Kobe Bryant

FILE - Jim Boylen, right, supervises the on-court drills during the NBA basketball draft combine May 18, 2022, in Chicago. Boylen led the coaching staff Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023, as the United States defeated Uruguay in a FIBA Americas game. The U.S. clinched a berth in the 32-team FIBA World Cup. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File)

US savors World Cup berth; Carmelo Anthony named ambassador

By Tim Reynolds Feb. 24, 2023 11:47 AM EST

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs (14) celebrates after scoring on a pass from quarterback Josh Allen during the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

Bills draw inspiration from Kobe-led Olympic 'Redeem Team'

By John Wawrow Oct. 10, 2022 03:14 PM EDT

AP Sportlight

By The Associated Press Jun. 09, 2022 10:00 AM EDT
June 14 1922 — Gene Sarazen edges Bobby Jones and John Black to win the U.S. Open tournament. 1934 — Max Baer stops Primo Carnera in 11th...

FILE - USA Basketball Men's National Team guard Kobe Bryant, left, talks with head coach Mike Krzyzewski during a practice Saturday, July 14, 2012 in Washington. The basketball coach's fingerprints are all over the highest levels of the game after a nearly five-decade head-coaching career. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

Olympics USA Basketball 7/14/2012

Mar. 02, 2022 12:34 PM EST

FILE - Chicago Bulls fans Rob Martinez, left, Mark Kojak and Michael Kojak, right, show their support for the team during a rally in Chicago, June 14, 1991, celebrating the Bulls NBA championship. (AP Photo/Mark Elias, File)

The 1990s: Jordan era takes flight; Magic battles HIV virus

By Brian Mahoney Feb. 23, 2022 02:26 AM EST

AP Sportlight

By The Associated Press Feb. 19, 2022 10:00 AM EST
Feb. 20 1887 — The International Association, the first minor league baseball association, is organized in Pittsburgh. 1951 — The college...

By The Associated Press Feb. 17, 2022 11:05 AM EST
Feb. 18 1924 — Theresa Weld Blanchard wins her sixth and final U.S. figure skating championship. Sherwin Badger captures his fifth straight and final...

AP-Sportlight-Week Ahead

By The Associated Press Feb. 10, 2022 11:08 AM EST
Feb. 11 1878 — The Boston Bicycle Club, the first bicycle club in the United States, is formed. 1949 — Willie Pep becomes the first boxer...

FILE - Chicago Bulls forward Pau Gasol, left, looks to a pass against the Milwaukee Bucks during the second half in Game 1 of the NBA basketball playoffs in Chicago, in this Saturday, April 18, 2015, file photo. Pau Gasol announced his retirement from basketball on Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021, ending a career that lasted more than two decades and earned him two NBA titles and a world championship gold with Spain's national team. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)

Veteran Pau Gasol announces retirement from basketball

By Tales Azzoni Oct. 05, 2021 11:56 AM EDT

Argentina's Gabriel Deck, left, fights for a rebound with Spain's Pau Gasol during a men's basketball preliminary round game at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Thursday, July 29, 2021, in Saitama, Japan. (Aris Messinis/Pool Photo via AP)

Pau Gasol defied odds to return, is going out on his terms

By Tim Reynolds Jul. 31, 2021 03:32 AM EDT

United States' Kaleigh Gilchrist plays against Japan during a preliminary round women's water polo match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 24, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Gilchrist's comeback arrives at Tokyo Olympics

By Jay Cohen Jul. 24, 2021 05:38 AM EDT

FILE - In this Sept. 1, 2006, file photo, Spain's Pau Gasol, left, goes after a rebound along with Argentina's Andres Nocioni during the semifinals of the World Basketball Championships in Saitama, Japan. The 2006 world championship was perhaps the last truly wide-open international basketball event. Argentina arrived as the Olympic champion and Spain left as the world champion, the last time for a long while anyone other than the U.S. would hold either title. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)

Repeat? Spain reigned, US upset last time Japan hosted hoops

By Brian Mahoney Jul. 21, 2021 10:32 AM EDT

FILE - United States' Kobe Bryant reacts after a dunk during the men's gold medal basketball game against Spain at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, in this Sunday, Aug. 12, 2012, file photo. Bryant wore No. 24 and No. 8 with the Los Angeles Lakers, but he donned No. 10 for USA Basketball when he helped the Americans capture gold medals at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics. Jayson Tatum has worn that number as part of U.S. teams several times since — and will wear it at the Tokyo Olympics, where the Americans will aim to capture a fourth consecutive gold medal. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)

The power of 10: Tatum eager to wear Bryant's Olympic number

By Tim Reynolds Jul. 07, 2021 12:44 PM EDT

AP-Sportlight-Week Ahead

By The Associated Press Jun. 10, 2021 11:41 AM EDT
June 11 1898 — Willie Simms becomes the only African American jockey to win the Preakness Stakes when he rides Sly Fox to victory and the...

AP Sportlight

By The Associated Press Feb. 19, 2021 10:00 AM EST
Feb. 20 1887 — The International Association, the first minor league baseball association, is organized in Pittsburgh. ...

AP-Sportlight-Week Ahead

By The Associated Press Feb. 18, 2021 12:47 PM EST
Feb. 20 1887 — The International Association, the first minor league baseball association, is organized in Pittsburgh. ...

AP-Sportlight-Week Ahead

By The Associated Press Feb. 11, 2021 02:34 PM EST
Feb. 13 1923 — The New York Renaissance, the first all-black pro basketball team, is organized. Rens become one of the dominant basketball...