Clark sustained a right groin injury in a WNBA game for the Indiana Fever in July and hadn't played since then. The former Iowa star averaged 16.5 points, 8.8 assists and 5.0 rebounds in just 13 games in her short second season after starting her pro career by being named rookie of the year.

She was back in rhythm Wednesday, helping the Americans shoot 58.7% from the field and 54.8% from 3-point range. The United States took control with an early 15-0 run and led 59-19 at halftime.

Rhyne Howard led the way with 21 points as a reserve.

It was coach Kara Lawson's first win as the U.S. coach. She'll go for her second on Thursday night against host Puerto Rico.

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WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball

“We want to play. We’ve heard that from the other side as well,” Ogwumike, the union president, said just before midnight. “We need to see a more robust demonstration of that.”

Wednesday’s negotiating session came on the heels of a marathon 12-hour meeting that began at 5 p.m. EDT on Tuesday. The sides plan to speak again on Thursday.

“That first day was a lot, but I think what we’re feeling is like movement, you know, being able to be in the room, being able to exchange proposals,” Ogwumike said.

Ogwumike said the sides have exchanged seven proposals over the last two days and the union was waiting for one from the league.

In proposals over the last 24 hours, the league has increased its salary cap offer for the first year to $6 million — up from $5.75 million in previous negotiations, a person familiar with the talks told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the discussions.

Last year, the salary cap for each team was $1.5 million. Average player salaries were $120,000 last year, and that figure stands to increase fourfold.

The executive committee taking part in negotiations also includes Breanna Stewart, Alysha Clark and Brianna Turner along with union executive director Terri Carmichael Jackson. The league was represented by Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, head of league operations Bethany Donaphin and New York Liberty owner Clara Wu Tsai. Connecticut Sun president Jen Rizzotti joined the negotiating team on Wednesday.

Revenue sharing and housing are key sticking points between the sides, as well as assigning a franchise tag to a player and benefits for retired players.

The league had said that at least a handshake agreement on a labor deal would need to be done by Tuesday to start the season as scheduled.

“We’ve got to get this deal done. We’ve got to get it done soon,” Engelbert said early Wednesday morning.

Ogwumike said the union never saw the Tuesday deadline as a real thing.

“We haven’t ever really considered that as a timeline that’s been something to prioritize on our side, because we have always been negotiating in good faith,” she said.

When a deal is reached in principle, the league has said it would need a few weeks to finish off the CBA. After that work is done, the expansion draft for new franchises in Portland and Toronto would be held sometime between April 1-6, according to a timetable obtained by the AP.

Free agent qualifying offers, including franchise player tags, would be sent out April 7-8. Teams would then have three days to negotiate with the more than 80% of players who are free agents. The signing period would take place from April 12-18.

Training camps would open the next day and the season would be able to start on May 8.

But for any of that to happen, the two sides have to figure out a revenue sharing model. The union’s proposal from a week ago had asked for an average of 26% of the gross revenue — revenue before expenses — over the course of the CBA. That would include only 25% in the first year. The league has said that number was unrealistic.

The WNBA’s last few proposals have offered more than 70% of net revenue, with that number going up as the league continues to grow.

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AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball

The 24-year-old Draper, who is coming back after missing eight months due to an arm injury, advanced to the quarterfinal round and will face Daniil Medvedev, who beat Alex Michelsen 6-2, 6-4 in the round of 16 to move on.

Djokovic, seeded third, led 6-5 in the third set before Draper rallied and forced a tiebreaker.

“I still don’t feel like I’m playing anywhere near the way I want to play," Draper said. "I came out here and I won that match through determination.”

In addition to his win at Indian Wells last year, the 14th-seeded Draper won the Stuttgart Open and the Vienna Open, both in 2024.

The 38-year-old Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam champion, won at Indian Wells in 2008, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2016. Djokovic nearly won an 11th Australian Open title earlier this year, but lost to Carlos Alcaraz.

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AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis

The Americans got the help they needed from Italy and could start to relax by the middle innings as Italy routed Mexico 9-1 on Wednesday night, giving the Azzurri the top spot in Group B and assuring the Americans advancement as the second-place team.

