Here are the AP’s top sports stories that have moved or are planned to move today. All times U.S. Eastern. For up-to-the minute information on AP’s coverage, visit AP Newsroom’s Coverage Plan. Sports content can be found at http://newsroom.ap.org/page/APSports.

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UPCOMING

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BKW--NCAA-UCONN-FREE FURNITURE

DESCRIPTION: Some UConn fans have more in mind than national titles. Furniture they bought will be free if both the men’s and women’s teams reach the championship games.

UPCOMING: By 04/02/2026 3:00 p.m. EDT, Text, Photo

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BKW--AP COACH OF THE YEAR

DESCRIPTION: The Associated Press will announce its coach of the year in women’s college basketball, chosen by the media who votes for the weekly Top 25. By Doug Feinberg. Text, photos. Announcement at 3 p.m. Eastern. Ceremony at 7:45 p.m. Eastern.

UPCOMING: By 04/02/2026 3:00 p.m. EDT, Text, Photo

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BKW--AP PLAYER OF THE YEAR

DESCRIPTION: The Associated Press will announce its player of the year in women’s college basketball, chosen by the media who votes for the weekly Top 25. By Doug Feinberg. Text, photos. Announcement at 4 p.m. Eastern. Ceremony at 7:45 p.m. Eastern.

UPCOMING: By 04/02/2026 4:00 p.m. EDT, Text, Photo

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SOC-WOMEN’S CHAMPIONS LEAGUE-ROUNDUP

DESCRIPTION: Real Madrid plays at Barcelona and Lyon hosts Wolfsburg in the return leg of their Champions League quarterfinals.

UPCOMING: By 04/02/2026 4:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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GLF--AUGUSTA NATIONAL AMATEUR

DESCRIPTION: EVANS, Ga. -- Maria Jose Marin shares the lead going into the second round of the Augusta National Women’s Amateur. The cut to top 30 and ties determines who plays the final round at the home of the Masters. By Golf Writer Doug Ferguson. Upcoming: 600 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 04/02/2026 4:00 p.m. EDT, Text, Photo

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BKW--POLL AT 50-GREATEST PLAYERS

DESCRIPTION: The Associated Press is marking the 50th anniversary of the AP Women’s Basketball Poll with the AP Top 25 Fan Poll Experience. The greatest players of the women’s poll era, selected by a 13-member panel, were honored Thursday at the Final Four, along with Delta State University, the first No. 1 team in the inaugural 1976 poll. By Alanis Thames. 350 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 04/02/2026 6:00 p.m. EDT, Text, Photo

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BKC--MARCH MADNESS

DESCRIPTION: Text coverage of the men’s NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Final Four media day, practices: BKC--NCAA-Final Four -- The shot Braylon Mullins made to fill out the Final Four bracket was just the latest in many reminders this March Madness that not all the magic has disappeared from college sports. By Eddie Pells. Text, photos. BKC--NCAA-Big Men -- Illinois has the biggest roster in the country. Arizona isn’t far behind, while Michigan and UConn rank in the top 10% of Division I in average size. That’s set the stage for the big men to command the stage at the Final Four. By Aaron Beard. Text, photos by 4 p.m. BKC--NCAA-Michigan-Arizona Matchups -- In a highly anticipated showdown of top seeds at the Final Four, Michigan and Arizona have intriguing matchups at both ends of the court and on the sideline. By Larry Lage. Text, photos by 4 p.m. BKC-NCAA-Young Guns -- Illinois guard Keaton Wagler and UConn guard Bryalon Mullins are fresh faces in this year’s Final Four. But in a season where freshman dominated the cross-country landscape, one of these two will be playing for something the other big names won’t: a national championship. By Michael Marot. Text, photos by 5 p.m. BKC-NCAA-Unbeaten Hoosiers-- Bob Knight’s halftime speech on March 29, 1976, was an instant classic. Trailing by six against Michigan, The General challenged his players to make history. Indiana responded with one of the most dominant halves in NCAA Tournament history to complete the last perfect season in Division I men’s basketball. By Michael Marot. Text, photos.

