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Omar Payne joins growing list of players to leave Florida

Forward Omar Payne entered the transfer portal Tuesday and became the fifth player to leave coach Mike White's program since the end of the season. The 6-foot-10 Payne joined shooting guard Noah Locke, backup point guard Ques Glover and reserve forward Osayi Osifo in looking to play elsewhere next season. Star point guard and leading scorer Tre Mann entered the NBA draft with plans of hiring an agent, meaning he has no intention of returning to school for his junior season. Payne, a sophomore from Kissimmee, averaged 3.8 points and 3.2 rebounds while playing close to 16 minutes a game this season. Only Keyontae Johnson remains from Florida's 2018 class, which lost talented point guard Andrew Nembhard to Gonzaga last year and now is without Locke.

Best basketball season in Flagler history ends in Final Four blowout

The Flagler College men's basketball team reached the NCAA Division II Final Four for the first time this season. The best season in Flagler College men’s basketball history came to an end on Thursday night. The Saints never led and couldn’t slow down heavyweight Northwest Missouri State in a 77-46 loss in the NCAA Division II national semifinals. Third-seeded Flagler (18-3) had never been to the national tournament since it made the move from the NAIA to Division II in 2009. 2 in the tournament, have won Division II national championships in 2017 and ’19, and will play for their third on Saturday afternoon against top-seeded West Texas A&M.

JU fills basketball vacancy with Gators assistant Jordan Mincy

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville University is filling its basketball vacancy with a coach from just down the road in Gainesville. Jordan Mincy, an assistant at the University of Florida, is the Dolphins new head basketball coach, the school announced on Thursday. Mincy, 34, spent the past six seasons as an assistant on Mike White’s coaching staff at Florida. “I can’t wait to get to work as we start writing the next chapter in Jacksonville basketball history,” Mincy said in a release. Jasick was hired in 2014 to replace Cliff Warren, the most successful coach in JU history.

Flagler wins slugfest to advance to Final Four

Flagler College's Jaizec Lottie was named to the National Association of Basketball Coaches Division II All-American Team on Tuesday morning. Next stop: the NCAA Division II Final Four. Third-seeded Flagler will face second-seeded Northwest Missouri State in the Final Four on Thursday at 9 p.m. Jaizec Lottie had 29 points for Flagler, Derrick Ellis had 17 and Chris Metzger had 10, none bigger than his final two. Truman State’s final shot was a heavily contested look by Turner Scott that never had a chance.

Gators squander 11-point lead, lose to 15th-seed Oral Roberts

(Photo by Trevor Brown Jr/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)The up and down basketball season for the Florida Gators ended on a harsh down note. Florida led by 11 points, but couldn’t hold the lead and lost to 15th seeded Oral Roberts 81-78. Instead, the Gators season is over. “I really would have liked to have seen Keytonae and his teammates have the opportunity to celebrate and go to the Sweet 16 in another week and see what happens from there. He finished the season averaging 16 points per game.

Flagler basketball enjoying best season ever, heading to Elite Eight

Flagler men's basketball, led by head coach Chad Warner (center) will play in the Elite Eight for the first time in school history after beating Alabama-Huntsville Tuesday night. For the first time in school history, Flagler is going to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight after an 89-75 win over Alabama-Huntsville. Flager is 17-2 on the season and has won 15 straight games heading into the Elite Eight in Evansville. They wound up adding six games against Division I teams, including regular-season games against Florida International, Central Michigan and UNF. He had led a similar transition at Shorter College in Rome, Georgia and he knows what it would take to win at Flagler.

Mann scores 22 points, Florida holds off Vandy 69-63 at SEC

4 seed Tennessee on Friday for the second game between the teams in six days. Noah Locke scored 13 points for Florida, and Tyree Appleby added 12 off the bench. Vanderbilt (9-16) lost to Florida for the third time this season and sixth straight in this series. The Commodores, who won only three league games in the regular season, had their chances for a second SEC win within 24 hours. Florida appeared ready to cruise to a sixth straight win in this series up 34-22 at halftime after the Gators scored the final eight of the half.