After Vinnie Pasquantino had the WBC’s first three-homer game to lead the Italians to victory, the Kansas City Royals player had a message for the Americans.

“You’re welcome, U.S.A.,” he said. “We were thinking of you guys over at your hotel. We were thinking of you guys. So I’m glad you could join us in the party.”

Italy beat the U.S. 8-6 a night earlier, turning the Americans into spectators as they hoped to avoid elimination. The Italians — fielding a roster stacked with Americans of Italian heritage — finished 4-0 while the U.S. went 3-1.

Mexico (2-2), which lost to the U.S., was eliminated from the WBC and from qualifying for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

The Americans will stay in Houston to meet Canada, which advanced past first round for the first time, on Friday night. Italy will play Puerto Rico in the other quarterfinal at Daikin Park on Saturday.

The U.S., with an All-Star-filled roster, also beat Britain and Brazil in group play.

After the loss to Italy, U.S. manager Mark DeRosa fielded questions about whether he thought his team had already secured a spot in the quarterfinals with Monday night’s win over Mexico because of his comments on a television appearance the next morning.

In that interview, he said: “Ton of respect for Italy — it’s weird — we want to win this game even though our ticket’s punched to the quarterfinals because Mexico plays Italy actually tomorrow. So, the way the schedule lines up this is an important game for us.”

DeRosa said he “misspoke” in that interview and did not believe the team had already clinched a spot.

Now that the Americans are in the quarterfinals, they know they need to win to move on to Miami.

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Italy's victory ended a day of uncertainty for the Americans, who needed help to reach the quarterfinals after losing to Italy 8-6 on Tuesday night.

Pasquantino, who opened the tournament 0 for 12, homered leading off the second, sixth and eighth innings to propel Italy to the quarterfinals for a third time and the second tournament in a row. Jon Berti also homered for Italy to help build a big lead early.

The Italians will face Puerto Rico in the quarterfinals in Houston on Saturday, a day after the U.S. plays Canada, which advanced past the first round for the first time.

Mexico's loss eliminated it from qualifying for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, a disappointment for a team that finished third in the 2023 WBC, losing to eventual champion Japan in the semifinals.

Italy went 4-0 in pool play after no other European team had won more than two WBC games in a row.

Pasquantino celebrated with an espresso shot from the dugout machine after each homer, Italy’s fitting celebration after home runs.

He tried to bunt on his first pitch, then homered to the first row of the right-field seats off Javier Assad in the second inning. Berti’s shot to to left doubled the lead in the fourth.

Dante Nori's run-scoring sacrifice bunt extended the lead in a three-run fifth capped by Jakob Marsee’s two-run single for a 5-0 lead.

Pasquantino homered starting the sixth against Daniel Duarte and again off Robert Garcia in the eighth.

Winner Aaron Nola allowed four hits and struck out five in five scoreless innings. Assad took the loss, permitting four runs and four hits in 4 1/3 innings.

Mexico loaded the bases with no outs in the seventh but managed just one run on a groundout by Alek Thomas.

Canada advances past World Baseball Classic first round for first time, beats Cuba 7-2

Canada advanced past the first round of the World Baseball Classic for the first time, beating Cuba 7-2 Wednesday in a winner-take-all game at San Juan, Puerto Rico, behind Abraham Toro's homer and Otto Lopez's two-run single.

Brothers Bo Naylor and Josh Naylor drove in runs, Owen Caissie had two RBIs and reliever James Paxton struck out six over 2 2/3 scoreless innings for Canada (3-1), which eliminated the Cubans (2-2) and won Group A over Puerto Rico (3-1). Cuba was knocked out in the first round for the first time.

Cuba finished with three errors, and left fielder Ariel Martinez allowed Toro’s catchable fly starting the seventh to fall for a double. The Canadians broke open the game with a three-run sixth inning that included a dropped popup, a foul pop that fell, a wild pickoff throw and a catcher's interference call on Andrys Perez, whose passed ball led to Canada's first run.