SENT: UPDATES UPCOMING: By 04/02/2026 6:00 p.m. EDT, DigitalPlans, Text, Photo

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BKW--MARCH MADNESS

DESCRIPTION: Text coverage of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament, including previews of the Final Four: BKW--NCAA-South Carolina-UConn Preview -- UConn and South Carolina meet in the Final Four a year after the two teams played for the national championship. For the first time in 11 years the powerhouse programs didn’t meet in the regular season. By Basketball Writer Doug Feinberg. Text, photos by 6 p.m. BKW--NCAA-Texas-UCLA-Preview -- UCLA is one game away from playing for the program’s first NCAA national championship. Standing in the Bruins’ way is Texas, the only team to beat them this season. By John Marshall. Text, photos by 7 p.m. BKW--NCAA-Final Four Bigs -- Women’s basketball players are getting bigger, yet more athletic and skilled. Some of the best bigs in the game will be at the Final Four this weekend. By John Marshall. Text, photos by 7 p.m. BKW--NCAA-Clutch Moments -- Championships are often won by teams who come through in clutch moments during big games. The problem for UConn, UCLA, Texas and South Carolina? They’ve been so dominant that they don’t have much experience dealing with them. By David Brandt. Text, photos by 7 p.m.

UPCOMING: By 04/02/2026 7:00 p.m. EDT, DigitalPlans, Text, Photo

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GLF--TEXAS OPEN

DESCRIPTION: SAN ANTONIO -- Justin Rose, Tommy Fleetwood and Jordan Spieth lead the field at the Valero Texas Open, the last chance for someone not already invited to earn a spot in the Masters by winning. Upcoming: 600 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 04/02/2026 8:00 p.m. EDT, Text, Photo

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BKN--TRAIL BLAZERS-DUNDON

DESCRIPTION: PORTLAND, Ore. — New Trail Blazers owner Tom Dundon, along with fellow investors Andrew Cherng and Sheel Tyle, speak to reporters before the team’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans. By Anne M. Peterson. Upcoming: 400 words and photos. Stemming from press conference at 6 p.m. ET.

UPCOMING: By 04/02/2026 9:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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BKN--LAKERS-THUNDER

DESCRIPTION: The Oklahoma City Thunder are closing in on the top seed in the NBA playoffs. To get closer, they need to get past the Los Angeles Lakers, one of the top teams in the Western Conference. By Cliff Brunt. 300 words, with photos. Game time 8:30 p.m. Central.

UPCOMING: By 04/02/2026 9:30 p.m. EDT, Text, Photo

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GLF--LPGA TOUR

DESCRIPTION: The first round of the Aramco Championship takes place.

UPCOMING: By 04/02/2026 10:00 p.m. EDT, Text, Photo

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NEW AND DEVELOPING

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BKC--NCAA-MICHIGAN-ARIZONA MATCHUPS

Final Four showdown with top seeds Michigan and Arizona includes intriguing matchups

SUMMARY: A March Madness masterpiece might be on tap. Get your popcorn, kick up your feet and get ready for what shapes up to be an epic showdown in the Final Four nightcap on Saturday night. Michigan and Arizona, top-seeded teams in the NCAA Tournament after being at or near the top of the AP Top 25 all season, will face off with a spot in the championship game on Monday night at stake. The nation’s top two teams in KenPom rankings will be on the same court at the Final Four for just the second time since 2015.

WORDS: 1356 - MOVED: 04/02/2026 1:31 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:6db064f58790ce587b6f9f081a941139&mediaType=text

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BBM--DUCKS-BAUER

Trevor Bauer’s next stop: An Atlantic League opening night start with the Long Island Ducks

SUMMARY: Former Cy Young winner Trevor Bauer has signed with the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League and is scheduled to pitch opening night on April 21 for the minor league team. The Ducks announced the signing Thursday for Bauer’s 15th professional season. Bauer will wear a mic for all games and practices, helping create content for both his and the team’s outlets. Bauer has been trying to revive his big-league career after serving a 194-game suspension for violating MLB’s domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy. He was never charged with a crime in the matter, and civil claims against him were settled.

WORDS: 249 - MOVED: 04/02/2026 1:09 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:aa41f9a73c6d1f946169f58d64a71d45&mediaType=text

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FBN--BILLS-ALLEN-STEINFELD BABY

Hailee Steinfeld says she and Bills quarterback Josh Allen have welcomed a baby girl

SUMMARY: Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen and actor and singer Hailee Steinfeld are proud parents of a baby girl. Steinfeld announced Thursday in her newsletter that their daughter has been born without sharing any further specifics on the date or the baby’s name. She wrote they are grateful, blessed and savoring the early moments. Steinfeld is coming off a year in which she earned acclaim for her role in the movie “Sinners.” Allen and Steinfeld married last May and announced in the same newsletter in December that they were expecting their first child.