Vols beat Florida 65-54, earn No. 4 seed in SEC tourney

Tyree Appleby had 17 points on 7-of-14 shooting and Colin Castleton added 11 points for Florida (13-9, 9-7). 13 seed Vanderbilt in Thursday's second round. After being outrebounded 18-16 in the first half, Tennessee was plus-11 on the glass in the second. Florida had just 21 points after the break, its lowest-scoring half of the season. The Gators went into the game leading the SEC in free-throw percentage (.760, 37th NCAA), field-goal percentage (.472, 42nd NCAA) and 3-point field-goal percentage (.359, 78th NCAA).

Getting buckets: Deebo Coleman, James Collins heading to final four

Before West Nassau’s Deebo Coleman began his senior season, he declared his intentions to play college basketball at Georgia Tech. No, he had to work for them night in and night out.”AdWest Nassau guard Deebo Coleman (No. In his high school career, Collins scored 2,212 points, now good for sixth-best in area history. Back then, high school was just three grades, as freshmen spent their time at junior high school. Because it’s good for basketball.”Both Deebo Coleman and Collins agree that there comes a time in a game where the star has to assert himself, something that both Coleman and Collins have done in key spots.

Florida edges Kentucky 71-67 for series split

(AP Photo/James Crisp)LEXINGTON, Ky. – Tre Mann scored 14 of his 21 points in the second half and Florida pulled out a 71-67 victory over Kentucky on Saturday, winning its third straight game and avenging a blowout loss to the Wildcats. Neither team scored again until Mann's baseline jumper with 1:49 to go. Florida, which lost to Kentucky 76-58 on Jan. 9, picked up just the fifth season split in the series' history, the last coming in 1998. The win was just the 11th for Florida at Lexington versus 52 losses. Florida is home against Missouri on Wednesday before concluding its regular season at Tennessee on March 7.

Gators basketball game at LSU postponed due to COVID-19 issues

(AP Photo/Wade Payne, File)Florida’s basketball game on Saturday has been postponed due to COVID-19 issues within the Gators program. “The Florida at LSU men’s basketball game of February 6 has been postponed due to a combination of positive tests, contact tracing and subsequent quarantining of individuals within the Florida basketball program, consistent with Southeastern Conference COVID-19 management requirements. The Gators had their four-game winning streak snapped on Wednesday night by South Carolina. The Gators are the second team in the News4Jax coverage region to postpone a game this week due to COVID-19. The University of North Florida had to postpone its games Friday and Saturday at Liberty due to COVID-19 protocols.

Two UNF basketball games postponed due to coronavirus issues

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – University of North Florida’s basketball games on Friday and Saturday have been postponed due to COVID-19 issues. The Atlantic Sun Conference announced the news late Thursday afternoon, wiping out UNF’s games at Liberty. “The ASUN Conference office announced the North Florida at Liberty Men’s Basketball games scheduled for Feb. 5-6 have been postponed indefinitely due to positive COVID-19 tests and contact tracing. The conference office is evaluating schedule options for the final three weeks of the regular season,” the ASun said in a statement. “The conference said ASUN Conference Men’s Basketball student-athletes, coaches and staff are tested on Monday and Wednesday every week prior to contests on Friday and Saturday.

Parents: UF hoops player Johnson stable, improving after collapse

Finally, good news on Florida basketball player Keyontae Johnson. “Keyontae is in stable condition today, breathing on his own and speaking with us and with his doctors here at UF Health. Like many of his Florida teammates, Johnson tested positive for COVID-19 during the summer. Although the cause of Johnson’s collapse has not been revealed, the coronavirus can lead to myocarditis, a viral infection of the heart muscle. At its most severe, myocarditis can lead to sudden cardiac arrest and has been a documented cause of death for young, otherwise healthy athletes.

