AP Sports SummaryBrief at 3:37 p.m. EST

‘I want to talk’: Griner opened up during her long trip home

WASHINGTON (AP) — WNBA star Brittney Griner didn’t want quiet time as soon as she boarded a U.S. government plane that would bring her home. “I’ve been in prison for 10 months, listening to the Russians. I want to talk,” Griner said. That’s according to Roger Carstens, the special presidential envoy for hostage affairs, who helped secure the basketball star’s release and bring her back to the U.S. last week. Carstens told CNN’s “State of the Union” on Sunday that Griner walked throughout the plane, introducing herself to every member of the flight crew, shaking their hands, and “making a personal connection with them.”

Steelers QB Pickett in concussion protocol, out vs. Ravens

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh Steelers rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett has entered the NFL’s concussion protocol. Pickett left Pittsburgh’s game against Baltimore in the first quarter and was replaced by Mitch Trubisky. Pickett was driven hard to the turf by Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith while getting sacked on Pittsburgh’s first drive. He was assessed by medical personnel and cleared to play, but exited again after returning for one series. This is the second time this season Pickett has entered the concussion protocol. He missed the second half of a win over Tampa Bay on Oct. 16 after going into the protocol.

Paul Silas, 3-time NBA champion, longtime coach, dies at 79

Paul Silas, a member of three NBA championship teams and LeBron James’ first coach in the league, has died at the age of 79. Silas’ family announced his death on Sunday. The family revealed the death through the Houston Rockets, for whom Silas’ son, Stephen, is a second-generation head coach. Silas’ daughter, Paula Silas-Guy, told The New York Times that her father died Saturday night of cardiac arrest. Paul Silas won exactly 400 games as a coach, including playoffs. He played for two championship teams in Boston and another in Seattle. He was a head coach in San Diego, Charlotte, New Orleans and Cleveland.

Heisman 2023: Maye? Harrison Jr.? Who challenges Williams?

NEW YORK (AP) — Barring some unusual circumstances, Southern California quarterback Caleb Williams will become the eighth Heisman Trophy winner since 2000 to play college football the following season. None of them has come close to winning another. Maybe Williams is the one to break the trend and become just the second two-time Heisman winner, joining Ohio State’s Archie Griffin (1974-75). Who will challenge Williams in next year’s Heisman race?

USC’s Williams wins Heisman after leading Trojan turnaround

NEW YORK (AP) — Southern California quarterback Caleb Williams has won the Heisman Trophy to make USC the first school to take home college football’s most prestigious player of the year award eight times. TCU quarterback Max Duggan finished second. Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud was third in the voting after coming in fourth last season. Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett finished fourth. Williams transferred to USC from Oklahoma, following coach Lincoln Riley from Norman to Los Angeles, and led a turnaround season for the Trojans. USC finished 11-2 after going 4-8 last year.

Navy’s Ken Niumatalolo out after 15 seasons as coach

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Navy coach Ken Niumatalolo is out after 15 seasons at the helm. The academy said Sunday that Niumatalolo would not return. The announcement came a day after the Midshipmen lost to Army in overtime and finished 4-8 for the second straight year. Niumatalolo is the winningest coach in school history at 109-83, but after going 11-2 in 2019, Navy hasn’t finished above .500 since. Defensive coordinator Brian Newberry was named interim coach. Athletic director Chet Gladchuk is expected to speak to reporters Monday.

Suns scratch Booker in New Orleans with hamstring tightness

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The Phoenix Suns have scratched leading scorer Devin Booker from their game against the New Orleans Pelicans because of tightness in his left hamstring. Booker played 36 minutes during Friday night’s 128-117 loss in New Orleans. He scored 14 points in that game. That’s about half of his per-game average of 27.4 points this season. Suns coach Monty Williams says Booker wants to play but that the club is trying to be smart about ensuring the star guard’s longer-term health. Williams says Dario Saric is starting in Booker’s place. The Pelicans also have key injuries. Second-leading scorer Brandon Ingram is missing his seventh straight game with a left foot injury and top defender Herb Jones is out with a sore left ankle.

Mets add latest pricey arm, land Japanese ace Senga for $75M

NEW YORK (AP) — Japanese pitcher Kodai Senga and the New York Mets have agreed to a $75 million, five-year contract, according to a person familiar with the negotiations. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the deal was pending a physical. It’s the latest big move for free-spending owner Steve Cohen and the busy Mets during a dizzying week. Senga figures to slot into the middle of a revamped rotation headed by three-time Cy Young Award winners Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander.

Ronaldo says his dream of winning World Cup has ‘ended’

DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Cristiano Ronaldo has said in a cryptic social media post that his dream of winning the World Cup with Portugal has ended. But he stopped short of announcing his retirement from international duty. The 37-year-old Ronaldo left the field in tears after Portugal lost 1-0 to Morocco in the quarterfinals on Saturday. Ronaldo said Sunday on Instagram in his first comments after the elimination that it was “time to take stock.” But he didn’t explicitly say if he wants to carry on being available for Portugal. Ronaldo is the all-time leading scorer in men’s international soccer with 118 goals. He said putting Portugal “on the highest level in the world” was his biggest dream.

England looks to future after latest World Cup heartbreak

DOHA, Qatar (AP) — England’s World Cup fate was effectively sealed from the penalty spot as Harry Kane’s late strike flew high over the bar at Al Bayt Stadium. France held out for a 2-1 win that sent the defending champions back to the semifinals and England home. Penalties have cost the Three Lions time and again at major tournaments. They have lost shootouts on seven occasions in World Cups and European Championships since 1990. It didn’t come down to that against France. But Kane still faced a test of nerve from the spot when standing over the ball in the 84th minute.