Kobe helicopter tried to climb to avoid clouds before crash

CALABASAS, Calif. (AP) — The pilot of the helicopter that crashed into a hillside outside Los Angeles, killing former NBA superstarKobe Bryant and eight others, told air traffic controllers in his last radio message that he was climbing to avoid a cloud layer, an accident investigator said Monday. The...

Diggins-Smith wants to leave Dallas and play elsewhere

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Skylar Diggins-Smith wants to find a new team to play for next season. “I don’t plan on playing in Dallas next year,” Diggins-Smith told The Associated Press in a phone interview Sunday. “I’m happy to be playing in this league and I want to...

Author deletes children's book co-written with Kobe Bryant

SAO PAULO (AP) — Kobe Bryant and Brazilian writer Paulo Coelho were working together on a children's book, but the author of “The Alchemist” said he deleted the draft after Bryant's death in a helicopter crash. The 72-year-old novelist told The Associated Press on Monday that the two men...

Spurs F Aldridge sidelined by thumb injury

CHICAGO (AP) — San Antonio forward LaMarcus Aldridge missed the Spurs' game at Chicago on Monday night because of a sprained right thumb. The 34-year-old Aldridge had 10 points and 10 rebounds in 34 1/2 minutes during Sunday's 110-106 loss to Toronto. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said Aldridge stayed back in...

Gianna Bryant, 13, was going to carry on a basketball legacy

She had next. Her name was Gianna Maria Onore Bryant. The world, now and forever, knows her as Gigi. Her dad, Kobe Bryant, called her Mambacita. He was Mamba, of course, and she was going to be basketball’s female version of him. She was going to play at Connecticut and head to the WNBA. That was the plan....

Lakers' next game postponed after Kobe Bryant's death

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The NBA has postponed the Los Angeles Lakers' next game against the Clippers on Tuesday night after the deaths of retired superstar Kobe Bryant, his daughter and seven others in a helicopter crash. The league announced the decision in a statement Monday, saying it “was made out of...

As Zion Williamson progresses, Pelicans see major upside

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Zion Williamson's crowd-pleasing array of soaring dunks, blocked shots and even 3-pointers during his first three NBA regular-season games have left the New Orleans Pelicans eager to see what he'll do next. “With him on the floor, obviously we’re pretty good," Pelicans...

Coach on Bryant helicopter put "heart and soul" in teaching

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. (AP) — Christina Mauser poured her heart and soul into coaching and teaching physical education at the school where young Gianna and her basketball star father Kobe Bryant were an integral part of the community. The mother of three worked at the campus in Newport Beach for more than a...

Maya Moore at peace with decision to skip second WNBA season

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Minnesota Lynx star Maya Moore sees missing a second consecutive WNBA season as an extension of her decision to skip last year. The 30-year-old told The Associated Press in a phone interview Monday that her work pushing criminal justice reform wasn't done yet. “I think when I...

NBA postpones Tuesday game between Lakers, Clippers after crash that killed Kobe Bryant 'out of respect for the Lakers'

LOS ANGELES (AP) — NBA postpones Tuesday game between Lakers, Clippers after crash that killed Kobe Bryant 'out of respect for the Lakers'.