Cuba escaped a bases-loaded jam in the first when Matt Davidson hit an inning-ending popout off loser Livan Moinelo, but Canada went ahead in the third on Caissie's sacrifice fly. Toro homered in the fifth on a splitter from Yariel Rodríguez, a 420-foot drive to right.

Cuba scored in the bottom half on Yoelkis Guibert's run-scoring groundout off winner Cal Quantrill, who allowed an unearned run and two hits over five innings.

Canada opened a 3-1 lead in the sixth on Bo Naylor's RBI double.

Martinez drove in a run in the bottom half with his third hit and Josh Naylor had an RBI single in the seventh on a soft fly to left that popped up of the glove of Martinez, who tried for a sliding catch.

Cuba went 1 for 7 with runners in scoring position. Adam Macko escaped a bases-loaded jam in the sixth when Yiddi Cappe swung over a curveball and James Paxton struck out Moncada in the seventh to leave runners at the corners.

Dominican Republic beats Venezuela 7-5, goes unbeaten in Pool D

Fernando Tatis Jr., Ketel Marte, Juan Soto and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. — the top four hitters in the order — all homered, and the Dominican Republic finished off an unbeaten run through Pool D.

Both teams entered the game — played before a sellout crowd of 36,230 in Miami — knowing they were headed to the quarterfinals.

Tatis, Marte, Soto and Guerrero were a combined 9 for 18 for the winners, driving in all seven runs and scoring five of them.

The Dominican Republic (4-0) takes on South Korea in a quarterfinal on Friday, while Venezuela (3-1) will face Shohei Ohtani and Japan on Saturday. Ranger Suarez starts for Venezuela and World Series MVP Yoshinobu Yamamoto for the Samurai Warriors.

Maikel Garcia was 4 for 4, scored two runs and had an RBI for Venezuela, while Luis Arraez drove in a pair of runs — including a sacrifice fly in the ninth. Venezuela loaded the bases, down by four, with no outs, and Arraez made it 7-4 with a liner to left.

Willson Contreras hit a grounder on the next pitch that could have been turned into a game-ending 1-6-3 double play, but Elvis Alvarado’s throw sailed into center field and Ronald Acuña Jr. scored.

But that would be it for the rally: Salvador Perez grounded into a game-ending double play.

Soto hit a two-run home run in the first inning off loser Eduardo Rodriguez, his second of this year’s tournament and the fourth of his WBC career — tying Nelson Cruz and Adrián Beltré for the most in his nation’s history.

Marte and Guerrero connected on solo shots in the third inning, then Tatis hit a three-run homer in the fourth for a 7-3 lead.

Venezuela came in having allowed five runs in its first three WBC contests; it gave up seven in the first four innings Wednesday. The Dominican Republic outscored its four pool-play opponents 41-10.

Winner Sandy Alcantara — the Marlins’ ace, pitching in his home ballpark — gave up three runs and five hits while striking out three in three innings.

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

The rest of the NFL draft isn’t that clear-cut. It’s not even a certainty another quarterback will be selected in the first round after Mendoza, though Ty Simpson made a strong case at the scouting combine.

Here’s the first edition of the AP’s 2026 mock draft in order of picks without any projected trades:

1. Las Vegas Raiders: FERNANDO MENDOZA, QB, INDIANA

Mendoza is a precise pocket passer with prototypical size, poise and maturity. The Raiders have some playmakers — Brock Bowers and Ashton Jeanty — but must build around Mendoza and protect him. Mendoza should benefit from having part-owner Tom Brady around for advice. The Raiders haven't won a playoff game since losing the Super Bowl following the 2002 season and have only reached the postseason twice in that span. They need Mendoza to be a franchise QB.

2. New York Jets: ARVELL REESE, EDGE RUSHER, OHIO STATE

Reese is a freak athlete — he ran a 4.47 40-yard dash — who played off-ball linebacker and standup edge. He has the talent to be an elite edge rusher and the Jets need a can’t-miss prospect.

