The highlights of the AP Sports report. An up-to-the minute listing of all stories planned is available in Coverage Plan on AP Newsroom, https://newsroom.ap.org/coverageplan. You can also find a link to Coverage Plan on the left navigation of the Newsroom home page, https://newsroom.ap.org. Sports content can be found at http://newsroom.ap.org/page/APSports
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ADVISORIES
AP coverage plans for the upcoming Paris Olympics can be found here: https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/pronto/57d3a768edff36e3e1b369fa8fa2ce4d
Find Olympics stories, photos, videos and interactives on the Olympics hub in APNewsroom.
TOP STORIES
GLF--BRITISH OPEN
TROON, Scotland — Rory McIlroy tries to bounce back from his latest major setback when the British Open begins Thursday at Royal Troon, the final major championship of the year. By Golf Writer Doug Ferguson. UPCOMING: Early lead by 6 a.m. EDT. Final version by 5 p.m. EDT. With GLF--British Open-Glance (upcoming) and British Open-Notebook (upcoming). Other sidebars on merit.
BKL--FEVER-CLARK’S BREAK
ARLINGTON, Texas — Caitlin Clark says she’s looking forward to some time off during the WNBA’s monthlong Olympic hiatus. The Indiana rookie didn’t look much like she needed any while setting a league record with 19 assists in the Fever’s finale before the break. By Schuyler Dixon. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos by 6 a.m. EDT.
WITH:
— BKL--FEVER-CLARK-ASSIST RECORD. SENT: 420 words, photos.
BKL--WNBA MEDIA RIGHTS DEAL
PHOENIX — WNBA union head Terri Jackson is concerned the league is still being undervalued with the $2.2 billion over 11 years it will receive as part of the NBA’s recently approved media rights deals. By Basketball Writer Doug Feinberg. UPCOMING: 570 words, photos by 6 a.m. EDT.
OLY--BKL-TAURASI
PHOENIX — Diana Taurasi joked after the Tokyo Olympics that she’d see everyone in Paris. The 42-year-old guard turned the joke into reality. By Basketball Writer Doug Feinberg. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos by noon EDT.
ALSO:
— BKL--WNBA-ALL-STAR-FRIDAY. SENT: 140 words, photos.
OLY--SWM-SWIMSUIT WARS
The iconic LZR Racer, the swimsuit that Michael Phelps wore while winning eight golds medals at the Beijing Olympics, is still revered around Speedo’s design center. It serves as a reminder of just how much a suit can help an athlete. By National Writer Paul Newberry. UPCOMING: 1,170 words, photos by 6 a.m. EDT.
FBN--PROVE-IT PLAYERS
NEW YORK – Aaron Rodgers has four NFL MVP awards and an established playing legacy. The New York Jets quarterback enters the season with plenty to prove after missing all but four snaps last year because of a torn Achilles tendon. By Pro Football Writer Dennis Waszak Jr. UPCOMING: 990 words, photos by 5 p.m. EDT.
FBC--SEC NOTEBOOK
DALLAS — Nick Saban is at SEC Media Days again, six months after retiring as Alabama coach. This time he’s asking the questions as part of ESPN’s SEC Network coverage of the four-day event. By College Football Writer Ralph D. Russo. SENT: 1,255 words, photos.
FBC--SEC MEDIA DAYS
DALLAS — Billy Napier enters his third season as Florida coach in maybe the toughest position in college football. By College Football Writer Ralph D. Russo. SENT: 855 words, photos.
NOTABLE
SOC--MLS-YOUNGEST PLAYER
CHESTER, Pa. — Fourteen-year-old Philadelphia Union midfielder Cavan Sullivan became the youngest player in Major League Soccer history — and probably the youngest to play in any of the biggest professional sports leagues in the world. SENT: 305 words, photos.
BKN--SUMMER LEAGUE-BRONNY JAMES
LAS VEGAS — Bronny James got some shots to fall Wednesday night in perhaps his best performance yet out of his five games with the Los Angeles Lakers this summer. SENT: 225 words, photos.
BKN--OBIT-PAT WILLIAMS
Pat Williams, a co-founder of the Orlando Magic who worked in the NBA for more than a half-century, died Wednesday from complications related to viral pneumonia. He was 84. By Basketball Writer Tim Reynolds. SENT: 785 words, photos.
ALSO:
— BKN--RAPTORS-PORTER BANNED. By Basketball Writer Tim Reynolds. SENT: 430 words, photos.
US--MMA-UFC--JON JONES-DRUG TEST
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones pleaded not guilty Wednesday to two misdemeanor charges stemming from a drug test at his New Mexico home. By Susan Montoya Bryan. SENT: 395 words, photos.
CAR--BRITTANY FORCE-NHRA RETURN
KENT, Wash. — Brittany Force will return to her Top Fuel dragster this week in Seattle, her first time competing since 75-year-old father John’s horrific accident in Virginia. SENT: 250 words, photos.
ALSO:
— CAR—HENDRICK-PACE CAR. SENT: 235 words, photos.
CYC--TOUR DE FRANCE
BARCELONETTE, France — Two-time champion Tadej Pogacar took the Tour de France lead into the 18th stage as the race temporarily leaves the high mountains. UPCOMING. 400 words by 1 p.m. EDT.
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Thursday's EDT Time Schedule
No major games scheduled.