Georgia State coach injured in celebration
The joy of reaching the NCAA Tournament had a damaging effect on Georgia State coach Ron Hunter.
While celebrating his team’s 38-36 win over Georgia Southern on Sunday in the Sun Belt Conference championship game, which gave Georgia State an automatic berth in the NCAA Tournament, Hunter tore his Achilles tendon, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.,
Hunter had to be helped from the court and was on crutches afterward, but was still smiling.
The basket was even lowered so he could cut down the net.
The Panthers won despite being without one of their stars, Ryan Harrow. Hunter’s son, R.J. Hunter, was the Sun Belt player of the year and had nine points on 3-of-15 shooting on Sunday.
Former Georgetown coach Thompson recovering from surgery
Former Georgetown coach John Thompson Jr. is home recovering after undergoing intestinal surgery less than two weeks ago, the school said in a statement Sunday.
The 74-year-old Hall of Famer had corrective surgery for a benign twisted intestine.
Thompson, the father of current Georgetown head coach John Thompson III, guided the Hoyas to the NCAA championship in 1984, becoming the first African American head coach to win a major college national title.
Thompson did not attend the Big East tournament for his duties as a color commentator for Westwood One as a radio analyst. The Hoyas lost in the semifinals but were expected to receive an at-large berth for the NCAA Tournament.
Clippers’ Griffin cleared to return
Los Angeles Clippers power forward Blake Griffin, out the last 15 games with an elbow injury, has been cleared to return Sunday against the Houston Rockets.
Griffin had surgery five weeks ago to remove a staph infection in his right elbow.
“He said, ‘I’m ready,’” Clippers coach Doc Rivers said before Sunday’s game. “Yesterday the trainers called me and said, ‘If he can go, he can go. He’s been cleared.’”
Rivers said timing likely will be an adjustment for Griffin.
In 51 games this season, Griffin is averaging 22.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 5.1 assists.
Mets pitcher to undergo Tommy John surgery
New York Mets left-hander reliever Josh Edgin has elected to undergo Tommy John surgery and will miss this season.
Team doctor David Altchek will perform the procedure this week at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan, general manager Sandy Alderson said Sunday.
Edgin, 28, had sought a second opinion from Dr. James Andrews before committing to the elbow surgery.
Edgin posted a 1.32 ERA in 47 appearances last season, holding left-handed hitters to a .217 on-base percentage.
Yankees reassign 10 to minors
The New York Yankees reassigned 10 players to their minor league camp Sunday, including right-handed prospect Luis Severino.
The 21-year-old Severino tossed 2 2/3 innings this spring, striking out five, but he had a 6.75 ERA. In the last three years in the minors, he has thrown 221 innings and is 14-6 overall with a 2.24 ERA.
Other players reassigned included catcher Trent Garrison, right-hander Nick Goody, catcher Juan Graterol, left-hander James Pazos, right-hander Diego Moreno and left-hander Tyler Webb.
Following Sunday’s spring game, the Yankees also reassigned outfielder Jake Cave, infielder Cito Culver and outfielder Aaron Judge to minor league camp.