3. Arizona Cardinals: DAVID BAILEY, EDGE RUSHER, TEXAS TECH

Bailey is mocked as high as No. 2 on many draft boards. He’s another immensely athletic edge with elite upside. If the Cardinals don’t trade down to add more draft capital, he’s an ideal fit.

4. Tennessee Titans: RUEBEN BAIN JR., EDGE RUSHER, MIAMI

Bain is a versatile rusher who can line up on the edge or inside against guards, creating mismatches. He’ll be a huge asset for new coach Robert Saleh.

5. New York Giants: FRANCIS MAUIGOA, OFFENSIVE TACKLE, MIAMI

Protecting Jaxson Dart is a priority for the Giants. Mauigoa is a three-year starter at right tackle who would instantly upgrade New York’s offensive line.

6. Cleveland Browns: KADYN PROCTOR, OFFENSIVE TACKLE, ALABAMA

Proctor started at left tackle as a true freshman and allowed just two sacks in his three seasons. The Browns need to overhaul their offensive line and Proctor is a great start. He has great size — 6-foot-7, 352 pounds — and plenty of athleticism. Proctor even had five runs for 16 yards.

7. Washington Commanders: SONNY STYLES, LINEBACKER, OHIO STATE

Styles’ impressive combine performance helped him soar into the top five on many draft boards. The Commanders have needs on offense but can’t pass up a gifted defensive player like Styles.

8. New Orleans Saints: CARNELL TATE, WIDE RECEIVER, OHIO STATE

Tate has been compared to Chris Olave and would end up playing with him. He’s a consistent route runner with excellent hands and enough speed to be a top playmaker.

9. Kansas City Chiefs: JEREMIYAH LOVE, RUNNING BACK, NOTRE DAME

The Chiefs need to help Patrick Mahomes with better blocking and more receivers. Love immediately takes pressure off Mahomes and the passing game, giving the offense a playmaker who can go the distance every touch.

10. Cincinnati Bengals: MANSOOR DELANE, CORNERBACK, LSU

Delane is the best cover corner in the draft. He’ll provide a significant boost for a defense that has struggled.

11. Miami Dolphins: JERMOD MCCOY, CORNERBACK, TENNESSEE

McCoy is a consistent player with outstanding ball skills. The Dolphins could look at a receiver to replace Tyreek Hill but new coach Jeff Hafley is a former defensive coordinator and McCoy is a player who can anchor the secondary.

12. Dallas Cowboys: KELDRIC FAULK, EDGE RUSHER, AUBURN

Scouts rave about Faulk’s leadership and he has obvious talent. An ideal fit for the Cowboys, who are trying to replace Micah Parsons’ production.

13. Los Angeles Rams: CALEB DOWNS, SAFETY, OHIO STATE

Downs is an elite, versatile playmaker who only slips this far because of knee concerns that cropped up at the combine. Adding Downs after acquiring All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie solidifies the Rams’ secondary.

14. Baltimore Ravens: OLAIVAVEGA IOANE, GUARD, PENN STATE

Ioane fills a big need for the Ravens and fits their run-blocking scheme nicely.

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: CJ ALLEN, LINEBACKER, GEORGIA

Allen is one of the most versatile linebackers in the draft and can take over as the defensive play-caller if Lavonte David retires.

16. New York Jets: MONROE FREELING, OFFENSIVE TACKLE, GEORGIA

The Jets bolster the other side of the trenches with their second pick in the first half of the first round. Freeling has elite athleticism and just needs more experience.

17. Detroit Lions: SPENCER FANO, OFFENSIVE TACKLE, UTAH

Fano could be long gone by the time the Lions pick due to his natural talent. He slips because short arms have become a big topic since the Super Bowl.

18. Minnesota Vikings: DILLON THIENEMAN, SAFETY, OREGON

Thieneman had an impressive combine, running a 4.36 40-yard dash that was faster than some of the NFL’s best receivers. A three-year starter, he’ll step right into Brian Flores’ defense.

19. Carolina Panthers: AKHEEM MESIDOR, EDGE RUSHER, MIAMI

Mesidor is an older prospect at age 25 but his talent is clear on video. He’ll generate pressure from the outside and is solid against the run.