UNF’s basketball game against Florida postponed

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The University of North Florida’s game on Wednesday night at Florida has been postponed, the schools announced on Tuesday. The game would have been the Gators’ first since forward Keyontae Johnson collapsed in the fist half of last Saturday’s game at Florida State. Johnson’s parents said Tuesday afternoon that he was in stable condition and continued to make improvements. “Wednesday’s Florida vs. North Florida men’s basketball game has been postponed with a makeup date to be determined,” Florida said in a news release. “Florida basketball and the UAA wish to thank UNF’s coaching staff, administration and team for their flexibility and willingness to make this schedule change.”Johnson was transported to UF Health in Gainesville on Monday.

Report: UF hoops player Johnson in medically induced coma after collapse

University of Florida men’s basketball player Keyontae Johnson is in a medically induced coma following his collapse on the court during a Saturday game against FSU, USA Today reported. According to he report, Johnson’s grandfather, Larry DeJarnett, told USA Today that doctors hoped to try and bring him out of the coma Monday. Florida said in a statement that Johnson had been successfully transferred to UF Health in Gainesville. Johnson had just dunked in transition before he crumpled to the floor as the team broke its huddle. Johnson, a 6-foot-5 junior from Norfolk, Virginia, averaged a team-high 14 points last season to go along with 7.1 rebounds.

Area hoops teams ready to roll for Fortegra hoops tournament

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – It’s almost go time for the third annual Fortegra High School 9:12 Invitational basketball tournament. On Thursday at Fletcher High School, the eight-team boys basketball tournament cranks up. The Fortegra High School 9:12 Invitational boys basketball tournament begins Thursday at Fletcher. (News4Jax)“Each year the tournament gets better and this year is no exception,” said Alan Verlander, Founder and CEO of High School 9:12. “Thanks to our sponsors and partners, we are able to provide an early season showcase that elevates high school basketball throughout our area.

High school basketball: ‘Hope’ for a full season at media day

Lee's Alex Fudge (3) and Tarence Guinyard at the High School 9:12 basketball media day on Tuesday at the Riverside YMCA. JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – High school basketball is right around the corner and Tuesday’s High School 9:12 media day drove that point home. Media day, however different it looked and felt with masks and fist bumps, was a little slice of normalcy in a wild and erratic year. “… It does give hope that we’ll have a full season for these kids.”Field for Fortegra event announcedThe Fortegra High School 9:12 Basketball Invitational makes its third appearance this December at Episcopal. But the return of media day, Paden said, was a sign that the season is close.

Maya Moore now wed, to wrongfully jailed man she helped free

NEW YORK – Basketball star Maya Moore has married Jonathan Irons, the Missouri man she helped work to free from prison after a 22-year-old wrongful conviction. Moore and Irons appeared together on ABC's “Good Morning America” on Wednesday to discuss their social justice efforts — and their relationship. Moore revealed that the two married this year, shortly after Irons was released on July 1. After Moore learned of his case and helped take up his cause, she and Irons developed a friendship on frequent visits to the prison. “I am trying to really just breathe from this long, long battle,” Moore said.

Play ball? Experts send mixed signals on MLB 60-game season

(AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)NEW YORK Thirty baseball teams from 28 cities, trying to play 60 games each amid a coronavirus pandemic that seemingly hasnt peaked in the United States. It could be a disaster.Public health experts have mixed feelings about baseballs hopes to open its season July 23. Unlike the NBA and NHL, Major League Baseball teams won't be sequestered into bubbles they'll be traveling all around the country. MLB has provided teams with a 113-page operations manual detailing protocols for its pandemic-shortened 60-game regular season. I do think that they do provide substantial benefit and decrease the risk of transmission, Adalja said of baseball's off-field protocols.

MLB's testing sweep brings some success but optics are issue

PHOENIX Major League Baseball's COVID-19 testing sweep appears to be having some success even as large swaths of the United States continue to struggle with containing the fast-spreading virus. In addition to five players, one staff member tested positive. The solution here is really to make sure that we expand testing, Adalja told The Associated Press. Testing results will be watched closely as players and coaches disperse around the country, travel on buses and planes, and stay in hotels. Freeman and and pitcher Touki Toussaint who also previously tested positive for the virus worked out at Truist Park on Friday.

