Newsmakers

Wed., April 8, 2015

Declared Arizona forward Rondae Hollis-Jefferson said Tuesday he will forgo his final two years of eligibility and declare for the NBA draft. An athletic 6-foot-7 sophomore, Hollis-Jefferson was the catalyst for Arizona’s defense the past two seasons and averaged 11.2 points and 6.8 rebounds last season.

Hired VCU has hired former assistant Will Wade to replace Shaka Smart as its basketball coach. The 32-year-old Wade spent the past two seasons as the head coach at Chattanooga, going 40-25. He is the first assistant Smart hired six years ago.

Comeback 18-time Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps will return to competition from a six-month suspension in the Arena Pro Swim Series April 15-18 in Mesa, Arizona.

Suspended New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount has been suspended for the first game next season for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy.

Filed Former NFL kicker Lawrence Tynes has filed a lawsuit against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers over a MRSA infection he contracted in a toe on his kicking foot, prematurely ending his career. His attorney said the infection cost Tynes, 36, at least $20 million in potential earnings.

Met A person with knowledge of the situation tells The Associated Press that Adrian Peterson has met with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell regarding reinstatement of the Minnesota Vikings running back from the personal conduct policy suspension that was invoked last season. The meeting included other representatives from each side and lasted about an hour and a half at league headquarters in New York.

Winner A sixth-grade boy from suburban Chicago completed a near-perfect bracket predicting the NCAA men’s basketball tournament, finishing in a tie for first in ESPN’s popular annual contest. Sam Holtz said ESPN officials told him that he is ineligible to claim the top prize – a $20,000 gift card – because he is 12 years old. The tournament includes 67 games and Holtz missed only six.

Signed The Minnesota Vikings have signed center John Sullivan to a contract extension, giving him a raise and adding one year to his deal to cover the 2017 season.

Out Chicago Blackhawks center Brad Richards will miss the final three games of the regular season with an upper-body injury, the team announced.

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Newsmakers

Jesse Tinsley

Jim Meehan

Molly Quinn

Rob Curley

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