20. Dallas Cowboys: AVIEON TERRELL, CORNERBACK, CLEMSON

An athletic cornerback who immediately gives Dallas and new defensive coordinator Christian Parker an impact starter.

21. Pittsburgh Steelers: TY SIMPSON, QUARTERBACK, ALABAMA

Simpson could finally be Pittsburgh’s long-term answer at quarterback with a chance to develop under coach Mike McCarthy.

22. Los Angeles Chargers: KENYON SADIQ, TIGHT END, OREGON

He’s the best tight end in the draft. Could quickly become Justin Herbert’s favorite target.

23. Philadelphia Eagles: CALEB LOMU, OFFENSIVE TACKLE, UTAH

The Eagles often take offensive or defensive linemen in the first round and have a need. Lomu is an eventual successor to Lane Johnson at right tackle.

24. Cleveland Browns: CALEB BANKS, DEFENSIVE TACKLE, FLORIDA

Banks will need more seasoning after playing in just three games last year due to injury but his raw talent is off the charts.

25. Chicago Bears: KAYDEN MCDONALD, DEFENSIVE TACKLE, OHIO STATE

McDonald is another Buckeyes player going in the first round. He’s a natural run defender who’ll clog the middle of the line.

26. Buffalo Bills: DENZEL BOSTON, WIDE RECEIVER, WASHINGTON

Boston is strong, fast and has elite ball skills. He gives Josh Allen a target he needs.

27. San Francisco 49ers: MALACHI FIELDS, WIDE RECEIVER, NOTRE DAME

The 49ers also need an offensive tackle but they’re going to have to rebuild their receiver corps. Fields is a tough, physical wideout who is a red zone threat.

28. Houston Texans: MAX IHEANACHOR, OFFENSIVE TACKLE, ARIZONA STATE

The Texans need to protect C.J. Stroud better. Iheanachor is an athletic former basketball player with ideal size who will need time to develop but projects as a potential starter right away.

29. Kansas City Chiefs: BLAKE MILLER, OFFENSIVE TACKLE, CLEMSON

Miller started 54 games in college and can step right in and play for the Chiefs, who need to bolster protection for Mahomes.

30. Denver Broncos: MAKAI LEMON, WIDE RECEIVER, USC

Lemon is an elite playmaker who’ll give Bo Nix another option and bolster the Broncos’ offense.

31. New England Patriots: ZION YOUNG, EDGE RUSHER, MISSOURI

Young is a disruptive force who brings energy and leadership. Should fit well with coach Mike Vrabel.

32. Seattle Seahawks: BRANDON CISSE, CORNERBACK, SOUTH CAROLINA

The Super Bowl champions improve the league’s best defense by adding another defensive back from South Carolina after hitting the jackpot with Nick Emmanwori last year.

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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL

Partridge's lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Michigan argues that his “termination was wholly unjustified and without legitimate cause," saying that the school violated his Fourteenth Amendment right to due process.

“The University of Michigan unjustly terminated Partridge’s employment and spread false and damaging information regarding his professional conduct, tarnishing Partridge’s hard-earned reputation and inflicting irreparable harm on to his career and personal well-being,” the lawsuit said.

Michigan did not immediately respond to an email from The Associated Press requesting comment. The Big Ten declined to comment on the lawsuit.

Partridge was fired from Michigan in November 2023 as the NCAA investigated allegations that former university staffer Connor Stalions purchased tickets to scout the school's opponents and sent people to those games to record teams signaling in their plays. In-person scouting is banned by the NCAA. Stalions resigned earlier that month.

In 2025, the NCAA’s Committee on Infractions determined that Stalions had orchestrated a scouting scheme for years. It also found recruiting violations and fined the school millions of dollars. Partridge was largely cleared of any wrongdoing.

But just after Partridge's firing, rumors swirled about why he was let go. He took to social media at the time to say that he had no knowledge of any scouting scheme and that he was fired for failing to abide by the school’s directive to avoid discussing the inquiry with “anyone associated with the program.”

