THURSDAY, JUNE 8, 2017 SPORTS

Pittsburgh, graduate transfer at odds over move to UNC

RALEIGH: Former Pittsburgh guard his staff seem very confident and com- UNC cannot comment on players yet ball for Virginia in 2015 and former scholarship at another ACC school, Cameron Johnson wants to play imme- fortable with the procedures, so I am to formally sign with the school. If Virginia Tech guard Adam Smith play- though he was also told he must sit out diately at North Carolina as a graduate optimistic. And hopefully these adults Johnson doesn’t gain his release and ing his final basketball season at and “serve a year of residence” due to transfer. The Panthers aren’t going along will do the right thing by Cam.” remains committed to play at UNC, he in 2015-16 - though both NCAA rules. with that plan. NCAA rules allow transfers who have would lose one of his remaining seasons were one-year cases. But Johnson said the NCAA notified Pitt believes the 6-foot-8 Johnson earned their degrees to play immediate- of eligibility. Gil Johnson said his son Johnson graduated in three years, him last week that the residence require- should sit out a year if he goes to anoth- ly. However, schools and conferences picked UNC over programs such as including a medical redshirt season in ment doesn’t apply to graduate trans- er Atlantic Coast Conference school can have their own policies for granting Kentucky, Arizona, UCLA and Oregon. 2014-15, and would provide the Tar fers. Rather, he writes, the NCAA said the instead of playing immediately as a a release from a year-to-year scholarship “I started this process believing that Heels with perimeter scoring to help bylaw requires athletes to be either graduate transfer with two seasons of agreement. In this case, Pitt has cited an having graduated from Pitt, I should replace departed AP All-American Justin immediately eligible or “totally denied” eligibility. Johnson said Tuesday he has internal policy regarding immediate eli- have instantly been granted an uncondi- Jackson. Johnson averaged 11.9 points from attending a school. committed to play for the reigning gibility for transfers within the confer- tional release,” Cameron Johnson writes and 4.5 rebounds while shooting nearly Johnson said Pitt “did not interpret national champion Tar Heels in Chapel ence or to a team on the next year’s in his open letter. “I feel that should be 42 percent on 3-pointers last season. the NCAA rule correctly.” “Now that I Hill and issued an open letter saying Pitt schedule. available to any student-athlete who It’s unclear if the disagreement could have learned that their attempt to make is wrong to stand in his way. “The University of Pittsburgh fol- earns their degree. Unfortunately, Pitt lead to legal action, though Johnson ref- me sit a year before competing at an In an interview with The Associated lowed the NCAA processes and our insti- has continued to try and my wish erences “my family’s legal counsel” at ACC school is against NCAA rules, I see Press, his father said Tuesday night he tutional policies as they are written,” the to attend North Carolina.” one in his letter. no reason why the faculty committee, or doesn’t know how the situation will turn school’s athletics department said in a There is no ACC rule barring a gradu- Pitt’s policy isn’t the only confusion in anybody associated with Pitt, should be out. “I am optimistic, but I don’t know statement Tuesday night. “The NCAA is ate transfer from being immediately eli- the case. Johnson writes that he able to reverse a ruling they already what to expect,” said Gil Johnson, him- currently evaluating the graduate trans- gible after moving within the league. In appealed the school’s position during a made,” Johnson writes. “Quite simply, I self a former Pitt basketball player from fer rule and its application to this situa- fact, there are recent examples, such as May 2 hearing and was soon granted should be immediately eligible at North 1988-90. UNC coach Roy Williams “and tion. We are awaiting their response.” UNC receiver T.J. Thorpe playing foot- permission to “immediately receive” a Carolina.” — AP

Lynch decided on comeback after Raiders announced move