WORDS: 184 - MOVED: 04/02/2026 1:08 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:06383575d0f964b90bf8afead957d843&mediaType=text

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GLF-TIGER-WOODS-CRASH

Bodycam shows a stunned Tiger Woods handcuffed after a Florida rollover crash

SUMMARY: Newly released body camera footage shows that Tiger Woods expressed astonishment as he was handcuffed after crashing his vehicle last week in Florida. The bodycam footage was released Thursday and shows a Martin County sheriff’s deputy conducting a sobriety test on the golfer. Woods said he was looking at his phone and changing the radio station when his speeding Land Rover clipped a truck and rolled onto its side on a residential road on Jupiter Island. The video also shows that deputies found painkiller pills in Tiger Woods’ pocket after the crash. Woods entered a not guilty plea on Tuesday to suspicion of driving under the influence.

WORDS: 577 - MOVED: 04/02/2026 1:01 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:528d9a41a1a2c1ece24967192b52b621&mediaType=text

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BKC--NCAA-MICHIGAN-FAB FIVE REUNION

Michigan’s ‘Fab Five’ will reunite during Saturday’s Final Four

SUMMARY: Michigan’s “Fab Five” will reunite during Saturday’s Final Four. Chris Webber, Jalen Rose, Juwan Howard, Jimmy King and Ray Jackson will be part of an alternate broadcast on truTV and HBO Max when the Wolverines face Arizona in the second national semifinal. The winner will advance to play Connecticut or Illinois for the title on Monday night. The traditional broadcast will be on TBS, TNT and HBO Max. The five members of Michigan’s iconic 1991 recruiting class, who led the Wolverines to the Final Four in 1992 and ’93, have reunited only a handful of times.

WORDS: 213 - MOVED: 04/02/2026 1:01 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:5992190b5665deb7c6e9225aa1f2264e&mediaType=text

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BKW--IOWA ST-CROOKS TRANSFERRING

Iowa State star Audi Crooks entering the transfer portal, the latest to leave team in mass exodus

SUMMARY: Iowa State star Audi Crooks announced she is entering the transfer portal, making her the fourth starter and 10th Cyclones player overall to say they will move on after a disappointing second half of the season following a start that matched the best in program history. Crooks averaged 25.8 points per game this season to rank second in the nation. She averaged 22.8 points over 99 games in her three seasons. She scored more than 40 points in five games this season and was an AP All-America second-team pick.

WORDS: 632 - MOVED: 04/02/2026 12:56 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:73e9ed0e7583a8f66b5b38d7e6566490&mediaType=text

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SOC--WCUP-ITALY OUT

Italy soccer president and delegation chief Buffon resign after another World Cup failure

SUMMARY: Italy’s soccer federation president has resigned amid political pressure after the national team failed to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup. Gabriele Gravina’s decision was quickly followed by Gianluigi Buffon also stepping down as the national team’s delegation chief and will likely lead to the ouster of Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso too. Italy’s chances of reaching this year’s World Cup ended after a penalty shootout loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina in a qualifying playoff on Tuesday. Italy Sports Minister Andrea Abodi had called for a change in the country’s soccer leadership after Gravina oversaw two sets of disappointing World Cup qualifiers. Gravina took charge of the federation in 2018.

WORDS: 711 - MOVED: 04/02/2026 12:23 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:dfc024759ddda518e0f0afc24ac317c9&mediaType=text

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FBN--RAIDERS-COUSINS

Kirk Cousins and Raiders agree to a deal as veteran is expected to help Fernando Mendoza transition

SUMMARY: Kirk Cousins has agreed to a deal with the Las Vegas Raiders. His agent announced the agreement on Thursday morning. Cousins gives them a veteran quarterback to help ease the expected selection of Fernando Mendoza with the top draft pick. Cousins posted “The Autumn Wind...” in a nod to the Raiders’ theme that is played before every home game and was made famous by NFL Films. Raiders coach Klint Kubiak and general manager John Spytek telegraphed this kind of move, saying they wouldn’t want to throw a rookie quarterback into the starting lineup.