“Additionally, at no point did I destroy any evidence related to the ongoing investigation,” he had said in an online post.

Partridge went on to serve as outside linebackers coach for the Seattle Seahawks, helping them clinch a Super Bowl win last month.

The lawsuit states that Partridge was told by the university that he was fired for telling a player that he should “get an attorney," despite being instructed not to communicate with the athletes during the investigation.

Partridge confirmed that he did say that to a player. But, he said in the lawsuit, the football staff was never told to stop communication with players, which would have caused the football program to “come to a screeching halt.”

“Partridge was a scapegoat who was wrongly fired simply because he told a player he had the right to have counsel,” the lawsuit said.

The lawsuit also said that the school smeared his reputation, including when some athletics department employees and at least one Board of Regents member told a sportswriter that Partridge was fired for “destroying evidence." That information was then reported by several news organizations, including the AP, which cited reporting by Yahoo Sports that Partridge "allegedly tried to cover up evidence."

Partridge was fired just before the Wolverines became football national champions. One day after he was fired, the school and the Big Ten Conference agreed that then head coach Jim Harbaugh would serve the final two games of his three-game suspension in return for the conference ending its investigation into the sign-stealing allegations.

The lawsuit seeks damages to be determined at trial, along with clearing Partridge’s name and reputation.

TMZ reported Tuesday that Anamaria Goltes filed a petition for child support and attorneys' fees in California. Doncic then issued a statement to The Associated Press saying he he had recently ended his engagement to Goltes because he was unable to have his daughters with him in Los Angeles more often.

“I love my daughters more than anything and I’ve been doing everything I can for them to be with me in the U.S. during the season, but that hasn’t been possible, so I recently made the tough decision to end my engagement,” Doncic said in his statement. “Everything I do is for my daughters’ happiness, and I will always fight to be with them and give them the best life I can.”

The 27-year-old Doncic and Goltes had been dating for a decade after meeting as teenagers in Slovenia. They became engaged in July 2023.

Their oldest daughter, Gabriela, was born in November 2023. Their second daughter, Olivia, was born in December 2025, with Doncic missing two Lakers games while he traveled to Slovenia to be with Goltes.

“I don’t even know how to describe it. It was a lot,” Doncic said at the time. “I was there for the birth of my daughter, so that means everything to me. But it was definitely a roller coaster.”

Goltes deleted all of her Instagram photos of her and Doncic together last week, fueling increased speculation around Doncic's relationship.

Doncic moved from the Dallas Mavericks to Los Angeles in a stunning trade for Anthony Davis in February 2025. He agreed to a three-year, $165 million contract extension with the Lakers last summer, cementing his near future in Los Angeles.

Any tumult in Doncic's personal life hasn't appeared to affect him on the court with the Lakers. He is the NBA's leading scorer this season at 32.5 points per game, and he ranks third with 8.4 assists while grabbing 7.8 rebounds.

Doncic had 31 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists in his 89th career triple-double on Tuesday night while the surging Lakers beat Minnesota 120-106 to move into fourth place in the Western Conference standings.

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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA

Arizona State athletic director Graham Rossini announced on Wednesday that Hurley’s contract will not be renewed, just hours after the Sun Devils’ blowout loss to No. 7 Iowa State in the Big 12 tournament.

Hurley will be placed on paid administrative leave through the remainder of his contract, which ends in June.

“Bobby Hurley has made incredible contributions to the sport of basketball, and that certainly includes many memorable moments during his time as our head coach,” Rossini said in a statement. “While we will not be extending his contract, we are so grateful for the 11 years that Coach, Leslie, Cameron, Sydney, Bobby Jr., and he spent with us at ASU. We wish Coach well moving forward and we are thankful for his leadership while at ASU.”

Hurley led the Sun Devils to the NCAA Tournament three times, including two straight in 2018-19, but needed to make another March Madness run if his contract was going to be extended.

Arizona State fell well short, finishing 12th out of 16 teams in the Big 12 at 7-11 and 17-16 overall following the 91-42 loss to Iowa State in Kansas City — the most lopsided game in Big 12 history.