Ballparks to use crowd noise from video game during season

Taking a cue from two European soccer leagues, Major League Baseball will play crowd noise from its official video game through ballpark sound systems during games. England's Premier League and Spains La Liga were the first to return to action with crowd sound from video games. Brewers infielder Eric Sogard said Thursday that the crowd noise did help step up the competition for some guys during intrasquad games. The Korean baseball league pipes in crowd noise at stadiums so they are not completely silent but it is barely audible during games aired on ESPN. Some fans and broadcasters are leery of artificial crowd noise because it takes away a unique opportunity to hear players' conversations during games this season.

NHL's older coaches debate wearing masks, taking precautions

In this photo provided by the Dallas Stars NHL hockey team, interim head coach Rick Bowness watches practice in Frisco, Texas, Tuesday, July 14, 2020. You get out there and you miss it, the Dallas Stars coach said. You realize how much you enjoy being out there.The NHLs oldest head coach still worries about COVID-19 but not enough to stop doing his job. Im going to have to adjust to it, there is no question. The average age of the 24 head coaches in the playoffs is just under 54, the second-oldest behind the NBA among North Americas four major professional sports leagues.

News outlets seek to unseal files on Saints owner Tom Benson

News outlets including The Associated Press headed to court Wednesday seeking to unseal court records involving the mental competency of billionaire Tom Benson when he rewrote his will to give his third wife ownership of the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans sports franchises. Attorneys for Benson oppose the request to unseal the proceedings, contending Benson's privacy concerns continue even after his 2018 death. Reese dismissed the lawsuit following eight days of testimony, ruling Benson was mentally sound when he ousted his estranged daughter and grandchildren from ownership positions with his teams. Gayle Benson, a devout Catholic with close ties to Archbishop Gregory Aymond, inherited Benson's business empire and has defended the Saint's public relations work on behalf of the cash-strapped archdiocese, which recently filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The team and church leaders have opposed a request by the AP to release thousands of internal emails documenting the public relations work.

Post-Redskins, Washington has long road toward new nickname

Tuskegee Airmen Inc. said it would be honored and pleased to work with the organization if thats Washingtons new name. Former Washington linebacker Will Compton voiced his support for Red Wolves by saying he liked that name so much hed want to return for a day. Its going to take time to come back to the heyday of Washington winning and having full stadiums and people really supporting them, Derdenger said. Its going to take a long time for this new branded team to get to that point, but its certainly possible. And you know what helps them get to that point quicker is if they win.___More AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL

MLS returns to action after poignant moment of silence

(AP Photo/John Raoux)KISSIMMEE, Fla. Nearly 200 players took the field for an 8-minute, 46-second moment of silence to protest racial injustice before Major League Soccers return to action Wednesday night. Players wore black T-shirts, black gloves and black facemasks emblazoned with Black Lives Matter. The shirts had varying slogans that included Black And Proud, Silence Is Violence and Black All The Time. The group was formerly called the Black Players Coalition of MLS but changed its name this week to Black Players for Change. MLS players had weeks to decide what to do prior to the MLS is Back tournament at ESPNs Wide World of Sports complex at Disney World.

Heartbreaking day - Stanford drops 11 sports to cut costs

Stanford was already facing some difficult financial choices as it tried to support one of the nation's largest athletics departments. Stanford also is eliminating 20 support staff positions. As you can imagine this has been a heartbreaking day for all of us, especially with those student-athletes and coaches involved, athletic director Bernard Muir said. Stanford originally projected a deficit of $12 million for the 2021 fiscal year, a number that more doubled as it faced fewer donations, sponsorships and ticket sales. Muir said the $25 million deficit for 2021 would likely double if the football season is canceled.

The Latest: 2 Brewers test positive; Nats cancel workout

The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world:___Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell says shortstop Luis Urias and pitcher Angel Perdomo tested positive for COVID-19 before the intake process. This marks the second setback for Urias since the Brewers acquired him from San Diego in November. Major League Baseball and the players association announced Friday that 31 players and seven staff members tested positive for COVID-19 during intake for the resumption of training, a rate of 1.2%. Players and staff were tested Friday, and general manager Mike Rizzo says the team still hasnt received its results. The WNBA hopes to start training camp later this week, with the regular season set to begin around July 24.

