PANTHERS-BENJAMIN
Panthers expect WR Benjamin will be ready for training camp
CHJARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Panthers coach Ron Rivera says he expects wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin will participate in all drills when the team opens training camp July 31.
Benjamin missed most of minicamp and OTAs with hamstring injuries in both legs, a source of concern for Carolina’s fifth-year coach. Rivera speculated at the time the injuries could be related to Benjamin being overweight.
But Rivera has heard only positive medical reports on Benjamin recently.
The coach said Thursday before the Hoop Tee Classic, a charity golf tournament put on by Charlotte Hornets COO Fred Whitfield, that the Panthers “expect to see him next week ready to roll.”
Rivera said life off the field is returning to normal. He expects to be back living in his Charlotte home next week after a January fire caused $500,000 in damages.
NASCAR-BRICKYARD-GORDON
Gordon honored at boyhood home before final Brickyard 400
PITTSBORO, Ind. (AP) — Jeff Gordon was presented with Indiana’s highest civilian award and became an honorary member of his hometown police department Thursday.
Three days before racing in his final Brickyard 400, the four-time NASCAR champion was the guest of honor in Pittsboro, a short drive northwest of Indianapolis. Hundreds of people lined the streets for a parade and crowded around a temporary stage for the presentation in the town where Gordon honed his racing skills as a teenager.
With Main Street draped in American flags, speedway flags and the Rainbow Warrior’s familiar No. 24 car, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence presented Gordon with the prestigious Sagamore of the Wabash award.
Gordon also received a plaque with his high school diploma from Tri-West High School, which he attended, and proclamations recognizing Jeff Gordon Day.
NASCAR-AMERICAN SNIPER
NASCAR, Indy honoring Marine vet Jeff Kyle at Brickyard
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The brother of famed “American Sniper” Chris Kyle will be honored this weekend at the NASCAR race in Indianapolis.
The race at the Brickyard is officially named “The Crown Presents the Jeff Kyle 400.”
Kyle is the brother of Navy SEAL Chris Kyle, who was shot to death at Texas gun range two years ago. Chris Kyle wrote a memoir of his work as a sniper, a book that was turned into an Oscar-nominated movie.
On Friday, Indianapolis will dye a downtown canal purple in Jeff Kyle’s honor as well as for all past and present men and women of the U.S. military. Mayor Gregory Ballard will present Kyle with a proclamation declaring that July 24 will be “Jeff Kyle Day” in Indianapolis. The canal will remain purple all weekend.
PRESEASON ALL-ACC
Watson, Conner lead preseason all-ACC team
GREENSBORO, N.C. (AP) — Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson leads the all-Atlantic Coast Conference preseason team.
Watson, the league’s preseason player of the year, was one of five Tigers chosen to the team announced Thursday and selected by 163 voting media members earlier this week at its media day.
Watson threw for 1,466 yards and 14 touchdowns as a freshman despite playing just eight games due to injuries.
He was joined by teammates Mike Williams and Artavis Scott at receiver, offensive guard Eric MacLain and defensive end Shaq Lawson.
Reigning ACC player of the year James Conner, a running back from Pittsburgh, was selected along with Pitt receiver Tyler Boyd.
Cornerback Jalen Ramsey was one of four Florida State players picked, while defensive back Kendall Fuller of Virginia Tech was joined by three Hokies teammates.
WAKE FOREST-CRAWFORD
Wake PG Crawford looking to get into ‘swing of scoring’
UNDATED (AP) – Wake Forest’s coaches are working with freshman Bryant Crawford on how frequently he shoots.
They want him doing it more often.
In an interview with The Associated Press, the pass-first point guard said with a smile that his coaches have “been getting on my back” about being more assertive.
He says he’s working on “getting into the swing of scoring more often.”
Crawford, a consensus four-star recruit from Kensington, Maryland, averaged 13 points and 5.5 assists this past season for Gonzaga College High School in Washington, D.C.
His high school coach, Steve Turner, describes him as “a throwback” because of his focus on involving his teammates first.
GLF-US JUNIOR AMATEUR
Andy Ogletree strong in US Junior Amateur
BLUFFTON, S.C. (AP) — Andy Ogletree beat U.S. Open qualifier Cole Hammer in the second round and led Noah Goodwin 5 up after 11 holes Thursday in the weather-delayed U.S. Junior Amateur.
The 17-year-old Ogletree, from Little Rock, Mississippi, beat Hammer, from Houston, 5 and 4, and took five of the first 11 holes against Goodwin, from Corinth, Texas, in the third round before play was suspended for the day at Colleton River Plantation Club’s Pete Dye Course.
Ogletree, the Mississippi Class 2A state medalist, birdied Nos. 8 and 9 — holing a 10-foot putt and 30-foot chip — and made a 5-foot birdie putt on the par-5 11th against the 15-year-old Goodwin.
The 15-year-old Hammer became the third-youngest player to compete in a U.S. Open when he played at Chambers Bay in June.