ALAMEDA: For Marshawn Lynch, the deci- ring at Oakland Technical High School and sion to come out of retirement and resume then going on to play college ball at nearby his NFL career was made as soon as the California. Even during an NFL career that league announced his hometown Raiders took him to Buffalo and Seattle, Lynch were leaving for Las Vegas. always kept close ties to the community Lynch wanted to give Oakland fans one that raised him. last chance to cheer an Oakland native Since joining the Raiders, Lynch has playing for an Oakland team. “Maybe them been a regular participant in the offseason staying probably wouldn’t have been so program, unlike during his time in Seattle, big for me to want to come and play,” he and he generated buzz when coach Jack said Tuesday in his first news conference Del Rio posted a video Monday of Lynch since joining the Raiders in April. “But running for a TD during practice. knowing that they were leaving and a lot of “I think it’s a testament to Marshawn as the kids here probably won’t have an a whole,” offensive coordinator Todd opportunity to see most of their idols Downing said earlier this spring. “Yeah, he growing up being a hometown no more. hadn’t really been an offseason attendee, With me being from here, continuing to be but he showed it’s important to him to here, it gives them an opportunity to get to integrate himself, not only in the offense, see somebody that’s actually from where but just in the locker room and with the they’re from and for the team that they coaching staff.” probably idolize.” The Raiders will be hoping to see plenty The NFL approved the Raiders’ proposed more of that from the 31-year-old Lynch move to Las Vegas starting in the 2020 sea- once the regular season starts. Lynch was son on March 27. The following week, perhaps the best power back in the league Lynch visited the Raiders to talk about the before he retired. He had double digits in possibility of coming out of retirement. touchdown runs every season from 2011 to That happened three weeks later when 2014, and his 51 TDs on the ground are the OAKLAND: #23 and #35 of the speaks at a postgame press conference following their 132- Seattle agreed to trade Lynch’s rights to most in the NFL since 2011 even though he 113 win over the Cavaliers in Game 2 of the 2017 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 4, 2017 in Oakland, California. — AFP Oakland in a deal that included a swap of played just seven games in 2015 and was late-round picks in 2018. Lynch retired last season. BASKETBALL agreed to a restructured $9 million, two- Lynch’s 245 broken tackles since the year deal that includes incentives that start of the 2013 season are 66 more than could increase the value even more. any other player in that span, according to There were billboards welcoming Lynch Pro Football Focus. Warriors focus on crown, back home and palpable excitement for He averaged 3.8 yards per carry in his Oakland fans. “It was heartfelt,” Lynch said. limited action in 2015 before retiring. “At the end of the day, I still walk outside. Before that, he was one of the game’s Besides the billboards and all of that, I real- top running backs, with more than 1,200 not historic unbeaten run ly just get out with the people. The bill- yards rushing in each of the previous boards are for the commercial people. four seasons. He has already become CLEVELAND: A year after making history but games might have taken focus on the title then having to restart and go to the playoffs. When you get outside and you walk in the popular with his new teammates falling one game short of an NBA title, the quest last year, but Curry said he had no “But honestly I wouldn’t regret those deci- cracks you get to find out what’s real.” because of his fierce loyalty and willing- Golden State Warriors are focused on captur- regrets about how Golden State handled the sions at all. We were one game away from win- Lynch was born and raised in Oakland, star- ness to joke around.