WORDS: 381 - MOVED: 04/02/2026 12:01 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:0376e8bfe209b1e9b4ba21998891b78c&mediaType=text

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BBO--PIRATES-GRIFFIN

The Pirates are calling up teenager Konnor Griffin ahead of Friday’s home opener, AP source says

SUMMARY: The Pittsburgh Pirates are calling up 19-year-old shortstop Konnor Griffin, the top prospect in baseball, before the club’s home opener against the Baltimore Orioles. A person familiar with the decision tells The Associated Press the club is making the move because Griffin is the best shortstop in the organization. Griffin hit .438 with three doubles, an RBI and three stolen bases at Triple-A Indianapolis. Griffin’s arrival comes less than two years after the Pirates selected him with the ninth pick in the 2024 draft. He rocketed through the lower minors last season, hitting .333 with 21 homers, 94 RBIs and 65 stolen bases.

WORDS: 451 - MOVED: 04/02/2026 11:26 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:455d06c32cebc4c5940bc702ec2ce37a&mediaType=text

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SOC--WCUP-IRAN

Iran makes World Cup progress in talks with Infantino as war darkens June trip to US

SUMMARY: Iranian soccer has had a good week on its troubled path to playing World Cup games in the United States in June. There was a first face-to-face meeting with FIFA President Gianni Infantino since the U.S. and Israel started a war against Iran on Feb. 28. Iranian soccer’s upbeat readout of the meeting in Turkey made no mention of moving World Cup games to Mexico. Infantino also offered tangible help for the squad to prepare for the World Cup in the next two months. Most Iran players are with clubs in the national league that has shut down during the war. Iran’s World Cup hosts in Arizona also said this week they were pressing on with training camp upgrades plus local and federal security plans.

WORDS: 1185 - MOVED: 04/02/2026 11:09 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:6e30afd95cc0db3213afdadd54d2b94b&mediaType=text

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BKW--POLL AT 50-DELTA STATE

Delta State’s women’s basketball legacy endures even as national spotlight has faded

SUMMARY: Delta State became one of women’s basketball’s early powerhouses under coach Margaret Wade and star player Lusia Harris. The Lady Statesmen were the first No. 1 team when the women’s college basketball poll debuted 50 years ago. They won three straight national championships in the AIAW from 1975-1977 and three more under Lloyd Clark from 1989-1992 after its move to NCAA’s Division II. The women’s basketball spotlight has since shifted elsewhere, as money reshaped the sports landscape and large programs with big budgets began to dominate. But in Cleveland, Delta States’ rich legacy still resonates.

WORDS: 1043 - MOVED: 04/02/2026 10:47 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:b28876e71b8070f2b020bdf05ba25c9e&mediaType=text

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GLF--MASTERS-HOLE BY HOLE

MASTERS ’26: A hole-by-hole look at Augusta National

SUMMARY: A hole-by-hole look at Augusta National for the 90th Masters that starts April 9.

WORDS: 2128 - MOVED: 04/02/2026 9:26 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:7e673de44e84670eb993fa8e7e58be65&mediaType=text

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GLF--MASTERS

MASTERS ’26: Rory McIlroy sheds burden of winning green jacket. Now it falls to others

SUMMARY: Rory McIlroy ended the last Masters by looking ahead to the next one. His question was what everyone was going to be talking about next year. He refers to questions he faced for 15 years whether he could ever win a green jacket. Now that he has one, who’s next. Next year arrives April 9 with the 90th edition of the major everyone anticipates. The numbers indicate it should be easy to win with so few players in the field compared with the other majors. But there’s something about the history and pressure that makes it tough.

WORDS: 1121 - MOVED: 04/02/2026 8:35 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:255170c9ff5b82ea532a8b2ca8d08de1&mediaType=text

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BKC--NCAA-UNBEATEN HOOSIERS

It has been 50 years since the last perfect NCAA champion. Indiana will be honored not far from home

SUMMARY: Bob Knight’s halftime speech on March 29, 1976, became legendary. Indiana was down 35-29 to Michigan. The late Hall of Fame coach issued a challenge that sparked a comeback. Indiana outscored Michigan 57-33 in the second half, winning 86-68 to win the school’s third national championship. A half-century later, the Hoosiers are still the last undefeated champion in Division I men’s basketball. The team will be honored before Monday night’s national championship game.