Report shows $480,000 in donations to cover Pence legal aid

WASHINGTON Donors contributed nearly $480,000 last year to cover Vice President Mike Pences legal expenses from special counsel Robert Muellers probe of Russian meddling in the 2016 elections, according to Pences financial disclosure report. The annual report, released Tuesday, shows that a dozen donors contributed to the trust fund in May of last year. The report states the money was used to pay a bill from McGuireWoods LLP. Many government officials have turned to legal defense funds over the years to finance their legal representation. The report states that every contributor had to certify that they are U.S. citizens, the money came from personal funds and that Pence did not solicit the contribution, among other requirements.

Best basketball prodigy since LeBron? Why Emoni Bates is such a big deal

With one unexpected sentence, Emoni Bates set the basketball world and Twitter on fire Monday afternoon. 1 high school basketball player in the Class of 2022, set off a national reaction of various emotions. Bates played his first two years of high school at Ypsilanti Lincoln High School. Another feeling was elation, particularly for fans of Michigan State basketball, who were understandably jumping for joy over Bates choosing to play for their school/team. pic.twitter.com/WdrG7R5tpc — SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 29, 2020Why Emoni Bates is a big dealMany pundits have called Bates the best basketball prodigy to come out of high school since LeBron James.

Rocky business restart and an enticing offer for MLB

Following are developments Thursday related to the national and global response, the work place and the spread of the virus. Disneyland has pushed back the reopening of its parks in California because state approval will not arrive in time. The company said the state will not issue guidelines until after July 4, not enough time to open within two weeks. MARKETS: Stocks are flat to lower as COVID-19 infections surge in a number of states including Florida, Texas and South Carolina. BOXING MATCH: Professional sports are attempting a comeback even without crowds that have been prohibited because of social distancing rules.

Bubble-free life means MLB players, coaches must be careful

PHOENIX Baseball's bubble-free environment is an anomaly as the sports world tries to come back amid the coronavirus pandemic. Arizona Diamondbacks GM Mike Hazen said he'll be constantly reminding everyone in his organization about the delicacy of the current situation. The younger guys that are single that, you know, tend to be a little bit more social, Woodward said. The first step toward a successful season is getting all the players to their home cities. Chicago White Sox GM Rick Hahn said his team's travel department has a busy week ahead, but that they've been planning on this scenario for quite a while.

Michelle Wie West gives birth to a daughter

Michelle Wie West now has a little one of her own. The former U.S. Women's Open champion announced on Instagram that she and her husband, Golden State Warriors executive Jonnie West, are parents of a daughter born Friday. Kenna baby, I have waited my entire life to meet you, Wie, the former U.S. Women's Open champion, wrote on Instagram. They named her Makenna Kamalei Yoona West. Kamalei is a Hawaiian for beloved child.Wie and West, the son of NBA great Jerry West, were married in August.

Around sports world, Juneteenth celebrated like never before

Weve never posted about Juneteenth, but it is always the right time to do better than before," read a tweet posted by the New England Patriots. The Miami Heat celebrated the day with a pledge to make financial contributions and other commitments to organizations trying to eliminate racial inequality. Hockey's San Jose Sharks told fans that it was fine to not know where to start when it comes to understanding the significance of Juneteenth. In recognition of Juneteenth, our front office is starting a new tradition," read a statement on the Sharks' site. As an organization, we will be dedicating time on this day each year to actively participate in Juneteenth.

NFL commissioner Goodell encourages team to sign Kaepernick

FILE - In this Dec. 12, 2018, file photo, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell speaks during a news conference in Irving, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero, File)Roger Goodell would like to see Colin Kaepernick back in the NFL this season. The NFL commissioner said during ESPN's The Return of Sports special on Monday that he is encouraging teams to sign the 32-year old quarterback, who hasn't played the past three seasons. If he wants to resume his career in the NFL, then obviously its gonna take a team to make that decision. I hope were at a point now where everybodys committed to making long-term, sustainable change, Goodell said.