— AP ing the crown, not a possible unbeaten playoff situation. ning a championship, so I don’t think you can run. The Warriors remained perfect in the 2017 “That was a decision that we had talked second guess that that much. post-season by sweeping the first two games about and we had discussed as a group,” Curry “This situation, it’s nice to be able to just of the NBA Finals at home and enter game said. “I don’t know if there may be have been a turn the page and focus on winning the cham- three Wednesday at Cleveland on a record 14-0 little bit of a mental fatigue when it comes to pionship and in its purest form and that’s what playoff win streak-two wins shy of the first just how much it took to get that 73 done and we’re about right now.” — AFP undefeated run to a championship. “We want 15-0. That’s what we want,” Warriors coach said Tuesday, his ver- Jets continue purge, part sion of taking one win at a time. “We literally have never once mentioned 16-0. To me it’s a miracle that it’s even a possibility. It’s so hard ways with vets Harris, Decker to do.” The difference between making history FLORHAM PARK: David Harris was just the lat- cussing a salary reduction. and taking the title was put in clear perspec- est veteran player shown the door in what has “They didn’t come to an agreement and we tive last year when the Warriors won an NBA been an offseason purge by the New York Jets. didn’t come to an agreement, and it led to record 73 regular-season games but lost the Eric Decker will be the next to leave. And, this,” Bowles said. “It wasn’t an easy time. David finals to Cleveland, squandering a 3-1 edge in there could be more to come. On a dreary has been a Jet all his life. He ... bled green.” The the best-of-seven series and falling to the Tuesday that will be remembered by Jets fans move was particularly surprising because of greatest comeback in finals history. for fond farewells to two of their favorites, Harris’ status as the Jets’ longest-tenured play- “We’re more focused on what happened last Harris was released and Decker was told he er - and it being so late in the offseason. year in terms of we were up 2-0 and we came will be traded or cut . The two moves will save In a statement released to The Associated here and the series shifted,” Kerr said. “That’s the Jets $13.75 million in salary cap space. Press, Harris’ agents Brian Mackler and Jim Ivler Thomas Roehler the important lesson, not any historical bench- “These are tough decisions to make on all called the timing of the decision “very disap- marks or anything like that. It’s definitely not of our players,” general manager Mike pointing.” “The Jets could have done this prior ATHLETICS something we’re focused on.” Maccagnan said. “Going forward, we have a sit- to free agency instead of waiting three The Warriors, who won 113-91 and 132-113 uation where we have some flexibility now. months,” the statement said, “especially for a at home over the Cavaliers, swept Portland, We’ll see how that unfolds going forward.” player who has exhibited nothing but loyalty Rome look to javelin star Utah and San Antonio to reach the finals. Harris and Decker join what has become a and class for 10 years.” They surpassed the 13-win streaks of the lengthy list of veterans who have been sent Maccagnan declined to disclose details of 1980s Los Angeles Lakers and the 2016-17 packing during the past few months. That the negotiations between the sides. “You go Roehler to rock Olimpico to set the record, although includes cornerback Darrelle Revis, Nick through this process and there’s always differ- “Showtime” Lakers star claimed Mangold, wide receiver Brandon Marshall, ent times to do things,” Maccagnan said. “I MILAN: The absence of Jamaican sprint pion Keshorn Walcott of Trinidad and Monday his squad would have swept the kicker Nick Folk, offensive tackle Breno don’t know if there’s a good or a bad time to legend Usain Bolt has Rome Diamond Tobago, and a trio of world champions in Warriors in a series. Giacomini and safety Marcus Gilchrist, who do this, but this is obviously something we dis- League organisers turning their eyes sky- Julius Yego, Vitezslav Vesely and Tero Hearing that, Warriors forward Draymond were cut; Calvin Pryor, who was traded last cussed as an organization.” wards today in the hope German javelin Pitkamaki. Green began a long period of laughter before week to Cleveland; and quarterbacks Ryan Nicknamed “The Hitman” for his knack for star Thomas Roehler raises the roof with On the track, highly-fancied American saying, “That’s my thoughts.” The best record Fitzpatrick and Geno Smith, who were allowed making big tackles, the 33-year-old Harris had another stellar performance. Ronnie Baker lines up hoping to hold off for any champion in NBA playoff history to become free agents. at least 113 in every season but his second, Bolt, who is set to retire from athletics the threat of Frenchman Jimmy Vicaut, belongs to the 2001 Los Angeles Lakers, who Both Harris and Decker participated in