Hurley finished 185-167 in 11 seasons at Arizona State, leaving as the second-winningest coach in program history behind Ned Wulk.

“Throughout this journey, my family and I formed lasting friendships and created incredible memories,” Hurley posted on X. "We experienced multiple NCAA Tournament appearances, remarkable wins at Desert Financial Arena and the joy of watching our children become Sun Devil alumni.

“To all the players — thank you. It has been my greatest privilege to coach so many outstanding young men and I will always treasure our time together.”

Arizona State got Hurley’s 11th season off to a solid start, with a runner-up finish at the Maui Invitational and a close loss to No. 8 Gonzaga.

The rest of it was a struggle as the Sun Devils struggled with injuries and inconsistencies.

The Sun Devils picked up solid home wins against Kansas State and Cincinnati, but were blown out by No. 8 Houston, West Virginia and rival Arizona in a January stretch that left Hurley dejected.

“We failed. I’m failing. I can’t get through to the team,’’ Hurley said after the 75-63 loss to West Virginia on Jan. 21. “I don’t know what else I can say.”

Arizona State pulled off an upset by beating No. 14 Kansas in Hurley’s final home game, but was trounced by Iowa State four days later. The Sun Devils beat Baylor in the opening round of the Big 12 tournament before being bounced from the bracket by Iowa State with a lackluster performance.

It's unclear if Arizona State will accept an invitation to a lesser postseason tournament, such as the NIT or the College Basketball Crown, where the Sun Devils played last year.

“He changed my life,” Arizona State senior Allen Mekuba said. “It’s a blessing for me, just a blessing to be a part of this team, everything we went through, the way coach was coaching. It was just an amazing year. I got nothing else to say about that.”

Hurley arrived in the desert with great fanfare and hope of turning around a program that had been to the NCAA Tournament twice the previous 18 seasons.

A two-time national champion at Duke and still the NCAA’s all-time assists leader, Hurley was hired after leading Buffalo to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 2015.

The fiery coach led the Sun Devils to the NCAA Tournament in his third season and did it in consecutive seasons from 2018-19, a first for the program since 1980-81. He also led Arizona State to a win at Kansas' Allen Fieldhouse in 2017, part of a 12-0 start that propelled them to No. 3 in the AP Top 25, matching the highest ranking in program history.

Arizona State appeared to be in good position to reach the NCAA Tournament in three straight seasons for the first time since the 1960s in 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic wiped out March Madness.

The Sun Devils have struggled to regain their footing since then, reaching the NCAA Tournament in 2023, but finishing with a losing record the other four seasons. Fan interest also waned, to the point there seemed to be more Arizona fans at Desert Financial Arena than Arizona State fans in their Jan. 31 rivalry game.

“We have not played well here in years, like since before COVID,’’ Hurley said. “We had this place cooking before COVID. Now it’s a sterile environment. We don’t win here. We don’t give our fans any reason to show up with enthusiasm to think that we’re going to win a basketball game. We have been dreadful at home for years.”

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AP Basketball Writer Dave Skretta in Kansas City, Missouri, contributed to this report.

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The biggest move Wednesday came when the Ravens agreed to a four-year, $112 million contract with four-time Pro Bowl defensive end Trey Hendrickson a day after backing out of a deal with the Raiders for Crosby over a failed physical, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press.

Hendrickson was an All-Pro for Cincinnati in 2024 when he led the NFL with 17 1/2 sacks. He played in only seven games because of injuries last season and had four sacks but has reached double digits in sacks four times in the previous five seasons.

It was a quick pivot for the Ravens after the surprising development Tuesday night when Baltimore pulled out of the trade that was supposed to send two first-round picks to Las Vegas.

A person with knowledge of Baltimore’s decision told the AP that Crosby failed his physical. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because those results are private.

Crosby had surgery in January to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee. He missed the final two games of the season because of the injury despite wanting to play through it at the time.

