Newsmakers
Suspended The Houston Rockets suspended first-round pick Royce White for “refusing to provide services” required by his contract on Sunday. General manager Daryl Morey said the team will continue to work with White in hopes of finding a resolution. White will not be paid during his suspension. White refused his assignment to Houston’s D-League affiliate a week ago. The 16th overall pick in the June draft has spent most of the season on Houston’s inactive list while he and the team figure out how to handle his anxiety disorder and overall mental health. He missed the first week of training camp to work with the Rockets to create an arrangement to deal with his anxiety disorder within the demands of the NBA’s travel schedule. He and the team agreed to allow him to travel by bus to some games while he confronted his fear of flying and obsessive- compulsive disorder. He stopped participating in team activities early in the season and said on Twitter that dealing with his mental health took precedence over his NBA career.
Returning Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray says he is returning for his senior season. Murray announced on his Twitter account Sunday night he won’t leave early to enter the NFL draft. Murray, a fourth-year junior, already has graduated.
Named Los Angeles Galaxy defender Omar Gonzalez will return to the U.S. national team after a two-year absence, while Landon Donovan was left off the Americans’ training camp roster. Gonzalez was among 25 mostly U.S.-based players selected by coach Jurgen Klinsmann for a camp before a Jan. 29 exhibition against Canada at Houston. The Americans then will call in their regulars for the opening game of the final round of World Cup qualifying, Feb. 6 at Honduras. Two Seattle Sounders made the squad: midfielder Brad Evans and forward Eddie Johnson.
Ordered Arizona sophomore running back Ka’Deem Carey had a protection order issued against him stemming from an incident before Christmas, a person familiar with the situation told the Associated Press. No other details were available.
Decided Vanderbilt wide receiver Jordan Matthews will return for his senior season instead of entering the NFL draft a year early. Matthews led the SEC this season with a school-record 1,323 yards receiving, which is also the fifth-most in league history.
Died Arena Football League player Chandler Williams has died. He was 27. The AFL said Williams died while playing in a local flag football tournament in South Florida. The league did not release a cause of death.