WORDS: 1152 - MOVED: 04/02/2026 7:10 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:c1ae2c7d26edfc2066f87c89c76b54f0&mediaType=text

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SOC--WOMEN’S CHAMPIONS LEAGUE-HAIRPULLING

Chelsea coach laments lack of VAR on hair-pulling incident in Women’s Champions League

SUMMARY: Chelsea coach Sonia Bompastor has whipped out her cell phone in a post-match interview and replayed footage of a hair-pulling incident missed by match officials in the Women’s Champions League game against Arsenal. The clip played by Bompastor in a TV interview showed Arsenal defender Katie McCabe pulling back the hair of Chelsea forward Alyssa Thompson as the U.S. international broke forward in the final seconds in search of a goal to take the game to extra time. The French coach felt McCabe should have been sent off. Instead she received a red card for her complaints on the sideline and continued to vent her fury afterward. McCabe apologized on social media afterwards. Hair-pulling can be regarded as violent conduct and punished with a red card.

WORDS: 440 - MOVED: 04/02/2026 6:24 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:d179187cd5f0eeb5f7c27e48c5c2b17e&mediaType=text

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BKC--NCAA-FINAL FOUR

Believe it! After a wild March Madness, Final Four teams look to conjure up more magic

SUMMARY: Those who believe college sports is losing its heart — being overtaken by money —are not all wrong. But the shot by UConn’s Braylon Mullins that filled out the bracket for the Final Four reminded everyone that there’s some magic left in those nets. Quite a lot of it, in fact. The teams open practice at Lucas Oil Stadium in preparation for Saturday’s games. The Huskies will play Illinois and Michigan will face Arizona, with the winners heading to Monday night’s final.

WORDS: 824 - MOVED: 04/02/2026 6:10 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:98d2af06cdedb9fe34d0e864b7739da1&mediaType=text

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BKN--CELTICS-TATUM

Jayson Tatum says he’s not at his best yet. That’s likely scary news for Celtics’ opponents

SUMMARY: Boston star Jayson Tatum doesn’t know how much longer it’ll take for him to feel like he’s playing basketball at his best level again. That might be a scary statement. Tatum — in only his 12th game back after tearing his Achilles in last season’s playoffs — did something that he’s never done, that no Boston player has done since 2010 and that only two other Celtics have done in the franchise’s illustrious history. His numbers against the Miami Heat on Wednesday night: 25 points, 18 rebounds and 11 assists.

WORDS: 644 - MOVED: 04/02/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:751409d4cf83a16bb1d9fa3902b0288f&mediaType=text

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SOC--WOMEN’S CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ROUNDUP

Barcelona hosts Real Madrid with a 6-2 lead in the Women’s Champions League quarterfinals

SUMMARY: Barcelona has a massive 6-2 lead to protect against Real Madrid in the Women’s Champions League quarterfinals on Thursday night. The Catalan club is in a commanding position to make a record-extending eighth straight semifinal. Madrid needs an unprecedented turnaround to reach its first semis. Barcelona seeks to reclaim the title it lost to Arsenal last season. The game marks Barcelona’s first return to Camp Nou since the stadium partially reopened in November amid ongoing renovations. The winner will face Bayern Munich. In the other quarterfinal, Wolfsburg goes to eight-time champion Lyon with a 1-0 lead.

WORDS: 249 - MOVED: 04/02/2026 5:59 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:66eb9d784511eccd4f22e01afd9b35ef&mediaType=text

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SOC--ENGLISH PREVIEW

Salah’s long goodbye: Egypt star begins farewell tour with Liverpool at Man City in FA Cup

WORDS: 797 - MOVED: 04/02/2026 4:30 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:6e2895db4dc548a45569af6800ce5f57&mediaType=text

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RGU--NEW ZEALAND-CTE

Post-mortem indicates New Zealand rugby player who died by suspected suicide had CTE

SUMMARY: A post-mortem examination shows a New Zealand professional rugby player who died by suspected suicide last year had advanced chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a brain abnormality linked to repeated concussions. The diagnosis was announced Thursday by Coroner Ian Telford who is conducting a preliminary hearing into the death of Shane Christie who died in August aged 39. Christie believed he was suffering from CTE and campaigned for greater understanding of the condition after the death of his friend and fellow rugby professional Billy Guyton, also by suspected suicide.

WORDS: 381 - MOVED: 04/02/2026 2:14 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:916109a9cad22f38b87d63276b0c2cb1&mediaType=text

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MOVING TOMORROW ___

—Women’s Final Four

—BKC--AP Player of Year

—BKC--AP Coach of Year

—BKW--Poll at 50-Growth of the Game

—Women’s Final Four transfer portal feature

—Men’s Final Four previews

—GLF--Masters-Champions Room