In Brief: Taurasi retires from basketball
PHOENIX (AP) — Diana Taurasi is retiring after 20 seasons, ending one of the greatest careers in women’s basketball history.
“Mentally and physically, I’m just full,” Taurasi told Time.
“That’s probably the best way I can describe it. I’m full and I’m happy.”
The WNBA’s career scoring leader and a three-time league champion, Taurasi announced her retirement on Tuesday in an interview with Time magazine.
The Phoenix Mercury — the only WNBA team she played for — also confirmed her decision.
The 42-year-old won her sixth Olympic gold medal at the Paris Games and finishes her WNBA career with 10,646 points, nearly 3,000 more than second-place Tina Charles.
She led UConn to three consecutive national titles
Taurasi kept winning after the Phoenix Mercury selected her at No. 1 overall in the 2004 WNBA draft.
RAVENS GM SPEAKS ON TUCKER
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Baltimore Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta considers the mounting allegations of inappropriate sexual behavior against kicker Justin Tucker “serious” and “concerning.”
He said Tuesday the team will let the NFL’s investigation play out before determining how to proceed.
The Baltimore Banner reported that 16 massage therapists in the Baltimore area have accused Tucker of inappropriate behavior.
DeCosta says he has met with Tucker but declined to provide specifics of the conversation.
The Ravens have instituted a zero-tolerance policy but DeCosta says the team will apply that policy on a case-by-case basis.
BENGALS PLAN TO PAY WR CHASE
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The Cincinnati Bengals plan to make All-Pro wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL.
Coach Zac Taylor added the team also wants to extend Tee Higgins’ contract and continue giving Joe Burrow the playmakers that help make one of the league’s most dynamic passing attacks.
Chase led the league in receptions (127), yards receiving (1,708) and touchdown catches (17) this past season.
He is just the sixth wide receiver in the Super Bowl era to achieve the receiving triple crown.
The Bengals picked up his fifth-year option of $21.816 million, but will give him a long-term deal in the range of $40 million per year.
Higgins played last season on the $21.8 million franchise tag.