when he had 87 after missing six games with this year, will only make his European who has run 9.97secs this year, in the 100m went 15-1 to claim the crown, their only loss in practice during organized team activities on an injury. He ranks second to only Kyle Clifton debut-ahead of the London world champi- following a wind-aided 9.86secs (2.4m/s) the opening game of the finals. Tuesday. A few hours later, coach Todd Bowles (1,471) on the team’s career list with 1,260 onships in August-at the Czech Golden victory in Eugene. confirmed that Harris had been cut. The play- tackles, according to stats compiled by the Spikes event in Ostrava on June 28. The women’s 100m features a head-to- ‘A HUGE HURDLE’ making linebacker’s release was a stunning team. Harris has never been a flashy guy off The second of 14 Diamond League head between Dutchwoman Dafne The Warriors know history can be bitter- move in which the team parted ways with one the field, preferring to keep out of the New meetings spread over 13 different coun- Schippers, the 2015 world 200m champi- sweet. There are four championship banners in of its most-productive and well-respected York spotlight despite his status as one of the tries, Rome-in spite of Bolt’s absence-offers on, and American Tianna Bartoletta, the the team’s practice facility and a much smaller players. The team and the second-round draft Jets’ best players in recent years. His humble up an all-star cast featuring 36 medallists 2016 Olympic long jump champion- one to commemorate 73 wins. pick out of Michigan in 2007, second on the approach made him a favorite of teammates from the 2016 Rio Olympics, and a world although Schippers has been fastest this “We have a huge hurdle to get over tomor- franchise’s career list in tackles, had been dis- and fans alike.—AP record attempt in the women’s 5000m for year, setting a 10.95 in April. row,” Warriors guard said. “To Ethiopia’s Genzebe Dibaba. With a season’s best of 20.41, Canada’s give ourselves a chance at even coming close And Roehler would be forgiven for Olympic silver medallist Andre De Grasse to thinking about (16-0), we need to really just wanting to snatch the spotlight-in Doha leads the men’s 200m field ahead of lock in on how hard this 48 minutes is going to last month, the German threw the spear a Frenchman Christophe Lemaitre (21.22) be to really seize control of this series. massive 93.90 metres. and Panamanian Alonso Edward, who has “We talked about it before — 16-0 doesn’t Although well short of Jan Zelezny’s won the last three editions of the Diamond matter in any stretch of the imagination unless world mark of 98.48m, set in 1996, Race. In the absence of Jamaican hurdles that’s a closeout game. And that’s the opportu- Roehler’s throw was the second best of all king Omar McLeod, American world record nity in front of us, because all it is is just win- time, the furthest in 20 years and gave an holder Aries Merritt, the fastest in the field ning a championship and doing what you indication of what’s to come from the 25- this year in 13.13sec, can step into the need to do to get that done. year-old Olympic champion. spotlight-although Spain’s Olympic silver “Tomorrow is another step in that direction “I did not see that coming. I did not medallist Orlando Ortega (13.15) and that we need to be ready for.” expect that in the first start of the season,” Britain’s Andrew Pozzi (13.19) could also be Complacency will not be setting in for the Roehler said in Doha on May 5. in contention. Warriors, Green vowed. “There’s no feeling of “I’m second best ever. It will take some The entire women’s pole vault podium we’re almost there. You’ve got to play every days to realise that.” from Rio-Katerini Stefanidi of Greece, game like you’re down. If you can keep that With ideal conditions set to grace the American Sandi Morris and New Zealand’s mindset you’ll eventually reach the goal,” Italian capital on the 37th edition of the Eliza McCartney-will reunite, with Cuba’s Green said. “But to say we’re up 2-0, we’re Golden Gala Pietro Mennea, Roehler will world champion Yarisley Silva and Britain’s good, we still got two more games to win and be looking for more heroics competing Holly Bradshaw looking to play the upset- those two will be way harder than the first New York Jets team from a field including 2012 Olympic cham- ters. —AFP two.” Green had said that the effort to win 73