AP Sports SummaryBrief at 12:42 a.m. EST

US hockey player Brady Tkachuk slams White House TikTok as 'clearly fake' after anti-Canada slur

OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) — U.S. hockey player Brady Tkachuk says a White House TikTok video falsely paints him as insulting Canadians. Tkachuk calls the clip clearly fake. He says the audio and lip movement do not match. The video uses fabricated audio that includes a bleeped slur about Canadians. Tkachuk says he would never use that language. He also denies shouting “close the northern border” during Team USA’s phone call with President Donald Trump after Sunday’s Olympic gold medal win over Canada. The team has returned from Italy and is resuming the NHL season.

Olympic hero Jack Hughes keeps waiting for life to return to normal. It didn't happen in Pittsburgh

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Jack Hughes is still riding the emotional wave from his overtime goal that won Olympic gold for the United States. The New Jersey Devils forward received a long and loud roar of approval from fans in Pittsburgh ahead of a road game against the Penguins. Hughes said he thought he might be recognized in some way, but was caught off guard by the length of ovation. The 24-year-old said he's welcoming the routine of returning to the grind of an NHL season even with the Devils slumping as the stretch run nears.

US women's hockey team has date in July with Flavor Flav in Vegas to celebrate gold medal victory

The United States women’s hockey team has a date with Flavor Flav in Las Vegas in July to celebrate its gold medal victory from the Milan Cortina Olympics. The rapper posted a note on his X account announcing he’s hosting a “She Got Game” event from July 16-19. The post says the event was being held to honor the women’s hockey team and other female athletes. A publicist for Flavor Flav confirmed the event. The women’s players accepted the invitation without input from USA Hockey, a person familiar with discussions told The Associated Press.

Cuba says 8 World Baseball Classic delegation members denied US visas

Eight members of Cuba’s delegation were denied visas to the United States for the World Baseball Classic, the Cuban Baseball and Softball Federation said. Cuba is set to play against Puerto Rico, Colombia, Panama and Canada in San Juan, Puerto Rico, during pool play of the WBC, which is scheduled from March 5-17. Among the Cubans that were denied visas are FCBS president Juan Reinaldo Pérez Pardo and general secretary Carlos del Pino Muñoz. Pitching coach Pedro Luis Lazo was also denied.

Colts give injury-plagued QB Anthony Richardson permission to seek trade, AP source says

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The Indianapolis Colts have given quarterback Anthony Richardson permission to find a trade partner, a person with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press on Thursday. The person requested anonymity because no formal announcement is expected. Indy believed Richardson could become its long-time franchise quarterback when it drafted him with the No. 4 overall selection in 2023, but nothing has gone according to plan for the Colts — or the injury-plagued former Florida star. The news came two days after Colts general manager Chris Ballard told local reporters he still believed Richardson could succeed in Indianapolis.

Jets agree to trade Jermaine Johnson to the Titans for T'Vondre Sweat, AP source says

A person familiar with the deal tells The Associated Press that the New York Jets have agreed to trade pass rusher Jermaine Johnson to the Tennessee Titans for defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the trade cannot become official until the NFL’s new league year starts on March 11. ESPN and NFL Network first reported the deal Thursday. Johnson joins Titans coach Robert Saleh again. Saleh was the Jets coach when New York drafted Johnson in 2022. Tennessee drafted Sweat in the second round in 2024.

Hornets' Kon Knueppel breaks NBA rookie record for 3-pointers in a season in just 59 games

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Charlotte’s Kon Knueppel has reached yet another milestone in a remarkable rookie season for the No. 4 overall pick from Duke. The Hornets swingman broke Keegan Murray’s NBA rookie record for 3-pointers, making his 207th Thursday night against the Indiana Pacers. Knueppel connected on five 3s in the first half and then broke the record in the third quarter. He finished with eight 3s on 12 attempts to get to 209 for the season as the Hornets beat the Pacers 133-109. It took Murray 80 games in 2022-23 to establish the record. Knueppel needed just 59 to surpass it.

WNBA union plans to survey players with agents seeking input in process, AP source says

NEW YORK (AP) — Leaders of the WNBA players’ union had a meeting with players this week and will send out a survey to their members to get feedback on the league’s latest contract proposal. That's according to a person familiar with the negotiations who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. In a letter to union executive director Terri Carmichael Jackson that was obtained by the AP, 10 prominent WNBA player agents offered to help the union with the survey. The league and the players have been unable to reach a new collective bargaining agreement since the union opted out of the previous deal, which expired last year.

NCAA football oversight committee proposes stiff penalties for violations of transfer portal window

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The NCAA football oversight committee is recommending emergency legislation to protect the transfer portal window by issuing penalties for schools and coaches who circumvent the rules. The committee on Wednesday proposed the legislation to penalize schools who add players who did not make public their interest in transferring during the January transfer portal window. The proposed legislation would become effective immediately if approved at the Division I cabinet meeting in April. The head coach who accepts a transfer who did not properly enter the January portal would be prohibited from all recruiting, on-field coaching and team meetings for six games.

Azzi Fudd, Sarah Strong lead UConn to 46th straight win and another 30-win season

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Azzi Fudd had 24 points and four steals in her final regular-season home game and Sarah Strong added 13 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists as top-ranked UConn cruised to an 84-52 win over visiting Georgetown to extend its winning streak to 46 games.Ashlynn Shade had 12 points, Kayleigh Heckel had 11 points and Blanca Quinonez finished with 10 points as the Huskies are 30-0 for the 10th time in program history. It was also the 29th 30-win season for UConn. The Huskies were presented with the Big East regular-season trophy following the game.Summer Davis led Georgetown (14-16, 6-13) with 12 points. Khadee Hession added 11 points.