left Tuesday night's All-Star Game.

Caminero was struck by St. Louis Cardinals closer Riley O'Brien with a 98 mph sinker that didn't sink in the top of the third inning with the American League up 3-0.

The 23-year-old Caminero, fourth in the major leagues with 28 home runs, stayed down for a few moments before he popped up and ran straight into the clubhouse.

X-rays were negative.

He was replaced by Miguel Vargas of the Chicago White Sox.

Caminero hit 17 total home runs a night earlier at Citizens Bank Park in the Home Run Derby. He hit 45 home runs with 110 RBIs last season, and this season has led the Rays to the top of the AL East.

He batted fourth on Tuesday and became the first Ray to start an All-Star game in two straight seasons. Caminero grounded out in his first at bat against Phillies' ace and NL starter Cristopher Sánchez.

Caminero -- who advanced to the final round of last season's Home Run Derby before losing a close contest to Seattle slugger Cal Raleigh -- this season become the youngest player since at least 1900 to homer in six straight games.

Texans' co-founder dies at 89

HOUSTON -- Janice S. McNair, who alongside her late husband Robert "Bob" McNair brought the NFL back to Houston after the Oilers left for Tennessee by founding the Texans, has died. She was 89.

"It is with profound sadness that we announce Houston Texans co-founder and senior chair Janice S. McNair passed away peacefully in Houston this afternoon with her family by her side," the Texans said in a statement on Tuesday.

After her husband Bob died in 2018 following a battle with both leukemia and squamous cell carcinoma, Janice took over the Texans organization as owner. McNair's son, Cal, was approved as primary owner of the team in 2024.

"Mom was exceptional. She exuded kindness, radiated joy, had an endless amount of hope and love, and lived an incredible life centered around faith, family, philanthropy and football," Cal said in a statement.

"I remain honored to lead this franchise and build on the foundation my parents set when they brought football back to Houston. Mom leaves an indelible mark on our family, our team and our community, and her giving spirit will always be embedded in the fabric of our organization. While I'm heartbroken, I take great comfort in knowing she is now reunited with my dad, her favorite teammate."

Janice McNair grew up in South Carolina, and moved to Houston with Bob in 1960. Bob McNair made his fortune as the founder of Cogen Technologies, an energy company which was sold to Enron in 1999 for $1.5 billion.

The couple was committed to charity in the city, including causes such as The Robert and Janice McNair Foundation, The Robert and Janice McNair Educational Foundation in Forest City, North Carolina, and the Houston Texans Foundation.

Janice is survived by four children, 16 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren, according to the team.

Hotel employee fired for sending slur

LAS VEGAS -- Hilton Grand Vacations has fired an employee who sent a racial slur via social media to Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray following the team's 109-75 loss to the Indiana Fever on Sunday.

The 33-year-old Gray posted the message she received that included a racial slur on her Instagram story on Monday. Hilton Grand Vacations confirmed to The Associated Press on Tuesday that the individual who messaged Gray is no longer employed with Hilton Grand Vacations.

"The person responsible for posting this information is no longer with the company," Hilton Grand Vacations said in a statement. "His behavior was in violation of multiple company policies and does not reflect our company's values in any way."

The Aces did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In March, the WNBA and its players' union agreed on a transformational new collective bargaining agreement. It sought to enhance security, improve technological support, reinforce mental health resources, enforce a stronger fan code of conduct and protect players through an anti-hate campaign.

But, the harassment Gray faced comes in the aftermath of Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas saying she also received racial slurs. Thomas said she received death threats as well following her one-game suspension after she made contact with her fist to Caitlin Clark's throat during a 111-109 win against the Fever.

Thomas also criticized WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert for not doing more to protect the league's players when she spoke with reporters in June at the team's practice facility.

"It's unfortunate that it's come to this over basketball," Thomas said. "A lot of us -- myself included -- didn't even know the play took place until after the game. Now we're being painted as thugs. There's death threats out on us. It's really unacceptable. It's something that needs to change in this league and I'm just really sick and tired of it."

Jazz's Alexander suffers bruised rib

LAS VEGAS -- Utah Jazz guard Trey Alexander was taken from the court on stretcher Monday night with a bruised rib suffered on a drive to the basket in an NBA Summer League game against the Chicago Bulls.

Alexander, who signed a two-way deal with Utah last week, made contact with the Bulls' Caleb Wilson while driving toward the basket and, after tossing the ball toward the hoop, went behind the basket clutching his side. He then dropped to the ground, seemingly in great pain.

The 23-year-old Alexander was taken from the Thomas & Mack Center court on a stretcher. The incident occurred with just over two minutes left in the fourth quarter.

The Jazz said Tuesday that Alexander had a left rib contusion.

Alexander played three seasons at Creighton and skipped his final year of eligibility to turn pro. The G League rookie of the year for the 2024-25 season played 24 games for the Denver Nuggets the same season and nine game for the New Orleans Pelicans last season.