The Raiders, who have been among the biggest spenders in the opening days of free agency, now must figure out what to do with Crosby. Las Vegas still has plenty of cap room to keep the five-time Pro Bowler on the roster with his $30 million salary if the team can't find another trade. Crosby was back in the team facility in Nevada on Wednesday, a person with knowledge of his whereabouts said on condition of anonymity.

Jones and the Colts agreed on a two-year contract that is worth up to $100 million, a person with knowledge of the contract told the AP. The person requested anonymity because the deal had not yet been announced.

Jones will receive $88 million over the next two seasons with $50 million guaranteed instead of playing on the $37.8 million transition tag. He can make an additional $12 million through incentives.

Jones led the Colts offense to a productive 10-game start. But following the bye week, Jones played through a hairline fracture in his left leg and then wound up suffering a season-ending torn right Achilles tendon in early December.

Jones set career highs in passer rating (100.2) and completion rate (68%) as Indianapolis ranked fifth in the NFL in scoring at 28.9 points per game before he went down for the season.

All the people who confirmed new deals with players on Wednesday spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because teams hadn't announced the moves or other developments.

Buffalo reached a three-year agreement with pass rusher Bradley Chubb, a person familiar with the deal said. Chubb agreed to terms with the Bills shortly after the Miami Dolphins announced his release.

The 29-year-old Chubb has eight seasons of NFL experience. He spent the past three-plus years in Miami, including missing the entire 2024 season because of a torn knee ligament. He had 8 1/2 sacks last season.

All-Pro safety Kevin Byard left Chicago to reunite with his former coach Mike Vrabel, agreeing to a one-year, $9 million deal with New England, a person familiar with the contract said. Byard led the NFL with seven interceptions last season. Byard played under Vrabel for five-plus seasons in Tennessee.

Washington agreed to terms with edge rusher K’Lavon Chaisson on a one-year contract worth $12 million with $10.3 million guaranteed, according to Athletes First, the agency that represents him. Coming off ranking last in the NFL on defense, the Commanders also reached deals with linebacker Leo Chenal, safety Nick Cross, cornerback Amik Robertson and tight end Chig Okonkwo.

The Buccaneers agreed on one-year contracts with defensive lineman A’Shawn Robinson and backup quarterback Jake Browning, two people with knowledge of the deals said. Robinson is getting $10 million guaranteed, one of the people said.

The New York Jets agreed to terms with former Las Vegas Raiders left guard Dylan Parham on a two-year, $20 million contract. The signing helps offset the free agency losses of Alijah Vera-Tucker (Patriots) and John Simpson (Ravens) and gives New York a new starter on an offensive line that’ll help protect Geno Smith — Parham’s former teammate for one season in Las Vegas.

New Orleans announced a multiyear contract with veteran tight end Noah Fant and a two-year extension for reserve defensive tackle John Ridgeway III. Fant spent last season with Cincinnati, where he caught 34 passes for 288 yards and three TDs. He spent his previous three seasons with Seattle and his first three with Denver, and has 334 career receptions for 3,593 yards and 18 TDs.

Jacksonville agreed to a two-year deal with former Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez Jr., giving the Jaguars another option in the backfield after losing Travis Etienne in free agency. Rodriguez rushed for 500 yards and six TDs last season for Washington.

Several other players hit the open market after being released by their former teams at the start of the league year, with many of these moves having already been telegraphed.

Among those are Arizona quarterback Kyler Murray, Atlanta QB Kirk Cousins, Minnesota defensive tackles Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen, and Detroit edge rusher Josh Paschal.

Hargrave immediately agreed to a new deal, getting a two-year, $23 million contract with $10.5 million guaranteed from Green Bay, according to his agent, Drew Rosenhaus. The deal will pay Hargrave $13 million in his first year as he joins his fourth team in five seasons. He has 49 sacks in 10 seasons.

The Cowboys also made a pair of trades, sending pass-rushing defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa to San Francisco for a third-round pick and defensive lineman Solomon Thomas to Tennessee as part of a seventh-round pick swap.

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AP Pro Football Writers Rob Maaddi and Dennis Waszak Jr., and AP Sports Writers Brett Martel, John Wawrow and Stephen Whyno contributed to this report.

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