Brent Sutter steps down as Devils coach
A homesick Brent Sutter resigned as the coach of the New Jersey Devils after only two seasons, citing family reasons and scoffing at the idea that some may criticize him for leaving so soon.
“It might not be the right decision for some people, and that’s fine,” Sutter said in a conference call from his home in Red Deer, Canada. “I don’t look at it like I am quitting on anything. I threw two years of my life and made a big commitment 3,000 miles away from where my life was and tried to do everything I possibly could to accomplish a goal. So by me doing that my life has suffered in other areas, and those areas to me are bigger than the game.”
Sutter said the Devils’ crushing loss to the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 7 of their first-round Eastern Conference playoff series had nothing to do with his decision.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Reynolds to stay at Villanova
Villanova’s Scottie Reynolds will return to school for his senior season.
The Wildcats’ star point guard removed his name from the 2009 NBA draft pool.
Reynolds averaged 15.2 points last season as the Wildcats reached their first Final Four since winning the national championship in 1985.
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Brigham Young Coach Dave Rose had emergency surgery to remove his spleen after experiencing internal bleeding over the weekend. The school says Rose could take several weeks to recover from the surgery and his assistants will assume his duties.
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North Carolina forward Jessica Breland is being treated for Hodgkin’s lymphoma. School officials said that the women’s basketball team’s leading returning scorer is undergoing chemotherapy treatments at UNC Hospitals that are expected to continue into the fall.
It’s unclear whether Breland will be able to play in the 2009-10 season.
PRO BASKETBALL
76ers acquire shooter Kapono
The Philadelphia 76ers have traded forward Reggie Evans to the Toronto Raptors for shooter and former UCLA standout Jason Kapono.
Philadelphia General Manager Ed Stefanski says the trade addresses Philadelphia’s goal of getting better from the perimeter. Kapono’s .454 shooting percentage on three-pointers is tied with Steve Kerr for the best in NBA history.
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Forwards Jermaine O’Neal and Yakhouba Diawara of the Miami Heat have exercised options to remain under contract for next season.
TENNIS
Federer bows out of tournament
Roger Federer pulled out of the Gerry Weber Open in Halle, Germany, his usual grass-court warmup for Wimbledon, saying he is “overwhelmed” and “exhausted” after his French Open win.
The withdrawal came two days after Federer’s record-tying 14th Grand Slam victory at the French Open, the only major title that had been missing from his resume.
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Rafael Nadal will travel to London next Tuesday in hopes of defending his Wimbledon title despite having played with pain in his knees for months. The top-ranked Spaniard said in a statement that after two days of medical tests in Barcelona he has decided to try physical therapy to prepare for the tournament, which starts June 22.
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Former No. 1 Ana Ivanovic has split with coach Craig Kardon. The Serb had hired Kardon on a temporary basis in February to replace Sven Groeneveld. Ivanovic will use temporary coaches for Eastbourne and Wimbledon this month.
ETC.
Montana chooses Washington
Westlake Village Oaks Christian High quarterback Nick Montana, son of Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Montana and one of the top high school prospects heading into next season, has committed to Washington, according to Coach Bill Redell.
-- Eric Sondheimer
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Pro golfer Ken Green’s brother and girlfriend were killed in a recreational vehicle accident in which Green also was hurt.
Green, a five-time winner on the PGA Tour who now plays on the Champions Tour, was flown to University Medical Center in Jackson, Miss., for treatment of unspecified injuries, and was listed in good condition in intensive care.
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Washington pitcher Danielle Lawrie, who led her team to the Women’s College World Series title, has won the Honda Award as the nation’s top college softball player.
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Belmont Stakes runner-up Dunkirk has had surgery for a leg injury but is expected to return to racing as early as this fall.
