Loyola fires Swoopes after player mistreatment investigation
Loyola fired women’s basketball coach Sheryl Swoopes after a lengthy investigation into allegations of player mistreatment.
Loyola University Chicago made the announcement Sunday night with a three-sentence statement.
After the conclusion of the 2015-16 season, 10 of the 12 remaining Loyola players asked to be released from their scholarships. Several players reached out to the Chicago Tribune and alleged player mistreatment from Swoopes.
Loyola launched an investigation in April and the university later hired a law firm to assist with the investigation and interviewing of players.
“Sheryl Swoopes is no longer serving as the women’s basketball coach at Loyola University Chicago,” the school’s statement read. “A search for her replacement will begin immediately. Loyola thanks Sheryl for her service to the women’s basketball program.”
Swoopes had a 31-62 record in three seasons at Loyola, including 14-16 last season. She received a contract extension after her first season that ran through 2017-18.
Swoopes, a three-time Olympic gold medalist and three-time most valuable player of the WNBA, was elected in April to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Nationals activate reliever Papelbon
The Washington Nationals activated righthanded closer Jonathan Papelbon from the disabled list on Monday.
Papelbon, 35, returns to the Nationals after missing 19 games with a right intercostal strain. The veteran appeared in three rehab games with Class A Potomac on June 27 and Double-A Harrisburg on Friday and Saturday. He threw a scoreless inning each time out, walking one and striking out three in the three innings pitched. He did not allow a hit.
With 365 career saves, Papelbon ranks 10th on the all-time saves list (and third among active players). At the time he was placed on the disabled list on June 14, Papelbon ranked seventh in the National League with 16 saves, and he has converted 23 of 27 save opportunities since joining the Nationals on July 29, 2015. His 16 saves are still good enough for 10th in the NL this season.
Diamondbacks’ Greinke placed on disabled list
The Arizona Diamondbacks placed righthander Zack Greinke on the 15-day disabled list Sunday due to a lingering oblique injury.
Greinke departed Tuesday’s start against Philadelphia after two innings due to tightness in his left oblique. An MRI exam performed Saturday displayed a strain.
The disabled list move was made retroactive to June 29 and the Diamondbacks are optimistic Greinke will be recovered when play resumes after the All-Star break on July 15.
Greinke signed a six-year, $206.5 million deal with the Diamondbacks during the offseason and got off to a slow start. He has won his last seven decisions and is 10-3 with a 3.62 ERA.
Knicks bringing in Jennings to back up Rose
New York and free-agent Brandon Jennings have agreed to terms for the 26-year-old point guard to join the Knicks.
Jennings, who will be the backup to recently acquired Derrick Rose, confirmed that he will join the Knicks this upcoming season on his Twitter account.
Reports say the deal is worth $5 million for one year.
Jennings has battled injuries the past couple of seasons with the most serious setback coming midway through the 2014-15 season when he ruptured his left Achilles.
For his career, Jennings has averaged 15.5 points, 5.9 assists and 1.3 steals per game.
But his play has suffered since the injury.
Last season with Detroit and Orlando, he averaged just 6.9 points and 3.5 assists in 18.1 minutes.