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Knicks' Brunson has wrist surgery

NEW YORK -- Jalen Brunson has undergone left wrist surgery and is expected to be back on the court when the New York Knicks begin defense of their NBA title, a person with knowledge of the details said Tuesday.

The NBA Finals MVP is expected to resume basketball activities later this summer, the person told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because there was no announcement about Brunson's procedure.

Brunson's surgery was first reported by SNY.

Brunson, who is left-handed, didn't let the wrist injury slow him down on the Knicks' run to their first championship since 1973. He scored 45 points when the Knicks won the title in Game 5 in San Antonio, after finishing with 36 when they made a record-setting comeback from a 29-point deficit in Game 4. The point guard averaged 32.6 points in the finals.

Dream trio among All-Star reserves

Angel Reese felt that Atlanta Dream teammates Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray were snubbed by not being selected as All-Star starters.

Now the Dream trio will get to play together in Chicago at the WNBA All-Star Game on July 25 after all three players were selected as reserves by the league's coaches on Tuesday.

Reese had said after the All-Star starters came out that she felt her two Dream teammates should have been starting. It's the fourth time that Atlanta has had three All-Stars.

Joining the Dream players as reserves are Washington teammates Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen. Both made the All-Star Game as rookies last season.

Toronto's Marina Mabrey will be making her first All-Star appearance and gave the expansion franchise a player in the game. She matched the WNBA record with a 53-point game last month.

Other players selected by the coaches were New York's Jonquel Jones, Minnesota's Courtney Williams, Las Vegas' Jackie Young and Seattle's Dominique Malonga, who will also be making her All-Star debut.

Los Angeles teammates Nneka Ogwumike and Kelsey Plum also were picked. Ogwumike has been an All-Star 11 times and moved into a second-place tie with Diana Taurasi for most All-Star appearances, only trailing Sue Bird's 13.

Coaches couldn't vote for their own players.

Plum has been sidelined for the last few weeks with a leg injury and will be evaluated again later this month. If she can't play, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert will choose a replacement.

New this year, WNBA greats Cynthia Cooper and Teresa Weatherspoon will serve as honorary general managers and select the two teams from the pool of All-Stars. The pair will select the teams at some point soon.

Chicago, Portland, Connecticut and Phoenix all don't have All-Stars.

Kneeland had early stage CTE

EDITOR'S NOTE -- This story includes discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, the national suicide and crisis lifeline in the U.S. is available by calling or texting 988. There is also an online chat at 988lifeline.org

AUSTIN, Texas -- Former Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland, who died by suicide in November 2025 after a high-speed chase with police, had early stage chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a brain abnormality linked to repeated head trauma, his family announced Tuesday.

The Boston University CTE Center, which investigates the long-term consequences of repetitive brain trauma in athletes and others, analyzed Kneeland's brain tissue after his death. Researchers determined Kneeland, who was 24, was in stage one of four of CTE.

CTE is a degenerative brain disease that has been found in athletes in contact sports, combat veterans and others who experience repetitive blows to the head. It has been known to cause violent mood swings, impulsive behavior and depression. It can be diagnosed only after death.

"While this diagnosis does not change the tragedy of his passing, it provides important context about some of the struggles he may have been facing. We share this information to help people understand what NFL and other high contact sport athletes might be struggling with," Kneeland's family, including his girlfriend, Catalina Mancera, said in a statement issued through the Concussion and CTE Foundation.

"Raising awareness is important to us. We continue to remember Marshawn with compassion for the person he was, rather than defining him by the final moments of his life. One Love," the family said.

The abnormality has also been linked to deaths in the National Football League, as well as in hockey and soccer.

Kneeland shot himself after evading authorities in his vehicle and fleeing a car crash on foot.

The chase happened after police said Kneeland didn't stop for Texas Department of Public Safety troopers over a traffic violation. Authorities lost sight of the vehicle before locating it crashed minutes later.

As authorities were looking for Kneeland after he fled the crash site on foot, a dispatcher told officers that people who knew him had received a group text from Kneeland "saying goodbye," indicating he might be suicidal.

Dr. Chris Nowinski, CEO of the Concussion & CTE Foundation, noted Kneeland's diagnosis comes even amid a modern era of concussion protocols in professional and college athletics and better safety equipment.

Kneeland started playing tackle football when he was 7 years old. He played at Western Michigan University before he was selected by the Cowboys in the second round of the 2024 NFL draft.

"We have no reason to believe the current generation is at a lower risk of CTE than previous generations. Concussion protocols do not prevent CTE, because CTE is caused by repeated head impacts, not just concussions," Nowinski said. "If we want to reduce CTE risk, we must implement CTE prevention protocols and aggressively reduce the number and strength of head impacts at every level of the game."