Atlanta Dream two-time WNBA scoring champion Angel McCoughtry is testing free agency for the first time in the Baltimore native’s career.
McCoughtry, a St. Frances graduate, missed last season with a knee injury. She has reached an agreement with the Dream, which will not use its core designation to retain exclusive negotiating rights with the 33-year-old veteran. McCoughtry is an unrestricted free agent.
Other top WNBA players who have received max $215,000 contracts under the core designation are Brittney Griner of the Phoenix Mercury, Tina Charles of the New York Liberty and Skylar Diggins-Smith of Dallas. Diggins-Smith told The Associated Press on Sunday she hopes to play with another team after missing last season.
McCoughtry has returned from torn ligaments in her left knee to play for Dynamo Kursk in Russia in this WNBA offseason. She is on the USA women’s national team roster.
McCoughtry, a two-time Olympian, was the No. 1 overall pick by Atlanta in the 2009 WNBA draft. She has been the face of the Dream her full career and has averaged 19.5 points per game for her career. She led the league in scoring in 2012 and 2013.
The Dream said in a statement released Monday night “The door remains open for Angel to return to Atlanta as she explores other opportunities.”
— Charles Odum, Associated Press
Baseball: Ryan Zimmerman and the World Series champion Washington Nationals finalized a one-year, $2 million contract Tuesday. The 35-year-old first baseman, who has spent his entire 15-year big league career with the Nationals, can earn $3 million in performance bonuses. He can earn $1.5 million based on games: $250,000 each for 65, 80, 95, 110, 125 and 140. He also can get $1.5 million for plate appearances: $250,000 apiece for 250, 300, 350, 500, 450 and 500. Zimmerman also gets a full no-trade provision. Since he already has the right to block trades as a 10-year veteran who has spent five years with his current club, the provision would matter only if he accepts a trade, then wants to block a deal to a different team. Injuries limited Zimmerman to 52 games and a .257 average with six homers and 27 RBIs last year, but he was a key contributor in the postseason. He homered in Game 4 of the Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Pedro Baez and in the World Series opener off Houston’s Gerrit Cole. Zimmerman is expected to share time at first base with newcomer Eric Thames and holdover Howie Kendrick.
— Associated Press
Men’s college basketball: David Syfax Jr. came off the bench to tally 11 points to carry Morgan State to a 56-50 win over UMES on Monday night. Malik Miller had 10 points and nine rebounds for Morgan State (11-12, 5-3 Mid-Eastern Conference). Sherwyn Devonish and Stanley Davis each added six rebounds. Da’Shawn Phillip had 14 points for the Hawks (2-19, 1-5).
>> Koby Thomas had a career-high 24 points as Coppin State defeated Howard 82-75 on Monday night. Brendan Medley-Bacon had 16 points, 11 rebounds and three assists for Coppin State (6-16, 2-5 Mid-Eastern Conference). Ibn Williams added 14 points. Andrew Robinson had 12 points. Wayne Bristol Jr. scored a season-high 28 points for the Bison (2-20, 0-7).
>> Towson freshman guard Jason Gibson was selected as the Colonial Athletic Association Rookie of the Week. Gibson helped Towson extend its winning streak to a season-high six games. In road wins over Elon and William & Mary last week, Gibson averaged 17 points per game, 2.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals on 61.1 percent (11-for-18) shooting. He also made 5 of 8 3-pointers (62.5 percent).
Women’s college basketball: Jayla Thornton scored 25 points to lift visiting Howard (12-8, 4-3 MEAC) to a 66-54 win over Coppin State (0-19, 0-7) on Monday. Chance Graham had 20 points and 19 rebounds Aliyah Lawson scored 14 points and Oluwadamilol Oloyede added 10 points and rebounds for Coppin State, which travels to Delaware State on Saturday.
>> Chelsea Mitchell had 20 points and 14 rebounds to help visiting Morgan State (10-11, 6-2 MEAC) secure a 55-44 win over UMES (4-15, 1-5) for their fourth straight win Monday. Ashia McCalla added 14 points for Morgan State, which rallied from an 18-5 first-quarter deficit and shot 7-for-16 in the fourth quarter to seal the win. The Bears play at Howard on Saturday. Taylor Clayborne scored 12 points to lead UMES, which plays at Delaware State on Monday.
Men’s college track: Johns Hopkins’ Jared Pangallozzi and Justin Canedy were named Centennial Conference Track & Field Athletes of the Week. Pangallozzi was named Centennial Track Athlete of the Week for his exploits in the 5,000 Meter, while Canedy earnd Centennial Field Athlete of the Week for his efforts in the pentathlon.
Women’s college track: Johns Hopkins’ Annie Gutierrez was named Centennial Conference Field Athlete of the Week for the second consecutive week.