What Would Have Been: US Open final round for Father's Day

FILE - In this June 16, 2019, file photo, Gary Woodland poses with the trophy after winning the U.S. Open Championship golf tournament in Pebble Beach, Calif. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the golf to watch on Father's Day this year will not be the U.S. Open as is usually the case. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)The golf to watch on Father's Day this year won't be the U.S. Open as is usually the case. There also will be no live baseball to watch this week from either the major leagues or the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska. TRIVIA BREAK: When was the last time the U.S. Open wasn't played on Father's Day? TRIVIA ANSWER: 1975, when the U.S. Open finished on June 22, the week after Father's Day.

Heat is on: Hectic NASCAR tests drained drivers at Homestead

And after an exhausting few days, NASCAR is about to offer another daunting test at Homestead-Miami Speedway. I think its a great test of will. Its a great test to the drivers. And several drivers, Wallace included, severed ties with a popular helmet designer this week over social media posts largely related to the flag. Track officials at Homestead are renaming one of the facilitys trademarks, the tunnel at Turn 3 that leads drivers into the track, in Johnsons honor.

Not magic? Disney sues Florida county over property taxes

ORLANDO, Fla. One thing that is not magic to Walt Disney World is the property taxes it must pay to a Florida county. Disney is once again suing the Orange County property appraiser over 2019 tax assessments for its theme parks, resorts, employee buildings and other structures. The Orlando Sentinel reports that Property Appraiser Rick Singh says the Disney complex has been undervalued for years. According to the Disney lawsuits, Singh listed the assessed value for the Magic Kingdom the worlds busiest theme park at $504 million. Disney World has been closed due to the coronavirus pandemic and plans a phased reopening starting July 11.

Ill-considered posts lead to lost jobs amid protests, crisis

Craig Gore, who has worked on the shows S.W.A.T. and Chicago P.D., was fired Tuesday from the forthcoming Law & Order: Organized Crime spin-off because of Facebook posts. Many others from public-facing institutions and businesses have been sanctioned, demoted, suspended or fired for impolitic statements online in recent days. A Denver officer was fired Tuesday for writing Lets start a riot as the caption to an Instagram picture of himself and two fellow officers smiling in riot gear. An officer in Fulton, New York, posted an Instagram image that read, Black lives only matter to black people unless they are killed by a white person and found himself out of a job. These people who are getting fired or resigning, they're not realizing this.___Follow AP Entertainment Writer Andrew Dalton on Twitter: https://twitter.com/andyjamesdalton.

What Would Have Been: Triple Crown finale and French finals

The Belmont Stakes usually wraps up a five-week span that includes the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness. All have been pushed back, though the Belmont Stakes will now go first on June 20. (Richard Rasmussen/The Sentinel-Record via AP, File)The final leg of horse racing's Triple Crown would have been set and the French Open finals would have been contested this week if not for the coronavirus pandemic. All have been pushed back, though the Belmont Stakes will now go first on June 20. TRIVIA BREAK: With the Belmont Stakes being the first Triple Crown race this year, followed by the Kentucky Derby on Sept. 5 and the Preakness on Oct. 3, the Triple Crown will be run out of its usual order for the first time since when?

Wilson, Rapinoe, Bird to host remote ESPYS feting heroism

Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, soccer star Megan Rapinoe and three-time WNBA champion Sue Bird will preside over The ESPYS two-hour broadcast airing June 21 on ESPN. Rapinoe and Bird are partners who share a household, which conveniently eases some logistics. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)LOS ANGELES Its a way different kind of year, and so The ESPYs will be, too. Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, soccer star Megan Rapinoe and three-time WNBA champion Sue Bird will preside over the two-hour broadcast airing June 21 on ESPN. Comedy and music are always part of the show, and Wilson, Rapinoe and Bird will get a chance to show off a sense of humor.